Here is a poem I was inspired to write tonight after reading in 2 Samuel.
The Sins of the King
King David sat in his chambers,
in spring when his men were at war.
The breeze danced through the curtains
The moonlight sketched patterns on the floor.
David rose restless, sleep evaded,
And he went out to the rooftop alone.
There he beheld a young woman bathing
Her extravagant beauty in the moonlight shone.
David merely called out to his servant,
And the woman was brought to his bed
The king took her, though she was married
When he could have had anyone else instead.
And after Bathsheba was pregnant,
David wanted to cover his sin,
So the King called for Uriah, her husband,
And his servants brought him in.
Uriah wanted to be with his soldiers
Instead of at home with his wife,
For he couldn’t abandon his fighters
and take comfort in his everyday life.
David could not conceal
The evil that he had done,
So he gave orders for Uriah’s murder
And hid his actions from everyone.
But God the Father saw him,
And He hated what David had done,
So He spoke through Nathan the prophet
And pronounced death to David’s young son.
David pleaded in sackcloth and ashes
Begging the baby’s life to be spared,
But the child died, and David repented
Knowing the guilt he and Bathsheba shared.
But David rose from the ashes
And went on to serve as God’s chosen king!
He poured out his sorrow in prayer,
And took responsibility for everything.
What a bitter price paid for desire--
Loss of life, and grief beyond repair,
Yet when David, the King, looked to Heaven
He knew His Father still was there.
So David was forgiven
And he took Bathsheba as his wife
They had more sons and daughters
And went on to live a life
with heartbreak and with joy.
God, their Father, restored them
But He did not give back their boy.
Instead David declared to his servants
that he was determined to join his son
In Heaven one day with His Father
So the King’s true battle was won!
Lord, help me be like David,
The apple of your eye,
When I’m found to be guilty of sinning
May I turn to Heaven and cry
Out to my Father for mercy
And with sorrow for my sin
So that I, like David, my brother,
One day in Heaven will enter in.
By Jerri Harrington
Friday, May 25, 2007
What a Whirlwind!
It's been so long since I have blogged that I don't know where to start. I guess I'll start where I left off. Actually, 2 days after my last entry, I flew to Oklahoma to be with my dad. He passed away October 7th. Don, my husband, flew out for the funeral, and we both participated. I have never been with anyone at death before. I was with my dad. This I know....life is eternal. I still feel my dad's presence, but when his soul left his body, he was no longer present! I know he is with God!
Another monumental thing happened. While I was away with my dad, a really dear sister/friend at our church was diagnosed with ALL leukemia! She went to be with God Dec. 11th. Sarah left behind her four dear children: Hannah, 8, Noah 6, Jonah, 4 and Rachel, 2 and her wonderful husband, Scott! It was heartbreaking and inspiring as well.
Bob Roth and Rhonda are still fighting their cancer. Bob actually is in remission and receiving his second bone marrow transplant. Rhonda just had a second surgery for cancer of the colon.
Pray for both of them. Also, Keith Jones, a usually healthy man, came down with a bacterial infection of the heart that caused a blood clot to his brain and damaged two valves in his heart. He had to have both heart and brain surgery! And our brother, Jerry Belknap, has had two knee surgeries and currently has an infection and has been fighting an arrythmia of his heart.
And our little Lauren Schwamb continues to deal with heart defects and life threatening problems! Pray for her, as well.
Now for some awesome news! Our oldest son, Chris and his wife Cameron are having their first child, and the first grandchild on both sides of the family, our grandson Conner Steven....for Cam's grandfather who died in December and my Dad, Steve, who died October 7th. "The Lord gives and the Lord takes away!" Also, I have quit my job at Stepping Stones preschool, and I am staying home with our new little one! I have been taking art lessons, and my plan is to write and illustrate my children's books. Today was my last day at preschool, and it was a happy/sad day. I am ready for a new chapter in my life.....Thank you, God! You are loving and give good and perfect gifts.
Another monumental thing happened. While I was away with my dad, a really dear sister/friend at our church was diagnosed with ALL leukemia! She went to be with God Dec. 11th. Sarah left behind her four dear children: Hannah, 8, Noah 6, Jonah, 4 and Rachel, 2 and her wonderful husband, Scott! It was heartbreaking and inspiring as well.
Bob Roth and Rhonda are still fighting their cancer. Bob actually is in remission and receiving his second bone marrow transplant. Rhonda just had a second surgery for cancer of the colon.
Pray for both of them. Also, Keith Jones, a usually healthy man, came down with a bacterial infection of the heart that caused a blood clot to his brain and damaged two valves in his heart. He had to have both heart and brain surgery! And our brother, Jerry Belknap, has had two knee surgeries and currently has an infection and has been fighting an arrythmia of his heart.
And our little Lauren Schwamb continues to deal with heart defects and life threatening problems! Pray for her, as well.
Now for some awesome news! Our oldest son, Chris and his wife Cameron are having their first child, and the first grandchild on both sides of the family, our grandson Conner Steven....for Cam's grandfather who died in December and my Dad, Steve, who died October 7th. "The Lord gives and the Lord takes away!" Also, I have quit my job at Stepping Stones preschool, and I am staying home with our new little one! I have been taking art lessons, and my plan is to write and illustrate my children's books. Today was my last day at preschool, and it was a happy/sad day. I am ready for a new chapter in my life.....Thank you, God! You are loving and give good and perfect gifts.
Saturday, September 30, 2006
JerrisBlog
JerrisBlogIt was a week full of ups and downs, not to mention shocks! The best thing was that Claire Vasse, the French au pair Don and I have been studying the Bible with and who has become a great friend to us, was baptized Sunday night. We were so thrilled, and she was treated so warmly by the small group that meets at the building! Sat. night before the Sun. she was baptized, Claire joined us to honor Marie Henderson's little baby, Andrew. Then she went with us over to Chris and Cameron's new house. Monday night we studied with Claire, and then the elders prayed with me about my knee problem. Tuesday was the shocking day! We found out our dear brother in Christ, Bob Roth, has mylenoma in his hip! At first the prognosis was terrible, but it has improved to the point that they think he only has it in one location, and will have a partial hip replacement to remove all of the cancer. After that, he will have both radiation and chemotherapy. Bob and his wife Tresa, have 5 young children, and most of us went straight to denial when we heard the news.
A couple of weeks ago our sweet sister, Rhonda Krawczyk, was diagnosed with stage 3 colon cancer. We had a prayer devotional for Bob and Rhonda Wednesday night.
Then, last night, my mom told me they are talking to her about hospice for my dad. He is not able to eat, and dialysis isn't working on him anymore.
Mom said she thinks he may be dying. I told her I would come down after my last physical therapy session, and she said she didn't think dad would be alive by then. I really don't know what to do. I am praying about it. Don doesn't want me to go down there alone....and not before my therapy is over.
I am praying for clarity. It's not a clear situation there. Pray for me, anyone who is reading this.....especially pray for Bob and Rhonda.
A couple of weeks ago our sweet sister, Rhonda Krawczyk, was diagnosed with stage 3 colon cancer. We had a prayer devotional for Bob and Rhonda Wednesday night.
Then, last night, my mom told me they are talking to her about hospice for my dad. He is not able to eat, and dialysis isn't working on him anymore.
Mom said she thinks he may be dying. I told her I would come down after my last physical therapy session, and she said she didn't think dad would be alive by then. I really don't know what to do. I am praying about it. Don doesn't want me to go down there alone....and not before my therapy is over.
I am praying for clarity. It's not a clear situation there. Pray for me, anyone who is reading this.....especially pray for Bob and Rhonda.
Tuesday, September 19, 2006
JerrisBlog
JerrisBlog
Can you say "arterial fibrosis"? It seems that's what my doctor thinks I have....maybe in both knees. I looked it up online....which I almost never do because of my tendency to panic at too much bleak information. This time it motivated me to stop being so nice to my knee. I went back to water aerobics, which my PT had told me to stop for a while, but my doctor gave me an enthusiastic "all clear" to exercise again. If I don't get all of the scar tissue stretched or broken to the point of being able to bend both of my knees over 100 degrees by Oct. 17th, then I will be hospitalized and they will forcefully bend my knees under anesthesia and I will have intensive therapy after that! You should have seen Don, my sweet hubby, using a plunger on my knee last night (thanks to Jerry Bridges) while I was talking to my mom about my sick Dad. I was trying not to yell as he plunged away and then massaged my knee to the "point of pain".....as my doctor advised.
My knees are toast! Well....okay....my scar tissue is toast! Don and I have declared war on it. After water aerobics I went into the hot tub and forced bend and flexion in both of my knees while everyone else shuffled to the far side of the hot tub. I felt my bone in my leg move down as I pushed on it, so I took that as a good sign. I got up this morning and felt a little less pain. So I guess the saying should be "first pain....then gain....then no pain....again!"
(Can you tell I'm a poet.....and avoiding the yoga I promised myself I would do this morning!) Okay....I'm outta here. God is teaching me something.
Oh, I have to say....the best news yet is that our friend Claire is getting baptized Sunday! Thank you God! In the midst of all of this struggle...something wonderful! Life is always miraculous, even when it's really hard! More later....now I have to go to my "zen" place! :)
Can you say "arterial fibrosis"? It seems that's what my doctor thinks I have....maybe in both knees. I looked it up online....which I almost never do because of my tendency to panic at too much bleak information. This time it motivated me to stop being so nice to my knee. I went back to water aerobics, which my PT had told me to stop for a while, but my doctor gave me an enthusiastic "all clear" to exercise again. If I don't get all of the scar tissue stretched or broken to the point of being able to bend both of my knees over 100 degrees by Oct. 17th, then I will be hospitalized and they will forcefully bend my knees under anesthesia and I will have intensive therapy after that! You should have seen Don, my sweet hubby, using a plunger on my knee last night (thanks to Jerry Bridges) while I was talking to my mom about my sick Dad. I was trying not to yell as he plunged away and then massaged my knee to the "point of pain".....as my doctor advised.
My knees are toast! Well....okay....my scar tissue is toast! Don and I have declared war on it. After water aerobics I went into the hot tub and forced bend and flexion in both of my knees while everyone else shuffled to the far side of the hot tub. I felt my bone in my leg move down as I pushed on it, so I took that as a good sign. I got up this morning and felt a little less pain. So I guess the saying should be "first pain....then gain....then no pain....again!"
(Can you tell I'm a poet.....and avoiding the yoga I promised myself I would do this morning!) Okay....I'm outta here. God is teaching me something.
Oh, I have to say....the best news yet is that our friend Claire is getting baptized Sunday! Thank you God! In the midst of all of this struggle...something wonderful! Life is always miraculous, even when it's really hard! More later....now I have to go to my "zen" place! :)
Monday, September 11, 2006
JerrisBlog
JerrisBlog
I am feeling pretty emotional today, and I am always surprised that my feelings flash right back to where they were on 9/11, every year on the anniverary. Why do we always attach dates to memories? Surely the dates of the births of our four sons stir up emotion in my heart, and we celebrate those dates every year. And our wedding day is imprinted on my heart....with the excitement of the day finally arriving and the anticipation of the life we would make together. I am thankful for the seasons that add a tapestry of colors, smells and feelings to significant moments of our lives. However, the first cool breezes of fall and the brilliance of a crisp fall morning will always conjure up in my mind the day our nation was attacked with its own planes--the horror, the sorrow, the suffering and the heroism and turning to God by our nation. I wrote several poems on that day. Here is one:
A Prayer for America--9/11/01
Someone despised your handiwork, God, and brought us low with cruel death!
Someone has laughed at our suffering, Lord, even as we gasped our final breath.
Someone is crying for their loved ones, Father, begging to hold them once again.
Upward we stare at the smoke everywhere! Fire rains down from another man’s sin!
Hear us, dear Lord, and please answer our call! We are feeble with disbelief!Horror has fallen upon us like a black shadow, God, and our hearts cry out to You for relief!
If towers can fall, then to what can we hold? What will stand solid beneath our feet?
If our own people are used to plant fear in our hearts, then will our terror lead to our defeat?
Oh no! Dear Father, please let it not be! Please hear our cry, and lend us Your heart!
Hold us, our God, in the palm of Your hand, where we have found sanctuary from the start.
We need you, O God, we cry out as we pray-- that you guide us in each thought and deed.
We have no comprehension of the evil that has wounded us--we don’t know what it is that we need
to fight this foe--this faceless coward that has vanquished innocence from our children’s hearts!
Give us wisdom and strength and your Presence, O Lord, when we approach You as each day starts.
Walk with us, God, put us on the right paths, as we live this alteration of our former lives.
Redefine our roles in the way You would have us to live as a people-- families,husbands and wives!
But if we must fight to extinguish the evil one’s fire, then make warriors of us--every one!
Give us the courage of Moses, the wisdom of Solomon and the humble obedience of Your mighty Son.
Clothe us with honor and gird us with strength! Give us faith and valor and love!
But let us remember to keep our eyes upon You Our Holy Father, and Our Savior above!
By Jerri Harrington
I am feeling pretty emotional today, and I am always surprised that my feelings flash right back to where they were on 9/11, every year on the anniverary. Why do we always attach dates to memories? Surely the dates of the births of our four sons stir up emotion in my heart, and we celebrate those dates every year. And our wedding day is imprinted on my heart....with the excitement of the day finally arriving and the anticipation of the life we would make together. I am thankful for the seasons that add a tapestry of colors, smells and feelings to significant moments of our lives. However, the first cool breezes of fall and the brilliance of a crisp fall morning will always conjure up in my mind the day our nation was attacked with its own planes--the horror, the sorrow, the suffering and the heroism and turning to God by our nation. I wrote several poems on that day. Here is one:
A Prayer for America--9/11/01
Someone despised your handiwork, God, and brought us low with cruel death!
Someone has laughed at our suffering, Lord, even as we gasped our final breath.
Someone is crying for their loved ones, Father, begging to hold them once again.
Upward we stare at the smoke everywhere! Fire rains down from another man’s sin!
Hear us, dear Lord, and please answer our call! We are feeble with disbelief!Horror has fallen upon us like a black shadow, God, and our hearts cry out to You for relief!
If towers can fall, then to what can we hold? What will stand solid beneath our feet?
If our own people are used to plant fear in our hearts, then will our terror lead to our defeat?
Oh no! Dear Father, please let it not be! Please hear our cry, and lend us Your heart!
Hold us, our God, in the palm of Your hand, where we have found sanctuary from the start.
We need you, O God, we cry out as we pray-- that you guide us in each thought and deed.
We have no comprehension of the evil that has wounded us--we don’t know what it is that we need
to fight this foe--this faceless coward that has vanquished innocence from our children’s hearts!
Give us wisdom and strength and your Presence, O Lord, when we approach You as each day starts.
Walk with us, God, put us on the right paths, as we live this alteration of our former lives.
Redefine our roles in the way You would have us to live as a people-- families,husbands and wives!
But if we must fight to extinguish the evil one’s fire, then make warriors of us--every one!
Give us the courage of Moses, the wisdom of Solomon and the humble obedience of Your mighty Son.
Clothe us with honor and gird us with strength! Give us faith and valor and love!
But let us remember to keep our eyes upon You Our Holy Father, and Our Savior above!
By Jerri Harrington
Saturday, September 09, 2006
JerrisBlog
JerrisBlog
God has been so good to me! I feel so blessed to have my life and my family and friends! It is wonderful to have God's love and forgiveness....and to be able to get up each morning with a purpose for living! I'm glad fall is here! I always look forward to the changing leaves and the crisp air and the children's exciement about being back in school. It's the small things like that in life that are not small at all. Life is good, because our God is awesome, even in His attention to the details of our life! I love you, God!
God has been so good to me! I feel so blessed to have my life and my family and friends! It is wonderful to have God's love and forgiveness....and to be able to get up each morning with a purpose for living! I'm glad fall is here! I always look forward to the changing leaves and the crisp air and the children's exciement about being back in school. It's the small things like that in life that are not small at all. Life is good, because our God is awesome, even in His attention to the details of our life! I love you, God!
Sunday, July 16, 2006
.My Life....New Knee Age!
I am so happy and thankful to be finally past my knee replacements at least for this decade! I am truly looking forward to my new mobility and to not having a difficult surgery looming ahead of me. Thanks to all of you who prayed for me, encouraged me, and listened to me whine (for years) about my knees! Thanks especially to my husband and boys who made countless trips up and down the stairs, sparing my knees the journey. In a few months, I will be able to make all of that up to you all! I am so excited about walks in the fall with Don and Lisa....to Starbucks and under the changing leaves. I'm looking forward to ballroom dance lessons with Don....yes, I remember, honey. And I look forward to many sweet hours babysitting my future grandbabies....and being able to get down on the floor with them. Thank you, God, for helping me through some difficult, painful years, and please be with Jerry Bridges, Michelle Steward and Diane Toy, who still have this ahead of them. God is faithful and good!
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