Shout Joy

Shout out, in JOY to God!

Sing out our praises, for ever.

Bring in His sheaves of glory,

The harvest of His name.

Each must respond, each must repent;

Each one must sing his own lament.

Each one must sing their song of love,

Joy in Him, who from His mountain home,

Reached down, to free us all.

I Trust You

Do You really know where we’re going?

Should I follow You, wholeheartedly,

Even though the path we’re traveling

Feels alien to what I’m used to?

But, Lord, I trust You.

Do You truly know what we’re doing?

If I follow you, if I believe,

Will I discover hidden facets,

Things I never knew about myself?

Lord, I will trust You.

Is it true, You know how my heart feels?

Will I be transformed to Your design?

Will I ever be complete in You?

Whatever, Lord, I’ll choose to follow,

For Lord, I trust You.

Early Morning Musings

No clear, original thought --

Nor even muddled, stale one.

How does one work through mist and fog?

I am weary, sleepy, achy,

With pen too heavy to lift.

Each eyelash weighs at least a pound.

Two or three mundane thoughts

Play indoor tag,

Ignoring my demand for discipline.

Should I succumb to pillow’s siren call?

Should I wrest control of my (ersatz) mind?

Perhaps .. Perhaps coffee will rouse

Reluctant grey cells.

Coffeepot in hand, water running …

Will coordination last long enough

to fill reservoir?

Without spilling?

Decisions, decisions … How much?

By default, “How much can the pot brew?”

Head bowed, arms braced on counter,

I listen to urgent burbling.

Bleary eyes stare … “Up to there”

When black reaches imaginary line,

I grip handle, pull forward.

Thank God, there’s automatic “hold.”

No three towels needed to sop an uninterrupted stream.

Oversize mug at the ready,

Both hands steadying the pot,

I pour that first cup.

Ahhhh --- nectar of the gods!

A few more sips and even my inner muse might waken.

Boot up computer.

Check today’s “to do” list.

Now then, which job shall I tackle first?

Count the Blessings

See His love through blessings

            of shades and hues He’s painted

            Of rosy cheeks, and sun-kissed hair,

            The smiles of love, or tears of joy.

Just look, and count the blessings.

Smell the sweet aromas

            Of blessings He has given;

            The fresh-baked cookies, and the breads,

            The smell of flowers in sun-drenched fields.

Just smell, and count the blessings.

Taste the sweet and spicy,

            The tang that adds their flavor.

            The strong, the mild, and in-between

            Each adding zest to every life.

Just taste, and count the blessings.

Touch, and feel the blessings,

            The arms of love that hold you,

            The cold of winter’s snow and ice,

            The warmth of sun, and summer’s breeze.

Just feel, and count the blessings.

Hear the sounds of blessings.

            The orchestra that’s playing,

            The leaves that flutter in the breeze,

            The holy singing of the choir.

Just hear, and count the blessings.

These blessings of the Lord

Are given to each person.

            Sometimes a circumstance removes

            A sense, but others will remain,

So smile, and count your blessings!

Sitting On My Tongue

Sitting on my tongue --
how awkward,
how uncomfy,
how impossible!

My tongue will wag on
when it wants,
and where it wants,
however it wants.

Trying to tame it?
unable,
impossible,
forget about it!

So -- what's the latest?
what's juicy,
what's scandalous?
I can hardly wait.

I can never gossip!
How could I.
I hear nothing,
laying on my ears.

Called to Pray

Lord, You have called me to pray

            For strength before the needs arrive;

            Before the thought of evil comes.

            At the first tiny, niggling nudge,

I am called to pray harder.

Lord, I have been called to pray

            For peace within this weary world;

            For those who let the evil live,

            Who seem to bask in doing wrong.

Lord, I am still called to pray.

Lord, You have called me to pray

            For love to flow towards evil hearts

            And cause those hardened hearts to melt

            That they, in turn, may start to change;

That they, too, be called to pray.

Summer Season

In the summer of my soul

Your loving warmth excites,

              Brings forth a bright, lush bloom,

              Expands to fill each space

              Within my heart, my soul.

I’ll respond with loving acts,

              As Jesus Christ modeled.

Your spirit lives within,

              Directing all my thought,

              Directing every act.

I’ve grown to know Your Presence

Is always there, will never leave.

                              (in the chapter "Summer" of my book The Seasons of the Soul.)