February 10th, 2024

                                        MY HUSBAND by Susan Stedman
My husband stole my heart like a crook
With a wink and a sexy come-hither look
I didn’t run and give into my fears
Last week we celebrated thirty-five years
The best thing of all, he’s the world’s greatest cook!



                        If I ... Would You? by Susan Stedman
If I told you how much I wanted you,
Would you give yourself to me?
And if I told you my heart sings for you,
Would you make music with me?
And if I told you there's light in me now,
Would you keep shining for me?
And if I told you I see life in your arms,
Would you wrap them around me?
And if I told you I hear peace on your lips,
Would you press them against me?
And if I told you I see wisdom in your heart,
Would you share some with me?
And if I told you I see strength in your eyes,
Would you let them watch over me?
And if I told you the depth of my trust in you,
Would you keep that faith for me?
And if I told you how much I needed you,
Would you need me too?
And if I told you how much love I have,
Would you let me give it all to you?


                                       PERSEVERING by Susan Stedman

A day does not pass when your children are not aggressively attacked
By our brothers who have been blinded by the enemy
Cancel the culture that grows like a cancer on the land
Don’t turn your face from your dear daughters and dutiful sons
Each of us needs You more than ever before, Emmanuel
For we are fighting to keep our feet on course
Give us help, the gift of your gracious mercy
Heal us, hear us, hold us in your righteous right hand
In every instance, we live in your ideal identity
Justice from you will free the jaded from their earthly jailers
King of all, keep us safe in the palm of your kindly hand
Let us live to feel your love and liberty in every step we take
Make the ones who march against us have no means to harm us
Never let the naysayers break our necessary resolve
Oh Lord, open the eyes of the others who have been led astray
Prepare us to give a proper answer that will persuade them to believe
Quickly come to our defense, quicken our hearts to hear your quiet voice
Rescue the ones who have no rest, give resolve and resilience to the weary
Save us from the scornful as we surrender our sacrifice of praise
Touch our souls to strengthen our trust in your perfect timing
Unbelievers surround us, undermining our efforts
Very elect may turn away, vulnerable and visibly lost
We tear down strongholds with our weapons of warfare that are not of this world
Xenophobes we are called when we don’t embrace their xenic ideals
Your promise is to save us, as we yield our lives to You
Zero fear allows us to stand at the zenith with zealous thanksgiving to Your Name.