Follower of Jesus

This is the Good Fight

/ jill autrey dorman
time lapse photography of people walking on pedestrian lane

Photo by Mike Chai 

 

Light and Darkness

Belief and Doubt

Sight and Blindness

Hearing and Deafness

Redeemed and Guilty

Rebirth and Birth

Obedience and Rebellion

Truth and Lies

Peace and Fear

Joy and Grief

Love and Hate

Freedom and Shame

Life and Death

Strength and Weakness

Good and Evil

Inherited favor and Moral behavior

Justice and Anger

Mercy and Consequences

 “His divine power has given us everything we need for a godly life through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness.”.  2 Peter 1:3

 

Counting One

/ jill autrey dorman
sky space dark galaxy

Photo by Pixabay 

 

Counting One.

In a trillion star galaxy.

The One who made it knows my name.

I stopped making promises I cannot keep.

I lay my life Lord at your feet.

I feel you made all of creation just for me.

When I was blind you let me see.

Counting One.

On the miraculous day I believed.

You made me your daughter, and call me, “friend.”

Counting One.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I confess I have often prayed and used Jesus Salvation for me as a means for “life” not to be hard…

/ jill autrey dorman / 2 Comments
bible book business christian

Photo by John-Mark Smith

 

The crowds were waiting. The sick, the lame, the blind, the demon possessed were all waiting for Him. The One who they had glimpsed in other crowds on other days healing everyone he touched. Where was He? Those other men were his followers so He must be close by.

Jesus was away at a distance. He could see the crowds below growing larger. Jesus was praying.  Jesus was here for a reason but today it was not to go down to that crowd and heal them physically. Jesus was going on to “to other towns” to preach the Gospel.  It is not that he did not love and care for the infirm and helpless ones at the bottom of that hill. He did and does care but His primary healing is/was to be done to the souls of the human race. His Gospel is this, Sin kills, Hell is real but God is Merciful and He, Jesus is the Way to Life. Jesus is the passport we need to The Kingdom.

I confess I have often prayed and used Jesus Salvation for me as a means for “life” not to be hard or uncomfortable here on earth. I have prayed for healing for myself and others. I pray every day for a “not hard life” for my children and grandchildren” but that is NOT why Jesus came. Oh do not doubt, Jesus cares for our trials on earth but He cares more that we receive Salvation from our sin and spend eternity in His presence.

Jesus promises those that receive Him will have eternal life and that He will never leave us nor forsake us and as one of my favorite quotes says, “you cannot find the Cross of Jesus on your own. It is Jesus who must lead you there, as if you were a blind person.”

So, I confess I tried to manipulate my relationship with Jesus by asking Him to not let me or those I love suffer but in His Gracious infinite Love and Wisdom He forgives me and says, “now walk with me and tell everyone that Jesus Christ is Risen and the souls of man can be saved forever.”

Mark 1:39

The Song

/ jill autrey dorman / 2 Comments
woman holding a moon

Photo by Ruvim 

The sea grass sways like a waltz that makes a pathway  to the dunes.

Her body casts a shadow beneath a snow white moon.

The warm breeze smells like a salty seaweed lullaby.

The tall sea oats whisper in  tempo with their peaceful sighs.

She follows the resounding song that leads her to the shore

and wonders how the ocean seems to know that she has been here before.

She is welcomed to the water and the sand soothes her aching feet

and she marvels at the miracle where sky and ocean meet.

She kneels in the warmth of this waltz and says a grateful prayer

then she is dancing once more to the Song of The Holy Ones’s love and care.

It Is A Civil War

/ jill autrey dorman / 4 Comments

crashing waves

Photo by Ray Bilcliff 

As I sit by the ocean and hear it’s deeply powerful roar.

The waves seem so angry and crash on the shore.

Brother against brother like I have not seen before.

My heart cries at the hatred, it is a Civil War.

Everyone is talking but it is just a screaming noise.

Oh God show us mercy for all we’ve destroyed.

 

 Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love. 1John4:8

John 3:16.  For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.

 

 

 

Exposed and Authentic

/ jill autrey dorman / 3 Comments
brown sand

Photo by Miri on Pexels.com

 

The salty air lay thick upon my skin.

Laughter in the village sings so sweetly.

Never does a hard day meet me here,

when I walk by the sea in God’s keeping.

 

This beach helps me see outside of my self,

and find The One who is the Hope of all things.

Exposed and authentic the waves hit my feet,

with no fear of the dance tomorrow will surely bring.

 

I will sing in this His cathedral

of sky and sand and sea.

I praise The Holy One who cannot be undone

and give thanks as He walks here with me.

There were many who could accuse her…

/ jill autrey dorman / 5 Comments

 

assorted colors rocks

Photo by Ir Solyanaya 

There were many who could accuse her, she knew it was the law.

The very men who used her now want to see her stoned.

She remembers how it started, so hungry and alone.

She rode the tide of shame and commerce, with nowhere else to go.

She heard about the Holy man healing all the sick.

They said he spoke of God’s love for all, even those who have no hope.

So now she stood before Him and prepared herself to die.

He then wrote something  in the dirt and gazed up into her eyes

And said, “no man here can accuse you and neither do I.”

Oh the washing of her soul a deluge fell that holy day,

and she followed Him from that time on, He is The Truth, The Life, The Way!

I hold you now with such unfailing love…

/ jill autrey dorman / 2 Comments
woman carrying a baby

Photo by Kristina Paukshtite

If I die tomorrow my sweet grandbabies won’t remember

how I held and rocked and loved them with all I’ve got.

They will not know I sang them songs made up just for them,

or how I prayed everyday of my life

that they will follow the call of God.

I hold you now with such unfailing love though

I will not be here to keep every grief at bay

I hope you’ll feel these arms holding you now

and know I am yours Forever and a day.

What a Falling was there…

/ jill autrey dorman
man hit by boxing glove

Photo by Musa Ortaç 

 

Shadow Boxer

glitters like gold!

Shapeshifter lies

have all been told!

His candy is poison

but sure taste sweet!

He shadow boxes

down on Deception Street!

Shadow Boxer betrays

with silver, he stole!

His beauty hides his

evil lust for control!

oh your fall from the heavens

like a burning star

shook the deep of this earth

what a falling was there!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Her breathing is God singing…

/ jill autrey dorman / 3 Comments
christ the redeemer

Photo by Matheus Bertelli 

 

Her tiny toddler body lays wrapped against mine.

Her breathing is God singing, His Love her sigh.

No guile no malice no doubt or fear.

Her precious hands show me God is near.

She whispers my name as she falls asleep.

Never a sweeter word has been spoken to me.

My heart could burst open when I smell her sweet head.

If there is a treasure on earth more than this I choose this song instead.