Freedom, grace, mercy, peace.
They are not free.
They are costly.
Many have given their lives.
Many have sacrificed much.
Oh so much.
But too many forget –
taking for granted,
simply enjoying a “long weekend”,
a peaceful life.
But what is peace?
Are you really at peace?
Many have died that we my ask this question.
One has died that true peace may be had.
Let us not forget the many,
and do not forget the One.
Freedom, grace, mercy, peace.
Given through the sacrifice of many – For now.
Given through the grace of One – Forever.
Remember now
Know forever.
Peace
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.
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.
My Shepherd
The following poem was birthed this past week through a devotion I recorded on YouTube. It was part of a larger series called, The Wednesday Word that I do every Wednesday at 6:45 AM (PST). I was talking about the word “meditate” — more specifically, meditating on God’s Word. I led people through a meditation exercise on Psalm 23:1 and encouraged them to spend some time in that verse. As I followed my own advice that day, the Spirit started to bring this poem to life. It now breathes and thus I present it to you now. To God be the glory!
The Lord is my Shepherd,
I shall not want.
So why shall I worry?
For I am in His flock.
He leads me in green places,
And by waters still.
So why shall I worry?
He is always my fill.
He doth restore my soul,
in righteousness.
So why shall I worry?
My life is not a mess.
Dark valleys I walk in,
evil around.
But I will not worry.
In Him I’m safe and sound.
My table is prepared,
with enemies near,
But I will not worry.
My anointing is clear.
His goodness and mercy,
will follow me,
all the days of my life,
and with Him I will be.
Prayer for Peace
P – God of POWER and might,
break through hardened hearts,
and chase away all the hate.
E – EVERLASTING Father,
open wide Your gentle arms,
and heal all our hurts.
A – ALL knowing and holy God,
teach us to love one another,
so the heart is what we will cherish.
C – CREATOR God,
restore broken relationships,
and rebuild communities now torn apart.
E – Giver of ETERNAL life,
may the love of Jesus shine brightly in us,
and may hope calm our restless hearts.
AMEN
You Are My Everything
You are my stronghold,
And You are my life.
You are my fortress,
And You are my light.
Now I may have strife,
And I may have pain.
But faith in my Lord,
I will have much gain.
In You there’s no fear,
For You are my peace.
In You there’s no death.
My life will not cease.
So to You I will run.
In You I will stay.
For You I will live,
To You I will pray.
The Boat
The waves are monstrous,
The wind is fierce,
And my feeble little boat is no match for this storm.
I try and try, but I make no head way.
I fight and battle but continue to lose ground.
And the storm rages on.
The storm wants to lay claim to this boat –
to bring it down into the deep.
It fights and threatens.
It claws and bites,
and my feeble little boat is no match for this storm.
Jesus, where are you?!?
Wait — you are right here,
in my feeble little boat.
You are right here with me,
as the storm rages on.
Now I am at peace.
Now I can be still and know –
for nothing can touch me
as long as Jesus is in the boat with me –
in this feeble, broken down, little boat.
The storm rages on,
but it will never claim me,
not with Jesus in my boat.
And…
The light shining in the darkness.
The anchor in the chaos.
The lifeline in the quicksand.
You are my God and Rock.
Peace in the midst of turmoil.
Mercy in my suffering.
Compassion when all seems lost.
You are my God and Hope.
When the wind and the waves rage.
When the lion lurks in the shadows.
When the enemy fires his arrows.
You are my God and Shield.
I know I am never alone.
For You are my loving Father.
Being Your precious child.
I praise You through Christ my Lord.
Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow
I have been praying a certain prayer recently. It’s a prayer that God has been faithful to answer not because I am saying the “right” words. It’s been the Holy Spirit slapping me up across the head in the midst of worry and anxiety – refocusing my attention…
I’ve got this.
…I have prayed these words and have felt the peace of God – my sovereign Lord, Father and Creator. Therefore, it is a prayer that I will continue today and in all my tomorrows. Will you pray with me?
Sovereign God, You were faithful yesterday as You took my tomorrow. Receive my today all for Your glory. Take my tomorrow that I may rest in Your peace this day. In Jesus name I pray, Amen.
Peace-filled Adventing
It is the second Sunday of Advent and thus our focus word is Peace. Jesus is the Prince of Peace for he is the manifestation of the kingdom of God. Jesus is our hope. Jesus is our life. Jesus is our salvation. Feeling peaceful? That is an understatement 🙂
Oh God, there is no question in our hearts or minds that it is right and salutary to give You and You alone praise and worship at all times and in all places. It is right because Your kingdom has happened. It has happened through the birth of Jesus Christ and was solidified through the cross and empty tomb. You destroyed hopelessness. You calmed the chaos. You crushed the head of the deceiver. You banished the darkness. You have bound the forces of evil. Though we are sinners, You are faithful. Though we are weak, You are strong. Though we wander like sheep, You retrieve us for You are the Good Shepherd. Holy Father, we are so joyful because of the Prince of Peace and for this reason we join with the Church on earth and the hosts of heaven in singing Your unending praise.
The Heart of a Pastor 