By my side

Some days I see sunshine

Some days are bright and clear

While others the dark clouds take over

And nothing else is allowed near

Some days I feel joyful

Some days I'm filled with light

While others the burden is heavy

Like a never ending night

Some days I am contented

Some days I am filled with hope

While others the darkness surrounds me

And I dread that I cannot cope

But in amongst it all there is a voice

That calls me nearer and nearer

Bidding me to come to Him

In every type of weather

I may not understand all He does

But I trust Him with all my heart

He has the perfect plan for me

A unique and special part

One day all will be revealed

Why the dark days and the light

Were needed in the greater plan

To show his glory and might

Hurting people

I see heartache everywhere I go.

Hurting people.

Broken hearts.

Hidden pain.

I see their heartache.

I hear their inner cries for help.

I feel their pain.

I want to help.

I want them to see my Jesus.

I want them to experience healing.

I want them to be everything they have been created to be.

I want them to know what it means to truly live; to live abundantly.

So many dull lives.

So many people surviving from day to day with no meaning.

So much loneliness.

They are lost.

They are hopeless.

I pray that one day their eyes are opened.

Their ears are opened.

Their hearts are opened.

To see the glory of God.

To see themselves in their true light.

To receive forgiveness and healing through the stripes of Christ.

I want their eyes to see the magnificence of God.

The radiance of His goodness.

The beauty of His creation; notice the flowers, rainbows and the stars of the night.

And experience God’s love.

We are fleeting.

We are on this earth for such a short time.

This time must count for eternity.

Only two things from this earth lasts forever; the word of God and souls of men.

Nothing is of greater importance.

I want my life to count.

I want every breath to count.

May every word of my mouth be loving and truthful.

May every thought be God-honouring.

May every heartbeat beat in tune with His.

I know how greatly I fall so desperately short, but I will keep striving toward the goal.

More than I deserve

A prayer I read in my devotional by Bo Giertz this morning...

"Lord God, if You kept a record of sins, who could stand?

I know that is true. If You examined my heart and 

tested me to see if I really loved of if my intentions

were really pure and unselfish or if I really hadn't

only thought of myself, I would not pass Your test.

Yet you still love me.  You still let me work in Your

vineyard. I am still allowed to be Your servant and

 Your friend. Help me to remember how good You 

are to me so I am never jealous of You goodness 

to others. Even if I am last in Your kingdom, it is

much more than I deserve. In Jesus' name."

Even if I am last in Your kingdom, it is still much more than I deserve... MUCH more than I deserve... I will be eternally grateful.

If...

'If I belittle those whom I am called to serve,

talk of their weak points

in contrast perhaps with what I 

think of as my strong points;

if I adopt a superior attitude,

forgetting "who made thee to

differ? and what hast thou that 

thou hast not received?"

then I know nothing of Calvary love.'

Amy Carmichael challenges me so much once again....

Lord, protect our children

"Father, hear us, we are praying,
Hear the words our hearts are saying,
We are praying for our children.

Keep them from the powers of evil,
From the secret, hidden peril,
Father, hear us for our children.

From the whirlwind that would suck them,
From the treacherous quicksand, pluck them,
Father, hear us for our children.

From the worldling's hollow gladness,
From the sting of faithless sadness,
Father, Father, keep our children.

Through life's troubled waters steer them,
Through life bitter battle cheer them,
Father, Father, be Thou near them.

Read the language of our longing,
Read the wordless pleading thronging,
Holy Father, for our children.

And wherever they may bide,
Lead them Home at eventide."

Amy Carmichael - The Gold Cord

I often wonder how to effectively pray for my boys... this sums it up beautifully. I look at my boys, so young, so innocent and I am aware that they will one day be exposed to this wicked world and most importantly the fallen wickedness inside themselves. I pray that God would always have them in his care and he would lead them home one day.

Times and Seasons

"He changes times and seasons" Daniel 2:21

I believe my life is moving into a new season and while a part of me wants to cling to the previous season this verse brought me much relief to think that actually this is God's will... He changes times and seasons. He is in control. There is always an element of grief with the ending of one season and moving into a new one. I feel somewhat torn... one side of me wants to cling to the last season in fear of what the future holds and another part of looks with hope to the future and what goodness there is to come.

I know a new season is beginning in my heart as I try to rid myself of the deep selfishness that so often has control within me and to allow God to have his way once again.

Amy Carmichael's wisdom was once again entirely relevant this morning...
"It is not a little matter to leave all- all of self, its desires, pride and ways. But if we do we shall find all that our Lord has to give us. Do we want to live this life? Are we earnest about it? Or do we still want to hold on to the wretched rags of self and self-pleasing? God can deliver us from these, and strengthen us in very truth to leave all, that we may find all."

It seems so foolish to think this world has something worthwhile to offer. Oh to find my identity completely in the One who created me and knows me deeper than anyone can ever know me. He knows the good and bad yet loves me unconditionally despite it all! That truth brings comfort and peace. Thank you Jesus!

Psalm 1

Blessed is the man
who walks not in the counsel of the wicked,
nor stands in the way of sinners,
nor sits in the seat of scoffers;
but his delight is in the law of the Lord,
and on his law he meditates day and night.

He is like a tree
planted by streams of water
that yields its fruit in its season,
and its leaf does not wither.
In all that he does, he prospers.

The wicked are not so,
but are like chaff that the wind drives away.

Therefore the wicked will not stand in the judgment,
nor sinners in the congregation of the righteous;
for the Lord knows the way of the righteous,
but the way of the wicked will perish.