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 | 13 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

A Part of the Whole

Posted on June 21, 2018 by

As I was walking through the woods a few days ago, I came across a single blossom, suspended by an almost invisible thread of spider web.

It took some time to catch this delicate flower with my phone camera. An ever so slight breeze kept moving it out of view of my small lens. During my efforts, I noticed the branch from which the lonely blossom had made its descent, an elderberry treen in bloom.

My heart was captured by the thought of our loving Father holding us individually in His capable hand. I reflected on His delight in the Church when individuals display His heart of love and care to one another. I wondered if we always comprehend our individual importance and moreover the great power the Holy Spirit displays in the community of believers.

A single blossom, on the way
The Father’s mindful piece of art.
Alone not able to display
The fullness of His loving Heart.

A lonely, quiet-sounding note,
Precisely placed, composed with skill.
Her tune reflecting God who wrote
The symphony of His sound will.

One snowflake dropping to the ground,
In weakness melts; its beauty goes.
But sticking to the snow around,
As avalanche brings mountains low.

So it’s with you, beloved friend.
Made unique – part of the whole.
The Gospel is our means and end
And “Glory to God” the highest goal.

“Father, Your loving-kindness surpasses our understanding.
Make us effective in Your Kingdom through the power of the Holy Spirit as we serve one another in the community of believers, Your Church.
Help us repent of our pride.
Draw us to Your Word of Truth and make us bold as we
proclaim Jesus.” 

So we, though many, are one body in Christ,
and individually members one of another.
Romans 12:5
~
(Pictures, Word and Poetry by Heidi Viars, 2018) 

 

Posted in Christian Poetry | 22 Comments

Fearful Neighbors

Posted on May 27, 2018 by

I am having a hard time getting used to them. Quite frankly, they are a bit annoying. I think I made the property look way too inviting. At first, they both took a careful glance at the house and left. Then they came back – for good. Our neighborhood hasn’t been the same since they moved in.

Mr. and Mrs. Eastern Bluebird are not the easygoing couple. After they inspected the new birdhouse, which I had set securely on the fence post of the garden, they grabbed their twigs and moved in.

I don’t want to complain about my new neighbors but she appears fearful and, might I say, slightly paranoid. Any reflection of herself sets her off into a tizzy. At random she attacks bedroom windows and car mirrors of any kind. At precisely 4:35 am, driven by the first ray of sunlight, she fearlessly seeks out the threat of “other birds” in bedroom windows. While she toils and soils, she ruins our sleep and view. He is enabling and a tad bit too nice to her. When she is worn out and tired she heads back to the fence where he is waiting to feed her a juicy bug from his beak.

 

I feel sad for her in her frenzy. I’d like to tell her to relax, explain to her worried mother’s heart that she along with her family are safe. If I could just take the form of a bird for a moment, I’d fly over and bring her some grubs, have a chat and try to encourage her to trust that she is ok. I’d point out that her fears are based on nothing and that her future and the future of her young are secure.

 

 

I am reminded of our God. While we flapped around in our fearfulness and sins, He came to us in the form of a man. Jesus dwelled among us to communicate God’s heart to a lost and fearful people. Jesus came to the World so that we would not have to stand before God in fear of His judgment. By accepting Jesus’ punishment for our sins and His death on the cross, by repenting from our sins, we get to enjoy a secure future. In surrendering our lives to Christ, we are able to understand the endless and beautiful love of our Father and Maker. And in that love, there is little room for fear. 

“Father, thank you for your kindness to our hearts. You tell us not to fear. You ask us to trust you. Teach us that in your perfect love there is no room for fear.

“There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear.
For fear has to do with punishment,
and whoever fears has not been perfected in love.”
1 John 4:18
~
(Devotional and Pictures Heidi Viars, 2018) 

Posted in Christian Poetry, church, Devotional, Ponderings, Ponderings, Prayer, quote, Revival | Tagged , , | 17 Comments