THE WALL

Many songs are sung about it,
many poems tearfully read,
about the devastation and
the soldiers who are dead.

So many names inscribed there,
brings a sadness to my heart,
for all the waiting families
that death had torn apart.

I read each name with heartache.
Unchecked tears stream down my face.
There beside my company buddies,
I should have had a space.

Why was I spared? I have wondered,
when so many had to die.
I guess I'll always wonder
and ponder the reason "why?"


I trace the names with my finger
while a flood of tears stream down.
I wonder who would mourn for me
if the names were turned around?

So much heartache, so much sorrow
linked with each chiseled name.
If we had won the conflict
would THE WALL be the same?

The cold marble tells the story.
One can see it at a glance.
My buddies shouldn't be here but
in reality, they had no chance.

They fought with courage and true bravery
and every one gave his all.
They are gone but not forgotten.
Their names are chiseled on THE WALL.

© Evelyn B. Ryan

GOD BLESS AMERICA

NATURE ABHORS A VACUUM

And they found the stone rolled away from the tomb, but when they went in they did not find the body.      
Luke 24:2-3(RSV)

This might sound strange but I actually enjoy vacuuming. It’s soothing to relax and reflect as you perform a fairly simple but important task to clean out the dust and dirt in your house. Some of my best thoughts occur during this solitary time because I am clearing out my mind as well.

One of those thoughts was from a physics class long ago- “nature abhors a vacuum.” Meaning that when one space is cleared out another force is ready to take its place. This phenomenon occurs spiritually as well as physically.

Just as you get a sense of satisfaction in house cleaning you know the dust of the world will be returning to try and reclaim its territory. This same phenomenon occurs spiritually, when we pray for forgiveness, resulting in a fresh sense of inner peace. This temporary bubble will soon start leaking as the earthly desires of pride, greed, envy and sloth start seeping back into our consciousness.

Where do we turn to cease this endless cycle of sin and redemption? The Empty Tomb of Jesus!
The resurrection of Jesus unleashed the greatest force in physics. This cosmic vacuum literally caused a wild whirlwind of activity creating our Christian church. “And suddenly a sound came from heaven like the rush of a mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit.” (Acts: 2: 2-4)

The next time you are cleaning house, physically and mentally, and the dust of Adam starts creeping back in, remember the power of the Holy Spirit stands firm against any attacking alien force of nature.

Thank you Jesus for the creation of your church that filled the emptiness of your earthly tomb.

©2018 David Le Kites 

MOTHER'S LOVE

As early as I can recall,
my Mother, to me, seemed very tall.
I loved her with all my child's heart
for it was she who gave me a start.

She taught me to sew and to crochet,
but I will never forget the day,
she took a paper and pencil in hand
and began to write her heart's demand.

When she was through she read it aloud.
Her words were beautiful. I was so proud.
It was a poem so sweet to my ears.
My inner clouds burst into tears.

I promised myself I'd write some day,
and Mother was good to show me the way.
So I began to write in rhyme
with Mother's help from time to time.

Mother taught me many things
like harmonizing when we sing.
She took my two sisters and me to church
and gave us her Bible so we could search

the scriptures for stories we could read.
It told us God's Truth we were to heed.
Inside my heart is a spot just for Mother,
for the love she gave to her girls and our brother.

Mother's heart overflowed with God's love too.
She worked hard for Jesus, that's what she would do.
Everyone loved her, for she was so kind.
So many things bring her to mind.

I feel her love although she's not here.
Thinking about her bring me to tears.
To mothers everywhere, from my heart I will say,
I wish you all love and a HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY!

© 2018  Evelyn B. Ryan

PRAYER WARRIOR

“When thou liest down, thou shall not be afraid; yea, thou shalt lie down and thy sleep shall be sweet.” Proverbs 3:24 (KJV)

A very difficult situation persisted for several years between people I cared about. Their behavior constantly grieved me. I’d prayed day and night for healing, but the problem kept getting worse, their conflict accelerating—their threats more hurtful. I felt my prayers were not working. I learned to keep out of it, but was miserable living beside it.

I mentioned to my friend that I felt frustrated at praying for the same situation over and over with no change or sign of improvement. “What do I do?”

“Ask Jesus for a prayer warrior to pray for you. Then leave it in His hands.”

Following her suggestion, I prayed for the Lord to ask someone to pray for me.  Surprisingly, I felt a supernatural peace. Their situation stayed the same, but I became peaceful.

Recently, while lying awake in the night—maybe too much caffeine, I decided to pray.

“Dear Lord, whoever is overcome with grief tonight, over the death of a loved one, the fear of a diagnosis of a terminal disease, or whatever is their brokenness. I lift them in prayer. I lay them at Your altar. May they come to know You personally. Wrap them in Your Love. Assure them You’re in control. In Jesus’ name. Amen.”

Comforted, I fell asleep. Nothing is impossible for Jesus. I learned when I indulge in the luxury of misery, I remove God’s riches from my life. Besides, the problem I’m praying to solve might be what God will use to draw them to Him.

Although they never reconciled, it’s in God Hands. I’m at peace.

Dear Lord, bring the fullness of Your gracious life to all. Amen

© 2018 Lois Gosley

JOY?

As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Now remain in my love. If you obey my commands you will remain in my love, just as I have obeyed my Father’s commands and remain in his love. I have told you this so that my joy may bae in you and that your joy may be complete. My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you.  John 15:9-12 (NIV)

 

My working life was a series of strivings. Most people didn’t understand how competitive our work was. This morning I was thinking about how we all strive for position, power and money so we will be happy and enjoy life with all the good and fun things the world offers. But many who have obtained/attained those things report that they really don’t satisfy. Perhaps Solomon said it best: “Yet when I surveyed all that my hands had done and what I had toiled to achieve, everything was meaningless, a chasing after the wind; nothing was gained under the sun.” Ecclesiastes 2:11 (NIV)

 

Now Jesus comes offering a path, not only to happiness, but to JOY. Complete joy! Wow! Joy may be thought of as quadruple-strength happiness. What is this path to complete joy?

·       Remain in Jesus’ love. You don’t have to earn it. You simply abide there.

·       Obey Jesus’ command. In verse 12, Jesus identifies that as “Love each other as I have loved you.”

 

There it is, from the very mouth of God! In our striving, love. In our competing, love. Instead of worrying, trust. Blessed with joy is the person who decides to live that way.

 

Lord, I surrender to Your love. Show me the way to live in it.  Amen.

 

© 2018 Parker Wayland

IS GOD GIVING YOU NEW LIFE?

We were therefore buried with him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life. Romans 6:4 (NIV)

Throughout my young adult years, I had a very difficult time with my emotions. When I felt offended, I would hold on to the hurt and harbor resentment in my heart for weeks at a time. I was powerless to let those feelings go and they infiltrated my very being. I was not open to receive love from anyone because resentment had imprisoned me. This was before I had a personal experience with Jesus, truly accepting Him as my Lord and Savior.

The good news is Jesus has made me and will also make you new! As we draw close to and commune with God, we realize that we are being made new. He is changing us from the inside out. His Holy Spirit now indwells and teaches us to lay our burdens down. We are no longer imprisoned by them. With each experience, we more readily release them and learn how to forgive and continue to love through His Spirit.

What a gift! I am so thankful I am no longer burdened with resentment and living in a prison of my own making. This new life is so freeing. Now we live in God’s Spirit, experiencing His goodness in ways that are always surprising us. As our friends and family see this new life in us, may we always point to You, Father.  

Thank You for changing us, showing us how to love others as Jesus loves us and gives us new life.  

© 2018  Marianne Lucot

COUNT IT ALL JOY

Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. James 1:2-3 (NIV)

I’ve been struggling with a complaining Christian lately. It doesn’t matter the day or time; this person always seems to focus on the negative. Being in their presence was wearing me out! Then I had an aha moment that opened my eyes to my own shortcomings—I saw my log. I may not complain regularly, but I sure do struggle to find joy in all things.

Recently, I was running late for a training and found myself lost at the DC Navy Yard. While I should I have been grateful for a safe commute and the ability to walk freely, I was not. Instead, I was bothered by the 15-minute walk from the train station and frustrated when I could not find the training location with ease. I failed miserably at counting it all joy. As a result, I missed the beauty of the military base. My frustration prevented me from seeing it, but that’s minor when I consider the many things my lack of joy has caused me to miss. What about your joy?

I know life happens and there are moments when we struggle to experience joy. If you are like me, you may even get angry with God and question what He is doing during those times. But James tells us to look for the joy in the moments where our faith is being tested. That’s when our character is being built and God is reshaping our thought process. He is pushing us to find joy in all things.

Father, I struggle to count it all joy. It’s hard, but I’m asking You to help me do better.

© Dawn M. Wayman