A Purpose

We all have some kind of purpose on this earth,
It's not to hurt people or tell them their worth.
Everyone was put here with an equal chance,
Take a look around you, take a good long glance.

Some were meant to heal, and some to teach,
Some are used to build, and some to reach.
You may not know your purpose just yet,
God will tell you, when he knows you are set.

Don't rush your fate, it has already been planned.
And God will always be there to lend a helping hand.
You will go through times that are really rough,
But you will always have someone, when the going gets tough.

Don't judge others, for when you do,
There is always someone else, judging you.
Think about things before they are said,
Say your prayers before going off to bed.

Take time just to sit, and observe all things,
A flower and it's petals, or a bird and it's wings.
For when you just look at what is around,
A new aspect on life could be what you have found.

Live for today, live one day at a time.
Live for yourself, and for God, that's no crime.
For when you do all these things to make your life great,
You will find your way to the pearly white gate.

Author Unknown

Be Still

Be Still, and Know that I Am God,
My Father said to Me,
And I will fill you with My Peace,
And set your Spirit Free.

You are my Own; I've Chosen You:
You are Precious in My Sight.
Give Me your Heart; I Promise You
I'll be Your Guiding Light.

My Love for you will Never Fade
By your side I'll Always Stay.
My Joy will be your Strength and
Shield, If you'll let Me have My Way.

I'm Standing here with Arms Outstretched
I want to Touch and make You Whole.
Of My Living Waters, Come and Drink,
And I will Quench your Thirsty Soul.

Peace! Be Still! I am with You now,
And no-one could Love You More.
My Love for you will never Die
Of that You can be sure.

That's what my Father said to Me
And I know His Words are true.
I know that He has Set me Free
And He'll do the Same for You.

So just Reach Out, ask Him to Forgive
And Pardon all your Sin.
Ask Him to be your God and King
And He will take You In.

He says, “Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.” Psalm 46:10 (NIV) 

Author Unknown

God Qualifies

There are many reasons why God would not want
you--but don't worry. You're in good company.

Moses stuttered.
David's armor didn't fit.
John Mark was rejected by Paul.
Hosea's wife was a prostitute.
Amos' only training was in the school of fig-tree pruning.
Jacob was a liar.
David had an affair.
Solomon was too rich.
Abraham was too old.
David was too young.
Timothy had ulcers.
Peter was afraid of death.
Lazarus was dead.
John was self-righteous.
Naomi was a widow.
Paul was a murderer. So was Moses.
Jonah ran from God.
Miriam was a gossip.
Gideon and Thomas both doubted.
Jeremiah was depressed and suicidal.
Elijah was burned out.
John the Baptist was a loudmouth.
Martha was a worrywart.
Samson had long hair.
Noah got drunk.
Did I mention that Moses had a short fuse?
So did Peter, Paul--well, lots of folks did.

But God doesn't require a job interview. He doesn't hire and fire like
most bosses, because He's more our dad than our boss. He doesn't look at
financial gain or loss. He's not prejudiced nor partial, not judging,
grudging, sassy, nor brassy, not deaf to our cry, not blind to our need.
As much as we try, God's gifts are free.

We could do wonderful things for wonderful people and still not be...
wonderful.

Satan says, "You're not worthy."

Jesus says, "So what? I AM."

Satan looks back and sees our mistakes. God looks back and sees the
Cross. He doesn't calculate what you did in '98. It's not even on the
record.

Sure. There are lots of reasons why God shouldn't want us. But if we are
magically in love with Him, if we hunger for Him more than our next
breath, He'll use us in spite of who we are, where we've been or what we
look like.

Step out of your limitations into the illimitable nature of who God is.

Author unknown

I Am Learning Lord

My life has taken many falls and tumbles 'long the way.
The many trials have left me in a sure state of dismay,
For with each trial, I tried alone to tend, and soothe, and mend,
Instead of giving them to God - and on Him just depend...
But I am learning, Lord.

It seems that I was determined to carry all the load;
I longed for smoother pathways yet I walked a rocky road.
Little did I understand - God waited patiently
To pave a new beginning With a better life for me...
But I am learning, Lord.

It took a real disaster to bring me to my knees;
To finally call upon the Lord and say, "God help me, please."
He can, with no delaying, with strong arms that could hold -
The weight of all my burdens; He gladly took the load.
And I am learning, Lord.

What a needless cross I carried, all because I could not see -
What a friend I have in Jesus, and the love He has for me.
Peace I find when troubles hover, though' the outcome is unknown,
For if yet the road is rocky, I won't walk it all alone...
For I am learning, Lord.

Author Unknown

I Asked God

I asked God to take away my pain.
God said, No.
It is not for me to take away, but for you to give it up.

I asked God to make my handicapped child whole.
God said, No.
Her spirit was whole, her body was only temporary.

I asked God to grant me patience.
God said, No.
Patience is a by-product of tribulations; it isn't granted, it is earned.

I asked God to give me happiness.
God said, No.
I give you blessings. Happiness is up to you.

I asked God to spare me pain.
God said, No.
Suffering draws you apart from worldly cares and brings you closer to me.

I asked God to make my spirit grow.
God said, No.
You must grow on your own, but I will prune you to make you fruitful.

I asked for all things that I might enjoy life.
God said, No.
I will give you life so that you may enjoy all things.

I ask God to help me LOVE others, as much as He loves me.
God said... Ahhhh, finally you have the idea

Author Unknown

Not Yet

Sometimes I ask the question,
"My Lord, is this Your will?"
It's then I hear You answer me,
"My Precious child . . . be still."

Sometimes I feel frustrated,
'Cause I think I know what's best.
It's then I hear You say to me,
"My busy child . . . just rest."

Sometimes I feel so lonely
And I think I'd like a mate.
Your still small voice gets oh, so clear
And says, "My child . . . please wait."

"I know the plans I have for you,
The wondrous things you'll see;
If you can just be patient, child,
And put your trust in Me.

I've plans to draw you closer.
I've plans to help you grow.
There's much I do you cannot see
And much you do not know.

But know this, child . . . I love you!
You are precious unto Me.
Before I formed you in the womb,
I planned your destiny.

I've something very special
I hope for you to learn.
The gifts I wish to give to you
Are gifts you cannot earn.

They come without a price tag,
But not without a cost;
At Calvary, I gave My Son,
So you would not be lost.

Rest child, and do not weary
Of doing what is good.
I promise I'll come back for you
Just like I said I would.

Your name is written on My palm,
I never could forget;
Therefore, do not be discouraged when
My answer is . . . "Not Yet"

Ecclesiastes 3:1-8 (NIV) says:

"There is a time for everything,
and a season for every activity under heaven:
a time to be born and a time to die,
a time to plant and a time to uproot,
a time to kill and a time to heal,
a time to tear down and a time to build,
a time to weep and a time to laugh,
a time to mourn and a time to dance,
a time to scatter stones and a time to gather them,
a time to embrace and a time to refrain,
a time to search and a time to give up,
a time to keep and a time to throw away,
a time to tear and a time to mend,
a time to be silent and a time to speak,
a time to love and a time to hate,
a time for war and a time for peace."

Author Unknown

Poisons of Shame

Sometimes I sit and wonder how my life got so screwed,
the drugs, the alcohol, the people been used.
At age fourteen, I was on the right track,
going to youth group, never conceived of doing crack.
My head held high for the Lord.
I would declare that people can't afford,
to walk through life without Him,
and lack forgiveness of their sin.
But little did I know,
that the devil wanted me so,
to do the things that God despises,
the things that the devil so aspires.
I took my first hit,
off a pot pipe and that was it.
It was escape for the pain hurt so bad,
so confused, I didn't even know I had.
That was that, I'd found my place,
I felt at ease, so showed my face.
From pot, to acid, to coke, to speed,
did it end just there? No, crack indeed.
As I filled up my body with the poisons of shame,
the feelings were churning and everyone was to blame.
Except for me of course, no way not me,
didn't want people to know the person I'd be.
If I acted myself, 'cause those feelings were bad,
as the drug use got worse, oh, so sad.
My mother said no, and I said yes.

The rebelling increased, my life was a mess.
Spent the next several years in a downward spiral,
searching for something, yet needing revival.
But never at all did the Lord leave my side,
just waiting for me to love and abide,
by His guidelines and rules meant to do one thing,
to protect us from pain, that can so badly sting.
Sin can leave scars, as it has done to me,
just by believing Satan's lie of, "taste it, you'll see."
Today I look back on my screwed up life,
the choices and decisions that led to strife.
And by the GRACE OF GOD, I am alive to say,
that I'm proud of who I am today.

Author Unknown

Step by Step

He does not lead me year by year.
Nor even day by day,
But step by step my path unfolds;
My Lord directs my way.
Tomorrow's plans I do not know,
I only know this minute;
But He will say, "This is the way;
By faith now walk ye in it."
And I am glad that it is so,
Today's enough to bear;
And when tomorrow comes, His grace
Shall far exceed its care.
What need to worry then or fret?
The God who gave His Son
Holds all my moments in His Hand
And gives them one by one.

Author Unknown

The Vessel

"The Master was picking a vessel to use;
On His shelves there were many - which one would He choose?
"Take me," cried the gold one, "I'm shiny and bright,
I am of great value; I do things just right.
My beauty and luster will outshine the rest.
For someone like You, Master, gold would be best!"

The Master passed on, with no word at all;
He looked at a silver urn, narrow and tall;
"I'll serve You, dear Master. I'll pour out Your wine.
I'll be at Your table whenever You dine.
My lines are so graceful, my carvings so true,
The silver I'm made of will compliment You."

Unheeding the Master passed on to the brass,
It was wide-mouthed and shallow and polished like glass.
"Here! Here!" cried the vessel, "I know I will do,
Place me on Your table for all men to view."

"Look at me," called the goblet of crystal so clear,
"My transparency shows my contents are quite dear.
Although I am fragile, I will serve You with pride,
I am sure I'll be happy in Your house to abide."

The Master came next to a vessel of wood,
Polished and carved, it solidly stood.
"You may use me," dear Master, the wooden bowl said,
"But I'd rather You used me for fruit, not for bread!"

Then the Master looked down, saw a vessel of clay.
It was empty and broken where it helplessly lay.
No hope had the vessel the Master might choose,
To cleanse it, to fill it, make it whole, fit for use.

"Ah!" said the Master, "This vessel I choose.
I will mend it and fill it and put it to use.
I need not the vessel with pride in its self;
Nor the one who is narrow to sit on the shelf;
Nor the one who is big-mouthed and shallow and loud;
Nor one who displays his contents so proud;
Nor the one who thinks he can do all things just right;
But this plain earthy vessel filled with My power and might.

He then gently lifted the vessel of clay,
To mend it and cleanse it, He filled it that day.
He spoke to it kindly, "There's work you must do,
Just pour out to others as I pour into you."

Paul wrote Timothy:
"But in a great house there are not only vessels of gold and of silver, but
also of wood and of earth; and some to honour, and some to dishonour. If a
man therefore purge himself from these, he shall be a vessel unto honour,
sanctified, and meet for the master's use, and prepared unto every good
work." (2 Timothy 2:20-21)

Author Unknown

The Weaver

My life is but a weaving,
between my God and me.
I do not choose the colors,
He worketh steadily.
Off times He weaveth sorrow,
and I in foolish pride,
Forget He sees the upper,
and I the underside.

Not 'til the loom is silent
and the shuttles cease to fly
Will God unroll the canvas
and explain the reason why.

The dark threads are as needful
in the weaver's skillful hand
As the threads of gold and silver
in the pattern He has planned.

Author Unknown

Unfolding the Rosebud

It is only a tiny rosebud,
A flower of God's design;
But I cannot unfold the petals
With these clumsy hands of mine.

The secret of unfolding flowers
Is not known to such as I.
GOD opens this flower so sweetly,
When in my hands they fade and die.

If I cannot unfold a rosebud,
This flower of God's design,
Then how can I think I have wisdom
To unfold this life of mine?

So I'll trust in Him for His leading
Each moment of every day.
I will look to him for His guidance
Each step of the pilgrim way.

The pathway that lies before me,
Only my Heavenly Father knows.
I'll trust Him to unfold the moments,
Just as He unfolds the rose.

Author Unknown

You Are Important

Don't say you're not important,
It simply isn't true,
The fact that you were born,
Is proof, God has a plan for you.

The path may seem unclear right now,
But one day you will see,
That all that came before,
Was truly meant to be.

God wrote the book that is your life,
That's all you need to know.
Each day that you are living,
Was written long ago.

God only writes best sellers,
So be proud of who you are,
Your character is important,
In this book you are the "Star."

Enjoy the novel as it reads,
It will stand throughout the ages,
Savor each chapter as you go,
Taking time to turn the pages.

By Dave

What You Will Be?

As I gazed up at the mountains, I was awed by their majesty;
I bowed my head and asked myself, "Why should He care for me?
I am not great like the mountains that tower so high above,
What is there about me that God can find to love?"

"Father, I am not strong like the wind that makes your tall trees sway,
I cannot sing sweetly like your birds; will you love me anyway?
But most of all, I am simply me, and often have cause to fear,
In spite of all my weaknesses, do you promise to be near?"

With eyes closed tight against my tears, I wished He could hear me pray.
Then I felt His Spirit tell me, "Child, look up, I have something to say.
"You are simply you, the spirit I love, a part of my great plan.
I put you here to learn of life and to return to me again."

"You are more beautiful to me than the loveliest mountain I made,
And your strength exceeds that of the wind's, so do not be afraid.
I love you not for what you are, but for what I know you will be.
I am always beside you watching you grow, you are very special to me."

A smile touched my lips - I knew it was true, my Father had always been there
Giving me comfort and blessings and love and my own special talents to share.
So I do my best to make Him proud. I am not afraid, for you see,
He loves me not for what I am, but for what He knows I will be.

Author Unknown