Perfect Vision

Posted on March 6, 2014 by dforchrist

Perfect Vision

You called me out to take a walk
Upon the crashing waves.
I boldly took a step or two,
For I know my God saves.
When both my eyes and heart were set
Exclusively on You,
I walked with strength above the waves
As You called me to do.
But then, just for an instant,  I
Allowed my gaze to roam.
I fixed my eyes upon the storm
And how the sea did foam.
I saw just how impossible
The task I’d started was!
The waves were strong; my faith grew weak.
I know that’s what fear does.
I sank beneath the roiling waves
That battered my poor heart,
But You reached out and pulled me up
Before my prayer could start.
If only I’d stayed fixed on You,
I could have found the Way.
Please help me, Lord, to keep my eyes
And heart on You each day.

(c) 2014 Denise McKenney

Posted from WordPress for Android

Feel free to print, share or repost anything on this blog. I do ask that you let me know if you use one of my poems on your blog or at your church somehow. It might give me an idea of better ways to spread His words, which I am always looking to do. And of course, always keep the copyright symbol and my name with the poem so I continue to have the right to use them. You may not realize that if something is posted enough times without the copyright notice, I could lose the copyright and then someone else could conceivably file for a copyright and I would no longer be able to use my own poems! It has happened, so please make sure the (c) is always on the poem whenever you repost. Thanks!

God bless,
Denise McKenney

Posted in Poem | 1 Comment

His Grace Abounds

Posted on March 2, 2014 by dforchrist

The sins of Adam and of Eve
Condemned the human race.
To death and sin, corruption too,
Until God showed us grace.
So don’t blame God for suffering
You see around today
Blame man who wallows in his sin
And tries things his own way.
If we would follow God’s great plans
And live within His will
We’d find more blessing; life would not
Be such a bitter pill.
The grace He showed to Adam and
To Eve so long ago
Still carries us today, and I
Know that I need it so.
We can live life abundantly
With blessings flowing free
If we accept the grace God has
Reserved for you and me.

(C) 2014 Denise McKenney

Posted from WordPress for Android

Feel free to print, share or repost anything on this blog. I do ask that you let me know if you use one of my poems on your blog or at your church somehow. It might give me an idea of better ways to spread His words, which I am always looking to do. And of course, always keep the copyright symbol and my name with the poem so I continue to have the right to use them. You may not realize that if something is posted enough times without the copyright notice, I could lose the copyright and then someone else could conceivably file for a copyright and I would no longer be able to use my own poems! It has happened, so please make sure the (c) is always on the poem whenever you repost. Thanks!

God bless,
Denise McKenney

Posted in Poem | Tagged , , , , , | 2 Comments

Seek God, Seek Good

Posted on February 12, 2014 by dforchrist

Sorry for the long delay in posting. This winter has been crazy in Indiana and the bitter cold and snow have not helped my fibromyalgia at all. Brain fog has been as bad if not worse than the pain, making concentrating on hearing the Lord’s words very difficult.

Hubby is working on a sermon in Malachi and has been talking about how the Lord will give justice even when it seems very elusive. I was trying to help him find a quote he was looking for and some verses from chapter 5 of Amos really jumped out for me. They seem to be just as true and valid today as they were hundreds of years ago. The more things change, the more they stay the same, as they say. I pray this resonates with you and touches your heart as it did mine.

church Salvatore Vuono
image credit: freedigitalphotos.net / Salvatore Vuono

Seek God, Seek Good

I praise the Lord and call on Him
To save and guide my ways.
I want to follow His straight path
And love Him all my days.
As Amos warned us, “Seek the Lord!”
Just see what He has done!
He made the stars and knows the name
Of each and every one.
He turns death’s shadow into dawn;
Makes day as dark as night.
He calls for waters of the sea
And pours them in our sight.
He breaks the strong who tread the poor,
Take bribes and are not just.
The prudent see this evil time,
Know silence is a must.
Seek good, not evil, that you’ll live
And so God goes with you.
The Lord of hosts will honor all
The just things you may do.
These words are just as true today
As back in Amos’ time.
So still seek good and justice now,
Let God repay each crime.

©2014 Denise McKenney

Feel free to print, share or repost anything on this blog. I do ask that you let me know if you use one of my poems on your blog or at your church somehow. It might give me an idea of better ways to spread His words, which I am always looking to do. And of course, always keep the copyright symbol and my name with the poem so I continue to have the right to use them. You may not realize that if something is posted enough times without the copyright notice, I could lose the copyright and then someone else could conceivably file for a copyright and I would no longer be able to use my own poems! It has happened, so please make sure the (c) is always on the poem whenever you repost. Thanks!

God bless,
Denise McKenney

Posted in Bible, Poem, Praise | Tagged , , , , | 1 Comment

Christmas Celebration

Posted on January 5, 2014 by dforchrist

Another one in answer to the complaint that Christmas is pagan and that Christians shouldn’t celebrate it.

Nativity 1

Christmas Celebration

“Why would a Christian celebrate
A pagan holiday?
Why would you choose remembering
Our Savior in this way?
He wasn’t born in wintertime.
He didn’t want a tree.
Jews didn’t celebrate men’s births.
It’s pagan, don’t you see?”
Well, God sent down an angel choir
To celebrate His birth.
Proclaiming peace and God’s good will
To shepherds here on earth.
The wise men journeyed very far
When they learned of His birth.
So Jewish shepherds, gentile men,
And Angels showed the worth
Of celebrating God made flesh
And dwelling here with men.
So each year, I will celebrate,
My Savior’s birth again.
I know the date is likely wrong;
I know traditions fail.
But I will choose to honor God
No matter how you rail.
I do not honor pagan gods
Or even Santa Claus.
God knows my heart; I worship Him.
It all is for His cause.

(c) 2014 Denise McKenney

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Posted in Poem | 2 Comments

Celebration Time

Posted on January 4, 2014 by dforchrist

Sorry it’s been so long since my last post. I’ve been sick and life in December is as crazy for me as it is most people, so I haven’t had nearly enough time to sit down with God and see what He wanted me to write next.

My husband and I have been working with Truckstop Ministries (he preaches about once a month and I assist). We had a gentleman get rather belligerent about our choice to play Christmas music. He began to tell me all about how pagan Christmas was and the Bible never says we should celebrate it, so he would never attend one of our fellowship meetings again because we played Christmas music to worship God during December.

That’s been on my mind because I don’t feel I was able to make a good reply to him. I tried, but he was very set against any celebration of Christmas and called it all pagan. While there are some pagan aspects to some traditions, some commercial aspects that don’t honor God, and Jesus almost certainly wasn’t born December 25, I believe Christians can still use the holiday legitimately to worship our Lord. And as for it not being prescribed in the Bible, my poem below points out a few ways God celebrated, so I don’t think I’m out of line to celebrate as well. I hope you agree and that you were able to celebrate the birth of our Lord last month in some appropriate, God-honoring manner.

nativity scene clip art 9 215x184

image courtesy: bestclipartblog.com

Celebration Time

God sent a choir of angels down.
He brought the shepherds near.
He even sent a bright, new star
To guide the wise men here.
God celebrated His son’s birth:
A gift sent from above
To save a broken, sin-filled world
By sacrificing love.
Have you accepted this great gift,
And do you celebrate
The Savior who loved you to death?
He didn’t hesitate
When heading to the cross for you
And me to bear the shame
And pain and death that we deserve.
Lift high His holy name.
You do not have to have a tree,
No tinsel, nor one light,
No Santa, elves or reindeer or
A star that shines so bright.
The chance to honor God’s great gift
Should mean the most to you.
So celebrate on Christmas Day
And all the whole year through.

© 2014 Denise McKenney

Feel free to print, share or repost anything on this blog. I do ask that you let me know if you use one of my poems on your blog or at your church somehow. It might give me an idea of better ways to spread His words, which I am always looking to do. And of course, always keep the copyright symbol and my name with the poem so I continue to have the right to use them. You may not realize that if something is posted enough times without the copyright notice, I could lose the copyright and then someone else could conceivably file for a copyright and I would no longer be able to use my own poems! It has happened, so please make sure the (c) is always on the poem whenever you repost. Thanks!

God bless,
Denise McKenney

Posted in Bible, Poem, Praise | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Good News

Posted on December 9, 2013 by dforchrist

This is the poem God gave me for the Christmas card calandar a couple of years ago. I think you’ll agree that it is much better. It was the first time, I think, I had specifically asked God for a poem for a specific purpose. I asked for an evangelistic poem to put atop my calendar. It came to me so quickly I could hardly write it down. I was frantically scribbling it on scratch paper at work. God does awesome work and is still a great Creator!

nativity scene clip art 7 1056x1099

image courtesy: bestclipartblog.com

Good News

About 2000 years ago
In little Bethlehem,
A tiny Baby Boy was born
Who was the great I Am.
He came to save the world from sin
And bring it into line
With what had been the Father’s will
Since He had started time.
For sinners such as we all are
Cannot come to His heart
And that’s why Jesus, God’s true Son,
Came down to take our part.
He took the punishment for us
And died to make a way
For us to find our way to God
And heaven some fine day.

© 2011 Denise McKenney

Feel free to print, share or repost anything on this blog. I do ask that you let me know if you use one of my poems on your blog or at your church somehow. It might give me an idea of better ways to spread His words, which I am always looking to do. And of course, always keep the copyright symbol and my name with the poem so I continue to have the right to use them. You may not realize that if something is posted enough times without the copyright notice, I could lose the copyright and then someone else could conceivably file for a copyright and I would no longer be able to use my own poems! It has happened, so please make sure the (c) is always on the poem whenever you repost. Thanks!

God bless,
Denise McKenney

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God’s Blessings

Posted on December 7, 2013 by dforchrist

This is one I wrote for my Christmas calendar a couple of years ago…before God gave me a better poem. I’ll post the one I did use in a day or two. This seemed so perfect for the calendar, but I worked on it myself without asking God’s help. It just has never felt right to use it. I think it was the last poem I tried to write without His help. I do much better if I pray first and ask what He wants me to write. I’m not saying He didn’t help me on this one; just that it wasn’t something He led me to write.

bible god quotes 275 Praise God from whom all blessings flow

God’s Blessings

The blessings God bestows on us
Throughout the whole year long,
Should be appreciated and
Should make our faith grow strong.
So many people concentrate
On all the things they lack.
They want and whine and moan and say
Their life is very black,
When all they’d have to do would be
To open up their eyes
To see the blessings all around
And bright and sunny skies.
So trust in God—He will provide—
And thank Him every day
And you will find life easier
As you go on your way.

© 2012 Denise McKenney

Feel free to print, share or repost anything on this blog. I do ask that you let me know if you use one of my poems on your blog or at your church somehow. It might give me an idea of better ways to spread His words, which I am always looking to do. And of course, always keep the copyright symbol and my name with the poem so I continue to have the right to use them. You may not realize that if something is posted enough times without the copyright notice, I could lose the copyright and then someone else could conceivably file for a copyright and I would no longer be able to use my own poems! It has happened, so please make sure the (c) is always on the poem whenever you repost. Thanks!

God bless,
Denise McKenney

Posted in Poem, Praise | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

ASAP (Always Say A Prayer)

Posted on December 4, 2013 by dforchrist

Another older one about the need for prayer.

bible god quotes 721 And whatever you ask in prayer, you will receive

image courtesy BibleGodQuotes.com

A.S.A.P. (Always Say A Prayer)

Remember, when you’ve lots to do,
Here’s how you should prepare:
Just start each task A.S.A.P.
(That’s Always Say A Prayer.)

Prayer is the “magic bullet;”  it’s
The secret to success.
A.S.A.P. is how to do
Much more with so much less.

A prayer will help you on your way
You’ll always win, you’ll see.
If you are lost, you’ll find the path
If you’ll A.S.A.P.

If you will Always Say A Prayer
You’ll find that every day
A.S.A.P. is just the thing
To help you on your way.

How you’ll get things accomplished you
Just cannot seem to see.
There’s just one way to get them done
And that’s A.S.A.P.

For if you’ll Always Say A Prayer
You’ll get the help you need
To get your work accomplished and
Make sure that you succeed.

And if you want to get more done
And minimize your strife,
A.S.A.P. each single day
Is how to live your life.

For each thing you accomplish must
Be done in just one way:
A.S.A.P. is how to get
The most from every day.

When you have many things to do
And no aid you can see
You know you must accomplish it.
But how? A.S.A.P.!

© 2000 Denise McKenney

Feel free to print, share or repost anything on this blog. I do ask that you let me know if you use one of my poems on your blog or at your church somehow. It might give me an idea of better ways to spread His words, which I am always looking to do. And of course, always keep the copyright symbol and my name with the poem so I continue to have the right to use them. You may not realize that if something is posted enough times without the copyright notice, I could lose the copyright and then someone else could conceivably file for a copyright and I would no longer be able to use my own poems! It has happened, so please make sure the (c) is always on the poem whenever you repost. Thanks!

God bless,
Denise McKenney

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Merry Christmas!!

Posted on December 3, 2013 by dforchrist

Yes, I know it’s a little early. It isn’t too early for Chrsitmas cards, however. Each year, instead of buying Christmas cards, I write a poem and put it on top of a calendar for the coming year. It’s a way to be a part of everyone’s day all year long, even if I don’t see them. Feel free to print this card or share it with anyone you choose to bless. And may God shower you with overflowing blessings in the coming year.

Merry Christmas to all! And God bless us every one!

2014 Calendar Card

nativity clip art 2 720x540

image courtesy BestClipArtBlog.com

 

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Handle With Prayer

Posted on December 3, 2013 by dforchrist

An older one, but a good reminder during the busy Christmas season.

bible god quotes 406 By faith, I know God hears my prayers

image courtesy BibleGodQuotes.com

Handle with prayer

Before you rush into your day
All loaded down with care
Remember life is fragile, so
Please handle it with prayer.

If you will always say a prayer
You’ll find your burdens light.
You’ll manage to get through your day
And then relax at night.

When life gets too demanding and
It gets too rough out there,
Remember that it works out best
To handle life with prayer
© 2000 Denise McKenney

 

Feel free to print, share or repost anything on this blog. I do ask that you let me know if you use one of my poems on your blog or at your church somehow. It might give me an idea of better ways to spread His words, which I am always looking to do. And of course, always keep the copyright symbol and my name with the poem so I continue to have the right to use them. You may not realize that if something is posted enough times without the copyright notice, I could lose the copyright and then someone else could conceivably file for a copyright and I would no longer be able to use my own poems! It has happened, so please make sure the (c) is always on the poem whenever you repost. Thanks!

God bless,
Denise McKenney

Posted in Poem, Prayer | Tagged , , , | 1 Comment