Sunday Night Reflection -- Summer Night Love

Summer Night Love

To Melaney, Ross, Bethany, Dongmei, and Mike

Once upon a time on a clear summer night
A dark-clothed blonde-haired girl stood beside

the lighthouse window by the shore of a cape,
and into the starry sky with her blue eyes she gazed

at the silvery moon, fully dazzled by its soft glow.
She fell into a trance and saw herself dancing slowly

In the House of the Lord, in a place called Life-town,
Where she saw a white-clothed Man wearing a golden crown,

Singing a Love Song with the most beautiful voice
She had ever known, joined by the most harmonious chorus

She had ever heard. Slowing dancing, she danced to the Song,
A Song of Love sang by the King, with the most life-giving tongue.

Something is filling her heart but she knew not where it came from,
Knowing only it was sweet, sweeter than the best winter plum

She had ever tasted. Slowing falling, she fell in love with the King,
Taking her hand, dancing in the most graceful moves she'd ever seen.

Suddenly into the room a Light shone forth, brighter than the sun.
Shining onto the King, the Light spoke, "This is my Son,

Whom I love; with him I am well pleased." Then she heard
the unison voice of the Choir: "This is the daughter of the Lord,

Whom He loves; with her He is well pleased." Then she fell
Out of the trance, still gazing at the moon but she could tell

She was renewed by His Love. Her heart couldn't help singing:
"Who is like God? How He has blessed my being!"



This poem is dedicated to the sisters and brothers of International Outreach Team: Melaney, Bethany, Dongmei, Ross, and Mike (that's me : )). You might have noticed that I intentionally incorporated the meaning of each of the team members' name in the poem. In case you haven't figured them out, here they are:

Melaney: dark-clothed
Bethany: house of the Lord; life-town near Jerusalem; daughter of the Lord
Ross: cape
Dongmei: winter plum (translation from Chinese: 冬梅 (dong = winter; mei = plum) )
Mike: who is like God

Please remember us in your prayers, as we reach out to the international students on TCU campus, that we would be salt and light—making the students thirsty for truth and hungry for Jesus. May He get the glory, and we get the joy!

GO...

"Therefore GO and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you." (Matthew 28:19)

Kingdom Principles

Kingdom Principles

The first is the last,
the last is made first.
The exalted is the humble,
the humble is made exalted.

To receive is to give,
giving is receiving.
To lead is to serve,
serving is leading.

To gain is to lose,
To lose is to gain.
To live is to die,
to die is to live.

The Wind, The Sun, and The Rain

The Wind, The Sun, and The Rain

mike


Once
I fell
in love with
the wind,
the sun,
and the rain.

How I loved the wind—
the autumn breeze—gently kissing my chin.
How I loved the sun—
the spring sunshine—delightfully touching my face.
How I loved the rain—
the summer shower—generously soaking my body.

Then, I met you...

How gently
you blow, you breathe peace.
How delightfully
you shine, you radiate hope.
How generously
you pour, you shower love.

Then, I came to know You...

Oh, How I long to breath the air
of Your peace. How I
eager to see the light
of Your hope. How I
yearn to drink the water
of Your love.

Now
I am

in love with
Your Wind,
Your Sun,
and Your Rain.

I SAW JESUS

I SAW JESUS

I saw Jesus last week. He was wearing blue jeans and an old shirt. He was up at the church building. He was alone and working hard. For just a minute, He looked a little like one of our members. But it was Jesus, I could tell by His smile.

I saw Jesus last Sunday. He was teaching a Bible class. He didn't talk real loud or use long words. But you could tell He believed what He said. For just a minute, He looked like my Sunday School teacher. But it was Jesus, I could tell by His loving voice.

I saw Jesus the other day. He was at the hospital visiting a friend who was sick. They prayed together quietly. For just a minute, He looked like my pastor. But it was Jesus, I could tell by the tears in His eyes.

I saw Jesus yesterday. He was bringing a covered dish over to me because I had been sick. For just for a minute, I thought it was Him, with His gentle hands stroking my shoulder. I thought it was Him, but it looked like my sweet neighbor. But it was Jesus, because I could feel Him in my soul.

I saw Jesus this morning. He was in my kitchen making my breakfast and fixing me a special lunch. For just a minute, He looked like my Mom. But it was Jesus; I could feel the love from His heart.

I see Jesus everywhere, taking food to the sick, being friendly to a newcomer. And for just a minute, I think He's someone I know. But it's always Jesus, I can tell by the way He serves.

May someone see Jesus in me today.

--Author Unknown

WHEN I SAY, "I AM A CHRISTIAN"

WHEN I SAY, "I AM A CHRISTIAN"

When I say, "I am a Christian,"
I'm not shouting, "I've been saved!"
I'm whispering, "I get lost!
That's why I chose this way"

When I say, "I am a Christian,"
I don't speak with human pride
I'm confessing that I stumble-
needing God to be my guide

When I say, "I am a Christian,"
I'm not trying to be strong
I'm professing that I'm weak and
pray for strength to carry on

When I say, "I am a Christian,"
I'm not bragging of success
I'm admitting that I've failed and
cannot ever pay the debt

When I say, "I am a Christian,"
I don't think I know it all
I submit to my confusion asking
humbly to be taught

When I say, "I am a Christian,"
I'm not claiming to be perfect
My flaws are far too visible but
God believes I'm worth it

When I say, "I am a Christian,"
I still feel the sting of pain
I have my share of heartache which is why
I seek His name

When I say, "I am a Christian,"
I do not wish to judge
I have no authority-
I only know I'm loved

Copyright 1988 Carol Wimmer

From Darkness to Dawn

From Darkness to Dawn

mike

Hurricane raging
Storm roaring
Flood rampaging

Cities destroyed
Streets desolated
Houses demolished


Hearts falling
Tears flowing
Lives fleeing

Remnants despair
Help delayed
Situations desperate


Reinforcements dispatched
Aids descended
Resources donated

Prayers offered
Homes opened
Grace overflows

Love spreads
Care surrounds
Heart supports

Tragedy unexpected
Lost uncountable
Future unknown

Faith established
Hope expressed
Recovery expected

"God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea, though its waters roar and foam and the mountains quake with their surging." (Psalm 46:1-3 NIV)

Prayer: LORD, in this time when so many have lost so much, give them strength to face what is before them, to stand when it seems their strength has gone, to have courage to hope when circumstances are darkest, and to know that You are their refuge and source of strength, even when all else has been lost. Thank You that regardless of the storms that rage around us, whether physical, emotional, or spiritual, Your love is unconditional and Your help is always available. In Jesus' name, Amen.