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

These things I have spoken unto you, that in Me ye might have peace In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer;  I have overcome the world. (John 16:33) “Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted.” Matthew 5:4           The third Christmas was entirely different than the first one. A stark contrast of divine protection and devastating loss mark that third Christmas season. When remembering that historical account, we typically emphasize the good and majestic parts of the story, while relegating the terrible events to the background. Perhaps we do so because to look too closely would rouse that persistent question “Why?” which is so often unanswered in this lifetime. Yet, in grappling with the events of the third Christmas, hope can be found for our times. Hope is always worth the work, so here we go…           There is perhaps nothing more beautiful than a mother’s love for her baby. The first Christmas highlights that love. In the soft gl

For Jamie and Judith  "Blessed be God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ,  the Father of mercies, and the God of all comfort."  (2 Corinthians 1:3) Jordan Grace “…Let the little children come to Me…” (Luke 18:16) “Jordan Grace, with the beautiful face,” Was our special rhyme-song of love For the daughter we held in love’s embrace, ‘Til called Home by our Father above. Almost three months your sunshine was here, Brightening all of our days. Your brothers hovered protectingly near, In love with your sweet baby ways. And now…now…it’s so very hard – This soul-wrenching moment we’re in – To let go in faith is what is required, So we trust in Him Who’s always been. The I AM of all knew each of your days, And knows all that is yet to be. Our sweet little girl on His face does gaze, In the Sonshine of eternity. “Jordan Grace, with the beautiful face,” Our hearts will always echo. What love has claimed, time can

“As the Father loved Me, I also have loved you; abide in My love. If you keep My commandments, you will abide in My love, just as I have kept My Father’s commandments and abide in His love. These things I have spoken to you, that My joy may remain in you, and that your joy may be full.” (John 15:9-11) Coveted prizes we all search for – Forever love, real joy, and more – Are promised by Christ to those who abide In Him by keeping His words their guide. It seems so simple; how can it be That loving obedience sets us free To the life we’ve always yearned to know, A life of fulfillment His glory to show? I know not the answer to this mystery, How God Who is holy could live through me; Yet His Spirit within me whispers, “Keep trying, For grace and strength I’m always supplying.” Truly my Savior walks with me As surely as in Bible history, How can I not then in fellowship dear Cling to the One Whose words are so clear? Abide in Him in b

“Peace I leave with you, My peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.” (John 14:27) L ord, make my troubled agitations cease. (John 14:27) E very hour I need Your calming peace . (Philippians 4:6-7) T ender promises bring my soul release. (Psalm 42:11) N othing can separate me from Your love. (Romans 8:35-39) O Lord, You know me as no one else does. (Psalm 139) T here is o’er all my life Your glory’s cause. (Revelation 4:11) Y our hand holds all my times, the good and bad . (Psalm 31:14-15) O nly in You can fear’s release be had . (Isaiah 41:10) U nderneath Your everlasting arms make my heart glad. (Deuteronomy 33:27) R edeemed I stand; You are my Abba, Dad. (Romans 8:15) H elp me to rest in You, my Refuge dear, (Psalm 18:1-6) E vermore to bear Your image true and clear. (Jude 24-25) A lways my Anchor holds, though storms are near. (Hebrews 6:18-20) R eadily

“ After that, He [Jesus] poured water into a basin and began to wash the disciples’ feet, and to wipe them with the towel with which He was girded. …having loved His own which were in the world, He loved them unto the end. ” (John 13:5,1) In Scripture’s museum that time can’t erase Where items portray God’s glory, The basin and the towel have a place To share their wondrous story. It’s a tale of love when God’s own hands Did what most would of a slave demand, And what Jesus did so beautiful He bids us do in today’s world still. And the basin and the towel live on, As His servants serve each other. In serving others we serve our King, Whose love for us gave everything. Many people have served me in love,* With no thought for human applause: Ellen brought a meal just-because, Judith mailed me a coffee cup, Janet did dishes and clean-up, Mark listened and didn’t condemn, Priscilla or Sue watched the kids again, Bill went to work ano

“Then took Mary a pound of very costly oil of spikenard, broke the flask and poured it on His head, anointed the feet of Jesus, and wiped His feet with her hair. And the house was filled with the fragrance of the oil.” (John 12:3, Mark 14:3) A thousand times I’ve wished that I had been Mary of Bethany: I wish that I could have seen You face to face when You were here. I wish that I could have given adoration in person to my Lord so very dear. I wish that I could have done something to show You love and loyalty clear. I wish that my hands had sheltered for a moment the feet of my Savior, Feet that would only a few days later walk the Via Dolorosa. You know, my Lord, how I’ve failed You instead so many times, But I thank You that You love me in a way that defies reason and rhymes. Your Spirit ever draws me to an awe of my Savior; My Savior ever draws me to the love of my Father. And one day I will, I know deeper than I know anything else, Worship You face to

“…See how He loved him.” (John 11:36) If walls could talk in Lazarus’ home (In the time when Israel was ruled by Rome), They’d tell of a family who welcomed the Christ, When to be His friend carried a price. If walls could talk, they’d tell of good times When the Teacher taught of things sublime. Lazarus, Martha, and Mary knew that this Guest Deemed for them most important at His feet to find rest. If walls could talk, they’d tell of a sick man Desperately cared for, yet claimed by death’s hand. They’d tell of great grief for a brother beloved, And tears without number by sisters devoted. If walls could talk, they’d tell of sad questions That screamed in the minds of those disillusioned “Why didn’t God answer our prayers? Why didn’t Jesus come if He cares?” If walls could talk, they’d echo the sounds Of feet that went running over outside grounds. And who were those footfalls making their way towards? The One Who could handle those qu

“I am the good shepherd, and know My sheep, and am known of Mine.   The Lord your God...will quiet you with His love, He will rejoice over you with singing."   (John 10:14, Zephaniah 3:17) Good morning, my Good Shepherd! I’m glad that You are near; For when Your kind voice I have heard, Assurance melts all fear. Ahead lay rocky paths and trails, I know not how we’ll cross. Yet Your eyes smile, “All is well; Not one sheep have I lost.” My heart is skittish as a lamb’s; I’m glad my Shepherd’s strong. I know that I can trust Your plans, You quiet my heart with Your song: “I know you and I love you, I give My life for you, You hear My voice and follow, I’ll never let you go! You know Me; yes, you really do! I go before to lead you. I shield you with Myself from harm, I’ll never ever leave you.” And through the years this song echoes; You gently keep on singing. As my faith grows, love for You shows When trust and praise I’m

“Jesus…said to him, Do you believe in the Son of God?” (John 9:35) Dawn rose, but he could not see it. He had never seen a sunrise. The beauty of color was unknown to his eyes. He had never seen his parents’ faces. He found his way by shuffled steps and counted paces. He had been born blind. But that day, his life changed forever. God’s glory was revealed undisguised; Jesus opened the blind man’s eyes! What he had never dreamed could be Became his reality. The gift of sight was his. The Daystar rose on blind leaders. They never saw the glory of Jesus. They would not believe, so their sin knew no forgiveness. Stubbornly the Son of God they faced, But the once blind man’s faith placed In him perfect spiritual sight. What does this story mean to me? My limitations are invitations for God’s work. And because He's worked, to witness for Him I must not shirk. Though scared parents and angry leaders led to rejection, Jesus gave the o

John 8:58 – “Jesus said to them, Most assuredly, I say to you, before Abraham was, I AM.” Before the world and time began, Jesus is the great I AM (John 1:1). When history’s finished up His plan, Jesus is the great I AM (Revelation 22:13). Before I ever took a breath, Jesus is the great I AM (Psalm 139). And someday when I’ve passed through death, Jesus is the great I AM (Revelation1:17-18). He rules above this pagan world; Jesus is the great I AM (Psalm 2). Though insults at Him it has hurled, Jesus is the great I AM (Philippians 2:5-11). His love has conquered my heart, too; Jesus is the great I AM (Ephesians 3:14-21). I’ve found Him always kind and true; Jesus is the great I AM (Isaiah 61:1-3). He’s Bread of Life, all that I need; Jesus is the great I AM (John 6:35). He’s Light exposing darkest deeds; Jesus is the great I AM (John 3:16-21). He’s Shepherd gently tending sheep; Jesus is the great I AM (John 10). He’s One Who in