The Measuring Rod

Do my words inflict wounds

On a weary burdened soul

Do my demands, my needs

Add to someone’s heavy load

Do I freely offer my opinion

But withhold a helping hand

Does my tongue tear people down

Fail to build them up

Does my speech contain truth

But lack love

Do I proclaim Christ

But fail to possess the love of the Lord

Do I know the truth of the Gospel

But refuse to let it change my heart

Am I quick to judge

But slow to love

Do I disguise pride

As concern

Does my attitude drive people away

Instead of draw them close

If 1 Corinthians 13 were the measuring rod

Would I be proven to be a Christian…by my love

Susan Bunts

Ready

Ready to stand
With the belt of truth girded about me


Ready to stand victorious
Obeying the Commander who called me to battle


Ready to stand firm…immovable
Cutting off all entanglements…breaking from this world


Ready to stand with an attitude of truthfulness
Committed…sincere…without hypocrisy


Ready and disciplined
Pursing that which is excellent…not settling for what is good


Ready to endure
Run the race…obtain the prize of our high calling


Ready to bring praise, glory and honor
To my great God and Savior, Christ Jesus my Lord



Susan Bunts
August 20, 2008

For Chris...my love and husband to be. I’m so grateful to have a partner as we endeavor to fight the good fight and seek by the power of God to endure till the end. By His power alone...may we present Jesus our shield covered with arrows from the enemy that missed because of His hand of protection upon us.

The Heart of a Woman

Let me tell you a secret

Just between you and me

Share the heart of a women

And every girl’s dream

No matter if she’s a raving beauty

Or just a plain shy ordinary girl

The desire for a husband’s love

Runs ever so deep

Even those who are mentally challenged

Or those who have been deceived and bought the feminist lie

Have a desire to share their life

Know what it is to feel loved, honored and cherished

All too vividly

I remember the pain

Of a lifetime spent alone

With no end was in sight

Each passing year was harder

The pain was always there and cut like a knife

The rejoicing at the blessings of others,

Was followed by a tears shed in the solitude

It is with gratitude and thanksgiving I prepare,

To walk down the aisle

Veiled in white lace

Join hands with my love and say, “I do”

Even as I rejoice in God’s grace towards me

For love unmerited and undeserved

May I be humble and remember in prayer

The heart of the woman who still dreams of “that day”

By Susan Bunts

August 12, 2008

At no time have I been more aware of the ubiquitous desire of women to be married and be loved by a husband than when a precious friend who has the heart and mind of a child shared her desire to one day marry.

I spent far too many years alone. I had bought...hook, line and sinker...the feminist lies. You know the ones I mean. The line that “a woman needs a man, like a fish needs a bicycle” or that “men and women are basically the same”. Yeah right! Anyone who has spent time with the opposite sex...knows darn good and well...that men and women are very different. It’s not something cultural...however culture may shape the way it’s expressed. But instead it’s inherent...those difference were built in by our Designer.

Those differences are not something good or bad. They simply are. One sex is not superior to the other. One is not good and the other a wretch. Instead God designed us to complement each other and to keep things interesting...and challenging...He made us very different from one another.

One of the most amazing things I’ve been aware of since meeting my fiancé Chris is that the loneliness and the emptiness are gone. The desire to be well known and well loved is being fulfilled...day by day.

That’s not to say...we don’t have our challenges. The differences inherent in our personalities and those between men and women present a challenge to our relationship every day. Add on top of that...the stresses of planning a wedding...and oh baby, baby you’ve got “stress”.

While it’s not always easy it has been wonderful to fall in love, grow in love, to be in love. There is something noticeably different that I can’t quite put my finger on. My sister Denise commented recently that I seem to be more peaceful. I think that’s true...the anxiety and concerns that I will I be alone for the rest of my life are gone. The questioning...am I so unlovable that no body will ever love me...has been answered.

While I know I’m a lot less than perfect...I am most grateful to God for bringing Chris. A man who is mature in his faith. One who sees my flaws but has been able to look past them to see something good that God has given me. He is willing to work through the uncomfortable challenges and differences in us. Working through those times...and coming out on the other side have helped us to become closer.

When my precious childlike friend commented that she desires to one day marry...it was so painful. When I turn and see so many wonderful women around me...women who are smarter or prettier or better than me in so many respects...when I see them in the same predicament that I was for so many years...it hurts. I hurt for them because the pain of unending singleness and lack of romantic love is still very fresh. I know it well and it left many a scar. Part of me is tempted to cry out "Why...I don’t understand it".

Yet...I know in part it’s the consequences and outworking of a society that has replaced marriage and family...with uncommitted sex and self-fulfillment. The millions of single men and women who are alone and lonely have reaped the consequences that have come from poor judgment and sin. Even those who are not outwardly sinning and breaking God’s commands are bearing the brunt of the increasing tidal wave of consequences.

I am so grateful to God for acting on my behalf. Fulfilling my life long dream to be married. For going before both Chris and I...preparing us and fitting us so perfectly for one another. By His divine plan and providence bring two people who otherwise would have never met, much less taken a second look at one another and allowing us to enter into the covenant of marriage. How marvelous and miraculous are Your ways oh God?

God answered my prayer for a husband and Chris’ prayer to be stretched and taken out of his comfort zone...in one fell swoop...by bringing us together. By removing our impaired vision when we first met and allowing us to see one another’s heart. By moving and stirring in our hearts that could have so easily been hardened and settled. By holding our hands as we crossed a mighty river of fear into the unknown. By helping and guiding us to say, “yes God”, when we encountered the scary territories of trusting God and learning to trust each other.

Dare I think that my mighty God who had compassion upon me...He who heard my cries does not hear the cries of my sisters who remain single not by choice? Do I think that God will not be moved to go before them...and give them the desires of their heart?

God is no respecter of persons. What He’s done for me...He is more than able to do the same and mightier works than these...for those whom He chooses to act.

Thus...I must lift up my sisters in prayer. Those whose pain...I know all to well. I also know my God. I know firsthand the compassionate, mighty, out working of His plan according to His perfect will and timing.

The Battle

Weary

From the seemingly endless attacks

Relentless

On every side

“No more!”

I cry out

I want to give up

Step aside

Take a break

For just a little while

What’s that?

Is that a snicker I hear?

“Discouragement,

Job well done!”

Success

She’s let down her shield again

We’ll win

If she comes to the battle alone

Victory is ours

If she comes unarmed and unprepared

The battle is on

Let’s turn up the heat

Be subtle

Lest she’ll turn to her God again

Oh no...she’s on bended knee

Pleading with her Lord for strength

She beseeches Him

To guard her heart and mind in Christ Jesus

She remembers

He will never leave nor forsake her

She asks for wisdom

For God to guide her every step

If the battle remains between us

The victory is ours

If she enlists the help of her God

All is lost

Susan Bunts

August 10, 2008

Transforming Power

In my weakness
I want to turn around and walk away
But by the power of the Holy Spirit
I will return to the lion’s den this day


In my flesh
I want to strike back
But under the control of the Holy Spirit
I will choose to turn the other cheek


In my sin nature
I want to tell others of the offense against me
By the transforming power of Christ within
I will instead offer a prayer for the offender


In my humanity
Tears flow as I’m surrounded by quite
From the Word planted in my heart
I’m reminded that God will wipe every tear from my eyes


In my solitude
I attempt to wrestle against the spiritual forces of darkness
When I remember I am part of the body of Christ
I reach out and ask for my day to be covered in prayer


In my self confidence
I fail to prepare for spiritual warfare
In His wisdom, power and strength
I put on the full armor of God so I can stand against the devil’s schemes


By Susan Bunts
July 25, 2008

Scars & Wounds

Scars deeply embedded

Wounds left over from childhood

Seemingly dead and buried

Make themselves known

Affecting relationships even today

What I hear

Is much different than what was said

Unable to differentiate

What was intended

Verses what was felt

At any hint

Of irritation, anger or disappointment

I find my defenses mount up

Emotions shut down

Now I don’t have to feel or risk being hurt

Trying and stay ahead

Anticipate each move

Feeling justified

In my inability to trust

Will I ever feel loved?

Will I turn to Him

The One who binds my wounds

The Healer of my soul

Only He can set this prisoner free

Will I allow Him to show me how to trust again

Will I let the One

Who taught the angels to sing

To fill my heart and mouth

With songs of praise

How long until I sing the song of freedom

By Susan Bunts

July 23, 2008

Decisions...Prayerfully Considered

Decisions, decisions,
Oh Lord, may my response,
Be according to Your will,
Answering Your call,
Hearing Your voice alone.

If this is my imagine,
Trying to shape circumstances,
Interpreting the signs,
Imposing my will, but calling it Yours.
Stop me in my tracks...let me proceed no further.

May my desire,
Be obedience to my Father,
To please Him,
To love my Savior,
By serving the body of Christ where You have called me.

May I not seek my own glory,
Or try to proceed,
On my own strength, wisdom and power,
Instead may I know that this call is so far beyond me,
That I’m fully leaning and relying upon You.

Decisions, decisions,
May You guide my heart and mind,
Make Your leading clear,
Give me a holy unease,
If I dare to stray from the path You have set before me.

Susan Bunts
July 18, 2008

Tonight I received a phone called that seems to be the answer to a prayer. But as I started to pray that God would guide and direct me....make His leading clear, I realized that as much as I want to have my prayer answered...more than that...I desire to be in God’s will.

Because this decision will effect my husband to be...I needed to seek his counsel. To ask him to be in prayer regarding this. I also must willing to heed his counsel. He is a godly man...and God is well able to guide and direct Chris’ thinking, as well as my own. Will I choose to respect Chris’ wisdom and direction...even if it differs from mine?

In bringing Chris and I together God answered my prayer for a godly husband. At the same time...God answered Chris’ prayer to be stretched and taken out of his comfort zone. Sometimes, I teasingly tell Chris to stop the prayers for stretching...because when He stretches Chris...He’s stretching me too.

At the end of the day...I honestly don’t know which way God will direct us. Is this God answering Chris’ prayer for stretching? Will it be a test to see if I will respect and obey my husband to be? Even if it’s contrary to what I want or feel comfortable with?

Will we be in unified in our decision...in step with one another? Of one accord?

I’m glad I don’t have to rely on my own wisdom or the fickle deceitfulness of my feelings. But instead I can fully lean and trust in God as He answers my prayer for Him to guide and direct Chris and I in an important decision.

Eternal Destiny

Dare I take comfort in the thought,
That my loved one is no longer suffering?
When in fact, an unbeliever who perishes without Christ,
Has just begun to suffer and now knows the truth of eternal punishment.

Dare I take comfort in the calm assurance,
From a man who calls himself “Pastor”?
But one who fails to proclaim Jesus Christ and Him crucified,
As the only way to salvation.

Dare I take comfort in the platitudes offered,
By those who ignorantly believe that being “spiritual” saves us?
Saves us from what?
Condemnation from a holy, righteous, just God who was offended by our sin?

Dare I believe that I will live on in the memories of others?
What happens when they perish?
Or is it then that I perish...when no one remains who knew me?
When there is no one who was once touched and influenced by me?

Dare I serve a god,
Made of my own making...a god made in my own image?
A hodge podge of my own choosing...taking only what I like,
Selecting that which makes me feel comfortable and good about myself?

Or dare I believe that there is but One God?
One Mediator between God and man.
One Savior, Christ Jesus, whose blood was shed on the cross,
Who for once, for all...paid my sin debt in full.

Dare I acknowledge my sin?
Receive forgiveness through God’s only Son?
Dare I repent and loudly proclaim to a world lost in their sin,
Jesus Christ...salvation is found only in Him!

By Susan Bunts
July 5, 2008

Dedicated to those who are perishing in their sin...who have yet to receive Jesus Christ and Him crucified, His death on the cross as payment in full, covering their sin. Dedicated to those who call themselves pastor, but who do not know that Jesus Christ is the Way, the Truth and the Life...thus they can not boldly proclaim Jesus Christ and Him crucified. It is my prayer that one day your name will be written in the Lamb’s Book of Life and that you will not take or offer false comfort when someone dies without Christ. That instead it will become your life long mission to preach Jesus Christ to a lost and dying world.