In all thy ways acknowledge him and he shall direct thy paths. Proverbs 3:6 KJV Be Still and Know will provide inspiration and encouragement for life's wonderful journey. Often we find ourselves in the midst of a storm before we take the time to hear God's voice. Slow down and enjoy the JOURNEY. Enjoy God's gift of life as you discover "God's Path" I hope this book will encourage you to live, love, laugh and enjoy each new day God has given you. G ive generously O bey D' isciple others S erve P ray daily A ppreciate God's blessings T ell others about Jesus H ear God's voice
Be Still and Know
A Collection of Inspirational Poetry and Memorable MomentsBy Vickie Lathan McCorkleiUniverse, Inc.
Copyright © 2011 Vickie Lathan McCorkle
All right reserved.ISBN: 978-1-4620-6209-6Contents
Dedication..............................................................vChoices.................................................................viiIllustrations...........................................................xiiiPhoto Credits...........................................................xvAcknowledgments.........................................................xxiForeword................................................................xxviPreface.................................................................xxixAre You Listening?......................................................xxxiI Have a Plan for You...................................................3Change My Heart, Oh, God................................................4The Great Commission....................................................7Here I Am, Lord.........................................................8A Single Light..........................................................10I Count It All A Blessing...............................................12Good News...............................................................15Peace Within............................................................17Just One Day?...........................................................19Don't Take It for Granted...............................................20Thank You...............................................................23Who's In Charge?........................................................25Be Ready................................................................27God's Snow..............................................................28To Thank You............................................................31Without Complaining.....................................................32God's Love Seeds........................................................34Look Around.............................................................37Another Day.............................................................38Our Gift................................................................41Seize the Moment........................................................42My Favorite Things......................................................44Retirement..............................................................46Seasons.................................................................48God Is Love.............................................................55Share God's Love........................................................56The Joy of Easter.......................................................58Why The Cross?..........................................................60A Mother's Love.........................................................62Single Mom..............................................................65Happy Father's Day......................................................66That Day in September...................................................68God's Blessings.........................................................70Thanksgiving............................................................72Merry Christmas.........................................................77A Christmas Wish Come True..............................................78Coming Home.............................................................80The Greatest Gift.......................................................82Rejoice.................................................................87To My Son...............................................................90I Honor Thee............................................................92My Dad..................................................................95The Little Ant Going to Jerusalem.......................................96"My Sister".............................................................99My Friend, Katie........................................................100Friends.................................................................103Chorus Memories.........................................................105Missing You.............................................................107A Tribute to Aunt Margaret..............................................109Brittany and Zack.......................................................110Happy Anniversary.......................................................116Chester Park............................................................118South Carolina..........................................................121In Loving Memory of ....................................................127About the Author........................................................131
Chapter One
I Have a Plan for You I never sought to find the answers on my own
Jesus said oh friend of mine
believe and won't you be strong
Listen to this song of mine
you'll know just who I am
For Christ has sent me to proclaim
He has for you a plan
I have a plan for you
it's simple as can be
Proclaim the name of Christ to men
and I will set you free
Come now my brothers, hear
what Christ has told us to do
Give your life to Christ and see
what a difference it makes in you
Sing of joy now, sing of gladness
sing of happiness too
For Christ has sent me to proclaim
He has a plan for you
I have a plan for you
it's simple as can be
Proclaim the name of Christ to men
and I will set you free
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 KJV
Change My Heart, Oh, God Change me like you, Lord, help me to stay
Close to you always, in every way
May others see Lord, compassion in me
As was our Savior, for all to see
Help mold my actions each day I pray
To better serve Thee through all that I say
Help me to sew kindness with all
And always remember on whom to call
Now Father guide me and send from above
Strength for today, to share of your love
Lord I am willing to serve you today
I pray that you'll send someone my way
To hear of your grace and what it can do
I pray that my life be an example of
You For it is by grace you have been saved through faith and
this is not from yourselves, it is a gift of God.
Ephesians 2:8 NIV
Verily I say unto you,
Except ye be converted,
And become as little children,
Ye shall not enter into the
kingdom of heaven.
Matthew 18:3b KJV
The Great Commission As the day comes to a close, I sit down with my pen
I ask the Lord to once again touch my heart and send
Someone with needs much greater than I could ever fill
But just a chance to share with them the story of my best friend
Just a chance to share today what Jesus means to me
I hope to never pass up the chance so all the world can see
He wants to be there every day to help us on our way
We all must learn to lean on Him and then we too may say
When Jesus comes into our heart He saves us from our sin
His grace is all sufficient for you my dearest friend
So as we're told, go out and tell of Him who died for you
To all of those around you just to name a few
The greatest news someone can hear will come from within your heart
It's not too late; today's the day, for all of us to start
Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the
name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:
Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever
I have commanded you; and, lo, I am with you
always, even unto the end of the world.
Matthew 28: 19-20 KJV
Here I Am, Lord As I sit and ponder the words I heard today
I think to myself, there must be a way
So many are hurting, in need of a friend
No one to turn to, so Christ you must send
Just someone to be there, encouraging along
Helps one to feel like they belong
It's me, I know Lord, you've asked me to say
Just a simple kind word, to someone today
I pray that my words will lighten their heart
And help them to see right from the start
We all face struggles from day to day
But somehow we make it if we will just pray
Lord, help me to find someone today
That's hurting inside and maybe won't say
I don't know the problem, but this I can say
Lord, I'll be there for someone today
And let us consider how we may spur one another on
toward love and good deeds.
Let us not give up meeting together,
as some are in the habit of doing,
but let us encourage one another
and all the more as you see the Day approaching.
Hebrews 10: 24-25 NIV 1984
A Single Light As we look around us, in the world today
We find a world of darkness and with it comes dismay
As we self examine what God would have us do
We must start within ourselves and to the closest few
A single light can change the dark from what may seem dismay
But this one light can change a heart and then we all may say
A heart for God can change the world if on Christ we shall depend
No longer will the darkness fill our world with constant sin
We must seek to find someone each and every day
A little help to just someone may go a long, long way
It's quite an easy way to start to turn from dark to light
It's time we take a stand for God with just A Single Light
For you were once darkness,
but now you are light in the Lord.
Ephesians 5:8 NIV 1984
I Count It All A Blessing Sometimes God works in ways unseen, we often wonder why
He takes us through uncertainties, now on Him we must rely
You see we can't begin to know the whats and whys and when
But our God is in charge, He'll choose you too, to send
Once we choose to do God's will the tests will surely come
Sometimes we even question who the tests are from
But God has great and mighty plans to use us all you see
The test will help to make us strong and be more like Thee
God wants to mold and make us clean to follow Him each day
No matter what the trial, I thank Him as I pray
I look to see what I can learn; God leads me through each day
I'm sure God wants to bless us all and teach us how to pray
You see our God will sometimes close a door along the way
This will help us lean on Him and what He has to say
We never know what's up ahead but God sees everything
I guess that's why we trust Him and praise Him as we sing
I thank you God for strength today to pass this test for You
I pray in all your wisdom, I'll know just what to do!
I Count It All A Blessing We do not enjoy being disciplined. It is painful at the
time, but later, after we have learned from it, we have peace,
because we start living the right way.
Hebrews 12:11 NCV
Good News Today I'd like to share with you the greatest news I've heard
I found it hidden deep within the pages of God's word
You see many years have passed and we still act the same
We go to church, read God's word and even praise His name
But something is missing when that's all we say and do
The Great Commission has been sent to both me and you
God wants us to be willing to tell what He has done
To share the love He had for us by sending His own son
The world if filled with hurting souls that know not of His grace
It's up to us to tell the world He died to take our place
God has a plan for all of us if we will only say
Lord, I am willing, please use me today!
Please send someone who needs to hear of joy, peace and love
And give me the strength I need from only you above
I know I'll never be the same; I've shared you with a friend
And thank you for the strength you give until the very end
For if you tell others with your own mouth
that Jesus Christ is your Lord
and believe in your own heart
that God has raised Him from the dead,
you will be saved.
Romans 10:9 TLB
Peace Within As I come to the ocean for a short reprieve
It's here that God makes it easy for one to believe
The waters seem endless, no boundary in sight
I know that my God will make everything right
I listen to the ocean and feel the gentle breeze
I know that peace within me comes from what God sees
The future is all planned out; it's He who holds my hand
He only wants us to trust Him and take a mighty stand
When despair and uncertainties come our way once more
We all must remember that He will open the door
What may seem an ending, can be a brand new start
But first we must trust Him and let Him into our heart
What joy He gives through every trial, a peace now from within
I pray today that I will see what my God wants to send
I pray I find the blessings in each and every day
I pray that my God help me in every word I say
I thank Him for the good times and for the trials too
I thank Him for being my Savior and knowing just what to do
Rejoice in the Lord always
and again I say, Rejoice!
Philippians 4:4 NIV
Be anxious for nothing but in everything
by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving
let your requests be made known to God.
And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding,
shall guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.
Philippians 4:6-7 NKJV
Just One Day? It's Sunday morning; "We must get up"
I heard my Mama say
It seems a shame we only get up this one day to pray
I guess God knows that some will say
"This is the day to pray"
But I myself wonder why just one day to pray
I know God must miss us all during the week
I guess he gets lonely until His face we seek
Sometimes we forget our burdens He wants to share
We try to fix each problem, when our Father is always there
Our problem seems too big or we hate to bother Him
We always make excuses until our light goes dim
Now times are rough, we can't go on, so now to Him we turn
It's such a shame it takes all this for each of us to learn
God wants to hear from us each day just like our closest friend
He wants to share the good times and help our hearts to mend
Now when we depend on Him our lives are truly blessed
It's He that gives us comfort and in Him we find true rest
Delight yourself in the Lord;
and He will give you the desires of your heart.
Psalm 37:4 NIV
Don't Take It for Granted Sometimes we take for granted the pleasures of each day
We give it little thought you see as we are on our way
Too busy in the morning to notice those around
We like it nice and quiet with very little sound
Our mind begins to cover the things we'll do today
We rarely even notice just what our children say
We spend so little time with God to thank Him as we pray
It seems we barely notice the routine of today
We take for granted those who care and always fill our needs
But what a joy to take the time to plant a tiny seed
You see life's greatest pleasures come from looking right around
It's really in our family, true joy can now be found
Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly,
and whoever sows generously
will also reap generously.
2 Corinthians 9:6 NIV
Thank You Father, we thank you for blessing us today
And thank you for giving us the words you'd have us say
Thank you for Jesus, who died to take our place
And for the way you love us with your amazing grace
Thank you for the simple things we sometimes fail to see
Help to keep us mindful and focused just on Thee
Thank you for the guidance you give when we are still
And help us always strive to live within your Holy will
Thank you for our family and friends who mean so much
Help us show each one your love through just a simple touch
Thank you for your spirit of joy and peace and love
And help us lift our voices to only You above
Thank you for the gift of song and for a way to share
Just how much you mean to us and just how much you care
May we be a blessing to some lost soul today
And may the light of Jesus help them find their way
This is the day the Lord has made,
let us rejoice and be glad in it.
Psalm 118:24 NIV
Who's In Charge? Although sometimes I must admit I like to be in charge
I find it's less important that I become the Sarg.
Someone to boss and tell each day the things they need to do
I guess it's really not my place; it's all up to You
It sure is less hectic when I'm in charge of me
No worries about the others, just trying to see
What God has planned for me and for the others too
I'm sure He'll reveal to us just what to do
I'm not the potter or the wheel; I'm just a piece of clay
I know my Savior's loving hand will guide me on my way
You see I've learned a lot from Him through each and every day
I'm not in charge of you or me, its God who's boss today
Trust in the Lord with all your heart
and lean not on your own understanding;
in all your ways acknowledge Him and
He shall direct your paths.
Proverbs 3:5-6 NKJV
Be Ready Please excuse the way I look, I know I seem a mess
If I had known you'd come today, I'd have shopped for a new dress
I'd clean my house; I'd make the beds
I'd cook your favorite meal
I guess you'd think this all was great, I wonder how you'd feel
It seems a shame we never know the day you're coming back
It looks as if we're not prepared; we even seem to lack
The knowledge of your saving grace when you so plainly said
Just open up your Bible and read your daily bread
It seems so clear to live each day as if it were our last
You want to save us from our sin and wipe away our past
So listen now my friend you see, be ready every day
`Cause only God above knows when He'll come to pass this way
And He will appear a second time,
not to bear sin but to bring salvation to
those who are waiting for Him.
Hebrews 9:28 NIV
God's Snow Today it snowed and snowed some more, a sight we rarely see
The snowflakes fell from everywhere; they even fell on me
With frozen feet and runny nose I tried to lend a hand
We must build this snowman, but how can we make him stand?
We built him from the fallen snow, so pure and white and clean
We thought the finished product was the cutest you've ever seen
The snow God sent for all of us was quite a sight to see
It covered each and every thing, even the tallest tree
This tree was a beauty with snow on every limb
It was a simple wonder, sent to us by only Him
Stand still and consider the wondrous works of God.
Job 37:14 KJV
To Thank You God's given us another day, there's beauty all around
It's when we take the time to look that beauty can be found
You see so much you've rarely seen although it's been right there
Sometimes it takes an act of God before we learn to care
It seems we found the joy in things we felt we had to do
But now, you see, our joy is found in spending time with you
It means so much to have a friend on whom you can rely
The simple little things you did to share a friendly "Hi"
The cards, the calls, the gifts you sent were thoughtful as can be
But thank you most of all for prayers you lifted up for me
The days go by and stronger still my body seems to be
I know my God is in control; He wants the best for me
I thank God now for friends like you who show they really care
Your friendship means the world to me
It's nice to know you're there
A merry heart doeth good like a medicine,
but a broken spirit drieth the bones.
Proverbs 17:22 KJV
Without Complaining I'd like to think the day would come when everyone could find
Something nice to talk about, I know you wouldn't mind
There's always something good in one if only we will seek
You've given all a special gift and even to the weak
We can find the best you see in all that comes our way
It's simple if we think of what Christ would have us say
Now some are looking just to find a problem every day
Their joy comes from arguing with anything you say
Our days will be much happier when pleasant things we say
God gives us all a choice to make each and every day
So as you look for things to say, I know that you will find
Good things come to those who wait and never seem to mind
I pray we'll always find the best in what we say and do
But most of all, I pray dear God
We choose to follow
You.
Do everything without complaining or arguing,
so that you may become blameless and pure, children of God.
Philippians 2: 14-15 NIV
God's Love Seeds As I plant a seed today, I hope to see it grow
I'll do the simple things I can before I have to go
You know we have a chance to sow God's love in all we do
I pray we choose to touch the lives if only of a few
It's really very simple if we try to find each day
A smile to share with those around as if we want to say
God loves you and we all must share this message with a friend
Just simply open up your heart and Christ will enter in
God gives a light to each of us to shine for Him each day
It's when we give away our joy that blessings come our way
We may not think our seeds have grown but we don't have to see
It's just my job to plant the seed my God has given
me!
I planted the seed, Apollos watered it,
but God made it grow.
So neither he who plants nor he who waters is anything,
but only God, who makes things grow.
1 Corinthians 3: 6-7 NIV
(Continues...)
Excerpted from Be Still and Knowby Vickie Lathan McCorkle Copyright © 2011 by Vickie Lathan McCorkle. Excerpted by permission of iUniverse, Inc.. All rights reserved. No part of this excerpt may be reproduced or reprinted without permission in writing from the publisher.
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