A Balanced Life

My life has been balanced
with pleasures and trials,
I've had many teardrops
and thousands of smiles.

I've soared to the moon
and I've plunged to the sand,
My life has been balanced
by God's loving hand.

I've had many friendships
I've had a few foes,
In the life of a Christian
that's the way that it goes.

Should I just accept
only good from God's hands?
No, I must endure
whatever He plans.

But I can be sure
and you can be, too,
All things work for best
as God deals with you.

Author Unknown

Always Believing

The path seems so cold and even unsure,
I searched for the light to help me to endure.
It seems so useless as I drudge onward through,
The pain seems so controlling what should I do?
My strength has left me, my thoughts are of death,
I see no future and I find no rest.

My head is lowered as defeat draws near,
The tears burns deep as I feel my fears.
What has happened to my life that I knew so dear,
Is there anyone out there, anyone to hear?
The past is painful and seems to much to bare,
Lord is there no one who will hear me, not one to care?

Lifting my head expecting to see death,
I found your eyes and heard, “Come unto Me to find your rest!”
I felt your arms as they pulled me tight,
As you spoke softly it is time to fight.
For No victory comes without a battle you must see,
But remember it all begins here within me.

For now is the time I need you to stand,
To arise and believe...and take a hold of my hand.
To walk through the fire and trust in Me,
Because only then you can truly be free.
For this one trial you need to understand,
Everything you go through is in the palms of my hands!

For alone I have promised you never shall be,
I will always be walking close by thee.
For when times seem tough and you feel life is leaving,
That is when you must stand always, always believing.
That I am with you no matter what you go through,
Because remember my child this trial was made especially for you!
Author Unknown

Bend In The Road

When we feel we have nothing left to give

And we are sure that the song has ended

When our day seems over and the shadows fall

And the darkness of night has descended,

Where can we go to find the strength

To valiantly keep on trying,

Where can we find the hand that will dry

The tears that the heart is crying?

There's but one place to go and that is to God

And, dropping all pretense and pride,

We can pour out our problems without restraint

And gain strength from Him at our side,

And together we stand at life's crossroads

And view what we think is the end

But God has a much bigger vision

And He tells us it's only a bend

For the road goes on and is smoother

And the "pause in the song" is a rest

And the part that's unsung and unfinished

Is the sweetest and richest and best

So rest and relax and grow stronger

Let go and let God share your load

Your work is not finished or ended,

You've just come to a "bend in the road."

Author Unknown

Blessings In Disguise

We all want happiness
and dread the thought of rain.
When the sun fails to shine,
we worry and complain.

We forget that God above
is infinitely wise,
and sometimes our ails
are blessings in disguise.

For if we're always happy
filled with sunshine and cheer,
our hearts would hold no mercy
for others who shed tears.

So when trouble comes knocking,
remember to stay strong.
Rainbows always follow the storm
and dark clouds never stay long.

Author Unknown

Broken Branches

The wind came through my life today,
Taking branches along the way.
Some I've had for so long I felt,
They were so very strong.

But the wind stripped them from me,
Taking them far from the tree.
Scattering my life like broken branches,
Without thoughts of the damage.

To a life that is so frail,
That sometimes hangs just by a nail.
Never knowing how the wounds will leave me,
Scared, alone, and forever weeping.

The broken branches of one's life,
Comes from living and taking chances.
For if we dare not to stand in the wind,
We would grow weak from within.

Even the storms of life feed the soul,
And help us to live and to grow.
Storms remind us that we are not the ones,
That are in control.
But that we are just to live,
With what God gives us here down below.

Have you ever seen a tree,
Long after the storm has had its way?
In many ways it may have changed,
It will not look the same.

But God still takes the broken tree,
And makes it more like it should be.
Shaping the new branches here and there,
As it grows under His care.

The storms of life may rip and tear
Taking things that we feel are so dear.
But this void is the place,
That God's greatest work,
Can most take place.

When God's work on us is done,
We will be as perfect as his Son.

If some of the branches have been broken off, and you, though a wild olive shoot, have been grafted in among the others and now share in the nourishing sap from the olive root, 18 do not consider yourself to be superior to those other branches. If you do, consider this: You do not support the root, but the root supports you.    Romans 11:17-18   (NIV)

Author Unknown

Coming To Jesus

Whenever I come to Jesus,
When troubled or distressed,
I always find a refuge
When I with Him can rest.

I tell Him all my trials,
I tell Him all my grief;
And while my lips are speaking
He gives my heart relief.

When full of dread foreboding,
And flowing over with tears,
He always calms my sorrows,
And hushes all my fears.

He comprehends my weakness,
The peril I am in,
And He supplies the armor
I need to vanquish sin.

When those are cold and faithless,
Who once were fond and true,
With careless hearts forsaking
The old friends for the new,

I turn to Him whose friendship
Knows neither change nor end,
And so I find in Jesus
An ever faithful Friend.

Whenever I come to Jesus,
No matter when or where
To seek His gracious presence,
I'm sure to find Him there.

In times of joy or sorrow,
Whatever my need may be,
I can always come to Jesus,
And Jesus comforts me.

Author Unknown

Faithful...

Is He who has promised
Are you passing through a testing?
Is your pillow wet with tears?
Do you wonder what the reason.
Why it seems God never hears?
Why it is you have no answer
To your oft-repeated plea.
Why the heaven still is leaden
As you wait on bended knee?
Do you wonder as you suffer.
Whether God does understand.
And if so, why He ignores you,
Fails to hold you in His hand?
Do black doubts creep in, assail you,
Fears without, and fears within,
Till your brave heart almost falters
And gives way to deadly sin?
All God's testing have a purpose---
Some day you will see the light,
All He asks is that you trust Him,
Walk by faith and not by sight,
Do not fear when doubts beset you,
Just remember---He is near;
He will never, never leave you,
He will always, always hear.
Faithful is He who has promised,
He will never let you fall,
Daily will the strength be given
Strength for each and strength for all.
He will gladly share pain with you,
He will gladly give you peace,
Till your tired and weary body
Find its blessed, glad release.
When the darken veil is lifted,
Then dear heart, you'll understand
Why it is you had to suffer,
Why you could not feel His hand
Giving strength when it was needed,
Giving power and peace within
Giving joy thru tears and trial,
Giving victory over sin.
So till then just keep on trusting,
Thru the sunshine and the rain,
Thru the tears and thru the heart-aches,
Thru the smiles and thru the pain
Knowing that our Father watches,
Knowing daily strength He'll give,
Victory for each passing hour,
This is life, so let us live!

Author Unknown

God Is Always Near

One thing can always cheer me
When I'm feeling sad and low
When I tired of daily trials
That I have to undergo,
When those who should
Seem closest, seem like
People I don't know,
One thing can always cheer me
I know that God is near me.

One thing can always cheer me
When I do not understand
How pain and sadness
In our lives
Can get so out of hand,
When the best of human efforts
Doesn't meet the days demands,
One thing can always cheer me
I know that God is always near me.

One thing can always cheer me
More than anything I've known
And show me I will never
Have to struggle on my own
For no matter what might happen
I will never be alone
The thing that will always cheer me
Is just knowing God is near me.

Our lives are in God's loving
Hands, in everything we do
He is with us constantly,
He always sees us through.
And if our faith is strong enough
We'll never walk alone,
For with His great and perfect love
He takes care of His own.

Author Unknown

How Would You Learn About Me?

If you never felt pain,
how would you learn that I'm a Healer?

If you never went through difficulty,
how would you learn that I'm a Deliverer?

If you never had a trial,
how would you learn that I can
help you to be an Overcomer?

If you never felt sadness,
how would you learn that I'm a Comforter?

If you never made a mistake,
how would you learn that I'm a Forgiver?

If you knew everything already,
how would you learn that I'm the Answer?

If you were never in trouble,
how would you learn that I'm a Rescuer

If you were never broken,
how would you learn that I'm the Potter
and you are the clay?

If you never had a problem,
how would you learn that I'm
a Problem Solver?

If you never knew suffering,
how would you learn about what
I suffered for you?

If you never went through the fire of cleansing,
how would you learn about being purified?

If I gave you all things,
how would you learn about
appreciating what you have?

If I never corrected you,
how would you learn about
being My child?

If you were all powerful,
how would you learn to depend
on Me?

If your life on earth was perfect,
how would you learn that apart
from Me - is it impossible to endure
the challenges?

"The things which are impossible with men are possible with God." Luke 18:27

Author Unknown

I Am There

Do you need me?
I am there.
You cannot see me, yet, I am the light you see by.
You cannot hear Me, yet, I speak through your voice.
You cannot feel Me, yet, I am the power at work through your hands.
I am at work, though you do not understand my ways.
I am at work, though you do not recognize my works.
I am not strange visions.
I am no mystery.
Only in absolute stillness, beyond self, can you know Me as I am ~ then
but as a feeling and as a faith.
Yet, I am here.
Yet, I hear.
Yet, I answer.
When you need Me, I am there.
Even if you deny Me I am there.
Even in your fears, I am there.
Even in your pain, I am there.
I am there when you pray and when you do not pray.
I am in you and you are in Me.
Only in your mind can you feel separate from Me, for only in your mind
are the myths of "yours" and "mine."
Yet only in your mind can you know Me and experience Me.
Empty your heart of empty fears. When you get yourself out of the
way, I am there.
You can of yourself do nothing, but I can do all.
And, I am in all.
Though you may not see the good, good is there, for I am there.
I am there because I have to be, for I AM.
Only in Me does the world have meaning.
Only in Me does the world take form.
Only because of me does the world go forward.
I am the law in which the movement of the stars and the growth of living
cells are founded.
I am the Love that is fulfilling.
I am the assurance.
I am the peace.
I am the oneness.
I am the law that you can live by.
I am the Love that you can cling to.
I am your assurance.
I am your peace.
I am the one with you.
I AM.
Though you fail Me, I do not fail you.
Though your faith is in Me is unsure, My faith never waivers, because I
know you, because I love you.
BELOVED, I am there.

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

In The Middle of The Storm

In the middle of the storm, I felt God smile
All my fears faded, if only for a while
Though it was dark and stormy, the tempest winds flew
In that darkest moment, I knew I'd make it through.

I felt that peaceful smile, shine down from above
All in an instant, I was flooded with His love
The storm was not yet over, had a fight ahead
I had to take hold of, the Bible words I'd read.

Remember that He loves you, He shall never leave
Cast your cares upon Him, and in His name believe
He's the breath that I breathe, the Rock of Salvation
He's the Lord Almighty, God of all creation.

So when your tempest hits, and darkness is around
Know that God is with you, and feel His peace deep down
Know that you can make it, that God will keep you strong
The darkness will fade and the Light will come along.

Author Unknown

I Refuse to be Discouraged

I refuse to be discouraged,
To be sad, or to cry;
I refuse to be downhearted, and here's the reason why:

I have a God who's mighty,
Who's sovereign and supreme;
I have a God who loves me, and I am on His team.

He is all-wise and powerful.
Jesus is His name;
Though everything is changeable,
My God remains the same.

My God knows all that's happening;
Beginning to the end;
His presence is my comfort;
He is my dearest Friend.

When sickness comes to weaken me,
To bring my head down low,
I call upon my mighty God;
Into His arms I go.

When circumstances threaten to rob me of my peace;
He draws me close unto His breast,
Where all my strivings cease,
And my soul is completely at rest.

When my heart melts within me, and weakness takes control;
He gathers me into His arms,
He soothes my heart and soul.

The great "I AM" is with me.
My life is in His hand.
The "Son of the Lord" is my hope.
It's in His strength I stand.

I refuse to be defeated.
My eyes are on my God;
He has promised to be with me, as through this life I trod.

I'm looking past all my circumstances,
To Heaven's throne above;
My prayers have reached the heart of God
I'm resting in His love.

I give God thanks in everything.
My eyes are on His face;
The battle's His, the victory mine;
He'll help me win the race.

Author: Unknown

I Wish For You...

Comfort on difficult days,
Rainbows to follow the clouds,
Laughter to kiss your lips,
Sunsets to warm your heart
Gentle hugs when spirits sag,

Friendships to brighten your being,
Beauty for your eyes to see,
Confidence for when you doubt,
Faith so that you can believe,
Courage to know yourself,

Patience to accept the truth,
And love to complete your life.
God Bless you!
I asked the Lord to bless you
To guide you and protect you

As you go along your way....
His love is always with you
His promises are true
No matter what the tribulation
You know He will see us through

So when the road you're traveling on
Seems difficult at best
Give your problems to the Lord
And God will do the rest.

Author Unknown

Lean On Me

As the road ahead seems rugged
and the path is getting steep,
I feel that I can't make it
so my heart begins to weep.

Then I turn to see who's coming
to join me on my way.
I see it is my Lord
and He slowly turns to say,

"Lean on me.....
when you have no strength to stand.
When you feel you're going under,
hold tighter to my hand.

Lean on me......
when your heart begins to bleed.
When you know I'm all you have,
then you'll find I'm all you need."

Then when I felt that no one cared
if I lived or died,
and no one bothered asking why
I'd go alone to cry.

When the burden got so heavy
I could barely face the day,
I felt His arms around me
as I gently heard Him say,

"Lean on me......
when you have no strength to stand.
When you feel you're going under,
hold tighter to my hand.

Lean on me......
when your heart begins to bleed.
When you come to know I'm all you have,
then you'll find I'm all you need."

Author Unknown

One Day At A Time

Our lives are made up of a million moments,
spent in a million different ways.
Some are spent searching for
love, peace, and harmony.
Others are spent surviving day by day.

But there is no greater moment
than when we find that life,
with all it's joys and sorrows,
is meant to be lived one day at a time.
It's in this knowledge that we discover
the most wonderful truth of all.

Whether we live in a forty-room mansion,
surrounded by servants and wealth,
or find it a struggle to manage
the rent month to month,
we have it within our power to be fully
satisfied and live a life with true meaning.

One day at a time - we have that ability,
through cherishing each moment
and rejoicing in each dream.
We can experience each day anew,
and with this fresh start we have
what it takes to make all our dreams come true.
Each day is new, and living one day at a time
enables us to truly enjoy life and live it to the fullest.

Author Unknown

Pathway

As I walk down the road of life
I notice many barriers in my pathway.
I see small logs and stones
Which are easy to overcome.
But I also see
Boulders that stand over my head
And are as wide as an ocean
With the only way around it
Is Up and Over.
I see many who have given up
And stop at the barricades of the boulders
In those times of trouble,
I call on one.
One who can carry me over my fears
And doubts
I call him my best friend
He's also my Savior
Jesus Christ!

Author Unknown

Precious In His Eyes

I will trust God today,
for I know He's still in charge,
My life is safe with Him today.
My path ahead is bright to Him,
Although to me it's dim.

I'll place my trust in Him each day,
Every second and every hour.
Though I am weak and have no strength,
HE is my God of power.

He'll lead and He'll strengthen us,
And He'll always stay by our side.
He will be my everything,
And in His peace I'll abide.

There's nothing in my life, my friend,
That'll take God by surprise.
He's in control and He loves us --
Cause we're precious in His eyes.

Author Unknown

Start Over

When you've made your plans and they've gone awry
When you've tried your best and there's no more try
When you've failed yourself and you don't know why...

Start over.

When you've told your friends what you plan to do
When you've trusted them and they didn't come through
And now you're all alone and it's up to you...

Start over.

When you've failed your kids and they're frown and gone
When you've done your best but it's turned out wrong
And now your grandchildren have come along...

Start over.

When you've prayed to God so you'll know His will
When you've prayed and prayed and you don't know still
When you want to stop cause you've had your fill...

Start over.

When you think you're finished and want to quit
When you've bottomed out of life's deepest pit
When you've tried and tried to get out of it...

Start over.

When the year has been long and successes few
When December comes and you're feeling blue
God gives a January just for you...

Start over.

Starting over means "Victories Won"
Starting over means "A Race Well Run"
Starting over means "God's Will Done"

Don't just sit there..........

START OVER.

Author Unknown

The Promise

There's a promise in our sorrow
and a blessing when we sigh.
There's a light beyond the shadows
and a cleansing when we cry.

So when we are discouraged,
and face tremendous grief;
it is during those times of trouble,
that the heavens send relief.

With our heart in tune with Jesus,
our source of joy and peace,
be mindful of His promise,
that all suffering He would cease.

He's cried our tears of sadness;
He's felt our every pain,
He's walked our path before,
all glory to His name.

Just listen for the spirit,
as it whispers to be still,
for there is joy and comfort
beyond sad Calvary's hill.

So if the sky should darken
and if the earth should quake,
remember life has struggles
on the journey that we take.

The aftermath of sorrow
is beauty and pure light,
if we can fight the battle
and pray with soul and might.

He sent us rainbow colors
to follow cleansing rain,
He showed us there are miracles
that come with all the pain.

Seek forbearance in the hardships,
or when we fear or roam.
Cast your burdens on the Savior,
and He'll come and take us home.

For He is our great Redeemer
our only true best friend,
He promised he would never leave,
He'll guide us to the end.

Author Unknown

The Storm

My sails were torn and battered and my ship was sinking fast;
I could not stay on course when I turned to You at last.
I thought that I could handle it and make it on my own;
But I knew I was in trouble, out here all alone.

I knew I needed You Lord to help me make it through;
I knew that I was lost and I knew not what to do.

Why couldn't I have looked beyond and saw what lay ahead;
Because I had a will so strong I was sinking here instead.

Down on my knees to You Lord I begged Your help that day;
I promised I would follow You and let You lead the way.

You never hesitated Lord but turned my ship around;
You brought my ship safe into port and set my feet upon dry ground.

Now You are the captain of both my heart and soul
You're always at the helm for me and I know I'll safely reach my goal

Author Unknown

The Will of God

The will of God will never take you,
Where the grace of God cannot keep you,
Where the arms of God cannot support you,
Where the riches of God cannot supply your needs,
Where the power of God cannot endow you.

The will of God will never take you,
Where the Spirit of God cannot work through you,
Where the wisdom of God cannot teach you,
Where the army of God cannot protect you,
Where the hands of God cannot mold you.

The will of God will never take you,
Where the love of God cannot enfold you,
Where the mercies of God cannot sustain you,
Where the peace of God cannot calm your fears,
Where the authority of God cannot overrule for you.

The will of God will never take you,
Where the comfort of God cannot dry your tears,
Where the Word of God cannot feed you,
Where the miracles of God cannot be done for you,
Where the omnipresence of God cannot find you.

"Everything happens for a purpose.
We may not see the wisdom of it all now
but trust and believe in the Lord
that everything is for the best."

Author Unknown

Through The Storms

I did not know His love before, the way I know it now.
I could not see my need for Him, my pride would not allow.
I had it all, without a care, the "Self-sufficient" lie.
My path was smooth, my sea was still, not a cloud was in my sky.

I thought I knew His love for me, I thought I'd seen His grace,
I thought I did not need to grow, I thought I'd found my place.
But then the way grew rough and dark, the storm clouds quickly rolled;
The waves began to rock my ship, my anchor would not hold.

The ship that I had built myself was made of foolish pride.
It fell apart and left me bare, with nowhere else to hide.
I had no strength or faith to face the trials that lay ahead,
And so I simply prayed to Him and bowed my weary head.

His loving arms enveloped me, and then He helped me stand.
He said, "You still must face this storm, but I will hold your hand."
So through the dark and lonely night He guided me through pain.
I could not see the light of day or when the storm might wane.

Yet through the aches and endless tears, my faith began to grow.
I could not see it at the time, but my light began to glow.
I saw God's love in brand new light, His grace and mercy, too.
For only when all self was gone could Jesus' love shine through.

It was not easy in the storm, I sometimes wondered, "Why?"
At times I thought, "I can't go on."
I'd hurt, and doubt, and cry.
But Jesus never left my side, He guided me each day.
Through pain and strife, through fire and flood,
He helped me all the way .

And now I see as never before how great His love can be.
How in my weakness He is strong, how Jesus cares for me!
He worked it all out for my good, although the way was rough.
He only sent what I could bear, and then He cried, "Enough!"

He raised His hand and said, "Be still!"
He made the storm clouds cease.
He opened up the gates of joy and flooded me with peace.
I saw His face now clearer still, I felt His presence strong,
I found anew His faithfulness, He never did me wrong.

Now I know more storms will come, but only for my good,
For pain and tears have helped me grow as naught else ever could.
I still have so much more to learn as Jesus works in me;
But I have learned, when I'm in a storm;
I'm not alone, Jesus is with me!

Author Unknown

Trials

The path seems so cold and even unsure,
I searched for the light to help me to endure.
It seems so useless as I drudge onward through,
The pain seems so controlling what should I do?
My strength has left me, my thoughts are of death,
I see no future and I find no rest.

My head is lowered as defeat draws near,
The tears burns deep as I feel my fears.
What has happened to my life that I knew so dear,
Is there anyone out there, anyone to hear?
The past is painful and seems to much to bare,
Lord is there no one who will hear me, not one to care?

Lifting my head expecting to see death,
I found your eyes and heard, “Come unto Me to find your rest!”
I felt your arms as they pulled me tight,
As you spoke softly it is time to fight.
For No victory comes without a battle you must see,
But remember it all begins here within me.

For now is the time I need you to stand,
To arise and believe...and take a hold of my hand.
To walk through the fire and trust in Me,
Because only then you can truly be free.
For this one trial you need to understand,
Everything you go through is in the palms of my hands!

For alone I have promised you never shall be,
I will always be walking close by thee.
For when times seem tough and you feel life is leaving,
That is when you must stand always, always believing.
That I am with you no matter what you go through,
Because remember my child this trial was made especially for you!

Author Unknown

To Whom Shall I Go?

To whom shall I go
When hope dwindles low,
And somehow the way seems unclear;
Who would understand
The inner demand
Of my soul wrapped in sorrow and fear?
Some seek in their plight
Man's wisdom and might,
Feeling sure that such counsel is good;
But this help so frail
Will certainly fail
If we trust in man more than we should.

O Lord, it is You
So faithful and true
To whom daily my burdens I bring;
Friends really may care,
But they cannot compare
To the love of my Master and King.

For You are God's Son;
To You I shall run,
O Rock, ever steadfast, unmoved;
Though many go 'way,
Lord, always I'll stay
for Your word I have tested and proved.

To whom shall I go
When troubles overflow,
And the tempter God's blessings obscure?
One does understand
Covers me with his hand;

That You are that Christ, I am sure.

Author Unknown

When I Said

When I said to the Lord, "I am so short of where you want me to be."
He gently answered, "That's okay. I will guide you there."

When I said to the Lord, "I don't know who I am."
He gently answered, "That's okay. I know who you are."

When I said to the Lord, "My actions aren't reflecting my heart."
He gently answered, "That's okay. Mine did."

When I said to the Lord, "My mind is corrupted."
He gently answered, "That's okay. Use mine for awhile."

When I said to the Lord, "I don't know how to love."
He gently answered, "That's okay. I will give you free lessons"

When I said to the Lord, "I can't go any further, I have no strength to go on."
He gently answered, " That's okay, I will carry you."
When I said to the Lord "I ..... "
He gently answered, "That's okay I ....... "

Author Unknown

Your Cross

Whatever your cross, whatever your pain,
There will always be sunshine after the rain.
Perhaps you may stumble, perhaps even fall,
But God's always ready to answer your call.
He knows every heartache, sees every tear,
A word from His lips can calm every fear.
Your sorrows may linger throughout the night,
But suddenly vanish at dawn's early light.
The Savior is waiting somewhere above,
To give you His grace and send you His love.
Whatever your cross, whatever your pain,
God always sends rainbows after the rain.

Author Unknown