"Just AS You Are" Ministries, Inc.

Annie Layer

   July 17, 2010   

I’ve learned a lesson, Lord

Lord, I walked through my life, sure I knew it all –

Using and being used, too caught up to hear Your Call

I was playing the games, running wild on the street

Ignoring the truth that life with You could be sweet

Too many were the times I cried, God, but You knew

I fought and I fell, Lord, but Your love is true

I never imagined I could be happy with You –

I threw myself around: on the rebound You caught me

Over and over until I learned the lesson You taught me

Now I know at what a high price You bought me

It’s not a game anymore, but I’m the one who wins

You opened Your arms and forgot all my sins

You gave me love, and forgiveness I never earned

Eternal life and salvation are lessons I learned

So now, Lord, teach me as I fall at Your knee

In You, and Your Son, and Your Spirit I believe

God, love me and teach me, and show Your grace, please

I adore You and the lessons You teach me each day

I learned You listen and answer each time I pray

You are my Great Teacher, Lord, You are the Way.

Annie Layer

July 2010

Silver

 by Annie Layer  2010

Silver melts

 in a holy fire

like God's glory burning bright 

Impurities rise,

are washed away

Silver becomes a mirror of light

Let me be

God's shining mirror

Hold my face where nothing hides

Love's reflection

in the mirror

See my heart where God resides

Tested by fire

Washed by mercy

The Lord tells me silver's story

Bless me, Lord

With Your reflection

My soul longs to see Your glory

Chorus:

Refine me as silver is refined, Lord

Make me purer still

Let others see Your Grace in me

A reflection of Your will

The Bone Breaks

 by Annie Layer  2011

You stumble, you fall;

Snap! The bone breaks...

You wonder "Why me?" 

and that's all it takes:

You make your excuses, there's a pill for the pain,

and you're on that dark wild ride again.

Or someone you love

shuts the door in your face.

You don't call on the Spirit

to fill that empty space.

It's a different dark ride, but a dark ride all the same.

If only you'd called on God's Holy name.

Your pocket in empty;

the cupboard is bare.

You feel all alone,

that no help is near.

If you'd just been in church, put in ten percent;

The Lord would have seen that you could come up with rent.

So many troubles in life

cause us to lose our way.

But tomorrow is taken care of

if you love the Lord today.

Stop yourself; take a breath; remember our Father's care.

That dark wild ride can be avoided - just give your soul to prayer:

"Dear Father,

   Get me through this,

   like You always do.

   Your love is endless;

   Your promises true,

   The path You want me on is NOT dark and wild...

   Be here with me, Father,

          Love, Your child"

His Hand

by Rebecca Tuell 2011

The Mighty Hand of God

What does it mean to you?

Do you look for a hand out

or only what His hand can do?

His Hand will pick you up

and catch you when you fall

He wants to hold your hand

He will be there through it all

His Hand will be the one

to wipe away your tears

It will comfort you

throughtout your years

Seek the Mighty Hand of God

to guide You and Direct

It will be Your Shield

forever & always to protect

God is reaching His Hand

out to you today

The question is will you take it

or will you pull away?

                                               Rebecca's Going Home Prayer  2011     

Days of memories

full of regrets

times of pain

I'd rather forget

Stupid decisions - they

led me the wrong way

Thank You God

with me you always stayed

You never left my side

no matter what I went through

You were always there

When I called on You

You saw me through the pain

were there to catch my tears

comforted my broken heart

and calmed all my fears

So, as I begin this new Journey

on You I'll trust and rely

I will look to You for guidence

and not ask Why!

The above were created by Marie Carter.   She created scenes, like this, while she was incarcerated with very limited resources.  She is released and still working with her wonderful gift.

This is Marie finishing off what is to be the                     Family Tree of Silver Star Christian Church 

Finding Me

I look out beyond this field of Green,

Still nothing is as it may seem,

Yesterday has come and gone.

Inside my mind I’m lost as I’m trying

to find where I belong.

My eyes are often filled with tears,

Dear God how do I stop these lasting fears?

I know I need to stand tall and to stay strong

But these days seem to be too long.

I’m trying so hard to fit in

So tell me is she my enemy or is she my friend

The road ahead of me seems as dark as night

Yet I know I must not give up

I must continue this fight

I miss you mom & I miss my dad,

I only wish I could have back

my family I once had.

Although I know “this” cannot be

So I must come to the reality

to set my past free.

I’ve hurt so many close and dear

How do I let them know

how much I really do care?

For this I carry so much hurt and pain,

Where do I start to gain their trust again?

I have so many questions I need to ask,

Now it’s time to stop hiding

Behind that awful mask.

I still cannot forgive myself

for what I’ve done.

As I feel I’ve shamed so many

even our Fathers Son.

I’ve found the answers to some

of my questions I need to ask.

Silver Star Christian Church

Has helped me begin

walking on the right path.

Thank You

Al and Sue Hoover

And to all of the members of

Silver Star Christian Church

Written by

Tammy Hare

July 2009