The Best Christmas

It was the night before Christmas
And quiet in the house.
Mom was in the kitchen,
Dad was dozing on the couch.

The children had moved far away,
And weren’t coming home this year.
Mom was feeling sad, so she began to pray.
“Oh Lord, I could really use some cheer.

The kids can’t come home,
And I miss them so much.
This Christmas we’re all alone,
But in you I’ve put my trust.

Everything is ready for Christmas dinner,
And I sent invitations all over town.
But it looks like I won’t be a winner,
All my invitations have been turned down.

Lord, there must be someone out there
Who has no place to go.
I want to show them how you care,
And feed them dinner at my home.

You know how hard it is for me
To get out and around.
Bring me someone who’s lonely,
Help me show them what you’re about.

Thank you, Lord, for listening when I pray.
Now I think I’ll get some sleep,
So I can be rested for Christmas Day.
I’ll need my energy to feed your hungry sheep.”

Christmas Day dawned bright and clear.
Mom was in the kitchen early,
And creating all kinds of good cheer.
She thanked God for making her feel merry.

All of her children gave her a call,
And she wished each one a Merry Christmas.
She gave thanks she could talk to them all.
“Thank you for remembering me, Jesus.”

Dad suddenly had an errand to run.
He said he’d be back in a few minutes.
“Please don’t be long, for dinner’s almost done.”
She was too busy to wonder about his disappearance.

Suddenly the doorbell began to ring.
“I wonder who that could be.”
A man said, “Your husband told me to bring
My wife and children; the youngest one is three.

I met him at the convenience store.
He saw that my wallet was empty.
He said you have enough for twenty or more,
And that you’d be delighted to feed my family.”

“Come in! Come in!” she cried.
“Let me take your coats and hats.
Unexpected company makes me smile,
And it won’t be long before my husband is back.”

A short time later her husband came home.
Mom gasped with surprise when he walked through the door,
For when he came in, he wasn’t alone.
He had someone with him; in fact, several more.

“I didn’t like seeing you so sad for Christmas Day,
And I knew these people had no place to go.
Last night when I heard you pray,
I knew God’s love was important for you to show.

I know how much you miss our children,
And how hard it sometimes is for us to be alone.
Today is about how God came down from heaven
To ensure that all His children can go home.

So I brought these people for you to feed
Because I know it makes you happy.
It makes me glad to see you at peace
When you’re making another person’s day cheery.”

Mom and Dad had a happy Christmas,
With a house filled with people and light.
They gave special thanks to Jesus
For filling their home with such delight.

I'm Thankful

I’m thankful for eyes to see
Oceans, rivers, birds in the sky,
Babies, and flowers and trees.

I’m thankful for ears to hear
The wind, music, and a loved one’s voice,
And the songs of birds, far and near.

I’m thankful for hands and feet
That do what I want,
So my tasks I can complete.

I’m thankful for a voice that can express
Words of hope, joy, love and peace,
Words we need to constantly confess.

I’m thankful for my health,
Sometimes bad, mostly good,
Because it’s my greatest wealth.

I’m thankful for my family
With all our differences and quirks,
Never boring, with all that variety.

I’m thankful for a God I can trust,
Who is always there for me.
Whenever I need Him, I just call Jesus.

There is so much for me to be thankful for,
I could never tell about everything,
For as I tell of one, I think of one more.

Being Thankful

Being thankful is not a hard thing to be,
Because God has set me free,
Free from the chains of my past,
Free with a joy that will forever last.

I was such a mess at the start,
Not so much now as I let Him heal my heart.
I carried a heavy burden from my sin and shame,
Made even heavier from my grief and pain.

I wandered in darkness, confused and lost.
Somebody’s prayers helped me find the cross.
How I wept as I lay on my face,
Sorrowful at what I was, but amazed at God’s grace.

I don’t know how He could love someone like me.
I don’t understand His willingness to give His mercy
To someone full of rebellion and pride,
Failing miserably at running my own life.

But God loves me, and I walk in His grace and mercy.
God loves me, and is guiding me to victory.
So while I’m on this earth, and when I get to heaven,
I’ll do my absolute best to praise and thank Him, again and again.

It's Me - Again

Hey God, it's me again.
I seem to need your help once more.
I sure will be glad when I get to heaven,
'Cause then you won't have my life to restore.

I tried to fix this on my own.
I keep thinking you have so much to do.
I should have gone straight to you, I know.
You are the only option I should pursue.

So here I am once again, dear God.
I don't understand my resistance,
Or why I worry others think it's odd,
That I need to go to you with such persistance.

But you always know what to do,
So I'm gratefully thankful for your grace and mercy.
For you are always faithful, always true,
As you guide my life on the road to victory.

Summer's over

It's been a long, hard, busy summer. I worked full time, and between working, looking for a new place to live, and then moving, have not had time for much else. Now it's part time hours again, and learning even more to trust God for our needs.

My pastor passed away yesterday afternoon after a two year fight with cancer. While sad, I'm so glad for him because he is now with Jesus and having a wonderful time. His faith was so strong it encouraged anyone who came in contact with him. I'm blessed because last Sunday during testimony time he told me how my poetry inspires him. I can hold onto that and be encouraged to keep on writing even if I don't know who reads it or how they feel about it.

So I will be writing more often over the upcoming months again. I'll post at least weekly, more often if I can as I have many things to get ready for: three craft shows over the next two months, the holidays, and digging deeper into my Bible and studying where I've fallen short over the summer months. And back to being the prayer warrior I'm supposed to be. The gift of hands on healing won't come until I do.

So be blessed, and I'll be back soon.

Gone Home

He was my pastor,
He was my friend,
And though he's gone,
I know I'll see him again.

He lived what he taught,
He lived what he believed,
And though he's gone,
He didn't leave in defeat.

He followed his Savior, Jesus.
He ran the race victoriously.
He thrived under God's grace,
And to God's love he had the key.

He loved people in their joy.
He loved them through pain and sorrow.
He taught them the skills to cope,
And kept reminding them there's hope for tomorrow.

We can be joyful even though we're sad
That his journey has come to and end.
It's okay for us to miss him, but we must stay strong,
Because this man has gone home to heaven.

I Drink

I drink from the cup given to me The cup where life is not easy I drink from the cup of hard work, pain and sorrow From the cup where I worry about tomorrow I drink from the cup that causes me to frown From the cup that keeps knocking me down There is another cup, with something sweet There is another cup that I’d like to keep It’s the cup of mercy and grace It’s the cup that can forgive my mistakes This cup is offered to me every day, every minute But all too often I reject everything that’s in it I often drink from this cup only when life is too hard And I’m flat on my back with a broken heart Oh, how sad it is that I don’t drink from this cup every day The cup of sweetness where everything is God’s way I should drink constantly from the cup dipped into the River of Life Constantly drink from the cup that filters out chaos and strife I should drink constantly from the cup that offered me So I can find true relief from the cup that was given to me

What is Life?

Life is spring, and birth. Life is summer, and childhood. Life is fall, and adulthood. Life is winter, old age, and death. Life is God. God is life.

More Zingers

Beyond imagination
Is the infiltration
Of God's love for me.

The gift I treasure
Is love beyond measure
That God has for me.

The unseen hope
That helps me to cope
Is God's love for me.

Sometimes I wonder why
God's love doesn't die
When we are so disobedient.

I fall on my face
And I lay prostrate
To honor my God and King.

I have a strong desire
To be filled with the holy fire
Of living for Jesus.

How?

How can I get close to Him
When I am so deep in sin?
Who can take away my fears?
Who will wash away my tears?
Who can conquer the nations
Of condemnatoin, recrimination or damnation?
Who can heal the wounds in my soul?
Who can make me healthy and whole?
How can I ever get to heaven
When I fail again and again?

You do not know how many enemies I slay
When you bow before me to pray.
When you are in the darkest night,
I give you supernatural sight
And you will see the night turn into day
So you can walk on the path of my way.
You must be serious
Seeking me, to be victorious,
For I am your God, your Lord, your King,
And when you trust and obey me, I give you everything.

His Hands

God has such big hands
That He can hold people in all lands.
He holds us in His palm,
Turns our chaos into calm.
When He closes His fingers tight,
He gives us a chance to gain sight.
He spreads them apart a little bit
To let us have trials we won't forget,
So that our muscle of faith
Can become stronger to run the race.
I am a child of God
And don't think it's odd
That I have all I need
Since Jesus set me free.

Family Visit

We’ve been traveling all night long,
The darkness is turning into dawn.
The first pink blush of sunrise
Is showing in the eastern sky.
It was a quick visit so many miles away,
We had no money for a place to stay.
We saw my immediate family.
The years last together were three.
We met in the basement of a local church.
Everyone chipped in with the work.
The chefs can really cook.
The food was really good.
Some thought it weird to say a prayer
Over the food; they don’t seem to be aware
Of how much we have been blessed.
But I’ve been the same way, I will confess,
Until I met my best friend Jesus.
Now He’s the one I trust and in whom I rest.
There was much laughter and lots of talk,
So much news to be caught up.
There was teasing, which caused drama too,
When someone thought others were being rude.
It’s sad in some ways to see how we’ve aged,
And how some things just don’t change.
But I know we are full of the wealth
Of being alive, whether in good or bad health.
I was glad to hear someone say she can’t die yet
Because she has more to do, and she can’t let
Anything stop her from getting it done
So she can say this was the best race she had run.
So even though this trip made me so weary,
I’m glad I got to see my family.

Dedication of a Fortress

God is my fortress.
He is dedicated to me
As long as I follow His path.

He is my strong tower,
Where I run when I'm in trouble.
God is my fortress.

He keeps me safe.
He allows me to be tested
And stands dedicated to keep me free.

My fortress can't be seen,
For God is spirit, and invisible,
But He is dedicated to His children.

My fortress is invincible
And will never be torn down.
God is my fortress.

I am dedicated to my God.
I love Him because He loves me,
And as my fortress, He is dedicated to me.

I Didn't Talk to God Today

I didn't read my Bible today,
And I didn't bother to stop and pray.
Now I strongly feel I've gone astray,
Because I didn't talk to God today.

Everything seems to be going wrong.
I haven't even sung any songs.
No matter where I go, I don't belong,
All because I didn't talk to God today.

My face is closed into a frown.
Instead of up, my eyes keep going down.
My feet are no longer firmly on the ground,
Just because I didn't talk to God today.

Oh, Lord, for my failure, I repent,
For I know you are the one God sent,
And that to the cross you went
So I could talk to God today.

Thank you, Jesus, for setting me free.
Thank you for easing my misery.
Thank you for helping me to see
That I really need to talk to God today.

Repentance

When I'm on the wrong road,
And I don't know which way to go,
I need to turn myself around
So I can be planted on solid ground.

When I turn around and repent,
It isn't too late, for God will relent
And take me back into His arms
To keep me safe from harm.

When I turn from the things I've done,
When I turn and follow God's Son,
I gain supernatural sight
To see God's glorious light.

I'm not a clump of dirt or sod,
I'm a child of the living God,
And I have nothing to fear any day
As long as I walk on the path of God's way.

Jesus doesn't enter my heart by force,
But God's commandments will be enforced
Because they were carved onto my heart
When my life was given a new start.

So when I wind up on the wrong road,
There is one thing I absolutely know -
I must repent and turn my life around
So I can be planted on God's solid ground.

Three Line Zingers (a few of them, anyway)

The receipt
Of deceipt
Led to death.
----
Staying in the light
Gives us life
And takes us to God.
----
Isn't it odd
We forget that God
Is the final judge?
----
Why do we rant and rail
When we fail
To follow God's path?
----
We suffer from rejection
Because of the deception
Of the lies we believe.
----
Even when life is hard
And we have a broken heart,
God is worthy to be praised.
----
If our flesh is satieated,
How can we radiate
With the glory of God?
----
When we allow the intrustion
Of any delusions
We will surely die.
----
I've wandered
And I've squandered
The blessings God gave me.
----
I was born into death.
God gave His breath
To bring me back to life.
----
There is a name I revere,
A name I do not fear.
That name is Jesus.
----
I have life
For by His stripes
I am healed.
----
The corruption of my would
Keeps me from being whole
Until I let Jesus set me free.

The Dedication of a Fortress

God is my fortress.
He is dedicated to me
As long as I follow His path.

He is my strong tower
Where I run when I'm in trouble.
God is my fortress.

He keeps me safe.
He allows me to be tested,
And stands dedicated to keep me free.

My fortress can't be seen,
For God is spirit, and invisible,
But He is dedicated to His children.

My fortress in invincible
And will never be torn down.
God is my fortress.

I am dedicated to my God.
I love Him because He loves me.
And as my fortress, He is dedicated to me.