What Love Means

[Judy Harder]

Limitless Love of the Lord


Limitless is Your love:
Boundless, unceasing.
Glorious its embrace,
My every fear releasing.

Yea, limitless, boundless,
Divine, rich and true:
Such is the love
I know in You.



Deeper than the oceans,
Higher than mountains,
Stronger than storms,
Purer than fountains.

Glorious, glorious God,
Wondrous, wondrous love:
Streaming as Son-rays
From Heaven above.



Oh, this love
Thrilling my heart,
Oh, my God,
How great Thou art!

Wrap me in Your love,
Fill me with agape-divine,
Seal me with Your Spirit,
Warm me with Son-shine.



Sing Your praises
I shall forevermore,
Lifting my voice to Christ,
The One I adore.

For His love does satisfy,
His love does consume,
His love did knit me
In my mother's womb.



By His love I am made,
By His love I do live,
By His love I do move:
Love to Him I then give.

Limitless love, Lord,
May I give ever to You.
Boundless agape,
Pure, holy and true.



May my life and love
Be one and the same:
May I live in Your love,
Glorifying Your Name.

For the love of my Lord
Each task I do partake;
May love flow from me
For Your Name's sake.



And when I meet You
One Day, Face-to-face,
Your love complete I will know
By Your amazing grace.

Heaven is Heaven,
For it is Your love:
Heaven is Agape,
Yea, my Home above.



Thrilling my heart
Forever Your love will;
When thousands of years pass,
It will delight me still.

Deeper than the oceans,
Higher than mountains,
Stronger than storms,
Purer than fountains.



Yea, limitless, boundless,
Divine, rich and true:
Such is the love, Jesus,
I know in You.

Limitless is Your love:
Boundless, unceasing.
Glorious its embrace,
All to You I am releasing!

~*~

© Caroline Gavin
carolinegavinre@aol.com

"Let my every step be upon footing secure;
Let Your Word always guide,
for then I am sure."
' Reflection by Caroline '

[Judy Harder]

How Great Thou Art

Oh Lord my God
When I in awesome wonder
Consider all the worlds
Thy hands have made



I see the stars
I hear the rolling thunder
Thy power throughout
The universe displayed



When Christ shall come
With shout of acclamation
And take me home
What joy shall fill my heart



Then I shall bow
In humble adoration
And then proclaim My God
How great Thou art



Then sings my soul
My Savior, God, to Thee
How great thou art
How great thou art



Then sings my soul
My Saviour, God, to Thee
How great Thou art
How great Thou art

"How Great Thou Art"
is a Christian hymn based on a Swedish poem
written by Carl Gustav Boberg (1859-1940)
Read text at bottom of this page
Sung by Elvis presley

[Judy Harder]

Faith

My Lord, My God
Forgive when with faith I do not see
Help me, O LORD,
To appreciate the unseen with clarity

For our faith lies not in the seen
But rather in those things beyond sight
It is in those with deep faith
That You give favor and find delight



So often I stumble
Because I do not see
I see the world around me, yes
But forget the unseen of eternity

Grant, O Lord, that I may see
As you do, seen and unseen, both
For it is to You and to Your Kingdom
That my life I will always devote



Guide me, Lord, and show me
The path of life abundant and pure
With only You as my Compass
Can the course of my steps be sure

Let the depth of my faith surge
As the deep and beautiful sea
Let never the doubts and worries
Wash over a faithless me



For with faith I will live
And with faith I will die
Only to find eternal promises
Granted from the Most High

Thank you, O Lord, for your grace
To grant me the faith to live
I pray that you increase my faith
And more to me each day You give



For I will please you with faith
And I will serve with hope and love
Knowing You so closely here, Father
And even more so when we meet Above

~**~

© Caroline Gavin

[Judy Harder]

Letter From Heaven


Sally jumped up as soon as she saw
the surgeon come out of the operating room.
She said: How is my little boy? Is he going to be all right?
When can I see him?
"The surgeon said, I'm sorry. We did all we could,
but your boy didn't make it."

Sally said, Why do little children get cancer?
Doesn't God care any more?
"Where were you, God, when my son needed you?"



The surgeon asked, Would you like
some time alone with your son?
"One of the nurses will be out in a few minutes,
before he's transported to the university."

Sally asked the nurse to stay with her
while she said good-bye to her son.
She ran her fingers lovingly
through his thick red curly hair.



Would you like a lock of his hair? the nurse asked.
Sally nodded yes.
The nurse cut a lock of the boys hair,
put it in a plastic bag and handed it to Sally.

The mother said, It was Jimmy's idea
to donate his body to the university for study.
He said it might help somebody else.
I said no at first, but Jimmy said,
Mom, I wont be using it after I die.
Maybe it will help some other little boy
spend one more day with his Mom.



She went on, My Jimmy had a heart of gold.
Always thinking of someone else.
Always wanting to help others if he could.

Sally walked out of Children's mercy Hospital
for the last time, after spending most of
the last six months there.
She put the bag with Jimmy's belongings
on the seat beside her in the car.



The drive home was difficult.
It was even harder to enter the empty house.
She carried Jimmy's belongings, and the plastic bag
with the lock of his hair to her sons room.

She started placing the model cars and other
personal things, back in his room exactly
where he had always kept them.
She laid down across his bed and,
hugging his pillow, cried herself to sleep.
It was around midnight when Sally awoke.
Laying beside her on the bed was a folded letter.
The letter said:



Dear Mom,
I know you're going to miss me;
but don't think that I will ever forget you,
or stop loving you, just cause I'm not around
to say I LOVE YOU.

I will always love you, Mom, even more with each day.
Someday we will see each other again.
Until then, if you want to adopt a little boy
so you wont be so lonely, that's okay with me.
He can have my room, and old stuff to play with.



But, if you decide to get a girl instead,
she probably wouldn't like the same things us boys do.
You'll have to buy her dolls and stuff girls like, ya know.

Don't be sad thinking about me.
This really is a neat place.
Grandma and Grandpa met me as soon as I got here
and showed me around some,
but it will take a long time to see everything.



The angels are so cool. I love to watch them fly.
And, you know what? Jesus doesn't look like any of his pictures.
Yet,when I saw Him, I knew it was Him.
Jesus himself took me to see GOD!

And guess what, Mom? I got to sit on Gods knee
and talk to Him, like I was somebody important.
That's when I told Him that I wanted to write you a letter,
to tell you good-bye and everything.
But I already knew that wasn't allowed.



Well, ya know what Mom? God handed me some paper
and His own personal pen to write you this letter.
I think Gabriel is the name of the angel who is
going to drop this letter off to you.

God said for me to give you the answer to
one of the questions you asked Him
* Where was He when I needed him?
"God said He was in the same place with me,
as when His son Jesus was on the cross."
"He was right there,
as He always is with all His children."



Oh, by the way, Mom, no one else can see
what I've written except you.
To everyone else this is just a blank piece of paper.
Isn't that cool?

I have to give God His pen back now.
He needs it to write some more names in the Book of Life.
Tonight I get to sit at the table with Jesus for supper.
I'm, sure the food will be great.



Oh, I almost forgot to tell you.
I don't hurt anymore.
The cancer is all gone.
I'm glad because I couldn't stand that pain anymore
and God couldn't stand to see me hurt so much, either.
That's when He sent the Angel of Mercy
to come get me.
The Angel said I was Special Delivery!
How about that?



Signed with Love from:
God, Jesus & Me.

[Judy Harder]

Dawning Light of Jesus

The sun bursts in the sky,
The rays warm my heart:
Glorious to witness
A new day at its start.

Such is the entry
Of dawn on the earth,
Such is the triumph:
A new day at its birth.



For light overcomes
The darkness of night.
Yes, darkness surrenders
To the glory of light.

The truth of the Lord
Shines in this way;
The truth of Christ
Shines bright as the day.



Though darkness is deep,
Though sin is vast,
None can overcome
Light of First and Last.

Glory, Glory to God,
For the Light He gives.
Praise to our Father:
His goodness lives.



His goodness and truth
Prevail forevermore;
His love and His light
Eternally endure.

Dance I shall then
In the warmth of His rays.
Sing I shall of Him
All my life, all my days.



I shall join hands
With sister and brother;
We lift our hearts to God
And uplift one another.

Rejoicing in the Son-light,
Rejoicing in its rays,
Rejoicing in Jesus
His love does amaze!



His Light overcomes
The darkness of night.
Yes, darkness surrenders
To the glory of Light.

Such is the entry
Of Truth on the earth,
Such is the triumph:
Jesus Christ brings rebirth.



His Light fills my soul,
His rays warm my heart:
Glorious to witness
New Life at its start.

~**~

Caroline Gavin ©May 2012
carolinegavinre@aol.com

[Judy Harder]

Rose In Bloom

Lovely rose,
Brilliant in bloom,
Beautiful vision
My heart to consume.

Lord Jesus, may I be
As one of these:
Beautiful, fragrant
Your heart to please.



As the soft bud
Emerging from earth,
May I stretch upward
To claim rebirth.

As the petals
Colorful and bright,
May my beauty grow
From Your luminous Light.



As the pattern
Of the petals 'round,
May I circle about You,
Your love to abound.

As the fragrance of roses
Aromatic and sweet,
May my prayers rise to You
Lovely incense to greet.



As roses intertwine,
One next to another,
May my life bring joy
To sister and brother.

As amidst the beauty
Of the rose is the thorn,
May I recall Your agony,
The bitter Cross borne.



As the bloom withers,
As the petals do fall,
May I remember
Dust we are all.

As the rose petals
With earth become one,
May I recall the promise
Of You, God's Son.



Eternal life we find
When to ourselves we die;
We become one with You
When flesh we crucify.

~**~

© Caroline Gavin
carolinegavinre@aol.com

[Judy Harder]

Divine Design

Blossoming flower sweet
Budding leaves of green
Design of the Divine
Unseen in the seen

For in the sweet flower
In the leaves of Spring
We see the Creator's design
Life to all He does bring



In the snowflake dancing
In the joyful raindrop parade
We see artwork of our God
O, marvel the designs He laid!

For the trees tower gracefully
And toward the skies they reach
With long outstretched arms
Heartfelt worship they do teach



Fragrant flowers blooming
Colorful after seasons of rain
Promise sweet joy we reap
After the seasons of pain

Rushing, splashing waters
Cool and clean with vibrancy
Speak of marvelous movement
For to life it is pure necessity



Soaring birds singing
Orchestra joyful in the air
Remind us that to God
We must cast our every care

Dazzling sunshine bright
Bringing daytime after night
Revealing but a glimmer
Of the Son's glory in our sight



For light of the sun brings life
All the more so does the Son
Life true and eternal exists only
In Christ, the Almighty One

Love of a parent and child
Strong and sweet embrace
Whisper of God's own love
His incredible mercy and grace



I praise You, beloved Lord
Thank You for the design You show
Your creation speaks of Your wisdom
That You all may come to know

Joyful am I to see You
In all things, great and small
For You are the Creator
You bring life to one and all



Rejoice then, dear Christian
Sing with me our Father's praise
Let us proclaim His glory to all
For with Him we shall be always

With the trees, with the flowers
With the streams, with the fountains
Let us worship God with all Nature
Whether in valleys or upon mountains



Yes, let's celebrate the flowers sweet
And marvel budding leaves of green
Discover the Design of the Divine
Marvel at the Unseen in the seen

~**~

© Caroline Gavin
carolinegavinre@aol.com

[Judy Harder]

Born Again

Lest a man be born again
The Kingdom of God he will not see
Such a glorious Truth to know
Yes, such a wondrous mystery
But what is this second birth?
A mother does not carry a child twice
How can we heed Christ's words?
How can we follow sacred advice?

The birth of which our Lord speaks
Is not of the flesh and blood we know
It is a birth of the spirit from Spirit
Following then wherever the Spirit does go
Sweet is this second birth
Blessed are those who in Spirit live
These taste the bliss of eternity
These savor the grace God does give

For God so loved the world
That He sent His only begotten Son
Whosoever places His faith in Christ
Knows salvation through the Holy One
In surrendering one's self to Christ
In giving Him everything and all
One finds Life and victory sweet
Following ever his dear Master's call

For to enjoy the resurrection of Christ
First one must with Him also die
A death of denying the desires of flesh
In order to spiritual heights then fly
Rejoice then in this second birth
Celebrate the Spirit Who now lives in you
Praise God for the Gift of eternal life
Thank Him for His love enduring and true

How glorious it is to live this Life
I count all lost in previous life as naught
I long to live always fully in the Spirit
For Christ's blood my redemption bought
Let us tell one and all of this story
Let us tell everyone about spiritual birth
No sweeter story is there to share
Than Christ dying to save all on earth

So may we embrace Christ each passing day
And fan the flame of the Spirit in the heart
May we lift our prayer and praise to God
Who loved each and all of us from the start
For so very sweet is this second birth
Blessed are we who in Spirit live
We taste each day the bliss of eternity
Yes, we savor the grace God does give

Praise the Lord we have been born again
The Kingdom of God each one of us shall see
Such a glorious Truth to experience and know
Yes, such a wondrous and glorious mystery

© Caroline Gavin
carolinegavinre@aol.com

Jesus answered and said unto him.
Verily, verily I say unto thee,
Except a man be born again, he
cannot see the kingdom of God.
John 3:3 KJV

[Judy Harder]

Warm Hearts

I dreamed a li'l dream, for you
My love traversing every sea
Climbing tallest mountains
Fording every stream



Echoing the widest gulf
Swirling o'er the plain
Twirling through the snowy pines
And trickling down with rain



Clambering over obstacles
Searching long the streets
Checking every mailbox
Feeling incomplete



Catching pretty zephyrs
Spiralling sweetly up your path
Whispering softly at your keyhole
To creep inside your heart

Soft Whispers from
Derry's Heart Poems ©April 2012
heartwhispers@iinet.net.au
Poetry From The Heart

[Judy Harder]

Beary Lovely
I am sittin' here just pondering from afar
how special that you are
and how you need a huggle
and a snuggle
in the fun you have today,
loving all you meet
spreading your big heart
so sweet
with lots of lovely treats.



I'm musing on how wonderful
it'll be in heaven together,
being all tucked up
in God's forever love,
as beary special pals
loving all as well,
enjoying sharing posies
just being sweet and cozy,
chatting anytime
with this cutie pal of mine.

~*~

Soft Whispers from
Derry's Heart Poems ©April 2012
heartwhispers@iinet.net.au
Poetry From The Heart

"The pleasure of your company
is a many sided affair,
it includes the pleasure of seeing you,
hearing you talk,
watching your actions, your likes,
dislikes and adventures,
the joy of hunting you up in your haunts,
and the delight
when you hunt me up in mine."
Unknown