Friday, March 15, 2013

New songs, profound joy in the land of unknown

New Songs, Profound Joy in the Land of Unknown

How amazed I continue to be as I travel to the Land of Unknown once more
Having absolutely no idea of what God has in store;
But knowing I can trust this new adventure will certainly
Find new songs and profound joy rising inside of me.
That has always been the way
My Savior fills me when I pray
Laying down my fears for what I dred
Understanding I am not being led
This way for nothing less than my good
And the precious substance that gives glory where it should-
To the source of new songs
To the deep well of profound joy belongs
All my praise
All of my days.
In the Land of Unknown
 

Wednesday, March 13, 2013

Giving Voice to the Right Words

Due to the fact that my upcoming surgery will deal with an area close to my voice box, I have been conscious of the things I give voice to.  It is just crazy what comes out of my mouth at times.  The Lord must shake his head as he questions, "Why on earth did she say that?"  I am sure the angels assigned to guard me must also query some of my comments.

I have such a tendency to speak before I think...a bad habit I have had since childhood.  It is my prayer, however, that "the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart may be acceptable to you, O God" and also, that my "yes" would be "yes" and my "no" would be "no".  Proverbs tells me that even a fool, when quiet, may be considered wise. 

What I give voice to matters...right words matter.  I want my words to encourage, to line up with God's Word, to be like "apples of gold in pitchers of silver."  I want them to come from faith and not doubt, spirit and not flesh, peace that passes understanding not contention and confusion that lead to every kind of trouble.

Well, I think less is more today and so I will let my prayer be to surrender to the one who lives within me that I will give voice to the right words this day.

Tuesday, March 5, 2013

Fullness of Joy

Fullness of Joy
One thing He promised that I would find
Has proved greater than most things that come to mind
Although it is not easy to possess
And comes at points of hardest access-
Still, there is fullness of joy.
I have found it at the oddest of times
When life's poems have lost their rhymes,
When reason has left the stage
And sorrow has spilled onto every page
Of daily existence-still there is fullness of joy.
Because He is the very source
Proven in time through every course
My tears may flow
My mind may not know
How it can be- still there is fullness of joy...
For He is my fullness of Joy!
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Friday, March 1, 2013

March Winds



March Winds

By: Sharon L. Patterson

It is March but this month’s preview blew across my area less than a week ago announcing impending unknowns with a bluster I have yet experienced in my sixty plus years in Texas.  The wind blew-HARD and it blew all night and all day with the same velocity.  It affected changes throughout the city and in my own back yard.  A garden angel lost her wing; an umbrella was lifted out of the patio table and blown across the yard; the gate to our fence was ripped open and the remains of what was once a lock lay scattered.  Not bad considering stories of greater damage I heard others had sustained. 

There has been a lot of blustering of news concerning changes that begin today, March 1, 2013.  The forecast concerning winds of change reaches much farther than my corner of the world.  Sequestration is now more than a forecast.  It is part of our not yet fully known reality. Everywhere we turn, no matter the mode of communication, March winds are blowing. 

 It reminds me of a mighty storm that came up on the Sea of Galilee mentioned in the gospel of Luke, chapter 8, verses 22-25. Jesus asked a very significant question that resonates as much to us modern day disciples as it did to the original twelve:

     “One day, Jesus said to his disciples, “Let us go over to the other side of the
lake. So they got into a boat and set out.  As they sailed, He fell asleep. 
  A squall came down on the lake, so that the boat was being swamped, and
                      they were in great danger.  The disciples went and woke him, saying,
                      “Master, Master, we are going to drown!” He got up and rebuked
                       the wind and the raging waters:  the storm subsided, and all was calm.

“WHERE IS YOUR FAITH?” He asked his disciples.”

Great question!  May our answer focus our faith on the Storm Calmer, not on the storm, nor on the March winds of 2013. May we, like those first disciples respond “in fear and amazement…,”Who is this?  He commands even the winds and the water, and they obey Him.”
New Places To Walk With Faith

by: Sharon L. Patterson

I made the appointment as directed;
Since the doctor confirmed what I detected-
An unwelcomed bump
That had grown to a lump
On my thyroid gland.
"Surgery will  have to be part of the plan,"
Said my ENT specialist yesterday.
"Okay,"
My reply
With an anxious sigh.
Inside I thought, "Now I am in need
 Of what I have often sown as seed
In the lives of friends and family:
"Oh Lord, it is me,
Who has new places to walk
Leaning on the faith of which I talk."
I am not shy to share
this new care.
With those I trust
Who understand prayer is a must
To keep the faith flame,
In Jesus Name,
Burning strong
All day long.
I know I'll be fine
As friends' faith locks with mine
And we look 
to the book
That grounds it all 
And call
On our God who is the beginning
And sustainer of all healing.