THE STORY OF STORIES

The heavenly star shone brightly that night,
In a deep, obsidian sky.
While shepherds watched their grazing flocks
As fear soon filled and permeated their life.

Before them stood a holy angel of God
And the glory of the Lord shone all around.
“Fear not,” he said, to the trembling men,
“Good news with great joy, to all, will abound!

For today the Savior of the world is born!”
The great star brightly led the way.
The angel said, “He will be wrapped in cloths
And will be found lying in the manger’s hay.”

The heavens opened to an angel and choir
And glorious praises filled the night air so still.
Saying, “Glory to God in the highest,
And on earth, to all men, good will!”

The lowliest of the lowly,
Sinners just like you and like me,
Said, “Let us go and find this baby,
With our hearts and with our eyes, let us see.”

They beheld purity and innocence, previously unknown.
Never before had there been such a One.
They departed to tell all the others of Jesus,
Of Christ, the Savior; God’s only dear Son.

Let us be like the shepherds, Lord.
Help us to faithfully go and to tell.
Help us to stay filled with joy and with wonder.
Keep us always saturated with holy zeal!

Nelda Johnson
Https://giftsfromaboveus.wordpress.com

Just As He Said

O Lord, I want to laugh and sing
And dance and twirl
And draw in all the colors 
Of this great big, beautiful world!

And paint this dance
With all the greens and yellows and reds,
So that everyone will know
That it is just as You said,

“Put your faith and your trust in Me,
With all of your heart.
I am with you, I am for you.
It’s been that way from the start.

I am your light in all the dark places.
I am your way when it seems there is none.
I am your hope when words seem to fail you.
I am your joy in the valley and when it’s all said and done.”

You have been that and more,
O, Lover of my soul.
You’ve been my bright shining rainbow
That has restored me and made me whole.

It’s unto You that I dance,
Offer praise and loudly sing,
To you alone my Beloved Healer,
My sweet Savior and Mighty King!

So color me joyous as I dance unto you,
Color me joy-filled and grateful always,
For Your grace and Your goodness toward me, dear Lord,
During what might have been, without You,
Long and gray shadowy days.

Nelda Johnson
Copyright 2020

Written after cancer treatment, five years ago. I am still celebrating this beautiful gift of life, with a grateful heart, to the Lord.

Glorious September

The splendor of September
Bathes the day in golden light,
Turns the deep green summer forest
Into a symphony of delight.

In shades of new wine,
Spun honey and Virginia apple red,
The leaves proclaim God’s glory
Unlike anything that can be said.

They fall from the heights of the grandest trees,
In a dance to be envied by man.
They twirl and sway to the forest floor,
And with pure grace and gentle ease, they land.

What a glorious tapestry on the floor ‘neath our feet,
Sweet colors of wonder so bright,
As they lay in the splendor of lovely September,
As they lay in the warm golden light.

Nelda Johnson
Copyright 2020

Thorn Tree In Palo Duro Canyon

I thought of You
Today, my Jesus,
When I saw this thorny tree.

I considered You,
Today, my Lord,
How You suffered and died for me.

The tears spilled out
At the thought of Your love,
So pure, so gentle, so true.

I thank You dear Lord,
For Your sweet sacrifice,
That cleansed me
And made me brand new.

Nelda Johnson
Copyright 2020

Before I Close My Eyes

Night’s rest has now come,
My labors have ceased.
Peace is the air that I breathe.

I’ve spoken with my Lord,
Cast my care upon Him.
My soul is perfectly at ease.

I sit here so late,
With His Word in my hands,
To quarry one last bit of light,

To fill up my mind and
To ponder in my heart,
To feast on, to my soul’s delight.

Sing songs of deliverance 
Over me, my Lord.
Give rest to my weary soul.

When tomorrow’s light dawns,
Let me rise with intent,
To purposefully reach that day’s goals.

Let me walk in a manner
That pleases you, Lord.
Let me shine with the light of your love.

Grant me grace and strength
To meet life’s demands,
Straight from Your own heart above.

Nelda Johnson
Copyright 2020

Child’s Prayer

Father, feed me with the finest wheat 
And with honey from the rock, satisfy my soul.
Let the water of Your Word wash over me
And cleanse and make me whole.

You give food to those who fear You, Lord,
You remember Your covenant, forevermore.
Your faithfulness is to all generations, O God.
You show mercy to and satisfy the poor.

Help me to incline my ear
And let Your Words not depart from my sight.
Help me keep them in the midst of my heart, O Lord,
For in the midst of Your Words, I find life.

Your Word breaks the snare
Of the trapper, O Lord!
Like a bird, my soul is set free.
My help is in the name of the Lord, my God, 
For now and for all eternity.

Nelda Johnson  Copyright 2020

My Delight

If the governments of nations are not too great 
For Your mighty shoulders to bear,
Then I know full well 
That the cares of my soul,
With You, I can certainly share.

You lift the weight of all my cares and concerns,
As I purpose to cast them on You.
You grant me peace in their place
As I trust with my heart
In Your mercies each day,
That are new.

All praise to the King, who dances over me
And sings me songs
In the darkness of night.
All praise to His infinite glory and grace.
He is my hope, my sweet peace, my delight.

Nelda Johnson
Copyright 2020

A Woman In A Far Away Town


She came to the well at midday,
When the women of town were at home,
No judgement, no stares, no whispers were there,
Just the Samaritan woman alone.

No friends to walk with her to Jacob’s well,
No kindness to come alongside,
Always alone to finish her chore,
Five husbands, yet still not a bride.

She had never wed the man in her home.
She lived with him outside the law.
With her head hung in shame, she stood at the well,
Bucket in hand, with water to draw.

Standing near her, she saw a man at the well.
A Jew who could not look or dare speak.
She sought to ignore Him and finish her work,
Until he asked, “Will you give me a drink?”

A Jew asked a favor? This surely can’t be,
Yet with kindness He continued to say,
“If only you knew the Gift of God,
Living water I could give you today.”

Jesus had compassion and revealed who He was.
Told of her history and present day sin.
Never shamed her or judged her in any harsh way,
Because of this, she led many to Him.

Oh, that we could look past the stains others wear
And the shame of bad choices in life,
And offer God’s grace and an encouraging word,
Not judgement and stares filled with strife.

Let’s put on compassion and walk in His love,
Let’s build up and never tear down.
Let’s remember His love He so freely shared
In that long ago, far away town.

Nelda Johnson - Inspired by John 4:4-29
Copyright 2020

When Life Hurts

You O Lord, give the grace to stand,
The heart to fight
And the will to win,

When the schemes of the evil one
And his well laid out plans,
Seek to conquer, destroy
And bring death to man.

Your grace is sufficient,
Your power supreme,
Your love all consuming
And so it would seem,

No matter the situation,
No matter the shame,
No matter the sorrow, 
No matter the pain,

Yours are able, through You,
Through Your power and might
To stand and to win and to trust, 
While You fight.

Nelda Johnson
Copyright 2020