CRASHING WAVES

written by Donna (Ensign) Woods

James 1: 6

"But when he asks, he must believe and not doubt,

because he who doubts is like a wave of the sea,

blown and tossed by the wind."

Tossed about on a deadly sea.

Waves threaten to devour me.

Luring, pull of the powerful deep

My soul it longs to steal and keep.

Waves crashing with deadly force

Confused and frightened----I'm off course.

The ocean's deafening pulse beats

As it lurches, grabs and retreats

Grabbing, pulling, consuming me

With no desire to set me free.

Waves scream in devilish delight

As it swells and crashes, it blocks my sight.

Salt sprays hiss and sting

....As demons of the deep squeal and sing.

Covered with this world's mossy slime

I stand accused of sinful crime.

On slippery rocks, I cannot stand

I cry out for the Father's hand

As I'm being grabbed and swept away

With faith-filled hope....I pray.

"PEACE, BE STILL"...I hear Him call

As demonic waves retreat and fall.

He's saved me, once again

From the crashing waves of sin.

He scoops me up in loving arm

Rescues from waves of harm.

He places me on peaceful sand

Holding me...so I can stand.

Reminding me of my place.....

He whispers,"CONTINUALLY SEEK MY FACE."

"NEVER RUN AHEAD OF ME...

OR BE LURED BY THE CRASHING WAVES OF THE SEA."

TREASURE

written by Donna (Ensign) Woods

(Matthew 6:21)

("For where your treasure is

there your heart will be also.")

 

Where is my heart's treasure ?

What truly gives me joyous pleasure ?

I have 5 children, I treasure and love

and 8 grandchildren, blessed from above.

I treasure beautiful places

And the love found on precious faces.

Blessings I ponder when I sit alone

In the peaceful silence of my home.

A scrapbook of memories I treasure

Of people, places and things of pleasure.

I greatly value being mother and wife

....But true lasting treasure is not of this life

The greatest treasure I've known....

The love and sacrifice Christ has shown.

I treasure God's mercy and grace

And the love as I seek His face.

I treasure the blood He freely gave

Just so my soul...He could save

I treasure His words written in red

And every truth and promise He said.

I treasure His wisdom, strength and hope

As He gives me courage to live and cope.

Humbly I fall at the foot of the cross

I treasure being found.....and no longer lost.

TREASURE 

written by Jerry Woods

Matthew 6:21

 

What be a treasure ??

Pirates plundered for it

Kings demanded it

Peasants dreamed of it

Criminals stole for it

Men all seek it.....

Be it wealth or fame.

Your heart will always be true to the

greatest we have to gain

An eternal life for all to attain

So as you dream and search

listen to the heart which will always proclaim

O dear soul, why experience pain

when treasure of earthly gain

holds not an ounce of weight in Heaven's

measure of life's wealth or fame.

Put your heart in control

and your mind at rest

for all who know Jesus can attest...

I have the treasure of life.....in a soul at rest.

ALL THINGS

written by Donna (Ensign) Woods

("And we know that all things work together for good

to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose.")

Romans 8:28

All things work together for good.

Don't let the trials of life be misunderstood.

A baby dies while still in the womb

Or a young child dies much too soon.

Empty arms and a Mama cries

As hope for tomorrow dies.

.....but, that child is nestled in angel wings

Cradled and rocked as Heaven sings.....

If they had lived and walked and breathed

In God they may have never believed....

Choices may have led them away

To eternal Hell on judgment day

.....Perhaps God saved them....by taking them away

So forever with Him, they would stay.

Cancer attacks young and old, rich and poor.

It randomly enters many a door.

In fear and disbelief, we tremble and cry

We cling to God....and ask, "Why?"

....."We cling to God"....that's the key

Using even cancer to bless you and me.

When suffering is ushered in....

So too is joy from Him.

A child lays in a hospital bed

And a father falls to his knees...and bows his head.

In desperation, a Daddy will go

To a God he's never taken time to know.

His very first trip to the cross

And he is lead and not lost.

A child's illness has blessed and saved him

.....Now all in Christ will win.

A flat tire on the interstate

Nerves on edge because you're running late.

....But perhaps...God is using this delay

To keep you out of harm's way.

Tho many trials we don't understand

God is orchestrating and perfectly planned.

There's a "Heavenly reason", we can be assured

For every delay, hardship or illness endured.

Doors close on hopes and dreams

......Not always the tragedy it seems

God has a greater joy in store

If you'll just walk throguh a new door.

....For which He has given you the key

You'll be blessed....It's His guarantee.

Feel His nudge and move along

To write new chapters and sing His song.

We are often used by the Potter's hand

For His purpose....glorious and grand.

Life is not always fair

But Christ promised, our burdens to bear

....So "All things work together for good"

According to God's plan, just as they should.

SEARCH ME

written by Donna (Ensign) Woods

Search me, test me, know me

So that I may be blessed and free.

Calm my fears

And dry my anxious tears.

Shield me from Satan's attack

Guide my feet----keep me on track

Search me God and know my heart

With each new day I start

Make Your ways, my ways

Through all my earthly days.

Guard my tongue from bitter sin

Replacing sin with praise again.

Bless the work of my hands

According to Your awesome plans

Search me, test me, know me

So that I may be blessed and free.

The Good News by Joyce Schafer

Luke 2:10 But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid.  I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people.

You got the job. 

I am getting married.  

It is a girl.  

The biopsy showed no cancer. 

 It is a boy.  

She came through the surgery fine.

I love getting good news. It makes me feel positively “gitty”.  So I can only imagine how these shepherds felt when they received THE good news.  I am sure they were afraid even though the angel told them not to be.  Then to realize that they were chosen to hear this good news from an angel sent directly from God, their reaction had to go way beyond “gitty” to feeling completely blessed.  It also was probably a humbling experience for them.  I know if an angel came to me directly from God, I would feel unworthy but I also hope that I would overcome this feeling and appreciate the great honor being given to me. 

But, wait, I think I am given this great honor.  When I accepted Jesus Christ as my personal savior this was the Best News I could have been given.  I was given eternal life and I was given someone to help me through all the struggles here on this earth. 

Even though I was not one of the shepherds the angel visited on that first Christmas.  I am the Christian that Jesus visits every day of my life and that is truly The Good News.

ISAIAH 40:31 by Tabatha Ludington

Well it's that time of year and I've finally been hit by the bug we all know and love called the common cold. My head is pounding and I don't seem to have the energy to do anything, and yet I still manage somehow. As a mom, I'm not allowed to put life on hold everytime I feel bad. It is days like these that I am thankful for my faith and for friends.....

specifically my Lord Jesus. My walk with Him seems so new even though He has been with me forever.

Isaiah 40:31 reminds me that when I am weak I can call on the Lord and He will give me strength. I may not feel like soaring or running right now but I can walk and not be faint...I can still hug my kids and hear their troubles....I can still cook for them and share with others....I can still read His word and know He is with me in all of it. Every day and in every way He is our hope and our strength and all we can do daily is say thanks and return His love the best we can.

Wait by Donna (Ensign) Woods

"but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint."

Isaiah 40:31

Hurry up !!!.....and wait.

A moment to pray....to hesitate.

To wait upon the Lord...

Where all my strength is stored.

Not one step shall I take,

Nor one decision make.

Upon the Lord....I shall wait.

His direction, I anticipate.

To God alone the future in known

Therefore, I shall not go alone.

On eagles wings high above

.....Lifted up with God's love

Upon the Lord, I shall wait

                                                                 And with Him....I celebrate.

                                            

TIME AFTER TIME.....FEAR NOT Donna (Ensign) Woods

LUKE 2:10

Time after time......I've prayed.

Each time the Lord says,"Be not afraid"

Doubts in my eyes have shown

My haunting fear of the unknown....

When I stand and tremble in fear

My Father God draws near.

As I curl up at His feet

He whispers, soft and sweet:

"I've listened each time you prayed

I've come, so you needn't be afraid."

In the dark valley of burden and care

He whispers,"I'll walk with you there"

"Be not afraid of the future planned

I'll give you strength to stand."

"If you crumple as pain draws near,

Remember....I know each tear."

"When firey trials are glaring hot

Peace, be still, and fear not."

"As mountains loom before you....

My courage will help you through."

"So rest....in peaceful sleep

As I will guard and keep."

"I'll hold you close....both day and night.

Remember.....your battles....are Mine to fight !!!"

THE SHINING by Glen Rosborough

A star arose over the place where Jesus lay

A great light accompanied the angels when they announced Jesus' birth.

Jesus said,"I am the Light of the world."

The Light of Jesus shined into a dark world.

As Moses' face revealed the Light of God

So our faces will reflect the Light of the world.

And everything about us will be out in the open.

Nothing will be hidden as we display the radiance of God in our living.

And people will be drawn to the Savior because we are reflecting His Light.

The world tells us there is no glory in living for Jesus.

The Bible tells us the only glory we need is what we give to God.

When we glorify God our lives become glorious.

Thanks be to God who reveals everything we need for salvation

                                             And thus we become Children of Light.