OH MY GOD In memory of Sept 11

OH, MY GOD
(c)2001 Stephanie Durand

Oh, America
In memory of those who died on September 11
In memory of God
who is banned from our schools and government buildings.
-----

Who did you call on
That fateful day in September
When New York was engulfed in smoke
And you saw people jumping
....for their lives
Did you cry out
"Oh, my God, Oh, my God, Oh, my God"



Did you see it on TV
The children in our schools across America
Holding signs that said
...."God Bless America,
.... God Bless America"
Did you watch them...running down those streets...
And cry out..."Oh,my God"

Did you hold hands with your neighbors
and pray out to God,
"Please God, protect us"

Oh, my God
A second plane has hit the towers
Oh, my God
Please....let them...be OK
Oh, my God
A plane is headed to the Pentagon
Oh, my God

Yes, our children can't say the pledge
Because God's name is in it
But
Wake up
America



Oh NO!
There's another plane
It's circling

One of God's children was on it
And he led them in prayer to his Father
It started off....Our Father...

America
It's time to roll....let's roll

Your children were allowed to hold signs
that said...God Bless America
in schools across our land

Americans, did you see it?

When his name was not allowed,
Did you think....Oh, my God!

Think back...who did you call on...when
the second plane was headed...to the pentagon

Did you pray with your children...

Ok America, he's banned from our schools
Don't put his name in front of our government buildings
But
When the towers came crashing down
And New York was engulfed in smoke

When you watched the scenes on your TV, did you cry out
"Oh, my God" "Oh, my God"
When your loved one was trapped in a building
Did you pray
"Please God! Let him....call me!
Please God"




Did you see on CNN in schools across our land
Children holding signs, children holding hands
Did you see thier signs...
"God Bless America, God Bless America"

Who did you call on
Did you say
"Oh, my God, Oh, my God
Help them! Oh, my God!"

When you found out...there
were children on those planes
Oh, my God, Oh, my God
Did you call on him?

Do you see, do you see,
Do you see...
what is going on in America

When the majority of their bodies were buried
in graves in our land,
But their bodies were in churches
and we held hands
....and prayed for them

Did you cry out to him
When the names of the missing
scrolled....and scrolled...and scrolled



Did you think
Oh, my God, Oh, my God

Did you pray that some of them were still alive
Did you cry out to God..."Please...Give them peace!"

America,
In God we trust...or do we
America,
In God we trust...or do we

His name is not allowed where we work..
...or in our schools
until....tragedy hits!

We are not allowed to pray to him aloud
until....tragedy hits

An airline....roars through our skies
And we see people running for their lives

And then....we are allowed to pray...out loud to him

America,
In God we trust...or do we?

Do you think he sees what we do...
When they banned his name...
Did you pray...please God
forgive them,
for they know not what they do!
forgive them Father...
for they know not what they do!
In God we trust.....
....or do we?

ON ANGELS WINGS (Father Manny)

ON ANGELS WINGS
(c) 1999 Stephanie Durand
*This one was also written during the times when I was writing after seeing Father Manny. This one was always disturbing to me beause it was so sad. I have included it because I was not really sure whether to include it or not. This was right before Columbine happened. Many shootings happened that year in schools, sad year for students.*
Dedicated after to students and parents and loved ones /Columbine

As Venus arises amist the sea of black
That covers the universe like clockwork
Time slowly chimes and rocks the souls of mankind
Questioning the redness of these streets
The seepage of tears from eyes of despair
While mothers soothe their babies in fear, and
Fathers drill their sons into careers of manhood.
What hellish days will lie ahead,
Our children are falling from shots of steel
Innocent souls are lost and carried away
On Angel's Wings.

HEADLINES

HEADLINES, in memory of Columbine
(c) 1999 Stephanie Durand

How many more headlines must we hear
How many more children will run in fear
While around the world the school bell's ring
Another child is carried away on angel's wings

They can read, they can spell, they can write
But do they know
Thou shall not kill,
They shall love thy neighbor

They can read, they can spell, they can write
But do they know how to survive,
do they know wrong from right

How many more headlines must we hear
How many more children will run in fear
While around the world the school bells ring
Another child is carried away on angel's wings

Let our children teach us...
to see what is in their troubled eyes
To hear the words they are speaking...in our ears
Are we really listening to their fears?

Open our hearts to the message
Open our hearts to your troubled children
Teach our children to teach us
Teach us to see their troubled eyes
Are we listening to them?
Their words are not lies

They can pass the tests....
but can they survive?
Are you listening to what they're telling you
Are you listening to their troubled lives?
Open our hearts to what they are telling us
Open our eyes to the words that they say
They are not lies,
Can they survive?

How many more headlines must we hear
How many more children ...will run...in fear
While around the world
Our school bells' ring
Another child...should not be carried away
on Angels' wings

Listen to our children...
hear their cries, their troubles, their fears
and how to see beyond their troubled eyes.

Guide us to the resources, the ways, the knowledge
we need ...to be the mentors
we are all need to be....

JAMESTOWN (Father Manny)

JAMESTOWN
(c)2002, Stephanie Durand, November


Jamestown
Pilgrims of the New World
That sailed the darkness of the night
Arriving at the dawn to a new light
Setting forth unto land untoiled
For the glory of our King, the Lord, the Almighty
Faith was their guide in the wind
For the ship with the children, women, and men.
Disciples of our Lord, the glorious multitude of children
Aboard the Mayflower.
They arrived, they blessed the land
They had the world in their hand.
They build upon rock
and give thanks and praise
For the fruits of their harvest.
the soil they tilled, both with faith and hands in
God's New World.
Men of wisdom and women of faith.
Children, the fruits that they bore
Together gave praise to their Lord.
The cobblestones were placed,
The pumpkins were harvested, the grains of seeds
were planted,
For a nation.
A nation to come,
From fruits of the harvest,
The Lord's chosen apostles who bult their
Houses upon rocks of faith,
And seeds of love.
Seek first his name, and the glory
of the New World and a New Kingdom
will be fullfilled, until
the seed is uprooted.
The seed of faith,
The stones were placed,
the hands that tilled the soil,
the rocks they built upon,
will be torn down by nations,
that so gave thanks to the Pilgrims of Praise,
and honor and faith.
For the glory of the seed that harvested the
fruits of wealth and prosperity,
of great men,
of unity,
until,
man
forgets
what he
was originally
giving thanks to,
and dishonoring his
forefathers, who sailed the darkenss of the night
to see the dawn of a new light,
searching for a place to honor and glorify
their King, thier Lord, the great I Am.
So, November,
we remember,
the brave and the faithful
Apostles of God

God blessed America
In God we Trust,
Or do we? Has the seed been removed.
Have the stones been thrown to sea?
Has the soil become infected?
Have we built our homes on sand that could wash away?
Have we read the Pilgrim's story?
Have we read about their covenant with God?

November, 2002
____________________________________________
STORY BEHIND THIS POEM

(2002) Before I wrote this poem, I only knew a little about the Pilgrims. I knew they had fled for religious freedom, but I did not know all that I found out after writing this one. This poem became like a bible study for me. I certainly had no desire to write about Jamestown...but i kept hearing words, "Jamestown, stones,.." what? I thought. I knew it had to be written, so later that night, I put on my music, and waited...and then began to type. Nothing made sense to me (like usual) at first, as I was writing. Nothing was rhyming, and the words did not seem to match the story I knew about the Pilgrims. I just had never heard of them being "Apostles" like the Canaan's/Israel. I knew they were called "Puritans/Separatists" but not Christians. The key words that seemed important after I wrote were: Jamestown, Rock, Stones, Unity, Bringing Light to the Darkness, Apostles of God. In my search for after writing I found: they boarded that ship and said goodbye to their friends in search of a world where they could spread the Gospel, the Word of God, to others and to be an example for the whole world. The Indians were converted and their ways became more civilized and even the old asked to be saved. One asked, "Am I too old?" and they told him "No!" God blessed them with a HARVEST of food and a generation of people that would later become "the superpower"- "the melting pot"- people fled from their countries to come and get what we were blessed with - the blessings, the harvest, the fruit of the covenant that the Pilgrims made with God and sailed with faith and prayers, along with fear. They prayed for God's guidance on the sea. They knew he would lead them to the land he promised, "The Promised Land" he had chosen for them! Isn't that awesome! The "stones" I found out were His Words. The "unity" I found out was the unity of their belief and faith that they would honor Him and trust Him and let Him guide their ways. The "seeds" were not only corn and vegetables; the "seeds" were the spread of Christianity. Thanksgiving was not a celebration of food, but a celebration of fulfilling what they believed God had told them to do and now as promised to his people, he blessed them with "much food, a harvest!

EYE OF THE STORM (Father Manny)

EYE OF THE STORM - Part I
(c)2004 Stephanie Durand

I wrote this one when my life was perfect! Little did I know, just a couple of years later, i would face the worst "hurricane" of my life...the "worst storm" I ever went through. I did have to do much of what this poem talked about and it amazes me reading it now...but i must say...there is not one person that does not go through some test, some trial, some tribulation, and it is definately not easy to still believe that God is in control when we have so many questions about "why" something happens to us...BUT...we CANNOT lose hope, our faith, or our trust in HIM, we must stand still "in our faith" even if the ground is shaking below us! We must hold on! We must have patience, which is so hard sometimes, but it is the only way, and we have to pray, pray, pray, and continue to pray, and don't give up!-------------------------

In the eye of my storm in my life
The winds were picking up speed
It was a category five.

My world was spinning around and around and around
Then the eye of the storm came...
and I sat down in the silence and cried
Where should I run?
Where should I hide?
In this storm of my life

The winds were howling around me
I did not know where to run
I did not know where to hide
Then I looked up
The Lord had heard my cry!

"You have to leave everything behind
and run to me," he said
So, I blew everything I had to the wind
I reached out to my savior
I reached out to him

I crawled through the wind
I could hardly see
The debris was ALL around me

He said, "Push it to the side
and come to me"
"Come to me," he said

The rubble was so high
"It's like climbing a mountain to you," I cried
"I'm rumbling through the debris of my life,
A hurricane surrounds me and I do not know if I am strong
enough to survive."

My life was not forecasted to be like this
I was living in a hurricane, a category five
The winds were picking up speed around me
The dust was a whirlwind around me
and I could hardly breathe

Then the Lord reached down
and he breathed life back into me
and he said,
"Lay low, and crawl to me"

A hurricane surrounded me
It was not forecasted to hit yet
But here I am
Sitting in the rubble of my debris
He said, in the eye of the storm,
"Crawl to me, Let the wind take it all!"

So I started crawling
through the debris of my life,
I crawled, I crawled
It was so high
Then...in the darkness, I saw a Light

He said,
"Come, to me,
Crawl through the rubble!"

And through the rubble
I could see the LIGHT ...
I crawled FASTER!
He said,
"That's right, my child, keep coming forth to me,
I will SAVE YOU! I will set you free"

I continued to pray and crawl through the rubble,
I crawled through the rubble, and in the light,
he reached out to me,
Out I came and
He breathed life back into me!

I let the wind take it all! and I went to Him!
My Savior!
and His word set me free, His promise of holding on to me,
comforted me when it was too dark to see,
His light guided my path through the darkness,
a darkness that I never thought I would see.

-------------------------------------------
Looking back, this storm that blindsided me
taught me so much about life and raging seas
He IS the rock that rises in the stormy seas,
He IS the calm in every storm,
He IS our light
He LONGS to be our savior if we trust in thee.

Amen
when we cannot see

YOUR SON - GIVE HIM GOD

YOUR SON - GIVE HIM GOD
(c)2005 Stephanie Durand
(written for a mother I met who's son was "lost" and she didn't know how to help him...years later, he is doing very well and their bond is so much stronger! Teenage years are tough for teenagers and their parents, but we have to try to understand our children's concerns, fears, and sadness and really listen, and continue to pray for them... and for us ..to have wisdom and keep them filled with hope, and not despair, and teach them to pray for themselves and others)

Your son,
Do you worry about him when you lay your head down at night?
Your son,
Do you not know what you see when you look into his eyes?
Is the pain behind the look too hard for you to bear inside?

Have you given him everything in his life
that a mother could give
But have you given him....God...to turn to

Do you not understand the pain you see in his eyes
Can you not reach him though you have tried

Can he turn to Jesus when his life is not going right
When he moves out, will he know who to turn to when he
is alone at night

Give your child the peace, the everlasting life,
Let him call on Jesus, when he hurts and cries at night

A friend to turn to...a savior to call on
when he is alone at night

THE SEED (Father Manny)

THE SEED
(c) 2003 Stephanie Durand


God said, "Take this seed,
Plant it, Nourish it, Watch it Grow
Love it, Rejoice in it,
Release it and Watch it Grow

This seed I give to you,
A part of me, now a part of you
A part of mankind
Teach him love and kindness
and watch it grow

Hold his hand, teach him to stand,
Teach him about the world
Teach him about happiness and joy
Teach him about sorrow and pain
Teach him about me and watch him grow

Teach him to give and teach him to receive
Watch over him like only a mother can,
Protect him and be his shadow,
and follow him where he goes.

For one day, when all the lessons have been taught,
and his guidance leads his way
He will always know how to get there
For you have taught him how to pray

A man with his own shadow now,
and a seed of his own,
To plant, and nourish, and rejoice in,
and teach her the lessons he was taught
To love, protect, and cherish
and look up above for guidance
and she too, shall grow.

______________________________

I wrote this when my son was about 15. His is now 21 and has a little girl :) God just made me smle with this one!

I'M NOT WORTHY YET (Father Manny)

I'M NOT WORTHY YET
(c) 2002 Stephanie Durand

Holy is the one
Who called me by name
Holy Lord, I called out
As out of the darkess, I came

Crying out to you, Jesus!
I'm tossing it in a pile at your feet
I'm discarding my old, tattered robe
I'm running to you so weak!

I'm trying, Jesus
To get to you as fast as I can
I'm tripping, Jesus
For I have the flesh of a man

I'm not perfect yet, Lord
I'm not worthy, I called out in shame
He said, "Come, my child, broken,
For I have heard you cry out my name.

Come dirty, for the blood of my
Father's covenant will clean your weary soul
Come ashamed, my son,
For my Father will make you whole.

My father knows his sheep have wandered
But he is calling out to them
To listen to the voice of the Shepard
Instead of chasing the wind.

Come as you are now, my son, dirty and unclean,
Come and let me cleanse you of your sin.
For your heavenly Father has been waiting
So every patiently to hold you in his arms again.

And say to you "Welcome Home, My Son"


________________________________________
--November 15, 2002, after Father Many

THE STRONGEST MAN (Father Manny)

THE STRONGEST MAN
(c)2004 Stephanie Durand

One day in church
I saw a man down on his knees
I saw him put his hands up
and
He cried out to God
To put the pieces back together in his life,
To heal...his family, his children, his marriage, his wife


To the alter...I watched him walk
His head he bowed, and he silently talked
to God
And as I watched the tears roll down his face
I saw the heavens open up and pour down on him
our Father's love, His mercy and His grace

You think a man can't cry and ask for help
But that man
He was the strongest man I've seen in my life
He bowed his head at the alter
for everyone to see
He begged for God to set them free
He thanked him for His son, and all that was sarcrifed
and I knew...
I had just seen one of the strongest men I'll ever see in my life

THE LITTLE BOY

THE LITTLE BOY
(c)2003 Stephanie Durand

There is a little boy
who cries himself to sleep at night
He tries so hard
to be the little man
his father wants him to be

But without fail
The child comes rushing out of him

And his father doesn't understand
That he is not yet a man
And sometimes he fights
His will is strong

But he still...cries himself to sleep
at night,
Because his father doesn't understand how hard
he tries
To fight the little child that comes out sometimes

He is just a little boy
who needs hugs and loving words from his father,
who needs his father to understand....that he is only a little boy
many years away from being that strong man
his father yearns and wants for him to be
For his father's heart to always realize
that he is only three
and that his little hand needs to be held
and those tears need to comforted and wiped away
for one day that little boy will be no more
and his daddy will look back and yearn for that far away day
When his little boy was only three
When the simple things like baseballs, frogs, and little trucks
made his little heart so happy and free

SURRENDER (Father Manny)

SURRENDER
(c)2003 Stephanie Durand

Are you tired?
Do you cry yourself to sleep at night?
Is the pain too deep in your life?
Have you lost...your family...your child...your wife?
Have the pieces of your life fallen apart?
Do you cry at night?
Do you feel alone? Do you feel lost in this world?
When you lay your head down...at night

Did you know when you lay your head down at night
That your heavenly father sees your tears
He feels your sorrow...he is so near

Surrender....

Did you know...that God feels your pain
Did you know...that God longs to wrap his arms around you again
He longs to help you pick up the pieces of you life
Save your family....your child....your wife

Some say that a man shouldn't cry
Some believe it's in a man
to fight the way he feels inside

But a real man surrenders his feeling
A real man can give it all up to God
When he can't fight anymore
and he's choked up inside
And he feels the tears about to come down
He can give it all up to God

He can surrender
He can give up the fight
It's alright, he can cry out to God

It takes a strong man to surrender
and not fight the feelings
he feels inside
To let the tears roll down his face
When he prays to God
Surrender
It's ok
You don't have to fight anymore
Let him into your life

Surrender to God
Surrender to God

Let it all come out when you pray to him
Let the tears...come down
Surrender your family, your child, your wife,
And at his feet,
Surrender, "your" life

GATEKEEPERS (Father Manny)

GATEKEEPS OF THE LIGHTHOUSES
(c)2002 Stephanie Durand

Calling all Gatekeepers,
The Lighthouse is open
The beams of light have flooded the waters
Come, climb up and take a look around
For the waves are about to come ashore.
Stand gaurd in your lighthouse.
Hold your lights high and shine them across the nations
The beams of light have flooded the land
The sand below is still and damp
Stay atop the lighthouse and wait
The lighthouse is your guide through the dark nights
The lights, can you see them
Shining from nation to nation
From sea to sea
The lights are shining
The lights are infiltrating the earth, beaming through to the floors
of the ocean, through the core of the earth,
Stay in the lighthouse,
Continue to beam across the sea from nation to nation to nation to nation
Hold them high and keep them lit
Day after day after day after day
Night, day, night, day, keep the lights on
The Lord's hand is infiltrating through the light
Lifting the nations up
Higher, he says,
Lift the lights higher for the whole world to see
Higher, he says
Let each nation see even if it is only a ray
Infliltrating their shore, the beams of light
have energy that can move mountains,
Energy that can overcome all, the energy of the world
Is in the light,
The light of the Lord
Will infliltrate the world
Hold them high for our Lord,
And stay atop the Lighthouse,
Do not waver them, shine them,
Glory be to the heavens here on earth,
For the stars on land
That shine for the world to see.
Rejoice, rejoice, the stars of the lighthouse
Are energy and will never go out.
November 13, 2002
one of first poems after Father Many

2013 - editing - Bible verse I opened to:
Isaiah 58:8-10
"Then your light will break forth like the dawn, and your healing will quickly appear; then your righteousness will go before you, and the glory of the Lord will be your rear guard.  Then you will call, and the Lord will answer; you will cry for help, and he will say: Here I am.  If you do away with the yoke of oppression, with the pointing finger and malicious talk, and if you spend yourselves in behalf of the hungry and satisfy the needs of the oppressed, then your light will rise in the darkness, and your night will become like the noonday."

LET YOUR LOVE RAIN DOWN (Father Manny)

LET YOUR LOVE RAIN DOWN
(c) 2002 Stephanie Durand


Long ago...I was told
Jesus died for our sins
I was told...if I would ask
He would wash me of my sins

There would be peace
Like the rain that falls from the sky

Let your love rain down on me!
Rain wash over me!
Cleanse me of my sin
Let your love rain down on me!

I was told that is why he hung from the cross
on the hill
He did not...shed a tear
The pain...he endured...for me

Let your love rain down on me!
Rain wash over me!
Cleanse me of my sin
Let your love rain down on me!

PRAYER OF LIGHT (Father Manny)

PRAYER OF LIGHT
(c)2002 Stephanie Durand

Lord, renew my mind
And teach me your ways
Walk with me through the shadows
That I may face each day

Guide me with your wisdom and truth
When I begin to fall,
So I can tell the world how
I rose up and stood tall

Divinely inspire me when
my well has run dry.
Hold me close to you when
you hear me cry

Let your kingdom reign in me
For all the world to see
Let me shine your light
From sea to shining sea.

Amen

DO YOU DRINK (Father Manny)

DO YOU DRINK?
(c)2002 Stephanie Durand
Dedicated to those struggling with alcholism and to families helping their loved ones through this disease. May God guide you and protect you always. There is no problem too big for God to help you through. You must want his help with a sincere desire in your heart. He knows the desires of our heart, even when our flesh fails us. He is a merciful God. He is a caring God. He is a loving God. He is near to you and your family, waiting to lift you up and heal you!

Do you drink? says the Lord
Do you think that I don't see?
Do you drink? says the Lord
Remember child, it's me

Do you drink, says the Lord
To hide from the pain and tears?
Do you drink? says the Lord
When you have things you fear?

Do you drink? says the Lord
From my cup, or your own?
Do you drink? says the Lord
When you get home?

Do you drink? says the Lord
When your days do not go right?
Do you drink? says the Lord
Whether it be morning or night?

Lay it down, says the Lord
Lay it down by my feet
Lay it down, my child
No, you are not weak.

You are my child, says the Lord
For that I am well pleased
You are my child, says the Lord
Your pain, I can ease.

I'll show you how, my child
Lay your troubles at my feet,
Hold my hand for awhile
and Trust in me.

I have been here all the while
Trust me, my child,
I have already forgiven you
Cry to me, my sweet one.

Lay your head in My Lap
Let me hold you near
It is only a choice, my dear.
Let me wipe away those tears.

I am your Father
I love you
For you, I gave my only son
So for you, a new day will soon come too

I will heal the scars that hurt inside
if you will only come to me for a while
So give it up, says the Lord
Give it all up to me

And I will raise you up
and from my love,
you will drink
from a new cup.

Salvation is a gift for all,
no matter the sin
All I ask is that you repent
and let me in.
........
But go and learn what this means: ‘I desire mercy, not sacrifice.’ For I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners.”
Matthew 9:12-14

“Because of your great compassion you did not abandon them in the wilderness. By day the pillar of cloud did not fail to guide them on their path, nor the pillar of fire by night to shine on the way they were to take.
Nehemiah 9:18-20

The LORD is compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, abounding in love.
Psalm 103:7-9

FATHER OF CREATION (Father Manny) Tears To Treasures - ProLife Song

FATHER OF CREATION (still editing)
(c) 2004 Stephanie Durand
dedicated to Tears to Treasures/Right to Life


You are the father of creation
Who holds my little child
You hold him up for the world to see
That creation is not a choice
Though I thought it was for me

But your glory and love healed my scars
Lord, you comforted me and forgave me
Lord, you loved me and held me close
Lord, you wiped away my tears

I sing for joy now as I walk with you
Lord, you have lifted me up
Lord, you have given my child back to me
Thank you for renewing my life, Lord
And letting my child be with me

My father of Creation
Who holds my child for the world to see
That creation is not a choice
Though I thought it was for me

My Father of Creation
Who holds my little child for the world to see
Your kingdom is filled with children
Children that you have set free...
Who thought that creation was... a choice
Children just like me

Your love surrounds me
As I walk for you
I walk for the children
for others to see
That our Lord is the Creator
Who came to set us free

Our Lord is the....Creator
Who came to set us free
Who holds up our little children
For the world to see
that creation is not a choice
Though I thought it was...for me

Your love remains with me
Lord, you live with me
You lifted me up
So I could walk with you
So I could walk for the children
For the world to see
That creation is not a choice
It never was for me


You are the Father of Creation
Who holds the children....for the world to see
That creation is not a choice
It never was for me
Your love surrounds me..
The children...who are now set free
Children just like me

WHY YOU SENT JESUS DOWN by Brittany Whatley (Father Manny)

WHY YOU SENT JESUS DOWN (c)Brittany Whatley, 8 years old

(Brittany was eight years old when she wrote this. A few days before "her poems" we had went to a healing mass with Father Manny. I was composing at the computer when she asked if she could sing some songs. I typed what she said after I listened. She recorded five songs that day. It never happened again, just this one day. Her songs were powerful for an eight year old, brought tears to our eyes, and I will always treasure her little voice on those CD's singing these words!)

I know that you died for our sins
And I know how you died on the cross
So think of us and try to forgive us
For all the things we have done
Don't let the sharks get to us
Tell the dolphins to save us

Just remember, I know
that I have been told
I know that Jesus came to teach us
But there was no way for you to..
So, you sent Jesus down
To tell us for you

Now we are thankful
When you came and tried to tell us
People didn't know
And when they heard the news
You sent Jesus down for us
And to bring us to you
And how they were surpised
We were all so thankful

It had to do with our sins
And how you forgave us
We were so thankful for Jesus
For him to come down
We opened our eyes and seen the light
And also...Jesus
And oh, how you love us
Now I know how you died on the cross
Now I know you love us more than anything
And how you love us more than anything
and
I love you too

MARY'S CHILDREN by Brittany Whatley (Father Manny)

MARY'S CHILDREN
(c)2003 Brittany Whatley, 8 years old

Oh God, now I know why you tell Mary
to talk to the children
And let you do the rest
Now I know why you love us
more than anything else

You built me and everyone
Now I know why you want Mary
to talk to the children...
They need to know too
About Mary and you

Now I know why you know all this stuff
because you built this earth and heaven and everyone

And I know about you
and I know I know you

Sometimes I know it hurts
It's not just the friends you have
It's everybody around the earth

It is about the people who don't have houses
And don't have any food
He sends special people to take care of us
And tell us more about Jesus

No one is special people

Tell the people more about you
Tell the children around you
Hug them tight and don't let go
Go and tell them why you sent them here
To teach them all about
anything you would want them to know

Don't let them be upset
Don't let them be in the dark
Just let them be in the lighthouse
Bring them to the beach
You know where to go
You know where to go
Go the the lighthouse
To the light

THE CONVERSATION (Father Manny)

THE CONVERSATION
(c)2004 Stephanie Durand


Has the Lord spoken to you
Do you know his voice?
Are you ready to have a conversation with him

The Great Almighty will listen and bow his head
He will sigh and rejoice in a way that only the Lord can

And he will ask you
Do you know my son?

Do you believe I sent my son to save you
Do you understand how many sins he died for

Has the Lord spoken to you
Do you know his voice

For every sin that caused you pain
For every sin that made you ashamed
I sent my son to die...for your sins
Do you understand...how many...sins...he DIED for

Do you believe I sent my son to SAVE you

Do you accept my son as your friend and YOUR SAVIOR
Do you accept MY SON as your friend and YOUR SAVIOR

Has the Lord spoken....to you?
Do you know his....voice...

COME MY CHILDREN

COME MY CHILDREN
(c)2003 Stephanie Durand

Come my children and run to me
When the waters are deep....Run to me
When the tide of tears come ashore for you...Run to me
When life is just too hard for living...Run to me
When all around you have given up on you...Run to me
I am your heavenly father
My arms await your soul...your living flesh
Peel away the pain, the torment, the loneliness
And run to me...I am waiting for you
I am waiting to wash away the pain, the guilt, the shame
Learn from my son
Whose mortal body lay wretched on the cross in agony
Your body is hanging on the cross right now
It is time to come down and receive your glory
Wipe off the blood of sin...Take off your thorns of despair
Heal your cuts and bruises, wash them, clean them,
and take care of them with the Holy Spirit
and run to me.
Run with your tattered body...It is time to heal.
Call out my name and I will come to you.
I am the peace, the everlasting life,
I am your will to live.
Your cross can be carried for your glory awaits you
Yes, it is heavy, and yes, it is dirty,
It is a burden to carry that cross through life
But you will know when you can take that cross,
and clean it, and it will shine like the heavens for everyone to see
For that cross I gave to you...for you alone have to carry it
For you alone have to decide when to lay it to rest
I have always been here waiting for you,
Run now...with all of your human strength and
Do not look back.

MARY

MARY
(c)2004 Stephanie Durand


Mary
What a gift you gave to the world
You carried the lamb

Mary
God had a purpose for your life
Your son's light would shine forever

Mary
Did you walk for all the mothers
to see
What a special gift the children can be

Mary
How you must have cried
When your son, on the cross, died

Mary
How you must have rejoiced
When he rose
To his father

Mary
Your tears must have been like rain
Your smile....
When he ROSE

MY JESUS

MY JESUS
(c)2004 Stephanie Durand
(written for a man i met who had decided to accept God's forgiveness! He still struggled with some things, but 10 years later after writing this, he life has definately been "transformed" and he shares what he has been through and he helps others know that they do not have to be "perfect" to turn to God, he wants you as you are, and then He will help you...to turn your life around. The strength to change comes from Him, so never be afraid if you are not living the "perfect" life to accept God's forgiveness and let Him come into your heart.)

My Jesus
How I give thanks to you
You have given my life back to me
You have blessed me with your love and forgiveness
You loved me when I could not love myself

You healed my scars when I thought they were too deep
You carried me when I could barely walk
You listened to me when I could hardly talk

When the pain was so unbearable
You gave me the strength to call upon you
You guided me here
You had a plan for me when I thought I was lost

You held my hand when I was ashamed
You have forgiven me
I am loved
I am a child of God who art in Heaven
Whose peace reigns down on me
Who sent my savior to hold my hand
When I thought it was too dirty

I want to walk with you now
For I no longer have to be carried
I'm willing to share the Good News that your blood
was shed for my sin
I'm willing to hold someone else's hand now
Dirty or clean

Thank you Jesus

THE GREAT COUNSELOR

THE GREAT COUNSELOR
(this one was written after third visit with Father Manny) (c) 2003 Stephanie Durand

Close the doors,
The counselor is here
It is time for the meeting to begin
All that are ready,
Please come in.

The great counselor has
bowed his head and he
Has called us to meet with him
He has asked for your attention
Let the meeting begin.

Rejoice, for my son is coming
With arms wide open,
To receive the love of his life
It is a special day for him
For he has waited so patiently,
Through pain and tears,
He is now ready for the wedding
To begin.

His bride he has accepted and
He longs to receive her hand,
He is traveling again
to an awesome land.

His ring is mercy, love, and grace,
His cloak is simple and easy to embrace.
His walk is slow but steady for the day
When his bride is ready to take his hand and say,
"Rejoice, for my savior has come.
Look up, for thy Lord's will shall be done."

The wedding bells ring
Around the nations they are heard,
The echoes of the ringing are carried through the wind
For the wedding shall soon begin.

We will kneel and bow our heads,
We will worship the great King of our Land,
We will rejoice and shout for joy
And watch the son take his bride by the hand.

He has come to heal a nation
His glory will shine for all on earth to see,
The Prince of Peace takes his place
And we cry, "Lord, My King, We Will Worship Thee!"

The ringing is so glorious
That the angels bow down and pray,
And the apostles bow down and take their place
And the saints rise up and say.

Glory be to the great I Am, Glory be to the King of Kings
Glory by to the Maker of the Universe, Glory be to the Son of God,
Glory be to the Father, our God, How we have worshiped Thee!"

-------------------------

I cannot type this one without crying...I have not re-read it until now, 7 years later....I am moved in spirit and in love...this one is by far the hardest to read...I am humbled...this one was written after my 3rd visit to Father Manny ...Beckon the Birds, first and only after my first visit with Father Manny in 1992, then years later I saw him again, and I wrote hundreds, including this one.
This poem came very, very quickly and I could never read it without crying and do not really know why.  I did not know yet about the meaning of "bride" in the Bible, not fully anyway.  I did much research in my Bible after writing this one to understand this poem which, I must say, made me cry more. 

BECKON THE BIRDS (Father Manny)

BECKON THE BIRDS
(c) 1992 Stephanie Durand (My "first" spiritual poem!" after my first visit with Father Manny)

T'was the day as black as night,
Said the Lord, "Angels, take flight."
It is time for Peace on Earth to come
Call my children, one by one.

Beckon the birds, the water, the land,
Sweep this world unto my hand.
Judge them by I...
This day has come.
Weep for peace -
Thy Will Be Done

------------------------
This poem surprised me. I don't know how else to say it. I had never written Christian poetry before. I went show my neighbor. They came over and my house smelled like roses! I was quite shaken...both by poem and the smell of roses. My friends, my neighbors, said it sometimes happens when Mary is near. I didn't want to write for a long time, just didn't know what to think. I was about 22 years old at the time. Now I accept that when I visit Father Manny, I usually begin to write poems and songs shortly after, and it doesn't scare me! I know it is a good thing and my poems have brought others comfort and peace and a deeper closeness with God, so I am "open" to writing after my visits with Father Manny now that I am in my mid forties! It's been a blessing to others, so I just accept this "gift" and share when I can help others.

THE FALL

THE FALL
(c) 2004 Stephanie Durand

The king steps forward
and we fall,
Boom, goes the heavens,
and we fall.

And we fall,
Trembling with joy and peace
Tears flow down
each other's cheeks

And we fall
For we have seen what was prophesized to come
And we fall
For the day of the church unites in the lamb's kingdom

And we fall
For we have choosen to walk straight and with faith
Through the meadows
To the path of the kingdom's gate.

And we fall
With arms wide open to welcome the king
We fall
And watch as the groom presents the bride with her ring

We fall
We sing alleluia and praise to our Father,
We fall
And winds blow open the universe and clouds depart to show a glimpse
of the dawning of his son.
The one who had come to tell the world how to live,
How to please and worship the King, Abba,
The holy one.

Yes, we fall,
We fall and sing alleluia and praise to the heavens,
With the angels,
We fall,
We rise.

And we rise,
And we rise.

HE BREATHED LIFE

HE BREATHED LIFE
(c)2003 Stephanie Durand

When I hung my head in shame
His breath was so warm
I looked up at the sky as I cried
The clouds were floating by
I hung my head in shame
I held my head down as I cried
and there was....
a voice in the wind

...a voice in the wind

The waves sweep the sand
to usher in
the children who want to come home again

and there was...
a voice in the wind

And as I hung my head in shame,
He reached out to me,
I looked up at the sky, I reached out to him and
He lifted me out of the sea

When my face was wet with tears
I was drowning in my sin
He wiped them away

When I had so much guilt and shame
He took it all away

He resuscitated my soul,
He made my body whole
He pulled me from the sea
when I was drowning in my own sin,
He reached out to me,
I reached out to Him
...my Savior

His hand reached down to me,
He pulled me from the sea
when I was drowning in my sin,
He breathed life back into me!
He resuscitated my soul
and made my body whole
again....

The voice in the wind
was calling his children home to him
The voice in the wind
is calling all those who have sinned

I looked up, I reached for him
"God, I'm so cold...
God, I'm so weak"

His hand reached out to me
He lifted me out of the dark sea
He breathed life...back into me

He resuscitated my soul...
I was drowning in my own sin
He resuscitated my soul
and he made my body whole

Look up at me, for my child
I have heard your cry
Take my grace, my love, my son's life
it was His life that was sacrificed
on the hill, on the cross, he died for all
the sins of the world
by the blood of my son,
your sins are washed clean
Your body, the Holy Spirit can now enter
and give you everlasting life again!


March 24, 2014...
When adding biblical scriptures to my poetry, I just open the Bible and read the first thing I read.  I have never read Jonah before.  This is what I opened to..."Jonah's Prayer" I must say I am amazed what I opened to and how it matches this poem perfectly! Thank you Lord for showing me this and picking this verse to perfectly complete this poem. I am in disbelief of how much the message seems to be the same and can only humbly re-type this beautiful verse I just came across.


Jonah's Prayer
From inside the fish Jonah prayed to the Lord his God, He said:
"In my distress I called to the Lord, and he answered me
From the depths of the grave I called for help,
and you listened to my cry.
You hurled me into the deep, into the very heart of the seas,
and the currents swirled around me;
all your waves and breakers swept over me.
I said, 'I have been banished from your sight;"
yet I will look again toward your holy temple.
The engulfing waters threatened me, the deep surrounded me;
seaweed was wrapped around my head."
To the roots of the mountains I sank down;
the earth beneath barred me in forever.
But you brought my life up from the pit. O Lord my God.
"When my life was ebbing away, I remembered you, Lord,
and my prayer rose to you, to your holy temple."

OTHER WORLD

OTHER WORLD
(c)1982 Stephanie Durand


A grain of sand
that drifts out to sea
The parts of life
that were meant to be

A speckle of snow
that falls from the sky
A baby to be born;
a child that will die.

A single cloud
that floats all alone
A tiny bird
that has lost it's way home.

Dreams for the rich
and dreams for the poor
Some people have stars
they do not have wishes for

The cloud up above
you wish to be on
and dream up a world
and never come home.

HOLY, HOLY, ASLEEP IN A MANGER

HOLY, HOLY, ASLEEP IN A MANGER
(c)2003 Stephanie Durand

Holy, Holy, a savior is born
The lamb enters the kingdom of earth
The wise men know him,
They receive him,
and rejoice in his birth

Holy, Holy, God's promised one
Asleep in a manger
salvation has come

The Shepard, the lamb, lays quietly in a bundle of hay
The world is about to find out that salvation
is only one prayer away

Holy, Holy, God's promised one
Asleep in a manger
salvation has come

To the temple, the child later finds his way
To teach about his father and teach others to pray

Holy, Holy, a child is born,
a lamb grows strong and prepares to lead the way
Holy, Holy, the lamb will be slain
to take away the sins of the world
the lamb, he boars the pain

God's will shall be done
The lamb's here
Jesus has come

Holy, Holy, God's promised one
asleep in a manger
Salvation......has come

The lamb is here
Jesus has come

He prepares the way

GOD SENDS ANGELS TO YOU

GOD SENDS ANGELS TO YOU
(c)2003 Stephanie Durand

Have you felt the wind
Did you know that God sends
the wind to you

Did you know
the wind was...
the flutter of your
angel's wings
That God sends to you

They surround you...
they protect you...
Did you know
He sends ten thousand angels to you

And the wind
is the flutter
of your angel's wings

The wind will comfort you
in times of sorrow and pain
you feel in your life

Did you know...the wind was
the flutter
of your angels wings
that God sends down to you

Can you feel the wind of your angels
Do you have your eyes open
They surround you
Even though you can't see them
you can FEEL them

When you cry
...Be still
and FEEL the wind

Of your angels......

THE DARK IS NOT THE LIGHT

THE DARK IS NOT THE LIGHT
(c)2004 Stephanie Durand


The dark is not the light
and gold is not the same..as riches
Chosen but not following...
Following but not choosing

Choosing to see...and choosing to walk
And choosing to listen....and choosing to talk
Choosing to pray
As we walk for his life
That was chosen to walk for ours

The lamp went down to rise in the dawn
And sweep the world like a storm
We mourn but rejoice
in our Savior, our Lord

Whose walk left footprints
Whose blood ran down
Who died for us...for the world to see
That it is your choice...
to be set free

SMALL TOWN GIRL

Just a small town girl
livin in a great big world
A small town girl
by the grace of God
I am what I am
I found a friend to hold onto

He is thy maker
He is thy maker
My maker, the great I Am

A few steps toward my Jesus
and he grapped hold of me
It just takes a little faith to believe

King of all Kings
Maker of all things
I am who I am
because he is the great I Am
He is the king of all Kings
I am worthy, by the King of all kings
You are worthy, maker of all things,
You were never, ever, that far from me

He is the potter
and I am the clay
Mold me...my maker
Form me...to be who I am

Just one step in a new direction,
a few steps down a different road,
a big leap for the King of all Kings
breaking chains to set others free

Just a small town girl
livin in a great big world
honoring thy King,
thy maker, thy potter,
the Great I Am, thy Father
thy maker of ALL things!

DO OR DIE

DO OR DIE
(c)2004 Stephanie Durand

Are your eyes wide open
Do you make your choices in the wind
Life for you, or life with Him
Don't make that choice in the wind

He has spoken to you
Do you recognize Him?
Do you recognize your Savior,
your friend,

Can you think of the choices you've made in your life
Choices you've struggled to make,
choices you just made

Don't wait any longer, open your eyes
Eternity will come to an end
But your life will go on in heaven
Have you lived your life for Him

Choices can be made in the wind
It's a do or die....it's a fail or win
Has he spoken to you...Do you recognize him?
He can be your savior, your friend

Life for you...Life with Him
It's your choice he has given to you
Don't make your choice in the wind

Eternity will come to an end...
Have your lived your life for Him

It's a do or die
It's a fail or win
Has he spoken to you
Do you recognize Him
He's your savior, he's your best friend

Do you think he will wait forever
Can you wait ...forever for Him
Your eternity will come to an end
But your life can go on in heaven

___________
"I have seen all the works which have been done under the sun, and behold, all is vanity and striving after wind." Eccl 1:14

IN THIS SEASON, In Memory of Sept 11, 2001

IN THIS SEASON
(C) 2001 Stephanie Durand

Help us Jesus, to see the reason
for the tears and pain of this season
We bow our heads to you
to touch our lives and the lives who
Have spread their wings to soar to you
Our angels have left the earth
But we are renewed
To know that their trip will not be in vain
To know that though we cry like rain..
They have arrived at a place where love is abound..
They see light though they still feel ground..
Like an eagle, their souls will soar
Please God, let their souls be free...
and tell them..."Don't worry about me"
I trust my Lord, Whose shelter is my armor,
Who carries us in his arms today and tommorrow..
Like the beloved souls we've lost, help us to soar,
Help us to find peace in this time of horror,
Let us find you, if we have not,
for your love will stand, when the buildings will not.
We pray for peace across our land...
We pray for you to carry us...when we cannot stand
Your little ones, your children, cannot understand...
Please send angels to watch over them and hold thier little hand.
The President, please, guide and protect him, Lord...
For his is one man...who judgements and decisions will be hard
Don't let him sway, from the reason...
To have PEACE on earth
in this season....

God Bless America.
In God We Trust!

WINTERTIME

WINTERTIME
(c) 1986 Stephanie Durand


The snow covers the ground
It blankets the earth
Blissful white all around
Busy little hands
Create magical snowmen
Scarfs and carrot noses
Bring a chuckle and a grin
Smoke from a chimney
Drifting every so high
Logs burning in the fire
To keep us snug and dry
Wintertime has come
The chill is in the air
What a wonderful time of the year!

A FATHER'S LOVE (Father Manny)

A FATHER'S LOVE
(3)2003 Stephanie Durand

His only son, he sacrificed for us all
Atop a hill, he claimed us all

His children, each and everyone
He loves us so much that his son hung
....for this love

His son's love
for all mankind,
who healed the sick,
and gave sight to the blind

Came here to earth
to find his father's sheep who had strayed
He covered all his father's children's sin
on the cross that day

His father's will for his life was clear
His mother watched as he bore the pain
His purpose here in his father's land
was unfolding on the dirt road,
where to the hill, he was slain

Tell the ones who still do not know
the story of his undying love...
for all mankind on kingdom earth
and why his son, Jesus Christ, shed his blood

It was for them,
for their sin,
so they could go to the cross
and transform their lives and
with a fresh start,
begin again
....
Set free from the bondage of sin
Set free from the pain within
Set free to smile again!
For Jesus paid for their sin!
It's gone, it's over, it's forgotten
when they let His Holy Spirit "in"
.........

IN THE DARKNESS

IN THE DARKNESS
(c)2003 Stephanie Durand

In the darkness, I knelt down in prayer
to my Father, the Great I Am

Forgive me Father, I have the flesh of man
I have sinned in your holy land

In the darkness, I cried out in shame
and in the darkness, my Father came

And he spoke these words to me
"My child, you are forgiven when you forgive yourself.
You are forgiven, because you came to me,
go now, for you....have been set free"

In the darkness, I knelt down in prayer
to my Father, the Great I Am

Forgive me father, I cried out in shame
I have the flesh of man
I have sinned in your holy land

And in the darkness, my Father came
and in the darkness, I saw a light

The light of my Lord was...on me
the light of the Great I Am...my savior...was on me

"Go now, my child, you have been set free,
for you have called on me,
though you have sinned in my holy land
You are forgiven...and you are free

In the darkness, I saw a light
In the darkness, when I knelt down in prayer
to my father....the Great I Am

When I cried out in shame,
in the darkness, my Father came

My Father's light was on me...
I was now...set free

Thank you Father...

FOUND

FOUND
(C)2004 Stephanie Durand
(written after visiting someone who was in rehab. in the family/group therapy sessions, i saw so many young women whose stories broke my heart. Every Sunday, the whole group was brought to church on a bus...some had never been to church, had never prayed before...i saw a "light" of hope in thier eyes and you could see that their hearts were being "softened" and they were beginning to accept and believe that with His strength, they could get better and be drug-free. One in particular, began to wear a chain with a gold cross on it to remind her everyday how near God was to her...and she was starting to accept His love even when she didn't yet love herself. She said the necklace gave her strength and she would touch it often. She still had a lot of work to do, but she had a new hope, and a stronger faith that God was with her, and as long as she stayed close to Him, she would continue to gain self-control and strength in her ability to change her life for the better. Six years later....she still wears this cross as her daily reminder and has given her children one too!)
--------------------

Oh, Father,
you found me on the side of the road
and you told me to get in.
But I was afraid to believe
that you had always been right there beside me
while I had walked "my roads"
because then I would have to live up to the things I had done

But oh, how I was hungry, and oh, how I was dirty
and oh, how I just needed a rest

You said, "Get in, my sweet, and I'll do the rest,
I'll carry your burdens, I'll carry your shame,
I'll carry you now...like I always have..
I'll clean your dirty face, I'll feed your hungry heart...
I'll listen to your woes and your fears...if only you'll just get in.
Let's ride for a while and I'll let you rest...I'll just drive and you just rest."

Oh, how I wanted to rest, and oh, how I needed a friend.

"I'm dirty, I'll get in the back," I said.

"No, my child, come lay your head by me....in case you weep,
in case you cry out in your sleep,
that's what Father's do, and I have been looking so long for you...
I found you and I'll never let you go again
if you promise to give up your sin.
I forgive all and I've loved you always!
I've longed for your love, I've missed our little talks when you were a little girl

Come rest
and we will finish the journey,
when you awake,
with it, to the world....
you will take,
My loving arms, my resting place,
my peace....and my "driving" place,

Pick them up when they are standing by the roads of hurt,
watch how they look and don't know which way to go,
Let them get in with you, and just drive for a while!
Let them rest and then tell them what you know

tell them I AM
Tell them I AM HERE
Tell them I AM NEAR

Tell them I AM....WAITING....to give them peace
and all good things
Tell them Who I AM

TATTERED SHOES

TATTERED SHOES
(c)2004 Stephanie Durand

Whose tattered shoes have you walked in today
has it been your own
Whose homeless shelter have you visited today
has it been your own

Have you left behind your heart and soul
reaching for your dreams
Have you left behind your loved ones
reaching for your stars

How much longer will this road be...that you travel
How much longer before you stop...and look around
How will you handle thier lost love for you
How will you feel when they do it to you

Whose tattered shoes have you walked in today
Whose heart have you led astray
Perhaps it may be your own
Have you not given your children...a home to call home
in your hurried and business-like life

Have you forgotten the gifts from above
stay for such a short time
Have you helped them to fly
when their wings are ready to soar
Will they return, and come home to momma's door

The pace of your journey can slow you down
The pace of your life can wreak havoc on those all around
Choose your streets carefully...
choose your love carefully
Don't be led astray by the choices of this world
for they can never bring you peace
hold on to what is true and yours

For God's gifts to you....you looked at in awe
and swaddled them when they arrived safe in this world
Don't run through this thing called life
Don't miss the moments of the early dawn
Don't miss your chance...to be the mom you were chosen to be
Dance with the little ones, Play with their dirty hands
Help them find peace and joy on this earth
while you can
Close your doors to lies of success and fame
and tell them why Jesus came
Then reach for your stars after you've reached the mountain
The stars will be right there, for you to grab
So, slow down, let go, and adjust your mind
to the peace of His road

REACH OUT

REACH OUT
(c)2003 Stephanie Durand

Reach out
Reach out...for what is yours

Kneel down...kneel down and pray
to your Lord
then reach out...reach out
for what is yours...in this life

Embrace what is yours
embrace the love around you
We all have eagles to ride
But your eyes have to be open
Your eyes have to be open
to your Lord

Soar above your troubles
like the wind
Kneel down and pray
Tommorrow will be...a brighter day

Reach out...jump high
and fly high
We all have eagles to ride

Pray for what is yours
And then...jump up...and fly high
Kneel down...pray
to your Lord
Then mount your eagle and fly....
For what is right
in your life
and for your Lord

OH, MY SON

OH, MY SON....come home
(c) 2004 Stephanie Durand
This was written when my friend's friend's son was in prison awaiting trial. I did not know him, but he and his parents were in my thoughts and prayers.


Man, my son...just look what you've done
your mother...you shamed
your father...you blamed
my son...what now
are you ready to come to me
are your knees weak

you've shunned my love...
you've shunned my face
you've used my name..
in disgrace

man, my son
how i've longed for you
to call on me
i saw you drowning in your sin,
you see

But you never thought about me
you thought I wasn't here
you thought I didn't care
but my heart bled...like my son's
for you..
my arms HURT from holding them out so long
to you...
but I never gave up
because...
i love you

so much

can you feel my love
can you feel my love

now
stay down
and look up at me
believe me, i have seen your tears
believe me, when i say i have cried with you
i have bled with you...i have FALLEN with you
just to pick you up
just to lift you up
just to have you home with me again
come home my son
please don't shun my call
don't leave me standing here like this
waiting.....i love you
i love you
i love you
Love, Your Father

JESUS CAME TO SAVE

JESUS CAME TO SAVE
(c)2004 Stephanie Durand

Jesus came to save
at whatever the cost
He came to save
the lonely, the scared,
all the sheep that are lost

The weak and the shameful
Those living in sin
The hurt, the scorned, the blameful,
all of God's children

His light he did leave,
for those who choose to believe
Those that have lost all
and for those who grieve

A beakon in a storm
when all the world is rockin
Listen very carefully
and you will hear him knockin

Break the chains
and open the door wide
for the Lord will come rushing
when he hears your cry

You will feel God's forgiveness
his love and his grace,
and he will wipe every tear
that falls from your face

He will comfort your soul,
and ease your fears
for in his hands,
he holds ALL of your tears

HE GAVE US

HE GAVE US
(c) 2004 Stephanie Durand


He gave the mountains...for peace
He gave the waves...for rest
He gave the flowers...for love
He gave the storms....for renewal
He gave the light...that we may see
He gave the moon...so that we may dream
He gave the oceans...that we may walk and hold hands
He gave the trees...for boundless growth
He gave the stars...for lights in darkness
He gave us streams...that we may play
He gave us rivers...to wash our sins away
He gave us roads...to show the way
He gave us friends...to help us along
He gave us angels...to guide and protect us
He gave us...of himself
A taste of freedom...a taste of spring
A taste of fall...and a taste of winter
Of spring...we slow down to smell His flowers
Of fall...we fall down to pray to him
Of winter...we cuddle up to find him when we go astray
He gave us fire...when His son came down
When our souls are burning up with sin....He gave his son
To soothe our flesh and begin again
To cool our thoughts...to cleanse our sin through our skin
To annoint our body with His love
To clean our souls, Jesus lost his blood
Jesus, the giver of life, the peace of this world
Oh, you gave us all....and it's but a choice to recieve your Word
Words of freedom, of spring, of fall, of winter,
and every season we enter
For with every season...we are renewed
For with every season...we find you
Amen

DO YOU KNOW ME

DO YOU KNOW ME
(c)2004 Stephanie Durand


I don't know you....but I know you
I had shoes like yours, I walked roads you've walked
I ran with crowds like yours, and I talked their talk
I didn't know I was walking in the dark

I don't know you...but I know you
I hid from my own pain, I buried my own shame
I couldn't let go of my sin, and I couldn't let Jesus in

I don't know you...but I know you
I blamed others for my weakness
I blamed my childhood for my choices
I couldn't look myself in the mirror
and i couldn't look God in the eye

I don't know you...but I know you
Once a walking empty soul,
now a living, breathing Christian made whole
By the blood that took all my shame away,
by the blood that healed my pierced heart
by the blood that gave my life back to me
by the blood that washed me clean

Because he said...He knows me
He was crucified for doing nothing wrong
He hung though his life was love

He walked with tattered shoes
and he walked with dirty souls
He came to be a friend
to those that were shamed by men

He healed the sick
and loved the lost
He loved them
and he paid the ultimate cost

To save their souls,
He hung with grace,
To feed his sheep,
His blood ran down his face

With crowns of hope
he taught us to cope,
Son of God, he came to save,
He knew me....before his grave
He saved me...with his life
He knew me....and he has never forsaken me...

but first he asked, do you know me?
Do you love me?
Will you walk with me?
Will you talk with me?
i will never leave you,
though at times you may leave me,
but never forget how near I am,
I am forever your friend
I can feel your pain, I can give you grace
I can give you hope, and I can give you peace
I can take your pain and lay it to rest
Get to know me....is all I ask

HE WILL RELEASE ANGELS

He Will Release Angels
(c)2003 Stephanie Durand


Do you believe in the wind
Though you can't see it...you can feel it

Do you believe in pain
Though you can't see it...you can feel it

Do you believe in God
Though you can't see him...you can feel him
Open your eyes to God

Are you lost and alone
Do you not know where to turn
Is the pain too deep
and all around you have
given up on you

You are not alone in this world
God longs for you to come home
He longs to wrap his arms around you
and send you angels ...in the wind

Did you know that God wants to send
Angels in the wind
Did you know that God wants you
to simply reach out to Him

Did you know that He hurts too
Did you know he feels your hurt
Why do think it rains on earth

He hurts when his children are lost
and they cry at night
and they don't call on Him
He's waiting to wrap his arms around you
and send you...angels in the wind

Do you believe in the wind...Do you believe in Him
Though you can't see it, you can feel it,
Whirling around you, comforting you, bringing you peace
Pray to Him, your Father,
Kneel down...and pray to Him
and he WILL release His angels to YOU....in the wind

HIS ANGEL FLEW

HIS ANGEL FLEW
c) 2004 Stephanie Durand

This one is so dear to my heart.  We all have "angels" and though it is so hard to lose someone we love so very much, we find peace and joy knowing they are walking and smiling in heaven with their Father looking down on us...God bless you and may you always see their "sunshine!"

They say that time will heal a broken heart
It's just so hard to be apart

I gaze at your picture
To try and ease my mind
The saddest word mankind knows
Will always be...goodbye

He sent one of his angels to come for you
Carrying you up to heaven, his angel flew

I feel you sitting there at his side
with a great big smile and so much pride

As you await the day to greet us all
That day will come when we hear his call

And on that day we will meet,
on that day, we will take a seat,
and in his beautiful kingdom we will walk
and in his beautiful kingdom we will talk

He sent one of his angels to come,
carrying you up to heaven.
....His angels flew

THE LORD'S LIGHT

THE LORD'S LIGHT
(c) 2004 Stephanie Durand

Do you want to change your life?
Do you want to change your life?

The light of the Lord...
can you see the light of the Lord?
Are you lost...are you lost in the dark?
Can you see the light of your Lord?

The lights are shining
they are shining from nation to nation
beaming through to the floor of the ocean
through the core of the earth

The Lord's hand...is in the light
Can you see...the light of your Lord

When you are lost...in your life
Can you see....even a ray
Even a ray...of the Lord's light
Do you want to change your life?

The light of the Lord
has energy...that can move mountains for you
The Lord's hand...is in the light
Are you ready...to change your life?

Around the nations
Beaming through to the core of the earth
He's reaching out to you
Do you want to change your life?

Can you feel....the light
Can you see...even a ray
Reach out, reach out...to him
The Lord's light
He can change your life
The Lord can change your life

PUT YOUR LIGHTS ON HIGH

PUT YOUR LIGHTS ON HIGH
(c)2004 Stephanie Durand

He said, Come and follow me
He said, Come and follow me

Put your lamps on high,
Oh, come and follow me to the promise land
You are the salt of the earth
You are the light of the world

Blessed are the meek, blessed are those who mourn,
Blessed are the poor in spirit, for their's is the kingdom of heaven

Come and follow me, Come and follow me
To the promise land

Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness
For they will be filled
Blessed....oh...blessed
are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy

Blessed are the pure in heart
For they will see God
They will see God
Blessed are the peacemakers
For they will be called sons of God
He said, He said, come and follow me

Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness
For their's is the kingom of heaven
Come and follow me, come and follow me
He said...come and follow me
You are the salt of the earth
you are the light of the world
Come and follow me

Do not worry, look at the birds in the air
Hold your lamps on high
Do not worry or cry

On a stand, for the world to see
put your lamps on high,
He said, you are the salt of the earth
Come and follow me to the promise land

Put your lamps on HIGH
put your lights on high
put your lights on high
and follow me

_____________
Luke 8:16
"No one lights a lamp and hides it in a jar or puts it under a bed. Instead, he puts it on a stand, so that those who come in can see the light."

GOD ROCKED ME

GOD ROCKED ME
(C)2004 Stephanie Durand

This child is mine, this child is mine

Did you know, before you were born, God rocked you in his arms
and he said, this beloved child is mine
Oh, did you know, before you were born
God, he rocked you in his arms,
and he looked down with love and he said,
This beloved child is mine

And he said, My child...I'm sending you to a place that I call earth
You are about to go through what I call birth
It will not always be easy on this place called earth
My child, have no fear, my child, I will always be near...to you
And he said, but I have to send you down
And you will enter the earth
Some pain, some heartache, you will suffer on this place called earth
You will sin...it will not always be easy
But my child....have no fear
I will always be near to you

Walk straight, my child
The narrow path I have laid out for you
Walk straight, my child
Read my word, my child
It is the truth to live by
Learn about my son, my child
And why, on the cross, he died
Learn about love, search for joy and peace
and if you fall asleep, call on me

Now beloved, go forth to the earth
and learn about the things I have set out for you to learn
Now go forth to the earth

I entered the earth

I lived this thing called life
and I did suffer pain and strife
I encountered sin, I did, and heartache, I did
I had trouble learning how to forgive, how to forget
How to repent
I wandered, I partied, I sinned and I cried
And I hid my face and looked up, and I asked why
I couldn't find love, or joy, or peace anywhere
Not even in myself

I looked up, and asked if I had fallen asleep on this earth
I want to learn about your son, I'm calling on you, I'm hurting

And my Lord, he swept me up in his arms again
...and he rocked me

And he said to me, My beloved child, have no fear, I'm right here
He soothed my fears, he wiped away my tears
My child, my beloved, I was always near...I was always here
My beloved child, I am awakening you from your sleep, you are forgiven
The wide road you have traveled on this place called earth
Has made you weary and tired and yes, you fell asleep...you wandered away from me
But I was always so near to you.
Oh beloved, have no fear, I'm right here...and beloved...I was always near to you
Oh, my beloved, you are forgiven...
Now let me rock you for a little while and let me cleanse you of your sin
You are about to go through what I call born again
Now go forth...and learn more about my son
Now read my word, my child, and walk straight my child
and follow the narrow path that I have laid out for you

Oh, he awakened me from my sleep, I was forgiven
Oh, he was always near to me
He soothed my fears, he wiped away my tears
He rocked me again
And I was forgiven and I was born again

He awakened me from my sleep (I was always near to you)
I was born again (I was always near to you)
I was always near to you, my beloved child,
Oh, I have found love, I have found joy
I have found peace, even in myself
My beloved Father, he was always here with me
And I am his beloved child, child of the Great I AM
The father who holds me in His arms, who loves me,
No matter where I am.

________________________________

John 16:33 "I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world."


April 11, 2014 - I was looking for ideas for tattoo for my wrist.  I came across JOHN 3 and immediately knew this was the scripture for this poem! I had to stop and make sure I noted this in this book for this poem. This poem is one of my favorites and this scripture JOHN 3 is definitely the conclusion to this poem!!! Thank you God for showing me this scripture to add to make it complete!

GRAIN OF SAND

GRAIN OF SAND
(c) 1981 Stephanie Durand

A grain of sand
That drifts out to sea
The parts of life
That were meant to be

A speckle of snow
That falls from the sky
A baby to be born
A child that will die

A single cloud that
Floats all alone
A tiny bird that’s lost
It’s way home

Dreams for the rich
And dreams for the poor
Some people have stars
They don’t have wishes for

FATHER TIME - "YOUR WORTH MORE"

"FATHER" TIME
(c) 2008 Stephanie Durand


When people do you wrong,
And you have to move on
Time does not always heal the wounds,
But with time, you become strong…
When "I am sorry" never replaces pain,
When your soul is all they have tried to gain,
God shields our heart from the enemy's lies,
But he cannot prevent the tears that we have to cry
Tears, they say, cleanse the soul
Tears, they say, can make us whole
They wash away the pain, the hurt,
They clear our vision to just what we are worth
We are worth more
than any enemy outside
We are worth more
than He can even tell us why
Sometimes it is harder to let go than to stay
But sometimes we see it is the only way
Because sometimes if we don't,
It is with our soul, we will pay.
--------------------------------------
The soul is the eyes to the heart,
The soul is what rises when we depart
The soul knows love, and the soul learns hate
And through it all,
we must accept our own fate
For God only knows the paths we must take
Trusting is the hardest, but make no mistake
Throughout our life, he holds our hand
He is after all, the "footsteps" in our sand
He carries us through what we just cannot seem to bare
He is always our strength when there is no one else there
He planned it that way from the beginning of time
For in the end, it is peace we will find.
--------------------------------------------
When he tells us to let go,
We have to trust that He knows
Just where he is taking us and just
How far we will go.
Our struggles, our heartaches,
Our sins and our shame,
our burdens, he carries
For he has always known our name.
From the beginning of time,
Till the end of our road,
It is God who is writing our story
And our stories must be told.
For ours then take a seat
To the next soul we sometimes meet,
Who needs that hand to hold,
Who needs that other soul,
To just get through one more day
To just hang on and find their way
---------------------------------------
God entrusts our hearts to feel,
And through our pain,
He will show us how to heal
The next wounded soul
That we meet along the way.
So never take your pain
And lock it all away,
For God never planned it that way.
He cannot come down to earth,
To be the flesh that holds thier hand,
And say, with a tear in their eye,
That they, too, understand.
For in all pain, there is growth
For in all pain, there is worth,
For in all hearts that heal
Those marks become our seal
For who we are in Christ
For who we live our life
For those that give away their stories
To help heal those who come into their life.
So never fear God's journey for you on this earth
Stand tall and do not be shaken or let someone else
destroy your worth
You are a child of the King of Kings
who knows your heart inside out
Never let the outside world instill in you
hate or doubt.
Pray with open hands, never doubt this life
your were given
You are a gift for those He sends
Just open your heart....and listen.

ANGEL BABY KISSES - Tears To Treasures- ProLife Song

ANGEL BABY KISSES
(c)2004 Stephanie Durand

You see them walk this place called earth
With their hearts at their feet
Because they can’t stop missing you
And oh, how they weep

When the angels carried you to heaven
Oh, how your mommy and daddy cried
They were so sad the day you passed
and they just couldn't understand why

You see them walk this place called earth
and you look down from heaven with love
and the angels show you how to send
Angel Baby Kisses from above

Like butterflies
fluttering in the wind,
your kisses remind them
that they will see you again
Heaven's Angels show you
mommy and daddy through the clouds
and you giggle and smile in heaven's gardens,
where love and joy abounds

Your kisses surround them
as they journey on,
to remind them that God's babies
are safely home
(I have different versions of this poem)
this SONG CAN BE HEARD AT:
http://www.acidplanet.com/artist.asp?PID=419870&t=4254

BROKEN WINGS (Father Manny)

BROKEN WINGS
(C)2004 Stephanie Durand

Broken wings……They don’t know how to fly

Broken souls
Falling in our world
Hear our song
Keep us strong

We lift them up to you
Only you ...
can heal those broken wings
we see falling in our world

We cry out to you
Help us to be
the vessels you've called us to be

Some are wandering in the dark
Some are lost
Shattered dreams…Lost hope
Those who don’t know how to cope

They’ve tried and tried
And they’ve failed
and they wail
in the dark of the night
.....We lift them up to you

Broken homes
Daddy’s leaving
Children wandering
Momma’s weeping

.....We lift them up to you

Struggling to fight
.....We lift them up to you

Seeing them falling is so hard
.....We lift them up to you

They’re struggling to fight
Their own sins
.....We lift them up to you

Only you
Can give them grace
To those who need to stand up
Shake off their sin,
Rebuild their lives,
Start again

They’ve tried and they’ve tried
And they’ve failed
And they wail in the dark of the night
....We lift them up to you

Broken homes
Daddy’s leaving
Children wandering
Momma's weeping
.....We lift them up to you


You hear their cries in the night
....We lift them up to you

We lift our hands up to you
Hear our song
Keep us strong
Help up to be the vessels
you want us to be
to help lift...
The broken wings falling
Lord God, ....We lift them up to you

Hear our song
Keep us strong
Help us to be
the vessels
....you’ve called us to be

Hear our song
Keep us strong
Help them to fly higher

Because only you
Can bring them higher
And lift those broken wings

We lift them up to you

Because only you
can bring them higher
And lift those broken wings

The Great I Am
Amen….Amen…..Amen