Endurance

A shift in a golden afternoon
Portends of sudden war,
Yet the flutters of even a sparrow's heart
Are noted, beyond the storm.

To somehow hold, through seasons
That wrestle for our life;
We bear-- for the eternal garden
The white and icy knife.

For how can we be like Jesus

If we decline to bleed?

How can we bloom forevermore

If we will not bear the seed?

Faith untested is faith unknown,
So let us ever watch and pray--
That we endure the cross before us:
To be counted worthy, on that day.

Every whispered offering--
Every desperate plea---
Every humble supplication--
Everything in our hearts-- is seen.

For the tall towers of this world are flimsy
And their promises, just a snare;
But secret prayers are laid in Heaven's trove
And He keeps us, also-- there.



--Abby Elizabeth Charland


Fear not, little flock; for it is your Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom.

Sell that ye have, and give alms; provide yourselves bags which wax not old, a treasure in the heavens that faileth not, where no thief approacheth, neither moth corrupteth.

For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.

                      --The Words of Jesus Christ
                  From the Gospel according to Luke 12:32-24

For a Butterfly

They hurt us.
We couldn't stop them.
No one heard a thing, you
Or me--
And the rain was running, running
All the little tears, kept
Running in the dark.

Now
You've disappeared
Or I have, depending
On who controls the narrative.
But secrets linger in the mountains
And the tired sun keeps going
Up, and down.

And the heart heaves;
It clenches that silent night.
Ancient moon light drips
On that innocent, baby face.
(Oh)

Little children
What do they speak of
When the
Keeper isn't around?

Little children
Jesus is listening
As the mountains hush
And bend.



--Abby Elizabeth Charland
  (Please pray for the children not yet found)

And whoso shall receive one such little child in my name recieveth me.
                              The Words of Jesus Christ,
                              --Mathew 18: 5

TRIUMPH

O LORD, The hope of Israel, all that forsake thee shall be ashamed, and they that depart from me shall be written in the earth, because they have forsaken the LORD, the fountain of living waters.
                                                                                        --Jeremiah 17:13

Behold, a dire delusion:
People trapped in a mirror they dub "my phone"
Who in pride concede to folly,
And sink in illusions, alone.

For those caught away in confusion 

For those who in anguish cry
Yet a chance to return-- God's mercy to prove--
He can save them from their lies.

And those who love truth, await watching--
To glimpse the Master-- so holy and high--
To join him in glory, singing,
Behold: our redemption draweth nigh.

The shadow deepens but for a moment--

Soon our King shall be proclaimed
And we will kiss the feet of the one who bled

And praise his holy name.

So can that old serpent quell our praises?

Can shadows corrode our love?

Nay, for the Lord Jesus ascended to glory

And our life is hid in the Light, above.

 

--Abby Elizabeth Charland

For the Lamb which is in the midst of the throne shall feed them, and shall lead them unto living fountains of waters: and God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes.
                                                                                              --Revelation 7: 17

For the Martyrs *

...yea, the time comes, that whosoever kills you will think that he does God service.
                                                              --John 16:2

We watch and pray; darkness clenches the sky--
(Satan hates our Savior drawing nigh.)
Our human dew spilled out on stone--
We beg God, please: 
Our tears fall down.

Stretched between here and forevermore
Lingers the anguished, fleshy door;
We pray, oh Lord, that you ease the gate
Where your martyrs bleed
And ache.

Cracks in our hearts-- cracks in the lies--
Lies brought us here, but most don't care why.
(It's just that ugliness is strong,
And people hate the Light
As if God could be wrong.)

To obey Jesus is shamed; evil lusts for blood--

Christians denounced for the 'greater good',

And all the while, they smirk, you see--
Behold Satan's tower:
The final machine.

But go ahead-- mark saints to die:
Prayer ever ascends, like a butterfly.
Life bursts, like a tulip under snow
Death is futile:
Jesus won, we know.


--Abby Elizabeth Charland

These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace.  In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.

[The words of Jesus Christ, from the Gospel according to John]
                                -- John 16:33

RIVER*

The seas astir in winds of change

Call to empty souls that wander--

O haughty world, that will not bow
Behold: your Maker's splendor.

Almighty God restrained his anger
And poured forth his billowing rains
That mankind might turn from darkness
And be saved from Hell's long pain.

O the blood of his Son, disregarded--
That rushing river of Life that flows--
Will turn to torrents of righteous judgment,
For fools who disdain to know--

Oh, darkened heart canst thou see thine end?
Immerse thy stain in Calvary's surge!
That the fetters of sin be washed away,
That the corrupted soul be purged--

For Salvation is in God's river--
Behold the flood part- if thou wilt repent,
Death drowned in the love of  Jesus
In the river that mercy sent.

Beyond the deluge, deep and wide,
Behold the daystar shining, true

Kiss the feet of the King that bled

The one they pierced for you.

--Abby Elizabeth Charland


1 God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in times of trouble.
2 Therefore will not we fear, though the earth be removed, and though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea;
3 Though the waters thereof roar and be troubled, though the mountains shake with the swelling thereof, Selah.
4 There is a river, the streams whereof shall make glad the city of God, the holy place of the tabernacles of the most High.
5 God is in the midst of her; she shall not be moved: God shall help her, and that right early.
                                                                                 --Psalm 46

SALVATION'S SONG*

I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.
                                                        --Romans 12:1

SALVATION'S SONG 

Father, regard not the flesh that shudders

Or the dust on trembling knees,

But fill us with truth and mercy

'Til worldly tumults cease.

For who can tally the worth of the bitter cross

Where Satan's loathsome crime was undone?

Oh, neither the world nor it's weighty treasures

Compare to the crown Christ Jesus won.

O Jesus-- our King, our Shepherd

Our holy and merciful Lord--

Your precious blood, it brought us life

The everlasting word.

Some people think they have alot--

Some people claim some right--

But we only desire to follow you,

And to hold aloft that perfect Light--

(So that another soul might see God's mercy

When that cross by death from death set free--

Our desperate plight, our hopelessness

Washed away, at Calvary.)

Now we are gathered in one by Jesus Christ

To nevermore walk alone;

Now, for his glory we lay down everything

To resound salvation's song.

~Abby Elizabeth Charland

But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard. neither have entered into the heart of man, the things God hath prepared for those that love him.

                                                                                         --1 Corinthians 2: 9

The Humble Things*

The Humble Things

Raging winds of confusion rise

In this, the ending time;

Suddenly awakened, the dove cries out--

As whirlwinds scream and whine--

This storm was born in prosperity,

For fake light and lies deemed true--

God's word ever holy, thunders

Tossing silly plans askew.

Behold: rains ravage mountains

And thunder confounds the sky;

Men connive in folly and pride to profit

As little birds croon and sigh--

But look! Glory rises for the longing

Of wing, and prayer, and bud;

All those that flutter underneath

Will lift to the Saviour's love.

Seed-- and bird-- and orphan--

Turn within this arc;

Creation bends, a circle--

God spun the world with spark.

Oh, little dove, yet trembling

Be still that frantic wing;

For the Father hears your lonesome cry,

And regards the humble things.

(~Abby Elizabeth Charland

God is not a man, that he should lie; neither the son of man, that he should repent: hath he said, and he shall not do it? Or hath he spoken, and shall not make it good?
                                                                           --Numbers 23:19

*

SPARKLE

For all they see, these eyes bear tears;
Sorrow for friends, who wander away,
Oceans rising in the night--
O Father, hear me when I pray.

This heart, a broken vessel,
Love drips on the floor--
Still I regard the fount of Jesus--
And his truth, forevermore.

Heaven cannot be bought or sold,
But many sell flattering fakes,
Still God is revealed in earnest seeking, alone--
And a heart's willingness to break.

Father help us to be faithful;
Calm our hearts with thy tender rain--
And let your holy Son of righteousness
Carry every pain.

Your people cry out, O mercy!
As we plead on shabby knees;
Divine righteousness, alone
Will judge what sorrow sees.

Though the narrow Way be fraught with peril
God's holy light shines ever through--
In the scripture, drenched in glory,
Behold Christ Jesus-- bright and true.


--Abby Elizabeth Charland

And I say unto you, Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you.
For every one that asketh recieveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened.

--The Words of Jesus Christ
   From the Gospel According to Luke
   Luke 11: 9-10

BAPTISM

Salvation isn't complicated--
The simple path is this:
Worship God, and obey his word--
And resist the tempter's tricks.

There are not multiple paths to eternal life--
Beware such foibles of intellect,
For the Enemy lusts for innocent blood--
And he spins a sticky web.

Consider the love of the Father
Who beheld from the holy throne;

As his precious Son bore our penalty--
That Satan's snare be undone.

It was the Father's mercy that compelled the cross--
The fallen world uplifted thus;
Thus we are compelled to love as well:
Heaven's heart, in earthen cups.

In this valley of decision, then
We honor truth or truth defy;
What fills the heart is that which one serves--
Choose the Gospel-- or choose a lie.

Jesus Christ pitied the sinner's every brokenness--
He regarded our helpless plight--
And when we are buried in  his blood
All stains are rendered white.

Depths of compassion spring to fountains of life--
Truth and mercy: God's manifest will--
And Jesus returning, open arms for his own--
Our Father's glory overspills.



--Abby Elizabeth Charland

But whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst; but the water that I shall give him shall be in him a well of water springing up into everlasting life.

    --The words of Jesus Christ, from the Gospel According to John
       John 4:14

Shelter

Sometimes even love
Is required to stand
Alone.  Faith, shining in the eyes
Has more power
Than billowing flames
That mushroom in a final dusk.

So, which way will you burn--
A single candle, flickering from that corner, or
The upteenth shadow
Seared into a wall?

The purpose was, for God's children
To kneel in simple grace
Safe beneath Provision's boughs
The roots of redemption wrapping
Every rotten bone:

But rebellious minds still blaze,
Arrogance called to ashes: oh--
Such silly little stars,
Careening in the empty darkness,
Grieving the holy Spark.

Yet, it is the Father's joy
To shield the lovely humble
In the shadow of fluttering grace: that mercy!
(The peace that the world can't understand.)


--Abby Elizabeth Charland


Be merciful unto me, O God, be merciful unto me: for my soul trusteth in thee: yea, in the shadow of thy wings will I make my refuge, until these calamities be overpast.
                                                                                             --Psalm 57:1

Beyond All Human Understanding *

Not our will, but the Father's be
Accomplished for the world to see;
Forbid the shadowy fist to break
This little flock-- for Jesus' sake.

Ofttimes Satan's strength seems dire;

And strange deceptions also, acquire
Power to clench and strangle the world
His evil plot, unfurled.

Lawless laws, and doctors of death
And hate for we who speak with holy breath;
Lovers of darkness despise God's light,
And kings conspire to rule this night.

And now, in horror behold Babylon!
Steering that Beast she lusts upon--

Those merchant men who sell such filthy fruit

Sorceries of the Dragon's prostitute.

The victory of our warfare, then
Is in sweet prayers ever sent--
Sweet fragrance before the Father's throne
That Jesus Christ be proclaimed and known--

That every heart darkened, turn and change--
Dark intentions rearranged--
That each desperate heart find salvation, revealed,
And in the Spirit of Truth thus be sealed.

Our hearts rejoice, we overcome by faith

Knowing what the scripture saith.
We speak that truth-- we ever watch and pray--
And labor in love, while yet there's day.

Time will soon fold up into eternity;
Our Saviour cometh-- all will see!

O Father, not our will, but Thine be done
As we occupy 'til he comes.

 --Abby Elizabeth Charland


And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Jesus Christ.
Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.
                                                                                      -- Philippians 4:7-8

BATTLE ENTIRE

There is nothing new, the burning sun
Twists again, as ever done.
It really just falls down to this:
To whom do you render service?

Do you claim knowledge, or seek the living tree--
To Ba'al  bow, or to Father kneel?
The serpent is subtle; Jesus is pure--
Do you walk Mystery's maze or choose the narrow Door?

Your children sacrificed, or God's righteous Son---
Rituals of control, or freedom won?
Revenge or forgiveness-- truth or lies--
Divine mercy, or a self-righteous disguise?

Satan confuses to ensnare;
He tempts and traps with intriguing fare--
But minds focused on Jesus cannot be deceived
Those who love and follow-- who simply believe.

Demonic babbling or Spirit of Truth--
Lusts of flesh or prophetic proof--
The word of God versus the systems of men:
What was once, ascends again.

Do you accuse or do you pray--
Do you practice what Jesus said--
Does your heart spew hate, and your mouth defame
In self-righteous rage proclaimed?

Do those lofty eyes condemn the poor--
Do prestige and prosperity matter more
Than secret prayers of repentance wept
And God's commandments humbly kept?

Cherry-picked scriptures and twisted truths--
Power grabs and unholy spoofs--
Prophetic words for selfish gain--
All excuses: all profane.

Brother against brother, friend against friend--
But when Jesus returns, all knees shall bend,
When  the King in glorious clouds, arrives
In perfect justice he will judge-- each heart, each mind.

Return your heart to loving light;
Consume God's word for true insight.
Obey Jesus-- the righteous King
And render to him everything.


--Abby Elizabeth Charland

Put on, therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering;

Forbearing one another, and forgiving one another, if any man have a quarrel against any: even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye.

                                                            --Colossians 3:12-13

REFLECTION

A corrupted tree bears poison fruit,
Let me refuse that tainted bid,
For knowledge offers a treacherous way:
Snares in brightness, hid.

Tortuous writhings-- twisted parts,
Oh, help me to ignore--
That I might find the Path instead
That my Shepherd tread, before.

Decline my intents, that I might find the One
Who formed and offered all;
Let me choose the living fount--
Let me heed that call,

For I am but a mortal thing
Of mud my substance-- frail,
Yet Father fills me with bright fountains;
Oh, let his torrential truth prevail!

Heaven's kindness, such holy tears,
Showers of love and light--
Love cascades to fill my brokenness,
And joy dispels my night.

Not the Deceiver's gloom, that Kingdom,
Nor formed by fallen hands--
But lifted from glory unto glory
The Word that ever stands.

This surging passage, yes, sometimes brings pain,
As dross is purged away--
And yet that holy light divine
Helps me to obey--

My filth exchanged for holiness,
My will changed to God's own--
Through Death's shadow, following:
Everlasting mercies, shown.

To bow, yet lift my heart to him,
To submit in the Potter's hand--
To destroy this husk, that light might fill,
To answer the quiet command--

For this heart of flesh made a holy temple,
My will, an offering crucified-- unbound--
For the One who bequeathed forgiveness,
And whose everlasting springs resound.


--Abby Elizabeth Charland

                                   
But whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst; but the water that I shall give him shall be in him a well of water springing up into everlasting life.

 --The Words of Jesus Christ
From the Gospel according to John, verse 14

For an Unbeliever

Just turn a little, forget your mind;
Set all the figured world behind--
Regard the little light, that fluttering spark
(The candle that relieves the dark.)

To what corner was that glimmer cast,
For a folly built that could never last--
For to be a god only Death exalts
Pride of life, the toppling fault.

Oh, haughty eyes, regard the night--
Where stars and comets transverse, so bright
And love so lovely beckons you,
Like a whispering breeze, or cooling dew.

All hearts be cut-- all plans be dashed--
That you might still find God's truth, at last!
Behold your Maker, discard that pride
Beneath his mighty hand, to find

That the point-- ever only-- was to catch your heart
That not one be lost, no forgotten parts,
For the breaking was just to let in light--
The falling just to offer flight.

God made the patterns, the sense-- he bade
That every beauty, each disarray
Was for his pleasure--including you--
Who broke his heart to bring grace through!

Just turn a little, incline your eye;
Let every faltering flicker by--
For the lie was just to swindle you,
That the Evil One might evil do.

But Jesus-- the kindness that founts your tears!
But Jesus--  the storm that evil fears!
Time unspinning, world off course:
Broken to reveal the Source.


--Abby Elizabeth Charland

When I consider thy heavens, the work of thy fingers, the moon and the stars, which thou ordained; What is man, that thou art mindful of him?
                                                                                                  --Psalm 8:3

.

PEACE

Jesus, save me from mankind's opinions
Who walk in war, deceived--
That I might follow Jesus only
And of his perfect life receive.

My heart falls stunned and trembling
Before the mercy of my King,
Who regards my pain with gentleness,
And listens when I sing.

If no one understands such love--
If no one with this Way agrees--
Forgive them, Father, for the shadow
That seeks to swallow me.

Help me not to fear, this day,
As I walk in a darkened world--
Where terror ascends, to rule and reign:
Bitterness and hatred hurled.

Rather, shed in me your mighty love,
That unimaginable peace--
Your promised light and comfort--
Your Spirit here released.

Keep the gates of my mouth, oh God
That my lips may no more sin,
That my soul only serve righteousness--
That here, your love may live.

Forgive the frantic people
Who before Mammon's alter bow
Touch the divided minds of men
That they might know you, now.

And keep me low, dear Jesus
That I might serve your truth in love;
All glory for my Father
Who watches, from above.



--Abby Elizabeth Charland

And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil; For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen.

                                                       --The words of Jesus Christ,
                                                       from the Gospel according to Mathew                                                                                    [Mathew 6:13]

THUNDER

Father, create in me a clean heart--
Each corrupt intent, reveal;
Remove from this soul all secret stains--
My forehead thus, to seal.

For in such bitterness the world twists, ensnared
Deranged by doctrines contrived in hell,
Yet your Son obeyed the bloody cross--
All hope springs from that Well.

No man can construct such perfect love;
Nor attain by force that glorious light;
Oh, wash me in Christ's sacrifice--
The blood that purged my plight.

For of men, I was a chief of sinners--
My heart deformed by sin,
And yet you sent your precious Son
That I might love-- like him.

For there is not one of mankind worthy
Save he that forged the Way--
That stunning Truth and mercy
That bore for me-- my grave.

Double minds burn with dark desire
And deny the blood that Jesus paid--
And thus the Life eternal--
That hope God's mercy gave.

Oh Father, break us of this madness--
Expose the cost of human pride;
For those who scoff at the humble cross
In rebellion Love defy.

Dear Father, catch these tears I shed
For all yet blind and lost;
My prayer, that each heart be broken--
That all might apprehend the Cross.

For fire now trembles Heaven's rim--
Judgement thunders from the throne;
Soon all will behold the Lion of Judah--
And his righteous judgement, know.

So, release saints from bonds of fear and silence,
That the light of Truth be no more constrained--
Let the light bequeathed at Calvary
Shine forth to glorify your name.



--Abby Elizabeth Charland




Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid.

Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house.

Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.

                                                       
                                                                     --The words of Jesus Christ
                                                                  [From the Gospel according to Mathew]
                                                                                  Mathew 5:14-16
                                                               
                                                                         

PRAYER FOR PROVISION

Shape us for your kingdom,
Oh Yahweh, Father of us all--
Sculpt our hearts to Heaven
That we know the Shepherd's call.

These temporary troubles
That afflict the souls of men
Are purposed for your glory--
That all be new, again.

So, guide us from every treachery,
All delusion and division break--
That we might stand in righteousness
Released from bitterness and hate.

Lend to us your wisdom;
Shed your light upon our hearts--
That we may serve your purposes
And resist Satan's fiery darts.

That your perfect Way be magnified
To the darkened minds of mortal men--
That every stronghold be torn down
As your Son returns, again.

Jesus, cleanse us from Earth's madness
And the tricks of human pride,
Provide truth for every longing heart--
Oh, rend Satan's disguise!

Discipline our flesh, O God,
Lest we forget the pit where we once fell
That we might be a witness
As to the Way you are, for all.

Humble us beneath your mighty hand,
And circumcise our hearts--
That we be gathered up, a spotless bride
And from Babylon, depart.

Father, who can define your righteousness
Or deny your wondrous love--
That eternal oil of gladness
Poured out so, abundant-- from above?

So, Jesus, touch each heart, and clear each mind
That all might know the simple Truth
You stand at the door, inviting --
Make us your living proof.

---Abby Elizabeth Charland

The voice of him that crieth in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the LORD, make straight in the desert a highway for our God.

Every valley shall be exalted, and every hill shall be made low: and the crooked shall be made straight, and the rough places plain.

And the glory of the LORD shall be revealed, and all flesh shall see it together: for the mouth of the LORD hath spoken it.

                                                                                                --Isaiah 40: 3-5
                                                     

SILENCE

Father, quiet this raging heart
That I might hear your song,
For my heart is just confusion
My ways always are wrong.

I wish that I could convey
Hope to every man,
But without Jesus, I have nothing
Just foolish, shifting sand.

What is it about the darkness,
That tricks and traps the mind--
Why do men prefer corruption
And cast perfect love aside?

This question, the thing that torments,
As I watch men's folly fall--
It once was me; this is so true
But Jesus paid for all.

What joy it is to find him--
Unworthy-- on my knees--
The Father who saw my hidden shame
And sent his Son, to free.

And Jesus bled for every tear--
Bore scourges for each sin--
The word of Truth, the way of Grace,
That brought salvation in.

For despair then, I am grateful
For without it I would have remained
In rebellion, but contented
Unto hell and death a slave.

'Tis beautiful, to honor Christ--
And to turn from easy sin--
To sip that cup of bitterness
Sweet incense, for him.

Only the broken know this;
Only the filthy feel a need--
Thank God, then, for the torments
That brought me to my knees.


---Abby Elizabeth Charland

For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal life.  For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.
                                                                                --John 3:16 & 17

For A Leader

We pray that you might come to know
There is really just one King,
With perfect mercy and understanding,
And that you seek wisdom from Him--

Not the fables formed of men
Who whisper in your ear,
But the Word of God directly--
No traitor intruding, there.

For if you seek Him, you will find Him--
If you knock, understanding will open up--
And you will recognize the answer
That the Father sent, in love.

Don't fear invading armies--
Turn away from ancient thrones,
And simply follow Jesus
To make eternity your home.

The times are dark, we can't deny
And yet there is a light
That that conquers every blindness,
And breaks the bonds of night.

It seems contrary-- to bend-- we know this,
And yet this is the only way
In a world overtaken by selfish pride
Where delusion rules the day,

For in a moment we are all taken
To death each man succumbs;
The choice remains, for everyone
To bend their knee to Love.

No room remains for greed or power--
Nor hope in men's designs;
Pray for wisdom-- bow to grace--
Seek repentance in these times.

So may the Father's hand be upon you
That you bow and seek His face--
May you recognize the risen Son
And walk within his grace.




--Abby Elizabeth Charland

For what shall it profit a man, if he  shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul?
                                                              --The words of Jesus Christ, Mark 8:36

VESSEL

PURPOSED

We who have been broken
Know the tenderness of God,
The One that sees each fallen heart
And heeds each desperate call.

We were all corrupted,
Babes who in shadow fell,
When no one heard, nor saw, nor cared
He wept, and healed, and held.

In tangled, tragic nightmares--
In violent, frantic days--
Saved for the glory of the Father
And in faith acquiring grace.

Don't follow me, for I am nothing
Just a sinner washed of sin--
Rather ponder on that mighty love
That sent Redemption in.

For this that we might testify
That the blinded yet might see;
That the world might know God's purpose
Love bled to set us free.




--Abby Elizabeth Charland

YELLOW

Yellow, yellow-- falling, so--
Life so swiftly, softly goes.
Light and shadow
Twist below.

A tree, perhaps, can stand alone,
Still yearning for a forest home--
Limbs ever reaching
Over frozen stones.

So, I love the stripping wind,
And still regard that scrape, as kind.
God rakes away
The useless rind--

And mountains stand, while edges call
And yellow teardrops gently fall.
Come lean into
His golden wall.

The season gathers flocks to flight
And lifts the darkening wind from white
Uncloaking dreams
Brought forth in night.

In this dream-walk, still we sleep,
And cast all yellow underneath--
The gold, untarnished
Thus, to keep.



--Abby Elizabeth Charland

FAITH

Who can deny God's judgment
When societies spin, askew?
Everything we thought we had,

And what we thought we knew--

Such arrogant assumptions!
Such selfishness, and pride!
Only those who love the truth
Will not bow down to lies.

The world will split-- oh, judgement then--
But the righteous need not fear;
The sky will tear from end to end--
Redemption drawing near!

Hope whispers in the darkness;
As the storm our faith perfects,
The truth of Jesus will prevail,
And all the world confess.

Then, why fear the scourge of evil
So soon to be purged away?
Rather, rend my heart on trembling knee,
Before the vengeance of that Day.

Father, teach of mercy,
For guilt despairs it's need.
Lend us strength to follow you--
Oh, help our unbelief!

The world rages but for a moment
'Til it's delusive towers fall down,
Then the throngs of heaven will exult in praise
For the holy Promise, shown.




--Abby Elizabeth Charland

SWEPT AWAY

All the burdens of this world--
Every heavy care--

I lay down at heaven's throne
And find sweet comfort, there.

For your glory, Lord, let me be broken--
Thus the dross to purge away.
Help me to not falter
Lead me through this day.

Without grace, I would be hopeless
Just a silly, empty thing
But in your presence, there is mercy
In gratitude, I sing.

Cleanse this vessel-- make it useful;
In thy bottle catch these tears;
Forgive me for my bitterness--
All faithlessness, and fear.

Surely, your provision
Is enough to cover these;
Help me ever walk with you
From condemnation, freed.

The rains and water gather,
But I shall not resist this storm,
For every stain be thus swept away--
And every delusion, formed.

Father, guide your people
And fortify our faith
To bless us as we bow, each day
Unto your amazing truth, and grace.



--Abby Elizabeth Charland

Abby Elizabeth Charland Art