Sharing the Journey

A Praying Friend I received a text with a prayer and words of encouragement from a friend of more than 26 years. We haven’t seen each other in person in at least 5 years but I think it’s been longer than that. The point is, distance doesn’t matter. God put her in my life and allowed her to remain there. The real blessing is, she’s not just occupying space, she’s serving a purpose. She prays for me and my family. She has been all the years I’ve known her. I don’t have to call her or text her and tell her we need prayer. She prays anyway because she loves me and my family and she loves God. I’d gotten texted prayers and encouraging words from her before and am always grateful. I send them to her as well. Today, after reading her greetings and prayer, these words fell on my heart to share with her. I have one other such blessing in my life. I’ve known her for more than 30 years and she is definitely a prayer warrior.   These words are also for her. If you don’t have praying friend...

Precious Father, Sovereign God I look to You and to You alone I ask you please to come into my heart To make my life Your own   Take away my heart of stone And give me a heart of flesh Help me to love You and live To give to You my very best   So many times I’ve fallen short, I’ve let You down; I have sinned Yet each time I cry out to You You forgive me all over again   Recently my days seem hard I’ve taken on more than I can bear Help me to look to You And in obedience to cast my care   My greatest desire is to honor You To serve You and bring You glory I want others to know who You are I want to share Your story   Precious Father, Sovereign God Holy is Your Name May I forever bring You joy May I never bring You shame.

Though I did my 30 minutes for day 3 of 30 of the American Cancer Society's Writing Challenge, this is not what I wrote. Still, I wanted to share some of my original writing. The following poem is from my book, "Straight From the Heart Poetry Collection." You can find the entire collection on Amazon .  A “Nevertheless” Praise   I was ready to quit, to give in. I was about to throw in the towel. But Jesus whispered, “Hold on. Not yet. Praise me instead for just a while.”   Now, Lord, you know it ain’t in me. I’m tired and I’ve got nothing left. “I don’t think that’s what I’m saying. I never asked you  how you felt.”   “You’re telling me how you feel. You’re saying what you can and can’t do. But what I’m commanding is not based on your feelings. A ‘nevertheless praise’ will bring you through.   A ‘nevertheless praise’ will lift your spirit. It will bring you up from the mirk and the mire. A ‘nevertheless praise’ will change your focus. A ‘nevertheless’...

Testimonies, prayers, and poetry. These three are my focus for May. Listening closely to the voice of God. Hearing to immediately obey.   Today is May first, and I must admit I’m off to a very rocky start I overslept then started playing games Though writing was on my heart   I had set my alarm and written my plan It was all laid out what to do But I got in bed last night much too late So my morning routine fell through   My alarm went off and I could smell the coffee It was time to rise and pray Instead I turned it off and said, “God understands.” And fell asleep again right away.   A second alarm soon sounded Yes, I set for myself three But I again said I just can’t make it And again I fell back asleep   Finally alarm three roused me I got up; couldn’t let this one pass Morning prayer was starting soon I had motivation to get up at last   After praying with my online group The day began to move super-fast I had to reschedule and realign so much I didn’t ...

  Victory! Bound for so long that I couldn’t see all that the enemy had done through me.   He established a pattern Of guilt and shame - made me afraid to call on that Name.   But King Jesus was standing by, heard the tears I shed - heard my silent cry.   He sent His Word and rescued me, dropped me to my knees to pray then stood me up on my feet.   Victory! It is mine to claim, and I claim it boldly in JESUS Name!     Free Indeed   Whom the Son sets free is free indeed but there’s still a work required of me.   Let the mind of Christ now become mine, no more walking in “feelings” no more wasting time. Rise up! Seek the King’s face; Pray in the Spirit; Live by His grace.   For it is not BY works that I have been saved, but it is FOR good works in Jesus’ Name.   Victory is mine! I’ve been set free Now I shall walk by the Spirit and be...