Parents Prayer

by Dr. Garry C. Myers

Oh, God, make me a better parent.
Help me to understand my children,
To listen patiently to what they have to say
And to answer all their questions kindly.

Keep me from interrupting them,
Talking back to them and contradicting them.
Make me as courteous to them
As I would have them be to me.

Give me the courage to confess my sins
Against my children and to ask of them forgiveness,
When I know that I have done them wrong.

May I not vainly hurt the feelings of my children.
Forbid that I should laugh at their mistakes or
Resort to shame and ridicule as punishment.

Let me not tempt a child to lie and steal.
So guide me hour by hour that I may demonstrate
By all I say and do that honestly produces happiness.
Reduce, I pray, the meanness in me.

May I cease to nag:
And when I am out of sorts,
Help me, O Lord, to hold my tongue.

Blind me to the little errors of my children
And help me to see the good things that they do.
Give me a ready word for honest praise.

Help to treat my children as those of their own age,
But let me not exact of them the judgments and conventions of adults.
Allow me not to rob them of the opportunity to wait upon themselves,
To think, to choose, and to make decisions.

Forbid that I should ever punish them for my self-satisfaction.
May I grant them all of their wishes that are reasonable
And have the courage always to withhold a privilege that I know will do them harm.

Make me so fair and just, so considerate and companionable to my children that they will have a genuine esteem for me.
Fit me to be loved and imitated by my children.
With all thy gifts, Oh God, do give me calm and poise and self control.

Inner Beauty

by Ruth Johnson

Although outward beauty may be seen
all painted on with a brush so fair
its shallowness can be revealed
in our actions unaware,

But inner beauty is much more rare
and it comes from God above
It is shown in how we act
and how we show His love.

Like an oyster in the ocean
its outer shell so plain and dull
but when you look inside of it
there's a pearl so beautiful.

I hope to be like the oyster
when you look inside you'll see
a heart so warm and beautiful
and see God's love inside of me.

copyright 2002 Ruth Johnson

The Battle

Jay L. Zumbrum

My mind is a raging fire, I'm convicted in my heart
I long to be a Christian Lord, but know not where to start
I hear my Savior knocking, He's standing at the door
And all the earthly worldly things aren't important anymore!

I make the great decision, I fall down on my knees
And ask my Lord to save me, enter my heart I plead
And I know that at that moment, my sin is cast away
I'm now a newborn child, a tender Christian babe!

The news spreads fast, and soon I learn, the enemy has heard
His plan is to attack, before I know the Word
For with the Word I have in me the Holy Spirit's power
He knows he must attack at once, he cannot wait an hour!

He gathers together all his demons and sets his battle plans
He must destroy this new child's faith, it must blow as drifting sands
The planning takes just minutes, they empty all the files
And then his army moves, armed with many trials!

The attack is fast and furious, and for a while I stumble
But in the end, I am quite sure, it is Satan who will bumble
I'm hit with many problems, they're coming by the score
And as my faith begins to slip, I fall down to the floor!

Satan now is laughing, he jumps around in glee
And then the smile fades from his face, as I struggle to one knee
He stares unto the battlefield, his face is filled with terror
With all the files they had on me, could he have made an error?

I'm beaten, battered, on one knee, as my lips begin to move
Satan is screaming at the top of his lungs, "What's he trying to prove?"
He sends out queries to the demons, "What is that he's saying?"
The answer comes like a shot in the night, "Oh Lucifer, he's praying!"

My strength ebbs back, and as I struggle, I gain the other knee
And when the demons see this, they turn from me and flee
Satan screams, "Stand and fight, he's only just a man!"
The answer comes loud and clear, "A man in the Savior's hand!"

The battle now is over, my faith as strong as steel
And in my heart, I know full well, the Lord Jesus is for real
For as I lay on the ground that day, something gently lifted me
Without that gentle lifting, I'd never have gained my knees!

The moral of this poem, is really very clear
Just call on the name of Jesus, when you're facing fear
For when you call on Jesus, Satan hasn't got a chance
The power that he thinks he has is fictional romance!

The Ten Commandments

by Peggy McIlveene

Moses went up to Mount Sinai;
he had to go up alone,
to get commandments from the Lord
divinely etched in stone.

He brought them down the mountain,
and showed them to the Jews.
He said, “Follow these laws of God,
or die in your sins—you choose.

You shall have no other gods before me,
It simply can’t be done!
“This,” says the Almighty God,
“is commandment number 1.”

No graven images shall you worship,
this you should NEVER do!
“This,” says the Almighty God,
“is commandment number 2.”

You shall not use my name in vain;
it's a great insult to Me!
“This,” says the Almighty God,
“is commandment number 3.”

You shall keep holy the Sabbath day;
on that day, work no more.
“This,” says the Almighty God,
“is commandment number 4.”

Honor your Father and your Mother,
as long as you’re alive.
“This,” says the Almighty God,
“is commandment number 5.”

You shall not kill a living soul;
adhere to my edicts!
“This,” says the Almighty God,
“is commandment number 6.”

You shall not commit adultery,
I say to you from Heaven.
“This,” says the Almighty God,
“is commandment number 7.”

You shall not steal from anyone,
thievery I really hate!
“This,” says the Almighty God,
“is commandment number 8.”

You shall not lie about anyone,
or in any way seek to malign.
“This,” says the Almighty God,
“is commandment number 9.”

You shall not covet anything
that’s owned by other men.
“This,” says the Almighty God,
“is commandment number 10.”

But Jesus fulfilled these commandments,
so we’re under the law no more; for,
instead we’re saved through Jesus Christ,
and we’ll live on forever more!

©Peggy McIlveene
March14, 2002

I Refuse To Be Discouraged!

I refuse to be discouraged,
To be sad, or to cry;
I refuse to be downhearted,
And here's the reason why . . .
I have a God who's mighty,
Who's sovereign and supreme;
I have a God who love me,
And I am on His team.
He is all wise and powerful,
Jesus is His name;
Though everything is changeable,
My God remains the same.
My God knows all that's happening,
Beginning to end.
His presence is my comfort,
He is my dearest friend.

When sickness comes to weaken me,
To bring my head down low,
I call upon my mighty God;
Into His arms I go.
When circumstances threaten
To rob me from my peace,
He draws me close unto His breast,
Where all my strivings cease.
And when my heart melts within me,
And weakness takes control,
He gathers me into His arms,
He soothes my heart and soul.
The great "I AM" is with me,
My life is in His hands,
The "Son of the Lord" is my hope,
It's in His strength I stand.

I refuse to be defeated,
My eyes are on my God;
He has promised to be with me,
As through this life I trod.
I'm looking past all my circumstances,
To Heaven's throne above;
My prayers have reached the heart of God,
I'm resting in His love.
I give God thanks in everything,
My eyes are on his face;
The battle's His, the victory is mine;
He'll help me win the race.

To Busy For Jesus

Donna Laster

The dream became clearer as I tossed around in my sleep.
The Lord was calling my name over and over, so loud and deep.
The voice surrounded my bedroom, I stared within.
He said, "This is Jesus, my friend, where have you been?"

He said, "My dear brethren, what have you done today,
to walk in my footsteps and try not to stray?
Not once have you been humble on your knees in prayer.
Son, you must shine my light and show others you care."

I saw you yesterday, only glancing at the man on the road.
He was having car trouble and needed to be towed.
You said, "I can't stop or I will surely be late,
someone will help him soon, he'll just have to wait."

"One of your workers has been sick and almost died.
This lady is a widow and food for five she must buy.
You have plenty and you're never hungry when you go to bed.
Why are you so greedy and trying to get ahead?

"What if I had been too busy to die on the cross?
You would never walk the streets of gold, your soul would be lost.
What if I had been too busy to hear you that day,
when you asked forgiveness and earnestly prayed?"

I awoke from my deep slumber and my heart felt content.
I thanked the Lord on my knees, for the message He had sent.
So many times, I take for granted the small things He has given to me.
Without the Lord in my life each day, I am blind and cannot see.

Copyright © 1999 by Donna Laster

The Gift of God

Michael Lindell

Long before the day when Mary gave birth,
Before God formed man from the dust of the earth,
Before the stars into the heavens were hurled,
There was the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world.

Before the deadly fall of the race,
God's plan of redemption was already in place.
His own Son would die on an old rugged cross,
To save His creation from eternal loss.

God foretold His coming from the opening book,
The Seed of the woman for whom we should look.
Abraham, Isaac, and the sacrificial ram,
Foretold the sacrifice of the great I AM.

The prophets proclaimed the place of His birth:
Bethlehem of Judea, where God came to earth.
His name did the prophets clearly foretell:
Mighty God, Prince of Peace, Immanuel.

In the fullness of time God's word came to pass,
The birth of the Savior to a young virgin lass.
His mission on earth was finally unfurled,
The Lamb of God, to take away the sin of the world.

The way to the Father was shown us by Christ,
He said, "I am the way, the truth, and the life."
He came to release the deathgrip of sin,
He went to the cross our redemption to win.

It was for our sin that He suffered and bled,
Yet triumphant, victorious, He rose from the dead.
Now seated in heaven He eternally lives,
Mercy and forgiveness freely He gives.

Salvation is promised to all who'll receive.
Trust the Lord Jesus and in Him alone believe.
Repent of your sin and for His mercy do plead,
And from sin, death, and hell you will surely be freed.

O this Christmas may your life truly start.
May the glory of God shine into your heart.
May the gift of God -- His Son Jesus Christ
Bring true peace and joy into your life.

And what can separate us from such wonderful love
So rich and so full from our great God above?
Nothing, no nothing, in all creation can part
The Lord Jesus Christ from a redeemed, trusting heart.

Blessings

Unknown Author

I knelt to pray when day was done
And prayed, "O Lord, bless everyone,
Lift from each saddened heart the pain
And let the sick be well again."

And then I woke another day
And carelessly went on my way,
The whole day long I did not try
To wipe a tear from any eye.
I did not try to share the load
Of any brother on the road.

I did not even go to see
The sick man just next door to me.
Yet once again when day was done
I prayed, "O Lord, bless everyone."

But as I prayed, into my ear
There came a voice that whispered clear,
"Pause now, my son, before you pray.
Whom have you tried to bless today?

Gods sweetest blessing always go
By hands that serve him here below."
And then I hid my face and cried,
"Forgive me, God, I have not tried,
But let me live another day
And I will live the way I pray."

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

There's work to do, deadlines to meet,
you've got no time to spare,
But as you hurry and scurry,
always say a prayer.

In the midst of family chaos,
"quality time" is rare.
Do your best; let God do the rest:
Always say a prayer.

It may seem like your worries are
more than you can bear.
Slow down and take a breather-
always say a prayer.

God knows how stressful life is;
He wants to ease our cares,
and He'll respond ASAP-
Always say a prayer!

Anonymous

Consider Him

When the storm is raging high,
When the tempest rends the sky,
When my eyes with tears are dim,
Then, my soul, consider Him.

When my plans are in the dust,
When my dearest hopes are crushed,
When is passed each foolish whim,
Then, my soul, consider Him.

When with dearest friends I part,
When deep sorrow fills my heart,
When pain racks each weary limb,
Then, my soul, consider Him.

When I track my weary way,
When fresh trials come each day,
When my faith and hope are dim,
Then, my soul, consider Him.

Clouds or sunshine, dark or bright,
Evening shades or morning light,
When my cup flows o'er the brim,
Then, my soul, consider Him.

Author Unknown

The Encounter

Joy Noble

I ran into Satan the other day.....
didn't know til I got there, I had gone the wrong way,
for his voice was so sweet, how could I have known?
and his face was so beautiful it practically shone!
But his words were like vipers whose poisonous fangs
pierced the very heart of my faith,
The father of lies behind human eyes;
the true person beneath just a wrath.
Blind as I was, I accepted as truth
the kindly advice that he gave,
even smiled and thanked him as I waved good-bye!
(trying my best to be brave)
It wasn't til later the venom took old,
clouding my judgment with doubt.....
Caught in the tide of deliverers died
with depression as my mount.
Bombarded with pain, my hope all but slain,
my battle wore on through the night.....
when I desperately struggled to take just one step
and the Lord led me into His light.
His gentle kindness comforted
and set my heart at ease
through a kindly old spirit He set in my path;
my worry and pain to appease.
Safe from the evil placed in my path,
allowed by the Lord for he knew
His Word would succeed to fill all my need,
and bless me with power anew.
And so, Satan's scheme to steal me away
was foiled yet once again.....
Crushed by the King with the mercy He brings-
delivered from Satan's den.
Restored by His love - renewed in His might,
and wiser than before.....
with my shield of faith now firmly in place,
Lord, I am ready and willing to soar!