The Circle written by Donna (Ensign) Woods

Standing, ready to fight

Teeth clenched. Jaws tight.

While the accused whimpers in fear,

Knowing pain and death is very near.

The circle closes in.....

Upon the judged one lost in sin.

Rocks ready----weapons of death,

To torture till the final breath.

Hearts pounding.

Accusations resounding....

Condemned by man and here to die.

Tears of the lost, beg and cry.

The accusers circling, ready and waiting...

Blood thirsty rocks hesitating....

Circling like animals around the kill

Thirsting for blood to spill.

Sweat glistening in anticipation

Tears pouring in desperation.

Feet stirring clouds of dust

Hearts filled with disgust.

The accused curled on the ground

Desperate pleading with every sound....

 

Where are you, in this circle of death ??

Holding the rock ?...Or taking your final breath ??

Where are you ?

What are you about to do?

Hurl rocks with a blood thirsty cry?

....Or are you the one about to die ?

 

What have we all become ??

To Satan's lie have we succumb ??

Drop your rocks and walk away !!

Fall to your knees and pray.

If you're on the ground.....stand !

This is not what God planned.

Get up, and sin no more.

Walk through tomorrow's door.

God's people don't belong in the circle !!

....Not casting rock and stone

Or cowering all alone.........

Rock Solid and Steady by Donna (Ensign) Woods

Will you be ready?
Rock solid and steady....
When we hear the voice proclaim
...will you rejoice ? Or cower in shame ?
Trumpet call of God .....pulsating the soul of man
It's then too late to make a plan.
When Believers rise from their earthly grave
To join Christ and those He died to save.
Their earthly bodies decay
They eagerly wait ...for the Lord's Day
Will I be ready?
Rock solid and steady...
When Christ returns for all to see
...Will He smile...when He looks at me ???
With the Archangel's loud command
Will I have the strength to stand ??
Glorious excitement filling the air
Will I be ready to join Him there?
All eyes will be on Him
Whether we are saved...or lost in sin...
What will He see ???
When He looks at you and me?
Sinner. Forgiven. All dressed in white.
Or will He look away from the disgusting sight ??
Will you be ready??
Rock solid and steady....
Believers raised who have fallen asleep
As Christ stood guard to protect and keep
The alive in Christ. Forgiven and free
A glorious day for believers to see
A family reunion in the sky
Never again a tear to cry.
Will you be ready?
Rock solid and steady...
When He comes today....

Will He lift you up ...........Or send you away....??

Trust written by Donna (Ensign) Woods

Recently, Madison, my 4 year old granddaughter, went shopping with me.

It was a miserably hot day, like we have had so many of this summer.

Seeking as much mercy from the heat as possible,

I parked the van at the far end of the parking lot,

under a tiny little shade tree.

As we exited the cool comfort of the store,

we stepped out of the comfort zone into the blazing furnace-like heat.

Maddy immediately slipped her tiny little hand into mine.

She boldly announced that she was walking all the way to the van with her eyes closed!

I glanced down, and sure enough, her eyes wer squeezed tightly shut,

pony tail bouncing with every step,

face turned up toward the sky

with a beaming smile on her precious little face.

She walked confidently, with big steps,

keeping stride right along side of me....

absolutely no hesitation, no fear...in total trust.

I said,"Oh Maddy do you trust ME to lead you safely ??"

"Do you trust ME to protect you from moving cars?...

and to prevent you from running into parked cars?"

"Do you trust ME to catch you if you stumble and start to fall????"
She smiled even bigger, turning her head towards me,

eyes still tightly closed and said,"YEP!!!"

My heart flooded with an emotion that no words can describe !!!

....For her to trust my love so completely, without doubts...

without fears...without hesitation...

To boldly and confidently take one step after another....

without "seeing" where she was stepping...

Not knowing what dangers or obstacles may block her way

or threaten her from the left or right....

My heart danced a joy only a mother or grandmother can know....

....And somewhere deep in my soul, I heard my Father God whisper....

"Take MY hand and trust ME as fearlessly as Maddy trusts you..."

My heart skipped a beat, as I recognized the voice of All Creation...

and I realized, once again, God was using a little child to teach me.

I was not leading Maddy....SHE was leading me !!!!

So many treasured lessons we learn from a child !!

I guess that is why God reveals His secrets to little children....

Why He wants us to come to Him as little children....

Why a little child will lead them...lead us...lead me.

Because only a child can trust with all their heart....

The harder I try to teach my grandchildren about the love of Christ....

the more THEY teach ME about the love of Christ....

".....Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them,

for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these....

I tell you the truth, anyone who will not receive the kingdom

of God like a little child will never enter it."

Mark 10:14 & 15

More Than Just Words..... by Vaneta Andrews

“God, sometimes you give me words that I never dreamed I would have.  You give me a way of saying things, a way of putting my/your thoughts together that just amaze me.”

That was a conversation I had with God today.  His reply … “it’s about more than just words!  It’s about the heart!  When your heart is in tune with mine nothing is impossible.”

Matthew 19:26  Jesus looked at them and said, “With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.”

So why do we let our hearts get hard?  I guess because we gradually start letting the world creep in.  We gradually stop listening to Christian music, stop reading the Word, stop fellowshipping with other Christians, stop going to church, stop praying and yet we wonder where is God?!  Did you notice I said WE gradually stop … I didn’t say anything about God going anywhere.  He was, He is, He always will be right there knocking on our heart’s door wondering why we won’t open it and let Him back in!

Revelation 3:20  “Here I am! I stand at the door and knock.  If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with him, and he with me.”

So the next time you wonder where God is or why He left you to handle a tough situation alone remember … you are not alone and God is not the one who left.  Stop to listen to the knocking at your heart, open the door and receive the fullness of God’s blessings!

Lord, Thank you for never leaving us, never forsaking us and never giving up on us!!

Guide written by Donna (Ensign) Woods

Oh dear Lord, Please lead and guide

...Especially when I just want to hide.

Guide the passions of my heart

With each new day I start.

May YOU choose my every word

As my heart is touched and stirred.

Direct my daily path....

Allowing me to live and laugh

Guide the work of my hands

To honor all your plans.

To obey without asking "Why?"

Amidst shadows of tears I cry

Open my heart to receive

In all my faith to believe.

Release my grasp....when you take away

Still giving thanks as I pray.

Guide my feet to the perfect place

Where I can see....Your face.

May I? Can I? Will I? by Julie Short

I loved the game “Mother May I’ as a child.  I learned the difference between Can I and May I.  I know because I work in Early Childhood, that I learned many other things while playing the game.  I learned impulse control (to stop and think first before I acted.) I learned the difference between big and little, counting, and social skills. 
In today’s Oswald Chambers devotion (July 9^th,) he wrote that believing and serving God is a choice, a decision.  It’s not can I serve the Lord or can I believe, It’s will I?  Will I accept that I can do nothing good apart from God and that I can do all things through Him who gives me strength?

Philippians 4:13

I can do all this through him who gives me strength.

So when I think or say “I can’t do this or that”, what I am really saying is I won’t allow God to do this or that through me.  Am I willing to step aside and let God work through me?   He Will, if I allow Him.
In the game, “Mother May I” if you ask “Can I?” instead of “May I?” you lose your turn.
“Can I?” is asking, am I able?
“May I?” is asking for permission.
We are asked as Christians “Will I?” 
Will I continue to pick up and carry boxes of discontent, arguing and complaining, whining, anger, judging others, self doubt, worries, toxic guilt, or I should have, boxes and if so how long will I carry them?
OR
Will I choose not to pick them up and choose to do all for the Glory of the Father?

WHERE OH DEATH written by Donna ( Ensign) Woods

 

Where, Oh death, is your final threat ?

I fought a good fight....the goal has been met.

So very tired, I grew fragile and weak...

I anxiously waited for the Lord, I did seek.

In calm silence, I closed my eyes...

And saw a multitude of angels fill the skies...

It's time !...It's time !....The Lord was calling my name....

Oh death !!!....What a blessed...awaited gain !!

No more suffering or pain to entwine...

Replaced by peace, not subject to time.

Where, Oh death, is your labored sting ??

In the arms of Christ, I hear angels sing.

In the radiant glow of Heaven's glorious light....

Oh such wondrous reward for my earthly fight !!

He opened wide His arms to lovingly embrace...

As He wiped all tears from my face.

The jaws of death could not hold onto me

But set me free....for eternity.

Where, Oh death, is your fatal bite ??

In the arms of Christ....I  HAVE  WON  THE  FIGHT !!!!!!!!!