Unexplainable Gift
April 18, 2012
I have learned to hide
In the shadow of your wings
You’ve lifted my heart to joy
I cannot explain
I’m an ordinary man
A broken human being
When I look back my heart’s sick
I see my failure and pride
Lust for affirmations
Longing for power
I repent again today
I am new every morning
Each morning I rise
Praise God for his massive love
One who lives by his Spirit
In those who repent
Those who accept forgiveness
Who accept undying love
A gift I cannot explain
It defies logic of men
But I know one thing
I was shattered in pieces
And now I am whole again
I will seek the truth
That is a choice I can make
It is the one thing
That I have done and will do
It has brought light to my eyes
I’ve lived close to death
I have watched my love ones die
I’m angry at death
I hate it with all my heart
Only truth has brought me hope
Men’s religion has failed
A cloud, a veil hides the truth
You must look deeper
Search for yourself the answers
You will find if you will seek
Reflections written after meditating on Psalm 31; Proverbs 7; Jesus Calling; My Utmost for His Highest – 4-7-12.
When I rise in the morning, I can now visualize the places I have read about for over 50 years. I am in Jerusalem. I have been to the Sea of Galilee. I have stood on Mount Carmel. I have been to the synagogue Jesus taught in Capernaum. I have stood on the mountain where he explained who the really happy people are (Sermon on the Mount). I have looked up at the stars over the Sea of Galilee where he knelt before dawn broke. I have seen these places and marveled. What is happening inside me is a feeling of having brought the one in me (Jesus) to a most familiar place. It has made my heart glad.
Jerusalem on Easter Morning
April 8, 2012
Surprised by Joy
March 29, 2012
A Love Without End
February 18, 2012
We are not alone
January 20, 2012
You can watch Jesus’ movements in the recording of His behavior in the fourth and fifth chapters of Mark. This poem is written from the perspective of Jairus a synagogue ruler.
We felt all alone
Our daughter was dying
Helpless and despairing
I went looking for Christ
Believing Jesus could heal
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I felt hope when Jesus said
“I will go with you and help.”
The crowds pressed as we traveled
Suddenly he stopped
He looked all around
We were running out of time
He healed a woman
The words came like a dagger
“Your daughter is dead.”
He turned and looked straight at me
“Don’t be afraid, just believe.”
When we reached our home, I saw
Weeping and wailing
Jesus said, “She is sleeping.
She is not dead.” They all laughed
He made everyone leave
Except us, the parents
Three of his disciples stayed
Peter, James, and John watched him
Jesus touched her and spoke this
“Little girl, get up!”
She opened her eyes
Arose and began to walk
Marvelous astonishment
“Don’t tell anyone.”
He told us to give her food
Because he knew she was hungry
Who is this that calms the storms
Who cast out wicked demons
Who heals all the diseases
And raises the dead
The twelve year old girl was raised from the dead. You will be raised from death. I will be raised from death. Jesus spoke to life and death. Your love ones will be raised. No one else I know speaks to real life issues like Jesus.
He rules nature
He rules the demons
He heals all our diseases
He rules over death
You are not alone. God sees you. He hears you. He listens to your cry. Nothing is greater than God demonstrating his love by giving his only Son to live in you. You are his joy. My job is to hear him; receive his love; meditate on His teaching and act on the things he teaches me. In doing this I have discovered inexpressible joy.
Just as He hears You
January 14, 2012
A woman who had spent all of her money on doctors, after being ill for twelve years, touches Jesus cloak. A miracle happened as she cried out and reach out to Jesus. The same happens today. He hears us and always responds. God hears the human cries. Click here to read the story.
A large crowd came to see him
He stood there on the sea shore
Jairus fell at his feet
“My daughter is dying”
“Will you come and heal?
She is only twelve years old”
He begged Jesus to come
“If you will put your hands on her
I know she will not die”
He left with the crowd
Traveling toward Jairus’ House
In the crowd was a woman
An outcast by law
Bleeding for twelve years
Unclean by purity laws
She suffered greatly
All of her money was gone
She touched the hem of his cloak
She touched his cloak and was healed
She could feel that she was clean
Whole from touching his garment
He could feel her touch
Jesus felt the power leave
His response was, “Who touched me?”
Everyone was silent
All were touching him
Then the silence was broken
This woman came forth and spoke
His gaze fell on the woman
She dropped to her knees
Shaking, fearful and amazed
“I am the one who touched you”
He listened to her story
He heard why she came
“Because you believe, you’re healed”
Go in peace now and stay well
He heard the cry of her heart
Just as he hears yours
A little Kindling for the Soul
December 24, 2011
Receive Divine Love
December 13, 2011
Though it hurts beyond words
When you are falsely accused
And you choose to love
Forgiveness – a choice I make
A painful process I know
Son of Man and Son of God
One who shows me how
He endured the pain
All the rejection and shame
Physical, emotional
The loss of all family
Left alone to die for me
The question of faith
Each must give their own answer
I know the story
I’m reminded this season
When I sing “O Holy Night”
I fall on my knees
His story touches my soul
Takes me to the heart of God
Embraces the pain
Gives me the power to love
And forgive those who wronged me
You hear the invitation
To come and rest in His peace
To drink the living water
Receive Divine Love
I seek the silence
When I am quiet I hear
The quiet whisper
Of a love larger than me
Embracing my soul with joy
Little baby born in love
December 11, 2011
Each Breath a Gift
August 20, 2011
Awakening to Love
July 4, 2011
Hope
April 23, 2011
To read the true story this poem is based on click here.
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Mary and Martha
Their hope did not come
When they wanted Him to come
They were grieving and broken
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Jesus disappointed them
He did not come when they called
He did come with a surprise
With power and love
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He came to them right on time
To teach them new things of God
They knew He was their good friend
They knew He was God
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“Your brother will rise to life”
His presence revealed this truth
He wept when He saw Mary
He knew her name well
~
Yes, He knows your name
He also weeps for you now
He knows your story and your grief
He is here for you
~
He asked for Mary
She heard Martha whispering
“The teacher is calling you”
To come and see Him
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He is calling you
Do you hear His whispering
His voice can be heard
Use both heart and mind
And focus on His story
Dedicated to our special family friend Michelle.
First posted on my daughter Sara’s blog “A Spacious Place”.
The heart of God
November 8, 2010
Fountain of Life
October 24, 2010
Extravagant love
August 31, 2010
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My voice is silenced
With this massive loss of Liz
I have no language
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I need words of hope
I’m searching for the voices
That will speak the truth
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Liz LaVelle’s life speaks!
She is God’s voice to us today
Her life rings out with passion!
Spontaneous joy!
Our hearts are grieved beyond words
Comfort those nearest and dear
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One voice comes with Power
One voice speaks to death’s darkness
One voice with authority
“You will never die!”
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Today we don’t grieve for Liz,
We grieve for us, our great loss
She lives, we’ll see her again
How do we go on now?
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We draw near to You
You have sought us and found us
Broken and seeking
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There is one who comes
I cannot explain this love
It’s bigger than death
The words of Jesus bring life
Breathe hope into my spirit
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To Liz’s precious family:
You will see Liz face to face
Jesus keeps His promises
Let him comfort you
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To Liz’s friends:
Let Liz’s life be remembered
Let her voice be heard by all
God is real…and He loves you!
His love is extreme
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Christ lives in the human heart
Little children saw God’s face
As Liz loved, touched, and cherished
She saw the children
God’s gentleness calls
All of us to stop and think,
What really matters?
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Liz knew what mattered
Her cup was full of His joy
Her life invites us
To arise and say, “thank you”
Love God, and one another
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Liz’s word to all of us:
Do not weep for me
I cannot come to you now,
You can come to me
Let God’s Spirit comfort you
Draw near each day to His heart
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Extravagant love
He always keeps His promise
Please accept this treasured gift
Then give it away
Joy comes in obeying Him
Love each other as God loves
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Please see the children
The ones who’ve been abandoned
God is here to comfort you
Raise you up in love
~
Terry S. Smith
August 31, 2010
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