Under the Broom Tree

 Under the Broom Tree

Sometimes under the broom tree is where I go

To wait on my God when I do not know. 

When I get discouraged and cannot see

God's plan and the direction for me. 

When I believe I have heard His voice

But circumstances make me question my choice. 

When roadblocks appear in every direction

And all I feel is sadness and rejection 

Under the broom tree is where I return. 

That is where for open doors I yearn. 

I cry out to my Father and question my view

Seeking His will and that which is true. 

Under the Broom Tree is where Elijah rested. 

Discouraged over all the time he'd invested

The walls were closing in and he could not see. 

What to do and what was to be. 

God's angel appeared to him in his despair

When failure was his confession and prayer. 

Get up! He was told, I have plans for you

Go in my name and speak what is true.

Under the broom tree is where we all go at times

That is our safe harbor where we can hide. 

It's there where God sends his angels to attend. 

And gives us strength to go out again. 

Under the broom tree is where we can go

To rejuvenate and let God fill our soul. 

But the broom tree is not where we're meant to stay

We must rise up and let God lead the way.

©2026 Sandra C. Johnson

But he himself went a day’s journey into the wilderness, and came and sat down under a [a]broom tree. And he prayed that he might die, and said, “It is enough! Now, Lord, take my life, for I am no better than my fathers!”

Then as he lay and slept under a broom tree, suddenly an [b]angel touched him, and said to him, “Arise and eat.” Then he looked, and there by his head was a cake baked on [c]coals, and a jar of water. So he ate and drank, and lay down again.

1Kings 19:4-6

To Stand in the Gap

To Stand in the Gap

Is there anyone to stand in the Gap today?

Is there anyone full of Mercy to pray?

For the week and unloved of this land?

Is there anyone who in their heart truly can?

To pray for the beggar on the street.

Who is alone and just want something to eat.

To extend Mercy without condemnation,

Can we stand in the gap for their situation?

Is there anyone to stand in the gap with love?

To extend the hand of a Savior from above?

Do we pray for our enemies restoration?

Or do we rejoice in their condemnation?

God calls us to love all men and forgive.

To restore and teach truth as we live.

To stand in the gap providing a way

For those who are lost as we pray.

We have a world void of the truth.

And yes, some teach lies to our youth.

But instead of hatred over all that they do,

Can we pray for changed hearts and point of view?

It's a higher call for those of us who know him,

The Savior who died for all men.

It's not ours to condemn or scoff,

But to stand in the gap for the Lost.

To pray for each soul that we seem,

That we can share how to live free.

Going through the darkness with them,

Holding their hand with God's love within. 

Is there anyone out there willing to stand?

To be that bridge to extend God's hand?

To love others the way God does,

And stand in the gap with his unending love.

©1996 Sandra C. Johnson

To hear a song that was adapted from this poem visit my YouTube channel here:

https://youtu.be/s2nEe79V5t4?si=93ND6ZnEdjSQ0qaA

When we Stand Before the Throne

 WHEN WE STAND BEFORE THE THRONE

The King sitting on the throne. 

The pauper who doesn't have a home. 

The executive in a noble profession. 

The prostitute making an honest confession.

The nurse with many credentials to show. 

The mayor that everyone knows. 

The President of these United States; 

All men small and great. 

They will all stand before the God of the earth. 

All looking the same, regardless of birth. 

The rich man who had money to spare. 

The inventor and the doctor who truly cared. 

The preacher who dressed so nice every week. 

The one who gave to many in need. 

Regardless of what title you hold presently;

It will be different than the one in eternity. 

No master's degree will earn favor on high. 

"I don't know you" will be God's reply. 

Many will come to Him in that day; 

Speaking of the miracles and how much they prayed. 

They went to Church all the time. 

Involved in activities of every kind. 

Everyone knew them and knew them well. 

By their acts you could easily tell. 

But God will answer "but me you did not know.

You were to busy putting on a show.

Doing things to please man. 

You didn't seek me where I am. 

To know me is to be still and wait. 

Listen to my voice whether small or great. 

Let me inspire the acts you convey. 

Allowing my spirit to lead you when you pray." 

The good works you do today; 

In that time won't be on display. 

No one will know if you were someone known; 

For all will stand before God's throne. 

So as you serve your sisters and brothers. 

And announce your good christian works to others; 

Remember on that day, when questioned why you should enter in; 

Your answer should be Jesus died for my sin. 

He will be glorified for all you have done; 

Through Him alone will you overcome. 

So my friends, seek first His Kingdom and stay close to Him. 

It's His works only that will shine forth in the end. 

©1997 Sandra C. Johnson

Take it Up with the Almighty

Throughout the years, I’ve heard the same questions more than once: “Who are you to judge?” or “What makes you the authority?” Usually it comes up when I’m holding to a biblical standard—most recently, my pro‑life stance.

What some see as judgment is simply my attempt to stand on what God has already spoken. There are moments when I wish I could just nod along with the world’s ideology, accept every lifestyle or belief it celebrates, and avoid offending anyone. It would certainly be easier.

But God’s truth has always offended. From the earliest prophets who spoke to Israel, all the way to today, truth has a way of exposing what we’d rather ignore.

The poem below speaks to that tension—standing firm in a world that pushes back. My prayer is that these words encourage you to hold fast to what God has shown you, even when it isn’t popular.

Take it up with the Almighty

If you find yourself offended buy something that I say

Take it up with the Almighty in Heaven on that day. 

If you feel that I may be insensitive or unkind Take your case to heaven to the divine

Far be it for me to pass judgment on my fellow man

Without looking at my own heart and where I stand

I speak only what his word teaches and try to follow

I will not compromise or remain Hollow

But if my words trigger you in a sensitive place

Know that I speak in love, in honor and in grace.

I only say what I have heard from my father on high

And it's his word and Truth on which I rely

So if these words are offensive take it up with him

And I pray He will help you and it's not to condemn 

I only speak his truth and examining my own heart

Which inspires me to tell others and lead them out of the dark

Take it up with the Almighty let him come inside

As with us all  he removes our idols of hate and of pride

He humbles us And leads us in his love and grace

And writes as law within exposing our darkest place

So take it up with the Almighty If you dare

But know His court is just and fair

He will hear you out look at both sides

He sees everything within us that we try to hide

So take it to the Almighty if you're offended today

Please Go to him He will lead you in his way

He will change your life, expose your guilt and shame.

But when you leave his court, you will never be the same

©2026 Sandra C. Johnson

We Are All the Same

 WE ARE ALL THE SAME

No matter who we are or what walk of life we lead

We all still have the same struggles and the same basic needs. 

We all have had hurts and pains that chill us to the bone

We all have the same fears and doubts that all mankind have known.

We sometimes feel we’re the only ones who committed so great a sin

And we’re the only ones with such fear and doubt within.

When every person in the world has fought demons deep inside;

That haunt and torture us, and break down our pride. 

We’re all the same inside, and none of us can make it alone

The rich the poor, the one on the street without a home

The senators and high officials who are on TV each night 

The little girl, who came home crying from a school fight.

We’re all the same, and we all need a Savior to set us free. 

We all need His love, for only in Him, is the key. 

To being freed from our past and to a path this is pure. 

To a life of peace and one this is safe and secure. 

So, when you look at another whose life seems so important then;

And you feel a tad inferior, because your life doesn’t compare to him

Remember he is the same inside, though he covers it well,

Look into his heart for only then can you truly tell. 

He may need your prayers, though, he may never say

Look up to the heavens, and for this man please pray anyway. 

We need to stop passing judgment on someone who has less. 

Those we see as freaks, the beggars and the homeless. 

No matter what we think, only God knows what is truly going on.

So stop and pray for them it just takes a minute before moving on. 

Yes, we are all the same inside, each person on this earth. 

We all needs Jesus’ touch, we all need to put Him first. 

So pray for your fellow man, despite what you may see. 

Jesus alone for all of us is the one who can set us free. 

This is what we are all here for, to touch each other and to give.

Yes, we are truly all the same in this life on earth we live. 

© Copyright 2006 Sandra C. Johnson 

G

A New Dwelling Place

 A New Dwelling Place

God made a new place for His spirit to dwell. 

Not in a manmade temple high on the hill.

But in the heart who believes in His Son who died.

This is the place His Spirit resides. 

We look at churches and temples grand in design. 

And may stand in awe of the beauty that we find

But inside our hearts is where the true splendor lies. 

As He rewrites His truth there and in our lives. 

In streets where we walk and where we find. 

Across the earth throughout all mankind

His spirit moving to touch those that we see. 

Not just in Church are souls set free. 

His spirit is not contained within church  walls. 

Or under the cloak of religion and man's noble cause

But His spirit dwells in the heart of man. 

Not in buildings that fade by human hands. 

And since Jesus walked the earth, He made it clear. 

A new dwelling place is not far but near. 

And while we seek His fulfillment in man made designs. 

God has been building His temple one stone at a time. 

God made a new place for His spirit to dwell. 

Not in a manmade temple high on the hill.

We are all living stones placed where He called us to be.

A new dwelling, a new Temple stands eternally.

©2026 Sandra C. Johnson

The Shelter of the Most High

The Shelter of the Most High

(An adaptation from Psalm 91)

Whoever dwells in the shelter of the Most High 

Will rest in his shadow in whom they rely. 

I will confess the Lord as my fortress and refuge 

Whom I have trusted since my youth. 

Surely He will save you from the Fowler's snare. 

And from the deadly pestilence that you find there. 

He will cover you with his feathers and His wings 

And you will not fear the world or anything. 

His faithfulness will always be evident to see.

Especially in times when terror reigns heavily. 

But no need to fear because of the arrow that flies by day. 

Or the the plagues that may come your way. 

You may witness wars and see thousand fall all around. 

But He will protect you, no harm will ever be found. 

You will observe with your eyes God’s judgments then.

When He visits the sins upon men. 

If you say the Lord is my refuge, and make Him your dwelling. 

No harm or disaster will befall you is what you will be telling.

For His angels will take care of you in all that you do

In this world of danger and violence, they will watch over you. 

You will tread the cobra, the serpent and lion 

Because you love God and made Him the one you rely on. 

Because you acknowledge Him, He will answer your prayer. 

He will deliver and honor you and always be there.

©2025 Sandra C. Johnson