“Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father.” James 1:17
…
R is for Rick
.
Rick
.
sinner saved by grace
my dearly beloved
God’s giving heart
leader, provider
my best friend
strong arms
skillful art
one heart
His song
is in
his
.
Music
.
“Landrum Aire”
by Rick Hefner
Find more of Rick’s latest accomplishments here!
…
Nothing wrong with bragging on your husband, right? Right!
…
____
Thank you for taking your time to visit!
“This far you may come and no farther; here is where your proud waves halt.” 1
When trouble has wiped the last
of your cherished treasures
from the quivering lips
of your gracious smile…
When your frown has drained
all discontent and bitter envy
from your elegantly fit
and satiated bile…
When pride has burnt the seat
of your most humbling flatter
with its shrieking howl
and piercing lie…
When restlessness has wrecked
the lushness of your cushion
and has left you without
any comfort to cry…
When your frustration has spilled
your carefully guarded dreams
and shielded aspirations,
into wasted days…
When your fiery temper has rent
all assumptions of your own
fine choosing, snagged by
an unsound faith…
When your rising doubt has kicked
your rosy heart into a cauldron
of vengeful, unforgiving hate
and mounting fears…
When your swelling boil has birthed
its ignorant and towering dread
and has ceased to prize
your wasted tears…
When utmost panic has clubbed
your last smoldering will
to live another bleak
pathetic moment…
When your own rage has thrust
all illusions of your goodness
beneath your own vile guile
and murderous bent…
When confusion has strangled
all your worthless excuses
and flesh falls trembling
from your empty face…
When God has rightly judged you
His passion ablaze and just
seethed in purest mercy
steeped in grace…
“Return to the LORD your God, for He is gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and abounding in love.” 2
Only then will you be quick to hear
His summon to repent and to recover in Him.
Only then will you be able to devour
God’s everlasting words of truth and grace.
Only then will you be ready to comprehend
the wounds that bled with a healing forgiveness.
Only then will you be willing to accept
Christ’s disposition and request to follow Him.
~~~
Indeed, many should hear God’s echoing summon, but the life they love tells them a different story. Surely, some want to hear God’s everlasting words of truth and grace, but only the hungry will crave and devour much of Him. Yes, many will want to welcome the wounds of a healing forgiveness, but only those who hate their sin will know the cost and its significance. Granted, countless clamber after Christ’s disposition, but only those who die to ‘self’ will come alive in Him that they may follow in the steps of His eternal truth and beauty.
~~~
Then he called the crowd to him along with his disciples and said: “If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me.” 3
“I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.” 4
~~~
Scripture References:
1. Job 38:11
2. Joel 2:13
3. Matthew 8:34
4. John 8:12
~~~
© Petra Olsen Hefner
“For the grace of God hath appeared…”
The friend we’ve hungered for
The soul mate we’ve yearned for
The liberator we’ve hoped for
The rescuer we’ve ached for…
The truth we’ve meditated
and pondered was rejected!
Was ridiculed, mocked, bruised, belittled
humiliated, injured and disgraced!
Was teased, tortured, agonized and trampled
drained of life and maimed!
Fairness wore the scars of sin
that we’re too vain to face!
Innocence bore the wrath of death
that lies in wait for us!
Grace appeared as an immaculate life,
while an age-old lie tried to kill and mute the truth
but failed and fled, in light of His great mercy.
Grace still waits for us; still longs for us
to know the One who cannot be denied.
~~~
© Petra O. Hefner
He arrived so small, so tender
after we had grown so exceedingly bold.
He lay vulnerable – approachable
while we stood armed and most reserved.
He was most fair, above all honest
while we grew vain and shrewd and worthless.
He was personal and most attentive
while we were distant, reckless and misled.
He fused forgiveness with true healing
while our vengeance left us maimed and twisted.
He remained ever mindful and devoted
while we mounted our rebellious, callous stairs.
He was tactful, helpful, selfless
while we grew utterly self-absorbed.
His life was calm, His ways most peaceful
while we were restless, jealous and absurd.
His love was loyal, yet not demanding
while we remained unfaithful and unsure.
His arms were open, His heart extended
while we ran mocking from our only hope!
~~~
© Petra O. Hefner
~~~
