Yearly Archives: 2014

Friday Verse Journal John 11:25

 

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Even though this is two days late, I am still posting it in m y Friday Verse Journal. Right now, I am reading through the gospel of John and recently was led to this verse. As i push my way through daily toils, trials, and occasional disappointments, I was reminded to focus on the hope of heaven and the new life we will have there. Earthly hopes and dreams are temporary and have a way of disappearing. When I find that something that I have so longed for just isn’t going to happen, I am overcome with a sense of heavy disappointment. While reading John 11, I was reminded to focus instead of the permanent hope we have in Jesus, Furthermore, I heard a sermon last night in which i was reminded that for those who believe in Jesus, that death is not the final chapter in life. Instead, death is a doorway, a passage into a new life.

John 11:25 (Holy Bible English Standard Version):

Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in me though he dies, yet shall he live.”

Missing My Mom

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Her smiling face and her voice laced with gentle laughter

Quiet moments resting in her favorite chair.

Long walks around the fields to the hidden pond

Just to hear frogs croak and melodious birdsong.

Clanging sounds and sweet aromas drifting from the kitchen

With sourdough bread and pineapple ham baking in the oven

Busy hands and nimble fingers moving in rhythm

Crocheting a doll, slippers or perhaps a colorful afghan

Grand Thanksgiving and Christmas celebrations

With the house full of joyful and elated loved ones.

Keeping us all together on a thundering, stormy night

To lessen our cries, our fear and overwhelming fright.

On a cold wintry day, building a fire in the fireplace

So we can rest in its’ warm, and comforting embrace.

Long, peaceful visits on a quiet summer eve

Such sweet memories that will never leave.

The Quiet Road

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Thank you Lord for this quiet country road

Where I can travel at a peaceful and leisurely stroll.

Thank you Lord for the wide prairie, fields, and forest green

Such nourishment for my soul which hungers for gentle tranquility.

Thank you Lord for this less traveled path through the countryside

For it is the roadway you have shown to me, it is my silent guide.

Thank you Lord for the wild flowers that I see along the way.

A splash of yellow, orange, or purple to brighten my day.

Thank you Lord for the peaceful places to quietly rest

Where I can slow my thoughts and pause from my daily quest.

Thank you Lord for remaining faithfully inside of me

For when I’m most alone, you gently keep me company.

Friday Verse Journal Psalms 46:10a

Lately, as I pray and contemplate about things, I realize that I am easily distracted by the obstacles in my personal life and too easily led astray by distractions of this world. I need to pause, turn away from distractions and be quiet. And in that silence just remember God:

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Psalms 46:10a (Holy Bible American Standard Version):

“Be still and know that I am God.”

Taming my Temper, Taming my Words

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Oh how my temper can flare and burst

and how my unkind words can hurt.

I think that I am so good, so very fine

when suddenly hurtfulness slips from this tongue of mine.

Oh dearest Lord, please help me to remain calm,

Think, and speak so carefully

For sometimes it takes not much for me to

lash out in outspoken indignity.

Must remember to be slow, gentle,

and be selective in what I hear

To protect myself from others’ spiteful words;

their verbal arrows that pierce and sear.

Such inflicting pain we cause each other

just by a hasty and careless voice

But it doesn’t need to be, for God enables us to be kind;

he equips us to make that choice.

So, with your faithful help Lord as you teach

 and speak so softly deep inside of me,

Please enable me to show your love by being helpful,

gentle and speaking most encouragingly.

A Long Stormy Night

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Though it is early evening thick graying clouds cover the sun

Darkness is descending and I sense a shadow of coming doom.

With one lamp turned on I fidget in the semi darkness

I cannot be still; I cannot find peace and rest.

Reports are streaming in describing a night of gloom.

I gaze out the window knowing what will come soon.

Rumbles of thunder and lightning will flash across the sky

As I sit here alone and restless on this pending stormy night.

The wind will sway and whistle through the trees;

Such a haunting, eerie sound that I can’t calm my shaking knees.

Away from the windows I hover breathless and hiding deep inside

Fearing that first crack of thunder coming tonight.

No one to talk to and no one to comfort and hold my hand

As I sit alone waiting for this long fearsome night to end.

I crouch in quiet dread not even bothering to go to bed

As I ponder and wonder about this tumultuous night ahead.

God seems far away right now, though I know that’s not true

He is watching over me as I sit alone in this darkened room.

It is darker now as the thickened clouds are drifting closer to me.

Soon it will be pitch black and I will no longer see

Encroaching danger lies so close by; somewhere near, just outside

Oh here it comes, the first rumble of thunder; the first hint of a long stormy night.

God’s Night Light in the Sky

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One night I gazed into the darkened sky and saw the fullest moon shining so bright.

It was God’s lesser light you may see to rule at night over land and sea.

It was his night light which he purposed to be glowing brightly as I quietly sleep.

For God’s silent presence fills the night air to comfort me and chase away my fears.

God’s night light shimmers in the blackened sky to fend off evilness lurking in the still night.

He has promised to faithfully stay nearby to keep me safe until the dawn of morning light.

It is his night light you must see glowing ever brightly for you and me.

God keeps all his promises you should know so we would believe and never let go.

Yes it is God’s night light in the sky to brighten up the deepest, darkest night.

He turns on his night light just for you and me so we may clearly see and firmly believe.

He keeps his night light on in that darkened sky while keeping watch through the night.

So we may gently and peacefully sleep as God’s night light quietly shines over land and sea.

Friday Verse Journal Isaiah 26:3-4

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Life has been busy and I have missed many days of posting. Right now, I am looking up and trying to keep trusting Jesus:

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Holy Bible (English Standard Version):

“You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on because he trusts in you. Trust in the Lord forever, for the Lord God is an everlasting rock.”