Life’s Storms

Posted on March 12, 2013 by dforchrist

I really like that saying I’ve seen around, “Sometimes God calms the storm and sometimes He lets the storm rage and calms His child.” That’s the seed for this poem.

Stormy Seas Evgeni Dinev

 

Image courtesy Evgeni Dinev/FreeDigitalPhotos.net

Life’s Storms

Today, my world is filled peace.
I do not feel the storm,
Though it may rage outside my heart,
Inside, I’m safe and warm.
The Lord is stilling fiercest winds
And tempests that may blow.
He is my peace, my place of rest
No matter where I go.
Sometimes, God stills the raging storm
And calms the roiling sea;
At other times, He lets it storm
And puts the calm in me.
You, too, can have this sense of peace
Though storms of life get wild.
For sometimes God will calm the storm;
Sometimes, His precious child.
It doesn’t matter which He does
You still can find the peace.
If you will let Him, God will make
The storm or panic cease.
Just hide yourself in Jesus, where
No worries can invade,
And fear caused by the roughest storm
Will surely, quickly fade.

© 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 Poem, Praise | Tagged , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Did They Know?

Posted on March 10, 2013 by dforchrist

Yesterday, I said I wasn’t all that happy with the poem I had posted because it wasn’t exactly what I’d had in mind. I’d heard the song, Mary Did You Know? and wanted to expand that question beyond Mary: Did others at the time know? And do we, today, really know? After yesterday’s post, I kept thinking about it, but it still wouldn’t be what I wanted it to be, though I could no longer remember what exactly was “wrong” with it. After I went to bed and finished praying, God gave me the poem I’d tried to write several months ago. This is more like what I’d had in mind then.

image courtesy artur84 / freedigitalphotos.net

Did They Know?

Did the innkeeper know the babe
Who in that stall was born
Was actually the Son of God
Who came to earth that morn?
Did playmates of the toddler know
Or could they understand
That little boy would one day heal
Both Jew and gentile lands?
Did rabbis who taught Scripture in
The temple daily there
Know He was who they raised hands to
In worship and in prayer?
Did men in town know more than wood
And furniture, He made,
That by His hands foundations of
The universe were laid?
Did guests who drank the special wine
Know they had all been blessed
By God’s Son at the wedding feast
And that His gift was best?
Did those who ate the loaves and fish
That Jesus did provide
Know they had seen a miracle
Upon that mountainside?
Did those who watched Him walk across
The stormy water know
The Son of God could calm the storm
And cause the winds to slow?
Did those who watched the pigs run off
The cliff into thin air
Know He’d made demons flee from one
Who then gave thanks in prayer?
Did those who yelled out, “Crucify!”
From deep within the crowd
Know that they’d soon regret their choice,
Their hearts no longer proud?
Did those who saw the risen Lord
And found the empty tomb
Know that they couldn’t hide from Him
Inside a barred, locked room?
Do we today know He is God,
Creator, Savior, Friend,
And that He won’t forsake us but
Stay with us till the end?

© 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 Bible, Poem, Prayer | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Do We See?

Posted on March 9, 2013 by dforchrist

This has kind of a “Mary, Did You Know” flavor to it. It was the inspiration, but I wanted to do something a little different. This did come out different, though not quite as I had wanted. It’s hard for me to judge accurately how good/bad something is when it isn’t what I wanted, but after a bit of time, I think I like it.

Image courtesy digidreamgrafix / freedigitalphotos.net

Do We See?

A tiny, helpless baby boy
Or mighty God on high?
The angels’ voices blended with
His mother’s lullaby.
The shepherds gathered ‘round the babe
And marvelled at the sight.
But how much did they understand
Of what went on that night?
Did they know that this Baby Boy
Was God’s true, living Son?
Did they know in a few short years
He’d cry out, “It is done!”
Did any of the people there
Know that He’d bleed and die
Upon a rough cross made of wood?
How many heard his cry,
“Father, please forgive them for
They know not what they do,”
As He died on that wooden cross
To save them and us, too?
Did teachers of the Torah know
They taught the Author there?
Did they not see their God with them
Or did they just not care?
His brothers just could not believe
He was the Holy One.
Until He died and rose again
To show He was God’s Son.
I have to ask myself, do I
Know who He really is?
And can I say that my whole heart
Is, first and foremost, His?
I read the psalms and scriptures and
I pray to Him each day,
To learn to see Him as He is
And learn to walk His way.
I do not want to be so blind
That I can fail to see
My Lord and King, Redeemer, God,
Or what He’s done for me.

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

Why Read It?

Posted on March 6, 2013 by dforchrist

Sorry for the dearth of posts this month. I’ve been fighting a migraine that will not quit. By God’s grace, it backs off enough to let me do what I need to do…but little more than that. So today, you get an older poem.

A couple of years ago, I was reading my Bible in the break room at work and was asked a question that totally floored me and I didn’t even know how to answer. This was my response…penned a bit later, of course.

Image courtesy Iamnee / Freedigitalphotos.net

Why Read It?

“Why do you read the Bible?”
Someone said to me one day.
“I’m sure you’ve read it all before;
You know what it will say.”
I just stared back in disbelief .
Why would I read the Word?
Truly, I could not believe
The question I’d just heard.
“Why do you eat?” I almost said.
“Why do you breathe the air?”
I find things I need to live
Inside the covers there.
I find God’s love and mercy and
Some hope for better times.
I find such strength and comfort
Always buried in the lines.
“For God so loved the world He gave
His one and only Son.”
And that is how the battle for
My soul was finally won.
How could I not desire to read
Such words of love each day?
I love to read about the Life,
The Truth, the only Way.
You must have never read the Word
To ask me such a thing.
I recommend you try it out;
It makes the soul to sing.
Try John or Psalms or Job or else
Read Proverbs and I’d say
That you’ll gain so much from the task
You’ll read it every day.

©2011

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 , , , , , , | Leave a comment

God Has Plans

Posted on February 28, 2013 by dforchrist

I got several verses coming together in my head and felt the need to put them together in a poem. I’m not sure I did it justice, as it seems a little disjointed to me, but then, I know where the thoughts intersected, so I see that in my parts as more distinct than others usually do. Please let me know if there are parts that don’t flow smoothly.

Ephesians 2:10 - For we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.

Image credit: Re-Ver(sing) Verses

God Has Plans

We are the workmanship of God
Created in His Son
To do good works that God has planned
That, by us, should be done.
He has great plans for those He’s called
For purposes He knows.
He knows just what the end will be
For works He will propose.
His thoughts toward us are all of peace;
He has no evil schemes.
The wondrous things that He’s prepared
Are far beyond man’s dreams.
So you should not feel any fear
In trusting in His name.
He’ll keep you safely in His care.
That is why Jesus came.
His sacrifice upon the cross
To bear the sins of all
Is just one of the means God used
To counteract the Fall.
He has plans for your future if
You’ll offer Him your trust.
Just place your life in His strong hands
His aims are pure and just.
With Christ all things are possible.
If we’ll just put away
Our selfish pride and follow God
He’ll lead us in His way.
He has new mercies every morn
For those who come to Him.
Without His love and grace toward us
Eternity looks grim.

© 2013 Denise McKenney

Eph 2:10  For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.

Jer 29:11  For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the LORD, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end.

Rom 8:28  And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.

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 , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Satan’s Playbook

Posted on February 25, 2013 by dforchrist

"For we are not unaware of his schemes" (2 Corinthians 2:11).

Image courtesy of KROMKRATHOG / FreeDigitalPhotos.net

Satan’s Playbook

Now Satan has a playbook that
He uses on us all.
His one objective is to see
A Christian trip and fall.
He twists the truth and uses lies
To make us doubt God’s love
And blind us so we cannot see
God’s light shine from above.
He tells us we’re unworthy, so
God really doesn’t care.
And He won’t hear a thing we say
When we kneel down in prayer.
He tells us that we’ve gone too far
To ever make it back.
He spends his time reminding us
Of all the things we lack.
He tries to stir up envy and
He will appeal to greed.
He’ll foster desperation, saying
God won’t meet our need.
He’ll twist God’s words with questions:
Did God really, truly say…?
If God’s word isn’t in our hearts
Then Satan wins today.
He’ll sow confusion and mistrust
In promises God gave
And even God’s ability
Through Jesus’ blood to save.
He’ll make it seem that he will win
And God (and we) will lose.
He’ll try to make us turn from God
Or tell us not to choose.
He’ll get us to procrastinate
By telling us there’s time
And we can choose God later
Once we’re cleaned of sin’s dark grime.
He stokes our pride and tells us that
We really don’t need God.
He takes us off the narrow road
To his way, bent and broad.
We must protect ourselves from him
And thwart his every scheme.
Don’t listen to the devil, just
Remember, God’s supreme.

©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 Poem | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

The Armor of God

Posted on February 21, 2013 by dforchrist

A fresh one from God just finished a few minutes ago. Based of Ephesians 6:11-18, of course.

A pretty fun illustration - The Armor of God!

Graphic credit: © Paul Dallgas-Frey

The Armor of God

We must put on God’s armor
If we want to stand up strong
Against the wiles of Satan and
Make sure we don’t go wrong.
We wrestle not with flesh and blood,
But principalities
And powers, darkness, wickedness
On land and on the seas.
So take up all the armor that
You may withstand that day.
And stand before the evil in
A godly, righteous way.
Put on the belt of truth (not lies)
And then protect your heart
By putting on the breastplate made
Of righteousness to start.
For Jesus gave us righteousness
To clothe us every day.
So don’t neglect to wear this plate,
So righteous, you will stay.
Your feet should wear the shoes of peace
To spread the Gospel Word.
So lovely are the ones who share
With those who have not heard.
Above all take the shield of faith
To quench the fiery darts
Of wicked ones who love to wound
Or even kill our hearts.
The helmet of salvation to
Protect your mind and wits
From every weapon Satan aims.
(You know, he never quits!)
The Sword is vital, speak aloud
And let His Word be heard.
The Spirit can land mighty blows
With each inspired word.
And don’t neglect to pray to God
In Spirit for His aid.
In supplication for the saints
Who, for you too, have prayed.
If we are careful to put on
Each item here as warned,
We’ll stand up strong with Jesus and
By Him, we won’t be scorned.

© 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 Bible, Poem | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Looking Toward Eden

Posted on February 20, 2013 by dforchrist

This was inspired by Pastor Colin Smith and his series, Unlocking the Bible. He basically told this story and it impressed me so much that I wanted to tell in rhyme.

The Flaming Sword

 

Photo Credit: Picstopin.com

Looking Toward Eden

We’re standing on the outside
Looking back at Eden’s gate.
We’d love to be back safe inside
But Sin says it’s too late.
For there are fearsome cherubim
With flashing, flaming sword
That bar us from the garden and
They cannot be ignored.
We’re helpless and so all alone,
At least that’s how it seems,
And then we see the Son of God
Come down as in our dreams.
He came to stand beside us;
He said we’d be redeemed.
And then He started forward
Into certain doom, it seemed.
He walked into the flashing sword!
I saw it cut Him down.
The King, who died for all my sins
Although He wore the crown.
But then I saw the flaming sword
Had broken in the act
Of cutting down the King of kings
And that had changed the facts.
He’d made a way for our return;
He’d opened up the door
So we could come through Him to God
And fellowship once more.

©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

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

1st Psalm

Posted on February 18, 2013 by dforchrist

Here’s another psalm I rewrote in rhyme.

photo credit: Reflections In The Word

1st Psalm

Blessed is the man who does
Not walk the wicked road,
Who doesn’t stand with sinners nor
Let scornful words explode.
But his delight is in the law
He ponders day and night.
This man is planted like a tree
By rivers in the light.
He’ll bring forth fruit in season and
His leaf won’t shrivel up.
All that he does will prosper and
He’ll drink a blessed cup.
Ungodly men are not like this;
They are like worthless chaff,
The wind will scatter near and far
With every little draft.
They will not stand in judgment nor
Will sinners enter in
The congregation of the saints;
The righteous only win.
For God can see the way of them
Who follow righteous ways;
Ungodly men will perish in
Those final judgment days.

© 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 Bible, Poem, Praise, Psalm | Tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Be A God Reflector

Posted on February 16, 2013 by dforchrist

I wrote this one about a sermon that I heard where the pastor used a bicycle reflector to demonstrate how we are like that reflector and, though we can produce no light of our own, we can shine very brightly if we stay clean and allow God’s light to reflect off of us to guide others to Him. It struck me very strongly and the image stayed with me for a long time. As it says in Matthew: Let your light so shine before men that they see your good works and glorify your Father, which is in Heaven.

bible god quotes 158 Let your light so shine before men

Be a God Reflector

It’s said we are the hands & feet
Of Jesus while on earth.
Our actions show the evidence
Of spiritual rebirth.
The world can only see in us
Reflections of His light.
So we must always strive to keep
That image pure & bright.
Do you reflect God’s Holy light
Of love to everyone?
Do you seek ways to share His gift:
His one and only Son?
When people look at us we want
For them to just see Him.
When we reflect God’s love to all
The light will not grow dim.

© 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 , , , , | Leave a comment