... ... ...

Keep me on the straight and narrow
Help me not to stray
To the right or to the left
Or to the easy way

Keep me focused on the path
Just in front of me
Knowing you will lead the way
Beyond what I can't see

Keep my feet from wandering
To where my heart may lead
For my heart will deceive me
To please its selfish need

Keep me from the broad way
With its enticing lies
For despite its glitz and glitter
It will lead to my demise

Keep my mind alert and clear
Ready for your voice
Knowing that on the road ahead
Waits many a difficult choice

Keep me close to you, my Lord
My eyes fixed on your light
For then I know that I am safe
Though in the darkest night

You are my strong and mighty tower
Seeing over all
No man, no plan can stop your power
None can make you fall

You are my hope and my defender
You know everything
Your perfect love makes fear surrender
And death release its sting

You are the One, the Only God
There could never be another
The Maker, Creator, who walked the sod
Born of a virgin mother

You continue to reveal your love
To every generation
Though your throne is high above
You offer sweet salvation

Jesus, my Redeemer
Without beginning, without end
You are a humble Saviour
You are my soul's best friend

Keep me close to you, my Lord
Help me never leave your side
Help me walk the straight and narrow
And in truth and love abide

... ... ...


c2009 Lorenda Houston

If you want to change the world, start with your children...

Have you ever heard someone say they want to "change the world", but when you look at their own children, you see a mess? It just doesn't fit somehow...

We all have lofty aspirations and certainly, at times, a grandiose view of what we want to accomplish in this life but that should never cloud our vision to the point we can't even see what's right in front of us. It breaks my heart when parents see their children as a liability to doing what they really want to do in life...

When God allows us the privilege of bringing children into this world, he is really giving us the greatest opportunity to "change the world" we could ever have. If you don't have the kind of relationship with your kids that influences change in them, how can you expect to influence change in anyone else? That should be your first clue that you need to make adjustments within yourself...and, the sooner the better.

Our kids grow up so fast, they make it glaringly obvious how fast time flies and how little time we have on this earth, so could it be that God wants to teach us something even through that?... There is too little time to waste... You don't have much time with your kids... Do your best... The moment you realize you're on the wrong path, change courses... Don't wait... Don't hesitate... Do it now!...

As we get older, we get more and more stubborn. Our children remind us we don't have all the answers and we don't have a lot of time. We need to be flexible, we need to be diligent, we need to be strong, we need to be weak...

We need to understand and respond to the fact that our children are our most foundational and important "ministry". If you want to change the world, start with the world God has so graciously given you -- the world inside your home.


c2009 Lorenda Houston

What's Your Motivation?

Something which has caused me a lot of head-scratching through the years is the utter disgust many Christians seem to have for some in our society. Hatred is such a strong word, I hesitate to use it, but in my experience, it often appears to be exactly that -- sort of like "love the sinner, hate the sin" (ahem), emphasis on hate. Those I've seen most often be the sad recipients of this kind of anti-Christian, anti-Christlike behavior are homosexuals. I never understood why those having questions concerning their sexuality, those struggling within a lifestyle of homosexuality, or even those blatantly pushing homosexuality as a normal sexual practice were vilified to a degree no other "sinner" was within the Christian community and in churches at large. This vilification of one particular sin over another was so obviously unbiblical to me, as was the vilification of particular sinners over others... I mean, isn't the fact that we're all sinners on equal ground one of the most basic and foundational tenets of the Christian faith?...

Then, one day, it hit me. Fear. Those who respond with the kind of extreme disgust, anger, and near hatred I have seen far too many times in my life are motivated by fear. Fear on many different levels... Fear their young people will be influenced negatively and even, irreversibly... Fear their children might be molested... Fear that those involved in the lifestyle may not know or recognize that homosexuality is a sin... Fear that too many questions or acknowledgment of questions will lead to experimentation... Fear, perhaps even, that it might rub off on them... Fear.

Anytime I hear or think of the word fear, I immediately think of the verse in I John 4 which says, "...perfect love drives out fear..." If not fear, then love... The entire passage, from verse 7 to verse 21 lays out so beautifully the perfect love of God, how his love plays out in our lives, and consequently, how that love should be our motivation in dealing with our fellow human beings. So, instead of fear, love. Granted, I've seen people motivated by fear to make good changes, but it's never long-lasting. Love is the only foolproof method for bringing heart-change. And, only God can give us the kind of love it takes to drive out fear...

Instead of brow-beating our fellow strugglers with how bad their behavior is and how punished they are going to be for their choices, why can't we respond the way Jesus always did when dealing with sinners? He always responded with love... Love and kindness can get you where anger and judgment never will... Let love be your motivation.


c2009 Lorenda Houston

fragile...

it hurts
and no one seems to notice
no one seems aware
strong
must be
for them
for me
but you know
and you see
the fragility
and you are there
and you care
and you bring back clarity
strength
from you
to me
strength in vulnerability
so i can be
all you want me to be
for them
for me

for you...


c2009 Lorenda Houston