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

For God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ. II Corinthians 4:6 The earth was dark, and then God spoke; Created light, and darkness broke Away, for it could not abide When God decreed that day would be. But Adam sinned one perfect day, And from God’s light he turned away. And in the hearts and lives of all Sin brought its darkness at the Fall. One day years later from noon ‘till three, When Jesus hung upon a tree, Day turned dark; God turned away. Where our sins were He could not stay. The Son and Author of all light Died all alone in darkest night. It was an awesome, awful trade When Purity our sin was made. Three days later at Sunday's dawn Night turned to day with glorious burst Of joy, for Jesus rose again! The Daystar triumphed o'er sin’s worst. In my heart, too, the light did shine ...

Proverbs 30:24-28 It may not seem important In eternity’s grand theme, But how I keep my dwelling place Affects the outcome of my race. Perhaps it should be easy, Without a second thought, To keep it all in top ship-shape; Yet the truth is that it’s not. But God’s Word has some secrets For those who care to look, Because all wisdom can be found In the pages of His Book. Four creatures on the earth are small But are exceeding wise, And Proverbs thirty tells us all How what they do can change our lives. The ants prepare their winter’s food In summer’s pleasant days. I need to plan and work and save, So home’s prepared for rainy days. Rock badgers make, though they are weak, Their houses in the rocks, And I must likewise daily seek My strength for tasks from Christ my Rock. The locusts have no king, yet go They forth in ordered bands. Organizing space and work at hand Puts clutter’s chaos at calm command...

My meditation of Him shall be sweet: I will be glad in the LORD. (Psalm 104:35, see also Malachi 3:16-17, Revelation 4:11) God likes it when I think of Him; He doesn’t mind at all When I take time to meditate On my dear Lord, so strong and great. The sweetness of His love revealed In both the Book and life: In days of yore and dreams gone by, In moments now, He still is nigh. Years pass, faith walks, hand in His hand, Steadier, surer, toward my homeland; Yet’s love’s still fresh as newcut rose His smile breathes joy that naught else knows. So don’t neglect, my soul, to kneel In reverent awe before Him still To start each day in fellowship With He Whose Truth’s at fingertip. Read His Word, and love Him more, Then take the time to God adore. His thoughts of you as grains of sand Would fill the shores of every land. He stands beside me, lives inside me, Knows me, holds me, changes me. He likes it when I think of...

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!).

“For thus saith the high and lofty One that inhabiteth eternity, whose name is Holy; I dwell in the high and holy place, with him also that is of a contrite and humble spirit, to revive the spirit of the humble, and to revive the heart of the contrite ones.” Isaiah 57:15 Holy Father, God of eternity, Son and Spirit, holy Trinity: You are vast beyond all measure; In You alone is wisdom’s treasure; You made us only for Your pleasure. Mighty Son, both God and man, Father, Spirit, Who make all plans: You are unfathomably great; You do as You alone dictate; You make us fit for Heaven’s gate. Awesome Spirit, gentle yet strong, Abba, Father, and Son, my Song: Your work in my heart knows no end; You cut out sin as skillful Friend; On Your close presence I depend. Sovereign God and Triune King, Reaching out to touch all things: I know You not as one day I will, But what I know is enough to fill My soul, and all my questions st...

“…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, ...

"The nearness of God is my good,” So said the psalmist of old. After wrestling with where his faith stood, Assurance of triumph he told. He’d considered the wicked: their pride And prosperity seemed all so wrong, When compared with the righteous beside, Who struggled hard all the day long. But Asaph came and sat before God, And God gave him a glimpse of their end. ‘Twas a slippery path that they trod; Destruction would come like a fiend. Then Asaph, on a personal note, Spoke truths that can help us today. Often we find ourselves in the same boat; His thoughts echo what our hearts say. He couldn’t see the “how” and the “why”; His heart was embittered with questions of life. “Like an ignorant beast before God was I,” He said, and then told God’s response to his strife. “Regardless of how you struggle within, I am always with you, holding your hand. With counsel I guide, and My strength do lend: A refuge for now, and the end Gl...