Every

Every step
Everyday 
I am kept 
In Your Way 

Every time 
Everything 
You define 
My being 

Every place 
Every race 
I go forth
In Your Grace 

Everyone 
Everywhere 
Be as one
In Your care

Shepherd Poem

My shepherd is the key for me to live where beauty's found,
mid sunny pastures, gentle hills where flowered fields abound;
And also in the barren wasteland most devoid of life
with little there but insects, snakes -- unmitigated strife.

It seems so simple, so completely obvious to me
To stay within that small protected space where I can see
The figure of my shepherd walking near me by my side
And all I need to do is to stay close and to abide -- 

Abide in close proximity where I can see his face, 
where I can sense his reassuring omnipresent grace.
It seems so easy, so much so that there should be no qualm --
Just walk with him enjoying his protection, sense of calm.

I marvel at the midnight sky with constellations bright,
The stars portray a godlike scene amidst the heat of night;
They form their patterns as a roadmap which our shepherd sees
Then uses them to guide his flock toward cool and gentle breeze.

So how is it that I so frequently am so bemused?
I struggle to maintain the pace then find myself confused. 
I see him walking just ahead and, coming right behind,
I turn my head and suddenly my shepherd I can't find. 

Sometimes a swamp will suddenly appear beneath my feet
And, struggling to swim, I try to crawl up on the side.
But slippery slopes or mangled roots conspire to defeat
my efforts to regain my place -- I'm sometimes terrified.

At times I glance at something near while following his lead
and, at that moment, fall on to a rock or sharpened reed.
I rise and realize I had lost my focus -- now I see
how just a moment of distraction separated me --

It separated me from focusing on what is sure --
The only way, the only truth, the life completely pure.
Thank God for my dear shepherd's walk, his sacrifice for me
For he has guaranteed my life with him eternally.

The flock is vast with sheep as far as mortal eyes can see.
The shepherd calls them but most seem oblivious to me.
They seem to be attracted by a subtle, evil force 
which calls them then compels them to depart the shepherd's course. 

Sometimes when I am close to him I see his face and eyes;
I've watched my shepherd's troubled glance perusing cloudy skies. 
But far more poignant revelations on his face appear
When sheep which had been close by him start wandering too near -- 

Too near the outskirts of the range where dangers lay in wait, 
where cunning ploys entrap those sheep which fall for demon's bait.
It all seems likely harmless there with no apparent cause
to fear those craggy rocks which hide the crouching jackal's jaws. 

O how I wish the other sheep could see what I can glean --
the signs upon my shepherd's countenance which few have seen.
They would not wander far astray in quest of false allure;
But rather see the treasure here, omnipotent and pure.

What must I do to reach the ewes and rams of this vast horde,
To inculcate within their hearts this life providing chord?
Stay close to him, and be not swayed by small distractions lest
We lose our focus then, detained, we're waylaid from our quest.

Oh shepherd you who saved us from a myriad of hells
Along this arduous journey so replete with evil spells;
God bless you, you who forfeited your life, your throne above;
With you we'll spend eternity enveloped by your love!

A Life Changing Journey

Life changing is all part of God's plan,
Something we cannot do, only He can.
Light moves in and darkness will fade,
Sins forgiven, the price has been paid.

It can happen at any time, at any place,
As for one who met Jesus, face to face.
The Name he'd blasphemed in the past,
Making a change in life, totally contrast.

It was Saul til name changing took place,
Then it's Paul with the challenges to face.
From then on, He taught in Jesus Name,
Telling Who He was and why He'd came.

A soul winner for Jesus in the days ahead,
As life with Him leaves nothing to dread.
Doing so and enduring hardship and pain,
For he said, to live was Jesus, to die is gain.

God controlled the journey from the start,
After Saul met Jesus, Who sought his heart.
Now if life changes come to you lost friend,
Then enjoy peace that only Jesus can send.

SAFEST HANDS

SAFEST HANDS

YOUR DEPTH OF ANGUISH AND DESPAIR I CANNOT FULLY COMPREHEND,

WHEN ALL HOPE IT SEEMS IS LOST, AND OF THE PAIN, THEIR SEEMS NO END,

WHEN ALL THE WORLD AROUND YOU CRUMBLES, LIKE JUST ON THE SHIFTING SANDS,

IT IS HERE I CAN DIRECT YOU my Friend, INTO THE SAFEST HANDS,

THE HANDS OF ONE WHO LOVES YOU, OF ONE WHO’S SEEN IT ALL BEFORE,

SUFFERED ALL THERE IS TO SUFFER, SO SIN COULD REIGN IN YOU NO MORE,

IT’S THE SUM OF ALL HE’S DONE FOR US, THAT I CAN GUIDE YOU TO THIS PLACE,

TO THE FOOT OF JESUS CROSS, my Friend, HIS MAJESTY AND GRACE,

ITS AS FAR AS I CAN TAKE YOU, AS ANY GODLY PERSON CAN,

THE MIRACLE OF SALVATION, RESTS ALONE WITH GOD, NOT MAN,

AND ALL THAT PAIN AND BROKENESS OF LIFE, WHICH SIN, SO SAVAGELY AFFORDS,

CAN BE GIVEN OVER, RELINQUISHED TODAY, TO THE KING OF KING, LORD OF LORDS.

welcome to the kingdom. God bless you my Friend

The Names of God

JEHOVAH JIREH, this His ancient fame, 
THE LORD WHO SEES, the truth is in His name. 
What a comfort in trouble we confess, 
He knows us in the midst of our distress. 

JEHOVAH NISSI, to our senses strange, 
THE LORD OUR BANNER, He will never change. 
This, our God, upon Him we can rest, 
We wear His name upon our battle crest.

JEHOVAH SHALOM, this is our God in truth, 
THE LORD OUR PEACE, in old age as in youth. 
Our minds composed, He keeps forevermore, 
Though roaring waves are crashing on the shore. 

JEHOVAH SHAMMAH, though lonely our hearts feel, 
THE LORD IS THERE, more cogent and more real;
Than all the shadows of this passing life, 
He will uphold us in the days of strife. 

JEHOVAH TSIDKENU, within no good is found. 
THE LORD OUR RIGHTEOUSNESS provides the ground, 
That pardon and right standing we can find, 
And to His glorious heaven be consigned. 

JEHOVAH RAAH, our heart to hope can wed, 
THE LORD OUR SHEPHERD, by Him we are led. 
The shining countenance of His blessed face, 
Showers us with worlds of wondrous grace. 

JEHOVAH RAPHA, every saint can know, 
THE GOD THAT HEALS, and sanctifies the soul. 
His arms of love stretch round us and secure, 
For every aching wound He is the cure.

Independence

Independence

There was a time when I believed
that all the blessings I received
were treasures I myself had earned,
but through the years I slowly learned.

Regardless how I pushed and strained,
security was never gained,
and I began to comprehend
there’s one in whom I must depend.

I played the odds and placed a bet,
but earnings came and left me debt.
I’m still determined to embark,
but yet again I miss the mark.

I recognized I’ll never win
and break these chains of wretched sin.
My righteousness is mere pretend;
there’s one in whom I must depend.

Through all the earthly pain and strife,
I know in whom I’ll trust my life.
I need the grace His love provides
and all the ways His Spirit guides,

So I will sink beneath the waves
because I know that Jesus saves
for He will cast my sins away
on this, my In Dependence Day.

ABSOLUTE TRUTH

What ever happened to absolute truth
It seems that today it’s become so uncouth
If anyone says this is right or it’s wrong
A tolerance protestor will come along

They claim we’re invaders of their own right
The laws of God they just simply rewrite
They think that the Judge of the earth is asleep
And the things that He said we’re not really to keep

But all of us who are really in tune
We know all He spoke is as sure as the moon
We know that each word that He gave was conclusive
But to carnal man it will sound so elusive

Truth has a way to set everything straight
When applied it will quickly end a debate
A lie will put you in a bind awfully
But the truth is the key to set you free

So when in the Spirit God gives you a word
And it’s something that’s not very commonly heard
Don’t buckle your knees and to peer pressure bend
But stand for the truth and you’ll stand in the end

Lord, who shall abide in Thy tabernacle? who shall dwell in Thy
holy hill? He that walketh uprightly, and worketh righteousness, and
speaketh the truth in his heart. ~Psalm 15:1,2