ALIVE IN ME

Santa Maria del Popolo

ALIVE IN ME

God is alive
Working in my life
Giving me direction
Guiding me through strife

Giving me His wisdom
To use along the way
So that when needed
I know His way

Careful how I use it
Wisdom from God
It’s not to elevate me
It is a gift for good

People count with Jesus
He uses me to serve
Remember God gives wisdom
So that I live as I should

Wisdom is a blessing
For me and all I touch
Jesus uses me
To care for the weak and hurt
CC 03/17/04

SPECIAL PLACES

Craig, Phyllis, Carla, Mel

SPECIAL PLACES

Special little places
Seen through active eyes
Off the beaten path
Coming alive as we pass

A garden of roses
Cobbled stones
A treasure through a key hole
St. Peter’s gorgeous dome

Rome is full
Of special blessings
If we look
And feel the touch of time

So many things
We walk by
Often holding gold
Stop and let its story unfold

Hurrying along
No special things
Walking away
Disappointed by the day

Then thru a friends eye
A story is told
That stone has a history
Now it is known

As I walk back alone
I treasure things known
I alone have seen
This very special place
CC 3/17/04

MIRACLES

Carla near Via Veneto

MIRACLES

Miracles march
Thru our lives
Unbidden and silent
Gifts of care from Christ

Unnoticed
Yet guiding our steps
Touching our hearts
Lifting spirits quietly

And yet we don’t believe
They happen to us
We discuss
What others get

We don’t see
The gifts we get
We only see God’s blessings
Touching other’s lives

Perspective is the key
Knowing we are loved
Assured of His presence
Feeling our worth

Miracles are all around
Those in us abound
Our Father is active
Working in our lives
CC 03/17/04

TOO HARD?

Clay at the Pantheon

TOO HARD?

Is anything too hard for God?
Is my life a test to prove?
That God can use a weakling

I whine and moan
My selfish needs
In spite of the pain I see

God has a plan to use me
If I will let Him make me
Useable for His work

My view is always clouded
I cannot see ahead
Fear and ignorance sidetrack me

My Father knows the future
He knows what I can do
And His plan is suited for me

The Father loves me
Christ is in me
The Holy Spirit guiding me

Jesus knows my heart
If I will let go
Christ will equip me

Obedience is required
Questions aren’t the key
Willingness empowers me

Nothing is too hard for God
He can prove it in my life
If I will live like Christ
CC 3/16/04

STANDING THERE

STANDING THERE

Paul was standing there
Seeing all the pain
Knowing Rome’s fame
Realizing his life was at an end

Yet Paul loved Christ
He listened to His advice
Obedient to the last
Living under God’s control

Often left alone
Feeling fear’s cold hand
Bending his heart to Christ
Living as Jesus called

He talked a lot with Christ
Even made mistakes
But Paul never erred long
His focus was on God’s throne
That was the place he called home
Jesus never left him alone

Everything Paul did
Was done before the Lord
Trusting in God’s Word
Claiming strength from Him

At last Paul’s battle done
He summoned all his friends
Telling them all Christ had done
Calling them to follow Him

CC 3/16/04

MYCENAE-AN EVIL PLACE

MYCENAE-AN EVIL PLACE
An evil place
Where families killed
And ruthless men
Ruled the day
Heartless acts of power
Claimed its way
And Helen launched 1,000 ships
To sail across the seas
Ten years for the battle
Troy burned and crushed
No joy in the victory
Mycenae burned with lust
Where is its power?
All I see is stone
No people live in houses
Dirt has claimed their
homes
In my mind
I see this thriving town
Everything was spent
On things that turn to
stone
What is the wisdom?
That we can claim
From this story of evil
From this play of pain
Know that Jesus saves you
In Him you can live
When this life is over
New life Christ will give
11/24/03

ATHENS ARRIVAL

 

ATHENS ARRIVAL

Dennis waiting at the gate
We arrived on time
Pretty weather
Athens was new

The trip to town was slow
The scenery and greenery
Traffic and streets
We were in Athens, Greece

Christiana met us
Crisp and kind
Waiting to share
Her city and mind

Smiling people
Strolling throngs
Ancient shadows
Holding on

Roads designed to disappear
Vendors on the move
It feels wealthy and poor
Nationalism at the door

Street cafes
Beckon with their smells
Lining storied streets
Thinkers knew well

It started here
What I am
The way I think
The life I live

Words defining
Who we are
Listing life
In thought and song

Acropolis guarding
Athenian homes
Sundown and lighted now
Evokes in me wide-eyed stares

My words to you
Help you feel
The scenes I see
Athens is real

Hear me
Hear my joy
Excitement expressed
Our first day in Athens

11/20/03 CC

ASKING THINGS FROM GOD

ASKING THINGS FROM GOD

Asking things from God
Do not belittle us
But encourages
Reminding who is in control

Asking deepens our awareness
Of who God is
And what God sees
Encouraging us of Christ’s care

Laying out before Him
Our needs and plans
Helps us focus
On the things the Lord demands

Obedience is better than sacrifice
Listen as Christ gives
The things we get are burdens
Responsibilities to be met

Much can be learned
From the struggles of the poor
Many trust in Jesus
Even though they are poor

Life is more than mammon
Leave success at the door
Our Father loves completely
All have gifts galore

I am marked and unique
Tomorrow never comes
Today is when I serve Christ
The victory is already won

Now is when God hears me
Stop and speak your heart
Jesus offers comfort
Now is the time to start

Go to God with pleading
Ask for all you think
Our journey is majestic
The Lord is pleased to speak

11/20/03 CC

Jail at Philippi

AIRPORTS ARE

AIRPORTS ARE

Airports are
Movement and sound
Stopping points
That feed on time

Connecting nations
And people groups
Sending cultures around
Pulling down God’s hold

I am on my way
A journey filled with faith
Looking to the past
Seeking life today

Speeding sounds
And foreign toilets
Litter travel ways
Part of the travel scene

Moving us beyond our intellect
Choking off reality
Standing in a time warp
And yet time moves on

Giving us a sense of strength
Knowledge without truth
Once the airports behind us
Our day in Greece has begun

11/19/03 CC

 

Cafe in Athens

 

DREAMS OF ROME

Colosseum on a Sunday

Romantic dreams
Of scenes unseen
Streets of marble stone
Hands that ruled the world
And scattered souls alone
Temples built for a thousand years
Cold as the dawn
And yet the people
Changed the world
To be a place for homes
Now the city stands
With faded glory glare
Yet again the people live
With honor, joy and homes
Excitement swirls amidst the pain
That daily life so quickly brings
If we could make our lives as clear
As marbled stone can seem
I love the food and noise
Accompanying a walk on cobbled stones
Rome’s a place of joy
And history’s precious home.
©Clay 3/22/03