What is Love

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What is love?

But a powerful emotion

It rushes in

And sets things in motion

It can’t be quenched

By the mightiest ocean

So don’t play with love

For everything

There is a time and season

God’s laws

Are there for a reason

Don’t awaken love

Before it’s time

Or it could become

Tomorrow’s thrown-out dime

Love comes around once

It can come around twice

But be careful

Are you willing to pay its price?

It can level whatever stands in its path

Resembling the force of wrath

So don’t play with love

Photo and Poem by

Christina Morley

There's a Road that is Turning

Photo by Christina Morley

There are times the Lord doesn’t seem near,

But oh, how much He wants us to hear

Of His great love and the sacrifice He made,

So that even the littlest one can be saved.

Whether male or female, wealthy or poor,

Jesus is standing at the door.

Through floods, fires, famine, and cold,

The Lord reaches out with love un-foretold.

Jesus came for the needy and lame.

The sinner, the baby, He loves just the same.

The children have voices, the fetuses none.

Do we have His compassion for everyone?

The Muslim, the Hindu, the slave, and oppressed,

Jesus took the towel, as a servant was dressed.

To help the hurting and to set captives free

Takes courage, sacrifice, and love from you and me.

From Japan to Jordan, from China to Chile,

Stretch out, reach out, the harvest is plenty.

From Albania to India, Sudan and Kuwait,

If we don’t hurry, it may be too late.

As He is healing you, heal others around.

Nothing is stopping you; your feet are not bound.

Be filled with His Spirit and bathed in His love.

All power and authority come from above.

There’s a road that is turning.

There’s a way we can go.

The doors are now opening.

His love we can show.

by Christina Morley

Crumbs or Steak?

Tell me, who knows the mind of the Lord that we should offer Him counsel?

If He has told us a thing, is it not true?

Either we believe God or we place His wisdom on a mantel,

Which is like living our lives in an old, smelly shoe.

What has He promised for His beloved daughters and sons?

Did He not say that He would take care of each and everyone?

Then why are we so busy eating the crumbs

When God wants us to live a life of joy and even have fun?

We easily get focused on what our needs are

That we forget to seek God’s Kingdom first.

When we get our priorities right and up to par,

Then God will give us a marvellous thirst.

We’ll begin to see the needs of others around

And God will fill us with living water that will always abound.

To seek His Kingdom first is to be eating that steak;

And to discover a life of faith,

Believe God, it’s no mistake.

by Christina Morley

I Love Music

I love music

Give me a melody

I love music

Someone play me a key

When there’s stress and things go wrong

I need a feel good song

When problems pour down like rain

Music keeps me sane

Spin a lyric

Thread a rhyme

Drum a rhythm

I’m feeling fine

by Christina Morley

A few years ago I flew to Germany alone with my son to my grandfather's funeral. I was afraid to stop over at the Frankfurt airport, because it's a huge airport, so I decided to stop over at the much smaller Hamburg airport instead. I have no problem conversing in the German language and most Germans can speak English, so I wasn't worried about that. I just didn't want to get lost. Well, the Hamburg airport was a mistake of choice. They lacked the German efficiency that one would have expected. Computer systems were down. No one explained what the hold-up was and no one apologized for the delay. We were third in line, but it took an hour before we got to the counter and received our boarding passes. What was worse was that they had no background music playing at the airport. It was awful just standing there staring at the staff behind the counters and their computers. Also, I had my 10-year-old boy with me and what was he supposed to do? Occasionally, I hummed tunes to myself, I was that desperate. With the delay, others missed their flights, but we got to our connecting flight just in time.

Philosophy (Everything Comes in Packaging)

Philosophy

The world’s philosophy

Oh, doesn’t it sound so good to your ears?

Lying

It wasn’t really lying

It was only a tiny, little, white lie

Packaging

Everything comes in packaging

And it’s always made to look so nice

Rights

It’s my right

No one has the right to tell me what to do

Sex

Have safe sex

And you should only begin when you feel ready

Packaging

Everything comes in packaging

And it’s always made to look so nice

Religion

All religions are good

Therefore, there is no one true religion

Truth

The world’s truth

Or God’s truth, which is the only truth

God has promised that if you should know the truth,

The truth will set you free

by Christina Morley

I thought you might be interested to know that I wrote this poem when I was 18 years old. Our modern, western culture dictates to school-going kids the philosophy that they are to embrace. This was my response to that.

Starry Sky

I thank You for the stars at night

I know that I can never leave Your sight

If You know each star by name

Then You know everyone else the same

You know so much more than I

When I look up into that deep, starry sky

I think how much You love Your creation

Heaven is beyond my imagination

I thank You for the home prepared for me

I know there will be so much more to see

A new heaven and new earth in all their glory

For me, this is a wonderful story

Help me to live in joy and peace

Until one day hatred and evil will cease

Also, help me show others the way

Until I see You in heaven, I pray

by Christina Morley

Do You Feel Powerless?

Do you feel powerless

To change things

Or become emotionless

From too many stings?

Is everything hopeless

Is it all in vain

Are you feeling helpless

Is your heart in pain?

There is one Who knows your name

He is faithful. He stays the same

He has felt your deepest pain

His love will always remain

Let His love fall like healing rain

Because your life is not in vain

What do you do

When you’re feeling restless

Who do you talk to

When your heart’s a mess?

Where is your shelter

From the storms of life

Who is your cover

When it cuts like a knife?

Next time the devil tries to steal

Don’t think about how you feel

Or the hurt that is real

Remember you are not lost, but found

And God’s angels are always around

So in Jesus’ name stand your ground

He will teach you what to do

And His love will carry you

So, next time the devil tries to steal

Don’t think about how you feel

Or the hurt that is real

Remember you are not lost, but found

And God’s angels are always around

So in Jesus’ name stand your ground!

by Christina A. Morley

Be a Friend

Lord, You taught me that to have friends,

I should be a friend.

And if I felt misunderstood, understanding

I should extend.

It’s not about protecting me, but about having

a heart that can bend.

Gifts of hope, gifts of love, and gifts of joy

I want to send.

by Christina Morley

I decided to post this poem today, because I need it for myself. It's been one of those days. I also feel more sensitive, and I can't take the hard knocks so well, when I'm ill and worn down. Do you ever feel that way too?

Lazy Summer Days

Home-made ice cream

And pink lemonade

Great for lazy summer days

Delicate butterflies

Romantic sunsets

Fall upon my happy gaze

Ceiling fans

Cool, white sheets

Help summer evenings go by

Gentle waves

A walk on the beach

Under a starry sky

Hand in hand

A touch, a kiss

Your body next to mine

Speaking words

Of tenderness

So perfect and divine

by Christina A. Morley

I know it's summertime in the Northern Hemisphere, so this poem is for all of you who are enjoying warmer weather. I'm sure the last poem's pic with the wintry scene must have been a bit confusing!

Another reason why I chose this poem is because I've been doing a series on "My Husband is a Martian" over at my parenting blog, Amanda's Books and More. I've been writing about the challenges of communicating with a partner who seems to be from a different planet. I thought it would be nice to share something about the happier side of marriage.

Who's the Real Me?

When I look into my eyes

What do I see?

Who’s the real me?

Am I everything I want to be?

Like a coloring book without color

Or a day that’s gone gray

Everything’s become a blur

And I kneel down and pray

And when He reaches down

Inside this heart that wears a frown

He touches things too deep

Awakening dreams that lay asleep

I was like a tree in winter

Without one single, green leaf

But then my heart began to stir

Happiness mixed with grief

And when He reaches down

Inside this heart that wears a frown

He touches things too deep

Awakening dreams that lay asleep

by Christina Morley

Love is the Only Way

The last shall be first

The first shall be last

It’s an attitude of the heart

And love will stand fast

I can have ambition

But not without submission

To the Spirit who gives me vision

To love is His only condition

When things don’t go right

And I’m tempted to fight

I need to stop and pray

‘Cause love is the only way

by Christina Morley

Hear the Call

Photo by Dominic Morel

Hear the call

Sound the drums

Wake up! Wake up!

Arise ye dead

See ye blind

Now’s the time

For your light to shine

Hear the voice

From on high

Jesus Christ! Jesus Christ!

He’s the Truth

I tell no lie

He’s the way

For all mankind

Hear the saints

In the battle

We’ve won! We’ve won!

Death’s been killed

Life now lives

So wake up

And accept what He gives

New life! New life!

by Christina Morley

What’s Troubling You?

Honey, what’s on your mind?

Why do you always run around?

Why don’t you slow down?

What’s troubling you?

Honey, I see it in your face

Those distant eyes

The haphazard thoughts

Your constant restlessness

You’re always somewhere else

Inside that head

But still running away

From what’s there

So you dream

Keep yourself busy

Talk a lot

And have many friends

But what’s troubling you?

What’s inside?

Why hide?

It’ll always be there

Slow down

Listen to what others have to say

Take a good look at yourself

And try to find the reason why

And when you need to talk

Find people with wisdom

Who know you well

And sit down with them

It will take time

And some discipline

But overall

It’s worth it

Only then can God

Begin to work in your life

When you allow Him

To clean up the clutter

Yes, there’s a mess in your life

One you need to face

But when the refining is done

What’s left is the image of God

by Christina Morley

Photo by Gerhard Nel and used by permission

Note about this poem: I wrote this poem for a special friend in 1994. We have lost contact over the years, but I hope her future is bright, happy and full of God's love flowing in her heart and from her heart.

A Clock Ticks

A clock ticks

A tap drips

The house is quiet and still

I take time to write

On a peaceful night

Which gives me such a thrill

The children sleep

I hear my heart beat

Evenings like this I treasure

To have time alone

To think on my own

Gives me great pleasure

by Christina Morley

New Wine

You don’t despise

The little I have to give

My birth was no surprise

Or my weaknesses

You breathed life

In Genesis

And I realize

I was in Your plan

In the palm

Of Your hand

Take all of my heart

Take every part

You’re the new wine

And here I’ll dine

You make all things new

Your love is true

by Christina Morley

Live Your Life

Do you sometimes feel your life is a dead-end?
Have you given up hope, or just lack having a friend?
What are the thoughts that run through your head?
You own them, so choose the positive instead.

Why focus on the bad when you can note the good?
Find what makes you glad even if you’re misunderstood.
You can take charge of life by not pointing the finger.
Let thankful thoughts be the thoughts that linger.

Maybe you’ve had to go without a thing or two.
Maybe growing up at home felt more like a zoo.
But who cares about the grudges you now nurse?
You must move on, be the one to forgive first.

Go for a walk on a moonlit evening.
Find a song your heart wants to sing.
There’s so much you can be grateful for.
Open your eyes and look for more.

Now breathe in, shoulders back, and step out.
It’s time to find out what life is all about.
You were created for such a time as this.
Your destiny is something you don’t want to miss.

by Christina Morley

The Innocent Suffer

Born Free was a shelter for at risk children.
Christmas outreach 2001

Abuse, suffering, hunger, and pain

What’s the purpose, can there be any gain?

The innocent suffer, the innocent cry

I see their agony and I ask myself why?

A child in the street, naked and cold

No food for the belly, wounds that are old

No parents around, there’s no one to care

No home to be found, no love to share

Why does this happen, why must it go on?

Is there any reason when reason has gone?

How many victims do we meet everyday?

Do we take time for them, do we think to pray?

Or are we too busy with our own lives to see

The needy people around you and me?

by Christina Morley

Alpha and Omega

He is the Alpha and Omega

The beginning and the end

He is Creator and Caretaker

Our Comforter and Friend

He laughs at the impossible

He knows it can be done

All power and authority

Belong to the Son

Now if you didn’t get it yet

And if you haven’t heard

He always keeps His promises

It’s written in His Word

So whatever He has done before

He can do again

Remember He’s Creator, Caretaker

Your Comforter and Friend

by Christina Morley

Less Advice, Lots of Love

There is always a reason
For every different season
Time helps make sense of it all
When passing through spring or fall

Dealing with life’s issues
Is like needing sandals or shoes
Having the right kind of gear
To help you through the year

Laugh with those who are laughing
Cry with those who are crying
Give a little heart, not an answer
Callous words are like a cancer
Be as gentle as a dove
Less advice, lots of love

by Christina Morley

Gracefully Yours

“Little children come unto Me,” so the Lord Jesus said.
Isn’t it amazing how we are called children of God and not adults of God instead?
To be like little children, that’s how we need to think in our head.

“Little children come unto Me,” but how often do we look elsewhere?
How often do we reject His tender loving care?
It’s more T.L.C. we need and it’s in grace that we’ll find it there.

Is grace the key to love, or love the key to grace?
What do you see when you look into another Christian’s face?
In that face, does grace have an important place?

God is love and because He loved, He gave.
Grace is the act of giving His Son for us to save.
Grace equals love; love equals grace. That’s how they behave.

“Little children come unto Me,” Lord Jesus, teach us Your ways.
Don’t let this become just a passing phase.
We need much less of “me” and much more of You in these days.

So, what is this grace that I’m speaking of?
How can it be as great as the fact that God is Love?
Because this grace comes from only one place, and that is from above.

“Little children come unto Me,” called my dear Lord and Savior.
He is the essence of grace. He is the very core.
Help us to want to receive from You even more.

Why do we need grace and what can it do?
It does away with laws that keep us from You,
And it teaches us to love through and through.
That’s the kind of grace-filled life which You’ve called us to.

by Christina Morley