The Foggy Road

photo courtesy: greyman, rgbstock.com

The Foggy Road

When the road ahead is blurred

I am thankful

for I know that this is God's way

of keeping me

grounded in the present

knowing that he is leading me

step by step into the future.

I don't need to see the way

I just need to focus on His will

for this moment

and rest in the knowledge

that he orders my footsteps.

*******

The Lord makes firm the steps
of the one who delights in him;
though he may stumble, he will not fall,
for the Lord upholds him with his hand.

Psalm 37:23-24



(Copyright© 2012 Jan Christiansen. All rights reserved.)

Encourage the Dreamer

photo courtesy  CherieWren, rgbstock.com

 

Encourage the Dreamer

 

Once there was a girl who's dreams had all been crushed

by nay-sayers and people who gave her practical reasons

for why she would never succeed

 

She believed them, because they were people she loved

and because she knew that they loved her

The dreams died on the vine

 

Years later, at the end of her life, she realized that

with just a little encouragement, she would have believed

in herself enough to reach for her dreams and acheived them.

 

She realized that it was too late in life to acheive many of

the dreams she'd had, but she wondered if it was

to late to dream again

 

When someone shares their dreams, you have an opportunity

to encourage and be a part of seeing their dreams realized

or discourage and being a part of self-doubt that plagues them

 

FOREVER

 

 

(Copyright© 2012 Jan Christiansen. All rights reserved.)

For 5 Ways to be an Encourager, see an article I wrote for Encourage 365
 

Broken

Lord, I'm broken

falling apart

deteriorating

but not from neglect

not from idle years

I'm used up from

years of service

wanting to rest

to let someone else do it

 

but I can't

I'm not wired that way

if there's a soul in need

a heart that's hurting

then I must reach out

because that's just what you would do

 

so use me up, Lord

let me be your hand extended

show your love through me

for there will be plenty of time

for rest later...

when I'm forever with you

in Heaven

(Copyright© 2012 Jan Christiansen. All rights reserved.)

Laughter



photo credit: Owen Benson Visuals
via photopin cc
 



Oh, Lord, your gifts are fine

and one I love the best is

 

laughter

 

side-splitting

teary-eyed

cheeks-hurt

 

laughter

 

It lifts the soul

heals the heart

 

It reminds you that

life is not such a drudge

and that laughing

weakens the ability

of our problems

to drag us down

 

Thank you, Lord

for

laughter

(Copyright© 2012 Jan Christiansen. All rights reserved.)

In the Autumn of My Life

 

my youth is spent

the winds of time have blown away the years

yet, here in the Autumn of my life,

I find great joy in the slower pace of my days.

 

the kids are grown

the workload lighter

more time to draw closer to Jesus

to know Him

really know Him

 

a deeper understanding

of what's permanent

and what's temporary

 

I had it all wrong before

 

it's what's unseen that matters

what can't be proven that rings truest

what's done in love that lasts

 

I'll spend my life on those things

 

for I am a vapor that that appears

for a little while

and then vanishes

but the people I touch

will be my lasting legacy

 



James 4:14

Psalm 39:5

Psalm 144:4

(Copyright© 2012 Jan Christiansen. All rights reserved.)

Wondering

 

wondering

about You, O God

about Jesus

about your Holy Spirit

about Heaven

about Angels

about the devil

about the saints in your Word

 

wondering

about Me, O God

my thoughts

my behavior

my faith

my trust

my past and my future

about my purpose

 

but one thing I don't wonder about

is your love

everlasting

all encompasing

arms open wide

kind of love

thank you for loving me

forever



(Copyright© 2012 Jan Christiansen. All rights reserved.)

photo credit: deflam via photo pin cc  

Traveling Companions

 

 

Traveling Companions



when the road ahead

seems long and hard

when loneliness marks the way

remember you are not alone

the Savior leads the way

 

each step you take

He's at your side

you won't get led astray

He's walked this road before, my child

the Savior knows the way

 

so on your feet and lightly trod

dancing as you go

be filled with peace and joy and love

as with the Lord you go

 

(Copyright© 2012 Jan Christiansen. All rights reserved.)

photo courtesy lusi, rgbstock

The Master Gardener

The Master Gardener

 

Plants

Nurtures

Prunes

Trains

Tenderly encouraging

each shoot to bloom,

 to bear fruit,

to be beautiful in all its

natural glory.

 

I am but a flower in your garden

 

Oh, Lord

 

Cause me to bloom as I still myself

under your tender, loving care.

 

 

(Copyright© 2012 Jan Christiansen. All rights reserved.)
photo courtesy graphicsfairy.blogspot.com

I asked the Lord...

photo courtesy  TACLUDA, rgbstock.com

I ask the Father in his great glory to give you the power to be strong inwardly through his Spirit. I pray that Christ will live in your hearts by faith and that your life will be strong in love and be built on love. And I pray that you and all God's holy people will have the power to understand the greatness of Christ's love—how wide and how long and how high and how deep that love is. Christ's love is greater than anyone can ever know, but I pray that you will be able to know that love. Then you can be filled with the fullness of God.

Ephesians 3:16-19 NCV





(Copyright© 2012 Jan Christiansen. All rights reserved.)

Sweet Rose of Sharon

The Sweet Rose of Sharon

wore a crown of thorns

blood dripping from his brow

like dew on the rose

He endured

for my salvation

for my healing

to purchase forgiveness

for my sins

To take my messed up life

and make it something beautiful

Thank you,

Sweet Rose of Sharon



(Copyright© 2012 Jan Christiansen. All rights reserved.)

photo courtesy graphicsfairy.blogspot.com

Wash Day

Photo courtesy Gramps

Wash day

scrubbing board

soap and water

hard work

removing dirt and stains

but fresh and clean

when I am done

Remembering the day

when I was washed clean

no scrubbing on my part

no soap and water

washed in the blood

the work was all done by

Jesus my Lord

and now I am

fresh and clean

(Copyright© 2012 Jan Christiansen. All rights reserved.)

New Life in Christ



photo courtesy Jody Williams



Enclosed within my warm cocoon

safe and secure, but oh so lonely

I endured until I could endure no more

then came the struggle of my life

until free, I found myself shivering in the cold

newly discovered wings, but afraid to fly

I considered crawling back into my cocoon

and then I heard the Master say...

It is for freedom that Christ has set you free.

Stand firm, then, and do not let yourself be

burdened again by a yoke of slavery.

                                          (Galatians 5:1)

It was then, that I spread my wings and flew!

(Copyright© 2012 Jan Christiansen. All rights reserved.)

The Gentle Rain of Childhood

Photo courtesy pomranka



barefoot

soaking wet

freedom

no cares yet

at 60 now

when rain comes down

i shed my shoes

and live again

in the gentle rain of childhood

thank you, Father, for the rain

-------------------------------------------------------

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(Copyright© 2012 Jan Christiansen. All rights reserved.)

My Master's Voice

My Master's Voice

So many voices in my ear

a clamoring racket

a cacophony of caterwauling

everyone telling me how they think I should live.

But one voice I hear above the din

a sweet whisper

in hushed tones

leading me ever onward

ever upward.

Tis my Master's voice

and I'll obey.

(Copyright© 2012 Jan Christiansen. All rights reserved.)
Photo courtesy graphicsfairy

Shaped by Failure

Lessons learned, oft bittersweet

our failings He doth use to mold us

til we be formed to be like Christ.

(Copyright© 2012 Jan Christiansen. All rights reserved.)

Photo credit, RW Linder, rgbstock.com

Evening Song

As twilight wafts across the sky

courtesy graphicsfairy

the sun near sweet repose
my heart is filled
with thoughts of Him
when day is at a close

in search of fellowship devine
in search of Saviour mine
His spirit draws me
to his side
and there I will abide

til morn is come
with mercies new
til light breaks 'cross the sky
til He shall bid me wake
once more
to walk through mornng dew

(Copyright© 2012 Jan Christiansen. All rights reserved.)