Blessings from the word.
The God above
who sent His love
In fleshly form
endorsed by dove.
Seeks the lost
till all are found.
Brothers all
forever bound.
Jesus first
the you and me.
The eternal triumph
for all three.
Given anonymously.
The beauty of winter
Snowdrops dance,
As I look beyond,
The glistening field,
At the crisp, white pond.
The geese take rest,
As they settle below,
The island of trees,
Her shield of snow.
Water ripples become so still,
As it begins to freeze.
It will soon be ice,
Unmovable by the breeze
For every season holds her beauty,
For this I often say,
But today she’s so peacefully still
On this cold, crisp, winter day.
While living on my farm, my father and mother replaced some broken windows as a gift. In my bedroom, I was given the option of replacing the three windows or putting sliding doors in. I chose the sliding doors with a little wooden deck. The deck fit one little chair — a chair that was calling me to sit and write every day, weather permitting. Today I am writing this little poem while looking at the beauty God has blessed me with. His touch is perfect. It makes me think of my own spiritual walk. Every season I hold my beauty in Gods eyes. Even on those days when I am cold, crisp, and ugly, I am still beautiful to Him with all of my imperfections, God still holds onto me; he does you as well.
Psalm 24:1-2: The earth is the Lord’s and all that is in it, the world, and those who live in it; for God has founded it on the seas, and established it on the rivers.
Photo courtesy microsoft.com free image gallery
Beth Ann Farley is married with three grown children. She lives in Kansas City, MO where she serves as a full-time librarian. She loves to read, write, decorate and spend as much time as possible outside with her Peek-A-Poo. Beth is a lover of the Lord. “He is my everything and I can’t start a day without visiting with Him.”
Receive a daily devotion on your Kindle!
Gifts to use
A variety of gifts
Each has been given:
All for a different purpose.
Without these gifts
We could not accomplish His will.
While frustration sets in
When looking at other’s gifts
And comparing them to our own,
None can do what we were created for.
Even the simplest of gifts
Could make the biggest impact,
But it won’t be known until it’s used.
Tynea Lewis is an elementary teacher in Lancaster, Pennsylvania. She writes book reviews for Bethany House Publishers. In addition to writing reviews, she works with Flamingnet.com as an evaluator of student reviews. Tynea also enjoys writing short stories, novels, and poetry.
Receive a daily devotion on your Kindle!
Meet me where I am...just as I am
You chose me.
just as I am?
You forgive me.
just as i am?
You delight in me.
just as i am?
You call me beautiful.
just as i am?
You call me Your child.
just as i am?
You love me
just as i am.
For I am confident of this very thing,
that He who began a good work in you
will perfect it until the day of Christ Jesus.
Philippians 1:6 NAS
Susan Rehberg is an award winning poet, author, photographer, speaker, and cancer survivor. She has written four books, A Time for Growing, A Time to Be Still, A Time to Be Held (the journal of hope from her journey with cancer), and Letters to the Shepherd. In 1999, she was awarded the Margaret I. Miller New Writer Award by the Greater Philadelphia Christian Writers Fellowship. At the 2010 Colorado Christian Writers Conference, Susan was awarded First Place for Poetry for Published Authors for her poem, My Offering.
When Susan sits down to write, her heart pours onto the page creating poetry, greeting cards and bookmarks to feed the soul and encourage the spirit. Her photos capture the beauty and wonder of God’s creation. Through her poetry and speaking, Susan seeks to encourage others to find all they need in the arms of the Good Shepherd, Jesus Christ.
He is Risen
It’s not about reindeer Santa
Or pesky little elves
It’s not about hanging tinsel
Or lights in twinkling twelve’s.
It’s not about toys and travel,
Or Grandma’s Turkey pie.
It’s not about fun and laughter—
Stars twinkling in your eye.
It’s not about gifts and treasure
But animals in the stall
With shepherds, angels, Wise Men
And others come to call.
For with all celebrations,
There’s joy, laughter, fun.
But let us not forget
The reason for the Son.
It’s Jesus, who was born
One starry winter’s night
With angels song of welcome
Before they took their flight
A Holy celebration
Resurrected every year
That brings us all together
As angels hover near.
He is that manger baby
He is that childhood nod
He is our celebration
He is the son of God.
Phoebe Leggett is a full-time free-lance writer. In 2007 she was presented two awards for her work at the Blue Ridge Mountain Christian Writer’s Conference in Ridgecrest, North Carolina. She makes her home in Greenville, South Carolina with husband Dana and three felines, and to be close to her children and granddaughter.
In 2004 she faced the darkest day of her life when she learned her youngest son was dead. The only way she survived her trauma was with God by her side. Her first non-fiction is titled It’s My Time To Grieve.
As poet and writer, her articles, stories, and poetry have been published in adult and children’s Christian literature as well as online through www.christiandevotions.us. She serves as Assistant Editor for www.DevoKids.com. And, she contributes poetry bi-monthly to Critter Magazine.Her work has been published in Slate & Style, Shemom, Harold and Banner Press in Primary Pal: Pacific Press Publishing Association in Our Little Friend, MS Focus and MS Connection Magazines, Who’s DANN?—a monthly magazine, Gospel Publishing House in LIVE; a weekly journal; the Pentecostal Evangel—an Assemblies of God publication, Heartland Boating, and the Upper Room magazine. Several of her poems have been read on air at WORD Radio in Greenville, South Carolina. Visit her online at www.phoebe-leggett.com
Read Phoebe’s devotions
Receive a daily devotion on your Kindle!
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.
Read Norma’s devotions and poems.
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, 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
Read Marlene’s devotions
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.
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.
Read Norma’s devotions and poems