If Man Has Ever Loved

I wrote this one for a poetry challenge at FaithWriters...

If Man Has Ever Loved

If love is weighed by pounding hearts,
By blooming sparks which fill the sky,
If love’s conveyed by flowery rhymes,
If man has ever loved—then so have I…

If love has flowed where dreams abound,
If hearts have climbed on mountains high,
If love has showed the paths of bliss,
If man has ever loved—then so have I!

~~~

If bells have tolled a funeral
Where love, once treasured, now has died,
If love lies cold within its tomb,
If dreams have ever died—then so have mine…

If love was slain one autumn night
So broken dreams have filled my eyes,
What hope remains for crippled hearts?
If dreams have ever died—then so have mine!

~~~

If love can triumph over death,
If Christ will dry the tears I cry,
If hope can die and rise again:
As Christ has always loved—now so must I…

For love’s not weighed by pounding hearts,
But by the grace of Christ applied!
Our love’s conveyed by what we give—
As Christ has always loved—now so must I!

~~~

If love can sprout from dying dreams,
If wounded hearts can heal and fly,
If love has taught my heart what’s best,
If man has ever loved—then so have I…

Among the Ashes

I think that maybe God uses the flames of pain and passion that burn in our hearts to root out the dreams which need to be purged and replace them with new dreams focused on His plans for our life.

Among the Ashes

The flames abruptly died, as if
They dropped exhausted from the dance—
I look across the barren ashes,
See none but desolation camped…

The flakes of gray are all remaining
Of what were once beloved trees;
Their verdant leaves once twirled with joy—
Now dust is skipping in the breeze…

But sooner than my dreams could guess,
New life was born among the ash;
I see the heads of green appear
Where little seeds of love were cast—

As vibrant life replaces old
I now can see how fires refined:
The trees once dying live again
In seeds of faith they left behind.

Tearing Off the Mask

This poem was inspired by an article a friend wrote: Freed From Bondage
I think that even though we have been set free, like the Galatians it is easy to find ourselves slipping back into bondage. Paul's reminder to them was: "It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery."
With this in mind, I embrace freedom once again.

Tearing Off the Mask

The pious smiles that carved our faces
Told all how well we kept the law,
But could not free our souls from chains,
Nor help a frozen heart to thaw;

The grim despair we wore when fasting
Spoke volumes of our piety,
But deep inside, we starved for freedom,
For law held not salvation’s key…

But then a power smashed the chains
Which held my in its fatal grasp,
I then heard freedom calling me
To take the chance to tear my mask,

While terror screamed at me to stay,
I leapt upon the foaming sea—
The laws and guilt were washed away,
And in Christ’s love I found I’m free!

Simply Wait...

For whatever reason, the Holy Spirit seems to be asking me to learn to wait this month. I don't know what I am waiting for yet, but I know God must be preparing me for something!

Simply Wait…

I asked, excited, where to turn,
Not pausing as I touched the gate,
But then was shocked by words in red
As God’s reply was simply…“Wait!”

I’m ready to take on the world
But Christ’s command will be my fate,
Though I have longed for something big,
I’m learning patience… He says “wait”…

God has amazing plans for me
Though I can’t point you to a date—
I smell them cooking in the oven
But now He’s asked me just to wait.

Waiting Faithfully

Inspired by Eric and Leslie Ludy's song “Faithfully”...

Waiting Faithfully

My dreams are dancing ’round my heart
Like butterflies just out of reach;
I long to prance among their beauty,
To take the prize for which I long,

Instead, I wait for you with joy,
For God’s surprise in store for me
I know is greater far than these:
As each dream dies, God’s prize draws nigh—

For soon, I know that God will beckon,
While I am waiting faithfully—
He’ll come and show what He’s prepared,
And bind our fate as one forever…

Speak to me of spring...

From the poem "Speak to Me"...

Whitewater Pioneers

“Life shouldn’t be a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well preserved body, but rather, to skid in broadside, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly shouting… ‘Wow! What a ride! Thank You Lord!!!’” - Author unknown

Whitewater Pioneers

The whitewater is licking at our boat,
I’ve no idea how we’ll stay afloat,
My heart beats fast, to keep my fear at bay,
But still, I cannot go another way—

’Cause this is our adventure; here’s God’s plan,
The greatest joy He’s given unto man;
To ride the waves with Jesus at our side,
To face life’s challenges where love is guide—

Though common sense tells me we’re going to sink;
By faith we stand unscathed upon the brink—
Since Christ has called, we’ll be faith’s pioneers,
And find pure bliss as God is present here.

Through the Valleys

Walking by faith doesn't always take us to where all our dreams come true. Sometimes God takes us through the valley of the shadow of death, even when we are following Him. But that is nothing to be afraid of - because Christ is at our side.

Through the Valleys

I saw the doors be opened,
I heard the voice that called,
I followed where it led me,
But didn’t see the fall;

My dreams did not have room for
The tumble o’er the cliff—
And now my steps are guarded
By a heart that asks “What if?”…

So lead me to the pasture
I know that You’ve prepared—
But take me by the hand, Lord,
Because I’m really scared…

If you take me through valleys,
Through doors You opened wide,
Then let me feel Your peace
As You walk by my side.