Mother’s Day Today By Brenda Drake

There are always things that cause our hearts some disquiet and these troubling times are no exception, but one thing we can and must do is think on the things that are beautiful, kind and good.  Think on the things beautiful, kind and good about your mother today to honor not only her or her memory but also the God that gave her as a gift to you.

Mother’s Day Today

Mother’s day today may seem a little strange,
And perhaps may not be celebrated quite the same.
But let’s concentrate on what is and always will be true;
What your mother is to you.
She is the very first heartbeat you heard.
And no matter how old you are you can recall her words.
Some assurances that directed or encouraged in troubled times,
Perhaps are some of her talks that come to mind.
She is the one that always was first to comfort you,
And the one that quickly kissed your boo-boos.
Her work done for you, you could never repay;
Think alone at all the meals she’s made.
The laundry, and hours of toil, perhaps even on her knees;
Praying and working to hungry hearts and mouths to feed.
Mothers are indeed a wonder so great that only time,
Can testify all their attributes packed inside that come to mind.
Shower her with gifts yes, but greatest gift of all would be,
A very thankful heart that honors the high place she deserves to be.
When you honor her you honor God above.
As you praise her you are also showering upon God your love.

Proverbs 31:28
Her children arise up, and call her blessed;
her husband also, and he praiseth her.

Proverbs 1:8-9
My son, hear the instruction of thy father,
and forsake not the law of thy mother:
 For they shall be an ornament of grace unto thy head,
and chains about thy neck.

Wrapped in His Embrace By Brenda Drake

When life rains on our parade it is our choice to allow it to cloud our day, steal our joy, and sour our outlook for the future; or we can place all in God’s hands and allow Him to bring comfort and peace and joy into every situation we face.  God is in control and He is good.  It is always the right time to rest in His care wrapped in His embrace. 

Wrapped in His Embrace

Sweet comforts of joy fill up and overflow,
With healthy life-giving strength, to the well-loved soul.
The day’s new light closes yesterday’s door;
Another day to offer in service to the Lord.
Makeshift plans are laid aside,
So God’s purpose can arrive.
The heart sings even in the rain,
For in God’s sunshine it remains.
Joy has some friends that desire to stay,
The wise will not turn them away.
Peace and contentment along with trust, faith, and rest,
Are sent by the most-loving Father who plans for your best.
Make room for them; wisdom and direction is ready to speak,
Giving the assurance that you seek.
Love and rejoice and allow God’s helpers to assist.
At their direction and ministration do not resist.
Allow the Comforter to wrap you in His embrace.
This is a gift of love provided by God’s mercy and grace.

Deuteronomy 33:27
The eternal God is thy refuge,
and underneath are the everlasting arms:
and he shall thrust out the enemy from before thee;
and shall say, Destroy them.

Time By Brenda Drake

       Our day’s hours are completely rearranged in these trying times.  Everything that we spent time on from work to play has been altered. The evil one is a time stealer that encourages one and all to waste time in selfishness, fear, and worry. Time is a precious gift that can never be recovered; it marches steadily on with no promise of tomorrow.   Our life is put to good use when it glorifies and fits into God’s plan and purpose. Help us Holy Spirit to spend our time on earth well.

Time

Wasted time consists of things that disgrace,
Time spent on words or deeds that you wish were erased.
Wasted time is when you look back and see,
Missed opportunities.
Many people waste time nourishing the flesh;
With things they believe bring happiness.
Time is wasted on lust, strong drink, drugs and harmful food,
Or on whatever things the flesh wants to do.
Unmindful sluggish pauses melt time away;
Along with silly busyness that eats up the day.
The wise allots their day’s hours well,
When they look back they have a good report to tell.
Prayer, praise, and worship, testimony and good deeds,
Are all valuable time- spending seeds.
Of value are times of fellowship and when lending a helping hand,
And when lifting names in prayer whenever you can.
When willing to hear the cry of the lost and those alone,
Time is well spent and to the Father a profit well known

Ephesians 5:15-17
See then that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise, Redeeming the time, because the days are evil. Wherefore be ye not unwise, but understanding what the will of the Lord is.

The Measure that is True By Brenda Drake

We have a tendency to look at how far we need to go to be like Jesus.  The evil one is sure to point out everything that does not measure up.  Our worth needs to be seen by the light of the Word of God.  When we allow God’s truth inside, it indeed will set us free.
The truth is God loved us before we loved Him.  Jesus died to set us free from the bondage of sin.  The truth is…. Grace saves us, not our own goodness.  We are saved by Jesus’s work on the cross, not by our own works of the flesh.
When we compare ourselves with others, we may come away feeling condemned and greatly lacking.  When we measure ourselves by the sacrifice on our behalf, we will know that God loves every person with the same passion.  We do not need to feel inferior or jealous of another again.

The Measure That Is True

Measure yourself not by others, but from where you have come.
Do not look at another to see how well you have done.
For always, you will see the example that makes you feel small.
The most important thing is God loves all.
You are just as large in His sight as the one you so admire.
You are dressed in the very same attire.
The same robe of righteousness was placed upon each back.
When you have accepted Jesus, you have no lack.
Measure what you are by the only measure that is true.
The measure of your worth is the work of the One that died for you.
In the Father’s eyes, He sees you tall and pure.
There is no need to fear when you are in God secured.
See how far you have come – the great changes that have taken place.
The old man is no more; you are born anew under grace.
Love one another and appreciate how far they have come too.
Be glad and rejoice for you both in the same Spirit move.

Ephesians 4:4-7
There is one body, and one Spirit, even as ye are called in one hope of your calling; One Lord, one faith, one baptism, One God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all.  But unto every one of us is given grace according to the measure of the gift of Christ.

The Song By Brenda Drake

Lord I thank you for the joy that fills my heart in times of praise.   Help me to learn to dance unashamed and uninhibited before you like David danced.

The Song

The beautiful melody flows like a river within;
Peaceful, restful full of Him.
It sounds like silence to the ear,
But within its message sounds so clear.
The love is so special, only meant for me.
Jesus’ gift to a saved soul set free.
Salvation’s song is precious beyond compare;
Lovely truths that I can with others share.
Love’s songs are full of light and life;
That shines hope to cause inner delight.
Eternal comfort with promise of undying favor bestowed;
Much more precious than any treasure the hands can hold
Its tune causes sweet desperation within,
That hungers and thirsts only for Him.
Sweet Song of joy that bubbles and flows inside;
Set my feet to dancing with Jesus as in Him I abide.

Psalms 40:3
And he hath put a new song in my mouth,
even praise unto our God: many shall see it, and fear, and shall trust in the Lord.

New Normal By Brenda Drake

The wise’s new normal will look up for our redemption is near.

I have been faithfully staying at home, following our leaders instructions, along with countless others across the world.  Amongst the world’s steady proclamations of the New Normal I have been praying and studying the scriptures just as many others are also.  Seeking wisdom and guidance from the Holy Spirit on where we are on God’s plan for His children.  I know He is in control.  Do I know what exactly is on our world’s agenda? No, but I do know we are on God’s agenda.  He is faithful and loves us so much.  I believe that whatever comes there is never a time He is not working to bring knowledge of His provision of Salvation to everyone that seeks to know the truth.   He is sure to bring His children safely to the place He has prepared for us.  Look up, for I believe Jesus soon returns for His bride.

New Normal

Normal means different to some,
But it means things as usual are done.
What is normal in your life?
Do you place first Christ?
When life is upside down and nothing seems the same,
Is it normal to put trust in Jesus and to praise His name?
Or is it normal to worry, fret, and stew;
Grumbling and complaining in all happening to you?
Is your new normal going to make positive change in your day?
Enjoying some of the simple things and tossing bad habits away?
Will your positive outlook on things good and true,
Be now a positive new part of you?
Will you look now at your neighbor and truly listen when he speaks?
Will your new normal see the man destitute living on the streets?
Will the sound of life-noises like laughter be embraced?
So the dog-eat-dog snarl does not mar your face.
What is the new normal?  Is it as the days and times dictate to go?
Or will it be as the Word of God pours into your soul?

Luke 21:28
And when these things begin to come to pass, then look up, and lift up your heads; for your redemption draweth nigh.

Time Well Spent By Brenda Drake

In these trying times when we are staying home; it is interesting how our days can seem to fly and yet drag at the same time.  I have found there is plenty of reasons to pray and a lot of time to pray.  I spend much time thinking and desiring to spend time with friends and family; wondering at the sad conditions of our world and the terrible burdens of our leaders, doctors, nurses, and health workers.  Back again for the opportunity pray.  In light of our necessary and sometimes dire life-style changes it is almost inevitable that our thoughts travel to the future of life on earth, and the outcome of all our troubling circumstances.  This is opportunity inspection in God’s Word and again a call for prayer. When we realize God’s love and provision for us, our time is well spent in thanksgiving and praise.

Time well Spent

Time is passing…it ticks steadily away.
There is only so much time in a day.
When someone says, I do not have,
Time to do this or that.
What exactly is the meaning of what they say?
How is it, someone has no time to pray?
There is time for everything that you must do,
Your time is spent each day by you
The time you take to spend
On any given thing; is decided by you within.
Do you take time needed to help a brother?
Or does you day slip away with purpose left undiscovered?
Do you take the time to your daily tasks do,
With plan, dedication, and cheer inside of you?
Or is time spent grumbling over each step;
Unthankful, unhappy, and full of regret?
What is time?  Where does it go?
How is it, it can seem to speed by and sometimes go so slow?
Time is ordained by God for each man to live life.
Wise is the man that lives to glorify Christ.
God is able to fill us with His joy and peace every day,
So when time is up, eternally with Him you will stay.
Forever is the goal…. to with Him dwell,
Then your story of time will be a profitable account to tell

Ephesians 5:15-16
See then that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise,

            Redeeming the time, because the days are evil.

Lover and Keeper of our Soul By Brenda Drake

Jesus is the lover and keeper of our Soul.

Lover and Keeper of Our Soul

            I never felt completely safe as a child; my days were dark, and my future bleak.  I did not know how to handle the hard circumstances of my life.  Anger, hurt, and bitterness, and low self-esteem filled my heart and ruined the flavor of my life.  Jesus changed everything.   He is now my Lord, Savior, and the Keeper of my soul. There is light and hope shining on my path ahead and He also dwells deep within.

Father, protect us from life’s storms I pray.
Our heart and our future keep safe today.
In the winds and rains of life,
There are many who do not want to do right.
Keep us safe and give us wisdom as we walk the land;
We reach out Lord for Your helping hand.
When it is dark, You are the light within,
When it is unsafe to walk; we trust You carry us then.
When words like stones are thrown our way,
Instead we will listen to the Word, and its precepts obey.
When circumstances laugh, help us in faith to laugh too.
Knowing You are able to the best thing do.
You walked on the water, and through walls as a door.
Nothing is impossible for the Lord.
You conquer sin, and death bows-low in defeat.
We have full confidence our heart You keep.
Keeper of our soul, soul-lover till the end;
You are Lord, bridegroom, Savior and our best friend.

Psalms 121:5-6-8
The Lord is thy keeper:
the Lord is thy shade upon thy right hand.
 The sun shall not smite thee by day,
nor the moon by night.
The Lord shall preserve thee from all evil:
he shall preserve thy soul.
 The Lord shall preserve thy going out and thy coming in
from this time forth, and even for evermore.

Gift of Life By Brenda Drake

      Life is a gift.  Jesus is Truth, Life and the Way. Because of His sacrifice in our behalf we have new life in Him.  When our eyes are opened to the Truth we can more appreciate all the gifts bestowed upon us. We then are equipped to help show the Way to another.

Gifts of Life

My heart ponders in my quiet times,
The beautiful gifts of life God has left for me to find.
I hear the lovely songs the birds sing,
As, I take a deep breath supplied by my King.
The gift of the sun’s shine, that warms my skin,
Is joined, by the soft touch of the wind.
At the hum of the hummingbirds that fly past my ear,
I in awe wonder at how fast they again disappear.
The sound of the bubbling flowing-stream outdoors:
Is another gentle reminder of life’s gifts from the Lord.
In this quiet place it’s clear to see,
That my God has bestowed yet another gift; His sweet peace.
Safe and secure in His divine care,
I remember I have a story to share.
Before I knew Jesus and before I was given new sight,
It felt nothing in my world was quite right.
Because of Jesus I am now of God’s family a part,
He is the true reason life’s gifts are precious in my heart.

1 Chronicles 29:11
Thine, O LORD, is the greatness, and the power, and the glory, and the victory, and the majesty: for all that is in the heaven and in the earth is thine; thine is the kingdom, O LORD, and thou art exalted as head above all.

Love Spoke into My Darkness By Brenda Drake

These are indeed dark times; our world is under great siege on every side with sickness, death, and emotional and financial difficulties. It is very hard to imagine the possible prolonged amount of time it may take for our economy’s recovery. As we watch we will see love is on all sides speaking in our gloom just as Jesus expresses His love and provision for each one of us in our spiritual blackness. 

Love Spoke into My Darkness

When young I remember marveling over the beauty of the butterfly.
It was so pretty watching how it would rise up to the sky.
I didn’t know about God…my eyes were blind;
But He left little treasures like this for me to find.
Little by little I began to wonder about things unclear,
As my seeking heart was prepared; God drew near.
It is strange now when looking back,
I didn’t have any idea of my darkness; but God knew where I was at.
He kept me pretty busy searching for what I did now know,
And then one day He revealed the darkness of my soul.
At the revelation my life was rearranged.
When I saw His great gift of salvation my life was forever changed.
He has never stopped giving me His gifts along the way.
He still speaks into my heart and His Word lights the way.

Psalms 19:1
The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament
 sheweth his handywork.