Pilgrim Footsteps

Here is a song that God gave me during one of my prayer times.  I don't have the ability to write the music to it, but He gave it to me in song form. I'm a sinner and beggar Yet your love still surrounds me Singing love songs of mercy Over me. Your strength makes me stronger To carry me through Each night. For your love knows no bounds And in you I rejoice I am free I am free No power against me Can ever stand I'm yours I'm yours Your hand once held mine And you never let go You're here. In the wind and the cold Or the heat of the desert I'm safe. The joy that you put in my soul makes me dance As I laugh and I sing in this sweetest romance I am loved I am loved.

So here are some poems that I got during our worship evenings in Guatemala.  Enjoy! #1 It is not gifts of material goods That will touch the hearts you long to But the heart that you surrender to me, The heart that I give you The heart that you allow me to Speak through, and shine through. In the smile that you show to the children In the hugs that come from the heart. The deeper you let me in the higher you can help others to go, Closer into my arms, Where you are already resting. #2 If you allow me to flood your soul You will stop working But that's when I work best - When you stop working. When you are working, I cannot. So go so deep that your soul can't breathe And I will give you Breath everlasting. #3 You dig your own grave But I take your shovel And put all the dirt back in. Don't dig it up again, my child. Don't be drawn back to the edge By the evil in the pit When I sacrificed to pull you away. #4 Don't let the world ste...

During my youth group's latest late night worship, our youth pastor said that he felt that God was saying that He wanted to come around and collect our trash.  So during the song, we thought/prayed about our "trash" and symbolically held out our hands full of our trash for Jesus to come around and pick up.  God showed me a more in-depth metaphor that came out of that and it became this poem. Don't be a hoarder of all the things that crush you, That Satan makes you think that you need, That if you give it up, you will be without empty wanting. It's ok to put out your trash. It isn't natural to keep it, letting it pile up. Set it out willingly Scour every nook and cranny until every last piece of trash no longer resides with you. Put it out for Christ the trash-man to collect. He is a thorough trash man, never late, never leaving a trace of mess behind. And your trash does not go into a landfill - It disappears FOREVER. Remember that. ...

I have overcome the world But have I overcome your heart? Do you believe I have defeated death But not that I can resurrect you? Do you know that I am love But not see the love in my eyes as I look at you? Do you believe I love the broken hearted But can you feel my hands keeping your broken heart together and whole? Why can you believe in me, my life, my death, my resurrection And yet not feel the same impact in you that tore the veil of the temple? Where is evidence of Christ in you, the hope of glory? I am there; why are you still looking everywhere but at me? I just want to hold your hand as you cry Shed tears with you when you hurt Search the scriptures with you in times of trial Sigh with you when you are so confused you don’t even know Where your next footstep should be placed. You claim I have overcome, But do you believe it in your own life? Do you know my touch when it’s there Or will it take until you’ve been knocked over Again and ...

In my other post about some eye-opening experiences at our youth retreat, I wrote about joy (and alluded to some other, upcoming topics), and this post is about two topics that I am (again) coupling together into one.  Most of this came from Friday's worship times.  While we were listening to "We Will Not be Shaken" by Bethel Music is when I began to write down the following, which I have tried to organize for you.    "The Israelites knew and trusted in the fact that against the plans God held for them all would fall – all the armies that came against the children of God would fail, and the Israelites would not be shaken – they rested in the shadow of His wings and the promise that God would never leave or forsake them, to not be afraid or discouraged, but to be strong and courageous – God is all they needed to win any battles that the Devil shook them with, because Our God is Stronger, He can do ANYTHING.   Why don’t we as Christians, the Children ...

The fog is very thick today And many wander to and fro Trying to find their way through By many lights' hopeful glow. Some wanderers have friends by their side With a small flashlight in their hand But the light is useless in the thickest fog So they turn it off and join the darkness of the land. Some people hold lamps and are standing still Hoping to shed some light without moving But from so far away the light is too dim This mistake their fear and laziness proving. Cars drive by with bright lights illuminating The way for the wanderers in the dark but it's only for a moment the path can be seen Then the light is gone leaving fog and uncertainty just as stark. Some are kind and immediately shine Their floodlights to penetrate the darkness They walk alongside the wanderers to show the way And help them find the path with love to end their distress. When the fog becomes unbearable And the flood lights are being snuffed out The Sun will shine through t...

The strains of music that are silent Reaching out through the night Notes of love filling my soul. My life is a song that God created me to sing To sing to the nations, to turn their hearts to him Through His love song. A tender touch that floats by, Whispering of something great to come. A calling, a hand reaching out, pulling me up Pushing me further, to who I am to become. The lyrics flow to join the sweet chords To join the works of the Master Songwriter, and Orchestrator of time. My ear is tuned to his soft strain, and my fingers and my life simply obey. Together we will write the song that will change history. I can hear His song.  Can you hear it?  If you listen closely, with your eyes closed, I bet you can.  I can hear it when I look out upon nature, the beauty of the world that some say just happened, but I know the truth – God created it, orchestrated it, just as He orchestrates our very lives.  I want to join the...

*Please listen to Jeremy Riddle’s Sweetly Broken  (or the spontaneous worship version ) before, after, or while you read this* You sweetly break us, God. You tap our shoulders, Whisper in our ears Trying to get our attention.  We turn away Not willing to seek Your face. But Your holiness shines behind us, Beckoning Beckoning. “Turn around my child.  See what I’ve done for you. Do you know what I endured For you? Because of my LOVE For you. You. I love you. My skin was broken In a thousand places Letting blood pour out For you. I was broken harshly By hate, and sin, And all things evil. The Devil laughed in triumph And as I breathed my last They thought I was broken. But I rose from my grave ALIVE Alive for you, So that you need only be Sweetly broken. There is no blood you need to shed, My child. I did that for you. You need only to break Only your chains of sin Are broken my child, ...

Everyone seems to think That when you’ve found the Lord You’ve found all satisfaction And restlessness can cease. I say they’re wrong, ‘Cause I’ve found Jesus many years ago But I am not content To stay like this and ignore The potential I have in Him. No, this kind of restlessness Sinks like an anchor, weighing me down Yet lifts me up to mountaintops In anticipation. There is more to this life Than what so many are living And I’m determined to find Just what it is that I’m to do. Only then can this kind of restlessness cease. Part of the reason I have created this blog is to share my restless feelings and the paths that I find God leading me on.  Restlessness took hold of me about a year or more ago, and has held on in off-and-on times of my life since.  There is so much more than what the average church-going Christian ever stumbles upon, and I long for that!  I want to do so much more with the Spirit I have in me, the J...

Christ, you are enough for me. You are the most refreshing water that I drink And the only bread for my hungering soul. You are all that can satisfy me, Though the world tries to fill my voids With equally empty things Empty lies and deadly words of the enemy – You, only you, can satisfy my every longing. With your cross in my sight Even though the world and its deceitful glitter beckon, There is no turning back. Life in you is so fulfilling Life in you is true and right You alone can give me that life. There is no turning back, Because you are enough. Is Christ enough for you?  Because I guarantee you, He is if you let Him be!  I wrote this by inspiration from this song . 

A dream that begins and entices                 yet I’m woken before it ends. A trail so clearly marked at first                 yet disappears into the brush. A story that amazes and excites                 yet the last pages are torn out. A painting so striking and artistic                 yet the artist never finished it. A tapestry finely and delicately woven                 yet threads dangle at its unfinished end. A delicious smell leading me home                 yet is blown away by a breeze and I’m lost. A tantal...

  I am yours, You who has called me by my name. You will be with me Through the flames That threaten to devour me Through the flood waters That rise to sweep me away. You are there for me, my Savior, Because I am precious in your sight, And I am loved by you. I have no need of fear. You have created me for your glory! I have a divine purpose in you. I am a witness to you, The one true God, There is no savior but you, You who saved me. You are my King, whom my soul worships, The Holy One. You make all things new And give water to each thirsting soul. I have been created to praise you. I disappointed you with my sins, I have brought nothing to your table. Yet you have forgiven me, You have shown mercy, My sins are no more, Blotted out by your grace! You don’t even remember my iniquities. But you remember and love me yet, Me, who you have called by my name Because I am yours. Amen. This poem came while I was rea...

Your blessings smell like A sweet summer evening The nectar of a beautiful flower The crispness of autumn Sharpness of winter snows Like the first deep breath of morning Or the mist settled across the mountains And the salty air of the sea. Your blessings smell like the smoke From a candle lighting up the darkness With the flame that You lit. Your blessings are the sweetest smells Ever breathed in. God's blessings are so numerous and amazing!  Sometimes it is hard to find the exact words to explain His blessings.  You have to find unique ways to express the unique blessings of a God beyond comprehension! 

Why is it, O Lord, That I see these things That should not exist? The pain, the depression, The anguish and fear, A different dimension From the beauty and glory You exude through love. How can it be, O Lord, That these people Cannot see you as I do, Cannot feel your love That you are lavishing on them? Why O Lord, do not all Hear your cry, your beckoning, To draw them closer to you Even though they are desperate, Desperate for love, life, A second chance that they feel Doesn’t even exist for them. Why is it, O Lord, That so many do not even know The difference that you can make In their lives, the forgiveness you offer, The miracles you perform, The grace and second chances You give? O Father I pray For the opportunities For the courage For the love that you love with So I can show them and tell them That there is hope no matter what That there is life and someone Who will love them Relentlessly and uncondi...

We think we’ll drown, not trusting the One Who waits just ahead of us, reaching out His hand. We think we’ll fail, not noticing the One Who is smiling in encouragement, knowing our worth. We think we’ll lose the battle, not seeing the One Who needs only His command to win the war for us. We do not trust the power we have Christ in us, the hope of glory. We do not claim that power as ours, to Heal the sick Move mountains See visions Bring miracles. We fear, and He whispers to us, “Why are ye fearful, O ye of little faith? With God all things are possible.” Part of my inspiration for this poem was the powerful verse, Colossians 1:27: "To whom God would make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles; which is Christ in you, the hope of glory:" We have Christ in us!  We need not doubt that all things are possible through Him who gives us strength!

*For this poem, which I got during a late night worship with my youth group (so, I wrote it around 1:30 AM), God gave me the idea for two different endings; however, I couldn't and still can't decide which is the best, so I give you both and you can choose which fits you better.* She looked inside the door one day, Curious what was inside. To her disappointment, it was another door, This one of a glass so opaque Nothing was visible. She tried to brush off the dust, But when a few particles drifted away, Still she could not see though. Determined to see though to the other side She scratched with her nail Decided that if it was dirt She would scrape it off until it was clean. She was sure there was crystal clear, Sparkling glass underneath. Her efforts got her nowhere The glass was as opaque As the very beginning. “Won’t you help me, please?” She uttered the words quietly at first. To her delight, the glass became Suddenly lighter. ...

Without the fire we’ll never fly to the heart of heaven… Flames flicker Jumping through the darkness Unafraid To send sparks into the darkness. This fire, meant to refine, Can be painful sometimes But only at the first touch. Once t he flames consume the dross… Lay it all down for the heart of heaven… …It no longer hurts. Instead, it empowers. Only a life flamed by fire Is a life worth living. After all…only hot or cold, Never lukewarm. A Holy Fire is the only one That does not destroy. This fire brings joy everlasting. *This poem was written by inspiration from Jason Upton's song Burning in the Sky.   The words in italics are his lyrics, not my words!*

Reveal to me, oh God More of Your will The plans You have For me. Father, I've tasted sips Of what is to come Like sweet wine on my lips But I want more  I want to be drunk In Your Spirit Where I know nothing but You. Oh to see visions and dream dreams To be awed by You To feel that welling up of Joy so strong That I cannot stop the laughter From escaping my lips And my heart. To hear You is all that I want.