Poetry & Prose ~~ "Give Thanks"

Think about God’s wonderful gift of love,

Having sent Jesus, His only begotten Son.

Always rejoice with thanksgiving in your heart.

Never give up for He holds you safe in His arms.

Keep your eyes upon Jesus in the midst of the storm.

Stand strong in faith and give praise to our saving Lord.

Grant mercy and grace to others in their time of need.

Inspire others to reach out and be filled with His peace.

Value and treasure His gift of eternal life He freely gives.

Invite others to open their hearts to believe and receive.

Now and forever give God all the glory for all He has done.

Give thanks forevermore for His wonderful gift of love.


Contributed by Lesta of Heartsong Treasures.

Happy Reading in Poetry's Presence.

Have a wonderful Thanksgiving.  All of us have so much for which to be thankful.

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Poetry & Prose ~~ "Inspirational Twelve Days of Christmas"

On the first day of Christmas                                        

My true Lord gave to me:                                               

Faith for any situation.                               

On the second day of Christmas,                                

My true Lord gave to me:                                               

Grace to stand in Him,                                                   

and faith for any situation.                                                

On the third day of Christmas,                                     

My true Lord gave to me:                                               

Ability to rejoice in sufferings,                                    

Grace to stand in Him,                                                   

and faith for any situation.   
                                         

On the fourth day of Christmas,                                 

My true Lord gave to me:                                                               

Plenty of perseverance,                                                  

Ability to rejoice in sufferings,

Grace to stand in Him,                                                    

and faith for any situation.                                           

                                                                                                 

On the fifth day of Christmas,                                      

My true Lord gave to me:                                               

Character built in the crucible!                                                        

Plenty of perseverance,                                                  

Ability to rejoice in sufferings,                                            

Grace to stand in Him,                                                    

and faith for any situation.   

On the sixth day of Christmas,
My true Lord gave to me:
Hope as my soul's anchor,
Character built in the crucible!
Plenty of perseverance,
Ability to rejoice in sufferings,
Grace to stand in Him,
and faith for any situation.

On the seventh day of Christmas,
My true Lord gave to me.
Abundant love when needed,
Hope as my soul's anchor,
Character built in the crucible!
Plenty of perseverance,
Ability to rejoice in sufferings,
Grace to stand in Him,
and faith for any situation.

On the eighth day of Christmas,
My true Lord gave to me:
Joy to spread to others,
Abundant love when needed,
Hope as my soul's anchor,
Character built in the crucible!
Plenty of perseverance,
Ability to rejoice in sufferings,
Grace to stand in Him,
and faith for any situation.                                

On the ninth day of Christmas,  
My true Lord gave to me:                                                                          

Truth to speak in love,                                                    

Joy to spread to others,                                                   

Abundant love when needed,                                     

Hope as my soul’s anchor,                                            

Character built in the crucible!                                   

Plenty of perseverance,                                                  

Ability to rejoice in sufferings,                                    

Grace to stand in Him,                                                    

and faith for any situation.                                            

                                                                                                 

On the tenth day of Christmas,                                    

My true Lord gave to me:

Understanding of His word,                                        

Truth to speak in love,                                                   

Joy to spread to others,                                                   

Abundant love when needed,                                     

Hope as my soul’s anchor,                                            

Character built in the crucible!                                    

Plenty of perseverance,                                                  

Ability to rejoice in sufferings,                                    

Grace to stand in Him,                                                    

and faith for any situation.   

On the eleventh day of Christmas,
My true Lord gave to me:
The gift of discernment,
Understanding of His word,
Truth to speak in love,
Joy to spread to others,
Abundant love when needed,
Hope as my soul's anchor,
Character built in the crucible!
Plenty of perseverance,
Ability to rejoice in sufferings,
Grace to stand in Him,
and faith for any situation.

On the twelfth day of Christmas,
My true Lord gave to me:
Peace that passes understanding,
The gift of discernment,
Understanding of His word,
Truth to speak in love,
Joy to spread to others,
Abundant love when needed,
Hope as my soul's anchor,
Character built in the crucible!
Plenty of perseverance,
Ability to rejoice in sufferings,
Grace to stand in Him,
and faith for any situation.                                     

Isaiah 9:6 ~~ “For unto us a Child is born, unto us a Son is given; and the government will be upon His shoulder. And his name will be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.” 

Jesus is the King of Kings, and there is nothing like the life He brings!   By Him, In Him, and Through Him we have our faith, grace, abilities, perseverance, character, hope, love, joy, truth, understanding, discernment and peace. 

Happy Reading in Poetry's Presence.

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Answers in Faith ~~ "Three Challenging Words"

Do you find it challenging to say the following three words, "I am sorry"?

I think I can almost maybe hear your response, "Well, it depends."

Are there instances in which a person's actions can signal his repentance despite him not having uttered the words? 

To illustrate my questions, I would like to tell you a little true story.  Once upon a time in real life there was a woman who disparaged my children and me. She went to great lengths to use the foulest words she possibly could. This went on for quite some period of time.

As the years went by, the woman suffered misfortune from which it seems no one on earth is exempt. Proverbs 24:17-18 instructs us in the following manner:

"Do not rejoice when your enemy falls, 

And do not let your heart be glad when he stumbles;

Lest the Lord see it, and it displease Him,

And He turn away His wrath from him."

During this difficult time, I supported the woman and her family.

After several years had elapsed, my father passed away. Prior to his death, he accepted Jesus Christ as his Lord and Savior. He had also asked me to recite Psalm 23 before his casket was lowered into the earth.   

Following the funeral service, my husband parked our car at the edge of the cemetery. I got out of the passenger seat and stood on the side of the road while I waited for him to join me. Seemingly out of nowhere, this woman rushed to our car, grabbed my hand and continued to hold it while we walked to the burial plot.

People express sympathy and condolences in many ways. While she could not bring herself to utter the words I am sorry or please forgive me, I am choosing to believe that by her actions she was trying to express the equivalent of the same. I deemed that she was at least trying to meet me half way, so to speak. And she literally did meet me half way from the parking spot to the burial spot.

The woman lingered for the longest time at the dinner following the graveside gathering.  It was as if she wanted to say something, but could not bring herself to do so.

The revelation that a person's repentance can be expressed in actions as opposed to words didn't come to me all at once. It arrived in gradual degrees or increments just as the forgiveness process itself sometimes does. In their minds some people may feel that they can't quite fully trust you, which may be real or imagined. If they can't trust you, they are not going to say those three challenging words. The most important thing is to extend forgiveness and get on with your life.  If another individual wants to keep you wrapped in the barb wire of his life, it's time to get out a pair of wire cutters and set yourself free. There could be some scarring in the process, however. It's time for another short illustration.

When I was in my mid 30's, I owned a sleek black Thoroughbred gelding named Blackjack. Prior to my acquiring him, he had run through a five strand barbed-wire fence as a colt. His chest bore massive scarring as a result. If we've experienced the cutting words, emotional insults and injuries, we will bear the scars as well, but are still able to live and function.  Blackjack could run like there was no tomorrow, scars and all.

What does Jesus have to say about forgiveness?  It's not an option. It's a command. In Matthew Chapter 6, He instructed His disciples accordingly during His Sermon on the Mount:

"For if you forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you.  But if you do not forgive men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses."  [Matthew 6:14-15]

If you have a short story or testimony regarding this subject, I welcome your comments.  

In the meantime, extend forgiveness, and keep the faith since we walk by faith and not by sight.  [2 Corinthians 5:7]

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Poetry & Prose ~~ "Dad, This One Is For You"

As I reminisce about the many cherished memories

I have of my dad when I was just a child,

Like sitting on his lap listening to his funny stories

Or his silly songs causing me to laugh and smile.

My dad was a kind-hearted and humble person

Who always seemed to understand,

When I would need a hug to enfold me

Or feel the strength of his caring hands.

Even though he was a man of very few words,

He would know the right things to say.

When doubts and fears assailed my mind,

He would say,"Don’t worry, everything will be okay."

When life would bring about turbulent times,

He faced them with calm assurance and laughter in his eyes.

He reminded me that each day held promises of hope

And would point to the double rainbow in the sky.

He had an ability to discern when it was time to share

His words of wisdom and offer ways to help.

He knew when the time had come for him to step aside

And let me stand on my own and do things myself.

With heartfelt thanks and gratitude,

And without a doubt, I want my family to know,

I am grateful for lessons of life he taught me,

And he will always be my hero.

For it was only when I started my own family

That I began to ponder and reflect,

What it meant to be a loving parent

Wanting to nurture, provide and protect.

Thank you, Dad, for showing me what it means

To live my life with honor and integrity.

Thank you for being an awesome father

And being the best dad one could possibly be.

Dad, This One Is For You.

Ephesians 6:2-3

Contributed by Lesta of Heartsong Treasures. 

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Poetry & Prose ~~ "A Mother's Love"

Mom, your inner beauty flows from deep within

Like the sweet fragrance of a delicate rose,

Gracing our lives with your compassion and love,

As you share your wisdom with all you know.

Your laughter and the twinkle in your eyes,

Always produce a smile upon my face.

Your hugs remind me of the warmth of God’s love,

And the tenderness found in His loving embrace.

You constantly give of yourself in so many ways,

And through the years made many sacrifices for me.

You bring to life the desires residing in my heart,

 And believe in me so I can fulfill my destiny.

I appreciate all the wisdom and insights that you have,

And I thank you for the support you have shown.

You taught me many lessons by your example,

By putting everyone else's needs before your own.

Through the storms of life and upon the raging seas,

You spoke words of faith and hope calming all my fears.

Even when the prickly thorns appeared at my side,

The healing touch of your hand wiped away all my tears.

You have faced the challenges that came your way,

With courage and a never give up attitude.

You taught me to be grateful for all the blessings,

Giving praise to the Lord with heartfelt gratitude.

I cannot adequately express the love I have for you,

As simple words of thank you are not nearly enough.

I pray God's blessings and favor be upon you,

Please never doubt you will always have my love.

Contributed by Lesta of Heartsong Treasures

Happy Reading in Poetry's Presence

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Poetry & Prose ~~ "In the Palm of His Hand"

"IN THE PALM OF HIS HAND"

As we journey through this life,

We may encounter mysteries we cannot explain,

But in our hearts abides a true and living hope,

As we trust in His holy Name.

Though the pathway before us might seem unclear,

And we may not know what lies ahead,

We can walk with faith and confidence,

Because of what Jesus has said.

Let not your heart be troubled,

You believe in God, believe also in Me.

I will come again and receive you unto Myself,

That where I am, forever you will also be.

He is a very present help in times of trouble,

He is our refuge, strength, joy, and peace.

Though mountains may tremble and the waters may roar,

His grace will strengthen us in our time of need.

With His Word living in our hearts,

We know He is faithful and His promises are true.

We can enter into His rest with hope in our hearts

Knowing the victory is won and He will see us through.

For He knows what our future holds,

And His plans and purposes will forever stand.

He will never leave us nor forsake us,

And He holds us tenderly in the palm of His hand.

Psalm 46:1-3; Isaiah 41:10; Isaiah 49:15; and John 14:1-3

Contributed by Lesta of

Heartsong Treasures

Happy Reading in Poetry's Presence.

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