In such as the Bable of languages,
some try to build a tower to become gods.
All of their words have lost meaning,
where their hearts have become heinous and sad.
Now a World of degradation and hunger,
where inhuman indifference pass for compassion.
But Jesus had something more than just words,
His life and Truth infinitely more valuable.
Did you like the snow when you were here or
when the harvest moon filled the atmosphere?
What about the summer sea
when you walked in Galilee?
I can see you everywhere I go
in the moon light and the snow
I see you by the summer sea
walking on the water you rescued me.
Photo by Negative Space on
I didn’t hit a single word today
My mark was off by a long way
I tried to reach you in my own way
But I’m three out of three today
I dreamed I was flying, the sole purveyor of the spectacular beauty below
with my Eagle eyes I could see exactly where to go
I flew over the spines of breathtaking mountains and white capped oceans vast
Flying up to the High Heavens all the galaxies in my path
while the gold dust of the stars showered me like rain
There is no one else to follow Lord,
All the kings of this earth are fallen,
Not one is free from deceit and greed!
The steeple bells do not ring of Your good news Lord,
Many shepherds have disregarded you as Truth,
Oh but there is a River of Strength that makes gladness
I will follow the gladness of your River for she is strong
she is unshaken by destruction and her water strengthens like honey
there is no other path to follow but she flows to your Throne
Photo by Bruno Pires
Sometimes as I scroll my Facebook and Instagram I see what seems to be a fabulous and profound quote…but then…but wait…I saw one that said, “rise above the storm and you will find the sunshine.” Another one I saw said, “Nothing is worth it if you aren’t happy.” Well, while this might sound like accurate loquaciousness in the emotional sense, it is not accurate in the journey of life, at least not in my experience of 64 years on the planet. A storm is defined in the dictionary this way, “a violent disturbance of the atmosphere with strong winds and usually rain, thunder, lightning, or snow OR a tumultuous reaction; an uproar or controversy.”
And happiness has nothing to do with some situation or someone’s worth…there are limitless relationships, and situations that are totally worth it and totally hard!
The Truth is that you are born into a storm, into a world of tumultuous reaction, uproar, and controversy. It is called a “Fallen World of Sin and therefore broken.” I see no way that a human being can “rise” above any storm on their own. See Romans 6:23.
Some might see my outlook as discouraging which is not my goal. However, if you believe God’s Word and you read and understand what occurred in Genesis chapter 3 then you will also understand that if you read the whole Bible there is good news and a solution to “THE STORM”…and He, Jesus, is the provider of Joy.
That is because happiness is an emotion in which we “experience feelings ranging from contentment and satisfaction to bliss and intense pleasure,” whereas joy “is a stronger, less common feeling than happiness.” (Dr, Hud McWilliams). We experience joy when we achieve selflessness to the point of personal sacrifice.”
In the storm of an abusive childhood, or a miscarriage, a broken marriage, a health battle, an addiction, a mental illness, financial destitution, a death of your most beloved, and on the list goes…there is not a way around this storm! This storm touches everything and everyone from sunrise to sunset…There is no place in scripture where it says that we, in and of ourselves, will rise above anything. “Jesus said, without me, you can do nothing.” John 15:5
Many places in scripture we are promised, by God, that he will go with us through the storm, the suffering, and His Spirit will not leave nor forsake us. It does not tell us that we will be relieved from the lonely unlit path of the storm or that we will not get hurt by the storm. Again, the promise is that God will be with us through the pain.
In a time when Bible illiteracy in and outside of the Church is evident, I believe words of encouragement need to be accurate more than ever.
2 Corinthians 1:3 “Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God.“
Photo by Bruno Pires on
She is standing in a room full of mirrors.
She is all the people she was taught to be.
A good little girl who prays and is kind.
A pretty girl as much as she can be.
A smart girl but not too smart for men.
She is all the people she was taught to be.
Yet somehow, she is none of these.
Mirrors are liars.
Mirrors crack and shatter.
She is a woman of humility and wisdom.
She is a reflection of her Maker.
She does not need mirrors anymore.
Photo by Rodolfo Clix
I’ve never seen a mountain like this
No way around so I gotta climb over I guess
I’ve got no strategies for something so immense
But I’m still gonna take this one step
I’ve never seen a desert storm like this
The sun is burning my body like a furnace
I’ve don’t have enough water to quench this fire
But I’m still gonna take this one step
I’ve never seen a river run so deep as this
If I wade out of these shallows I can’t catch my breath
I’ve got no strength for this current
But I’m still gonna take this one step
If I don’t climb Lord you will be my wings!
If I don’t see Lord you will be the vision I need!
If I don’t swim Lord your arms will carry me!
When you have done all according to the word of God and it seems like nothing is happening, then stand. Ephesians 6:13
Photo by Nicole Avagliano
I have held you from the beginning
Your innocence is a healing balm
Your laughter makes the world all right
Your smile gives peace and calm
You will not remember these infant days
When I rocked you in my arms
You will never know how you saved me
after my Mom was gone
I will not see you everyday
But you will still be my sunrise
I see your Mama in your face
and my Savior in your eyes
Jill Autrey Dorman 