Poetry

Why I Love Jesus

You ask why I follow this Jesus?
Why I love Him the way I do?
When the world's turned away from His teachings
And the people who serve Him are few.

It's not the rewards I'm after
Or gifts that I hope to receive
It's the Presence that calls for commitment
It's the Spirit I trust and believe.

The Lord doesn't shelter His faithful
Or spare them all suffering and pain,
Like everyone else I have burdens,
And walk through my share of rain.

Yet He gives me a plan and a purpose,
And that joy only Christians have known,
I never know what comes tomorrow,
But I do know I'm never alone.

It's the love always there when you need it;
It's the words that redeem and inspire,
It's the longing to ever be with Him
That burns in my heart like a fire.

So you ask why I love my Lord Jesus?
Well, friend, that's so easy to see,
But the one thing that fills me with wonder is
Why Jesus loves someone like me.
When I fall, He lifts me up!
When I fail, He forgives!
When I am weak, He is strong!
When I am lost, He is the way!
When I am afraid, He is my courage!
When I stumble, He steadies me!
When I am hurt, He heals me!
When I am broken, He mends me!
When I am blind, He leads me!
When I am hungry, He feeds me!
When I face trials, He is with me!
When I face persecution, He shields me!
When I face problems, He comforts me!
When I face loss, He provides for me!
When I face Death, He carries me Home!

He is everything for everybody everywhere,
every time, and every way.

He is God, He is faithful.
I am His, and He is mine!

My Father in heaven can whip the father of this world.
So, if you're wondering why I feel so secure,
understand this...
He said it and that settles it.
God is in control, I am on His side,
and that means all is well with my soul.

Author Unknown

Day By Day

Here I am, going through another day.
Trying my best to live in Your way.
My days seem so routine, and yet bleak,
Because I don’t have daily tasks to seek.

Wishing I had the things I’ve asked for,
For there’s nothing I want more.
To make these blessings happen,
Your mercy I need You to send.

I know You are true, Father.
And Your grace flows as many waters.
Day by day I wait on You,
As I try to see things from Your view.

As I face each and every day,
Help me to glorify Your Name.
Day by day You comfort me,
As I wait for You to show me great and mighty things.

I know You will satisfy my desire,
For Your love and mercy never expire.
Day by day I live on the promises in Your Word.
How blessed am I to be able to call You my Lord.

So, no matter how dull my day seems,
It’s You I aim to please.
For I do have something to do always
…And that is to love You day by day.

Melinda McQueen
July 23, 2003

Used by Permission

Prayer For Healing

I fear I am weaker, day by day.
Sustain my body, Lord I pray.
Give me strength until days end-
And when I sleep, awake me again.

Breathe Your life into this shell;
Brace my bones from whence they fell.
Let Your words be healing bread-
For by Your Spirit, I am fed.

Many dreams I once had;
My mind grows weaker-little to add.
Trapped in a body hindered by limits.
Aspiring greatness within my spirit.

Body and mind once so strong-
Caring for others while singing a song;
It's now a struggle to rise from bed.
A crumbling life from one once led.

Lord, remember the life once lived-
Breathe on me the life You give.
What plans for me do you hinder?
My will, for Yours, I surrender

'My child that's what I longed to hear-
Although My plan to you seems unclear;
I chose this cross for you to bear.
Climb on My lap; your cross I share.

If My plan you never know-
Rest My child and you will grow.
Lean on Me, and have no fear;
And know that I am always here.

I know your fear; I understand;
My child if you will take My hand,
I'll rock you in My rocking chair-
And together We will make it there'.

Used by Permission

Cracked Pot

A water bearer in India had two large pots, each hung on each end of a pole which he carried across his neck. One of the pots had a crack in it, and while the other pot was perfect and always delivered a full portion of water at the end of the long walk from the stream to the master's house, the cracked pot arrived only half full.

For a full two years this went on daily, with the bearer delivering only one and a half pots full of water in his master's house. Of course, the perfect pot was proud of its accomplishments, perfect to the end for which it was made. But the poor cracked pot was ashamed of its own imperfection, and miserable that it was able to accomplish only half of what it had been made to do.

After two years of what it perceived to be a bitter failure, it spoke to the water bearer one day by the stream. "I am ashamed of myself, and I want to apologize to you." Why? asked the bearer. "What are you ashamed of?"

The water bearer felt sorry for the old cracked pot, and in his compassion he said, "As we return to the master's house, I want you to notice the beautiful flowers along the path." Indeed, as they went up the hill, the old cracked pot took notice of the sun warming the beautiful wild flowers on the side of the path, and this cheered it some. But at the end of the trail, it still felt bad because it had leaked out half its load, and so again it apologized to the bearer for its failure.

The bearer said to the pot, "Did you notice that there were flowers only on your side of your path, but not on the other pot's side? That's because I have always known about your flaw, and I planted flower seeds on your side of the path, and every day while we walk back from the stream, you've watered them. For two years I have been able to pick these beautiful flowers to decorate my master's table. Without you being just the way you are, he would not have this beauty to grace his house."

-- Author Unknown


Another Day When too much noise is all around, When surrounded by the deafening sounds, Of traffic, horns, and business deals; The sound of money-makers' greasing wheels, I pray, Oh Lord, Your voice I will hear, A way to bring Your Spirit near. A place to hide when duties done. Behind the paper piles that are never won. In You I find my place to hide; Knowing You are by my side, Help me to my knees to pray... Before beginning another day. copyright 2002 jenny priddy and Jesus Christ used by permission

I have an Advocate above,
And though I cannot see
His face, I know His heart is love,
And that He pleads for me. —Tydeman

When everything turns against you, remember that Jesus is praying for you.