Poetry & Prose ~~ "Thank You, Lord"

"Thank You"

(A Prayer)

Lord,

Your grace so freely given

Your fruit so generously shared

The best wine poured daily

Your living water forever pure—

Suitable only for the purest—

You, your heavenly hosts—

But not for me.

Still

YOU struck the Rock

That I might drink freely.

Some days sipping

Some days thirstily, greedily.

Never offended

You are always eager to share and to bless.

Tonight

In this wee morning hour

My lips moistened with Your sweetness

I thank You.

You love me

And I love You.

YOU love me, MORE

And I love you more.

Thank You.  

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Contributed by Terry Finnerty who believes that God has created each of us for a personal, intimate relationship with Him through His Son Jesus Christ; and He communicates with us, now, through His Word and Holy Spirit, through nature, and through His inspiration of others; and that we respond to Him, if we choose, literally, through the medium that is unique to each of us-- written words, prayers, music, art, silence, and sometimes, tears. I wholeheartedly agree with Terry's belief and statement in this regard.

For this guest blog, Terry shares a prayer in the form of a poem that he wrote late one night or early morning almost two years ago.  He hopes God likes it, and that you do, too!  

Terry lives with his wife of 37 years, Terri Anne.  He's journaled for years with the intention of sharing thoughts with their two sons and daughter-in-law, surviving siblings, and friends.  Much of what he's written lately has been conversations with God from devotional periods of Bible study and other inspirational reading, prayer walks, and photography sessions.  Writing helps to deepen his awareness of his life and his relationship with Jesus Christ. Pens and pencils -- Michelangelo's chisels that reveal the Davids (or Davidas) that God has created all of us to be.

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Poetry & Prose ~~ 'Tis The Reason For The Season

In the hustle and bustle of the season,

             have you stopped to consider the reason?

Why do we toil so everything will be first rate,

             waiting until December 25^th just to celebrate?

Is your heart stirred by the good food,

             tree or gifts,

The music, cards, and parties,

             or the opening of ski-lifts?

Do you long to meet with family and friends

            that you all love so dearly,

To reminisce of times long ago

            that you still remember clearly?

Perhaps the passing of loved ones

             makes you feel lonely and sad,

It’s hard to get through this time

            because you’re just not very glad.

Millenniums ago, the prophet Isaiah foretold,

            that the virgin would bear a son,

Born in Bethlehem, and called Immanuel,

            His advent was a most humble one.

This baby boy, better known as Jesus,

            came to die on the cross for our sin.

Until we repent and accept Him as Savior,

            there’s no way we will ever win.

Is Jesus knocking on the door of your heart,

            or have you already let Him in?

Are you wearing your robe of righteousness,

            or are you still living in your sin?

So take a moment, amidst your frantic pace

            to commune with the King of Kings.

For no one else can deliver joy and peace;

            none other gives the life He brings!

This poem is featured along with twenty-nine others in Volume One of Poetry Time which is available on Amazon or in my Etsy shop, BooksbySheilaEismann.

Happy Reading in Poetry's Presence, & Merry Christmas to you and yours!

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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 ~~ "Always The More"

As I reflect upon the countless blessings

            That You have showered down on me,

I am thankful for each and every one of them,

            Even for those blessings I cannot see.           

For unconditional love that flows from Your heart,

            For the breath of life You breathe into me,

For the gift of salvation and words of eternal life,

            For the gift of grace and mercy in a time of need.

For the gift of forgiveness that is freely given,

            For the unspeakable joy that floods my soul,

For the peace that calms the raging storm,

            For the gift of healing that makes me whole.

For Your light that shines in the darkest of nights,

            For the gift of faith and hope when all else fails.

For the song of deliverance when I am afraid,

            For the freedom I have to worship You above all                             else.

For Your gift of redemption, my soul is redeemed.

            For your Presence in my life that You are here.

For Your promise that You have overcome the world,

            And Your words to us to be of good cheer.

For the gift of my family, loved ones and friends,

            There are not enough words to adequately express,

For the many ways You have shown me Your love,

            And that through them my life is truly blessed.

           

For You alone are the One I worship and praise,

            You are the One I am living for.

For You, oh Lord, are a God Who is never-the-less,

            For You are a God Who is always-the-more.

Contributed by Lesta of Heartsong Treasures.

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Poetry & Prose ~~ "Choices"

CHOICES

In the beginning when God breathed His life into man,

He had a specific purpose and eternal plan.

He gave us a free will choosing how to live our lives,

Giving us the choice to believe in Him and do what is right.

 Knowing that many opportunities will come my way,

I will try to make the right choices every day.

Learning to listen to the Spirit’s still small voice,

He will guide and direct me to make the right choice.

 Choosing life over death, love instead of hate,

Mending relationships before it’s too late.

Living a selfless life by taking up my cross,

Serving those in need not counting the cost.

Showing those around me that I care.

Spreading joy and gladness instead of despair.

Speaking life giving words of encouragement,

Bringing hope in times of discouragement.

Telling others about God’s love and gentleness,

Extending mercy through thoughtful acts of kindness.

Seeing the best in others, not looking for the worst,

Praying for blessings instead of speaking a curse.

Trusting in His Spirit, resting in His mercy and grace,

I want to make the world around me a better place.

Although I may stumble and fall, which no doubt I will,

I will always run to Jesus knowing He loves me still.

  Contributed by Lesta of Heartsong Treasures

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Real Women ~~ Real Answers: "A Woman of Worth"

I conduct Bible studies for high school girls.  Each one of them is searching for her worth.  As older or mature women, isn’t this something they should see in us?  Not all of these students have good examples set before them.  Even the ones who do still struggle. Our culture is pressing in harder than ever on the youth.  Remaining a virgin is mocked, while having lost it is the norm.   I listen to the high school girl who allows her emotions and feelings to dictate what she believes. These feelings surpass God's word and His truth. Last year one of the young women took her own life. I was devastated. I felt like I was in a losing battle for these girls and was tempted to give up. But, I know I am not in a losing battle. I am on the winning side!  This motivated me to teach the following truths from scripture pertaining to the source of our worth, but it has to start from the older women mentioned in Titus 2:1, 3-5.

Colossians Chapter 2:

I can relate to Paul in Colossians 2:1-3 (ESV), "For I want you to know how great a struggle I have for you and for those at Laodicea and for all who have not seen me face to face, that their hearts may be encouraged, being knit together in love, to reach all the riches of full assurance and of understanding and the knowledge of God’s mystery, which is Christ, in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.

I encourage the young women to substitute the town in which they currently live for "those in Laodicea."

What are you seeing about you in these verses?  Paul has a struggle for you.  I have a struggle for the girls I lead in my Bible study.  Do you struggle with those to whom you have the opportunity to minister?

What does Paul want for us?

       To be knit together in love.

        To experience all the spiritual riches.

      To have understanding.

      To have knowledge of God's mystery in Christ.

      What is hidden like a treasure in Christ?

      Wisdom

 Knowledge

God is the ultimate source in our lives for all that we need.  Proverbs 2:3-7

"Yes, if you call out for insight and raise your voice for understanding, if you seek it like silver and search for it as for hidden treasure, then you will understand the fear of the LORD and find the knowledge of God. For the LORD gives wisdom; from his mouth come knowledge and understanding; he stores up sound wisdom from the upright; he is a shield to those who walk in integrity."

As women, if we struggle with how to find our worth, these verses show us where we need to go.  But what do we do instead? Do we talk to our friends, shop, eat, or keep overly busy?  We look for the hidden treasure, meaning our worth and purpose, in all the wrong places.

Where is the treasure found? In Christ.

Colossians 2:6-7,  "Therefore as you received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk with him, rooted and built up in him and established in the faith, just as you were taught, abounding in thanksgiving."

When we are in Christ what are we instructed to do?

1.     Walk with Him ( learn how he lived His life)

2.     Get rooted in Him ( all the manure ( trials we go through) around the trees helps them grow and have strong deep roots)

3.     Get built up in Him ( let Him be our strength and comfort)

4.     Get established in our faith. ( study the word by yourself and with others)

Colossians 2:9-13, "For in Him the whole fullness of deity dwells bodily, and YOU have been filled with him, who is the head of all rule and authority. Having been buried with him in baptism in which you were also raised with him through faith in the powerful working of God who raised him from the dead.  And you, who were dead in your trespasses and the uncircumcision of your flesh, God made alive together with him, having forgiven us ALL our trespasses."

How did Christ Jesus give us worth?

1.     We are filled with Him.

2.     Buried with Him; our old sin nature is nailed to the cross.

3.     Raised with Him ; we are new creatures in Christ.

4.     We were dead (don’t drag the old nature of the cross behind you. It’s a rotten dead corpse!)

5.     We are forgiven! We did nothing to earn this forgiveness. We are alive! But God!  Ephesians 2 : 4 -5, "But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ -  by grace we have been saved!

God not only offers us Salvation, but secures it!

6.      Ephesians 2:8, "for by grace you have been (perfect tense) saved through faith. And it is not your own doing; it is the gift of God.

There is even more. Ephesians 2:6, "and raised us up with him and seated us with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus."

We are going to be given new bodies when Christ returns. My worth doesn’t need to come from my body shape. Thank you, Jesus! But, this fleshly body has to die. My wrinkles are telling me that I am in the process of cocooning!  A butterfly doesn’t get beautiful until the caterpillar part dies. My flesh is in the process of dying. 

Do we really take all this to heart? Why do we turn to other ‘things’ to find our worth?  Why do we act as if we have no worth? Why is not what Christ did for us enough?

When we don’t recognize and steward our worth in what Christ did for us, we can’t give it to the next generation. 

Contributed by Elaine Oostra, Parma, Idaho who has just authored her first book titled One Brick At A Time.  Congratulations, Elaine!

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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

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Poetry & Prose ~~ "What Kind of Love Is This?"

What kind of love is this

That while looking through eyes of love upon a fallen race,

God revealed salvation’s plan of restoration, forgiveness, and grace.

What kind of love is this

That the Lord of Heaven became flesh to dwell among all men,

That we may become one in Him and be called His friends.

What kind of love is this

That He could see the joy that lay beyond the cross,

And became the ultimate sacrifice, not counting the cost.

What kind of love is this

That with His nail pierced hands and His wounded side,

He wore a crown of thorns with His arms opened wide.

What kind of love is this

That says Father, forgive them, they know not what they do,

And freely gave up His life, for me and for you.

What kind of love is this

That conquered sin and death by shedding His precious blood,

Removing the sting of death by the power of His love.

What kind of love is this

That when the stone was rolled away, there was an empty grave,

Rising to new life in resurrection power, a living hope He gave.

What kind of love is this

That intercedes for us continually from His glorious heavenly throne,

Until the time comes to call us to our eternal home above.

What kind of love is this

That draws us into His presence, to come just as we are.

This is an unconditional love, the love of our Father’s heart.

“As the Father has loved Me, I also have loved you, abide in My love”

John 15: 9

Contributed by Heartsong Treasures

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