Just to Be Your Friend....

I am not asking for very much
Though to you it may seem my plan;
But right now, all I want is your life to touch
With a caring, tender hand.

To be that listening ear
That listens to all you have to say;
To be someone that will be near
And for you in humble heart pray.

To sing the song of your heart
When the words and tune you’ve lost;
To encourage you to reach the mark
Of a godly life no matter the cost.

Not to be someone that pulls you down
Or takes the place of the Lord;
But to remind you of the Friend you’ve found
In Jesus who has overcome the world.

I reach my hand out to thee
But your hand is still by your side;
I hope you’ll reach back to me
But it seems to me you don’t mind.

I only want to be your friend
Nothing more do I ask right now;
For the rest is in God’s hand
And He knows best and how.

To show you that someone cares
No matter what you’ve done or will become;
Who cherishes you and joy shares
And the Christian race to run.

So, will you reach back by and by
And answers to my hopeful call;
Of blooming the friendship tie
And together in Him stand true and tall?

I ask for nothing more, you see
To  be to you a true friend;
On sunny or cloudy days to be
Someone on who you can depend…

For the rest is in God’s hands
To fulfill as He sees best;
So I leave it up to Him to plan
But to be just your friend, I’ll be blessed!
By: Sabrina Kae Oliver
May 25th, 2012

My Front Porch View

In the early morning hours,

I gather up my Bible

and head out to my porch,

Where I am anything but idle.

I see God's mercies

And hear the sounds,

Of His glory and beauty

All around!

I look up

and there I see

a Rabbit running

wild and free.

He pauses here

and dashes there,

I see God's Wonders

Everywhere!

Worship begins

to fill my heart,

I read His Word

and my day does start.

I ponder as

the trees I see,

dancing in the wind

So blissful and free!

My spirit is alive

and Praise begins,

Father your Creation

brings a Hallowed Amen!

I look up

And see the sky,

all colors of blue,

White clouds floating by.

My spirit soars

As I read His Word,

I know beyond a doubt,

My prayers are being heard.

My front porch

has become a Sanctuary,

Where I meet my God

And there we tarry.

Surrounded by the Glory

of the Living King,

My Spirit rejoices,

and Inside Praises ring.

Each day I meet

My God out there,

On my Front Porch

Where He makes me aware!

And Through His eyes

I suddenly see,

That Nature was meant

To restore You and Me!

Lord you have created

This World for us,

Let us not miss the blessings

And in You, put our trust.

Wildlife, trees,

Flowers in bloom,

You have arranged all this

So doubt has no room!

It thrills my soul,

When a deer strolls by,

Those deep dark eyes,

All their needs, You supply!

I thank you

for my front porch view,

Where I sit and ponder

And share my thoughts with You!

© Mary Ann Trott, Alberta

July 21, 2011

Ye, Did it Unto The Least of These

We’re in a world so busy

People running everywhere.

Forever looking at our watches

Our minds racing with cares.

We never see that lonely man

Sitting on the street.

We don’t even notice that hungry lady

Struggling in the heat.

Children so needy

Filled with despair.

An old grandma rocking sadly

And no one cares.

We must remember

Jesus left us with a plea…

“Ye did unto the least of these

my brethren, ye did it unto me.”

So what about you?

What about me?

What about the lonely man

Sitting on the street?

Will you reach out

Without a shadow of doubt?

Will you love the least of these

And fulfill Jesus’ plea?

A smile for the lonely man sitting on the street.

A bit of food for the hungry lady struggling in the heat.

A hug for the children so full of despair.

A cheery voice for the old Grandma in the rocking chair.

This seems so simple

Such an easy thing to do.

Let’s reach out for the least of these

And for Jesus too.

© Danita Pergerson

July 1990

Because Of You

Because You picked me up, when I struggled to get through.
Because You healed my heart, when it was thrown and shattered.
Because You gave me hope, when it seemed so out of reach.
Because You filled me with peace, when chaos flowed through my veins.
Because You showed me the light, when there was only darkness.
Because You gave me comfort, when my voice cried out in pain.
Because You reassured me, when the doubts screamed in my head.
Because You kept me going, when there seemed nowhere to go.
Because You sustained me with strength, when weakness became all I knew.
Because You came and stayed, when everyone else turned around and left.
Because You gave me a purpose, when life seemed so pointless.
Because You restored my happiness, when life seemed to snatch it away.
Because You filled this emptiness, when the void echoed with loneliness.
Because You helped me let it all go, when I gripped the tightest to hold on.
Because You showed me the beauty of life, when the world showed me nothing but hate and corruption.

Because You gave me a better life, when the old one fought to come back.
Because I am nothing without You, nothing but a hopeless being.
Because only You could tear down my wall of pride, and instead build it back up with love and humbleness.
Because of all this, I give you my life Lord.
I will put all my fears and failures in Your hands, my worries that consume me, my pain that destroys me.
You were always there, even when I rejected You.
Because of all You are, my life, oh God, is yours.

© Jacqueline Burciaga

A Work of Purification Needed

   This morning I read in the book "Selected Messages" by Ellen G. White during my devotions, chapter 48, page 376-. It was a real blessing to me and I wanted to share it.
"Dear Brethren,
   For weeks I have not been able to sleep after half past three o'clock. My mind is deeply exercised in regard to our condition as a people. We ought to be far in advance of any other people on the earth because we have greater light and greater knowledge of the truth, which lays us under increased accountability to advance that light and not only to profess to believe the truth but to practice it. When we do practice the truth we are ten following Jesus, who is the light of the world; and if we as a people are not constantly elevating, becoming more and more spiritual minded, we are becoming like Pharisees--self-righteous--while we do not the will of God.
   We must have a greater nearness to God. Much less of self and much more of Jesus Christ and His grace must be brought into our EVERYDAY life. We are living in an important period of this world's history. The end of all things is at hand; the sands of time are fast running out; soon in heaven it will be said: "It is done" (Rev. 21:6) "He that is holy, let him be holy still", "he which is filthy, let him be filthy still" (Rev. 22: 11).
   Let our testimonies be sharpened; let us have a firmer hold on God. I cannot refrain from prayer at one, two, and three o'clock in the morning for the Lord to work upon the hearts of the people. I think of all heaven being interested in the work that is going on upon the earth. Ministering angels are waiting about the throne to instantly obey the mandate of Jesus Christ to answer every prayer offered in earnest, living faith. I think of how many who profess the truth are keeping it apart from their lives. They do not bring its sanctifying, refining, spiritualizing power into their hearts...

Living Below Our Privileges 
We are far from being the people God would have us to be, because we do not elevate the soul and refine the character in harmony with the wonderful unfolding of God's truth and His purposes. "Righteousness exalteth a nation: but sin is a reproach to any people" (Prov. 14:34). Sin is a disorganizer. Wherever it is cherished--in there is disorder, strife, variance, enmity, envy, jealousy, because of enemy of man and of God has the controlling power over the mind. But let the truth be loved and brought into the life, as well as advocated, and that man or woman will hate sin and will be a living representative of Jesus Christ to the world.
   The people claiming to believe the truth will not be condemned because they had not the light, but because they had great light and did not bring their hearts to the test of God's great moral standard of righteousness. The people who claim to believe the truth must be elevated by living it out. Real Bible religion must leaven the life, refine and ennoble the character, making it more and more like the divine model. Then will the home be vocal with prayer, with thanksgiving and praise to God. Angels will minister in the home and accompany the worshiper to the house of prayer.
   Let the churches who claim to believe the truth, who are advocating the law of God, keep that law and depart from all iniquity. Let the individual members of the church resist the temptations to practice evils and indulge in sin. Let the church commence the work of purification before God by repentance, humiliation, deep heart searching, for we are in the antitypical day of atonement--solemn hour fraught with eternal results.
   Let those who teach the truth present it as it is in Jesus. Under the subduing, sanctifying, refining influence would go forth from them to the world! Let the individual members of the church be pure, steadfast, unmovable, always abounding in the love of Jesus, and they will then be a light to the world. Let the men standing as watchmen and as shepherds of the flock proclaim the solemn truth, sound the note s of warning to all people, nations, and tongues. Let them be living representatives of the truth they advocate, and honor God's law by strict and holy compliance with its requirements, walking before the Lord in purity, in holiness, and a power will attend the proclamation of the truth that will reflect light everywhere."

Wit's End Corner

Are you standing at “Wit’s End Corner,”

Christian, with troubled brow?

Are you thinking of what is before you,

And all you are bearing now?

Does all the world seem against you,

And you in the battle alone?

Remember—at “Wit’s End Corner”

Is just where God’s power is shown.

Are you standing at “Wit’s End Corner,”

Blinded with wearying pain,

Feeling you cannot endure it,

You cannot bear the strain,

Bruised through the constant suffering,

Dizzy, and dazed, and numb?

Remember—at “Wit’s End Corner”

Is where Jesus loves to come.

Are you standing at “Wit’s End Corner”?

Your work before you spread,

All lying begun, unfinished,

And pressing on heart and head,

Longing for strength to do it,

Stretching out trembling hands?

Remember—at. “Wit’s End Corner”

The Burden-bearer stands.

Are you standing at “Wit’s End Corner”?

Then you’re just in the very spot

To learn the wondrous resources

Of Him who faileth not:

No doubt to a brighter pathway

Your footsteps will soon be moved,

But only at “Wit’s End Corner”

Is the “God who is able” proved.

—Antoinette Wilson

Ok Lord.....I'm Yours!! Letting go daily, and letting God! May every footstep that I take be ordered by the Lord! Living in Christ to the fullest is the way I want to live for eternity! Shining in His light, bestowing to others His love and showing in my life His true character!!

Letting Go...

When you know you must let go

And walk away maybe forever:

What will happen you don’t know

But to look back you must never.

You must lay it all down

And let Jesus have full control;

Know the peace that in Him is found

Trusting through all, your joy will be full.

~

You must realize what matters

What’s most important to you;

And let fall to the ground those fetters

So you may be free and found true.

~

You must let God have the pen

Letting Him write your story;

Not only in word, my friend

But in action ever to give Him glory.

~

After letting go of my dream

Willing for anything to come;

It wasn’t as hard as it first did seem

And as easy as to some.

~

Oh but the joy that fills my heart

No word can be spoken to tell;

It wasn’t there to start

But Jesus knew all would be well!

By: Sabrina Kae Oliver

September 9th, 2012

God Has a Plan

Before me lies the unknown

A road to be traveled, yet not alone;

What shall come my way

Of that, I cannot see today.

~

Even though I can’t see

What tomorrow holds for me;

There is One, Maker of all

Jesus, to Him I answer the call.

~

It’s not to know the future

Or what shall come for sure;

But only to trust Him in the dark

And to reach the high mark.

God has a plan

Of which I don’t understand;

But it is alright, you see

Because He is holding me.

~

It’s not that I need to know

Just how things will go;

But that He is ever holding my hand

And He will fulfill His perfect plan.

By: Sabrina Kae Oliver

September 1st, 2013