I Forgive Him

I Forgive Him

She knew what she must do– God gently explained. 

Oh, she had no problem standing up and calling on His name.

But the next step was harder, as God gently held her close.

And said “I'm going to ask you to do what hurts you the most.”

In her tears she looked to him and said “Oh God why?”

How can I let this go– the hurt runs so deep inside.

How can you love someone who brings so much pain?”

He said “Because I love all men– and did not die in vain.”

“I forgive him,” she declared for all the world to hear. 

Standing in her grief, yet without fear. 

And as she spoke the audience was moved by love. 

This is what it's about, what we should be thinking of.

“I forgive them” Jesus said. while he was on the cross….

“They know not what they do,” he continued, paying the final cost. 

When Peter asked “How many times must I forgive?” 

Jesus answered with a number hard for most who live.

“I forgive him”--words easy to say, but hard to feel,

Especially toward one who without thought chose to kill. 

But Jesus loves all men–it's not ours to decide. 

And when we hang on to that debt, it tears us up inside.

Forgiveness is not something our world applauds. 

We are taught to get even, to take them for all they've got.

But unforgiveness is not for God's people.  

Especially when we have been released from our own evil. 

“I forgive him.”--Three words that echoed through the world..

She may not have known what she had just unfurled. 

But God's Spirit moved across the earth.

Inviting all who thirst to come and find rebirth.  

“I forgive you,” Jesus said when he died. 

It was for the entire world that he was crucified. 

And when you say it too, you are choosing to set him free–

The one who may owe you into eternity. 

“I forgive you” are the words of an overcomer.

And its power exceeds the lightning and thunder. 

Those words reverberate across the earth and into heaven's throng.

Where the angels sing before the Lamb the most angelic song. 

I Will Pray for You

I scroll Facebook on and off throughout the day.  There is so much division, so much hate.  Today, I am watching the Charlie Kirk Memorial and I wonder how these haters feel about it.  

It's sad to see even posts from people I consider friends.   With that in mind, came the following poem. 

I Will Pray For You

I read the hate and how they try to turn the tables. 

They mock and ridicule us calling our faith a  fable. 

And I am tempted to respond by calling it all out. 

To correct their thinking, to silence their doubt.  

But my hand is restrained, my tongue is held still. 

God will speak justice by His sovereign will.

My faith does not require approval of any man. 

God upholds me right here where I stand. 

To those who cheered at a Godly man's death, 

Know  your views will be weighed by God's breath.

And the truth is, I pray for you to turn your heart before then. 

I pray that you will be reconciled to God and turn away from sin. 

You can say who am I to judge and to condemn. 

Again you fail to see my heart and love for all men. 

I restrain myself from hateful words I could say. 

Instead I get on bended knee and pray. 

I reserve judgement for God alone. 

He reigns in power, seated on His throne. 

And I believe you know not what you do–

So I look to heaven and intercede for you. 

There are many ideologies, religions and doctrines we believe.

There many good works men of all cultures have achieved.

But none of that matters without faith in Jesus Christ. 

Our fleshly deeds are dust in God's sight. 

So give your millions you have earned to your favorite charity. 

Stand up for the weak and broken and proclaim your morality. 

While those acts are worthy of man's praise. 

God looks at our hearts not our works and  saves us by His grace. 

So when I watch the news and the social media feeds. 

As man fights against man over doctrines and creeds–

I hold back my voice and simply choose to pray. 

My words pale in comparison to what God has to say. 

© 2025 Sandra C. Johnson

Be Still and Know

Be Still and Know

Be still and know that I am God.

Be still and listen along the path that you trod.

When you speak to me, breathe–rest in my presence.

Shhh…. Don't speak, just listen in reverence. 

Be still my child, I know you have much to say.

But I know your heart, as you kneel to pray.

I am not far off and beyond your reach. 

I reside within and my spirit will teach.

But be still so you may hear my voice.

Be patient and strong before making a choice.

At the right time, in the right way, I will answer–

Not before and not after.

So simply be still and know: I am El Shaddai.

I am Yahweh, the great God to whom you cry.

I comfort the brokenhearted by healing them.

I guide those who seek me to turn from sin.

I change hearts but only when invited to.

I love you more than you know and patiently wait for you.

Be still, be ready. I am right where you are.

Again, my child, I remind you– I'm not very far.

I see all things– both good and bad.

I rejoice at some, and at others I'm sad.

For I long for men to choose life, not death. 

I see what is and what has not happened yet. 

So be still and know: I am in control. 

I am the God of heaven and earth and will make all things whole. 

Fret not over what you see in the world today. 

For the evil one is temporarily holding the world sway. 

A day is coming–it is now at hand–

When I will silence evil right where it stands. 

The entire world will profess my name for all to hear. 

As I remove all sin and wipe every tear. 

So be still, my child until then. 

Know I am watching over the how and the when. 

My arm is not so short that I cannot save--

Those on the earth, and those in the grave.

© 2025 Sandra C. Johnson

"Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth." Psalm 46:10

This poem was turned into a song and can be heard on my youtube channel here: 

https://youtu.be/yYwrMC2a1FI?si=Iw8E6CLVE77E5Nle

I Dare You

I watch the news every night—and yes, sometimes I end up yelling at the TV, depending on what’s being said. It’s hard not to get frustrated when you hear things that are so inaccurate, so far from the truth.  

But at the end of the day, I remember who’s truly on the throne. God is in control of everything that happens, even when it feels chaotic or unjust.  

Still, there are moments when I just need to write out my frustrations. And it’s funny—because every time I do, God gently reels me back in. He reminds me of His perspective, His sovereignty, and His grace.  

That’s the heart behind the poem that follows.

I Dare You

Those of you who claim you cannot speak,  

That the First Amendment has grown weak,  

That freedom is gone in this land—  

I dare you! Why not take a stand?

How many of you would boldly go  

To a conservative college and share what you know?  

Would you navigate hatred, endure the heat,  

And still choose dialogue over retreat?

I dare you to go on Hannity and teach,  

If your truth is real, then rise and preach.  

But how many times have you been asked to debate,  

Only to decline, dismiss, or hesitate?

There’s a difference between Charlie Kirk and his crowd—  

They stand with courage, humble, not proud.  

They don’t burn buildings when they feel wronged,  

They pray, hold vigils, and remain strong.

Will you stand for God when no one else will. 

When values are mocked will you stand still?

Would you dare to put your life on the line?  

Charlie Kirk did—time after time.

He didn't spend time hating he just spoke truth

He had a heart to open the eyes of our youth,

Despite our colleges and their indoctrination

He gave a voice to young people across this nation. 

Fear was not in his vocabulary.  

He faced the haters, though it might be scary.  

So while you cheer his death and curse his name,  

We will not stand for your hatred and shame. 

We’ve received a call from our God on high  

To labor in truth till the day we die.  

And yes—we’ll pray for your heart to turn,  

For hatred is not where we yearn.

Go ahead—speak, say what you feel.  

But if your words inspire someone to kill,  

That burden is yours, and I pray it won’t come to pass.   

Yet sadly, my brothers, it already has.

© 2025 Sandra C. Johnson

The What If Train

The What If Train

All Aboard come one come all. 

The train is about to depart when the conductor calls. 

There are not many seats left on this train.

It's named, “what if” and many ride in vain. 

We board and head to the first destination:  

A weary stop known as Frustration.  

The conductor feeds our “what if” thinking,  

With visions of car crashes, boats sinking.

And when we arrive, we get back on again.

Bound for a city called Worry, where it all begins.  

We fret over things that never came to be,  

Haunted by chilling scenarios we only see. 

We settle in—this train feels like home.  

We replay regrets, long since gone.  

Next stop: Past Mistakes, where guilt resides,  

And “what if” shame alters our strides.  

“All aboard!” the conductor cries, far and near,  

As we leave Mistakes and head toward Fear.  

This place paralyzes, stops us in our tracks,  

And the conductor’s voice feels like an attack. 

It’s the What If Train—but you can get off anytime.  

The next stop is Crossroads, where we reach a sign:  

A fork appears, a choice to be made—  

Keep riding, or let go of the burdens we’ve weighed. 

That's where we find the road to peace. 

And where we realize our true destiny. 

So next time you hear all aboard, don't get on. 

Wait for the next train calld you are strong. 

“What if” is not in the language of His Word—  

This path takes you where the Prince of Peace is heard. 

It's in this town that Jesus reigns.

And frees you from the lies heard on the “What If” Train.

© 2025 Sandra C. Johnson

This poem was adapted into a song and can be viewed on my YouTube channel here:

https://youtu.be/2uvBxsQkmD8?si=16Kh2OJssVSX3QYW

Show Me Your Ways

SHOW ME YOUR WAYS  

Show me Your ways, O God above.  

Reveal to me Your unfailing love.  

Help me to know Your Law deep in my heart—  

To live it out and bring light to the dark.  

Show me Your ways, not the ways of man.  

Empower me to spread it across this land.  

Show me Your ways, so I may become  

A person more like Jesus the Son.  

Christlike, and all You’ve called me to be,  

O Lord, each day help me learn and see.  

Show me Your ways, that I may instill  

Your truth in my children, teaching Your will.  

Why do I ask? So I may know You,  

And lack nothing, as Your Word proves true.  

So I may walk with You, understanding Your ways,  

Living in wisdom through all of my days.  

So I may discern what You would do  

In moments unknown, and speak what is true.  

Not leaning on self, but trusting instead  

That Your ways will guide me where I’m led.  

Show me Your ways each day and night—  

While working, while sleeping—teach me what’s right.  

While driving, while walking throughout the day,  

Help me to hear Your voice and obey.  

Show me Your ways, that I may know You,  

And discern the hearts that are not true.  

Show me Yourself, Lord—Your ways so pure.  

O Father, make them clear and sure.  

And thank You, Lord, for hearing me tonight,  

For loving and guiding me into Your light.  

For showing me thus far, and continuing to lead  

Down paths yet unknown, meeting each need.  

© 1996 Sandra C. Johnson

This poem was adapted into a song and can be viewed on my YouTube channel here:

https://youtu.be/q_joKFoiASA?si=F4LY4i5VTtmze2yQ

The Greatest of All Gifts

Today I share something I wrote back in 1991 and 1997. In 1984, I had known a friend who was a Pentecostal. She tried to pray over me to give me the gift of tongues. I became scared and ran away. This was when I was a freshman in college.

I realized soon after that God had a different calling on my life, but in 1997 he made it clear to me what that calling was. The next two poems are about God's love being the greatest of all gifts. 

The Greatest Gift

She spoke in tongues, was filled with the Spirit—so it seemed,  

Leaving me confused beyond what I’d ever dreamed.  

I wondered, Is tongues for me? Could my views be wrong?  

Then deep within, I heard, “My child, be strong.”

“Many come to you with stories of miracles and such,  

And many great things happen to those lives that I touch.  

But you need listen only to Me—  

By heeding My voice, not man’s, will you truly be free."

So I walked away from her one heartfelt night,  

Unsure of my faith, alone in my fright.

But God gave me peace, and so I journeyed on—  

He showed me that I've known Him all along. 

The greatest lesson I could ever learn:  

Is to love others and God's presence yearn.

Still, there was more for me to understand.  

God gave me joy—and pain, both carefully planned.  

Yet always, His presence remained in my life,  

Guiding me through both joy and strife.

God had shown me peace in Him alone.  

No sign was needed; my faith was known.

Time passed, as I knew it would,  

And I walked on in faith, knowing where I stood.  

When someone insisted I must have these gifts,  

I simply smiled because God’s truth gave me a lift.

Yes, I’m still journeying, still walking with God.  

Still learning obedience on this path I trod.  

I’ve never known wonders noble or grand—  

No tongues, no healing by my hand.

Even as I sat with the sick in a hospital bed,  

Healing never came, but the time was spirit-led. 

I knew in my heart, this gift I’d attained  

Was the one most precious, though hard to explain.

It’s not a gift I can show to man—  

It’s etched in love by God’s own hand.  

Though I speak not in tongues or heal,

God's gift of love is the most excellent still.

© 1997 Sandra C. Johnson

1 CORINTHIANS 13

If I profess to have tongues, what does it profit me

Without love, I am a resounding symbol with no melody. 

I can claim to know all knowledge and prophecy; 

And have a faith that can hurl mountains into the sea. 

But without love, it's useless and means nothing in the world. 

I can give endlessly, and into the flames my body can be hurled. 

You see, I can surrender my whole life for man; 

But without love, I gain nothing, no matter how much I understand. 

But what is love? How are we called to live? 

It needs to be our foundation when we serve and give. 

Love is patient, with those who cannot see; 

Trusting God to allow the seeds to grow, planted in humility. 

Love is kind, in kindness to our neighbor; 

We reach out and show them God's loving favor. 

Love does not envy what others seems to do; 

Even though maybe those good things are not in me and you. 

And love does not boast of all we seem to know; 

Nor loudly announce the ways we grow. 

Love is not proud-- too proud to acknowledge sin. 

True love, walks humbly before God and men. 

Love is not rude, nor quick to wound with speech.

It thinks of others, and in love will gently teach. 

Love is not self seeking, chasing it's own cause; 

It puts others first while honoring God's laws. 

Love is not easily offended by another. 

Keeping no record of wrongs, it  forgives a brother. 

Yet if someone is in sin, love must stop and say; 

Your not in the right, your going the wrong way. 

And when they change, oh how love does rejoice; 

In the truth, it has no other choice. 

Love always protects, and it always trusts.

God's love is fair, unconditional and just.

It always hopes, and always perseveres; 

Loving those estranged from us in prayerful tears. 

This perfect love breaks through and conquers all; 

It lifts the weary and never lets them fall. 

This love must be the foundation of our Christian walk; 

And the sweet aroma of the way we talk. 

Still, it won't always sound gentle or nice; 

For true love must sometimes give hard advice. 

Yet it still remains unchanged, if it's the love of Christ. 

Out of love, He died for us, and was sacrificed. 

God's love is never ending, and never fails; 

It's His love that will in all things, prevail.

© 1991 Sandra C. Johnson 

1 Corinthians 13:1-8, 10-13 NASB1995

[1] If I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, but do not have love, I have become a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal. [2] If I have the gift of prophecy, and know all mysteries and all knowledge; and if I have all faith, so as to remove mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing. [3] And if I give all my possessions to feed the poor, and if I surrender my body to be burned, but do not have love, it profits me nothing. [4] Love is patient, love is kind and is not jealous; love does not brag and is not arrogant, [5] does not act unbecomingly; it does not seek its own, is not provoked, does not take into account a wrong suffered, [6] does not rejoice in unrighteousness, but rejoices with the truth; [7] bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. [8] Love never fails; but if there are gifts of prophecy, they will be done away; if there are tongues, they will cease; if there is knowledge, it will be done away. 

[10] but when the perfect comes, the partial will be done away. [11] When I was a child, I used to speak like a child, think like a child, reason like a child; when I became a man, I did away with childish things. [12] For now we see in a mirror dimly, but then face to face; now I know in part, but then I will know fully just as I also have been fully known. [13] But now faith, hope, love, abide these three; but the greatest of these is love.