It is You that I seek,
O God,
It is You.
I search and fumble.
I trip and fall.
I reach and grasp.
I seek and can’t find.
I am as a blind man in an unfamiliar room –
a fool seeking my own way.
O God,
I desperately want You.
Lead me by Your Spirit and may I not grasp with my flesh.
When I stray,
bring me back.
When I fall,
pick me up.
When I become conceited,
knock me down.
When I am lost,
show me I am found.
When I pull away,
pull me in.
When I get tired,
carry me.
When Satan comes for me
may I know that You are for me –
hidden in Jesus.
Yes!
Hide me in Jesus.
May I live by the Spirit
being lead
for that is the only way.
In this life I am blind;
on my own I am lost.
Find me and lead me,
for It is You that I seek,
only
You
Poetry
More
I gaze at the glass-like beauty as it,
Reflects it’s surroundings
Hosts the song of birds
Teams with life unseen
Yet,
It is just a glimpse.
There is so much More that I haven’t experienced – More to be known.
I can’t take it all in with a single gaze.
But I know there’s More,
and I want it.
I want to gaze at Your full beauty.
I want more than what I know now.
This world reveals Your handiwork now,
and I praise You.
But it is not enough.
I know there is More
and I want More,
More of You.
Royal Guard
I am in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho for the LCMC Northwest District Gathering. This year we get the joy of being at Camp Lutherhaven Bible Camp – A beautiful camp on the shores of Lake Coeur d’Alene. This afternoon, as I was sitting outside during a break, I began to gaze at and enjoy the plethora of Pondarosa Pines surrounding me and I wrote this poem. The words speak for themselves. To God be the glory.
Tall evergreens all around.
Majestic beauty
Strength
I feel enveloped in Your love – a royal protection as
surrounded by an army of soldiers protecting a treasure.
I feel safe
At peace
Close to You
For the first time in long time I feel –
Untouchable.
I see the lake through the Royal Guard.
Serene
Calm
Tranquil
I need this.
I need this reminder –
That Your Royal Guard is not stationed here.
It was revealed here.
And it’s always around me.
It is Love
It is Grace
It is Jesus
Pitiful But Redeemed
Father God
I am a pitiful sinner,
But Jesus Christ,
My Lord,
My Savior,
Over Satan is the winner.
My soul You did redeem.
My life You did set free.
And now, O God, I am filled,
With Your Spirit,
With Your life,
That I may know true glee.
Sustain me now in this life,
And keep me close by Your side,
That all may know,
And never go,
The way of eternal strife.
Morning Prayer ~
Father God,
For each beat of my heart,
For each breath I do take,
For each blink of my eyes,
I give You thanks.
For this world You did make,
For this life You sustain,
For my hope that You are,
I give You praise,
For the love You have showed,
For my sins forgiven,
For my hope that’s secured,
I give You glory.
For many reasons, Lord…
I worship You.
Evening prayer – I’m fine
As evening falls, calm my heart and mind.
Give me peace and guard all that is mine.
Forgive me Lord, and show me Your design.
Hold me Lord, and I’ll always be fine.
In Jesus name I pray,
Amen.
Beginning My Day
I start my day in a particular way:
I grab my coffee.
I begin to pray.
I read my Bible,
and seek Your way.
To begin my day in another way,
Is sure to bring me much dismay.
I seek Your Spirit,
To quiet mine,
To focus my heart
on love divine.
No other way can give me peace.
No, not even the news
of a “Well written” piece.
I need your Word to jump start me,
For in only You can I find true glee.
And so,
I will start my day in this particular way,
And seek Your face,
All
The live long day.
The Director’s Chorus
The chorus of creation makes the most beautiful music
under the direction of
the Director;
perfect music for a weary soul.
I sit down and the concert begins;
shielding me from the noise out there,
giving peace to my noisy heart.
I sigh a happy smile,
and enjoy.
The Director leads the way,
cueing every sound.
Soon I’m lost in perfect harmonies,
the world out there is forgotten.
But soon a person jogs by
and startles me away from the creation chorus,
my heart races,
but I quickly reengage the concert.
Again I am lost,
and my heart is calm.
Birds sing their melodies.
The wind adds its part.
The trees applaud with joy.
The flow of the river keeps everything together.
The Director’s composition is perfect.
Nothing did He miss.
As I stand to reenter the world;
I applaud, praising the Director.
I am ready now,
ready to reenter the world,
with a heart that is at peace.
Sinking
A little while ago a series of events unfolded, leading me to reflect on the sum of those events taking place all in one day: Wildfire smoke from eastern WA; wildfires around us in western WA; a power outage (that ended up lasting 40 hours); poor air quality means we should not open windows; and the First day of school was postponed. And all of this in the midst of a pandemic. I posted my list on Facebook and concluded my list with a funny movie reference and then asked, “It cannot possibly get any worse, right?” My intention was to be funny, but many people did not see it that way. Some people concluded I was struggling, maybe even depressed. They offered words and prayers of support. A congregation member asked me later if I was doing better. Even though I was trying to be funny, I think my heart was trying to show me something I was forgetting. Soon after I posted my list on Facebook, a seminary classmate commented: “Pandemic, civil unrest, and the heat wave coming tomorrow. Yet Christ’s promises to you remain unchanged.” YES! Christ’s promises to me remain unchanged. A couple days later my morning devotion was about Peter walking on the water with Jesus. When Peter looked at the raging storm around him, he began to sink. I had taken my eyes off Jesus and I was sinking along with Peter.
“O you of little faith, why did you doubt?” [Matthew 14:31]
I do not know, but what I do know is that my faithful Lord and Savior reached out to me as my heart cried out. He sent people into my life to proclaim the Truth. He clung to me with those nail-pierced hands and carried me safely to shore. When Jesus died on the cross for the forgiveness of sins, he declared those whom he saved – saved. He declared that Satan no more has a hold on you. Jesus defeated hopelessness and fear. Jesus reigns on high now, and forever more.
And so, instead of a list of woes and other negatives going on, I am focusing on the blessings in my life: two beautiful children excited for school, a healthy family, less arthritic back pain, the wildfires did not touch my home or church. So much for which to thank and praise God, and when I do, my heart is led to worship. Look to your blessings and not the challenges of this year. Below is a poem I wrote in June 2015 that speaks of my heart today. To God be the glory, always and forever, Amen.
I love You in the morning,
I love You in the eve;
for You are always with me,
and ever will You be.
I thank You with my whole heart,
I thank You all my life;
for You are holy awesome,
and ever be my Light.
Jesus is my Lord and Life,
for his life did he give.
You are always faithful, God,
and ever will I Live.
For Me
Oh God, You’ve done so much for me.
Once dead but now I am free.
Eternal life You did decree.
Now to You I bend my knee.
Oh God, You’ve done so much for me.
To me You showed great mercy.
To Your arms I’ll always flee.
Through Christ I abide in Thee.
Oh God, You’ve done so much for me.
Your love is to the Nth degree.
My heart is full of so much glee.
It’s Your face that I long to see.
Oh God, You’ve done so much for me.
The Heart of a Pastor 