Tag Archives: #NaPoWriMo

Another ~ Five Minute Friday

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“Yet what we suffer now is nothing compared to the glory he will reveal to us later.” Romans 8:18

Another

I open my eyes
What day is this?
One seems to blend with another.

The scenery’s the same
The company, too
I miss my grands and my mother.

I close my eyes
So many needs
I lift them one after another.

The fear’s the same
The worries, too
I pray that we’ll soon recover.

I open my eyes
And look for the good.
I list them one, then another.

The helpers, the healers,
The sacrifice, the love
Opportunities to serve our brother.

I close my eyes
But before I sleep
I count blessings, another and another.

The world has changed.
I hope we have, too.
New priorities for us to discover.

Yes, I open my eyes
What is this day?
A gift! Let us be grateful for another!

“This is the day the LORD has made. We will rejoice and be glad in it.”
 Psalm 118:24 (NLT)

It’s April, Poetry Month, and I haven’t written one poem so figured today was a good day to do it!  Joining with my friends at http://www.fiveminutefriday.com to write to the prompt “Another”. I’m pretty sure there will be lots of inspiration and encouragement there! Click over and see for yourself! I hope you are safe and well! Thank you for stopping in! It means a lot to me!

His Touch ~ Five Minute Friday

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“One day some parents brought their little children to Jesus so he could touch and bless them. But when the disciples saw this, they scolded the parents for bothering him. Then Jesus called for the children and said to the disciples, “Let the children come to me. Don’t stop them! For the Kingdom of God belongs to those who are like these children. I tell you the truth, anyone who doesn’t receive the Kingdom of God like a child will never enter it.” Luke 18:15-17 (NLT)/ Pixabay

His Touch

His touch introduced sound to the deaf;
They had speech to understand.

His touch revived a daughter,
By simply holding her small hand.

His touch gave the gift of sight,
To those who could not see.

His touch cleansed the leper’s skin
And set the lame man free.

His touch now scarred by our nails,
The price He had to pay.

His touch that changes everything,
He offers us today.

His touch mends our broken hearts
And forgives us of our sins.

His touch takes us from death to life
His touch: where healing truly begins!

“Jesus led him away from the crowd so they could be alone.  He put his fingers into the man’s ears.  Then, spitting on his own fingers, he touched the man’s tongue.  Instantly the man could hear perfectly, and his tongue was freed so he could speak plainly!” Mark 7:33,35 (NLT)

“The crowd laughed at him. But he made them all leave, and he took the girl’s father and mother and his three disciples into the room where the girl was lying.  Holding her hand, he said to her, ‘Talitha koum’ which means ‘Little girl, get up!’ And the girl, who was twelve years old, immediately stood up and walked around! They were overwhelmed and totally amazed.” Mark 5:40-42 (NLT)

“Then he spit on the ground, made mud with the saliva, and spread the mud over the blind man’s eyes.  He told him, ‘Go wash yourself in the pool of Siloam’. So the man went and washed and came back seeing! John 9:6-7 (NLT)

“Suddenly, a man with leprosy approached him and knelt before him.  ‘Lord,’ he said, ‘if you are willing, you can heal me and make me clean.’ Jesus reached out and touched him.  ‘I am willing,’ he said. ‘Be healed!’ And instantly the leprosy disappeared.” Matthew 8:2-3 (NLT)

“For this is how God loved the world: He gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life.” John 3:16 (NLT)

On this last Friday of April, I’m joining once again with the wonderful writing community at http://www.fiveminutefriday.com  

Today’s prompt is “Touch”. I’ve already read some of the posts and you won’t want to miss them! Just click on over and enjoy! It’s also the end of Poetry Month so of course I had to try and write my offering today in rhyme.(Definitely took me longer than five minutes) I hope you can feel the touch of Jesus in the words I’ve shared. And just a reminder, you’ll never know how “touched” I am that you take time out of your busy lives to join me here. God Bless You!

Lack ~ Five Minute Friday

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“Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good; his love endures forever.” Psalm 118:1 (NIV) / Pixabay

What Do I Lack?

I don’t lack in clothing.
My cupboards are filled with food.
I don’t need more gadgets.
But, what about more gratitude?

I don’t lack the space
For nice, comfortable living.
Friends and family abound.
But, do I abound in thanksgiving?

I don’t lack in opportunity
For making the most of my days.
Time is mine to offer.
But, do I offer praise?

No, I don’t lack in life’s blessings
Neither contentment nor in love.
What I DO lack is always remembering
To thank God above!

Easter is a reminder that,
My many blessings cannot compare,
To the gift of Jesus upon the cross
With all my sins to bear.

The price he paid for each of us
Is one we can never pay back.
For no other reason than this alone,
In praise and gratitude to Him, we should NEVER lack!

Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 (NIV)

 

It took a while, but finally finished this poem for the link up at http://www.fiveminutefriday.com The many creative writers over there have also written to the prompt “Lack” this week.  I know you’ll enjoy reading their posts! Inspiration is just a click away!

 

 

 

 

 

Offer ~ Five Minute Friday

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What Do I Have to Offer?

“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.” John 3:16 (NIV)/ Pixabay

What do I have to offer?
What could I possibly bring?
Fitting for the Savior,
Who offered ME everything!

I wish there was obedience
I could lay down at his feet.
If only my fears and failures
I could once and for all defeat.

Strength in every situation
Is what I’d like to give,
But weakness is the lowly place
Where I most often live.

What do I have to offer?
I’ve no riches nor sweet perfume.
No gift that could repay my debt
To He, who walked from the tomb.

Oh, to sing like the Angels,
Songs of praise He deserves to hear.
Or eloquent words of thanks spoken
With a voice so confident and clear.

Instead here I stand empty-handed,
With nothing to impart.
When a still small voice reminds me,
Grace is a gift from God’s own heart.

This gift to us was given
When Jesus hung upon that tree.
Because our God so loved the world,
We who believe are eternally debt free!

Now that the burden’s been lifted
What we have to offer comes from above.
Faith, hope, and mercy,
But the greatest offering is love!

“But when the kindness and love of God our Savior appeared, he saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy.  He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit, whom he poured out on us generously through Jesus Christ our Savior, so that having been justified by his grace, we might become heirs having the hope of eternal life.” Titus 3:4-7 (NIV)

I’m privileged to be joining the other gifted writers at http://www.fiveminutefriday.com To see what they are “offering” up today just click on over.  I know you won’t be sorry!

God’s Precious Song

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OK, I know it’s May First but the idea for this poem came to me late last night (April 30th) so if you’ll allow me some leeway, here is my final National Poetry Writing Month Challenge poem for 2018. Only wrote 14 out of 30 again.  Well, there’s always next year, I guess!

I was recently blessed to hear the musical talents of Gospel Singer, Cindy Sites.  Her lyrics and testimony touched me so deeply.  As I thought back over her performance the thought came to me that she is “God’s Song”. And so, this poem was born.  This is for Cindy from Cindy!

“He has given me a new song to sing, a hymn of praise to our God. Many will see what he has done and be amazed. They will put their trust in the LORD.” Psalm 40:3 (NLT) / Pixabay

God’s Precious Song

Her heart is revealed
Through the words that she sings.
Melodies so sweet.
God’s message she brings.

Sharing her grief.
Proclaiming her praise.
Touching our souls
With a grace that’ll amaze!

Sing, sweet friend!
Sing loud and clear.
There’s applause in Heaven
As your voice is lifted down here.

Some have tried to quiet you,
But they were in the wrong.
Yours is a gift given from above
And YOU are God’s precious song.

 

Stuck ~ A Five Minute Friday Poem

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Five Minute Friday is always challenging.  Getting a prompt and trying to write to it for five minutes and leaving it basically unedited.  HaHa! Those of you who know me or read many of my posts know that this ole perfectionist has a hard time with that!  Even though I’m a rule follower, I often exceed the five minutes and I usually edit.  Writing a poem for Five Minute Friday poses even a greater challenge!  It’s a challenge I enjoy, however!  I hope you enjoy whats developed today.  If you want to read more about “Stuck” click over to http://www.fiveminutefriday.com

“So if the Son sets you free, you are truly free.” John 8: 36 (NLT) / Pixabay

Stuck

Like a carousel round and round,
Getting no where fast.
Or in a chair, back and forth
Each rock the same as the last.

Like words of a song over and over,
Whirling in your mind.
Or hands of the clock that do not move
Because someone forgot to wind.

Like tires in snow buried deep.
They spin instead of go.
Or a traffic jam when you don’t have time
And cars are moving slow.

Like life at times for all of us,
When it seems we’re sinking deep.
Or when we sense a calling
But we’re too afraid to leap.

Like when our hearts are frozen
Paralyzed with fear.
Or when we need a helping hand
But a hand is no where near.

Let’s face it friends, we can all feel stuck
And long to be set free.
We tire of struggling on our own
So fall on bended knee.

When we call upon our Savior
We’re no longer stuck alone.
He’ll guide us to His sweet release.
He won’t leave us on our own.

Like living water flowing free,
Refreshing to the soul.
Or a healing touch that let’s us move
On legs that’ve been made whole.

So when you’re feeling trapped in life
Finding no way out of the muck.
Reach for the Lifeline from above.
And TRULY get unstuck.

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Lesson From the Bird Feeder

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“But He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong. 2 Corinthians 12:9-10 (NIV) / Pixabay

Lesson from the Bird Feeder

Birds flitter here. 
Birds flutter there.
They eat of my seed
Without worry or care.

This is, until
The bully appears.
His size alone
Ignites all their fears.

A loud “CAW” fills the air.
They can’t miss the blue plume.
He spreads out his wings
And takes all the room.

He eats ’til he’s full
While they hide from his sight.
Lacking courage to dare him
Try as they might.

As I watched the whole scene
It struck me today.
It’s not just the birds.
I’m exactly the same way!

I’m living my life.
Things are moving along.
Then the bully chimes in
Saying I’ve done it all wrong.

She continues to chant
Lots of negative stuff.
Why do I listen
And not shout “enough”?

Just like the birds
I change what I do.
And believe when she says
“You aren’t able to see it through.”

She continues her assault.
Her list is so long.
My heart feels condemned 
Where there once was a song.

It’s time to stand up to her
But it’s not easy, you see.
The bully that’s always taunting
Is the voice inside of ME!

 

I recently read an insightful blog post called “Waking Up to the Power of Positive Self-Talk” by Cindy Krall at http://www.cindykrall.com

It got me to thinking back and wondering if I’d ever experienced being bullied.  Sure kids had called me names because of the curly ball of hair on my head and my “Pollyanna-ish” personality; but imagine my surprise when I had the realization that the biggest bully I’ve ever encountered was myself.  The things that I tend to say to myself are things I would NEVER say to anyone else.  It’s made me realize that I need to change my self-talk. I now wonder what I might have accomplished if I hadn’t been telling myself I wasn’t good enough or that I couldn’t do it.  How about you?  What words do you use to talk to yourself?  If you find yourself like me, I hope you’ll join with me and begin to mute that bully’s voice and instead, turn “Pollyanna” up full blast! And always remember that as the verse from 2 Corinthians says above, “Christ’s power is made perfect in weakness”.

**For you youngsters Pollyanna is a Disney character who was known for her positive, uplifting attitude.

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Follow

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Only five days of April left.  If I’m going to meet the Poetry challenge I set for myself this month, I’m going to have to write a poem every one of those five days!  This poem was inspired by my little Magnolia tree.  In the process of putting in our new home, we had to take down a very large Pine Tree.  Despite the care taken by the men removing the tree, part of it landed on this Magnolia when it fell, splitting it right in half.  Of course, I (the negative Nellie I am) knew it was going to die for sure.  As often happens, I was proven wrong.  As I was admiring the blooms this spring it struck me that despite being broken and thought dead, it is bathed in beauty and living up to its potential!  That got me thinking about myself and how I offer up a lot of excuses why I can’t (or won’t) follow through on what I believe God is calling me to do and thus not really living up to my potential.  And so, this poem was born.  As I began to write, lessons I’m learning in a study of the book: “Come With Me” by Suzanne Eller also became woven into the poem….Maybe, just maybe you can relate to it too.

“As Jesus was walking beside the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers, Simon called Peter and his brother Andrew. They were casting a net into the lake, for they were fishermen. “Come, follow me,” Jesus said, “and I will send you out to fish for people.” At once they left their nets and followed him.” Matthew 4:18-20 (NIV)

Follow

We might be broken.
We might be bruised.
But that doesn’t mean
We can’t be used.

Too old? Too Young?
We really shouldn’t care.
We’re all given gifts
That only we can share.

A look at our calendars
There just isn’t space.
We say we’ll try again next time
Then resume our busy pace.

Who me? Surely not!
Isn’t she a better fit?
I could never do what you’re asking
It’s out of my comfort zone just a bit!

We have lots of excuses
When God’s voice we hear.
He’s calling us to action.
What is it that we fear?

When Jesus called the disciples
They answered without looking back.
He promised to be with them
And what they needed they wouldn’t lack.

It’s the same today, my friends
He calls; “Come with Me”!
So, up out of your chair, off your phone,
Answer yes and you’ll see.

Despite all our worries
And reasons to say no,
We have love beyond measure
And seeds of kindness to sow.

The thirteenth disciple
That is our place.
The hands and heart of Jesus
Sharing His grace.

Time is short, the need great.
No more delay!
He’s calling us to follow
Will you walk with Him today?

** You can learn more about Suzanne Eller at http://www.suzanneeller.com

Many Shades of Happy

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So, here we are…Poem #10!  Not bad in 15 days if I may say so myself!  This is a special poem at that!  In a little less than two months, my baby sister is going to be the “Mother of the Groom” as she watches her middle son get married.  From experience, I know there are many emotions that go along with having your child become someone’s spouse; thus the title:  Many Shades of Happy.  This one is for Barbie.

“For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother, and be joined to his wife; and they shall become one flesh. Genesis 2:24 (NASV)

Many Shades of Happy

You carried him snuggled near your heart
and your heart is where he’ll stay.
Hockey falls and football scares
from the stands you’ve had to pray.

Middle child through and through
with an irresistible grin.
All grown up; teaching school
and coaching for the win!

Now here you are:  Mother of the groom
wondering where time has gone.
He’s planning life with someone new
while you watch him move on.

You’ve done your job so very well;
look on with cherished pride.
Your family’s growing larger,
making room for his sweet bride.

It’s a time for many shades of happy
and maybe a few momma’s tears.
Yes, in your heart he’s staying,
just adding more love to last through the years.

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MiMi’s Love

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“For God loved the world so much that he gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life.” John 3:16 (NLT)

MiMi’s Love
For Carson and Owen 

He puts his little hand in mine, 
all the world is right. 
I don’t want him to change too fast
and so I hold on tight. 

His face is full of wonder
at everything he sees.
There are no more precious times
than days I spend like these.

Stories, jokes, and secrets to tell
that MiMi’s only know.
Songs to be sung, prayers to be said,
such a miracle to see him grow.

I thought I understood all about love,
but I didn’t have a clue.
Until they laid him in my arms
and suddenly then I knew.

A MiMi’s love is fashioned from
the love of God’s own son. 
Given freely as a gift
to each and every one. 

What a privilege it is to share
a love so divine
With the one who has my heart
and puts his hand in mine.