Slow me down, Lord!
"Be still and know that I Am God"
You whisper to my soul.
Well, Lord, I really wish I could
But the clock continues to roll.
There are kids to raise and bills to pay,
And a boss who demands more and more.
My head barely hits the pillow at night
'Til it's time again to run out the door.
The parents are old - they need me, Lord.
What's a loving daughter to do?
So I love them, Father, just as you've said
To bring honor and glory to You.
I try to find time to seek You each day
But other things, they demand so much!
I'm pulled in so many directions
There's no time for Your Word, for Your touch.
You tell me that You'll never leave me
And I know that Your Word is true,
But I get so involved in other things,
I find I've completely lost sight of You.
So, PLEASE, slow me down! Help me to see
Life is precious - each second a gift
To be savored and enjoyed to the fullest,
Because, like sand, it can so easily shift.
What's here today can be gone tomorrow,
Be it riches or health or a loved one.
Lord, please keep me focused on You alone;
On Your promises, Your grace - on Your Son.
LIFE?
It's so easy to get discouraged.
So easily life lets us down.
Too many days it's a constant struggle
To wear a smile instead of a frown.
So many days I am lonely,
Matters not in a crowd or alone.
Each day I come home exhausted
My strength and my energy - gone!
Why should I keep on trying?
Nothing I ever do turns out right.
"O, God! I get so weary.
Every decision requires a fight.
I pray but hear only silence.
Lord! Help me! Where are You?
I know that I'm one of Your children
But I'm angry and bitter and blue!"
"Child, I'm here where I've always been.
It's My Spirit that abides within.
But you can't see My direction
When your life is clouded by sin.
You've pushed aside My living Word.
You no longer come to My house.
No worship flows from your cold heart.
When Satan roars you cower like a mouse!
You loved Me so when life was good,
When I met your every desire.
But where is that love? Where is that trust
When I expose you to My cleansing fire?
If I never gave another rainbow,
If your body would always know pain,
If the sun never again shown upon you,
And your tears fell to Earth like the rain,
If I never again brought you happiness,
If I took from you all you possess,
Could you love Me and trust My decisions,
Truly believe I give only what's best?
I've given to you My only Son!
His innocent blood shed for you!
I've saved your soul from the fires of Hell.
My love for you is faithful and true.
Life is not something you understand.
Sin has twisted and corrupted it so.
But know one thing, never, never forget,
You have My strength wherever you go."
"O, LORD! Please, I beg Your forgiveness!
I've been selfish and so immature.
I've ignored all the ways You have blessed me
Desiring others when only Your love is pure.
God, I'm willing to stand in Your fire
To be conformed and purified by You.
Confront my bitterness! Expose my sin!
Give me a heart that is faithful and true.
As I meditate on the truth of Your Word
I'll press on like the saints of old.
They all served in the midst of their sorrow,
Through Your fire You refined them like gold.
I'll trod on though this life brings me heartache.
I'll fall down. I'll get battered and torn.
But I'll remember You love me and plan for my best
And You give grace to overpower my thorn.
Thank You, Heavenly Father, Savior Jesus, and Precious Holy Spirit!
Because of You - It is well with my soul!"
GOD'S LITTLE CHILD
"Except you become as a little child."
Father, please, tell me what does that mean?
Do You mean, like that old adage,
'Children are not to be heard -only seen?
Surely You don't mean temperament!
Kids are rowdy, demanding, and loud.
If I were to exhibit that behavior
Lord, I can't believe You'd be proud.
Children cry and pout when they don't get their way.
They're demanding, they're messy and rude.
They throw tantrums, they're selfish, they're comments are blunt.
I know one word to describe them, it's ATTITUDE!
Well, unfortunately, that does describe some of us well.
But, somehow I don't think that's quite right,
There has to be more to this 'little child' thing,
Lord, help me - show me Your truth an insight.
Trust? Yes, Lord, I know that they trust.
They're fearless in all that they do!
Oh! Is that what You mean when You say, "Fear not!,"
I'm to be fearless because my trust is in You?
Unconditionally love? Yes, Lord, that they can,
They love fully, without reservation.
Is that to be me, not to love just my own,
But everyone - every tribe, every nation?
Faith, Lord? Do you know what You ask?
Man is evil! Our world's filled with sin!
Oh! Faith in Your wisdom to bring us to good,
Doesn't matter what condition we're in!
Innocence? No! Tell me how that can be.
We've destroyed it by our horrible past.
I see! Not our innocence, but that of Your Son,
The Alpha, the Omega, the First and the Last!
Hope did You say? Yes, their hope knows no bounds.
They greet every day with anticipation.
Nothing keeps those little ones down,
They don't know stress - they never need a vacation!
Hope is found only in You did You say?
So, I'm to live without stress, without worry?
Okay, Lord, bring me all that You have,
But, like the child with no patience, Please! Hurry!
LOVE HAS A NAME
When your life is a wreck, you've no purpose or aim -
Love has a name.
When you've gambled it all and you've lost at life's game -
Love has a name.
If your relationship has crumbled, all that remains is the blame -
Love has a name.
When you've used and abused but you never reached fame -
Love has a name.
When your health is destroyed, your body failing or lame -
Love has a name.
If your children become creatures, more like animals you can't tame -
Love has a name.
And your world seems destroyed, there's no hope only shame -
Love has a name.
The "Name" that restores, that can heal and replace
All that you've lost, that can bring you the grace
To start a new life, to heal family and soul,
Is the "Name" of the One
Who refines us like gold!
Just whisper, "Jesus," in your depths of despair
And whatever He's doing, He's already there
To strengthen you, hold you, to fill you with power
To defeat all your foes so you no longer cower.
The matchless name of "Jesus - He's your Truth, He's your Light,
Your Redeemer, your Salvation, your very Breath, your Life!
Love has a name - His name is "Jesus"
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