A Christmas Hymn

It should have been a palace, bright,

When He came of humble birth,

But instead He came in manger-stall,

The King of all the Earth.

He might have been some high-born Prince,

Some King of Israel...

But instead He came to live with us;

Our Lord, Emmanuel.

He could have gone some other way;

Sent another in His place.

And still He knew that only He

Could wipe tears from my face.

O, King of Glory, Lord of Lords!

How can I pay my debt?

For the God of Earth and Heav'n most high

Has all my duty met.

12.21.16

Merry Christmas!

Unnamed Poem -- Hope

The shepherds waited patiently;

They kept watch all through the night.

Then they, who kept their lowly sheep,

Saw angels drawing nigh.

"Fear not," cried the angel, bending low

To see the children of the I AM,

"For He is born to you today --

The Son of God, the Lamb.

"The time has come upon us now;

The Light is here at last.

The Child Who came to bear your sins

Is to the stable cast."

And there the shepherds found Him,

And there the kings so wise --

Midst the tiny, crowded town that night,

'Neath blue star-studded skies.

Angels came to worship Him;

Shepherds, kings of three;

These all came to adore Him,

The One Who saved you and me.

December 15th, 2014

The Traitor

I stood before my Leader;

"I failed You, Sir," I said.

And, standing there rejected,

I, guilty, hung my head.

I'd promised e'er to serve Him;

I'd signed my oath, 'tis true.

Yet still I'd wrecked my promise;

I'd failed Him through-and-through.

"Captain, I've a contract,

And I've broken it for sure.

I'm a traitor to Thine army;

O, God, I am not pure.

"I've sinned and I've rejected

All that You hold as good.

Master, You should forsake me;

With the rival I have stood."

He reached down then to touch me;

He took me by the hand.

"O, child, you are loved;

Your forgiveness I have planned.

"Do not think you're a lost one;

I've wandered far and wide

To find you -- yes, My child --

I've never left your side.

"It's true I am your Captain,

But your Servant shall I be.

O, Child, do you know My blood

Was shed for likes of thee?"

I marveled at His presence;

The truth I found just there!

And, rising up from off my knees,

I ended this, my prayer.

Then, turning right back to Him,

I prayed, like as before,

But adding in this message:

"O, God, I'll fight your war."

11.11.16

Thank you to all Veterans, past and present, for preserving the freedom of your people and their children.  Your sacrifice is not forgotten.

Remember, Remember

Remember the dinner of wine and bread,

The way His face must have filled with dread.

Remember the one who snuck away;

Remember, remember that awful day.

Remember the garden where He wept;

See the place where His followers slept?

Remember the place where the soldiers stood;

Remember, remember Him, kind and good.

Remember the hall where they claimed His fate?

Can you hear the crowd calling, calling with hate?

Remember the look on Pilate's face;

Remember, remember -- He's in your place.

Remember the cross that He carried this way;

Remember the heat of that terrible day.

Remember the climb up to Calvary's hill;

Remember, remember, the sweet birds' trill.

Remember the storm that followed His death?

O, the weight of each labored breath!

Remember the light that had gone from the land;

Remember, remember -- this all had been planned.

Remember the light of that Easter dawn?

Remember how they found Him gone?

Remember the look on the Gardener's face!

Remember the wounds which He bore with grace.

Remember, remember His eyes filled with care...

Remember the mark He must have left there.

Remember the ones who thought of Him each day;

Remember the ones He has saved from their ways.

November 8th, 2016

A Communion Hymn

Come, O soul, for thou art weary;

Rest at My table here.

The bread you'll find life-giving,

My wine thy soul shall heal.

Come, O soul, for thou art weary,

And the war is raging fierce.

Find a refuge in My glory,

Come and at My altar kneel.

Come, O soul, for thou art troubled;

Rest in My arms awhile.

My strength is never waning;

Come and rest thy heart from guile.

Come, O soul, for thou art troubled!

Trust My hands thy griefs to bear.

And thy strength shall be as doubled,

As thy burdens we will share.

Come, O soul, for thou art hurting;

I all thy prayers have heard.

In thy quiet moments, Child,

Find strength within My word.

Come, O soul, for thou art hurting!  

Know I bled and died for thee.

Look up and know I love you;

Come and live thy life with Me.

10.02.2016

Bethany

Come, at My altar kneel,

Child of Heav'n.

Here, at My mercy-seat,

Where thou art forgiv'n.

Here, in My love complete,

Hear the old strain repeat,

"Come, find thy ransom here,

Child of Heav'n."

Come, find forgiveness here;

The world leave.

And in My perfect peace,

Healing grace receive.

Know I have heard thy plea!

Come and rest at My feet.

Find in My will a sweet

Peace unto Heav'n.

See there the Cross arise;

Thy debt was paid.

There, in the grave so still,

Jesus was laid.

Risen on Easter morn!

See now thy Living Lord!

Death's sting now wholly scorn;

Live unto Heav'n.

See, in the clouds He comes!

Zion returns!

All tears are washed away;

From your sins now turn.

Thy robe is holy white;

Find now the Lord's pure light.

Zion with love shines bright;

Light unto Heav'n.

(Sing to Bethany, or Nearer, My God, to Thee).

Zion Is Coming

Zion is coming, so be of good cheer.

Where Mine are standing, not one should fear.

Follow the pathway that leads to the end;

I am thy Father, Redeemer, and Friend.

Zion is coming; O hurry! make haste!

For of that Kingdom not all shall taste.

Remember My laws and hold them so close;

I shall redeem thee from thy old foes.

Zion is coming, and all shall want in,

But shall the righteous, the ones without sin,

Be granted a refuge from evil abroad.

Do not forget Me; I am thy God.

Zion is coming, and rest shall I grant,

To Mine own Saints who seeds of faith plant.

Do not lie idle, for night shall soon come,

And I with Zion shall bring you My Son.

9.15.16

Unnamed Poem -- Home

I wandered down a wide, wide road,

And felt so sharp my sinful load.

"He couldn't love me still," I said,

"For the things I've done, the road I've tread."

And so I kept along my path,

Filled with hatred and with wrath.

"How could He love me still?" I cried;

Sure to His love I once had died.

And yet I heard a voice; it called to me:

"My child, come!  Rest at My feet!"

"You can't love me," came my cry,

"You cannot love a sinner such as I."

“Oh, yes, I would, My child dear,”

Came the voice; I felt a tear.

“Why should You, Lord above the earth?”

“I made you; I’ve kept you since your birth.”

“But Lord, I’ve sinned; still I walk this way.”

“My child, come, repent this day.

I can give you all you need,

If only on this Bread you’ll feed.”

And so I turned and went to the Cross,

And at His feet I laid my dross.

“Take it, Lord, and make it Thine;

Here I’ve come, to rest at thy shrine.”

He wrapped me in His arms of love,

And I felt the richness from above.

“How long I’ve called unto thee,

Thou child of Mine, ‘Come unto Me!’”

Come

Come, soul, for thou art weary;

Rest at My table here.

The bread you'll find life-giving,

My wine thy soul shall heal.

Come, soul, for thou art troubled;

Rest in My arms awhile.

My strength is never waning;

Come, rest thy heart from guile.

Come, soul, for thou art hurting;

I all thy prayers have heard.

In thy quiet moments, Child,

Find strength within My word.

Go, soul, for thou art strengthened;

And in My Love abide.

Spread My words to ev'ryone;

And I thy hand shall guide.

9.30.2016

Unnamed Poem -- Forgiveness

I cast off my chains now before You,

O beautiful Savior and King,

For You who from sinning has saved me

Are Lord above each living thing.

O, Father and Master, I come now --

And as a small child I come --

For You in Your bright, shining glory

Hath beckoned me and called me Home.

My Home is not out in the world;

No, my Home is here at Your feet.

For though I know not of Your Love, Lord,

Your Spirit shall make me complete.

O, Father, what action of service

Could possibly purchase such Love?

For You Who with Your blood has bought me

Has called me to Home up above.

9.28.2016

Heaven Gained an Angel

On June 23rd, 2015, Heaven gained an angel.  This would be her seventeenth birthday. 

The angels danced as Earth let sigh
The day Heaven gained an angel.
The flowers turned their bright heads high,
The day Heaven gained an angel.

So many people shed a tear,
The day Heaven gained an angel,
And one small girl lost many a fear,
The day Heaven gained an angel.

She fought her life away, they said,
The day Heaven gained an angel.
And though but small her fire burned red,
The day Heaven gained an angel.

Her friends sit by this Remembering Day,
The birth of Heaven's new angel,
And think of Zion, coming their way...
To bring with it Heaven's new angel.

9.27.16
To Lauren -- though we never got to know each other, you have taught me so much.  It will be good to see you again. 

Unnamed Poem -- My Testimony

It was a chain that strongly bound me
In my dungeon of despair.
'Twas a plea of mercy grounded
On the flight-wings of a prayer.

'Twas a sin that kept me stalling
From a Love that, by design,
Would steal me out of darkness;
"O, My child, you are Mine."

'Twas a calling from the faithful,
'Twas a plea -- "O, sinner, come!"
In a sacrifice forgotten,
God had given us His Son.

'Twas a prayer I offered solely
To say, "I'm sorry, Lord."
'Twas the whisp'ring of an angel:
"Come and find true Love."

'Tis a tie that strongly binds me
To a Love so freely giv'n;
'Tis a mercy offered daily
From the highest courts of Heav'n.

-- September 13th, 2016.

A Repentant Sinner

"Lord, I did this, and I'm sorry,"

I gave to Him my sin.

"And if You do not mind, My Lord,

I would be clean again."

Do not you know the Scriptures?

I shall forget thy crime.

O, Child, you have come to Me;

I'll do it every time.

"But Lord!  how I have fallen!

And God, I am not pure!"

But Child, still I love you;

In this thing be sure.

He took my sin then from me,

And laid it by the side.

O, Child, come thou to My arms;

Let Me be thy guide.

"Oh, Father, how could You love me?

I Thy blood denied!"

Dear Child, now remember this;

My love the oceans hide.

I died upon a tree for thee;

I shall thy sins forgive. 

And in My light thy days shall shine;

And in My love, you'll live.

I who should the Lord condemn,

Now stand in grace so free;

And I shall never soon forget,

The love He showed to me.

To My Friends

This is a poem I wrote late last night after two of our dearest friends had left following supper and a movie (which, by the way, was funny).

The candles stand dark in their vases,

And dark is the room where we dined,

Yet still I remember their faces,

In which a holy light shined.

We laughed till we cried all together,

And talked of the sorrows we bore...

Yet still we look forward to Zion,

When we shall weep nevermore.

We've walked on a narrow, old pathway,

As the angels accompanied we,

And still we will walk with our Father,

Until rest in Zion we see.

Oh, dearest the friends of the Master!

How sweet the Spirit they bring;

And I shall always remember,

The times we spent praising the King.

August 29th, 2016

H. Paige Edwards

To Auntie J and Juanito ;)

Arise, For Zion Cometh!

Arise, for Zion cometh,

Lie idle not today.

Arise, for Zion cometh,

Go forth; prepare the way.

Prepare, for Zion cometh,

Thy Savior cometh now.

Prepare, for Zion cometh,

And wilt thou be allowed?

Be pure, for Zion cometh,

Thy hearts shall be as one.

Be pure, for Zion cometh,

And left behind are none.

Go forth for Zion's coming,

And spread abroad My word.

Go forth for Zion's coming,

Go and declare thy Lord.

The Parted Road

I stand before a parted road;

I see now two paths ahead.

And both are straight and narrow ways...

I cry to Christ Who bled,

"So bright the things I could achieve --

I'd be rich beyond compare!

Yet still I find I'm asking me,

'Would I find my Savior there?'

There's a widened road ahead of me;

I see it now so near...

Yet if I take that winding path,

I'd lose what I hold dear.

Though other callings tempt me still,

I'll walk the narrow way --

Though bright the things that call to me,

I'll go for You today."

August 27th, 2016

Unnamed Poem -- A Sonnet

On Tuesday, my grandma read me one of Shakespeare's sonnets.  I never knew before then what a sonnet was, except I knew it was a kind of poem.  Since that day, I felt like there was a poem I needed to write.  I prayed about it from time to time, but nothing came.  This morning when I woke up, somehow I knew today it would come.  And it did.

I am thy Fortress in battles tough,

I am thy Comfort in darkest night.

I am thy Compass when seas are rough,

I am thy Knowledge filled with light.

I am thy Water, thy Living Bread,

I am thy Hope when all seems lost.

I am thy Savior, Who once was dead,

I am the One Who bore your cross.

I am thy Father -- My child, fear not --

I am the God of all the earth.

I am the One Who gave you this lot --

I called you and held you since your birth.

I am the Hands that were wounded for you;

I am the One Who rose again, too.

Unnamed Poem -- The Call

I can't believe You love me

Still the way You do,

The way I chased worldly things,

And ran away from You.

I thought I knew what was good;

It looked like pure gold...

But what I took as perfect,

Caused damage to my soul.

I barely heard You calling --

Still, it stronger grew.

And as I heard You louder,

I then turned back to You.

But -- O!  How could You love me?

I, Your sinful child...

Yet I ran into Your arms,

Cheered by Your happy smile.

You welcomed me and loved me;

Made me whole again.

Now I climb the higher road,

Unfettered by my sins.

August 14th, 2016

Unnamed Poem -- The Map

I glanced at Your map;

It didn't match mine.

"Lord, where are we going?" 

I started to whine.

"I'm lost and confused;

Where are You leading me?"

As through tunnels we passed,

A light I did see.

"Child, I never left you,

Even if you left Me.

My map has been planned

From the start, don't you see?

"I wrote all this out

Before you were born.

I knew just how

You'd be broken and torn.

"Do not be frightened,

For, Child, you see,

I kept you safe,

Right beside Me."

August 10th, 2016

Unnamed Poem -- My Sacrifice

I have nothing much to offer;
No gifts of purest gold.
My soul my only sacrifice,
I offer to Thy fold.

I have no pearls nor riches,
No talents of my own.
Everything I give to Thee,
Already Thou dost own.

I haven't much to offer Thee;
My God, my life I give.
My hope that in Thy shining light,
I can now holy live.

August 7th, 2016

There Is A Hand That Leads Me

I love to look back on my life and see the Lord's handiwork, and I love to see Him leading me for the future.  One of my most favorite pastimes is listening to or reading others' testimonies of how our Heavenly Father orchestrated things to make them turn out perfectly.  I love to learn and grow with Him as He leads me through paths I have never encountered before.  As a result of that, I wrote this poem tonight.

There is a hand that leads me

Though changing winds rage fierce;

It keeps me always on the path

And shows His will so clear.  

There is a hand that leads me

Through fire, storms, and pain

And guides me to the Cross, which means

I can be clean again.

There is a hand that leads me,

When I'm lost and alone.

It holds me firm within its grasp;

It has it's power shown.

There is a hand that leads me,

Brings me to sunshine, bright,

And though I've passed through darkness, cold,

I shall live in the light!

August 3rd, 2016

H. Paige Edwards

Mark

On August 3rd, 2015, our church lost one of its dearest elders, and our family lost one of its closest friends.  This poem is dedicated to him.

That was a valiant man of God,

He who died yesterday.

He is one we'll always miss --

For us he lit the way.

He walked the straight path of the Lord;

He strove to do the right.

He served God with all his strength,

His heart, his will, his might.

But though he traveled through the veil,

He is not far beyond,

For he's in heaven, now, with God;

He has his new life donned.

And so, we'll see him, when time ends,

When Zion has returned;

And we shall sing for joy abroad,

When we have new life earned.

August 4th, 2015

In Memory of Mark Ballantyne

Gone, But Never Forgotten

Two Boys

In January of 2010, I became an aunt for the first time.  My second nephew was born in November of 2011, and this year, we found out my third nephew will be born.  I was digging through some old poems, and found this one, dated November 20th, 2014.

Two silly little boys are they --

The boys that live in the house of gray.

The boys with smiles oh-so-wide --

The boys with whom time seems to fly.

They grow older, day by day,

And always for them will I pray --

"Dear Lord, just now guide their way";

Yes, this is how I'll always pray.

Seasons pass and years go by --

My, how time seems to fly!

I'd hoped they'd stay small always,

But they seem to grow with each new day.

Two growing little boys are they --

The boys that live in the house of gray.

Once little boys there did play,

But now big boys live in that house of gray.

Dedicated to Benjamin and Trevor <3

Signed, Your Aunt

Four Clean and White-Washed Walls

I'm notorious for being a sentimental, emotional person who gets attached to the strangest thing.  One evening, sitting on the back pew of a prayer service, I began to look at the four walls of the church building.  Those walls had seen my own baptism and confirmation, and many others.  They had seen baby blessings, ordinations, preaching services, prayer services, music services, choir practices, plays, orchestra concerts...even small renditions of Handel's Messiah.  I have had so many testimonies that took place in that building.  I realized how attached to it I had grown...and I wrote these words.

Four clean and whitewashed walls,

Standing sturdy; standing tall.

Calm and gentle, bereft of sin,

Dear, sweet memories deep within.

These four walls, my soul does love --

Felt within the Presence from above.

These four walls, so Spirit-blessed,

Wherein I find sweet love and rest.

Angels there do stand beside us,

Our Savior, King, does hold and hide us.

These four walls for me hold peace;

Where blessings there ne'er do cease.

Four clean and whitewashed walls,

Standing sturdy; standing tall.

Calm and gentle, bereft of sin;

Dear, sweet memories, deep within.

September 3rd, 2014

O My Child

O, My child, how I love you;

For you My hands are scarred.

O, My child, hear Me calling -- 

Leave the world; draw apart.

O, My child, hear My whisper,

Leave temptation at thy door.

O, My child, knock and find Me...

Come and live forevermore.  

O, My child, learn to love Me;

Show that My Gospel's true.

O, My child, there are blessings,

At the Father's Throne for you.

O, My child, see My coming!  

For Zion's soon at hand!

O, My child, watch Me working,

And spread love across the land.

July 11th, 2016

My Child

Some much-needed comfort from a very wonderful Father today.

My child, come, and feel My hands,

For when you're weak and life's demands,

Grow too strong for your best,

Come to Me and find your rest.

My child, come, and learn of Me,

For I am nearer than you see,

And I will hold you through the storm,

Though once you felt weak and forlorn.

My child, come, rest in My arms,

Know that the devil can do no harm.

When you are here inside My grasp,

You are safe from Satan's wrath.

My child, come, stand in My strength,

For I will keep you through the length

Of battles fierce and fightings long.

Know that I can do no wrong.

My child, come, know that I AM

The Great God of All, the Righteous Lamb.

I have made you for this place,

And with Me you shall run your race.

July 15th, 2016

Unnamed Poem -- Would I?

On November 13th, 2015, Paris, France was attacked by a group of terrorists.  It was a shock to the world, and it caused me to look inside and ask myself a question.  If I was ever asked, "Are you a Christian?" with the penalty of being shot...would I say yes?  Would I tell the truth?  This self-inspection prompted the following:

Would I bleed for Jesus,

Who bled and died for me?

Would I walk on the water.

To Him upon the sea?

Would I give up my life,

When all is said and done...

Would I give up my old pride,

And would I see the Son?

Would I proclaim His might,

O'er all the world today?

Would I keep all the charges,

And go the narrow way?

Yes!  I would keep Him close;

He'd rest inside my heart.

With Him I have no worries,

And from Him I'll not part.

November 14th, 2015

To those who died in Paris.  11.13.2015<3

Unnamed Poem -- Thanksgiving

Recently I started a project where I write down something I am thankful for every day.  My goal is to get to 101 things, and then it will be 201, and then 301, and so on and so forth.  I just stumbled across a poem I wrote last fall, and it kind of goes along.

Oh, what gifts You oft bestow

When I sit at Your feet!

Oh, what peace You give me though

The fire I often meet.

Oh what grace You give me when

I feel disgraced and shamed.

Oh what joy it gives me then

To even say Your Name.

Oh, what a gift was Your life

To take away my sin!

That through Your trials and Your strife,

Then I am clean again.

What can I do to repay

Such as this priceless gift?

I can offer all my days

Thy holy Cross to lift.

November 8th, 2015

My Identity in Christ

I am but a feeble thing,

With wounds and battle scars,

But in His love, death's lost its sting,

And I am made unmarred.

I am now a filthy thing,

With spots upon my robe.

Yet in His love He washed my sins,

And has given me new hope.

I am just a weary thing,

With strength that's much long-gone,

Yet in His love He's sheltered me,

And by Him I press on.

I am thus a wealthy thing,

Claiming love divine.

And by His grace I've been set free;

I am His and He is mine.

~ July 7th, 2016

Unnamed Poem -- The Battle

The enemy stood on yonder hill;

With anger old my heart did fill.

I in battles long had fought;

What more to life – was this my lot?

I won, I lost, I fought again,

I felt weighed down by all my sins.

My heart had broken long ago,

As I stumbled mid Satan’s throes.

I knew the battle I could not win

For I too long had dwelled in sin.

All my works could not help me,

And from the fight then I did flee.

“O, My daughter, come,” I heard Him call,

“But, my Father, I know I’ll fall!”

I looked towards heav’n and I cried

To One Who once for me had died.

He took my hand and said, “Let us fight,

And we’ll win, daughter of the light.”

And so we turned to the war;

I had new strength, unlike before.

The battle raged; I wounded stood

Beside the Master, filled with good.

And as we fought I knew we’d won,

And, filled with joy, I praised the Son.

“Fight all your battles now with Me,”

The King said, “And you’ll soon see,

That I win every battle-fight.

Vict’ry is Mine, daughter of the light.”

July 3rd, 2016

Happy Fourth of July!!

I normally write poems on this blog, but today I just wanted to say, "Happy Fourth!" to everyone who reads this.  It's been one amazing day of sleeping in late, watching my favorite TV shows, eating fast food, and watching fireworks with family and friends.  I guess you could say I'm wholly American, eh?

(Hahaha, and then I use a Canadian word...oh well).

I just wanted to somehow express my great love of America, but I don't think words can entirely sum it up.  While I do not agree with many of the things that are going on in our government today, I do love this land of liberty.  I appreciate our forefathers who created a government based on God's laws.  I appreciate greatly the banner of red, white, and blue that waves so majestically today.  I appreciate the freedom I have been given to worship God as I see fit, to pursue happiness in pretty much whichever way I desire, to work for whatever gives me joy.  Because of the beliefs, sacrifices, and fundamental values of the men that created this great nation, I can become whatever I wish if I work hard enough -- a teacher, a lawyer, a doctor, even the President of the United States if I wanted to.

I guess what I'm trying to say is, I am definitely blessed beyond measure to live in a land where freedom is on every countryman's tongue, where liberty is the song we sing, and where the pride of the red, white, and blue rests in every American-born's heart.

I also wanted to say thank you to all those who sacrificed, gave, and still give their lives for this country...for me.  Thank you to all those who have served in the Air Force, Marines, Coast Guard, Navy, Army, and other branches of military and government.  THANK YOU!!

May God bless America forever!  <3


~ H. Paige Edwards
July 4th, 2016

The Well

I had the most interesting experience not fifteen minutes ago.  I was about to go to sleep, but I turned on a recording that I made of our band tonight to kind of lull me to sleep and quiet my mind.  As the soloist began to sing, it was almost as if I heard words which I knew where not our version of the song.  Instead, I heard the first verse of the next poem.  The rest of it came easily as I continued to sing the song to myself.

Now come ye to

The well and rest

It floweth free,

For you and me.

Come to the well,

And ye shall find,

The Master's touch,

Of sweetest kind.

His yoke is light;

He lendeth strength,

To carry on,

My anxious son.

Now let Him hold,

Your load of pain,

And ye shall rest,

From dark, cold rain.

You need to rest;

Find healing here.

Come, stay here long,

Where pain is gone.

Here at the well,

Where all are found,

And angels sing,

A heav'nly sound.

Come to the well,

Taste of His love,

It floweth free,

For you and me.

Come to the well,

Ye there shall find,

The Master's love...

Of sweetest kind.

June 30th, 2016

Unnamed Poem -- The Sacrifice

Monday, it seemed, was the day I learned about truly sacrificing your heart and life to God.  That day, I wrote this poem.

"Lord, here it is, my Father,"

I held up my sacrifice.

"It isn't much; I'm sorry...

But You said it would suffice.

"I know it's pretty broken...

We've been through lots of things.

But Father, You can have it...

Your grace can make it sing.

"It used to be quite pretty,

And was once completely whole,

But Father, it is tarnished...

Here, Lord, my heart and soul."

"This is just what I wanted,"

He said, smiling down at me.

"You've given Me your will, My child;

I needed that, you see.

"Don't think I cannot use you,

Because you are broken and poor.

I have a plan; you never know

What work I'll use you for."

He took my gift then from me,

And sat down upon the throne.

"I'm glad to see you come to Me,

And give Me all you own.

"For now I take My proper place

Inside this heart so new.  

I thank you for this gift today;

It was a sacrifice for you."

I looked then all around me,

And hardly recognized --

My heart was whole and new again!

I knew it had sufficed.

June 27th, 2016

The Shadow of the Cross

I have to admit, I love this one...I actually don't really remember writing it, only that I love the refuge I can find in the shadow of the Cross.

What pain to bear!

What joy is lost!

But e'en is heard the quietest prayer,

In the shadow of the Cross.

When light grows dim,

When all seems lost,

I'll hide from all the world's sin,

In the shadow of the Cross.

What joy is mine!

What hurt is lost!

For You my soul to refine,

In the shadow of the Cross.

When life is o'er,

When You call,

I'll come and rest evermore,

In the shadow of the Cross.

April 1, 2015

Unnamed Poem -- Grace

"I am here," He says, with gentle tone,

"Trust not in the devil, but Me alone.

Fear not, for I will uphold thee -

Dost thou not believe in Me?

I will send comfort to thy soul;

Know that o'er all I hold control.

In the night, when thou wast afraid,

I, by thy side, always stayed.

Never wast thou left alone,

When cold winds of trial by thee have blown.

Come to Me, lay thy burdens down,

And receive from Me a golden crown.

Do not be swayed by the world's snare,

But find joy in Me, for I am always there."

November 13th, 2014

Unnamed Poem -- The Throne

This little poem came from an experience I had in April, in which I vaguely saw myself kneeling at the foot of a magnificent Throne.

"Come, kneel at My Throne,"

Calls the Father above,

"For you are My own;

My child, you're loved."

"The pardon is free;

There is healing for you.

Find beauty in Me,

And charity, too."

So there did I kneel,

Begging grace and His touch.

With that He did heal,

And give me so much.

"Come, kneel at My Throne,"

Calls the Father above,

"For you are My own...

My child, you're loved."

May 29th, 2016

The Burden

I gave to Him my burden;

"Please take care of it, Lord," I said,

Knowing just how gently

I'd cradled and kept it fed.

He took it from my grasp then;

I reached out -- what else to do?

He smiled, looked down at me --

"I will hold it here for you."

"Lord, I shouldn't have done that --

I'll care for it on my own."

But I knew just how much

That pain had made me moan.

"No, My sweet child, I've got it.

Go rest in My peace alone.

You are very weak now,

But I have called you My own."

I turned and smiled at Him;

"You'll take care of it, Lord," I said,

As His hands closed around it,

Beautiful and scarred and red.

March, 2016

Zion Is Coming!

Zion is coming!

Are you ready, then?

For it will come soon, 

But no one knows when.

Zion is coming!

Will He find you there,

The Kingdom to see,

His glory to share?

Zion is coming!

And is your lamp lit?

And have you been washed?

Are you Kingdom-fit?

Zion is coming --

O, hurry, prepare!

Do not be shut out;

Let Him find you there.

June 19th, 2016

"There Is A Work"

Last week, during the Reunion, I felt an intense...feeling.  I don't know how to describe it except that I was assured of a thing I will do in my life.  It started out as a small love for something that I have always loved.  Monday morning I woke up very early, to have this come to mind.  My love for that thing grew and matured as the week went on, and even though I'm not sure how the Lord will accomplish this task it seems He will hand me someday, I'm kind of excited about it.  :)  Anyways, this is the poem that came early Monday morning.

There is a work you must follow;

Do so for Me today.

Know that I'll give you strength for tomorrow;

Know that I'll lead you ev'ry step of the way.

You will give all for the Master;

What is too dear for Me?

Do not stand idle in white, ripened pastures;

You cannot fear and from your duty flee.

Stand strong in My strength, O child of Mine,

I will give all you need.

Know that I'll love you to the end of time --

And know that I love you and will always lead.

June 13th, 2016

Unnamed Poem -- The Trial

O, Father, I am tired;

I have walked a weary mile,

And I feel I've lost my only strength,

And I have lost my smile.

"O, child, I've been with you;

You stand in My strength alone,

For I have called you to this last day,

And you are now My own."

But Father, I am weary --

I've gone on my strength too long --

"Now don't you fret, O thou child of Mine,

For in Me thou art strong.

"O, My child, I have loved you,

And I will not leave you now.

For, My child, in your weakest moment,

Defeat I'll not allow."

June 13th, 2016

Unnamed Poem -- The Storm

Last week, I was quite (that's for you, Megan!) blessed to attend a Church Reunion.  I got to meet up with friends I see all the time and friends I see only once or twice a year.  We met together with the understanding of seeking the Lord to grow closer to Him.  Many of us found roadblocks that we needed to get rid of in order to grow closer to Him.  I know I certainly did.
    I've been struggling with a health problem that takes a good toll on my energy reserves, and before last week I was nervous about the Reunion because of this.  I didn't want to get going for the first half of the week and crash for the second half, especially since I had a lot to do the second half of the week.
   This came to me on Friday.

I looked at the storm as the waves crashed high;

Fear entered my heart; I let out a cry:

"Father, send forth Your Spirit!  I need you now!

O, Lord, grant me courage -- where art Thou?"

The water was rising, coming so fast;

I wanted a shelter, a strength that would last.

I needed hope; my faith was gone,

And then I turned, and there stood the Son.

He beckoned and called to me -- "Child, come here,

For where is My Spirit, then I am near...

You were never alone, My child so dear,

So take heart My child; never thou fear."

I stepped on the water; at first I stood...

I kept my eyes on Jesus, so good,

But soon I had turned, and I started to sink.

He reached out His hand, just on the brink.  

"O, thou of small faith," the Father cried out,

"For here where I am, fear is not allowed.

Take courage, My child, and know that I stand,

Only and ever on God's holy right hand."

June 17th, 2016

The Pathway

     I often find that when I can't sleep at night, it's because there's something I must do.  Sometimes I will pray, and sometimes for a specific person or a need.  Other times it has been because of a poem that needed to be written.  

    I didn't know why I couldn't sleep the Sunday night I wrote this.  But I began to pray, and as I prayed, this formed in my mind.  I posted it to Facebook, and my youth group leader asked me to share it with a congregation we would be ministering to the next Sunday.  I don't know what kind of an effect it had on them, or whether it meant anything at all, but I do know that it has been something I have looked back on.  

There's a Pathway, long and narrow;

A Kingdom at the end.

The road is hard and painful,

But God is our King and Friend.

Few are traveling this Pathway --

Few are brave enough to dare --

But the few who take this journey

Will e'er be with Him there.

The angels walk this Pathway;

And the Nazarene, so sweet.

He calls us to come to Him --

To be His hands and feet.

There are distractions near this Pathway;

The World ever calls,

But we, with faith so rooted,

Will walk the heav'nly halls.

There's a Pathway, long and narrow;

A Kingdom waits us, fair;

A Kingdom serene and peaceful --

Will you be with Him there?

~ H. Paige Edwards

February 9th, 2015

Dedicated to all who walk the Pathway♥

The Master Now Is Calling

Last week I was invited to come to an evening service at a nearby Reunion.  I went, thinking just as I left the house that I needed to grab my notebook, so I did.  Just after the scripture reading and before the sermon, I penned this poem...and it turned out to be a sermon on service.  Go figure.  :)

The Master now is calling,

"Will you go for Me today?

Is there someone who will answer,

Who will walk the narrow way?

"Come now and labor quickly,

For My field is ripe and white.

Many there are in the darkness;

Please, will someone take My light?

"You must love as I have loved,

You must give your all for Me.

My forgiveness is so near them,

And My love is poured out free.

"My Spirit will be with you;

I shall bless you from on high.

My counsel is at ready;

In Me thy blessings lie."

The Master now is calling,

"Who will go for Me today?

Who will show My love to others,

And help them walk the narrow way?"

~ H. Paige Edwards

June 2nd, 2016

Little Angel

In late September almost two years ago, my cousin had her first child.  Her younger sister, who is just a couple of months younger than me, was pretty excited about having a new nephew.  I could definitely understand her excitement, and so a few days later, I wrote this poem for the little boy.  I heard that when my cousin went to meet her new nephew, she read him the poem.  :)

Stay pure, dear little angel,

Stay pure for Him today.

Stay pure, oh little angel,

And He shall guide thy way.

Stay joyful, little angel,

Stay joyful all the time.  

Stay joyful, little angel,

For He is ever so kind.  

Stay hopeful, little angel,

The dawn will always come.

Stay hopeful, little angel,

For you God gave His Son.

Stay faithful, little angel, 

For God loves you, you know.

Stay faithful, little angel,

For yes, He loves you so.

Praise Him, little angel,

Praise Him all day long.

Praise Him, little angel,

Praise Him with happy song.

~ H. Paige Edwards

September 28th, 2014

To I.L., one of the cutest little boys I've ever met.  :)

My Zion Is Soon Coming

My Zion is soon coming;

Prepare for it today.

Listen to this My order --

Do not your plans delay.

My Zion is soon coming;

And it will not be long.

Hurry now, get ready --

Repent and right your wrongs.

My Zion is soon coming;

Look for it every day.

Prepare, and get in order,

And don't forget to pray.

My Zion is soon coming;

Who will My people be?

Will you be there among them?

Will you live there with Me?

~ Given to H. Paige Edwards

September 21st, 2015

Unnamed Poem -- The Storm

The weather is stormy, 

But be of good cheer;

For where our God is,

You don't need to fear.

The sky darkens over,

The waves crash so high,

But don't fear, my child, 

For our God is nigh.

"Come, walk on the water,"

Calls Jesus, His hand

Outstretched in a call

To you on the land.

He knows you may worry --

Try not to, my dear,

For where our God is,

There can be no tears.

"Believe in Me for all,"

Says the Master, above,

"For you cannot fall,

If you live in My love."

~ H. Paige Edwards

October 9th, 2015

To K.D., Friend, Leader, Mother.  ♥

"And straightway Jesus constrained his disciples to get into a ship, and to go before him unto the other side, while he sent the multitudes away.  And when he had sent the multitudes away, he went up into a mountain, apart, to pray.  And when the even was come, he was there, alone.  But the ship was now in the midst of the sea, tossed with the waves; for the wind was contrary.  And in the fourth watch of the night, Jesus went unto them, walking on the sea.  And when the disciples saw him walking on the sea, they were troubled, saying, It is a spirit; and they cried out for fear.  But straightway Jesus spake unto them, saying, Be of good cheer; it is I; be not afraid.  And Peter answered him and said, Lord, if it be thou, bid me come unto thee on water.  And he said, Come.  And when Peter was come down out of the ship, he walked on the water, to go to Jesus.  But when he saw the wind boisterous, he was afraid; and, beginning to sink, he cried, saying, Lord, save me.  And immediately Jesus stretched forth his hand, and caught him, and said unto him, O thou of little faith, wherefore didst thou doubt?  And when they were come into the ship, the wind ceased.  Then they that were in the ship, came and worshipped him, saying, Of a truth, thou art the Son of God."  ~ Matthew 14:19-28

Lost No Longer

"Father, I'm lost," the child cried.

She was weary, tempest-tossed, and worn.

"Where is hope I've had inside?

Where have you been midst the days of hate and scorn?"

The tears fell fast; the child cried;

The Father who held her was gentle and kind.

"Where are you, Father?  Whose am I?"

"I am here, sweet child.  You are Mine."

The child was lost no longer -- hope had returned!

The Father had claimed her as His own.

She felt free as within her His Spirit burned --

"I," said she, "was never alone."

Yes, the child was no longer lost --

No longer faced trials of fear and dread,

No longer felt worn and tempest-tossed.

She felt hope  at last burn within instead.

~ H. Paige Edwards

November 30th, 2014

Zion Calling

Can you hear Zion calling?

It's calling you today.

Can you hear Zion calling?

Go now, and light the way.

You, My dear, are chosen --

You must light the way.

Yes, you, My dear, are chosen --

Go forth for Me today.

Can you see Zion coming --

Coming with wings unfurled?

Prepare, for Zion's coming --

And the devil's darts are hurled.  

You must pray for Zion --

You must share My love.

I can and will come, My child,

With Zion from above.

Do you hear Zion calling?

It's calling you today.

Do you hear Zion calling?

Go now -- and light the way!

~ H. Paige Edwards

August 2nd, 2015