Poetry & Prose - "The Light of Your Presence"

The Light of Your Presence and the Fire of Your Glory set my heart ablaze.

            Forever I will love you and for all eternity I will sing Your praise.

My spirit is refreshed in the Water of Life flowing from Your Throne.

            Gladness of heart and fullness of joy are found in You alone.

I will lift up my eyes unto the hills where my help comes from.

            You are the Rock upon which I stand and into Your Presence I run.

For You alone are my hiding place and I put my trust in You.

            You lift me up on Eagle’s wings and my strength is renewed.

When the storm clouds gather with waves crashing all about, 

            You are a very present help in trouble removing all fear and doubt.

Even in the midst of the raging seas and all hope seems to be gone,

            You fill my life with joyous laughter and my heart overflows with song.

Your refreshing Wind blows over me like a gentle breeze,

            Touching my heart with Your mercy, grace and peace.

 Your loving kindness breathes new life into my soul.

             The sweet Rain of Your Spirit revives me and makes me whole.

You fill me with Your song in the midnight hour and You are my living hope.

            You mean everything to me for You are my eternal home.

 Let Your Light shine through me as I learn to walk in your ways.

            Lord, let me live in the Light of Your Presence every single day.

Contributed by Lesta of Heartsong Treasures.  Used by permission.

Happy Reading in Poetry's Presence

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Answers in Faith ~~ "Be still, and know that I am God"

BE STILL, AND KNOW THAT I AM GOD

Many years ago, I was walking to the barn to tend to the animals.  A light snow had fallen softly on the ground.  I looked down and found a small bird lying in the snow.  I picked it up wondering if it was injured or maybe just cold.  I held it in my hand and tenderly stroked the bird.  He stayed still in my hand as I gently stroked his head, his wings and his tiny body.  

I sensed a spiritual moment happening as I felt the gentle touch of the Holy Spirit tugging ever so slightly upon the strings of my heart.  It was as if time stood still, and I felt the awesome presence of the Lord.   Suddenly the bird came to life and flew away.

What had just happened?  The whisper of the Holy Spirit spoke softly to my heart.  “Be still and know that I am God.  Be still and let me pour my love upon you.  You are like that fleeting bird, and you flee away when I get close to you.   I want to touch you, warm your cold heart, and let you know that I am here. I will never leave you or forsake you. Take time to be still, and let me love you.”

Our Heavenly Father wants to touch us with His love. But we, like that bird, fly away because we think we are too busy with too many things to do, too many places to go, too many people to see, too many responsibilities on our plate, too many, too many……….

Let us learn to be still before God and let His love envelope us and fill us with His Presence.


Contributed by Ted and written by Lesta of Heartsong Treasures. 

"God is our refuge and strength,

A very present help in trouble.
Therefore we will not fear,
Even though the earth be removed,
And though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea;
Though its waters roar and be troubled,
Though the mountains shake with its swelling.

There is a river whose streams shall make glad the city of God,
The holy place of the tabernacle of the Most High.
God is in the midst of her, she shall not be moved; 
God shall help her, just at the break of dawn.
The nations raged, the kingdoms were moved;
He uttered His voice, the earth melted.

The Lord of hosts is with us;
The God of Jacob is our refuge.   Selah.

Come, behold the works of the Lord,
Who has made desolations in the earth.
He makes wars to cease to the end of the earth;
He breaks the bow and cuts the spear in two;
He burns the chariot in the fire.

Be still, and know that I am God;
I will be exalted among the nations,
I will be exalted in the earth!

The Lord of hosts is with us;
The God of Jacob is our refuge."  Selah

Psalm 46, NKJV

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Real Women - Real Answers: The Demise of A Pretty Pink Dress

THE DEMISE OF A PRETTY PINK DRESS

     Years ago, when I was a young girl, I heard the story of how Jesus walked on water, held out His hand to Peter, said "Come," and Peter obeyed. Somehow, I missed the part that Peter sank!  In the same sermon, the Pastor read the scripture that with God, all things are possible.  Those are the two things that I heard in that sermon so long ago.

     You can do anything if you have enough faith, even defy gravity and walk on water.  Sounds easy enough!  In my young and innocent mind, I just knew this to be true, and I came up with a bright idea that would simply put that truth to the test.  After church and still dressed in my pretty pink dress of many pleats, I bravely walked out to the canal behind our house and just knew without a doubt I could do the same thing as Jesus did – because after all – all things are possible with God – right? 

     Well, I took my leap of faith, stepped off the canal bank and into the water – and guess what? Yep, you got it right!  I got wet – very wet, and my pretty pink dress with many pleats was now a brown muddy mess without any pleats.  Oh dear, now what was I going to do to?   How on earth was I going to keep my mother from finding out that I ruined that dress?  (She had bought it for me as an Easter dress and told me to take good care of it as it was a ‘dry clean only’).  I literally trembled with fear.  I hid that pretty pink dress and to this day, I have no idea or remembrance of what I did with it.   Must be lost in the sea of forgetfulness!  My mom, well, she never asked about it.  Talk about the mercy of God at work in my life and me not getting what I am sure I deserved! 

      I believe God had a good chuckle because of my foolishness. I did not drown that day and that dress was never to be found.  And -- I was spared my mother’s wrath!  It did not even enter my mind that she just might have been grateful that I didn’t drown! 

       While we are sojourners in this life, we walk by faith and not by sight.  Sometimes it is a blind faith because we do not see beyond our first steps as we travel life’s pathway.  Sometimes it may be a leap of faith by launching out into deep waters trusting God with the outcome.  Then there is a child like faith that is simple and uncomplicated by letting Him love us, taking Him at His Word, and knowing His promises are true.  There are other types of faith, some of which might be a misguided faith, foolish faith, unfounded faith and/or a misplaced faith.  Without question, the faith I operated in that day long ago was definitely one of those last four mentioned.  I took the portion of the Bible that I heard and by not hearing anything else, I acted very foolishly.  My question is, do we do that today?  Do we hear just what we want to hear to make us feel good, or do we desire the whole counsel of God?  Do we earnestly seek His face, study His Word, and learn to walk in His ways – or do we just pick and choose what we want to believe, see what we want to see, hear what we want to hear, and choose to walk our own way?

        I learned a few lessons about that event long ago.  God definitely has a sense of humor. He keeps us from drowning in the sea of our own foolishness, ignorance, and stupidity.  He forgives our sins and throws them into the sea of forgetfulness.  He holds out His hand and lifts us up out of the sea of circumstances.  He helps us up out of the miry clay, cleans us off, and places our feet on solid ground so we can walk with Him as we learn to walk in His ways.  Let us seek His face, study His Word, and learn His ways.  Let us walk in the Light of His Presence and trust Him in all things. The Holy Spirit is with us and abides within us. He will guide us, teach us, comfort us and empower us as we surrender our lives to Him.  God is more than able to keep us on the right path as we put our faith and trust in Him.  I just need to learn to do things His way, not mine. Yes indeed, I still believe with all my heart that with God all things are possible.  (Matthew 19:26)

Contributed by Lesta of Heartsong Treasures.

If you have a comment related to child-like faith or faith in general, I would enjoy hearing from you.

Keep the faith and Happy Reading!

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Poetry & Prose Tuesday ~~ "Love Is"

"LOVE IS"

Love is like a flower

            that never fades away.

It blooms forth ever so brightly

            and does not close at the end of day.

Love is like a fragrant aroma

            that lingers in the air.

Its scent grows even stronger

            when matched up with a pair.

Love is like a delicious dessert

            piled high with whipping cream.

It covers over a multitude of sins

            and helps you live your dream.

Love is that touch of a tender hand

            that signals you are special.

It’s quite often extended

            just when your need is crucial.

Love is the song that plays

            upon the tender strings of your heart.

Its melody is the shield

            that will protect you from the fiery dart.

So reach out and

            See

            Smell

            Taste

            Touch

            And listen to love today!

You will be glad you did

            and it will keep you from fading away.


Watercolor Flower Art Card

Blank greeting cards are a great way to express your Valentine’s thoughts ~~

http://www.greetingcarduniverse.com/holiday-cards/valentines-day-cards/mom-mother/general-mom-mother/greeting-card-543584?aid=131660

Poetry for the soul ~~ Happy Reading!

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Guest Blogger: Carol M Green shares her Sugar Cookie Recipe

Meet my guest blogger, Carol M Green (M stands for Magnificent, actually). Carol is a grandmother and she runs. Running is one way she helps ensure that she will be around to enjoy many years of grand-mothering. Her motto is “Learn to laugh and laugh while you learn,” because - what else are you going to do? Once you have learned, put it on paper and help others to learn. Carol shares her talents as a book coach, speaker, and social media coach.

I am excited to be Sheila's first guest blogger! I'm sharing this recipe I adapted from one I obtained from my sister.  It's been years, but I think I added more shortening. I never vary from Butter Flavor Crisco! (NO SUBSITUTES) These almost melt in your mouth!  Make a batch for Valentine's Day!
 
Carol's Sugar Cookies

• 1 C Butter Flavored Crisco
• 1 C Granulated Sugar
• 2 Eggs
• 1/2 tsp Vanilla
• 1 tsp Baking powder
• 1/2 tsp Salt
• 3 C Flour

Cream together shortening and sugar. Beat in eggs and vanilla. Blend in one cup of the flour. Add baking powder and salt and blend well. Add remaining flour - reserving about 1/4 cup for rolling dough. Mix well.

Dough will be soft. Do not refrigerate. Use remaining flour to keep dough from sticking while rolling out. Roll dough to 1/4 inch thick. Cut out cookies and bake in 400 degree oven for seven minutes. Do not allow edges to brown. Baking times may need to be adjusted.
Allow cookies to cool and decorate with your favorite frosting recipe. (Mine is in my head!  I just add ingredients until it looks and tastes right, but here are some things to help you...)

My Favorite Frosting Recipe

1/4 - 1/2 C butter, softened
1 tsp Vanilla
Powdered Sugar
Milk (about 1/4 cup)
Dash of salt

Cream butter and add vanilla.  I then begin adding powdered sugar and milk alternately until I have a fluffy white frosting. When I am happy with the consistency, I add a dash of salt. A seasoned southern belle once told me, "The salt makes the sweet sweeter."

Add food coloring and sprinkles - or not. It's really about what makes you happy!

Let them melt in your mouth!

You can find Carol at Running Granny Green or on Facebook.

Visit my Guest Bloggers page to get to know all of my blogging friends.

Happy Baking!