Michael E. Wood
November, 11 through December 10, 2010
On November 21, 2010, Pastor Robert Briggs preached a message on the denial of Peter from Mark 14:66-72, speaking of "The Reality of Spiritual Complacency and its Effects". Dianna and I had read of the account in the book of John earlier that morning. Another statement of truth at the forefront of my mind in writing the following is that Christ is far more committed to our holiness than we are at any point in our life. Thanks be to God that He is and thus we can take heart and be encouraged by the word of His grace, that He which hath begun a good work in us shall perform it til the day of Christ. For without holiness no one shall see the Lord.
As Peter saw the Savior's face
And knew within of his disgrace,
His stare pierced like unto a dart
Within the depths of his own heart.
As he went out and wept and cried
Because Christ Jesus he denied,
He had not seen himself so weak,
When foretold by the man so meek.
And yet because of hidden fear
He ran from Him, he loved so dear.
Yet for our good our Lord did turn
This lesson from Him to be learned.
Oh shall we be such ones to judge
When just like he with sudden plunge
We tend to grieve while we have breath
He who bore our sin in death.
On watch, O Father help us stay
With eyes fixed on eternal day,
In moments which appear with gloom,
To see in You all things will bloom
Beyond our feeble strains convey
The fullness of Your Word displayed,
As Christ will come with trumpet sound
To gain His bride, His faithful crown.
Tuesday, January 4, 2011
Friday, December 31, 2010
Closing Out 2010
Michael E. Wood
December 27-28, 2010
Four days after my Honda Accord was stolen, we received a call from the CHP that it had been located and we could pick it up at a tow station. Dianna wrote a poem concerning the recovery, which can be found on “The Wood’s Secret Garden” blog, dated 12/30/10, entitled, “The Rest of the Story”.
In the days between, and having no assurance that the car would be recovered, I received much comfort from the LORD through His Word, and the following poem and song was written. Many of the thoughts for the poem are derived from John chapter 10, and the song can be sung to the tune of, “God Rest Ye Merry Gentleman”, using the same chorus.
THE POEM
O Shepherd, of the one true flock,
How sweet Your voice we hear.
For when the thief comes forth to steal,
Tis only You we fear.
As life abundant now You give
And lead us by Your hand,
That murderer can only do
Exactly what You planned.
For You have called us all by name,
And lead us forth with joy,
And though the devil take all things,
Our soul he’ll not destroy.
With pastures rich You now provide
For us with nothing lost.
For all we need, we find in You,
Who paid with blood, the cost!
O Shepherd, You laid down Your life
For all Your Own, Your sheep,
That we may know, we are Your Own,
And all Your Own, You keep!
And thus our Father’s providence
In love for us ordained,
All things in life that He may bring
Forth faith, that is unfeigned.
And for His glory we shall proclaim,
As those who once were superfluous*
All things that happen only serve
To further the gospel through us.
O Shepherd make us much more bold
To speak the Word without fear,
With love to You, O Christ our King,
By Your Spirit, to all You endear.
For other sheep You have yet to call
Into our Father’s one fold,
Which spans all nation’s, tribes, and tongues,
Where Your glory forever unfolds.
THE CHRISTMAS SONG
We thank You for Your providence,
You brought on Christmas morn.
For by it, You remind us that
Our grief’s by Christ was borne.
When He for us upon the tree,
Paid for our sin and scorn.
(Chorus)
O tidings of comfort and joy,
Comfort and joy.
O tidings of comfort and joy!
O may we be such vessels
That to others they may see,
That to You God our Savior
May all glory ever be...
And may You use us to set forth
The truth with clarity.
(Chorus)
The Good News is our focus
And no matter what the cost,
Oh use us by Your Spirit
To convey to all the lost,
That all in You shall see
Your glory, we shall not exhaust!
(Chorus)
December 27-28, 2010
Four days after my Honda Accord was stolen, we received a call from the CHP that it had been located and we could pick it up at a tow station. Dianna wrote a poem concerning the recovery, which can be found on “The Wood’s Secret Garden” blog, dated 12/30/10, entitled, “The Rest of the Story”.
In the days between, and having no assurance that the car would be recovered, I received much comfort from the LORD through His Word, and the following poem and song was written. Many of the thoughts for the poem are derived from John chapter 10, and the song can be sung to the tune of, “God Rest Ye Merry Gentleman”, using the same chorus.
THE POEM
O Shepherd, of the one true flock,
How sweet Your voice we hear.
For when the thief comes forth to steal,
Tis only You we fear.
As life abundant now You give
And lead us by Your hand,
That murderer can only do
Exactly what You planned.
For You have called us all by name,
And lead us forth with joy,
And though the devil take all things,
Our soul he’ll not destroy.
With pastures rich You now provide
For us with nothing lost.
For all we need, we find in You,
Who paid with blood, the cost!
O Shepherd, You laid down Your life
For all Your Own, Your sheep,
That we may know, we are Your Own,
And all Your Own, You keep!
And thus our Father’s providence
In love for us ordained,
All things in life that He may bring
Forth faith, that is unfeigned.
And for His glory we shall proclaim,
As those who once were superfluous*
All things that happen only serve
To further the gospel through us.
O Shepherd make us much more bold
To speak the Word without fear,
With love to You, O Christ our King,
By Your Spirit, to all You endear.
For other sheep You have yet to call
Into our Father’s one fold,
Which spans all nation’s, tribes, and tongues,
Where Your glory forever unfolds.
THE CHRISTMAS SONG
We thank You for Your providence,
You brought on Christmas morn.
For by it, You remind us that
Our grief’s by Christ was borne.
When He for us upon the tree,
Paid for our sin and scorn.
(Chorus)
O tidings of comfort and joy,
Comfort and joy.
O tidings of comfort and joy!
O may we be such vessels
That to others they may see,
That to You God our Savior
May all glory ever be...
And may You use us to set forth
The truth with clarity.
(Chorus)
The Good News is our focus
And no matter what the cost,
Oh use us by Your Spirit
To convey to all the lost,
That all in You shall see
Your glory, we shall not exhaust!
(Chorus)
Wednesday, December 29, 2010
Passing Fancy
Michael E. Wood
December 10, 2010
While reviewing the means of praise, and especially those in which He gives us in particular, whereby we are enabled to enjoy our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, I was again reminded that His Work Is an Everlasting Work. The grace of our God is sufficient to meet our every need and thus in everything we give thanks as it Is He Who hears and answers, that in all things He may be glorified in the Son.
Tis not a passing fancy,
But grace You've given us.
To know You're ever present,
Through faith to be robust.
To fan to flame the gift You gave,
No longer now to sin a slave.
As sons made now to proffer
Through Christ, His Spirit offer
Up to You by praise and prayer
That all may see Your glory there.
So when all temp'ral things are finished
Not ought from You shall be diminished.
December 10, 2010
While reviewing the means of praise, and especially those in which He gives us in particular, whereby we are enabled to enjoy our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, I was again reminded that His Work Is an Everlasting Work. The grace of our God is sufficient to meet our every need and thus in everything we give thanks as it Is He Who hears and answers, that in all things He may be glorified in the Son.
Tis not a passing fancy,
But grace You've given us.
To know You're ever present,
Through faith to be robust.
To fan to flame the gift You gave,
No longer now to sin a slave.
As sons made now to proffer
Through Christ, His Spirit offer
Up to You by praise and prayer
That all may see Your glory there.
So when all temp'ral things are finished
Not ought from You shall be diminished.
Tuesday, December 28, 2010
What did you get for Christmas?
Dianna & Michael Wood
December 26, 2010
As many of you know, this was our first Christmas together as a married couple, and it is a Christmas we won't soon forget--not for the reasons one might think. Dianna sat down early Sunday morning, before getting ready for church, and wrote a poem to express her thoughts. After reading it to me, I took pen to paper and wrote the last seven stanzas. We will let the poem speak for itself:
What did you get for Christmas?
Some fudge, some socks, a cigar?
Or did you get something really neat
Like a vintage acoustic guitar?
When I return to work this week
That is a question they might ask.
They’ll want to know just what I got
And on what pleasures I did bask
I’ll have to answer honestly
It’s not about wrapped things.
It’s not about what we get
But what our Savior brings.
Our hearts are filled with joy this year
And nothing can change that fact
No matter what the world might do
To tempt, to entice, to detract.
From all we hold so great and true
In our minds, our souls and our heart.
If all our “things” were taken away
Our joy would not depart.
We did not exchange a THING this year--
No boxed gifts or wrapped guitar.
In fact, a thief, on Christmas Eve
Stole my husband’s car.
He had just spent tons of money
To get it registered and “smogged”
It cost him all his savings ‘cause
The catalytic converted was all clogged.
Once it passed all the tests
The plates cost even more.
Taking care of all the required things—
Became a costly chore.
But, one we had to take care of
So Michael could use his car.
He’s looking for work in the coming year
And most jobs are pretty far.
So there it was in the parking lot
With a brand new license plate.
We also got liability insurance
Before the expiration date.
We were covered for “Collision”
For that was all we could afford
“Comprehensive” might have allowed us--
To purchase a used Ford.
But, alas, we cannot complain.
You may wonder how we are.
We can still rejoice and thank The Lord
All they got was Michael’s car.
Imagine that, on Christmas Eve
A rainy, cold, dark night.
A thief broke into Michael’s car
And drove it out of sight.
Not only did he get the car,
This was auto theft first class!
His Christmas bonus for his crime?
We had just filled the tank with gas!
I wonder if he did exclaim
As he “drove it out of sight”,
Merry Christmas to myself this year—
It’s been a real good night!
But this is not the end of matters
We trust that God, with fear,
Will draw this thief unto Himself
And help him know true cheer!
He could not touch our joy or song
As God so good and gracious
Has chosen to secure for us
All things so efficacious.
That in His pleasure, we be found
To walk the narrow way,
And guardeth every step we take
Till blameless on that day—
When Jesus comes, whose love abounds
In us yet more and more;
With knowledge and discernment
As to Him we shall then soar.
And things that seemed at times
To weigh upon us as a loss;
Will be found, unto His praise
Who gave upon the Cross—
His all that we may apprehend
His love Whom in all things
Worketh for eternal good
As over us He sings.
Delighting in the goodness
And the mercy He has shown
That all through life He carried us—
That through Him, we are known.
Fond memories. My Honda Accord when it was safe and sound in North Carolina. "Welcome to California, Michael E. Wood!"
By the Way: Based on our research as to why old Honda's are one of the top ten stolen cars, it is highly likely that my little car will become an organ donor (parted out) or the six-million-dollar man (end up as a souped-up dragster)!
December 26, 2010
As many of you know, this was our first Christmas together as a married couple, and it is a Christmas we won't soon forget--not for the reasons one might think. Dianna sat down early Sunday morning, before getting ready for church, and wrote a poem to express her thoughts. After reading it to me, I took pen to paper and wrote the last seven stanzas. We will let the poem speak for itself:
What did you get for Christmas?
Some fudge, some socks, a cigar?
Or did you get something really neat
Like a vintage acoustic guitar?
When I return to work this week
That is a question they might ask.
They’ll want to know just what I got
And on what pleasures I did bask
I’ll have to answer honestly
It’s not about wrapped things.
It’s not about what we get
But what our Savior brings.
Our hearts are filled with joy this year
And nothing can change that fact
No matter what the world might do
To tempt, to entice, to detract.
From all we hold so great and true
In our minds, our souls and our heart.
If all our “things” were taken away
Our joy would not depart.
We did not exchange a THING this year--
No boxed gifts or wrapped guitar.
In fact, a thief, on Christmas Eve
Stole my husband’s car.
He had just spent tons of money
To get it registered and “smogged”
It cost him all his savings ‘cause
The catalytic converted was all clogged.
Once it passed all the tests
The plates cost even more.
Taking care of all the required things—
Became a costly chore.
But, one we had to take care of
So Michael could use his car.
He’s looking for work in the coming year
And most jobs are pretty far.
So there it was in the parking lot
With a brand new license plate.
We also got liability insurance
Before the expiration date.
We were covered for “Collision”
For that was all we could afford
“Comprehensive” might have allowed us--
To purchase a used Ford.
But, alas, we cannot complain.
You may wonder how we are.
We can still rejoice and thank The Lord
All they got was Michael’s car.
Imagine that, on Christmas Eve
A rainy, cold, dark night.
A thief broke into Michael’s car
And drove it out of sight.
Not only did he get the car,
This was auto theft first class!
His Christmas bonus for his crime?
We had just filled the tank with gas!
I wonder if he did exclaim
As he “drove it out of sight”,
Merry Christmas to myself this year—
It’s been a real good night!
But this is not the end of matters
We trust that God, with fear,
Will draw this thief unto Himself
And help him know true cheer!
He could not touch our joy or song
As God so good and gracious
Has chosen to secure for us
All things so efficacious.
That in His pleasure, we be found
To walk the narrow way,
And guardeth every step we take
Till blameless on that day—
When Jesus comes, whose love abounds
In us yet more and more;
With knowledge and discernment
As to Him we shall then soar.
And things that seemed at times
To weigh upon us as a loss;
Will be found, unto His praise
Who gave upon the Cross—
His all that we may apprehend
His love Whom in all things
Worketh for eternal good
As over us He sings.
Delighting in the goodness
And the mercy He has shown
That all through life He carried us—
That through Him, we are known.
Fond memories. My Honda Accord when it was safe and sound in North Carolina. "Welcome to California, Michael E. Wood!"
By the Way: Based on our research as to why old Honda's are one of the top ten stolen cars, it is highly likely that my little car will become an organ donor (parted out) or the six-million-dollar man (end up as a souped-up dragster)!
Sunday, December 26, 2010
O Lord Teach Us Your Rules
Michael E. Wood
December 7, 2010
Whereas the scriptures clearly teach us that it is not enough to have a form of godliness, denying the power thereof, we have need of God's mercies, which are new every day to provide for us grace in our hidden parts. For though our outer man perishes, our inner man is renewed day by day. All of grace, all for His glory, and all because of Christ Jesus our Lord!
As our Almighty Father has called us and caused us to be responsible, let us then continue to grow in the grace and in the knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, by the means He has appointed. Let us take Him at His Word, lay hold of His promises, in joyful expectation that He will accomplish all He pleases.
While reading in Psalm 147 and Job 37, the following came to mind. On this occasion the music, which sounds more like an old Scottish hymn actually came to mind before the words were formulated.
O LORD teach us Your rules
In all our hidden parts
That for Your praise we do
All things with all our hearts.
As not all things now seen of men
Are pleasing in Your sight,
But only those clothed in the vestures
Of Your awesome might.
You send out Your command
For all the earth to hear.
You gather all Your Own
Who look to You in fear.
You heal the broken hearted
And our wounds You do bind up.
Through Jesus Christ, Your love displayed,
Who drank our bitter cup.
The humble You lift up
Our pride You have cast down,
That we may walk with You
Where grace through faith abounds.
You fill us with the finest wheat
And peace our borders make.
That all may know tis only You,
And pleased for Jesus sake.
Your justice has been served.
You will not violate.
The righteousness of Christ alone
Grants mercy to forsake
Our sins to show Your glory
In all those You cause to stand
Amidst the thunders of Your voice
We cannot comprehend.
You number all the stars
And give to all, their names.
You take delight and pleasure
In all those who fear Your Name.
You make the grass to grow,
Prepare the rain for all the earth,
And cause the blind to see through Christ,
When given second birth.
Your golden splendor there
And clothed in majesty
We'll see. Almighty Father help us
By Your Spirit's plea,
To proclaim Your beauty
And give all the glory due,
Til all the ransomed ones on earth
Are all home there with You.
December 7, 2010
Whereas the scriptures clearly teach us that it is not enough to have a form of godliness, denying the power thereof, we have need of God's mercies, which are new every day to provide for us grace in our hidden parts. For though our outer man perishes, our inner man is renewed day by day. All of grace, all for His glory, and all because of Christ Jesus our Lord!
As our Almighty Father has called us and caused us to be responsible, let us then continue to grow in the grace and in the knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, by the means He has appointed. Let us take Him at His Word, lay hold of His promises, in joyful expectation that He will accomplish all He pleases.
While reading in Psalm 147 and Job 37, the following came to mind. On this occasion the music, which sounds more like an old Scottish hymn actually came to mind before the words were formulated.
O LORD teach us Your rules
In all our hidden parts
That for Your praise we do
All things with all our hearts.
As not all things now seen of men
Are pleasing in Your sight,
But only those clothed in the vestures
Of Your awesome might.
You send out Your command
For all the earth to hear.
You gather all Your Own
Who look to You in fear.
You heal the broken hearted
And our wounds You do bind up.
Through Jesus Christ, Your love displayed,
Who drank our bitter cup.
The humble You lift up
Our pride You have cast down,
That we may walk with You
Where grace through faith abounds.
You fill us with the finest wheat
And peace our borders make.
That all may know tis only You,
And pleased for Jesus sake.
Your justice has been served.
You will not violate.
The righteousness of Christ alone
Grants mercy to forsake
Our sins to show Your glory
In all those You cause to stand
Amidst the thunders of Your voice
We cannot comprehend.
You number all the stars
And give to all, their names.
You take delight and pleasure
In all those who fear Your Name.
You make the grass to grow,
Prepare the rain for all the earth,
And cause the blind to see through Christ,
When given second birth.
Your golden splendor there
And clothed in majesty
We'll see. Almighty Father help us
By Your Spirit's plea,
To proclaim Your beauty
And give all the glory due,
Til all the ransomed ones on earth
Are all home there with You.
Wednesday, December 22, 2010
That Glorious Day!
Coming out of the week in which we Americans celebrate Thanksgiving as a national holiday, most of our country was enveloped by what is now called Black Friday and Cyber Monday. As buying and selling of goods in a somewhat frenzied manner is a predominant theme throughout the U.S. at this time of year, I am yet thankful for the freedom we have to rejoice in our Savior as our hearts are turned toward the time of His incarnation over two thousand years ago
While given the privilege to worship Him in spirit and in truth through the writing of poetry and songs, I continue to be amazed in Him and the unspeakable gift we have in Him as His people. He truly giveth, and giveth, and giveth again. That God would become flesh, and dwell among us, and in His humiliation give Himself as the one sacrifice to save us from our sins is beyond comprehension apart from His free gift of grace. Out of all the gifts He so freely gives, the greatest of these is Himself.
God Is Love, He never faileth, working all things together for our good and His infinite glory. Praise be to our Almighty God and Savior, Jesus our King!
While reading an article from the Desiring God blog on Monday (11/29/10), I was taken up by some of the words quoted from Jonathan Edwards Miscellanies #186, and then in continuance with the reading of 1st Timothy 3:16, the following came to mind.
Tis so congruous that it should be so
That God Himself, we would come to know.
That He as man would take on our form,
Through Jesus that His praise be the norm.
For when at birth--that glorious day;
Our King had come our sins to slay.
How great indeed we now confess,
This--the myst'ry of godliness.
As in the flesh God was revealed,
Justified in the Spirit, salvation then sealed.
Seen of angels, preached to gentiles.
Tis Jesus who brings upon us God's smile.
Believed on in the world, taken to glory
Up where the Father reveals us His story.
And by His Spirit we praise til the shout,
Then like Him we'll be--is how we'll turn out.
May you know His tender love by faith with a pure conscience this Christmas,
Michael & Dianna
While given the privilege to worship Him in spirit and in truth through the writing of poetry and songs, I continue to be amazed in Him and the unspeakable gift we have in Him as His people. He truly giveth, and giveth, and giveth again. That God would become flesh, and dwell among us, and in His humiliation give Himself as the one sacrifice to save us from our sins is beyond comprehension apart from His free gift of grace. Out of all the gifts He so freely gives, the greatest of these is Himself.
God Is Love, He never faileth, working all things together for our good and His infinite glory. Praise be to our Almighty God and Savior, Jesus our King!
While reading an article from the Desiring God blog on Monday (11/29/10), I was taken up by some of the words quoted from Jonathan Edwards Miscellanies #186, and then in continuance with the reading of 1st Timothy 3:16, the following came to mind.
Tis so congruous that it should be so
That God Himself, we would come to know.
That He as man would take on our form,
Through Jesus that His praise be the norm.
For when at birth--that glorious day;
Our King had come our sins to slay.
How great indeed we now confess,
This--the myst'ry of godliness.
As in the flesh God was revealed,
Justified in the Spirit, salvation then sealed.
Seen of angels, preached to gentiles.
Tis Jesus who brings upon us God's smile.
Believed on in the world, taken to glory
Up where the Father reveals us His story.
And by His Spirit we praise til the shout,
Then like Him we'll be--is how we'll turn out.
May you know His tender love by faith with a pure conscience this Christmas,
Michael & Dianna
Tuesday, December 21, 2010
Lord We Want to Worship You
Michael E. Wood
December 8, 2010
While working on a personal song tract for my beloved wife Dianna, my thoughts were toward thanksgiving to our Lord for all the gifts of praise He has given in song and my thoughts were given up to Him in desire to worship Him. The following came over the course of the day as a result.
(Begins with Chorus)
Lord, I want to worship You.
Help me by Your Spirit to
Give You all the praise that's due.
Lord I want to worship You!
As one You chose with all before
Creation through the cross You bore
To show the Father's love in store
For all who bow and You adore.
(Chorus)
The One who by our sins was torn
The Lamb by whom we now are borne.
You saved us from our pride and scorn
When from the grave You rose that morn.
(Chorus)
The One on whom the angels gaze.
Cry Holy, Holy all their days.
When with them, we shall stand amazed,
And all perfected, worship raise.
(Chorus)
Til then, we'll look by grace in light,
By faith to walk now in Your sight.
Then clothed by You in purest white,
We'll worship You with all our might!
(Final Chorus)
Lord, we want to worship You.
Help us by Your Spirit to
Give You all the glory due.
Lord, we want to worship You!
December 8, 2010
While working on a personal song tract for my beloved wife Dianna, my thoughts were toward thanksgiving to our Lord for all the gifts of praise He has given in song and my thoughts were given up to Him in desire to worship Him. The following came over the course of the day as a result.
(Begins with Chorus)
Lord, I want to worship You.
Help me by Your Spirit to
Give You all the praise that's due.
Lord I want to worship You!
As one You chose with all before
Creation through the cross You bore
To show the Father's love in store
For all who bow and You adore.
(Chorus)
The One who by our sins was torn
The Lamb by whom we now are borne.
You saved us from our pride and scorn
When from the grave You rose that morn.
(Chorus)
The One on whom the angels gaze.
Cry Holy, Holy all their days.
When with them, we shall stand amazed,
And all perfected, worship raise.
(Chorus)
Til then, we'll look by grace in light,
By faith to walk now in Your sight.
Then clothed by You in purest white,
We'll worship You with all our might!
(Final Chorus)
Lord, we want to worship You.
Help us by Your Spirit to
Give You all the glory due.
Lord, we want to worship You!
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