Rain on the roof,
Clothes on my back;
It’s dry inside,
Though it’s only a shack.
Wind’s blowin’ hard,
But I do not fear —
Six layers of clothes
Do bring me good cheer.
The demons attack —
They make my thoughts jumble.
But through prayer and fasting,
The enemy crumbles.
Be not afraid;
You have what you need.
To God and His promises
We all must take heed.
God grants the rain,
The stars, sun, and moon.
Give thanks and give praise,
For He’s coming soon.
[I wrote this after I had an infected kidney stone episode on 2/2/2023. An infected kidney could lead to sepsis. Was in hospital two nights. Doctor put a stent in and drained the infection. 2/14/2023 — Kidney stone and stent removed. Much better now!]
I praise you, O Lord,
For you have rescued me from the path to death.
Once, twice, and three times now,
And perhaps many more that I’m not aware of.
I thank You for those who are healers —
Doctors, nurses, nurse aides, and their helpers.
Please guide them in their work
And give them Your wisdom.
Now, Lord, help me learn from this.
May I take the best care of my body,
The temple of Your Holy Spirit.
May I use my good health
To heal others with the gifts You’ve given me —
Mostly encouragement, I think!
[I also pray to have the gift
To praise You
Right in the midst of any hardship,
For You have a plan for me.]
May Your name be praised
Over all the earth!
Pleading with you, Lord —
The world at times seems cold,
My courage less than bold.
Emptiness does threaten,
The world my spirit dampens;
Please let a new thing happen.
I cling to You in trust,
My faith in You a must,
Till I go down to dust.
Deep down, there’s something solid
Since childhood I have followed —
Your Name, may it be hallowed.
Though many times I’ve wandered;
My talents I have squandered,
But then, forgiveness pondered.
Your love; I don’t deserve it,
So let me be Your servant,
And sing Your praises fervent.
Who are You? Divine are You.
A mystery to me.
So great and vast Your universe;
I can but humble be.
Who are You, Who makes the stars
And tender flowers that bend
Under a gently fragrant breeze,
Or continents can rend?
Who are You Who stirs my heart
Though it be calloused with sin?
Who resurrects my deadened soul
And new life brings within?
Who can bring the dead to life
And heal a broken heart?
Who can kindle love within,
When hatred was the start?
Who is He Whom angels sing,
To Whom the great hosannas ring,
Who brings all hope to suffering,
He is the great, the Most High King!
All glory, honor, let us bring!
Jesus, help me love You,
Help me live for You each day,
Put my life into Your hands,
With faith keep fear away.
Help me see the beauty
You made for me each day.
Recognize Your glory
In things that come my way.
See You in each moment,
In the clouds and sun.
See You in disguises
That all around me come.
See Your plan so awesome,
In joy and sadness praise.
See you both in drudg’ry
And pleasant things each day.
Put my trust completely
In Your plan so great.
Let me tell Your story
So all can contemplate.
Light in the darkness,
Peace in the storm;
In wretched stable
Our Savior was born.
Forgiveness for sinners,
Hope for the lost;
Hatred now broken —
At unmeasured cost.
Love brought to sinners,
The ugly made whole;
To broken and battered
He shows heaven’s door.
Friend to the unlovely,
The lost and forlorn —
Caught now in sin’s prison,
The fetters are torn.
Come, all you people;
Sing now His praise.
The One who will save us
Is Jesus by name.
If all the stars like dust were blown
From palm of God upon the earth,
And fell like snow into the night —
Their glitt’ring shine,
Their silent birth —
And whispered quiet melody
Of dancing angels
Far and wide,
Of tinkling, tiny, windy chimes —
They sing to me
Of happy times.
Oh, universe
Now will burst forth,
In praise and song
To God divine.
When dreams are dead
Men lose their heart,
And, like dead men,
They fall apart.
Inside, unseen,
Their souls like stone,
Bear calloused wounds,
Exist forlorn.
Let not dreams die —
Still deep inside,
Quench not the fire
Of hope alive.
Let Love somehow
Heal deepest wounds.
Let Jesus’ love
Break open tombs!
Then shout, and sing,
Our voices raise!
Hosannahs bring
In humble praise!
clarakatalin 