My Lord, My Shepherd

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How can our hearts be troubled long

When we know in glory Our Lord does reign?

Nothing can separate us from His Love

No trial, no challenge, no pain

Jesus is my Joy and my Comfort

My cup indeed overflows

I sing of my Savior and His Love

Not of the trials nor of the woes

Praise the Lord, Praise His Glorious Name!

Praise Him who created mountain, lake and sea

Sing of His Good Will, Sing of His Love

Yes, I will do so gladly and joyfully

My soul bursts with joy when I contemplate

All that my Savior has done for me

How could He have? How would he have?

Died for such a one, a sinner only be?

Love teems in my heart for Him

Gratitude and joy abound

Yes, my hope is in my Lord

Grateful His salvation I have found!

Thank you, My Lord

For your love, for your grace so kind

Let us rejoice, let us be glad

That sin no longer does us bind

We are led by the Spirit

And showered by blessings from Above

Let us share the Good News with all

And sing hymns of His Everlasting Love!

~*~

How do you celebrate the love of the Lord, the Shepherd?

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Sep 14, 2011 By Caroline Gavin Christian Poetry, Divine Comfort, God's Character, Inspiration, Praise, Spiritual Growth, Spiritual Growth, Thanksgiving 6 Comments

The Life Song

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The movement of my life

A symphony does make

Adding verses to the song

From the time I awake

Following my Lord

The notes ring more sweet

My life song more lovely

Since my Lord I did meet

Even the solemn notes

Have a beautiful place

So that the trials I now

Can gratefully embrace

The pauses and rests

Are meaningful too

Distinguishing the notes

The pauses certainly do

Yes, rest lends beauty

To the symphony of life

As do the trials

And the periods of strife

To You, Lord, I devote

My life song each day

May my life song ring

With beauty, I pray

Enjoying the pauses

And the bitter notes too

For both sweeten a song

In ways I never knew

Today and every day

May our lives of Christ sing

Glory and Honor to God

May our songs always bring

~*~

What Symphony – what Life Song – do you sing?

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Sep 12, 2011 By Caroline Gavin Christian Poetry, Inspiration, Nature, Praise, Spiritual Growth, Spiritual Growth, Thanksgiving 2 Comments

The Son Light

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At times the day may seem

Gray and dreary so

My heart seems to sag

And my energy runs low

Suddenly I realize

How foolish I’ve been

To allow the externals

To seep within

Change my focus

I must now do

Shift it to the Eternal

To the Beautiful and the True

Light then pours

Into my world so gray

Hope suddenly streams

Into a once dreary day

Focus on Christ

And on His Love so pure

Think always of Him

And peace will endure

Sun will fill the days

Yes, each and every one

When we choose to see Light

From God’s only begotten Son

~*~

How do you embrace the Son Light?

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Sep 7, 2011 By Caroline Gavin Christian Poetry, Divine Comfort, God's Character, Inspiration, Nature, Praise, Spiritual Growth, Thanksgiving 4 Comments

Now Soaring So Free…as God Created Me to Be

Soaring Free

Freely flying

Soaring light

Free, uplifted

Amidst the bright

Lifted to God’s Arms

Toward him I near

Is how I feel

When His Voice I hear

My purpose, my mission

Rings within me true

When to it I listen

I can dream anew

Let me follow the dream

The one which God instilled

Let me live this dream

And my purpose fulfill

The clutter, the noise

The chaos distracts

Move away from these

The divine dream I enact

So long I did not hear it

So long its song was mute

Yet living by God’s Word

Its song is clear, acute

I choose to be what God wants

Not what the world says I should

I choose to fly with this passion

As I never knew I could

The Lord removed the clutter

The chaos that tied me to the ground

He has lifted me to the heights

And my purpose I have now found

To know Him, to love Him

To serve Him with my talents too

This is my purpose, yes,

And what I choose to do

So up and away

Flying high and so free

I do as God wants

As He created me to be

~*~

How are you soaring free ~ as God created you to be?

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Sep 2, 2011 By Caroline Gavin Christian Poetry, Divine Comfort, God's Character, Inspiration, Nature, Praise, Spiritual Growth, Spiritual Growth, Vocation / Career / Calling 2 Comments

Release the Rest to Seek the Best

Release the Rest…

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Waterfall by Zirconicusso

Sometimes it seems

I know not what to do

Bombarded by demands

I have not a clue

Do this, do that

Go here and go there

Meet her and meet him

Do it all and everywhere

Which things are needed?

Important they all seem

Calling my attention

Demanding indeed

Take a deep breath

And focus again

Shut out the noise

For it is only then

That I can focus on Christ

And His love so pure

I fix upon His Promises

In them I am sure

Suddenly the clutter

And the chaos stops

I see clearly now

As upon mountaintops

Those that draw me closer

To Jesus, my Lord

Such things are those

I must move toward

The rest becomes clutter

Noisy chatter all

Distractions, interruptions

But His love enthralls

Relieved I now feel

And at comforting peace

For I see only what matters

The rest I can release

~*~

How do you release the rest to seek the Best?

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Aug 30, 2011 By Caroline Gavin Christian Poetry, Divine Comfort, God's Character, Inspiration, Praise, Spiritual Growth, Thanksgiving 3 Comments

Be Ye Perfect – But Not A Perfectionist

Perfection…without Perfectionism

As we travel purposefully, it is helpful to understand the distinction between perfection and perfectionism.

I tend to be a perfectionist. I like things done right…no, perfect. Yet I have learned over time that perfectionism is not beneficial. It seems reasonable to think that it is good to be – or at least aim to be – perfect. After all, Jesus expresses to “be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect.” (John 4:8) So would it not follow that striving for perfection is good?

The answer is yes…and no. Jesus spoke of perfection in context to our moral actions. Yes, we should strive to lead lives without sin and to lead lives abounding with good works. Yes, we should aim to manifest God’s glory in every moment. Yes, we should strive to do well in all that we do – as workers, as parents, as friends, as Christians. This type of divine perfection flows not from our own strength but from the indwelling of the Spirit. This perfection is from God-power rather than will-power.

Sometimes, however, the desire to be perfect stems from our own self-will. In such a case our desire to be perfect in our work or in our appearance prevents or delays us from moving forward with God’s work. We thereby contribute less to others and reveal less of God’s glory. A singer, for example, may strive to be perfect before she performs in choir; she waits years to obtain this “perfection.” In doing so, she loses years of blessing others and glorifying God with what she perceived to be a less-than-perfect voice. A writer may seek to perfect her art before sharing her work; she withholds all she knows in order to achieve her definition of perfection. A child of God may wait for her own perfection before sharing God’s Message; in doing so, she greatly disservices both God and the world. This type of perfection is perfectionism, and it is fueled not by God’s power but by self-power.

Perfectionism, that which comes from self-power and self-will, can also hinder movement upon a pathway of purpose. When God places upon our hearts beautiful visions, we may be unclear about the specific steps to achieve the vision. We could analyze and strategize to ensure our maps are perfect before embarking on our purposeful journey. Yet how long will that take? And will opportunities be lost?

If God prompts us to move, we should take the next inspired step – even if this is the only step we can see. God often leads us step by step, action by action, moment by moment. In faithfully following Him, we find that our visions change and grow clear. I have discovered that my own visions evolved not in analysis but in action. Getting lost in perfectionism and planning has not served me.

Yes, we should give thought to our steps and seek God’s guidance. Yet we need not know each step we will go; we need simply heed as our God takes lead. Doing so is to relinquish our own will in order to live according to the Spirit. God’s Hand in our lives is then plain for all to see, for it is clear that He is at work and not our own perfectionism.

Is there any area of your life in which you have been stuck in analysis paralysis? How has this hindered your message and your work for God? How has this impeded the movement along your path?

As you move forward today upon your purposeful pathway, I encourage you to abide in the perfection of God’s Spirit. I encourage you to also release the chains of perfectionism, to detach yourself from the cords of self-will and self-imposed standards. Seek instead God’s Kingdom with bold and unwavering faith.

Take the next step as God reveals it to you and trust that He will reveal each step thereafter. Doing so will deepen your relationship with God…and enrich the experience of your purposeful journey.

~*~

How will you live with perfection – without perfectionism – today?

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Aug 24, 2011 By Caroline Gavin Spiritual Growth 5 Comments

Live with Purpose…to Live with Peace

Purposeful Living, Peaceful Living

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Purposeful living is also peaceful living.

The sense of peace we experience is often a product of situations and circumstances. Yet God promises His children a peace which transcends these fleeting feelings. This transcendental peace results not from favorable circumstances but from steadfast trust in God. “You will keep in perfect peace him whose mind is steadfast, because he trusts in you.” (Isaiah 26:3)

It is human nature to grow discouraged and to lose peace when situations shift unfavorably. Yet, as we learn to react not in our nature but in the Spirit, we learn also to trust God in all situations. For, as we live in the Spirit, we trust in God’s provision, in God’s omnipotence and in God’s omniscience. We trust in God’s love and in His goodness. Yes, we trust “and we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.” (Romans 8:28) Trusting in the loving Hand of our Father engenders unwavering peace no matter what we encounter upon our journey.

In my own life I have struggled with this. It has been easy to feel peaceful when things were going smoothly and according to “plan”… but also so easy to feel distress and lack of peace when those plans went awry. Yet, as I have practiced placing trust not in myself but in God, indescribable peace has embraced me. Trusting in God, resting gratefully in His Will and aligning our purposes with His engenders within our hearts this sublime peace.

Money, relationships, belongings, health and status are all unstable. While certain things are good to have, we simply cannot place our trust in the blessings. Rather we place our trust in the One who blesses, for God is eternal and unchanging. He is the Rock upon whom we can fix solidly our trust.

The following are steps for obtaining peace:

– Ensure that in all areas you are seeking first God’s Kingdom “But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.” (Matthew 6:33) In maintaining the proper focus on God’s Kingdom, we will look not for security in things which are bound to change. Are there any areas in which you are not seeking God’s Kingdom foremost?

– Trust God in all situations. “Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight.” (Proverbs 3:5-6) As we learn to trust fully in God’s plans, rather than in our own, we discover peace that accompanies walking with God and heeding His direction.

– “Let the peace of God rule in your hearts.” (Colossians 3:15) We can grow accustomed to the rushed and unsettled feeling of disturbed peace. Our hearts, therefore, must be open to the gift of peace – both to receiving and to maintaining it. Is your heart fully open to this gift? Or is it clenched with anxiety or fear?

– Remain in God’s Will and abide in His Word. “Remain in me, and I will remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me.” (John 15:4) As we remain in God’s Word, and as His Word abides in us, we live according to the Spirit. Doing so allows us to bear the spiritual fruit of peace.

– As you live in God’s peace, bring this divine peace to others. God promises that “peacemakers who sow in peace raise a harvest of righteousness.” (James 3:18) As you allow God’s peace to flow into your heart, purposefully create peace in all situations. Peace springs forth not from external situations but from the indwelling of God’s Spirit. “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called sons of God.” (Matthew 5:9)

As we travel today upon our personal pathways of purpose, let us embrace the peace that God freely gives. No matter what lies around us, let us allow God’s peace to rule within us. And let us bring peace to others, allowing God to transform them – just as He is actively transforming us. Let us live according to God’s special purposes for us…so we may live with the peace He promises!

“May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.” (Romans 15:13)

~*~

How will you step more strongly into your purpose to live more fully in peace?

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Aug 18, 2011 By Caroline Gavin Spiritual Growth 4 Comments