"Who Do I Think I Am?!?!" written by Donna (Ensign) Woods

Who do I think I am ?

Just a broken piece of glass

With a jagged, dirty past.

A vessel....useless and broken

Healing words unspoken.

Who do I think I am ?

A vapor, a fading mist

Of only dust, I consist.

A wilted petal tossed in the wind

......Broken....for I have sinned.

Who do I think I am ?

I stand condemned and all alone

As I make my way to God's throne

Rejected, hated I crawl in shame

I hang my head, accept the blame.

My life...unclean, unclean

Hide my shame so it won't be seen.

Who do I think I am ??

I have no right

To stand in God's sight

No right to speak His name

....Not with my sin and shame.

No right to crawl before His throne

...Or expect mercy to be shown.

WHO?? Who do I think I am ??

Christ has spoken

To His child, dirty and broken....

A gentle voice soft and still

Speaks with love, my heart to fill

"You are My child

For whom I suffered....and smiled.

You are Mine....All Mine !

I've loved you since the dawn of time."

I feel His mercy, compassion's touch !

....And He loves ME so very much !!

I am sinner...Forgiven

It's not for this world I'm livin'

I am a work of art !!

With the Spirit of God...Living in my heart !!

Who ? Who do I think I am ??

I am a Princess !! Daughter of the King !!!

It is for Him that I sing !

Who do I think I am ???

....A tiny piece of God's perfect plan....

And you....What about you ?

Are you dirty and broken too ??

Who do you think you are ?

With shame behind each scar.

A closet filled with ghosts of the past

Gaping wounds to forever last...

You too are a child of the King

With a mighty song to sing...

Who ? Who do you think you are ??

Autumn Memories by Theresa Zuber

Memories of childhood drift past like falling leaves
Autumn cool – jacket weather – corn stalks stacked in sheaves
Mountains of brown leaves piled up to the sky
Perfect for running – jumping – or tossing way up high
Hayrides on starry nights filled with lots of laughter and talk
Shoes crunching noisily on a long slow walk
Picking up nuts that have fallen from the trees
Checking winter weather cutting persimmon seeds
Sitting round a campfire roasting “dogs” and s’mores
Listening to the firewood pop, crackle and roar
Apple cider, football games and pumpkins all around
Fall is filled with blessings – every sight and every sound

Burst into Song by Theresa Zuber

Do you enjoy watching the Disney movies where they burst into song as they express their emotions? I know they are kinda corny, but I LOVE them! There is just something endearing to me as these characters pour their feelings and thoughts – perhaps longings - into music and share them with the world. Or maybe they sing a plea to the heavens or just put a voice to their thoughts to comfort themselves.

Before you discount the merits of such things – let’s do a little review! 

After crossing the Red Sea on dry ground:  Ex 15:1 “Then Moses and the Israelites sang this song to the Lord: ‘I will sing to the Lord, for he is highly exalted.  Both horse and driver he has hurled into the sea.”

After the foundation of the temple in Jerusalem was laid: Ezra 3:11 “With praise and thanksgiving they sang to the Lord:  ‘He is good; his love toward Israel endures forever.’ And all the people gave a great shout of praise to the Lord, because the foundation of the house of the Lord was laid.”

The entire book of Song of Solomon is a love song.  Here is one example:  Song of Sol 1:15 “How beautiful you are, my darling!  Oh, how beautiful!  Your eyes are doves.”

The next passage is Mary rejoicing as she shares with her cousin Elizabeth the news of her pregnancy.  Although the passage reads Mary “said” the heading is “Mary’s song”.  Luke 1:46-49 “And Mary said: ‘My soul glorifies the Lord and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, for he has been mindful of the humble state of his servant. From now on all generations will call me blessed, for the Might One has done great things for me – holy is his name.’ “

Perhaps if we are living biblical lives we should burst into song a little more often!  Do not hesitate to use the gift of music to express your love, your gratitude, your longings and fear to the Almighty God – Creator of music and to others to share and encourage them!  See you Sunday!

A Child's Fear written by Donna (Ensign) Woods

A CHILD'S FEAR

written by Donna (Ensign) Woods

I had a very vivid imagination as a child...

During the day, I laughed and played and smiled.

But when bedtime came in the dark of night

My heart and mind trembled in fright.

I imagined witches and bats lurking behind attic door

....And under my bed awaited more.

I ran and jumped into bed

Before they could grab me, I covered my head.

Evil little monsters with claws and fangs.

Blood thirsty creatures awaited in gangs !!

In the dark upstairs and all alone

The wind became a demon's moan.

The brush of branches from a tree

Became demonic beast, taunting me.

I often lay facing my dresser mirror

...So I could see my entire room....filled with fear !

In my closet, lived a ghost

I think I feared it the very most!

I imagined it floating around my bed

My heart consumed with dread.

Horrific and long was sleepless night

Heart pounding in my ears of fright.

On fearfull nights while laying in bed....

A single prayer played in my head..

I whispered it over and over till I fell asleep

Because some how I knew it would protect and keep.

Even as a child, the Lord's Prayer was power

To comfort and protect in my fear filled hour.

Though wretched demons surrounded me

...Threatening to torture and devour me...

God sent angels to guard over me....

From chains of fear to set me free.

I knew demons were close, but could not touch

Because Father God loves me much !!!

And now....I'v learned...The Bible says the demons are real !!

Their sulfer breath I often sense and feel

They still taunt and threaten to destroy

Laboring to steal my joy....

But I peacefully sleep all night long.

God replaced childhood fear with His song....

As angels stand guard around my bed

The Lord's promise plays in my head

Reminding me...there's nothing to fear....

For He Himself....stands very near.

What am I Thankful for This Year? by Joyce Schafer

This year I want to give God thanks for the Quiet Times in my life. My world has too much noise in it. At work, I listen to computers humming, doors opening, coffeemakers dripping, cars honking, fax machines beeping, radios playing, phones ringing, people talking and trains whistling....

Then I come home to a washer running, dryer tumbling, oven timer ringing, dishwasher washing, microwave dinging and telephone singing. Notice I said nothing about radio or T.V.----there are some things I can control.

I can also choose to take breaks in my noisy day to spend quiet time with God.....in the morning at my kitchen table with my Bible, in the middle of my day at the park and in the evenings in my comfy chair journaling about my day. I spend this time being thankful for the blessings and asking forgiveness for the things I did wrong. I also pray for others and for wisdom ( I need a lot of that ) In dealing with the challenges in my life. Most importantly I give it all to God. Sometimes I take it back but He knows that I am a work in progress so allows me to give it to Him again and again.

 

He truly does lead me to quiet places and restores my soul and for this I am truly thankful.

God Knows by Vaneta Andrews

God knows what we need ...

Roses from a loving Dad,

BYOC (Bring Your Own Chocolate) party with friends,

Seeing the "Harvest" after much prayer,

Mission Work,

Random flowers at a graveside,

Frequent chats with a new friend,

Bonding of a small group,

Preacher being close by when needed the most,

Clean house & car,

Massage, hairdo & back adjustment,

Prayer Shawl crocheted and prayed over by prayer warriors,

Visits and prayers from very special friends,

Anonymous financial support when times were tough,

Parents moving close by,

AND ...

A SAVIOR!

Some of these things happened just a couple of weeks ago. Some a few years in the making. The most important one - A SAVIOR - over 2,000 years ago.

God knows what we need AND He knows when we need it. Matthew 6:8 "Your Father knows what you need before you ask Him."

Praise God He knows what we need, when we need it, and He is willing to give it to us.  Never stop looking to God for what you need and never stop seeing what He has given, is giving and will continue to give you.  There are many promises scattered throughout the Word of God including Luke 11:9-10 "⁹ “So I say to you: Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. ¹⁰ For everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened." (see Luke 11:5-13)

Mary Mary written by Donna (Ensign) Woods

MARY MARY

written by Donna (Ensign) Woods

Mary, Mary

Who is this Child you carry ?

The Baby that you hold...

The Word of God foretold.

As you wrapped Him with loving care

In the stench of stable air....

No pillow for His head

As you placed Him in a manger bed....

Did you hear angelic host..

When you needed strength the most ??

Mary, Mary,

Who is this Child you carry ?

When the shepherds came that night

To gaze upon miracle's sight

What went through your mind?

Did you know salvation was now defined ??

Who is He ??

Who shepherds hurried to see ?

Did you know He'd bear the cross ....for humanity ??

Your precious first born Son

.....Did you feel blessed to be the chosen one ?

This Child who nestled in your arm

The one you'd shield from harm...

Did you know He actually came to save you....

...........And all of us too ???

Mary, Mary

Who is this Child you carry ?

Did you see His Eastern Star

That guided Wise Men from afar ?

Who is this Child you hold

Receiving incense , myrrh.....and gold?

As the Magi worshiped your baby boy

...Was your heart filled with anxious joy ?

Did you ever question or doubt

Or in fear and anger cry out ???

King Herod feared Him and sought to destroy

......Your precious baby boy.

What did you think when Joseph said "we must go"

In the back of your heart....did you somehow know.....

Did you understand the prophesy ?

God's plan for eternity.....

As you watched your child run and play......

Did you know what He would do one day ??

Mary, Mary

Did you know our cross....He would carry ?

What was it like to raise God's Holy Son?

Who held who.....when day was done ??

Christmas-the Gift of Love by Joyce Schafer

 

    God gave us the ultimate gift of love when he gave us his son to live and die for us.

 

    This Christmas season, I have seen the true meaning of Christmas-LOVE- in our community.  I have seen the outpouring of LOVE in the donations to Toys for Tots, Homefront, World Vision, and Food Pantries.  I have witnessed people coming together to make Christmas brighter for nursery home residents, single mothers, cancer patients and their families.  I think God is truly working in the hearts of the people I know.  It seems like anytime a need is mentioned, the response is an overwhelming “What can we do to help?”  Then most importantly these words are put into action.

 

    The Christmas season is bringing  out the best in us  and my hope is that this feeling of giving, compassion and love follows through in 2012.  What a wonderful year it will be if we LOVE each other the way God wants us to do.  MERRY CHRISTMAS AND HAPPY NEW YEAR!