Taste of Heaven

Michael E. Wood
April 8, 2017

And they ate and drank before the LORD on that day with great gladness.
I Chronicles 29:22

While simply reading several portions of scripture as my normal portion for the day, the thoughts of this poem came to mind. I am fairly certain lingering thoughts from the preaching of Pastor Mark Webb at Beacon Baptist Church for the annual Spring Bible Conference had an impact on the resultant lines and they have a special place in being written as the first poem in our new place of abode in Burlington, N.C.  The preceding text of scripture is aptly appropriate and was read after the poem was written. How Great is our God, to confirm us as we go. To Whom is all the praise.

Oh taste of heaven in my heart
Which You by grace through Christ impart,
And all the glory goes to Thee,
Oh, Father through that matchless tree.
Though simple now these lines profess
The gift of Thine own holiness
Which by Your Spirit, You conform
Each child of Thine to be the norm,
To be like Christ in every thought,
Transformed to live as we are brought
Into Thy kingdom of the light
To show Thy glorious beauty bright.

While reading through Thy Holy Word
These thoughts of joy did thus occur.
Oh, take from us the frothiness
And fill with solid comforts bliss,
That we may honor as we stand
For truth, protected by Thy hand.
And help us see the open doors
By which Your Spirit thus out-pours
The Gospel to a dying land
Till all of Yours before You stand!

His Grace is Sufficient for me (Chorus)

Michael E. Wood
March 14, 2017

Sometimes simplicity is the best translator of eternal truth and this little chorus which came to mid is proof .

His grace is sufficient for me today.
His grace is sufficient for me.
Christ hath redeemed me from sin and shame.
His grace is sufficient for me.

The Providential Hand of God

Michael E. Wood

March 13, 2017

While God has shown Himself faithful to do abundantly above all Dianna and I could ask or think, He has likewise revealed wisdom in withholding things in the past to provide for things both in the present and for the future in relation to the temporal things that we have need of.  How much more are we enabled by His Spirit to trust Him for those things we need to be consistent in proclaiming His greatness both in the present and to future generations.

The providential hand of God by all who see is seen,

The glory of His majesty, and on Him wholly lean.

Tis seen by those who do not know and do not understand

His glory is the reason He controls with His own hand

The movements of His people for the gospel to be known

Both in and through and to all those whom Christ has made His own.

Oh, that we might with humble hearts and firm affections go

Where e’er He leads from day to day as soldiers made to grow

In strength to strengthen others for the battles yet to fight

That Christ be magnified to show the power of His might.

For of Him, through Him, to Him may the glory ever be

Expressed through songs of praise to God for all eternity.

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.

 Five years have passed,
Oh, how quickly they’ve flown.

As one we give glory to

Him who has owned

Our marriage to show

Himself mighty to save

And sharpen His image

As He did engrave

Our names on the palms

Of His hands at the cross

To count earthly gain

For His name as a loss,

And be found in Him

As together we seek

To know Him and love Him

Who blesseth the meek.

With much more to learn

In a settled embrace,

Oh, help us dear Father

Continue to face

All that You send

By Your sovereign decree

To make us like Jesus

And He alone see

Exalted in glory:

The smile on His face;

The treasure You give

By indelible grace.

Happy Anniversary Wifey!

May 18, 2015

He Lifts me by His Word

Michael E. Wood

August 8, 2014

Truly God is good to Israel, to those who are pure in heart

Whom have I in heaven but you? And there is nothing on earth that I desire besides you. My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever. Psalm 73:1, 25-26

“Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.” Matthew 5:8

What an encouraging word that our Great God, and Savior Jesus Christ speaks to the hearts He has made new through the sacrifice of Himself. What a wonder it is that God takes that which by nature is deceitful and desperately wicked and replaces it with a heart that is receptive and responsive to the purity that comes through Christ alone. And though it does not yet appear what we shall be, we know that when we see Jesus, we shall be like Him, for we shall see Him as He is!

Do you find the encouragement He gives, as He speaks through the Word by His Spirit to your own heart?

He lifts me by His Word within

This frame of dust I live

And brings such great delight in

Knowing he alone doth give

The passion for His excellence

So others will then see

Reflections of His glory

Emanating then through me.

And Oh, what expectations He

Doth build as we resign

Together for the gospel He has

Shown by His design,

To show Himself all glorious

Within the church He bought

With Christ’s own blood, as angels

Watch o’er all that He has sought.

So cry to Him, Oh pure in heart,

Add quickness to the pace,

Endure with joy and patience till

We see His smiling face.

And as that day approaches,

Holy Father, God, and Friend,

Fulfill our one desire to see

Your glory as our end.

Remembering All You Are (New Song)

Michael E. Wood

July 26, 2014

And he took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and gave it to them, saying, “This is my body, which is given for you. Do this in remembrance of me.” And likewise the cup after they had eaten, saying, “This cup that is poured out for you is the new covenant in my blood. Luke 22:19-20

Partaking of the Lord’s Table is not only a command given by Christ to the church until He comes, it is likewise a privilege. On an individual basis, we are admonished that if we would draw close to God then He will draw close to us. How much more true, as we gather together as a body of believers to proclaim our Lord’s death until He comes.

On that day when you had borne

Our sins amidst those shouts of scorn

The wrath of God came crashing down upon You.

And yet in anguish bearing pain,

You looked beyond that cross of shame;

For judgment brought forth peace there. Hallelujah!

Hallelujah! Hallelujah! Hallelujah! Hallelujah!

Bless, Lord Jesus, as we feast

Upon the bread, both great and least,

Remembering all You are and honor due You.

For what we need, You did provide,

The righteousness in which we hide,

Til all we are is like You. Hallelujah!

Hallelujah! Hallelujah! Hallelujah! Hallelujah!

Your blood now cleanses every stain.

Your Spirit sent, brings every gain

To grow in grace and humbly bow before You.

Receiving all through what You teach,

The words You gave until we reach

That place prepared to see You. Hallelujah!

Hallelujah! Hallelujah! Hallelujah! Hallelujah!

On that day we’re glorified

With every nation, tongue, and tribe

Our praise perfected will bring honor through You

Unto the Father of the host,

Empowered by the Holy Ghost,

Eternal for all time then. Hallelujah!

Hallelujah! Hallelujah! Hallelujah! Hallelujah!

Oh, Happy Day

Michael E. Wood

March 30, 2014

Come and hear, all you who fear God, and I will tell what he has done for my soul.
  Psalm 66:16

What a wonderful thing it is to be able to look back on the day that we as individuals were brought into a saving relationship with Christ by the Spirit of the living God. As adopted children of God the Father, ransomed from the slave market of sin, we grow in our understanding of what He has done for our souls and rejoice in the opportunities He gives to articulate those truths to others whether it be by spoken word or written word. Our Lord Jesus Christ is indeed the Savior of the world and especially to those that believe.

In songs of praise I lift my voice

And join with all who have by choice

Cried out to Him who has revealed

Our pardon through the cross was sealed.

Oh, Happy Day, when God the Son

Arose to show what God had done,

As Father when by His decree

The blood of Christ would ransom me.

The Spirit came and opened eyes

By grace through faith to see the Prize

Of Christ, our Hope, to earth was sent;

God’s love in us is now present.

Oh, more than words could ever tell

That God in us has come to dwell,

Whose faithfulness and love shall keep,

His called and chosen, human sheep.

So help us, Father, now to gain

The ground You give to thus proclaim

The glory that in You is found

To be the joy for which we’re bound!

I AM HE!

Michael E. Wood

June 2, 2014

 But the hour is coming, and is now here, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for the Father is seeking such people to worship him. God is spirit, and those who worship him must worship in spirit and truth.” The woman said to him, “I know that Messiah is coming (he who is called Christ). When he comes, he will tell us all things.” Jesus said to her, “I who speak to you am he.”  John 4:23-26

Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life. He does not come into judgment, but has passed from death to life. “Truly, truly, I say to you, an hour is coming, and is now here, when the dead will hear the voice of the Son of God, and those who hear will live.  John 5:24-25

How often do we who have the privilege to read the scriptures in our own language miss out on the fact that as we read, God speaks to us through Christ by the Spirit?  We can become so immersed in reading as an accomplishment of a particular goal that we have set for ourselves and miss the sweetness of the communion, or the wisdom that we could be given, or the understanding for correction needed, or the blessed assurance that we have indeed heard Him for whom all praise is due.

While reading the passage where Jesus was confronting the woman at the well, my heart was stirred afresh in the realization that the words of eternal life of which He spoke to her, He likewise spoke to me. He has borne my judgment and has brought me from death into life.

Have you heard from Him today?

I speak to you from heaven

By the Spirit that I give

Who immersed you in the love

Of God the Father now to live

As a child whom He adopted

When we brought you forth to birth

As a part of the eternal plan

Prepared before the earth;

In the counsel now revealed in truth

Through Holy Scripture taught

By the Spirit who is in you

And my blood by which you’re brought

Into union with the body

As the virgin bride to be

When the consummation comes

And all will know that I AM HE!

Happy Anniversary, ‘Wifey’!

May 18, 2014

Can two walk together, except they be agreed? Amos 3:3

Four years now and nothing I’d change

As God has seen fit our life to arrange

As a platform for love which comes from the heart

Of Christ who is pure and has made us a part

Of His body as one o’er which He does sing

And walks in our midst by grace now to bring

The honor that’s due, Oh, Father above.

There’s no One like You that together we love.

I Love You Dianna Lynne Wood!!!!

Thank you for walking together with me,

To the praise of His glory,

Michael

His Sheep

Michael E. Wood
April 20, 2014


“If the world hates you, know that it has hated me before it hated you. If you were of the world, the world would love you as its own; but because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you. John 15:18-19

It appears that our life is getting back to some similitude of being normal once again. We still have a few things which would be good to have finished in our little humble abode, like having air conditioners installed before the Summer heat comes, but living here in Rancho Cordova has become a reality.

As mentioned in the previous post, Dianna has been writing about the events of our transition and found another sight to post the transformation process of the 1964 mobile home we have moved into. http://www.hometalk.com/ Most of the response has been very positive and encouraging to others to venture out in do it yourself projects for home improvement, but one individual was put off with the fact that "Christ is in every room" and used the word sheep as a derogatory description in their response. While thinking on these things the following came to mind.

His sheep indeed we humans are
Who know the sweetest voice
Has called us each by name to know
Our Shepherd made the choice
To give His life as payment
For our great offence toward God
And suffered in our place when struck
With judgments mighty rod.

And as He rose victoriously
O'er sin and death and hell,
His righteousness provided us
With entry through the veil,
To praise the One who is our King
With joy, no words describe,
Who ransomed all the church
From every nation, tongue, and tribe.

Fulfilled Then in Your Presence

Michael E. Wood

February 21 & March 16, 2014

 Beloved, we are God's children now, and what we will be has not yet appeared; but we know that when he appears we shall be like him, because we shall see him as he is.

 1 John 3:2

Having been much distracted over the past month and a half with researching, purchasing, and now in the process of remodeling an older mobile home (Dianna has written more of the details on http://thewoodssecretgarden.blogspot.com/); it seems that time for writing on this blog has become less of a priority for a season. With maintaining “the old school method” of writing out poetry and songs by hand and then transferring everything to the blog with introductory remarks requires more time than one might think. I smile as I look back when going through a season of writing profusely and some one remarked, “You must have a whole lot of time on your hands”. Well now I can more readily appreciate what they were saying. It’s not the writing of the poems but the contemplation and writing of the introductions that seem to take up the most time.

Sometimes I get the sense that though my writing comes from the heart that God has and is transforming in me, the intent of the writing is meant more for the benefit of others..

Oh may my final breath

When that day comes be to Your praise

With joyful expectation

That this body You will raise.

Resulting in the glory

That belongs alone to You

When Christ in all His beauty

Is than seen in every hue

Of transformation that takes place

Begun while here on earth

As by the sacrifice of Christ

You gave me second birth.

Fulfilled then in Your presence

Holy Father, as Your son;

Rejoicing in the Spirit,

Who through Christ

Has made us one.

BLESSED BE THE NAME! (Shorter Version)

Michael E. Wood

June 21, 2011

Upon the completion of the new song as mentioned in the previous post I was asked if I could make a shorter version, and the following was the end result.

Holy Father, God of all,

Hallowed be Thy Name!

So Mighty, Powerful,

Words ne’er can proclaim.

You are Awesome

And so Beautiful!

(Chorus)

So I say,

Blessed be the Name!

Blessed be the Name!

Blessed be the Name,

Of our God and Father,

Son and Savior,

Holy Spirit, in One.

God Your mercy came to us

In form of a man.

In love You did the work,

The cross by Your hand.

Christ was slain;

With Him we are raised,

(Chorus)

Holy Spirit, Comforter,

God’s Presence within.

We ask You expectantly,

Your help to the end.

In our weakness,

Glorify the Lamb!

(Chorus)

BLESSED BE THE NAME! (New Song)

Michael E. Wood

March 22- April 19, 2011

I will sing a new song to you, O God; upon a ten-stringed harp I will play to you, Psalm 144:9

Several months ago I was given a book by our good friend Denise McCool entitled, "Then Sings My Soul" by Robert J Morgan. I have found this book to be a great encouragement to my soul as it relates the stories behind 150 of the world's greatest hymns. Each account is different in it's own way, but usually gives some background about both the writers of the lyrics and that of the authors of the music if it was known. In many cases the songs or hymns did not become well known for many years and in some instances not until after the death of the author.

In my own journey as it relates to writing songs and hymns over the last few years, I have not found what might be deemed by many as success as men count success. Whereas we all tend to be bent toward instant gratification I would have to admit that there have been moments when I have felt discouraged in the process. And yet I know that my Redeemer lives. He is Sovereign over the affairs of men and works all things together for our good and His infinite glory. Christ is the head of the church and He has given gifts to men to show forth His glory.

In March of 2011 I was asked to see if I could write some lyrics for a tune of which Paul Vossen of Immanuel Baptist Church in Sacramento, California had devised with a guitar. With much prayer I set out to discover what the Lord would give me for this occasion as this was something that I had never attempted to do before. While Paul was recording the music to send via internet, he closed the session with singing a few words of praise that were not intended to be a part of the song, nevertheless they stuck in my mind and became the bulk of the chorus posted after each verse.

As with everything we are and everything we have, we commend all to the grace of God to use as He sees fit.

Holy Father, God of all,

Hallowed be Thy Name!

So Mighty, Powerful,

Words ne’er can proclaim.

You are Awesome

And so Beautiful!

Greater than

All our minds can think,

Or our hearts perceive,

Yet Your grace You give us,

And You cause to believe

Your love, everlasting love

Poured into our hearts.

Your Spirit now given us,

Shall never depart.

Though we

Are so wretched

Yet You gave us Your Son!

So I say,

Blessed be the Name!

Blessed be the Name!

Blessed be the Name,

Of our God and Father,

Son and Savior,

Holy Spirit, in One.

God Your mercy came to us

In form of a man.

In love You did the work,

The cross by Your hand.

Humble servant,

Christ was slain.

With Him we are raised,

For Your glory LORD!

And we offer praise!

Fruit of lips give thanks

To Your glorious Name!

And now we will worship You,

With reverence and awe.

With hearts in humility,

Now prostrate we fall.

For alone

You are worthy

Of all glory and might!

So I say,

Blessed be the Name!

Blessed be the Name!

Blessed be the Name,

Of our God and Father,

Son and Savior,

Holy Spirit, in One.

Holy Spirit, Comforter,

God’s Presence within.

We ask You expectantly,

Your help to the end.

In our weakness,

Glorify the Lamb!

For we

Dare not trust ourselves,

But will glory in

Our infirmities,

Christ alone seek to win.

Teacher of God’s Holy Word, *

We bid You to come.

Breathe life through the light of men,

Christ Jesus, the Son!

For alone,

He is worthy

Of all glory and praise!

So I say,

Blessed be the Name!

Blessed be the Name!

Blessed be the Name,

Of our God and Father,

Son and Savior,

Holy Spirit, in One.

* (Options)

(1)You are now our guide and strength,

(2)You are now our guarantee,

     We bid You to come.

     Give life through the light of men,

     Christ Jesus, the Son

Through Disappointments

Michael E. Wood

January 28, 2014

And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.  For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the firstborn among many brothers. And those whom he predestined he also called, and those whom he called he also justified, and those whom he justified he also glorified. Romans 8:28-30

What a wonderful thing it is to see God at work in the midst of our circumstances as He carries us to heights perhaps never dreamed of in this life. And yet it is perhaps in the midst of some of our greatest disappointments in which we are not given to see in our own time continuum what it is that He is doing, that His most gracious and wonderful work is taking place. He is not bound by time and all of His purposes for us as His children may not always be apparent. Therefore, let us trust in the LORD with all our hearts and lean not unto our own understanding, acknowledging Him in all our ways knowing that He will direct our paths for our good and His infinite glory!

Through disappointments God doth reach

Into the soul that He may teach

That He in faithfulness will share

Our every burden and every care.

Though transcendent beyond all thought

His immanence through Christ Jesus brought

The knowledge of His presence to

Our hearts as children; not a few.

While in Him as a new creation

Each in our own generation

Are given to see beyond our time

He was before and yet behind

Each circumstance to bring about

His glory which we sing and shout

To praise Him as our strength and song

With joy that to Him we belong.

And naught of earth shall ever compare

With Him whose glory we will share.

Hear my cry, O God (Additional Verses)

Michael E. Wood

January 18, 2014

 On October 12, 2011 I was given the grace to write a new song in the midst of undergoing a time of testing entitled, “Hear My Cry, O God”. The song begins with the words coming from Psalm 61:1-3. Hear my cry, O God, listen to my prayer; from the end of the earth I call to you when my heart is faint. Lead me to the rock that is higher than I, for you have been my refuge, a strong tower against the enemy.

After having sung the song on numerous occasions during various services I have been entrusted with, I was contemplating singing it again. As I came to the end of the third verse, new words came to mind that I did not write immediately and were therefore lost in those moments. While thinking of these things at a later time and singing afresh to the Lord, I was given two additional verses which can be used together with the original or may be used as alternatives for a fourth verse.

Alternative #1

Till that day does come

With one voice as one

We praise You God and Father of the Son.

Our Lord Jesus Christ

Who is Holy thrice,

We wait upon You, counting the great price.

That was paid in full

On the cross that day.

Showing all the world

Your great love displayed.

Him, You did condemn,

Rod of Jesse’s stem,

To save all those who put their trust in Him.

Alternative #2

Till that day does come

May our sentence from

Your presence, conveyed by Thine own Holy One

Give to us as meek

Waiting at Your feet

Thine own words to fill the soul indeed with meat;

Which gives strength to all

Who before You fall

As we hear Your call

And worship You in awe.

Knowing You are here

Counting every tear

That flows from hearts as broken by Your fear.

Words from the Original Song:

Hear my cry, O God,

Listen to my prayer;

From the end of the earth I call to Thee.

When my heart is faint

To the rock lead me,

A strong tower from the enemy.

For when arrows fly

I will run to You

And I’ll stand by faith

For Your glory too.

You alone are God

And my refuge been

And through Christ You covered all my sin.

You have given me

The heritage

Of all those who fear Your Name.

For the blood of Christ

Removes my shame

That Your glory may be all my aim.

For the King enthroned

Now before Your face

Has redeemed me by

Such amazing grace

That my heart cannot

Help but sing to You

And forever give all the praises due.

All Your promises

Are fulfilled O God,

In Christ. We now can freely worship Thee.

He, the curse for us

When upon the tree

As He paid sins debt to set the captives free

That were written in

Your eternal book

As the Lamb was slain;

You forever look

With a smile upon

All in Him as one

Who will reign forever in the kingdom come.

This Time of Year

Michael E. Wood

December 31, 2013

They said to each other, “Did not our hearts burn within us while he talked to us on the road, while he opened to us the Scriptures?” Luke 24:32

Dianna and I began a tradition of audibly reading the Bible through together which actually started before we were married.  Today will mark the third year we have chosen to use “The Discipleship Journal Plan”.  It is designed for consecutive reading in four different parts of the Bible for each day and allows for one day of rest per week.  We have found that it is an easy way to be disciplined in reading through without necessarily following the plan punctiliously.  We have likewise found that since we do not know what a day may bring forth we can skip some days, make up for them on other days, and still accomplish the desired goal of reading the Bible through in a year in addition to personal readings individually.  Using this particular method has thus far allowed us to complete the desired goal and finish out the year reading our own selection of additional passages.

With several good motivations our desire was to close out the year reading through the Gospel of Luke once again. Though we did not finish together by December 31, enough progress was made to bring forth additional thanksgiving to Jesus our Lord, the Son of Man.

Thank You for this time of year

To ponder now anew

Things You did while You were here

To show that which is true

Of which we as Your children

Celebrate rejoicing,

Looking to that one day when

All creation voicing

Praise and honor and glory

As God’s sons are revealed

Consummating the story

How by Your stripes we’re healed.