Contemplations

(Psalm 71:15-18, Jeremiah 20:9, Job 32:17 - 33:3) If I say I will not mention God, Or speak anymore in His name, When it comes to the love of my life, My tongue I cannot tame. For in my heart is a burning fire; It is smoldering in my bones. I am weary of holding it in; The Spirit within me groans. I too will have my say; I will tell others why I live free. For I am full of words, And the Spirit within compels me. Inside I’m like bottled-up wine, Or new wineskins ready to burst. I must speak and find relief, From the words that are immersed. I will show partiality to no one, Nor will I flatter with ease, For if I were skilled in flattery, My Maker I would not please. Now, listen to my words; They’re on the tip of my tongue. I’m about to open my mouth; They are worthy to be sung. My lips speak

WHY WORRY? (Matt. 6:25-34) Don’t worry about life, said Jesus, You shouldn’t have a care. Don’t worry about what you’ll eat or drink, Or even what you will wear. Isn’t life more important than food, And the body more important than clothes? The birds of the air don’t sow or reap, Yet what they need, the Father knows. Are you not more valuable than they? So why do you have such strife? Who of you by worrying, Can add a single hour to his life? Why do you worry about clothes? See how lilies grow without labor. No one is dressed as fine as them — Not even Solomon in all his splendor. If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, Here today and gone tomorrow, Will he not much more clothe you, You of little faith and much sorrow? Do not worry saying, “What shall we eat?” Or “What shall we drink or wear?” For the pagans run after all these things, God won’t leave you thirsty or bare. But first seek his kingdom

(Based on Matt. 27:45-28 & I Cor. 15:54) Jesus had been crucified; Darkness filled the earth. Three days thence it trembled; The earth was giving birth. An angel rolled the stone away, Sonlight filed the skies. Propheces were now fulfilled; Finally came Sonrise. Death no longer masters us; The victory has been won. Mourning turned to morning, With the rising of the Son. --Becky Overturf Wall

(Judges 6 and 7) God’s people turned away from Him; They were known as the Israelites. So God allowed them to be, Oppressed by the Midianites. The Israelites called to God for help, While hiding in mountain caves. The Midianites were stealing their goods, And treated them worse than slaves. So the Lord needed a leader, Whose strength was not of might. He would ask the man He chose, To instigate a fight. An angel spoke to Gideon, While he was threshing wheat. He called him a Mighty Warrior, Tho’ unlikely as one could meet. Gideon stuttered with fear and doubt, He knew God needed a hero. He first thought, “I’m not the man, For I am but a zero." “My clan is considered the least, And I am the least of the least. I am not the one to ask, To slay the men from the east.” The Lord said “I will be with you; W e will do

(Joshua 5 - 6:25) When Joshua was near Jericho, A city in the Promised Land, He looked up and saw a man standing, With a drawn sword in his hand. Joshua went up to the man, And asked on which side was he, The man replied “Neither.” He was Commander of God’s army. Joshua fell on his face in reverence, Expecting something profound. The man said, “Take off your sandals, For you’re standing on holy ground. Through the man, the Lord said to Joshua, “I’ve delivered Jericho to you.” The war had not yet been fought, But now the time was due. The Jerichonians were afraid; They wanted to be left be. They had heard the amazing story, Of the parting of the Red Sea. The city was walled and tightly shut up; No one went in or out. An ill wind was blowing their way, Of that fact, no one had a doubt. The Lord’s instructions to Joshua, As Jericho before them lay: March around it one time for six days, And seven on the seventh day. Seven priests were to carry trumpets, In