Aging and Self-doubt

Yellowstone National Park

Plagued by self-doubt,
with health that is failing.
Life casts me about,
and leaves my heart ailing.

Yet I still belong to you; you hold my right hand.
You guide me with your counsel, leading me to a glorious destiny. Psalm 73:23-24 NLT

You draw me close
and Your Spirit whispers to mine
words that conquer my woes—
I am Yours and You are mine…

forever

My health may fail, and my spirit may grow weak, but God remains the strength of my heart; he is mine forever. Psalm 73:26 NLT

Riding on the Clouds

Columbia River Gorge

Sing to God, sing in praise of his name, extol him who rides on the clouds; rejoice before him—his name is the LORD. Psalm 68:4 NIV

In all the turmoil
we see around,
be not discouraged—
Jesus is coming
with trumpet sound.
So rejoice!

in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised imperishable, and we shall be changed. 1 Corinthians 15:52 ESV

Light in the Forest

Glacier Bay, Alaska

I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation, so that you may know him better. Ephesians 1:17

Light in the forest—
Radiant glow.
Beckons me deeper,
His love to know.
A hint of glory that will be—
My Lord’s Spirit abiding in me.

To them God has chosen to make known,,, the glorious riches of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory. Colossians 1:27

Fly You Fools!

Misty Fjords, Alaska

“Fly you fools!  -Gandalf from “Lord of the Rings”

Wars, and, famine, and refuges fleeing to stay alive.
How will we escape? 
Our families to survive?
Fly you fools!

In the Lord I take refuge.
    How then can you say to me:
    “Flee like a bird to your mountain. 

For look, the wicked bend their bows;
    they set their arrows against the strings
to shoot from the shadows
    at the upright in heart.

When the foundations are being destroyed,
    what can the righteous do?”

The Lord is in his holy temple;
    the Lord is on his heavenly throne.  Psalm 11:1-4 NIV

The Lord is our refuge.
To His unfailing love,
let your spirit awaken.
Though the mountains crumble,
His kingdom will not be shaken

For the Lord is righteous,
    he loves justice;
    the upright will see his face. Psalm 11:7 NIV

Waiting on Sunrise

Tongass National Forest, Alaska

I put my hope in God,
and I wait—
I am weak and ready to fall
and I wait—
I am tired of waiting.
Please send Your Spirit to lift me up.
And I wait.—
I remember the many times You have rescued me,
and give You praise.
And my waiting turns into worship.
You have been there waiting for me.

Praise the LORD. How good it is to sing praises to our God, how pleasant and fitting to praise him! Psalm 147:1 NIV

Biding Time

Time goes so slow,
we are surprised when we reach the end.
Caught unawares
with so much still to do.
I should have been more careful
to make each moment last
but alas there are no more
I’ve put them in the past.

Teach us to number our days,
that we may gain a heart of wisdom. Psalm 90:12 NIV

When I Worry

When I worry—
Negative thoughts erode my frame,
Disturbing voices I cannot tame.
Igniting fires that burn the land.
Turning good ground into sand.

The fear of God my soul’s release,
Unfailing love that will not cease.
Reclaiming victories from my defeat.
Tearing the shroud of sin’s deceit.

So do not let your heart be hard,
when evil tries to blame.
To His great power give regard—
Blessed redemption through His Name.

-by stephen Hufman

But exhort one another every day, as long as it is called “today,” that none of you may be hardened by the deceitfulness of sin. Hebrews 3:13 ESV

How great is the goodness you have stored up for those who fear you. You lavish it on those who come to you for protection, blessing them before the watching world. Psalm 31:19 NLT

Road of Life

The road of life has frequent forks.
At each divide a signpost points—
One direction inscribed “What will be,”
the other marked, “What might have been.”
A few steps into “what will be,”
I wonder “what might have been.”
I pause to think—
should I retrace my steps,
and go down a different path?
But time moves on,
the sign soon reads,
“Not to be”.

Whose to know which way is best?
The signs don’t give a clue.
So I ponder which way to go,
craning for a view.
I must decide and reach life’s goal,
whatever that may be.
“What ever happens I’ll choose my way.”
trusting what I can see.

Around a bend of “What will be,”
Foul brigands hid out of sight,
and robbed me of joy and life.
they’re too strong for me to fight.
I suffered greatly on “what will be.”
Oh, for “what might have been.”

Soon I worry at every juncture,
growing anguish at each choice—
Should I chance “what will be”
or follow “what might have been?”
I need a map, to show the way,
where each road will lead.
Except I don’t know where I’ve been,
or where I want to be.

Isaiah 48:17 NIV
This is what the LORD says— your Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel: “I am the LORD your God, who teaches you what is best for you, who directs you in the way you should go.

Unfailing Love

I am small compared to the clouds and space,
but Your love reaches higher than I can see.
It finds me in the deepest place.
Though I feel lost, and not worthy.
O’unfailing love that lifts me up,
and brings me unto Thee.

For your unfailing love is as high as the heavens. Your faithfulness reaches to the clouds. Psalm 57:10 NLT

Where can I go from your Spirit?
Where can I flee from your presence?
If I go up to the heavens, you are there;
if I make my bed in the depths, you are there. Psalm 139:7-8 NIV

Quiet Laughter in the Woods

Silent trees play hide and seek with the sun.
I hear faint laughter of children playing games with God.
They are inviting us to join in.

You have shown me the way of life, and you will fill me with the joy of your presence. Acts 2:28 NLT