Lord, I lay my heart before You

What started as a simple prayer starter became this my latest poem. In my devotions about a week ago, there was a simple sentence to help with starting prayer session that day. It was this: Lord, I lay my heart before you. Right away I went into poetic mode and came up with all the ways I lay down my heart before The Lord. Do you lay your heart down for Him?

    

Lord, I lay my heart before you

Lord, I lay my heart before you

burdened with all its sorrows

for You are the only one who knows

the key to undoing it all

Lord, I lay my heart before you

heavy with hurts and pain

never will I experience alone again

for you are with me always

Lord, I lay my heart before you

beaten and broken

but not forsaken

because Your love for me endures forever

Lord, I lay my heart before you

covered in shame and bitterness

humbled and ready to receive forgiveness

for all my iniquities against You

Lord, I lay my heart before you

in total thanksgiving

for the many blessings

You have showered upon me

Lord, I lay my heart before you

with joy and admiration

knowing my salvation

comes from believing in Christ My Savior

Lord, I lay my heart before you

convicted but protected

by Your son who was rejected

so I can be free

Lord, I lay my heart before you

with confidence and faith

that one day we'll meet face to face

a comfort I'll hold near always and forever

Lord, I lay my heart before you

praising and thanking

for the cleansing

that only comes from you

Lord, I lay my heart before you

freely, truly I give my all

no way will I let this wall 

come between you and I

Lord, I lay my heart before you

You are always welcome 

throughout my home

in hopes that your will be done.

Lord, I lay my heart before you

LJR Our Little Miracle

The news finally came about 11 months or so ago that my sister would be pregnant with her first child. We were all so happy. Then more news came a few weeks later that the baby had a defect called Diaphragmatic Hernia or CDH. Upon birth, the baby would require surgery to fix this defect. The baby was also given a 60% chance of survival. He was born just a few days before Christmas and on Christmas Day our little Luc had his surgery, now today 1 month and 1 week old he is one step closer to going home! He has come a long way and we owe it all to God, Our Heavenly Healer. Many, many people prayed diligently for Luc and his parents. I couldn't help but capture this in poetry. I introduce my nephew Luc John Roger, our tiniest miracle and greatest blessing from God. What a great gift!

LJR(Luc John Roger)

O Precious little one how sweet you are

A tough journey you've had so far

while still safe in your mother's womb

The doctors warned of trouble soon

A tiny part of you was not right

It gave mommy and Daddy quite a fright

How would their little one fare?

They went right to God in prayer

For your mom she absolutely knew

It was the only thing that they could do

Chance of your survival was slim

But not when things are left up to Him

Heavenly healer, our father so dear

there were no reasons for us to fear.

To our Church family we made a call,

For prayers to come from one and all.

God's family reached out to you

Praying for a healing only God could do

Some strangers, some friends

They all prayed without end

Many people showed they truly cared

And had faith that God would answer their prayers

On a cold December afternoon

You gave mommy the sign you'd be here soon

After a few little scares, by and by,

You came into this world with a tiny cry.

We praised The Lord for your 10 small toes,

All the way up to your wee little nose.

We thank Him now for the cry you let out, 

And honestly cannot wait to hear you shout.

Though you may have more struggles ahead

You will not have anything to dread.

With God holding you in the palm of his hand

You'll grow up to be a healthy young man

You will someday be tall, but for now you are small,

And you are covered in love by us all.

We love you little one more than words can tell

With The Lord Our God in control all will end well!

Beautiful Days are always here

This is an old one but due to some glitches when I was editing, I lost it. So I did some edits and am reposting.

I was sitting in the back yard one day watching the children play and it just struck me how beautiful the day was. I just sat and admired God's beauty that I was surrounded by. Sometimes we get too busy to take a moment and stop to admire the beauty of the Creation that God has given to us. Praise God for His beauty.

Oh Beautiful Day

Oh this day, this beautiful day

Who could have made it this way?

It is my Love who created all this

To Him I give a kiss

The sun how it warms every cell through my soul

It glistens on the morning dew

And makes me yearn for You

Oh Sweet Comforter,

You are the rock, on which I stand,

You are who I yearn

When I don’t know where to turn

If my day falls apart

You help strengthen my heart

And keep me glued when I start to break

Oh Holy One how merciful You are

When I come to you chained by sin

You give me a twinkle and a grin

Then lift my head and snap the chains

You remove all my pain

Your forgiveness 

When I’m in a mess

Is more than I deserve

You never cease to carry me ‘round every curve

Oh Shaddai how can I show you my love?

There are not enough thanks for all you do

I will sing praise to You

From now till the end of time

Thank you Papa for this most gorgeous day

And for always guiding me on my way

Forever in my heart You’ll always be.

My prayer for 2014

I can't think of a better way to wind down this year than to pray. In prayer I have tried to capture as many needs as I can. Happy Blessed New Year! Keep safe, drink responsibly and have fun!

2014 Prayer

Heavenly Father

Giver of Life

I thank you for carrying me through this years strife

You gave me all that I needed to succeed

You lifted me when I fell

and comforted me when I wasn't well

There were times Lord,

when I felt like I was going overboard

but you kept me afloat

To you, Lord, my blessings I devote

for I would truly hate

 to think of what would be my state

if I didn't have You.

Oh Heavenly Father forgive me when I doubt

and when anger causes me to shout

As 2014 creeps upon us, 

my prayer is that You hear all the cries and prayers

of my friends and family

that you touch each person with your mercy and grace

and help them through all that they face

Father dear,

we humans tend to get ourselves into great binds

We get greedy hearts and hot headed minds

I pray Lord as 2014 begins you help us do our part

to do your work and listen for our calling

Lord convict our hearts when we do wrong 

and fill us with your love that keeps us strong

give healing where it is needed

and help lives be put back together 

that were destroyed by nasty weather

Open the eyes of the world leaders

in hopes that they may see a clearer picture

of what you've called them to do

Guide us all day to day 

and through each night

that we may keep you in our sight

Help us to lean on and trust in you

Lord, you are the rock on which I stand

the lamp in my darkness

The Almighty,

I pray 2014 begins with many lost souls finding their way to your light

and that we humans get it right

Thank you Father for your never ending love and faithfulness.

In the name of My Saviour Jesus Christ.

 AMEN.

Reason for the Season

The message is clear and shouldn't be saved for just the one day a year. When the day has passes let this prepare your heart for the year ahead in anticipation of the new year and for next Christmas season. Praise God for this gift, and may He bless you with his love and mercy. Merry Christmas and Blessings for a Prosperous New Year!

Reason for the Season

Leaves have fallen to the ground

Signs of winter all around

Nature as we see it

has gone to sleep

soon we'll be covered in a blanket

of snow so deep

A sad thought to ponder

yet it fills me with hope and wonder

As the snow begins to fall

up go the Christmas trees so tall

Round the roof tops

lights glisten

now lend me your ear

and to my story give a listen

Long ago in a far away land

comes a story so grand

of a carpenter and virgin from

whose womb a king would come

to save the people from all they had done

and close the gap between Earth and Heaven's Kingdom

The Lord sent a message through the Angel

to a young servant girl called Mary

of a babe she'll carry

that is God's own son

to which Mary replied "My Lord's will be done."

There was no palace for this king's birth

just a lowly stable hardly measuring up to his worth

Soon after the king arrived

a group of shepherds in a field near by

were told of this amazing event

and to the stable they went

Over taken by joy of their King's arrival

the shepherds ran to tell all

for the Messiah they waited for

was just beyond the stable door

Soon after danger loomed

An angel warned Joseph of a possible doom

protect the Christ child was his quest 

and so they headed West

From the Far East three strangers saw

a gleaming star and followed in awe

to see for themselves this promised King

to their knees they fell worshiping 

as they saw their Messiah.

As this child grew he began teaching parables to the masses

and healing many lads and lasses

Every where he went he left but one command

Love one another 

Love the Father.

Though simple to say, it's so hard to do.

So many people didn't follow through

The Father was not pleased

his anger needed to be appeased

To the cross He sent his one and only Son

and promised all sins would be undone

Eternal life is given to those who believe

that when Christ was born that eve

so long ago, the promise was fulfilled

So as we come nearer to Christmas Day

the moral to the story I have told

is The Father's love will never grow old

He always forgives, even when we don't deserve.

As you begin to immerse in holiday cheer

approach the cross with fear

but remain faithful and hopeful

that our Holy God Almighty

will be there to help us through

all of this calamity.

Merry Christmas to young and old

For Jesus birth is the reason 

for this season,

and if I may be so bold

I raise my hands in Praise

to God Almighty

for the gift He gave you and me!

Forever in my heart will this gift always be!

T'was the Ice Storm of 2013

I know for some the affects of the ice storm are not over but while sitting with no power yesterday, I thought about how I could show my gratefulness. So I came up with a poem about my experience in the ice storm. Despite the inconvenience we can be rest assured that God is with us even in this time. Stay warm for those who still have no power. Ours was out for 18 hours but I'm sure glad it was. It brought me back to the times before computers, iphones and tv. Almost wish it happened again.
Merry Christmas Everyone!

Ice Storm

T'was two days before Christmas
when all through the house
the lights and furnace went out
we had to bring extra blankets for all
including the mouse
The ice storm came and delivered a punch
that sent trees and power lines into a bunch
The children all cried
as their computers died
With Momma in her woollens
and I in my long johns
we lit a big fire in hopes we'd be warm all night
When out on the lawn there arose such a clatter
I sprang down the stairs to see what was the matter
Over to the window I stumbled over some foreign matter
I gasped as I saw trees broken and scattered
The ice it had fallen
and encrusted the snow
it glistened as hydro lines fell low
then to my bed I went shivering and dreading
when the crews would be repairing and returning
the town to it's lustre and shine
I prayed by morning all would be fine
More crackles and bangs rang through the night
as winds whipped and whirled
branches into flight
Though the storm showed much sparkle and beauty
much destruction and trouble
is what we'd find under the icy rubble
Though bored out of their minds
my children managed to enjoy their time
spent with their parental kinds
So to The Lord I give thanks
for a few extra moments to ponder
only a few days before Christmas
and leave me filled me with hope and wonder
to start the new year full of much cheer!

Merry Christmas to all
and to all a WARM NIGHT!

My God Is

This is a different style that I don't normally do but I learned a lot and had some fun with it. I began with a list of things God is to me and from there I searched the Bible for parts of scripture to finish each line. I know there are hundreds of awesome things to say about our Lord but these are the key ones for me. I pray they are for you too. May God Bless you all in ways that only He can.
I have put at the bottom scripture references that I used in this piece. I hope you will take time to read each one along with the whole verse that goes with it. Have fun praising God along with me!

My God

My God is

My provider and knows all that I need

My counsellor whose instructions and teaching I must heed

My shoulder to cry on when I don't know where to go

He stretches out his hands against the anger of my foes

My daddy, my Father whose love is bestowed on me

My parent that I am commanded to obey

My shelter and shield that saves me in every way

My healer who takes away all my sickness

My restorer who leads me in the paths of righteousness

My strength and my song, my salvation

Though daily we live worried and troubled

He promises that He is the one thing needed.

Let Him be

Your counsellor, wonderful counsellor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father

Your teacher who will teach you to love others

Your guide who will guide you into all the truth

Your Saviour who daily will bear your burdens and leave you with hope

Your Lord you can always trust with all your heart to help you cope.

My God is is always true

Never pretends or judges

Always forgives             

His love is with us all the time, 

and endures forever 

Let him create a pure heart in you and renew a steadfast spirit within.

Scripture References(most from NKJV or NIV)Mathew 6:32, Psalm 32:8, Psalm 138:7, 1 John 3:1, Colossians 3:20, Psalm 18:2, Deuteronomy 7:15, Psalm 23:3, Exodus 15:2, Luke 10:41-42, Isaiah 9: 6, John 16:13, Psalm 68:19, 1 Chronicles 16: 34, Psalm 51:10