Eternal Oases of God

by Frank Lee Jennings


His praises come up in my mouth.
Not with my eyes, within my heart
I see, know He's here. I press ahead
though often weak and perplexed

into that feeble weakness He pours strength, 
replaces perplexity with clarity. Weariness, 
with joyful energy, rising again I go forth with joy
in the anointing and company of His magnificent spirit

as I yield my tongue to the spirit His might
flows into me. Spiritual power, now I too 
can do all things through Jesus Christ. 
He'll never fail, leave, nor turn away from me

friends, even kinsmen, forsake me, turn their
faces away. I look, as the psalmist, for love
gentleness, a kind word, compassion, prayer
and yet I abide alone, save for Jesus the Christ

but I trust He will turn things, create worlds anew
and turn hearts, change the times and seasons.
Hearts and faces He will turn again to face me
He will transform, change and turn me to face others


let me regard, offer hope, love, a kind word
forgetting myself. Even as He did in obedient
death. He prayed for them, offering God's love
instead of man's gall. I follow His pattern
ways, footsteps

I'm astounded. I thought He had finished long
ago His saving, molding, changing of me. 
After years, He's all new, still working in me
a small pot in the Potter's hands, removing
flaws, perfecting, adding glaze in high heat

"Climb out of yourself" He demands
"Step into the ever new me". Let go
all holds on the old man. Divided 
houses fall to ruin. New creations 
will abide an eternity.

I clasp the Master's garment as
we walk together into the wilderness
worshipping Him as we go 
side by side on the narrow path 

firey darts often fill the air
around me, fired to kill and wound
but God's armor protects me
I raise the shield of faith above

quench flaming arrows and lies
hear His words inside me, truth
I absorb the peace He radiates
calmed by His spirit, I look ahead

wondering about beyond, but
I need not consider tomorrow
turning my meditation to Him
I recall past deliverances, grace

walking on, His joy lifts my heart
Faith, I will not let go of Him.
Faith, I will not stop. Faith, 
He will never fail or desert me.

dark forces beset and wrestle me
assaulting my peace, I stand still
over and again His words, love
I recall, wisdom He's taught me

I speak God's promises constantly
pray in the spirit. Secrets from God.
Jesus, the only sure anchor, harbor
nothing else holds fast and secure

everything else must fail, fall, break
no matter how fierce or fearful, my
enemies flee before Him, vanish
tremble at the sound of His name

He freely gives me strength 
to move forward, again do exploits
a joyful heart, peace with purpose
I'm walking on in life, never alone

now I lift up others, fellow
travelers, seeing their needs
I speak, do what He whispers
comforting as I was comforted

a green rising now appears in
the quivering waves of heat
lush green growth near ahead
flowers by the flowing water

heat, pressure, assaults all fade
replaced by cool breezes of peace
they sweep around and through me
inside me, praise God, inside me!

on the long, desert wilderness
journey of life, Jesus has guided
me to yet another oasis. His yoke,
light, easy and a joy to bear

adversaries, trouble, pressure, all
beat against us the pilgrims. Trying
to grind us down. Turn us aside.  
He carries us on waves of grace

I remain in His glory as long as I might
rejoicing in His magnified presence, 
basking in the glow of His peace, refreshed 
in the rays of His wonderful loving power

I move on, but never from Him 
or from His grace, but walking with Him 
I journey on life's path. He's set
this path to His heavenly city, oasis

He carries me forward with Him, for
in Him we live, move, have our very being. 
His presence is the eternal oasis that
goes along, we need never depart
being refreshed by His grace

even as I journey forth and do battle
search and seek the lost, raise up 
the fallen, sowing seed by the way
watering seed sown by others

He grows oases inside us, His children
those wearied in their journeys. He has 
prepared them before us so where He is 
we may also be and dwell in His glory

an eternal oasis of peace and joy
flowing with living water
where we can freely drink
as we walk and do His will


Psalms 110:7
He shall drink of the brook by the wayside;
Therefore He shall lift up the head

I enjoy your writings and believe it is a gift.
But I find that the zeal to make a "copyright" known detracts from something freely gifted and almost can become an "idol".
It's the first thing one blaringly sees before the all important first line is read. The Author's name is redundant because as a member with a name, avatar already accompanying the submission it is superfluous (overdone).
Are you so possessive of your work, covetous of intellectual property?
You don't strike me as the type...given what you pen, it seems a contradiction my brother.
We serve a "jealous" God you know:)
What if someone plaguarized your work? It's been copyrighted protected "unseen" by the True Author of our lives.
Tomorrow, it could be another's gift..."The Lord giveth and The Lord taketh away".
We own nothing Christian and take nothing of this world with us when we leave:)

oneagleswings wrote:

I enjoy your writings and believe it is a gift.
But I find that the zeal to make a "copyright" known detracts from something freely gifted and almost can become an "idol".
It's the first thing one blaringly sees before the all important first line is read. The Author's name is redundant because as a member with a name, avatar already accompanying the submission it is superfluous (overdone).
Are you so possessive of your work, covetous of intellectual property?
You don't strike me as the type...given what you pen, it seems a contradiction my brother.
We serve a "jealous" God you know:)
What if someone plaguarized your work? It's been copyrighted protected "unseen" by the True Author of our lives.
Tomorrow, it could be another's gift..."The Lord giveth and The Lord taketh away".
We own nothing Christian and take nothing of this world with us when we leave:)

The copyright thing is not important to me and anything I do is freely for all to use. I've not posted that much so wasn't sure about using it. Other things in graphics I've done were taken by others and used as if they created them.

Thank you for your good words and no I'm not a "Bud Abbot, don't be greedy" type of person.

FLJ

What a coincidence, my wife is a graphic design artist (major in college).
Thanks for the reply, I like your work! Keep em' coming!
Too many folks put the "copyright thing" first, jus' testin' the waters.