The Judges

Posted on May 7, 2013 by dforchrist

The Judges

Each man did what he thought was right
In his own eyes, and yet
In God’s eyes it was very wrong
His rules had long been set.
Yet Israel went along his way
Just doing as he would.
Whatever each man chose to do
He did and called it good.
God judged them time and time again
For sins that they had done.
They’d cry out in their pain and then
The Lord would raise up one
Who’d rescue them from enemies
And lead them for a time.
Then he (or she) would die and back
Into such sin they’d climb!
The cycle never seemed to end
They never, ever learned.
Instead of seeking their true God
To others’ gods, they’d turn.
At last God said they’d sinned enough
And drove them from the land.
Rebuke would come to Judah, too,
By God Almighty’s hand.
But He will bring them home again
When they accept His Son
And humbly bow their heads and say,
“My Lord, Thy will be done.”

©2013 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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Heavenly Aid

Posted on May 6, 2013 by dforchrist

Another oldie. I pray this message will minister to you.

HEAVENLY AID

The old man in the moon knows the sorrow you feel
And he shares all your pain and your grief.
The stars twinkle and wish they could offer some help
To give your greatest pain some relief.
But they know that a power much higher by far
Than the moon and the stars is the One
We must turn to when we need salvation, you know,
Not the moon or the stars, but the Son.
So don’t gaze at the darkness each evening alone,
And don’t wish on the moon and the stars.
You should look for the bright, morning sunshine, you see.
Let the Son heal each one of your scars.
Though I know that such words fall from lips every day
And it’s easier said than it’s done,
There is only one way past this pain; just forget
That old man in the moon—seek the Son.
©1999 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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Worry Jar

Posted on April 30, 2013 by dforchrist

This is one I wrote several years ago. I haven’t been able to write anything since the 3 right after Mom died. Maybe soon.

Worry Jar to ease anxiety for kids and parents too

 

Photo from Pinterest

 

WORRY JAR

Just take this little worry jar
And set it on a shelf,
And when you have a worry that
You can’t deal with yourself
Just stuff it in the worry jar
And leave it there and when
You haven’t strength to handle it
Just give it up to Him.
The Lord will take your worries and
He’ll make them disappear,
If you will only trust in Him
And feel His love so near.
He promised you’d need not endure
More than your strength can bear,
And if you’ll only turn to Him,
You’ll find He’s always there.
He’ll always help and give you strength
If you will only ask.
You’ll find that with His willing help
You can do any task.
Don’t waste your strength by worrying
Put worries in this jar,
And give them up to God above—
He’s stronger than you are.
©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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Last Goodbye

Posted on April 15, 2013 by dforchrist

God gave me another poem about my mom.

IMAG0392

Last Goodbye

I sat there & I held your hand
As you slipped from this earth.
How do you say your last goodbye
To one who gave you birth?
I love you & I’ll miss you so.
It hurts so much right now.
I know I have to carry on
And yet, I wonder how.
I’m glad you’re now in heaven with
So many you have lost.
You’re not in pain or weak or frail
Though now, we pay the cost.
You’re with your father, daughter, son,
And many, many more.
For us, you now are one of those
We love, who’ve gone before.
So please forgive us if we cry;
It’s hard here with you gone.
With God’s great mercy, comfort, grace,
We’ll try to carry on.

(c) 2013 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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Jeanne Knowlton Losey

Posted on April 15, 2013 by dforchrist

IMAG0471

My mom went to be with the Lord last night. Since she was a poet, I thought the most appropriate  memorial for her would be a poem. I prayed for God to give me the words. He has given me 2 so far.

Jeanne Losey
(July 4, 1925 – April 14, 2013)

You raised eight kids and buried two;
You’ve had a long, full life.
You were a poet, mother, friend,
A daughter and a wife.
But we know you’ve grown tired and
Your race has reached its end.
Now there’s a hole in all our hearts
That only God can mend.
We still can take some comfort in
Just knowing you’re at peace.
Your pain is gone, your struggles and
Your efforts all have ceased.
We did not want to let you go
But couldn’t keep you here.
You’re smiling now with Jesus and
Have other loved ones near.
We gave you sadly to the care
Of Father and the Son
And through our tears we’ll try to say,
“My God, Thy will be done.”

© 2013 Denise Losey McKenney

Angels Rejoice

The angels are rejoicing, though,
On earth, we’re left to mourn.
They celebrate another soul
While ours feel ripped and torn.
We’ll miss your smile and poetry
Your way of seeing things.
You’re writing psalms in heaven now
For cherubim to sing.
We know God’s plans are for the best
Although we don’t see how.
The hardest time to trust God’s will
For us, we know, is now.
We know His perfect will is right;
He knows much more than we.
But right now tears and sorrow are
The only things we see.
Please mend our hearts, O Father God,
And comfort every one,
Who through our tears, will bravely say,
“My God, Thy will be done.”

©2013 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 In Memory, Poem, Prayer | Tagged , , , , , | 4 Comments

God’s Plan

Posted on April 10, 2013 by dforchrist

Another older one. I was discussing with someone how you can’t tell God, “No,” if He has plans for you, nor can you know those plans, generally; You simply accept them. This kind of developed a play on words of you can’t know/no what God has in store for you. The rhythm is a little different on this one. Hope you like it and that it ministers to you.

bible god quotes 174 For I know the plans I have for you

God’s Plan

You never can know what will be in your path
As you walk down the roads of your life.
You cannot see the future or what lies ahead,
If your days will hold joy or much strife.
But whatever it is, you will not be alone.
God will walk down the pathway with you.
You cannot just say, “No,” to what God has in store.
He will help you do what you must do.
So do not try to “no” what may lie just ahead.
Just accept it, whatever may be.
If you’ll follow God’s plan and have faith in His sight
You will know that all problems, He’ll see.
He will help you avoid all the pitfalls ahead
If you only will follow His lead.
For it’s faith that will get you through this life to Him
And through faith and His grace you’ll be freed.

©2001 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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25th Psalm

Posted on April 7, 2013 by dforchrist

Here’s another psalm I rewrote in rhyme. I used more of the King James English in this one than normal. How do you like it?

image: wallpaper4God.com

25th Psalm

To Thee, O Lord, I lift my soul;
O God, I trust in Thee.
Please do not let me be ashamed
Nor foes win over me.
Let none that wait on You feel shame;
But those which may transgress
Without a cause, O Lord, let them
Abundant shame possess.
Show me Thy paths, O gracious Lord,
Teach me to walk Thy ways.
And lead me in Thy truth, for I
On Thee wait all the days.
Teach me, for Thou art mighty God
Of my salvation true.
Remember, Lord, Thy mercies great
For I depend on You.
Forget my sins made in my youth;
Be merciful, I plead.
Thy goodness and thy righteousness,
The sinner, they will lead.
The meek will He guide properly;
The meek will learn His way.
The Lord’s paths lead to mercy and
To Truth each single day.
I’ll keep His covenants and keep
His testimonies true.
For Thy name’s sake, O Sovereign Lord,
Forgive the things I do
For mine iniquity is great.
What man does fear Thee, Lord?
Please teach him of Thy way and choose
His path and his reward.
His soul shall dwell at ease with you;
His seed shall have the earth
The secret of the Lord is with
Them who in fear is birthed.
Mine eyes are ever toward the Lord
He plucks me from the net.
Turn Thee unto me, mercy show
For I am desolate.
The troubles of my heart enlarge;
O save me from distress.
See mine affliction and my pain
Forgive me, I confess.
Mine enemies are many and
They hate me and are cruel.
O keep my soul, deliver me
From every hating fool.
O do not let me be ashamed;
I put my trust in Thee.
I wait on Thee with uprightness
And with integrity.
Redeem Israel, O God, You know
He waits for You alone.
Redeem him out of trouble.
Don’t You hear his pleading groan?

© 2013 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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Jesus in Disguise

Posted on April 2, 2013 by dforchrist

There was a song on the radio that had a couple of phrases that caught my attention, that I really liked and couldn’t get out of my head although I didn’t care as much for the rest of the words. This is written as though it were a song, but it has no tune. Any one interested in writing a tune to it, please let me know. This title is originally from a quote from Mother Theresa, I believe. Someone had asked her how she managed to do what she did with all those sick, dirty people and she had replied that she just saw them all as Jesus in disguise. I just love that picture!

Everyone you meet is Jesus in disguise

Jesus in Disguise

Verse 1:
He lives beneath a bridge but as
I look into his eyes
I do not see a homeless man
But Jesus in disguise.
The prisoner on death row sits,
An object to despise.
But if we look more closely we’ll
See Jesus in disguise.
A prostitute whose life is filled
With loveless sex and lies
Is just another person who
Is Jesus in disguise.
A child alone and hurting, who
With silent, anguished cries,
Calls out to you for comfort;
He is Jesus in disguise
A Christian who has lost his way,
Is lost in compromise,
Needs you to gently help restore.
He’s Jesus in disguise.

Chorus:
You searched for a mighty king
To wear a golden crown.
Too busy looking up for Him
You never did look down.
You searched but didn’t recognize
And walked right by Your King
You didn’t see past His disguise.
You never saw a thing.

Verse 2:
He takes the form of folk today
We may not recognize
Though dirty, humbled, bowed by sin,
They’re Jesus in disguise.
So help the poor, down-trodden, weak,
And try to realize
When you are helping them, you’re helping
Jesus in disguise.
For Jesus said,  Whoever helps
The least of these to rise
Does so for me; He’s telling us
They’re Jesus in disguise.
So don’t just walk past others.
If you look, to your surprise,
You’ll find that people all around
Are Jesus in disguise.
But one day we will see them all
As we meet in the skies.
And we’ll be there with Jesus who
Is no more in disguise.

Chorus:
You searched for a mighty king
To wear a golden crown.
Too busy looking up for Him
You never did look down.
You searched but didn’t recognize
And walked right by Your King
You didn’t see past His disguise.
You never saw a thing.
© 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

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Give Your Pain To Him

Posted on March 28, 2013 by dforchrist

This is one I wrote several years ago, but it’s a message I need right now. I pray it will help you as well.

Image courtesy: http://www.inspirationalmatters.com

Give Your Pain To Him

Although sometimes things happen that
We just can’t understand,
Please try to just remember that
We’re always in God’s hand.
It isn’t easy giving up
Our sorrow and our pain,
We may feel it’s impossible
For any peace to gain,
But God can do such miracles
And if we’ll trust in Him,
We’ll find that hope is possible;
The future’s not so grim.
So have faith in the Master’s plan.
He’ll give the help you need,
And if you’ll give your trust to Him,
From this pain you’ll be freed.

©1999 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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Journey With Jesus

Posted on March 23, 2013 by dforchrist

Sorry for the delay in posting. The flu got me and hubby down and we’re still fighting it. This is one I started before getting sick and finished it today. Seems good timing.

journey with jesus 2

Image courtesy: TexasBaptists.org

Journey with Jesus

We walked the long Emmaus Road
Dejected, in dispair.
We didn’t know what we should do;
We didn’t even care.
The One we’d thought to follow had
Died on a wooden cross.
And now we felt so all alone:
Completely at a loss.
A stranger came along beside
And asked us for the news.
“Have you not heard what happened to
The greatest of the Jews?
They hung Him on a Roman cross.
We stood and watched Him die.
And now we’re lost; without a King
And wondering just why.
We’d thought He was the One to help
Us throw of Rome’s harsh rule.
They hung Him high upon a cross
A shameful death, so cruel.
How can You not know what took place
These three sad days ago?
They lifted Him up on a cross
And laid us very low.”
The stranger spoke of Moses and
How he had lifted up
The serpent in the desert
To relieve God’s wrath-filled cup.
He pointed out Isaiah’s words
And Micah’s prophecy.
He opened up the Scripture there
To Cleopas and me.
We didn’t know who this man was
Until He broke the bread.
And then we saw our Master there
With scars where He had bled.
He disappeared! We hurried back
To share the wondrous news
That Jesus was alive and well
With all our fellow Jews.
Do you know He’s alive today?
He died and rose again
To give us peace with Father God
And wipe away our sin.
Will you walk the Emmaus Road
And listen to Him speak?
All other roads lead to despair.
They all are grim and bleak.
Just follow Him and you will find
Such peace and blessing there.
If you can’t find Him on the road,
Just bow your knees in prayer.
He’ll listen to your every need;
He’ll guide you on the path
That takes you on to heaven and
Away from God’s great wrath.

© 2013 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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