Heaven's ReinBow Valentine

Like the colors of the rainbow, Your promise to me is sweet.
from everlasting to everlasting is my enemies defeat.

Your promises to me are precious, yea more precious than much fine gold.
Your word is true, enduring forever, Your revelation from above so intense and bold.

More precious are their caress to my soul than a lovers hold.

Your Love for me is forever it's endurance complete,
there's no reason for me to fear your compassion's retreat.

My Lord if ever I've loved thee, the time is now,
Your word to me is precious like a kiss to my brow.

Your touch is so tender, that of my saviors Spiritual caress,
it's a certain freedom from the enemies evil duress.

Your love's so complete that you took my place on the cross,
You turned your bow toward heaven, and my sin's evil hold is at a loss.

As a child of the King I am forever blessed,
In the righteousness of the King I am forever dressed.

Why you loved me so completely, I can never imagine,
But my love in return is my heart felt reaction.

GOD’S VALENTINE

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.

                    John 3:16

Ripples of Grace

Coy Quartet - Singing to the King, a gurgle song.

The Long ago Birth in a Bethlehem Stable

Jesus our Savior and righteous king, was born long ago in a Bethlehem stable,
Born both to die, and to live in majesty forever, and our sin from us he came to sever.
Greater than any skilled surgeon he cuts to the heart, to bring healing and wholeness and not just a new start, but God’s love and forgiveness within us to enable.

The angels gathered round to watch in awe, as God, born of man in that earthly stable,
Come to break the power of sin and death,
and reveal God’s spirit in man with a heavenly breath.
A story foretold in part by the prophets of old, proved to be so much more than a forgotten fable.

Mary did you know that the child you bore, laying comfortably swaddled in that rickety manger, would for us bare God’s wrath and his righteous anger?

Were you amazed as the lowly Shepherd’s from a nearby field shared their exciting story?
Of the message from God sent by angles while the field around them shone in heavenly glory?

Did you know that his hands would heal the sick and the blind?
That his words would bring freedom to all who believe and evil spirits would bind?

Did you know that the words of his mouth would raise the dead?
That with five loaves and two fish, five thousand hungry disciples would be filled and fed?

Did you know that your creator born there from your womb?
That he, your son was soon to bare God’s wrath and your horrible doom?

Did you know he would suffer and die and until the third day,
His body wrapped and prepared for the grave, in a rich man’s tomb would lay?
Or that you with his friends and followers in fear would be clustered away?

Did you know he would rise up with the sun on that glorious third morn?
Or that a new covenant with God and heavenly kingdom were soon to be born?

I’m sure it’s a lot to imagine while giving birth in a Bethlehem stable,
But that awesome story will likely be shared in heaven around the marriage feast table.

Heaven and earth are to be remade and joined by him in the final hour, and we'll be formed anew in heavenly flesh much like God joined with earthly flesh in Mary's womb, and was born long ago in a Bethlehem stable.

By Jim Wilday


It seems quite interesting when you think about it that God would choose a stable for the birth place of the Lamb of God while both shepherds and royalty came to worship. I believe God was making a statement about his Son. Even royalty in a threesome reminds of the Holy Trinity, Father Son and Holy Spirit represented there in that manger in little baby Jesus.

But only God could remake the Creator into a child, and the Shepherd into the Sacrificial Lamb. No wonder the angels were watching in awe to see the omnipresent and Almighty God step down from on high to take on the limitations and vulnerability of human flesh to complete a task that only God himself could possibly complete.

As Max Lucado put it...
Ponder the achievement of God. He doesn't condone our sin, nor does He compromise His standard. He doesn't ignore our rebellion, nor does He relax His demands. Rather than dismiss our sin, He assumes our sin and, incredibly, sentences Himself. God's holiness is honored. Our sin is punished...and we are redeemed. God does what we cannot do so we can be what we dare not dream; perfect before God.
[In The Grip of Grace] Max Lucado
Copyright [Thomas Nelson Publishers, 1996]
Used by permission

Thanks Father God for New Life and Unity in Christ

Thy Name be raised on high this day,
In the presence of thy majesty, we bow and pray…

In Thee oh Lord our hearts unite,
In one accord to win the fight,
Against each heart’s own scar and blight,

You have unveiled sin’s disguise,
And opened up our sinful eyes.

We look to you on high oh Lord,
Toward our great undeserved reward.

You are our God, our Father and Friend,
In you new wonders have no end.

No boundary to block Your praise from our heart,
Your Spirit flows forth to give life a new start.

In the Father, the Spirit and Son,
Our broken hearts have been made one.

One with the Father, and one with the Son,
One with the children of God, our heart he’s won.

Our unity in Christ is a wonderful part,
Of which this life is only a start.

Each new day brings promise anew,
Of God’s paradise restored in you.

When darkness flees to find its cover,
Many new wonders we are soon to discover.

Yes each new day so sunny and bright,
Reminds of His glory His power and might.

And even dark clouds rolling in with thunder
Remind of his wrath toward those who with evil hearts do plunder

If we put feet to our faith through the rest of our life,
God will grant us peace and an end to our strife.

Praise be to the Father and to the Son,
And praise to the Spirit who unites us as one.

His breath of life is fresh to our core.
Pour out your Spirit Lord, new life to restore,

Yes, pour out your Spirit Lord, please fill us more.
More of your wisdom, more of your grace,
More of your loving Holy Spirits embrace.

Blessed be the Lord God Almighty, how awesome is Thy story.
Let people everywhere on bended knee proclaim Thy wondrous glory.

by Jim Wilday.

Please know that I don’t mean to make it sound as though the Christian life is all fun and games. It’s not. We still live in a world contaminated by sin. And since we do, we need to remember that though we have victory in Christ through the cross, there is still a battle of wills being fought. As Paul puts it in Ephesians 6:11 & 12: Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil's schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. And in 1 Peter 5:8-9: Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that your brothers throughout the world are undergoing the same kind of sufferings.

But as we stand firm in the spirit through humble worship of God our father in prayer and praises in song verbally lifted to him on high, and through a careful and diligent study of Gods word bringing faith to our hearts, and with it the power to remain obedient to Gods individual calling, and with obedience through faith we will receive in our joyful heart a little bit of heaven on earth.

Stand firm my brothers and sisters and know assuredly that one day our work and struggles will be done and we will find ourselves in the glorious presence of God our Father as joint heirs with Christ.

Go in his peace and the grace of God through Jesus, the Christ, our Lord
Jim

The Holy Bible

This book explores;
the mind of God, the state of man, the way of salvation, the doom of sinners and the happiness of believers.

Status;
Its doctrines are holy, its precepts are binding, its histories are true, and its decisions are immutable.

Why;
Read it to be wise, believe it to be safe, and practice it to be holy. It contains light to direct you, food to support you, and comfort to cheer you. It is the travelers map, the pilgrims staff, the pilots compass, the soldiers sword, and the Christians character.

Far reaching benifits;
Here paradise is restored, Heaven opened, and the gates of hell disclosed. Christ is its grand object, our good is its design, and the glory of God its end.

Your CHOICE;
It should fill the memory, rule the heart, and guide the feet. Read it slowly, frequently, and prayerfully.

NOT your choice;
It is given you in life and will be opened in the judgment and will be remembered forever. It involves the highest responsibility, will reward the greatest labor, and will condemn all who trifle with its sacred contents.

Anonymous

Like the Heart of a Child?

Lord I come to you in all humble supplication,

and may my prayers bring to you glory not my own gratification.

But as I speak in honest truth with each word from my lips,

please melt away these horrid pounds that have clung to my hips.

I bring to you my evil and earthly desires and fears,

And set them at the foot of the cross where your blood’s mixed with my tears.

Lord thank you for this car you’ve given me,

though it’s as old as some of the reused Rose Parade floats,

and seems to be held together with nothing better than butter n bolts.

I bring it to you with thanks, not a spirit that gloats.

Lord thanks for this house though it’s as old as the hills,

and what would happen to it if the termites stopped holding hands in prayer still gives me the chills.

Though the pipes still rattle with rust and age throughout,

It’s still filled with your love as I trust in you, not my bank account with no clout.

Lord grant me a small bit of faith as I kneel on these old arthritic knees,

and ask for your healing and a small block of cheese.

Lord I come to you with a broken heart that’s old and outdated,

like these socks that I wear full of holes and aren’t mated,

I ask for your grace not for me but for others some of which I admit I have hated,

open their eyes to your love if only because they are ones you’ve created.

Lord I don’t mean to burden you with these same old problems, that may seem far fetched and a bit wild,

please train this old heart to fully trust in you more like the heart of a child.

Now I’ll get up off these old knees if you please which I mentioned before,

because these old stiff ligaments are stretching and beginning to get sore.

Amen.

by Jim Wilday

LOL. Maybe we ought to model our prayers after the “Lords Prayer” in Mathew chapter 6 rather than this one, God tends to use our trials and tribulations like a refiners fire to burn away the unwanted attributes of our old nature. So long as you walk with me through the fire Lord, bring it on so that my heart may emerge shinning more like the heart of God, a heart of the purest gold refined in your word and with a unique blend of your Holy Spirit.

Nevertheless God knows our heart and wants our honesty with him in prayer above all. He knows our heart anyway so there’s no reason to hold our dark thoughts back so long as we keep a perspective of who we are next to Almighty God. He wants us to release our fears and frustrations to him rather than dump on those around us. We have the example of the Psalms in this regard. But that doesn’t mean we aren’t supposed to share our earnest concerns with those we love and trust. We should bare one another’s burdens in faith trust and love. The Psalmist wrote down many of his concerns to share even with us.



Only ONE

One God - (in three persons) Father, Son and Holy Spirit

One Plan - for man’s redemption, He made us, we sold out, so He purchased us back at great cost.

One time - the past looks forward, the future looks back ( to a sort of time zero) to the….

One Birth - prophesied thousands of years before, and observed by angels in awe

One Man - Jesus. He is God in human flesh to unite both God and man and heaven and earth

One death - of Jesus, for the redemption of all who believe, for all time

One resurrection - Of Jesus the Christ in the flesh, not just in Spirit. In Him we can all have eternal life.

One King - Jesus, seated at the right hand of God in the throne room of heaven

One Spirit - His, freely given to those who believe.  His Spirit brings Peace with God, Eternal life, truth, vision, power, unity, Spiritual fruit and healing. His Spirit brings unity with God and oneness with others who also submit to his deity.

One heavenly kingdom - to which we all belong, all that are made ONE in Him. And if we are in Him while He is in heaven we can experience a little bit of the peace of heaven in the midst of our troubles here on earth. His being in us brings newness of life and unity in Spirit with other believers. A separation or division in the flesh can still exist as we fail to submit to his superior will and design for our lives like children demanding our own selfish way. But we can experience the fruits of the spirit in our lives to the extent that we are submissive and obedient to Him our Lord and King. As the Apostle Paul said in Galatians 5:22-26 “The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit. Let us not become conceited, provoking and envying each other. “

Praise Him on high! There was no need for alternate plans to what God has designed. There are no dressed rehearsals, He has made no failed plans or sorry excuses, He has done it all in Christ, and left nothing for us to improve upon. We are only to honor and worship Him in obedience, allowing Christ to carry out His plan in us throughout all of our days in our many different ways, our many different tongues, each individual part brought together as many stray notes into perfect tune and harmony, into One.. A-cord.

And as Paul says in Galatians 2:20 “I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ lives in me…” so our harmony, for all of us who are following Jesus is real, due to the One life that we all live. It is the very resurrection and life of Christ lived in us by the Holy Spirit. God in man like a heavenly breath, we are not only a Christian organization, but underneath it all we are a spiritual organism with Christ the head. Without Him we are spiritually dead.

God the Father considers you special, enough that He spared His Son. And Jesus temporarily gave up His glory to humbly serve you even to the death, and the Spirit of God lives in you as a gift of God to help you with the renewing of your mind. He is in the business of transforming us into the children of God that we might become heirs with Jesus, who is the Christ, the Messiah, the Holy One of God. This is something to ponder each Christmas season and all through the year.
If you don't know Jesus as your personal Lord and savior, please take a few minutes to look at  https://www.godlife.com/en/gospel   or  http://www.4spirituallaws.com/ or http://godlovestheworld.com These few minutes may turn out to be the best spent minutes of your life.

Ask God now to reveal the the truth to you in a way that you will believe and recognize the deity of Jesus His Son. Open the door to Him and let Him take His rightful place in your heart. God is patient but time is short so don't delay. If you were to die in a car accident today would your soul be ushered into the waiting arms of Christ? Or would you end up in a dark and lonely place? Would you be forever separated from a loving God who is calling to your heart while there is still time to respond? A decision to wait is to choose rejection. Please don't make a fatal mistake. Release your grasp on pride and take his hand, he'll lead you up the right path into life and light and joy of knowing God in a personal and meaningful relationship. That is what is meant by John 1:12 Yet to all who received him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God. (Past tense is used there which means it is done, the right to become children of God has at that moment been sealed by the gift of the Holy Spirit who will guide you into all truth found in the word of God the Bible. Read it and believe.)

Your friend and brother in Christ,
Jim

Dusty Jar of Clay

(Prayer for Renewal and Worth)

In all these things renew your way,

in all that I do from day to day…

As I look to the heavens, may I see your design,

May I give you the praise, and all glory be Thine.

When I lift up Thy name, in prayer and in praise,

Please grant me Thy wisdom in each word and phrase.

As I read Thy word from day to day,

Please guide my path that in thee I may stay.

As I speak of your faithfulness, May I be bold and not mumble.
Yet as I bow in the presence thy majesty may I always be humble.

Jesus, you’re king of the Jews by all rights, a heavenly king in the throne room of God,
I set my troubles and temptations before you, under your feet to be trod.

May I cast my every worry at your feet and not give them a thought,
For by your blood spilled at Calvary every one of them was bought.

As I go through each day, may I live it your way,
And to others be a witness, not lead them astray.

As I live from this day forth for the God of old,
May I bring someone with me into thy fold.

As it was with Adam on the eve of creation
May I trust in you without resignation.

You are my rock, in You I belong,
Strengthen my faith that I may stand strong.

Though my life be shaken to its very foundation,
May I trust in you, not just your creation.

May you be well pleased when I’ve passed the test,
And from this life I have at last come to rest.

And as I pass through the earths sullen haze,
May I fully trust in your proven ways.

Your will in all things, but may it be thus,
That my life be lived, to the glory of Jesus.

Whether I'm in the midst of the city or out in the jungle,
May I be so much more to others than a mixed up jumble.

I don’t know how you can do it Lord, it just blows me away,
That you can make anything useful of this dusty jar of clay.

by Jim Wilday





Dusty jar of Clay

 

  











May my present life in this earthen vessel be ever available to God through the redemptive power of the precious blood of Jesus his Son and through the guiding hand of his Holy Spirit, be always available to him for the grafting of new life to be transplanted from pot to pot into the lives of others day after glorious day. 

Take this dusty pot and clean it up, make it shine for thee.

Remember Whose You Are

As a humble child of God, you are an extension of his hand,
You’re a song from his heart to harmonize with, and boldly vocalize the melody of the band.

You are a comfort to those who mourn,
Whose lives have been severely torn.

You bring a taste of the savior, to those who hunger and thirst after God,
An encouragement to those who seek him if nothing but a smile and a nod.

You’re the salt of the earth, to those who seem to have lost Gods favor,
As they open up their heart, you’ll bring into their lives a little more of a welcome flavor.

You are a gift of freedom to those in chains,
Who through God’s love in you their hatred drains.

When you bring God’s peace to a rival heart,
As a child of the King you’ve made a royal start.

To some you may be the only picture, of the smile upon God’s face,
As a true reflection of him you’ll be a truly beautiful picture, of God’s amazing grace.

So let his light shine from the heights to a world gone dark,
You’re on the path to the mountain of God not just a walk in the park.

Don't let your spiritual brokenness rest on the mantel for all to see and behold,
rather believe on the one who gave you the breath of life, submit to him in the Spirit of righteousness,
for He alone has the power to make all things new and to endow you from within with the Spirit of Truth He alone is the Way to the kingdom of heaven.  Believe in Him and watch as new life from within you begins to unfold.

By Jim Wilday  - Inspired by Matthew 5

We should always remember that we who are in Christ were bought at high price from the ruler of darkness whom by our sin we sold out to. We are representatives of Christ, our redeemer to a dying world.  While we are on the job he is also teaching and training us for the job he has prepared for us to do.  Therefore we should not complain too harshly or worry so much when we go through all kinds of trials and troubles, but know that it is all part of our training so that we can be a blessing or witness to others who find themselves in the same predicament. Though it may not seem like it at the time He makes everything work together for good to them who are the called according to his purpose, those who love him.  That doesn't mean bad things don't happen, and it certainly doesn't mean He is the author of evil, but He the master of all that is good and beautiful can and will eventually work the destruction from the evil one into a glorious work of art.  He who sees all things and knows the final outcome will do this and I want to be a part of it.

Do you not say, 'Four months more and then the harvest'? I tell you, open your eyes and look at the fields! They are ripe for harvest! John 4:35

Ministry Oportunities, and other links

An Excellent online opportunity awaits any believer to get your feet wet in the ministry of the gospel and fulfilling the great commission. it provides the following advantages to on the street witnessing; 1. Online training. 2. It gives you the opportunity to spend time in thought and prayer before you reply. 3. many ways to research your answers.  4. A chance to see, and use if you want, well thought out canned answers provided by the system which you can change and or add to. 5. A speedy way to spread the gospel and meet spiritual needs for people the world over. No need to go any further than your computer keyboard, and THE OPPORTUNITY IS FREE.

The Link... www.globalmediaoutreach.com/   Click GET INVOLVED, & then click Become an Online Missionary to fill out the online application. They are a sub ministry of Campus Crusade for Christ.

Read the Bible online and in many different versions or languages plus find fast commentary and other Bible study resources at: http://www.biblegateway.com/

Order a Bible for yourself or another free online  http://bibles4free.com/id47.html 

The Jesus Film:
http://www.jesusfilm.org/film-and-media/watch-the-film

Like to write poetry, but need help finding words that rhyme?  Try...  <http://www.rhymezone.com/  Type in a word to find its rhymes, synonyms, definitions, and more.  choose the use of the tool from a drop down selection. A great tool for any writer.

God of Wonders:
Enjoy this movie, If you have friends who don't believe in the creation story in Genesis in the Bible invite them to watch this movie with you and invite their questions. Few who take in the facts presented the way they are in this movie can refute that God's hand is in creation.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VAH8suospuc

Christian Quotes:
http://dailychristianquote.com

http://www.quoteschristian.com/

My Picasa Web Photo Albums:

Fire n the sky - Rain Bows n Sunsets...
https://picasaweb.google.com/105968760082571354474/FireNTheSky_FromThePalletOfTheKing#

Flowers n more....
https://picasaweb.google.com/105968760082571354474/FlowerFavorites#

The Arboretum
https://picasaweb.google.com/105968760082571354474/TheArboretum73111#

Nethercutt Collection... Old restored cars, a train and music machines. The museum viisit and collection tour is completely free! see http://www.nethercuttcollection.org/Collection.aspx
                                  http://www.nethercuttcollection.org/

& my pictures at...
https://picasaweb.google.com/105968760082571354474/NethercuttCollection#

Cobb Estate - to - Echo Mt Hike
https://picasaweb.google.com/105968760082571354474/TheEchoMtHikeFromCobbEstate#

Regan's Library
https://picasaweb.google.com/105968760082571354474/ReganLibrary?authkey=Gv1sRgCI2B7r298unarwE#

Squirrels
https://picasaweb.google.com/105968760082571354474/SquirrelsOfHope#

A beauty within

 God created within each of us a potential for great inner beauty, but were it not for the grace of God we would never quite achieve his goal for our abundant inner peace and beauty.

Petals in brilliant color

Petals in brilliant color
back dropped by leaves of green
created by the awesome God of heaven
with a loving hand unseen.

Tongues of fire

1When the day of Pentecost came, they were all together in one place. 2Suddenly a sound like the blowing of a violent wind came from heaven and filled the whole house where they were sitting. 3They saw what seemed to be tongues of fire that separated and came to rest on each of them. Acts 2:1-3

Interesting Trivia about Pentecost

It is or was an agricultural celebration in Jerusalem about 50 days after the Passover. It was a celebration in connection with the people of Israel reaching the mountain where Moses was given the ten commandments, the law was the first covenant with God. Now God will write the law on our heart making us a new creature through the indwelling of the Holy Spirit. THE NEW COVENANT!

How long did the apostles wait and pray before Pentecost?
Note that the Passover would have been celebrated the night of the last supper just hours before Christ was betrayed by Judas and arrested. Then perhaps the following day crucified, resurrected on the 3rd day. Luke says in Acts 1 that He was with his disciples about 40 days after the resurrection before the ascension where he told them, "John baptized you with water but my father will baptize you with the Holy Spirit" then he said to go and wait in Jerusalem until the appointed time would come. Since it happened at the first day of Pentecost, 50 days after the passover, they would have been waiting and praying about 7 days or 1 week.

The result of a week of intense prayer before God?
A week of intense prayer if you can imagine, they were separated from their King awaiting his return, hoping he would come back to set up his earthly kingdom. But God had need of him in heaven. knowing he could hear their prayers, they prayed for his return and likely for the increase of their number of those who would believe, hoping their Jewish leaders would turn from their sin and believe. Naturally they were concerned also for their own safety. Indeed their prayers were answered by way of the baptism of the Holy Spirit. Another interesting fact is that Jews came from all over the known world into Jerusalem to celebrate Pentecost which is why there were so many who each heard them speaking in their own tongue or language as they were "speaking in tongues" and guess what, after the 3000 received Christ they went home starting satellite churches all over the known world. Is God clever and good? or What?

Christ became death for us in the crucifixion so that in his resurrection we can have life through his Spirit living in us. Through Jesus, God has begun the mending of sinful flesh, He has begun to bind in wholeness once again a connection between man and God, heaven and earth. With his birth we have God in the flesh on earth. With his death our sin can be removed far from us and God’s holy presence brought into the heart of sinful flesh. With his resurrection God broke the chains of sin and death. With his ascension we have human flesh represented in the heavenly realms and God’s Spirit in sinful flesh to begin his renewing work among us and through us, beginning with the renewing of our mind. ALL THIS IS IN FACT THE BEGINNING OF THE WORK GOD WILL COMPLETE WITH THE FULFILLMENT OF REVELATION CHAPTER 21.  Read it to begin to grasp just a few of the details of God's restorative plans. Much like the proper restoration of an old rusty car, God plans to restore all of his creation back to factory specifications.

God is intimately involved with his creation





Read: Job 12:7-10, Job 38-41, Psalm 145:9 and 17, Colossians 1:17, Hebrews 1:3, Genesis 9:9-10, Hosea 2:18, Liviticus 25:2-5, Liviticus 26:3-4, Matthew 10:30,
1 Samuel 14:45

SO I ASK YOU; just how much of animal or human instinct is writen in the DNA and how much is God right there whispering in our ear.





I believe that human invention, even twisted as it sometimes is by man's fallen nature, and whether or not the inventor knows God personally, is timed and somewhat devinely orchestrated by God himself.

Our Father

Our Father which art in heaven, creator of the skies,
You care for each small creature and every bird that flies.

You fill the skies with their music as each new morning dawns,
You feed them from your storehouse of seeds and insects on mornings dew dampened lawns.

Our Father which art in heaven, you’re the maker of the sea,
Yes with just a few spoken words made them, you brought it all to be,
every body of water, and every thing within them, you made it all for me.

Maybe that sounds a little selfish, since I’m not alone you see,
You’ve given me these small children and made a father out of me.
With their tender hearts you’ve shaped me, and brought me a little more in line with thee.

So I’ll teach them to appreciate all the things you’ve given them,
and how to bow to you in prayer, and worship you with every verse, of each song and hymn.

So that I’d never cease to love them you made an example with your Son,
who died for me on Calvary when his time on earth was nearly done.

Jesus taught me how to love them from deep within my heart,
and turned me from my sin to give my life a brand new start.

Jesus taught us we can see you in every thing he did,
And brought your light to show the way, and never covered it with a lid.

Though my love for my children was great, your love so outdid.
So make of me and my life an example, is my prayer and mornings bid.

Our Father which art in heaven, hallowed be thy name,
Thy kingdom come, thy will be done in each of these small children for whom Jesus came,
to redeem their lives, through his sacrifice, may he bring them to you without stain or blame.

Our Father which art in heaven, feed them upon your word,
Hide it in their heart, that they may follow you undeterred.

Forgive them when they falter, and from the path they stray.
Lead them to forgive the wrongs done by others, which leave their hearts in dismay.

And as a father teach me to lead and guide them, and nurture their active minds,
As I lead them by your grace to our Father to a love in their heart that binds.

by Jim Wilday

Why?

Ours is not to demand a reason given,
but to trust the King for whom we're livin.

Be ever thankful that in him we've but once to die,
it's then we'll embrace the reason why.