To Jesus (a Christmas Poem)

Michael E. Wood

December 19, 2016

Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men.  And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.  Philippians 2:5-8

Yet death reigned from Adam to Moses, even over those whose sinning was not like the transgression of Adam, who was a type of the one who was to come. Romans 5:14

And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying,

“Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased!”

Luke 2:13-14

What do you think of when you think of Christmas? Going into debt, to buy things that may not be appreciated by those who receive them? Are you focused on the giving and receiving of gifts? Are you in angst about dinner parties or family gatherings? Do you think it’s all about the children? Or do you really think of Him, who emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men?

When we think of Jesus in any fashion, whether it be His preexistence as God the Son or His incarnation as the son of man; fully God and fully man, we should be humbled by the very thought of Him who gave himself for our sins. In our contemplation's of Him we should be changed from glory to glory. Obviously, this can only happen if we have been born again. Through our union with Him by the power the Holy Spirit and the instruction of His revealed will through the Word of God we are given the understanding of this unspeakable gift we have been given. For from Him and through Him, and for Him are all things, to Whom be all the glory both now and forevermore.

All creation points to Jesus; Son of God and son of man.

Even Adam in his forming was a type to show God’s plan.

Now the angel’s proclamation clearly seen by all who see

Glory in the incarnation of the Christ who set us free.

For His Name’s sake, God did send us such a Savior, humbly born,

Living life that we have failed to, cursed, rejected, bearing scorn.

Yet He stumbled not by seeing joy beyond that rugged cross,

Offering Himself completely to redeem us from our loss.

Now in heaven, how amazing and in hearts of all of those

Who are joined as one abiding in the knowledge, He arose!

Oh, to grace, how great a debtor, mercies fruit both you and I

If we’ve humbly bowed before Him, Jesus Christ, who reigns on high.

For the glory of the Father is more worth than all of men

And the hearts of all who love Him shout His praise who has no end!

The heart of man plans his way, but the LORD establishes his steps.

Dianna Wood
December 18, 2016

Sometimes God makes his presence and power known in our lives in ways that are undeniable!  This is one of those times.  The story begins in North Carolina before Michael and I were married.

Placed near Michael's computer in North Carolina was a copy of a short poem that had been written by Bob La Tour, one of the Pastors from Beacon Baptist church--the church that Michael attended before he and I ever met.  When I flew to North Carolina in May 2010 to marry Michael, one of the wedding gifts we received was from Pastor La Tour.  It was a beautifully framed copy of that very poem.  We cherished that gift and hung it in our apartment upon arriving in California after our road-trip honeymoon from North Carolina.

Over the past six years, Michael has provided individuals in the facilities where he ministers with copies of the "Impact"--Pastor La Tour's weekly one-page devotionals.  Although they have never met Pastor La Tour in person, many of them feel as though they know him and look forward each week to their copy of his devotional.

In April of 2014, the lease on our apartment would be ending.  My mother was living in a senior mobile home park and had recently experienced several health related issues which left her temporarily in need of family assistance.  Rather than move her closer to us, we decided to not renew our lease at the apartment and purchase a small single-wide mobile home just a few streets over from mom in the same mobile home park.  Over the past two and a half years, mom has realized that in order to stay in her little mobile home, she would have to make modifications to accommodate her physical limitations and those modifications would be costly.  Her home had no room to accommodate live-in assistance.  She also realized that if she could not safely stay in her home alone she would eventually loose her home and end up in an assisted living facility.  That was not something that she desired and after spending just 3 days with her in one of those facilities after her last fall, it was certainly not something I would want for her, either.

With monthly lot rental fees going up each year and no rent control in place, mom was paying almost $700 a month to rent the dirt her little house sat upon and we were also paying almost $700 a month to live in our little mobile home just so that we would be in close proximity to mom as she needed more assistance with normal daily activities.  Earlier in the year, we discussed finding a home here with an in-law quarters so that she could live with us as long as possible and avoid the high cost of modifying her little mobile home and facing the increases in lot space as the years went by.    She was very excited about that possibility.  Unfortunately, we quickly discovered, because of the cost of real estate here in California,that was not even a remote possibility.  Things were not looking good in terms of options.

Fast forward to just a few weeks ago...

A co-worker started talking about her family moving to another state because of the laws recently passed in California, as well as, the cost of living and cost of real estate in other states and that got us looking at the possibility of finding an option for mom that was affordable. We quickly discovered that real estate near Michael's home town, large enough to accommodate all of us comfortably; with a fixed rate mortgage, was as low as $500 a month. So we talked to mom about how she felt about us looking into that. She was thrilled with the idea and we all realized that if we didn't seriously look into this now, she might be too old to make a move across the country, should we put it off for too long a time.

Here is where the reality of the intimacy of God's providence and sovereignty in our lives shinned undeniably brilliant, clear and overwhelmingly powerful!

On the Wednesday after Thanksgiving, Michael contacted the secretary of Beacon Baptist church in North Carolina and got the contact information for a Real Estate agent that was a member of the church. We contacted her and she advised that we take a look at Realtor.com to get an idea of the market and the prices so that we could give her a better idea of what we were looking for.

We spent that following Saturday and Sunday evening looking at hundreds of homes online and found several homes that we liked and could afford; but none were practical if we had mom with us. We really were hoping for a home with an in-law quarters and a walk-in shower.

Right before crawling into bed that Sunday night, and admittedly feeling a bit discouraged, the thought just popped into my mind, "What about homes for sale by owner?" So, once in bed, I grabbed the I-Pad and entered, "Homes for Sale By Owner" followed by the city and state. The first listing that came up was a 3 bedroom, 3 bath, with in-law quarters and a 30 x 24 shop with a price that we could afford. I showed the listing to Michael and we both said, "Wow, that seems to good to be true".

Early that next morning, we decided to email the link to the real estate agent and asked her to please look into that property for us. As I was getting ready for work, another thought popped into my head and I said to Michael, "Wouldn't it be weird if the owner of that "perfect sounding house" was somehow associated to someone at Beacon Baptist Church?" An hour later, I arrived at work and turned on my computer to find an email from the real estate agent informing us that she knew about that home and that we might know the seller of that house.

Well...  

That house was Pastor La Tour's mother's house. She had passed away several years ago and his sister had contacted a real estate agent a week or two earlier to see if she would list the house at the end of the month. Yes, the very same real estate agent that Michael contacted on the Wednesday after Thanksgiving!

As we move forward, we are placing our trust in Him and will accept whatever His plan may be.  The passage that comes to mind from Proverbs 3:5-6 reads, "Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding.  In all your ways acknowledge him,  and he will make straight your paths.

"The heart of man plans his way, but the LORD establishes his steps."  Proverbs 16:9

As we look back on the lines of Bob La Tour's poem, we are encouraged and inspired to see and trust God's providential workings in our lives.

Invasion of the Morning Glories

Michael E. Wood

August 16, 2016

When we look at God’s creation do we enjoy it for its own beauty’s sake without considering the God who created it, or what elements of His truth He may convey through His Word to understand it?  Morning Glories blossom and fade in a day. God declares to us by His Spirit through His word, “for “All flesh is like grass and all its glory like the flower of grass. The grass withers, and the flower falls but the word of the Lord remains forever.” And this word is the good news that was preached to you.

1 Peter 1:24-25  Put all mankind together in the light of eternity and we are but like the grass of the field that withers and whatever natural beauty we may have is like the flower that falls. The good news for all who look to Christ and live is that He clothes us with the beauty of His righteous robes which fade not away, but rather display His infinite glory forever!

The invasion of the morning glories

Now in full array

Show forth some facets of the beauty

Of our God’s display,

To cause us to delight in Him through

Whom all things were made

And wonder at the privilege

He gives to them He bade.

Oh, Come and worship Him for Whom

Your hearts were made to know

And longingly look in His face

By which we’re made to grow

Into the likeness He knew best

Would bring such joy and peace;

For Jesus only, through the cross

Makes sin and death to cease.

So as we, like the morning glories

Peak and fade so quick,

Oh, Help us Great Physician

Look to You who heals the sick!

The Rest

Michael E. Wood

July 31, 2016

Oh come, let us sing to the Lord; let us make a joyful noise to the rock of our salvation! Let us come into his presence with thanksgiving; let us make a joyful noise to him with songs of praise!   

For he is our God, and we are the people of his pasture, and the sheep of his hand. Today, if you hear his voice, Psalm 95:1-2, 7

 but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed the heir of all things, through whom also he created the world. Hebrews 1:2

Therefore, as the Holy Spirit says, “Today, if you hear his voice, Hebrews 3:7

 For he has somewhere spoken of the seventh day in this way: “And God rested on the seventh day from all his works.” And again in this passage he said, “They shall not enter my rest.” Hebrews 4:4-5

Psalm 95 can be divided into two distinct parts. We are given an invitation to worship the LORD in verses 1-7 and then a warning against unbelief in verses 7-11. Whether we come before Him individually or especially as in the context of this Psalm assembling together with the people of God, we are to come joyfully, thankfully, humbly; believing the good news that Christ alone enables us by the power of the Holy Spirit to enter the presence of God to worship Him.

While researching and contemplating the authorship of this Psalm, the following came to mind.

The voice of the Father, the voice of the Son,

The voice of the Spirit, the great three in One;

His Word now declares as He speaks from on high

To humble our hearts and rejoice to draw nigh

To give Him the praise and with thankfulness lift

Our voices as one though we tend now to drift

With our doubts and our fears, but exhorted to seek

His presence, our Savior, who Shepherd’s His sheep.

For we are His people and graze in His land,

The pastures of promise till with Him we stand.

So help us, Oh Father, endure every test

With joy now with Jesus who gives us the rest

To see You Are my Prize!

Michael E. Wood

July 10, 2016

Who rises up for me against the wicked? Who stands up for me against evildoers?  If the Lord had not been my help, my soul would soon have lived in the land of silence. When I thought, “My foot slips,” your steadfast love, O Lord, held me up. When the cares of my heart are many, your consolations cheer my soul. Psalm 94:16-19

It is absolutely amazing how many ways we can be distracted from seeing clearly by faith things that are above. The psalmist, while longing and crying out to the LORD God to bring an end to the wicked, is enabled to see how God uses the wicked to bring correction to His people resulting in our ultimate blessedness. He understood that the LORD would never forsake or abandon His people. Martin Luther closed out his song “A Mighty Fortress is Our God” with these words, “The body they may kill: God’s truth abideth still, His kingdom is forever.”

As the psalmist bore witness to the murder of widows, sojourners and the fatherless, by those who were foolish enough to think the LORD neither sees nor perceives, he faces the immanent prospect of meeting the same end. He is in this case delivered not only from death but from his own fears and cares by the providence and unchanging love of our Sovereign God. In the midst of a multitude of distractions the consolations of God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit cheer his soul. Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever. Does He not bring consolation to your soul?

Frustrations, doubts, and fears arise

And cause me to forget

Priorities You give to me

And by Your Word You set

Each thing in order as You please

Beyond what I can see

For when I think, “I slip”, Oh LORD,

Your promise then will be

The truth of steadfast love upholding

Me when I would fall.

As only You could answer as

You will before I call.

And when I am distracted by

The cares which blind my eyes,

Your consolations cheer my soul

To see You are my Prize!

Accepting Correction

Michael E. Wood

June 23, 2016

Blessed is the man whom you discipline, O LORD, and whom you teach out of your law, to give him rest from days of trouble, until a pit is dug for the wicked. For the Lord will not forsake his people; he will not abandon his heritage; for justice will return to the righteous, and all the upright in heart will follow it.     Psalm 94:12-15

There is a brand of so called Christianity in our current culture which promotes everything as positive and encouraging rather than Biblical and balanced. The writer to the Hebrews tells us not to regard lightly the discipline of the Lord, nor be weary when reproved by Him. For the Lord disciplines the one He loves, and chastises every son whom He receives. He disciplines us for our good, that we may share His holiness. While in the process of being disciplined it seems painful rather than pleasant, but later it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it.

The psalmist being carried along by the same Holy Spirit records for our learning, the blessedness of the one whom the LORD disciplines. Though He has various means by which He can bring about discipline in our lives the context of the passage seems to point to God’s use of the wicked to bring about this discipline, and thus displays His Sovereign power and providential use of all things for the good of His people and the praise of His glory.

Let us continually be learning and putting into practice the habit of giving Him thanks in all things while trusting Him with all our hearts, and not leaning on our own understanding.

Do we now build our lives on our comfort and ease

Imagining somehow that God is well pleased?

But then in a moment when things are all changed

Through circumstance, turmoil, and lives rearranged;

We question His goodness, and kindness, and love,

Not seeing that all things are sent from above

To mold us and make us like a Potter the clay.

Are we hardened or nimble for shaping that day?

For He in His mercy sees better than we,

Designing each detail to drive to the knee,

*Accepting correction to know and commune

With Him in His sweetness like finest perfume

Perfecting His praise in a life offered up

Through Jesus who drank of the bitterest cup.

Oh, none can imagine the extent of His pain

That He bore to remove our gross sin and our shame,

But not only that, to present without fault

The church as His bride, one with Him to exalt

The glory and praise God alone has, as due.

Oh, Help us, Dear Father, to magnify You!

*Footnote: In printing this out for a hard copy distribution, Dianna pointed out to me that I had originally used EXCEPTING ( a preposition - used in the sense of apart from or excluding, also used as a conjunction at times) instead of ACCEPTING ( a verb - used in the sense of agree to or receiving something without saying no). The two words sound similar and can be easily confused, but my, what a difference a single word can make. Thus, it seems appropriate to receive correction even in the writing of this poem.

Congratulations!

Michael E. Wood
June 3, 2016



It's that time of year here in the U.S.A., wherein many of us know someone or several that have arrived at a certain level of academic achievement. Some of us who have been down the path of formal education or not, like to encourage others (often family members) in their accomplishments by sending cards and or a small money gift to celebrate. Dianna had a niece who graduated from high school this year and was able to find a couple of cards appropriate for the occasion. I on the other hand, for various reasons didn't find one for a niece who graduated on my side of the family, but The LORD was very gracious in using Dianna to help put together a hand made card and the following came to mind:

 Hi Lauren,

My, how the years have flown
               and you have grown
in stature, and wisdom, and knowledge.

May your aim be true
                in all that you do
As you apply what you know now
                                      in college.

May the LORD be pleased
        to give grace for your needs,
His faithfulness shown from above,
     
His presence to know
      As forward you go
We pray that you walk in His love.

Congratulations!   Michael & Dianna

A House of Righteousness (New Song)

Michael E. Wood

May 12-17, 2016

“The house of the righteous shall stand”   Proverbs 12:7b

There is a story behind every song and a context for its setting. This one is no different and would take much longer to divulge than I will take in this brief introduction.

Michael Burke, a friend of mine, moved with his wife from California to Missouri. He is a follower of Christ and also happens to be a singer/ songwriter, and musician who enjoys all kinds of music. Last week he posted a link to a video showing the “Animals” performing a song they became famous for originally recorded on May 18, 1964. The music to “House of the Rising Sun” is very catchy and can linger in the mind for a while. The next day while reading Proverbs chapter 12, the last portion of verse 7 caught my attention, ‘the house of the righteous shall stand.” The phrase stuck with me as I thought of the contrast between the secular song and the reality of the promise of God declared from that passage.

While driving to a discipleship appointment, thoughts on the promise mixed with the music brought enjoyment to the ride with the words coming so fast I didn’t think I would be able to remember them. My mind was so caught up in the moment that I arrived at my exit and wondered how I had gotten there. Upon arrival at my destination, the gentleman with whom I was to meet was running late, so I sat down to write what I could remember and three verses were written rather hurriedly. After our meeting I headed home still thinking of the song and new verses came while driving again and I found my self actually looking forward to having to wait through stop lights near home to write what came to mind. The third verse originally came out almost verbatim to the second verse of Amazing Grace by John Newton. While continuing to think on these things I ran some different lines by Dianna of which she liked and thus the final version was ready to post. Quite a few of our older hymns were written to secular music bringing the message of Christ to those familiar with the tune. How appropriate that we would be celebrating our 6^th anniversary with a new song Dianna helped me to finalize the day before, showing forth God’s faithfulness to use us as one for His infinite glory expressing the fact that He makes all things new in those whom He has redeemed by the blood of the Lamb.

There is a house of righteousness,

It’s called the house of God.

And few there be that’s shown the way,

Thank God, I know I’m one.

My father was an absentee,

My mom did what she could.

But not until God’s Spirit came,

That I then understood.

His grace then taught my heart to fear

And grace my fears relieved.

His Spirit turned my heart toward Christ

And caused me to believe.

For Jesus went to Calvary

And bore God’s wrath for sin

And through His blood I am made clean,

Reborn to enter in –

The new creation He decreed

Before He wrought in time,

Revealed to eyes He made to see,

Which once before were blind.

And in His presence we shall live

For all eternity

And praise Him in the house He built

That day on Calvary.

Use of our Time Aright

Michael E. Wood

April 3, 2016

So teach us to number our days that we may get a heart of wisdom. Psalm 90:12

Oh, the sweetness that is ours in knowing like Moses that the Lord has been our dwelling place in all generations. He who is from everlasting to everlasting God has pronounced a number of judgments since the fall of mankind in the garden including the return of man to the dust of the ground. Ps. 90:3 While being brought into the understanding of the eternality of God we are likewise brought into the understanding of the brevity of our temporal lives on earth, so that we are inclined by the Holy Spirit through faith in Christ alone to ask for our Father’s guidance in using every day He gives to the praise of His most majestic, infinite glory.

Oh, how may we use of our time aright

To show of your goodness and show of Your might?

But with words that You give by Your Spirit of light,

Petitions You hear through Christ Jesus the sight

Of which You behold, ever pleased with Your Son.

Oh, make us like Him as Your people of One,

Chosen to know and be known with the view

To Him be the glory, who makes all anew.

Glory in Your Sovereign Grace.

Michael E. Wood

Feb. 2-March 24, 2016

He is not here; he has risen, as he said. Come, see the place where he lay.

Matthew 28:6

And he is the head of the body, the church. He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in everything he might be preeminent. Colossians 1:18

But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ—by grace you have been saved— and raised us up with him and seated us with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, Ephesians 2:4-6

I am not sure who the first person was to use the phrase “Better than I deserve” as a response to the common greeting “How are you doing?”, but I often feel compelled to use it. On some occasions it becomes the means through which an opportunity for the gospel is opened. When we understand we are sinners, and we deserve death, and eternal condemnation, and yet God in mercy causes us to see not only our need for Christ, but are in fact brought into a saving relationship with Himself by the power of His Spirit, then we are likewise brought into an increasing understanding that what ever we are called to undergo in this transient life is in fact better than what we deserve.

On February 2, 2016 the preceding thoughts were a part of what began to develop into a song with the music of “The Prayer” formulating how it would sound. After writing a couple of verses I found the third more difficult and laid it aside because of time restraints. While meditating on the resurrection of Christ over the past week, the tune came back to mind and two new verses came quickly and fit together nicely with the opening.

I know what I deserve and yet I seek Your face.

I have no other grounds, through Christ, You give me grace.

And though my heart would fail,

Your Spirit makes me soar

Above this world of shame

Your praises to proclaim,

Forever blessed be Your Name!

You came into this world, both Son of God and man.

There was no other way, to fulfill the Father’s plan.

And lowly You became,

The babe in Bethlehem.

God with us declared,

Emmanuel, the heir

Of glory with the Father shared

And when upon the cross, You took upon our sin,

And suffered in our place, that we might enter in,

As sons before the throne,

Your Spirit came within

To show the mystery

And give the victory

That to You all the glory be!

You rose up from the grave, as our eternal head.

Through union then with You, we’re raised up from the dead.

And though we see in part,

We’ve nothing now to dread.

Prepared for us a place,

That we may see Your face,

And glory in Your Sovereign grace.

Though Storm Clouds Arise

Michael E. Wood

March 15, 2016

 A few years back I began to notice signs on our highways here in California which read, “Severe Drought, Conserve Water”. This actually opened Gospel opportunities as I would ask individuals, why the signs don’t say “Severe Drought, Pray for Rain”. With the recent El Nino effect in our region we have had a recent abundance of rain, which led to posting the following excerpt.

“Drenched by 'March Miracle,' Northern California reservoirs inch toward capacity

Los Angeles Times Joseph Serna Contact Reporter March 14, 2016 6:38 PM

A series of storms pushed California’s biggest reservoir past its historical average for mid-March this weekend and put the second largest one on track for doing the same by Monday afternoon, officials said.

Together the Lake Shasta and Lake Oroville reservoirs have the capacity to hold more than 8 million acre feet of water and after a wet weekend in Northern California, they were 79% and 70% full, respectively, by Monday morning, according to the state Department of Water Resources.

Some people have referred to the recent series of powerful storms that have dumped rain and snow on the Sierra as the “March Miracle.”

The storms filled Lake Shasta above its average for this time of year and by 4 p.m. Monday; Lake Oroville surpassed its historic average, said DWR spokesman Doug Carlson. Lake Shasta is the state's largest reservoir.

“It’s happened a little quicker than I personally thought,” Carlson said. “It would appear the [seasonal storms] have really achieved what they historically do, which is deliver a lot of rainfall to the mountains.”

Neither reservoir has reached its historical average in nearly three years, data show.

“I don’t know if people here will be dancing in their cubicles when [Oroville] hits the historic average, but it will be the first time it’s done that for the duration of the drought. That is reason to be joyous,” Carlson said.”

Though the outcome in general is an occasion for celebration, there have likewise been a number of ill effects upon some due to mudslides, downed trees, etc. The day in and day out downpours have also had an impact on schedules for some and simple necessities of others. Some also have difficulty in comprehending the fact that the sun is still shining above the clouds.

These are reminders for us as followers of Christ that when we undergo personal storms in our journey through this life, God is always working all things for our good and His infinite glory.

Though storm clouds arise

And veils from our eyes

The beauty that shines from Your face,

Your witness within

Though we feel a chagrin*,

Gives promise; the reign of Your grace,

With abundant supplies

As Your Spirit applies

Beyond all we think or expect.

For more than we hope

With Your glory the scope,

In holiness, work to perfect

Your image in all,

As prostrate we fall;

Your church, to the praise of Your Name.

You are our strength

Oh, show in the length

Your love for the spread of Your Fame!

*chagrin: a feeling of vexation, marked by disappointment or humiliation (or rejection)

In The Darkest Distress

Michael E. Wood

January 21, 2016

O Lord, God of my salvation; I cry out day and night before you.  Let my prayer come before you; incline your ear to my cry!  For my soul is full of troubles, and my life draws near to Sheol. I am counted among those who go down to the pit; I am a man who has no strength, like one set loose among the dead, like the slain that lie in the grave like those whom you remember no more, for they are cut off from your hand. You have put me in the depths of the pit, in the regions dark and deep. Your wrath lies heavy upon me, and you overwhelm me with all your waves. Selah Psalm 88:1-7

Spiritual depression is one of the most difficult realities for some to comprehend.  For believers who have never suffered in this manner, they are hard pressed to be of any use to those who suffer if they have never been brought to a place of understanding through personal experience or the pure revelation of God by His Spirit through the Psalmist as displayed in Psalm 88.  I would encourage you to read the Psalm in its entirety and consider the words of the “Prince of Preachers”, from his own personal experience.

 “…. God never placed a Joseph in a pit without drawing him up again to fill a throne: that He never caused a horror of great darkness to fall upon an Abraham without revealing His covenant to him; and never cast a Jonah into the deeps without preparing the means to land him safely on dry land.  Alas, when under deep depression the mind forgets all this, and is only conscious of its unutterable misery; the man sees the lion but not the honey in the carcass, he feels the thorns but he cannot smell the roses which adorn them. He who now feebly expounds these words knows within himself more than he would care or dare to tell of the abysses of inward anguish.  He has sailed round Cape of Storms, and has drifted along by the dreary headlands of despair. He has groaned out with one of old –“My bones are pierced in me in the night season; and my sinews take no rest I go mourning without sun.  Terrors are turned upon me; they pursue my soul as the wind.”  Those who know this bitterness by experience will sympathize, but from others it would be idle to expect pity, nor would their pity be worth the having if it could not be obtained.  It is an unspeakable consolation that our Lord Jesus knows this experience, right well, having, with the exception of sin of it, felt it all and more than all in Gethsemane when he was exceeding sorrowful even unto death.” 

C.H Spurgeon, The Treasury of David

No sensible sense of a comfort I feel

As my soul lies in torments by waves as they reel

Upward then plunging to depths never known

In the darkest distress of my spirit to groan.

Oh, when might I know Holy Father the gain

In the light of Your presence relief from this pain?

For when I look up I see only despair,

Then buried much deeper, I question Your care.

And yet I will call and will cry from my heart

While ignorance blinds me from knowing each part

You work with these trials as Your wisdom subdues

Every atom in place and the unseen reviews

Of soul searching time and again endless days

Awaiting the moment You break through the haze.

How long, with The Psalmist, Oh LORD, will I cry?

Yet to You I will to the day that I die!

Happy Birthday Mom

November 23, 2015

Michael E. Wood

Realizing I haven’t posted anything in awhile I thought I would begin the New Year with a recent personal memory poem.

More than a card is a memory shared

To lighten the load of the burdens you've bared

And trust that with joy you will see in the light

Of eternity things that will bring great delight.

Investments of time in family and friends

Some thought forgotten but will with their ends

Show forth the love given over the years

The fruit of true faith as you've sown with your tears.

Happy Birthday Mom!

Thank you for your investment in me,

Michael