ann kiemel

as tall and proud

as a towering palm tree.

stretching toward the sky.

as majestic as a mountain

standing against all obstacles

in its praise to a creative God.

not even man can call to it. it will

not shiver or blur in magnificance.

the sun that slides so quickly.

below the curve of the horizon.

rising or setting, its radiance fills the earth

with glory.

and the ocean.

pounding surf.

singing its own melody.

doing its majestic dance.

so is the Solid Rock

of our salvation. Jesus.

Redeemer. Creator. Lover

of our souls.

He calls us to join the

march. be soldiers. straight.

strong. unwavering

in our "yes" to Him.

do you understand

the wilderness?

screaming? sweating? hoping?

begging? yearning? lost?

alone? destitute? feeling forsaken?

God! where are You?!!

abandoning me?

kicking me off the team?

i am not good enough?! yet

YES! to reaching our arms

around His neck. hanging on.

to believing against all odds

that some day. some way.

God's strong arm will pull

us out of the shadows of

torment that have twisted our faith,

we will NOT be moved.

we will NOT give in.

the enemy cannot defeat us.

even as steady as

the sun to rise and set

each day, so

our eyes and hearts

are cast on you, Lord.

remember.

we are WARRIORS!

and all God has in this

bitter, lost world.

life is a marathon.

rhythmic with the eternal

God of the universe.

you WILL

laugh again.

your patience will build perseverance.

a sign you are ready

for your next mission.

dance, world. dance.

the Light of Glory

will come to us again.

amen.

amen.

"Consider it pure joy, my brothers,

whenever you face trials of many kinds,

because you know that the testing of your faith

develops perseverance.

Perseverance must finish its work

so that you may be mature and complete,

not lacking anything."

James 1:2-4 (NIV)