The Same God Today

Photo courtesy of Julian Hacker @ pixabay.com

I was thinking recently about the prophet Ezekiel and his experience in the valley of dry bones, when the Lord told him He would give those bones new life. So I thought I’d share a poem the Lord inspired on the subject. The Scripture reference is Ezekiel, chapter 37.

THE SAME GOD TODAY

Bones in the valley,
Worthless and dry,
Bleached by the sun and
The wind blowing by.

God to the prophet
Did speak and did ask,
“Can these bones still live?
Is it too big a task?”

“Lord,” said the prophet,
“Only You know.”
“I’ll show you, Ezekiel;
My Spirit will blow.

“And cause them to live
And give flesh and skin;
They’ll rise like an army,
Give Me glory again.”

When our problems seem hopeless,
Too dead to restore,
We can look to Ezekiel
And his word from the Lord.

For the God who breathed life
Into bones dry and dead
Is the same God for us
If we’ll trust what He’s said.

 

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Standing Tall

In this crooked and perverse generation, we must stand tall for the Lord.

 

“Stand up, stand up for Jesus.
The strife will not be long.
This day the noise of battle;
The next the victor’s song.
To those who vanquish evil
A crown of life shall be;
They with the King of Glory
Shall reign eternally.”

______________________
Lyrics by C. Barry Robertson / George Duffield / George J. Webb

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At God’s Command

 

photo courtesy of Jeff Jacobs 1990 @ pixabay.com

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The tomb in which Christ’s body lay,
And the stone that sealed the door,
Were both created by the God
Who by His own name swore
That after three days and three nights,
Christ would rise from the dead.

God gave His Word, which has the power
Against which none can stand.
And when He said, “The price is paid,”
And shouted His command,
Christ rose with life for one and all,
And vanquished sin and death.

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The Amazing Story of the Real St. Patrick

I’ve shared this story several times in article format over the past 9 years, but never put it all together in a book that was available on a world-wide market. But now it’s available through Amazon in paperback and digital.

The little-known, but true story of one of the most amazing soul-winners in the history of the Kingdom of God. St. Patrick of Ireland’s life of ministry is replete with astounding miracles and spiritual experiences that match those reported in the chapters of God’s Word.

And Patrick is credited with bringing at least 70,000 people to a saving faith in Jesus Christ — without the use of any transportation except his feet and his horse, and without the help of electricity or modern technology on any level. The story related in this booklet is taken from Patrick’s own writings and sidesteps vague legends to give the reader powerful truth that will encourage and inspire the faith of everyone who wants to serve God.

Short and easy to read. Get a copy today and an extra for someone whose faith you want to inspire.

PAPERBACK:  $4.00

DIGITAL:  $0.99

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Lenten Poems — week 5

 

 

O, Lamb of God
So pure, so holy, undefiled,
You came so meekly,
Vulnerable, a tiny child.

You took our sin
And took all of its consequence.
You chose the cross,
And on it your lifeblood was spent.

But for what cause,
When tempted in the garden that night,
Did you still choose
To let yourself be crucified?

You told us, Lord;
If we’d just listen, we would know.
You said, “Because
I love the Father, I will go.”

Lord, work in us
That holy and obedient love,
That we, when tried,
Will speak and act only for God.

 

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(Photo courtesy of Karen’s Whimsy)

 

 

 

 

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Lenten Poems — week 4

NATHANIEL’S ANSWER

Nathaniel was a man who knew no guile.
He walked with Jesus, loved Him all the while.
When first he heard His name, a question posed
But waited ’til the answer was disclosed.

“From Nazareth can any good come forth?”
He asked of those who knew that city’s worth.
He asked for meditation, not reply,
Yet found the answer true in Jesus’ eyes.

And although from the garden he did run
With others as they scattered one by one,
As Roman guards led Jesus, bound, away,
There came a reckoning after the third day.

As Mary ran to spread the glorious news,
Nathaniel, hidd’n with others, all confused,
Received her words with doubt, and hope, and fear,
And hungered so His Master’s voice to hear.

Then Jesus stood among them, His work done:
Salvation for the world from Nazareth comes.

 

 

 

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Lenten Poems — week 2

SACRIFICE

A crown,
A diadem,
A shackle placed upon the brow.

Bestowed
Contemptuously,
And scarlet robe on shoulders bowed.

The grief,
The agony,
The tortuous, mutilating pain.

All born
By Innocence
To give me peace and health again.

A cross,
On Calvary:
To execute the Father’s plan.

A tomb,
Now empty stands:
He’s paid the price for every man.

 

 

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Lenten Poems – week 1

Today is Ash Wednesday, the beginning of Lent. A few years ago I wrote 7 poems during Holy Week — or Passion Week — leading up to Easter Sunday. This year in commemoration of our Lord’s suffer, I’m going to repost those poems on each Wednesday in Lent — and then post the last of the 7 on Easter Sunday. I hope they bless you and inspire you to gratefully meditate on how our Lord Jesus suffered for our sins and in our place to work our total redemption and salvation.

 

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BARABBAS

My heart pounded
As they dragged me out.
They stood me close beside Him,
And I looked about.

The crowd was frenzied:
With rage and raw disgust.
I wasn’t sure the real cause–
Why they fumed and cussed.

I glanced beside me
To catch a glimpse of Him,
But what my eyes saw in His
Convicted me within.

When guards shouted,
“Who is it going to be?”
Then I understood they’d choose
To set one free.

“Free Barabbas!
Set Barabbas free!”
I could not believe my ears:
They chose, not Him, but me.

“What of Jesus?”
Then asked the guards.
“Crucify Him! Crucify Him!
He is not our God!”

My shackles fell off:
By law a free man.
Pilate called for water then
And there he washed his hands.

The day grew dark
As He hung there,
Upon a cross with thieves each side,
Then He said a prayer.

He prayed, “Forgive them.”
Did that include me?
When He said, “It is finished!”
I knew He’d died for me
— Barabbas.

 

 

 

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Christmas Light

 

Oh Christmas tree, oh geometric Christmas tree,
Updated decoration of this century,
Combining old tradition with technology —
Eye-catching combination set for all to see.

I wonder if the architect has realized
That though his modern concept is a structural prize,
The Light that gives it meaning appeared to Moses’ eyes.
From burning bush to modern tree, it’s Jesus Christ.

 

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photo courtesy of Ana_J @ pixabay

 

 

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A Lesson In Thanksgiving

Pilgrims reached the blessed shore,
But bitter winters were in store.
Death and anguish played their part.
Still, ’twas with a thankful heart
That they gathered to expound
Upon the God whose gifts abound.

We, who in their footsteps trod,
Though they lay beneath the sod,
Now do take the lesson learned
From their lives, and, in our turn,
We prepare to thank and praise;
To that same God our anthems raise.

And just as they faced troubled days,
Through hardships grievous made their ways,
So, now, such grievous times we face,
That ne’er before have taken place.
Yet from their lesson we take heart
And lift our songs with grateful hearts.

We will not bow to troubled thoughts,
Nor in the throws of fear be caught,
We have too rich a heritage.
So with forefathers we engage
To praise and sing and laugh and play
And celebrate Thanksgiving Day.

© 2013 Sandra Conner

2 Trust Acrostics

 

TRUSTWORTHY

There is but One whose love and help are sure.
Renewed each day as surely as the sun.
Under His wings of grace I find the cure:
Sin and hate, sorrow, sickness – done.
‘Tis Jesus Christ, the sole trustworthy One.

 

PROVEN

Tiny babe: He took that form in Bethlehem.
Relinquished Heaven’s privileges; became a man.
Upon Himself, He took my sin and all its curse.
Secure in Love’s omnipotence, He took the cross.
Then surely I can trust myself into His hands.

 

 

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photo courtesy of Sunpath @ pixabay.com

 

 

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Psalm 23 Poetically Paraphrased

I am resting in green pastures,
Quiet waters at my side.
There are enemies surrounding
But I rest here satisfied.
For my Shepherd never leaves me,
Always watchful and prepared;
With His rod and staff at ready,
All my foes need to beware.
And my Lord’s prepared a table
Laden with my heart’s desires,
And my cup is running over;
There is nothing else required.
Every path on which He leads me
Is encompassed with His grace,
And if ever I am fearful,
I just look upon His face.
With His goodness and His mercy,
Daily He restores my soul,
And the oil of His anointing
Heals and makes me fully whole.
I will boast in my Good Shepherd.
In His love I am secure.
His provision is eternal:
Peace and rest forevermore.

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Reference: Holy Bible, Psalm 23

photo: Tommy_Rau @ pixabay.com

 

 

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A Mother Hold the Future

A MOTHER HOLDS THE FUTURE IN HER HANDS

And decades of destiny are often determined
by a few hours of a mother’s prayers.

HAPPY MOTHER’S DAY!

 

 

 

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Radiant One – cinquain

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Jesus,
Risen Savior,
Radiant One who yet lives,
Hasten Your return for us who
Love You.

 

 

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Daily Post Prompt: Radiant

 

 

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Contemplations on Leonardo Da Vinci’s ‘The Last Supper’

 

Behold the blessed, holy convocation,
Preserved for us to ponder as we gaze.
In transient elements, the artist painted
Eternal substance; impartations that amaze.

We look upon the faces art has captured
As loved disciples try to understand
The Master’s words; He speaks of sacrifices
And of His blood and body freely given for man.

Their eyes – so full of love, yet consternation,
Trying to grasp full meaning of this meal.
All other Passovers remembered history,
But now the sacrifice sits here with them, so real.

In colors both subdued and yet alive,
The artist welcomes us to come join in
Our Lord’s last supper and His revelation:
He’ll now go forth to pay the price for all my sin.

 

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St. Patrick’s Day – The True Cause for Celebration

St. Patrick’s Day

St. Patrick’s Day’s approach
We celebrate in March:
‘Tis not about shamrocks,
Green beer or leprechauns.

But ’twas Pat’s love for God and man
That sent him ‘cross that heathen land.
And with great miracles in hand,
He preached God’s Word and took his stand,
Until the devil made retreat.
And Patrick, with such victory sweet,
Did then depart, his Lord to greet,
With tens of thousands souls redeemed.
And Ireland then, sent forth in streams
Men armed with faith in Christ the Lord
And shared Him with more heathen world.

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Captivated

I am
Your captive, Lord.
You’ve drawn my heart to Yours.
Now, captured by Your love, I am
Your slave.

 

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Daily Post prompt:Captivating

Photo: Momentmal @ pixabay.com

 

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Valentine Mold

God’s heart is the mold from which all other valentines are made.

HAPPY VALENTINE’S DAY!

 

 

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Now My Heart Must Sing

 

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I woke to face another day,
No glad expectancy,
For heavy disappointments were all
Weighing down on me.

The day before had been so filled
With unsupportive words;
With problems piled four levels high
and everywhere closed doors.

The friends I’d counted on were not:
They came and went like rain:
All so enwrapped in their own lives
They couldn’t feel my pain.

It was just like so many days,
All running wearily –
So sad, with disappointments too,
All weighing down on me.

And though I knew I would survive,
That didn’t soothe my heart,
For sorrow deep and troubles too
Brought a longing to depart.

But then to Jesus I did run;
I saw it in a dream:
I stood below a gentle hill,
All carpeted in green.

When I looked up and saw Him there,
He stood beneath a tree,
And waited, smiling patiently;
He’d been expecting me.

I ran but didn’t feel the strain;
He grabbed me in His arms;
He wrapped them hard around me; held me
Strongly, safe and warm.

I’d never felt so light and free;
Engulfed with joy and rest;
No problem lingered to be weighed;
All I could feel was blessed.

And all the disappointments, though
So heavy they had been,
Took flight, and sadness too was gone,
Ev’ry conflict, ev’ry pain.

All threats and fears and torments sore,
All guilt, defeat, and shame –
In love so glowing and so strong,
All were dissolved away.

Then suddenly I saw a truth –
It caught me by surprise –
That Jesus’ joy exceeded mine;
I saw it in His eyes.

I’d known He would accept me, that
He’d made a place for me,
But never had I even guessed
How happy He would be.

He was so thrilled to have me there;
He laughed so loud and strong,
That all things not of joy and life
Just vanished in joy’s song.

And when I woke to this new day,
His laughter still did ring;
His arms still held me close and warm,
And now my heart must sing!

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Christmas = Jesus

I’m sooooo enjoying Christmas this year — celebrating the birth of Jesus — and the reason He was born.  His birth was the most extravagant gift ever given because He was not born for Himself — to just live His own life on this earth in any way He pleased. He came for a specific purpose: to live a perfect life for me — which I could not live for myself,  to die on my behalf (for my sin and rebellion), to be resurrected on my behalf, and to ascend back to His throne in Heaven, from where He gives me victory for my life here and the guarantee of continued life with Him for eternity.

And since I celebrate the 12 Days of Christmas, I will continue to enjoy it all the way through to Epiphany, which is January 6. Epiphany means a revelation or showing forth of something that has not been seen or understood previously. And I celebrate the revelation to my heart of the truth that Jesus has done everything He’s done for me. His life, death, and resurrection have made me right with God, and I now reign with Him.

I hope you know Jesus personally. So that you can enjoy that revelation as well — and His extravagant gift. And if you don’t, this season is a perfect time to get to know Him. He loves every one of us — no matter who we are, what we are, or what we’ve done. And His love is big enough to overcome every sad, painful, evil thing in us and in our lives. So if you don’t know Him yet, just call out to Him today. Ask Him to reveal Himself to you fully and to come in and take over your life. It will be the beginning of the best year of your life — and what’s more — that new life will continue throughout eternity.

 

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Daily Post Prompt: Extravagant

 

 

 

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