Be Dilligent

Posted on November 25, 2018 by

After church today, our family took a ride through the countryside to head to a restaurant. I was still sensing the Lord close to my heart as I was looking out the window and recalling the sermon, songs, and conversations. It was here I sensed a deep impression as we were driving by something I won’t soon forget.

As we were driving along through this dreary day, I felt comfortable inside my car. The few remaining dry corn stalks were bending in the cold Wisconsin wind.  Clouds were hanging low as to remind us that snow was heading our way soon. I soaked in the beauty of big red barns set against the backdrop of a damp, grey sky.

I noticed a greenhouse. It was next to a barn, set beside a large tree. It appeared that it had not been in use for many years. Several windows were shattered. The reason for its dilapidated state however had obviously not been caused by outside forces, but rather by something from within.

Through the broken and shattered windows, I noticed branches reaching toward the outside. When I looked closer, I saw that a tree had been trying to grow on the inside. It was as if something very delicate was trying to contain a wild and trapped creature.

When I shared my experience at the restaurant with my family, we all agreed that a small seed must have gotten into the greenhouse. Eventually, and through many years of neglect, the tree had  grown out of control and was destroying the very thing that housed it.

Hebrews 12:15 came to mind.

“See to it that no one fails to obtain the grace of God;
that no “root of bitterness” springs up and causes trouble,
and by it many become defiled;”


“Lord, we need your help. Show us our sins that threaten to overtake our lives. Teach us to live in the grace we desire for ourselves. Help us to be generous with grace toward others and forgive quickly. Show us how to live in such a way that not even the smallest root of bitterness takes hold. Thank you, Father, for Jesus, your greatest gift of grace to us!”

Posted in Christian Poetry, church, Devotional, Ponderings, Ponderings, Prayer, quote, Revival, Song | 12 Comments

Be Careful

Posted on November 17, 2018 by

This morning, on the first day of deer hunting season, I grabbed the leash and my blaze-orange coat and headed for a walk with my 157-pound Great Dane. I felt quite noticeable -not only in my attire but also with what resembled a small deer at the end of my leash. As a native German in the northern United States and not having grown up with deer hunting, I still get nervous, despite so many years living here.

While I was walking and listening to the distant sound of the war on deer, I was reminded of how much we stick out as Christians in a war for souls. At times, just wearing our Christianity makes us vulnerable. In a culture that’s increasingly adapting to secularism we no longer blend in to our surroundings, and neither should we. While proclaiming the Word of Truth and Jesus as the only way to Heaven, we make a target and ourselves often unpopular.

The early morning air felt great. I wanted to keep walking but the sound of guns going off was getting louder. I decided to turn around when one particular gunshot sound was accompanied by whizzing.

When I came in the door, I told my husband about my encounter. He just said,

“You know dear, orange is not bullet-proof.”

Ephesians 6:19 —
“Pray also for me, that whenever I speak, words may be given me so that I will fearlessly make known the mystery of the gospel.”

Posted in Christian Poetry, Ponderings, Revival, Song | 17 Comments

Worship

Posted on October 29, 2018 by

I went to the woods this morning to find some solace. I sat there for a few minutes and prayed. The Lord reminded me that it is not only in those great and marvelous buildings where we worship Him, but through our lives and obedience also. I was thinking about the simple but powerful message of a brother or sister who obey despite their trials and sufferings.

There stands a cross among the trees.
The sun behind it is its light.
Through winds and storms preserved its peace –
No, not at all a sign of might!

So it’s with those who quietly
Obey their Lord despite their pain.
They point to Christ entirely –
Give glory to the One Who Came.

Not many sermons by great men
Preach like the ones who are lived out.
But greatest power is with them
Who through endurance erase doubt.

Thus says the Lord: “Let not the wise man boast in his wisdom, let not the mighty man boast in his might, let not the rich man boast in his riches, but let him who boasts boast in this, that he understands and knows me, that I am the Lord who practices steadfast love, justice, and righteousness in the earth.
For in these things I delight, declares the Lord.”
Jeremiah 9:23-24

This poem was inspired by Mary and Bill Sweeney Perseverance.
Check them out if you get a chance

Posted in Christian Poetry, church, Devotional, poetry, Ponderings, Revival, Song | 12 Comments

God’s Ripples

Posted on October 9, 2018 by

I walked along the waterfront,
Beside a peaceful pond,
When from beneath my feet I picked
A rock out of the sand.

Without much thought I tossed the thing,
Into the quiet mirror.
It made a splash and ripples great
Which slowed as they got nearer.

IMG_4287

I watched as impact gently weaned –
As circles drew their route.
I asked the Lord in quiet thought,
“Is this what life’s about?”

He whispered with His silent voice,
“My child, it’s not like that. 
When I will toss you in my will
It is the opposite. 

At first there is no great big splash
When you, my child, obey. 
You just might never know and see
My ripples in your day. 

But you must trust and still obey,
Though you think it’s in vain.  
For in my will your life may cause
The surges that bring rain.”

John 6:9
“There is a boy here who has five barley loaves and two fish,
but what are they for so many?”

“Lord, teach my heart to obey you in the small things.
Even though I might not see what you will do with my seemingly insignificant offering, help me trust that You can do great miracles with what I give You.”

(Pictures and poetry, Heidi Viars, 2018)

Posted in Christian Poetry, church, Devotional, poetry, Ponderings, Prayer, quote, Revival, Sunrises - Pictures | 16 Comments

A Strange Place

Posted on August 20, 2018 by

While walking through the morning fields,
My heart is drawn to this strange place
A place where all my worries yield
Where troubles bend to stunning grace.

While my concerns and fears remain,
While not one single trouble leaves,
I hear, “Child, nothing is in vain!”
And there I sense Him in my grief.

While circumstances all still rage,
Therein this place I know for sure
That not alone my fears I face
And that His presence is my cure.


“I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you,
you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.”
John 15:5
~
“Lord, Your presence is my good.
Teach my heart, through the power of the Holy Spirit,
to crave You more than the comforts of my life.”

   (Pictures and poetry, Heidi Viars 2018)
Posted in Christian Poetry, church, Devotional, poetry, Ponderings, Prayer, Revival, Song, Sunrises - Pictures | 19 Comments

Like the Dew

Posted on July 31, 2018 by

 

This morning I went out early. The grass was wet with dew and the field glistened in the early morning sun. A stunning amount of droplets had gathered all over the grass, shrubs, and flowers.

I couldn’t help but take my shoes off to feel the cold, wet morning through my feet. Deuteronomy 32:2 came to mind.

May my teaching drop as the rain,
    my speech distill as the dew,
like gentle rain upon the tender grass,
    and like showers upon the herb.

Moses had just given the Law to the people and passed on the baton of leadership to Joshua. He compared God’s instructions to a gentle shower, a soothing rain, and dew. Nevertheless, He knew the people were weak and wouldn’t be able to keep the Law.

This morning I found such comfort when I contemplated the kindness of our Savior, Jesus. I can’t keep God’s Law and measure up to His perfection. I worry too much. I am impatient when I need to show compassion. I yell at the kids when I need to listen and when I ought to get upset, I keep silent. I remember things I should forget and forget what I suppose to remember.

Thinking about Him and what He did, gave me such peace. As the cold penetrated my feet, I thought of Jesus’ kindness toward us. He told us how much He loved us and demonstrated it by His deeds. Like a dew, He wants to settle Himself in our hearts, refresh us. He is our Perfection before God.

 “For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to everyone who believes” (Romans 4:10).

Jesus came to fulfill the law. He said of Himself,

“Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them. For truly, I say to you, until heaven and earth pass away, not an iota, not a dot, will pass from the Law until all is accomplished.” (Matthew 5:17-18). 

Jesus told His disciples on the Road to Emmaus that He Himself was what all the Jewish Scriptures had been pointing to. (Luke 24:27

With these truths in mind, I can confidently walk into the paths my God has for me. Jesus has made me righteous. I can trust Him and let Him settle His Spirit into my weary soul. IMG_3942

(Pictures and Devotional, Heidi Viars, 2018)

Posted in Christian Poetry | 12 Comments

After All

Posted on July 7, 2018 by

I am so grateful to my best Friend who has stuck it out with me for the past 30 years.

(I wrote this a couple of years ago. The words are still true today!)

Posted in Christian Poetry | 8 Comments