To think of how many grains of sand there are on just ONE beach is unfathomable. To think that God knows just how many...AND on EVERY beach!! To think He knows the number of EVERY hair on our head, that every star has a name! Things like this are mind boggling, yet so amazing. To think that if God cares about giving each star a name, how much more does He care about the children He created? His love is immeasurable, like the grains of sand on a beach, and the stars in the heavens. And, He has given each of His children a special gift, and if you are willing, He will use you in a powerful way. Sometimes we feel, "How can God use me? I'm a nobody. I've failed Him so many times!" If you are willing, God can use you, even when you feel like just....

UPDATE: 01/19/01:  If you click on the poem title, you will be able to hear the 3.6 MB Rough Cut of the music  I did for it. (MP3 format)

I once felt like a grain of sand,

cast upon an endless shore,

who would ever notice me,

in a world of countless more?

Life's undertow had pulled me in,

then tossed me back again.

The winds of change brought little hope,

and it seemed there was no end.

But then I felt His presence,

and His footprints on my soul.

He took me in His gentle hands,

and Jesus made me whole.

Chorus:

He formed me, now He fills me,

to be the best that I can be.

And even when I struggle,

His wondrous grace I see.

His footprints are forever,

stamped upon my heart.

And throughout endless time,

His love He will impart.

He will use this grain of sand,

and I'll go from shore to shore.

With His Spirit inside, I'll turn the tide,

and share with millions more.

When you feel the current pushing,

and the water's just to high.

You feel that you are drowning,

in an boundless sea of life.

If you have a willing heart,

No matter where you've been.

He'll understand, just take His hand,

He'll carry you 'til the end.

Chorus:

He'll mold you and He'll fill you,

to be the best that you can be.

And even when you struggle,

His wondrous grace you'll see.

His footprints will forever,

be stamped upon your heart.

And throughout endless time,

His love He will impart.

He will use this grain of sand,

and you'll go from shore to shore.

With His Spirit inside, you'll turn the tide,

and share with millions more.

Poems for the Journey finally hit its 100 subscribers mark!!! I am so excited how far God has taken this ministry!! I think I started out two years ago at 10!! I never thought it would go this far! God has really blessed me beyond what I could have imagined. God is good...ALL the time! :) Thank you to all my wonderful friends, too many to name you all, for passing along my poems and for telling your friends about it. Thank you for believing in me and this God-given talent. What a tremendous encouragement each of you have been on this journey my life has taken, and for taking this journey with me. You are each a special blessing and I'm so thankful for you. I'm so glad you all continue to enjoy these inspirations and even if just one has touched you and ministered to you, it's been worth it. I have enjoyed this so much, and to share it with others has been wonderful. Thank you again!!! I'll let you know when I hit 200. :) Let me know if you think anyone would enjoy being on my list, and I'd be honored to add them!!

.Anthony Burger is one of the most talented piano players I have ever encountered. When he was little, he burned his hands and the doctors said he would never use them again. God had others things in mind!! He plays so fast, that when you're still on the first note, he's almost done with the song!! He's amazing, and he's using this wonderful God-given talent for the glory of God. He travels with the Gaithers and will also be on Mark's new video. (Speaking of Mark and his Broadway video, he put of the picture of me and him on his website!! I didn't even ask him to! :) If you're interested, you can check it out at www.marklowry.com...go to galleries, photo montages, then "more broadway pics.") SO, check out Anthony's site and see what I mean. I know you will be blessed by his awesome talent!! The Home Page of Anthony Burger Productions OR http://www.anthonyburger.com

THIS IS HYSTERICAL!!!! (PS I did NOT write "Ode to Little Birdie" that was featured in my last newsletter's lighter side...many of you thought I did, but it was passed along by my friend Ashley. I thought it was so funny, since I'm not a morning person. I don't know who wrote it. :) )

FW: DVD version of Empire Strikes Back

There's going to be an extra scene included in the DVD release of EMPIRE STRIKES BACK coming up next year! It expands on the scene where Vader reveals his fatherhood of Luke, and ties up some loose ends created with the release of Episode 1... The Empire Strikes Back: Extra-Special Edition 

INT: BESPIN GANTRY - MOMENTS LATER:

A furious lightsaber duel is underway. DARTH VADER is backing LUKE SKYWALKER towards the end of the gantry. A quick move by Vader, chops off Luke's hand! It goes spinning off into the ventilation shaft. Luke backs away. He looks around, but realizes there's nowhere to go but straight down.

Darth Vader: "Obi Wan never told you what happened to your father."

Luke: "He told me enough! He told me you killed him!"

Darth Vader: "No... I am your father!"

Luke: "No, it's not true! It's impossible."

Darth Vader: "Search your feelings... you know it to be true..."

Luke: "NO!"

Darth Vader: "Yes, it is true... and you know what else? You know that brass droid of yours?"

Luke: "Threepio?"

Darth Vader: "Yes... Threepio... I built him... when I was 7 years old..."

Luke: "No..."

Darth Vader: "Seven years old! And what have you done? Look at yourself, no hand, no job, and couldn't even levitate your own ship out of the swamp..."

Luke: "I destroyed your precious Death Star!"

Darth Vader: "When you were 20! When I was 10, I single-handedly destroyed a Trade Federation Droid Control ship!"

Luke: "Well, it's not my fault..."

Darth Vader: "Oh, here we go... Poor me... my father never gave me what I wanted for my birthday... boo hoo, my daddy's the Dark Lord of the Sith...waahhh wahhh!"

Luke: "Shut up..."

Darth Vader: "You're a slacker! By the time I was you're age, I had exterminated the Jedi knights!"

Luke: "I used to race my T-16 through Beggar's Canyon."

Darth Vader: "Oh, for the love of the Emperor... 10 years old, winner of the Boonta Eve Open... Only human to ever fly a Pod Racer... right here baby!"

Luke looks down the shaft. Takes a step towards it.

Darth Vader: "I was wrong... You're not my kid... I don't know whose you are, but you sure ain't mine..."

Luke takes a step off the platform, hesitates, then plunges down the shaft.

Darth Vader looks after him.

Darth Vader: "Get a haircut!"

End of scene.

About my poetry:

We are all on a journey through life. Some of us get lost, some search for the truth, some have found the truth, and sometimes we all need a little "service station" along the way to continue on. These poems were written for that purpose; for those seeking to find life, for those who have it, but need a little lift, for those who have strayed and need directions back, and for those who just need a little encouragement. It is for every day living, experiences, heartaches that lead us to the realization that God is the only way, the only truth, and the only life. I pray my poems minister to your heart, and give you the energy, direction and encouragement that you need. If you ever wished to be removed, please send me an e-mail and I will remove you, no hard feelings. :) God bless.