Eagle's Wings

Give strength to these bones O Lord
I am pleading to you so.
Let me soar with eagle's wings
To heights you only know!

Only You know the purpose of my life
Let me not grow weary before I'm through.
I know there is only one source of strength
And Lord that source is You.

I fear this sense of hopelessness
That creeps from time to time.
When I feel those tentacles enclosing
My release is knowing thou art mine!

Grant me spiritual fortitude
In adversities face, let me be brave.
Let me go forth with strength and vigor
Till I'm resting in my grave.

Inspired by a sermon given on July 7, 2013 by Dan Gutenson at Watts Chapel Baptist.  Taken from Isa. 40:27-31 on biblegateway.com


27 Why do you complain, Jacob?
    Why do you say, Israel,
“My way is hidden from the Lord;
    my cause is disregarded by my God”?
28 Do you not know?
    Have you not heard?
The Lord is the everlasting God,
    the Creator of the ends of the earth.
He will not grow tired or weary,
    and his understanding no one can fathom.
29 He gives strength to the weary
    and increases the power of the weak.
30 Even youths grow tired and weary,
    and young men stumble and fall;
31 but those who hope in the Lord
    will renew their strength.
They will soar on wings like eagles;
    they will run and not grow weary,
    they will walk and not be faint.

Grave Clothes

Loosen up these rags my Lord
That bind and hold me so
Tear them to shreds I pray
You are more than able I know

These rags that hold me
To the life that I once had
The life I once thought grand
Was ultimately just sad

You have given me a glimpse of glory
To the future you've promised me
If only I can cling to you
You've already set me free

My prayer O Lord is that
I always feel your hand
And for you to rip these grave clothes
Rip them strand by strand

My Sisters

To some we may seem strange
Even a bit weird they may say
But I hope that you three know
I'll have your back any day

You've been advice givers, diaper
Changers, confidants and more
But the title of "my sister"
Is the one I most adore

For a sister is more than a best
Friend you see
A sister is the person who can
See the best in me

You take me for what I am
Loving me at my worst
But even though you're older

Still know I loved you first

They're not hard to find

Joys.  Life is full of different joyous moments.  They don't have to be hallmark moments, but if you have your eyes open, you will find joy.  Look for things that you wouldn't normally focus on.  If you get along with your co-workers, family, friends you should  be able to find joy there.  Going through life with a woe-is-me attitude not only makes you miserable, it makes the people around you feel uncomfortable.  And when people are uncomfortable around you, they tend to stay away.  

My challenge to you readers is this, look for the small things that are good in your life.  When you can be thankful and give thanks to God for these, I PROMISE you that you will soon see the other things that He gives that bring you joy.  


Luke 15:7 Just so, I tell you, there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who need no repentance.

My Jakob Amor

I can hardly believe that twelve years have went by
I can still hear the sound of your newborn cry
An ecstatic mother, though nervous I'll say
You took my heart on that cold winters day
You make so proud that words aren't enough
Even though I know that I can be tough
Just know I do it because I love you so
I see how each day you grow
My baby is gone, a young man stands now
Please take this, a mother's vow
I'll stand by you through thick and thin
In good times, in trouble, I'll be there then
I love you Jakob for a lifetime and more
Always remember it's you I adore

Happy birthday baby boy...I am so proud of you!

Nip It In The Bud

Today I went to a different church.  I have moved recently, and attended a church that is a little closer to home.  I know almost all the people that attend this church, as I work with most of them or had them as teachers at one time or another. The atmosphere was warm and pleasant, people that didn't know me asked who I was, and those that did greeted me kindly.  

The pastor gave a wonderful sermon today based on the Bible passage from Psalms 103.  

" Bless the Lord, O my soul: and all that is within me, bless his holy name.

² Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits:

³ Who forgiveth all thine iniquities; who healeth all thy diseases;

⁴ Who redeemeth thy life from destruction; who crowneth thee with lovingkindness and tender mercies;

⁵ Who satisfieth thy mouth with good things; so that thy youth is renewed like the eagle's.

⁶ The Lord executeth righteousness and judgment for all that are oppressed.

⁷ He made known his ways unto Moses, his acts unto the children of Israel.

⁸ The Lord is merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and plenteous in mercy.

⁹ He will not always chide: neither will he keep his anger for ever.

¹⁰ He hath not dealt with us after our sins; nor rewarded us according to our iniquities.

¹¹ For as the heaven is high above the earth, so great is his mercy toward them that fear him.

¹² As far as the east is from the west, so far hath he removed our transgressions from us.

¹³ Like as a father pitieth his children, so the Lord pitieth them that fear him.

¹⁴ For he knoweth our frame; he remembereth that we are dust.

¹⁵ As for man, his days are as grass: as a flower of the field, so he flourisheth.

¹⁶ For the wind passeth over it, and it is gone; and the place thereof shall know it no more.

¹⁷ But the mercy of the Lord is from everlasting to everlasting upon them that fear him, and his righteousness unto children's children;

¹⁸ To such as keep his covenant, and to those that remember his commandments to do them.

¹⁹ The Lord hath prepared his throne in the heavens; and his kingdom ruleth over all.

²⁰ Bless the Lord, ye his angels, that excel in strength, that do his commandments, hearkening unto the voice of his word.

²¹ Bless ye the Lord, all ye his hosts; ye ministers of his, that do his pleasure.

²² Bless the Lord, all his works in all places of his dominion: bless the Lord, O my soul."

Now He focused mainly on the first 10 verses.  Let us ponder these a moment.  Firstly, if you are reading this post, you are blessed abundantly.  You are alive, you have access to internet, you are literate, and you are not blind.  Those blessings should be appreciated   The first two verses tells us just that.  We have blessings abundantly, surrounding us all, but do we take time to thank Him for these?  Not just when something awesome happens, but for everyday blessings?  I think sometimes we take these for granted.  Assuming that we are entitled to or have worked hard for them so they will always be there.  This is not so.  Things that we take for granted can be wiped away in an instant.  The car you worked for, the house you went in debt for, the nice clothes you wear, all these things should be given thanks for daily.  

The pastor also talked about how most of us during the New Year's season reflect on our lives and decide to make changes.  We see things that need improvement, that need replacement, or things that just need a fresh start.  He told us that when the Holy Spirit is telling us something in our life is not going according to God's plan, it starts out as needing to be "tweaked".  We should "nip it in the bud" is what popped in my mind when he was saying this.  If we ignore this, then it needs to be repaired and finally needs a total replacement.  It costs a lot less money to maintain a car, for example, if you regularly maintain it, than it would if you waited until it was broke to the point of needing a total overhaul or totally replaced.

I really enjoyed the service this morning and hope that no one in the church walked away without    having a relationship with Jesus.  And most importantly, I hope everyone received the same message that I did, this moment wasn't promised to me and I am so thankful I have received it!

Christmas Joys

A jolly old man in a red and white suit
Surrounded by tiny elves
Reindeer looking from outside
While Santa fills the shelves

Is this what we've reduced Christmas to?
An unabashed toy free for all
We've failed to embed in our children that
Christmas didn't start in the mall

In a tiny manger is where it began
No ornaments, trees or a toy
Just God watching over the birth
Of His little baby boy

The gifts that were given to Him
Were given with hearts of love
That God would send them a Savior
Straight from Heaven above

No thoughts of reciprocation
Not expecting a gift in return
Only seeking to see His face
Each waiting for their turn

I suggest we not feel required
To spoil our kids with toys and more toys
I instead say that we should teach them
Christmas' true wondrous joys

Present sufferings to future glory!

Romans 8:18 NIV
I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us

I pray that you each took the time to watch this video.  It was inspired by the terrible hurricane we know as Katrina.  The words in this song are truly sent from God.  It tells us that in the midst of the worst day of our life, when we have lost everything and everyone we still have the most important person, Jesus.  He is with us through all times, good and bad.  Just to call upon His name can bring us through the worst times and make the best times taste even sweeter.  

In this video the young man asks the mother "shouldn't you be calling on FEMA, the Red Cross, Bush or Chaney?" (paraphrased)  No, we should call upon He who breathed life into this world.  He who heals the blind, and makes the lame to walk.  The name above all else is Jesus, Jesus, Jesus.  

Can you think of a name any sweeter than this?  Jesus, Jesus, Jesus!  Thank you so much Lord for dying on the cross for not only my sins, but the sins of the entire world.  

I cannot wait until Romans 8:18 is fulfilled.  When our present sorrows are but  a distant memory.  When there will be no more sadness, no more pain.  Dried will be the tears, broad will be the smiles, every knee will bow and every mouth will proclaim that Christ IS KING!!!

Thank you all so much for reading.  I pray that each of you grow closer in your relationship to the LORD on this day.

The Little Things

In a world where most only give thanks
For things amazing and grand
I strive to notice the finer details
Of things made with God's hand

A small ant on a hillside
Toiling away all day long
Working for a simple goal
To make it's colony strong

A cloud lazily floating
On a gentle puff of breeze
Not hard to think of God
As you lay back completely at ease

It gets a little bit harder
When you think on things of gloom
A storm of great magnitude
Can darken any room

But He has promised me I can
Give Him all my fears
That He will carry my burdens
And wipe away my tears

If only I put my trust in Him
And the words He has given me
Then the little things will seem so grand
If you see like God can see

Grace...that's what it is

Have you ever met someone who just exudes good "vibes"?  Someone who just seems totally unfazed by lifes constant shifting and the worries of day to day life?  I won't say this is encompassing all people like that, but I would wager that for a large portion it is due to God's grace.  When we have God's grace, things that really use to bother us just seem distant and conquer-able.  He gives us a constant shoulder to cry on, a steady rock to lean on and is always there in our time of greatest need.  These are among many of the reasons that myself and millions of other followers of Christ feel comfort in times of sorrow, release in times of pain and in times of joy, that joy is multiplied a thousand fold because we know that in all things God works for good. 

A wonderful example of my previous statement is a girl I know and adore named Destiny Armstrong.  She lives right here in my community and was diagnosed with Lymphoma recently.  Through all the treatments, the pain and fear, she has stuck to a motto that gives her strength "God's got this".  And He does.  God doesn't promise that when we accept Him that our lives will be picturesque, but He does promise that He will take our burdens and that we can call upon Him at any time. 

I ask for my readers to consider this.  Think of Destiny and the strength she gains by trusting in God.  Not only has He given her strength through this, but has also used her as a remarkable reminder that He indeed does "Got this".

Random-ness

I am hoping that I am not the only person in the world with this problem.  This will be a totally random page.  Sometimes I feel like I can't even clean the house without being unorganized.  I will start on one room and then find something else in another room that needs cleaned and start on that.

Please tell me I am not the only 1 with this problem.

A sad goodbye

Very few times in my life have I met someone I can totally gel with even if we don't always agree on all topics.  Today one if those few people and I said our long term but hopefully not forever goodbyes.  When you find a friend who just likes you for you and not what they get by being your friend, keep them. 

Best wishes to you Samantha! Will miss you all terribly!

Ahhh the good ole days...

What happened to the good ole days?  When did they cease to exist?  Was it maybe 10 years ago? 20, 50, just when exactly did they stop?  An indicator, well to me anyway, is music.  If you note music today, a LOT of it is sampled for music of years past.  All the good love songs are gone, the teen age anthems are recycled garbage and apparently if you don't say 15 curse words in the first 5 seconds of the song, it won't be a hit!  Give me Ray Charles, give me Nina Simone, give me Aretha Franklin, Janis Joplin, give me an original!  Ah well, guess we will just have to be thankful that we can listen to the oldies and goodies on the web forever. :D

On That Day

This is a  poem I wrote last year for Christmas.


Imagine the joy that Mary felt
When she heard the glorious tale
That soon she would be mother to
He whom all would hail.
That on that day angels would sing
Shouting their glory above
Behold we have a newborn king
The Lord's embodiment of love.
Behold He is our Savior!
Jesus shall be his name.
And from this day you will see,
This world won't be the same.
Shepherds came to see him
Lying in a manger there
So excided where these men
They couldn't wait to share.
Can't we be as excited
As those shepherds on that day
That we've been given this gift from God
Our Redeemer we call the WAY.

It's been awhile

I have seriously been slacking in my post writing.  I need to find a good balance in my life, but life has seemingly taken a alternate route. Prayers are welcome to get me back to what I thought was God's will for me.  Thanks so much.