Have You Noticed?

Have You Noticed …

…that discipline usually hurts?

…pills are hard to swallow?

Have You Noticed …

…medicine is supposed to be ‘good for you,’ yet tastes so bad?

…that you actually have to PAY people to make you well? (like you haven’t already suffered enough?)

Have you noticed…

…that no day actually has 24 hours in it? When you’re on vacation, the days go way too fast and when you're working they go way too slow?

…that the grass is always greener on the other side…until you get there?

Have you noticed…

…your line is always the slowest?

on the freeway…at the store…in the bank?

Have you noticed …

…that some people live to work, instead of the other way around?

…that one sock always seems to escape in the washer or dryer? Where do they go? Are they having sock parties somewhere? Who takes them to those things?

Have you noticed…

…the nicest clothes, cars, and food are the most expensive…but the best things in life are still free?

…that you always seem to forget things when you are can't afford to be late? Even when you leave someting out on the counter so you won’t forget it?

Have you noticed…

… that ‘good intentions’ by themselves don’t mean a whole lot?

… And that children pick up on those things?

Have you noticed…

…when you miss your plane by 5 minutes, it might as well have been 5 hours?

…when you’re kid marches in the school’s marching band, it seems like ALL the other kids are out of step, but not yours?

Have you noticed…

…that every sport seems to promote a “Game of the Century” every year?

…or that your team never really loses…they just run out of time?

Have you noticed…

…when you speak into a tape recorder, some stranger is inside there making fun of your voice, because that sure isn’t YOUR voice!?!?

Have you noticed…

…a full moon recently? Or a sunset or sunrise?

…how often you forget to tell those you love the most, that you love them?

Have you noticed…

...that 'someone special' in your life recently? REALLY noticed? Do you know the hidden pain or sorrow or joy they feel right now, and how to draw it out?

Have you noticed ...

…God?

Picket Fences and High Wired Walls

There were times I was silent
curled up in a ball
alone and despondent
through with it all.

You looked past picket fences
over high-wired walls
dug through hidden trenches
into dark, cloistered halls.

You know me, You made me
there was nowhere to hide
You saw through the fakeness
right down to the pride.

Try as I might
I couldn’t run from Your view
I finally surrendered
it was long overdue.

You changed me forever
took a sinner so bare
asked me to love You
in a life we could share.

Each day now designed
never left to mere chance
each hour together
makes my soul long to dance.

Reading Your Word
helps me know Your sweet love
Your soft, gentle Spirit
as a gentle, white dove.

Your ways are my comfort
Your Word is my sight
the peace that it brings me
because I know that it's right.

The world's kings and kingdoms
come and go so fast
its' riches and pleasures
quickly fade to the past.

But my love for You, Lord
burns steady each day
its’ flame grows brighter
will not go away.

Rise Up, Young Son

Rise up, My young son
no longer bound by your past
loosed from the bondage
that held you so fast

 

Arise now, My young son
time to stand on your own
lean on Me when you need
but show Me you’ve grown

Near Me, My young son
is where I want you the most
I created and saved you
to be your Heavenly Host

Draw nigh, My young son
you’ve stretched in ways that I see
though a grown man to the world…
you’re still a young son to Me

Sister

Silently, secretly
another year steals away
We ponder tomorrows
recall yesterdays

Imagine my wonder then
today when I found
you’re not a kid anymore
youth escaped without sound

So subtle the changes

 first thought I was blind
but the shells not so altered,
it’s really the mind

Thanks for fond memories
that last all the while
Sibling rivalry departed
replaced with a smile

Each child is unique
and I’m thankful God knew
to make sisters for brothers…
especially you.

Reach out to touch
now and then as your friend
When life throws you a curve
brothers and sisters begin…

Families don’t end!

Ever Wonder Why

Ever wonder why…

bananas grow on trees
dogs run into fleas
a person has to sneeze?

Ever wonder why…

stars hang in the sky
birds know how to fly
Mom’s bake apple pie?

Ever wonder why…

children love to play
Santa has a sleigh
nights turn into day?

Ever wonder why…

summer starts in June
some can't sing in tune
vacations end too soon?

Ever wonder why…

the ocean is so blue
books get overdue
someone created you?

Ever wonder why…

kittens like to cuddle
kids never miss a puddle
grownups are so subtle?

Ever wonder why…

couples come in two’s
kids outgrow their shoes
some teams always lose?

Ever wonder why…

nature seems to know
when to rain or snow
the seasons come and go?

Ever wonder why…

stingers grow on bees
kids don’t eat their peas
troubles come in three’s?

Ever wonder why…

girls turn into a frill
boys into a pill
Jack and Jill climbed up that hill?

Ever wonder why…

soldiers have to die
struck down in their prime
gone before their time?

Ever wonder why…

street lamps know when to light
muscles get so tight
you know wrong from right?

Ever wonder why…

Jesus loves you and I
for our sins He cried
for our lives He died?

Ever wonder why …

Elizabeth

Bright is the room
when you enter its’ door
brighter my life
which you’ve pierced to the core.

Embraced by your warmth
and encouraging smile
you’re entrenched in God’s love
that endures all the while.

Christ living through you
of that I’m quite sure
He is your example
no truth is more pure.

Kindness and goodness
are the keynotes for thee
that tell of the Godly woman
in all that I see.

You’re gifted in talent
He has blessed you a lot!
but the best gift of all
are your sins which He bought.

A Love Letter

This is a love letter, to my very special someone...my earthly everything! And my desire to be the Godly husband, she, and every woman deserves. Every man should be so blessed to be with the kind of woman I am in love with.

GENEROSITY: Love of Giving Freely

I love you, wife to be, and I give you my all—freely, willingly, joyfully. Totally, minute-by-minute … today, tomorrow, and forever.

SERVING: Love of Serving You

Jesus taught husbands how to be servant leaders and that is what I want for you. The reward is a wife who wants to serve you in return, and an incredible, loving, passionate marriage.

HUMILITY: Love of Honoring You

Instead of lifting myself up as the priest of the household, I desire to honor you and exalt you as a beautiful and wonderful God-given helper. Godly men are humble servants to God and their wives. God isn’t looking for a self-made man; He’s looking for a man who will humble himself to God’s will. That is the kind of man a Godly woman needs.

LISTENING: Love of Tuning In

I desire to hear not just your words, but your heart.

KINDNESS: Love of Caring for You

Each day I commit kindness to you in abundance. I will compliment you on the details of life, from how you look, to all of the many things you do to make our house a home. I will adore you and cherish you, helping with the household tasks, and not putting it all on you. I will be creative in the way we “date” each other, and not take you for granted. I realize how kind God has been to me, and commit to funneling that kindness to his you.

Many husbands are emotional abusers. They don’t use fists, but their tongue can be just as much or even more damaging. Proverbs 18:21 (NIV) reads, ”The tongue has the power of life or death.” Husbands can speak life or death to their wives with the words they use. I commit to never being unkind to you, even when we don’t agree on something.

HONESTY: Loving the Openness We Share

Trust is HUGE, and I’m so thankful to you for the openness we share, and how we bring everything and every situation to each other. No secrets. A Godly husband (or wife) will always tell the truth. Little white lies are devastating, and leaving out key details that you feel he or she doesn’t need to know, is a disaster to the trust built. Anything that even looks remotely dishonest, will damage.

Godly husbands will be honest and up-front with their wives in all areas. They realize that God made her as a helper and in order for a wife to do that, there can be nothing hidden. I’m so very thankful to have you as my best friend, and for our honesty with each other.

FAITHFULNESS: Loving Only One—You!

I’m so in love with you, and so committed to only you, forever. That commitment is two-fold—because of you, and how deeply I am in love with you, and because of God. I know that being unfaithful can come in more than one form – the physical, but also emotional unfaithfulness. Many men turn to pornography, or turn to other women to share intimate information that should only be shared with a wife. I promise to always bring everything to only you.

KEEPING PROMISES: Love of Following Through

I pray to not let you down. God, give me strength, courage, and wisdom to be the man she needs and desires in all areas. But if I fail, I pray for her understanding and forgiveness to know my heart.

UNDERSTANDING: The Love Underneath it All

I yearn deeply to know your mind, feel your emotions, sense your heartbeat, grieve with your heartaches, and smile with your joys.

CURIOSITY: Love of Knowledge

I’m so blessed to learn and grow with you and from you … every day.

JUSTICE: Love for Fellow Human Beings

I’ve always believed I’ve had a heart for others … but your heart amazes me … it’s so big! I admire you so much. You grieve for the lost, encourage others, and give of yourself.

FORGIVENESS: Love of Self

God forgives. So thankful He does … so should each of us, of others, and of ourselves … What a great example of love and forgiveness He is!

PEACE: Love Beyond Self

I pray every day … many times every day … for your peace, your joy, your fulfillment, your mission.

GOD: IS LOVE!

Ephesians 5:25, says, “Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her.” This is a spiritual love that is unconditional and sacrificial and only available from God.

I must first come to Him and be filled with His love. Then I can go to my wife and let His love flow through me.

HE is our everything sweetheart! He’s given 2nd chances … at life, at love, at Him.

I love you!