Poetry Page

Poetry Page

Christ is my special Friend, and because He is,

I know what special friends are:

They are like precious jewels that enhance a person's worth.

They are like morning dewdrops, revitalizing the grass after a withering day.

They are like mountains, symbols of God's undying strength.

They are like newborn babies, pure and innocent in their trust.

They are like the mighty waters of the earth,

mysterious, yet vital to life.

They are like the first signs of spring - hop in a dying world.

They're like......you!

- Jo Crouthamel

The Christmas Teacup

“Grandma, why’s that teacup sitting ‘neath the Christmas tree?”
Amanda asked her Grandma, with eyes wide as they could be.
“Because, my child,” Grandma replied. “It’s a reminder of
The many ways God demonstrates his never ending love.

“You see that pretty teacup was just a lump of clay,
it yelped and cried as God began to mold it one fine day.
Then, God placed it in a wheel that wildly spun around,
As the teacup cried with fear, “O Lord, please put me down!”

But, the Lord said, “Not quite yet! Please trust me if you will,”
As he gently placed the teacup deep inside a fiery kiln.
There the cup felt true despair, as flames around it burned.
She feared the Lord had left for good, never to return.

All at once cool air rushed in as the door opened wide.
God’s loving hands reached in to bring His precious cup outside.
Then, came strokes from a fine brush, dipped in God’s choice of paint.
Weak from the heat, engulfed in flames, the teacup thought she’s faint.

Quietly, the teacup cried, “O Lord. What have I done?”
“My child, I’m only finishing the work that I’ve begun.”
God said, and locked the cup behind the oven door—
Yet, from those flames she reemerged , a lump of clay no more.

Stronger and more beautiful, her purpose now defined,
The teacup sat in wonder as the Master’s name was signed...
Honey, Grandma whispered, “that teacup’s like me and you.
God has a special purpose for each struggle we go through.

So, Let’s sit down and share a special cup of tea,
And thank the Lord for all he does to fashion you and me
Into the folks he had in mind since long before our birth—
The loved ones Jesus came to save when he came here to earth.”

MAY THE POTTER’S HAND TOUCH YOUR LIFE
THIS CHRISTMAS AND ALWAYS

Oh, the Blood of the Passover Lamb

Is applied to the door of my life.

No power of darkness could ever withstand

The force of the Blood sacrifice.

Though satan will bring accusation,

I let him know where I stand.

For now there is no condemnation;

I'm under the Blood of the Lamb.

I'm under the Blood of the Lamb

That covers the guilt of my past.

By the mercy of God,

Holy and righteous I stand.

I'm under the Blood of the Lamb.

I'm safe and secure from the enemy's plan.

No weapon formed against me will stand.

I'm under the Blood of the Lamb. - Author unknown

Busy

If you were busy being kind,

Before you knew it, you would find

You'd soon forget to think 'twas true

That someone was unkind to you.

If you were busy being glad,

And cheering people who are sad,

Although your heart might ache a bit,

You'd soon forget to notice it.

If you were busy being good,

And doing just the best you could,

You'd not have time to blame some man

Who's doing just the best he can.

If you were busy being right,

You'd find yourself too busy quite

To criticize some neighbor long

Because he's busy being wrong.

- Author unknown

Poetry by Ruth Conrad Ditty

Two natures live within my breast,

One is foul and the other Blessed.

One I love and one I hate.

The one I feed....will dominate

Retaliation

It used to be "an eye for an eye,"

Blow for blow, tit for tat.

But Jesus came and changed all that.

Now, there is forgiveness, clemency and pardon.

All accounts are settled.

They are under the Blood.

No retaliation, only love.

Jelly Jar Love

I saw her through the window

Running here and there, picking flowers from our front yard.

They were picked with such love and picked with such care.

Roses or carnations in crystal vases can never compare

With the flowers that were picked with her love and care

And placed in my finest jelly jar for all to see.

A gift from my granddaughter to me.

*****

I greet Him in the morning

When quietness surrounds

And He directs my steps,

When I take time to pray.

In my closet in my quiet place,

There I seek the Father's will

And ask Him for His grace.

*****

The Ransom

When sin was as dark as dark could be,

God put a star in the heavens for me.

Its light led the way to a stable door

And in the hay a tiny baby lay.

God's gift to all, who seek His only Son,

The Babe Who would some day ransom everyone.

Those who seek the tiny Babe will find the cross

And an empty grave.

[From Ruth's "Jelly Jar Love" published January 2002]

Promises

Rainbows in the morning sky tell of God's promise,

On which I rely.

He is so faithful; He never does change.

What He has promised, These words I can claim.

God's Word never changes.

He shows us His love by keeping His promises,

With rainbows above.

I know I saw a seagull fly,

But I forgot You made him.

I saw my children run and play,

But I forgot to look for You today.

I saw the trees bend in the wind,

And the rain upon my window,

But I failed to remember

That You made the rain to fall

And the wind to blow.

God, open my eyes and teach me to see

All the things that You made ~

Give me not only sight, but insight as well.

The Gift

The gift came wrapped in swaddling clothes.

Two little eyes and one little nose,

And two tiny hands that could tug at one's soul.

The gift of salvation was sent from above.

God sent His own Son to show us His love.

His Arms

With arms open wide upon the cross You died.

Your outstretched arms did take me in,

And you forgave me of my sin.

You carried me along the way

And brought me to where I am today.

[From Ruth's "Rainbow Promises" published March 1999]

*****

Lord, I heard Your voice and I will acquiesce.

I will stand in silence

For You always know what's best.

[From Ruth's "From My Heart"]

I asked the Lord for comfort;
Instead He gave me pain.
I asked Him for a bright path;
He led through shadowed lanes.

I asked Him why He led me
Through paths of deepest woe.
He answered in a soft voice,
"Because I love you so."

"Without a trial or burden,
My face you would not seek.
Without the tears of sorrow,
Your faith would be so weak."

So in His love He leads me
Through paths where I might feel
His strength and power, love divine,
And presence, oh, so real.

- Jo Crouthamel

Blessings from the Storm

The little eagle listened well; He knew he must prepare - To face the storm that soon would come. He whispered a quick prayer.

His father said, "Be not afraid, To face storm winds that blow. For with each frightful windy blast, Much higher you will go.

Surrender to the mighty wind, Lift up your wings and soar. Do not retreat; with courage seek to rise where ne'er before..

The eaglet lifted high his wings As wind commenced to blow. His father said, "Now follow me As upward we must go. Diving into the raging wind, He lifted high in flight; Rising to new heights above. He soon was out of sight.

Soaring into the heavens, he flew; strong wind beneath his wings. He learned his Heavenly Father would use storms to bring blessings. He learned when tribulation blows, you'll soar on wings of grace.

God's love will lift you o'er the storm; Each trial that you face With wings of faith you'll face each storm With confidence and sing, Uplifted high by winds of love, New blessings God will bring.

By Linda J. Stevenson

The Altar of the Heart

by Reginald E. Brown/Ujai Umani 8/7/2000

This is where I can say that the Spirit is deepest.

This is where I can say that the Spirit is nearest.

This is where I can say that the Spirit is clearest.

The Altar of the Heart.

Trials, confusion, burdens we encounter.

We take them to the Altar

To give them to our Wonderful Counselor.

Sins and grief, all ours to bear,

Knowing that at that Altar,

He is always there.

A sacred place of peace, love, and joy, and mercy.

Have you ever watched kids playing on a merry go round or listened to the rain lapping on the ground? Ever followed a butterfly's erratic flight or gazed at the sun into the fading night?

Do you run through each day on the fly? When you ask "How are you?" Do you hear the reply?

When the day is done, do you lie in your bed with the next hundred chores running through your head?

Ever told your child, "We'll do it tomorrow." And in your haste, not see his sorrow?

Ever lost touch? Let a good friendship die? Just call to say "Hi"?

When you worry and hurry through your day, It is like an unopened gift....Thrown away... Life is not a race. Take it slower. Hear the music before the song is over.
- Unknown author

Someone Cares

Who will help us understand,

When things don't go as we had planned?

When one we love is snatched away,

And no one knows, just what to say?

God Will!

Who knows our hurt and feels our pain?

When human words cannot explain?

And things that happen don't seem fair,

Because we know that He is there,

God Does!

Who can heal a broken heart?

And mend what life has torn apart?

What circumstances would destroy,

Who can turn it into joy?

God Can!

- by Peter Enns, Tulsa Oklahoma

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