Monday, April 6, 2015

A Poetic Approach

April is National Poetry Month; thus, I am attempting to write a poem a day throughout this month.  Interestingly (at least to me!), two of them relate to faith.  May I  share (both first published here at Treasure Chest of Thoughts)?

Taking a Stand

Have you heard?

I am woman.
Respect I deserve.
Respect I expect.
Respect I obtain.

Have you heard?

My friend?  She is woman.
Respect she deserves.
Respect she expects.
Respect she obtains.

Have you heard?

We are Jesus Girls.
We pray,
knowing His Peace,
following His Lead,
heeding His Will,
accepting His Answer.

I wrote this one today as I ponder and pray for a girlfriend of mine who experiencing some tribulation on her job.  As I tell her, God's got this.  In His time.  


This friend?  She is a Jesus Girl, one who welcoming our Lord and Savior within her soul.  I just know He is going to honor her.



Then They Remembered


A few women,

Scurrying to arrive.
In time? 

An opened-entry tomb.

Scurrying to arrive.
No time.

Alarmed they are.

Angels they see.
What?  Out of time?

How could they have forgotten?

One day spent accepting.
The next spent grieving.
How could they have forgotten?

Handed to sinners.

Crucified.
Risen.
Then they remembered.

He's alive!

No need for expensive spices.
No need for visitors this day.
No need to keep quiet.

He's alive!

They had remembered.
He's alive!
Spread the Good News.
Quell back disbelief.
Spread the Good News.
Tell to one and all.
He's alive!

This day we remember.

May we always remember.
Yes, He's alive!

This poem I wrote last evening, following a day spent celebrating the Resurrection of Jesus Christ.  Yesterday's Sunday School lesson took us to Luke 24, to the women, the caring women, who went on the first day of the week to bring their precious spices to one who more than deserved them...only to find Him gone.  That's right...you know how this one ends!  He had risen!  Praise the Lord!


Happy National Poetry Month...are you a poet?!

Sunday, April 5, 2015

Good Times UPdate

Isn't this a busy time of the year?  Don't I say that about every season?

First, may I backtrack?  To last weekend and my first Women of Joy conference?  Oh, my!  What a blessing!  My friend Rose contacted me in January to see if I might be interested in an extra ticket she had.  Yes!  Just a few highlights from the weekend...in no certain order...

  • I so enjoyed visiting with former schoolmate Rose.  We graduated in the same year, our birthdays are days a part...yes, we may be twinkies!  Definitely soul sisters!
  • I also enjoyed spending time with the third lady who went with us...a lady from my church.  Always so good to have fellowship.
  • The speakers were wonderful:  Margaret Feinberg, Lysa Terkeurst, Liz Curtis Higgs, Angela Thomas.  I know!  Isn't that an exciting line-up?!  Such powerful women of God, all with wonderful testimonies. I appreciated all they had to say...took home something from each woman.  
  • The most special time for me was when Angela Thomas asked those not saved to raise their hands.  Based on her verbal response as we all stood with eyes closed, 50...or 60 ..or more admitted, believed, and confessed.  I suppose I assumed too much...that everyone going there was saved.  That was the most humbling moment...to stand  and know God was performing the most dramatic change that can ever happen to a person, sharing the most precious gift that one will ever receive...salvation.  What a might moment!
  • Another outcome was that two of us continued to plot and plan a Women's Retreat for our area...with the third being invited...then maybe our going to help her have one at her church.  God wants to fill these women up with joy...to be all they can be for Him.  He wants strong women for Him.
  • Find a conference!  Go!
Then, yesterday, our church hosted our Easter Outing at the local park...and the people did come! Many more than I had planned!  Just love it when God shows up!  We had the best time...good fellowship, fun games, grilled hotdogs...did I mention God showed up!  I truly believe He did, for several of those people that I had never seen before...came to church this morning!  Wow!  

Our Making Choices Bible Study Group is Breaking Free...entering week three of Beth Moore's study.  I am already hearing testimonies from women in need who are finding answers, whose chains are breaking.  I really look forward to this two hours each week.  Please let me tell you:  fellowship is a must, for He says, "Where two or three are gathered in my name, I will be there, too."  He is always faithful. 

My reading of the Bible chronologically remains such a blessing. Sometimes, I get behind and then spend an extended time diving into the stories and commentary.  Guess what?  I learn something every time I read His Word.  Every time!  Imagine that!  As I have read the book of Judges, I noted several of them are listed in Hebrews' Hall of Fame.  Now, wouldn't that be an interesting study...to become immersed in those who earned rank in that chapter?

God is working in our community; He is working in me.  Very excited to be a part of that movement.

Several upcoming activities planned...a Spring Fling Social, Youth Lock-in, VBS, that above-mentioned Women's Retreat, Bible studies. God is stirring souls.  That is a good thing!

Blessings this week...I am sure your life remains busy, also.  Find that time, though, for Him.  He will meet you there.  Together...He will teach you.  There, He will speak life into you.  

Please enjoy this song: