WHO AM I TRYING TO BE?..................

O TO BE LIKE THEE ..............

O to be like Saul whose name was changed to Paul,

Known as an Apostle who consistently gave his all.

To jails he was not a visitor, to hardship he was not a stranger,

He stood bold as a lion when looking in the eye of danger.

O to be like Peter who walked with Jesus on the sea,

When the waves began to thunder, for the hand of Jesus did he plea.

He spoke with boldness and power on the day of Pentecost,

Proclaiming the gospel of Christ to the thousands that were lost.

O to be like Noah who worked on an ark for a hundred and twenty years,

He faithfully spoke redemption and warning to rebellious deafened ears.

The rain began to drop, the floods began to rise,

The door has been shut, can you see the fear in their eyes?

O to be like the Samaritan who is known for being good,

When he saw a desparate need, he went beyond the duty of doing what he could.

He opened not only his hand, but also his heart,

To help the wounded man, before he from the world did depart.

O to be like Enoch a man who walked with God,

His character was flawless, his testimonty wasn't a fraud.

He sought not that which was right in the eyes of wicked man,

But followed that which was according to God's master plan.

O to be like Esther, a captive who became a queen,

Her graciousness and beauty the king had never seen.

She forgot not her people when Haman sought their pain,

Her courage before the king kept them from being slain.

O to be like David though young he knew his cause,

He went forth to fight the giant, but not for man's applause.

A man though not perfect grew to play his part,

Remember as a man after God's own perfect heart.

O to be like Ehud a judge by God was he made,

He soon would deliver Israel by the crafting of a blade.

He took King Eglon a present, bodly before him did he stand,

He presented him with a dagger, not with his right but his left hand.

O to be like Daniel who purposed seriously in his heart,

To keep himself pure and from God's will not depart.

When thrown into the lions den looking danger in the eye,

He bowed his knee and heart to God who reigns supremely on high.

O to be like God, the one whom these people served,

Their homage, their obedience He graciously deserved.

He gave them knowledge and wisdom when they didn't know what to do,

Power and strength when battling wickedness in places higher than me and you.

He gave them discernment and direction when sinking in sin's sand,

Gave them a sense of hope, He guided them by the hand.

Why do we focus our eyes on others comparing ourselves to their level,

Not watching for the obstacles set out by the devil.

Why not raise our standard to be like our God above,

A flawless example of Grace and flowing agape love.

To be like thee O God, I pray I will strive to be,

Not settling for second best or the enemy of complacency.

PRELUDE TO EASTER # 5

THE RISEN LORD

Today a man named Jesus died upon this hill,

For a moment there was silence, my heart stood very still.

There were those that wept as He hung there on the tree,

Not knowing the significance, where they stodd was Calvary.

A common man named Joseph asked for the body of this man,

Not knowing what he was doing was part of the Master's plan.

He lay the body in a tomb covered by a stone,

Guarded by Roman soldiers where it was to be left alone.

The memories of yesterday are still fresh upon my mind,

Asking questions of the injustice, answers are hard to find.

The cross still stands firmly on the hill were Jesus died,

In my mind echoes the chant, to Him be crucified.

There is a silence in the air unlike that of yesterday,

To describe the contrast clearly, well it is hard to say.

Before Jesus died He promised He would rise from the grave,

His desire was to seek the lost that they might be saved.

Today I heard men talking, they were so full of pride,

They were still mocking Jesus who was crucified.

The anger grew within me, I didn't know what to say,

Dropping to my knees, I humbly began to pray.

Father please forgive me I know you're in control,

Forigve these men their foolishness, please save their souls.

It is now night, as I lay here in my bed,

Fearing the future of those men today after they are dead.

This morning I took a walk to the tomb where Jesus lay,

A delight to my eyes, the stone was rolled away.

The two soldiers were out cold lying on the ground,

An angel stood on the tomb proclaiming with joyful sound.

Jesus Christ is risen, He is no longer here,

Go and tell others, spread forth this joyful cheer.

The sting of death is stingless, the grave could not hold the King,

Sin's shackles have been broken, listen to the angels sing!!!

PRELUDE TO EASTER # 4

BLAMELESS !!!!!!

Unspotted, pure, and blessed from beginning to end,

He belongs to a realm which I cannot comprehend.

His eyes have partaken in wonders I do not know,

Feared by those on high and those referred to as low.

Earth is His footstool and the place which we live and rest,

Men bow down to Him and commit to Him their best.

Creation was the response of His spoken Word,

Man was the result of His living breath.

Broken for me that I might be mended from sin's grasp,

Lifted up in my place that I might be brought low.

PRELUDE TO EASTER # 3

EVIDENCE OF HIS

HAND.....

His touch is strong but loving. His hand is most powerful, but tender and comforting as a father to his child. His hand has moved mountains. He has also mended broken hearts. His hand has chastend, but has also encouraged. He leads me as a shepherd his flock with his staff. When I am in the valley He lifts me up to the mountaintop. When I fall in puddles of sin, He picks me up and sets me back on my feet. When I could not pay the debt of my sin, His hands suffered in the cruelty of the cost my my debt.

Can you see the evidence of his Hand? Look closer beyond the barriers of yourself and see His hand lead you through the storm. When you just missed the drunk driver while your family was fast asleep; did you see His hand? When your best friend after twenty three years gets saved; did you see His hand? Did you see His hand when your friend was diagnosed with that fatal disease? Did you see His hand when He took a love one to be with Him? If not, maybe you have not felt the grip of His Grace from His comforting hand that is constantly there.

When you can't see the positive, look for His hand. When you feel like you cannot hang on, reach for His hand. When your spirit is broken, feel the mending of His hand. When you feel hate and spite, experience the love and peace of His hand. When you don't know what to do, trust in the leading of His hand. When you question why you live for Him; remember the scars in His hands.

"For it is better, if the will of God be so, that ye suffer for well doing, than for evil doing. For Christ also hath once suffered for sins, the just for the unjust, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh, but quickened by the Spirit:" (I Peter 3:17-18)

PRELUDE TO EASTER #2

THE CROSS

Searching for an anchor, grasping for a hold,

Trying to walk the path of life ever so bold.

The more I drift from this path, I am very quick to find,

God is the only one who gives me peace of mind.

When I am discouraged there is a place that I draw near,

It brings joy to my face a smile and to my heart a joyful cheer.

The shadow of this place is something I have never seen,

It brings soberness to your mind when you truly know what it means.

Where do I draw near when I suffer loss?,

It is a special place that I call the Cross.

The cross is a symbol of grace and of love,

A precious act of compassion from my loving Father above.

When I grow weary and find God's voice hard to hear,

I know a special place that I can always draw near.

PRELUDE TO EASTER #1

THE SHADOW OF THE

CROSS

As I travel this road of Christianity, what is it that keeps me going? No, the road is not always smooth. Storms of strain rain down on me. Winds of discontentment overtake me. I look at the shadow of the cross. I have seen joy and I have seen sadness; both at their highest peaks. I am reminded of the shadow of the cross. I have seen life fulfilled to its fullest. I have seen death rob others of their joy. I face the shadow of the cross. The Lord has given me more than I deserve. He has also taken away for my own good. I go forth by faith, Sometimes questioning why I do what I do. Yes, I remember the shadow of the cross. Where would I be without Christ? What if I did not have trials? Would I see my need for Christ? The corruptedness of this world at times is hard to bare. Why do I have to struggle with sin daily? I find strength when I think about the shadow of the cross. This road I travel I wish at times would end. I must go forward faithfully, and when weary; rest in the shadow of the cross. I know there is an end to this road I travel. I must focus on the One who is at the end of this road waiting for me.

What is the Shadow of the Cross? Why does it bring me joy? I'll tell you why. The cross of Calvary is bare. The One who once hung on it was my Lord Jesus Christ. That glorious day my Lord by the power of God defeated sin and conquered death. That is why I smile. That is why I keep going forth day by day trusting my Lord. The shadow which the Cross of Calvary shows is a picture that Christ is risen. It is a symbol to me of what my Saviour did for me and what He continues to do for me each day. He is not dead!!! He is alive!!

THE PROCESS.......THE PRODUCT

THE PROCESS........TO

THE PRODUCT.

Have you ever watched an old car that was totally rusted out for scraps get totally restored to a shiny smooth running machine? Have you ever been involved with restoring and fixing up an old run down house? Have you ever paused to take notice of the huge building that gets built up in a matter of months that you thought would take a year or more? Have you ever worked with a kid for a period of time and watched how he or she grows and changes in all sorts of ways? Have you ever been annoyed by the beginning pursuits of that young piano player who later plays sweet melodies of comfort? Have you worked with a sports team and watched how that team that had no chance of accomplishing anything; amazingly grow in leaps and bounds? Have you ever paused and reflected on what you were like five years ago? What you looked like five years ago? What you were like ten years ago?

All the things mentioned above took time. There was a PROCESS that had to take place before things were changed or accomplished. Before the finished PRODUCT was reached, it took a process of time, work, sweat, stretching of patience, endurance, thought, a plan, people, persistence, structure, pain, faith, commitment, etc..... In reflecting on these things, I am reminded of the PROCESS that is taking place in my life. The process of SANCTIFICATION. The process of God molding me, shaping me, stretching me, breaking me, conforming me, bending me, and making me more like Him. It is nice to know that God is working in me and through me, but all those things that He is doing do not always feel so good. How many times have I become frustrated because of the way the process shows its face in my life? (The unexpected trials that arise from day to day, certain people that cross my path, the answers I must wait patiently for that arise, seeking out God's will for my life, the battle between the flesh and the spirit, dealing with other people's problems, serving others, etc....) At times I must say that it is really really hard to stay focused on the fact that all the things I endure and experience are for a PRODUCT that I cannot see. God sees the finished work. He is the Master Craftsman of my life.

O the process of things can be so daunting and stressful at times. O the joy that comes when all the hard work and time we have put into something is revealed in the finished product. The process is forgotten in a way and we rejoice in and enjoy the accomplishment of the product. What joy it brings to our God when we rejoice in Him for what He is doing in our lives. Yes, the process will hurt and require of us more than we may be willing to give or endure. But the hope and certainity that we have is that God is Sovereign and He knows what is best for us. All that He is trying to do through us and in us is for His Glory. I can think of so many times that I have bucked against the process because I thought it was too hard or did not suit my desires. How quickly I forget that the God of the PROCESS is also the God of the PRODUCT.

Though I may change, my environment may change, my friends change, those around me change, my circumstances change........God and God's love for me never changes.

Today, may you be reminded that God is in control and that today He is actively working in your life. How will you respond to that today?

"Philippians 4:11-13(NASB) Not that I speak from want, for I have learned to be content in whatever circumstances I am. I know how to get along with humble means, and I also know how to live in prosperity; in any and every circumstance I have learned the secret of being filled and going hungry, both of having abundance and suffering need. I can do all things through Him who strengthens me."