Quiet waters flowing down the stream
through the woods oh so serene
Never riled or raging by
for in God's gardens they do reside
Trees in bloom with leaves of hues
red, gold, brown and greens too.
Flowers blossom so soft and sweet
the scent in the air is heaven sent
Swans swim by and the stream do share
for they know they are safe without a care
Butterflies floating down from heaven to earth
with a joyous sound of your rebirth
They tell you of Gods love for all
to say your prayers and believe in him
One day you will walk the gardens fair
and peace and love you will share
With all the others that went before
and will be waiting for you on heavens shore
to welcome you there with open arms
your soul will rest and you will be home.
Judy N. Marquart
May 9, 2008
~ copyrighted ~
Firmly Anchored ~ August 15, 2008
We have this hope as an anchor
for the soul, firm and secure.
Hebrews 6:19
I struggle with depression. Some days I wake up
and my faith seems subject to the randomness of
my emotions. On those days it is a struggle to remind
myself of God's love for someone like me.
One windy morning at a summer camp, I walked past
a lake with four sailboats anchored at their moorings.
The wind gusted and shifted in all directions causing
the sailboats to rotate and circle around thier moorings.
Though the water rippled fiercely, the sailboats never
drifted far from their base, the place where they were
anchored.
I need to remember that when the seas of my
emotional life get stormy, God is my anchor. the Bible
never promises us seasons without storms. It simply
promises an anchor for our souls if we hang on to God
and refuse to let go. Even when our emotions derail us,
God remains "firm and secure" in our lives, offering us
hope in even our most violent storms.
Dear God, help us to know the safety and
strength that come from taking refuge in you. Amen
Dear Lord, You have said: "If My people who are called by
My name will humble themselves, and pray and seek My face,
and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven,
and will forgive their sin and heal their land."* Many of Your
people across this land, in cities and towns, in churches, parks
and homes, observe a day of prayer each year. ... Open our
eyes to see the error of our ways. Forgive us for thinking that
we can re-design You to fit today's social changes. Help us to
see that Your moral order was meant for all generations and
that we are the ones who need to change. ... Forgive us, for
we have often denied our Christian heritage. We have been
deceived and have allowed others to lead us astray. How we
must have grieved You! ... Give us spiritual insight and a desire
to seek Your will -- for our nation, for Your churches, and for
our lives -- lest we fail You and fall into a quagmire of our own
making.
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