A Hand Along the Journey: Poems for the King from One Pilgrim to Another

“And they remembered His words.” Luke 24:8   Forgotten had been His clear prophecy Concerning His death’s necessity And resurrection that surely would be. Still He rose from the grave triumphantly, And they remembered His words.     It was an “Oh, yeah…that’s right” moment that morn, As joy changed faces that had been so forlorn. The King’s rightful crown never could be a thorn! Since they’d forgotten, they’d lost hope when they mourned, And they remembered His words.     And this is the motto I long to strive for: Honor my God with verse 8 of Luke 24. Make it the recourse my thoughts turn to more Than anything else; not after, before. And they remembered His words.     When my heart feels all jumbled, struggling to stand, Help me lean on, each time, words from Your hand. Spoken by He Who eternity spanned, By them faith’s flickering flame is fanned. And they remembered His words.     Lov...

  “…So when I saw it, I fell on my face…” (Ezek. 1:28)   You are the God Who sat on the throne above the firmament above the wheels and living creatures that Ezekiel saw. You are the God Who divided the Red Sea in two so that Israel could pass through. You are the God Who walked with Adam and Eve in the garden. You are the God Who died on the cross and defeated the grave to redeem us. You are the God Who sent fire on Mt. Carmel and spoke to Elijah in a still small Voice. You are the God Who did the impossible for Abraham and Sarah. You are the God Who kept David’s feet from falling and set him on a rock. You are the Rock that gave water to the multitude of wilderness wanderers. You are the Warrior of Revelation Who will right every wrong and receive every adoration. You are the Savior Who touched the leper and forgave the adulterer. You are the King of Kings and Lord of Lords. You are the God Who delivered Jehoshaphat and his army from overwhelming od...

“For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh.  For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal,   but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds,” – 2 Cor. 10:3-4 “I charge you therefore before God and the Lord Jesus Christ,  Who will judge the living and the dead  at His appearing and His kingdom:    Preach the Word!” – 2 Tim. 4:1-2a   Every Sunday churches gather, And the Spirit, though unseen, Walks among the rows of hearers   Who Life* and death are in between.   As the pastor wields the Sword, The Spirit pricks each heart With truth from God’s most holy Word; Great grace He’s ready to impart.   And angels hold their breath – What decision will be made? Choose redemption over death! Make the sin-to-Savior trade!   While Truth’s* declared, Christians pray, And the battle rages on. “Oh, God, help them believe Your Way* Befo...

For the blessing of Your presence near, That enters with us this New Year, We thank You. For promises Your Word imparts To meet deep longings of our hearts, We thank You. For shelter and our daily bread Received as our Good Shepherd's led, We thank You. For all the "extras" that You've given Above our needs, gracious provision, We thank You. For music, hope, and family - Expressions of eternity, We thank You. For enablement to follow You No matter what we may go through, We thank You. For the Spirit's pull upon our souls To know You more, greatest of goals, We thank You. For Jesus and His sacrifice To take our sin...so high a price, We thank You. For the Father's holiness and love Changeless True One, reigning above, We thank You. For the beautiful world You put us to live on, And for the new one we'll see at eternity's dawn, We thank You. "For of Him and through Him and to Him are all things,  to Whom be glory forever. Amen." (Rom. 11:36) ...

  Have you ever had a year in your life where there seemed to be no summertime, when crisis after crisis seemed to roll in like cold winter weather fronts? This was literally the case in Europe in 1816, which came to known as "The Year Without a Summer." A major volcanic eruption in Indonesia affected weather patterns worldwide. Snow fell and frosts occurred even in August. This caused crop failures, which led to food shortages and famines. Riots and even typhus epidemics swept across Europe. These problems were compounded by the instability that had resulted from the just-ended Napoleonic Wars. Christmas in 1816 was therefore not a care-free holiday. Joseph Mohr was an assistant priest living in Mariapfarr, Austria, where Bavarian troops were in the process of withdrawal. The war had disrupted the employment lifeline of the area: the salt trade, which interrupted the accompanying ship building and transportation industries. After a winter evening walk observing the quiet...

Luke 2:15 "...Let us now go even unto Bethlehem, and see this thing which is come to pass, which the Lord hath made known unto us." Can you see yourself at eventide In the stable long ago? The hay filled manger stand beside, As all your soul gazes to know  More of the tiny One who sleeps, Yet secrets of the ages keeps. Can you see yourself in Joseph's stead - Honorable, obedient carpenter, The little family's earthly head? Can you see yourself in Mary's place -  The wonderment of motherhood  Traced in the soft love on her face? Oh, stay awhile, and then some more; The stable has a place for all Who love the great Incarnate Lord. Your name the still, small Voice does call. The swaddled baby come and touch; He came because He loves you much. Imagine, as though you were there, Every detail of that night. All you are, pour out in prayer As you kneel to look by firelight. The wonder of God's precious Gift, Ever let it your soul lift. Can you see yourself at eventid...