All You Asked

Writing this poem was quite an emotional journey. The first two verses came so easily, and then it just stalled after the opening of the line: "I tried to say a prayer --." Nothing. It was so frustrating, and I struggled for hours. Finally, like the poem, I was overcome with tears as I realized that God was using this poem to remind me of something.

I tried to write a poem -- but there aren’t words to rhyme

that ever could express a gift of love that’s so sublime.

You gave your only Son for us, for all mankind -- for me --

that we -- that I -- receive your Grace and Love eternally.

I tried to write a song -- but the music can’t compare

with the heav’nly sound of mercy that you have sought to share.

You found a way to bring us home, for all of us -- for me --

to once again behold your Grace and Love eternally.

I tried to say a prayer -- when I got down on my knees,

I bowed my head, but all that came were tears where words should be.

I wept for all you’ve given me -- the price that your Son paid,

and in my tears you somehow heard the words I’d failed to say.

Finally, then, I understood -- you did not seek a song,

and poems lost in rhyming words were wasted and all wrong.

The thanks you sought were simple, and I finally came to see,

all you asked was that I love you -- as you have first loved me.

What Did You Expect Today?

What did you expect today, when in my house you came?
Did you intend to simply watch while others praised my name?
Perhaps you hoped by sitting there that somehow I’d forget
and overlook your careless list of promises not kept.

What did you expect today, when in my house you sat
and waited for some solid proof that I was here at last?
I know you’re waiting for a sign to tell you I am real.
Why is it that you only trust the things you see and feel?

My only Son I gave for you
that all your sins be cleansed.
Upon a cross He died for you—
What more did you expect?

What did you expect today, when in my house you prayed?
Were you afraid I might not hear, or that I’d turn away?
If you will just believe my Word, the way you say you do,
then you will find my gift of Grace waits in this house for you.

Cash for Clunkers

There’s a new government program out right now to assist people in purchasing a new, more efficient car that gets better gas mileage. The plan is to stimulate the economy and remove the old gas-guzzlers once and for all from the highways. The program has become popularly known by it’s nickname—“cash for clunkers.”

The response has been so overwhelming, that the one billion dollar program, which was supposed to run for five months, ran out of money in the first five days. People are flocking to the dealerships, anxious to trade in the old for the new. They’re looking at their old cars and saying, “Yeah, wow, that car isn’t what it should be. It doesn’t get good gas mileage. I can do better.”

And it struck me that as a society we seem to be taking a much closer look at our cars and their faults and taking a lot more interest in financing deals than we do with our eternal souls. What’s that all about?

What if we looked inward and said, “Yeah, wow, I’m not what I should be. I’m not living the way God wants me to. I can do better.” What if we rushed to the foot of the cross half as quickly as we’re rushing to the car dealerships, wouldn’t that be a good thing?

God did His own program 2,000 years ago—and it’s still going on. It’s called “Salvation for Sinners.”

Human-run programs have specific qualifications that are meant limit eligibility. And there’s the issue of funding them. And there’s a very limited window of opportunity. And once the money runs out—oh, well. It’s over and if you didn’t get in on it, too bad.

But God’s program is offered to everyone, and funding isn’t an issue. Jesus already paid the price for it, for all of us, and it’s still being offered for those who haven’t yet taken advantage of it. And when you do, it lasts for all eternity.

You do have to have a trade-in—you have to confess and turn over your old “clunker” sins and admit that you can’t do it by yourself and ask Jesus into your heart. But you don’t have to run around to different places hoping to find the right deal. You don’t have to “settle” for something that’s not exactly perfect because all the “good ones” were already taken. Your salvation will come to you. God meets us where we are. All we have to do is confess, pray, and be willing to receive it. And it won’t be what’s left over—it will be fresh and new and best of all, it will be customized to be exactly what you need—it will be perfect.

So while some people are fussing and fuming because they missed out on the “cash for clunkers,” I invite you to take advantage of God’s program and make sure that you’ve claimed your salvation. Do it today. It’s here, waiting for you right now.

May I

“Life is about more than what we’ve been given; it’s about what we do with what we’ve been given.”


May my lips carry praise rather than complaint, may they speak kindness rather than cruelty, and truth rather than lies.

May my eyes look for and see God’s perfect creations rather than looking for imperfections to criticize.

May I focus on God’s glory instead of Satan’s hatred.

May my eyes be drawn to love’s success instead of fear’s failure.

May my ears hear God’s wisdom rather than the world’s foolishness.

May my voice lift up in songs of praise rather than shouts of anger and hatred.

May my hands reach out to offer peace rather than be raised to strike out in fury.

May my fingers be out-stretched to receive with thanksgiving rather than being pointed in accusation.

May I pray rather than judge, for judgment is not mine.

May I wait quietly rather than cause discontent with my own agitation.

May I be a faithful servant rather than a timid by-stander.

May I respond quickly to God’s call rather than enter into lengthy negotiations.

May I accept God’s challenges as gifts to be cherished rather than traps to fear.

May I listen and accept God’s direction rather than trying to give direction to God.

May I respond with patience rather than impatience, remembering that God has been infinitely patient with me.

And finally,

May I be what God has in mind, rather than waiting for God to be what I have in mind.

A Simple Act of Love

It was a simple act of love –
So outrageously simple it defies comprehension.
It was a simple act of grace –
So extravagant in its touch on my life.

So outrageously simple it defies comprehension –
I struggle to recognize the depth.
So extravagant in its touch on my life –
I wonder at the price.

I struggle to recognize the depth –
My mind veers away from the truth.
I wonder at the price –
I cannot imagine such pain.

My mind veers away from the truth –
It is simply too brutal to bear.
I cannot imagine such pain –
I cry out in agonized horror.

It is simply too brutal to bear –
I stagger under the burden of guilt.
I cry out in agonized horror –
I weep for my conspiracy.

I stagger under the burden of guilt –
The weight of my sin is a cross.
I weep for my conspiracy –
My guilt shames and condemns me.

The weight of my sin is a cross –
A heavy, ugly burden I must carry.
My guilt shames and condemns me –
Unbearable sorrow pierces my soul.

A heavy, ugly burden I must carry –
I cannot escape the judgment.
Unbearable sorrow pierces my soul –
My heart cries out, wailing in anguish.

I cannot escape the judgment –
I cower before the Lord, cringing in shame.
My heart cries out, wailing in anguish –
“Forgive me, Lord, for I have sinned!”

I cower before the Lord, cringing in shame –
How dare I hope for mercy?
“Forgive me, Lord, for I have sinned!” –
I cry out, begging for salvation.

And God sent His Son –
It was a simple act of grace.
Jesus died that I might live –
It was a simple act of love.