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

  “One God and Father of all, Who is above all, and through all, and in you all.” -Ephesians 4:6   My God is my Father, and He’s over all – Eternally sovereign, the Ancient of Days. Naught overpowers Him, nor ever shall, Peerless and mighty, His deeds call forth praise.   My God is my Father, and He works through all – Providence unhindered by choices and chance.   His glory and purposes take the last curtain call, Ever working and winning behind casual glance.   My God is my Father, and He is in all – Through the Spirit indwelling those who’ve trusted the Son. That God’s very presence would fill ones so small… It’s the gift of the ages, with parallel none.   “Over, through, in” – power, providence, presence – A good staff to lean on when times turn hard. We can always trust Him when things don’t make sense;   All the way Home, His children He’ll guard.

  “…as thy days, so shall thy strength be.” – Deut. 33:25 The sun came up, the sun went down, And in between our lives were changed. The one I loved above all else Went to his God, life here exchanged.   I know God’s Word is sure and true, There is no doubt He’ll see us through; And yet it’s such a massive thing To think of life without Bill here.   For almost twenty years we lived Souls knit together through thick and thin, Best friends, same goals, pressing on together To know God more, and love each other.   And now…now…I stand a widow, Four sets of fatherless hands to hold. I miss you…wish this wasn’t real, That your kind eyes, strong arms I’d feel.   But it is real, and thus shall be Until I join eternity. And though you’re gone, I have His Book, Whose promises are never shook.   So by His grace we’ll carry on Until that great eternal dawn, When once again my love I’ll see And never, ever parted...

  God comforts (Greek parakaleo: calls near ) the downcast. 2 Corinthians 7:6   The compelling word, a clarion call, Given by the Master to us all; From Creation’s dawn to last amen, Old or young, women or men – “Come.”   It starts by coming to Him for salvation, But never ceases, this wondrous relation. However often you’ve come, come yet again! He never runs dry; mercy never runs thin – “Come.”   Come, all who are heavily laden and weary; Come, all who are needy, hungry, and thirsty. Come, all who are fearful, failing, and fainting; Come, all who are downcast, in seasons distressing –   “Come.”   He knew we would need Him for everything; He said that apart from Him we could do nothing. He turns not away those who fall at His feet And beg for His help; His presence is sweet – “Come.”   Come then, my soul, today and all days; Patience and kindness you’ll see in His gaze. The Paraclete, Shepherd,...

  “He has made everything beautiful in its time. Also He has put eternity in their hearts…” (Ecc. 3:11)     Frosty air that nips the cheek, Snow crowned beauty where 'ere I seek, Laughing children sled down the hill, Then moonlight shining; all is still.    These are gifts You give to me;   No grander painter could there be Than God the Grand Designer Who With majesty all this can do.     https://share.google/nrdWTPKXTIDNAyXDo   Valley's lilies' sweet perfume  From tiny cups of white that bloom, Hills turn green and seedlings grow;  Sun warms and wakens all below.   These are gifts You give to me; No grander painter could there be Than God the Grand Designer Who With majesty all this can do.                        Cool, clear water in creeks to play; Splashes, laughter - a summer day. Lightning bugs and katydids, Campouts, ...

  “…that the generation to come might know,…  that they may set their hope in God,…” (Psalm 78:1-8)   To the ones God will add to my family, Whom I won’t meet until eternity: Truths that burn deep in my soul – I pray their certainty you’ll know, So I write down words to reach through years, And pray the Bible’s God is yours.   Seek the LORD Whom Moses knew, The one true God Who created you. He beckons you to know Him more; All He is..…the I AM adore. Let everything on His Word lean – Life and death and all between.   I pray you’ll receive Him as Savior and Lord, Knowing Jesus as revealed in His Word. Walk with Him, talk with Him, all your life long; His continual Presence alone makes you strong. And if I could look you straight in the eye, I’d say that He’s worth it – give Him your all! The high, holy God with love your name calls.   I don’t know how the world will be When it’s your time to take the stage, But I know unchanging Trinity Has victory from ...

  “And the Levites, Jeshua, Kadmiel, Bani, Hashabniah, Sherebiah, Hodijah, Shebaniah, and Pethahiah, said: ‘Stand up and bless the LORD your God forever and ever! Blessed be Your glorious name, which is exalted above all blessing and praise! You alone are the LORD;…’” (Nehemiah 9:5-6)   It was a time of opportunity; It was a time of great challenge. It was his chance to impact history; He deemed God worth any exchange. *   *   * Returning exiles sought to restore Worship of Yahweh and His temple once more. But hurdles from hostility to complacency Would test their resolve, as the years would see. The Spirit stirred hearts of Levites and priests, And Kadmiel’s name shows up in those lists Of leader names in Nehemiah and Ezra. He urged the people to deeply express the Repentance and worship due unto their Lord. He signed his name to the covenant’s words. He managed temple workers, serve...