Daily Sunshine

Not every day brings sunshine, for

some will bring gloom,
Replacing all the joy that had once
filled the same room.
Changing the good times into bad
times for those within,
Then not at all a pleasant day such
as yesterday had been.

This gloom fills the rooms of both
the wealthy and poor,
As days continue to come, there is
likely to be many more.
Some clear out quickly while others
just linger on,
Staying around long enough to test 
one's faith before it's gone.

Now there could be some growth in 
faith during troubled days,
As God is called on and kept around
for longer stays.
However this faith could weaken as
He receives the blame,
Giving the relationship with Him, an
ugly stain.

The praises to God flow easily when
all is going well,
Then in tough times they seem to go
through a dry spell.
Fact is, God was there both times for
He loves us even when we fail,
Enough love to send His Only Son to
keep us from the fires of hell.

Cradle, Cross & Crown

His glory Crown was laid aside
As babe, He came to Earth
While shepherds watched their flocks by night
Mankind to God gave birth

Creator takes creation’s place
Both fully God and man
Made weak enough to suffer death
And thus fulfill His plan

He grew in favour with all men
In Spirit He grew strong
In service showing that He knew
His mission all along

He taught us truth, forgiveness, grace
He taught how gain was loss
Then demonstrated selfless love
By dying on the cross

He satisfied the wrath of God
He washed the guilt stained hand 
As with his wounds we may be healed
If we by faith will stand

And now secure in what God wrought
In hope of glory, rest
The crown upon the saints above
Is proof that they are blessed

This blessed hope in Christ revealed
Obtained but through His worth
In cradle first, then cross and crown
God’s gift to us - new birth

Romans 8:28
And we know that in all things God 
works for the good of those who love 
him, who have been called according 
to his purpose.

Doing Our Best This Year

At the beginning of a new year,
Sometimes we tend to look back.
We think about our failures
And times we got "off track."

Some New Year's resolutions,
We think that we need to make.
We see the need to do better,
So some inventory, we take.

As Christians, we ask ourselves,
"Am I giving my best to God?
Am I serving Him all I can
As upon this earth I trod?"

Yes, we need to always resolve
To serve our God more and more,
We strive to serve Him better
Than we did the year before.

We know we are only human,
But for us, God's best He gave
When He sent His son to die
For our sinful souls to save.

This year we need to strive
To do our very best for Christ.
He gave His life to save us.
As a lamb, He was sacrificed.

Happy, Happy New Year!

"Happy New Year!" we say to each
And everyone around.
We wish you all within our reach
God's blessings to abound.

A time to reflect, a time to plan~
Yes, another year is here.
We try to improve in all we can
To have a better year.

The resolutions that we make
Will help with goals to set.
Self-inventory that we take
Will help our goals get met.

May we in this year to come
Take time to serve our God.
May we, a blessing be to some
Poor soul who walks this sod.

Living For Christ This Year

In our older years,
Time passes by so fast.
Another year flew by.
Another year has passed.

Time just marches on,
And so do our lives.
Days and hours fly by,
And another year arrives.

God has brought me through
Bad times and good ones too.
He has led me all the way.
To Him, I will stand true.

Just a word of advice
To the lively younger set:
Live this year for Christ.
This you'll never regret!

If the Lord chooses for me
To live here another year,
I'll live my life for Him,
My Lord and Savior so dear!

Heartstrings

I used to follow my heart 

To give me the right start
And discovered how deceitful my little heart can be
For I surely followed it down some paths God didn't mean for me

The Holy Spirit lives deep within my heart
And my old sinful nature works to keep us a part
The heart plays on my sympathy and flaunts all my desires
It can be quite convincing and a masterful liar

A battle of good and evil ensues right within my body
At times in my life it has stirred up quite a quandary
The heart can tell me all the things I want to hear
And most of the time I must admit it sounds quite sincere

It isn't to say that my heart is never ever right
But every decision must be made through God forthright
Your heart can be a very loving insightful creature
And with the guidance from Christ can be quite a teacher

But now instead of following my heart
I follow God's lead from the very start
Then my heart will follow along with me
And we stay the path God meant us to be!

Through God's Grace

Sometimes life can feel like too much to bear,

All of the troubles have left you feeling worn,
The hurt, pain and sorrow have left your heart torn,
Wherever you look no one seems to care,

When your mind is troubled by doubts and fears,
And against life’s tests you feel helpless and weak, 
When the future’s uncertain and all seems bleak.
And each new day only brings more tears,

Although this life’s not meant to be easy,
Just know that God cares for your every need,
He lovingly calls you to follow his lead,
To trust him with the things you cannot see,

So lift all your cares to God, pray, ask, seek,
There’s nothing for God too small, nothing too tough,
For getting through each day, his grace is enough,
He will keep you going when you feel weak.

Job 38:6-7; Matthew 11:29; Luke 24:7; John 14:27