Because He Loves Us

Because He loves us
God put in motion a plan.
He wanted to save
Every woman and man.

Because He loves us
He sacrificed His Son;
His beloved one and only.
A victory over sin was won.

Because He loves us
He longs to hear our voice.
We can pour out our hearts;
Spend time with Him and rejoice.

Because He loves us
He bestows mercy o’er and o’er.
What an amazing Father,
One I love and adore.

Because He loves us
He will wait and wait.
He’ll be filled with joy
To see us at Heaven’s gate.

A Long, Long Journey

I’m on a long, long journey
traveling down a dusty road;
at times I get so weary
carrying this heavy load.

Then I see a man ahead,
reaching out a nail scarred hand.
He tells me of His love for me
and speaks of a heavenly land.

He touches my shoulder,
then I am filled with peace.
He assures me one day
my cares and sorrows will cease.

He’s the precious Lamb of God
whose blood cleansed and set me free.
Never will I be all alone,
together we’ll always be.

The road seems shorter now.
My journey soon will end.
Waiting for me with open arms
will be my Savior and my friend.

Running

Running from you LORD,
Oh please help me.
Running back to you Jesus,
your blood will set me free.

I can’t fix myself,
Can’t do it on my own.
I need your love and grace.
Only you can atone.

Why do I seek help
From any other place;
I’ll run back to you
and seek your face.

Where else can I go,
There’s no where else to run.
No one else loves me like you
I’ll run back to the Son.

No Other One

Lord, be with me through the valleys
Walk beside me hand in hand
Carry me through the desert
Don’t let me sink in drifting sand

When tears flow like a river
Please wipe them from my face
I need your gentle touch
The feel of your warm embrace

When life seems to keep
Dealing blow after blow
You are my strength
The one who saves from any foe

You lead me directly through
The battles, not around
I look forward to the day
When I will be heavenward bound

No other friend is there to comfort
Through the darkest night
Or lift me from deep despair
To the most victorious height

What words can I possibly use
To thank you, my God and King
I’ll lay my life at your feet
And forever to your Word I’ll cling

No other Master is worthy
Of my devotion and praise
You alone will I worship
Today, tomorrow and always!

He Rescued Me

Floundering in a sea of darkness,
Water slowly rising up to my chin,
Grasping for a life preserver.
Will I reach the shore again?

Tears rolled down my cheeks.
I reached for a helping hand.
I needed someone to save me
From the sinking sand.

A light pierced the darkness,
Hope poured into my soul,
Love snatched me from harm’s way.
I felt peaceful and whole.

Almighty God heard my cry.
He sent His Son to rescue me.
Oh what a glorious Savior
Finally, I am free.

Freed from guilt and shame,
By this amazing gift of grace.
Freed from the shackles of sin
To win this marathon race.

Victory is Mine

Father, I have a race to win,
A battle to fight against sin.
I need the strength you provide.
A Savior who will protect and guide.

LORD, my victory’s guaranteed,
From sin I have been freed.
You have restored and made me whole,
Oh Redeemer of my soul.

I won’t take my eyes off you
Or quite the race until I’m through.
At your banquet table I’ll dine.
The crown of life will then be mine.

Reach Out a Hand

Reach out a hand to someone today
notice their tears;
hear their cry;
feel their pain.

Take them to your Heavenly Father
kneel before Him;
plead for them;
lay them at His feet.

Would I Still Praise You

What if one I loved died
Or I had a serious disease;
Would I still praise you LORD
Would I still feel blessed?

What if I lost my job
Or had trial upon trial;
Would I still praise you,
Recognize you at work.

Would I see your faithfulness
Through my life’s valleys
Or only on the mountain top
Would I praise you God.

Show me your handprint
Each day that I live;
Your footprints in the sand
As you carry me to the shore.

I will praise you each day
For every blessing and trial;
For your mercy and love
Will bring me home at last.

Treasured Tuesdays

I am trying to get back into the habit of walking.
What a marvelous day to go out. The ornamental pear
trees are gorgeous. Flowers are blooming. Trees are
turning green.

I caught myself wanting to just do a short walk and
then I thought I need to do extra. So I did. I went
over into another neighborhood and walked a few
extra blocks.

I thought about how often do I just do what's expected.
I don't go "the extra mile", whether it's walking or
doing things for others. Anyone else out there who
needs to work harder on going "the extra mile"? I need
God to help me get over my selfishness and think of
others.

I know God has blessed me with at least one more day
to help someone. I could have died in our accident
about 12 days ago, but God has something more for me
to do. How about you? Maybe we can encourage one
another to do more than just what's expected. I want
to be more than just a lukewarm christian.

You Are My Treasure

God you never slumber.
Your blessings are without number.
God Almighty, God Most High,
You listen for my cry.

Father, I give you control
Over my heart and soul.
With you I’ll walk hand in hand
and with your aid I will stand.

Each breath could be my last,
but my soul won’t be downcast.
My Father’s love is beyond measure.
A home with Him will be my treasure.

I Want to Do It Myself

Esther Sue and Mama Judee had a great time at the park.
Esther likes to do everything herself nowadays. She wanted
to scale a wall to get up to the slide instead of just
taking the steps. So Mama Judee had to be right there with
hands stretched out to give her a push if she needed it.

Then coming home from the park about two blocks from the
house Esther decided she wanted to push the stroller. Mama
Judee became exhausted just watching her and trying to keep
her on the sidewalk.

If Mama Judee tried to help by pushing on the stroller Esther
was quick to say, "No, I want to do it myself". Then Mama
Judee grabbed the stroller and pushed it over the curb. That
was a definite no no to Miss Esther. She cried "I want to do
it." She tried pulling the stroller back up the curb and fell
down. Mama Judee picked her up and she was ready then to be
carried to Mama Judee's house.

Aren't we like Esther? We want the control in our lives. We
are stubborn and want to do it ourselves. When we've exhausted
our own strength and fallen we finally think to ask God for
help. Like Mama Judee He's standing right there waiting for us
to ask for His help.

God Will Take Care of You

Do not be afraid
God will come to your aid.
He is your creator.
There is none greater.

His love for you is strong.
He’s been with you all along.
He will not leave or forsake
and cares about each heartache.

He tells us not to fear
when our future’s unclear.
Put your hand in His hand,
Trust in what He’s planned.

What If

What if I thought about each action I took
And lived by the Bible God’s good Book.
What if the idols in my life I’d forsake?
What change in my life would it make?

What if I started out each day singing His praise
And continued doing this all of my days.
What if I declared God as my Master and King
Would it help others make Him their everything.

Could I help others see God, the great I am,
Open their yes to see Jesus, the perfect lamb?
God, I bow before you with this fervent plea,
Help me be more fully devoted to thee.

Instead of the world, I’ll depend on you,
Meditating on your Word will restore and renew.
I’ll think of Jesus who died to set us all free,
Then my life will no longer be all about me.

The Prodigal

The Father watched his child leave home.
Why did this one want to roam?
Tears flowed as the Father cried,
“Oh my child, my child,” he sighed.

The Father gazed at the road each day,
Waiting for his child that went astray.
He longed to see his child once more.
This was what his heart hoped for.

The prodigal desired to see his Father’s face,
To once more be held in his embrace.
Home, the place that was so dear to his heart
When he returned he’d never depart.

Could he go back after what he’d done?
Would his Father accept a prodigal son?
What a burden he bore, a heavy load,
As he walked that dusty familiar road.

His Father ran with arms open wide
Pulled and held him close to His side.
The prodigal would never leave again
He’d never return to a life of sin.

The son knew his Father’s love was strong.
This is where he’d always belong.
As the Father wiped away each tear,
He told his son “I’ll always be near.”

Buds of Hope

We’ve had a harsh winter season
I’m weary of snow and freezin’
Discouraged and feeling blue
Days with sunshine so few.

I know winter is in God’s plan,
But I love warmth and getting tan.
Spring flowers always cheer me.
Birds’ songs set my spirit free.

Buds of hope on trees appear,
These proclaim spring is near.
God, seasons are in your hand.
They come and go as you have planned.


Whenever we're feeling discouraged God
shows us something to brighten our day.

Feel All Alone?

I Kings 18-19

Elijah had a great mountaintop experience as a
christian. He went up against the prophets of
Baal. There were 450.Elijah felt he was the only
one serving God.

He challenged the Israelites to make a choice.
Who was their God? Who would they follow? Would
they follow God or Baal?

God worked through Elijah and showed that He was
the true God.

The only problem was then Jezebaal sent a message
that by the next day Elijah would be dead. He was
afraid and ran for his life. He felt all alone in
serving God.

Sometimes all the news on television makes us
feel as if we alone are worshiping God. But just
like God told Elijah he still had 7,000 who had
not bowed to Baal we learn there are still those
who are worshiping and serving God. We must not
feel all alone.

Keep serving God and remember there are many others
who still worship and serve God even though the
world does seem to be turning against God.

Thank God for the encouragement we receive from
fellow believers through His church.

Don't Cross that Bridge

Another foggy morning, but I decided I'd for
for a walk anyway. Fog has a certain mystery
about it and eeriness.

The snow was clear on the sidewalks as I began
my walk. The lights on houses were dimmed by
the fog. Still it was pretty in a way plus I
heard some birds singing. That always brings
me joy.

When I go into the Copperfield neighborhood I
always enjoy going through the park and crossing
the bridge. This morning as I neared the bridge
I noticed snow and ice. Since I had fallen in
the December snow I'm very leery of getting
anywhere near ice and snow. I decided a short
walk was alright. I was not going to cross the
bridge.

Sometimes we need to beware of bridges in our
lives. The other side looks so inviting. Sin
can look so pretty so alluring to us. We have
to beware of crossing that bridge. We may not
be able to get back across it.

Don't cross that bridge and take that first
drink, that first drug just to see what it's
like. Too many have been caught up into an
addiction that has them bound.

There are many other activities that look ok,
but in reality can lead us into sin. Beware!
Don't cross that bridge!

Avoid the very appearance of evil. I Thess 5:22

Thoughts from the Dentist's Chair

Isn't it interesting the thoughts that come
to us during the activities of life?

We go to the dentist or dental hygenist to
clean and repair our teeth. We know where
we should go when we have problems with our
teeth. The dentist can take those cavities out.

Do we know who to go to when sin overtakes our
lives? A lot of us do know. We need to turn to
Jesus, our Savior, to set us free from sin.

Feel free to comment on your thoughts from the
dentist's chair.

Lessons from the Fog

It’s amazing that what was so familiar on a nice
sunny day is so unfamiliar on a foggy day. You
can feel lost. You aren’t sure of which road to
turn on. At least, that’s how I felt this morning
traveling to the dentist. I couldn’t seem to get
my bearings.

Isn’t life like that at times? We can lose our way
at times. We don’t know what lies ahead and it
fills us with apprehension. If we could only see
the future we’d be fine.

At times this morning I’d see headlights or
tail lights of a car in front of me and I’d feel a
little better. Maybe I’d be fine, maybe I’d make
it to my destination after all.

Another scary thing about the fog is that there
are other drivers. What they do will affect me?
Other people in my life can affect me. I have to
be careful that I don’t let them affect me to go
against what I believe, what God would want
me to do.

Things to remember: 1. The fog will lift. It lifts in
our lives, too. Those scary apprehensive times
will get better. 2. Focus on God. This morning I
had to try to focus on the road just in front of me.
I couldn’t see way ahead or to the side. Stay
focused at all times.

We don’t know the future, but we know the “One”
who holds the future. He’s our compass and our
landmark.

Songfilled Sundays

A Special Gem

Think of the friends you’ve had
Down through the years;
Think of all you’ve shared
All the laughter and tears.

What imprint have they left
Upon your heart;
One that will stay with you,
Even though you’re apart.

Thank God each day
For every one of them
They have all been
A very precious gem.