Unexpected Journey

Fear overwhelms, beginning the journey.
I am set back by a tsunami of doubt.
Why have you taken me on this journey?
Help relieve my unbelief, my doubt.

This journey’s goal is to rid me of all hope.
Plunging me into a present darkness,
Leaving only a vapor of hope
I am stunned by its darkness.

What has happened, have I lost my way?
O God, what have you allowed?
Set me back on your Way.
Why Lord, why, what have you allowed?

Confused, vision blurred, hearing gone
Led astray by focus on self,
That constant adversary that keeps us apart,
Forgetting about God and succumbing to self.

Feeling worthless, forgotten, who would know
The inner torment, attempting to cry out,
Alone, consumed by a desire to know,
Cast down by torrents of doubt.

Life is often hard, unyielding. Will I drown?
Comes in unexpected ways
Does everything to hold down,
Distract from the surety of God’s ways.

Encouraged by those who come alongside
Praying, they understand what is at stake.
Sent by the One who comes to abide,
Fulfilling the promise, He will never forsake.

Life is filled with darkness, moments of despair.
These are seasons not the reality of faith.
Be assured they will not overtake
For even the darkness was overcome by Faith.

Called to wait, enduring to the end.
Remaining faithful to what I know is truth.
Whatever journey, they all have the same end.
Our final destination, the arms of Truth.


As God Speaks
Patrick Levi Whiteley
October 9, 2010

Temptation

Its allure captivating
Its effect devastating
No one is immune
Such a seductive tune
A fragrant perfume
That will only spell doom.

Hidden in plain sight
Waiting until the time is right
No regard for station in life
At peace or during strife
Only needing the slightest crack
Suddenly, there is an innocent attack.

How quickly our lives become a mess
Until we turn truly, confess.
Throughout this life its power unbound
Until in Christ new life, you have found.
How will you respond when face-to-face?
Will you succumb or call for Grace?


As God Speaks
Patrick Levi Whiteley
July 24, 2010

Peace

Seek peace promote peace
If the world falls away around us
Jesus is still our peace.
What can the unbeliever say about us?
We are called to overcome,
In our weakness, so frail
Let the Kingdom of Jesus come.
Remain at the task we cannot fail!

So many noisy voices in this life
Yet your voice echoes through the ages.
Easing our pain in times of strife
Slowing, peacefully consoling as time rages,
Oh, what comfort it has ever been!
How glorious it always appears,
The moment exactly when
We need it, You draw near.

Nothing lasting only you
No treasure so sure so pure,
Eternally, it is you.
You are sure.
Your word sustains.
Mercy it brings
What forever remains?
Your word, eternally your praise sings.

What you say next, will you repeat
What you have said in days past?
Reminding us of how much we must repeat
In order to make our faith last.
As we stand before You, strengthen our spirit.
In this life we may endure
By the power of your spirit,
We shall overcome, of this, I am sure.


As God Speaks
Patrick Levi Whiteley
July 11, 2010

You Are At Work

I see you at work all around me.
At work in the lives of those I love.
There is no doubt, anyone could see,
With eyes opened from above.

By sight, it is easy to feel alone,
To believe that you do not care,
Living as one of the vast unknown
Will this life ever be fair?

Perhaps this is all you have.
This is your plan, your will.
Nothing more than what I have.
If this is so, may I do your will!

Yet, inside I sense, my spirit yearns,
There is more to do, more to say.
I wait for you as my restless spirit turns
Facing you now, I walk your way.

It is difficult at best to find you here.
Your spirit, O God, glory reveals.
Give me eyes to see and ears to hear.
As you have promised and your spirit seals.


As God Speaks
Patrick Levi Whiteley
June 24, 2010

Stripped Away

Before you I stand, flesh stripped away.
Nothing hidden you see me no other way.
Judge me by a code meant to redeem.
Leaves me with hope allows me to dream.
Your law sees straight through to the heart.
At this point your mercy will start.
There is no one like you!
O Lord, take my soul, renew.

To whom can you be compared?
Your glory can it be shared?
The story of its wonder is told.
It is not something we can hold.
Many have tried to take it for their own.
All have failed the error shown.
No matter our intention, how hard we try
Possession of your glory you will deny.

Remarkably, you continue to call
Share your grace as we consistently fall.
To you, our only refuge, we endlessly turn,
Your gates always open, will we ever learn.
Upon you, we trust our fate.
Salvation comes to those who wait.
We place our hope upon your promise of faith.
Depending on you, strengthen our faith.

Turning now, we are face to face.
Our view changes from darkness to grace.
We went looking for good
In plain sight there you stood.
Now because of your justice we walk.
It is of divine justice we talk.
Now by your side we take our place.
Humbly, we do our part by grace.

No mean task, selfishness forsake,
Find a place of refuge, your life at stake.
Rest securely in a place of hope and peace
Joy is always on the increase.
Stand! Strengthen yourself in the Lord,
Our refuge redeemer, our God, Jesus our Lord,
Who is like you, O Lord?
No one, now or ever, is like our Lord!


As God Speaks
Patrick Levi Whiteley
June 19, 2010

Protector

O Lord, protector of our souls.
You direct your power controls
All of life that comes our way;
How else could we survive unless we stay
Ever close to you, our fortress strong?
Our place of refuge, where we belong
O Lord, our provider and friend,
We look to you, our spirit defend.

What wondrous works display God’s power!
How marvelous, they refresh every hour.
By them, he displays his boundless love
So magnificent controlled from heaven above.
All for our benefit, your glory on display
Each one empowered by your spirit to say
As through the ages signs to direct
A constant reminder to those you protect.

Your call requires we must endure
Come along side, grow, and mature.
We spend so much time in waiting.
Constantly watching, anticipating.
Do we hear, as we submit to your will?
Listening remaining so still,
So little, we know, less we understand.
Instruction sure, in your strength we stand.

The struggle continues to persevere.
Question remains, what do I hold dear?
There is no choice but to stand and wait.
Your seal upon my eternal fate,
What you are building deep inside,
Why have you chosen here to reside?
Come quickly Lord defend this ground.
O may I in you be found!

Time marches on, a divine cadence.
Against it, there is no defense.
All are marked by an appointed time,
To miss God that would be a crime.
You cannot change the length of days.
Salvation comes to the one who prays.
Solace given to those who fear
Jesus eternally present draws us near.


As God Speaks
Patrick Levi Whiteley
June 6, 2010

Dark Light

Will I recognize you when you next visit?
What will become of me if I fail at your visit?
Will I be distracted by some worldly care?Would my life be consumed into thin air?I long to do your will,Overcome my free will,Sinful nature deflects the thought.Will you never again give me a second thought?

All I know is to cry out for deliverance.
Nonetheless, you are my deliverance!
Searching constantly for evidence that you are here,
Still, confident that in your time I will see you here!
In all this never losing hope
You are my only source of hope.
I place upon your shoulders all my burdens
By your relief, carry my burdens.


By your very nature you will not desert
Because you love, you draw us near to convert.
Ever making provision for those who love you
Our love of self becomes love of you.
Your care is constant without end.
As you stand, my soul you defend.
Even if my eyes do not see
By your spirit set me free.


So lost and beaten down
As the water rises, will I drown?
No shelter from the raging storm
Will you rescue me calm the storm?
Is there anyone so bold so brave
That would risk their life sinners save.
Oh, for someone to be so bold
They would fulfill the prophets of old.


Life catches us with its twists and turns
From its demands our hope yearns
For salvation from our fleshly slide
We search for peace a place to hide.
So in darkest silence wait
Our hour has come please do not be late.
In a moment, our savoir will be here.
Call his name he will draw you near.


My heart cries out
Your spirit overcomes my doubt.
Still the conflict swirls within
O what a sorry state I am in.
Despite my best intentions I cannot overcome
Even as my spirit groans, O Lord, quickly come!
I know you are there, even though I cannot see.
By your grace, set me free.


Toward you, O God, I set my face.
In your word, your will I trace.
To my weary soul, bring peace.
May I rest in you the struggle cease?
Listening now, I expect to hear your voice,
As you, explain to me my next choice.
Waiting now, what will you show?
Your will be done, this I know.




As God Speaks
Patrick Levi Whiteley
May 2, 2010

Funeral

It was a time of laughter, love, and tears.
Certainly, we grieve for our loss
For the sake of love, we rejoice.
Even in death, there is life in Christ.
No longer captured by our fears
When we count everything except Christ as loss
Our life will be full, overflowing as we rejoice.
It is the way of life for those found in Christ.

Have you ever seen grace?
Not invisible grace sustaining life,
But in human form
In flesh and blood before your very eyes
The strength to stand by God’s grace
He does this so that He may change life
From the dreary human form
To the one who sees with His eyes.

Joy in sorrow dries up our tears,
Fills the void that was our loss
Sends us to our knees as we rejoice
Renewing our pledge obediently following Christ
By His strength and mercy, drives out our fears.
By this power, we count gain in Christ not loss
With the angels in heaven, we rejoice.
We are all one in Jesus Christ.


As God Speaks
Patrick Levi Whiteley
March 20, 2010

Strengthen Through Struggle

Who am I that you would even care?
Demonstrate your love for me every day!
What rights have I to presume you care?
I am unable to follow what you have to say.

My life is yours; I know this to be true.
Yet, most often, it does not reflect you at all.
I am constantly after proof that you are true.
You have already given me your all.

Hear my cry answer my plea!
Come quickly, Lord, help me heed your call.
For it is to your side I must constantly flee.
I hear your voice catch me as I fall.

So easily defeated by the frailty of life
My struggle continues as long as there is breath.
Yet, you, O Lord, have given me life.
You the giver of life sustain my breath.

Strengthen me so that my cause may be yours.
As I follow, light my path.
There is no other way except yours.
Let your Spirit lead us down your path.


As God Speaks
Patrick Levi Whiteley
March 30, 2010