This morning we talked, You and I

About the fact ~ I don’t need to know why

Because I trust You and know Your heart

Your love is true when life comes apart

I started to ask you for a sign

But caught myself just in time

Because I don’t need to know the end to prepare

When and if I do, You will be right there

Giving all I need as the needs arise

You have promised me that You will provide

I did ask that You would speak to my heart

I needed to hear Your voice as it parts

The troubled waters of my Red Sea

As I follow in faith, I hear “Believe Me”

So I trust You with the Promise

My Isaac rests on the alter

I know there is no better place to be

And he has assured me that he is ready

I got to Bible Study, prepared to hear Your voice

Was met with tender tears, not usual bubbling joy

The mood of speaker met the mood of my own heart

Not depressed, just longing to touch You from the start

You’re the Alpha and Omega

The beginning without end

Each line of Your Word so carefully woven

Not tied up in chapters, neat little boxes

But tied in and connected, interwoven

We like things perfect, cut and dried

Beginnings, conclusions ~  and we hate goodbyes

Nothing in isolation, each line serves a purpose

Often not realized till the point hits the surface

You promised Abraham he’d be Father of Nations

He only saw a handful of scattered relations

But in the next book, just a few chapters later

Israelites covered the earth, like stars scattered

Too many to count, the Egyptians felt threatened

And thus began turning point ~ predicted Exodus

Joseph promised his brothers when he lay dying

That all would be well with them, God was providing

He said when they left and were returning home

He’s sure appreciated it if they’d carry his bones

At 110 he finally rested

He had finished his race with his faith sorely tested

Moses carried his bones in a coffin of wood

Bones of a dead man through the wilderness

But he also carried the Ark of God’s Promise

In the shadow of the beauty of the Ever Living One

Joseph was buried in the land of Shechum

Back home in Canaan where his life changed direction

The place he first went to check on his brothers

Indeed all was well, for there was peace among them

From beginning of Genesis to end of Revelation

We see the Prince of Peace ~ Christ ~ The Bridegroom

Not tied up in our limiting, pat little answers

That sounds trite and unreal in the face of our cancers

But tying the promise of past to our futures

God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob assures us

That I AM is the God of the living, not the dead

That when tragedy strikes and we ask if they made it

They stand round His throne with  faces expectant

Asking if we’ve made it to this glorious place yet

There’s a longing for home as it tugs at our hearts

Awakened by faith in our innermost parts

Our feet are meant to dance upon another turf

There is something better waiting than life on this earth

This is NOT all there is, there is so much more waiting

The closer we get ~ the more anticipating

We are wandering stars that long for better country

Where God Himself is not ashamed to call us His

Sometimes to make sure the sheep follow, not wandering

God first carries in the young ~ pure ~ innocent

DLG   03/02/2010

Hidden away in obscurity

Feeling orphaned, forgotten

Dreams folded and put away

Promise stood waiting, silent

Vision blurred through tears of pain

Dark night of the soul

Living sacrifice

Monotonous repetition

It seemed that life

Was an endless circle

Of pointless preparation

The pain ~ loss ~ trials

Seemed such a waste

The tears of each wound

Soaked my soul, stained my face

Broken, exhausted, You wore me out

Discouraged I was and full of doubt

You soaked me for years

In the burial spices

They rose like a stench

To all but You

I soaked till they permeated

Every pore of my life

Every fiber of my being

Through and through

I laid on Your alter

Dead to self

No struggle

Just rest from my enemies

Here in Your presence

They were not allowed

Only simple beauty

And tangible peace

Silent I lay

In quiet adoration

Basking in Your glory

No need for words

I caught a glimpse

Of Your feet, Your robe

As You walked past

Your voice I heard

When You came to my side

And stood over me

The richest perfume

I have ever smelled

Wafted and swirled

Around my head

The sweetest aroma

Of spices fell…

Frankincense and myrrh

Reserved for the dead

You whispered reassurance

“MY sister, MY child, MY bride”

Your love confirmed~

I was content

When You said

“Come away… you are MINE”

You asked me to give You

My feet and my hands

To follow You

With no fear of man

You said You equipped me

That I was prepared

“And now we are ready”

You softly said

“The beauty treatments

Required for a queen
Are finished ~ and now

Tis the season of singing”

And Esther said

‘If it please the King’…

                                 It is good to be queen

DLG  06/18/99

You can do nothing

Apart from Christ

You cannot produce

Or maintain life

Every pause, every note

Every motion, each rest

Is the work of the Father

Through the Spirit of Christ

The essence of faith

Is continual dependence

You can do nothing

Except be a hindrance

Entirely His, to do as He wills

You only need trust Him

Expect Him to fill

With the essence of life

You can do nothing

But let Him be God

His strength and your weakness

Can overcome all

Helpless you are to add anything

He breathes in, you breathe out

The life of the King

DLG 07/10/97

Well, the countdown is on! We have four more nights in Stillwater, three more days of commuting to OKC and then we are closing on our new house! We are in our 5th week of commuting and it has gone so fast! What would we do without amazing parents who take care of us for this long and let us invade their space?

The picture above is a sneak peak at our backyard. Amazing, right? (Sorry its so small – I forgot to save the pictures they used to have online and this was all I could find right now.) The owners did a fabulous job keeping up with the landscaping and making it an oasis in our own backyard. We can’t wait and I know the dogs are pumped too! So much to explore and investigate…they have no idea what’s about to happen for them!

I’ll be sure to keep the blog updated with before/after pics as we get settled and moved in. Conner and I are very ready to get our hands on the house and start making our mark on our new home!

I SEE YOUR FEAR ~ FEEL YOUR PAIN

BUT I’M A GROWNUP NOW

AND YOU CAN TRUST THAT YOU ARE SAFE

AS WE IN UNISON BOW

I WILL MAKE HEALTHY CHOICES

WON’T PUT YOU IN HARMS WAY

GOD WILL COVER BOTH OF US

AND HEAL OUR WOUNDS AWAY

GRACE AND PEACE WILL KISS YOU

REST IN THE WARMTH OF HIS WING

HE LOVES YOU AND HAS YOU COVERED

FROM MEMORIES THAT ACHE AND STING

TELL HIM ALL OF YOUR SORROWS

LEARN THAT HE WAS THERE TOO

WEEPING FOR ALL DONE TO YOU

WHILE UNDER THEIR HURTFUL RULE

HE TOUCHED AND MADE YOU STRONGER

HE CLAIMED YOU AS HIS OWN

EACH ABUSE ~ NEGLECT YOU SUFFERED

WILL BE ANSWERED FOR AT HIS THRONE

JUST YOU WALK IN FORGIVENESS

FOR YOU’VE DONE DAMAGE TOO

LET ME TAKE THE DRIVERS SEAT

NOW I WILL MAKE THE RULES

SEE UP TO NOW YOU’VE DRIVEN

AS EMOTIONS ~ MEMORIES SWELLED

BUT WE ARE FOLLOWING JESUS

HIS SPIRIT KNOWS US WELL

EACH ACT BEFORE TO COMFORT

OR COMPENSATE FOR LOSS

HE’S NOT ONLY CARRIED OUR SINS

BUT OUR FEAR AND SHAME TO THE CROSS

A PAGE AT A TIME HE’S UNFOLDING

A NEW LIFE OF FREEDOM AND HEALTH

HE’S FAITHFUL, HIS WORD CAN BE TRUSTED

LET’S STOP LIVING FOR OURSELVES

THE EMPTY ACHING CAVERN

OF NEED THAT WAS NOT MET

WILL FILL WITH LIVING WATER

AND HOLY, HEAVENLY BREAD

HE PROMISED TO NEVER LEAVE US

WON’T FORSAKE OR FORGET

HE IS NOT MAD, BUT HE HAS SAID

THE GRIEVING’S BEEN ENOUGH        

THERE IS NO MAN CAN FILL YOU

NO THING OR EXPERIENCE

NO ACCOLADE OR HONOR

NO SELF INDULGENCES

THE WORLD WILL KEEP YOU SEARCHING

SHOPPING YOUR LIFE AWAY

LIVING FOR THEIR APPROVAL

BUT IT WON’T FILL YOUR CAVE

OUR FATHER GOD ~ CREATOR

HAS SAID WE ARE ENOUGH

JUST THE WAY HE MADE US

WE ARE ALREADY LOVED

NOTHING CAN SEPARATE US

WE’RE MARKED FOR LIFE AS HIS

THE ONES THAT MOCK, DEGRADE US

THEY’RE JUST OTHER WOUNDED KIDS

 DLG 06/18/2010

DEVASTATE THE EARTH

HE WILL RUIN HER BEAUTIFUL FACE

SCATTERING THE FEW PEOPLE THAT ARE LEFT

FOR MASTER AND SERVANT IT WILL BE THE SAME

THE PRIESTS AND THE RICH WILL NOT BE EXEMPT

ALL PEOPLE MUST BEAR THEIR GUILT

THE EARTH IS DEFILED BY THE NATIONS

WHO DISOBEYED HIS LAWS, VIOLATED HIS WILL

THEY HAVE BROKEN THE COVENANT AND BROUGHT DOWN A CURSE

FEW WILL BE LEFT AS THE EARTHS FACE IS BURNT

COMPLETELY LAID WASTE AND PLUNDERED

NOT A BLADE OF GRASS OR A TREE WILL ESCAPE

EARTH BROKEN , SPLIT OPEN LIKE THUNDER

THE FOUNDATIONS WILL SHAKE WITH MIGHTY QUAKES

REELING LIKE A DRUNKARD OR A HUT IN THE WIND

IT FALLS NEATH THE WEIGHT OF YEARS OF REBELLION

HOUSES ARE BARRED, GATES SPLINTERED IN RUINS

NATIONS GAIETY NOW BANISHED TO GLOOM

THE CITIES LIE FLAT AS WASTELANDS

THERE IS NO WHERE LEFT TO HIDE OR STAND

THE TREACHEROUS WILL BETRAY EVERY MAN

THE SUN HIDE HER FACE WITH THE MOON

MY GOD IS THE ONLY REFUGE

A SHELTER FROM THE STORM TO COME

A SHADE FROM THE HEAT LIKE SHADOW OF CLOUD

A STRONG TOWER WHERE WE CAN RUN

IN PERFECT FAITHFULNESS HE OUTPOURS

AS EARTH REAPS WHAT SHE HAS SOWN

DOWN THROUGH THE AGES THEY THOUGHT HE IGNORED

BUT FINALLY THEIR JUDGEMENT HAS COME

THEN THE SHROUD THAT ENFOLDED ALL PEOPLES

THE SHEET THAT COVERED ALL FACES

WILL BE TAKEN AWAY ON THAT GLORIOUS DAY

AS HE WIPES AWAY TEARS FROM EACH NATION

HE WILL STAND ON THE MOUNT AND SWALLOW DEATH

YES, DEATH WILL BE SWALLOWED FOREVER

THE SOVERIGN LORD GOD WILL REIGN AT LAST

EVERY KNEE SHALL BOW, EVERY TONGUE CONFESS

HE’LL REMOVE THE DISGRACE OF HIS PEOPLE

WHO HAVE TRUSTED HIM AND ARE SAVED

THE HOPE OF MANKIND WILL NOT BE BETRAYED

O LORD, YOU’RE MY GOD, WE EXHAULT YOU

FOR THE MARVELOUS PLANS YOU HAVE MADE.

 DLG 06/10/2010   (ISAIAH 24&25)

NEGLECT AND DESECRATION

THE EVIL RULER SLAUGHTERING SWINE

ON THE ALTER OF THE NATION

WORSHIP WAS REESTABLISHED

THE TEMPLE OF GOD RESTORED

TO ITS FORMER PURPOSE

WHERE JEHOVAH GOD WAS HONORED

HANUKKAH CELEBRATION

OF THE TEMPLE DEDICATION

YOU HAVE BEEN GIVEN A BODY

TO HOUSE THE SPIRIT OF GOD

HE SAYS WE ARE A TEMPLE

OUR POSITION ~ PRIESTHOOD

THE ENEMY OF OUR SOUL

SEEKS MASTERY, CONTROL

STEALING FREEDOM WON BY CHRIST

WHO DIED TO MAKE US WHOLE

HIS SECRET WEAPON ~ STRONGHOLDS

OBSESSIONS IF YOU WILL

ADDICTIONS TO SEX OR MONEY

FOOD OR ANOTHER PILL

ALCOHOL, TOBACCO

THE ROOT OF BITTERNESS

GUILT AND FEAR ~HIS FAVORITE

IS STUBBORN UNFORGIVENESS

MAYBE YOU HAVE A CALL ON YOUR LIFE

BUT HAVE FALLEN INTO SIN

OF ONE EXTREME OR ANOTHER

YOU SIMPLY GOT SUCKED IN

LIKE QUICKSAND IT WAS SILENT

BUT WOULD NOT LET YOU GO

ASHAMED YOU TURNED AWAY FROM GOD

THE ONLY HOPE YOU KNOW

THINKING ~ BEYOND REDEMPTION

TOO LATE FOR GOD TO KNOW

YOUR LIFE IS FOULED WATER

NOT EVER LIVING FLOW

OF WATERS SPARKLING, BUBBLING

FROM OUT BENEATH GODS THRONE

THAT WASHES  AWAY ROUGH EDGES

OF EVERY LIVING STONE

RETURN TO MODERATION

PUT EXCESS FAR AWAY

CHRIST DIED TO GIVE YOU FREEDOM

FOR EVERY SINGLE DAY

DON’T STUFF YOUR PAIN BY EATING

OR PURGE YOUR HEALTH AWAY

YOU’LL NEVER MEASURE UP

TO WHAT THE WORLD WOULD SAY

YOUR IDENTITY AND TRUEST SELF

CAN ONLY BE DEFINED

BY THE GOD OF ALL CREATION

ONLY HE HAS THE RIGHT

AND HE SAYS YOU HAVE VALUE

AND WORTH BEYOND COMPARE

HE’S PLEASED TO BE AT HOME IN YOU

NO MATTER WHAT YOU WEAR

HE COMES TO A HUMBLE, CONTRITE HEART

A MIND THAT’S BEEN RENEWED

BY BELIEVING  HIS EVERY WORD

AND LIVING FREE OF ABUSE

DON’T THROW AWAY YOUR TEMPLE

MAKE IT A COMFORTABLE HOME

A RESTING PLACE FOR FATHER GOD

A PLACE HE CALLS HIS OWN

MAKE EVERY ACT OF LIVING

A SIMPLE ACT OF WORSHIP

YOUR LIFE WILL BRING HIM GLORY

THE EFFORT WILL BE WORTH IT

RADICAL REPENTANCE

BRINGS RADICAL RESTORATION

A FRESH NEW START ~ A HANUKKAH

AND GLORIOUS REVELATION

06/08/2010  DLG

WITH A DIVIDED HEART

A DOUBLE MINDED MAN WANDERS

UNSTABLE IN ALL HIS WAYS

HOW LONG WILL YOU WAIVER

BETWEEN IDOLS AND GOD

IF THE LORD ALONE IS GOD

THEN FOLLOW HIM ALL YOUR DAYS

CHOOSE YOU THIS DAY

WHO YOU WILL SERVE

SACRIFICE FOR, BOW TO

DON’T WORSHIP GOD WITH A LIE IN YOUR HAND

YOU MUST CHOOSE WHICH ONE TO LOSE

NOW FEAR THE LORD AND SERVE HIM

HE’S BOUGHT YOU WITH GREAT PRICE

HE MADE YOU AND REDEEMED YOU BACK

WITH GREATEST SACRIFICE

THROW AWAY THE FALSE GODS

YOU SERVED IN IGNORANCE

BEFORE YOU FOUND THE ONE TRUE GOD

WHO CAME TO YOUR DEFENSE

THE ONE WITH EYES TO SEE YOUR NEED

WITH EARS TO HEAR YOUR CRIES

WHOSE HEART BREAKS WHEN YOU ARE IN PAIN

WHO’S WITH YOU WHEN YOU DIE

WHO BREATHED HIS BREATH INTO YOUR FRAME

AND BROUGHT YOU INTO LIFE

WHO CARRIES YOU WHEN YOU ARE WEAK

WHO HEALS YOU WHEN YOU’RE BROKEN

WHO MADE A WAY WHERE THERE WAS NONE

WHOSE WORDS ARE LIFE WHEN SPOKEN

THROW AWAY YOUR WORTHLESS GODS

PASSED ON BY GENERATIONS

NOT ONE OF US CAN SERVE TWO GODS

A HOUSE DIVIDED CANNOT STAND

GOD SEPARATED DARK FROM LIGHT

AND DRAWS A LINE IN THE SAND

HE WILL NOT SHARE HIS GLORY WITH

ANY OTHER THING OR MAN

HE IS PRESENT WHEN WE BOW

TO ALL BUT OUR TRUE KING

THE LORD HAS GIVEN MANY GIFTS

BLESSINGS HE DOES BRING

BUT WHO ARE YOU DEPENDING ON

WHEN LIFE IS DARK AND STINGS

IDOLS NOTHING, TREASURES WORTHLESS

WE’RE IGNORANT TO OUR OWN SHAME

BLIND AND FOOLISH CHILDREN

UNFAITHFUL TO HIS NAME

WE WEARY HIM WITH OFFENSES

AND BURDEN HIM WITH OUR SINS

DON’T HONOR HIM WITH OUR PRESENCE

OR LAVISH WITH FRAGRANT GIFTS

LIKE PRAYERS AND PRAISE, GIVING THANKS

ACKNOWLEDGING WHO HE IS

THE GREAT I AM MOST SOVERIGN

WHO CARRIES AWAY OUR SINS

HE IS ALIVE AND WELL STILL

IN HIM IS ALL WE NEED

THE SON, THE RAIN, THE BREATH OF LIFE

THE HOLY, BROKEN SEED

HIS TIMING AND WAYS ARE PERFECT

BEYOND WHAT WE CAN SEE

SO HOW LONG WILL YOU WAIVER

BETWEEN TWO OPPOSING OPINIONS

IDOLS WILL RUST AND MOTH CORRUPT

THEY WILL BURN IN THE FIRE OF HEAVEN

DLG   06/10/2010

SO DEEP THEY CAN’T SEE THEIR HANDS

MAY WE HAVE LIGHT IN OUR HOUSES

THE PRESENCE OF THE GREAT I AM

WHEN THE PLAGUES OF DESTRUCTION FALL

MAY WE REST NEATH THE SHELTER OF HIS WING

MAY PESTELANCE, DISEASE NOT ENTER OUR HOMES

AS EARTH REAPS WHAT SHE’S SOWN WITH SINS SEED

MAY THE DEATH ANGEL PASS OVER US

WHEN HE SEES THE BLOOD OF THE LAMB

THERE ON THE DOORPOSTS OF OUR HEARTS

EVERY WOMAN, CHILD AND MAN

MAY WE WEEPING WITH COMPASSION

HUMBLY BOW TO THE WILL OF OUR GOD

READY TO SWING OUR DOORS OPEN

TO THOSE WHO WOULD ON HIS MERCY FALL

MAY OUR HEARTS NOT BE HARD LIKE PHAROH’S

SHRIVELLING IN ARROGANT PRIDE

CARING FOR ONLY US AND OURS

SMUGLY FINDING SAFETY INSIDE

MAY WE NEVER BE SO FOOLISH

AS TO LEAVE OUR HIDING PLACE

HE TOLD US TO STAY INSIDE THE HOUSE

THE ONLY PLACE SAFE IS NEATH GRACE

MAY WE NOT WANDER THROUGH THE STREETS

MINGLING WITH THE SINS OF THE WORLD

INTO THE NIGHT WHERE DESTRUCTION WAITS

FORGETTING GODS EVERY WORD

MAY WE MOVE WITH A HOLY URGENCY

WHEN HE MAKES US A WAY OF ESCAPE

NOT LINGER BEHIND WHEN HE SETS US FREE

BUT SINGING PRAISE TO HIS MIGHTY NAME

THE ISREALITES STOOD COWERING

BETWEEN A ROCK AND A HARD PLACE

ENEMY BEHIND THEM SHOWERING

ARROGANT THREATS OF HATE

THE SEA AHEAD, THE ARMY BEHIND

JEHOVAH PROTECTING WITH PILLAR OF CLOUD

STOOD BETWEEN THEM TO MAKE PHAROAH BLIND

AFTER YEARS OF HARDENING HIS HEART SO PROUD

LIKE PHAROAH’S ARMY PERSUED THEM

INTO THE MIDST OF THE SEA

MAY GOD IN HEAVEN LOOK DOWN

AS THE ENEMY PERSUES ME

MAY HE THROW THEM INTO CONFUSION

HARASSING THEIR EVERY PLAN

MAY THE WHEELS FALL OFF THEIR CHARIOTS

SO THEY KNOW HE’S THE GREAT I AM

KNOW THAT GOD ALONE IS SOVERIGN

DESERVES OUR WORSHIP AND PRAISE

WE DO NOT WALK IN THE FEAR OF MAN

GOD IS WITH US ALL OUR DAYS

GOD IS NOT PLAYING LET’S MAKE A DEAL

HE WILL NOT COMPROMISE

HE WANTS HIS CHILDREN TO BE FREE

TO LIVE ABUNDANT LIVES

AT NIGHT AS THE PEOPLE CROSSED OVER

ON DRY SAND AS GOD HAD PROMISED

HE BECAME THEIR PILLAR OF FIRE

A LIGHT TO THEM IN THE DARKNESS

MAY I BE LED BY HIS HOLY SPIRIT

NOT DRIVEN BY SINS HARD HOLD

MESSIAH HAS PAID THE ULTIMATE PRICE

TO RANSOM BACK MY SOUL

LIKE THE FIRSTBORN SON OF PHAROH

WAS TAKEN FOR THE SINS OF HIS FATHER

THE FIRSTBORN SON OF GOD HIMSELF

BORE OUR SINS TO THE CROSS LIKE AN ALTER

THERE IN REVERANT OBEDIANCE

HE PAID THE PRICE WITH HIS LIFE

SO GOD’S JUSTICE WOULD BE MET

AND WE COULD BE FREE IN CHRIST

DLG   06/04/2010

There remains a rest for the people of God

Who have wandered forever in the wilderness

Refusing to claim their land of promise

Not believing God waits to bless

If given a vision long ago

About God’s dream for your life

Why continue to walk in doubt

Fear of success and strife

In disobedience, lack of faith

Not in God but in what He has said

You choose to question who He says you are

Believing the lies in your head

A lifetime of voices can not drown out

What He’s said in a whisper or two

A lifetime of failure, fear and doubt

His will for you can’t undo

So stir up the gifts He has poured in

Put on Holy imagination

See the invisible

Hear the inaudible

Live the impossible

Stand up and go forward into the incredible

Walk in the Spirit towards the inevible

As you were created to do

Cease from your works

Take a Sabbath rest

Sit on your hands if you have to

Lay aside all your business

And see what God chooses to do

He may tell you to lay your hand

Upon someone with a hole in their heart

Since He is the great physician

You only have to do your part

There may be an entire family

Hidden behind closed doors

Waiting for you to bring them

A message of hope from the Lord

What if you never show up

What if you do and they’re saved

You’ll never know till you grow up

And put disobedience away

Apathy, Lethargy, Distractions of all kinds

Are tools of the enemy to capture your mind

Wandering, aimless without purpose

Filled with half truths, lack of worth

The flesh is weak and faces death

Of mind, will and emotions

The tree of knowledge bears poor fruit

God planted the Tree of Life for you

And Spirit leads us into truth

God’s Son not swayed by approval of man

Not unsettled by their disapproval

Knew where He came from ~ Where He was going

Who He was and who lived through Him

God was with Him and He knew it

His Spirit was strong and His life proved it

We walk as grasshoppers in a land of giants

Bound by the past, we fear Goliath

God searches the Earth

For a soul who will do

Exactly what He will tell them to

For a simple child who won’t hesitate

To take on the enemy, prove God great

Who will lay aside reason and common sense

That holds him back from embarrassment

Who knows in his heart God does not stutter

Recognizes His voice ~ Obeys the Father

Let the church enter her Sabbath rest

That’s where the Father does His best

Her faith will grow strong and prosperous

His written word will become flesh

Walking from miracle to joyful miracle

The power of God will make men tremble

In awe and reverence we’ll be humbled

He’ll drive out our enemies, the world will believe

And the truth will finally set us all free

DLG 01/16/2008

That I’m not enough

I am what He’s made me

He made me in love

A son of Adam

A daughter of Eve

Although not perfect

He still chose me

He knew from beginning

Before I was born

Just what I’d be

Yet spoke that morn

Angel of my spirit

Worshipping Him

Was sent to the earth

To adorn it ~ to live

There are no mistakes

In God’s master plan

He knows what He’s doing

With each woman and man

Weather we submit

In obedient trust

Or run from our purpose

Afraid of His love

Though others may look

And never do see

He holds me in value

Despite knowing me

For in me He birthed

The image of Him

A soul that’s eternal

And a spirit to win

Things we call failures

Or hold up as success

May not match His Word

May be grand or useless

So I cannot judge

Before my time’s through

I hear what He whispers

Not listening to you

For although we learn

From each others mistakes

He knows us by heart

It is He who creates

He can do a new thing

In the hardest of hearts

He can turn us around

He can take us apart

You may build me up

For you don’t really see

That my pride is my downfall

It’s not what I need

You may put me down

Or unravel my faith

But God lifts and strengthens

Amazing with grace

So there’s no need to buy

The eternal lie

That’s held out by the world

To measure my life

No need to fill up

With pretending or stuff

I must simply believe

That I am enough

It’s not what I do

It’s not what I own

It’s not about status

Money or homes

It’s not about false

Humilities

Or jumping through hoops

In order to please

It’s not about Harvard

It’s not about Yale

It’s not about mindlessly

Drifting towards Hell

It’s not about following

Like ignorant sheep

It’s not what I lose

It’s not what I keep

It’s all about knowing

From where I came

Knowing who I am

In Jesus’ name

Knowing I’m forgiven

For all I am not

Believing there’s hope

If trusting in God

It’s knowing my purpose

Embracing His plan

About understanding

Weather simple or grand

It’s designed to fit

The me that I am

And in the believing

It all comes from His hand

It is not giving up

In discouragement, fear

It is pressing forward

Though blood, sweat and tears

It is knowing all things

Work together for good

Weather sweet or painful

If we walk with the Lord

I take off my mask

This is the real me

Tender and tough

Enough and in need

Only God can fill

The eternal hole

The bottomless pit

Of my wandering soul

For I’ll never be truly satisfied

Until I awaken in His likeness

Face to face in the mirror

Of my creator, Father God, no imitator

To be one with Him in word and deed

Rise above limitations on eagles wings

I am enough if I’m full of Him

For He is enough, In His presence ~ Heaven

DLG  April 9, 2006

YOU LAY DYING AS I READ

HOW YOU LONG FOR ONE LAST BLESSING

I ATTEMPT TO FILL YOUR NEED

AT YOUR REQUEST I READ SCRIPTURE

OPENED RANDOM BY MY HAND

WHAT I READ BRINGS LITTLE COMFORT

MAKES NO SENSE TO YOU, NO PLAN

TODAY WHAT A DIFFERENT PICTURE

EACH WORD SPOKEN JUMPS TO LIFE

OFF THE PAGE TO YOUR HEART BROKEN

CALMING WATERS COVER STRIFE

OVER MOUNTAINS, THROUGH THE DUNGEONS

ON THE WILD AND RAGING SEAS

WORD OF GOD TO YOUR SOUL SPOKEN

BLESSING YOURS AND MINE  TO KEEP

IF THE WORD OF GOD IS ACTIVE

POWERFUL AND LIKE A SWORD

SEPERATING BONE FROM MARROW

FLESH FROM SPIRIT, HOT FROM COLD

WE MUST TREAT IT NOT LIKE MAGIC

BUT A LETTER FROM HIS HEART

WE MUST KNOW IT AND BELIEVE IT

LEARN TO USE IT LIKE AN ART

GOD IS SOVERIGN KING OF HEAVEN

COMMANDER OF ITS ARMIES HE

CREATOR LORD OF ALL THAT’S LIVING

SKY AND EARTH AND IN THE SEA

ONE WORD OF HIS CAN MOVE A MOUNTAIN

SET MEN FREE AND RAISE THE DEAD

LET IT NOT BE RENDERED USELESS

READ FROM THE HEART ~ NOT FROM THE HEAD

DLG  10/01/2009

FOR STEVE AND PAPA

WHEN GOD WALKED AND TALKED

IN THE COOL OF THE EVENING

IN THE GARDEN OF EDEN

HE HAS SOUGHT TO BE WITH US

UNTIL WE COULD BE WITH HIM

FIRST THE TABERNACLE

BUILT FROM THE DESIGN

THE SHADOW OF THINGS SEEN

RESIDENT IN GODS HEAVEN

TREE OF LIFE, ONCE IN EDEN

REMOVED FROM MAN

FOR HIS PROTECTION

POURING FORTH ETERNAL LIGHT

OIL OF HIS HOLY SPIRIT HEALING

FRUIT BEARING TREE OF ALMOND BUD

THE FIRST TO BLOOM IN SPRINGTIME

BEARING FLOWER, SHOOT AND FRUIT

THROUGHOUT IT’S ENTIRE LIFETIME

CHRIST THEN CAME, ETERNAL GOD

STEPPED OFF HIS THRONE AND ROBED IN FLESH

TOOK OFF HIS ROBES OF MAJESTY

HE CAME TO GIVE US PEACE AND REST

BREATH OF HEAVEN, BIRTHED IN POVERTY

FILTHY STABLE, COLD, DARK NIGHT

THEN LIVED AND WALKED TOWARDS CALVARY

TO GIVE THIS DARK WORLD LIGHT

FROM GODS DESIGN OF ANCIENT PAST

THE PERFECT LAMB OF SACRIFICE

TREE OF ETERNAL LIFE AT LAST

GIVEN TO THOSE WHO CHOOSE THIS CHRIST

WHEN IN DEATH OUR FLESH IS SOWN

WE LIVE WITH HIM, WE ARE HIS OWN

DLG   11/17/07

Master of none

Nothing I can’t accomplish

Still, don’t know which way to run

What shall I be…What shall I wish

Whether you’re young

Whether you’re not

The choices so many

Easy to get lost

Overwhelmed with choices

I haven’t chosen any

I’ve tried my hand

At several tasks

Just haven’t finished many

Drift when you’re young

Drift when you’re grown

Drift when you’re getting older

Always wondering

What you’ve become

Looking back over your shoulder

The feet won’t work

The eyes are dim

I have no sense of balance

I could not pass a physical

What use are all my talents

Experience and real hard work

Have taught me many lessons

Except for how to stop and rest

Without feeling guilty…useless

But God reminds me in His Word

My soul has value and its worth

Is not in contributions made

But finding myself in His grace

In being His and having faith

That only time will show the trace

Of my life following in His steps

So I will live with no regrets

Salt is scattered all around

Not poured in one spot only

He has made me salt and light

He has the right to move me

Jack of all trades

Master of none

Nothing He can’t accomplish

He promised to finish

The work He’s begun

So quietly… in Him I’ll rest                                        

05/28/04 DLG

I HEARD YOUR VOICE

AS CLEAR AS I

HEAR MINE

YOU CALLED ME THEN

TO AFRICA

THE MISSION FIELD

WAS RIPE

NOT KNOWING HOW

TO GET THERE

OR WHAT I’D DO

ONCE IN

I WANDERED OFF

THE PATH THAT

YOU HAD CHOSEN

GOT TANGLED UP

IN GROWING UP

AND SIN

EACH TIME MY HEART

WOULD MELT

AND COME BACK

HOME TO YOU

DETERMINED NOT TO

WASTE MY DESTINY

I PUSHED ON

EVERY DOOR

BUT NONE WOULD OPEN

FRUSTRATED

I’D GIVE UP

OR BE ANGRY

THE MISSIONARIES CAME

I RACED TO ALTER

VOLUNTEERING ALL I HAD

ALL I WAS

I’D PACK MY BAGS

READY TO GO TOMORROW

THEY’D PAT MY SHOULDER

SAY ANOTHER TIME

HOW ON EARTH DO I

FULFILL WHAT I’M BORN FOR

WHY ON EARTH REJECTION

EVERY TURN

WHAT AM I DOING WRONG

MUST NOT BE WORTHY

PUT DREAM ON SHELF

AND TAKE MYSELF

BACK HOME

MY CHILD NOW RAISED

I HAVE A NEW BEGINNING

SIGN UP AS NURSE

WHEN NURSING SCHOOL

IS DONE

A BUNK ON MERCY SHIP

GOING TO AFRICA

FINALLY I THINK

MY TIME HAS COME

I SELL MY HOUSE 

GIVE ALL AWAY

THAT’S IN IT

PACK MY BAGS

THEY’RE SITTING

BY THE DOOR

MY PASSPORT

AND MY SHOTS

ARE ALL IN ORDER

NOW I SIT WAITING

TO HEAR FROM THE LORD

PICK UP YOUR BAGS

I WANT YOU DRIVE

TO PHOENIX

I GASP, BUT THAT IS

ONLY HOURS AWAY

BY NOW

THOUGH I’M SURPRISED

I DO NOT ARGUE

JOY IN THE JOURNEY IS

MY SWEET REWARD

MY CHILD SOON FOLLOWS

SAFELY OUT OF KINGMAN

I MEET THE MAN

THE LORD HAD

SAVED FOR ME

HE HEALED MY DEEPEST WOUNDS

AND LET ME RELIVE

EACH STEP

EVERY EMOTION OF

A STOLEN YOUTH

THIS TIME WE DO IT RIGHT

WE DO IT HIS WAY

REFUSE TO TAKE CONTROL

MANIPULATE

PERFECT LOVE OF GOD

CASTS OUT ALL FEAR

FOR HIS PERFECT TIMING

I WILL WAIT

I’M MARRIED NOW TO MY

PERFECT SOULMATE

18 YEARS AND WE ARE

STILL IN BLISS

HE KNOWS THE GOOD

THE BAD, EVEN

THE UGLY

AND LOVES ME AS IF I

WERE HIS BEST GIFT

AFRICA IS WAITING

NOW I’M READY

I SEE EACH WAIT

REJECTION

NOW AS WISE

I GO NOT IN MY STRENGTH

BUT IN YOUR POWER

SURROUNDED AND

PROTECTED

FULL OF LIFE

I’VE SPENT THE PAST YEARS

RELISHING EACH MORSEL

YOUR HOLY WORD

UNFOLDING LIGHT TO ME

YOUR PRESENCE HAS BECOME

MOST PRECIOUS TREASURE

JOY AND STRENGTH INFUSED

WITH HOLY PEACE

I SEE YOU HAVE PREPARED ME

FROM BEGINNING

SPIRIT OF ADVENTURE

PIONEER

ORGANIZER BORED

ONCE PROJECT FINISHED

ENCOURAGER, REMINDER

YOU ARE HERE

I’LL BE IN AFRICA

FOR ONLY 2 WEEKS

BUT KNOW THAT YOU’LL

ACCOMPLISH MORE THAN I

COULD EVEN IF I SPENT

A LIFETIME

IN MY OWN STRENGTH~

YOUR SPIRIT HOVERING

ORE US WILL BRING LIFE

 YOU WATCH OVER

YOUR WORD

KEEP EVERY PROMISE

CONFIRM IT OFT SO

WE DO NOT GIVE UP

BUT WE ARE NOT

RESPONSIBLE TO DO IT

YOU FULFILL DESTINY

FOR EACH OF US

UNFOLDING ONE PAGE

EVERY DAY WE’RE LIVING

REFINING US ALONG

OUR PATH TO HOME

BY TIME WE’RE SENT

WE FINALLY DO GET IT

YOUR HEART OUR DESTINY

YOUR HEART ALONE

DLG

04/20/2009

TO DEAL WITH

OUR PERSONAL DEMONS

(WE ALL HAVE THEM)

THEY WILL COME BACK

TO BITE US IN THE END

FOR THE REST OF OUR LIVES

THOSE DRAGONS

WILL LIFT THEIR UGLY HEADS

GET A GRIP OF VICTORY

OVER THEM BEFORE YOU’RE DEAD

LIKE THE CHILDREN

OF ISRAEL

TAKING THE PROMISED LAND

THEY LET SOME OF

THEIR ENEMIES LIVE

WHEN JEHOVAH

GAVE THEM CHANCE

TO THIS DAY

THEIR ENEMIES

ARE A THORN

IN ISRAELS SKIN

ASHES IN THEIR EYES

INTENT ON THEIR DESTRUCTION

THE WORLD CRIES TOLERANCE

REAL LOVE MUST COMPROMISE

BUT EVIL KNOWS NO MERCY

IT DREAMS OF GENICIDE

GOD SAYS STAND ON YOUR FEET

GO IN AND TAKE THE LAND

GIANTS WILL FALL BEFORE YOU

BUT YOU MUST TAKE A STAND

PUT YOUR FOOT IN THE RIVER

YOU’LL SEE THE WATERS PART

YOU’LL NEVER SEE A MIRICLE

IF YOU CLING TO FEARFUL HEART

A LAND OF MILK AND HONEY

WAITS ON THE OTHER SIDE

YOU MUST RISK LOOKING FOOLISH

LAY DOWN YOUR FOOLISH PRIDE

GOD SAID…AND HE DON’T STUTTER…

THE VICTORY IS YOURS

I’VE ALREADY FOUGHT THE BATTLE

NOW GO CLAIM YOUR REWARD

THE CLOUD MOVES AND WE FOLLOW

THE FIRE STOPS AND WE REST

JEHOVAH LEADS THE ARMY

OBEDIENCE WINS THE TEST

HE PROMISES ABUNDANCE

SAVES BEST WINE FOR THE END

OUR LIFE IS JUST BEGINNING

IT’S DAILY RESURRECTION

STRENTH TO STRENGTH WE CLIMB

GLORY TO GLORY WE SOAR

RICHER, FULLER, SWEETER

WE COULDN’T ASK FOR MORE

OUR BEAUTY IS INCREASING

WITHIN, WITHOUT, WE GLOW

WE REST SECURE, CONTENT

RENEWED, HE MAKES US WHOLE

THE WORLD SERVES GOOD WINE FIRST

AND LIFE IS GOOD UP FRONT

THEN IT GROWS STALE AND BITTER

AS THEY REAP WHAT THEY HAVE SOWN

THEIR YOUTH FADES LIKE THE DEW

THEIR STRENGTH IS HERE THEN GONE

THEIR JOY TURNS INTO MOURNING

THEY LET LIFE STEAL THEIR SONG

IF WE REFUSE TO DEAL WITH

OUR PERSONAL DEMONS

(WE ALL HAVE THEM)

THEY WILL COME BACK

TO BITE US IN THE END

  DLG   04/12/2009

For I have seen

My father change

And gradually leave

The strong, calm eyes

Have been replaced

By fear and pain

Etched on his face

The gentle humor

That made me laugh

Has been replaced

By sarcastic blast

The steady, calming

Voice of reason

Pours out caustic

Streams of poison

The unwavering stand

Before God and man

Now a compromise

His own game plan

Deceptive lies

Rewrite the rules

They don’t apply

Except to you

You sin ~ you die

But me ~ I may do

As I wish

Never will I dare admit

That I am wrong or

You are right

The war of words

I love to fight

All is negative

All is wrong

He wears me out

Quiets my song

Running after me

Room to room

Like a little child

He looms

Needling

Heckling

Prodding

Badgering

Trying to make me

Play his game

I must play but

He must win

Heavenly Father

Forgive him

I will honor

And obey

But I won’t bow

No, I won’t play

Instant replay of

Every hurt

Paranoia

Steals self worth

Thinking all are

Out to get him

Griping

Murmuring

All the way

To Heaven

My heart is safe

For I have seen

My Heavenly Father

Does not change

He’ll never leave me

Or forsake

His loved creations

He has made

His eyes pour love

No message mixed

No calculating

Wicked glint

No trying to trap me

In a lie

He knows my heart

He knows my mind

Motives not questioned

At every turn

My God is there

This I have learned

Faithful

Never changing

HE

Father, May I be like Thee

DLG  07/26/05

BE NOT AFRAID

HE SAID IT ONCE

FOR EVERY DAY

FOR HE KNOWS US

SO VERY WELL

WE’RE PRONE TO FEAR

WORRY A SPELL

BUT FEAR IS FAITH

THAT HE IS GONE

THAT HE FORGOT

OR IS NOT STRONG

IT FOCUSES

UPON THE DARK

NOT ON THE LIGHT

WITHIN GODS HEART

SO I WILL TRUST

NOT BE AFRAID

I WILL BELIEVE

WHAT HE HAS SAID

HE’LL NEVER LEAVE US

OR FORSAKE

OUR GOD IS STRONG

MAKES NO MISTAKES

AND IF LIFE DOESN’T

GO OUR WAY

IT IS BECAUSE

WE DO NOT SEE

THE HIDDEN TREASURE

IN GODS HAND

THAT TIME ALONE

WILL UNDERSTAND

HE KNOWS BEGINNING

FROM THE END

IS IN CONTROL

OF ALL THAT HAPPENS

IS BUILDING HIS KINGDOM

WITHIN OUR HEARTS

UNDOING WEAKNESS

TAKING APART

THE FAULTY BELIEFS

THAT WE HOLD NEAR

YES, GOD IS LOVE

OF THAT I’M CLEAR

03/22/2010 DLG

BODY WORN

WHEN I’M SICK

HEALTH IS TORN

STRENGTH ESCAPING

THROUGH THE SEIVE

OF THIS FRAGILE

LIFE YOU GIVE

STRENGTHEN SPIRIT

FROM WITHIN

RENEW MY MIND

PROTECT FROM SIN

FOR I WOULD BE

A LIGHT THAT SHINES

WITNESS FOR YOU

ANYTIME

ONLY WANT YOU

TO BE PROUD

ABBA, FATHER

LIFT THIS CLOUD

03/22/2010 DLG

TO TROUBLED HEART

TO KNOW THAT WE CAN

TRUST HIM

THE GREATEST GIFT

TO FATHER GOD

TO KNOW THAT WE CAN

TRUST HIM

HE NEVER PROMISED SMOOTH PASSAGE

TURBULANCE WE MAY FEEL

BUT HE PROMISED TO BE OUR CAPTAIN

SAFE LANDING IS GUARANTEED

HE’LL NEVER LEAVE OR FORSAKE US

HE FLIES ON THE WINGS OF THE WIND

HE KNOWS US BY HEART, FOR HE MADE US

HE’LL CARRY US TO THE END

DLG  03/22/2010

WHERE I AM GOING

HOW I WILL GE THERE

WHEN I WILL GO

HELP ME REMEMBER

YOU GOD ARE SOVERIGN

YOU SEE WHAT’S HIDDEN

YOU’RE IN CONTROL

YOUR PLANS ARE BETTER

YOUR WAYS ARE HIGHER

YOUR TIMING PERFECT

YOU PAVE THE WAY

OPENING DOORS AND

CLOSING THE WRONG ONES

PROTECTING AND GUIDING

EVERY SINGLE DAY

DLG   03/19/2010

BOISTROUS, IMPULSIVE

MAN OF THE OCEAN

SO SURE OF HIMSELF

BREAKS HIM WITH FAILURE

MAKES HIM A LEADER

MOLDS HIM WITH MERCY

FORGIVENESS AND LOVE

GOD TAKES A SAUL

HEARD HEARTED AND RIGID

ONE WAY TO HEAVEN

THAT WAY IS HIS

THROWS HIM OFF HIGH HORSE

BLINDED, HE LEADS HIM

TO SEE HIS ERROR

CHANGING HIS COURSE

GOD TAKES A MOSES

BROUGHT UP IN PALACE

PRIVILEDGE AND PLENTY

WANTING FOR NAUGHT

LEADS HIM TO DESERT

GIVES HIM A PURPOSE

MAKES HIM REMEMBER

ALL HE’D FORGOT

GOD HAS A HABIT

HUMBLING THE SELF MADE

GOING THEIR OWN WAY

HARD TO APPROACH

MAKING THEM LEADERS

BROKEN BY FAILURES

CHANGING DIRECTIONS

AWAY FROM THEMSELVES

HARSH INTO TENDER

ROUGH INTO GENTLE

FEARFUL TO BOLDNESS

DRIVEN TO LED

LAMBS NOT AFRAID NOW

SHEEP TRUST TO FOLLOW

TO FEET OF JESUS

BECAUSE SELF IS DEAD

DLG   03/19/2010

O PRISONERS OF HOPE

TOO LONG YOU’VE BEEN BLINDED

BY ENEMY SMOKE

FEELING HELPLESS, ABANDONED

WITH NOWHERE TO TURN

YOU HAVE NOT REALIZED

HOW MY HEART YEARNED

RETURN TO YOUR FORTRESS

RETURN TO YOUR ROCK

RETURN TO SALVATION

RETURN TO YOUR GOD

DLG  03/19/2010

THAT YOU WOULD BLESS

WITH POETRY WHILE I WAIT

LIFE AND DEATH

SILENT REST

THEN BOTH SPRING FROM THE GATE

GENTLE JESUS, MIGHTY FATHER

SILENCING MY FEAR

UNAFRAID, I CELEBRATE

YOUR KINDNESS EVER NEAR

LIKE A MAGNET

YOU HAVE DRAWN ME

CLOSELY TO YOUR SIDE

FIERCENESS TOUCHED BY GRACE OF GOD

MAKES GENTLE PEACE ABIDE

DLG  03/18/2010

POEMS ON 3/18 & 3/22 WERE WRITTEN WHILE HUSBAND HAD TESTS & SURGERY FOR GIANT BRAIN ANEURYSM…HE’S A WALKING MIRICLE!

NERVES TWISTED INTO KNOTS

FACES STRAINED WITH WORRY

HANDS WRINGING, EYES ARE LOST

LEGS JUMPING TO THE JUKEBOX

OF ANXIETIES TUNES

NOT TOO MANY RESTING

IN THIS WAITING ROOM

YOU SIT HERE BESIDE ME

THERE’S COMFORT IN YOUR TOUCH

JUST TO KNOW YOU’RE STAYING

MEANS SO VERY MUCH

FOR I AM HERE WITH HUSBAND

BUT HUSBAND LIES ON CART

WITH ANEURYSM NEAR HIS BRAIN

THE UNKNOWN IN HIS HEART

YOU SIT HERE BESIDE ME

AND HUM A PEACEFUL TUNE

A LULLABY FROM YEARS GONE BY

THAT FILLS THE WAITING ROOM

PEOPLE START RELAXING

THE TV IS TURNED OFF

I OFFER SMILES OF KINDNESS

UNDERSTANDING FLOATS ALOFT

I LISTEN TO A STORY

I SHARE A BIT OF FOOD

SUDDENLY I NOTICE

A SHIFTING IN THE MOOD

A NURSE COMES IN LAUGHING

JOKING WHILE WE WAIT

NONE CAN RESIST THE SPLASHING

OF LAUGHTERS SUBTLE WAVE

YOU SIT HERE BESIDE ME

AND IT IS CLEAR TO ALL

REST WINS OVER COFFEE

PEACE WINS OVER ALL

WORRY, STRESS AND FRETTING

DOESN’T CHANGE A THING

EXCEPT TO SHORTEN TEMPERS

AND INVITE THE DARKNESS IN

I WILL PASS IT FORWARD

INSTEAD OF PAYING BACK

THIS PEACE THAT YOU BROUGHT WITH YOU

THAT FILLS UP EVERY LACK

I WILL NOT BE STINGY

HOARD IT FOR MYSELF

KEEP IT IN MY POCKET

OR HIDE IT ON A SHELF

SINCE IT IS NO SECRET

YOU KNEW WE WOULD BE HERE

I HAVE MY ASSIGNMENT

YOU HAVE SPOKEN CLEAR

FROM AFRICAN CAB DRIVER

LONGING FOR HIS HOME

TO NURSES AND DOCTORS

CARETAKERS  FEEL ALONE

MY PEACE WILL BE A WITNESS

THAT YOU, O GOD, ARE REAL

THAT YOU ARE HERE

THAT FAITH IS CLEAR

THAT ONLY YOU CAN HEAL

DLG  03/18/2010