Away

You're so far away. 

What is happening? 

My hometown is being attacked, 

it's burning

And I'm away. 

I've walked through that building, 

My friends love that place, 

And now…

And now a place of heartbreak and terror.

My friends are hurting

And I'm away. 

But it doesn't end there,

Not a day has gone by, 

the grief hasn't even really begun, 

it's all shock and horror.

While my home gathers to mourn

I'm away. 

Then the flames begin and engulf my city in fire

"Mum? Dad? Are you ok?"

"We're packing now, do you need anything?"

What is this madness?

My family, my home, my childhood…

And I'm away.

Helpless… waiting…

Waiting… 

I'm watching the flames, 

I'm seeing reporters on my streets

I've driven there. 

There… that one, that's the backway home

There… that one, that's where my family goes on our walks

There… that one, that one's my home. 

It's safe. 

But I'm away. 

What's better to be there and endure this? 

Or to be away and watch and wait?

I'm away.

But I'm right there. 

I'm on my street. 

I'm hurting with all of you. 

I'm scared with all of you. 

I'm crying with all of you. 

I miss all of you.

The Pain of the Path (Rest in Me)

I see the road ahead of me
Far, far in the distance, a palace shining bright
But I have taken my eyes off the road in front of me
A rock has tripped me
And I fall, scraping my knee.

I cry out, "Why am I here now?"
"Why didn't you smooth the path?"
I feel the support of a hand lifting me up,
An encouraging voice saying, "Take my hand, I am with you."
I ask, "May I rest?"
But my companion leads me to a hill and says "Rest in me"
"Will I never have relief?"
I hear again, "Rest in me."
How can I rest when there is a hill to walk up?

I push forward
He must think I can climb this hill if He brought me here
I can't rest now, there is work to be done
It becomes harder and harder
And I stop part way up the hill.

I cry out, "Why am I here now?"
"Why did you bring me to this hill?"
I see a clear stream of water just next to me that I missed before
And my companion says, "Drink deeply, I will give you life"
I ask, "May I rest?"
But a storm is coming, and my guide says, "Rest in me"
"I must find shelter!"
All I hear is, "Rest in me."
How can I rest when there is a storm coming?

I run, looking for cover, some shelter
There must be a place to hide from the storm He sent
As the rain begins to pour down,
I feel the water soaking through my clothes and into my skin

I cry out, "Why am I here now?"
"Why would you send a storm and no shelter?"
But I feel a hand take mine to guide me
Ahead is a cleft in a rock, out of the rain
And my helper says, "Take refuge here, I am your strength."
I ask, "May I rest?"
The storm is clearing and the sun blazes forth, I hear again, "Rest in me"

I set off to bask in the sun's rays, thinking that all was well now
But the sun begins to beat down, the heat makes me dizzy.
Searching for shade, I stumble on
He must think I am strong to have sent the sun in full force
But I can't keep going.
I cry out in a feeble voice, "Help me."
I sink down, falling to the ground, but the ground never comes.
I feel my comforter's arms around me
And He says, "Rest in me."

Perhaps, it's the rocks in the path that keep making you stumble and you seek a walking stick to steady you
Perhaps, the hill has been the hardest for you to conquer and you seek the hope of the peak
Perhaps, the storm has beat you down and you seek the shelter that will protect
Perhaps, it's the heat of the sun that has exhausted you and you seek relief in the shade of a tree.

But the help that comes is not as I expect.
It comes as a the constant voice saying, "Rest in me."
He was with me on the path, up the hill, through the storm, and under the sun.
He gave the hand to steady, the stream to encourage, and the cleft to hide in
But I never asked for Him to carry me.

To My Brothers and Sisters

November 6 was the International Day of Prayer for the Persecuted Church. Remember those who are being persecuted for their faith!


You don't know me. I don't know you. But you are there and I am here. We are real.
Your life is full of pain, fear, persecution. Mine the very opposite.
But we are bound- across the land, across the cultures, across the languages. Bound through Christ- by His love, grace, mercy, and peace.
I don't know your name- but I know you exist. You don't know my name- but you know I exist. We can't forget about each other. We need each other. You need my prayers- I need yours. We need strength, strength to see God in all, strength to live each day for Him.
My brothers and sisters, may God protect you, guide you, and strengthen you. And may I never forget you.

Heaven on Earth

Rooted in the earth beneath,

Pointing to the heavens above,

House of worship, 

House of prayer. 

Your glory, O Lord,

Your glory, reaches us here. 

Here we find You. 

Here we find hope. 

Here we find faith. 

Here we find love. 

You find us here. 

You reach us here. 

We come broken, 

but You heal us. 

We come in pain, 

but You bring peace.

We come untrusting, 

but You give us Your steadfast word. 

We come wanting,

and You give Yourself. 

You fill us and make us new. 

You love us and keep loving. 

You forgive us and forgive fully. 

You show us Your beauty, 

and simply say, "Come, follow Me."

You root us in heaven above

and point us back to the earth beneath. 

"Be a people of worship,

and a rock of prayer. 

Show My glory to others.

Offer hope.

Share faith.

Show love.

Find others that need Me. 

Show them your broken life, 

but My healing touch. 

Show them your pain, 

but My hand of peace. 

Show them your doubt, 

but My faithful promises. 

Give them what they want most, Me. 

Bring heaven to earth for them. "

Restful

Green blurs past me,

As trees and brambles

Glide beside me. 

The train speeds up, 

It rocks me back and forth,

My eyes begin to close. 

As the sun smiles through the clouds,

It blankets me in its warmth,

And I am now asleep. 

Look to God for Your Help

Everyday you're surrounded by those who will mock you or make you question what you know and believe- look to God. 

Like Nehemiah, look to God for your help. 

Look to God for strength and encouragement. 

When discouragement hits and life's struggles seem too hard to take anymore- look to God. 

"Remember the Lord, who is great and awesome…"

Remember that God is good; that God works for you. 

His good hand is on you. 

So look to God for your help. 

And watch Him work. 

Praise Him for His works.

The Creator

He is majestic in glory,
His creativity explodes on the earth.
He speaks and His imagination
Is perfected in creation,
Expansive in its extent,
Ever continuous, intricately complex.

Beyond the wonderful creation of nature,
He is a mastermind of redemption.

He is caring in love.
His plan of salvation so simple,
Marvelously beautiful.
Calling a people for Himself,
Appointing us as His priests to the nations,
Proclaiming His mercy for all.

The Maker of Creation,
The Creator of Redemption

Forgiveness

"Take heart, my son; your sins are forgiven."

Oh, the grace and mercy of God! 

To look at me and call me 'child,' 'beloved.' 

All my stains- my shame- my darkness. 

Why do I keep going back to my broken chains? 

Why can't I keep my eyes on You, on your grace, mercy, or love? 

But each time I fail, you take my hand and look into my eyes and say, "I love you. You're mine." 

And as I fail again today- forgive me for ignoring you. 

Forgive me for taking your grace for granted. 

Thank you for your love and forgiveness, again.

"If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins 

and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness."

Your Grace to Live by Grace

Help me live in Your grace. Don't allow me to live with a debtor's mindset; that I have to obey because I need to live a life indebted to You. You have poured out Your grace on me and I'm free- please help me to live free. 

You didn't give me your grace freely only to make me pay it back. You gave me grace so I could dance through the days- freely rejoicing in each moment. But I can't do any of that without You pouring out even more grace to live by Your grace. 

Jesus, please give me the grace to rejoice. 

Give me the grace to dance.

The Dark Days of Life

The days when there is no hope...

The days when doubt is pressing in on you...

The days when pain is crushing you...

The days when depression envelopes you...

The days when the darkness is so dark...

...Remember God loves you

...Remember God has showered you with His mercy

...Remember God keeps His promises

...Remember God covers you with His grace

...Remember God will see you through in His time

...Remember God surrounds you with His comfort

Following God

He doesn't make us follow- He asks us to.

He tells us He is good and asks us to obey His good commands. 

He frees us and then says, "Would you like to follow me? I'll love you and guide you if you'd like to follow me."

Satan will fight you your whole life. 

He'll try to lure you, convince you that being free is not good, that bondage is better, that life is not meant to be full of joy and freedom. 

But God keeps coming back saying, "You're free, I love you."

Where is Home? -- A Wanderer's Eye

Home is a place. 

Home is where people you love live. 

Home is not only one place. 

Home is not necessarily stationary. 

Home is not necessarily where you live now. 

Home is a safe place. 

Home is a place of rest. 

Home can be a place you live for a day, a week, a month, a year, or many years.

Home is a place you love.