2020 August
Jeffrey B. Childs 08/02/20
In the midst of turmoil,
In the midst of grief,
We come to you, Lord,
Seeking peace and relief.
Burdens weigh heavy,
Troubles overwhelm,
But our ship sails
smoothly,
When we give you the helm.
You said your yolk’s easy,
And your burden is light.
Alone we are feeble,
But with you all is right.
Give us strength to give
you,
Control of our life and
our will.
That we might be worthy,
Our calling to fulfill.
On
a Dark and Stormy Night (Matthew 14)
Jeffrey B. Childs 08/03/20
On
a dark and stormy night,
The
disciples were out at sea.
Filled
with fear and fright,
On
the water a ghost they see.
It
is Jesus it turns out,
On
the water he is walking.
Peter
from the boat did shout,
And
with Jesus he started talking.
If
it is Jesus, Peter wants to step out.
He
wants to walk upon the waves,
But
sinks when he begins to doubt.
Jesus
reaches for Peter; Jesus saves.
In
our journeys there will be storms,
And
challenges to pass through.
But
in the evil in all its forms,
Jesus
reaches out to save you.
Jesus
Is Lord (Romans 10)
Jeffrey B. Childs 08/04/20
Jesus is Lord of all of the
earth,
Believing brings about
new birth.
We are no longer our own
but now his,
Serving our Lord is all
that there is.
What might you do to
share the Good News,
To offer to others who may
have other views?
Reach out in compassion
and share from your heart,
In the name of Jesus, we
must each do our part.
Share the faith in your
heart and the words in your head.
Be one of those people of
whom it is said,
“How beautiful the feet (and
the well-worn shoes,)
Of those who live it and
share the Good News.”
The Power of Prayer
Jeffrey B. Childs 08/05/20
Through the power of
prayer,
We can be anywhere,
There’s a person in need.
We are with them indeed.
As we lift up each prayer,
Another's burden we bear.
When troubled or stressed,
Through prayer each is
blessed.
Where connected in prayer,
Joys and concerns we
share.
In prayer we are known,
By the compassion we’ve
shown.
We Lift Our Prayers
Jeffrey B. Childs 08/06/20
In the losses, in the
pains,
In the stresses, in the
strains,
Lord, we lift our prayers
to you,
That in your mercy you'll
see us through.
In the triumphs, in the
joys,
In the celebrations with
all the noise,
Lord, we lift our praise
to you,
For all the dreams that
do come true.
In the midst of each
day's living,
We offer you our thanksgiving.
Lord, we lift our hearts
to you,
For all you are and all
you do.
If All Lives Matter
Jeffrey B. Childs 08/07/20
If all lives matter,
Then wars should now
cease.
If all lives matter,
We should strive for world
peace.
If all lives matter,
The death penalty should end.
If all lives matter,
All executions suspend.
All lives matter to God,
Who brought all life into
being.
You matter to God!
Who's all knowing, and
all seeing.
Live your life like it
matters.
For it does! Don't you see?
Tell each one that they
matter,
To God, you, and me.
A Blessed Day
Jeffrey B. Childs 08/08/20
Today, O God, we give a
shout,
To you and all that
you're about.
You've created each new
day,
From the beginning up to
today.
We watch for what today
might bring,
For the joy and wonder we
do sing.
For the challenges that
come this way,
Give us courage. This we
pray.
Then when tonight we go
to bed,
Help us reflect on all
done and said.
In our summation may we
pray,
And thank you for a blessed
day.
Each
of Us Is Gifted
Jeffrey B. Childs 08/10/20
Each of us is gifted by
God's grace.
Claim each gift with a
firm embrace.
Each gift is ours to do
as we will,
Waste it, misuse it, or
God's will fulfill.
A need will arise
somewhere today,
And God only knows what
role we can play.
Using that unique gift at
the right time and place,
Will be our gift to God
in response to God's grace.
Today what might you do
to glorify God?
Be the you, you can be, and
give the giver a nod.
God gifted and calls you
to serve now today,
For the glory of God, you
have your role to play.
We Believe
Jeffrey B. Childs 08/11/20
We believe in God the great
three in one,
Classically known as Father,
Holy Ghost and Son.
Creator, Sustainer,
Redeemer are also used,
To describe the Trinity divinely
so fused.
God as creator is in the
beginning,
And offers the law to
keep people from sinning.
As the ultimate judge God
alone does serve,
But judges by the cross
and not on a curve.
The Holy Spirit is with
us day by day,
To guide us along God's
spiritual way.
The spirit gives gifts
that we should employ,
And the fruit of the
spirit we each should enjoy.
Jesus became human and
walked on the earth,
We celebrate Christmas and
his miraculous birth.
He walked and he talked, died,
and rose from the grave,
If we faithfully follow, we
know Jesus will save.
Paul Wrote Letters
Jeffrey B. Childs 08/12/20
Paul at first had reached
out to the Jews,
To share with them Jesus’
Good News.
But they didn't receive
him, and so,
Off to the Gentiles he
then did go.
From city to city he
traveled around,
Reaching new people that
he always found.
He offered new life to
those who'd believe,
And shared his faith with
all who'd receive.
Paul wrote letters to the
churches he knew,
He wrote to the Romans where
he hoped to get to.
He shared of his joys and
also his griefs.
He shared his advice and
his beliefs.
Jesus Had a Mission
(Matthew 15)
Jeffrey B. Childs 08/13/20
Jesus had a mission,
And to it he did keep.
He had a strong
compassion,
For Israel's lost sheep.
But there was opposition,
From those who were in
charge.
They had their own
position,
To maintain and to
enlarge.
So, Jesus went across the
sea,
That he might seek the
lost.
A Canaanite woman sought
mercy,
And Jesus she'd accost.
Jesus’ judgement today
might astonish.
“Dogs should not eat the
children's bread.”
In response she did admonish,
“But dogs ate the table
crumbs,” she said.
Jesus’ heart and eyes
grew wider,
He fed and healed others
in that land.
And the words from this
outsider,
Helped our mission to
expand.
God’s Presence
Jeffrey B. Childs 08/15/20
Sometimes God's presence
is so real,
At other times it's hard
to feel.
God's presence is a real
mystery,
Yet God is always there
for you and me.
In the beauty of creation,
the Creator is there.
And God is blessed when
creative gifts we share.
To reveal God's presence just
what might you do,
That the glory of God
might show through you?
As blessed creations,
let's each do our part,
To reveal God's presence
found deep in our heart,
For there are those
around us, who do not yet know,
Of God's loving presence unless
it we show.
There Are Times
Jeffrey B. Childs 08/17/2
There are times when we
are happy.
There are times when we
are sad.
But no matter whatever
the times,
God’s with us in all that
we've had.
There are times for every
matter,
And all purposes here on
earth.
There are all the in
between times,
Before our death and
after our birth.
Times will come beyond
this time,
For us to look back upon.
Do something significant
today.
Make a memory that will
linger on.
For all the times that
were or will be,
All we now have are here
and now.
Make the most of the time
you have.
Live it to the fullest
somehow.
Lives Transformed (Romans
12)
Jeffrey B. Childs 08/18/20
Through the gifts of the Spirit
our lives are transformed,
Believers binding
together Christ’s body is formed.
Each of us has a role, an
important part,
We might be an eye, ear,
hand, or a heart.
What gifts have been
given? What role might you play?
How might your faith be
enacted by you today?
Whether prophecy or
service or the gift of teaching,
We each can serve God
through the people we're reaching.
Your gift may be
encouragement which is needed a lot!
God gave you your gifts,
so now give all you've got.
As the body of Christ, we
must do all we can do,
That as we've been
blessed, through us others are, too.
Who Am I (Matthew 16)
Jeffrey B. Childs 08/19/20
“Who am I?” Jesus asked,
The disciples along the
way.
“When you are out among
people,
What about me do they
say?”
Some say John the Baptist,
Elijah or another sage.
They shared what they had
heard,
Then Jesus asked them to
engage.
“Who am I for you?” He
asked.
For all of them Peter did
reply
“You are the Messiah!” and
Jesus said,
“You're the rock on which
the church will lie.”
“Who am I?” Jesus asks,
Of each of us today.
Search your soul before
you speak,
For all depends on what
you say.
We Have Free Will
Jeffrey B. Childs 08/20/20
We have free will to do
thy will,
When we do, then we will
see,
That our will’s no longer
free,
For the master's will, we
must fulfill.
We are free to choose to
serve,
But once we've made that
choice,
We serve, worship, and
rejoice,
Faithfully following
without reserve.
We can choose to go our
own way,
And make of our lives a
mess.
We can choose to repent
and confess,
And follow Christ’s will
and obey.
So, my friend, choose
well today,
For the choice is always
now.
Follow Jesus! Make that vow!
And be blessed upon
Christ’s way.
'Tis a Blessing
Jeffrey B. Childs 08/21/20
'Tis a blessing to be in
prayer,
Those times with the Lord
that we share.
Sharing joys and pains upon
our heart,
But sharing petitions is
only a part.
Prayer is a dialogue that
goes both ways.
It's more than one-sided thanksgiving
and praise.
It's taking time to
listen to what might we hear?
God whispering to us in
our inner ear.
Ask God today! What is on
God's heart?
Let God speak to you.
God's will to impart.
The rest of the prayer
that you pray today,
Is faithfully doing what
you heard God say.
Who Is Jesus for You
Jeffrey B. Childs 08/22/20
Who is Jesus for you
today?
If someone would ask,
what would you say?
What names from scripture
do you recall?
Which is your favorite of
them all?
There are a lot from
which you can choose,
No matter which you
select you cannot lose.
For each name for Jesus
tells only apart,
About the One we hold
dear each in our own heart.
He might be your Good
Shepherd or the true Vine,
The Christ, the Messiah, the
Son of the Divine.
Alpha and Omega, the
beginning and end,
Or as the church sings, O
What a Friend.
As our faith grows our
perception reveals,
As it is needed a new
image appeals.
Jesus cannot be captured
by one phrase or word,
Just tell someone else
what all you have heard.
Love One Another (Romans
12)
Jeffrey B. Childs 08/24/20
Love one another the
scriptures say.
Whom all in the world
might you love today?
Do your best to show
honor and pray,
That we each can live our
faith this way.
Contribute to those who
are in need.
A difference we can make
indeed.
Share the faith; plant a
seed.
Welcome strangers and the
hungry feed.
Bless even those people
who harass you.
Rejoice with rejoicers
and weep with weepers, too
If your enemy’s hungry give
him something to chew.
Live at peace with all
people all your life through.
In the Morning with God
Jeffrey B. Childs 08/25/20
In the morning with God I
walk.
In the midst of creation,
we have a talk.
It's a marvelous way to
start the day,
Talking with God along
our way.
During the day we also
converse,
On all sorts of matters
quite diverse.
I cannot imagine going
through a day,
Without God and the
ability to pray.
In the evening as the day
ends,
I finally sign off with
my final Amens.
It's marvelous to quiet
down in bed,
Thanking God for all that
was done and said.
Jeffrey B. Childs 08/26/20
We
are unworthy
We
are unworthy
We
are unworthy
On
our own
We
are worthy
We
are worthy
We
are worthy
By
the one
We
are blessed
We
are blessed
We
are blessed
By
God's grace
We
are beloved
We
are beloved
We
are beloved
By
God above
Jesus’ Greatest Teaching
(Matthew 16.21-28)
Jeffrey B. Childs 08/27/20
Jesus’ greatest teaching,
Of all he had to say,
Was teaching the
disciples,
To follow on the way.
When Jesus shared the
vision,
Of his journey to the
cross,
Peter tried to deny it,
As a monumental loss,
But Jesus knew the
victory,
Stood beyond the grave.
Jesus came to show us.
Jesus came to save!
The choices for us now.
Jesus will we obey?
Will we find ourselves;
On or in the way?
When in this World
Jeffrey B. Childs 08/28/20
When in this world things
just aren't right,
We can aid and assist
another's plight.
In the midst of it all, we
can hear Christ call.
We can each do something big
or small.
After a hurricane,
tornado, or flood,
We can rebuild or muck
out the mud.
There is something we
each can do,
The hands and feet of
Jesus are me and you.
When systemic systems
hurt us or others,
We can help our hurting
sisters and brothers.
We can march, make calls,
write letters, too,
In the name of Jesus
there is much we can do.
We always can do all the
good we can,
Helping others is a part
of God's plan.
Join other disciples, join
in, join along.
We're right here right
now, to help right.
Whatever May Happen
Jeffrey B. Childs 08/29/20
Whatever may happen to me
today,
I will thank God and I
will pray.
Thanks for the good times
and for the bad,
Thanks for this day together
we've had.
It's great to have days
that are truly great.
But challenging days can
help us relate.
To those who struggle
like that every day,
And how we might help;
what we might say.
Even on the very worst
day,
I will turn to God and I
will pray.
For in the good days I
might forget,
But in the worst days I
find needs are met.
You might need to scream
or even to shout,
Go right ahead God knows
what it's about.
God’s heard it from
others who’ve shouted before.
Get it off your chest so
God can restore
So, whether today be
sunny or gray,
God is there with you
along the way.
Celebrate all the good
times you've had.
Give thanks that with
God, you can handle the bad.
Comments
Post a Comment