comfort

by

The Source

From where does it come
     and where does it go?
While I have an idea,
     I don’t really know.
I sit all alone
     and open my heart.
That just seems to be
     how it often will start.
But I’m not alone
     as I sit before God.
He guides and directs me
     with His staff and His rod.

He gives me His promise
     that He will be here.
I just need to trust Him
     and live with no fear.
This life won’t be easy,
     of this I am sure.
He told me Himself,
     in His Word that is pure.
Troubles will come
     and hard times will be.
I won’t be alone,
     I have His Spirit in me.

These poems I do write
     are like the Spirit God gives.
While I don’t know His path,
     I am sure that He lives.
I feel Him within me,
     I feel Him without.
He gives me assurance
     that I don’t need to doubt.
Just like the wind
     that goes to and fro.
God’s Spirit is with me
     wherever I go.

So when you do worry
     and when you do fret.
God’s Spirit can calm you
     when before Him you set.
You may just not notice
     quite how He got here.
But His presence can fill you
     so you know He is near.
And when He is in you,
     this is my claim.
He will change you forever,
     you’ll never be the same!
©

I am asked often about where these poems have all of a sudden come from and it is a difficult question to answer with certainty. As I reflected on that question, a sermon I shared this morning, and thought through what God would have me share tonight, this poem filled my mind. I believe the source of these poems is God’s Spirit in my and just like the unseen nature of the Spirit, there is an element of faith woven through the midst of each poem God gives me. I pray that He uses these for His glory and His purpose.

In prayer,
Tom

by

Living Hope

I turn on the news
     and what do I see?
People are dying,
     even people like me.
We want to feel safe
     wherever we are.
But we’re often in danger
     even in our own car.
We think for a moment,
     but not for too long.
Would I be a hero,
     would I be that strong?

We’re looking for answers
     on how this all stops.
Perhaps if Big Brother
     would provide us more cops.
If we made it much harder
     for men to be armed.
Do you really think that
     we couldn’t be harmed?
For there’s always that someone
     who will still find a gun.
They’ll go out and shoot you
     ‘cause they think it is fun.

Before you’re too worried
     that hope can’t be found.
Go pick up a Bible,
     take a good look around.
On all of these pages
     that God chose to give.
Are words that should help us
     know just how to live.
Words that bring comfort,
     words that are true.
Words that when shared
     can bring hope to you, too.

In the midst of such heartache,
     in the midst of such loss.
These words point to Jesus
     as he hung on a cross.
“Father, forgive them”
     were the words that He prayed.
His heart had compassion
     on those who had strayed.
Before we look outward,
     we must look within.
Father, come cleanse me
     and forgive all my sin.

It’s only when we take
     God’s Word as the norm.
That we have a message
     with power to transform.
I pray that you’re living
     a life that is free.
So as people do watch you,
     it’s Jesus they see.
And as you encounter
     a world that’s a mess.
You share with them Jesus,
     who so wants to bless.
©

I’ve been using the local news as a prayer guide this morning and this poem appeared in my mind as a result. I pray that God continues to equip and encourage His people to be the light of the world wherever they are so that the world will see the true Living Hope.

In prayer,
Tom