The Ring

I stepped into the ring today
Before I knew it the bell had rung
The fight was on

The first punch was doubt
Followed by a blow of discouragement
Well aimed at my heart

I didn’t have my gear on
Soon I was blocked on all sides
Couldn’t even lift my head

I cried out
Sought deliverance from my Lord
Silence ensued as I waited

In the heavenlies
A battle raged
Between unseen forces of good and evil

Suddenly…there was a break
I was freed
Saved from a powerful foe

I emerged weary, worn and tired
While no human eye could see it
A battle was waged in the heavenlies

May I cling to my risen Savior
Daily equip myself with the armor God has provided
Remember the battle belongs to the Lord…Jehovah-Nissi

Praise God the enemy is a vanquished foe
The crushing blow was wielded at the cross
His victory certified when Christ arose from the grave


Susan Bunts Wachtel
May 27, 2009

The Pretender

He sat in the pews among us
Heard sermons proclaiming God’s Word
Sang the great hymns alongside us
He was with us, but not of us

Sermons were heard
But his heart was not convicted
Hymns were sung
But there was no worship in his heart nor praise on his lips

He tasted the Bread of Life
But did not eat
He sipped the Living Water
But did not drink

His heart has become hardened
His ears accustomed to tuning out the Word of God
The Holy Spirit knocks at the door of his heart
But that knocking will one day cease

He has been enlightened, tasted and shared
In the goodness and mercy of the Lord
Yet he continues to sin
There is no sign of repentance

Oh Lord
May he heed Your warning
That it is impossible for those who have fallen away
To be brought back to repentance


By Susan Bunts Wachtel
May 31, 2009


Hebrews 6:4-6

It is impossible for those who have once been enlightened, who have tasted the heavenly gift, who have shared in the Holy Spirit, who have tasted the goodness of the word of God and the powers of the coming age, if they fall away, to be brought back to repentance, because to their loss they are crucifying the Son of God all over again and subjecting him to public disgrace.


It was sobering hearing a Bible study taught by Pastor Dave Dunn on Hebrew 6:1-8. We all know people who sit alongside us in church that are not Christians. They hear the Word of God but continue unrepentant in their sin. Tuning out the warnings of the Holy Spirit.

There may be some who give the appearance of being a Christian, but there is no growth or demonstration of the fruit of the Spirit in their life. While there may be no overt sin, their hearts are far from God and they will one day walk away. They are in church, but not in Christ. Oh Lord, may they not presume upon Your mercy and but turn to You for forgiveness of their sin. Today is the day of salvation.

Oh Lord, may I examine my own heart, mind, will and actions. Measure them against Your Word. May I have ears to hear and a heart that is quick to repent and turn to You.

Far Away

How is it
I feel far away
From the One who will never leave me?

How is it
I feel deserted
By the Him who will never forsake me?

How is it
I feel separated
From God who indwells me with His Holy Spirit?

How can I
Trust my feelings
Which contradict the Word of God?

How can I
Believe the enemy’s lies
Rather than remember God’s faithfulness?

Susan Bunts Wachtel
May 15, 2009


This poem was written on a low day, in which the enemy’s attacks were many. Finally relief came in answer to prayer. I found hope and peace when I encouraged myself with reminders of God’s faithfulness and through the truth found in His word.

There, But for the Grace of God

With all that’s been going on in our lives in recent months…I wouldn’t have guessed I’d be writing about Disneyland. But after a brief visit…my heart is full and my mind is mulling over what we encountered.

The Disneyland that I remember fondly from my youth sure has changed.

To celebrate Valentine’s Day and the anniversary of our first date I surprised Chris with annual passes to Disneyland. I figured in the coming months, especially after we purchased a home, it would be a nice getaway.

After a busy, hectic and stressful week…I decided to surprise Chris by getting away for the evening. I can’t remember the last time I’ve been to Disneyland. Maybe 10 years or more. In those intervening years I’ve changed a lot. My Christian faith isn’t just a “go to church on Sunday” kind of faith, but instead it’s deep abiding faith. It influences everything I do, say, see and participate in.

My desire is to seek God fully, to love Him and obey Him. There are days I’m still too full of myself and make poor choices…but thankfully under the guidance of the Holy Spirit I continue to grow daily. I’m forgiven for those times when I sin and by His grace I don’t repeat those sins.

I guess my point is that I see everything in my life through the filter of God and His word.

So when Chris and I went on a ride that I had been on many times in the past…I was surprised by my reaction. Instead of seeing the magic of the animation and adventure…I was seeing it through adult eyes…and one who loves Jesus Christ.

Pirates of the Caribbean…who wouldn’t like that ride? Well…namely me.

Pirates are not good people. They are evil people who engage in all manner of sin and revel in it. Remember recent the events when Somali pirates kidnapped a ship’s captain?

Even the Disneyland ride portrays pirate’s deeds. Let’s see…thievery, drunkenness, kidnapping, sexual immortality, rape, and murder to name a few. However you don’t come away from the ride deeply aware of the wickedness of their sin. Instead you come away humming the tune, “Yo ho, yo ho…a pirate’s life for me”.

Does it strike anyone odd that Disneyland celebrates with lightheartedness the adventures of being a pirate?

On we went to our next ride. How could you go wrong with Splash Mountain? Come on…it’s a kid’s ride.

But this time it wasn’t the ride that caused consternation…instead of was some people standing in line ahead of us. Their behavior caused just about everyone around them to turn away in discomfort or embarrassment.

There were two teen age girls in line, not more than 16 or 17 years old. In their inebriated state, they were engaging in intimate sexual contact with one another. Right in front of families with young children. One of the people around us said they appeared to be on Ecstasy. Whatever it was…they seemed to be on some weird trip and oblivious to everyone around them.

At first I was annoyed by their self centered inappropriate behavior. I was equally annoyed that Disneyland employees seemed to turn a blind eye to their inappropriate behavior. I didn’t know if I should try to find an employee to address the situation or just leave?

Most everyone around us turned away from the girls in embarrassment. Chris and I were glad that our presence blocked the view of a young boy with him mom from seeing the girls.

At first I also turned away. But as the situation continued…I was praying for these girls. Instead of turning away…I was looking at them and hoping that they might actually speak to me. I had a sense of their overwhelming state of being lost. That at such a young age…they were taking drugs and couldn’t distinguish between appropriate and inappropriate public behavior, much less the sinfulness of their actions.

Afterwards I was thinking about their parents. Do their parents have a clue about the depths that their children have sunk? Isn’t the fact that their bodies are heavily tattooed a clue that they may be troubled? What had their parents told them about right and wrong? Or is whatever makes them feel good about themselves that is permitted? Were the girls ever told about what God says in the Bible about homosexuality? Do they have a mom and dad at home? Are they waiting up for them, pacing the floor when they come home late?

When we got off the ride the girls were sitting off to the side. I’m not sure if they were sitting there of their own accord or if a Disneyland employee stopped them and called security.

Even after we left I found myself praying for those girls. Mostly for their salvation. It’s devastating to see young people giving themselves over to sin. Oblivious to the consequences, not only in this life, but for eternity.

If I had it to do over again, I would have probably got out of line and found an employee to address the situation. I would have also been in prayer for these troubled, deceived girls lost in their sin.

But thank you Lord…He is able to save completely all who call upon the name of Jesus Christ and receive forgiveness for their sins.

Lest I feel too good about myself or think I don’t sin, I remind myself, “There but for the grace of God, there go I.”

Rest in the Lord

When I feel overwhelmed
By the daily pressures of life
Will I find rest in You Lord?

When every part of me
Wants to turn and run away
Will I instead run to You so I can face the day?

When the heavy demands
Keep on coming
Will I turn to You and receive the strength to carry on?

When I’m at my breaking point
Will I fall broken before You
Renew my heart and mind in Christ Jesus?

When the world around me
Has stress at every turn
Will I come to You and take peace?

When I’m looking at my circumstances
Tempted to doubt
Will I trust in the One who is faithful and true?

When the world around me
Changes at a breakneck speed
Will I stand firm in the shadow of my immutable God?

When I hunger and thirst
For truth and righteousness
Will I come to the Holy One of God?

When I don’t know what to do or say
Desperate for understanding
Will I ask for wisdom from God who is all knowing?

When I want to escape
Leave it all behind
Will I take refuge in the Lord?

When I feel like I’m going to drown
Overwhelmed by the flood and darkness is closing in
Will I believe God is able to deliver me?

When I’m downcast
Tempted to doubt, grumble and complain
Will my lips praise and glorify Your Name?

Will I choose a life of comfort and ease
Or choose to endure difficult circumstances
If it means Your presence is with me?

By Susan Bunts Wachtel
May 12, 2009

It's Been a Year

It’s been a year
Since I last saw you among the living

Not a day goes by
That I don’t think of you

Your passing would have been easier
If I had the assurance of your eternal destination

Instead of remembering your death
I would have been celebrating the anniversary of your home going

As it is…I’ll have to wait until I get to heaven
To see if we’ll have a reunion

While I hated what Alzheimer’s did to you
I hadn’t known a day without you in my life

In the end the Alzheimer’s won
But only because you gave up

Every time I drive by a place where we went
I think of you and remember both the good times and bad

I remember our Sunday afternoons
Sharing a treat from Starbuck and a movie…sometimes even a nap

Even though my life has gone on without you
I often think, “Gayle would have liked this”

I wished you could have been at my wedding
Sitting in the seat of honor

I’m grateful that you got to meet
The man I would one day marry

On this night one year ago
I sat by your bedside and prayed

I whispered in your ear
Sang hymns and told you about Jesus

Now a year later, my husband and I
Stepped foot for the first time into our new home

I know you would have liked it
It’s bright and open, sunny and cheery

There’s a yard with lots of space to garden
I wish you would have been here to enjoy it maybe even show me the ropes

One day I hope to paint the kitchen yellow
So that I can think of you when I’m in it

It’s been a year now
God has brought many changes, more than I could have ever imagined

But even in the midst of the busyness and change
I think of you…and miss you



Susan Bunts Wachtel
April 28, 2009


Today is one year since my mother Gayle Lorenat died. Even though the last few years were hard because of Alzheimer's I sure do miss her.

Susan Boyle...I Deamed a Dream

From sneers to a standing ovations...watch this video of an amazingly talented singer, Susan Boyle. Click on hyperlink above. Get the tissues.

Fix Our Eyes on Jesus

“Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the Author and Perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.”

Hebrews 12:2

“So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.”

2 Corinthians 4:18

Lying in Wait

Gossip thinly disguised as a prayer request
Only serves to tear down and cause division

No one is exempt
From being the next victim

Leaders faithfully serving the body of Christ
Have decisions questioned at every turn

Those enduring trials and tribulation
Are a delicious topic of conversation for the gossiping tongue

Opinion and speculation
Pass for an intimate knowledge of the facts

Even the innocent bystander
May fall prey to the gossiping tongue

Gossips raise themselves up
By trampling on the reputation of another

The sin of gossip tears people down
Both the victim and the one with the uncontrolled tongue

Sometimes motivated by boredom
Gossip makes the perpetrator feel important

It gives the appearance of being “in the know”
Or the confidant of so many friends

Never is an opportunity lost to sully a reputation
Or call into question someone’s motives

Like an viper lying in wait
At an opportune moment…the gossip will strike with their venomous poison


Susan Bunts Wachtel
April 24, 2009

The Lamb of God

The sinless Lamb of God
Bore our sins upon His body

The Father’s wrath was poured out
Upon His innocent Son

“Father, forgive them for they know not what they do”
Beseeched from the Holy One whom they had rejected

Mocked when He proclaimed that He was King of the Jews
Yet He is the King of kings and Lord of lords

The ones He had healed
Stood before the cross condemning their Healer

Those whose sight was restored
Were blinded to the Savior before them

Those who could hear after Jesus’ miraculous touch
Were deaf to the Word of God

Those whose tongues were loosed
Were now crying “Crucify Him”

Those who sat on the hillside listening to the Sermon on the Mount
Now reviled and persecuted the Teacher who came to show them The Way

Those who hungered and were fed with loaves and fishes
Showed contempt for the One who was moved with compassion

The Pharisees who diligently studied God’s Word
Did not recognize the Scriptures fulfillment

The Disciples that Jesus called to follow Him
Had now fled, save one who stayed nearby

The Innocent’s blood was shed
For the guilty who stand condemned in their sin

The cleansing blood of the Lamb applied to the sin debt
Of those whom the Father had given Him from before the foundations of the world

The condemned clothed in self righteousness
Will stand before the Holy, Righteous Son of God to give an account

The guilty clothed in Christ’s Righteousness
Stand forgiven and are bid to enter in


Susan Bunts Wachtel
April 23, 2009

In the Silence

In the silence
God is at work
Attending to details
Of which I’m unaware

Will I be anxious
Worry and fret…when and how will it all work out
Or will I trust Him
Confident that God is faithful and more than able

Will I try to be in control
Get out ahead of God
Or will I be obedient
Take only the next step that God has directed

My peace during times of uncertainty
Is found in the presence of Christ Jesus
My security is found
When I walk hand in hand with my Savior

By Susan Bunts Wachtel
April 22, 2009