That Old Rugged Cross

The first line of this poem popped into my head the other evening.  I don't know if I heard it on the radio or TV or overheard someone's conversation - it was just there and I had to see where it would take me. This is one of a very few that took more than one sitting to write and I am not really sure that I got to where I thought I was going with it.

That old rugged cross never meant much to me
Just a hymn in a book from all I could see
But I sang along to appease family
Though that old rugged cross meant nothing to me

Church to me was always the views
Of all the cute girls out there in the pews
I paid little attention to all the Good News
Or the consequences of the things that I’d choose


When I came of age I left churches behind
They were just not my thing- a complete waste of time
It was not the Savior I was looking to find
And the old rugged cross never entered my mind


Then as I grew older with kids of my own
There was nothing inside me and I felt so alone
I looked back at my life and I should have known
And that old rugged cross was calling me home


To that old rugged cross that just had to be
A symbol of that man who died there for me
On that old rugged cross so that I would be free
To follow my savior for all eternity


He died for the sins of this unworthy man
Died for that’s central to God’s holy plan
And He rose once again as only He can
From that old rugged cross to the greatest “I AM”

Mdailey 01/24/10

Isaiah 43:1

Sometimes when I listen to a sermon, I get to thinking about how I feel about the topic or the objective of the sermon and start composing a poem to capture my thoughts.  I think of these as my own little prayers and I would love to share them with all of you.  Let me know what you think of them.

Isaiah 43:1  (I have called you by name – you are mine)

I have a name
Not that given at birth
That means more to me
Than all things here on earth
A Michael or John
I mean – what is that worth
He has called me by name
I am His


Yes, I’ve had a name
Since I met the Lord
And now He and I
Are of one accord
That following Him
Is the greatest reward
He has called me by name
I am His


His – as an example
Not just a façade
His – as a beacon
His own dowsing rod
His – as in brother
Together in God
He has called me by name
I am His


Christian’s the name
Of which I am proud
It separates me
From the worldly crowd
So just call me Christian
And say it out loud
He has called me by name
I am His

Mdailey 01/10/10

TAKE MY HAND JESUS

I was asked the other day if somone could use one of my poems in a sermon.  Without hesitation I agreed.  These spiritual poems I write are sort of my way of praying and the greatest pleasure I get with the poems is when someone wants to share something I wrote (or something I prayed) with someone else.  As long as you do not claim the poem for yourself, anyone reading this blog can share the poems with friends, family and even group gatherings with my blessing.

I wrote this poem while in New Mexico several years ago.  I would go for a walk in the foothills of Farmington NM and every day I would compose another verse.  I did not write any of them down for weeks but just kept repeating them to myself until I knew them by heart.

Take my hand Jesus; it’s you I think of
Since I’ve heard all the stories of your precious love
Take my hand Jesus, and I’ll follow above
Take my hand Jesus, I pray

Take my hand Jesus; I’ve heard them all say
You are the truth, and the light and the way
Take my hand Jesus, and I’ll follow today
Take my hand Jesus, I pray

Take my hand Jesus, that’s all you need do
You are the only way I’ll make it through
Take my hand Jesus, and I’ll follow you
Take my hand Jesus, I pray

Take my hand Jesus, for you are the treasure
Besides you no earthly wealth ever could measure
Take my hand Jesus, and I’ll follow with pleasure
Take my hand Jesus, I pray

Take my hand Jesus, take all that is mine
For you are the Shepard, so gentle and kind
Take my hand Jesus, and I’ll follow behind
Take my hand Jesus, I pray

Take my hand Jesus, it’s yours all alone
You are the greatest thing I’ve ever known
Take my hand Jesus, and I’ll follow you Home
Take my hand Jesus, I pray

Take my hand Jesus, and let us begin
Your death on the cross paid for all of my sin
Take my hand Jesus, and I’ll follow you in
Take my hand Jesus, I pray

Mdailey