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An Easter Tribute
Jesus loves me this I know
For the nails tells me so
And by the shedding of his blood
It is confirmed that I am loved
As He hung there in his pain
I was forgiven of my shame
And as His blood ran down in streams
It was His gift He offered me
All the glory belongs to Him
I am forgiven of my sin
Jesus loves as no one can
For He suffered and died for man
It does not matter if you Continue reading
Recently I have had several friends undergo severe trials, or storms as I call them.
Some of them are dealing with lost. Lost of a loved one, an infant, a mother, a father.
Some are struggling to make ends meet. Desperately needing financial aid or a job.
Some are managing health issues, disease, cancer, their mortality.
And Some are weary, wrestling with depression, and growing faint.
Though all are experiencing great calamity and probably feel very alone, they are not. They all are under the watchful eyes of a loving God.
A God that knows exactly what they are enduring. A God that grieves along with them and encourages them to “press on”.
image credit: digital-photography-school.com
God proves to be the rainbow in the storm and promises to never leave or forsake us. Especially in our darkest hours of need.
He is faithful through…it all.
I can not answer the million dollar question, “why do hard things happen to those who love God?”
But through my own experiences I can answer that He is present in the midst of the storm and He will carry you through.
It is up to us to believe, cleave and look for Him even when the clouds of the storm blurs our vision.
If we do, we will emerge with;
We can do all things, for He strengthens me (Philippians 4:13)
Below you will find the lyrics to a song that I have written. I apologize for not being able to share the tune with you. Perhaps God will give you a melody to accompany the words and if He does, may it become your personal song in times of need.
May these lyrics serve to bring a reassurance that He’s faithful through….anything.
He’s faithful through the troubled storm
His light shines bright even more and more
Though troubles never cease my friend
His love will carry you to the end
My Redeemer is faithful and true
His eyes are constantly fixed on you
My Redeemer will never change
He tenderly calls you by name
Winds will blow and the earth will shake
Trials will come and your heart will break
But His constant light and love
Will lift your soul far above
My Redeemer is faithful and true
His eyes are constantly fixed on you
My Redeemer will never change
He tenderly calls you by name
Your tattered dreams and valley stroll
Creates in you a hunger to know
That His undying love won’t cease
He offers you His mercy and peace
He offers you…….. His mercy and peace
My Redeemer faithful and true
His eyes constantly fixed on you
My Redeemer never change
He tenderly calls…….you…… by name
By Donna Jefferys Shiflett
Material on this site are owned by Donna Jefferys Shiflett. Use, distribution, and/or copying of the same, in part or in full, is not allowed without written permission from the owner. Email the author for permission to use, distribute, or copy content, at eaglesflight177@gmail.com
Image: art needlework morris design
Recently I was cleaning out my closet and came across an old needlework project that I have been working on for a very long time.
As I pulled it out, I began to unfold the tightly meshed material, and as each fold was laid straight, the underside of the project became exposed.
Needless to say, I was instantly taken back by its unsightly messiness.
What now laid upon my lap was a chaotic mess with an array of colorful threads, knotted, twisted, and running crisscrossed in every direction.
As I looked at its face value, the threads made no rhyme or reason, let alone resembling anything worthy to frame. They were unruly, disorganized, and quite unattractive.
I thought to myself, “oh my, what a piece of junk!” but as I slowly turned it over, I was more than pleasantly surprised to see, in striking contrast, the image of a beautiful swan gracing calm and peaceful waters. “Oh my, what a treasure!”
As I continued to look at the needlework, flipping it from side to side, I couldn’t help but make a comparison that life is a lot like a tapestry.
Circumstances and situations arise throughout our lives which create knots, twist, and often times chaos and mess. Leaving to us to ask questions such as….”why?” and “what good can come out of this?”
These circumstances and situations served as life’s underside, and like the underside of a needlework project, they create what we perceive as a chaos. Offering no rhyme or reason, just mess.
However, if we choose to allow God to lead us through these circumstances and situations (to flip it) then they can become the very agents that creates beauty in our character. Turning our junk into treasure, and giving God freedom of hand to create a masterpiece of our life.
Who would have thought that cleaning out my closet would have provided a spiritual journey, let alone the foundation for a poem, but it did.
If you feel like you are presently facing situations that have caused you to focus on the “underside” of life, may you find encouragement as you read “A Woven Thread.”
Donna
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By Donna Jefferys Shiflett
Psalm 25:1: Unto thee, O LORD, do I lift up my soul.
1Peter 3:12a: For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous and his ears are attentive to their prayer.
I have discovered throughout my years as a Christ follower, that prayer is the most powerful resource that I possess. It is a true gift from God that permits me to enter into His presence and place my request, no matter how small or large before Him.
The realization that He desires to “engage” humbles me beyond my comprehension and I stand in awe that the Creator of the universe cares to Continue reading
Have you ever experienced a time in your life when everything seemed chaotic and out of sorts? That the “noise” of the situation was perpetual static and your search for the off button was in vain? Perhaps you are just a “whisper” away from relief.
Amongst the clamor and endless drone
Through the deafening noise that arose
All chaos spun, in circles round
I covered my ears, in hopes to drown
This stifling clang, which pierced my mind
Caused me to curse, the marking of time
Dizziness came, and began to play
I stumbled from, its sickening sway
Just as I, was about to fall
I heard a slight whisper, begin to call
It called through the clamor, and deafening clang
It called through the chaos, and the loud bangs
It soared through the noise, with piercing ease
And when I perceived it, I fell to my knees
Its message was clear, and tenderly place
Tears of relief, streamed down my face
Assurance of love, and comfort restored
Peace enveloped me, I need nothing more
All had been silenced, calm had been tilled
Then it whispered again, “Peace be still“
By Donna Jefferys Shiflett
Material on this site are owned by Donna Shiflett. Use, distribution, and/or copying of the same, in part or in full, is not allowed without written permission from the owner. Email the author for permission to use, distribute, or copy content, at eaglesflight177@gmail.com
