The Tallow Tree

There were three tallow trees planted in a row outside the fence around our yard. My dad must have planted them when he had our little house built, before I was born. When I was old enough to play alone outside, the first tree, which was the largest and tallest tree, was my favorite place to be, in the yard.

I would play with my dolls for hours under the shade of that tallow tree. If I wanted a place of refuge, the tree’s limbs were always ready to receive me and offer shelter from whatever was going on in life. I would snuggle into the branch where it attached to the tree and sway with the tree in the summer breeze, as I watched the sun sparkle on the leaves that danced in the wind, all around me. I was safe, above it all, and felt so sheltered and so peaceful.

My heart breaks for those who have no place of refuge, waiting and ready to welcome them in.

Psalm 32:6-8 says, “Therefore let all the faithful pray to You while You may be found; surely the rising of the mighty waters will not reach them. You are my hiding place; You will protect me from trouble and surround me with songs of deliverance.. I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you with my loving eye on you.”

Psalm 46:1 says, “God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.”

He is the greatest of refuges; far greater than my old tallow tree. He not only offers refuge and safety, but a future and a hope. He offers peace, joy and salvation, through faith in His dear son, Jesus.

Find your place of refuge in Him. He will never fail you or leave you. My old tallow tree is gone now but Jesus is faithful forevermore; for all eternity. He will always be there for you.

He is my refuge and my strength, for all time.

Nelda – copyrighted 2024

He Is Able

In long years passed,

Because of deep hurt,

My downcast soul was so dark.

But You are my redeemer Lord,

You granted true repentance

And sweetly restored my heart.

You and only You, Lord,

Can turn a person’s heart,

Like rivers of water in Your hand.

You healed all the sorrow,

Took all pain away,

You abolished all shame from my land.

You turned mourning into dancing,

Turned old sackcloth into joy.

The enemy’s fodder You destroyed!

Your glorious might,

Your unfailing love,

Your faithfulness were all You employed.

I’m grateful, Lord, for Your mercy so dear,

For Your Word,

For Your power divine.

I’ll walk in humility,

Thanksgiving and love,

Because You, Beloved Savior, are mine.

Do you have sin in your past

That is causing you pain?

Or a hurt that has never truly healed?

Give it all to the King

Who crushed satan underfoot,

That evil one who destroys,

Kills and steals.

Jesus is able to make all things new,

He can refresh you by His Spirit, like a dove.

He can heal you, forgive you,

Wash you whiter than snow,

Embrace you in His all-consuming love.

From My Heart to His

Your heart, dear Lord,
Is my very old friend.
You have loved me completely,
From the beginning
And you will love me to my very end.

Faithful and True
Is Your lovely name, evermore,
As constant and trustworthy
As the waves that kiss the shore.

The joy of Your salvation
Burns like a furnace in my soul.
Giving power to my weakness,
Giving strength that makes me whole.

What a joy to walk this earth
With knowledge of Your love,
With your forgiveness of my sin,
With the covering of Your blood.

My heart owes You a debt
That I could scarce begin to pay,
For all that you have 
Blessed me with,
For all that Your love conveys.

For now, may it suffice to say,
I love You with all of my heart.
I rejoice in your goodness
Forevermore
And long never from Your presence, to depart.

Nelda Johnson 
August 17, 2022

Lord of the Summer Night

I love the hour or so that evening takes
To pull back the covers for day,
And gently tuck it in to rest
So the fireflies can come out to play.

It’s a lovely miracle the Lord provides,
A wonder for all to see,
When heaven unfurls its starry light
And declares His majesty!

A sweet serenade fills the scented air,
When insects, great and small,
Take their cue from the night, to begin their song,
For the One who created them all.

It’s then that I rest and breathe in the peace,
From the sights and the sounds of the night
And give thanks to the Lord, for the wonders He’s made,
As evening overtakes the light.

Nelda Johnson
Copyright 2020

OUR SAVIOR


 Thank you, Lord Jesus,
 For your unfailing love, 
 As you looked through
 The corridors of time,

 And saw Calvary’s Cross
 And the pain You’d endure,
 And the suffering 
 That should have been mine.

 Your love bound you securely 
 To God’s plan for mankind.
 Your pure Blood,
 Shed for one and for all.

 Your innocent eyes
 Beheld the horrors of that day.
 In your obedience,
 You answered God’s Call.

 Your life for our pardon,
 Your Blood for our sin,
 Your will to die,
 That our will could be free.

 You thought of us,
 As the joy set before You.
 You are the Justifier 
 Of those who would believe.

 Your resurrection from the dead,
 Stands out in Your Word,
 As the event that changed history, 
 For all time.

 You were born. You preached truth,
 You were killed.  You were raised.
 You live on,
 Our intercessor, Divine.  

 Nelda Johnson
 6/11/21
 If you don’t know Jesus as Lord and Savior, would you consider all He has done for mankind?  Would you believe that God raised Him from the dead and ask Him to save you?  You will never regret it, for all eternity.

Our Mother

The wind is slicing through
The tree tops today,
On its way to some far away place.

Causing a flurry of leaves 
To come showering down,
To cover the earth’s autumn face.

As the blustery wind 
Passes through on this day,
Swirling round like some heavenly grace,

My mind wanders back 
To the days long gone by,
To the sweetness of Mom’s loving face.

Like the wind, 
She too, passed this way
And all too soon, she was gone.

Leaving three lives behind,
To treasure her love,
Leaving three lives, so sad and alone

One day we will meet her again in God’s heaven,
We’ll worship together
With hearts bursting with love. 

We’ll sing and we’ll dance
And we’ll worship the King,
With angels rejoicing around and above. 

What a day that will be!
I look forward with joy,
Until then, her memory’s held dear.

And I’m thankful to God
For every minute, every day, every month
That my dear mom was here.  

Nelda Johnson

For my Mother, Mary Katherine Saintes, Kitty for short.

Your Word is Truth

When the words that I’ve spoken
Have been misunderstood,
And the enemy whispers,
You’re surely no good, 
There is Your Word.

When my heart races on,
And I can’t find Your peace
And the anxious thoughts in my mind
Just won’t cease,
There is Your Word.

When I’m feeling alone
And there’s no hope in sight,
Not a soul to confide in,
No help to cast light,
There is Your Word. 

Order my thoughts aright, O Lord,
Help my heart to abide in Your rest,
You’re the friend who walks by my side, my Lord,
You encourage me on to the best.
You are the Word.

Thank You, my Jesus, that You are Lord,
You’re not just simply a man.
Thank You, Your Word says that You cannot lie,
And that You have an intricate plan.
Your Word is truth.

Nelda Johnson

Treasure

Lord, the friend of my heart
Needs a touch from Your hand,
Your healing virtue to flow, head to toe.

Help her, Lord,
Show forth Your power.
Fill her room with Your presence,
Here below.

Let Your joy be her strength,
Your peace be her might,
Let Your love, drive out any fear. 

Hold her close, O my King,
And answer her prayers.
Gently wipe away each and every tear.

I thank You, sweet Lord,
For the gift of my friend,
For the treasure You’ve given to me.  

Bless her and keep her.
Make Your face shine upon her.
Give her Your sweet, precious peace.

Nelda Johnson

Written for my friend suffering from cancer.
The Lord was faithful, indeed!

Grateful Heart

When heaven was stormed
By the prayers of the saints,
You stirred the waters for me.

Your heart moved with compassion,
Mercy guided your hand 
And bestowed the gift of healing, so sweet.

How gracious and kind
Your are to your own.
How loving and faithful are You!

You fill my life with abounding joy,
To Your promises, O God, 
You are true.

Forever I will praise You, O Lord,
All honor to Your holy name,
I will forever sing!!

You are resplendent in Your glory,
In You, I want for nothing, Lord;
My Shepherd and my King!

Nelda Johnson

Written during a battle with cancer. I thank the Lord for His faithfulness to me.

For My Love

Angels can never taste the salt
From tears cascading down,
When life takes an unexpected path
And sorrow seems to abound.

Nor can angels ever feel elation,
As I do when you enter a room,
And cause light to fill my senses and soul,
Leaving no space to be conquered by gloom.

Angels can never feel this peace,
As I rest on your shoulder at night,
Feel your warmth, hear your voice, close my eyes to the day,
Watch my cares so silently take flight.

What a gift to be God’s and a gift to be yours,
As my days on this earth come and go.
Angels an never know this joy,
That comes from loving you so!

Nelda Johnson