On the Threshold

 

 

Standing on the threshold

Of a brand-new year,

Lord, we offer up to you, thanks

In this prayer.

 

It is because of you

That we are not consumed,

Daily we receive of your mercies

And daily we bloom.

 

Many have passed on

During this current year

And we thank you for their mark

Though no longer here.

 

Their legacy remains

Upon which we can draw

But their passing reminds us all

We are but straw.

 

Unstable in the wind

But for your mighty hand

And your constant revelation

Regarding your plan.

 

 

 

The bigger picture

Regarding all the called

And all those that trust in you

As their God.

 

Thank you, Lord

For such assurances

And for imputing to your children

Christ’s righteousness.

 

For ‘tis in you we live,

Move and have our being

And without the Spirit’s guidance

None would be seeing.

 

 

 

Thank you for your care

In this closing year,

And for reminding us in our peril

We need not fear. 

  

 Just as in this year

So, in the one to come,

Teach us Lord to number our days

And not before you run.

 

Thanks for marking

The way we should go

And for the light of your Word

That makes it glow.

 

And as we close out

This remarkable year,

We thank you again dear Father

For your Divine care.

 

Stewart Russell © December 31, 2025

 

 

Cleanup Time

 

 

Well, it’s cleanup time

But hold on a minute,

There’s another behind Beryl;

It’s becoming a habit.

 

In these warm waters

Of the Caribbean Sea,

These tropical systems thrive;

We must wait and see.

 

And as I understand

Not just one but two,

All we can do is wait and see;

Nothing more to do.

 

Cleanup is a must though,

And should be after every mess,

We must do it immediately

Even before we rest.

 

Left behind debris

Is not only poor style

But if there is another event,

It could be a missile.

 

Drains to be unblocked

Garbage to be picked up,

Hopefully before Wednesday…

With some luck.

 

There is another system

That we are monitoring,

So, my fellow believing saints,

Don’t stop praying.

 

Restock on water;

Mine was off for a while,

Thank God like some less fortunate

We don’t walk a mile.

 

 

Take nothing for granted

Continually be prepared,

Sing while you are cleaning up

And be of good cheer.

 

It is God’s mercies

We are not consumed

Bounteous are His blessings

Even when perils loom.

 

Get to cleaning up

It is the wise thing to do,

And lock on to God’s promises

They are faithful and true.

 

And by the way,

Life is very unpredictable

So let God clean up your life;

It's not humanly possible.

 

Stewart Russell © July 2, 2024

 

It Is GOD

 

Because of His mercies

We are not consumed

And not the myriad other factors

By which we assume.

 

It is GOD

That we live and move,

Not because we happen as some say

To be in the right groove.

 

It is GOD

That we even exist,

This fact for some strange reason

The world has missed.

 

It is GOD

Not any political directorate

That our world, though anti-God,

Is not a total wreck.

 

 

It is GOD

And not sinful man

By Whom is wonderful redemption

And our salvation plan.

 

It is GOD

That came in Jesus Christ

To transform morally corrupt man

By His sacrifice.

 

It is GOD

Whose Spirit indwells

Every single born-again believer

Saving him from hell.

 

 

It is GOD

And not our prayers

That relieves the hurting in our pain

Showing that He cares.

 

It is GOD,

In spite of our blunders

That forgives and forgives repeatedly,

Oh, He is a wonder!

 

It is GOD

And not our expertise

That feed the world’s hungry

Bringing them relief.

 

Some pray up a storm

And rely on their prayer

But when all is said and done, it is GOD

That we are still here.

 

 

It is GOD

And I can’t say it enough

That is faithful in the good times

And when it is rough.

 

Our world is broken

And the church is clueless

And so, we must depend on God

To bring peace and rest.

 

We can pray all we like

And war all we can

But all our interceding is of no avail

Outside of God’s plan.

 

 

It was GOD in the beginning

It will Be GOD at the end,

It is GOD in every transitioning

And GOD at every bend.

 

In the final analysis

It is God and not another,

He is the only LORD and Saviour

And our Heavenly Father.

 

It is GOD!

Need I say it again?

It is GOD!

Let this be your refrain!

 

Stewart Russell © October 18, 2023