"Inspiration"

God has made us what we are. He has created us in Christ Jesus to live lives filled with good works that he has prepared for us to do. 

Ephesians 2:10

I'll not compare myself with others

But let my life give God my praise

To each one, His gifts He's given

So back to Him I'll raise

All to me He's given

Asking Him to touch

What He has placed within my hands

And turn it into much.

Take your creativity

And see what God can do

The dreams He's stored inside your heart

He gave them to pursue.

So others then may see them

But so too, the hand of Christ

That mightily works in you

Let your love bring light.

Cause a heart to wonder

To ponder far and wide

Let the colors of a Savior

Stroke and perhaps revive.

Taking inspiration
Allowing it to form
Into a message from the One
That molds what He has born.

(Artwork by, Karla Dornacher, http://www.karladornacher.com/ 

Scrapbook design by, Terry)

"What Do You See?

Even to your old age, I am He, 

and even to gray hairs I will carry you!   

I have made, and I will bear; even  

I will carry, and will deliver you. 

Isaiah 46:4

To all the old ones who touch my
life so deeply - I see the beautiful you.

What do you see

Is it just the outside

The wrinkles and wheelchair

My feeble body and mind?

But I am formed in God’s image

He knows every hair

He’s numbered each strand

And He calls me fair.

I had hopes, I had dreams

I worked hard with my hands

I loved and raised children

I danced to the band

To the rhythms of life

Some melodies were sweet

While others were sharp

But I trusted the beat.

For I knew God was playing

His instrument well

Guiding every movement

A life lived to tell

Of a Father who has been faithful

And will be until the end

So I’ll continue to dance

Though it may seem like pretend.

But the Lord has my heart

And helps me to see

Even as He sees

A beautiful me.

I may appear as a shadow

But it’s the one that God's cast

As His face has shown upon me

From the first till the last.

One day I’ll rise up

No longer frail

And move to the music

My Jesus to hail.

He’ll welcome me home

Where He’s dried all my tears

My joy made complete

As a choir I hear.

To know at last I’m in His presence

Singing songs of His praise

Where I will dwell with Him forever

For endless of days.

So, hear beyond the babble

To hear a heart full of life

That lives on into eternity

In one who trusts Christ.

"Do Not Withhold Good"

A good man is concerned 

for the welfare of his animals... 

Proverbs 12:10 (TLB)

I saw them, as it were

On the side of the road

Abandoned, lost and lonely

Hungry, scared, without a home.

Many said, 'It's just an animal'

Ignored, they passed them by

Paws shivered in the darkness

God's creatures soon would die.

But there came a Good Samaritan

Who wrapped him in his coat

Warming him in loving arms

He slept and then awoke.

He met the eyes of his master

The one who took him in

A friend who saw his value

Who would care for him and always defend.

They formed a bond that could not be broken

The master learned so much

From the little one with the cold, wet nose

Both changed the day they touched.

They call it second chances

I call it hearts revived

When freely love is given

And pals walk side by side.

They call it chance encounters

It's not that at all

I believe in divine appointments

To help a friend who calls.

The thing that seems so ordinary

This is what is real

Reaching out to the lowly

To lend the hand that heals.

I pray that we would see them

Realizing their great worth

These treasures sent from Heaven

Every evil intent reversed.

That they may live their lives well cared for

Never again to fear

For a good man concerned for the welfare

Of an animal, that day came near.

As I was inspired to write this poem, it was the story of the Good Samaritan from the book of Luke in the New Testament that first came to mind. The Lord was impressing upon me how much He wants us to be filled with His kindness, mercy and compassion, reaching out wherever there is a need and where it is in our power to do good for He created and cares for all. Though this poem was written about animals I certainly couldn't help but think of the daily opportunities given to us to make a positive difference in the lives of those all around us. I pray that we would allow the gentle, caring hand of God to work through us each day to help alleviate suffering and encourage a heart as we share the love of Christ everywhere we go.

Scripture Meditation:

Proverbs 3:27-28 - Do not withhold good from those to whom it is due, when it is in the power of your hand to do so.  Do not say to your neighbor, “Go, and come back, and tomorrow I will give it,”  when you have it with you.

Luke 10:25-37 - And behold, a certain lawyer stood up and tested Him, saying, “Teacher, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?” He said to him, “What is written in the law? What is your reading of it?”  So he answered and said, “‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your strength, and with all your mind,’and ‘your neighbor as yourself.’” And He said to him, “You have answered rightly; do this and you will live.” But he, wanting to justify himself, said to Jesus, “And who is my neighbor?” Then Jesus answered and said: “A certain man went down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and fell among thieves, who stripped him of his clothing, wounded him, and departed, leaving him half dead. Now by chance a certain priest came down that road. And when he saw him, he passed by on the other side. Likewise a Levite, when he arrived at the place, came and looked, and passed by on the other side. But a certain Samaritan, as he journeyed, came where he was. And when he saw him, he had compassion. So he went to him and bandaged his wounds, pouring on oil and wine; and he set him on his own animal, brought him to an inn, and took care of him. On the next day, when he departed, he took out two denarii, gave them to the innkeeper, and said to him, ‘Take care of him; and whatever more you spend, when I come again, I will repay you.’ So which of these three do you think was neighbor to him who fell among the thieves?” And he said, “He who showed mercy on him.” Then Jesus said to him, “Go and do likewise.”

Please consider opening up your heart and home to the precious homeless furry, feathered and scaly friends so much in need and/or giving however you are able.  Visit your local shelter or take in that stray to see how you can make a life changing difference.