"The Third Shift" is Evolving

I could have written four or five different posts
on "the third shift" in the last two weeks.

A new thing has sprouted
And this thing is growing fast

It is evolving
It is developing

And the great thing is
Resources are appearing

Support is available
Encouragement abound

One last leap,
One major step,

One daring act is all I need.
OK, not all but an important and urgent need.

Need the courage to assert
Need the courage to take the blame when I fail

Life is too short to waste on a "wish"
to waste on an unfulfilled dream

without taking a step
without even trying

Don't be downcast oh my soul
the rising is near ...

At The Crack Of Dawn

Early in the morning,

At the crack of dawn

You and I Lord

Just You and I ...

Laying down sorrows

Wiping some tears

Putting away anxieties

Casting out fears ...

You and I Lord

Just you and I ...

Cherishing moments of silence

Listening with the heart

Acquiring wisdom from above

You are my soul's delight

You and I Lord

Just you and I ...

Bursting with joy, not happiness

and peace that passeth understanding

Confidence comes from knowing

who You are

You and I Lord

Just You and I

by Liza

Liza's Eyeview

This Little Blog Of Mine ...

This little blog of mine

has become a best friend of a kind

It helps me think
so I won't sink
and in a blink
I have a wink ;)

This little blog of mine
has become a counselor of sort

A sanity saver
anxiety reliever
sometimes like a jester
that makes me feel better

This little blog of mine
I love this
little blog of mine


***
BONUS:
Setting Goals For Blogs

Soaring

Sometimes God takes away our props
that we might lean on Him,
allow temptations, so we'll grow
and triumph over sin.

Sometimes He takes away our strength
for doing earthly things
to rest our bodies,
that our souls may soar on eagle's wings.

Let's not resent it when He says,
"Come ye apart - Be still"
or chafe at disappointments
that are His sovereign will.

Oh, let us not doubt or question "Why?"
with unexplained delays,
but keep on soaring 'neath His wings
with gratitude and praise!

- Alice H. Mortenson

*from a Planner called "Quiet Memoir" given to me by Gem and Relly on Christmas 1991

Big Mud Puddles and Sunny Yellow Dandelions (Author Unknown)

When I look at a patch of dandelions,
I see a bunch of weeds that are going to take over my yard.
My kids see flowers for Mom
and blowing white fluff you can wish on.

When I look at an old drunk and he smiles at me, I see a smelly,
dirty person who probably wants money and I look away.
My kids see someone smiling at them and they smile back.

When I hear music I love, I know I can't carry a tune
and don't have much rhythm so I sit self-consciously and listen.
My kids feel the beat and move to it. They sing out the words.
If they don't know them, they make up their own.

When I feel wind on my face, I brace myself against it.
I feel it messing up my hair and pulling me back when I walk.
My kids close their eyes, spread their arms and fly with it,
until they fall to the ground laughing.

When I pray, I say thee and
thou and grant me this, give me that.
My kids say, "Hi God! Thanks for my toys and my friends.
Please keep the bad dreams away tonight.
Sorry, I don't want to go to Heaven yet.
I would miss my Mommy and Daddy."

When I see a mud puddle I step around it.
I see muddy shoes and dirty carpets.
My kids sit in it.
They see dams to build, rivers to cross, and worms to play with.

I wonder if we are given kids to teach or to learn from?
No wonder God loves the little children!
Enjoy the little things in life,
for one day you may look back
and realize they were the big things.

I wish you Big Mud Puddles and Sunny Yellow Dandelions!!!

Joy In The Morning

Sacrifice brings death to what my heart desires
Yet love gives strength to overcome

A wound may leave a scar that brings remembrance
But pain is there no more

with sunset comes darkness and night
but in sunrise there is promise of light

Weeping may endure for a night
but rejoicing comes in the morning

Journal Entry Nov 1991

Reflections . . .

I have come to realize

that I am most at peace
when I focus on what I can do
rather than what I cannot do
and think of what I have
rather than what I do not have

when I acknowledge that I can't do everything
and yet, there's something that only I can do

when I believe that God knows what's best for me
and I'll be the best in whatever God purposed me to be

I have come to realize that
I'll only be in this world for a short time...
Life is too short for me to focus
and dwell on my problems

I have come to realize
that joy comes from enjoying life...
but not just anybody's life
or what other think of my life should be...
It comes from enjoying life...
the life I'm called to live!

Thanks Tim for letting me use a photo from Second Timothy

On My Knees

My heart is filled with awe as I think about God, His character, His Awesome Power, His Everlasting Love. My heart which was filled with worry and frustration over situations beyond my control now rests in the Shadow of the Almighty.

Oh God, my God

Touch my worry heart
I give my burdens up to you
with it I want to part

Oh God, my God
Your tendermercies shout
With you my King
There is no need to pout

Oh God, my God
Your radiance shines so bright
To have You here with me
I fall down on my knees


check out these links:
HEART OF WORSHIP
SOUL OF WORSHIP
A.W. TOZER ON WORSHIP

Anxiety and Prayer

When I already prayed
and I know You heard
but the anxiety is still there...

Does it mean lack of faith...
or I need to pray more....
Is there something You want to tell.

Does it mean I'm stubborn,
Does it mean I'm blind
or You just want me to persevere...
to hold on.

I cleaned out the clutter in my house yesterday
Is there a clutter in my heart that needs to be cleaned as well?

Speak Lord, your servant listens.

Beyond Emotions

Pain cannot dwell in the heart where joy resides
Tears do not remain; it flows and then is gone
It doesn't matter what I feel
Love is more than emotion, it goes beyond

Obedience is my highest calling
Sacrifice is what I have done
I die to my desires that he may live
Lord, direct his path, deliver him

Pain cannot dwell in the heart where joy resides
Tears do not remain; it flows and then is gone.


This poem was taken from my journal. If you've read my post on "Five Things", you'd be able to guess the time I wrote this, and why.

Life Goes On

This week's topic on Sunday Scribblings is DESTINATION. I found an old poem I wrote many years ago that would somehow fit. I think I'd share this for now:

Life goes on...
So tired of thinking about (name withheld)...
So tired of bringing back memories...

Life goes on...

Nothing's definite.
What must I give up?
What must I hold?
Nothing's definite..but life goes on...

Give me a new horizon
Give me a new direction
Show me a new destination...

I was unsure of myself,
full of doubts...
full of fears...

You came along,
set me free
and life goes on...

Look at the light.. don't cease to pray...
have faith, have hope.
Life goes on.

The Lord is My Comfort

Comfort; my comfort comes from the Lord
For I lean upon His breast
and I trust upon His heart

Comfort; my comfort comes from the Lord
For I rest upon His promises
And I know He knows what's best

Comfort; my comfort comes from the Lord
For His joy eases my pain
And His peace always sustains

Comfort; my comfort comes from the Lord
For in Him I have strength
and His love carries me through

Comfort; my comfort comes from the Lord.

Of Sacrifice and Love

Sacrifice brings death to what my heart desires
Yet love gives strength to overcome
A wound may leave a scar that brings remembrance
But pain is there no more
With sunset comes darkness and night
but in sunrise is the promise of light
Weeping may endure for a night
but rejoicing comes in the morning

Equanimity Prayer

God, grant me the equanimity
to live with the clutter I cannot organize;
ability to clean-up the mess I’ve created
and wisdom to know the difference.

Quiet Time

A poem I wrote about 15 years ago still brings comfort and encouragement everytime I read it....

QUIET TIME
A thirsty soul longing for God
A loving presence manifest
A broken spirit looking for joy
A gentle touch he gives
A burdened conscience looking for peace
An assurance through his Words
A quietness that renews the spirit
A quietness that gives hope


"In quiteness and in trust is your strength" - Isaiah 30:15