Living Bread Crumbs

Fruit Test

2012-01-22T00:58:00.001-06:00

I'm sorry my friend

That you were hurt so

By someone who claims to know God

For the true heart of God

Is loving and kind

And compassionate to the downtrod

There are always deceivers

Not really believers

Who pretend to be someone they're not

These wolves in sheep's clothing

Have always been with us

They don't know the true ways of God

To know the true God

You must seek him

And be willing to open your heart

He doesn't condemn

And He doesn't control

To receive or reject is your part

For love's not true love

If you force it

It's something that happens within

His desire is for you

To come freely

And choose for yourself to know Him

"By their fruits ye shall know them,"

Is what Jesus said

What kind of fruit do you see?

This fruit test will guide you

And help you discern

If you've met a wolf or a sheep

Does the fruit leave a taste

That is bitter?

Does it turn you away from the Lord?

Can you "taste and see

that the Lord is good?"

Do you want to come back for more?

Consider these things

On your journey

And remember this lesson I leave

The true and the false

Are both offered

Which one will you choose to believe?

Della Smith

1/21/2012

Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves. Matthew 7:15

Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them. Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. Matthew 7:20,21

O taste and see that the Lord is good: blessed is the man that trusteth in him. Psalm 34:8

Regarding Fathers

2011-06-21T05:19:00.000-05:00

If you had a father
You loved with all your heart
The honor will come easy
You got a real good start

But many hearts were broken
By a father here below
Perhaps they were just missing
Perhaps they dealt cruel blows

On Father's day, we think of them
With gratitude or pain
But here we are, because they are
This truth will still remain

It's right to honor fathers
There's a promise that comes with it
A life that's long and goes well
It's in the sixth commandment

If it's hard for you to honor
The father you were given
There is healing for your wounded soul
From Father God in heaven

He wants to mend those places
That were marred by earthly flaws
His love for you is greater
Than you ever knew there was

Don't be afraid to trust Him
He's not like earthly men
His love is unconditional
No matter where you've been

If you've been running from Him
Because of pain or loss
Consider running to Him
There's healing at the cross

~Della Smith 6/19/2011

Luke 1:17 And he shall go before him in the spirit and power of Elias, to turn the hearts of the fathers to the children, and the disobedient to the wisdom of the just; to make ready a people prepared for the Lord.

John 14:18 I will not leave you comfortless: I will come to you.

Psalm 27:10 When my father and my mother forsake me, then the LORD will take me up.

Brave

2011-01-13T22:07:00.000-06:00

Brave one
Strong one
Not so brave
Weak

It's okay to crumble
When you're at My feet

My grace is all sufficient
It's perfect when you're not
It's enough that I work through you
I would rather a cracked pot

For flaws allow My beauty
To shine through broken places
And all along the path you run
You water other racers

I AM with you always
And yes, I know you know
But I wanted to remind you
I AM going where you go

Della Smith 4/16/10

And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. 2 Corinthians 12:9

The Cracked Pot
A water bearer in India had two large pots, each hung on each end of a pole which he carried across his neck. One of the pots had a crack in it, and while the other pot was perfect and always delivered a full portion of water at the end of the long walk from the stream to the master's house, the cracked pot arrived only half full. For a full two years this went on daily, with the bearer delivering only one and a half pots full of water in his master's house. Of course, the perfect pot was proud of its accomplishments. But the poor cracked pot was ashamed of its own imperfections, and miserable that it was able to accomplish only half of what it had been made to do. After two years of what it perceived to be a bitter failure, it spoke to the water bearer one day by the stream. "I am ashamed of myself, and I want to apologize to you." "Why?" asked the bearer. "What are you ashamed of?" I have been able, for these past two years, to deliver only half my load because this crack in my side causes water to leak out all the way back to your master's house. Because of my flaws, you have to do all of this work and you don't get full value for your efforts," the pot said. The water bearer felt sorry for the old cracked pot and in his compassion he said, "As we return to the master's house I want you to notice the beautiful flowers along the path." Indeed, as they went up the hill, the old cracked pot took notice of the sun warming the beautiful wild flowers on the side of the path, and this cheered it some. But at the end of the trail, it still felt bad because it had leaked out half its load, and so again it apologized to the bearer for its failure. The bearer said to the pot, "Did you notice that there were flowers only on your side of the path but not on the other pot's side? That's because I have always known about your flaw, and I took advantage of it. I planted flower seeds on your side of the path, and every day while we walk back from the stream, you've watered them. For two years I have been able to pick these beautiful flowers to decorate my master's table. Without you being just the way you are, he would not have this beauty to grace his house." Each of us has our own unique flaws. We're all cracked pots. But if we will allow it, the Lord will use our flaws to grace His Father's table. In God's great economy, nothing goes to waste. So as we seek ways to minister together and as God calls you to the tasks He has appointed for you, don't be afraid of your flaws. Acknowledge them and allow Him to take advantage of them, and you, too, can be the cause of beauty in His pathway.

Thankful

2010-11-20T08:10:00.001-06:00

I'm thankful for my yesterdays
I'm thankful for today
I'm thankful for the moments
That take my breath away

I'm thankful for the little things
That don't seem all that special
I'm thankful that I'm breathing
I'm thankful for every blessing

I'm thankful for the hard things
That life has put me through
For in those times I learned a lot
Like how to depend on You

The times we are the lowest
Are sometimes for our good
For in the times that seem so bad
We learn things that we should

Like there is a God in heaven
And he listens when we pray
And he will give us wisdom
To get through each new day

No matter where you are in life
There's a treasure waiting there
It's found inside a thankful heart
And gift wrapped with a prayer

Della Smith 11/19/10

Current Chick Tract

2010-10-31T15:05:00.001-05:00

Oh God

2010-09-22T21:50:00.000-05:00

Oh God, how many times have you heard this prayer?
Pleading for comfort in the midst of despair

Whenever all traces of hope seem to be gone
Please God, give me the strength to trudge on

Give me some patience from your reserve
And a little wisdom, and maybe some courage

Give me a shoulder to catch my tears
Give me the peace to quell my fears

Sometimes I feel so helpless and small
Like my life doesn't make any difference at all

Please God, whenever I'm feeling this way
Just help me make it through the day

by Della Smith (c) 1976

Need a Friend?

2010-08-30T20:04:00.001-05:00

You find yourself feeling empty inside
And you try to cover your pain with your pride
Like the sad clown who paints a smile on his face
And cheers those around him but can never erase
The emptiness that haunts him and taunts him always

You've learned from life that you've got to be tough
You've got to be strong when the going gets rough
You've hardened your heart in self defense
And you're afraid you'll be hurt if you take another chance
But deep inside is a tender child who still longs to dance

You wander through life going nowhere
Sometimes you get weary and just sit and stare
Is there an answer to why you're here?
Are you just meant to suffer and then disappear?
Is there anyone out there who possibly cares?

You've been hurt by so many wrongs
You just can't let go, the pain's been there too long
Disappointment is your closest friend
And loneliness lurks around every bend
If this is life who cares if it ends?

Well, THERE IS someone who cares that you hurt
He knows how it feels to be treated like dirt
He's been put down and hated, criticized and abused
He suffered rejection and betrayal too.

He was stripped of his dignity and stripped of his clothes,
Abandoned by his friends, and seized by his foes,
He's been lonely and weary and hungry and cold,
He never married, he had no one to hold.

"Who in the world would care?" you may say,
Well, his name is Jesus and he's alive today!
He's waiting to hear you call out his name.
He'll fill you with love and heal your shame.

He walked this earth in the body of a man,
So he could really understand
Our hopes, our joys, our fears, our pain,
He felt it all, his loss was our gain.

Call out for grace and mercy too,
And receive the joy that's waiting for you!

Della Smith (c) 2000

Devotional on Patience

2010-08-24T22:35:00.000-05:00

(from God's Little Devotional Book)

"Patience is the ability to keep your motor idling when you feel like stripping your gears."

"He that is slow to anger is better than the mighty; and he that ruleth his spirit than he that taketh a city." Proverbs 16:32

An old train on a branch line was puffing and creaking slowly through the countryside when suddenly it lurched to a stop. The only passenger in the three-car train rose quickly to his feet and hurried to find the conductor. "Why have we stopped?" he demanded. "I'm a salesman and I have an appointment in less than an hour in the next town. Surely this old train can make it through a pasture!"

The conductor smiled, "Nothing to worry about sir. Just a cow on the tracks. Gotta wait her out." The salesman returned to his seat, fuming and fidgeting until the train began to creep forward again about ten minutes later. It chugged along for a mile or two and then ground to a halt once again.

This time the conductor found the salesman. "Don't worry," he said. "We'll be on our way shortly. It's just a temporary delay." The exasperated salesman asked, "What now? Did we catch up to the cow again?"

What the salesman didn't know was that the schedule for this particular train had been made so as to allow for temporary delays and cows on the track!

The salesman made his appointment, but he was worn to a frazzle by his own frustration and concern.

Allow for delays. You'll enjoy life's journey more.

Scars

2010-07-03T15:20:00.001-05:00

Everyone has scars
Some are deep within
Some are easier to see
Like the one that's on my chin

I got it from a bicycle
When I was still quite small
And though you can still see it
It doesn't hurt at all

And then there was that time
That someone broke my heart
I didn't see it coming
And it ripped my world apart

Some of us were wounded
From betrayal by a friend
A deep cut made by broken trust
Is difficult to mend

Rejection and abandonment
Have wounded many more
We all long for acceptance
It's deep within our core

I'm sure your scars are different
Perhaps some are the same
But there is healing for them all
It's found in Jesus' name

He was wounded for our transgressions
He was bruised to bear our shame
The stripes upon his bleeding back
Were endured for every pain

Even the daggered thorns he wore
Paid the price for peace of mind
The blood he shed was offered
For the healing of all mankind

It's simple to receive it
Although sometimes it's hard
To trust and let our walls down
Because of all the scars

But he will never harm you
He knows the scars you bear
If you need proof of his pure love
Look at the scars he wears

7/2/2010 Della Smith

See, I have engraved you on the palms of my hands; your walls are ever before me. Isaiah 49:16

He is despised and rejected of men; a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief: and we hid as it were our faces from him; he was despised, and we esteemed him not. Surely he hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows: yet we did esteem him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted. But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities; the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed. Isaiah 53:3-5

Storm

2010-06-23T22:03:00.005-05:00

Tempest tossed
Teapot boiling
Seas are dying
Shores are oily

Who's in charge here?
Do you know?
Whom are you seeking
To take control?

There's only one answer
Wisdom cries
Fall on your knees
And look to the skies

For you must acknowledge
The power of God
Is the only solution
Out of this fog

Holy Spirit arise
And stir up your people
For as we unite
Every giant's defeated

God's army arise
If united we'll stand
We'll take this storm
And we'll take this land

~ Della Smith 6/16/2010

If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.

Father's Day Quiz

2010-06-19T11:34:00.000-05:00

1. Who was the first father in the Bible to lose a son to violence?

a. Abraham

b. Adam

c. Abel

d. Alkaline

2. How did Noah save his family?

a. He smuggled them out of Sodom and Gomorrah in the middle of the night.

b. He used a rope and basket to lower them out of the Tower of Babel.

c. He built an ark to save them from a flood.

d. He taught them the ways of the Lord.

3. Whom did God choose to be father of a great nation?

a. Aphrika

b. Mekziko

c. Joshua

d. Abram

4. Which of the following refers to Jacob's offspring?

a. The twelve tribes of Israel

b. The Abomination of Desolation

c. The Sanhedrin

d. The apostles

5. How is the fifth commandment, "Honor your father and mother," different from the other nine?

a. It is the only commandment with a promise attached to it.

b. It is the only commandment that doesn't begin with, "You shall not..."

c. It is the only commandment that speaks of human relationships.

d. It is the only commandment that was later overturned in a Jewish court of law.

6. Which of the following begins with the words "Our Father in heaven"?

a. The Shepherd's Psalm

b. The Lord's Prayer

c. The Love Chapter (1 Corinthians 13)

d. The Song of Songs

7. What was young Jesus referring to when he said, "Didn't you know I had to be in my Father's house"?

a. The temple

b. Heaven

c. Joseph's home in Nazareth

d. Mount Sinai

8. In the parable of the lost son, what did the father do when his prodigal son returned?

a. He hired him as a servant.

b. He had him thrown in prison because he did not recognize his son.

c. He threw a huge party.

d. The parable doesn't say.

9. Whom did Jesus call the father of lies?

a. The devil

b. Peter

c. Caiaphas, the high priest

d. The man who causes one person to stray from the path of righteousness

10. Which of the following words is an affectionate term for "father"?

a. Abba

b. Corbin

c. Nazareth

d. Petra

To see the answers, click here

Bitter Seed

2010-06-13T16:19:00.002-05:00

Words were said

The pain went deep

I tossed and turned

I couldn't sleep

The more I thought

The more I burned

My anger grew

My stomach churned

The thoughts kept coming

To my mind

Why did you treat me

So unkind?

A bitter seed

Went in my heart

Would I let it grow?

Or stop its start?

As I pondered

What to do

I heard your words

The words of truth

"A bitter root

Will many defile
For its poison spreads

To many lives"

I made a choice

To pull that weed

To stop its start

While still a seed

I prayed for the one

That hurt me so

And as I did

Forgiveness flowed

Not all at once

It took some time

But as I obeyed

Your grace was mine

Now I am free

The turmoil's past

Your peace has come

I'm free at last

Heb 12:14 Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord:
Heb 12:15 Looking diligently lest any man fail of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up trouble you, and thereby many be defiled;

More Tombstone Riddles

2010-06-06T00:59:00.001-05:00

The poems below could have been engraved on the headstones of famous Bible people. After reading each one, try to guess who is being described.

I had a captive audience with the one who filled the stands. But when I gave in to the crowd, I simply washed my hands.
When I left Haran, I walked through barren land till God said stop. He alone knew when the trip would be through and if I'd ever be called someone's pop.
The prophecies within my book announce the Lord's anointed. Although I don't come out and say it, it's clear to whom they pointed.
With boils and heartache and trouble I sat in some sackcloth and said, "Why is it that God keeps me living? I would surely be better off dead!"
The king had a way to fire us up for the task we were called to perform. All three of us prayed he would let up someday on his edict to make all conform.
His mother told him, "Stay away, Son, from Philistine girls, though they look like fun!" Like me, a pagan woman from Sorek Valley, to whom Samson was just another tally. Don't blame me that he lies in his grave; all I did was give him a shave.
I stood head and shoulders above all the rest; my words were always profane, till a shepherd boy took a stone from a brook, spun it round, let it go - what an aim!
Balak, king of Moab, was pretty scared. The Israelites stood on his plain. So I was hired to curse them and send them back east again. On my way to visit the king, my donkey's words left their mark. And so I became a blessing to all who called Abraham patriarch.
The servant knew when I watered the camels I would be given to Isaac to wed. And after our marriage I blessed him with twins - one a schemer, the other nicknamed "Red."
My husband lost a rib one day in a most unusual way. He fell asleep, and when he woke, he fell in love, and that's no joke!

To see the answers, click the link at the top of the page

In grateful memory of all those who served

2010-05-31T17:12:00.000-05:00

John 15:13 Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.

Empty

2010-05-28T05:10:00.001-05:00

Empty

Longing

In my soul

Needing

Something

To be whole

Fleeting

Feeling

Comes and goes

Always

Comes back

I suppose

Simple

Surrender

I give up

I receive

God's

Great love

Now

I know

What it was

I was

Missing

Holy love

Removing Stains

2010-05-27T17:19:00.000-05:00

Basic Guidelines

Treat the stain while it is fresh
Avoid hot water on an unknown stain.
Test fabric for color change.
Use removers sparingly - many brief applications are better than one long one.
Spread liquid remover unevenly around stain.
Rinse well - never let a liquid chemical dry on cloth.
Dry rapidly to help prevent rings.

Greasy Stains

If washable, rub detergent into the stain. Then rinse with warm water. If stain persists, try carbon tetrachloride. Heavy substances such as pitch or asphalt, should first be softened with petroleum jelly.

If non-washable, use cornstarch or white talcum powder. Dust powder on the spot to absorb grease, then brush off. An effective paste-like cleaner can be formed by mixing a grease solvent or cleaning fluid with talcum powder.

(adhesive tape, asphalt, butter, candle wax, cream, cream soup, gravy, margarine, meat juice, milk, oil, pitch, soot, road oil, tar)

Non-Greasy Stains

Sponge with cold water. Then rub glycerin into the stain and let stand for 30 minutes or longer. Rinse thoroughly with water and hang in the sun while dripping wet.

(candy, catsup, cherry, chocolate, coffee, ice cream, mustard, peach, pear, plum, soft drinks, tea, tomato juice)

Other Stains

Acids
Act quickly to prevent damage. Wash stain with cold water and rinse several times; then apply ammonia water or baking soda. Have white vinegar ready to apply if color changes. Rinse well.

Blood
Soak in cold water until stain turns light brown in color. Then wash in warm soapy water. If stain persists, use hydrogen peroxide.

Chewing Gum
Rub gum stain with ice, or put garment in plastic bag and freeze. Scrape or rub hardened gum out of cloth.

Dyes and Running Colors
If washable, soak material in cold water for several hours. Wash in heavy suds, then dry in sun. Bleaches can be effective on some white fabrics.

Egg
Sponge with cold water. If stain remains, sprinkle with pepsin powder. Let stand for 30 minutes, then rinse.

Fruit and Berries
For cherry, pear, peach, or plum stains, use NON-GREASY treatment. For discoloration from citrus fruits, use ACID treatment.

Grass
If material is washable, work detergent into stain and rinse. If stain remains, use hydrogen peroxide or chlorine bleach. On unwashable fabrics, sponge with alcohol, if it is safe for the material.

Ink (Ball Point)
Sponge repeatedly with alcohol, if safe for fabric. Rinse immediately.

Mildew
Treat while spots are fresh. Wash thoroughly and dry in sun. Or moisten stain with lemon juice and salt and place in sun.

Oil Paint and Varnish
Treat quickly. If material is washable, remove fresh stains by washing with plenty of soap. If the stain has dried, soften it first by rubbing in petroleum jelly.

The Most Troublesome Stain

Why bother with stains? We get rid of stains so we may have a clean acceptable appearance. But there is something worse than stained clothes - a stain that makes us unacceptable in God's sight. That stain is sin.

The Bible declares that "all have sinned and come short of the glory of God" (Romans 3:23). And it takes just one sin to stain your soul and make you unfit for God's heaven.

But God offers a way - the only way - to completely cleanse the stains of sin, whether many or few. "Come now, and let us reason together, saith the Lord: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool" (Isaiah 1:18).

The New Testament gives unmistakably clear instructions for removing sin's stains. First God identifies the only effective sin-eradicator: "the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin." Then we are told how this wonderful cleansing is obtained: "If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness" (1 John 1:7,9).

Receive this cleansing now!

Bible Character Tombstones

2010-05-22T23:46:00.001-05:00

The poems below could have been engraved on the headstones of famous Bible people. After reading each one, try to guess who is being described.

To me, Christians were worse than debtors; I would chain them up in iron fetters. But God changed my name, forgave my blame, had me travel and write letters.
You know me as the girl God chose to bear his only Son. I was scared but bravely dared to let his kingdom come.
My sheep knew me as shepherd. The king enjoyed my strumming. But when I was anointed by Sam, Saul's behavior became unbecoming.
When my boss died I took over. We crossed over a dry riverbed, and the walls of the city we conquered collapsed just the way that the Lord had said.
I learned the hard way it doesn't pay when God says, "Go!" to run away. Your boat may toss, the wind may blow, and a giant fish may swallow you whole.
I used to pray three times a day, windows open, facing the east. How would I know I'd end up thrown into the den of a beast?
I lived in a garden. My wife made me glad. I never had a mother, and I never had a dad.
The hair on my head grew long as can be. And strong were my muscles, 'twas easy to see. But I had quite a temper and liked pagan maids, which cost me my eyes and wondrous braids.
It really was a tiring chore to build a floating zoo. But I was the Lord's "yes man" for sure, and I did what he said to do.
When I was a baby, I lived in a boat that my mother had made from reeds. Rescued by royalty, I lived a fine life till God called me to do his deeds.

To see the answers, click link at top of page.

Jigsaw Puzzle Lessons

2010-05-20T18:08:00.001-05:00

First the most important lesson:

Jesus Christ is the missing

to life's puzzle

(graphic designed by Della Smith)

Here is a list of lessons from Pastor Tim at http://www.cybersalt.org

Here's some life lessons I've learned from jigsaw puzzles:

Don't force a fit. If something is meant to be, it will come together naturally.

When things aren't going so well, take a break. Everything will look different when you return.

Be sure to look at the big picture. Getting hung up on the little pieces only leads to frustration.

Perseverance pays off. Every important puzzle went together bit by bit, piece by piece.

When one spot stops working, move to another. But be sure to come back later (see above).

The creator of the puzzle gave you the picture as a guidebook.

Variety is the spice of life. It's the different colors and patterns that make the puzzle interesting.

Establish the border first. Boundaries give a sense of security and order.

Don't be afraid to try different combinations. Some matches are surprising.

Take time to celebrate your successes (even little ones).

Anything worth doing takes time and effort. A great puzzle can't be rushed.

Innocent Blood

2010-05-14T17:57:00.001-05:00

If you believe the Bible
That the word of God is true
You know the blood of innocents
Will bring a curse on you

Blood that's not atoned for
Cries out from the ground
For when there is injustice
There's no rest until it's found

Remember back in Eden
When the serpent was so subtle?
His strategy to twist God's word
Has caused a world of trouble!

He loves to make you question
The wisdom of God's ways
Surely YOU are wiser
Than the most Ancient of Days

Please consider carefully
What you believe or don't
Have you turned your back on Truth
Because of what YOU want?

If you're really seeking
The truth will soon be found
But if you're really hiding
You're treading shaky ground

There is a blood that cries out
The most innocent of all
That breaks the curse of all the rest
The curse from Eden's fall

It cries for true repentance
It cries out for the lost
It cries to every listening ear
It cries out from the cross

The blood of Jesus covers
With mercy ever new
The blood of Jesus cries out
Will you let me cover you?

~Della Smith 5/14/10

And the LORD said unto Cain, Where is Abel thy brother? And he said, I know not: Am I my brother's keeper? And he said, What hast thou done? the voice of thy brother's blood crieth unto me from the ground. And now art thou cursed from the earth, which hath opened her mouth to receive thy brother's blood from thy hand; Genesis 4:9-11

And to Jesus the mediator of the new covenant, and to the blood of sprinkling, that speaketh better things than that of Abel. See that ye refuse not him that speaketh. For if they escaped not who refused him that spake on earth, much more shall not we escape, if we turn away from him that speaketh from heaven: Hebrews 12:24-25

Honor Due

2010-05-09T15:02:00.003-05:00

Thank you Lord for mothers
In every shape and size
You've made each one beautiful
And special in your eyes

Some of them gave birth
And some of them weren't able
But the real heart of a mother
Is much more than just a label

It's loving, caring, giving
It's sacrifice and tears
It's training, teaching, helping
It's preparing for future years

We've all been touched by mothers
For that's part of God's plan
And no, there are none perfect
For that's the plight of man

But mothers now we honor
For without them we'd not be here
Truly honor is due every day
Not just one day a year

~Della Smith 5/9/10

Honour thy father and thy mother: that thy days may be long upon the land which the LORD thy God giveth thee. Exodus 20:12

Her children arise up, and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praiseth her. Proverbs 31:28

Childless

2010-05-09T15:00:00.004-05:00

For all the barren wombs
That never bore a child

For all the ones whose choices
Caused their child to die

For all the ones who gave birth
But gave their child away

For all the grieving mothers
Whose child lays in the grave

The Lord has not forgotten
The pain and grief you bear

The longing for your children
When your children are not there

You are not a second class
Forsaken and alone

He feels the beating of your hurt
He hears your silent moan

There is healing for your soul
Whatever pain you have

If you'll bring it to Jesus
He'll apply his healing salve

~Della Smith 5/9/10

There are three things that are never satisfied, yea, four things say not, It is enough: The grave; and the barren womb; the earth that is not filled with water; and the fire that saith not, It is enough. Proverbs 30:15-16

In Rama was there a voice heard, lamentation, and weeping, and great mourning, Rachel weeping for her children, and would not be comforted, because they are not. Matthew 2:18

Bleeding

2010-04-23T17:33:00.003-05:00

I'm not the ugly things you say

I don't like what you call me

I don't enjoy your cruel touch

Or the way that you defile me

I'm screaming on the inside

Please stop and let me go

I don't want to do these things

I want to tell you NO!!!!!

I'm not an object, thing or toy

I am a human being

I'm not some invented fantasy

I hurt, I've got real feelings

The only pleasure going on

Is happening in your mind

Just because I must obey

Doesn't mean it's fine

I'm longing for a gentle touch

Not your selfish demands

A simple hug would mean so much

No more of your commands

I hear your footsteps coming

My heart is filled with dread

I'm dying on the inside

Won't be long before I'm dead

I want to go far, far away

To run away and hide

But the only place that I can go

Is somewhere in my mind

I'm leaving now, not really here

I'm in a better place

I'm not listening to your words

Not looking at your face

Will someone be my hero?

I'm praying one will come

I need a place of refuge

I need my own safe home

Can someone hear me bleeding?

Anyone at all?

Can you hear heaven weeping?

Will you answer heaven's call?

~Della Smith 4/22/2010

Psa 35:17 Lord, how long wilt thou look on? rescue my soul from their destructions, my darling from the lions.

For more information about the issue of human trafficking, go to: http://www.exoduscry.com/

Exodus Cry is an international anti-trafficking organization committed to abolishing modern day slavery and assisting the victims of human trafficking and slavery through rescue, rehabilitation, and reintegration into society.

Their mission is to end Human Trafficking and Modern-Day Slavery

Used

2010-04-15T17:57:00.003-05:00

Used.
Abused.
Rejected.
Forsaken.

Love.
Not love.
Not real.
Mistaken.

Ashamed.
Full of pain.
Heart sad.
Broken.

Tried again.
Didn't win.
Hard heart.
Won't be broken.

Heart healed.
God is real.
Hope restored.
By my Savior.

Healed heart.
New start.
Freedom found.
In my Savior.

Chains gone.
New song.
Praises to.
God my Savior.

Now I'm used.
Not abused.
Love to serve.
God my Savior.

Isaiah 61:7 For your shame ye shall have double; and for confusion they shall rejoice in their portion: therefore in their land they shall possess the double: everlasting joy shall be unto them.

~Della Smith
4/15/2010

Heaven Sent?

2010-03-28T13:56:00.002-05:00

I didn't like the way it went
It surely was improper
This couldn't have been heaven sent
The lies, the tricks, the horror!

But then I thought of Joseph
Who was sold out by his brothers
I remembered that he suffered
So that he could rescue others

And I also thought of Daniel
He didn't have a say so
He had to live in Babylon
When he wished he could have said NO

The situation you are in
May not be your ideal
But when you're in the furnace
You will find out God is real

So don't complain or grumble
You're only in a season
Trust in the one who's in control
In time, you'll know the reason

Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths. Proverbs 3:5-6

But as for you, ye thought evil against me; but God meant it unto good, to bring to pass, as it is this day, to save much people alive. Genesis 50:20

The king answered unto Daniel, and said, Of a truth it is, that your God is a God of gods, and a Lord of kings, and a revealer of secrets, seeing thou couldest reveal this secret. Then the king made Daniel a great man, and gave him many great gifts, and made him ruler over the whole province of Babylon, and chief of the governors over all the wise men of Babylon. Then Daniel requested of the king, and he set Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, over the affairs of the province of Babylon: but Daniel sat in the gate of the king. 2:47-49

~Della Smith 3/28/2010

The Choice

2010-03-20T13:26:00.002-05:00

I had a choice
I made a choice
To speak life or speak death

The choice I made
Was soon displayed
My choice was manifest

The ending is your choice:

1) The choice I made
was soon displayed
Alas, my choice was death!

2) The choice I made
was soon displayed
Oh joy, I am so blessed!

Deu 30:19 I call heaven and earth to record this day against you, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing: therefore choose life, that both thou and thy seed may live:

Pro 18:21 Death and life are in the power of the tongue; and they that love it shall eat the fruit thereof.

~Della Smith 3/20/2010

The Plan

2010-03-20T10:34:00.001-05:00

When I was born
I didn't know
There was a perfect plan for me

But now I know
That all along
That plan was written in eternity.

~Della Smith 3/19/2010

Jeremiah 1:5. Before I formed thee in the belly I knew thee, and before thou camest forth out of the womb I sanctified thee, and I ordained thee a prophet into the nations.

A Tear Fell

2010-03-14T14:07:00.001-05:00

A tear fell
A heart broke
But as it fell
A prayer it wrote

For the strongest prayers
Are without words
A prayer of tears
Is always heard

~ Della Smith
3/14/2010

"Thou tellest my wanderings: put thou my tears into thy bottle: are they not in thy book?" Psalm 56:8

"Who in the days of his flesh, when he had offered up prayers and supplications with strong crying and tears unto him that was able to save him from death, and was heard in that he feared; though he were a Son, yet learned he obedience by the things which he suffered; and being made perfect, he became the author of eternal salvation unto all them who obey him..." Hebrews 5:7-9