1-12-15 Dark Nights

dark night

A homesick ache will sometimes strike my soul,

A  tired longing from all earthly bonds;

Then there are moments when I doubt the goal,

A skepticism of the great beyond.

When faith grows weak, I turn to God in mind

In hopes that He will hear my weakened prayer,

And groan in spirit, feeling unrefined,

To save me from my anguish and despair.

Then quietly my pleas turn into praise,

A subtle shift from fear to gratitude;

With just a touch from Him my spirits raise,

My heart grows lighter, larger and renewed.

When melancholy brings me to my knees

I put my faith in Christ; He won’t displease

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Why art thou cast down, O my soul?

and why art thou disquieted within me?

hope thou in God:

for I shall yet praise him, 

who is the health of my countenance,

and my God.

Psalm 42:11 KJV

12-25-14 In the Midst

baby-jesus

He slipped into the world so quietly

That only shepherds in their fields were told,

And just a handful knew who He would be:

The one Messiah prophets had foretold.

Oh, how the earth itself did want to shout,

“The Savior’s here! Just look! He’s in our midst!”

The animals and plants could have cried out,

“The Lord of Lords is born! He does exist!”

Creation, though it strained to cheer with joy,

Was held in an abeyance purposely,

For evil men would then try to destroy

As Herod did when wise men sought to see.

O earth, be quiet, do not shout and tell.

O universe, that time will come as well.

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Cry out and shout, thou inhabitant of Zion:

for great is the Holy One of Israel in the midst of thee.

Isaiah 12:6 KJV