"Lord Change Me!"

So many times we look and see faults in one another,

Then we lift up our eyes and whisper, “Lord, change my brother”

You see how you didn’t agree with all that he may do,

But have you ever stopped to think of how others may see you?

We’re so quick to find the many ways others could be wrong,

Sometimes even knowing we do the same things all along.

But if we’d stop, look at ourselves and really try to see,

We would lift up our eyes and whisper, “Lord Change Me.”

Change the things not like You, things I say and do.

Change my mind, change my heart and my motives too.

Change the way I see my brother and the life he may lead,

So I can look past what I see, and only see his need.

Help me be the man or woman you want me to be,

Lord I yield my all to You, Lord please change me!

When we reach the place we see ourselves and the mess were really in,

We’ll see the motive of our hearts and see all of our sins.

We’ll see were not perfected and not living all right,

We’ll see we have many faults that show under the Light.

So when you look at your brother, trying to see what you can see,

Remember, then lift up your eyes and whisper, “Lord Change Me!”

And why do you look at the speck in your brother's eye, but do not perceive the plank in your own eye? Luke 6:41

Excerpt from Jacqui's book: "Goudeau Gumbo for The Soul"

Available at www.wisdomspeakstoday.com 

"I Thank God for The Valleys"

I was standing in a valley walking on an endless road,

Headed for the mountain, carrying my usual load.

I walked very slowly; so I wouldn’t tire quick,

On my back a giant bundle, in my hand, a walking stick.

As I walked through the valley; headed for the mountain base,

I felt myself grow weary, even at my slow pace.

So I stopped to examine the large load upon my back,

So many things I couldn’t believe I took the time to pack.

I began to throw away all the things that hindered me,

Many things that were hidden there I had never even seen.

All the sins and weights that so long had held me down,

I felt the freedom come as I threw them to the ground.

Then I picked up my stick and began my walk again,

Feeling the weight lifted cause I set aside my sin.

I climbed the mountain with patience; forgetting all that was behind,

I pressed and fought the hardships with a clearly made up mind.

Finally as I reached the top and felt the victory!

I turned and looked how far I’d come with my Savior guiding me.

That valley seemed at one time to be such a trial to me,

When all along my sins were all that hindered me.

I thank God for that valley, where a victory was won,

I realized not just how low I was, but learned how far I’d come.

I look ahead and see higher mountains that I must climb,

But I’m deeply inspired by the victory I left behind.

So as I turn towards my new goal, I smile then I stop,

To take a deep breath of victory, upon the mountain top.

Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us. Hebrews 12:1

Excerpt from Jacqui's book: "Goudeau Gumbo for The Soul"

Available at www.wisdomspeakstoday.com 

"Even When I'm Hurting"

Even when I’m hurting, with me Oh Lord, You’ll be,

Ever present, ever loving, ever watching over me.

Even though I may be broken and feeling deep despair,

You will ever be beside me keeping me within Your care.

When death or life may shock me with pain I never knew,

My true and greatest comfort will come from time with You.

Though my heart is barely beating and breathing hard to do,

You are sending me great people with a heart to see me through.

At times anger engulfs me, and I don’t know how to feel,

But Your word gently reminds me that one day I too will heal.

Guilt sometimes will show his face, he taunts my weary mind,

But if I keep Your focus, even then Your peace I’ll find.

                                                                                                                              

Through my loss I’ve not forgotten, as my loved ones went away,

Your goal is not me forgetting them as I heal from day to day.

But Your goal is that I remember You, even though I feel this pain,

By doing that I choose to love and learn to live again.

Lord, You are ever near, seeing me through every day.

Ever keeping, ever pulling, and ever coaching me along the way.

So even when I’m hurting, with me I know You’ll be,

Ever present, ever loving, ever watching over me.

You will keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on You, because he trusts in You.

 Isaiah 26:3

Introductory Poem Excerpt from Jacqui's book: "Departed Friends: Good Grief"

Available at www.wisdomspeakstoday.com 

"Outstretched Hands"

I was living in a world of sin, full of junk and grime.

A world of hatred and coldness, a world so full of crime.

That world was completely dark, no light was ever there.

People were walking in darkness, but it seemed that no one cared.

One day some of us saw something we’d never seen before.

A light, at the end of a road that shone bright around a door.

Behind the door was knocking, someone anxious to get in.

People around were fleeing, cause the light was showing their sin.

I still could hear the knocking as my hand reached for the door,

Friends of mine were laughing, but I didn’t care anymore.

As I turned the knob and pulled the door towards me, it opened wide.

I saw the light and glory that was on the other side.

As my eyes adjusted and I looked deep within,

I felt the darkness lift and felt myself get rid of sin.

The feeling was really beautiful, but nothing was as grand,

Nothing could compare to seeing the pair of Outstretched Hands!

They seemed to be so loving, anxious to reach and hold.

They made me feel like I’d never sinned, like my bones were made of gold.

Behind those hands was Jesus, dressed in white and full of light.

The love that shone inside His eyes removed my fear and fright.

As I fell into those loving arms, my eyes filled up with tears.

I thought of all the wasted time; the days, the months, the years.

Yet, when I heard the knocking and opened up the door,

The love and peace caught hold of me, as it never had before.

If you are in a world of darkness that seems like no one cares,

Remember the knocking on the door and the feeling that I shared.

But most of all, remember the love and the light that was so grand,

And if you open up your door, you will see those Outstretched Hands.

“Behold I stand at the door and knock, If any man hear My voice and open the door; I will come in and sup with him and he with Me.”   Revelations 3:20

Excerpt from Jacqui's book: "Goudeau Gumbo for The Soul"

Available at www.wisdomspeakstoday.com