Saturday, May 15, 2021
FROM DAWN TO MORNING SPLENDOR: THE SEA WALKER
FROM DAWN TO MORNING SPLENDOR: THE SEA WALKER: THE SEA WALKER Gloria Phifer My boat rose and sank on the roughness of my sea. Seldom, if ever, was the water smooth. I was accu...
Thursday, February 21, 2019
THE SOLITARY BEACON
Gloria Phifer
I climbed the mountain one step at a time.
I was determined to reach the heights of fulfillment.
I was determined to meet my needs
Leaving behind the beliefs, traditions and all morals that hindered, I clung to my mountain. I clung to my goals to reach the ultimate, where self would reign supreme.
It was exhilarating to leave all else behind. Those things that had lost their value, in my estimation, were left below. I climbed higher and higher to my pentacle.
I stood on the peak of my summit. I surveyed my domain. I was solitaire...alone. I had reached my goal but...I found emptiness
As a lonely beacon I swayed in the wind.
I scanned the range of purple and blue peaks. To my minds vision, through the centuries of time, appeared another Beacon on a distant mountaintop.
The Beacon was a Man, lifted up from the earth...His hands outstretched upon a cross...
One Solitary Figure surveying the world in His pain...
Giving His life because of His love.
The old beliefs I had left behind were no longer obsolete but were more real than my own self.
I knelt in humility before that One Solitary Figure...The Beacon for all mankind...The Lord Jesus Christ.
Saturday, October 14, 2017
THE SEA WALKER
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| THE SEA WALKER |
Gloria Phifer
My boat rose and sank on the roughness of my sea. Seldom, if ever, was the water smooth.
I was accustomed to the barrage. One wave after another.
I was never sure what the next storm would bring. Would I survive? I didn’t know.
So was the uncertainty of my sea.
It was only survive. Survive in my boat.
My boat was battered, torn and broken.
The atmosphere over the sea was dark. The waters darker still.
I hung on. I clung to whatever was near…but that would slip away.
I was alone. Unwanted. Abandoned to the sea.
In the darkness of the night, there appeared a light, coming towards me.
Closer and closer The Light appeared…A Man walking on the roughness of my sea.
A Man coming to me.
The Light was so bright. My eyes fought to adjust in my darkness.
He called through the wind and roaring of the waves.
“May I come into your boat?” The Man asked.
I was attracted to His voice…His Light.
My boat rocked in the waves. I knew I was not going to survive. The next storm could destroy me forever.
“Yes”, I answered. “Please come into my boat” I cried to The Man of Light.
This Man, Who was The Walker of the sea.
“Please save me from the darkness and the roughness of the waves.” I wept.
The Man of Light walked upon the groaning sea. He entered my boat.
Instantly, there was a great stillness, calm and peace that I had never known.
He held me close and stilled my hurting heart.
This Man of Light, The Walker of the sea…rescued me!!!
Wednesday, October 11, 2017
THE BREAKING OF THE WILD STEED.
Gloria Phifer
He raised his proud head and stomped his feet, this wild unbroken steed. His nostrils flared and quivered in anger and defiance.
His eyes darted with fear. There were none that could break him and many there were that had tried.
He belonged to no one!!! He would not be controlled or trained, not him, for he belonged to himself and to himself alone.
The Master studied the Steed. He could see the potential in his might. Behind the stubbornness, was determination to be harnessed. Behind the fierce pride was humility waiting to burst forth. Behind the willfulness was character waiting to be produced.
With great care, He, Who had broken many a breed, approached the stallion. The Steed bolted and ran, only to find his way fenced.
The Master came closer...one step at a time...until He stood before the mighty stallion. The eyes of the horse were wild, searching for escape.
The Master spoke in gentle tones. The Steeds eyes met The Masters and were transfixed by the love and kindness there. Their gaze was locked. Each weighing and trying the other.
The Steed struggled with an inward battle. If he yielded to this Master he would no longer be his own. He would not be free to run the ranges in wildness. He would be submitting to the control of another.
Slowly the Master reached out and tenderly touched the nose of the horse. Gently He stroked the rough hide.
At the Master's touch the self will of the stallion drained, leaving him vulnerable. He lowered his proud head and allowed his mane to be caressed.
The Steed turned his head and their eyes met again, as the Master climbed onto the horse's back.
The Rider was on the mount. All was still at first, then the Steed moved haltingly around the fenced area and through the gate. The slow pace became a trot and then, with hoofs thundering, the Steed began his gallop.
The ride was exhilarating for both the Rider and the stallion as they flew across the range. The horse's mane blew in the wind. The Master was in full control.
They were as one: the Master and the steed.
The horse, no longer wild and proud, yielded to all the gentle nudging of his Rider. His great strength was under his Owners reign. He wondered to himself why he had ever feared?
The melted and blended together. They were as one spirit as they ran the pastures and galloped over hills and through valleys.
The Master was in control and the steed had yielded to His love.
(Many times we are afraid to give God control of our lives. Can He be trusted? Does He want the best for me? Will He take care of me? What is God like? These were questions that I wondered as a teenager. I wanted to control my own life, but my life was uncontrollable. I ended up crying out to Jesus and giving Him my life. I found a Savior. I found Someone Who loved me...always. I found Someone that was trustworthy. He changed my life. I thought to myself, why did I resist...what was I afraid of? I was afraid of giving control to God. But what I found was real freedom...peace...and Someone Who has taken care of me completely. He is my Master and I am His child. I learned I can put my trust in Him because He loves me.)
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| THE WILD STEED...painting by Gloria Phifer |
He raised his proud head and stomped his feet, this wild unbroken steed. His nostrils flared and quivered in anger and defiance.
His eyes darted with fear. There were none that could break him and many there were that had tried.
He belonged to no one!!! He would not be controlled or trained, not him, for he belonged to himself and to himself alone.
The Master studied the Steed. He could see the potential in his might. Behind the stubbornness, was determination to be harnessed. Behind the fierce pride was humility waiting to burst forth. Behind the willfulness was character waiting to be produced.
With great care, He, Who had broken many a breed, approached the stallion. The Steed bolted and ran, only to find his way fenced.
The Master came closer...one step at a time...until He stood before the mighty stallion. The eyes of the horse were wild, searching for escape.
The Master spoke in gentle tones. The Steeds eyes met The Masters and were transfixed by the love and kindness there. Their gaze was locked. Each weighing and trying the other.
The Steed struggled with an inward battle. If he yielded to this Master he would no longer be his own. He would not be free to run the ranges in wildness. He would be submitting to the control of another.
Slowly the Master reached out and tenderly touched the nose of the horse. Gently He stroked the rough hide.
At the Master's touch the self will of the stallion drained, leaving him vulnerable. He lowered his proud head and allowed his mane to be caressed.
The Steed turned his head and their eyes met again, as the Master climbed onto the horse's back.
The Rider was on the mount. All was still at first, then the Steed moved haltingly around the fenced area and through the gate. The slow pace became a trot and then, with hoofs thundering, the Steed began his gallop.
The ride was exhilarating for both the Rider and the stallion as they flew across the range. The horse's mane blew in the wind. The Master was in full control.
They were as one: the Master and the steed.
The horse, no longer wild and proud, yielded to all the gentle nudging of his Rider. His great strength was under his Owners reign. He wondered to himself why he had ever feared?
The melted and blended together. They were as one spirit as they ran the pastures and galloped over hills and through valleys.
The Master was in control and the steed had yielded to His love.
(Many times we are afraid to give God control of our lives. Can He be trusted? Does He want the best for me? Will He take care of me? What is God like? These were questions that I wondered as a teenager. I wanted to control my own life, but my life was uncontrollable. I ended up crying out to Jesus and giving Him my life. I found a Savior. I found Someone Who loved me...always. I found Someone that was trustworthy. He changed my life. I thought to myself, why did I resist...what was I afraid of? I was afraid of giving control to God. But what I found was real freedom...peace...and Someone Who has taken care of me completely. He is my Master and I am His child. I learned I can put my trust in Him because He loves me.)
Wednesday, July 19, 2017
THE TWO PATHS
Gloria Phifer
The Spirit watches my life, longing for me to be a child of God. I am young, and the days, although sometimes lonely, are usually full of energy and young friends.
The days are getting darker, and the pathway rougher as I journey on the broad pathway to destruction.
He watches, with tender eyes and arms outstretched, wanting to shelter me from hurt and guide my steps. I am blind and and unaware of His presence.
Once, in a circle of time, I sense a still small voice, "There is a better way, there is a narrow path that leads to life."
Pondering a moment over the words, I hurry on, busying myself to forget the words which might mean change.
He watches as the pathway steepens and grows even darker. I have to cling to the side and very often I stumble and fall.
People on the pathway are having their own problems, and have no time to help. They themselves often inflict pain on others as they push and shove their way to destruction.
The still small Voice is more intense now, and more often.
Everyday it seems that He woos and calls unto me, "Turn around, come and walk with Me. "your sins that are scarlet shall be white as snow."
I no longer ignore the Voice, but glance over my shoulder at the nail scarred Hands stretched toward me.
I stop and turn, looking at The One Who offers me eternal life.
Others are walking by, pushing and shoving, but I am unaware of them as I'm looking at The Savior. Such kind eyes...could it be that He really loves me?
"Come unto Me, I will in no wise cast you out!"
I put my arms out toward Him and as I do, my feet leave the ground of the rocky path of destruction. As He lifts me up, I am conscious of a cleanness, a newness and a great peace and joy.
My feet are lowered onto a pathway, a smooth pathway. Looking ahead I see valleys and high mountaintops where the sun shines brilliantly.
At the end of the pathway I see something very beautiful in a halo of blue and gold. A city built four square with pearl gates and street of transparent gold.
"What are those beautful houses over there?" I ask my Savior.
"Mansions, My child. Be faithful to Me for I AM preparing one for you."
"Will it be a long journey?" I ask, looking into His kind face.
I feel His Hand close in on mine.
"Never let your heart grow weary My child, for I'll be with you all the way."
Looking back at the pathway of destruction, from where I am standing (in heavenly places with Christ Jesus), I see the end of that pathway. There is a great pit whose smoke rolls and fire bubbles like lava. Multitudes are pushing and shoving toward destruction.
"Lord, what of those people on the pathway of destruction? I have loved ones over there."
"As watched you, I watch them," He answered. "I also call. If they will only listen, they will hear My Voice. I love them dearly. These scars I bear paid for this narrow pathway and whoever heeds My Voice, I will pull out of the way of destruction to the way of life."
"At different times the two paths meet side by side. At those times you will have opportunity to persuade them to come over. Some will, but others will hurry on their way."
"Only pray and persuade and I will give you a harvest of souls for The New Jerusalem."
The days are getting darker, and the pathway rougher as I journey on the broad pathway to destruction.
He watches, with tender eyes and arms outstretched, wanting to shelter me from hurt and guide my steps. I am blind and and unaware of His presence.
Once, in a circle of time, I sense a still small voice, "There is a better way, there is a narrow path that leads to life."
Pondering a moment over the words, I hurry on, busying myself to forget the words which might mean change.
He watches as the pathway steepens and grows even darker. I have to cling to the side and very often I stumble and fall.
People on the pathway are having their own problems, and have no time to help. They themselves often inflict pain on others as they push and shove their way to destruction.
The still small Voice is more intense now, and more often.
Everyday it seems that He woos and calls unto me, "Turn around, come and walk with Me. "your sins that are scarlet shall be white as snow."
I no longer ignore the Voice, but glance over my shoulder at the nail scarred Hands stretched toward me.
I stop and turn, looking at The One Who offers me eternal life.
Others are walking by, pushing and shoving, but I am unaware of them as I'm looking at The Savior. Such kind eyes...could it be that He really loves me?
"Come unto Me, I will in no wise cast you out!"
I put my arms out toward Him and as I do, my feet leave the ground of the rocky path of destruction. As He lifts me up, I am conscious of a cleanness, a newness and a great peace and joy.
My feet are lowered onto a pathway, a smooth pathway. Looking ahead I see valleys and high mountaintops where the sun shines brilliantly.
At the end of the pathway I see something very beautiful in a halo of blue and gold. A city built four square with pearl gates and street of transparent gold.
"What are those beautful houses over there?" I ask my Savior.
"Mansions, My child. Be faithful to Me for I AM preparing one for you."
"Will it be a long journey?" I ask, looking into His kind face.
I feel His Hand close in on mine.
"Never let your heart grow weary My child, for I'll be with you all the way."
Looking back at the pathway of destruction, from where I am standing (in heavenly places with Christ Jesus), I see the end of that pathway. There is a great pit whose smoke rolls and fire bubbles like lava. Multitudes are pushing and shoving toward destruction.
"Lord, what of those people on the pathway of destruction? I have loved ones over there."
"As watched you, I watch them," He answered. "I also call. If they will only listen, they will hear My Voice. I love them dearly. These scars I bear paid for this narrow pathway and whoever heeds My Voice, I will pull out of the way of destruction to the way of life."
"At different times the two paths meet side by side. At those times you will have opportunity to persuade them to come over. Some will, but others will hurry on their way."
"Only pray and persuade and I will give you a harvest of souls for The New Jerusalem."
Saturday, June 24, 2017
BROKEN TO PIECES
Gloria Phifer
Broken to pieces
I fell apart
Not all at once.
A chip here
A piece there
Slowly but surely
I was destroyed
Laying in pieces
No hope in this world
I was unable
To function
again.
You reached down
Into my broken life
Each piece You brought
together
Fit more
perfectly then before.
Vibrant
colors in different shapes
Slowly You made me whole again.
I was more beautiful
then ever before
I am
Your workmanship
I AM
RESTORED!
Saturday, May 27, 2017
LOVE
Gloria Phifer
Love, the most powerful force. Who can resist love?
Love, that will not let us go.
love, that returns again and again, even when rejected.
Love, the most powerful force that can soften the heart,
hardened as a stone.
Love, more powerful than a roaring ocean, washing my soul.
Setting my emotions free, from prisons held captive.
love, embracing me, accepting me, choosing me.
Truly, the most powerful force is love. For God is Love!
His love was shown to me through Jesus Christ!
John 4:19 We love Him, because He first loved us.
Love, the most powerful force. Who can resist love?
Love, that will not let us go.
love, that returns again and again, even when rejected.
Love, the most powerful force that can soften the heart,
hardened as a stone.
Love, more powerful than a roaring ocean, washing my soul.
Setting my emotions free, from prisons held captive.
love, embracing me, accepting me, choosing me.
Truly, the most powerful force is love. For God is Love!
His love was shown to me through Jesus Christ!
John 4:19 We love Him, because He first loved us.
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