Grafted in and Grateful

Until you have something good to say
Don’t say it!
Concerning a need to pray
Pray it!
Upon finding something good to give
Give it!
Since there is always a reason to live
Live it!
Without desires in your heart
You can’t share it!
Out of the change you could spare
Spare it!
Concerning dreams deep inside
Unearth it!
Despite feeling unworthy
You’re worth it!
When you think you’re undeserving
You deserve it!
It it means the world to you
Preserve it!
If you desperately need a friend
Be one!
If you are alone and depressed
Seek one!
When you are tired and confused
Sleep on it!
If your emotions rule
Weep on it!
When you hear gossip about anyone
Don’t repeat it!
If it’s all you have left
Don’t deplete it!
When the gossip is about you
Ignore it!
If you find it repugnant
Abhor it!
With knowledge gained from God’s word
Teach it!
With wisdom gained from God’s word
Preach it!
When your mind races
Control it!
When a loved one is sad
Console it!
If something needs attention
Address it!
When something needs to be said
Express it!
If you’re tired of quitting
Complete it!
When negative thoughts usher in
Defeat it!
When someone needs a blessing
Bless it!
To get the point across
I stress it!

Fill the courageous heart with Your sword
Fill the sick with Your healing Lord
Fill the lonely with a precious friend
Fill the servant with good deeds to the end
Fill the mourner with Your presence, Your peace
Fill the comforter with Your Words that speak
Fill the broken-hearted with Your love
Fill the message with Your glory…send on wings of a dove
Fill the thirsty with Your Living Water
Fill the admirable with Your honor
Fill the deserving with Your highest esteem
Fill the creative with sweet visions, sweet dreams
Fill the mind with wisdom and understanding
Fill the body to carry out Your call’s demanding
Fill the mouth with words worthy to be heard
Fill the tongue with speech to convey Your Word
Fill the unyielding, unforgiving soul…with the same tolerance and grace that Your Mercy has shown
As we extol the highest of Honor and Glory… to You Lord
Standing in harmony with Your people… living one accord

I don’t remember much from the early years
Mostly from pictures or what I was told
Memories are much more vivid and clear
When the heart is warm, when it hasn’t grown cold

I can see our front porch swing
I smell red bud blossoms in the air
Life was so much simpler then
Growing up without a care

I remember Sunday Dinners
Every weekend after Church
Around Grandma’s kitchen table
Our entire family would converge

Often discussing the Pastor’s sermon
And how it should impact our life
Learning from our elders as we passed round
The bread and butter knife

I recall too, the Pastor’s visits
But for us kids, the only thing at stake
Was hanging round the table long enough
To sample Aunt Rada’s Strawberry Jam Cake

My mind’s eye see’s clover blossoms
I look at the ground where my Mom stares
Then bending down to pick it up, she gasps
“A four-leaf clover…would you look-a-there”!

We played simple games, finding images in the clouds
Hide and seek, kick ball and jack rocks
But we got just as much entertainment out of
Sliding on the hardwood floor in socks!

Visions of Sambo and Buffy
Our Tabby and Calico spring into view
The scent of Pine that engulfed Grandma’s house
Was it the Christmas Tree…or did Sambo pee – ew!

We donned rain boots, slickers and rain hats
Splashing and stomping in the puddles when it rained
Yes, these simple things to you may sound boring
Or to some even quite insane

But we had family, we had friends
I remember saying “We’re rich”!
When Mom let the girls hang love beads
Over our bedroom door in ’76

There were also times of discipline
So we knew NOT to cross the line
And if we ever did we could expect
A firm spanking on our behind!

I remember building forts out of boxes
Making tents from sheets hung on the clothes-line
This was what we called “down-to-earth” fun
And it didn’t cost a dime!

I can taste the glue from pasting trading “green stamps”
As we helped Mommy fill stacks of S&H Books
Redeeming them for all kinds of neat things
Even clothes-pin hooks

Saturday’s with Dad
Were teamed round the family car
Washing, scrubbing, waxing and buffing—
He kept the cleanest vehicle by far

I see my sisters swinging in the front porch swing
Time spent their was all about the songs
We’d sing and swing for hours on end
For the love of music–not for the applause

I think back to High School days and Basketball
To Cheerleading camp and Football games
My enthusiasm for those sports
Has never quite been the same

I’m mindful of those who led more charmed lives
Of those growing up in poverty too
With Family dynamics that weren’t very good
Could just as easily have been me or you

So I’m thankful for the love of my family
Without ALL of you I couldn’t imagine this life
A life filled with joy and contentment
Without too much adversity or strife

I’m thankful too that we are all still together
We can still call on each other–day or night
We are still making fond memories to share
In a future that still looks very bright

Sometimes I feel so all alone
Not many friends to call on
Mostly me and the dogs at home
I’ve always tried to be a friend
But apparently, sometimes my ways offend
It doesn’t seem to matter what I do
It doesn’t matter what I say
I manage to rub a few specific people
Completely the wrong way
Though not intentional
Because that’s not who I am
Then I turn inward
Critiquing my every move
Searching desperately to be approved
Looking for someone…anyone
To say I’ve done well
And for me to feel comfortable in my own shell!
Have you ever felt like this? Or is it just me?
You know some folks are just NOT going to like you
Regardless of how kind you try to be
No…they will stab you in the back
For no reason other than to see
If they can stir up trouble
Gossip and whispers take up their time
And even if you try
You will never be aligned
With their little circle of snide, sarcastic friends
That clamor together like little red hens
Pecking and biting away at your every move
Looking down their nose at you
Because they disapprove
Of your hair color, or the length of your skirt
Or the style of your high-heeled shoes
Where you live
The car you drive
Or where you didn’t go to school
Now take a step back, do you really care
What some Dixie chick thinks about what you wear?
Because there are many lonely souls
Searching for a friend like you
You won’t have to put on heirs
No! You’ll be accepted just for being You!
So discard those un-approving voices
Drown out the gossip and whispers little hens tell
Because you are a child of The Most High God
Approved…In your own shell!

(For my dear friend, Lori K. Weir)

Sitting on the sidelines
Longing to play
Then that old voice tells you
You can’t get in the game

It’s too late now
Your time has passed
Screams back at the girl
In the looking-glass

But you know she’s got potential
She always has
But she’s allowed that old voice
To direct her path

Down a broken road
Where hopes and dreams
Never turn out
They’re not what they seemed

No! You have to be responsible
You can’t take a risk
That old voice rants in her head
Telling her such as this

But she has personality plus
Full of poise and grace
And she’s dying for the opportunity
To raise the stakes

To risk something…anything
Upon the result
Of an uncertain event
For her is NOT difficult

To throw caution to the wind
When she feels anxious inside
To follow her heart
Falling into a dive

Head First!

Into the deep
Where the waters are turbulent atop of the sea
But diving deeper, much deeper below the surface she finds
What is meant to be is also aligned

With the calling
The Lord God placed on her heart
To live her life
Teaching others to impart

Their Spiritual Gifts
As their talents come alive
When they let go of fear
Falling into a dive!

Raise ‘em up Lord
Raise ‘em up
Children who will glorify Your name

Open their eyes to Your Word, Lord
Your protection and guidance can be claimed
Taking Your light into the world…Salvation they will proclaim

We need warriors that will fight for You, Lord
By getting down on their knees
An army of believers that love You, Lord…their hearts sealed by Your decrees

Raise ‘em up Lord, Raise ‘em up
Not to compromise or cowar
But to depend on You every hour

Raise ‘em up Lord, Raise ‘em up
Children who will
Glorify Your name

You will never lose when you obey God’s voice
In the midst of every temptation
God will always provide a choice

An alternative, a way out, a pathway… away from sin
Do you have the courage to say “No”
So you won’t fall into sin again

Ask yourself…what is the source of this tempting offer?
What are the consequences of this act?
Will you have to lay down all of your convictions…turning fallacy into fact?

Does the temptation require of you, to be disobedient to God?
Will you need an army of angels to poke you or to prod?
Or do you have the courage to say “No”…if the act goes against things of God?

We must say “No” to temptation
Become more aware of our disobedience to God
The consequences are always costly…when you agree with a wink and a nod!

Sometimes we hesistate for fear of rejection
Losing a relationship, or opportunity loss
Don’t forget these are the “worldly things” Jesus triumphed over on the cross!

Remember Jesus left His Holy Spirit
To help us stand against temptation
Our greatest defense is to cry out to God…speaking to Him through prayer and meditation

Trusting Him for our deliverance
Of past sin and present sin too
And to ask Him for the courage to say “No”

I will… will you?

The lips of Wisdom speak what is true
All the words of her mouth are just
She calls out with understanding
Hers is a voice you can trust

To the discerning, all of her words are right
They are faultless to those who have knowledge
Choose her instruction instead of silver or gold
For Wisdom deserves honor and homage

Wisdom dwells together with Prudence
She knows how to avoid distress
She possesses knowledge and discretion
To help you choose what is best

Counsel and Judgement belong to Wisdom
She hates arrogance, perverse speech and pride
By Wisdom, Kings reign and Princes govern
Riches and Honor are by her side

Wisdom walks in the way of righteousness
Along straight paths that are just
Bestowing wealth on those who love her
Making treasures full, for all who trust

The Lord brought forth Wisdom, as the first of His great works
She was anointed before the world began
She was there when God set the Heavens in place
When there were no oceans or sand

Blessed are those who keep her ways
Listen to her instruction…do not ignore it
Blessed is the man who listens to Wisdom
When she calls, take heed…Wisdom implores it!

Overwhelmed and overloaded
The devil in me’s “F” bomb exploded over the most trivial of things
That have no worth in Heaven above or here on earth
Why do we let little irritations take over our control?
Spewing filthy language, allowing Satan a foothold to eat away our inheritance
One “biting” irritation at a time
And to strip us from the Holy Life, Children of God are so inclined
Now guilt springs forth, in shame she hangs her head
Over the filthy language this Jesus Girl said
How can she claim to be one of God’s very own
When she falls repeatedly into the traps, Satan has sewn
But then she humbles herself before God’s Throne
Asking for forgiveness praying, He won’t disown this Jesus Girl
Who struggles every minute to live a life where sin isn’t in it
Where peace and harmony can always be found
Everywhere you look God’s children are around
What then should we make of repeated sin?
Can we ask forgiveness time and time again?
Yes!
He knew we would struggle
He knew we would fall again and again
That’s why He called this Jesus Girl and other’s like me
To share their faith walk for all people to see
That “perfection” is only found in God’s Son
Jesus alone lived the unblemished life
A life that we have won by putting our Faith in all Jesus did on the cross
Taking on every sin so we would not be lost
Yes, He knew we would struggle, He knew we would fail
So He offered His Grace, His mercy prevails over every sin…present, future or past
He took our punishment so we would not be cast into the Lake of Fire
Yes, He took all these imperfections
Anger, rage, frustration and disgust, repugnant behavior, so we must
Realize Jesus felt these emotions
But remained blameless from sin
He covered our inequities so we must commit to live
According to His Character, His Conduct and His Conversations
Even when we fall short we must strive to be a representation
Of the unconditional love Jesus extends through nail scarred hands
To all who will believe in Him, seeking to follow His commands

Have you heard Ashley Judd’s recital of East Tennessee native, Nina Donovan’s poem, entitled Nasty Woman? If you haven’t heard it…visit You Tube and search: “Ashley Judd rant”

Here’s a response from a West Tennessee native entitled “A Change of View”
– Marie H. Fitts

You can march and you can hate
Raise your fists… retaliate
Hold up signs with vulgar words
Express disdain to what you believe absurd

Yes, in this great Country, you have the right
The “Freedom of Speech”…to state your plight
The right to assemble in the street
Chanting mantras…indiscreet

Gather with thousands of your closest friends
Outspoken celebrities too can attend
Ashley Judd can recite “Nasty Woman” poetic verse
Fueling the fire in an attempt to coerce

All who would listen
To the author, (Nina Donovan)’s rant
Colluding with the message
Of her persuasive slant

But that very same freedom
Is extended to me
To speak the truth
Of what I see

A nation that does NOT fear God
Holding fast to the facade
Of liberty and justice… for all
Yet doesn’t exercise the full extent of its laws

To those who wonder why
No Social Security is left
It is because Roe v. Wade
Put our future tax payers to death!

A Nation that allows
The killing of its young
Includes “future celebrities”…like Madonna,
But their voices are unsung!

It’s also interesting to note
That over these past eight ‘Obama” years
Civilized Americans didn’t protest
Although we had many fears

No, we kept going to work
Paying taxes every day
Then we got down on our knees and
To The Lord, we prayed

For a “LEADER”
NOT a “Clinton” …or a “Bush”
But a PRESIDENT that would take command
And for our concerns… NOT to be hushed

We have enemies who hate us
For the very way of life
Most “Celebrities” lead
Yet, they don’t see that plight

No, they are outraged
At the idea of vetting the names
Of foreigners who might intend to harm us
…Therein lies the shame

Call it profiling, if you must
You can’t know what’s in a man’s heart
And it’s their motives
No one trusts!

America said “Give me your tired, your poor, your huddled masses
Yearning to breathe free.”
NOWHERE in the invitation stated
Our allegiance to you…should kill me!

Thus we are a nation divided
No longer “united” states
This division strikes a moral cord
Because there is much at stake

So I use my Freedom of Speech
Just like the protestor’s used
To let them know…I disagree
And that I believe they are confused

America was founded as
One nation under God
Now she is accountable for Generations of
Sparing the rod!

The Lord uses discipline
Revealing our sin
To deter the act
Of committing it again

This Country too
Needs much discipline
So that all of its children
Will enter in

The Glory of Heaven
Where Jesus sits at The Throne
Don’t let yourself be caught off guard
All nations will be overthrown

By The Lord God of Israel
Jehovah, The King of Kings
Yahweh, Master of the Universe
Creator of All Things!

So read these words again and again
I certainly hope you will
The “civilized” Americans live and breathe and
We are far “Greater” still

Because…

We’ve not forgotten our God
Though to you, He may be silent
He speaks loudly to the “Believer’s Heart”
Because of this…we will NOT riot

We put our faith in what is right and true
In all the words written in red
We put our hope in Jesus Christ
In everything that He said

He also said, “ Do not suppose that I have come to bring peace.” (Matthew 10:34-39)
No, Christ came to divide
As Believer’s in Christ, it is our responsibility
To make certain we are “ALL” on the same side

The biggest difference I see
Between folks like me and you
Is I’ve allowed Jesus to change my heart
As a result…it has changed my views