Tag Archives: LORD

Pause for Poetry-Forgive Me, Lord

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Welcome to Pause for Poetry featuring a poem, Forgive Me, Lord, written by my writer-friend, Frances Gregory Pasch.

When the earth with its temptations

Tries to get my life off track,

And I spend time doing worldly things

And sometimes turn my back…

Forgive me.

When I try to work things my own way

Instead of trusting you,

When I think I have the answers

Yet they seldom see me through…

Forgive me.

When I wrestle with anxiety

And get uptight inside,

And continually rely on me

and bathe myself in pride…

Forgive me.

Help me, Lord, to lean on You,

Provide the strength I need,

For in Your power and Your grace,

I know I can succeed.

Frances Gregory Pasch’s devotions and poems have been published hundreds of times in devotional booklets, magazines, and Sunday school papers since 1985. Her writing has also appeared in several dozen compilations. Frances’ latest book, Greater Than Gold is available on Amazon. Her first book, Double Vision: Seeing God in Everyday Life Through Devotions and Poetry, which was published when she was eighty years old, is also available on Amazon. Frances has been leading a women’s Christian writers group since 1991 and makes her own holiday greeting cards incorporating her poetry. She and her husband, Jim, have been married since 1958. They have five sons and nine grandchildren. Contact her at http://www.francesgregorypasch.com.

Leave a comment below to share your thoughts on the subject. If you think others would appreciate reading this, please share it through the social media buttons.

I wish you well.

Sandy

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Boast in the Name of God

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In Kay Arthur’s book, Lord, I Want to Know You, she asks, Where do we run for help? What’s our first instinct? Do we trust and boast in the name of God as our defender, or do we trust and boast in human strength?

I have to admit far too often my first thought when I face an overwhelming problem is to either try and solve it myself, or run to someone I feel can. While there are times when either of these actions may be the prudent thing to do, the problem I see is defaulting to humans before we seek God.

In biblical times chariots were a means of protection and escape. They were a measure of an army’s wealth and power. We don’t need to look further than the exodus account to see how useless Pharaoh’s chariots were against the power of Israel’s Jehovah-nissi when his people reached the Red Sea (Exodus 14).

While we don’t have chariots pulled by horses these days, far too often there may be things or people we trust and boast in perhaps more than we trust and boast in the name of God.

In her book Kay Arthur asks, “Why don’t we take an aggressive stand in the face of fear?” She suggests it is because we don’t trust and boast in the name of our God. She suggests we write down our fears, troubles, insecurities. As we consider our list, she says to ask God to show which of his attributes will meet that need.

Recording God’s attributes and names in a journal as I read through the Book of Psalms helps me see God as so much more than a single faceted divine being. The first attribute I recorded in my journal is filled with fierce fury against those who plot against him.

From there my list includes ruler of all nations, my shield, my only hope. God is the lifter of my head. That’s an attribute and name I boast in often.

God is righteous, the perfect judge, majestic, creator, everlasting, refuge, merciful. He is the helper of the helpless, father to the fatherless, healer, trustworthy, shelter in the time of storm, redeemer, strong and mighty in battle.

And that’s just the beginning.

In our time of trouble and need there is nothing better than to boast in the name of God. When we run to him in full trust, believing he is more than capable to do exceedingly more than we could ever dream, hope, or imagine, we find he alone is worthy to be praised.

I’d love to hear what names of God you boast in.

Leave a comment below to share your thoughts on the subject. If you think others would appreciate reading this, please share it through the social media buttons.

Some boast in chariots and some in horses, but we will boast in the name of the Lord, our God. Psalm 20:7 (NASB)

You can find my October Inspire a Fire post here. Please stop by and read it.

I wish you well.

Sandy

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Pause for Poetry — Nurture Me, Lord

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Welcome to Pause for Poetry, featuring a poem, Nurture Me, Lord, written by my writer-friend, Frances Gregory Pasch.

Nurture Me, Lord

Fill me

with the rich soil

of Your Word.

Plant in me

seeds of kindness,

goodness and love.

Drench me

with Your living water

that I may grow

in Your image

and bloom

forever

in Your heavenly garden.

Frances Gregory Pasch’s devotions and poems have been published hundreds of times in devotional booklets, magazines, and Sunday school papers since 1985. Her writing has also appeared in several dozen compilations. Her book, Double Vision: Seeing God in Everyday Life Through Devotions and Poetry is available on Amazon. Frances has been leading a women’s Christian writers group since 1991 and makes her own holiday greeting cards incorporating her poetry. She and her husband, Jim, have been married since 1958. They have five sons and nine grandchildren. Contact her at http://www.francesgregorypasch.com.

Leave a comment below to share your thoughts on the subject. If you think others would appreciate reading this, please share it through the social media buttons.

I wish you well.

Sandy

Please enter your email address on the form located on the right sidebar to sign up to receive posts every Tuesday and Thursday. Thanks!

[bctt tweet=”Welcome to Pause for Poetry, featuring a poem, Nurture Me, Lord, written by my writer-friend, Frances Gregory Pasch.” username=”SandyKQuandt”]

Pause for Poetry — Why, Lord?

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Welcome to Pause for Poetry featuring a poem written by my writer-friend, Frances Gregory Pasch.

Why, Lord?

by Frances Gregory Pasch

Why do we only call You

When in trouble or in pain?

When things are going our way

There’s no reason to complain.

But as soon as there is conflict,

And we don’t know what to do,

We lift our eyes and raise our voice

And plead our case with You.

Why is it that we keep in touch

Just when we need Your help?

Why do we try continuously

To do things by ourselves?

Why don’t we come to recognize

That Your way is the best;

That if we learn to lean on You,

Our lives will be at rest.

© Frances Gregory Pasch

Frances Gregory Pasch’s devotions and poems have been published hundreds of times in devotional booklets, magazines, and Sunday school papers since 1985. Her writing has also appeared in several dozen compilations. Her book, Double Vision: Seeing God in Everyday Life Through Devotions and Poetry is available on Amazon. Frances has been leading a women’s Christian writers group since 1991 and makes her own holiday greeting cards incorporating her poetry. She and her husband, Jim, have been married since 1958. They have five sons and nine grandchildren. Contact her at http://www.francesgregorypasch.com.

I’d love to hear your thoughts on the subject. Leave a comment below. If you think others would appreciate reading this please share it through the social media buttons.

I wish you well.

Sandy

Please enter your email address on the form located on the right sidebar to sign up to receive posts every Sunday, Tuesday and Thursday. Thanks!

Lord, What About Him?

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by Sandy Kirby Quandt

The book of John is my favorite Gospel. Maybe it is the storyteller in me, but I love the way John presents Jesus and how Christ interacted with those around him.

Today, I’m focusing on the last chapter of John.

By now, Jesus has been crucified, resurrected and appeared before Mary Magdalene at the tomb. He suddenly appeared in the locked room where the disciples, minus Thomas, hid. He appeared again eight days later in the same locked room when Thomas was present. He met the two on the road to Emmaus. And now waited on the shore beside the Lake of Galilee, preparing the disciples’ breakfast.

 

We may remember this as the scene where Jesus pointedly asked Peter if he loved him. Three times. And each time Peter said he did.

After Jesus told Peter to “feed his little sheep” and predicted the kind of death Peter had in front of him, Peter turned, saw John, the disciple Jesus loved and asked, “What about him? What sort of death will he die?”

Jesus replied, “If I want him to live until I return, what is that to you? You follow me.”

That’s the line I love most. Always have. But it wasn’t until recently I related it to my writing and looked at it in a way I’d never looked at it before.

Jesus called Peter to feed his sheep by preaching about the resurrected Lord. I believe as a writer, Jesus has called me to feed his sheep through the words I write.

Regardless of what abilities God has given each of us, he has called us to follow him.

Peter was given his commission but behind the one question he asked, I believe a multitude more where in his mind. What about John? What was going to happen to him? Was he going to suffer or skate through life untouched? Was John’s ministry going to be bigger than Peter’s? Was he going to receive more pats on the back? More awards? More atta’ boys? Was John going to be more popular than Peter?

Jealousy.

That’s an emotion I believe each of us can understand. Maybe we’ve had similar thoughts about those we work with. What about them? How come they got the promotion, the raise, the praise? We compare. We compete. We wonder if maybe, just maybe, God loves them more.

 

In writing, the whole purpose is to get what I write published so people can read it. Makes sense, wouldn’t you say? I send my writing to editors and often, not always, but more times than I’d like, I receive a rejection.

They wish me well and I keep writing and waiting. At times like this it’s easy to say, “What about them, the person who just got the contract, or just won the award? Does God love them more than me?”

These last verses in John tell us Jesus has a plan for each of us, and that plan is not cookie-cutter sameness. How could it be? We are all different. We don’t think alike. We don’t work alike. We don’t communicate in the same way. We have different abilities and personalities.

If what I write only reaches the editor who rejects my story, I pray God uses that story to touch that one life. I’m not going to kid you here, if I send something to an editor it is because I’m praying they love it enough to publish it and it reaches the multitudes.

 

Still, I have to remember my job is to write to the very best of my ability. God’s job is to get what I write in front of whomever he wants it in front of.

Even if that is the editor who sends me the “Sorry. Not for us.” rejection letter.

If Jesus wants someone else to win the awards, get the promotion, receive the atta’ boys and atta’ girls what’s that to us? He’s called us to follow him. And that’s exactly what he expects us to do.

Leave a comment below to share your thoughts on the subject. If you think others would appreciate reading this, please share it through the social media buttons.

 Peter asked Jesus, “What about him, Lord?”

Jesus replied, “If I want him to remain alive until I return, what is that to you? As for you, follow me.”  John 21:21-22 (NLT)

I wish you well.

Sandy

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Someone To Walk Us Home

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Last year, (seems funny to say that!) I mentioned an organization, National WWII Museum, that sends handmade knitted, or crocheted scarves to American Veterans, which Sissy and I both donate scarves to. This year, 😉 I’d like to mention another organization that sends handmade knitted, or crocheted sweaters – these are SUPER simple – baby blankets, and newborn caps to children all over the world, through World Vision. If you knit, or crochet, please consider creating an item or two, for a child who would greatly benefit from your labor of love. Thanks!

In sixth grade, I had a friend who walked me home from elementary school. Billy and I were in the same class, and when school dismissed, he inevitably found his way headed out the door at the same time I did. Since we both lived in the same direction from school, I never thought much about it. I did think it a little strange when he’d ask to carry my books, though. Why ever would he want to do that?When we reached my house, Billy walked me to my door, and said he’d see me the next morning. He pretty much always was on the sidewalk, waiting, when I came outside the next day.Now, to my preteen brain, it never dawned on me Billy walked me home, and carried my books because he cared for me.

Duh.

That is, until one day Billy wasn’t waiting for me when I walked to school. He wasn’t in class, and he obviously wasn’t going to walk me home.

But, Billy sent a substitute. A representative. A stand-in. His little brother, Charlie.When I walked out of my classroom, there stood Charlie. He told me Billy was sick. Billy had told Charlie to walk me home for him. I tried to assure Charlie I could manage by myself, but he said he’d get in trouble with Billy if he didn’t walk me home. When Charlie asked to carry my books, I reluctantly handed him one.

So, what in the world has this got to do with anything, you might ask. Well, let me tell you.Jesus walked on this earth with his disciples for three years. Back and forth. Back and forth. Jesus talked with them each day. Still, I’m not so sure the disciples fully grasped how deep, how wide, and how high Jesus’ love was for them.

Then, one day Jesus was gone. The disciples were on their own. But Jesus didn’t leave it that way. Nope. Jesus wasn’t about to leave his friends alone like orphans. Jesus sent his Holy Spirit to walk with those he cared about. To help carry their load.When the world crashes down upon us, and we feel all alone, we need to remember, God is with us. We aren’t walking home alone. Jesus sent his Holy Spirit to walk beside us, and help carry our load.

Feeling overwhelmed? Reach out to Jesus. He’ll send his Holy Spirit in His place.

I will ask the Father to send you another Helper, the Spirit of truth, who will remain constantly with you. John 14:16 (Voice)

I wish you well.`

Sandy

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