White Stone: A Collection of Poems by JaneAnn and Other Stories

I Was Chosen

(Ephesians 1:3–14)

I was chosen…

To be blameless in His sight.

I was chosen…

When He made the day and night.

I was given…

All His glorious grace and might

When I heard of…

The salvation of His Light.

I was marked with His seal for I believed.

He has given…

Hope of all eternity.

He has given…

His inheritance to me.

He has given…

Precious grace to set me free.

My assurance…

Of eternal life shall be

I was marked with His seal for I believed.

I was chosen…

In the plan of God above,

Through the Ransomed…

And the risen Son God loves.

My transgressions…

Through Christ Jesus are atoned.

God the Father…

Has declared I am His own!

I was marked with His seal for I believed.

The promised Holy Spirit comes and claims me for His own!

Christ Jesus died and rose up and now sits upon His throne!

And now I have assurance I will never be alone!

I was marked with His seal for I believed!

Take Me into Glory

O LORD, You will take me into glory.

Take me by the right hand into glory.

O LORD, You will take me into glory.

Forever I will praise Your Holy Name!

O LORD, make Your face to shine upon me.

Softly in the night Your song is with me.

You hide me in the shelter of Your wing.

O LORD, You will take me into glory.

O LORD, You watch over those who love you.

You forgive all those who sin against you.

With heav’nly angels You’re protecting me.

In Heaven You will crown me with Your glory.

O LORD, You’re compassionate and gracious.

Down from Heaven rains Your show’rs of blessings.

Your truth, O, LORD, will my protection be.

Your Word guide my footsteps into glory.

O LORD, You will take me into glory.

Take me by the right hand into glory.

O LORD, You will take me into glory.

Forever, I will praise Your Holy Name!

Yet I am always with you; you hold me by my right hand. You guide me with your counsel, and afterward you will take me into glory.

—Psalm 73:23

I will send down showers in season; there will be showers of blessing.

—Ezekiel 34:26

He will not let your foot slip—he who watches over you will neither slumber nor sleep. The Lord will keep you from all harm—he will watch over your life.

—Psalm 121:3

If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.

—1 John 1:9

Stones

(Luke 19:40; 1 Peter 2:5)

O living stone, O living stone,

I cannot hear your praise.

How good it is to sing to Him,

To praise Him all your days.

The rivers, deep, they clap their hands.

Their whitecap waves employ.

The mountains high, up to the sky,

Together sing for joy!

We’re built into the Spirit’s house.

Exude that joy to all.

The chosen ones are to speak out.

Exalt the God who called.

O holy priesthood, child of light,

Lift up your voice to God.

O living stone, if you’ll not sing

Earth’s stones will cry out loud!

The Light

Think of light bulbs, shining bright.

Think of candles in the night.

Burning candles in church too.

Birthday candles. Sixty-two?

Think of lampposts on the streets.

Think of bright smiles as you greet.

Smiles can surely light a room.

Think of night with smiling moon.

Think of bright stars in the sky,

Looking down on you and I.

Cat’s eyes glowing in the dark.

Dogs’ eyes too. But they will bark.

Think of lightning bug that flies.

Lightning in the dark night skies.

Think of morning, rising sun.

And the sunset, day is done.

Think of night light for the child,

Sleeping quietly, sleeping mild

Think of porch light. Come right in.

Think of lanterns, camping been.

Think of campfires in the woods.

Burning pit in neighborhoods.

Think of forest fires huge!

Burning ’cross in big deluge.

Think of fireplace burning warm.

Smoke detectors guard from harm.

Think if oven light is on.

See if pizza’s baking. Done!

Flashlight lights the path at night.

Car key chains with small flashlight.

Think of headlights on your car.

Light up close and light up far.

Think of stoplight, yellow, green.

Red means stop. Green arrow? Lean!

Sirens! Flashing red and blue.

Best pull over! What’d you do?

Computer screen will light up now.

Wi-Fi lights will flicker. How?

TV lights will show a show.

Showing weather. Will it snow?

Lights are moving in the sky,

As a jet comes flying by.

You encounter many lights.

In the dark they help your sight.

Can you see the Light that shines?

Through dark sin that’s yours and mine?

Breaks the darkness. Breaks the sin.

Run the race for Christ; could win.

Do you know this Light’s the Way?

Guard you? Love you? With you stay?

Tell the Light that you believe.

His salvation to receive.

For Christ Jesus is the Light.

He’s the Way to heaven bright.

He’s the Lamb, the sacrifice.

For your sins, he paid the price.

Bears the mark of being slain,

For all men. He’d do again.

Robes washed in the blood are white.

Crown of everlasting life.

Your name’s in the Book of Life.

Written there by Jesus Christ.

So believe, his Grace receive.

See the Light. Your sins reprieved.

(John 1:1–14, 1:29, 8:12, 8:23–24, 8:51, 14:6; 1 Corinthians 9:24–25; Revelation 5:6, 12, 7:9–17, 20:12, 15)

One

(Romans 5:12–21; Ephesians 4:5)

One man created.

One man that sinned.

One break from God that the man could not mend.

One trespass, fallen.

Death to all men.

One disobeying that left us in sin.

Sin entered into this world with one man.

Could this be part of God’s plan?

One man, begotten.

One, born to man.

Came down to earth to bring grace to all men.

One righteous, risen.

Gave life to men.

One that obeyed ev’ry law that was giv’n.

Grace entered into this world with one man.

Yes, this was part of God’s plan.

God’s command broken.

Adam’s first sin.

One act that brought condemnation to men.

God’s command followed.

Died on the tree.

One act that brought God’s salvation to me.

One man that died and then rose from the grave,

So that by grace we are saved.

One hope, one Spirit.

One God above.

One Son who died giving life, giving love.

One LORD, one baptism.

One faith from God.

Righteousness given through Jesus our LORD.

Wonderful gift from our Father in Heav’n.

Gift of God’s grace that is giv’n.

Come, Listen, All Who Fear the Lord

(Psalm 66)

Shout with joy to God, O earth.

Sing glory of His name.

Raise glorious praises flowing forth.

He’s awesome! now proclaim.

So great God’s power. Foes shall cringe.

Bow down to Him, all earth.

They sing while centered on the fringe.

Magnificent Your worth!

Come see all things that He has done,

Such awesome works for men.

He changes sea into dry land,

So you may tread again.

He rules forever by His power.

All nations, peer on Thee.

Rebellious nations of the hour

Will tremble endlessly.

Let sounds of praises loud and long

Throughout the land be heard.

For He will keep our steps so strong,

Our very lives preserved.

For we are tested by our God.

Like silver, been refined.

You’ve brought us into prisons, hard,

Our backs with burdens bind.

You let men ride o’er all our heads.

We go through waters, fire.

But brought us back to easier beds,

With much, without the mire.

I’ll come to temple. Offerings bring.

Fulfill my vows to You.

For I have promised everything,

When by distress pursued.

Come, listen all who fear His name.

I’ll tell you what He’s done.

I cried to Him, as I exclaimed

With praises on my tongue.

If I had cherished in my heart,

The sins my nature craved,

The Lord would not have heard my voice,

And sent me to the grave.

But God has surely heard my cry.

He heard my voice in prayer.

Rejected not my plea, my sigh.

Blessed me with love and care.

The Humble Servant

(John 13:1–17)

The table’s set. And all are there.

The twelve disciples in their chair.

The evening meal is rightly served.

Passover Feast will be observed.

Now Jesus knew what was to come.

He’d soon return to heav’nly home.

So after He had had His fill,

He got up from the evening meal.

His outer clothing He took off.

Then took a drying towel of cloth,

And wrapped it aptly ’round his waist,

Prepared for service with great haste.

He poured some water from a jar

Into a basin without mar.

And then began to wash the feet

Of those He’d joined so they could eat.

"Lord, are you gonna wash my feet?"

Said Peter, as he left his seat.

"You cannot fathom what I do.

But later it may come to you."

"Unless I wash, you’ll have no part

With me or have Me in your heart."

"Then wash my hands and head as well.

I took a bath. Oh, can’t you tell?"

"The feet are all I’ll wash today.

For you are clean," he heard Him say.

"Though not each one of you is clean.

For my betrayer I have seen."

And when He finished, Jesus said,

"Do you now see the thing I did?

Though LORD and TEACHER, I became

Your Humble Servant. That’s my name."

"I set example just for you.

So as I’ve done, now you must do.

Serve one another. It’s a test.

If you do this, you will be blessed."

Oh, wouldn’t it be wonderful

If after potluck, and we’re full,

We’d grab a towel and simply say,

What can I do for you today?

Peace Be with You

(John 20:19–23)

Jesus came and stood among them,

(Galileans, Chosen, Ten Men).

Jesus said to these disciples,

Peace be with you.

He showed His hands and sides to them.

Behind locked doors enlightened them.

This Savior, crucified for them.

Peace be with you.

Were overjoyed it was the Christ.

And recognized His sacrifice.

All knew that He had paid sin’s price.

Peace be with you.

"As the Holy Father sent Me,

I am sending you to spread the

Word of God, the message from Me."

Peace be with you.

And with that He breathed upon them.

Said, Receive the Holy Spirit.

If you forgive, they are forgiven.

Peace be with you.

Peace be with you.

I give you peace.

His Peace Is Yours and Mine

(Isaiah 53)

He grew up like a tender shoot, a root out of dry ground.

His beginnings would be humble, but no sin in Him was found.

By judgment and oppression He was taken off to die.

The LAMB was led to slaughter, without whimper, without cry.

Was pierced for our transgressions, crushed in spirit for our sins.

He took up our infirmities and sorrows of all men.

He hung there with the wicked. He was with the rich in death.

No violence was in Him. No deceit upon His breath.

The LORD God laid upon Him our iniquities that day.

For only Christ could pay the price of sin we could not pay.

We’ve turned to our own sinfulness, like sheep have gone astray.

He was ransomed as a sacrifice upon the cross that day.

The punishment upon Him was truly ours to carry.

He gave Himself, poured out His life, to save the sinful weary.

But He shall be our Light of Life, His resurrection shine.

His punishment has brought us peace. His peace is yours