A Song for Him

Saturday, May 25, 2013

As long as there is time...

photo courtesy wolliballa, rgbstock.com

As long as there is time

and one breath left in me

there will always be

one more song for You.

Tuesday, April 30, 2013

A Fruitless Tree

photo courtesy weirdvis, rgbstock.com

A fruitless tree stands all alone

ugly, barren, good for nothing

but a stark reminder of what it should be.

photo courtesy bertlvthul, rgbstock.com

Created to be lush, green, a haven for the birds

bearer of fruit, reproductive, filled with purpose.

A shade for the weary and worn

a respite, a shelter, a refreshing.

Likewise, we are to be fruitful

filled with love, joy, peace, forbearance,

kindness, goodness, faithfulness,

gentleness and self-control.

A heart that provides encouragement,

sympathy, comfort and joy.

Fruitful trees multiply.

Be fruitful!

Sunday, March 10, 2013

Sweet Rose of Sharon 2

Sweet Rose of Sharon

fragrance of grace

beauty beyond compare

A thorny crown

upon your brow

pain endured

for me

Delicate strength

that held you there

on the cross

in agony

Tears flow

as I think

of the love

that it took

to set

free

***

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

Tuesday, February 26, 2013

I Look Up

I look up, O Lord

I seek your face

When the world overwhelms

I turn my eyes toward heaven

and pray

When the blessings fall

I turn my eyes toward heaven

and give thanks

When fear enshrouds

I turn my eyes toward heaven

and find courage

When You seem far away

I turn my eyes inward

and find your Spirit there

For when I seek You

I find you

Ever faithful

Ever loving

Ever near

You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. Jeremiah 29:13

photo courtesy The Graphics Fairy LLC

Tuesday, January 29, 2013

Creation's Symphony

Photo courtesy saavem, rgbstock.com

I love to sing a song to My Lord

but sometimes He sings a song to me

Raindrops provide a steady rhythm

while the wind blows a flute-y melody

Rustling leaves in the tree

whisper of words of love

from the Creator above

A red-breasted robin sings melody

crickets drone backup

the Holy Spirit hums from within

As the music swells

my heart overflows

until I can't help but sing along with all nature

a symphony of praise

for God our King

Wednesday, January 16, 2013

I know your deeds.
See, I have placed before you an open door
that no one can shut.
I know that you have little strength,
yet you have kept my word
and have not denied my name.
Revelation 3:8

An open door before me stands.
Though long I have waited,
the Lord has not forgotten me.
I have kept the faith and He has rewarded me
with a glimpse - a path
to my future.

No one can stop me now!

Friday, November 16, 2012

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

Friday, November 9, 2012

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

Tuesday, October 30, 2012

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

Saturday, October 20, 2012

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

Saturday, October 6, 2012

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

Saturday, September 22, 2012

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

photo credit: deflam via photo pin cc

Saturday, September 1, 2012

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