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

God led them by the pillars

of cloud and fire by day or night.

He led them to the desert

with no water there in sight.

And oh, the people grumbled;

they quarreled and complained—

insulting God’s own nature,

and His servant, and His name.

This place was then called Massah

and Meribah to their shame

to underscore their testing,

their quarreling and blame.

And so how will I react

in this, my Rephidim…?

That I might not test the LORD

when hope is lost, or so it seems…?

How will I continue

to look for only good…?

As no way out

provokes such doubt,

how can I behave the way I should…?

How can I carry myself

when my soul cries out in pain…?

How can I repress the fears

that brood from questions which remain…?

I’ll look to Christ,

my sovereign LORD,

who died on Calvary.

I’ll seek

His Word

and find

it heard

this proves His deity.

Then I’ll see

that He

has led me

to a higher Rock…

one that God crushed

til water rushed

so that He will not be mocked.

From its fountain

He will quench all thirst

that sores my throat,

and I’ll count it all joy

as I pen each grace upon grace by rote.

So let me marvel in my Rephidim!

And not stammer from lack of trust.

Let me glorify His holy Way

that brings beauty from ash and dust!

-M. Leanne Todd

References from the Holy Bible:

Exodus 13:21-22

Exodus 17:1-7

Deuteronomy 6:16-25

Luke 4:12

Luke 23:33-38

Matthew 7:7-8

Matthew 13:16-17

Psalm 61:2

Isaiah 53:10

John 4:4-14

Galatians 6:7

Isaiah 55:1

Matthew 5:6

James 1:2-4

John 1:16

John 14:6

Acts 24:14

Jeremiah 61:1-3

I asked God why, “Why all this pain?

Why must I struggle? Is it in vain?”

I asked God why, “Why give me grief?

How can it help to sow belief?”

I asked God why, “Why did I offend?

Do You punish me as though I sinned?”

I asked God why, “Why does my plea

fall on deaf ears? Are You mad at me?”

I asked God why, “Why must I strive,

only to be rejected by the Most High?”

God seemed silent in my despair.

But just when I dare ask Him where…

He’d gone from me and hid His face,

angels flood my soul with astounding grace:

“Look in His Word

and you will see,”

their still small voice

then said to me.

The rain He sends, and so sunbeams,

to both the righteous and unredeemed.

So pain does come, but will subside

like methodic waves of the evening tide…

that wear the shore in foaming swirl,

but leave behind the precious pearl.

Affliction grips us in our fate,

but yields a glory of surpassing weight.

And what of grief that I endure?

What Balm

is there to lend a cure?

His Word said that though I mourn

I am comforted, as Paul was with his thorn.

For with it came strength Paul could not own

apart from Christ and Him alone.

But offending God, yes, I have…

with countless sins and golden calves.

I’ve danced with them and sang them songs,

exposing to what my heart belongs.

So punishment, it is deserved.

Yet not on me,

for I bore no tree,

but on the Christ who served.

Our God is good, and hears my groan

and interceded from His throne;

but angry, he was, for it is known:

a holy Judge will not condone…

evil acts and broken laws,

He cannot, simply, just because:

if He did, He would be unjust;

so punishment, it is a must…

but instead of you and me,

He placed His Son up on that tree;

and there His wrath was executed

with all the righteousness imputed…

onto us who see our sin,

and trust that Christ will come again.

And so, my failings, even my good deeds

are fithy rags compared to these.

How can I make it up to Him,

I pined as joy and hope grew dim…?

until His Word declared Good News:

This is a gift I can never loose!

I cannot earn it, it can’t be bought—

for it’s been purchased at tremendous cost.

I thought Him silent;

though He still speaks.

I thought Him arrogant;

though He is meek.

I thought Him cold and distant, base;

though He is truth, and He is grace.

So now my spirit will rise as my flesh dies

as glorious as the sun-kissed skies,

all because Jesus opened my eyes…

on the day, I dared, to ask God why.

References from the Holy Bible:

Line 13 – Psalm 29:7

Line 14 – John 1:16

Line 17 – 1 Kings 19:11-13

Line 19 – Matthew 5:45

Line 24 – Matthew 13:45-46

Line 26 – 2 Corinthians 4:16-18

Line 28 – Jeremiah 8:22

Line 30 – Matthew 5:4

Line 32 – 2 Corinthians 12:9-10

Line 34 – Romans 5:12; Romans 5:18-19

Line 35 – Exodus 20:4-6; Exodus 32:1-35

Line 37 – Jeremiah 17:9

Line 40 – Galatians 3:13-14

Line 41 – Matthew 20:28, Mark 10:45

Line 42 – Psalm 66:18-19, Romans 8:26-27

Line 48 – Proverbs 17:15

Line 51 – John 3:16

Line 52 – Isaiah 53:10

Line 53 – 2 Corinthians 5:21

Line 54 – Numbers 21:9

Line 55 – Mark 14:62

Line 57 – Isaiah 64:6

Line 61 – John 10:28, Romans 5:15-16

Line 62 – Ephesians 2:8-10

Line 63 – 1 Peter 1:19

Line 65 – 2 Timothy 3:16

Line 67 – Matthew 11:29

Line 69 – John 1:14

Line 70 – Romans 6:3-4

Line 72 – Matthew 13:16

You are my only solace

when I fall to my knee,

my only hope

and Way

to cope

when I don’t know how to be.

I am so prone to criticize.

I seethe to rage, unbridled;

when overwhelmed by lack or loss

or just when I feel entitled.

I grapple with my failures,

as panic tears me to my core.

But then

just when

I falter,

You soothe each aching sore.

You are my calm in all the storms –

to problems’ poison, my antidote.

Basking in Your grace and mercies,

I count each blessing by rhyme and rote.

Because I am so soon to worry,

so quick to fuss and fret

about each festering turmoil.

How all too often I forget…

…that You, oh God, are sovereign

down to every molecule.

Atoms spun in grand display

or in seeming disarray

cannot circumvent Your rule.

For you govern wild waves at sea.

You prompt the lightning’s strike.

You open wombs

and shake dry tombs.

You speak worlds into life.

You adorn

new morns

with sunlit dew.

You give and also take.

You quake the earth

and spark rebirth.

You rouse and sleepers wake.

You author

all the universe.

You’ve known me,

sewn me,

from my marrow.

You brave sick human hearts,

set them apart.

You see the falling sparrow.

And that, I am,

this present moment–

but the asp can’t lay its seed,

because You, sweet Savior,

gave me rest.

Jesus, You are all I need!

References from the Holy Bible:

Line 3 – Psalm 71:5, 1 Timothy 1:1, Titus 2:13

Line 4 – John 14:6

Line 16 – Jeremiah 8:22

Line 17 – Psalm 107:29-30

Line 19 – Lamentations 3:22-23

Line 29 – Jeremiah 32:17

Line 30 – Job 38:8-11

Line 31 – Job 37:1-5

Line 32 – Isaiah 66:9-19

Line 33 – Ezekiel 37:1-10

Line 34 – Genesis 1:1-4

Line 37 – Job 38:12-13

Line 38 – Job 1:21

Line 39 – Job 9:5-6

Line 40 – John 3:1-8

Line 41 – Isaiah 52:1, Ephesians 5:14

Line 42 – Hebrews 12:2

Line 44 – Psalm 139:1-2

Line 47 – Jeremiah 17:9

Line 48 – Ezekiel 36:26

Line 49 – Matthew 10:29

Line 52 – Genesis 3:15

Line 54 – Matthew 11:28

Line 55 – Philippians 4:19