One Year

Posted on April 14, 2014 by dforchrist

Today marks the first anniversary of my mom’s death.

One Year

A year’s gone by. I miss you so.
I don’t know why you had to go.
God took you up to be with Him
And now my eyes, with tears, are dim.
Oh, not for you. You’re happy now.
There’s no more care upon your brow.
I cry because I miss you, Mom.
My heart finds little peace or calm
Amid the storms that buffet me.
Still I am glad that you are free.
Please help me, Jesus, carry on
Now that my precious mom is gone.
You’ve taken her away from us.
She went with You without a fuss.
I need strength from the only One
Who helps me say, “Thy will be done.”

(c) 2014 Denise McKenney

Posted by 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

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I AM

Posted on April 11, 2014 by dforchrist

This is a poem God gave me to write during the ladies’ conference at our church last weekend.

I AM

I Am the God of Abraham
Of Isaac, Jacob, too.
And if you let me in your heart
And be the God of you,
You’ll see I am the God of those
Who live, not of the dead.
I’ll give you life, and water and
My own life-giving bread.
I Am the God of all who live,
So if you want to live
Make Me your God and take the gifts
I truly want to give.
I wait for you to simply ask
And follow in My ways.
Then I’ll give you abundant life
To fill your empty days.

©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

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Crossing The Jordan

Posted on April 9, 2014 by dforchrist

We had a ladies’ conference at our church with the theme, Crossing the Jordan. I was asked to write a poem for a bookmark. The first poem God gave me was too large for a bookmark, so I did another, so this is a twofer!

 

Crossing the Jordan

The word came down, “Go, worship God.”
So they left Egypt’s lands.
They didn’t trust in their God’s strength;
They wandered in the sands.
He gave them water, manna too,
But still they had such doubt.
Would He provide for all their needs?
What was this trip about?
The journey wasn’t just to get
His people free from bonds
But also to free them from fear
Beneath the palm tree fronds.
They sinned at Sinai, angered God,
He showed them how to fear
His righteous anger and bow down
To Him; He made it clear:
No idols could they worship,
He alone would be their God.
Another god or idol was
A useless, wicked fraud.
But if they’d come to Him alone
And keep His laws each day
And only to the Sovereign Lord
Would they bow down and pray,
He’d usher them into a land
So filled with wealth and peace
That life would hold abundant joy;
His blessings would not cease.
But they (like we) forgot their Lord
And did as they thought right.
Too often to this day we still
Forget to see His light.
We can today, have all these gifts:
He will abundance give,
If we will put Him center and
For Him alone will live.
So stop your foolish wandering.
Fear God and pray each day.
And enter in the Promised Land.
Our God will lead the way.

©2014 Denise McKenney

And here’s the bookmark. It isn’t a rhyming poem, just 3 sentences where the first letter of each word spells out Crossing The Jordan.

Crossing The Jordan

Christ’s
Righteousness
Overcomes
Sin’s
Slavery
Inviting
New
Grace.

Trust
Him
Eternally.

Jesus,
Our
Rock,
Dependable
Always
Near.

© 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 Poem, Prayer | Tagged , , , , | 2 Comments

Psalm 23

Posted on April 7, 2014 by dforchrist

Psalm 23

My Shepherd is the Lord on high.
With Him, no want I know.
He leads me by still waters, and
Green pastures will He show.
He leads me on in righteousness;
I tread for His name’s sake.
Through death’s dark valley, I must go.
This journey, I must take.
Still, I will fear no evil for
I know that You are near.
Your rod and staff, they comfort me.
I feel Your presence here.
You set a table with my foes,
With oil, anoint my head,
My cup of joy just overflows.
My heart will feel no dread.
Your goodness and Your mercy will
Be with me all my days.
I know I’ll dwell in my Lord’s house.
Forever hear my praise.

© 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, Prayer, Psalm | Tagged , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

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

Posted from WordPress for Android

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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