Just For Today . . . He Was There and He Is Here, 4/16/13

He Was There and He Is Here   the sky is gray, the air is cold                      matches American souls,                     terror struck the streets once again     tragedy took a high toll, where was God when things fell apart     I know many ask that today, look closely and you will see      He was right there yesterday.   He was with the runners who turned back     helping despite exhaustion, He guided the first responders     to help through  the confusion, He ran some spectators to safety     and inspired others to give aid, He comforted broken hearted,     and led all of us to pray.   we wrestle with fear and anger     question why He let it happen, and I doubt we'll know the answer     not on this side of heaven, it's so hard not to feel helpless     nothing I can do it seems, but He's also here with me now     saying, "chandra, drop to your knees."   ~Chandra Lynn Smith, 4/16/13~

just for today . . .the day after . . .3/30/13

Dear Holy Friends,every thing make the tears start?     The day after . . . for us it is the day between Good Friday and Easter. For them, was it hopeless and forsaken?   in His grip, Chandra Lynn Smith     The Day After   Where did they go, to whom did they turn     did hopeless and shame in their hearts burn? They had all run away when Jesus died,     how did they find a place to hide? Mary and John had stayed till the end     were they angry at their disappearing friends? At what point did they find comfort in each other?     And how did they ever console his mother? Who paced, who cried, so great was their grief,          how could they process all they had seen? In those hours did they shares stories of Him?     could they think of anything good to lesson the grim? As the sun set on the day and Sabbath began     Could they see any good in Jahweh's plan? They all knew what He said would happen on the morrow     somehow I bet that didn't help their sorrow. So today my thoughts are all about the next day     the horror and grief they had to face. The cross on the hill was empty and bare     their Savior died while they appeared not to care. May I never take lightly the truth of this day     I'm like they were, I still run away. Thankfully I know it's just the end of the chapter     and hope is still alive on this day after.   ~Chandra Lynn Smith, 3/30/13~

just for today . . . sound of silence . . 3/29/13

Dear Holy Friends,   The sun is brilliant this morning. This day is so amazing in our lives. Sometimes I wish every year on Good Friday the sky would darken for the same hours it did the day He died. Just think, if it happened each year, eventually people would have to stop finding false explanations and look to the Source of it all!   in His grip, Chandra Lynn Smith     sound of silence   Have you ever experience silence     that makes all things dead and still? I think that's what happened     on top of Calvary's hill. Jesus hung on that cross     bearing all of my sin, And, as He hung there dying      no angel help entered in. The Man who had sweet communion     with His Father above, Hung there in pain and silence     with nothing but His love. His Father had to turn away     from all my sins He bore, And the silence of heaven     was like nothing ever before. How alone He must have felt     as His loved ones turned their backs. Yet His love kept Him up there     saving me kept Him on track. The sound of silence that day     the sound of love saving my soul. May I never forget or reject     such perfect love that makes me whole.   ~Chandra Lynn Smith~

just for today . . .the start of that day . . .3/28/13

Dear Holy friends,   It is cloudy here in PA today. To me that is so very appropriate for what this days is. I woke this morning thinking of the day ahead then I wondered what happened when Jesus woke on this day all of those years ago.   in His grip, Chandra Lynn Smith     The Start of That Day   On this day how did my Savior wake? How did He face the coming heartbreak? How did He manage to walk through the day? How could He face the man who would betray?   Cause I sit here dealing with my stuff, and tell myself it's too hard, too rough. I could wallow and pout the day away, and not see what the cross has to say.   Mercy flowed to me and took my sin, He hung there so I could enter in. Grace washes over my heart and soul, I'll not forget how He died to make me whole.   ~Chandra Lynn Smith, 3/28/13~

just for today . . .a mother's heart . . .3/26/13

Dear Holy Friends,   During Advent we ponder Mary and Joseph and the baby. I believe historians tells us Joseph was dead by the time Jesus was crucified. That left Mary to ponder things all alone. Being a mother of four sons her heart really touches mine. How did she make it through that week, for she knew what God said about her son?   In His Grip, Chandra     the mother's heart     From the day he was born     she pondered things, Treasured moments and days     filled with good things. How quickly did the joy     from Sunday fade? Did she wish someone     His place would trade? From His first breath she'd known     this sad day would come. But maybe she had hoped     God would spare His Son. With the crowd she rejoiced     it was God's Plan. Her Son would make way the     salvation of man. She knew that week God's will     would be done, How hard to grasp the truth     her Savior was her Son.   ~Chandra Lynn Smith, 3/26/13~

Just For Today . . .The Shadow . . .3/25/13

Dear Holy Friends,   While I love Christmas, the magic of it all (and I don't mean the commercial part), this week each year causes me to pause and ponder in ways no other week does. Yesterday we celebrated his entry and the loud Hosannas. He entered that week knowing what was to come. Yet, he still taught and loved and cared. I wish I was more like Him.   in His grip, Chandra   The Shadow   The shadow of the cross loomed    He saw it all of the time,    as he walked, talked, and taught    the cross followed behind. Ignoring the shadow He kept on     each step He took for us,     showing us how to follow Him,     teaching us how to trust. How could he walk through that week     without shouting of what was to come?     How could he keep loving them-me     stay with them instead of run? He knew the betrayal would happen     his beloved would run and deny,     He also knew me and my life     my sins were another reason to die. I walk in the shadow of the cross     thinking of all He did for me,     the path He took His final week     is why I'm saved and free.   ~Chandra Lynn Snith~

Just For Today . . .The Days Between . . .3/22/13

Dear Holy Friends,   I must admit I sometimes wonder if sending poems every day is a bit too much. But, I have recently had a few requests for more poems. Since I focused on advent during December, it seems appropriate I do an Easter week theme. So, here you go . . .   In His Grip, Chandra     The Days Between   He entered town in victory     cheering and jubilant song, They waved palms and shouted     so when did it go wrong? Yet, amidst the joy that day     He knew what would come, How could he smile and celebrate     knowing what would be done?   He rode in with joy     loving everyone He met, Could any of us do that     love those we knew would forget? Thinking of how He spent His last week     healing and teaching wondrous things, I don't think I could give myself     aware of what the week's end would bring.   This week we remember His entry     the joyous and happy day, Next week we look to His arising     from death to show us the Way. But, do not forget the days between     which he walked with mercy and grace. Because of Him and all He did     in heaven I have a place.   ~Chandra Lynn Smith~