New Again

New Again

Like clay on the potter's wheel,

You know, Lord, just how I feel.

You know my imperfections,

That cause my reflections.

You're working on me, smoothing them out.

You understand just what they are about.

Still, with Loving hands so kind,

You're gently remolding me to a shine.

The bitterness that sits in this vessel of mine,

Please remove it, so I'm not so blind.

The disappointments that I carry within me,

I know You can clearly see.

Reshaping and working on rough spots is what I need,

Redesigning my character, Oh, yes, indeed!

I need Your touch to remake me fit.

I've not been good, nor usable, I admit.

Life has been terribly sad and hard

And this vessel of mine is so marred.

With the softness, renewed with Your provision,

I'll praise You for a new vision.

Lies are Lies

Lies are Lies

That's not a lie, people say

As they go about their own way.

Parts of it hold a little truth.

Your lie will come back to roost.

Shame will cover you because you lied.

Secrets of your heart, God knows your inside.

A part truth is a whole lie.

Better get right before you die.

Heaven won't let you get by.

That's in the Bible, so just sigh!

I've heard there are lies that are white.

Is this for real? Is that right?

So lies come in all colors:

black, red, green and yellows.

Does God know about these, too,

Or is it made up by people like you?

There are big lies and little lies.

Do you say such because of pride?

So every word, I should say

      Should be the truth, all the way!  

Twins

Twins

I have daughters that are twins.

One smiles the other one grins.

One says yes, the other says no.

Which is which, I do not know.

One is fast the other is slow.

One desires to stay, the other wants to go.

They look alike and they do not.

Which is which, I forgot.

One talks a lot and the other one does too.

Love them both?  Of course, I do.

Ocean Sunrise Prize

Ocean Sunrise Prize

Cool calm winds blow across the face of the deep,

While stirring my heart it awakens my sleep.

I can hear the wind-words in the ocean's roar.

It's music to my ears, far too great to ignore.

Peaceful and beautiful as the moon gives way to a new dawn

Casting light upon a rich green blue sea-like lawn.

Tips of white rolls upon the crystal while sand

Folding its waves like mightily skillful hands

Around the sand castle I built yesterday.

Lost and gone without trace, softly carried away,

As I watch the heated sun gently beckons hues in sunrise.

Could I have imagined a more inspiring prize?

A Masterpiece

A Masterpiece

When the children were young and small

I had no ideas or clues at all.

What massive canvases God set before me!

So, I knew I must choose and paint wisely.

I chose colors of love, care and respect,

Hues of thanksgiving and God to reflect.

Not knowing if my brush strokes were right,

Or were effective with enough light.

Works of art, masterpieces to be,

Applying colors of God on canvases for Three.

My Prison

 My Prison

Looking around I find myself in a dark dungeon of a prison.

I question, "Why am I here? What could be the reason?"

Then, I see faces of people who've inflicted my pain and caused my wounds.

It must be the fault of each of them, I'm in this dark graven tomb.

I've become so angry and bitter, because they hurt me so badly.

My temper rages and I yell and shake the bars of my heart radically.

I can't get out and away from them. I am the one that should be free.

Disturbed, I hear a familiar voice from my past, "You hold the key!"

"Impossible," I think out loud. "I was free with reason to live."

"With your anger and bitterness you've trapped yourself here."

"You have chosen these bars of slow but sure death

Should you hang on to angry bitterness and not confess.

You alone hold yourself captive and you're a prisoner as well,

Making this time, this pace, your heart, your own living hell.

The power you have is within yourself to let go

Of all the hurtful pain binding your heart in bitter cold.

The joy your heart once knew can be fully restored.

I know, The One speaking to you is The Lord.

What keeps you trapped from setting yourself free

Is in your heart. You refuse to forgive and use the golden key."

Home Building

Home Building

It takes love to build a home together

That will stand up to any weather.

It's designed with care and thoughtfulness,

And never hammered with selfishness.

Each nail is carefully placed with love,

Every wall filled with beauty from above.

No ill  feelings to hang on the wall,

Forgiveness is like a gentle rainfall.

The foundation is laid upon “The Stone,”

Wisely built where gratitude is sown.

Love is the key that opens the door

Where sweet companionship grows more and more.

Rooms that inspire, filled with understanding,

No hallways that lead to demanding.

Laughter and fun hang from the ceiling.

Consideration is gracious and with deep feeling.

Plenty of windows with impressive vision

Are insightful in making wise decisions.

Carpet laid with splashes of gentleness,

Wood flooring sounds with heartbeats of kindness.

Much patience and devotion for a home to stand,

It's a building project of love, working hand in hand.

Special Gifts

Special Gifts

Gifts from God are His choice.

He pulls from His vast resource.

He gives the gift of music to some.

So many He has to choose from:

Artistic talents and crafty hands,

Great minds that understand,

The love of children to teach,

The concern of souls to reach,

Or growing crops and tilling ground,

So many gifts to go around.

There's a special gift He has for you.

The questions is...with it, what will you do?

Designed On Purpose

Designed On Purpose

God holds each life precious.

He's chosen to bless us.

Each before we were formed,

He fashioned and adorned

By His Almighty hand

For all, an awesome plan.

Recorded in life's book

Before anyone could look,

Woven together, He saw

Within the dark womb's wall.

For His glory and praise,

Precious His thoughts that amaze.

Everything works out right

By God's own plan and might.

Without Reward

Without Reward

Love that never will fail or end

Is faithful not to offend.

Each brand new day brings excitement,

Understanding, enlightenment,

Knowing the promise that we hold.

Never becoming old and cold,

Full of mercy and full of grace,

Love lingers long and not in haste.

Love continues to give always.

It's not to buy with any pay.

It's freely given without reward

Like the love of our blessed Lord.

Unique Gifts

Unique Gifts

God gives gifts according to His plan.

You may wonder and not understand

What unique gifts He's placed in your hand.

It's for His pleasure, He demands

To bring Him beauty, the best you can.

Do not hide it and dig in the sand.

Your gift should be used across the land.

He gives to every woman and man.

Mouthful of Words

                                                                   

Mouthful of Words

Out of our mouths comes very little

To explain every rhyme and riddle.

Freely offering advice and such,

Thinking we are wise and know so much.

Speaking with authority, yet so wrong,

Our words must be heard, however long.

Our own theories offered as true facts,

Being so sure, knowing why God acts.

Answering for The Almighty One,

Frightful talk many people have done.

Remarks made with pious platitudes,

Not with caring, loving attitudes.

Counseling from ignorance of head,

Pretending to be wise in things said.

Things we simply do not understand,

Brazen to speak for God and demand.

Speaking from a righteous heart, we say,

Why is God  not working in our way?

Willing to tell us just why He cares,

Of hidden sin, you make us aware.

Spirit of God speaks what God will say.

The things that men say are far away.

Hollow and empty are their own words.

Listen to the Spirit, He has heard.

Knowing You, My Love

Knowing You, My Love

I enjoy these mighty strong arms that hold me.

An unshakeable grip that will not let go.

Loving me without regard to uncertainty.

Caring loving heart that understands and knows

My deep desires, feelings and guarded secrets.

Oh Love, that looks beyond all imperfections

Seeing beauty, never being a critic.

We are as one, making complete connection

In perfect strength, touching body, soul and mind.

Passionate love, without time and tomorrows,

Seeking each others pleasure, where and what kind.

Giving, receiving and causing no sorrows.

Dreaming of only you through the entire night

When we're exhausted from love that's been well spent.

You'll still be by my side when it becomes daylight.

This is Love's creation, what God must have meant!

Our Private War

Our Private War

As I hold my fellow comrade in my arms

He grasp my hand, and I tell him to be strong.

A good soldier, he managed to smile and nod

While his tears fell in the bloody thirsty sod.

Together we've gone through torture, pain and hell.

Now, our private war as death lingers and swells.

This battlefield we will not go safely through.

"Oh God, we both depend totally on You!"

A Shepherd's Love

A Shepherd's Love

A Shepherd with a pure heart

Guides his sheep with sure hand.

Considering his call a fine art,

Knowing that others don't understand.

He knows each sheep by its name,

And the image of each face.

They know his gentle voice just the same

And his gentle touch of love and grace.

He keeps them safe 'cause he cares

While they stay close to his side.

He is attentive and much aware,

Cautious of the unknown as he guides.

Happy are his little sheep.

Their keeper is always near.

They have no fear of going to sleep

Nor playing with the one who's so dear.

Pastures of wonder delight.

The Shepherd watches and thinks.

They're protected in the warm sunlight

With waters of pleasures and to drink.

His flock is his family.

Blessed to have such a deep love

Close to his heart, where they want to be.

He holds each one like the Shepherd above

Freedom's Cost

Freedom's Cost

Living in the land of the free,

Many things we seldom do see.

Men and women going to war,

Often forgotten and ignored.

Freedom paid with their very life

To stop the world's mad, angry strife.

On foreign land our soldiers fall,

Heeding to our proud country's call.

A high price to pay for freedom.

Again, we just may not see them

My Prison

 My Prison

Looking around I find myself in a dark dungeon of a prison.

I question, "Why am I here? What could be the reason?"

Then, I see faces of people who've inflicted my pain and caused my wounds.

It must be the fault of each of them, I'm in this dark graven tomb.

I've become so angry and bitter, because they hurt me so badly.

My temper rages and I yell and shake the bars of my heart radically.

I can't get out and away from them. I am the one that should be free.

Disturbed, I hear a familiar voice from my past, "You hold the key!"

"Impossible," I think out loud. "I was free with reason to live."

"With your anger and bitterness you've trapped yourself here."

"You have chosen these bars of slow but sure death

Should you hang on to angry bitterness and not confess.

You alone hold yourself captive and you're a prisoner as well,

Making this time, this pace, your heart, your own living hell.

The power you have is within yourself to let go

Of all the hurtful pain binding your heart in bitter cold.

The joy your heart once knew can be fully restored.

I know, The One speaking to you is The Lord.

What keeps you trapped from setting yourself free

Is in your heart. You refuse to forgive and use the golden key."

A New Creation

A New Creation

No beauty I see in this creature I am

Crawling slowly on dry harden and thirsty ground.

Hibernating in woven security

I emerge to new beauty and purity.

Amazed how beautiful I've turned out to be.

Flying vibrant colors with great agility.

With time I'm not so beautifully adorned.

I've been battered, broken and my wings are torn.

Yet, still a new creation flying with ease

Fulfilling purpose and plan for God to please.

In the Hand of the Potter

In the Hand of the Potter

To the Potter's house, I did go.

It was a mighty good show.

How he worked, I did watch.

Oh, what a lesson He taught.

He took a lump, a piece of clay

And chose just what to make, his way.

It didn't please him all that much.

So, he began again with another touch.

Beautiful it was as he reshape it.

The clay in the potter's hand, now was fit.

A second chance to be made again.

Lord, do the same with me, with Your hand.

Make me beautiful, useful and new.

Please, show me just what You can do.

Lost Innocence

Lost Innocence

Growing up I learned about selfish hands.

I finally began to understand,

In simple ways as only a child can.

Words of beauty spoken sweetly and clear.

He hoped no other ears could over hear.

Always, he smelled of stale sickening beer.

I didn't want him to come close or near.

My heart became faint with a lot of fear.

Surly God would just make him disappear.

Feeling hopeless confused, I didn't know.

Suppose it's the way it is when you grow?

Afraid, I hid in the closet below.

I was safely hidden and out of sight.

I cleared a small spot and sat without light.

“Go and leave me alone!” I would recite.

No grownup listened to this little girl

Living in an imaginary world.

My pleas, fears and pain would not be heard.

Imaginations were completely real.

He came to my bed and he held me still.

I cried out, but he lied and took his thrill.

He explained it away as a bad dream.

His story quickly believed and redeemed.

A huge lie he told to disguise my scream.

I felt cheated, robbed, dirty and unclean.

Pain in body and heart, I've never seen.

Leaving, I heard him laugh cruel and mean.

Both Skies

Both Skies

To watch a sunrise steal your breath away

Or watch a flaming sunset gently fade

Leaving you without any words to say,

Know that it is the Lord's art, He displays.

Say nothing and take His wonders inside.

Heaven whispers as you quietly abide.

This He scatters on the canvas called sky

For your pleasure, not to reason why.

With morning's colors He softly greets us.

He shares sweet hues saying “good night” at dusk.

With His hand of skill He simply replies.

His awesome touch is displayed in both skies.

The War Hasn't Stopped

The War Hasn't Stopped

Over the battle scars of painful war

Long grass and wild flowers have grown.

Yet, my memories I can not ignore.

Today I'm reaping the things that were sown.

Things I keep hidden in myself

Too horrible to speak words to explain.

Not much of the man I was, now is left.

I shutter when I hear my name.

I know I'm withdrawn and don't get along.

Please be patient, I've just come home from war.

I do not know where I belong.

I love you baby, please do not ignore.

The Garden of My Heart

The Garden of My Heart

Dandelions pretty and yellow

With sunny smiles, saying hello.

Other pretty flowering weeds

Reaching upward for special needs.

Pebbles and stones that's in the way

Yet, the roses have welcomed stay.

All I didn't plant has to go.

I've worked hard for these roses to grow.

Can't let weeds over take this place.

My garden can't be a disgrace.

These weeds just grow so easily,

While roses work me busily.

I often wonder why weeds are strong

And the roses don't last very long.

The garden of my heart compares

With daily life I have to share.

The character of strength and boldness,

Keeps my heart from ugly coldness.

The warm vibrant loving feelings

Helps me with everyday healing.

And just like a rose, a sudden touch

Is welcomed with gratitude so much!