A Heritage We Are From God

The ladies from SpringView, where I minister on Sundays, asked that I send them a card from California. The following is what was contained in that card:

Dear Faye, Betty Jo, Mildred, Violet, and Mary,

Upon returning from the morning worship services at Soaring Oaks Presbyterian Church, and upon rejoicing in the goodness of our Lord in having led us there by His Spirit, and blessing us beyond measure through the preaching of His Word by Pastor Andrews, Dianna set out to format and print-out some new cards with some of the poetry and songs I have been so graciously blessed to receive of the Lord.

She brought out a box of greeting cards from which I was impressed of the Lord to choose this one (see above) and brought to mind Psalm 127:3-5; and the poem enclosed came to mind and thus we trust the Lord will use it to encourage you and cause you to rejoice in Him, as we do with you, and thank Him for the manner in which He knit our hearts together in love with Him for His glory.

We Love You,
Michael & Dianna

January 24, 2010

A Heritage We Are from God

A heritage we are from God—
The fruit of His reward.
As arrows in the hands of Him;
Released in one accord.

Our flight is one—as He doth guide,
Our hearts to praise His name.
And from His blessed quiver sent.,
With those put not to shame.

Our mouths are filled with laughter now,
Our tongues with shouts of joy—
The Lord has done great things for us;
Through Christ we now employ.

And call to worship, all of you,
Who know the joyful sound
Of our transcendent mighty God,
Whose grace now doth abound.

O’ help us by your prayers to call
On God the Spirit, Holy—
That He in all of life’s events
Alone will gain the Glory!

Michael E. Wood
January 24, 2010

What do you think of when you see Haiti?

"The one who conquers, I will make him a pillar in the temple of my God. Never shall he go out of it, and I will write on him the name of my God, and the name of the city of my God, the new Jerusalem, which comes down from my God out of heaven, and my own new name. He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches." Revelation 3:12,13

"Sheol and Abaddon lie open before the LORD; how much more the hearts of the children of man!" Proverbs 15:11

"The heart of the righteous ponders how to answer... He hears the prayer of the righteous." Proverbs 15:28a,29b

What do you think when you see Haiti?
Do you see the Almighty
In His Sovereignty?
Do you see but His wrath?
Do you see His Great Love?
Do you see how He rules
From heaven above?

He is the Just Judge,
Who rules all the earth!
Through the portals of death
He shows forth His Worth!

Those who are His,
He doth take to Himself,
Through Christ's Sacrifice,
Partake of His Wealth,

And pillars they are
In our Father's house,
And sing to the Glory
Of our Beloved Spouse!

Oh, glimpse into Glory
With all of your might,
And see our Dear Saviour,
Who does good in His Sight,

And all will be well,
When we are all there,
Rejoicing in Jesus
With all He doth spare!

Michael E. Wood
January 15, 2010

The Cold, Crisp Air of Early Morn

This morning, as I stepped outside, this poem began to come into my heart and at 9:27 a.m. it was complete.

The Cold, Crisp Air of Early Morn

The early morning sun upon
The tall green pine,
The smile of God upon my heart,
He says now you are mine.

The frost upon the winter ground,
There from the breath of God,
His Spirit now proclaims His grace,
His fame to spread abroad.

The quiet patter of the feet
Of deer which crossed the field,
The peace He gives to quiet hearts,
As to His will they yield.

The sound of a pecker in the wood
Whose face I do not see,
Resounds the voice of Christ so clear,
His glory now in me.

The cold, crisp air of early morn
Brings shivers o'er my being,
Reminds me of the presence of
Almighty God I'm seeing.

Oh, what resplendent joy He gives
To such a wretch like me,
Because of Christ, my Lord, and King,
Who died upon the tree.

As tears of wonder fill my eyes
Because of all my sin,
And words escape my grasp to tell
This Gift that I've been giv'n.

Oh, thank You Father for benefits
In which I now delight,
To walk with You in this cold world,
Give glory in Your sight.

Michael E. Wood 01-11-10

Sweet Holiness

With simplicity in word and thought,
We look to You with all our heart.
Oh, fill us with Your mighty power,
To preach Your Word with grace this hour.

Impart through us the truth in love,
Engage the saints to look above,
Behold Our Christ Who died for all,
Redeeming those to whom You call.

You are our Wisdom and our Fear,
And through the blood we now draw near.
All confidence we have in You,
Through Christ Who died to make us new.

Oh, save Your blessed saints to see,
The Truth of all Your liberty,
To rise above this world's distress,
And rest in Your Sweet Holiness!

Michael E. Wood 01-10-10

A Gift of His Most Excellent Nature

This poem came on the morning of December 30; as a result of pondering 1st John 2:1-14 and listening to a John Piper message on the previous evening. I awoke with the beginning verse in mind and as I continued to meditate with John, the writer of this epistle, the rest followed:

With tongue and with song we're called to employ,
The glorious beauty of our new nature's joy.
The old man is dead, the new man now reigns
And we offer our praise to the Great KING of kings.

Though deaf others be, and our song they not hear—
Oh, let us draw near Him in meekness and fear.
His commandments we'll keep and abide in His Light,
And though others not see Him, we're known in His sight;

In Jesus, our Advocate at our Father's throne,
Who ever intercedes 'til the day we're called home.
With our sins now forgiven, and with grace from above,
Made victors o're the evil one, as we abide in His Love.

His Word is the means by which we have heard.
His Spirit our guide into all that occurred,
In Christ, we're made children to our Father's delight,
Who strengthens our hands to continue to fight.

Oh, what a Gift of His most excellent Nature,
To love not the world, and be clothed in His vesture.
Our garments of praise, Oh, help us keep clean,
‘Til with You in glory, You're fullness is seen.

Michael E. Wood
December 30, 2009

No Longer Standing in the Middle

Michael E. Wood – December 23, 2009

(Chorus 1)
Will you stand in the middle
Or call on His Name?
Will you stand in His Glory
Or stand in your shame?
Do you live for the purpose
That all may proclaim
The matchless Glory of Jesus
Who still is the same.

When Korah stood in the middle
While wearing His name
The Lord God of Heaven
Through Moses proclaimed
A new work would take place
The earth opened wide
Consumed all of Korah’s
Rebellion and pride

Chorus 1

When neither voice or an answer
Was spoken from Baal
Elijah called on the Lord God
Whose fire then there fell
The people knew that the Lord God
Was Lord God alone
And they fell on their faces
As His glory was shown

Chorus 1

For years I walked in indecision
Based in my thoughts
I thought that I knew Him
And yet I was lost
My hope rest in the good works
I thought I had done
But when it came to give Him glory
I found I had none.

Now I know, there's no middle,
Except in the mind.
You can think you are righteous,
And yet be so blind.
Apart from Christ you'll remain there,
Deceived you will be.
Unless the grace of the LORD GOD,
Doth shine down in thee.

(Optional verse)
Now I know, there's no middle,
Except in the mind.
You can think you are righteous,
And yet be so blind.
Apart from grace you'll remain there,
Deceived you will be.
You must repent, and believe that,
Christ's death made you free.

In peace and glory in Jesus
The Rock I now stand
By grace, He pulled me from the pit of
The deep sinking sand
From all the lies I was buying
When I thought I was saved
He raised me up to now walk on
The great Kings Highway

(Chorus 2)
No longer standing in the middle
Because of His Cross
His blood’s interceding
To count all things loss
In sweet assurance
He guides us to know who He is
By grace we stand in the truth
Of the Word He has giv’n

Chorus 1

(Closing)
The matchless glory of Jesus
Who still is the same
Do you bow at His feet
And His mercy proclaim
Do you live for the purpose
That all may proclaim
The matchless glory of Jesus
Who still is the same?

"FOR MY BELOVED DIANNA - SCRAMBLED EGGS AT 4:00 A.M."

Upon awaking around 3:30 a.m—knowing that I had the day off—I fixed myself some scrambled eggs and read a message by Martyn Lloyd-Jones sent to me by my beloved Dianna, entitled, "A Superabundance of Blessing". I began to write out a few words and then went back to bed. When I awoke, around 8:00a.m., the words to this poem continued to come to mind and thus I wrote:

Scrambled eggs at 4:00a.m.,
Lloyd-Jones and me,
We reveled in the glories of
The Christ who set us free.

Thank you my dove for all the love
Showed forth from thee this hour.
His visitation to my heart,
His Spirit came with power.

As confirmations of His love
Rejoiced my heart to see,
The greater fullness of His Gift
He gave to you and me.

Drink deep, He says, unto our souls,
There is no limit here.
Rejoice in our Eternal God,
His absolutes are dear.

Of all we share, not ought compares
To His o'er flowing Spring.
He is our Life! He is our Joy!
He is our Everything!

Oh, Jesus, Lover of our souls,
You cause our hearts to sing.
We thank You for the glories of
The Life that You now bring.

Until we see You face to face,
We ask You for Your power,
To glorify Your Precious Name
With each new passing hour!

Michael E. Wood
December 28, 2009