Nore Gifts 1

Freedom from fear

All people shoulf be able  to live

without being afraid  of being

attacked  just becaudethey are

"differennt' frrom others.

Freedom from hatred

Freedom to see that all people are

bdlovved chidren of God. Will we evet        

learn this truth? Will we ever learn to

treat each  otrer in God's love?          

 

Freeedom from war                

Freedom tto livr without the fear of

  bullets or bombs coming and     

destroying  all that has been buuilt and

destroying many lives. Can we ever

learn  to live together in peace and

love?          

Gifts for the World

Freedom from  hunger

Feedom froom being homeless

Freedom fear

Freedom from hatred

Freedom to  be

Freedom to love

Freedom  to worship

Freedom!

Freedom from hunger

Can we learn to make sure everybody

has dnough to et? We have the

ablity to do this, will we ever ddo it?

Gifts to give at any tim that won't any (or much) money.

1.  Smile at people. 

             It just might make their day 

2.   Give hugs

              To people you meet.

3.    Call those who live alone.

               They just may need to hear another voice. If 

                 family is near, they maay be busy.

4.     Open doors for people.

                They  just might need the help.

5.      Tell someone you care for them.

                  People living alone van get depressed

                  easily. You might be able to change 

                  someone’s outlook.

6.        Offer to hllp.

       This might costt you for gas, but if family

        is mear , they might be all busy with work.

7.         Ask if they would like company.

        If you have some time, single folk especially 

        appreciate visits from other people.

8.         Offer transportation to the store.

         to events or to church. There may not be

          anybody  else to drive an older

          person to where they want to go.         

9.          Share a meal with them. If  possible,let the  

          person pay for the meal. It will help them

          feel good sbout themselves.

10.           Bring them a home cooked meal.

          Something you cooked yourself is 

          always welcome, provided it is

           something they can eat.    

What do I want

What do I want for Christmas? There are a lot of things I could ask for , but I think really would like an end to all wars and everyone could live side by side without arguing or fighting . I also would like all people to be accepted as the normal, beautiful and wonderful humans that God created them to be. 

Too Busy

 Are you too busy with Christmas for Christmas?  Are you too involved with buying gifts for the people around you to really think about the real meaning of the season?   We are supposed to be celebrating the time when love came and was born as a baby, to show us what love really is. We still have not gotten the message.   We are celebrating the birth of a man named Jesus. 

Now I realize that we don't know the actual date of Jesus ‘birth.   The day most likely was chosen to lure pagans into the church and because the people then had no idea when Jesus born either.   They were eager, perhaps too eager to grow the church because they believed what they had been taught about a man named Jesus, who most of them had never met.  And they thought it celebration of the birth was needed, given what the other religions of the time taught about who God is or who the gods were at the time. 

So,  are you prepared for the celebration,  or have you been too busy getting all those things that family and friends have asked for?  And have you been too busy looking for the best present at the best price? Come with me and see how much better Christmas can be when you celebrate that one special birth.  Are you too busy with Christmas for Christmas?  Are you too involved with buying gifts for the people around you to really think about the real meaning of the season?   We are supposed to be celebrating the time when love came and was born as a baby, to show us what love really is. We still have not gotten the message.   We are celebrating the birth of a man named Jesus. 

Now I realize that we don't know the actual date of Jesus ‘birth.   The day most likely was chosen to lure pagans into the church and because the people then had no idea when Jesus born either.   They were eager, perhaps too eager to grow the church because they believed what they had been taught about a man named Jesus, who most of them had never met.  And they thought it celebration of the birth was needed, given what the other religions of the time taught about who God is or who the gods were at the time. 

B

So,  are you prepared for the celebration,  or have you been too busy getting all those things that family and friends have asked for?  And have you been too busy looking for the best present at the best price? Come with me and see how much better Christmas can be when you celebrate that one special birth. 

Bethlehem

Bethlehem, oh  Bethlehem, considered, at that time, to be  the least of the towns of Israel and yet was King David's own city. Joseph and Mary went there for that census because they were  descended from King David. They ended up in a stable because the town was so crowded with people there for the census. Their baby was born in that humble stable with animals all around them.

Bethlehem, oh Bethlehem, I would happily be there with the animals to help with the birth of that very special baby boy. 

Bethlehem, oh Bethlehem, now the queen of all the cities that ever were because the Child that was born there turned out to be the King of the Ages. Angels told shepherds about  the birth and where to find the baby. And wise men followed a star so they could acknowledge the new-born King and then worship Him.

Bethlehem, oh Bethlehem, I wish I could have been there with the shepherds or been a midwife there for help with that special birth. Or maybe I could have been a servant of those wise men. Just to have been there would have been glorious! 

Bethlehem, oh Bethlehem, when did all this happen? Who knows when, what time of year it was?  All that matters is that God came down to earth to show us all how to live together in love. Come with me and see and learn about this God who loves all people, no matter who they are. 

Bethlehem, my Bethlehem, I bow down and remember you in my prayers. And I stand beside you against those who would destroy you and your people. Oh my Bethlehem, it is the best thing I can do, loving you and your people.

Christmas

Christmas is coming soon, are you prepared?  Are you ready for the celebration? It is the time we have chosen to celebrate the birth of Jesus,  are you ready for the party, a special party for He who came to set us free from hate and division and to show us what love really is and how to love others without conditions.   Are we all ready for the unexpected from God? Who knows, God might just turn up as a woman this time. We must be prepared for the unexpected from God both in who is accepted and loved and who is not.  

So,  are we ready for the unexpected from God?   Will we be able to know God in human form this time?   How many will turn away if God appears to us in a way that doesn't meet our approval?   And will we be able to tell who the person really is? Are we listening for the voice of God inside of each of us?  Will we be able to hear that voice if the person is different from us? Christmas is coming, are we ready?

3 Prayers

Loving God, thank you for reminding me every day that you do love me.  But you also remind me that you love all other people, too. You have told me that it does not matter what people look like, who they are or what they believe.  You told me that you still claim them as your children, and you love all of them. You have said again and again that there is no one who is outside of your love.  Please keep reminding me until it is so much a part of me that there is no one who I can hate, for I do not want to ever do anything that is outside of what 

you want. AMEN

Dear God, I'm sorry, but I'm not doing as well as I should. There are still some people who I would like to hate, or at least think that you do not love them. These   people think too differently than I do, and I cannot handle that. Remind me again that those who are different that that your love cannot be restricted to just some people, but is  inclusive of all. Stay always near me, and help me to learn your love. AMEN

Oh God, immerse me so much in your love that there is no one who I can hate or think can be outside of your love.  Fill me so full of your love that no matter who the others are or what they believe, I will remember that your love is theirs, also, even when they disagree with me.  Help me to love others, forit is so much easier to love family and friends than to love others who are so much different.AMEN

 

People of the Rainbow

We are the people

Of the rainbow

     And we are searching 

      For justice for all.

We are the people

Of the rainbow

      And we are working

     For freedom just to be.

We also belong

To God,who loves 

All people the same

And does not see 

That one person 

Is any better 

Than the next  one.

Let us work together

For justice for all

And the freedom to be

Who really are.

It's a celebration of the freedoms we have earned, freedom to marry who we want  freedom to have decent jobs, freedom to live where we want, freedom to raise our children, freedom to know God's love is ours and the freedom to worship God as we wish. But there is so much more to do, if we are going to keep these freedoms.. 

  

It's a celebration 

Of  freedoms gained

From hard work

By the people

Now dear God, 

Show us

The other freedoms

That are needed 

And how to keep 

The ones we have 

Including this one - 

The freedom 

Just to be… 

Ourselves. 

Kingdom of Love

     Hope for the Kingdom of love, which shall come.  

It is in this kingdom that all shall live in peace, 

nor shall any put down any other.  No person will be 

made to feel that they are less than any other person.  

And God's love will be there for all, for all are His 

children.  

     Work for the Kingdom of love and let all people 

know that God's love is there for them.  This is what 

Christmas is all about, God's love made manifest, 

walking among the people, showing all how they were 

to live in peace.  

     Live as Christ did, loving all people, sharing 

God's love with all, and the kingdom will come sooner.  

For the more we live in love and in Christ, the more 

the kingdom is present in this world.  And let God's 

love flow through us all out to the whole world, that 

all the world will know God and His love.

A Musician

A Musician       

Yes, I met Jesus.  I had become crippled and could 

not play any of my instruemnts.  I had heard about 

the healing powers that Jesus had and thought that 

it was worth tyring to see ifI could be healed.  I 

wanted to get back to playing my music. I didn't even 

have to ask.  I was there in the crowd listening to 

Him teaching.  Quite a fellow, I'll tell you!  I like 

the way He teaches!  But then Jesus stopped teaching, 

and went through the crowd, touching people and healing 

them.  Of course, I watched where He was going and 

put myself near where He was.  He stopped and talked 

to some folks nearby, then looked at me.  And before 

I could ask Him - "Please heal me," He reached out 

and touched my shoulder.  I could feel the warmth 

coursing through my body.  And then all my brokeness6

was gone, healed.  Both inside and out! Of course, 

since then, I have been a follower, a disciple.  And 

I find that I am now composing my own music, in praise 

of God, who sent Jesus to us.  It's so easy, especially 

when you know that God loves you!

I Am Love

I Am Love       

I Am here.
Before the world was,
I Am there,
And I created all.
Yahweh, Elohim,
Call me what you will,
I Am always near.
Out of love
I created you.

John 1:1-5   
I am the word
That created all,
And I became
One with you
To show you all
The way to live
With each other
In love.

John 3:16
I came in love
To teach all
How to live together
In peace and love.
Can you learn
To follow me
And love
All that you meet?

I John 3:1
In this know
How much you are loved,
You are my children!
You are all
Precious to me
And I would
Hold you close
If you will only
Come near.

I John 3:11   
And being all
Children of mine,
Learn to love
One another,
For you all are
Brothers and sisters.
Come together
And see
Who you really are.

I John 4:7-10
I came
That you might
Know what love is,
And how much
I really love you.
Come and see
And find forgiveness
And love
For yourself.

I John 4:11-16
You will come
To live in union
With me
If you will only
Love one another.
And in this union
Is my love shown,
That though you have
Never seen my face,
You still live in union
With each other.

I John 4:17-18
You need not
Fear anything,
For my love
Is always there
To protect you.
Come to me
And see
How great my love
For you is.


I John 4:19-21
I created you
And I loved you
Before you knew me.
I came that you
Might know love
And not hate,
For there is no room
For hate near me.
If you love me,
You love others!
Come to me and know
My great love
For you!
   

Thanksgiving 2

Giving thanks for a place to live that also cares for me and my Parkinson's, making sure I get my meds as ordered at the time.  Thanks for all the aids who help me in my daily care. There are too many to mention by name, I  might leave someone out.

The Promise

The Promise   

Psalm 27:1

Hear the promise of God:

I will be with you

To give you light.

Do not fear,

For I will always

Be near you

To give you strength

In time of need.

Isaiah  2:4

And in time,

If you will listen,

I will show you all

How to live together

In peace and love.

All war implements

Will be destroyed,

And you all will have

All that you need

For a better life.

Luke 1:78-79

And in that time,

I will turn your darkness

Into light

And show all of you

The path of peace.

My mercy and light

Will be there

For all of you,

For all of you are mine.

Tired

“I am tired,” I said out loud. As I put myself to bed, I heard a voice that said, “relax and rest, get some sleep, for tomorrow will be a better day for you. Rest and regain your strength, Beloved child, and I will be here, watching, keeping you safe.  Tomorrow I will help you better deal with the problems that come your way. ;b Rest and sleep, Beloved. 

I Seek

I seek to see your face, oh God 

And to be always near you. 

I seek to know you better BBC

Every day and to know

What your love and peace are like 

So I can treat others better. 

I see to always walk 

Closer to you, oh God..

Gen 2:19

Gen 2:19

And God created
All that is;
The birds that fly,
All that lives in the sea,
And all the beasts
That live on the land.

Come and see,
All creatures
Were created by God.
Come and know
That God treasures
And loves them all.

Creator God,
Forgive us
When we treat
This world
As our own
Personal possession.
Forgive us
When we forget
That you created
All animals
And they
Belong here, too.
Help all of us
To remember
That you love
All that you
Have created.

God is here,
Forgiving us
And loving us.

Come, let us
Celebrate.
And praise God
Who made
Every creature
And loves them all.

Go out in peace,
And remember:
God created this world
And all that is on it.

This is meant for a worship service, but can be used and shared as a poem.

.

Thanksgiving - 1

In thinking things over, I realize that I have much to be thankful for despite my poor health. For example, there's mmy family -my sister Louise and her husband Doug; their daughter Melissa and her husband Owen and their son Cormac and Own's brother  Tavis.  Each has helped me in their own way,  I was helped to move up here and when it got so I could no longer live on my own,they helped me find my place in this nursing home. I thank God for each of them.

Beautiful

Beautiful is this world
You have given us, oh God!
There is beauty everywhere,
From the tall mountains
To the desserts
And the smallest
Blade of grass
Your care is shown.

Such beauty all around
Created by God's hands
But many will not see
And destroy
In the name of progress.

Help us, oh God,

To see your hands 

In everything we see

And to see the beauty

That is everywhere.

A Prayer

Oh God, you are the light of the our lives! You are out teacher, leader and the greatest love our lives. Be with us now and always and teach us how to love people the way  you do, without question or thought of who they might be. Show us what true love is really like and what your peace is.

Let Us Dream

Let us dream

Of a day 

When all people 

Will be accepted  

To be the children 

Of a loving God. 

Let us dream 

Of a time 

When there will 

Be no more wars

And peace will reign . 

Together, 

Let us dream 

Of a time 

When all people 

Will be united in peace. 

Walk in the Light

Walk in the Light   

I John 1:5-7

Come with me, 

Walk with me

In the ight

Of God's love.

There is no darkness

When we walk

Always with God. 

I John 2:9-11

Come and see,

There is no hate here

And the darkness

Has no place.

Here there is

Only light and love,

And any who hate

Have no place here.

I John 3:1-3

And if we are 

Of the light,

We are called

Children of God.

Ah, such love

That is there 

For us all

That God should

Come to us

And call us by name

And tell us

That we are

Children of God.

I John 4:11-12

Because we are

Children of God,

We should love 

One another. 

And in the light

Of that love

We will learn

Who God is,

For God will dwell

Always with us. 

Do Not Fear

Do Not Fear

Psalm 27:1-9   

God is near me,

I need not fear

Any person,

For the God of love

Is my help and strength.

I will always

Seek the face of God,

To have that help

No other can give me.

John 3:16-17

I sought God,

And found such love

That no one

Can take away from me.

And God's love 

Is always there for me

Because Jesus came

To show us all

How to live in love

Without fear

Of anything.

I John 4:16b-21

I found 

That God is love,

And there is such love,

That there is no one

Who can make me

Fear anything

For in God's love

There is no fear, 

Nor any hate.

Only love dwells

With God.

My Walk

As I walk along, 

I see in  my path 

A dark tunnel 

And no way around. 

It is one of the dark places 

That is always near me 

That I avoid as best I can. 

It is  the dark place 

Within my soull

And I fear to enter there. 

But when I look 

I see Jesus there 

On one side, 

His arms open wide 

Inviting me to come there. 

And He gently holds me 

While the tears flow 

And comforts me 

And reassures me

That He will never 

Leave me alone 

And always will 

Love me 

And calls me, 

“Beloved. “

3

Tired

“I am tired,” I said out loud. As I put myself to bed, I heard a voice that said, “relax and rest, get some sleep, for tomorrow will be a better day for you. Rest and regain your strength, Beloved child, and I will be here, watching, keeping you safe.  Tomorrow I will help you better deal with the problems that come your way. Rest and sleep, Beloved. 

Gen 2:19

Gen 2:19

And God created
All that is;
The birds that fly,
All that lives in the sea,
And all the beasts
That live on the land.

Come and see,
All creatures
Were created by God.
Come and know
That God treasures
And loves them all.

Creator God,
Forgive us
When we treat
This world
As our own
Personal possession.
Forgive us
When we forget
That you created
All animals
And they
Belong here, too.
Help all of us
To remember
That you love
All that you
Have created.

God is here,
Forgiving us
And loving us.

Come, let us
Celebrate.
And praise God
Who made
Every creature
And loves them all.

Go out in peace,
And remember:
God created this world
And all that is on it.

This is meant for a worship service, but can be used and shared as a poem.

.

Miracle

It's a living, breathing miracle. 
That my heart forgot to see.
It’s always been a miracle
But I thought it could not be…
A miracle.

Now all of life’s a miracle
And God’s hand is there, you see.
No matter what you may believe,
Still all that’s come to be
Is a miracle!

It’s God who made the miracle,
The plants, the animals, the bee,
And creating you and me,
So look around and see…
Life’s a miracle!

God Gave

God gave us eyes to see the beauty all around us, ears to hear the  wondrous music and a heart to care for others. We were also given wings on our souls so we can fly. And if we will let God help, will find we have wind1 beneath our wings so we can fly higher than we ever dreamed we could. 

God gave us hands to the work needed, feet to walk the path we have chosen and the freedom to choose our path. We were also given wisdom to know and choose the right path for each of us.                 

God gave us a heart to love the people around us and a brain to learn how to love others. And the soul is there to help us keep what we learn and use. And God gave us a mouth to tell others about the gifts all have been given.  God also gave us others so se can learn kindness and spread it to the others around us and learn how to show God's love to all. 

A Prayer for Peace

Loving God  help us now to find the ways of peace. Show  us where we have gone wrong in our dealings with others and how to change what we do. Show us how to love our enemies and build a better world where hate  wii have  no place .

Ignite A Fire

Ignite a fire
In your people, oh God.
Set them on  fire
To tell the good news.

Ignite a fire
In  your church, oh God.
Set them on fire
To tell about God's love.

Ignite a fire
In our midst, oh God.
So we will show
God's love to all.

A Celebration

We are the people

Of the rainbow

     And we are searching 

      For justice for all.

We are the people

Of the rainbow

      And we are working

     For freedom just to be.

We also belong

To God,who loves 

All people the same

And does not see 

That one person 

Is any better 

Than the next  one.

Let us work together

For justice for all

And the freedom to be

Who really are.

It's a celebration of the freedoms we have earned, freedom to marry who we want  freedom to have decent jobs, freedom to live where we want, freedom to raise our children, freedom to know God's love is ours and the freedom to worship God as we wish. But there is so much more to do, if we are going to keep these freedoms.. 

  

It's a celebration 

Of  freedoms gained

From hard work

By the people

Now dear God, 

Show us

The other freedoms

That are needed 

And how to keep 

The ones we have 

Including this one - 

The freedom 

Just to be… 

Ourselves. 

Written for Rev Elder Troy Perry

One People

One People    for Rev Troy Perry

Isaiah 6:3-8

Let all nations

Come to me

For all people

Are mine.

No one will be 

Turned away.

All who come,

No matter who they are

Will be accepted.

John 17:21-23

Let all become

One people,

And know the love

That is theirs to have.

Let all divisions

Go away,

For all are mine.

I Corinthians 8:6

I am here for you, 

I gave you life

And all my love

Is yours to have.

I sent Jesus

That you might 

Know what love is.

Ephesians 4:4-6

And as you are

All mine,

You should be

One people,

One in spirit 

And body;

For you have

One hope,

One baptism,

And one love.

Love

Love               for Joel Maderer

Ruth 1:16-17

There is love

Between us.

Don't ask me

To leave this place,

For where you are

Is where 

I want to be.

I Corinthians 13

Come in love,

Come and see

What love is.

Let us all learn

About love

And learn to share

That love abroad.

I Corinthians 13:1-3

I am a person,

A child of God,

But even if

I can speak

Many languages

Or become 

The best preacher,

And there is no love,

It is all for nothing.

I Corinthians 13:4-7

If I have love,

I have learned

To be patient

With those around me.

Kindness and gentleness

Are a part of my life,

And I treat other people

With such care

That they know 

That God is 

Always with me.

I Corinthians 13:8-10

Love is always

A part of my life.

All other gifts

Such as speaking

Or knowledge

Are temporary,

And will pass away, 

But love is

Always there for me.

I Corinthians 13:11-12

I once was a child,

And had childish ways,

But now I have

Given that up.

I see now

As through a mirror,

But one day

I will meet God,

And see completely

All that is,

And know completely

What love is.

I Corinthians 13:13

Faith is here with me,

And I do believe.

I hope for all

That is to come,

A better life for all.

But Love abides forever

And is the greatest of all.

  

Don't

 Don't ignore me,

I am here

And I am human,

Just like you!

Don't ignore me,

I am alive

And I have needs

Just like you.

Don't pretend

That I do not exist

Or that God

Did not make me.

Don't ignore me

Just love me

As I am

This day.

Song of Joy

We are Strangers
In a strange land
Of violence and war
Yet we are singing
Songs of joy.
From the desert
Songs of joy;
From the mountains
Songs of joy;
From the prairies
Songs of joy.
We are bringing
Songs of joy;
We are singing
Songs of joy;
God is near us,
Songs of joy;
God is loving,
Songs of joy;
All of us;
Songs of joy.
We are living
Songs of joy;
We are giving
Songs of joy;
We are loving
Songs of joy.
We are strangers
In a Strange land,
We are always
Singing songs of joy!


And it could go on and on, with different ideas, thoughts.  For example:
Songs of joy,
In our life time;
Songs of joy
At our death
Songs of joy;
In our bad times
Songs of joy;
In our good times;
Songs of joy;
God is with us
Songs of joy;
Never leaves us
Songs of joy.
Evil surrounds us
Songs of joy;
God is with us
Songs of joy;
Never leaves us
Songs of joy.

Sing for Joy

 Sing for Joy    For Kathleen Bell   

Psalm 34:1-3   

Come, praise God.

Together, let us

Raise our voices

In song

That all the world

Might hear us.

Psalm 150

Let all people

Sing and praise God!

Play the instruments

And sing along,

Let all the world

Hear your praise!

Isaiah 49:6-7

All nations will come

And sing their praises

To the Holy One

Of Israel

Who has redeemed

All the people

Of the world.

Isaiah 49:13

Sing out for joy!

God is love

And is here 

Among the people.

Sing out 

And let all people

Join in the song.

Come, let us praise God!

A Plea

Oh God,, you are my Parent

And I cannot see you. 

But I have a question for you ;

Do you see me? 

It's an important question for me 

Because so many walk by

And do not see me there.

Do you hear me?

An answer came 

Soft but very clear,

"I see you always 

And when you 

Are feeling down 

I am near to comfort you.

And yes,I hear you 

Talking to me. "

Walking

I was out walking along the street, which surprised me a bit since  I now cannot walk. But as I looked around me, I realized that I I was no place I had ever been before. There was a  light pressure on my right hand and looking found Jesus walking beside me. He spoke to me,telling  me he has always been th÷re andi  will never leave me alone. Then I woke up secure in the knowledge that Jesus is always near.

Comes

Comes the cry:
" God doesn't love me,
How can that be,
I am too different."
But comes back
An answer from God,
" It does not matter
How different you are
I love you always."

Sing

For Norma Bell 5/31/03

Psalm 23

God is always with me

In good times and bad,

And when trouble treatens

To overwhelm me,

I turn around

And find that God is there.

Always, I am safe

And always loved.

 

Psalm 33:1-3

I sing for joy

Of God, my creator!

My voice is raised

In melody

To tell all the world

Of my God,

Who loves me

And all people!

Do Not Fear

 Do Not Fear

Psalm 27:1-9   

God is near me,

I need not fear

Any person,

For the God of love

Is my help and strength.

I will always

Seek the face of God,

To have that help

No other can give me.

John 3:16-17

I sought God,

And found such love

That no one

Can take away from me.

And God's love

Is always there for me

Because Jesus came

To show us all

How to live in love

Without fear

Of anything.

I John 4:16b-21

I found 

That God is love,

And there is such love,

That there is no one

Who can make me

Fear anything

For in God's love

There is no fear, 

Nor any hate.

Only love dwells

With God.

Scared

I long
to be with Jesus, I long to hold His hand. But why am I so scared to be close to Him? What is it that terrifies me so much that I want to run away and hide? Is it something I've done or the mere fact of His heart presence?? Why oh why am I afraid of this love? 

Yet Jesus comes to me and holds out His hands, telling me to not be so afraid. And very gently He folds me in His arms and holding me close, reassures me that always I am loved. And as I walk along the path, I find Jesus is there holding my hand, showing me the way to go. And I have found just how much God loves me. 

The Kingdom of Love

     Hope for the Kingdom of love, which shall come.  

It is in this kingdom that all shall live in peace, 

nor shall any put down any other.  No person will be 

made to feel that they are less than any other person.  

And God's love will be there for all, for all are His 

children.  

     Work for the Kingdom of love and let all people 

know that God's love is there for them.  This is what 

Christmas is all about, God's love made manifest, 

walking among the people, showing all how they were 

to live in peace.  

     Live as Christ did, loving all people, sharing 

God's love with all, and the kingdom will come sooner.  

For the more we live in love and in Christ, the more 

the kingdom is present in this world.  And let God's 

love flow through us all out to the whole world, that 

all the world will know God and His love.

Sacred Ground

Sacred Ground

Be very careful

To How you walk here,

There is danger near,

But also know

You walk on sacred ground.

There is death here

Amidst the shattered steel,

So step carefully

Because you see

You walk on sacred ground.

The concrete here

Has crumbled to dust

And rises with every step,

But stop and remember;

You walk on sacred ground

Sept 11, 2002

The shattered steel

Is gone now,

Ashes and dust left;

But still and always

This is sacred ground.

The Dream

    I had gone to bed.  For a time, I could not sleep, but tossed and turned restlessly.  Then, as I finally started to drop off to sleep, I had the strangest vision, or if you will, a dream.
    It seemed as if I was so large that this solar system of ours was as a toy to me, and I held in my hands our planet.  It was as a ball or a precious jewel.
    It seemed so perfect, this jewel I held, all blue and green, with shifting streaks of white.  But as I looked more closely, I could see flaws. The scars of war were there, old wars and the bombs of Hiroshima and Nagasaki.  And the newer wars of Vietnam and Bosnia.
    Then with penetrating sight, I looked and saw flaws more hidden.  The flaws of hate and suspicion ran across the face of this jewel I held.
    Suddenly, I feared to let go of this ball, this jewel, for if I let it go from me on its appointed rounds, I feared that it would come back to me in fragments, exploded, or as a blackened and dead world.  But yet I let it go, and watched more carefully, for it had become suddenly very precious to me.
    Then I was myself.  And I thought and then wondered if God were not at times afraid to let go of this world of His.  For it seems that however hard He tries, we people turn from Him and choose, instead of the path of glory and light; other darker paths.
    Then my dream returned to me.  And I seemed to watch, afraid, as this precious world of ours wound its way through the starry night. 
1964          

Alone

Alone, so alone,

No one near me 

To cheer me. 

Oh Elohim, 

Where are you? 

You are my Beloved 

And I am lost

And so sad 

Without you near. 

Come to me now 

And stay with me

And walk with me 

Always. 

A Prayer for Help

Yahwah,,Elohim Adonis, 

Lover of all, Light of my life, 

Walk with me always. 

For I find I need you near. 

I have no strength 

And cannot walk 

My path without you near. 

Stay with me, I pray, 

And guide me 

Through this life. 

Trouble

Trouble, trouble in the air,
There is trouble everywhere.
People yelling,
People shouting
Fighting hard
All around,
Then they fall
And lie upon the ground.
Broken, bleeding
In body or in soul.

Help me to see
Those who are severely hurt
That I might help
Those who need healing
In body or in soul.

Gifts to Give

      Gifts to give at any time that won’t cost any (or much) money

1    Smile at people
it just might make their day.
2    Give hugs
to everybody. 
3    Call those who live alone.
They just may need to hear another voice.  If family is near, they may be busy. And if you say you’ll call, call.  They will be waiting for your phone call and it is a bit upsetting when you don’t call.  They hear from medical people all the time. Hearing from friends can be the best medicine for them.
4    Open doors for people you see.       
They just might need the help.
5    Tell someone you care for them.      
People living alone can get depressed easily.  You might be able to change someone’s outlook. If they’re a shut in, hearing you even like them can be the best medicine for them.
      6 Offer to help
              This might cost you some money for gas, but if family is near, they may be all busy with
              work.
7      Ask if they would like company.  
If you have some time, single folk, especially seniors, appreciate visits from friends or family.      
      8 Offer transportation to the store,
            to events, or to church.  There may not be anybody else to drive an older person to
            where they want or need to go.       
  9     Share a meal with them.  If possible, let the person pay for the meal.  It will help them
          feel good about themselves.
  10    Bring them a home cooked meal.
          Something you cooked yourself is always welcome, provided it is something they can or    
          will eat.

11.   Call them (or email) and offer to come by just for conversation. 
        Sometimes the silences can be too much and the TV doesn’t always fill the void.

12.  If you are allowed by your church, offer to come and give communion.
        We sometimes forget that the rituals of faith can be comforting to shut-ins.

13      Visit those who are in nursing homes regularly.  They often feel lost and forgotten by everyone who they know. 

14     It's not necessary to bring anything, just yourself is enough. If you bring items, be sure they have room for what you bring. If you bring food, be sure it is something they can eat.
     

Kindness

 Kindness,,  how to be kind when the other person is not and doesn't seem to care who they hurt?   What can be done in that case? You start by not reacting the same way. If you can, a soft voice and quiet   demeanor can work wonders. It is much better to be kind to people, even those who you think don't deserve it.   And you just might change the way that other person reacts to others. 

Come, see what kindness can do to relationships between people.  Keep your voice calm and quiet , no matter the provocation. You will have a much better life if you will treat  all other people with love and gentleness. And this is God's command, that we live together in peace and love. 

I have discovered that if you talk quietly to a person you distrust,  you just might find the person is not as bad as first thought. From a distance,  the person sometimes seems impossible to deal with, but as you get closer, you may find the person is   better than others have told you. 

Hope

Hope        for Rev Micah Hartung

Isaiah 40:31

Come to me in hope,

For in me

You will find strength.

I will always

Be near you,

And with me

You will never

Be weary.

Matt 11:28

Bring all your burdens

Here to me,

For in me is rest.

I am always near

And will help all

Who come to me

In faith and trust.

Matt 11:29-30   

Hope in me,

For my burdens

Are much lighter.

With me your souls

Will find the rest

That they need,

For here you

Will find gentleness

And all the love

That you need.

John 14:27

Keep your hope in me,

For I will give you

Such complete peace

That can never

Be taken away from you.

I will always

Be near you

And my love

Always is yours.

For Norma Bell

For Norma Bell 5/31/03

Psalm 23

God is always with me

In good times and bad,

And when trouble treatens

To overwhelm me,

I turn around

And find that God is there.

Always, I am safe

And always loved.

 

Psalm 33:1-3

I sing for joy

Of God, my creator!

My voice is raised

In melody

To tell all the world

Of my God,

Who loves me

And all people!

A Storm

A Storm 

A Storm is coming! 

The Trump has sounded 

In warning to all ;

A storm is coming! 

Look around 

And see the signs ;

A storm  is coming! 

A storm is coming! 

Not a weather storm 

But a different one ;

A storm is coming! 

Fear and hatred 

In control ;

A storm is coming! 

A storm is coming,

Look who is talking, 

What is being said ;

A storm is coming! 

War comes near ;

No one sees, 

A war is coming! 

A storm is coming! 

The drum beat sounds ;

No one hears;

A storm is coming! 

Look around you, 

See the signs!, 

A storm is coming! 

A storm is coming! 

Watch out now and see 

It's almost here! 

A storm is coming,

See it build 

And beware ;

The storm is near!!

When the weather is going to turn bad, all a person has to do is to look to the skies to see and interpret the signs. The signs are there for those who know the signs and how to interpret them. It's the same with other storms that impact our lives. The signs are there, we just need to learn what they are and and how to read them. Then maybe we can do something to combat the problem without resorting to war. But too many people refuse to learn about this sort of problem. Beware and watch for the storm!! 

Happy Day

Happy day, My God
Walks with me
And has promised
To be by my side
At all times.

Happy day for God
Has told me  
That I am loved
And that love
Is always mine.

Can We

Can we ever learn to work for peace? Can we ever learn how to love each other people with love the love and respect they want and deserve? When will we learn how to love all people?

A Prayer

Here we go again! Dear God, when will we grow up and lose our fascination and love for guns? When will we learn to love and care for people? Laws are good and needed , but they are not enough . We also need a change in our attitudes. Please teach us how to value ALL people, no matter who they are or what they believe. And help all of us in this time, especially those affected by the shootings.

Dare

Let us dare to dream 

Of a day that will come 

When all people 

Will finally be free. 

As we dare to dream 

Let us pass the dream

Outward to others 

That they will be free. 

We dare to dream

That all people 

Will one day be free 

To be who they are. 

Dare to pass the dream 

Outward to other people. 

For they have a right 

To dream of  freedom, too.  

A Time

     There was a time  when I was broken into many pieces, fragmented.  There was no joy for me sadness and despair were my lot.  I knew not where to go nor could I find any peace. Then I remembered that there one person who I could turn to, who had always been there, and waiting for me to turn to Him.
    Now I am whole again, and complete; not fragmented and broken as I was before.  Joy has returned to me; and a peace better than any I knew before, for He has touched me and healed me.
    Where could I find another like Him?  For He is ALWAYS there for me to talk to, even when I want Him not, for I will not always listen to what He says, and need someone else to tell me His word.  But still, He has is there for me, always. And never will I be completely alone.
    And He holds my hand, nor will He ever let me stray far from Him, but lovingly keeps me close by.  He is my Counselor, my Guide, and my Friend. He keeps me on the straight path, and I flourish and he leg me in grow only when He is near.  For"c I have no strength of my own.
    He is the sun, I the moon.  I shine only in His glory. My light is only reflected light, reflected from Him.  I do not reflect that light perfectly, but what light I do reflect is only His.
    Where could I go for someone as patient and loving as He?  Nowhere! For He has infinite love and infinite patience, He is at once my God and my Father.  He is the one who made me and gave me life. He is all life and all love. And only in Him is complete love and complete peace. 
    I can never know all of Him.  The more I know about Him; the more there is to know.  He is greater, mightier than I could ever conceive. He is everything to me, my complete life.  And without Him, there is no life, there is nothing but chaos.
    My joy is all in Him, my peace and happiness, His.  He keeps me going through all the troubles and sorrows of this life.  He is everything to me, my whole life.

A Person

A person sat in a darkened room, thinking.  Then began to speak aloud to no one, for no one else was there:  “I seem to be alone, too different from others to be accepted by anyone else.  It seems that no one cares enough about me to come around to see how I am. There is no one to love me AS I AM!  Yet I will not go away, nor leave this life until it is time. And I wonder where God is in all this.”

Came an answer immediately; a voice that seemed to come from nowhere and everywhere:  “I am your GOD, and I AM here, near you. I will not leave you, for I love you. You are one of my beloved children, and I love ALL my children, and I love them all AS THEY ARE right now.   I am the One who made you and all others AS THEY ARE right now, and I do not turn any away. Come, walk with me, beloved. Stay always near me and do not despair. And by the way, there are many who care about you.”  

Dwelling closer to God, how does one do that?  How does a person get closer to the Divine, to pure love?   What path does one follow? Follow the path given to you and learn to trust that God will always there nearby to lead you and to always love you.   However, unless you listen carefully for the voice of God, the path that is yours alone can be hard to find. We have to learn to hear with the inner ears, the ears of the soul.  And then, day by day, we will be lead to dwell closer to God. The possibility is there for all people.

In reading over my writings, one theme is there over and over again, God’s love for all people no matter who they are.   But how do you get that across to those who have been told too many times that they are not loved? How do we reach out to them and what words do we use?  How do we put together a sentence so that they will understand that God loves them, too? One way is to listen for God’s voice and then we will know what to say and how to say it.  

Butterflies

Butterflies in flight,  

Wings spread wide 

Beauty in the light, 

Made by God. 

See the baby

Learning to  walk

Becoming a person 

Made by God. 

See the people 

Dancing and singing 

Each of them special, 

Made by God. 

Butterflies are free 

And so are ae

If we let God

Into our lives. 

Butterflies fly free

And so can we

If we can let go

Of our fears. 

God is There

God is There

Psalm 23

God is with me,

There to protect

And to show me

Which way to go.

In good times

Or in the bad,

God is there

And will not

Leave me alone.

Isaiah 56:1-8

God is there for me

And for all people

From all nations

Who come together

In love and fellowship, 

Loving one another.

Many are called

From other places

To be here

Where God is,

Where love is.

Matt 28:18-20

As God is there for us,

We are called

To go out to the world

And tell all people

Of the love of God

Shown us in Jesus.

Acts 2:1-4

And God's Spirit

Descends on me,

Leading me to go

And tell the world

Of the love

That is there for them.

Acts 10:9-15

The message

That I was given 

Is this:

God's Love 

Is for all people

And no one 

Will be turned away.

All people are loved

And all are God's!

Love of God

Ah, the love of God,
Who can tell.
Its greatness?
Who has the words
To say
How much
He loves us all?

A Musician

A Musician       

Yes, I met Jesus.  I had become crippled and could 

not play any of my instruemnts.  I had heard about 

the healing powers that Jesus had and thought that 

it was worth tyring to see ifI could be healed.  I 

wanted to get back to playing my music. I didn't even 

have to ask.  I was there in the crowd listening to 

Him teaching.  Quite a fellow, I'll tell you!  I like 

the way He teaches!  But then Jesus stopped teaching, 

and went through the crowd, touching people and healing 

them.  Of course, I watched where He was going and 

put myself near where He was.  He stopped and talked 

to some folks nearby, then looked at me.  And before 

I could ask Him - "Please heal me," He reached out 

and touched my shoulder.  I could feel the warmth 

coursing through my body.  And then all my brokeness6

was gone, healed.  Both inside and out! Of course, 

since then, I have been a follower, a disciple.  And 

I find that I am now composing my own music, in praise 

of God, who sent Jesus to us.  It's so easy, especially 

when you know that God loves you!

Do Not Fear

Do Not Fear

Psalm 27:1-9   

God is near me,

I need not fear

Any person,

For the God of love

Is my help and strength.

I will always

Seek the face of God,

To have that help

No other can give me.

John 3:16-17

I sought God,

And found such love

That no one

Can take away from me.

And God's love

Is always there for me

Because Jesus came

To show us all

How to live in love

Without fear

Of anything.

I John 4:16b-21

I found 

That God is love,

And there is such love,

That there is no one

Who can make me

Fear anything

For in God's love

There is no fear, 

Nor any hate.

Only love dwells

With God.

God With Me

Psalm 23
God is with me,
There to protect
And to show me
Which way to go.
In good times
Or in the bad,
God is there
And will not
Leave me alone.

Isaiah 56:1-8
God is there for me
And for all people
From all nations
Who come together
In love and fellowship,
Loving one another.
Many are called
From other places
To be here
Where God is,
Where love is.

Matt 28:18-20
As God is there for us,
We are called
To go out to the world
And tell all people
Of the love of God
Shown us in Jesus.

Acts 2:1-4
And God's Spirit
Descends on me,
Leading me to go
And tell the world
Of the love
That is there for them.

Acts 10:9-15
The message
That I was given
Is this:
God's Love
Is for all people
And no one
Will be turned away.
All people are loved
And all are God's!

Friends

Jesus is a friend; never too busy for any person.  

Do we act as if He is our friend?

How do we treat those we count as friends?

Do we listen for God to speak?

Do we really hear what we are to do?

Do we really trust the other person?

Do we really trust God?

God and Jesus are more than friends – do we act that 

way?

Do other people see God and Jesus in us or our 

actions?

     summer 2006

God Gave

God gave us eyes to see the beauty all around us, ears to hear the  wondrous music and a heart to care for others. We were also given wings on our souls so we can fly. And if we will let God help, will find we have wind1 beneath our wings so we can fly higher than we ever dreamed we could. 

God gave us hands to the work needed, feet to walk the path we have chosen and the freedom to choose our path. We were also given wisdom to know and choose the right path for each of us.                 

God gave us a heart to love the people around us and a brain to learn how to love others. And the soul is there to help us keep what we learn and use. And God gave us a mouth to tell others about the gifts all have been given.  God also gave us others so se can learn kindness and spread it to the others around us and learn how to show God's love to all. 

Ignite a Fire

Ignite a fire
In your people, oh God.
Set them on  fire
To tell the good news.

Ignite a fire
In  your church, oh God.
Set them on fire
To tell about God's love.

Ignite a fire
In our midst, oh God.
So we will show
God's love to all.

Blessed

Blessed                      for Mary Jean Golden

Matt 5:3-5

Blessed are

The poor 

And all oppressed.

All are God's people

And love and blessings

Are theirs.

Matt 5:6-9

Blessed are

All people of God

Who seek the best

For all around them;

For always

They are Children

Of God.

Matt 5:10-12

Blesed are

Those who do not

Turn aside,

Even when

The world intrudes

And tries to make them

Go another way.

Rejoice, for God

Is always with you.

Sing Out

Sing out your praises
To our great God
Who has done
Marvelous things.
God has heard my prayers
And has given me
What I needed.
Sing, sing out
Your praises
To our loving God
Who does marvlous things
For us all!

Sing for Joy

 Sing for Joy    For Kathleen Bell   

Psalm 34:1-3   

Come, praise God.

Together, let us

Raise our voices

In song

That all the world

Might hear us.

Psalm 150

Let all people

Sing and praise God!

Play the instruments

And sing along,

Let all the world

Hear your praise!

Isaiah 49:6-7

All nations will come

And sing their praises

To the Holy One

Of Israel

Who has redeemed

All the people

Of the world.

Isaiah 49:13

Sing out for joy!

God is love

And is here 

Among the people.

Sing out 

And let all people

Join in the song.

Come, let us praise God!

Drinking the Joy

Sitting with the family
That God has given me
Knowing that He is here,
Loving me.
Drinking in the joy
That is there,
Because God
Is in the midst.

Drinking in the joy,
Enjoying God’s presence,
Then spreading the joy
To all around
That all may know
That God dwells
Among us
And loves us all.

Drinking the joy,
Feasting on God’s love
For even me!
Wherever I turn,
He is there,
Loving me
Every day.

What more
Can I do
But to love Him?
For He is everything
To me
And His love
Strengthens
And upholds me.

Drinking the joy,
Feasting on God’s love
For all people,
Letting the world know
Of God’s love for them.

Q

Come in Joy

Psalm 16:9-11   

Come, follow me,

And I will lead you

In the paths of life.

In my presence is joy,

And I will keep you

Secure and safe,

And you will know

That always, I love you.

John 15:11-17

Come in joy,

Knowing that my love

Is always there.

Pass my love on

To one another

And your joy

Will be more full.

John 16:19-22

I will turn

All your sorrow

Into such joy

That no one

Can take it away 

From you.

Just look and see,

I am always there,

Waiting for you.

John 16:23-24

Come to me,

And ask of God

For whatever you want

And in my name

It will be given

That your joy

May be full.

John 16:31-33   

Come in joy, 

Knowing that you

Are united to me.

Be at peace,

For no matter

What you may suffer

At the hands

Of the world,

I am with you

And I have defeated

This world.

John 17:6-19

Holy God, you are

Mother and Father

To all here.

You have given 

Them to me.

Help them to live

Together in unity

And in love 

For each other.       

John 17:20-26

I also pray 

For those yet to come,

That they might 

Always be one,

Just as we are.

Show them your glory,

That all may know

Of the love 

That has been there

From the beginning.

Help those to come

To always know

The joy 

Of your presence.

F

God With Me

Psalm 23
God is with me,
There to protect
And to show me
Which way to go.
In good times
Or in the bad,
God is there
And will not
Leave me alone.

Isaiah 56:1-8
God is there for me
And for all people
From all nations
Who come together
In love and fellowship,
Loving one another.
Many are called
From other places
To be here
Where God is,
Where love is.

Matt 28:18-20
As God is there for us,
We are called
To go out to the world
And tell all people
Of the love of God
Shown us in Jesus.

Acts 2:1-4
And God's Spirit
Descends on me,
Leading me to go
And tell the world
Of the love
That is there for them.

Acts 10:9-15
The message
That I was given
Is this:
God's Love
Is for all people
And no one
Will be turned away.
All people are loved
And all are God's!
B

Gen 2:19.

Gen 2:19

And God created
All that is;
The birds that fly,
All that lives in the sea,
And all the beasts
That live on the land.

Come and see,
All creatures
Were created by God.
Come and know
That God treasures
And loves them all.

Creator God,
Forgive us
When we treat
This world
As our own
Personal possession.
Forgive us
When we forget..
That you created
All animals
And they
Belong here, too.
Help all of us
To remember
That you love
All that you
Have created.

God is here,
Forgiving us
And loving us.

Come, let us
Celebrate.
And praise God
Who made
Every creature
And loves them all.

Go out in peace,
And remember:
God created this world
And all that is on it.

This is meant for a worship service, but can be used and shared as a poem.

.

And they call themselves
Christians
As they teach hatred
Instead of love.

God speaks :

My dear child, you are my child and I will not leave you alone. Don't listen to those other voices that tell you that I could never love you as you are, for that <is a lie. I will always love your and will never leave you. If you ever think I have left you, just look :around you,, I Am there, beside you. Please don't doubt me,, for I  Am the One who created you.. Always I remember, I love you!

A Message

A person sat in a darkened room, thinking.  Then began to speak aloud to no one, for no one else was there:  “I seem to be alone, too different from others to be accepted by anyone else.  It seems that no one cares enough about me to come around to see how I am.  There is no one to love me AS I AM!  Yet I will not go away, nor leave this life until it is time.  And I wonder where God is in all this.”

Came an answer immediately; a voice that seemed to come from nowhere and everywhere:  “I am your GOD, and I AM here, near you.  I will not leave you, for I love you.   You are one of my beloved children, and I love ALL my children, and I love them all AS THEY ARE right now.   I am the One who made you and all others AS THEY ARE right now, and I do not turn any away.  Come, walk with me, beloved.  Stay always near me and do not despair.  And by the way, there are many who care about you.”  


Dwelling closer to God, how does one do that?  How does a person get closer to the Divine, to pure love?   What path does one follow?  Follow the path given to you and learn to trust that God will always there nearby to lead you and to always love you.   However, unless you listen carefully for the voice of God, the path that is yours alone can be hard to find.   We have to learn to hear with the inner ears, the ears of the soul.  And then, day by day, we will be lead to dwell closer to God.  The possibility is there for all people.  



In reading over my writings, one theme is there over and over again, God’s love for all people no matter who they are.   But how do you get that across to those who have been told too many times that they are not loved?  How do we reach out to them and what words do we use?  How do we put together a sentence so that they will understand that God loves them, too?  One way is to listen for God’s voice and then we will know what to say and how to say it.  

People of the Rainbow

We are the people
Of  the Rainbow ;
       And God is here,
        Among us!
We are the people
Of the rainbow;
        And God loves
       Each one of us!

Come to God,
Come and see
What forgiveness is,
What real love is.

God of the Rainbow,
Come to us now
And forgive us
For we  doubt
That you love us.
We have listened
Too much
To other voices
Who say
That we are
Not worthy of your love.
Come to us now
And help us see
The promise of the rainbow
Is that always
You love us.

And God is there,
Waiting and loving
All of us.
I tell you,
In Jesus's name
We are forgiven.

rainbow The rainbow is here,
The promise of God's
Everlasting love
For all people.
No one is ever
Turned away
From that love.

Take the rainbow
Into your heart
And go out into the world
And share the promise
With all you meet.

And the God
Of the rainbow
Walks with you
Every day.
Believe it!
Go in peace and love.

Some Questions

Are you we living as God would  have us live?
Do we remember that all people are our neighbors?
Do we treat those who are different from us with gentleness and love?.
Do   we remember that God created all people?
Do we treat other people as beloved children  of God?

Hey God

Hey God, I am here, and I want to talk to you.  I don't mind being
here in this life, and most of the time, I don't mind being who I am.
But dear God, I am so oppressed!  Why did you make me to be so
different from everybody else?  Differences are just not accepted
here.  Once people know that a person is different, they turn away or
make it hard for that different one to live.  Some have even been
beaten or killed!  Why God? Why can't people accept me as I am?  Why must they continually be trying to change me?  Why did you make me as I am?

God Among Us Us

Watch it -
For God
Has broken loose
And is out
Among the people!

Awake!
For God is  here
Among us.
Beware!
For  God walks
And dwells with us.!

Oh God
Of the unexpected,
Forgive us
That we do not see
Your hand in all things..
Forgive us
When we try
To cage you
And pull you down
To our size.
Forgive us
When we do not see
That we do not see
That you are "bigger
And more active
In our world
Than what we expect.

And God Speaks to all of :
    "I am with him
      At all times
       And will not leave
      Those of you
       Who will come to me."

God is always here,
Among us all,
Working  where
We are not looking.
God is always here,
Working among us
And helping people
Where we do not expect

But then,
Who expected a baby
In a manger?

Watch it!
Be careful!
For God is out
In the world
And is always doing
The uexpectd!
Look around you to see
Where God is doing
The uexpectd
In your part of the world..

Children of One God

We Are children
Of the one God,
       And we are loved.
God is working,
Helping all of us,
       And always, we are loved.

God, forgive us
When we turn away
From you
And refuse to see
All people
As your children. 
Forgive us
When we turn
Others away
And try to make them
Less than what they are.
Forgive us
When we forget
That your love
Is there for all.
Teach us and help us remember
That you created
All that we see
Around us.

God is near,,
Accepting all people
As children
And forgiving us
When we come back
To those loving arms.

Go out into the world
And look around you
And see that those
Are all children of God.

Walk in peace and love
With all people
And know
That God loves you.

Pride - Who I Am

I am who I am,
I am who God
Made me to be!
I am who I am
And no one  can take
That away from me!

God is here,
Waiting for us
In love.
When will we turn
And accept the gift
That is offered?

Dear God, forgive us
Whe we turn away
And do not see
That it is you
Who created us
As  we are.
Forgive us
When we do not
Understand
That you are
A part of us.
Forgive us
When we make others
To be less
than what they really are.
Help us to see
That all people
Are yours.

God is here and says:
       "I forgive all
        Who truly turn to  me;
        For all people, are mine,
        For I have created
        All that is

. I am who God
Made me to  be.
It is God
Who made everything
That I see around me .

Come and see
That you are God's child
And go out and tell
All that you  meet
All  about God's love
For them.

Go in peace and love
Remembering that all people
That you  see
Are  God's children.

A Child Of God by Jerry Browning

A Child Of God

By Jerry Browning

Chorus:

I'm a child of God - You made me like You want me

And You want like You made me,

Not for others to deceive,

I'm a child of God - and in my heart I hear You

I'll never have to leave You, if I live what I believe.

Someone will turn the Master's words to music

Someone will paint a sudden burst of spring

Each life is given a gift to share with others

But some will turn away and never see a thing.

Chorus :

So when the time has come to meet the Maker

And I'm taken from the pastures where I feed,

Will I be true? Did I live the life You gave me

Or a life some other mortal made me lead?

Chorus :

God's love for All

Hey!    God's love
Is mine to have!
      Hallelujah!
Listen! I do not
Have to change
To gain that love!
       Hallelujah!

God's love is ours
But we turn away
And will not hear
The truth
That is ours to have.

Dear God,
We have been told
That you love us,
But then we  hear
Other darker voices
Telling us that you
Do not want us near.
Forgive us
When we believe them
And turn away from you.
Help us to se see
That always and ever
You love us all.

God is near at  hand,
Waiting in love
For us to turn around
And accept
That love is a alway
Ours to have..

Celebrate!
For God is here,
With us and loving us!
Always and ever,
We are God's children!

Go out into the world
Remembering that always
God's love is yours.
Spread that love
To all people
That you meet.

Walk in love
And be at peace
For God loves you
Always!

Aaa Time

|    There was a time  when I was broken into many pieces, fragmented.  There was no joy for me sadness and despair were my lot.  I knew not where to go nor could I find any peace. Then I remembered that there one person who I could turn to, who had always been there, and waiting for me to turn to Him.
    Now I am whole again, and complete; not fragmented and broken as I was before.  Joy has returned to me; and a peace better than any I knew before, for He has touched me and healed me.
    Where could I find another like Him?  For He is ALWAYS there for me to talk to, even when I want Him not, for I will not always listen to what He says, and need someone else to tell me His word.  But still, He has is there for me, always. And never will I be completely alone.
    And He holds my hand, nor will He ever let me stray far from Him, but lovingly keeps me close by.  He is my Counselor, my Guide, and my Friend. He keeps me on the straight path, and I flourish and he leg me in grow only when He is near.  For"c I have no strength of my own.
    He is the sun, I the moon.  I shine only in His glory. My light is only reflected light, reflected from Him.  I do not reflect that light perfectly, but what light I do reflect is only His.
    Where could I go for someone as patient and loving as He?  Nowhere! For He has infinite love and infinite patience, He is at once my God and my Father.  He is the one who made me and gave me life. He is all life and all love. And only in Him is complete love and complete peace.  
    I can never know all of Him.  The more I know about Him; the more there is to know.  He is greater, mightier than I could ever conceive. He is everything to me, my complete life.  And without Him, there is no life, there is nothing but chaos.
    My joy is all in Him, my peace and happiness, His.  He keeps me going through all the troubles and sorrows of this life.  He is everything to me, my whole life.

3 Prayers

Loving God, thank you for reminding me every day that you do

love me.  But you also remind me that you love all other people,

too.  You have told me that it does not matter what people

look like, who they are or what they believe.  You told me

that you still claim them as your children, and you love all

of them.  You have said again and again that there is no one

who is outside of your love.  Please keep reminding me until

it is so much a part of me that there is no one who I can hate,  

for I do not want to ever do anything that is outside of what

you want. AMEN

Dear God, I'm sorry, but I'm not doing as well as I should. I

there are still some people who I would like to

hate, or at least think that you do not love them. These people

think too differently than I do, and I cannot handle that.

Remind me again that those who are different in any way are

still your children, created by you. Help me always to remember

that your love cannot be restricted to just some people, but

is inclusive of all. Stay always near me, and help me to learn

your love. AMEN

Oh God, immerse me so much in your love that there is no one

who I can hate or think can be outside of your love.  Fill me

so full of your love that no matter who the others are or what

they believe, I will remember that your love is theirs, also,

even when they disagree with me.  Help me to love others, for

it is so much easier to love family and friends than to love

others who are so much different.AMEN

A Vision

A Vision

I had a vision years ago and in that vision I saw a huge crowd of people in a parade.  They were singing songs of praise and Thanksgiving as they marched along. I listened to the songs and realized they were songs of praise to God.  I then looked to see who was in the the crowd and saw all kinds of people, - gay, ,asexual, transsexuals and so many others. Many of them wondering how they got there, for they bad been told that God did not love them. And there was Steve and  Richard and Sylvia and so many more that I knew.

Then I saw on the sides, standing standing and watching the parade , others.  They were talking, sometimes loudly, saying that this one or that one shouldn't be in the parade. But then I heard from the throne in the center of it all, “Leave these children of mine alone.  They belong here because I created them just as I created you. “ And the parade continued and the songs of praise resounded louder than before.

Can You See Me

Can you see me
Sitting here?
Will you turn
And see me?

Can you hear me
Calling you?
When will you
Listen to me?

I feel invisible
And think
Nobody cares
When nobody sees.

I’m not invisible,
Stop, look,
See, I’m here
Behind you.

A Special Love by Jerry Browning

I A Special Love
                       Jerry Browning

Friends may come and friends may go
Sometimes friends we hardly know.
Sometimes friends will help us grow
Or they just take what they want and then they go.

Special loves are found in reaching out in honesty
In caring how you feel inside, knowing things you try to hide.
Little things that can’t be bought or sold,
More valuable than gems or gold,
Some special little part of me that no one in the world will see.

CHORUS:  So lean on me and I’ll lean on you
In times when you don’t want to walk alone
Share with me and I’ll share with you
Until the time when God will take us home.

There are things that no one else will see
Things that matter just to you and me.
Precious feelings knowing someone cares.
I look at you and wonder what I see
And wonder what it is you see in me.
Someday the world will hear our songs;
They’ll know we shared the rights and wrongs.

CHORUS:


Added:

This verse is by me for all my friends.  Thanks to Jerry Browning for permitting me to use his song.  Note: may not fit with his music.
And special friends like you
Are far more valuable than the finest gold,
And are to be kept close at hand.
So come and walk the world with me
And tell me all of your deepest cares,
As I tell you of mine.
And when we are parted in this world,
I will look for you on that farther shore,
Knowing God’s love will take you there. 

But Lord, They're

 But Lord, they're black.
You don't mean to say
That I should care about
Such as they!

But Lord, they're gay.*
You couldn't have
Created these people
As they are!

But Lord, they're different.
You can't mean
That I should love them
Just as they are!

*book by Rev Sylvia Pennington

added later:
But Lord, they're asexual.
You couldn't have
Made these people
As they say they are!