Celebrate

Sing The Lord’s praises forever

for His glory is unending.
Until the day of his return,
rejoice and sing with all your heart.

Here and now, eternity starts.
Sorrow recedes when we praise Him.
His sacrifice freed us from death,
dance and celebrate your new life!

Lift your soul in song and worship
while remembering those still lost.
Listen to their stories and speak
strongly how your life is anew.

Accepting is the Lord, our God;
go and deliver His message!
Make new disciples with your words
while backing them with your actions.

Amazing is God’s agape love,
like a rubber band, there’s no end.
Every creature, sing His praises!
Prepare your hearts and celebrate!

Who Is God?

God exists.
Observe His creations:
The splendor of a robin
in the apple tree-
she sings dawn’s entrance.

God is beautiful.
Every flower a testament,
lush green meadows
roll across deep valleys;
We are his reflection.

God is immense.
Horizons loom on the sea,
like watercolor landscapes,
spanning forever;
His depth, beyond us.

God is near.
Look in the eyes of loving couples
and laughter of small children.
His presence touches us each day,
in ways we take for granted.

God is Love.

Listening and Speaking

Temptation whispers sweet promises
with the cost of a simple lie.

Her seductive voice speaks softly -
“Say it and all will be yours.”
For a brief moment, my mind
wants to follow her siren’s song.

My heart’s voice -
cries out “No!”
inside this mortal shell.

The Holy Spirit shines its light,
exposing the sin into my eyes.
The conscience cries out for mercy;
an inner turmoil shakes my soul.

Her cold whispers cease their murmur;
while God’s love comforts me once more.

Thank you Lord

Thank you Lord,
for night’s sparkling stars,
dawn’s promising sunrise,
and day’s warming rays.

Thank you Lord,
for a nose to smell your garden creations,
a mouth to sing your heavenly praises,
ears to hear your guiding voice,
hands to write your glowing tributes,
and eyes to see your wondrous miracles.

Thank you Lord,
for listening to my prayers,
comforting my heart in times of need,
humbling me when I do wrong,
and teaching me wisdom every day.

Thank you Lord,
for inviting me to your table,
accepting me with all my faults,
giving me eternal life,
and forgiving me of all my sins.

Thank you.

Inspired Poetry

One of things I like to do is write poetry.  I admit freely that it has been awhile since I wrote a poem, over a year I would guess.  After I accepted Christ, I was inspired to write.  It was like the words were given to me.  Other than an edit or two, the words came out like this:

Declaration

It’s not paint by numbers
as I write your praises Lord.
With a master’s guidance,
You have filled my empty canvas.

Before I accepted you,
despair enveloped my soul,
doubt blinded my eyes,
and I fell into the darkening abyss.

You saw me,
tortured and haunted
above deception’s deepening pit
and gave me your hand.
Your love lifted me to salvation,
my heart now beats with joy,
my sight, restored with trust.

Use me Lord as your servant.
I shall do what you expect,
just guide me along the way.
Thank you God, for everything
from the miraculous to the mundane
as I walk this path with you.

Mark Manis
© 2007