Weep Not For Me

Weep not for me,

said she to me,

Not for me,

For I shall see

That Wonderful Face of He.

The One who died to set us free from pain, death, and misery.

Rejoice for me,
Sing praise to Him
For you and I will meet again.


It may be here,
Or it may be there,
Near The Crystal Sea
Where outstretched Arms
Await for WE.

My friend, always know,

It's never about you,

Nor about me...

...But, always about the One
Who hung on the tree.

Hung He did on that appointed day

His crowned-head high above all

His blood flowing down

Both to allow man's entrance to

The Throne of Grace and the Way.

"Weep not for me," she said to me,
"No, give praise to Him."

Today, our view, at best is dim...

For in our appointed time,
We shall not just see each other again, but we'll see Him, face to face.

(from a conversation between a dear friend and me)

For By Him and Him Alone...

By Him and His will I was created and have my being.

"By Him and His will all things were created and have their being." (Revelation 4:11)

Thoughts, conceptions too large  to comprehend, to understand from a human standpoint. So I will simply believe what I read, and as said, let it be.

Ah, few words... I am His... as are we all.

Words read this morning bring peace, comfort whosoever trusts in the Lord is kept safe. Fear of man will prove to be a snare. (Proverbs 29:25)

Have been there. It is true.

Narrow and lowly sighted is the source of this fear. Fear of rejection of that which can be seen -- yet it can dissipate with the nod of a Head, wave of the Hand, or the slightest breath from One's Nostril.

I was young, now I'm older -- relation with the One who cannot be seen -- this is the goal, where acceptance can be found, where real treasure lies, where beauty exists, and from where peace and true comfort come. Trust, believe.

Jonah to the Almighty God of heaven and earth...

Those who cling to worthless idols forfeit the grace that could be theirs... Jonah 2:8 And the Lord commanded the fish...

God to Jonah...

But Nineveh has...people...who cannot tell their right hand from their left...should I [God] not be concerned...? Jonah 4:11

As should I. It's not about me. No, but Thee. Fear not what people do or say. Again, yea, trust in Him Who cannot be seen. For those who can be seen are just like me. In need. He knows.

For By Him and His will all things were created and have their being. Look to Him. He holds the key.

A clear mind - a quiet mind, gifts in themself... to hear that Still and Small Voice.

In quietness and confidence lies strength (paraphrased, Isaiah 30:15)

Oh quietness to hear and
trusting confidence for strength.

For by You and Your will alone was I created and have my being.

Listen to Her Cry

Sitting in my living room listening to the cry of a dear friend share from her broken heart. I do not know HER pain. I know MY pain.  Everyone's pains are their own. Yet, I know that Jesus knows each of our pains and sufferings. "A man of sorrows, acquainted with grief." Isaiah 53:3

If she is cut, I know it is painful, I have been cut. But this is HER cut, on HER body; HER nerves transmit the pain. My eyes "see" her wound, my ears "hear" her expressed cry and pain: my memory is stirred with memories of similar pain. I cannot feel her pain. All I know is, my heart hurts with and for her. I listen to her cry.

I listen to how in her conversation she intertwines herself with those who have inflicted pain on her. I recognize that intertwinement, I've done it. I remind myself, I was not and am not them, I am me; I am separate from my tormentors, from those who caused me harm. I know I cannot explain that to my dear friend right now. I listen to her cry. I am thankful I can be there for her. I pray the Holy Spirit comforts her and that He reminds her that He is with her through this and will help her as she cast her cares and pains on the Lord.

I pray for my friend as I listen to her cry.  I know only Jesus can heal her heart. I tuck the morning happenings away in my heart and go on with my day. I'm reminded of the scripture, "Blessed by God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies, and the God of all comfort; who comforted and comforts us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort them which are in trouble by the comfort wherewith we ourselves are comforted of God." 1 Corinthians 2:3-4


(Saturday, April 30, 2011)

A Want To...

O' God for Your strength --
My "want to"* is shallow,
Hollow,
No substance,
No ground.

I know there is more.
I see it all around...
...At a distance...
Though, 'ner coming close,
Nor crossing the invisible...
...Parameter which around me surrounds.

To You alone I cry,
No one else can bring change.
Even I let my own self down.

O' help me Dear God.

Grace and Strength to do,

To be,

To live,

To see,

To have a solid

"want to."

And...

May desires, goals,
vision, aspirations, and dreams from You alone burst forth.  I know there is more.


*inspired from a sentence in the book entitled "Made to Crave" written by Lysa TerKeurst.

Stuck

I am soooo stuck,

Saddened,

As if my world has stopped.

Try as I may to make a go of things - going places and being with people (friends of old and friends of new ) - it seems that little pans out.

I resolve to simply do what must be done day to day... care for my younger son; take care of our home, maintain yard; do my job at work well; stay in touch with older son; pray, read the Word and talk with the great Shepherd.

I praise Him, sing, think upon Him, how good He is. I thank Him from where He brought me and from all that which He delivered me. I thank Him for what I have. I pray for others and situations as they come to mind.

I "know" the saying: "You are as happy as you want to be."

I also "know" God is my help, my strength, my provider, my joy, my all, a very present help in time of trouble... and His grace is sufficient for me.

I pray the prayer of David... Oh Father "...restore unto me the joy of Thy salvation, take not Thy Holy Spirit from me." Psalm 51: 11b, 10a. And I thank Him for His grace which is all sufficient and for now and that which is to come.

Sharing from my stuck place today.

A friend told me recently she finally learned to "grow where she was planted."

Given that, I will stay where I am and continue to seek, ask, pray, and soak in the "Sonshine," and learn, by His grace, to be content.


It is certainly better than being stuck in the mud. And WHO KNOWS WHAT GOOD THINGS ARE YET TO BLOOM?

For Reasons Known to God Alone

Joseph, born
One of twelve
Bright and dreamy
Uninhibited to tell.

Favored by his earthly dad
Much more so, by his Creator and Lord.

His eleven brothers, jealous
Enough to kill
Into a pit along the road was he thrown
Ten siblings agreed and settled only to sell.

To the Ishmaelites, Midianite traders, Joseph was sold

And on to Egypt, with him the traders went

And to Potiphar's house Joseph again sold, yes he was
God with him during these times
His Magnificent Favor extended
Not once lacking Grace nor pause.

Joseph was quickly made head
Of Potiphar’s house
To tend to all affairs.

The wife of Potiphar oozed with lust
This Joseph “well built and handsome” she wanted, and felt have him she must.

Her advances blocked, rejected by him
Scorned, she accused
With false reason.

Potiphar,
The king’s official captain of the guard,
Believed his mate
Filled with anger and hate.

And for reasons known to God alone
Into the king’s prison
Innocent Joseph was thrown.

Captive
God with him during this time
His Magnificent Favor extended
Not once lacking Grace nor pause.

Extended to him
By way of the warden
Kindness and favor
Captive pardon.

“Captive” Joseph was put in charge
Head trustee one might say –
God’s Grace working
Mightily through him each day.

While there dreams of two men were spoken
Through God Almighty
Joseph's right interpretations were told.

Indeed within three days
The interpretations came true.

“Remember me” when you are released
Joseph requested
"Mention me to Pharaoh the king"
So I too can be set free.

And for reasons known to God alone
Joseph’s request to be remembered went untold.

Some two years later
Within one night
King Pharaoh had two dreams
That gave him fright.

He awoke in the morning terribly troubled
None of his wisest in all Egypt could tell
The meaning of the dreams which befell.

It was then
The one who’d lived but has forgotten to tell
Told the king of Joseph
With whom he’d shared a cell.

Pharaoh quickly sent for this "favored" man
Who for years since a lad
Experienced life events so traumatic and sad.

Pharaoh to Joseph – “tell me the meaning of my dreams”
Joseph replied “I myself cannot,
For God alone has your answers.”

Pharaoh pushed on with hope
Wanting to know
He told Joseph the two dreams.

Joseph through God’s Holy favor and grace
Told Pharaoh the meanings of both.

Then at age thirty, still a young man
Joseph was put in charge of all of Egypt’s land

Pharaoh’s signet ring he wore
Robes of fine linen put on him
A chain of gold his neck adorned.

When Joseph was escorted
Throughout the land
Shouts rang out “make way” for the kings right-hand man.

Roadside pit

Abandonment

Sold for a price
False accusation
And waylaid promises
Things behind, out of sight and mind.

How faithful the Almighty
Who has a firm plan
The table had turned
For this young man.

Without Joseph’s word
No hand or foot
Would move in Egypt.

Faithful to the charge
Joseph remained
Without boast or pride
He revered Almighty God
Knowing God's stay.

And the reasons known to God Alone
At thirty-two
Joseph to his siblings could share
“Was to save lives
That God sent him ‘ahead.’”

To his brothers
Of when he was a lad
No mention of was said
Of him being sold
Almost killed.

No God had sent him ahead
Is what he said
"To preserve a remnant in the earth
And to save their lives
By a great deliverance."

Told he to they
It was not you –
That did this to me
But God.

Things we do not understand are not unknown to God
As our faithful Father never leaves our side.

Human understanding can never "stand" "on top"
For the very Word shows it is "under."

The One Who "stands," and is to be viewed
Is He who is "on top" - "above-standing"
Looking throughout the whole earth.

Knowing the end from the beginning

the the beginning to the end
He is the Ancient of Days,
Having a plan for which each
Perfectly fit.

May our eyes never leave Him
Nor forget He is at our side
No matter how bleak the sky.

Though darkness comes
Know the sun remains high
Sorrow may shadow
Yet He's always nigh.

Roadside pit

Abandonment

Sold for a price

False accusation

And waylaid promises

Things behind, out of sight and mind.

On our own understanding
Will find no support when we lean
As Joseph told the earthly king
"I know not, for God alone has the answer."

In all our ways we can acknowledge Him
And it is faithful and true
That His Mighty Hand will lead us through.

Friend, You May Not Know...

Dear Friend, though I do not see you as often as I'd like, life always seems to pick up where we left off the last time we saw each other; and, when together, it is as if a day had not passed from the last time together.

I love you friend. 

Friends make up some of the most precious threads that are woven into my life's tapestry.  

• Friend, you may not remember the prayer you prayed with me, but I do.
• You may not remember the time you hugged me extra hard because you saw I might need it, but I do.
• You may not remember the time you offered your hand to me, but I do.
• You may not remember the invitation you extended me, but I do.
• You may not remember the time I came, stayed, and ate at your home, but I do.  

Friend, you may not know, but, I love you.