Category: Poetry (Page 1 of 2)

There is a God who loves us…

in our anguish and despair.

He feels our pains;

all things sustains,

and on Him we cast our cares.

There is a God who loves us…

despite our wretched sin,

who suffers long

and makes us strong

enough to battle it and win.

There is a God who loves us…

on that we can rely;

when the world rejects

our calling, elect,

and scoffs at all we try.

There is a God who loves us…

in the morning and in the night

with mercies new

each glistening dew

who, from blindness, gives us sight.

There is a God who loves us…

even when we must strain to find Him;

when trouble drowns

our smiles with frowns

He gives us faith to trust and mind Him.

There is a God who loves us…

when we are broken, scarred, and faint.

So store treasure up;

and drink from His cup

be counted among His saints.

There is a God who loves us…

and He’s the only one

who wounds and heals

and open seals

who comes as Yahweh’s Son.

There is a God who loves us…

who’s not a myth, nor fabled lore,

who died—but then

did rise again

defeating death forevermore.

There is a God who loves us…

in all calamity and toil.

A sparrow, He sees;

and holds the keys

to death and Hades

as a King of Priesthood, royal.

There is a God who loves us…

and mere words cannot convey His grandeur,

because though Deity,

He came as laity—

subjecting Himself to torture, lies, and slander.

There is a God who loves us…

and for Him I’d give my all

to receive His grace;

that He’s made a place.

I will follow at His call!

References from the Holy Bible

Line 1 – John 3:16

Line 3 – Hebrews 4:15

Line 4 – Hebrews 1:3

Line 5 – 1 Peter 5:7

Line 7 – Romans 5:8

Line 8 – Psalm 86:15, 2 Peter 3:9 KJV

Line 9 – 2nd Corinthians 12:9-10

Line 10 – John 5:3-4

Line 13 – John 15:18-25

Line 14 – 2 Peter 1:3-11

Line 15 – 2 Peter 3:3

Line 17 – Psalm 30:5

Line 18 – Lamentations 3:22-23

Line 20 – John 9:25

Line 22 – Psalm 119:123

Line 25 – Ephesians 2:8

Line 28 – Matthew 6:19-21

Line 29 – Matthew 20:22-23

Line 30 – Acts 20:32

Line 33 – Job 5:18, Hosea 6:1

Line 34 – Revelation 5:1-5

Line 39 – Luke 24:46-47, Thessalonians 4:14

Line 40 – 1 Corinthians 15:55-58

Line 43 – Matthew 10:29-31

Line 44 – Revelation 1:17-18

Line 46 – Hebrews 7:1-17

Line 49 – Mark 14:62

Line 50 – Colossians 2:9

Line 51 – Matthew 11:18-19

Line 54 – Romans 3:22-24

Line 55 – John 14:3

When darkness wells

around me, I covet

and I grieve;

its serpent, cool and cunning,

vies to poison what I believe.

Dreams fall by the wayside,

like mists that dissipate.

And lust consumes

while anger fumes

to jeopardize my fate.

Wishes are like vapors

that vanish in the heat.

And trust, it wanes,

as trouble remains.

So darkness comes to take a seat…

…beside me in my mourning,

coiled up and poised to strike—

like a lion to devour

the last of my power

as fear mounts and worries spike.

Darkness jeers at all my struggles.

It taunts me in my sorrow.

It scoffs and lies

but I realize

there’s hope

yet for tomorrow.

Because when all is said and done

and sands drain down through the glass

of each tired hour

I will not cower

for I know, this too, will pass.

For what is sadness

and its worth?

What does worldly pity gain me?

But vanity

of the idol, Self,

and the sin of it that stains me.

As for the goading darkness

and all its grim refrain,

I’ll turn from the pain it’s sent..

so as not to dwell

in its brooding hell

and to my God I will repent.

The flesh that craves

can’t own me.

From it I will abstain;

and seek

the Light

that gives new sight,

knowing faith’s not been in vain.

For every stinging sore that festers

in this scorching season

there is purpose for it all—

a plan,

a Way,

a reason.

I’ll not be tossed by waves.

Of false doctrines, I’ll beware.

Hope has become an anchor

of my soul, so I cannot despair.

My joy remains full,

as pure as white wool

of the Lamb

I love so dear.

And I’m undeterred

for waters are stirred

by an angel of the LORD,

so near.

Though darkness vies

and always tries,

like Peter—as wheat to sift;

it cannot dissuade

the Light that pervades

from the grace of God’s free gift!

References from the Holy Bible:

Line 2 – Exodus 20:17

Line 4 – Genesis 3:1

Line 8 – Colossians 3:5-9

Line 9 – James 1:18-20

Line 16 – Matthew 5:4

Line 18 – 1 Peter 5:8

Line 19 – 2nd Corinthians 12:9-10

Line 25 – Jeremiah 29:11, Romans 15:13

Line 34 – 2nd Corinthians 7:10

Line 35 – Ecclesiastes 1:2

Line 36 – Exodus 20:4-5

Line 47 – Matthew 7:7-8

Line 48 – John 8:12

Line 49 – John 9:13-25

Line 52 – Ecclesiastes 3:1

Line 53 – Romans 8:28

Line 54 – Proverbs 16:3

Line 55 – John 14:6

Line 57 – Ephesians 4:11-14

Line 59 – Hebrews 6:19-20

Line 61 – John 15:11

Line 62 – Isaiah 1:18

Line 63 – John 1:29

Line 67 – John 5:3-8

Line 68 – James 4:8-10

Line 71 – Luke 22:31-32

Line 73 – John 1:5

Line 74 – Romans 3:24

A dream has died—

its yellowed pages now curled

all up at their edges…

forgotten, unfurled.

A dream has died—

dried up like old leaves,

tossed away by the wind.

On its door I hang wreaths.

A dream has died—

so for what do I now yearn?

I am mourning its loss

at my every turn.

A dream has died—

long before it was to be known…

like a child lost in the womb,

with no future or home.

Do I bury its memory?

Is that how to cope?

Do I cremate all joy

and abandon all hope?

Do I deny its passing

with each new morning’s mist?

Do I rage on with clinched teeth

while shaking my fists?

Do I beg the Almighty

to away its stone…

when its demise and its end

He, Himself, has condoned?

Do I cry forever?

Do I wallow in strife?

Or do I accept

the Lord’s will for my life?

A dream has died,

and though I am sad;

I will pick up the pieces

instead, and be glad…

for its journey that’s led me

on a less taken road,

onto which I’ll now travel

and make my abode.

The death of a dream—

it doesn’t have to destroy me…

as faith births a new purpose

in which God will employ me!

References:

Line 26 – John 11:38-44 of the New Testament

Line 38 – The Road Not Taken, Robert Frost

Once I thought I’d bring

things well fit for a King

with my talents, time, and traits.

A bell to ring

and songs to sing,

I’d appease the Magistrate.

For surely I had much to give

and quite the sought-aft’ flair

to fashion such an offering

with diligence and care.

So I craft a home spun present

to lend him and bestow

all my efforts and my images

I’d made of Heaven and of the earth below.

With great tenacity

and painstaking knack

I’d carved my own

fine wood and stone—

only to have it given back.

Crestfallen was my spirit.

Downtrodden was my soul.

All my labors in vain

were like that of Cain

and I still played no vital roll.

Then so I asked

and so I sought;

I knocked to question more…

and received reproof

but found the truth

when he opened up his door.

He craves no thing I can create

of high or valued price,

for all that is belongs to him.

He wants no sacrifice.

Chores of my hands are but

extensions of a sick, deceitful heart.

Though now that it’s been taken…

it can still be set apart.

There’s nothing I can bring—

not in my bones, my flesh, or marrow;

fit for a king

to whom I cling

and who sees the falling sparrow.

There’s nothing I can bring—

of all the finest gifts, not one…

could measure up

for he drank the cup

and all the work’s been done.

There’s nothing I can bring—

no guilt or wailing wall.

The “gift” earned for me

up on Calvary

is God’s glory of it all.

References from the Holy Bible

Line 14 – Exodus 20:4

Line 18 – Deuteronomy 4:27-29

Line 22 – Ecclesiastes 1:2

Line 23 – Genesis 4:4-6

Line 30 – Matthew 7:7-11

Line 34 – Psalm 50:7-15

Line 36 – Jeremiah 17:9

Line 37 – Ezekiel 36:26

Line 38 – Psalm 4:3

Line 43 – Matthew 10:29

Line 47 – Matthew 26:39

Line 48 – John 19:30

Line 52 – Romans 5:15; Ephesians 2:8-9

Line 53 – Luke 23:33

The world,

for all its riches…

is a barren place.

The world,

its friends are enemies of God.

It’s what we’re not to chase.

The world,

in seeming grandeur,

isn’t worth the forfeit

of our souls;

though we’ll pine aft’

its golden calf

even as our death bell tolls.

Granted we are in the world,

but we are not to be of it.

We’re to keep commands

and take a stand

against the lusts

in which we covet.

All this, we know.

All this, we keep—

reciting laws again.

All this, we state

like parrots prate

under the weight of sin…

where we drown

and struggle there,

writhing ‘gainst great waves of pride.

We squirm under the preacher’s tone,

knowing godliness we’ve belied.

We flounder in attempt

to stifle every urge—

be it bitter seeds

or perceived needs

in temptation we won’t purge.

We fight and fuss.

We wail and cuss,

with accusations hurled.

An eye for an eye

is our battle cry…

yet God so loved the world.

Lord, quiet these

restless throes—

vain ambitions, desires for wealth.

God help this raging

“sea of me”

cause we can’t help ourselves.

We wear transgression

as reeking grave clothes,

fit only for the dead;

we’ve avoided light

that might

expose the darkness

through which we tread…

along a broad, wide way

where many trek with ease,

and seem content

to be hell-bent

doing just whatever we please.

We are mired in muddled emotions,

caught up in currents, swirled—

enslaved by sickened hearts

not set apart

though God so loved the world.

But You do not let us stumble

down that loathsome course,

You don’t bruise these tender reeds;

in love, not wrath,

You direct our paths

to the narrow gate

through which You lead.

For we are

that straying sheep,

the one who leaves the herd.

And we are

that prodigal

who did not heed Your word.

But it’s for these

You search,

even leave the ninety-nine;

and it’s for these

You’ll slay the fattened calf

then don a robe so fine!

Yes, it’s for these

You send ministering spirits

with feathered force unfurled—

to comfort, care,

and make aware…

because God so loved the world.

What Judge is this,

Whose word is always true…?

What Teacher is He

Whose sweet mercy

beams forth each day, so new…?

What Wind is this

that thrashes us,

like Jonah on the run…?

What Balm is this

to heal our wounds

upon repentance through His Son…?

What is this Will,

now empowering us

that is not of our own—

to rise o’er waves

and follow aft’

the One seated on the throne…?

It IS the God of Abraham,

of Isaac, and of Jacob!

It IS the One Who saves

just for His glory and the sake of…

this fallen land of sinners

in thought and word and deed;

the very ones who curse His name,

the ones so full of hate and greed.

It isn’t only for the pious,

the precious, poised, or pearled—

it’s so for those

once known as foes…

for God so loved the world.

And what He has prepared for us,

surely no eye has seen

til we’re face to face

with all humbling grace

thundering from John 3:16.

References from the Holy Bible:

Line 5 – James 4:4

Line 6 – Romans 12:2

Line 10 – Mark 8:36

Line 12 – Exodus, Chapter 32

Line 15 – John 17:14

Line 18 – 1 John 2:16

Line 19 – Exodus 20:17

Line 28 – 1 John 2:16

Line 39 – Exodus 21:23-27, Matthew 5:38-42

Line 41 – John 3:16

Line 47 – John 15:5

Line 50 – Ephesians 2:1

Line 51 – John 8:12

Line 55 – Matthew 7:13

Line 59 – Ephesians 2:3

Line 62 – Jeremiah 17:9

Line 64 – John 3:16

Line 65 – Psalm 56:13

Line 66 – 1 John 5:4

Line 67 – Isaiah 42:3

Line 68 – Psalm 86:15; 103:8

Line 69 – Proverbs 16:9

Line 70 – Matthew 7:14

Line 74 – Matthew 18:10-14, Luke 15:1-7

Line 76 – Luke 15:11-32

Line 80 – Matthew 18:13, Luke 15:6

Line 83 – Luke 15:22-23

Line 89 – John 3:16

Line 90 – Isaiah 33:22

Line 91 – Psalm 119:160

Line 92 – John 13:13-14

Line 94 – Lamentations 3:22-33

Line 95 – John 3:8

Line 97 – Jonah 1:4

Line 98 – Jeremiah 8:22

Line 99 – Isaiah 53:5

Line 100 – 2 Corinthians 7:9-10

Line 101 – Philippians 2:12-13

Line 103 – Ephesians 2:8-9

Line 104 – Matthew 14:29

Line 106 – Psalm 110:1, Matthew 22:44

Line 108 – Exodus 3:6, Matthew 22:31-32

Line 109 – Acts 4:12

Line 110 – Ephesians 2:7

Line 118 – Romans 5:8

Line 119 – John 3:16

Line 121 – 1 Corinthians 2:9

Line 122 – 1 Corinthians 13:12

Line 123 – 2 Corinthians 8:9

The Way

is narrow.

The gate is strait.

And I AM

strengthened

as I wait…

upon the LORD, Himself, my God-

along His Way on which I trod.

Keep me on it, not to stray

or bow

to powers

in disarray;

because this world’s forgotten Him,

as night falls round with conscious dim;

let me rise, reminding them,

of this Way when fate seems grim…

when sin and darkness have their reign,

let me not wander and still abstain;

with lies adorned in proud display,

let truth resound and come what may,

keep me upon this sacred Way

that I might stand on Judgment Day:

and be called a faithful servant who…

withstood the test, among the few.

Line 1 – John 14:6, Acts 19:9

Line 3 – Matthew 7:13-14

Line 4 – Exodus 3:14

Line 6 – Isaiah 40:31

Line 10 – Daniel 3:16-18

Line 11 – Ephesians 6:12

Line 23 – Matthew 25:21

Line 24 – Matthew 7:14

I walk right up

this road called, Providence.

I see

its varied path—

through rough terrain

neath bitter rain,

scorned by heaven’s brooding wrath.

Others—still,

by quiet streams

so ripe with honeysuckle scents and pine.

I pitch my tent

and rest,

content,

before its uphill climb.

I hear

the wind,

its blessed refrain.

I know

it’s here for me—

to ease my brow

from fever now

and help

me come to be…

along this road called, Providence;

for it’s a long traverse.

Full of ups and downs,

such joy

and frowns,

some for better or for worse.

I take what comes.

I weather storms.

It’s like a marriage vow.

For there is no looking back;

my hand is on the plow.

Therefore…

I’ll enter through a narrow gate

on this Way, so hard,

within the road called, Providence,

though I am to be broken, bruised, and scarred.

But every step

moves one more mountain;

each footprint becomes a jewel,

fit for a crown

of majesty for a King

of mighty rule.

And my stride is precious

as a pearl

strung on a string of gold—

round this jar of clay

I am today,

set to cast and set to mold.

So I keep my pace

to run the race,

no longer bent to roam;

and I fix my eyes

on quite a prize

for Providence will lead me home!

References from the Holy Bible:

Line 3 – Matthew 13:16

Line 8 – Psalm 46:10

Line 9 – Psalm 23:2

Line 12 – Matthew 11:28

Line 15 – Matthew 13:16

Line 16 – John 3:8

Line 18 – Psalm 46:10

Line 22 – John 15:26-27

Line 23 – John 3:3

Line 27 – John 15:11

Line 32 – Revelation 19:6-9

Line 34 – Luke 9:62

Line 35 – Matthew 28:19

Line 36 – Matthew 7:13-14

Line 37 – John 14:6, Acts 9:2

Line 40 – Matthew 20:23

Line 42 – Matthew 17:20-21

Line 43 – Malachi 3:17 KJV

Line 44 – Zechariah 9:16

Line 45 – John 18:36-37

Line 46 – Revelation 19:15-16

Line 48 – Matthew 13:45-46

Line 50 – 2^nd Corinthians 4:7

Line 52 – Jeremiah 18:4

Line 54 – Hebrews 12:1

Line 56 – Hebrews 12:2

Line 57 – 1^st Corinthians 9:24, Philippians 3:14

Line 58 – Psalm 43:3

I’m empty. All is nothing.

And answers fade to black.

I’ve lost my way

and cannot say

I’ll find which road leads back.

For what door is there to open?

And what word will I receive?

What will be found if do seek,

when I clearly don’t believe?

And yet, You tell me, “Ask…”

and yet You say to seek;

yet still, You say the door will open

by a spirit – lowly, meek.

As so I ask once more,

and strive to so discern…

all that can be sought about You,

and what all I must learn.

And then in some despair,

a churning hunger feeds…

as I humbly cast my cares,

and found You’ve met my needs.

I don’t deserve Your faithfulness.

I haven’t earned Your favor.

And yet it beams

like peaceful streams

from a brook that I now savor.

Your Light outshines my darkest hour.

You Word, a lamp, for this strayed lamb;

all within Your grace and power –

that I know You, Great I AM.

Let me pray this prayer once more,

if by it, I might see…

and hear,

You near

so I won’t fear

and “still” forever be.

Line 12 – Matthew 7:7-8

Line 13 – Matthew 11:28-29

Line 19 – Matthew 5:6

Line 20 – 1 Peter 5:7

Line 21 – Matthew 6:7-8

Line 23 – Ephesians 2:8

Line 25 – Psalm 23:2, Psalm 42:1

Line 27 – John 8:12

Line 28 – Psalm 119:105, Matthew 18:12

Line 30 – Exodus 3:14, Mark 14:61-62

Line 32 – Matthew 13:16

Line 34 – James 4:8

Line 36 – Psalm 46:10