Grace Unfolds(c)2010 Stephanie Durand
Dedicated to my children, Brett & Brittany
and my grandchildren, Hayden & Landon
"What is grace?"
a young child asks
"Who is God,
and what's my task?"
"What is grace?"
a young child asks...
Grace is from God
when we cross His path
Grace is forgiveness
Grace is His love
Grace is His mercy
from heaven above
"Is it free?"
a young child asks
"Is it for me, too?"
an older man gasps
"Yes," God says, "it is,
for each and every soul
yes, it is free
for young and old"
"Does God love me?"
a young child ask
"God created you, my child
and His love nothing can surpass!"
He crowned you before you were born
You are his and his alone
You live on earth
But heaven will one day be all our home
So never will you be alone
on earth as long as you live
for God is always, always with you
Like a light in a distant shore,
His light, and grace, his love, his mercy,
He will forever give!
__________________________________________________
2010 - After a few years of not writing a single poem, I saw Father Manny again just a few weeks ago, and again, I am writing. I always seem to write a lot after he blesses me and prays over me. We did not even know he was in town on this day! We were leaving a parking lot when someone stopped us and asked for directions to the building that he would be doing the healing mass in that day! We were glad that they did, for we were able to go ourselves and have him pray over us and bless us! It had been five years since I had written! After the healing mass, the next morning is when I wrote this poem.
Wednesday, November 17, 2010
RUN TO JESUS (Father Manny)
RUN TO JESUS
(c)2003 Stephanie Durand Whatley
When the waters are deep...
and you can't swim...
When the tide of tears come ashore...
when life is just too hard for living....
When all around you...
have given up on you....
Run to Jesus...
Run to Jesus.......
Whose arms await your soul...
Peel away the pain..
the loneliness...the shame...
Run..run to Jesus..
He's waiting to wash away the pain...
the guilt...the shame...
He will wipe off the blood of your sin....
You're making your way to Him...
and run ..run...to Jesus....
He is the peace, the everlasting life....
He will be your will to live...
He will carry your burdens for you....
He will clean you of your sin...
So run now....and don't look back......
can be heard at: http://www.acidplanet.com/artist.asp?PID=396573&t=6460
This song/poem is dedicated to a young teenage boy that ended his precious life this year. We wish that he would have known that he had a friend to run to with his pain. Lord, we lift up all teenagers that are trying to cope and are giving up hope. Don't ever give up on life! Pain passes away over time...please give yourself time to heal, because your journey has just begun, and believe me, you have so much to live for. I suffered from anorexia when I was a teenager and I went through some very, very, painful times, but you have to hang on for the loved ones, and believe me, there are a lot of people who love you or are waiting to love you! Remember, you can't see the future. You have to believe in the things you cannot see. You have to reach out, you have to pray, you have to stay strong and know that tomorrow will come, and tomorrow is one step closer to healing. Through your pain, you can help others. We all suffer pain and heartache, but we have to remember that life is a journey, a journey that you do not want to miss, I promise you. Don't take the easy way out, it is not God's plan. He created you, he engraved your name on his hand, and He has a plan for you.....trust him to see you through; let him carry you when you are too weak to stand. Tell someone the truth about your life....the truth WILL set your free....from your pain, your shame, your guilt, your loneliness, or a sin that you think is unforgivable. That's why Jesus died...so that you could go on. He loves you THAT much. Live for him!
"Therefore, we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal." 2 Cor 4:16-18
"May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit." Romans 15:13
(c)2003 Stephanie Durand Whatley
When the waters are deep...
and you can't swim...
When the tide of tears come ashore...
when life is just too hard for living....
When all around you...
have given up on you....
Run to Jesus...
Run to Jesus.......
Whose arms await your soul...
Peel away the pain..
the loneliness...the shame...
Run..run to Jesus..
He's waiting to wash away the pain...
the guilt...the shame...
He will wipe off the blood of your sin....
You're making your way to Him...
and run ..run...to Jesus....
He is the peace, the everlasting life....
He will be your will to live...
He will carry your burdens for you....
He will clean you of your sin...
So run now....and don't look back......
can be heard at: http://www.acidplanet.com/artist.asp?PID=396573&t=6460
This song/poem is dedicated to a young teenage boy that ended his precious life this year. We wish that he would have known that he had a friend to run to with his pain. Lord, we lift up all teenagers that are trying to cope and are giving up hope. Don't ever give up on life! Pain passes away over time...please give yourself time to heal, because your journey has just begun, and believe me, you have so much to live for. I suffered from anorexia when I was a teenager and I went through some very, very, painful times, but you have to hang on for the loved ones, and believe me, there are a lot of people who love you or are waiting to love you! Remember, you can't see the future. You have to believe in the things you cannot see. You have to reach out, you have to pray, you have to stay strong and know that tomorrow will come, and tomorrow is one step closer to healing. Through your pain, you can help others. We all suffer pain and heartache, but we have to remember that life is a journey, a journey that you do not want to miss, I promise you. Don't take the easy way out, it is not God's plan. He created you, he engraved your name on his hand, and He has a plan for you.....trust him to see you through; let him carry you when you are too weak to stand. Tell someone the truth about your life....the truth WILL set your free....from your pain, your shame, your guilt, your loneliness, or a sin that you think is unforgivable. That's why Jesus died...so that you could go on. He loves you THAT much. Live for him!
"Therefore, we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal." 2 Cor 4:16-18
"May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit." Romans 15:13
ANGELS IN SKIN
ANGELS IN SKIN
(c)2004 Stephanie Durand
When you feel lost and alone,
They open their hearts and let you in
When you just can’t seem to go on
You find an angel disguised in skin
When the world has seemed to fail you
They reach with arms opened wide
To brighten up your space and time
Their love and kindness, they never hide
When you find yourself
With anger, bitterness, and strife,
Their words seem to raise you up
Above this crazy race of life
When all you really want to do is
Shut your weary eyes and cry
Their light helps you to see joy and beauty
Their love and words lift you up to fly!
Yes, Heaven can exist on earth
If you believe in letting friends in,
Because friends are really heaven’s angels
Disguised in earthly skin
(c)2004 Stephanie Durand
When you feel lost and alone,
They open their hearts and let you in
When you just can’t seem to go on
You find an angel disguised in skin
When the world has seemed to fail you
They reach with arms opened wide
To brighten up your space and time
Their love and kindness, they never hide
When you find yourself
With anger, bitterness, and strife,
Their words seem to raise you up
Above this crazy race of life
When all you really want to do is
Shut your weary eyes and cry
Their light helps you to see joy and beauty
Their love and words lift you up to fly!
Yes, Heaven can exist on earth
If you believe in letting friends in,
Because friends are really heaven’s angels
Disguised in earthly skin
YOU CAN NEVER FLY AWAY: DEDICATION TO SOLDIERS
YOU CAN NEVER FLY AWAY
(c)2004 Stephanie Whatley
Dedicated to all our U.S. Soldiers, Marines, Navy, our sons, daughters, husbands and wives who serve and protect our country.
You can wipe your eyes,
there is no need to say goodbye
You can never be too far away from home
because home will always be in my heart...
No plane, no train, no boat, nor ship,
no ocean or land could ever keep us apart
There is nothing that can distance us from each other
because I've safely tucked you away in my heart
So you can wipe your eyes baby,
There's no need to say goodbye
you can wipe your eyes, baby
We will see the same stars in the sky
Always remember you are only one thought and prayer away,
Never forget how safely you've been tucked you away
Always remember in God we trust,
and I know he will bring you safely home, and we will
pray until that day!
Your journey is a courageous one,
My heart burst with joy and pride each day,
For your country, you proudly stand and protect
and for you, we will continue to gather and pray!
May God bless you on this journey,
May you never feel alone,
May you always know and feel
that in my heart, you're always home!
(c)2004 Stephanie Whatley
Dedicated to all our U.S. Soldiers, Marines, Navy, our sons, daughters, husbands and wives who serve and protect our country.
You can wipe your eyes,
there is no need to say goodbye
You can never be too far away from home
because home will always be in my heart...
No plane, no train, no boat, nor ship,
no ocean or land could ever keep us apart
There is nothing that can distance us from each other
because I've safely tucked you away in my heart
So you can wipe your eyes baby,
There's no need to say goodbye
you can wipe your eyes, baby
We will see the same stars in the sky
Always remember you are only one thought and prayer away,
Never forget how safely you've been tucked you away
Always remember in God we trust,
and I know he will bring you safely home, and we will
pray until that day!
Your journey is a courageous one,
My heart burst with joy and pride each day,
For your country, you proudly stand and protect
and for you, we will continue to gather and pray!
May God bless you on this journey,
May you never feel alone,
May you always know and feel
that in my heart, you're always home!
WELL OF TEARS (Father Manny)
WELL OF TEARS
(C) Stephanie Whatley 2004/revised 2010 after seeing Father Manny again
When the well of tears has run dry
When every question in your life ends in Why
When every stoned is knocked away
When you finally fall to your knees .... oh pray
Give honest words to Almighty God
Let him steer you with his mighty rod
Run from sin and take your shame
leave no one else to blame
Admit your sin as your own
and let your father welcome you home
Let his peace reign in you
be lifted up because his word is truth
Lift up the book that will water your soul
Read the pages that will make you whole
Meditate on the words you see that were written centuries ago
For the secrets of life have already been told
The mystery of the sea
and the floods that came
The mystery of love and salvation that stood on a hill
and why he came to save
Jesus, the giver of life
the peacemaker and the friend
who held his arms out
until the very end
Tears are but your friends
they show you when it is time to mend
the ways of your life
and the error of your sins
They seep out your body
just to make you whole
They run down your cheeks
and through your pain, you will
discover a new road
Let them flow like the rivers
build no dam to stop their flow
Welcome the solace as you weep
and pray for him to show you his peace
Let go of your pain, let it wash away
Let go of your sin, it will not be a waste
Cry through your pain and let him come to you
take his hand, and he will walk you through
Imagine yourself up on a hill
in a valley of love, hope, and peace
Imagine the flowers your eyes have never seen
and like the butterfly emerging from it's cocoon
take a breath, then feel the release
Imagine the wind brushing your skin
Imagine the smells of forgotten sin
Gone, gone, they are gone in the wind!
The old is made new,
Transformation gives you your wings,
He will take you to new heights,
and he will show you such beautiful new things!
And from this day forward, always take his hand
and with a grateful heart, may you always look to above
and watch your father cry with love
over you .......coming home
Rejoice in your heart always
for his loving mercy and grace
and know that now and forever more,
Your journey is at God's pace.
Isn't it comforting to know,
you are forever his child and jewel,
This is what transformation is about
and the beauty of renewal!
(C) Stephanie Whatley 2004/revised 2010 after seeing Father Manny again
When the well of tears has run dry
When every question in your life ends in Why
When every stoned is knocked away
When you finally fall to your knees .... oh pray
Give honest words to Almighty God
Let him steer you with his mighty rod
Run from sin and take your shame
leave no one else to blame
Admit your sin as your own
and let your father welcome you home
Let his peace reign in you
be lifted up because his word is truth
Lift up the book that will water your soul
Read the pages that will make you whole
Meditate on the words you see that were written centuries ago
For the secrets of life have already been told
The mystery of the sea
and the floods that came
The mystery of love and salvation that stood on a hill
and why he came to save
Jesus, the giver of life
the peacemaker and the friend
who held his arms out
until the very end
Tears are but your friends
they show you when it is time to mend
the ways of your life
and the error of your sins
They seep out your body
just to make you whole
They run down your cheeks
and through your pain, you will
discover a new road
Let them flow like the rivers
build no dam to stop their flow
Welcome the solace as you weep
and pray for him to show you his peace
Let go of your pain, let it wash away
Let go of your sin, it will not be a waste
Cry through your pain and let him come to you
take his hand, and he will walk you through
Imagine yourself up on a hill
in a valley of love, hope, and peace
Imagine the flowers your eyes have never seen
and like the butterfly emerging from it's cocoon
take a breath, then feel the release
Imagine the wind brushing your skin
Imagine the smells of forgotten sin
Gone, gone, they are gone in the wind!
The old is made new,
Transformation gives you your wings,
He will take you to new heights,
and he will show you such beautiful new things!
And from this day forward, always take his hand
and with a grateful heart, may you always look to above
and watch your father cry with love
over you .......coming home
Rejoice in your heart always
for his loving mercy and grace
and know that now and forever more,
Your journey is at God's pace.
Isn't it comforting to know,
you are forever his child and jewel,
This is what transformation is about
and the beauty of renewal!
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