Tag Archives: poetry

For a Tiny Child – Norma Thurston Holtman

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For A Tiny Child

We never heard your tiny voice,
We never saw your smile,
We don’t understand why your unseen presence
Filled our hearts for a brief little while.
You turned our eyes on Jesus…
Maybe that’s the reason why…
We saw the sovereignty of Mighty God…
How fragile the gift of life.
So we say goodbye dear baby,
Before we’ve said hello.
You’ve gone to the Heavenly Father
Who sent you such a short time ago.
There will be beauty all around you,
And love so deep and strong,
God’s own loving arms will hold you,
There nothing can hurt or harm.
We’ll be together in that bright morning…
There your precious face we will see.
In that land beyond sorrow and parting,
We’ll be together for eternity.

Norma Thurston Holtman is a former RN and homeschool/soccer mom. She is the mother of two adult children. She and her husband make their home in the mountains east of Albuquerque, New Mexico. A long-time Bible study leader, she writes a weekly devotional for her church’s website. She is a member of American Christian Fiction Writers and an aspiring novelist. She desires to use her writing to bring glory to God and encourage fellow believers. Her devotionals can be found at http://2MefromHim.blogspot.com.

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My First Christmas in Heaven – Nancy Dutton

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MY FIRST CHRISTMAS IN HEAVEN

I see the countless Christmas trees around the world below,
With tiny lights like heaven’s stars reflecting on the snow.
The sight is so spectacular – please, wipe away that tear.
For I am spending Christmas with Jesus Christ this year!

I hear the many Christmas songs that people hold so dear,
But the sound of music can’t compare with the Christmas choir up here.
I have no words to tell you the joy their voices bring,
For it’s beyond description to hear these angels sing.

I feel how much you miss me and see the pain inside your heart,
Though I may seem so far away, we’re really not apart.
So be happy for me, My Loved Ones, you know I hold you dear,
And be glad I’m spending Christmas with Jesus Christ this year.

I send each of you a special gift, from my heavenly home above.
I send each of you a memory of my undying eternal love.
After all, love is a gift more precious than pure and shining gold.
It was always more important in the stories Jesus told.

Please love each other always as Our Father said to do,
For I cannot count the blessings or the love He holds for you.

So have a happy Christmas and wipe away that tear,
For I am spending Christmas with Jesus Christ this year!

(In memory of my father 2002)

.

Nancy Dutton is a freelance writer who has published a book of poetry. She has written articles that have appeared in a variety of publications. Nancy writes customized poems and haikus and teaches children how to write haikus. She is experienced in writing poetry, haikus, stories about animals and children, inspirational stories, plus press releases, brochures, and promotional materials. Read Nancy’s devotions.

We Thank You, Oh Lord – Marlene Bagnull

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We Thank You, O Lord
To the tune “We Gather Together”

We thank You, O Lord, for Your mercy and blessings,
Your love that we never can merit or earn.
And so this Thanksgiving on bended knee we’re coming
To worship You, O Lord -, our hearts for You yearn.

We need You, O Lord, in our lives, in our nation.
Forgive us for failing to follow Your way.
Thru darkness please guide us, please strengthen us, please help us
To hold fast to our faith in these difficult days.

We cling to Your promise, we know You are faithful.
Our land You will heal if Your people will pray.
If humbly we’ll seek You and turn away from evil,
There is hope that our nation will see brighter days.

And so, Lord, we give You our praise and thanksgiving,
Our worries and fears we surrender to You.
We choose to rejoice in Your promise, Your provision.
We will trust You, O Lord -, for Your Word is true.

Marlene Bagnull

Thanksgiving 2011

Marlene Bagnull has been married to Paul for 48 years. They are the parents of three grown children and the grandparents of Erin, Ryan, and Laura. Marlene is the author of Write His Answer – A Bible Study for Christian Writers and three other books. She is also the compiler/editor of For Better, For Worse – Devotions for Married Couples and My Turn to Care – Encouragement for Caregivers of Aging Parents. She is the founder (in 1983) and director of the Greater Philadelphia Christian Writers Conference and has been directing the Colorado Christian Writers Conference since 1997. www.writehisanswer.com
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Weathering the Winter – Connie Camden

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I know as long as earth endures
There is sure to be,
Those dreary winter seasons
That sneak up on you and me.

So heed this early warning
And take time to prepare.
Stock up on those essentials
And store up enough to share.

For we all need each other
In those dark and frigid days.
When life seems so cold
And winter comes our way.

Within the pantry of your souls
Be sure to store God’s word,
For it will keep you safe and warm
As you reflect on all you’ve heard.

Don’t let your heart be frozen
By the artic winds of sin,
For that’s where God’s love blooms
When you ask Jesus to come in.

And as He dwells within your heart
You’ll find you’re not alone,
Just knowing that He is with you
Will help you to press-on.

So with these simple preparations
And God’s Spirit as your mentor,
It will certainly be much easier
Weathering The Winter.

Connie Camden is a native of Frankfort, KY. Christian, Wife, Mother, Granny, are all titles she is honored to be called. Connie retired from State Government as an Executive Staff Advisor in November 2010 to pursue the world of Christian writing and public speaking. She has been involved in women’s ministry since 1996 and currently serves as Director of Women In God’s Service Ministries, Inc. (WIGS). Her heartbeat for writing and speaking is to freely give what she has freely received with His glory as her aim. She is also the event planner for a free Christian Women’s Conference.

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True Freedom’s Symbol – Norma Thurston Holtman

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Tall and proud against the sky,
Our country’s beacon stands.
Each star and stripe the symbol
Of sacrifice by willing hands.

Each thread within its fabric,
A reminder of the tears;
Of sweat and toil and suffering
By men and women through the years.

Our flag, a sign to all the world,
Of freedom, hope, and peace,
Of triumph over hardship,
And victory’s sweet release.

We all saw Lady Liberty
Framed against the smoke…
Of attacks by men in ignorance
Of the promise which she spoke.

Her words cry out to men like them,
The “tired”, and “poor” who suffer,
To the “huddled masses,” “tempest-tost,”
A hope of plenty, she offers.

But there stands a Symbol greater,
Which will endure beyond the years.
Born by our Savior in sacrifice
To wipe away all tears.

The Cross of Christ is the reason
Our Founding Fathers came,
And the only hope for our nation
Is to return to Him again.

The only hope for this country
Is to seek the Creator’s plan,
His Cross the same from age to age,
Dwarfs the symbols of this land.

(Quotations come from “The New Colossus”, by Emma Lazarus, 1883,
engraved on the base of the Statue of Liberty.)

Norma Thurston Holtman is a former RN and homeschool/soccer mom. She is the mother of two adult children. She and her husband make their home in the mountains east of Albuquerque, New Mexico. A long-time Bible study leader, she writes a weekly devotional for her church’s website. She is a member of American Christian Fiction Writers and an aspiring novelist. She desires to use her writing to bring glory to God and encourage fellow believers. Her devotionals can be found at http://2MefromHim.blogspot.com.
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One More Mountain – Norma Thurston Holtman

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I’m tired and weary, and I need a rest,
But, dear Lord, I know that You always know best.
When I’m battle-weary and feel alone,
When I beg for bread but it seems like a stone.
I know there is something You are working in me—
There is something new You have to show me.
There is something I haven’t become just yet,
There is some other challenge I’ve not ever met.
You’ve carried me through so many before—
Lord, help me now to face one more.
When I look in the mirror I want to see
A reflection of You looking back at me.
So once more, Lord, pick me up and let’s go—
So I never forget how I need you so.
It is not in smooth sailing that we lean on You so,
But in knowing we have one more mountain to go.
And I have the feeling that when this one is through,
I’ll see, just beyond, there is something else new.
So thank You, Lord for not forgetting me,
For never letting me rest till it’s You that I see.

Norma Thurston Holtman is a former RN and homeschool/soccer mom. She is the mother of two adult children. She and her husband make their home in the mountains east of Albuquerque, New Mexico. A long-time Bible study leader, she writes a weekly devotional for her church’s website. She is a member of American Christian Fiction Writers and an aspiring novelist. She desires to use her writing to bring glory to God and encourage fellow believers. Her devotionals can be found at http://2MefromHim.blogspot.com.

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What I Have Learned – Sheree Whitby

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Weeping lasts more than one night
God is still able

Life changes in an instant
The strongest do survive and thrive

Your friendships can still be challenged in tragedy, but the ones that matter most survive it
All the planning for the future is mute, yet necessary

My values remain the same in tragedy and out…reliance on my God and the sanctity of my family
People follow your lead in the midst of tragedy

Crying is necessary…don’t stop the flow even if it is ugly and loud

It is extremely difficult to find the middle ground of stability between past joys , present pain and future plans and expectations
People can’t write your story of pain and overcoming…create your own guide

Some pain remains fresh

No matter what I say or do, God won’t turn from me, but people may for a moment or forever

No matter how much or how little I pray, it doesn’t make me more or less a Christian or more or less a lover and follower of Christ.

Sheree Whitby is an anointed youth pastor, writer and speaker. She is a child advocate who has a heart for disadvantaged children. As a former teacher, she believes it is essential for each person to strive for excellence in their pursuit of knowledge. Currently, she resides in Maryland with her husband and three children.
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Deliverance – Aimee Lynch

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The chains had held me to the ground, refusing to let go
The endless struggle to escape just made them more my foe
How could I ever free myself? My soul sank in despair
This seemed too great a burden for my weakened heart to bear
The mud above my knees looked to drown me here below
My deepest pain was that I’d made these iron chains of woe

In the hardest moment, when I could take no more
I heard the sound of someone come and open up the door
He walked inside in humble clothes yet every feature bright
Who was this Man who seemed to me to be the Son of Light?
“Please do not come near me!” My feeble voice implored
His lovely face seemed out of place next to my ugly sores

Instead he reached into His cloak and held a blackened key
He waded in the dirty muck to come and rescue me
The key turned in the lock and the chains fell off my wrists!
But now what else would this strong but humble Savior risk?
He bent to take my shackles in steadfast gallantry
And locked them on His own arms with a breath of agony

His purity and grimy chains touched in painful meeting
He grunted and began to strain, wrists and forehead bleeding
Minutes seemed like hours; each second stood alone
Time itself was shocked that One so high would stoop so low
Crack! The chains exploded. The mire began receding
My eyes which had been darkened now finally started seeing

The Man who had rescued me appeared much different now
The gleaming light from His face seemed to increase somehow
He had once been Humble Savior, now Victorious King
One look into His piercing eyes enticed my heart to sing
He said “These chains will beckon, but I have made a vow.
If you will trust my power, these chains will have to bow.”

Now I glimpsed the reason why I could not flee alone
My bonds had needed muscles that were bigger than my own
Fighting against my fetters had only made them tighter still
It took One who was always free to break them in His will
Now I serve my Savior and make his great Name known
He deserves to be served forever, being worshiped at His throne

Aimee Lynch is a homeschooled high-school student in Gaithersburg, MD. She has a heart for children whose parents are divorced because she grew up in a single-parent home after her own parents divorced when she was five. Her blog, allfilledup.wordpress.com, is a place where she seeks to encourage other kids in difficult situations. In what little free time she has, she enjoys gardening, reading, getting involved in various youth projects, taking walks on the beach, and writing articles.
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The Way in the Waves – Connie Camden

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When in my suffering I saw
The hand of Him who saves
It was then I realized,
Not for my harm, but for His good
I must ride these waves.

Just as the Tide moves in,
And washes clean the shore
This boat I’m in,
Though tossed about
Will lead me to my Lord.

So thank you God for those times
You allow the waves to stay,
For in those waves I realize
You truly know the way.

Connie Camden is a native of Frankfort, KY. Christian, wife, mother, granny, are all titles she is honored to be called. Connie retired from State Government as an Executive Staff Advisor in November 2010 to pursue the world of Christian Writing and public speaking. She has been involved in women’s ministry since 1996 and currently serves as Director of Women In God’s Service Ministries, Inc. (WIGS). Her heartbeat for writing and speaking is to freely give what she has freely received with His glory as her aim. She is also the event planner for a free Christian Women’s Conference.

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My Refuge – Norma Thurston Holtman

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I have asked the Lord many evenings
Why my days seemed filled with pain,
I have begged and pleaded with tears on my face,
And over the years His answer came:

“I have another path for you
Than some of my children trod;
It won’t be easy, you’ll not always see,
But you will learn to know your God.”

“I may lead you through the desert
On a road of shifting sands;
But there’s joy at the end of the journey
If you never let go of My hands.”

“Sometimes the way may be rocky,
It will bruise and scrape and shred,
You’ll feel that you can’t take another step,
But My strong shoulder will cradle your head.”

“There are dark caves and many shadows,
But in My presence you will always be,
For the only way through the darkness
Is to take strong hold of Me.”

“Yes, my child, other’s paths may seem easy,
It may appear that I shield their pain;
But there’s no greater joy in the sunshine
Unless you’ve first been through the rain.”

“Your Savior was made perfect through suffering,
He had a heavy Cross to bear;
I won’t allow pain and struggle
Without the promise that His glory you’ll share.”

So if it seems you’re walking in darkness,
When the enemy is seeming to win;
Take your refuge in the arms of Jesus,
Heavenly Savior and earthly Friend.

Norma Thurston Holtman is a former RN and homeschool mom. Now a homemaker and the mother of two adult children, she and her husband make their home in the mountains east of Albuquerque, New Mexico. She spent fourteen years in Bible Study Fellowship, eight of them as a Discussion Leader. In 2003, she and a friend began the first weekly women’s Bible studies at their small, nondenominational church in Albuquerque, where she continues to lead a weekly small group Bible study. She has written all her life, but has recently been convicted to use her writing to bring glory to God and encourage fellow believers.
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