From My Heart & Soul

Because They Served

2011-04-13T20:54:00.000-04:00

We live in a Country forged by the blood
of proud patriots through the years
who marched into battle for freedoms cause
giving all never swayed by fears
From Valley Forge to Gettysburg
from Germany to Japan
our military shed their blood
for the freedom of many a land
Though now we face a greater threat
from the likes of cowards no less
Still our flag will wave o'er the land of the free
as onward our Patriots Press

Friend

2010-07-03T09:39:00.009-04:00

I am not religious either. Religion is people reaching up to God, Christianity is God reaching down to people. I am a Christian.

Unfortunately, there are so many hypocrites in the Christian community that it gives a lot of people the opinion we're all like that and it is too bad because the majority are truly committed to their faith.

To use an analogy, the few rotten apples should not spoil the whole basket.

I pray for you because I know you're hurting and nothing you say will convince me otherwise. The reason I believe this is because you carry so much anger with you and you don't have to. Wouldn't you like to feel peaceful and calm most of the time? I'm not saying you don't have a right to get angry but it seems to be such an overwhelming force in your life. Who hurt you so much that you turned your back on what you once knew?

There is a lot to be said for the sense of peace and hope you get from knowing that God in heaven loves you. Even if you don't love him he loves you. Your name was known to him, before you were born, he's just waiting for you to call on him to give you the comfort your soul is crying out for. Bad things in this life happen to all of us and make us question "If there was a God why would he allow this to happen" and the truth is that it is not always easy to explain and much of the time we will not get the answer in this lifetime.

Trusting in the creator, faith so deep it is unshakable is a life changing experience. There is so much cynicism in the world today that some people just cannot let themselves trust in a faithful God. I have seen so many lives changed for the better because they let the Lord take control. So, even if you say you're not religious at all, I think somewhere deep inside, your soul is crying out for that firm foundation to stand upon. God created you and he knows what you are going through and you don't have to go it alone. That is the key, all you have to do is use it to open the door to your heart and let him in.

I hope you realize it is only because I care about you that I am saying these things. If you think, I over stepped my bounds, I apologize for that but not for believing what I wrote. I've come to know you a little and would like to know you more but girl, you need to calm down. Life is way to short to let the bad things overshadow the good.

You are a generous soul, God gave you that gift. There is much good in you but you let the anger boiling below the surface distract from who God created you to be. You get things done, if you would use that for Him, I believe your life would be blessed beyond measure.

Okay, so enough preaching for one day. But know I care and will continue to pray that your heart softens toward the concept of faith and hope in the designer of the universe. I love your smiling face, there is so much good there.

Hope we're still friends because I really do care.

Love Marlene

God's Garden

2010-04-10T02:16:00.002-04:00

In my garden, God lives.

Each flower whispers His name

The air is filled with a fragrance

to which only He can lay claim.

He talks to me in my garden.

in the rustle of branches He’s there.

His beauty mirrored in flowers,

that with us He has chosen to share

He walks with me in my garden,

leaving His prints all around

In the grass waving on breezes,

He greets me without a sound.

In my garden God brings renewal

with a colorful show every spring

An explosion of perfume and petals

a promulgation of love from the King.

LOVE WAS A CROSS

2010-02-18T09:00:00.006-05:00

The flagellum in the soldier’s hand,
straps of leather tipped with lead,

shredded the skin of our Savior’s back,
thorns had yet to pierce His head.

Weak from the beating and loss of blood,
our Lord slumped to the ground,

as they threw a robe on His open wounds,
Jesus uttered not a sound.

The soldiers mocked this “King of the Jews”
placing a stick in His hand

“This for a scepter,” the Roman said,
as Jesus struggled to stand.

A crown of thorns upon His head
completed the travesty

as they pressed it deep into His scalp,
because of you and me.

The blood ran in rivulets down His face

as they taunted and beat our Lord

yet still Jesus uttered not a word,
while the soldiers were growing bored.

Tiring of their sadistic sport
they ripped the robe from His back,

tearing open His wounds again
and with searing pain He was wracked.

Showing no mercy they tied the beam,
on His shoulders, bare and torn

And led the procession to the hill
where true mercy would be born.

His human muscles could bear no more,
as He crumpled to the ground,

no longer could He carry the wood
to which He had been bound.

Pushed beyond His endurance,

bleeding and in shock,

He’d soon fulfill His purpose
to free God’s chosen flock.

Though He was barely able to walk
the soldiers gave Him no rest,

on the road to His crucifixion,
where for us He’d give His best.

Arriving at Golgotha,
His death was drawing nigh

as they threw our Lord upon the beam
and held the hammer high.

The soldiers were following orders
as they nailed Him to the wood

the King of all creation
was dying for our good.

They drove a nail through each of His wrists

and one through both of His feet,

this pain He suffered for our sake,
so that one day Him we’d meet.

Hours and hours of limitless pain,
He struggled for each breath
as those who had condemned God’s son
stood waiting for His death.

A chill crept through His tissues
and He knew the end was near,

His mission, was completed,
atonement now was here.

Jesus whispered, “It is finished,”
and then this His final cry,

“Father! Into thy hands I commend my spirit,”
and for our sake He died.

They took him from the cross of love

and laid him in the grave

covered the entrance with a stone
to seal him in the cave.

But three days later an empty tomb
was all that Mary found

for Jesus was no longer there,
he was no longer bound.

He has won the victory
o’er death and sin and shame

for every person on this earth
who calls upon his name.

Season of Hope

2010-01-03T19:32:00.001-05:00

It is the season of resolutions, new beginnings,
bright shining dreams

It is the time to put away the past, look forward,
and spread our wings

To learn from the trials of the year gone by

and set forth to make tomorrow a season of great things

We cannot change yesterday but from it
we can learn what not to do

Remember what was good, what touched our hearts
and what gave us pause

Look to the future casting our cares to the God who created us

Rise up for what is right and true and stand strong when there is cause

Whatever lies ahead is uncharted territory,
tomorrow will be today if we get there

Today will be yesterday, tomorrow, and on and on it goes

So why not seek the adventure,
look forward, not behind

for none of us can change the future which God already knows

Let us begin this new year with joy in our hearts
that no man can quash

setting out to make this a season of unfettered hope

with no allowance for those
who wish to dampen our spirit

knowing that in all circumstances we will cope

This year begins anew, surrender sorrows,
let go of heartaches, dry the tears

Leave last years burdens behind, this year will have its own

If something scares you, confront it, overcome it,

This year, lead with your heart,
experience love you’ve never known

Without God nothing truly good is gained
and life is shallow, meaningless, empty

He is truth, a morality check, a compass to lead the way

He is ridiculed, considered a crutch, dimissed by many

But if you let Him
He will help you through each day

Yes it’s a new year, full of opportunities,
chances to be better then our past

To put others before ourselves just because it feels good

To see the light in anothers eyes and know that somehow
you helped to put it there

Forgive, forget, live, love, laugh, understand and be understood

Let us conquer the mountains, walk the valleys,
wade through the waters,

travel the path set before us
and shout so all men will hear,

that we choose to live with a purpose

unshackled, unhampered, unwilling to fear

Merry CHRISTmas To All

2009-12-03T23:40:00.006-05:00

Merry CHRISTmas To All

He was born in a stable, lowly and meek

a servant, the Savior for all who would seek

the pure chosen lamb, whiter then snow

came into the world for all men to know.

Why did He come here, why did He die?

Was it the truth or was it a lie?

HIStory taught over two thousand years

allays any doubt, allays any fears.

God sent us a gift in the form of His Son

to defeat the destroyer, THE BATTLE IS WON

His reason for being rings clear as a bell,

to save us from sin, to keep us from Hell

No present is greater nor could ever be

than Christ who was given for you and for me

Jesus the King came down from His throne

to give all a chance, to become His Own.

At this time of the year we remember His birth

but it’s time we also remember His worth.

For the meaning it seems has been taken away

by those who are telling us what we should say

Merry Christmas, no longer spoken in schools

They’ve made it quite clear that is breaking the rules

Happy Holidays, these words now ring in our ear

but from me Merry Christmas is what you will hear

The Savior of all, came to earth for mankind

His mission of love part of God’s grand design

So say Merry Christmas and don’t be afraid
for CHRIST is the reason this season was made.

The Balloon has landed

2009-11-13T22:23:00.003-05:00

Lifting off so slowly,

no sense of speed or height

rising ever upward
joyous at the sight

Serenity, beauty, peace and calm

as we floated effortlessly
over amish farmlands
a majestic tapestry

Carried aloft on the breath of God
so softly through the air
gazing into the distance
suspended without a care

A gentle breeze upon my skin
a kiss from my creator
for a moment breathless at the thought
that Heaven will be greater

To be able to fly for a moment
just as a bird on the wing
must be like soaring in a balloon
or nearly the closest thing

So now I say to each of you
who is trying to decide
do I have the nerve to try this
I say jump in the basket and ride.

This life on earth is far too short
and there’s so much left to do
now get out there and face your fears
I did and you can too.

Face your Fears - Prelude

2009-10-23T14:58:00.000-04:00

Do one thing that scares you every day,

Eleanor Roosevelt said.

So I decided to face my fears

I think I’ve lost my head!

But since I told my husband this

he’s testing my resolve

convincing me to take a cruise
to him one problem solved.

Apparently, he wants to see
just how much I’ll do.

To face the things that scare me

so now there’s something new.

Hot air balloons how beautiful

but take a ride in one?

I never thought I’d do this,

to him it sounds like fun.

How he convinced me I’m not sure

but we’ve already set the day

November 8th were skyward bound
in a basket, up, up and away.

to be continued.......

Crowning Jewel

2008-12-19T13:29:00.004-05:00

Oh Holy child of humble birth
born to die for me,
from heaven came you down to earth.
to set this sinner free.
Your heart of mercy overflowed
upon this wretched mass,
though to this soul was nothing owed,
you pulled me from death’s grasp.
Sweet little babe of Bethlehem
God’s gift to one and all,
His crowning jewel, his precious gem
has saved me from the fall.
Secured within your loving arms
to never feel death’s chill,
this grateful child is free from harm,
held safely in your will.
Though unworthy I may be,
your love by far outweighs
the sin within the heart of me
and will for all my days.
How blessed am I to know such love,
in a world of so much hate.
My Savior sent from up above,
has opened heaven’s gate.

A Mother's Love

2008-11-15T08:39:00.008-05:00

My life has been forever changed
since you came to be.
Everything I thought I knew
now only a mystery.

How can such a tiny child
my world turn upside down,
fill me with such tenderness,
make a smile erase a frown?

This beating heart no longer mine
you’ve stolen it from me,
anchored firmly in your grasp
never to be set free.

I’d take your pain upon myself
shield you from all sorrow,
was it I who had the wheel
and control was mine to borrow.

So I trust you to the care,
of God your true creator,
assured am I His love for you
is ever so much greater.

He has a plan fit just for you,
though we are not to know
and he will guide and follow you
wherever you may go.

Throughout your life when sorrows come
my heart will be at peace
because I know that through it all
His love will never cease.

In Stillness

2008-10-19T19:59:00.007-04:00

So many times I’ve called on you
when in the midst of pain
and wondered if you really cared
through times of ceaseless rain

So many times I doubted you
How much more could I bear
At times when everything looked bleak
it seemed you weren’t there.

So many times down on my knees
I knew you heard my cries
but still I let the doubts creep in
and listened to the lies

I prayed that I could just be still
I knew I had a choice
I prayed that I could just let go
and listen for your voice

Why God did it take so long
for me to clearly see
that even when you’re far away
you still are near to me

Why God did I ever doubt
my prayers were being heard
I knew how much you loved me
It says so in your word.

So Father now on bended knee
I ask you to forgive
This child of yours but once again
for I so want to live,

a life no longer doubting you
Lord take away my shame
and fill me the hope of Christ
who took away my blame.

Women of Faith Conference

2008-09-22T18:38:00.006-04:00

When first I heard of the conference,

I wasn’t moved to go
I had a thousand reasons why

but none made sense, you know?

I told myself I had no time,

I’d probably get sick in the van
Could I afford the time off work

and a voice said “yes you can”.

When I start hearing voices,

I figure it’s God telling me
to step out of my comfort zone

and it might just set me free

It always pays to listen to God,

the conference brought joy to my soul
as the speakers shared what God desires,

so each woman in him may be whole

Patsy Clairmont kept us laughing,

while helping us understand
about the emotional journey,

that for women is part of God’s plan

Sheila Walsh and Sandi Patty,

testified of the God they love
Singing to him in joyful praise,

as if angels sang out from above

Nicole C. Mullen was “rockin the house”,

when she sings you can’t stay in your seat
Leaving no doubt that it’s God she serves,

she has everyone on their feet

Seventeen thousand women,

gathered in one place
worshipping the God we serve,

hearing of Infinite Grace

Women from all walks of life,

joined in one accord
Laughing, singing, praising God,

in the presence of our Lord

Those of us from DPC

who attended Last weekend's event
Came away blessed and renewed,

knowing our time was well spent.

So women I encourage you

if you’ve ever the chance to go
Pack your bags, hop in the van,

you’ll be more blessed then you know.

Let go and let God...

2008-09-13T16:24:00.014-04:00

Although you may amass silver and gold

and have treasure fit for a king,

although you've the wealth of the world in your hands,

yet still you crave one more thing.

Your life has been measured in how much you own.

Your power is felt far and wide.

You are the envy of all of your peers,

but still you are empty inside.

The quest for possessions consumes all your days,

nothing have you been denied.

Your heart has experienced pleasures untold,

and still you are living a lie.

Having great wealth was your goal from the start

and you have surpassed all your dreams,

but still you can find no contentment or peace,

how meaningless everything seems.

All your possessions cannot fill the void.

You have lost much more then you've won.

What can you do to find peace in your soul

when cares leave you wanting to run?

Success you have found but what have you lost

while striving to get to the top?

Most of your time has been spent in a race

that some day will come to a stop.

When you close your eyes at the end of the day,

does sleep to you sweetly come,

or does your abundance permit you no sleep,

is the load of your wealth burdensome?

When will your eyes be content with your wealth?

Has your life become one long sigh?

When will you see that what matters the most
is not something money can buy?

You've spent so many years chasing after a dream

but your face wears a permanent frown.
Have you asked yourself why it is never enough?

Do you wonder if peace can be found?

All of your riches will be left behind

when your days on this earth are through.

Why accumulate more then you need?

In the end you can't take it with you.

Though the ways of this world may be worthless,

there is wealth in the heavenly realm.

Riches abundant in God’s risen Son

will be yours with Christ at the helm.

Through Jesus you'll find true joy will be yours

when his peace and love flood your soul,

setting you free from the burden of sin

when at last you relinquish control.

Deleted

2008-07-05T11:29:00.008-04:00

If I’d been given just a chance
I might have been the one
to find a cure for cancer
there’s much I could have done.

I might have composed symphonies
of joyful celebration
and shared my music with the world
for future generations.

I might have had a brilliant mind
and cured the common cold
or maybe even found a way
to delay growing old.

I might have been a surgeon
and saved lives every day
or maybe Pastor of a church
and preached salvation’s way.

I might have been a teacher
and taught someone to read
or been a missionary
out sowing Christian seed.

I might have been a loving wife
with children of my own,
I might have been a husband,
instead of an unknown.

But since our country made it law
I’m no more then a choice
and many millions just like me
will never have a voice.

My Child

2008-05-07T19:02:00.006-04:00

I love you child with a lasting love
and so to you I give
someone to show you how I feel,
who'll teach you how to live.

I'll give her many talents
to help you through the years,
she'll be your nurse, your teacher
and always calm your fears.

She will protect you fiercely
and guide you every day
and when you are away from her
how very hard she'll pray.

To see you safe and happy
will be her lifelong quest,
and so she'll seek my guidance
because I know what's best.

She'll share with you a kind of love
that's not like any other.
Her love for you will always be,
I think I'll call her "Mother"

The Joys of Being a Grandparent

2008-03-29T16:23:00.004-04:00

Our children are a precious gift sent from our God above
and as they grow we do our best to fill their lives with love
From babies who depend on us to meet their every need
To teens who do their very best to challenge us indeed

We do our best to raise them well, to teach them what is true
praying they will seek our God to guide them their lives through
As anyone will tell you who’s ever raised a child
it isn’t always easy, at times it’s even wild

But then they go out on their own and the cycle starts anew
and someday they will find the one whose love for them is true
Somebody who will love them through the good times and the bad
and then before you know it they’ll be the mom and dad

They will then be parents with a journey of their own
and you and I grandparents knowing love we’ve never known
Now that I’ve been so serious let’s see the lighter side
And take a look at our new role with our eyes open wide

Grandchildren are God’s gift to us to cherish and enjoy,
little ones to spoil and love, then give them back “oh boy”!
Our children will have rules of course when asking us to sit
and mostly we will listen but we may stray a bit.

We’ll probably give them more sugar then we’d ever have given our own
Then send them home to mom and dad and disconnect our phone
With a glimmer in our eyes, we’ll watch them drive away
“Maybe we shouldn’t have done that”, you will never hear us say

Fallen Heroes

2008-03-27T19:52:00.006-04:00

Through out the years where battles raged it was there they chose to be
to serve a higher purpose they fought to keep us free
Leaving those they loved behind, to fight on distant shores
but still they did it willingly to open freedom’s doors

They gave their all that we might live in a land where freedom rings
They fought, they fell but not for naught, t’was for us they did these things
They wanted so to come back home to the people that they loved
but God had other plans for them as he reached down from above

He said it’s time for you to rest, you’ve made your Country proud
Because of you and what you did freedom’s bell rings loud
So enter now where there is love, come step inside my gates
I’ve brought you home to perfect peace where love and joy awaits

For all of those left here to grieve, for the price that you have paid
from our hearts, we thank you deeply, for the sacrifice you made
Your soldiers deserve to be honored, to be held in high esteem
for they have made it possible to live the American dream

So in your grief fierce, dark and deep, please know how much we care
and know that you are not alone in the sorrow that you bear
We’ll not forget your loved ones, they’re the reason we are free
We HONOR OUR FALLEN HEROES, who gave all for you and me

My Strength

2008-03-26T21:01:00.006-04:00

You tell me faith is for the weak that only fools believe.
You tell me that there is no God and that I’ve been deceived.

You say that all of life evolved, and from the mire took shape,
I say that from your heart of sin you’re trying to escape.

You tell me that my faith’s a crutch and that it cripples me,
I say to you, my faith sustains, it’s made me whole and free.

For years, like you, I ran from God, I struggled on my own,
searching for some purpose, trapped in my comfort zone.

If I was to believe God’s word so much would have to change
so much of life as I had known I’d have to rearrange.

No longer could I focus on the worldly ways I knew.
Instead I learned to look to God to teach me what to do.

Like you, I always wanted more, I thought “things” gave me joy
but then I saw that discontent was surely Satan’s ploy.

Realizing happiness was not in what I owned
I gave my life to Jesus Christ, who for my sins atoned.

Through His selfless sacrifice He paved the way for man
to enter into paradise, Jehovah-jireh’s plan.

Jehovah-Jireh
The Lord Will Provide
Genesis 22:14

Why

2008-03-26T19:53:00.008-04:00

Why aren't we responsible for the things we do or say?
It doesn't matter who gets hurt as long as we get to play.

Do what you want but don't get caught and if you do, deny.
Never admit that you were wrong, just tell another lie.

Babies thrown in garbage cans because we have "The Choice".
Children by the millions who will never have a voice.

(Baby Samuel reaching for Life from his mother's womb)

Who knows how many Einsteins or Mozarts we have killed.
How many more will have to die? How much more blood be spilled?

Children are taking guns to school. Should we be surprised?
They see us killing babies. Does it matter then Who dies?

Vision

2008-03-23T15:19:00.007-04:00

The vastness of the universe
our sight cannot contain.
His infinite expansive realm
mere mortals can't explain.

This body He has given us,
it's intricate design,
is far beyond the scope of man's
conception to define.

We're given eyes with which to see
all that He has conceived,
yet walk through life with blinders on,
sightless and deceived.

We shut our eyes to His design,
and claim it's happenstance.
We say that life, in all it's forms,
crawled from the soup by chance.

How can we gaze at star filled skies
that show no end in sight
and not believe there is a God
who sent to us the Light?

His Presence

2008-03-19T20:43:00.008-04:00

In my garden, God lives.
Each flower whispers His name.
The air is filled with a fragrance
to which only He can lay claim.

He talks to me in my garden.
In the rustle of branches He's there.
His beauty mirrored in flowers,
that with us He has chosen to share.

He walks with me in my garden.
leaving His prints all around.
In the grass waving on breezes,
He greets me without a sound.

In my garden God brings renewal,
with a colorful show every spring.
An explosion of perfume and petals,
a promulgation of love from the King.