A poem

The Storm Beneath His Feet

Based on Psalm 18, particularly verses 9 & 12

Written by Kaelyn Pfenning on Sunday, April 29, 2012

One

Drop builds

Into many through the

Heat of the day until a cloud forms.

One cloud joins the others to form a dark

Covering for the King of kings. Out of the brightness

Of his presence, clouds advanced with hailstones and

Bolts of lightning. He parted the heavens and came

Down with dark clouds under his feet.

The Lord thundered.

Faith of a 17-year-old

Monday, December 27, 2004:

Father, I don’t (know) how to start. I’ll be honest. I feel depressed....I’m feeling overwhelmed and tired. Please help me to focus on you. You love me unconditionally. When I fall, you pick me up. When I’m down, you lift me up. When I’m lost and alone, you lead me home. When I’m afraid, you calm me. When I’m sad, you comfort me.

When I feel like giving up, you urge me on.

“I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.” – Phil. 3:14.

“You need to persevere so that when you have done the will of God, you will receive what he has promised.” – Hebrews 10:36.

When I’m worried, you give me peace.

“Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.” – Phil. 4:6, 7 – “And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”

“Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.” – 1 Peter 5:7.

When I’m angry, you warn me.

“‘In your anger do not sin:’ Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry.” – Eph. 4:26.

When I am confused, you show me your clarity.

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight.” – Prov. 3:5, 6.

When I’m concerned about the future, you show me that it is in your hands.

“‘For I know the plans I have for you,’ declares the Lord, ‘plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.’” – Jeremiah 29:11.

When I feel like no one cares about me, you remind me of how much you care.

“For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” – Romans 8:38, 39

You have a solution for every one of my problems.

Be Alert!

As I woke up this morning, I began to think about nothing in particular. Not too much later, I began to pray, and immediately, a darkness I had not noticed lifted.

Evil thoughts are not the devil's only tactic. Idol thoughts are just as--if not more--dangerous!

"The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds. We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ." ~ 2 Corinthians 10:5

Think about what you think about!

"Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable--if anything is excellent or praiseworthy--think about such things." ~ Philippians 4:8

Be intentional about what you think!

"Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that your brothers throughout the world are undergoing the same kind of sufferings. And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast. To him be the power for ever and ever. Amen." ~ 1 Peter 5:8-11

Be aware of false teachings!

"Even from your own number men will arise and distort the truth in order to draw away disciples after them." ~ Acts 20:30
"Meanwhile, when a crowd of many thousands had gathered, so that they were trampling on one another, Jesus began to speak first to his disciples, saying: 'Be on your guard against the yeast of the Pharisees, which is hypocrisy.'" ~ Luke 12:1

Don't be deceived! (Know the truth.)

"Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be men of courage; be strong. Do everything in love." ~ 1 Corinthians 16:13-14

Final Instructions in 1 Thessalonians 5:12-24:
Now we ask you, brothers,
to respect those who work hard among you, who are over you in the Lord and who admonish you.
Hold them in the highest regard in love because of their work.
Live in peace with each other.

And we urge you, brothers,
warn those who are idle,
encourage the timid,
help the weak,
be patient with everyone.
Make sure that nobody pays back wrong for wrong,
but always try to be kind to each other and to everyone else.
Be joyful always;
pray continually;
give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus.
Do not put out the Spirit's fire;
do not treat prophecies with contempt.
Test everything.
Hold on to the good.
Avoid every kind of evil.

May God himself, the God of peace, sanctify you through and through. May your whole spirit, soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. The one who calls you is faithful and he will do it.

Response to Blessings

Delight,

Pure and simple,

Emanates from the Father

On His children,

Beloved.

Sunshine,

Bright and cheerful,

Shines forth from above

On the land,

Bountiful.

Smiles,

Sweet and serene,

Uplift souls around us

To praise God,

Supreme.

Dances,

Pretty and pure,

Express joy in the Lord

To other people,

Precious.

The Leaf in the Current

Slowly, peacefully,

A yellow leaf drifts in a quiet pool.

Silently, imperceptibly,

The pace of the stream quickens.

Unexpectedly, frighteningly,

Rocks loom in the path.

Painfully, swiftly,

The rapids of the river churn.

Uncontrollably, unimaginably,

Falls plummet to the ground.

Surprisingly, sweetly,

The leaf re-surfaces to continue its journey

By the power of an unseen current.

Enter His courts with praise

"Shout for joy to the Lord, all the earth.

Worship the Lord with gladness;

come before him with joyful songs.

Know that the Lord is God.

Is it he who made us, and we are his;

we are his people, the sheep of his pasture.

Enter his gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise;

give thanks to him and praise his name.

For the Lord is good and his love endures forever;

his faithfulness continues through all generations."

~ Psalm 100:1-5 ~

This morning, as I read through a chapter in the Old Testament and a chapter in the New Testament, I knew a distance existed between me and my Father. :( Proceeding through my morning routine, the Wonderful Counselor opened my eyes to some improper motives I had acquired recently, and I confessed them to the Great High Priest.

"If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness." ~ 1 John 1:9

At breakfast, I sat down to eat and picked up my Bible. For a while now, I have been wanting to memorize Psalms, but I had already memorized Psalm 1 at one point, and it is hard to get motivated to memorize something which you have already memorized and just forgotten. Therefore, when I picked up my Bible, I decided to try starting with the back of the book, Psalm 150:


"Praise the Lord.
Praise God in his sanctuary;
praise him in his mighty heavens.
Praise him for his acts of power;
praise him for his surpassing greatness.
Praise him with the sounding of the trumpet,
praise him with the harp and lyre,
praise him with tambourine and dancing,
praise him with the strings and flute,
praise him with the clash of cymbals,
praise him with resounding cymbals.
Let everything that has breath praise the Lord.
Praise the Lord."


After I read that passage through once, I began to meditate on the first verse in order to commit it to memory, and as I did so, the manifest presence of the Spirit washed over me like a cleansing flood! :)


That occurrence reminded me of Psalm 100, especially verse 4:
"Enter...his courts with praise."

Prayers of a child

Tuesday, January 1, 2002:

Psalms 139:1

O Lord, you have searched me and you know me.

He knows ME out of 6 billion people! Isn’t that awesome! Since he knows me, he understands me. When I’m sad or happy or confused he knows. He cares enough about me to get to know me personally.

Father, I’m so glad you know me personally. I’m glad you like and want to spend time with me. Yours always, Kaelyn

Wednesday, January 2, 2002:

Colossians 3:23

I believe this verse is a good one and hard to put into practice. I want to do my best as though working for the Lord, but it can be so hard.

Father, I wish I didn’t have to rush through this, but I have homework to do. Help me to put this to practice at school and here. Yours always, Kaelyn

Thursday, January 3, 2002:

James 1:19

I believe this verse is very dear. I feel I should listen well, talk little, and definitely be slow to anger.

Father, help me to be able to control my tongue when I have a sassy comment and help me to control my actions when I have a mean idea. Yours always, Kaelyn

Friday, January 4, 2001:

1 Timothy 4:12

I believe through this verse God has called me to be an example. I try to be nice and an example, but it’s hard.

Father, help me to be the example you want me to be through Jesus Christ. Yours always, Kaelyn

Saturday, January 5, 2002:

Psalms 119:169-176

Yes, Father, will you hear my cry and give me understanding. I love your law, but I have a hard time understanding it. Please help me. Teach me in your way, Father, and please be there in my time of need. Thank-you. Yours always, Kaelyn

Psalms 121

Thank-you, Father, for promising to watch over me! And Thank-you for fulfilling it! You are wonderful, Father. Forgive me for I know not what I do. Yours always, Kaelyn

Monday, January 7, 2002:

Proverbs 15:1

Oh, Father, help me to be able to give gentle answers. Thank-you for loving me and guiding me. I love you. Yours always, Kaelyn

Tuesday, January 8, 2002:

Phil. 4:13

I can do all things through Him who gives me strength.

Oh, Father, please strengthen me. I don’t really have much homework, but I do need your help. Guide me to, Father. Yours always, Kaelyn

Ephesians 4:2

Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love.

Oh, thank-you for showing me this verse and help me to do it (especially at school). You’re such an AWESOME God. Yours always, Kaelyn

Thursday, January 10, 2002:

1 Peter 5:7

Oh, Father, please take my burdens. I love you. I’m so sorry I forgot to have this time with you yesterday. Help me to relax. Thank-you for always being with me and taking care of me.

Saturday, January 12, 2002:

Psalm 119:11

Oh, please bring them to mind in my time of need. Thank-you for making me to be able to memorize.

Monday, January 14, 2002:

Phil. 4:4-8

Don’t be anxious or worried, but bring your requests to God. Share with God all your trials. He understands. Like in Psalm 139:1, He knows you and me. He cares for us. He wants us to talk to Him and give Him our cares so we may have peace.

Oh, Father, Thank-you for your wonderful promises. Thank-you that I don’t have to worry. Thank-you that I can lay my burdens at your feet. Your always, Kaelyn

Tuesday, January 15, 2002:

Psalms 119:66

Oh, Father please teach me good judgment. Help me in difficult situations. Guide me. Yours always, Kaelyn

Wednesday, January 16, 2002:

Proverbs 15:1

A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.

Father, help me to give gentle answers to all who talk to me.

Thursday, January 17, 2002:

Galatians 5:22, 23

Help me to put these into practice. I really just want to talk to you personally.

Saturday, January 19, 2002:

Psalm 103:1

Father, please help me through today and help me to praise you.

Monday, January 21, 2002:

Micah 6:9

Father, to me this verse says, ‘Listen, the Father is calling you. Let him lead you.’ I don’t know where you want me, but I will let you lead. Love always, Kaelyn

Tuesday, January 22, 2002:

Isaiah 40:31

Oh, Father, please renew my strength. Help me to make it through this week. Please heal everyone who’s sick. Thank-you. Yours always, Kaelyn

Tuesday, January 29, 2002:

Psalms 23:4

Even though my dad could lose his job any day, even though my mom’s having a hard time, even though I can’t share these requests, God will be with me. I don’t have to fear because he watches over me. Thank-you, Father, soo much.