The Cross

The Cross
by Karen Arthur

As I’m strolling all around the dusty roads in my home town,

The line of telephone poles resemble crosses in a row.

In the church just down the street where we gather every week,

We sing praise in Jesus’ name, and give thanks for why He came.


Evergreens that edge my drive, take me back to how He died.

Sometimes Golgotha feels so real, when I hike a steep, tall hill.

I can’t know the pain He felt when crushed beneath the cross He knelt,

But I can sense the heavy load He bore, to save my sinful soul.

Every shrub and thorny vine, blossom only to remind

Me of the crown, which tore each gash in His earthly, human flesh.

I spot at the hardware store; nails like shaped the scars He wore,

When they pierced the hands of God, and the feet on which He trod.

Every wound that makes me bleed, flows to refresh my memory

Of the blood that Jesus lost hanging on that crimson cross.

A metal fence surrounds a yard, like Roman soldiers standing guard,

Who shook a spear and bragged with pride, “I’m the one who gored His side.”

A window glass reflects my shame, and I know that I’m to blame,

For my weakness brought Him here, then my eyes fill up with tears.

It was all for me I know, just because He loves me so.

He suffered great atrocity, when He came to set me free.


But in death, He did not stay; He rose again on that third day,

He’s alive eternally, to light The Way for us to see.

It all reminds me of the cross, and the ones who still are lost,

When the Savior paid the price and became my sacrifice.

Safe in His Arms

I wrote this poem about a month ago and shared it at a Ladies Retreat a couple of weeks ago. I'd like to share it with you as well. My poems almost always have a story behind them.

I am in constant pain from osteo-arthritis and when I go to bed it takes a few minutes for my body to relax and the pain to ease up. But sometimes, when I wake up, I am so comfortable and on some days, before I move the pain is better and I just don't want to get up. I blame it on being a night person because I'd rather stay in bed in the morning rather than go to bed at night.

So I woke up one morning and as I lay in bed my customary 20 minutes (or more), I spent some time talking to God before I got up. I was peaceful and literally felt like I was wrapped in God's arms as we had our morning chat. I had a visual of trees blowing in a hurricane and how they bend to the ground but after the storm is over, some limbs are broken and laying on the ground but some trees pop back up, standing tall. And how without Jesus we are like the limbs on the ground broken, but with Him we make it through the storm.

The words began to come to me so after I jumped up and raced to work, I grabbed a piece of paper and wrote some of them down before I forgot. Then of course, edited and revised and edited some more. Later of course because, well, writing doesn't pay the bills and I was at work. In fact, I just edited it again.

I am praying for my friends going through storms right now which includes most of us. I have an endoscopic ultra sound on Friday for my pancreatic cyst to be checked out again. So far it's been dormant, and I am praying it still is but even better, that God decides to do a supernatural healing and it's gone! I'm not worried though, it's just a nuisance. Tuesday I had a pre-skin cancer on my face removed so now I have these giant red spots where the dermatologist burned it and some other keratosis off my face, neck and back. I have so many it's a lost cause to try to burn them all off. Although I wish he'd try even though it's painful. Now we just have to make sure the two he is concerned about are gone in a month. But you know what, still not worried because I am . . .

Safe in His Arms

By Karen Arthur

 

Lord, hold me tight in your loving arms,

Please keep me close, calm all my storms.

I hear your heart, as it touches mine,

Filled with your Spirit, I know all is fine.

I shout for joy, free from the pain,

The fragrance of flowers after the rain.

The darkness is past as I taste the dew,

The Lord then declares this morning is new.

Caress now the sunshine, say goodbye to the storm,

The Son of God saves and protects me from harm.

Sensing His presence, I bask in His light,

Then rest in His peace, all through the night.

Feeling God’s closeness, faithful always,

I know that He’s with me all of my days.

Like trees in a hurricane whipped by the wind,
 
Without Him I break, but with Him I bend.

God's Symphony

Written November, 2004
by Karen Arthur

God Orchestrates the universe, A symphony He leads.
He does it just for me, but too, He does it just for you.

God points to all His servants, He knows just what we need.
He does it just for me, but too, He does it just for you.

His love to us He demonstates,
With nail scarred hands He orchestrates.
Each lesson that He sends we hear
As beautiful music to our ear.

When He reveals to us the Word, His messages are sweetly heard.
Now can you hear God's symphony?
He plays it just for you, but too, He plays it just for me.

With nail-scarred hands He orchestrates,
So we can know God's saving grace.
Just listen, you will hear. God's symphony is near.

And He walks with me and He talks with me.

I stroll on the beach,
While waves toss in the sea,
Clouds float in the sky,
And God walks with me.

Time is eternal,
Faith opens the door,
Jesus enters my heart,
With peace evermore.

Worries and cares
Roll away like the tide,
And my burdens are lifted
With God by my side.



I love visiting the ocean. This picture was taken at Hilton Head, SC in May, 2008. I wrote the poem this week. I enjoy adding poetry to my pictures. Or pictures to my poetry.

Our new baby. Paige Alexandria Ogletree, will be here Tuesday. I will be a proud Grandmommy again. I may have to update my header picture. Poor Reacie is sick today and we are skipping church in hopes she will feel better by Tuesday. It would be devastating if she missed getting to hold baby sister when she arrives.

I gained too much weight since my last surgery so I am starting a 21 day fitness trial on Monday. This will tell me if I really want to join a gym and if I will get my money's worth if I do. I at least need to lose the pounds I gained in the last three months for sure. On the bright side, my blood sugar levels have decreased. That does not make sense but I did add cinnamon tablets to my stack of daily pills and I have been exer-cycling daily. Whatever works I'll gladly take.

Hope you like the new poem. I will be reciting another one at the Gospel Music Artist Association Convention next weekend. I am excited to go but it will be hard to leave our new baby girl. I am nominated for the Songwriter of the Year Award and for The Special Ministry Award. I am honored to just be nominated and it would amazing if I won. The concerts Friday and Saturday night are free to the public if you would like to attend. It is at the Southfork Hotel in Dallas.

I am devoting 2010 to be my year of submission to God by submitting my writing and hopefully to be published. Years ago, I felt God called me to be a writer. I am stepping out in faith to fulfill His ministry for my life. I also feel called to speak and share God's word through my poetry or however God wants to use me in that respect. Say lots of prayers. I am excited about what God is doing and going to do in my life and in other's lives through me. We are a always a work in progress.

Thank you, Lord for your abundant grace.