Weighed down
By our sin and suffering,
You sweated blood.
How did you persevere?
Knowing the evil within us,
You still loved us.
Having mercy,
You forgave.
You healed.
Confronting evil,
You were crucified.
Freely laying down your life,
You took it up again.
Savior of the world,
Save us!
Jesus my redeemer,
Healer of all wounds,
Strength amidst our weakness,
Defense against our doom.
Breath that brings refreshment,
Song that calms the soul,
Heart that brings forgiveness,
Words that make us whole.
Teaching us Your wisdom,
Holy Spirit’s gift —
Sacrificed all for us,
From hell our souls does lift.
Victor over evil,
Vanquished Satan’s power,
Present in our suffering,
In our darkest hour.
Evil has no power
When you present are.
Help us to remember
Your presence every hour.
No one else could make me see,
My faults, my failings,
Without embarrassing me.
I suddenly
Came face to face
With my selfishness.
I still don’t know
If I see it all.
Lord, when the feelings end,
And things are still the same,
It takes some faith
For feelings great,
To love without pretense.
When things seem all awry,
When it’s so hard to try,
Must just express
Some bitterness,
And then let bitterness die.
Who did I think you were
That you should meet all needs?
You’re just a person
Whom I conversed with —
Not God, to Whom I plead.
Warmth in the cold — how often do we take it for granted?
A fire, a heater in our home, a warm jacket, a cap that covers our head and ears, a warm scarf, socks and shoes or boots, blankets, quilts, or comforters. And how about the warmth of a smile, a hug, a gentle voice, a forgiving or encouraging friend?
I once stayed a weekend at a cabin in Grass Valley, California. All the heating, cooking, and hot water was produced by burning wood. On mornings there would be a designated person who got up first and got the fire going for heating the cabin. People took turns because it wasn’t so pleasant getting up in the cold. Then, if you wanted to get clean in the shower, water had to be heated by burning wood. Cooking was a lot more work, too. In the United States and other places, we take our electric or gas heaters and ovens for granted.
So today, let’s be grateful for warmth. And Lord, help us to offer your warmth to someone today.
Don’t throw it all away …
So you’ve messed up,
You’ve screwed up —
Keep your head up.
Don’t throw it all away …
In your anger, in your pride,
Don’t allow the pain inside
The truth to override.
Don’t throw it all away …
Life’s too precious,
Infectious;
God’s perfecting us.
Don’t throw it all away …
God still loves you,
He’ll protect you;
Don’t listen to what others say.
The backbiters,
The infighters,
The naysayers,
The faith slayers.
Don’t listen to the “no” sayers.
It’s not up to them or you.
Surely God’s word is true.
Don’t believe lies
And don’t compromise.
The fact that He loves you,
The truth that He died for you,
His heart surely burns for you,
You must let Him live in you.
Today I see Your beauty,
An ever-changing sight,
But really just a shadow —
Creation mirrors Your light.
The wonders You have fashioned
Are merely slightest glimpse
Of Your majestic glory,
Your awesome pow’r intense.
The roaring river waters,
The waves that rise and fall,
The quietness of shallows,
The soaring eagle’s call.
But sure Your greatest wonder,
The utmost height of all,
Is how You love Your creatures,
Though oft’ we gravely fall.
clarakatalin 
“For everyone has sinned …”
Once I was watching a documentary about the Nuremberg Trials (in which prominent Nazis were on trial for World War II war crimes). A Jewish man who was present related how he suddenly fainted during the testimony of one of the accused. When asked why he fainted, he said, “Suddenly I realized that I, too, was capable of the same horrible actions.”
We ALL need forgiveness. We cannot do any good without God’s help.
“For everyone has sinned; we all fall short of God’s glorious standard.” (Romans 3:23)
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