No Greater Love

The more they told me what to do the more I went astray
The carnal man inside me said  to do it my own way
And now the doors are firmly shut… Steel bars help hold me in
With lots of time to think about the awful depths of sin

There's nothing I can do or say to help bring my release
I'm counted as a criminal… My freedom had to cease
I look around and try to find some weakness in this cell
But though I work both day and night I still inhabit hell

My efforts to escape this death all surely are in vain
I must reside to just endure this suffering and pain

But then at once I heard good news
Someone would take my place
I never knew this man before… I never saw His face
But He decided it was time a pardon came my way
He took upon Him all my sin and said that He would pay

He opened up the prison doors and gave me life again
And as I eagerly stepped out He lovingly stepped in

And now I want with all my heart to somehow Him requite
To put to death this carnal man and strive to do what's right
No greater love I'll ever know… No greater love I'll see
Than someone stepping in my place
And setting my soul free

Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.
Ye are My friends, if ye do whatsoever I command you.
John 15:13,14
 

The Passing Of Time

TIME passes. Not in incremental stages
but flows continuously through the ages,
making history of each fleeting moment
as it brings the future into the present.

Rolling ever onward at the speed of light; 
heralding brand new visons with its flight.
How Time began and just how it will end
this mortal man cannot comprehend.

So before the immortal God I bow,
Who, ever dwells in the Eternal Now.
For Space and Time my days define
but this is not so with God the Divine.

From the Womb, I Speak

I am a living soul from day one;
I will be a daughter or a son.
My life begins at conception;
I don't need the world's affirmation.

When, one day, I was made in secret,
God saw my substance, though not perfect:
Not being developed all the way,
He wrote my members in a book that day.

Though no one hears the beat of my heart,
God knows I'm there from the very start.
He has a purpose for me some day;
A wrong decision could take it away.

Isn't it murder in the first degree,
To snuff the life right out of me?
I am fearfully and wonderfully made;
Is there anyone who'll come to my aide?

A pea, a bean, a peanut: all sizes;
My growth comes in many disguises.
At full term, I'm ready to appear;
To see Mom and Dad hold me near.

Listen to me, I have a voice;
My life or death is not a choice.
I'm God's heritage: a girl or boy;
So, let me be your bundle of joy.

But in a great house, there are not only vessels of gold and silver, but also of wood and clay, some for honor and some for dishonor. Therefore if anyone cleanses himself from the latter, he will be a vessel for honor, sanctified and useful for the Master, prepared for every good work.

2 Timothy 2:20-21(NKJV)

He says, “Be still, and know that I am God;I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.”
Psalm 46:10(NIV)

Walk day by Day

Walk day by day
that’s all it takes
and those mistakes
that seem so hard to bear -
confess in prayer.

Tomorrow may
not be unmarred
but not so scarred 
you’ll find as yesterday -
take time to pray.

A night away
God’s mercies new
will dawn for you
and waking you will find -
the Lord is kind.

His compassions never fail, they are 
new every morning; great is your faithfulness.
Lamentations 3:23

The Ministry

I felt the call of God so strong 
I desired to do His will 
I prepared for ministry so long 
His purpose to fulfill

I labored in the sacred cause 
I made the sacrifice 
I preached the gospel without pause 
I tried to pay the price 

I continued on for many years
To tell the world of grace 
Through many turmoils, trials, and tears 
I tried to keep the pace. 

There were failures along the way 
Sometimes I failed to trust 
At other times I went astray 
Some sermons were a bust

Opportunities slipped away 
Circumstances were such 
That very soon there was a day 
I didn’t preach that much

As time went on the ministry 
I felt God called me to
Was exercised less frequently 
Then vanished from my view

For months I wondered aimlessly 
But then one day I heard
About a special ministry 
Taught often in the Word 

A ministry done on one’s knees 
Before the throne of grace
Kneeling there to intercede
To plead another’s case 

Though no longer as a preacher 
I still seek to do His will 
With the Bible as my teacher
His purpose to fulfill 

I now come to God beseeching 
To rescue from the snare 
What I could not do by preaching 
I will now attempt by prayer

Did You Feel It?

Did you feel it, the subtle stir in the air?
A breath on your heart, a sigh in your ear
Did you feel it, a loving touch deep within?
A sudden peace where your pain had been?

Did you feel an angel pass over-head?
Replacing your fear with a sweet calm instead
Did the night that was dark and lonely and cold
Wrap you in warmth of burnished gold

Did an invisible smile softly kiss your brow?
Brushing away the tear of sorrow
Did you feel it, arms of tender love
Softly enfolding you from somewhere above?

Did you wonder what in the world it could be?
This sudden sense of serenity
Did you feel it, like a whisper in the air?
Did you feel it, my love, did you feel my prayer?

Be Patient, Be Kind

Be patient with others,
be kind to them too
show them the same mercy
God has shown to you.

Be not resentful,
be not quarrelsome
don’t let anger dim
the Light of the Son.

Be loving, be nice,
have self-control
let others see
the fruits of your soul.

Be not moody,
be not testy or rude
let God’s grace
out of you exude.

Be patent with others,
be forgiving too
just like Jesus . . .
has been with you!

Colossians 3:13

“Forbearing one another,
and forgiving one another,
if any man have a quarrel
against any: even as
Christ forgave you,
so also do ye.”
King James Version
Public Domain