Praying Hands

Truth

God's Grace

Humility

A Prayer for Humility

Because the first must be the last
And only little ones can pass
Beyond the gate--narrow and small
Where God is waiting for us all.

Jesus, lift my spirit up
I raise to You my empty cup
As I approach the narrow way
Make me a little one today.

You Made My Day

The day is finally over,
I made it through another one;
Thank You Lord, for walking with me,
Talking with You made it more fun.

You showed me so many wonders,
God created in seven days;
You taught me many new lessons,
I can use as I walk my trails.

I promise to share what You've taught,
With every one I talk to;
I promise to treat those I meet,
The way You would want me to do.

And as I lay me down to sleep,
I pray my Lord, You'll stay with me;
Teach me more lessons as I dream,
Help me to be all I can be.

Now before I drift off to sleep,
I'd like to thank You once again;
For walking and talking with me,
And for being my life long friend.

Thank You my Lord; You made my day!

God Cares

A mother bird has built a nest
which was quite different from the rest,
for there between the potted leaves
(not in the trees or under eaves)
she built a cozy little home,
in which to raise her chick alone.

The pot was standing on a wall
and to ensure it wouldn't fall
I moved it to a safer place
where enemies could not give chase -
then in the pot plant in the shade
one spotted little egg was laid.

Onto the porch I daren't go
to clean, to read, to knit or sew.
For fear of frightening Momma dear
I kept my distance; I steered clear
and far away from chick and nest
so that she could relax and rest.

The long awaited day arrived
and to make sure that it survived
I prayed and asked our God up High
to undertake 'till it could fly;
that He supply its every need
until itself the chick could feed.

Yesterday it left the nest
feathered in its Sunday best;
its mom seemed very agitated
but pretty soon her fears abated;
the fledgling spread its wings to fly
and swept into the clear blue sky.

The moral of my story's thus:
God loves us and is good to us;
He cares about things small and big
including that one little chick
hatched from an egg so oddly laid
in that pot in my porch's shade.

~ Belinda van Rensburg ~

I Love Jesus

I love Jesus because he first loved me
He rides the waves with me through the stormy sea
When I'm sailing smoothly across the bay
And a raging storm comes my way
He is the master of the sea
He says "peace be still" and it will be
I want to love him even more
for he brought my boat safe to the other shore

I love Jesus because he loves me
He loved me first and made my eyes see
My savior loves me even when I fail
And His loving kindness does always prevail
I'm so glad his love is so true
and I always have him to look to
He is always there and a true friend
His love is too wonderful to even comprehend

I love Jesus because he loves me so
He loves me and keeps me and will never let me go
He sees me when my steps are going astray
And gently leads me back to him and shows the way
He is always waiting with his arms open wide
And with his love and mercy I am never denied
His love grows sweeter and sweeter each day
for He is my constant hope and stay

I love Jesus because he is always there
I know he loves me and will always care
Others may fail me, but Jesus never
I am His forever and ever

Rare Flowers

If I found beautiful rare flowers;
I'd share this beauty with you.
In hopes that you would receive it;
And enjoy its fine beauty too.

God is the God of miracles;
This saying, though old, is true.
From the gleaming sun of creation;
To the tiniest flower of blue.

From whispering winds of refreshment;
To showering splashes of streams.
From beautiful fields of flowers;
Colorful rainbows, bright stars and dreams.

Each an amazing miracle;
Bringing faith to a doubting heart.
God's hand has created great fountains;
In dry cold desert places of dark.

On dead soil, a desert lay waste;
Until the hand of God intervenes.
The miracle hand of God's grace;
Sprouts flowers in places not seen.

I have, found beautiful rare flowers;
Not known to the natural man.
Found in the places of God's touch.
Flowers of faith, I hold in my clutch.

I will not keep this treasure to self;
But cast their beauty to the wind.
And ask the Lord to direct their flow.
Empty deserts, may you bloom and grow.

And as the Lord looked upon the deep;
A lifeless flow without form or void.
Transformed the dead, to light and life;
Filled with flowers now so enjoyed.

I know a heart can be flowerless;
Dead and dark, in coldness and despair.
But the God of miracles and love;
Transforms, and makes alive, He cares.

Replaces the stones of deadness,
Replaces the spaces of dread,
With New Life, and fountains of His Joy;
He raises a soul from the dead.

Please take the flowers of kindness.
Please receive the flower of Grace.
Jesus died and arose in power.
Your heart can be transformed this hour.

May your heart bloom and shine in His grace;
When you see His gift of love so true.
Let the flower of faith bring life to you.
His great Salvation, will make you new.

For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it
is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast. Eph 2:8-9

I watched a nest from day to day,

A green nest full of pleasant shade,

Wherein three speckled eggs were laid:

But when they should have hatched in May,

The two old birds had grown afraid

Or tired, and flew away.

I watched a rosebud very long

Brought on by dew and sun and shower,

Waiting to see the perfect flower:

Then, when I thought it should be strong,

It opened at the matin hour

And fell at evensong.

Then in my wrath I broke the bough

That I had tended so with care,

Hoping its scent should fill the air;

I crushed the eggs, not heeding how

Their ancient promise had been fair:

I would have vengeance now.

But the dead branch spoke from the sod,

And the eggs answered me again:

Because we failed dost thou complain?

Is thy wrath just? And what if God,

Who waiteth for thy fruits in vain,

Should also take the rod?

And God Created Woman

God said....

When I created the heavens and the earth, I spoke them into being. When I created man, I formed him and breathed life into his nostrils. But you, woman, I fashioned after I breathed the breath of life into man because your nostrils are too delicate.

I allowed a deep sleep to come over him so I could patiently and perfectly fashion you. Man was put to sleep so that he could not interfere with the creativity.

From one bone I fashioned you. I chose the bone that protects man's life. I chose the rib, which protects his heart and lungs and supports him, as you are meant to do. Around this one bone I shaped you. I modeled you. I created you perfectly and beautifully.

Your characteristics are as the rib, strong yet delicate and fragile. You provide protection for the most delicate organ in man, his heart. His heart is the center of his being; his lungs hold the breath of life. The rib cage will allow itself to be broken before it will allow damage to the heart. Support man as the rib cage supports the body.

You were not taken from his feet, to be under him, nor were you taken from his head, to be above him. You were taken from his side, to stand beside him and be held close to his side. You are My perfect angel. You are My beautiful little girl. You have grown to be a splendid woman of excellence, and My Eyes fill when I see the virtues in your heart. Your eyes - don't change them. Your lips - how lovely when they part in prayer. Your nose, so perfect in form, your hands so gentle to touch. I've caressed your face in your deepest sleep; I've held your heart close to Mine.

Of all that lives and breathes, you are the most like Me. Adam walked with Me in the cool of the day and yet he was lonely. He could not see Me or touch Me. He could only feel Me. So everything I wanted Adam to share and experience with Me, I fashioned in you: My Holiness, My Strength, My Purity, My Love, My Protection and Support. You are special because you are the extension of Me.

Man represents My Image - woman, My Emotions. Together, you represent the Totality of God. So man - treat woman well. Love her, respect her, for she is fragile. In hurting her, you hurt Me. What you do to her, you do to Me. In crushing her, you only damage your own heart, the heart of your Father, and the heart of her Father. Woman, support man. In humility, show him the power of emotion I have given you. In gentle quietness show your strength. In love, show him that you are the rib that protects his inner self.


Addendum -- 1 Corinthians 11:12 (NKJ) "For as woman came from man, even so man also comes through woman; but all things are from God."

True Love

I'm not sure I can always tell love from passion. One father said of his teenaged son, "I don't know if he's in love or in heat!" What teenager would know? Besides, feelings of attraction can change more quickly than a pouty expression.

But love, in its truest form, is greater than feelings. It is as much a decision as it is a feeling.

Love is what Mr. and Mrs. Strauss shared. Mrs. Isadore Strauss was one of the few first class women passengers to go down with the Titanic in 1912, and she drowned because she could not bear to leave her husband.

They remained calm throughout the excitement of the sinking vessel. They both aided frightened women and children to find places aboard lifeboats. Finally, Mr. Strauss, who had repeatedly urged his wife to claim a spot safely aboard a lifeboat, forced her to enter one.

She was seated but a moment, however, when she sprang up and climbed back on deck before he could stop her. There, she caught his arm, snuggling it familiarly against her side, and exclaimed, "We have been long together for a great many years. We are old now. Where you go, I will go."

Where you go, I will go. It is a decision to be together, come what may. I suspect she said something like that to him many times before. Maybe the words she used were different, but the meaning was the same. I want to be with you. Let's do this together.

Where you go, I will go. It's a decision to love. It is deciding to be there, wherever "there" may be. It is a decision to sacrifice, if sacrifice is needed. And it is choosing to re-decide it all over again tomorrow and the next day and the next.

As the ship sank beneath icy water on that cold and dark, April night, the Strausses merely re-made a decision they had made many times before throughout their life together. They decided on each other.

Where you go, I will go. At the heart of true love is often a decision, made again and again, to face the next day together … hand in hand.

~ Steve Goodier ~

Learning to Listen

There is a peace within my heart
that I've not always known.
It started with a tiny spark,
but with His love, it's grown.

What once were subtle nuances
that I sought to ignore,
now are poignant messages
of all He has in store.

For many years, His whispered cues
fell on my deaf ears;
but when I learned to listen,
He conquered all my fears.

I've come to seek Him everywhere
in sunshine and in rain.
His presence brings such comfort
through joy and sorrow and pain.

The more I seek, the more I find;
my life is no longer the same.
For every blessing He s bestowed,
I praise His holy name.

There's A Party In The Sky

One lost sinner won to God.
Angels rejoice and sing.
Joy and laughter on each face;
Pure, perfect celebrating.

Grandma's prayers are answered now.
She sings with angels today.
Together they praise the Ancient of days;
For one, that was lost, found the way.

There are many in heaven above;
Singing so flawlessly.
Hands a clapping, shouts proclaiming;
"Hallelujah, a sinner is set free."

Jesus shining, smiles so joyfully.
The angels can't compete.
He suffered so for those below;
With nails in hands and feet.

With awesome beauty, Oh such love;
Our joyful Jesus shines.
Lost sinners saved, for them He gave;
His life for all man kind.

Give some joy to Jesus, friend;
Let all of heaven ring.
Lead a sinner to the Savior;
Hear the heavens sing.

I'd like to think, that everyday;
There's a party in the sky.
When we've won another one;
To our Father upon high.

Oh, wow, I hear them singing now;
Great shouts of victory.
Glory! Hallelujah! Praise!
A sinner has come to thee

Seek And To Save

Jesus came into the world
to seek and save the lost
He died on the cross for sinners
and paid the ultimate cost

He went to the Garden of Gethsemane
and for the sins of the world did weep
He left the ninety-nine in the wilderness
to go after the one lost sheep

He does not want anyone to be lost
and gave his life and all
Won't you listen to him speak
and take heed to the Savior's call

He is now seeking you and knocking
at your heart's door
He gave his own life's blood for you
and with love did it outpour

If you want to know Jesus
as your personal Savior
Just ask him to forgive you of sin
and trust him and open the door

Once you trust him as your savior
He will never leave you
He'll give you eternal life
and life more abundant too

For the Son of man is come to seek and
to save that which was lost. Luke 19:10

What is HE to you??

To the ARTIST, He is the One Altogether Lovely.

To the ARCHITECT, He is the Chief Corner Stone.

To the BAKER, He is the Living Bread.

To the BANKER, He is the Hidden Treasure.

To the BIOLOGIST, He is the Life.

To the BUILDER, He is the Sure Foundation.

To the CARPENTER, He is the Door.

To the DOCTOR, He is the Great Physician.

To the EDUCATOR, He is the Great Teacher.

To the ENGINEER, He is the New and Living Way.

To the FLORIST, He is the Rose of Sharon and the Lily of the Valley.

To the GEOLOGIST, He is the Rock of Ages.

To the HORTICULTURIST, He is the True Vine.

To the JUDGE, He is the Righteous Judge, Judge of All Men.

To the JEWELER, He is the Pearl of Great Price.

To the LAWYER, He is the Counselor, the Lawgiver, the Advocate.

To the NEWSPAPER, He is the Good Tidings of Great Joy.

To the OCULIST, He is the Light of the Eyes.

To the PHILANTHROPIST, He is the Unspeakable Gift.

To the PHILOSOPHER, He is the Wisdom of God.

To the PREACHER, He is the Word of God.

To the SCULPTOR, He is the Living Stone.

To the SERVANT, He is the Good Master.

To the STATESMAN, He is the Desire of All Nations.

To the STUDENT, He is the Incarnate Truth.

To the THEOLOGIAN, He is the Author and Finisher of our Faith.

To the TOILER, He is the Giver of Rest.

To the SINNER, He is the Lamb of God that taketh away the sins of the World.

To the CHRISTIAN, He is the Son of the Living God, the Savior, and the Redeemer and the Lord.

To me...He is all of this and more; He is my everything, my all in all.

What is He to you

Nothing Else Works

Jesus showed Himself again to the disciples at the Sea... John 21:1 NKJV

The disciples, experienced fishermen, fished all night and caught nothing. We all know what that feels like, right? Next morning Jesus appeared on the shore and said, 'Cast the net on the right side of the boat.' (John 21:6 NKJV) When they did they caught so many fish their net broke. This story teaches us three things about Jesus:

1

Usually, you find Him at the end of your struggle. As long as you think you can do it on your own, He will let you try. And as long as what worked for you before is still working, you won't reach out to Him for help. It's only when you run out of answers that you discover it's 'Not by might, nor by power, but by my spirit saith the Lord.' (Zechariah 4:6)

2

He never takes His eye off you. 'When the morning had now come, Jesus stood on the shore; and yet the disciples did not know that it was Jesus.' (John 21:4 NKJV) They couldn't see Him, but He could see them. In spite of your emotional upheaval, your disappointment in those you trusted, and the futility of your own efforts, you're never beyond His care - or His reach.

3

He invites you to come and dine. Only after He fed them and had fellowship with them, did they recognise Him. At that point their doubts dissolved, their faith was renewed and they were empowered to go out and do His work. It's back to basics! The answers you seek and the strength you need can be found only by feeding on God's Word and fellowshipping with Him in prayer.

Simply stated: nothing else works.

Bob Gass

The Good Thing about Bad Storms

When my wife gets her hand on the TV's remote control, which is seldom, she usually chooses something educational. The other night she was watching a feature on what the host called "good things hurricanes do." Well now, having seen some of the bad things hurricanes do, I was intrigued to hear about this. The feature told about these Australian pine trees that had somehow taken root in a place in Florida that hosted attractive plants which, in turn, attracted many beautiful birds and small animals. Well, as those pines grew and got tall (by the way, an experience I have never had personally!), they literally created a canopy over those plants, and they blocked out the sun. What had once been an area thriving with gorgeous plant and animal life became a stretch of sterile underbrush... until the hurricane hit. The storm literally snapped those trees in two. And the sun is back. The area is now a beautiful park with pools, greenery, flowers, herons, and lots of interesting wildlife. But it took a hurricane.

The storm blew in and removed what didn't belong there. I understand that. God has sent or allowed storms to come roaring into my life over the years, often with that same effect. It's true in nature, it's true in our lives - what devastates can also be God's tool to cleanse, improve and beautify!

There's a picture of that in Acts 27, beginning with verse 14, our word for today from the Word of God. The Apostle Paul is being transported to Rome for trial on a large cargo ship that's carrying 276 passengers. They suddenly get hit by a massive storm system that batters them and threatens to destroy them for two weeks.

The Bible says, "A wind of hurricane force... swept down from the island. The ship was caught by the storm... and we were driven along... We took such a violent battering from the storm that the next day they began to throw the cargo overboard. On the third day, they threw the ship's tackle overboard with their own hands."

Eventually, Paul is visited by an angelic messenger. Here's how Paul reported that visit to his fellow passengers: "Keep up your courage, because not one of you will be lost; only the ship will be destroyed. Last night an angel of the God whose I am and whom I serve stood beside me and said, 'Do not be afraid, Paul. You must stand trial before Caesar, and God has graciously given you the lives of all who sail with you.'"

Storms clarify the things that really matter and the things that really don't. In this case, they threw overboard cargo that they thought they needed but they didn't really need. Maybe that's what God is trying to get you to do as the storm's battering you; set some new priorities, get rid of some cargo you've accumulated - even some sin you've taken on – your stuff that just needs to go. Just as God clarified for Paul what really mattered - his life mission and the people on the ship - it could be that God wants to use your personal hurricane to get you to focus on the things that really matter. The ship may not make it, but it's the people who matter anyway! Maybe people you've been neglecting because you've been all about the ship and you've been all about the voyage. And your life's mission is what matters - the things God has given you to do that also may have been marginalized recently. That, too, will survive the storm.

The hurricanes of God seem devastating sometimes and they can hurt. But He also sends them to accomplish things that might not happen any other way... the cleansing that your life needs. The new priorities your life needs. He's removing what's been blocked the sun so something beautiful can grow there.

Our Father, who art in heaven,
hallowed be thy name.
Thy Kingdom come,
thy will be done,
on earth as it is in heaven
Give us this day our daily bread.
And forgive us our trespasses,
as we forgive those who trespass against us.
And lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from evil.
For thine is the kingdom, the power and the glory. for ever and ever. Amen

Good Morning

SPEED CAN BE CALCULATED BY " MILES PER HOUR ".
BUT OUR LIFE'S CALCULATED BY " SMILES PER HOUR ".
"Laugh so hard that even sorrow smiles at you.
Live life so well that even death loves to see you live.
Fight so hard that even fate accepts its defeat."

I Know Your out There

Here we are again

Same old saying

That love comes in all packages

We know that we have time

To say what's on our mind

But do we really have to say

I know that your not completely

Intoxicated with me

But I hope in time

New chapters, new line

That you'll be mine

I know your out there

Just waiting for me

I hope i find you in time

Help me on my way

I'll see you another day

Hopefully you'll be mine

Show me your there

Say that you care

For me

I'll be waiting

I'll search everywhere

From the ground to the air

Just to find you

Maybe in time

We'll see true piece of mind

And we'll know

That we belong

That we are shown

That we were meant for each other

It will show us the way

And we'll go live our days

As one

But until that day

I'll be okay

Just got to keep busy

I know your out there

Just waiting for me

I hope I find you in time

Help me on my way

I'll see you another day

Hopefully you'll be mine

Show me your there

Say that you care

For me

I'll be waiting

Maybe this isn't

Really true

Maybe I'm not meant

To be with you

I'll understand

It soon

I'm not destined

To ever be

With another one

Such as you

But if there is a way

I am willing to take

To always be with you

I know that your there

Wishing that's me

I'm glad that I found you in time

Have I helped you understand

That I want your hand

In full destiny

I'll know that your there

I'll show you that i care

But I can't if you will be

With somebody.

Heart Felt Words

Words are easy, and sometimes cheap,
Actions speak louder and yours to keep.
I miss you, I love you, are words that are said,
To me, they are feelings, and often misread.

I miss you means that I feel incomplete,
And without you near, find it hard to sleep.
Not knowing how you are and if you are safe,
Missing your voice, not seeing your face.

Thinking of you, is a permanent state of my mind,
In my thoughts every minute till the end of my time.
Everything that I dream, includes thoughts of you,
Wondering what you’re doing, helps see me through.

I love you, simply are the most beautiful words by far,
Carefully chosen and saved for your one shining star.
When said with true feeling, straight from the heart,
These words make me feel close, so warm, never apart.

So when you hear my words expressing how I feel,
Take them to heart, because like actions they’re real.
I don’t say them lightly, and they are only for you,
They are words from my soul, heart felt and so true.

I love you!

1. When my delight in the Lord is no longer as great as my delight in someone else, I have lost my first love. (Mark 12:30)

2. When my soul does not long for times of rich fellowship in God's Word or in prayer, I have lost my first love. (Psalm 42:1)

3. When my thoughts during leisure moments do not reflect upon the Lord, I have lost my first love. (Psalm 10:4)

4. When I claim to be "only human" and easily give in to those things I know displease the Lord, I have lost my first love. (John 15:10)

5. When I do not willingly and cheerfully give to God's work or to the needs of others, I have lost my first love. (1 Jn 3:17)

6. When I cease to treat every Christian brother as I would the Lord, I have lost my first love. (Jn 13:34)

7. When I view the commandments of Christ as restrictions to my happiness rather than expressions of His love, I have lost my first love. (Jn 14:21)

8. When I inwardly strive for the acclaim of this world rather than the approval of the Lord, I have lost my first love. (1 Jn 2:15)

9. When I fail to make Christ or His words known because I fear rejection, I have lost my first love. (Jn 15:20)

10. When I refuse to give up an activity which I know is offending a weaker brother, I have lost my first love. (Rom. 14:15)

11. When I become complacent to sinful conditions around me, I have lost my first love. (Matt. 24:12)

12. When I am unable to forgive another for offending me, I have lost my first love. (1 Jn 4:20)

Someone

There is someone
Who dreams of your smile.
And find that in your presents.
Love is worthwhile.
So when you lonely.
Remember that is true.
Someone, somewhere is thinking of you....

Everything Dad

A little girl needs her daddy
To love her with manly charm,
To soothe her when she’s hurt,
And keep her safe from harm.

A girl needs her dad
To show her a man who’s good,
To help her make right choices,
As only a father could.

A woman needs her father
Just to be aware,
He’ll always be there for her
To sustain her and to care.

You’ve been all these things, Dad.
I hope that you can see
How much I treasure you;
You mean everything to me.

A Simple Hug

There's something in a simple hug
That always warms the heart;
It welcomes us back home
And makes it easier to part.

A hug's a way to share the joy
And sad times we go through,
Or just a way for friends to say
They like you 'cause you're you.

Hugs are meant for anyone
For whom we really care,
From your grandma to your neighbor,
Or a cuddly teddy bear.

A hug is an amazing thing -
It's just the perfect way
To show the love we're feeling
But can't find the words to say.

It's funny how a little hug
Makes everyone feel good;
In every place and language,
It's always understood.

And hugs don't need new equipment,
Special batteries or parts
Just open up your arms
And open up your hearts.

Meeting You *Inspired by Twilight

I was new and i was alone,
and then i saw you,
i didn't know why but i felt compelled to you,
try as i may,
try as i might,
i could not take my eyes of you,
its as if i fell this pull to you.

you confuse me,
and yet you pull me,
and each time when i think we're alright,
you pull away,
so fast,
so sudden,
so warily,
as if there may be a tragedy.

and then i found out,
the secret you kept,
the reason you stayed away,
the reason you kept away,
and i then told you that i'm not afraid,
that i would be with you,
that i trust you
and that i suppose was the beginning of something.

the things that would cause heartbreak,
the things that would make life seem so grand,
the creation of moments that would make life worth living,
that would make life so complete,
you were the start of that,
where anything otherwise would make life listless.