He is My Strength

Through life's many trials strengthen me
Answer my plea
Walk by my side
With me abide.

Give me strength to face each new day
And never stray,
Make you my choice
Obey your voice.

I need strength only you provide
LORD, be my guide
Through darknest night
Please be my light.

My Life is in His Hands

As I look back over my life history.

What has happened is no mystery.

The places I never thought I'd go,

People I never expected to know,

Challenges overcame that helped me grow,

Things I've accomplished because of you,

That I never even dreamed I could do,

Trials that brought me to my knees,

Drew me even closer and closer to thee.

I will follow you all of my days,

Lift your name up in praise.

You've given my joy without measure.

All my blessings I will treasure.

From you I never want to roam.

Can't wait to see you in that heavenly home.


Judy Wood

Praise Him in the Valley

Praise God when you're in the valley
and you are feeling blue.
Thank Him for the deliverance
cause He will see you through.

Thank Him in every season,
even when you grieve.
He will comfort you
never will He leave.

When life's trials come,
thank Him for each one.
Praise Him for the victory
He's given through His Son.

Praise Him every day,
whether sunshine or sorrow.
Thank Him at the close of day
for whatever comes tomorrow.

Choose to praise and worship,
not complain or whine.
Bring glory to His name
and your light will surely shine.

A Grateful Heart

Grant me a loving grateful heart
to daily honor you with my praise,
eyes to see all thy hand imparts
words to express the splendor of thy ways

As a little child help me see
blessings like a frog or toad,
marvel at a flower, a honey bee,
or the smell of a field freshly mowed.

Open my eyes to see even trials
as moments of growing closer to thee,
to hold as blessings all the smiles
of those nearest and dearest to me.

Father, I know I don't deserve
abundant blessings from thy hand,
but I will vow to always serve
and live my life as you command.

Help me acknowledge all you give
the grace, mercy and love you supply.
May gratitude be expressed in how I live.
Your name be glorified even when I die.

Your Devoted Servant I Remain

LORD over all creation,
I bow in adoration.
My lips are filled with praise.
I'll speak of you all my days.

You are the Savior who died,
for my sins was crucified.
You are the one I serve.
Your grace I don't deserve.

You are the mighty King.
A sacrifice to you I bring.
Over my heart please reign.
Your devoted servant I remain.

Judy Wood

Dry Seasons

Dry Seasons come into my heart

choking out the zeal within.

Dry Seasons, please depart.

LORD, cleanse me of my sin.

Refresh my spirit again

with your presence renew my soul.

Let me feel victorious within

Over my life take full control.

Dry Seasons leave me forever.

Green Growing Seasons return.

Worldliness and its ties sever.

Father for you let my heart yearn.

Let my need for you be as great

as my need for water or air.

On your Word may I meditate.

My lips forever your praise declare.

Then the dry Seasons will be gone

replaced by a new life with you.

A beautiful day will dawn

with a wonderful heavenly view.

Friendship's Declaration

Lilac and Red Rose

Compare them not to one another

Each possesses a fragrance their own

Different, but oh how delightful.

Beautiful to behold

Radiant, they stand together

Basking in the warmth of the sun

Sharing early morning dew.

Vanishing for a season

Together again at Spring's return.

Blooms forever entwined together

Exulting in friendship's declaration.

Judy Wood

Can't You See Me

Do you feel my comfort in the cool breeze
or my strength in a mighty oak tree?
Do you think of my power when you 
see my creation 
or my compassion when you notice
a weeping willow tree?
Do you see my love in the face
of a sweet child?
Look at their smile do you see me?
Are you reminded of my salvation
when you see a red rose?
Do you think of the blood my son
shed on the cross at Calvary?

You're always asking to see my presence.

Look around. Do you see me? I'm all around you.
You can see me in all my creation.

Anticipating the Journey

A journey of a lifetime begins.
Can you feel the excitement?
Is your pulse starting to race?
Imagine seeing His face.

Begin a new chapter as you
take that step into the unknown.
You know who is waiting.
Start the anticipating.

Sharing precious moments with Him.
Oh, the joy within your heart.
Be still before the Lord,
and you'll feel restored.

What will happen in life today,
whether trials or blessings.
It won't matter with Him by our side.
On this journey He'll be our guide.

Victory is Mine

God, I trust in you
and your great power.
You are my soul's refuge,
my safe tower.

I am so very blessed,
I never want to whine.
You do so much for me,
I want my light to shine.

I want my life to show
how awesome are your deeds,
you care for me and provide
all of my needs.

Because of all you do
victory is mine.
You are the mighty one
for whom I pine.

Quiet Moments With You

What a blessing
each lovely morn.
Time alone with you
and I feel reborn.

When you and I meet
my soul feels at peace.
You provide for my needs,
all my worries cease.

Thank you for quiet moments
when it's just you and me.
Praise abounds for your grace
and the blood that set me free.

Once I was without hope
with no thoughts of a Savior.
Now I have eternal life
because of your loving favor.

I will treasure our time together
each new day when I arise.
Look forward to the day
I will have my heavenly prize.

To Be Loved By A Child

Oh, the hugs
the squeels of delight
the tender embrace
the kiss goodnight.

The love of a precious child
is greater than any treasure.
It's so fantastic
It's impossible to measure.

My heart does little flip-flops
when a child reaches for me.
God, thank you for this child
that sits upon my knee.

You're a Hero in Their Eyes

Precious little children
Moldable like clay
Watching all you do
Listening to what you say.

They think you do no wrong.
Don’t ever lead them astray.
You’re a hero in their eyes.
Lead them on the narrow way.

Tell them about Jesus
How He loves everyone.
Tell about all He created
The flowers, trees, and sun.

Show them to be kind.
Teach them how to pray.
Remember you’re their hero
So be a good example today.

Home at Last

Beautiful gates of heaven
Open wide.
Golden streets in that city
Where I’ll reside.

A mansion’s prepared for me
A special place.
No more crying
My tears God will erase.

Being with God
Will make my joy complete.
I’ll sing praises to Him
And fall at His feet.

Flowing by His throne
Is a crystal sea.
Home at last with
my Father I’ll be.

The Grandmother's Joy

The sound of little feet coming down the hall was a
delight to the Grandmother’s heart. She couldn’t wait to
see her grandson turn the corner. There he was with that
sweet grin. Her heart did little flip-flops.
What was it about grandchildren that was so special?
All grandmothers loved to talk about their grandchildren and
show pictures. She was no exception.
Everyone of her grans were precious to her and now
God was blessing her with two more. Her heart overflowed
with joy at the thought.
No matter how many grandchildren she had, she knew
there was plenty of love for each one. Each child was special
and she prayed for them. She wanted them to grow up
knowing how very much God loved them. Someday she
hoped they would all be in heaven together.
She had special memories with each child. Fischer
remembered the cookies they had made and decorated at
Christmas. Esther liked it when they played harmonicas
together. Garrison knew Grandma would be up early in the
morning to greet him.
Fischer and Esther enjoyed feeding the fish in
Grandma’s aquarium.
The grandmother treasured all the cute things her
Grandchildren said and did. Fischer called her one day
and then told his mother, “I called the Grandma with the
fishes.”
She loved listening over and over to the video of
Esther singing her ABC’s.
She loved it when her son, Franklin, called and
sang Twinkle, twinkle little star and stopped every few
words and let Garrison fill in the blanks. He sang each
word loud and clear. It was so cute.
She wondered what kind of memories there
would be when her two new grandchildren would be
born.
All grandmothers should make special memories
with their grandchildren. Maybe she felt this way even
more because she never knew her grandmothers.
The grandmother hoped her grandchildren would
be able to remember fun times that they had shared
and to know how much their grandmother loved them.
She would make sure each moment with them was
filled with laughter and good times.

Martha Choose What's Best

Martha hurried and scurried
About all the details she worried.
The meal must be perfect she thought
While Mary listened as Jesus taught.

Martha asked Jesus a question.
“Can you give Mary a suggestion.
Please tell her to help me with the guests.
I’ve worked until I’m feeling stressed.”

“Martha, Martha, don’t worry and fret
Or live a life filled with regret.
Mary has chosen the better part
To listen and give me her heart.”

He wanted Martha to learn
Her heart for God must yearn.
She should be still and wait
And on His word meditate.

I can Worship

I can Worship

I will sing and pray
Worship God today
He made the earth and sky
And the beautiful butterfly.

With His mighty power
He made the rain showers
The booming of thunder
Fills my heart with wonder.

I thank Him for food to eat,
Fruit, vegetables and meat.
Thank Him for our family
Mom, Dad, sister, brother and me.

Remember how Jesus died
On the cross He was crucified.
His body represented by the bread
Fruit of the vine reminds me that He bled.

We give money with a cheerful heart
To help others by doing our part.
We send people to foreign lands
To tell of God’s wonderful plans.

I love to read the B-i-b-l-e
It tells that Jesus loves me.
I will learn to trust and obey
Walk with Him every day.


(Trying to come up with a worship poem for
children's Bible class)

A Look Back

Take a look at your life. What were you like
as a teenager and what are you like now? How
has God worked in your life? Isn't it amazing
that He can take our weaknesses and use them
for His glory.

Are you doing things in your life now that
you never expected to?

I was an "extremely shy" teenager. I blushed
when someone even looked at me. I hated standing
in front of people at school and giving book
reports or even answering questions from teachers.

But God gave me some amazing friends and new
opportunities for growth. Those friends encouraged
me to be a cub scout den mother, a missionary in
Zambia, a teacher at the prison, and a writer
of poetry. (ok, I'll never be an Emily Dickinson
or other famous poet)

Now look back over your own life and share your
experiences. Where has God brought you from.

Now, am I an extravert now? NO!!! But He has
helped me grow a lot. What an awesome God we
serve!!

Sharing More Prayer Experiences

Many of you may already know about this answered
prayer, but thought I'd share. Also, have a couple
of others to share with you. Feel free to share
yours and we can encourage one another.

Before going to Africa I was petrified. The thought
of moving so far from family and friends and going
to a place I didn't know anyone was frightening.
Each evening at supper I would feel so sick from
worry that I couldn't eat. That's very unusual
for me.

I told Fred, my husband, that I just didn't think
I could go. He told me that was ok, but he felt
that it was what God wanted him to do. So I prayed.
It was kind of a Gideon throwing out the fleece.
God, if this is what you want, then help me get
over this feeling of fear. I think we were actually
on our way to Zambia when I realized God had answered
my prayer. It's amazing. I think I had one episode of
feeling lonely after arriving. God's answers can be
so powerful.

I would not trade my experience of living in Zambia
for anything. The people were amazing and taught me
so much about love, faith and hospitality. I went
to teach them, but I think I received even more
than I gave.Yes, I missed my family, but people
there became my family. I wish I could see them
again.

I'll share some more answered prayers later. Please
share yours. We can strengthen each other.

Looking Back on God's Answers

Can't go to sleep tonight so I was thinking back
about God's answers to prayers about my own job
hunting experience.

When we returned from Africa it was difficult for
Fred and I to find jobs. I hadn't had a phone in
my house to answer for 5 years. I felt like a
stranger here.

My first job was a job during the holidays at an
Anthony's Department store. Fred and I both got a
job there thanks to a member at Westwood. I felt so
helpless and foolish. My next job was a temporary
job for the post office. It was at night. It was
hard going to work when my family was getting ready
to go to bed.

Then God blessed me with a job at Landmark books
with Norma. What a wonderful sister-in-Christ and
great friend.

Then God blessed me with a job at Alva Roofing where
I now work. Another blessing working with more
Christians and working part-time.

Isn't it amazing the way God works things out! It's
not always all at once. Look back in your own life.
How has God worked? I'd really like to hear your
stories.

In the Old Testament they passed down the stories
about God's mighty deeds. They had different ways to
remember what He did. Don't we also need to keep
remembering our past and where God has brought us.
I know I do. Sometimes I forget. I get scared and
wonder how He's going to work out problems in my life
or in my loved one's life. I need to constantly look
back at God's mighty deeds in my own life. This is
just one small look at how God worked in my life.
I wanted to share it so you'd look back, too. Let's
remind one another over and over of how God works in
our lives.

And God, Thank you!!!!