Clean the Back so the Front Looks Good By Brenda Drake

I remember at times having a terrible argument before going to church but when we arrived you would never guess the stinking garbage hidden inside.  We put on a good face but we didn’t fool ourselves or our Lord.  We tend to think our mess is concealed but I am pretty sure we only fool ourselves.

Clean the Back so the Front Looks Good

Clean out the back so the front looks good.
This, sounds strange and hard to be understood.
Everyone manicures front yards to impress,
While the back yard is left in a mess.
The backyard holds garbage cans and discarded things,
They are unsightly; in plain view of Christ the King.
In the spiritual realm things seem upside down;
The opposite as on earth is found.
Clean out the unseen backyard, the inner place,
So the front yard – the outside will show forth God’s face.
How is your inside doing is there rubbish within?
Then ask the Holy resident to help clean it out again.
 When the inside is clear and clean of debris
The outside reflects Christ’s beauty for the world to see.

Ephesians 4:22-24
That ye put off concerning the former conversation the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts; And be renewed in the spirit of your mind; And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness.

Holy Companion by My Side By Brenda Drake

All is well with my soul.  I am never alone God is always near. My Holy Companion is with me and in me.  I have full assurance He is finishing the good work He started. 

Holy Companion by My Side

My heart is completely satisfied,
With the presence of the Holy Companion at my side.
Sometimes it can be hard to see,
But He is always there with me.
His love is gentle, His presence is too.
But at times He shows Himself strong inside of you.
When I keep my Lord in mind,
And I remember my purpose and design,
He is very pleased as He leads the way.
He is the holy influence in my day.
I am a new creature; I am one with God above;
When I walk in the Spirit I walk in love.
There is only one thing that gets in the way;
When self decides to disobey.
When the flesh shows up with its terrible smell,
The Holy Companion grieves and suffers as well.
Oh heart, be careful what you allow to come near.
I do not want joy and peace to disappear.
I desire You My Lord at my side and inside too.
As You continue to mold and make me more like You.

Philippians 2:13
For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure.

 Philippians 1:6
Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform
it until the day of Jesus Christ:

New Year’s Door By Brenda Drake

New Year’s Door

Hope and faith walks through the New Year’s door;
With good memories kept safe and the rest left in the hands of the Lord.
Tomorrow’s sun shines like diamonds in the sea,
With the alluring pull of what ahead may be.
New vision, new plans, with a slate clean,
To start building on the new years dreams.
Hope and faith are joined with joy and peace within,
Knowing without knowing how the Lord is leading them.
Happy New Year to all is my desire and I pray,
Your hope and faith grows stronger in each passing day.

When Christmas-time Hurts By Brenda Drake

   This is truly a wonderful time of year; even strangers seem to have ready smiles and greetings of good cheer.  In our excitement and bustle we forget Christmas time is lonely for many around us; life-situations have caused hurts and heartaches that has stolen the beauty of their holiday. Lord, help us to be aware of the feelings of others and remind us to lift their spirits by our prayers, love, and concern.

When Christmas Time Hurts

When Christmas-time hurts and joy has fled far away,
And there is no magic left in this once-special day.
All the sweet songs that once cheered now causes sadness within.
Oh how you would love to find pleasure in them again.
The hurting heart remembers sadly its personal loss,
And refuses to be cheered so their mind is cross.
Held in a prison unable to look outside to see,
The gift of the Christmas story that sets them free.
When Christmas-time hurts there is remedy to heal;
Its power is sure, its touch is real.
Find another person that has a heart that is down,
Do something, anything that removes their frown.
Find a little child that has lack,
Provide for them and your joy comes back.
Get your mind in things good, right, pure and true;
Set yourself to motion to the good thing do.
Bring your aching heart to the Father for His healing touch.
Renew your faith as you to Him entrust;
All the hurts, pains of this time of year,
Little by little the sweet joy and peace of Christmas reappears.

Luke 2:13-14
And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.

Tree of Celebration By Brenda Drake

    It is good to praise and celebrate the birth of the Lord.  A part of our celebration is the tree that we light and decorate. I celebrate every year the birth of Jesus the One that hung on a tree for the sins of us all.   

The Tree of Celebration By Brenda Drake

Once was the days of youth, when you searched for the tree;
Tromping through the snow with vigor and glee;
Laughing at each other’s choices,
Until “the one” chosen was proclaimed in jubilant voices.
Out came the treasured ornaments from the past and some new,
 A pretty angel or the star was placed on top too.
The dry fallen needles embedded in the cracks in the floor,
Were gladly endured to celebrate the birth of the Lord.
In later years came the tree that did not grow,
One that needed to be formed by a color code.
Beautiful still and still caused much pleasure;
Holding all your newest and oldest homemade treasures.
And now much later perhaps in your life,
The tree has shrunk down in your sight.
A tiny little tree that on a table sits;
But still your love and respect for Jesus represents.
With a tiny little tree, heart memories abound;
As you reminiscence tromping in snowy ground.
And you wonder at the change that has taken place within,
A you celebrate Christ’s birth watching palms blowing in the wind

Psalms 147:1
Praise ye the Lord: for it is good to sing praises unto our God;
for it is pleasant; and praise is comely.

Life Was Born by Brenda Drake

   When I think of Christmas I remember great family times for I love to give presents to those I love.  Our heavenly Father loved us so much He sent His Son to give us life; with opportunity to have eternal life with Him.  Jesus is Truth, Life, and the Way.  We have much to celebrate for He is the real reason for the season.

Life Was Born

In the small babe life was born.
He restored what was from us torn.
In this small babe hope is restored;
For all, who desire to call on Him as Lord.
In this miracle of life comes the redemption plan;
He is a never-before never-again gift sent to man.
Joy to the world! At the entrance of the King;
And at the name of Jesus angels sing.
The wise men brought gifts to God’s gift to man.
The Creator of earth would walk on the land.
We celebrate His birth and enjoy the Christmas season;
But most do not acknowledge the real reason.
Christmas trees are lit up with colors bright,
With many other festivities to cause delight.  
Such as Santa, reindeer, and elves on the shelf;
Along with other things, that tend to push Jesus out.
Jesus is the One who should hold the special place.
His name is above all names when the truth is embraced.
Children are touched by all of our Christmas stories;
But the wise of the world will give to God all the glory.

John 11:25-26 
Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live: and whosoever liveth and believeth in me shall never die.

John 3:16-17
For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.

Love is Still Alive By Brenda Drake

Love is Still Alive

Shoe boxes are passed to the underprivileged on Christmas Day.
Little trinkets and small necessities in it arrayed.
Seemingly a little mundane; but not to them;
They oh and awe at the little treasures packed in.
Most have many boxes under the tree;
With special offerings from friends and family.
Although there is anticipation in each gift received,
Many things they do not need.
Some have found although gifts are nice,
It does not matter how much the price.
It matters more when those they love gathers.
To celebrate their special day together.
Real-joy knows personally the One adored;
Recognizing the Heavenly Father’s gift in the birth of your Lord.
Christmas means many things to those about,
That Jesus is the real reason for the season the wise find out.
God is love. He is our gift of life new.
He came to earth and died for me and you;
His love and peace now lives inside,
As we joyfully give to others we prove love is still alive.

1 John 4:16
And we have known and believed the love that God hath to us. God is love; and he that dwelleth in love dwelleth in God, and God in him.

Cupped in His Hands By Brenda Drake

            No matter what we go through, no matter how we feel, it is wise to remember we are in God’s hand.  He loved us so much He died to make us new.  He loved us before we loved Him. How much more will He keep us in His care when we are now a part of Him.  In Him we breathe and move; we are cupped in His hand.

Cupped in His Hand

Safely cupped in His hand, there is no safer place to be;
Tucked in the secret-place made for me;
Under His watchful eye He sees outside and within.
Nothing is allowed to hide, all is light to Him.
I am marked as the King’s property,
He jealously looks over and after me.
The world as a whole rushes to the place,
Where hell burns; far from God’s embrace.
The redeemed receive life-eternal with God as one.
Free to share with the world all that Jesus has done.
Time ticks away, every breath you take,
Brings you closer to the time Jesus returns to take you away.
Your heart will sour like an eagle, and as fast as a blink of the eye,
You will be forever dressed in royal white.
Ready for new revelation, in loves grasp to stay;
With great exultation; alive in every way.
Beauty surrounds with great expectation;
Restored to reign in perfection,
You walk on holy ground, even now secure in His grasp.
Do you think anyone can pull away I ask?

Psalms 31:15
My times are in thy hand:
deliver me from the hand of mine enemies, and from them that persecute me.

Act 17:28
For in him we live, and move, and have our being; as certain also of your own poets have said, For we are also his offspring.

A Sweet Tickle of Forever by Brenda Drake

There are great pleasures of sweet assurance of the saved soul.  Our future beckons with promises so beautiful it is hard to describe. In times of world doom, gloom and despair the heart wise will remember the promises of the forever-future that lie ahead.

A Sweet Tickle of Forever

A sweet tickle of forever teases the heart and mind,
With promise we will experience new treasures good and fine.
The glow of heaven’s streets dull in compare,
With the wonder that is ahead for us prepared.
Joy bubbles up from the place deep within;
From the space occupied, by my Lord and friend.
Sweet tastes of the freedoms that lie ahead,
Cause fear to melt along with all its dread.
My heart smiles in assurance; all is well with my soul.
Inhibitions are absorbed and disappear in His control.
I am my beloveds and He is mine,
I revel in His favor as I spend my time,
Marveling over such a grand-display of love shown to man:
Of the marvelous gift in Salvation’s plan;
Its far-reaching love draws to the cross;
And that touches, saves, and changes the lost.
What a wonderful love that makes us new and whole,
That floods such favor upon our being; heart, mind, and soul;
With such high honor the angels in awe stand,
Marveling at God’s great love and approval shown to man.
With high hopes and with faith my heart sees clear,
Our most-loving God draws us near.
Again the sweet taste of forever tickles inside;
For my God is in full control and is in me alive.

Psalms 16:11
Thou wilt shew me the path of life: in thy presence is fulness of joy;
at thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore.

Thankful Heart By Brenda Drake

Have a happy, safe, Thanksgiving Day!

Thankful Heart

When I take time to reflect on my life,
There are so many blessings brought to light.
Even in the world with all its woes;
There are beautiful reminders from the Lover of our soul.
The morning sunrise and the setting sun;
The beautiful rainbow when the rain is done;
The sounds of the birds as they sing to God above;
The comfort that comes when around those we love;
The majestic mountains, the flowers and trees;
The sweetness that is shared from honey-bees;
The vast wonders in the ocean, and sky;
The sweet toothless smile of a baby passing by;
The kindness of a neighbor; the understanding look from a friend;
The times of laughter and the sweet, quiet joy deep within;
Clothes on my back, a roof over head and enough food to share;
What more do I need to give thanks in prayer?
Thank You Lord, for all You have done to set my heart free,
To enjoy each day that You have given me.

1 Chronicles 16:34
O give thanks unto the Lord; for he is good;
for his mercy endureth for ever.