December 2023

A Resolution to My King

December 30, 2023

Wow! Has this year flown by or what? This was a year of family blessings and gatherings and us helping each other learn more about Christ as we navigate life together. Also abundant this year were many crises and unexpected trials.

How about you? Did you have lots of highs and lows too? Do you feel grateful to have made it through 2023? I wonder what you’ve gone through and what highs and lows you experienced, as I consider my own. Through all of it, the Lord was present, persistent and perfect with me. With you too? I hope so.

So… it’s the time of year for “resolutions.” Though I am not a huge fan of them, because they focus on achieving more for ourselves, my thought here, today, is…Why can’t we make this next year all about less of us, less “resolving” and more “allowing God” to help us want what HE wants? And just what is that?

I believe God wants the simple things of us; honesty, humility, praise, obedience and most of all, love for others. So, of course, I need to write a poem to express all this. That’s just how my mind works, lol.

Resolution to My King

To dedicate this year, I take a stand

to now surrender all my dreams and plans

My feet, my hands, my body all are yours

to magnify and glorify you, Lord

So do with as You will, with all of me

and use this servant, Lord, to somehow be

a witness of Your love for everyone

a missioned servant pointing to the Son

Perfection I will never half achieve

though that’s the world’s attempt to sure deceive

Hold calm my heart and guide it Your own way

in everything I ask and do and say

For when I leave this world at Your command

I will not cry for all that I had planned

My soul will crave to know that I have tried

to spread the truth and love for which You died

Dear friends, thank you for following my little blog. It’s encouraging to me that so many want to read truth on here, to combat the lies the enemy is propagating in the world. I love you and pray for you to have a Lord-led, Lord- glorifying and healthy year!

With love from the Father to you,

Tina

Seeking Souls

December 7, 2023

Good morning! This is a poem I wrote, about maturing in faith to care for others’ souls. It’s a natural part of seeking God and learning what truly matters.

Seeking Souls

The more we seek, the more we know,

the more God gives to help us grow.

The more we grow, the more we care,

that souls are lost and sorrows bear.

The more we care, the more we strive,

not for ourselves, but others’ lives.

The more the world lives just for self,

the more they need the Lord Himself.

Let’s tell anew, so souls will live,

that only God, true joy can give.

The world is such a scary place.

Let’s brave the tide, reach souls with grace.

With love from the Father to you, Have a great day! …Tina

Monday Mindset – Get Your Eyes Fixed

December 4, 2023

That may sound like a strange title but that is what we, as followers of Jesus, are called to do, fix our eyes! If we are followers of Him, we must look at things HE looks at. We must look at things how HE looks at them. Our life is not just about THIS life and what it looks like to us, but what it looks like to God and for God. How does God see this life? As temporary, until we see him:)

Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God. Colossians 3:1-3

The apostle Paul says to look ABOVE where we are. Ok, Paul. I will get my eyes fixed:) I want to focus on the eternal! You?

Here’s another verse for a good mindset for this week:

He regarded disgrace for the sake of Christ as of greater value than the treasures of Egypt, because he was looking ahead to his reward. Hebrews 11:26

Our homes and treasures in whatever city, state or country, are not enduring. Our heavenly ‘forever home’ awaits! Thats where our treasure is, Jesus! For the sake of Christ, let’s be looking for THAT city and that reward.

Dear Father, Please fix our eyes. We want to focus more on our heavenly treasure and home and not our earthly home. Give us the nudge and confidence and strong desire to tell others about You, so they can have the treasure of You also. We love You! Amen

With love from the Father to you, have a great day!

Tina

Winner of the Storm

December 2, 2023

It is a poem day! I wrote this a few years ago when going through trials that made me feel as if I was in a bad storm with no way out. Ever feel that way, too? I am aware that so many people now have worse ‘storms’ than I ever did.

Sometimes, the only way out is to wait it out. If we wait on God, trust His timing, have faith that He knows what He is doing or allowing, we will make it through. God’s Word says…

Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing. If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him. But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea that is driven and tossed by the wind. James 1:2-8

This poem is about making it through the storms in your life. James says they can be opportunities to grow!

Winner of the Storm

In places and times,
no choosing.
uninvited storms will greet me,
and force a challenge.
Right or wrong,
we are all losing
when weather appears.
In a sudden gush,
hard winds roaring,
breath is taken, short in coming.
Heart is heavy with the fight.
On a dare, water starting,
trickling down and then a flood
Will there be any good?
Breathe!
My heart is worn
and must be strong
before it falls victim
to the lightning,
brightly angry
In the rain.
I seek a better place,
away from this storm of pain.
But how to escape
and can I win?
seeing through tears
I look around.
A cave ! I peer from it.
All is wet and ruined;
but the storm has stilled!
The mighty wind,
is now a breeze.
Sunshine dares a peek.
I can breathe!
I can grow.
Despite the pain
that weather brings,
My heart has faced a test,
and beat throughout
the storm’s progress.
A victory earned!
The storm is dead!
And I am breathing!
Copyright©2020-2023 Christina Crute

Dear Father,

You have brought us through so many storms already, so we know You will help us in our current storm, too. Please remind us that all storms are opportunities to lean on You and learn from You and maybe help others do the same. Thank You for loving us enough to help us no matter what we are facing or how scared we are. Increase our faith, please, and we will give You all the glory, forever and ever. We love You! Amen

Friends, I have missed being on here, missed you. Life got super busy!

With love from the Father to you, Have a great weekend. See you on Monday for “Monday Mindset.”

Tina