2-3-16 Reflections

A merry heart maketh a cheerful countenance: but by sorrow of the heart the spirit is broken.

Proverbs 15:13 KJV

~~~~~~~~~~~

A joyful heart will make a joyful face,

The countenance is etched where there’s a smile,

And such a glow invites a warm embrace.

To be midst such a soul makes life worthwhile.

But too much sorrow draws such diff’rent lines

Creating there a mask that’s thin and drawn,

And soon the body shows unhealthy signs

To shorten life with nothing to hang on.

Reflect upon the love God has for you,

And know that by His grace you’ve been set free.

The comfort of the Savior sees you through

The darkest night the soul will ever see.

Love makes the homely beautiful and bright.

With gratitude you’ll shine both day and night.

~~~~~~~~~~~

REMEMBER: The face reflects the spirit that dwells within.

1-7-16 On Discipline

Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O LORD, my strength, and my redeemer.

Psalm 19:14 KJV

~~~~~~~~~~~

With faith disciples of the Lord do live,

Yet recognize responsibilities,

To love their neighbor and to quick forgive,

To represent the Lord by all degrees.

In common conversation speak your mind,

But make sure that your mind’s the mind of Christ.

No foolish, idle, vulgar words in kind;

Just speak the gospel truth and be sufficed.

The mind is like a monkey in a cage;

If it’s not on a leash it’s Satan’s pet.

With scripture and in silent prayer your gauge,

The mind of Christ will be your best asset.

The Lord is your redeemer and your strength;

Your thoughts and words should be in His wavelength.

~~~~~~~~~~~

REMEMBER: Keep your thoughts and words on Jesus; lean on the Holy Spirit for guidance, comfort and understanding.

111415 Show Us Something Good

Shew me a token for good; that they which hate me may see it, and be ashamed: because thou, LORD, hast holpen (helped) me, and comforted me.

Psalm 86:17 KJV

~~~~~~~~~~~

SHOW US SOMETHING GOOD

O Lord, it seems the wicked rules the day;

I see my brother’s blood upon the ground.

Please show me something good from this, I pray,

To fill my enemy with shame profound.

You’ve helped me, Lord, when I have called on You,

You’ve soothed me with the comfort of Your love.

Console the suffering, help see them through

Please show us something good from up above.

Reveal to those who hate us You are God,

Cause them to be disgraced among their friends.

Lay bare their evil hearts here and abroad;

Humiliate them to the furthest ends.

Please show us something good so all may see

The righteous will prevail; in You we’re free.

9-11-15 You Are Not Alone

The eyes of the LORD are upon the righteous, and his ears are open unto their cry.

Psalm 34:15 KJV

~~~~~~~~~~~

No matter where you go you’re not alone;

The presence of the Lord will see you through.

His eyes are on you now, His grace is shown:

The righteousness of Jesus dwells in you.

God’s eye of Providence: a blanket warm,

To comfort and protect you faithfully.

His eye of Love to see you through each storm,

A Father’s gaze upon His child set free.

He hears your cries within the tempest roar

When all the world is shouting out their sins.

He answers all your prayers and even more

Responds to every groan as it begins.

You put your faith in Christ upon the throne;

Now rest assured you’ll never be alone.

9-1-15 On Speaking in Tongues

² For he that speaketh in an unknown tongue speaketh not unto men, but unto God: for no man understandeth him; howbeit in the spirit he speaketh mysteries.

³ But he that prophesieth speaketh unto men to edification, and exhortation, and comfort.

⁴ He that speaketh in an unknown tongue edifieth himself; but he that prophesieth edifieth the church.

1 Corinthians 14:2-4 KJV

~~~~~~~~~~~

There’s nothing wrong with speaking unknown tongues,

Unless you’re teaching Sunday School in church.

God gave you vocal chords and also lungs

To worship Him, not leave us in the lurch.

The Spirit speaks the truth into the heart,

And sometimes whispers secrets unrevealed.

Such mysteries remain so from the start

Unless a translator is there to yield. ¹

If you’re to lead your brethren into war

It’s so important they know what you mean.

An unknown call in battle they’ll ignore, ²

So speak commands that’s understood and keen. ³

An unknown tongue’s for you and you alone.

If you’re to prophesy, let it be known.

~~~~~~~~~~~

1 1 Corinthians 14:13

2 1 Corinthians 14:8

3 1 Corinthians 14:15

8-27-15 An Exhortation

Now we exhort you, brethren,

warn them that are unruly, comfort the feebleminded,

support the weak, be patient toward all men.

1 Thessalonians 5:14 KJV

~~~~~~~~~~~

We have our own responsibilities,

And that includes a call to help the poor:

The poor in heart, in mind, in strength are these

That need some extra care we can’t ignore.

Admonish those that step across the line:

The busybody, troublemaking sort.

Teach discipline and selfless service fine;

These diamonds in the rough, do not sell short.

Uplift the ones who struggle with the cross:

The simple and the slow to understand.

The weak need love who cannot bear a loss;

Please help them with their faith and to withstand.

Have patience with the souls who trip and fall;

Be one to help them up. See Christ in all.

~~~~~~~~~~~

sonnet #449

7-21-15 Angels in the Wings

Are they not all ministering spirits,

sent forth to minister for them who shall be heirs of salvation?

Hebrews 1:14 KJV

~~~~~~~~~~~

Oh child of God, you’ll never be alone,

Though all your friends and family depart.

When dark despair has gripped you to the bone,

There is an angel working on your heart.

He ministers to you when you are down,

Sent forth by God to comfort and restore.

When all the world conspires to make you drown,

An angel’s called to pull you back ashore.

The presence of the Lord is with you now,

And there are angels waiting in the wings.

When grief and pain descends upon your brow,

You’ve got the help you need from where love springs.

Oh child of God, know Jesus lives within,

And angels serve to minister therein.

~~~~~~~~~~~

 

sonnet #412

6-7-15 SHOUT!

⁴⁷ And when he heard that it was Jesus of Nazareth, he began to cry out, and say, Jesus, thou Son of David, have mercy on me.

⁴⁸ And many charged him that he should hold his peace: but he cried the more a great deal, Thou Son of David, have mercy on me.

⁴⁹ And Jesus stood still, and commanded him to be called. And they called the blind man, saying unto him, Be of good comfort, rise; he calleth thee.

⁵⁰ And he, casting away his garment, rose, and came to Jesus.

⁵¹ And Jesus answered and said unto him, What wilt thou that I should do unto thee? The blind man said unto him, Lord, that I might receive my sight.

⁵² And Jesus said unto him, Go thy way; thy faith hath made thee whole. And immediately he received his sight, and followed Jesus in the way.

Mark 10:47-52 KJV

~~~~~~~~~~~

The Son of David passes by you now,

And though you cannot see you know it’s Him.

The crowd’s as thick as nature can allow.

Would you still call His name, though chance is slim?

You know that you’re not worthy of His time,

And even if you yelled He’d never hear.

So here you sit amid your sin and slime;

Would you still shout His name and persevere?

Then SHOUT and beg for mercy! SHOUT His name!

You may not ever get another try!

Ignore the crowd’s rebuke and SHOUT the same!

If Christ is all you need He’ll hear your cry.

He calls – you throw your cloak of sin away;

Put all your faith in Christ – you’ll see today.

~~~~~~~~~~~

 

sonnet #382

1-24-15 Take Comfort

A friend of many years has passed away,

Their pain and sorrow will be borne no more,

Yet there goes half your night and half your day;

Anf half your broken heart is on the floor.

Take comfort in the Savior’s arms today

 And lean your tired head against His chest;

He holds you tight and wipes your tears away,

He whispers in your ear and gives you rest.

The world it seems no longer is attuned;

In fact it seems it’s crumbled all apart.

Take comfort in the Lord, He’ll bind your wound;

In time He’ll even heal your broken heart.

Your friend has left this place for glory’s light;

She’s taking comfort in Christ’s love tonight.

~~~~~~~~~~~

He healeth the broken in heart,

and bindeth up their wounds.

Psalm 147:3 KJV

12-11-14 On Drama

No matter where you go there’s some dispute.

When everybody’s right the rest are wrong.

And some will stir the water to pollute,

Or stick their noses where they don’t belong.

You need not go too far, the drama’s near;

It’s probably within your very home,

But you don’t have to fight, no need to jeer;

You don’t have to get mad, no need to foam.

Just lean upon the Lord in silent prayer,

And be compassionate to all you meet.

No need to pry when it’s not your affair,

And if it is be humble and discreet.

A wiser man grows wiser without strife.

Find comfort in the Lord; increase your life.

~~~~~~~~~~~

It is an honour for a man to cease from strife:

but every fool will be meddling.

Proverbs 20:3 KJV