Joy in the Morning

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Dear Friend,
This poem came to me years ago, while I was at the seashore for a personal retreat in Ocean City, New Jersey.
I got dressed early one morning and walked the short distance to the boardwalk, arriving just as the sun was rising over the ocean. Moments later I sat down on a large rock near water’s edge; my eyes feasting on the never-ending waves crashing against the rocks along the shoreline.

The scene before my awestruck eyes was a picture of God’s never-ending love crashing through the walls of my barren heart. It wasn’t long before the words of this poem filled the pages of my journal, echoing the new found joy I had long awaited. 

Joy in the morning,
How I welcome Your Presence.
Jesus . . . Sweet Rose of Sharon,
Joy of my life.

Joy at noontime,
Your presence always welcomed,
Giving strength from above.
Jesus . . . You are my Joy! 

Joy in the evening,
Your presence lingers still,
While  I wait in silence,
You whisper . . . “Peace be still. “

Joy at nighttime,
Sweet communion with the Lord.
Darkness and light are alike to you.
Jesus . . . Joy of my nights! 

Joy of my Beloved . . . your love is endless, filling the earth as the waters cover the sea. 
It just keeps coming, coming towards me.  This Joy . . . filling, and  infusing new life,
boundless and free. 

Weeping may endure for the night, 
but Joy comes in the morning. 
Psalm 30:5 




What Would Grandma Do?

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O taste and see that the Lord is good; How blessed is the man who takes refuge in Him. Psalm 34:8

She could neither read nor write, but that didn’t stop Grandma Biggs from singing praises to the Lord. 

Picture a little girl just about to enter Grandma’s kitchen for a drink of water. The sound of beautiful singing slows her footsteps. Peaking around the corner, a curious scene unfolds.

Grandma is all alone in her kitchen. Arms raised, feet dancing, and face aglow as she lifts her voice and sings a beautiful melodic song.   

I was that little girl. A little bit afraid and way too young to understand 
what I was seeing. Yet I somehow knew this was a sacred moment 
and I was not to interrupt. My grandmother was standing on Holy Ground.  

That precious memory still warms my heart today as I wonder how my grandmother would react had she been living during the coronavirus pandemic.

Would she be shut up to fear or shut in to faith? Would she whine and complain? Would she worry or worship?

I’ve no doubt what Grandma would do.  Day by day she would be shut in to faith, fully trusting, and leaning on the Sovereign Lord who is in full control. 

Chooseing not to whine, worry or complain, she would lift her hands
in worship to the King of Kings and Lord of Lords. 

And as in all the hard times of her life, she would pray this thing through and receive the peace of God that passes all understanding. 


And you better believe Grandma would be in her kitchen, preparing delicious meals, whipping up those biscuits, and wearing a smile that was a foretaste of heaven.  

For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, so that whosoever believes in Him, should not perish,
but have everlasting life. John 3:16

And we know that God causes all things to work together for good
for those who love the Lord. For those who are called
according to His purpose. Romans 8:28

Sheltered In The Cleft

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Oh my dove in the cleft of the Rock…Song of Songs 2:14

The Bride of Christ is God’s Dove,
Sheltered in the safety 
Of the cleft of the Rock.
It may be a secret place, yet
directed by Him.

It may be a steep place,
yet known by Him.
It may be a deep valley,
Yet He promised never to
leave your side.



May you hear the voice of the Lord,
calling you from distracting voices,
who vy for your attention.
May you hear Him sing over you
with the voice of the Beloved.

May the Dove of His Presence
strengthen and refresh
as you stay sheltered
in the safety
of the Cleft of the Rock.

Live a Life of Love

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Everyone in Atmore, Alabama knew Naomi Biggs was one of the best cooks around. The large boarding house she owned and operated for many years was a revolving door to everyone, especially when she opened her dining room on week days for folks from local and surrounding communities.

The old saying the “way to a man’s heart is through his stomach”, could be true of many of us; especially when the food is dished out with the kind of love our Grandmother showed. In my mind’s eye I can still see this joyful lady greeting her noon guests as if they were family. To Grandma Naomi, it was all-ways . . . all about family.

Some of the finest, and most delicious southern dishes a heart might desire filled her two long dining tables….And you could always help yourself to seconds. That is if there was anything left!  

I remember how quickly Grandma could whip up a large batch of biscuits, bake to a golden brown, and serve them with a contagious laughter that sent your heart soaring. 

Those biscuits were like thrown bread from heaven!

I remember watching Grandma take a cold biscuit, bore a hole in it and fill it with sorghum syrup. By the time it reached your reaching hands it was oozing pure sweetness! One taste and you were hooked for life. 

Grandma was a church lady and loved Jesus, but was never preachy. Though she couldn’t read the Bible, she lived it. Truly her life bore the resemblance of the Savior…. And the fruit of his Spirit the Bible talks about.

The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. Galatians 5:22,23

Dear Father in heaven, how grateful we are for the godly grandmother you gave us. May the memories of her life continue to be a source of encouragement and hope for all those who knew her. Give us the faith to walk in the steps of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, and live a life of love as grandma so faithfully modeled before us. May we too be found faithful! Amen.

—————————————————————————————————————-

To be continued….

Dear friends and family,
My sister Dorothy Jean and I are endeavoring to post a series about the life of our beloved Grandma Biggs. Jean has become quite the artist, both with water color and just recently sketching. She has been my constant encouragement and inspiration to publish some of the things I’ve written over the years. Thank you dear sister. To God be the Glory as our lives tell His Story!


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A Stronghold in Trouble

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If clouds are the dust of your feet,
help me lift my arms in praise,
while the grace of tears pour out,
cleansing the dust around my heart.

If clouds are the dust of your feet,
help me climb the mountain with you…
hidden from the eyes of man,
 yet seen through the eyes of my Father.

When clouds are the dust of your feet,
help us  remember,
no whirlwind or storm can ever
separate us from your love.

The Lord has His way in the whirlwind and the storm,
and clouds are the dust of His feet.
(Nahum 1: 3b)

The Lord is good, a stronghold in the day of trouble,
and He knows those
who take refuge in Him. (Nahum 1:7)

 

 

 




 

 

I Saw You At Christmas

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Tell your children about it in the years to come, and let your children tell their children. Pass the story down from generation to generation. Joel 1:3

It’s that time of the year when memories of Christmas past warm our hearts as we recall those childhood days when going to Gramma’s house was part of our family tradition.

The following revised poem was written by my sister Cathy the
day our beloved Grandmother Biggs
left us and went to her home in heaven.

I saw you just the other day,
on Christmas.
Your face alight with joy at having
your children all around you.
I saw you
busily working in your big old house;
preparing food, loving life.
Those times always made you
the happiest,
yet you were always full
of the joy of the Lord.
Oh how we loved hearing your
precious gift of laughter.
Such a sweet lady.
We were honored to be near you.
I saw you greeting me at the door, hugging me so warmly.
Only grandmothers can hug like that.

How sweetly those days have
flown into years.
How quickly those years passed by me.
Though now your home is in heaven
with our wonderful Savior,
on this earth you will always live in
the seeds you have planted in my heart.

Poem by Cathy Chandler






A Christmas Remembered

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He orders His angels to protect you wherever you go.
Psalm 91:11

We felt like sitting ducks as heavy traffic zoomed past us. We needed help! Of all times and places to have a flat tire . . . the Pennsylvania turnpike on a rainy cold morning during the busy Christmas Holidays. Thankfully, my husband was able to pull to the narrow side of the road, with a prayer we would be out of harm’s way.

Dave immediately called Triple A road service and was informed that because of the busy season, it might be some time before a truck could be dispatched to help us.

I quickly grabbed my cell phone, called my sister, and asked her to pray for us. Carole’s simple prayer for protection and help brought peace. Now we just needed to be patient and wait for the help we felt confident the Lord would send.

We didn’t have to wait long! After laying aside my cell phone, I looked into the rear view mirror and was surprised to see the truck that had just pulled behind us. A dark handsome young man with a full beard got out of the truck and immediately went to work. Within minutes the flat tire was removed and replaced with the spare one.

Delighted with such quick service, Dave reached to give the young man a tip;  and true to my husband’s friendly nature asked, “What’s your name?”

“My name is Joshua.”

“God bless you, Joshua.”

“God bless you!” he answered, and before we knew it—the young man climbed into his truck and was gone.

As we pulled back onto the road, I reached for my phone. I could hardly wait to share the news with my sister.

“Carole, he said his name is Joshua.”

“Glenda, Joshua means Jesus!”

Humbled, grateful and amazed; we sensed the Lord had sent a ministering angel to protect and help us on our continuing journey.

I share this Christmas past story, hoping to encourage you to pray when you  find yourself in a distressing situation. In need of rescue. In need of protection. In need of hope and help for your life’s journey. Who knows but if you too may receive a miraculous answer.

How could it be, my Kinsman Redeemer?
You left heaven’s splendor,
pierced through the cold darkness
of this world,
and came as a babe
on that night
so long ago.

You are the Eternal God who spoke
the world into being.
How could it be that you 
stooped to my level,
looked into my eyes and said,
“My Child I love you,
and it was for you I died.”

The Joy of Giving Thanks

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Enter His Gates with Thanksgiving
Psalm 100:4

Picture a little girl sitting all alone on an enbankment near her home, dutifully pouring over the words from her Bible, taking time to memorize Psalm 100. A favorite elementary teacher had given the assignment to complete during the Thanksiving Holiday. 

Today, I’m surprised my first memory of Thanksgiving isn’t about the feast and fellowship our family enjoyed that day. No, it isn’t about the food.

It’s all about Psalm 100.

Those words penned on paper, thousands of years ago by a shepherd boy named David, took root in my heart that day and started me on the pathway of knowing God.

Now in the winter season of my life, I still love to quote the psalm.  

Make a joyful noise unto the Lord, all ye lands.
Serve the LORD with gladness.
Come before His presence with singing.
Know that the Lord, He is God. 
It is He that hath made us, and not we ourselves.
We are His people and the sheep of His pasture. 
Enter His gates with Thanksgiving and into His courts with praise.
Be thankful unto Him and bless His name. 
For the Lord is good. His mercy is everlasting
and His truth endures to all generations (Psalm 100 KJV).

What special memories of Thanksgivings past come to your mind today?

May your time with family and friends be especially blessed as you gather around the table to thank the Lord for His many blessings.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Faith, Hope, Love

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If I could take a walk with you
I’d take your hand and pray;
for God to pour His love in you
with each new passing day.
I’d pray for overcoming hope,
to heal and make you whole.
a hope both steadfast and sure,
the anchor of your soul.

I’d pray for overcoming faith that
comes from deep within,
and thrives in repentant hearts
when souls are born again.
I’d pray the Savior’s love will
mend, restore, release… the joy
that rises up to sing
the praises of our King. 

Posted in Poetry | Tags: #Poetry, Faith, hope, love

Pass The Story Down

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Tell your children about it in the years to come, and let your children
tell their children. Joel 1:3 NLT

Daddy and EstherLegacy, inheritance, heirloom—
something or someone from the
past that left a gift to influence
other lives, both present and future.

With each passing year, I am more grateful for the legacy of faith Daddy
left our family when he went home to heaven almost twenty years ago. 

I was the second of seven, eager as all my siblings were to climb into my Father’s lap and listen to the songs of faith he sang over us.

My Dad modeled a quiet, confident faith through all the changing and
challenging seasons of his life and his words still echo in my heart today—

“Everything’s going to be all right”.  

The promise from God’s Word was passed down to us from the pages of the Bible….And because He believed, so did we.  

Words of truth and songs of faith spoken by our dad were welcomed again and again, rooting our hearts deeper into our Heavenly Father’s eternal love. 

Finally, our champion of faith lived it, leaving his grateful family an example to follow all the days of our lives.

It’s almost like Daddy is leaning over the balcony of heaven today, cheering us on, encouraging us to live our lives in the quiet confidence that God is always working behind the scenes; with a purpose that eternity will fully reveal.

Our Lord is working for our good and His glory….And He’s using all the circumstances in our lives to conform us into the image of His son.

Sometimes I hear the second generation share the same promise with their children and grandchildren. They too are passing the promise down to the present generations.

“And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose, and He chose
them to become like His son.” (Romans 8: 28, 29)

I Choose to Rejoice Always

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I’m still learning to trust God,
 whether skies are stormy or clear,
During times of loss or gain,
in laughter or in tears….
Knowing the One who shelters me under the
shadow of His wings keeps me there.
My soul is safe and secure,
blessed beyond measure, 
with a peace that passes all understanding….
All because God’s anointed Servant
willingly laid down His life
that I might truly live in this life
and for all eternity.

Rejoice in the Lord always; Again I say rejoice! Philippians 4:4
He poured out His life unto death, and was numbered
with the transgressors. For He bore the sin of many,
and made intercession for the transgressors.
 Isaiah 53:sv. 12


It Took a Savior

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Love formed and shaped the
mountain backdrop.
Blended shades of pink,
blue and purple.
Brushed contrast of light
and shadows,
and carved out mountains and valleys.

I believe all creation announced
the beauty of God’s
Holy love
the moment
He spoke it into being….
Yet it took a Savior to brush
strokes of love upon our needy hearts.


In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth,
and the Spirit of God was hovering over its surface.
Genesis 1:1,2 sv. NLT

For God so loved the world, He gave His only son, so that everyone who
believes in Him will not perish, but have everlasting life.
John 3:16 NLT

Waiting

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They say an eagle returns to
its nest when wounded. In this
safe place ofrest it lies on its
back with open wings,facing
the sun. When healing comes, 
the mighty eagle rises up with
outstretched wings…free once
again to soar towards the heavens.

I once had the privilege of owning and operating a beauty shop in my home. My clients 
often became good friends. We were sisters in community…wanting change on the
outside—needing to be valued and loved on the inside.

After seven wonderful and fulfilling years, all came to a halt. My doctor said I had Chronic Fatigue Syndrome. I had to close my business in order to get well.

My home became the sacred nest I needed during this interrupted season of my life. At the same time, I missed friends and acquaintances. Within weeks, solitude turned to loneliness
as I lost all sense of community.

Yet, in the days and months ahead I grew to love the solitude. I met God every day in my safe quiet place of rest. I pictured myself being held in the arms of Jesus as I waited for strength to return.

One of my favorite Bible promises became my meditation and prayer.

“Those who wait for the LORD will gain new strength; They will mount up with wings like eagles, They will run and not get tired, they will walk and not become weary.” 
(Isaiah 40:31 NASB).  

During my time of Bible study, I discovered four biblical principles I would love to share with you.

            1. To wait on the LORD does not necessarily refer to a set time—
but a heart attitude of trust set upon God. (Proverbs 3: 5, 6).

            2. To wait on the LORD suggests a strong expectant faith,
knowing God is able to help in times of need. (2 Corinthians 12:9).

            3. To wait on the LORD is to hope in God’s strength, not our own.
(Isaiah 40: 28.29)

            4. To wait on the LORD is to trust in the character of a loving God
who sent Jesus to redeem and restore that which was lost.
(Isaiah 43:1)

Are you wounded and weary from the hard curves life threw at you? 
If so, run to Jesus! Wait in His presence and leave your wounds and weariness
behind. Rise up…refreshed and renewed with spirit wings like an eagle.

I Saw You Just The Other Day

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Grandma Naomi Biggs

I saw you just the other day. Busy working in your big old house—preparing food, loving life, showing genuine concern
for those around you.

I saw you just the other day—on your birthday, such a
special one. Oh how we loved hearing your precious gift of laughter! 
Such a sweet lady. We were honored to be near you.

I saw you just the other day— greeting me at the door, hugging me
so warmly. Only grandmothers can hug like that.
I noticed your walk was a bit slower, and you were growing older;
yet that lovely sparkle still shone in your eyes.

I saw you just the other day, at Christmas. Your face alight with
your children all around you. Those times always made you the
happiest—yet you were always full of the joy of the Lord.

I saw you just the other day; weak, tired, weary of suffering. 
I will never forget your arm slowly reaching around my shoulder.
That little hug spoke more than words ever could.
You are the closest I’ve ever come to an angel.

How sweetly those days have flown into years. How quickly
those years have passed by me. Though now your home is
with our wonderful Savior—You will always live in the seeds
you have planted in my heart!

© Cathy Chandler -1984