I Went to Church


I went to church barefoot today
In fleece shirt and baggy slacks as well
But no one saw me in this attire
And my little dogs won't tell.

I went to church with no make up on
And hair unkempt as well
But Hubby didn't seem to care
And my little dogs won't tell.
I went to church at my PC
Just my little pups and me
But I felt my eyes let fall a tear
For I felt that Jesus was so near.
I went to church with others
Although they were far away
But the Father saw us everyone
And He has blessed this day.
Thena

My Wall
Oh, Lord it began so slowly
The ruin of my wall
With first a crack of doubt
A lose brick of fear,
And then it began to fall.
Further neglect of God’s Word-
No time to say a prayer,
Nourished all the weeds
That replaced the flowers there.
The Holy Spirit tried to tell me
The enemy had free access
He tried to make me listen
But without much success.
Lack of discipline
Didn’t really seem like such a crime
I’d like to study God’s Word—
If I could find the time.
Procrastination seemed to be
A small chink in my wall.
But pretty soon the hole was large
It didn’t look so small.
Oh, Lord help me rebuild my wall
Help me choose each brick
To make this wall a lasting one--
Please make the mortar thick.’
Give me such a love for your Word
Such a thirsting in my heart,
That I will be able to persevere
And show me where to start.
Thank you Lord for showing me
Before it was too late,
I want to start rebuilding now-
I don’t want to wait.
Thena Cullen Smith(1983)
Inspired by the book of Nehemiah

God's Heavenly Quilt...

God's love reminds me of a Heavenly quilt
That warms and comforts those He loves,
Those who call upon His Name
And Praise Him for the gift of salvation-
People of every race and every nation.

God's love reminds of the softest feather bed
That I can fall back upon in times of stress
Letting myself sink in and be enveloped
For His comforting is the very best.
God's love reminds me of the softest pillow
That I can sink my weary head into at night
Or where I can weep my heartfelt tears
When things aren't going right.
God's love is there for everyone
It knows no boundaries and caters not to fame
God's love is for all who come to Him, abide in Him
And call on His Holy Name.
Thena Cullen Smith

In Your Hands

It's in Your hands, Lord
We who love you,
Give it all to you
Asking that You heal our land
Purify our hearts and souls
As only You can do.
Daily we pray asking
That Thy will alone be done
And yet we try to take control
Before the battle has been won.
We cannot see the entire plan
And our wisdom is not complete
Therefore we ask again
Thy will be done
And place our prayers for the USA
And our worries at Your feet.
Thena Cullen Smith

Power of Words Not Spoken
How many hearts have been totally broken
Due to the power of words that were never spoken?
How many babies, kids and young folk
Needed to hear words that we never spoke?
How many elderly women and men
Needed to hear "I love you" again?
Have many infants as they learned to coo
Needed to learn how to say "I love you?"
Words are a powerful force in our life
They bring joy to child, husband or wife.
They comfort our neighbors and bring a smile
When we stop to visit and chat for awhile.
Be kind with your words and honest and true
And say loving things to those dear to you.
But always remember that hearts can be broken
By not saying those things that need to be spoken...
By Thena Smith

My Silly Side

I have to admit
Though most people know
There are two sides of me that I show.
One is serious as serious can be
The other is the silly side of me!

I write silly bits of riddle and rhyme
And I may sing a bit off key
But all the while my friends just smile
At this silly side of me.
I never want to cause anyone pain
And my silliness has no hostile intent
I just feel that bringing a smile
Is among my time that's well spent!
So here I am admitting to you
That I am a bit of an extrovert
But never, ever is my intent
By my written verse to cause hurt!
Thena Cullen Smith

Someone Cares

 Someone out there is hurting
And they need a loving touch
They need to know that someone cares
And loves them very much.
Someone out there feels all alone
Not just a bit sad and blue
But someone feels so very depressed
That they don't know what to do.
Someone out there needs a kind word
Or a loving touch upon their brow
And many of us would love to help
But we feel we don't know how.
Someone out there is praying
For a word from God above
That will confirm that He is real
And assure them of His love.
Someone out there needs a friend
And needs a bit of sweet relief
From all the trials they're going through
And needs the comfort of belief.
Someone could be the hand God uses
Or the human that He will send
To help heal the hurting, aching heart
And be the Heaven chosen friend.
Don't say "I'm just one person
There's nothing I can do."
But be a willing vessel
If God chooses to send you.
Thena

 Trust

When I hit life's dark tunnels
And I cannot see
The Father says
"Just trust in me."
I will not give in
To a spirit of fear
For I know that Jesus
Is forever near.
No matter what
The world may do
Dear Lord of all
I will trust in You!
Thena Cullen Smith

 I wanted to praise You, Lord

I wanted to praise you, Lord
Using the gifts you gave me
But I grew impatient with my gift
That it was not as perfect
As a gift to you should be
Forgetting briefly that you knew
At what stage my gift would be
Because it was the one You chose for me.
Help me to work to improve
On the mechanics and technicalities
But let me never give up in discouragement
At any mistakes that in my style I see.
Remind me Lord when I see the gifts that others share
That they are where they are
Because you have led them with loving care
And it is not my place to feel
That mine is not worthy to take to your throne
And place it as my offering there.
Thena

Johnny Told a Lie Today

Johnny told a lie today
And he knew I knew he did.
He may be able to fool some folks
But he can’t fool this kid!

He told the teacher, Mrs. B, that he did his work,
But dropped it on the floor,
When along came his St Bernard
And ran with it out the door!
Johnny told a lie today
(He's not an honest lad).
He said he lost the note
That the teacher wrote
For him to give to Dad.
Johnny told a whopper today
And doesn’t think our parents know
He thinks honesty is for little kids
And lies are the way to go.
Our little Chihuahua would be embarrassed
That teacher thinks he is a St Bernard
Big enough to destroy Johnny’s books
And run with his homework through the yard.
We have new neighbors moving in;
Mom invited them over for tea
Imagine my dear brother’s surprise
As he opened the door to Mrs. B.!
Thena
(From "Not the World's Best Poems, But Not Quite the Worst")

Pray When You Kneel
 

It saddens me to see the way

Our sports heroes act today

They use the support of the game they play

To cause chaos in a special way.

They say they want to take a knee

To show the sins of you and me

But unless as they kneel they pray

I can’t see that this helps

In any way.

It’s just become another fad

Something that makes most people sad.

It doesn’t even any score

And just separates us even more.

Christians "take a knee" every day

When they kneel by their beds to pray.

No cameras or lights are on

There is no music and no song

Just a prayer to our Father above

To let us show the world His love.

There is no prerequisite for color

No certain salary one needs to receive

Just that when you kneel and speak to God

In His Son, Jesus, you believe.

When I "take a knee" I praise the Father

For all He's done for me

And I think Him that because of His Son

We can live eternally.

So tonight before you close your eyes

Don't fret about the things you can't undo

But concentrate on God's Holy Word

And the tasks assigned to you.

Thena Cullen Smith

Prayer for Those Who are Ill

Father I lift up my dear friend
Asking that an angel you would send
To cheer them while they are feeling blue
For their hope and faith is always in You.

They have been so ill yet have stayed true
To the love and confidence they hold in You
And always ask those who come their way
To take the time for them to pray.
They look to you and trust you to heal.
Their faith is strong and their love is real.
They honor You in all they do
And share each day their love for you.
They do not question your wisdom
And they say Your timing is never late
They praise You with their lives and lips
And each of Your gifts they appreciate.
I ask that you You would answer their prayer;
I pray that You would meet them there,
Reach out with Your healing touch
And bless this one who loves You so much.
In Jesus Name
Amen

So Many Prayers

So many prayers in my heart today
So many things I want to say
So many friends who are so weary
That I would love to encourage
And tell them not to worry
But to keep looking up toward Heaven
And pray for every concern and need
For we know not how many others
God will nudge to intercede.
Sometimes we think God does not answer
Or does not hear our plea
But His answer is always on time and perfect
For He knows what is yet to be.
Sometimes we get a yes
But other times the answer is no
For God above, our God of Love
Knows what we do not know.
We can count on His Love for us
For His Word tells us so.
Thena Cullen Smith

Wherever you go, God is sending you.
Wherever you are, He is there too.
Whatever He has you do
You have been fitted to handle
And a way has been laid out
So go where He calls you to go
Leaving behind any fear and doubt.
Thena

I Have This Day

I have this day to smell the roses
And feel the wind against my face
To bask in God's warm sunlight
And to feel my family's sweet embrace.
I have this day to view the ocean
And stand upon the shore
To ponder all the mysteries
That eternity has in store.
I do not take it lightly
And always when I pray
I thank the Lord in Heaven
That I have this day!
And when the day is over
And the sun indeed has set
I thank Him for the morning
That I have not seen as yet.
And if I should rise upon the morrow
And have yet another day
Then it is just another blessing
That the Good Lord sent my way.
Thena Smith

Keep Looking Up

Lord help me to keep looking up
No matter what the world may say
For you alone are in charge of me
And of my life each day.
I know the ease of looking up
When Heavenly skies are blue
And the peace of trusting You
When the storm clouds roll
For still Your love is true.
Help me never to turn away
From the peace you offer me
Fit me for Your Kingdom Lord
For all eternity!

Thena

 Protect US

God protect us from ourselves
When we begin to stray
Keep us true to Thee oh Lord
Keep us in Thy way.
God protect us from the evil one
Who seeks to do us harm
Protect us from his cohorts
No matter what their form.
Let us not be taken in
By charismatic words or smiling face
But let us know your truth
And only it embrace.
Thena

I'm a fan of sunshine

I'm a fan of sunshine
I love roses too!
I love the way they glisten
In the morning dew.
I'm not afraid of raindrops
And can even enjoy a storm
But I love to be here with you
Where I feel safe and warm!
I love you in the sunshine
As we enjoy the view
Of the tiny jeweled roses
In our garden outside the door.
And when you protect me from life's storms
I love you even more.
I will love you forever
Forever and a day
For with you, my sweetheart
The sunshine never goes away.
Thena

Today I saw in a friends eyes
That she thought she might be saying "Goodbye"
For she held on and hugged me again and again
As she whispered "I love you sweet friend."
I've prayed for her throughout the day
And I know God hears me when I pray
But I also know that she is ready to go home
And if she does
God will be with her, she won't make the trip alone...

Sometimes the Answer is No

Sometimes the Answer is Not Yet
Don’t ever think God doesn’t answer prayer
For God always hears us and He is always there.
We tend to love it when He answers yes
But when the answer is no
We tend to second guess
Did God hear us?
Did He really care?
Do we know for sure
That He answers our prayers?
I know that God always hears us
And answers our each request
But we tend not to see His answer
Unless He answers yes.
Sometimes the answer is No
Or the answer may be Not yet
But He calls us to Him daily
And our prayers He won’t forget.
Thena