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

  “…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...

  “…Behold, let thine handmaid be a servant to wash the feet of the servants of my lord.” 1 Sam. 25:41   “…you serve the Lord Christ.” Col. 3:24   If I were here when You were here, Son of God and Son of Man, What I’d want more than anything Would be to serve You at Your hand. Little things that must be done – Unimportant in themselves – I’d try to do for love of One Whose love all else excels.   I wish I could have washed Your feet, You Who washed other men’s, Or cooked and brought You food to eat When Your day’s work was at an end. I wish I could have given You Soft pillows for Your head, Or had a home to welcome You As through the land You’d tread.   A few small comforts – not a lot To give the King of Kings; But as I’d work, You’d fill each thought (To know You makes joy sing!). Ointment, mending, cold water, too, I’d try to anticipate each need; Watching, listening, then I’d do Whate’er I could for my Friend indeed.   But…I am here and that was then, Y...

  “Then some of the scribes answered and said, ‘Teacher, You have spoken well.’” (Luke 20:39, NKJV) “Now if any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, Who gives to all generously and without criticizing, and it will be given to him.” (James 1:5, HCSB) “For a Child will be born for us,…He will be named Wonderful Counselor…” (Isaiah 9:6, HCSB)   Knots and perplexities, tangles and questions Leave me often bewildered in tough situations. Not just for myself, but for ones that I love; To know what to say, I need help from above. I come to Your Word, amazed at Your wisdom - Straight to the heart, You spoke truth that would help them. Always the best words, excellent answers,   Not what they expected, but just what they needed.   Now again at Your feet, dear Master, I kneel, Searching Your face for wisdom still To know how to pray, and what words to say To help family and friends who face difficult days. Wonderful Counselor and Wisdom of ...

  “But Noah found grace in the eyes of the LORD.” Genesis 6:8   For decades he worked with gopher wood; As a preacher of righteousness alone he stood. In a world where evil had overtaken good, He found grace and obeyed and did what he could. Surely he mourned for those who would not see That the ark was God’s salvation for all who’d believe. But scoffers didn’t stop him; he’d heard God’s voice clearly, So he just kept right on building, and the rest is history.   God honored his faith; sprinkled throughout His Word Are tributes to Noah’s obedience to his Lord.* And in our own times, where Truth brings a sword, God’s gracious commendation is still the best reward. Then to the faithful: keep cutting down trees; Endure rejection, though it drive you to your knees. If no one follows, yet God you please, The difference that’s made is eternity’s.   *Hebrews 11:7, 2 Peter 2:5, Ezekiel 14:20, Matthew 24:37

"Fear not, for I am with you; Be not dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, Yes, I will help you, I will uphold you with My righteous right hand." Isaiah 41:10 Papa, Right now I pray for those who stand for You against the rip current of society’s sin, and as lights in a confused Christendom . Give them the courage of Daniel and his friends, The boldness of Stephen before the council, and Isaiah before kings. Speak with them as You spoke with Moses on the mountain; Let them walk with You as Enoch did. Let Abraham’s faith and Matthew’s following find resonance in their souls. Duplicate in them the worship of David, and the love of John. Bring them through discouragement as You did Elijah, And persecution as You did Paul. May the Biblicity of Josiah be a hallmark of their lives, And grant them understanding of the times as You did for Isaachar’s 200. Make them watchmen who stand in the gap as You instructed Ezekiel, Filled with the Spirit as...

“When He [the Holy Spirit] comes, He will convict the world about sin, righteousness, and judgment.” John 16:8 (HCSB) R ealizing His magnificence: E nshrined images must come down, V erity in hearts restored, I niquity truly abhorred. V ast His holiness beyond our reach: A lmighty God's mercies beseech, L ive for Him Who died for us each. & R ebellion finally bends its knee, E ntangled with only one choice to be free. G race cuts sin's cords because of His nails; E mmanuel's love and victory prevails. N o one could make the changes He can; E vil must flee at His mighty hand. R ighteousness, judgment - these are the facts; A ll will one day bow before His great acts. T his is my prayer for the country I love: I   pray for her people to seek God above. O nly in doing so can peace be found; N eglecting Him surely will bring us down.

“ 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...

Each of our lives has the potential to be a beautiful poem of praise for our Creator, a unique tapestry that blesses His heart and others. Today's post highlights the life of one such person, whose 101st birthday is today. Thank you, Eva Bossenberger! May it touch your heart as it has mine. https://www.samaritanspurse.org/article/100-year-old-seamstress-makes-dresses-to-pack-in-shoebox-gifts/

Matthew 5:16 – “Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father Which is in heaven.” “Let your light so shine, Glorifying your Father.” This was Your command To disciples at hand. Well, I’ve taken the plunge To shine publicly, But I pray that I’ll always Serve with purity. Competition and pride Would Your awesomeness hide, So keep them far from me; May I look only to Thee. If I start to slip Without even knowing, I beg You to show me Immediately. Please touch other lives, Both near and worldwide, With the greatness of You Through all that I do. Your glory’s my goal, Your love’s my sweet song, That others may join Redemption’s glad throng. And I’ll bow the knee Of my heart unto Thee, As Your humble handmaid, My life at Your cross laid.

This ministry is incredible! Once a year, our church partners with Bearing Precious Seed for a weekend of assembling John and Romans booklets. They only cost $0.16 each, yet their impact is eternal, for the Word of God can change lives from the inside out. Last year's booklets went to Mozambique, this year's are going to Mexico. I can't put into words how much it means to do a project like this with my children! If you think your church would be interested in doing the same thing, let me know, and I can pass on contact information for the coordinators (they set everything up; all you do is show up!).

“…Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.” Mark 16:15 Carey, Taylor, Judson, These men lived with a mission: That India, China, Burma Might come to know salvation. Holritz, Frey, Perrine, and more, Have served the Lord on foreign shore: That those in darkness might see light, That hearts of sin might be made right. I put my own name in the blank, And ask myself, “What shall I do?” It’s not enough to just work here, I must reach out so all can hear. The Great Commission is for each Of us who claim the Christ to know, And we must pray, and we must preach, And we must give, and we must go. I serve in Tennessee, but yet I must not let myself forget To pray specific, detailed prayers, Of worldwide needs to be aware. No matter what is my life’s station, I can reach out to other nations; For God is big and He will use All who seek His will to choose. Lord, make my life a candle bright, ...

But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency of the power may be of God, and not of us. II Corinthians 4:7 I'm just a clay pot, Lord; enable me now To let Your light shine through my life, for how I need Your strength hour by hour, Your wisdom and love and unstoppable power! Old habits and sin and ugly decay Would hold me back throughout the day, But I long to attain and I cannot forget What You've called me to, so I press on yet. It's worth the fight to do what's right, So illumine my life with the glow of Your light. That my family may see only Jesus in me, In the details of days let Your Spirit work free. Fill my thoughts and words with praises of You; In actions and reactions please shine through. Make kindness and cleanliness rules of the day, As this clay pot You use to show others Your way.