He Prayed While others Slept..

He prayed when others slept.
He visited when others excluded.







He spoke when words were the need.
He multiplied fish and loaves to feed.


What a God!
whose love
has no bounds.
Whose Grace resounds
as our hope.




The victory Jesus won
in the face
of rejection and pain...
marks our gain
of the gift of life.


We only need allow
Him in...
Allow Him to abide...
and we reside

in His Glory...

forever.

In His hands
never
to be lost.
What a gift
at such a countless cost.

Lord,

Mid Passion Week brings to

mind the unphanthomable suffering

and heartbreaking rejection experienced by

our Lord. May we be not so busy or boastful

in our on lives

to forget His marked words on the Mount...

Come thou fount

of every blessing...

Abide with us...

in the depth of our hearts

where confession

comes forth and dreams reside.

Amen

The Little Store's Gone Now ! (click to make larger to read)

A Great Savior



Responsible for Our Needs

We thank you…Lord that
You respond to our needs
The seeds
of our tomorrow
Rest in the ground
You created.
We have found
Solace in Your Arms
Against all that may harm
us in this world.

Reliable for His Promises

We thank you..Lord that

We can rely on Your Word.

May our praises be many

And our thanks not go unheard

As you intercede

On our behalf.

Thy Rod and Staff

Protect us

and Hope abounds in Your Son.

Regarded for His Resurrection

We thank you God that

You regard
Our Sin
As cleansed by the blood
Of Your Son.
Our lives may be scarred
Even marred
By our weakness in this world
But the Victory has been won
And we only need look up..for a return.

Lord...
As we prepare for  an Easter
celebration; Hold us to the promise that
is ours  that you would be with us...even until the end
of the age.
Help us to understand that even
Peter, the Apostle, failed you,

But you knew his heart
as with David of old.
Hold
our hand daily
and remind us of the Prophet Isaiah's words
that ...you were wounded for our trangressions.
The chastisesment of our peace
was placed upon you...
and with your stripes we were healed...
amen

Just Thinking of You in Spring...

Spring Prayer...

O Lord...

The trees fill

and the flowers bloom.

I need more time...

more room

in my day for pictures.

The yellow bells have me bound.

I’ve found fields

and the mark of Spring

has sealed

my hope again for holding.

The blossoms win every tree

so beautiful

They never fail to render

one useless..on occasion...

even when the care is to duty.

The beauty

remains and the soothing

of soft pedals

and full limbs

is so befitting Spring.

I cling

to the memory of sidetracks

and getting back

my favorite green fields

and secret places.

"An Empty Chair"

Where I once sat
Now sits an empty chair
with emptiness...all around.
There is the sound...
of silence.
A common view through...
a window to my world.

Where once I passed the time

With a plethorea of prose and rhymes...

now holds no embracing words...
Those meant to explain my lost way...
to explore thoughts unheard.

Those outside my window to the world.

here once I sat in redeeming respite
Offering my words for a Time of Quiet...
Words that find the heart not head
sent forth from experience...
even if  limited to my window to the world...
Awaiting a final viewing...
One that could never be alone
When there are memories of you...
Both before and after..
an empty chair.

Lord,

Lead us from aloneness

to extending our present world

to share with others...

both from bounty and experiences.

Guide us to that point of final veiw

such that the chair may empty be...

but the thoughts of our caring...

Will encourge others to see...

a light

to a new world.

Amen

The Gift of Salvation...

From Reverance to Wisdom

Psalm 111:10 (KJV)

“ The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom: a good understanding have all they that do his commandments: his praise endureth for ever.


The Virtue of Reverence


Ultimately, all reverence culminates in love for the Holy God. The "fear" mentioned here means "awe". It's that tingle inside when we enter a church. Churches are built in such lofty and
impressive style that, even as we enter, the very expanse is a reminder of the vast universe of God's creation.

If this feeling escapes us, then what we see is merely an assembly hall. Thus, we walk upright and speak in a whisper. How the busy days of our time dispense with those special quiet times of reflection and personal worship.
Much of  the world is full of mockery and blasphemy of the very Spirit of God.  His Word has been closeted for the humanistic.  His blessings of our country have been removed from both curriculum and school books.  The political and politically correct lead us and so many hold little reverance for God, only a falacious declartion of rhetoric and platitudes.  Jesus talks of two roads we can walk in our lives: the narrow road and the wide road. The narrow road leads to life and only a few ever find it. The wide road is the road of destruction and many find it. NIV:  Matthew 7:13-14.



Reverence is really the adoration of God. It expresses
the true nature of man most perfectly. We are in our most exceptional position when we are bowing in adoration and recognizing His soverignty.
So many times we approach God with our petitions and hurts and adoration does
not make it's way into our Quiet Time. When we speak in adoration we stand
in agreement with God for our need of a Savior...our hope for the future, and our thanks for our relationship with His Son.

Adoration is truth in act.  Others should know of our faith as we approach each day
in the Spirit and Wisdom of our Lord.

Lord...

Give us a voice to declare your glory.

Grant us wisdom as we hold the very salvation you

brought forth in awe.  We cannot phanthom the

pain of sendng your Son to die on the Cross.

We can only pray in adoration and move in this world

using knowledge that has been divinely touch to become wisdom.

Amen

When Passion Becomes Personal...

Jesus said in Matthew 7:7


7"Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. 8For everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened.”
When our burdens become overbearing
and our hearts grow weary
When the days seem long and we are constantly preparing
Our passion runs deep and each matter becomes personal.

When the face of failure enters our path
When sleepless nights leave us tired each day.
When it seems that turmoil will endlessly last...
Our passion reaches new heights and becomes personal

When our life becomes as the compass pointing hither and yon.
When both friend and foe gather to review our plight
And take special note of how we respond.
Our passion  is heightened by our Savior's call...
O yes...we stand firm and tall...and our passion becomes personal.

Our Lord calls us to attention when we are in need.  His Word noted
all we have to do is Seek Him with all our heart, and Ask for it will be given.
The help we need to lift our burdens rest as close as the floor and a bended knee.
Such is the plight of man who without God has no compass no eternal hope.

Lord,
Gently reach out your hand
and help us to stand in a world
stressing today and with no care for the future.
Thank you for the hope that is our in Your Son.
Amen

"First Bloom"

John Eshleman

A Tease of Spring !

Just a tease of Spring

a moving toward green.
There's such beauty when the birds sing
and that special time in between
winter...and Spring.
Just a hint of the blooms to come
folks working around the yard
the sun came back from...
a snowy hiding.
How hard
it is to wait for the smell of showers...
the comforting wild flowers..
where brown has ruled for a while.
Take note
for with the new season
comes every reason
for kind words and beaming... broad smiles.

Lord,

For the beauty of Your earth

       the bounty therein

       the breathtaking seasonal change...

We give thanks.

We so look forward to butterflies and bees

Green grass and trees.

Early morning has become filled

with a plethora of sounds

All around our filling grounds

and earmarked by a sun at rise

across  a distant and endless sky.

Amen
 

 
 

Site Information

Gary Roberts is a Farmville, NC resident and graduate of Garner Sr. High School and UNC Business School / 1973. These sites are offered by Gary to encourage, and to share life experiences as related to Biblical Scripture.
It is his prayer to impact others by connecting with those he have become dear friends and those who would be new friends. All amounting to Rembrandt Relationships which stand the test of time and distance.

in reference to: A Time for Quiet (view on Google Sidewiki)

Are we taking off our shoes....or picking blackberries?

"Earth's crammed with heaven,
And every common bush afire with God;
But only he who seeks takes off his shoes;
The rest sit round it and pluck blackberries..."

         Elizabeth Barrett Browning


Matthew 11:28 (New International


I was reading today in an Exodus lesson by Scott Walker. He spoke of a Labor Day tradition with his father each year.  They would tie buckets to their waists and proceed to the deserted hillside farm in western New York. Walker said they went there to pick blackberries, and also to run barefoot across the fields.The berry picking was not very exciting.  Walker compared this with the cry out for delivery by the Hebrews from Egypt. God heard their cries and put into motion the events to bring them a deliverer.  He did not make it happen immediately. It was many years in suffering and pain.

So many times we call out to God for relief or that He answers our faithfulness
now. We must remember the song of the little children....

In His Time.

In His Time.

God makes all things beautiful...

In His Time.

A prominent and gifted preacher, Phillips Brooks spoke of God's granting power to those he calls to a task.  He iterated that "we should not pray for tasks equal to our powers, but for powers equal to our tasks."

Scott Walker was at a turning point in his career. He felt he had bit off more than he could chew.  He was moaning that he was not up to the tasks.  This was even with his manager telling him that he was confident he had the right person.

What if Moses had not paid attention to the burning bush?  His tasks was great and he was doubtful he had the ability.  He wanted his brother, Aaron, to come with him and speak.  God said he didn't need him but he would send Aaron anyway.  God's promise was go and tell the Pharaoh to "let my people go" and that He would be with Moses

When we answer the "burning bush" messages which may come to us as a small quiet voice inside or some private calling: we can decide to pick blackberries in mediocrity or we can take our shoes off and run in the peaceful fields of His handiwork. There is... power... in the blood of the lamb and there is... freedom... in the surrender to His Will.

Hebrews 13:5-6(New International Version)
Never will I leave you;
never will I forsake you."[a] 6 So we say with confidence,
"The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid.
What can man do to me?"[b]

Lord,

Thank you for your constant companionship

and your compassion.  The longer I live

I become more convinced that you are with us in all situations.

When we pray to you regularly,

there are no introductions necessary when we need help

or relief immediately.  Grant Lord that we would pray

consistently and in the fashion you taught us. You indeed are our shepherd....

Amen

Hebrews 13:10 - Passage Lookup - New International Version - BibleGateway.com

Hebrews 10 - Passage Lookup - New International Version - BibleGateway.com

Do we...?

“ But when he saw the multitudes, he was moved with compassion on them, because they fainted, and were scattered abroad, as sheep having no shepherd.                                                                  

                                      Matthew 9:36 (New International Version)
 
 
When Jesus traveled about he had empathy for all the crowds he encountered. They were lost and looking for someone to guide them, just like sheep need a shepherd. Many were left behind due to the same problems and prejudices that exist today.  The Jews hated the Gentiles and denied them reasonable treatment.  The pious Pharisees acted with a "better than thee" attitude.  The lame and  sick were considered to have been so due to the sin of their parents.
 
The Gospels speak loudly of Jesus' acceptance, even of the tax collector and the leper.
It made a pronouncemnt of the empathy Jesus exhibited.  God heard the cries of the Hebrew people in bondage and sent a deliverer.  God knew the need of all people for a deliverer from sin, a redemption that marks the greatest gift in history.
 
Jesus came to effect our Salvation, but also to model what God is like.
Do we use His model of compassion to meet needs and give of ourselves to others.
 

Do we take notice?

  Do we listen, hear, and share?

Then will Jesus always be there.

 

Do we disclose ourselves?

  Do we communicate our inner hopes and dreams?

Then will Jesus always seem....so very close.

 

Do we take action?

  Do we give that drink of water or kind word?

Then will Jesus always ensure our prayers are heard.

 

Do we believe God performs wonders?

  Do we know they may defy our limited bounds?

Then will Jesus be Real and finally be found.

In the end it is what We have done with the gifts and talents He has bestowed
on us. When opportunity comes our way, perhaps we may be visited by the Angels.
Let us pray that...We do...

The Simple Man...

Hebrews 6:12
We do not want you to become lazy, but to imitate those who through faith and patience inherit what has been promised.

 Psalm 116:6

The LORD protects the simplehearted; when I was in great need, he saved me

"Be yourself, and slavishly imitate nobody. We do not want to mimic greatness but great simplicity..."
                   J. H. Jowett

"SIMPLICITY"

"O for a different day"

It was the delight of Thoreau

but misunderstood rancor of his foes.

Such was unheard of in his time

for the majority then and now

feel that some way…

somehow…

man's unfilled moments must be a crime.

Most assuredly…

they say…

it indicates a lack of concern…

a lack of ambition…

a lack of caring…

and even the absence of brilliance.

But o how he wrote.

Frost was a genius.

Listening to his words flow…

even through the snow

and rain..

even in sorrow

and pain…

Sets a man apart for the moment.

So few have such a gift

to refresh one's spirit.

The words to envelope one's very being

with a thin…

but

complete covering of color.

Enough to direct…

even his least traveled path.

O how the man wrote.

Not in a mimic of any other...

but to expouse complex natures

in simple words.

God has blessed mankind:

How these men wrote.

I'll sing a simple song

For I'm a simple man.
I'll move along
doing in the best I can.
But when my day is done..
with the setting sun...
I'll sing that simple song
to the Holy One....
for at his feet
I'll lay a crown
and beckon to His every command.
It's a simple this faith of mine...
It's a complex world by His hand.
But as the sparrow sings.
My voice will ring..
It's a simple song
from a simple man.
            Amen

The Fullness of God in Jesus Christ !

                      Colossians 2:9 (New International Version)
9 For in Christ all the fullness of the Deity lives in bodily form,

The Gospel of John emphasizes that ....."In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was God and the Word became flesh (in Jesus Christ) and dwelt among us.  Thus God sent Jesus to effect our redemption  and give us a model of what he is.  God's power and glory was more than Moses could handle, so God sent and Angel to represent what He would say in the burning bush.  God did not do away with His divinity to become a man, Jesus. He chose not to use that divinity to avoid the horrible experience on the Cross.
                                               
                       Ephesisans 3:18-19(NewInternational Version)
And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, 18may have power, together with all the saints, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, 19and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.
 
God established us as creations in His image.  He rooted us in Love for His essence is love and His son brought a new love "agape" to a world in need of healing and compassion.  The law showed no compassion nor any love for God's creation....people. The law only serves to show man of his sins but has no saving grace of it's own.
 
 
Therefore, with all diligence, we should pursue the fullness of Christ in our lives.
In Him encompasses the key to a life of peace and fullness.  He promised that if we abide in Him, He would abide with us.  May it be so.
 
 
 
from fraility to faith
 
It’s a faith in the works.
One being defined
And refined…
Daily.

Faith...It’s a gift for the taking.
One in the making
Until His return.
Let us glean from His World…

Learn
From those who wrote from their heart…
Special God breathed lessons:
A hope in history
A healing by hearing.
A happening through humility
A manuscript for living…from the Master.

It's a treasure…of the largest measure.
A revelation of righteousness
A believing…not by seeing.
It's a forging in the fire..a release from the mire.
An overcoming in obedience.
A promise…
of possibility
Amen...Amen