When I was a teacher I loved studying and teaching on the early pioneers in science, many of whom were strong in the faith. Sir Frances Drake wrote this poem that describes the passion I have for the LORD and for knowing HIM intimately. I can’t begin to praise the wonders of GOD who has shaken my life and molded it into such a beautiful rose. I have to add here just so that you know without being envious that my life is not perfect. It’s far from that. I planted myself 4 years ago in circumstances that I should have never entertained and now after much trial and refining by the master potter, I see that and allow the Holy Spirit to work in my life to mold me to HIS will and way. God had to disturb me from mere existence to life. ONLY GOD can do that for us. I pray daily for HIS will and way. HE is my breath and complete and utter dependence on HIM is all that I can base my life on. Day by day HIS grace reveals to me what HE desires through HIS love letter to me. HE is my lover, my friend, my everlasting eternal holy GOD. Oh, how I love HIM and ache for the day when this temporal disturbing life is over and I see HIM never more to be disturbed. Thirsting here in this life to want more because HE is all and I want all of HIM. Praise you Father for overhwhelming me with your love.

Disturb us, Lord, when
We are too well pleased with ourselves,
When our dreams have come true
Because we have dreamed too little,
When we arrived safely
Because we sailed too close to the shore.

Disturb us, Lord, when
With the abundance of things we possess
We have lost our thirst
For the waters of life;
Having fallen in love with life,
We have ceased to dream of eternity
And in our efforts to build a new earth,
We have allowed our vision
Of the new Heaven to dim.

Disturb us, Lord, to dare more boldly,
To venture on wider seas
Where storms will show your mastery;
Where losing sight of land,
We shall find the stars.

We ask You to push back
The horizons of our hopes;
And to push into the future
In strength, courage, hope, and love.

Sir Frances Drake, 1577

Psalm 100

¹Make a joyful noise unto the LORD, all ye lands.

²Serve the LORD with gladness: come before his presence with singing.

³Know ye that the LORD he is God: it is he that hath made us, and not we ourselves; we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture.

⁴Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, and into his courts with praise: be thankful unto him, and bless his name.

⁵For the LORD is good; his mercy is everlasting; and his truth endureth to all generations.