Set Free

"Set Free”

When a baby bird is “Set Free“… from the safety of the nest
The whole world opens up for her… and life becomes a test

Will she survive the tumult… on a wild and blustery day?
When the winds are whipping fiercely… at her wings along the way?

When a child lets go of her mother’s hand… and tries to stand alone
She wants her independence …wants to try it on her own

The mother wants to see her stand… let go… and take some steps
But it’s very hard to free her…let her grow… and reach her depths

When the teacher sees her students… pass the tests and move along
There is a little sorrow… as she adds them to the throng

Her influence and teaching… goes with them throughout the years
Her hope is that they listened…and not just to their peers

It’s very hard… to set one free… and truly let them go
But if we try to hold them back …when will they ever grow?

The Lord does this for you and me… when he saves us from our sins
He lets us go… and lets us grow… and we face the howling winds

But even though we are “Set Free“… He’s never far away
Just like that mother who’s close behind… when her child is hard at play

The love our Savior has for us… as His dear little child
Is so much like a mother’s love…so warm, so deep, so mild

He does not try to smother us…but indeed He sets us free
So we can be the people… that He knows that we can be

“Set Free“… to do what’s right and good…“Set Free“… to run the race
“Set Free“…to stand against the foe…and look him in the face

“Set Free“…to read our Bibles…and to practice what’s inside
“Set Free”… to worship in our hearts…and let go of stubborn pride

And when we live in freedom… we MUST… set others free
To live their lives in Jesus… to be what they can be

I’m basking in the love of Christ… and… all… He’s… done… for… me
Oh what blessed peace it brings to us…when in Jesus we’re… “Set Free”

By Linda Hogeland December 2009

From Christmas To The Cross

From Christmas To The Cross

This is really weird I know it… but what I have to say
Came to me while I laid in bed on this chilly winter day

I lay there in my cozy bed
As rhyming words dance through my head

Is this a poem or random thoughts??? I wonder as they dance
I close my eyes to blot them out, but through my mind they prance

I hear them too in rhyming prose and in my heart they sing
I rise and quickly jot them down to honor my dear King

Honor me they seemed to say and remember my dear Son
He is the babe on Christmas day that blessed us…everyone

He wasn’t just another child brought forth onto this earth
He is a Savior for all men…He came by virgin birth

A star announced His coming and the angels they did sing
The Shepherds saw this evidence and rushed off to greet their King

The manger scene was hushed and still as the shepherds came that day
They bow their hearts and bend their knees and quickly start to pray

How do we approach the manger? Does it make our hearts to sing?
As we bow before the baby and proclaim Him as our King

Or do we rush right past Him in the hurried Christmas dash?
To buy the useless presents and fill up the car with gas

We check off lists of groceries and we stand in lines and wait
But do we think of what it cost Him to walk through heaven’s gate?

He left the realms of glory and put on flesh as common man
To dwell with us and teach us things that only Jesus can

He grew in girth and wisdom… left childhood… became man
Taught in the streets… healed the sick… and saved men through His plan

He chose men as His disciples… did miracles before their eyes
Made the wine from water and raised the dead as mothers cried

Who is this man they wondered? Some “got it” some did not
They heard Him teach but didn’t heed the words that Jesus taught

Do we heed His precious words? Do we claim Him as our King?
If we do then let’s proclaim it and let the anthems ring

Let the songs spring forth in worship and the hands lift up in praise
Let’s make this Christmas special…honor Him with all our days

You see Christmas led to Easter…this is what it’s all about
The Bible tells the story and it leaves us without doubt

Of a truth He is our Savior…of a truth He is our King
Yet He laid His life down gladly…bore the cross…so we could sing

Sing… because our sin’s forgiven…nailed with Him upon that tree
Sing… ten thousand Hallelujahs…He arose for you and me

Who arose? That little baby… who in that manger lay!
Let’s proclaim it all this Christmas…and thank God for this display

This display of love and mercy…this display of God’s own plan
To restore a fallen people through a babe that became man

Not just any man… but The God-Man
God’s own son who came to die

He knows our desperation…and He hears our every cry
Just accept Him… He’s our present...It’s our past that made Him die

All those sins that He bore gladly… so that we could be set free
Are forgiven and forgotten…cast into the deepest sea

Yes ten thousand Hallelujahs…and then ten thousand more
Can’t express enough affection for what that baby bore!

So you see a little baby in the manger on that hay
But He also is a Savior who was born on Christmas Day!

By Linda Hogeland ~~~ December 2009