a poem

There’s so much I want to do today 
I don’t know where I should begin 
I’m not sure where I’m going 
I’m not sure where I’ve been 
Already I am tired 
Though I’ve not yet done one thing …

I carry in my pocket 
A little white stone 
Its presence there reminds me 
That I am not alone 

I feel it when I’m walking 
Sitting or lying down 
When I’m working or resting 
At home or traveling ‘round 

It…

a poetic paraphrase and application 

God said to the prophet Jonah,   
“Go tell Ninevah their sin is great. 
I can’t ignore it any longer.   
Now go and do not wait.” 

But Jonah did not want to go;  
for Ninevah he…

Mother's Day is coming - 
One of the hardest days of the year 
because "Happy mother's day, mommy!" 
Are words I do not deserve to hear. 

I made a choice 
A long time ago 
What I thought was best 
But…

Inspired by Carole Dale, my Christian sister 

I can’t say it yet, I still need more time 
To unwind my thoughts, to get them in line 
Apparently some things that I think of me 
Aren’t really true and never will…

Weighted down with great sadness that I could not explain, I sat in deepest gloom. 
Life seemed only a cycle of hurt, an endless loop of pain. 
Tired and downcast, I felt devoid of hope. 

Then, into my gloom, God…

You invite us 
To walk the way of life 
With You. 

And so we come. 

When we wander,   
You draw us back. 

Humbly we bow  
to honour You. 
Forgive us.  Teach us Your way. 

Oh, how deep is Your love! …

Do you know the Lord Jesus? Then walk as Jesus did 
Act and speak like Jesus; do as Jesus bid. 
Why do you do the things you do? 
May your answer be 
“My Jesus is alive and living within me.” 

…

No matter what happens 
Nor where you may be 
I am with you for always 
Don’t you fret, don’t you worry 

Nothing can hurt you 
Not even come close 
For my love surrounds you 
From your head to your toes 

…

Based on John 5:1-15 

By the pool of Bethesda 
Disabled people used to lie. 
Jesus walked up to a man 
And asked him by and by 

He said to the sickly man, 
“Do you want to be made whole?” 
Then…

I hear my cat a-lickin'
at the window where he sits.
Looking out over the backyard,
by the moonlight it is lit.
Soon he will jum down again
but in no time he will be
Back at the window, licking…

Based on 2 Kings 4:1-7 (Holy Bible)

Once there was a widow 
Who was in an awful spot. 
She met up with a prophet 
And explained to him her lot. 

“Oh man of God, I’m asking you, 
Can you help…

AKA When I Look at You 
dedicated to Mrs. Jean Tudhope 

I can see the Lord 
When I look at you. 
His tenderness is evident 
In the little things you do. 
I feel Jesus’ loving touch 
When you reach out…

Jesus Christ is living in me - 
Oh what a marvelous mystery! 
King of kings and God of glory, 
Work in my heart and make me holy. 
Help me, Lord, to honour You 
In all I think and say and…

Loneliness has settled 
like a blanket over my soul 
But it doesn’t keep me warm, 
my heart is so cold. 
I’ve called out to You 
but I can’t hear through the noise 
I’m crying so hard 
that it crowds out…