Simple, Functional, Grace-filled Living.
Sometimes depending on what we are dealing with in life, we feel the need for a refreshing from the Spirit of God himself. That is what this poem, Renewal, is all about: God refreshing our souls, and us totally immersed in him. Blessings!
Renew my heart.
Renew my mind.
Renew my thoughts.
My soul entwined.
Your peace within.
Becomes my friend.
Your love without.
It makes me shout.
My spirit groans.
You make it known.
To God.
He sees.
It’s victory.
Other poems for Reflection:
Background on the Poem Why Not Me?
It is so easy as individuals, and particularly women, to get caught up in the cycle of the comparison trap. We wonder why God hasn’t fulfilled our very deep soul longing for our desires. We often forget that God is on a different timetable than ours. Praise him for his faithfulness as you wait for your breakthrough! God bless!
Why Not Me?
Why her and not me?
I am gifted, don’t you see?
I have read all your word.
Practiced all that I’ve heard.
I sang in the choir.
Served others till I tired.
Yes, I know that you’re the one,
Praising me from morning’s dawn.
I also know when you are ready.
When others’ gain is not your petty.
And so, for now, just focus on me.
Your breakthrough is coming.
I guarantee.
Other poems to check out:
Background on the Sin of Complaining:
When was the last time that you complained? Was it this morning? Did you complain because you had to get up out of the bed, and you didn’t get enough sleep? Did you complain because you had to cook breakfast, and no one washed the dishes the night before?
What about going to work? Did you complain about the fact that you barely had enough gas in the car to get to work? To make matters worse, someone cut you off on the way to the office, and then they mouthed a few words that you wish you hadn’t seen. We all complain at one time or another. However, complaining is sin, and it affects everyone else around us when we start doing it.
Take a listen to this week’s podcast to find out what complaining does, and how we can do less of it.
11 Now the people complained about their hardships in the hearing of the Lord, and when he heard them his anger was aroused. Then fire from the Lord burned among them and consumed some of the outskirts of the camp. 2 When the people cried out to Moses, he prayed to the Lord and the fire died down. 3 So that place was called Taberah,[a]because fire from the Lord had burned among them.
4 The rabble with them began to crave other food, and again the Israelites started wailing and said, “If only we had meat to eat! 5 We remember the fish we ate in Egypt at no cost—also the cucumbers, melons, leeks, onions and garlic. 6 But now we have lost our appetite; we never see anything but this manna!”
7 The manna was like coriander seed and looked like resin. 8 The people went around gathering it, and then ground it in a hand mill or crushed it in a mortar. They cooked it in a pot or made it into loaves. And it tasted like something made with olive oil. 9 When the dew settled on the camp at night, the manna also came down.
10 Moses heard the people of every family wailing at the entrance to their tents. The Lord became exceedingly angry, and Moses was troubled.11 He asked the Lord, “Why have you brought this trouble on your servant? What have I done to displease you that you put the burden of all these people on me?
Click here for the last podcast: Episode 14: Broken Pieces Introduction.
Background on Vegetarian Bean Party
The last bean recipe that I posted, “Black Bean Mishmash“, can be found here. Today’s recipe is entitled Vegetarian Bean Party Bowl. Before we get to the recipe, I would like to take you on my reading adventure.
. Today’s recipe is entitled Vegetarian Bean Party Bowl. Before we get to the recipe, I would like to take you on my reading adventure.
I have been reading “How People Grow” by Dr. Henry Cloud and Dr. John Townsend. I was excited because I found this book at Goodwill a few months ago, and I just started reading it a couple of weeks ago. It is one of those self-help books where once you get into it, it becomes very hard to put it down.
Like all self-help books, there are some concepts mentioned that we realize we are currently implementing that are fine. There are others that need fine-tuning. We have some that need some serious help; then there are some that we have known and implement, but the examples given makes things come more to life than they have ever been.
For me, it was the real-life examples of the effects of how the “Body of Christ” works. What I have noticed myself is that in order to reap the benefits of this “Body/community”, trust is of utmost importance, and then real vulnerability is easier to follow. When one person opens the door to honesty, then for sure others will follow.
Activity: Making Vegetarian Bean Party Bowl
Total Prepping and Cooking Time: 35 Minutes
1 can of vegetarian beans
1 small can of tomato paste
1/2 cup of arugula
1/4 cup of nutritional yeast
2 tablespoons of curry powder, onion powder, cumin, turmeric, and chili powder
1/3 cup of quinoa
1/2 cup of brown rice
1/4 cup of vegetable broth
Bowl the ice and quinoa in two separate pots for 20 minutes.
While the grains are cooking, heat up beans in vegetable broth in a skillet for twenty minutes.
Add all ingredients to the skillet, stirring occasionally for another 15 minutes.
Enjoy!
The last poem that I wrote was entitled “The Body“, and it can be found here. Today’s poem, Trials, is another poem that I was inspired to write during the ice storm last week. The one thing that makes everything feel right with the world is witnessing a rainbow after the storm. It is a gentle nod from God to remember yet another one of his sweet promises.
Trials are like rain.
Can be so heavy.
Filled with disdain.
Coming down like cats and dogs.
So hard to see
In all this fog.
The dirt welcomes all the moisture.
As the onset of trials just feel like torture.
Then relief comes in the form of a bow.
With all the colors stacked up in a row.
“I won’t destroy in this way again.”
God reminds us we are his friends.
Background on the Body
The last poem that I wrote was entitled “The Declaration”, and you can find that poem here.
God never makes a mistake with anything that he does. Just a few minutes ago, I was on Twitter doing some posting and scrolling, and I saw a post by Realistic Poetry. I decided to click on it and read it. They presented a challenge.
The challenge was to write a poem based upon two wooden figures leaning up against each other in a box. One figure has its arm slightly around the other figure. The first thought that came across my mind is whether or not I should enter the challenge. I’m glad that I did because God immediately gave me a poem.
The words that he gave me reminded me of how wonderful it is to be in the Body of Christ, doing life with believers who lift each other up, pray for each other, and bear one another’s burdens. Have a blessed Monday everyone!
I lean against you.
You lean against me.
Supporting each other.
It’s positioning you see.
But, then what will happen,
If one of us gets moved?
Will positioning change?
Will we stay in the groove?
Will the box even help?
Will it support us in pain?
Will the loss of “the Body”,
Bring way too much rain?
I lean against you.
You lean against me.
Supporting each other.
It’s positioning you see.
Bible Verse for Meditation
12 For as the body is one, and hath many members, and all the members of that one body, being many, are one body: so also is Christ.
13 For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit.
14 For the body is not one member, but many.
15 If the foot shall say, Because I am not the hand, I am not of the body; is it therefore not of the body?
16 And if the ear shall say, Because I am not the eye, I am not of the body; is it therefore not of the body?
17 If the whole body were an eye, where were the hearing? If the whole were hearing, where were the smelling?
18 But now hath God set the members every one of them in the body, as it hath pleased him.
19 And if they were all one member, where were the body?
20 But now are they many members, yet but one body.
21 And the eye cannot say unto the hand, I have no need of thee: nor again the head to the feet, I have no need of you.
22 Nay, much more those members of the body, which seem to be more feeble, are necessary:
23 And those members of the body, which we think to be less honourable, upon these we bestow more abundant honour; and our uncomely parts have more abundant comeliness.
24 For our comely parts have no need: but God hath tempered the body together, having given more abundant honour to that part which lacked.
25 That there should be no schism in the body; but that the members should have the same care one for another.
26 And whether one member suffer, all the members suffer with it; or one member be honoured, all the members rejoice with it.
27 Now ye are the body of Christ, and members in particular.
Background on Broken Pieces Introduction
The book Broken Pieces was released a few days ago. The poem that I wrote, which is also included in the book, can be found here. In this episode, we are dissecting the reason for the name, the chapters, and the overarching theme of the book. The introduction of the book will be read to help give listeners insight into wh
Broken Pieces is really about. Does the issues resonate with them? And if so, how to seek ways for God to glue these pieces back together.
Broken Pieces Introduction Podcast Outline
Introduction of the Book Chapters
Reading of the Introduction
Bible Verse to Focus On:
John 10:10
King James Bible
The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.
With the way that the weather has been within the last few days, it makes one want to snuggle up with a throw and a book, or perhaps a movie, and just relax. Before we get into the black bean recipe, I would like to share a little bit of my reading adventure from the last few months.
I have been reading so many different books within the last few weeks that it’s a wonder that I can keep up with what’s going on in each book.
One book that I am currently reading is entitled, “The Sharper the Knife, The Less You Cry”. Because of taking four years of french in high school, and enjoying every minute of it, I decided to purchase this book at a rummage sale a few months ago. The main character, Kathleen, decides to leave the corporate world, move to Paris, and attend Le Cordon Bleu to pursue her dreams.
There are several different adventures that she has along the way. Some of which involve the relationships between her and her colleagues, her and her boyfriend, and her and her instructors whom she grows to love. This book is filled with French recipes and tons of laughter. Kathleen quickly finds out that life and recipes have a lot in common. As Christians, we are all too familiar with that as well.
When it comes to recipes, we can have all the ingredients, make the dish exactly as described, and then everything comes out perfect. And such is the Christian life. But then, there are other times that we follow the recipe to a tee, and it turns out a disaster. Perhaps the oil got too brown, we overcooked the rice, or we ended up with meat that was too dry.
God is driving the bus. And we often forget that. Life isn’t a recipe or a secret formula. And although we think we have it all under control, things may fall apart just like the recipe that we knew we followed the directions to a tee. Jeremiah 29:11 tells us:
For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. (NIV)
Here is the the recipe:
1 onion
1/4 cup of nutritional yeast
1 can of mixed vegetables
2 cans of organic black beans
1 box of Quinoa w/brown rice & Rosemary
1/4 cup of oil
onion powder -2 tablespoons
garlic powder -2 tablespoons
cumin -2 tablespoons
Boil the box of quinoa w/brown rice mixture.
While the quinoa mix is boiling, do the following:
Here are other bean recipes in case you’re interested:
Simple Beans and Zucchini Soup
God bless!
Katina
God is driving the bus. And we often forget that. Life isn’t a recipe or a secret formula. And although we think we have it all under control, things may fall apart just like the recipe that we knew we followed the directions to a tee. Jeremiah 29:11 tells us:
For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. (NIV)
Background on Declaration: The last poem that I wrote was entitled, “Sin”, and it can be found here. Today’s poem, “Declaration”, makes one take time to think about events that occurred leading up to the death of Jesus, as he hung on the cross.
The transparency of the rain.
Of the struggles that it aims.
As one waits for the Son.
Be renewed by the One.
Who himself took on pain.
Blood of Christ filled with stains.
As the shadows drew so near.
Heard “It is finished”.
In their ears.
From noon until three in the afternoon darkness came over all the land. About three in the afternoon Jesus cried out in a loud voice, “Eli, Eli, lema sabachthani?” (which means “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?”).
When some of those standing there heard this, they said, “He’s calling Elijah.” Immediately one of them ran and got a sponge. He filled it with wine vinegar, put it on a staff, and offered it to Jesus to drink. The rest said, “Now leave him alone. Let’s see if Elijah comes to save him.”
And when Jesus had cried out again in a loud voice, he gave up his spirit.
The last poem that I wrote is entitled, “Boundaries“. Today’s Poem, Sin, gives us a picture of what happens when we sign the contract and make friends with Sin.
Sin.
It pulls you.
It turns you.
Changes you within.
Sin.
It lies to you.
Deceives you.
Makes you its friend.
Sin.
It rows in you.
And grows in you.
Until it’s all black.
Then when it is done.
Hopes truth will never come back.