Embraced by His Love

Embraced by His love; we find ourselves now.
Prepared for His harvest; our hands to the plough.
We knew from the first, His blessing of grace;
To strengthen and guide, to behold His dear face.

With hearts set ablaze, becoming as one;
Desiring the glory of God’s Holy Son.
We look not to men for wisdom above;
But, look to His Word, who answers in love.

With righteous integrity; Spirit filled too—
Emboldened by mercy; all things are made new.
His blood ever cleansing, to walk in the Light;
Forgiveness providing both vision and sight.

So let us move forward; awaiting the shout,
“Your race is now finished; it’s time to come out.”
We’ll stand in His presence with no more lament;
And praise Him forever for faith that he sent.

Michael E. Wood
February 19, 2009 (12.10a.m. - 12:57a.m.)

Note: This was actually written a year ago February and is just now being posted.

The Beauty of the Morning Frost

The beauty of the morning frost

Shows forth His glorious praise.

The One Who bought us with His blood,

To hallow all our days.

Oh, help us now to worship You,

Oh Spirit now provide,

With all we need,

As we now trust Your Word, Who is our Guide.

Oh, teach us how to flesh before

The eyes of mortal men;

The freedom You have bought for all Your own, redeemed from sin.

Oh, give us grace to honor You

In all we say and do--

That when we stand before Your face

We give the glory due.

In Progress - Morning of February 4, 2010

Your Steadfast Love

(Sung to the tune of Before the Throne of God Above)

The song, Before the Throne of God Above, was sung on Sunday, January 17, 2010 by the choir at Beacon Baptist Church and stuck in my mind. I then sang it for the ladies at SpringView following that Sunday morning Worship service. Over the course of the next seven days the following new verses were given to me and I now share them with you.

Your steadfast love and faithfulness;
Through Christ alone for sin atoned—
You did impart His righteousness,
And all the glory is Your own.

And in our darkness You broke through—
Our dwelling place You are our part
To give us life and light in You;
To sing Your praise with all our heart.
To sing Your praise with all our heart.
(11:00 A.M. 01-19-10)

As high as Heaven’s above earth.
As far as East is from the West.
Your steadfast love shows forth your worth;
Forgiving sin and giving rest.

You show compassion to Your child.
You know but dust is now our frame.
You were a lamb so meek and mild;
And by Your blood we praise Your name
And by Your blood we praise Your name
(2:33 P.M. 01-21-10 – Psalm 103)

Not unto us; but to Your name—
Give glory for your steadfast love.
Your faithfulness remains the same,
Remember us now from above.

We trust in You; our help and shield.
Who fear your name both great and small.
O’ Bless our hearts as we now yield;
To worship You, oh Lord of all.
To worship You, oh Lord of all.
(6:16 P.M. 01-23-10 – Psalm 115)

O’ Help us Spirit now draw nigh,
Proclaim the glories of Your grace;
Until we reign with You on high—
Long last we see You face-to-face.

And all the wonders ear not heard;
And all Your beauty fill our eyes—
With all our heart fulfill Your Word;
Rejoice in You beyond the skies.
Rejoice in You beyond the skies.
(9:10 P.M. 01-24-10)

Michael E. Wood
January 26, 2010

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