Dawning of a New Year

“I Will Take You By the Hand”

A field of snow all white and clean -

With awe I view its glistening sheen:

No tracks I see, just purest white,

Which glimmers even in the night.

Just so, each morning dawns so clear,

With yet no tracks of dirt or smear;

An opportunity from God

To choose just how it will be trod.

A field of white is each New Year,

Which as of yet has no shed tear;

And at the threshold of its door

Stands Christ with all His treasure store.

His offer stands so true and strong,

“I’d love, with you, to walk along;

To be your Guide each day and night,

Your Refuge, Strength and leading Light.

For every step I have rich grace

To pour on hardships you may face;

My love, unending, will surround

Your every step in un-trod ground.

So at the dawn of this New Year,

I welcome you, My child, Come near:

 For I will take you by the hand

And lead you to a better land!

Keturah

The Evils of Halloween

How can folks so blatantly tamper with fire?

And play with the devil which will cost them dire;

So lavishly, many will go buy his toys

Around Halloween time, for their girls and boys.

They put Satan’s toys into innocent hands –

His holiday, celebrate, on peer’s demand:

But Halloween only doth celebrate death,

Where Satan midst rituals takes blood and breath.

The dark cauldrons smolder on Hallowed Eve’s night,

As Satan’s trained cohorts seek power and might –

Midst ash, blood, and bones where the flesh stench is vile,

The demons are summoned from out of this pile.

The year’s darkest day is on Halloween night,

When innocent victims are bound in death’s plight –

Just hear children crying in pain, blood and fear,

As death’s bloody sacrifice looms ever near.

As lambs to the slaughter they give up their life,

While Satan wreaks havoc in blood-flowing strife;

His pawns would believe that “true power they gain,

As death swirls around them midst demons and chains.”

Perversions run rampant in Satan’s vile name,

While innocent victims are used, crushed and shamed –

Their bodies defiled and hearts shattered in pain,

As at their expense Satan plots ruthless gain.

We must not sit idle midst doom, death and night,

But through Jesus Christ we must shine forth His light –

Beam forth hope and help for survivors in need,

That all works of darkness be vanquished indeed!

The devil would have us to idly sit by,

To shut ears and hearts to the victims’ pained cry,

To discount the truth of his horror-filled deeds,

So that his deceptions and deaths can proceed.

We must just be willing to hear them all out,

With never a judgment, a harsh word or doubt:

For they need a place that is safe, filled with love

So that they by Christ can be healed from above.

- Keturah 

Sufferings Bring Out Gold

While trav’ling through this world below

There will be suffering, pain and woe,

But we need never to lament

Though life is wounded, bruised or bent.

For God can take the greatest pain,

Which suffering brings, and make a gain;

It never needs to be a waste:

For its encompassed by His grace.

Our sufferings are but moments brief,

Though in time’s flash there’s no relief:

For up in glory we shall know

The “whys” of suffering, here below.

For pain and suffering brings out gold,

Revealing treasures so untold;

It can exalt God’s endless grace,

As we midst pain His love embrace.

When Jesus Christ is by our side

We can rejoice though pain has cried:

For He will carry safely through,

With everlasting arms so true!

So don’t despair midst pain intense:

For God’s rich grace is so immense;

It bears eternal riches rare,

Which as joint-heirs, with Christ we’ll share!

- Keturah

Don't Quit, My Friend

Don’t quit when the tears are falling:

For there’s joy around the bend;

Don’t quit when the grief engulfs you:

For sufficient grace God sends!

Don’t quit when in waves you’re sinking:

For the Lord keeps you afloat;

Don’t quit when the sails are rending,

For Christ pilots still your boat!

Don’t quit when the dark surrounds you:

For God’s light of love shines near;

Don’t quit midst attack or warfare:
For the Victor, Christ is here!

Don’t quit when a soul rejects you:

For your Father cannot fail;

Don’t quit when that sting is mounting,

For `tis Christ Who sets your sail!

Don’t quit midst affliction’s anguish:

For the Great Physician’s near;

Don’t quit, though the road seems cheerless-

There’s a diamond in each tear!

Don’t quit in the thick of battle:

For the vict’ry is ahead-

Don’t quit in the field of wounded:

For they need you, ere they’re dead!

Don’t quit at this stage of travel:

For the finish line we see;

Don’t quit my dear friend forever:

For we’re near eternity!

- Keturah