Carlsbad January 2009

"Finally Home" by Mercy Me

Somewhere There is SomeOne

Today’s technology never ceases to amaze me…especially the internet. While still a novice…even this Facebook rookie has been able to reconnect with folks that have seemingly slipped away.

To my surprise and delight I found Allan Cason on Facebook and added him as a friend. Allan used to go to Kindred Community Church and was part of the worship team and choir during our early years. When writing on Allan’s Facebook wall…I inquired if the singing group that he is a part of, The Sylvia Cotton Singers, had a CD out yet. Much to my delight and surprise the answer was yes.

Not only did Allan respond that The Sylvia Cotton Singers had released their first CD, “Somewhere There is SomeOne”, but he graciously offered to send me one. He didn’t have to ask twice for my address.

During the years that Sylvia Cotton, Allan Cason, Pamela Edwards and Paige Petes were part of the worship team…I so enjoyed their music. So it was with much excitement and anticipation that looked forward to hearing their CD.

After telling my husband Chris about The Sylvia Cotton Singers…I put the CD in. I wasn’t disappointed…it was definitely worth the wait.

There is so much I love about the CD, “Somewhere There is SomeOne”. It has a smooth jazz sound…and the lyrics are very God centered and biblically sound. Sylvia, Allan, Pamela and Paige love the Lord Jesus…their love and heart for worship come through in the music. It’s very relaxing. But some of the songs had my husband Chris and me swaying to the music. There are times you’ve just got to dance and sing along.

The lyrics, which were written by Sylvia Cotton, focus on Jesus…honor and glorify Him. In a sense…I almost found them meditative on the person of Jesus Christ…who He is and His attributes. Sylvia’s talents also include music composition. She wrote both the music and lyrics. Wonderful job Sylvia!

Blessed by God with singing talent…Sylvia, Allan, Pamela and Paige did a wonderful job on their first CD. I hope there are many more to come if the Lord tarries.

I’ll be playing this CD when I want to relax, de-stress or just plain worship the Lord and remember Who He is.

Thank you dear ones for sharing…and congratulations on your first CD. It was marvelous!

Letting Go

So much of life
Is learning to let go

Letting go of people
Who will leave long before I’m ready to say goodbye

Letting go of expectations
Of how I think someone should act

Letting go of my will
Accepting God’s will for my life

Letting go of a dream
Without letting go of hope

Letting go of sorrows
Putting my hope and trust in God

Letting go of my way
Choosing to put others first

Letting go of my sin
Remembering I am dead to sin and alive to Christ

Letting go of bitterness and hurt
Applying the healing balm of forgiveness

Letting go of envy
Filled with gratitude for what the Lord has given me

Letting go of hatred
Walking in love

Letting go of the past
Living in the present

Letting go of taking the easy way
Willing to endure for that which is of eternal value

Letting go of fear
Taking courage in the Lord’s presence

Letting go of failure
Believing that God will redeem my past

Letting go demands for deliverance on my schedule
Instead praying for the grace to endure

Letting go of faithlessness
Asking and believing God for the impossible

Letting go of my timetable
Trusting God and His perfecting timing

Letting go of “Why God?”
Asking “What will You do through this Lord?”


Susan Bunts Wachtel
January 27, 2009

There Must Be A Rainbow

I look up

Find the sky is filled with rain clouds

As far as my eye can see

Overhead dark threatening clouds

Large rain drops start to fall

I’d best take cover

But my eyes are fixed

On the strange golden glow

Surrounding those once ominous clouds

The glow of the sun

Cannot be hid

By even the fiercest storm

I begin to search the sky

For when the sun appears in the midst of the storm

My heart tells me…there must be a rainbow up there somewhere

By Susan Bunts Wachtel

January 23, 2009

Dedicated to my husband, Chris Wachtel. Through the stormy, cloudy times…may we always have hope and look expectantly for the rainbow. Not looking for a sign like a wicked generation, but one who is assured that God is with us, knowing He is faithful and true. Confident that He will deliver us in His time, according to His perfect plan.

Yesterday when leaving work the sky was filled with rain clouds...but there was a beautiful golden glow. I looked up and just knew that up there, somewhere, there was a rainbow.

Choose This Day

The world tells me
Be open and tolerant
Accept all points of view
All are of equal worth

But God tells me
Narrow is the path that leads to life
Salvation is found in no other name
Than Jesus Christ

The world tells me
Just do the right thing
Encourages me to feel good about myself
Then I’ll be at peace and at one with the world

But God tells me
Before I came to Christ
I was at enmity with God
In me lies no good thing

The world tells me
The only real sin is to be judgmental
That I should live as I please…put myself first
Without concern about heaven or hell because there is no God

But God warns me
Some have a form of godliness, without power
They are lovers of self
And do not love God

The world tells me
It’s wrong to say Jesus is the only way
Surely all paths lead to God
Who am I to tell someone else they are wrong

But God tells me
That Jesus is the Way, the Truth and the Life
If I confess with my mouth, believe with my heart
I will be saved!

How can I withhold the truth
From those who are lost and perishing
Blinded by the enemy
Deceived…and believing a lie

There are no second chances
No purgatory to pay for my sin
No good work that will save me
Except one

Only God’s perfect sacrifice
The atoning work of Jesus Christ on the cross
Testify I must
Of His redeeming love


by Susan Bunts Wachtel
January 21, 2009

Sunset in California

God is a Painter of unparallel magnificence...He was having a wonderful time this evening with His creation.

On a mini vacation in Carlsbad, California for the weekend. We got some amazing shots...especially of this magnificent sunset. More pictures to follow from our trip. As we were driving to the beach I was in a hurry to get there so I could get my camera out to capture the sunset...and it did not disappoint me. But I was struck with the thought that one day...there will be no more sunsets or sunrises.

My husband Chris Wachtel...was actually willingly photographed a couple of times this weekend. While it looks unreal...the picture is real...no touch ups from Photoshop. With those handsome blue eyes...what girl wouldn't want to marry this handsome fellow?

The Previousness of God

The previousness of God
At work in my present
Revealed in my future
He is working all things together for good
For this one who loves the Lord

At His appointed time
He turns wrong into right
Bad into good
Weaving the circumstances of my life
Into the tapestry of His eternal plan

No need to fear
Or waste time with anxiety
Instead I am called to trust Him
When no answers are forthcoming
Or when I don’t understand

Oh to glorify Him
With my life
Testify to the goodness of God
In all circumstances
That is my heartfelt plea


By Susan Bunts Wachtel
January 13, 2009

Because

Because the Lord is my Shepherd
I have…
Joy in my sorrow
Comfort in my pain
Faith in my doubt
Light in the darkness
Peace in the storms
Hope in my trials
Strength in my weakness
Forgiveness of my sin
A never forsaking Friend


by Susan Bunts Wachtel
January 11, 2009

Dedicated to special friends for whom I am most grateful. Love you and praying for you dear ones.

Keeper of the Memories

I think this is what it must feel like
To be old
I hold in my hands
Mementos and treasures
To no one but me

Shoe boxes filled with cards
Expressing sentiments and well wishes
From friends and family so long ago
I trace your writing with my finger
Hoping to connect once again

The pictures from old
Of family I never knew
All those who loved you
Have long since passed away
I feel it my obligation to remember

When I see your smile
It causes me to wonder what made you to laugh
You had such serious eyes
What hurt, pain and thoughts
Were burdening your soul

You were a real live person
Who laughed and cried
Who loved and hated
A daughter, sister, wife, mother and someone’s best friend
A son, brother, husband, father and someone’s closest pal

By God’s providence
We are related though we may have never met
I wish I could reach across time
Tell you that I treasure the memory of you
It is with care hold your words and pictures from so long ago

As I hold these treasures from the past
I feel such profound sadness…I want to weep
Through my tears I wonder what will become of my life
What will I do that really matters
Who will remember me


Susan Bunts Wachtel
January 3, 2009