Tag Archives: confession

I Must Confess…

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©Jeanne E Webster

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I must confess:

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I’m getting older…and feeling it too.

I painted our mud room walls…only got halfway done.

I get up early in the morning…but still don’t finish my chores.

I walk miles on a treadmill…but still don’t lose enough pounds.

I ride on a recumbent bike…that doesn’t work either.

I have fun now with exercises for my brain…don’t even need a bike!

I cook most everything from scratch…keeping the sodium and calories down.

I vacuum the carpets and mop the floors…my hair drips with drops of sweat.

I start one project…then forget two others, or was it start two and forget one.

I make a grocery list…then leave it at home.

I need more time to think up a poem or story…so write it down quickly before I forget.

I wash and dry my clothes carefully…but they still shrink.

I could sew, crochet, knit, or craft all day…but arthritis is slowing me down.

I used to put on makeup—lipstick and eye stuff…but it doesn’t satisfy anymore.

I used to kneel in my bedroom to pray…the knees complain too much now.

I still do spring-cleaning on the house…but it takes all spring time to do it.

I had no problem with reading…now I need glasses and a good strong light.

I must have the house real cool for sleeping…hangover probably from the change of things.

I used to hear a whisper a mile away…now I go for the close-ups or repeats.

I used to love to hang out the wash…smelled great but hard on the hands.

I am noticing that technology is changing too fast…it takes me longer to grasp the knack.

I tremble at the closeness of the world today…too many people with no place to go.

I sense the undercurrent anger stewing in people…this breeds coldhearted characters.

I find myself reading the obits in the paper…even though I don’t know too many people here.

I find myself having to take pills everyday…never was a good swallower.

I find young people are looking too young…to be starting a family.

I find the list too long of my great-grandchildren…hard to remember all those birth dates.

I find myself more grateful I can still drive…I value my independence greatly.

I find aging to be a pain…and I will be kicking and screaming, but smiling all the way.

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A good sense of humor goes a long, long way, my friends!

Shalom

I Hear You Now

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Broken, humbled to the dust by Thy wrath and judgment just,

Let my contrite heart rejoice and in gladness hear Thy voice.

From my sins O hide Thy face, blot them out in boundless grace.

~from the Psalter, 1912, God, Be Merciful to Me

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©Jeanne E Webster

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Joel 2:12-13 “Therefore now, says the Lord:

Turn to me with all your heart and with fasting and with weeping and with mourning. 

In addition, rend your heart, not your garments, and turn to the Lord your God, for He is gracious and merciful, slow to anger, full of loving-kindness and hating punishment.” 

 

How do I “rip apart, break open, or tear up” my heart, Lord?  My heart is already torn and broken–from the things of the world.  You ask me to do this to myself?  Oh, the pain of it all!   It will cause the bleeding to begin anew, and the pain will be overwhelming.

Nevertheless, Father, you ask this of me and I cannot refuse.  It will be done.  I know my broken heart will be in good hands, for you are gracious, merciful and slow to anger…and so very kind and gentle.  And you will not harm me.

Yet, I need Your help to do this, Lord.  Please teach me to rend my heart and mourn my awful deeds.  I am blinded to their severity and too weak to endure the pain.  The world has had its way with me, numbing me to the very core of my discernment.

Awake within me the stirring of the once gracious and innocent spirit lost somewhere in this scarred, aging body.  Help me to get home…before it’s too late. 

Amen

Lamentable Reflections

 

 

Galatians 5:22-25  But the fruit of the Spirit is LOVE…JOY…PEACE…LONG-SUFFERING …GENTLENESS…GOODNESS…FAITH…MEEKNESS…and TEMPERANCE…

Against such there is no law.  And they that are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with its passions and lusts.   If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.

 

 

©Jeanne E Webster

A stark peek into the lives of Christians last week: 

1.  Not wanting to be hospitable to extended family members’ unexpected visit

2.  Failing to inquire from a bedraggled looking woman she passed by in the parking lot of Wal-Mart’s if she needed help.  The woman was hooked up to a portable oxygen tank while sitting behind the steering wheel of her old beat-up automobile.  After passing her by, it was noted that the car was overflowing with all the woman’s belongings and the woman was smoking a cigarette

3.  Discussing government officials’ immoral behaviors in a derogatory manner

4.  Losing temper and swearing after a mishap occurred on a bad arthritis day

5.  Judging harshly a friend’s attitude after she shared her thoughts

All these are covered under one theme:  God is love.  So maintain peaceful spirit with all people and within yourself.  Once you drop the ball of a fruit of the Spirit, the action will topple the other fruits like a domino effect if not restrained and rooted out of one’s heart.   

Thank you, Father, for your forgiveness and love.  Our sins we confess and ask for a restored relationship with You.  In Jesus’ name…amen!

Trust

A Paraphrase of PSALM 25

 

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Here’s everything I am, O Lord,  I offer it to You.

I trust in You for everything, Father.

Don’t let me down.

Don’t let sin win out over me.

You have said You won’t fail anyone who clings to You.

The wicked ones hang their heads in shame for the evil they do.

Let me see your character, Father.

Teach me more of You.

Hold my hand as You disclose the reality of Your being,

For You’re the One and only God.

I wait always for Your presence.

Father, bring Your gentle mercies of love to mind,

For they go back to my beginnings.

Wipe away the foolish evil things I did when I was young,

With a loving heart, break bread with me,

For You are all good and righteous.

Almighty God is honorable and mighty.

He will show people their sinful ways.

He will show mercy to those who are sorry for their wrongs.

He will instill in them the virtuous things of life.

God is loving, kind and steadfast

To those who live righteously.

For Your sake, Father,

Forgive my sins, for they are numerous.

Who doesn’t revere God?

He knows how to lead everyone in His ways, so

They will have peaceful spirits.

His heirs will be blessed with the land.

God remains with those who honor him.

He will let them know what he expects of them.

My focus lies on my God,

For He will rescue me from the pit.

Look on me and have mercy,

For I am forsaken and sick at heart.

My problems are getting worse.

Oh, save my life!

See how sinful I am.

Forgive my sins!

Glare at the many people seeking to harm me.

They despise me and are cruel.

Protect me and rescue my life.

Don’t forsake me, for I trust You.

Wrap me in Your integrity and uprightness,

For I wait for You.

Ransom Your people Israel, Lord,

And let them be free of their burdens. (jew)

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Sweet Songs

 

Psalm 32

© Jeanne E. Webster

 

Forgiveness for our sins brings exuberant joy and overwhelming peace,

For God knows the heart of an honest person and buries their sins forever.

If we keep sins hidden within us, we will be troubled all day long,  

for God will condemn us day and night, and our spirits will wither.

Our confessions of hidden sins bring about his forgiveness.

Ask for mercy as quickly as possible, as sin becomes harder and more heinous with each passing day.

You are our shelter and preservation from trouble, Lord.  We hear your songs of sweet deliverance.

You teach us how to live, and then guide us along the way.

Do not be dumb as the horse and mule.  They need to be led by bridle and bit to keep from stepping on you.

The wicked will reap sorrows but those who trust in the Lord are wrapped in His blanket of mercy.

Rejoice and be happy, lovers of God.  Shout for joy all who have an honorable heart.

~shalom