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

A Quiet Place

There has to be more than one person reading these poems.  Sign in as a follower to let me know that someone is reading these poems.  You can even add a comment or two if so moved.  Writers live for the feedback - especially poets.

This poem was written following a sermon at Ox Hill Baptist Church in chantilly, va.  Let me know what you think.

We're living in a troubled time,
Troubled minds and troubled signs
Troubled homes with troubled loans
Our spirits are just dried up bones

We need somewhere that we can go
To lift us from this spiritual low
To talk to someone in the know
We need a place where we can go

Jesus often made the case
For finding his own quiet place
A place where he could go and pray
We all could use that place today

A quiet place to call our own
Away from TV, crowds and phones
A place to water our dry bones
A quiet place to call our own

A quiet place just out of sight
There for us all day or night
To think about what's wrong and right
A quiet place just out of sight

A quiet place to bow our heads
To say the things that need be said
A place where the "Good Book" is well-read
A quiet place to bow our heads

A quiet place to heal our spirit
Anytime that we are near it
Where we can pray and God can hear it
A quiet place to heal our spirit

It needn't be in time or space
This thing you call your quiet place
Just something that you can embrace
Where you and God can interface

Excuse me if I do digress
We're living in the world's unrest
But talk to God and He will bless
Your quiet place, it's His address

Mdailey    02/12/09

Bedtime Prayer

Bedtime Prayer


Now I lay be down to rest
Lord, I’ve tried to do my best
To heed your word and see your view
And treat others as you would do
And as for all the times I stray
I beg forgiveness every day
So when my time on earth is through
I pray you take me home with you

Mdailey 11/20/09

Church

Our doors are always open to all of those who morn

And all those seeking comfort from their private storm

To all of those just tired and need a place to rest

To all those lost and lonely, come in and be our guest

To all who pray and seek help and are looking to repent

To all who seek forgiveness for the times they were hell-bent

To all who failed and want strength, to all who loved our Lord

Who want to sing His praises, we are of one accord

To all who have been blessed, no matter why you came

Our doors are always open; you’re welcome in His name



Mdailey 10/7/09

The Star and the Stable

The Star and the Stable
A message for man
That God in his wisdom
Through his loving hand
Provided a savior
Fulfilling His plan
The Star and the Stable
A message so grand


The Star in the heavens
Lit up the whole land
A “new birth” announcement
As only He can
Guiding all to the babe
Born more than a man
The Star in the heavens
The message so grand


The Stable so humble
Where cattle were stored
The birthplace of Jesus
Now worldly adored
Who’s death in this world
Brought us Heaven’s reward
The Stable so humble
Birthplace of our Lord


So now every year
At our Christmas table
We retell the story
And how we’re now able
To retire unto heaven
So much more than fable
And it all started out
With the Star and the Stable

Mdailey 11/03/09

My House

My house, I found, was built on sand
Designed by me by my own hand
When things got rough, it could not stand
My house was built on shifting sand


That’s when I found Jesus
Or let’s say that he found me
When I was lost and as down as could be
He opened my eyes so I finally could see
And he built me a house with a lifetime guarantee


I was living a life just like I had planned
Notches aplenty on my nightstand
Drinking and gambling and feeling so grand
But my house was built upon shifting sand


For somehow or other, it got out of hand
My picture and name on every newsstand
And of course by and by you know I was canned
And I found I was standing in my own quick sand


I had to sit back, I had to take stock
I had to return to the good Sheppard’s flock
I had to admit my life was a crock
So He’d build me a house on his solid rock


That’s when I found Jesus
Or let’s say that he found me
When I was lost and as down as I could be
He opened my eyes so I finally could see
And he built me a house with a lifetime guarantee


Mdailey 10/28/09

Dying

Dying

(This was not an original story but based on a narrative by Henry Van Dyke that I liked and decided to put into rhyme. I hope he does not mind. )


I am standing on the sea shore
A ship is setting sail
Out upon the big wide ocean
My cries to no avail
She’s is such a strength and beauty
As I watch her sailing past
On out to the horizon
Till she’s just a distant mast
And now she’s just a speck of light
Where sea and sky converge
Out where I can’t touch her
Though I still can feel the urge
Then someone at my side explains
“There, she’s gone at last”
“Gone? Gone where?” it comes to me
“Gone where?” is what I ask

Gone from my sight, and that is all
Just from my sight, not my recall

“She’s just as large in mast and hull
As when she left” I sighed
She’s able to still bear her load
On to the other side
Her diminished size is in me,
Not in her - I say
I can not see her anymore
Or any other day

But the moment that they cried out
“There, she’s gone at last”
Someone on the other side
Said “There, I see the mast”
There were other eyes out watching
Prepared to raise the shout
She’s coming, see, she’s coming
That’s what’s dying’s all about.

We lose sight of all our loved ones
But our loved ones do not change
As they sail out ore’ the horizon
A new journey’s been arranged
There are loved ones there to greet them
Father, Son and Holy Ghost
No need for final goodbyes
Just a simple “Adios”


Mdailey

Lord We Thank You

This was another poem written following a sermon at Ox Hill on Ephesians 2

We haven’t earned all the love that you’ve shown
We all have been sinners as you’ve always known
But you stand by our side so that we’re not alone
Lord we thank you for that

Left on our own our lives go adrift
The serpent comes in and widens the rift
But you gave us Jesus, the greatest of gifts
Lord we thank you for that

We were spiritually dead because of our sins
Followed earthly desires at the smallest of whims
But you sent us Jesus, you sacrificed Him
Lord we thank you for that

We deserve anger not your loving grace
For all our dishonor and all our disgrace
But you’ve taken us back to your loving place
Lord we thank you for that


Mdailey

Mary Can You Hear Me

This was also written following a sermon at Ox Hill Baptist Church. I believe it was a lesson that like Mary, God is talking to us. But we have to be receptive to His voice.


Mary can you hear me
Can you understand?
I bring a special message
About a special man
Mary can you hear me
You know the chosen one
The prophets always speak about
Will soon be your own son

Mary can you hear me
Listen with your heart
I’ve got a Christmas story
And you play a big-big part
Mary can you hear me
If so, then simply nod
Mary you are now with child
This child, the son of God

Like Mary, will you listen?
Will you open up your heart?
He’s still sending out the message
And we all have a part
It’s a simple message
While on this earth we trod
Like Mary, we are all with child
This child, the son of God!

Mdailey

Gather Round Children

I wrote this one back in May following a children's sermon at OX Hill Baptist Church

Gather Round Children

Gather round children
I’ll tell you a story
About our Lord Jesus
And all of His glory

A story that starts
With miraculous birth
And ends with Lord Jesus
Ascending from earth

The stories of how
He went town to town
Fighting the devil
Till the devil was down

Telling all who would listen
About the Good News
And given us choices
From which we can choose

A story of turning
The water to wine
And all the great things
That He did in kind

You’ll hear how he healed
The sick and the lame
And did everything
In His Father’s name

How he taught us to live out
Our lives every day
And how we should set out
Some time just to pray

How he gave us hope
When all hope was lost
How he died for our sins
Up there on the cross

Yes, gather round children
Together we’ll pray
And thank the good Lord
For another great day
And when we are done
All God’s children did say
AMEN

Mdailey

A Quiet Place

I wrote this based on a sermon at Ox Hill Baptist Church last Feb. It reminds us that we all need someplace where we can be ourselves - somewhere we can stop and say a prayer - somewhere we can get ourselves back on the right track.


A Quiet Place


We're living in a troubled time,
Troubled minds and troubled signs
Troubled homes with troubled loans
Our spirits are just dried up bones

We need somewhere that we can go
To lift us from this spiritual low
To talk to someone in the know
We need a place where we can go

Jesus often made the case
For finding his own quiet place
A place where he could go and pray
We all could use that place today

A quiet place to call our own
Away from TV, crowds and phones
A place to water our dry bones
A quiet place to call our own

A quiet place just out of sight
There for us all day or night
To think about what's wrong and right
A quiet place just out of sight

A quiet place to bow our heads
To say the things that need be said
A place where the "Good Book" is well-read
A quiet place to bow our heads

A quiet place to heal our spirit
Anytime that we are near it
Where we can pray and God can hear it
A quiet place to heal our spirit

It needn't be in time or space
This thing you call your quiet place
Just something that you can embrace
Where you and God can interface

Excuse me if I do digress
We're living in the world's unrest
But talk to God and He will bless
Your quiet place, it's His address


Mdailey
02/12/09