Tag: poetry

Faith Without Works?

planning, faith, spiritual health, poetry, podcaster, poem, action, waiting on God

The last poem that I wrote is entitled Released. You can find that poem here. Today’s poem is simple, but meant to stir some thought about our spiritual life. God gave us a gift: his Son. When you receive a gift, there is nothing that you have to do on your part. You just accept it. We are told in Ephesians 2: 8-9; “For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast.”

When it comes to prayers being answered, we have those of us who say that we are waiting on God, and do nothing. But, then there are those of us who live as if God has answered by acting upon it. Which one is showing faith?

planning, faith, spiritual health, poetry, podcaster, poem, action, waiting on God

Faith Without Works?

I’ve got faith. What about you?

I’ve got faith. Works added too.

I’m waiting on God to do his part.

I’m living as if he’s already started.

Don’t understand, prayed in my bed.

Well don’t you know?

Without works it’s dead?

Meditation Scripture

Faith Without Works Is Dead

14 What does it profit, my brethren, if someone says he has faith but does not have works? Can faith save him? 15 If a brother or sister is naked and destitute of daily food, 16 and one of you says to them, “Depart in peace, be warmed and filled,” but you do not give them the things which are needed for the body, what does it profit? 17 Thus also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead.

18 But someone will say, “You have faith, and I have works.” Show me your faith without [ayour works, and I will show you my faith by my works. 19 You believe that there is one God. You do well. Even the demons believe—and tremble! 20 But do you want to know, O foolish man, that faith without works is dead? 21 Was not Abraham our father justified by works when he offered Isaac his son on the altar? 22 Do you see that faith was working together with his works, and by works faith was made perfect? 23 And the Scripture was fulfilled which says, “Abraham believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness.” And he was called the friend of God. 24 You see then that a man is justified by works, and not by faith only.

25 Likewise, was not Rahab the harlot also justified by works when she received the messengers and sent them out another way?

26 For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also.

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Released

walls, piercing, heart, God, emotional health, thriving, spiritual health, mental health, living, healing, survival, poetry,poem, poet, author, blogger, blogger life, author life, writer

The last poem that I wrote, The Advancer, can be found here. Today’s poem, Released, describes what happens when Christ gets a hold of our hearts. When we are open, he can heal us, and take us from a life of just surviving, to a fruitful life filled with thriving. God bless!

walls, piercing, heart, God, emotional health, thriving, spiritual health, mental health, living, healing, survival, poetry,poem, poet, author, blogger, blogger life, author life, writer
by Brodie Vissers-Shopify

Released

The Savior

The Son of God

He pierces

Straight through the heart

To the point

Where we Confess

That we’re tired

Of the Same, Old Mess

The Lifestyle

Of just coping and surviving

We’re done now

Let’s get to the thriving

He breaks down

The power of Sin

Holy Spirit

Come dwells within

He breaks down

All the walls of doubt

And His Name

Alone gives him clout

He breaks down

All power of sin

All God’s people

Can say Amen

Meditation Verse

Some of you were once like that. But you were cleansed; you were made holy; you were made right with God by calling on the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God.

1 Corinthians 6:11

The Advancer

writing, advancer, vision, plain, habakkuk, poetry, poem, poet, podcaster, writer, author, blogger, blogger life, spiritual health, waiting

We have our plans, and then God has his. Three or four people can be doing the exact same thing, and two people may succeed, and the other two may not. Second option: The other two may have to wait for God to release. So, sometimes if you haven’t been released for success yet, it isn’t necessarily that you aren’t do everything right, it may not be your timing yet. God is the advancer, and we are not. Sometimes that realization is difficult to sink in. As individuals, it can be easy to get caught in this type of thinking. It becomes another way to stay stuck in the comparison trap. When we submit to his will, and do our part, he makes it plain. This poem, The Advancer, deals with this aspect in a nutshell. Last week’s poem, Why I Write, can be found here. God bless!

writing, advancer, vision, plain, habakkuk, poetry, poem, poet, podcaster, writer, author, blogger, blogger life, spiritual health, waiting

The Advancer

Writing the Vision.

Making It Plain.

Doing His Calling.

Dancing in Rain.

Waiting on God.

Seeing How He Answers.

Trusting in Him.

The Mighty Advancer.

Meditation Verse

Habakkuk 2: 1-3

I will stand at my guard post and station myself on the ramparts. I will watch to see what He will say to me and how I will answer my reproof.  Then the LORDanswered me:“Write down this vision and clearly inscribe it on tablets,so that a herald may run with it.  For the vision awaits an appointed time; it testifies of the end, and will not lie. Though it lingers, wait for it, since it will surely come and not delay.…

Why I Write

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The last poem that I wrote was entitled, “Gratitude, Gratitude”, and it can be found here. Today’s poem takes you on a winding adventure of why I have chosen to write. Please feel free to send in your comments below on why it is that you have chosen the path of writing.

writing, author, book, poem, poet, poetry, blogger, blogger life, trauma, anxiety, death, birth. living, emotional health, mental health, podcaster
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Why I Write

I write from the heart.

No, it’s not just a part.

It’s the pain and the struggles.

It’s the drama and the tuggles.

The laughter and the cries.

The births and the byes.

The ins and the outs.

The moments filled with doubt.

The pushing past surviving.

The greeting of the thriving.

The heartaches and the pain.

The neverending rain.

The beauty and the ashes.

The life that’s filled with dashes.

Where there is no vision, the people perish: but he that keepeth the law, happy is he.


Proverbs 29:18 King James Version (KJV)

Episode 12: Lost in the Woods of Trauma

trauma, identity, stolen identity, anxiety, depression, emotional health, mental health, spiritual health, ptsd survivor, podcast, poet, poetry, podcaster, blogger life, blogger, author, woods, lost, rock bottom

Episode 12: Lost in the Woods of Trauma
Healing Our Brokenness Podcast Seri...

 
 
00:00 / 00:21:08
 
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Have you ever lost your kid? That’s the scariest thing in the world? What about you? Have you ever been lost yourself? I mean really lost!!! Think about how you felt. Today, on Healing Our Brokenness, we are going to discuss being lost in the woods. Lost in the woods is a term that I give for “Identity Issues of Trauma.” I described this issue in the poem that I wrote that is called, “Stolen Identity”. You can find that poem here.

trauma, identity, stolen identity, anxiety, depression, emotional health, mental health, spiritual health, ptsd survivor, podcast, poet, poetry, podcaster, blogger life, blogger, author, woods, lost, rock bottom
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  • Lost in the Woods of Trauma Outline
  • Discussion of Being Lost
  • What Led to My Discovery of Being Lost in the Woods
  • How I Grounded Myself
  • What did David Do When he was Lost in the Woods?
  • Bible Verses to Meditate On

Psalm 143 King James Version (KJV)

143 Hear my prayer, O Lord, give ear to my supplications: in thy faithfulness answer me, and in thy righteousness.

2 And enter not into judgment with thy servant: for in thy sight shall no man living be justified.

3 For the enemy hath persecuted my soul; he hath smitten my life down to the ground; he hath made me to dwell in darkness, as those that have been long dead.

4 Therefore is my spirit overwhelmed within me; my heart within me is desolate.

5 I remember the days of old; I meditate on all thy works; I muse on the work of thy hands.

6 I stretch forth my hands unto thee: my soul thirsteth after thee, as a thirsty land. Selah.

7 Hear me speedily, O Lord: my spirit faileth: hide not thy face from me, lest I be like unto them that go down into the pit.

8 Cause me to hear thy lovingkindness in the morning; for in thee do I trust: cause me to know the way wherein I should walk; for I lift up my soul unto thee.

9 Deliver me, O Lord, from mine enemies: I flee unto thee to hide me.

10 Teach me to do thy will; for thou art my God: thy spirit is good; lead me into the land of uprightness.

11 Quicken me, O Lord, for thy name’s sake: for thy righteousness’ sake bring my soul out of trouble.

12 And of thy mercy cut off mine enemies, and destroy all them that afflict my soul: for I am thy servant.

Gratitude, Gratitude

poet, poem, poetry, podcast, attitude, spiritual health

A couple of months ago, I wrote a post entitled “Gratitude Check”. You can find that post here. Today, I decided to write a poem to help us to dissect the why behind gratitude.

poet, poem, poetry, podcast, attitude, spiritual health
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Gratitude, Gratitude

Gratitude, Gratitude

It all stems from our attitude.

Are we entitled, or undeserving?

Happy for,

Or sad and nerving?

Can we just thank him?

For Life and Health?

And every moment we take our breath?

Can we write down the things he’s done?

To show our God his love has won?

Gratitude, Gratitude

It all stems from our attitude.

Bible Verses to Meditate on:

Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.

1 Thessalonians 5: 18

100 Make a joyful noise unto the Lord, all ye lands.

2 Serve the Lord with gladness: come before his presence with singing.

3 Know ye that the Lord he is God: it is he that hath made us, and not we ourselves; we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture.

4 Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, and into his courts with praise: be thankful unto him, and bless his name.

5 For the Lord is good; his mercy is everlasting; and his truth endureth to all generations.King James Version (KJV)

Psalms 100

Elijah and the Widow

oil, bread, rise, Elijah and the Widow, 1 Kings 17, poet, poetry, poem, spiritual health, provision, God, food

Background on Elijah and the Widow

oil, bread, rise, Elijah and the Widow, 1 Kings 17, poet, poetry, poem, spiritual health, provision, God, food
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The last poem that I wrote was entitled Blessings, Blessings. That poem can be found here. This poem retells the story of Elijah and the widow.

Elijah and the Widow

God sent me here.

That’s why I’ve come.

Cause I was told you are the one.

Please feed me now.

I mustn’t starve.

Have no more food.

Barely got lard.

What do you have?

Please look and see!

Some bread and oil,

Not fit for three.

Please feed me first.

Then you will see,

How God provides,

So bountifully.

And she obeyed, until it hurt.

Then God came down,

And proved her worth.

See she forgot that God provides.

The oil increased.

The bread did rise.

Elijah and the Widow at Zarephath

7 Some time later the brook dried up because there had been no rain in the land. 8 Then the word of the Lord came to him: 9 “Go at once to Zarephath in the region of Sidon and stay there. I have directed a widowthere to supply you with food.” 10 So he went to Zarephath. When he came to the town gate, a widow was there gathering sticks. He called to her and asked, “Would you bring me a little water in a jar so I may have a drink?” 11 As she was going to get it, he called, “And bring me, please, a piece of bread.”

12 “As surely as the Lord your God lives,” she replied, “I don’t have any bread—only a handful of flour in a jar and a little olive oil in a jug. I am gathering a few sticks to take home and make a meal for myself and my son, that we may eat it—and die.”

13 Elijah said to her, “Don’t be afraid. Go home and do as you have said. But first make a small loaf of bread for me from what you have and bring it to me, and then make something for yourself and your son.14 For this is what the Lord, the God of Israel, says: ‘The jar of flour will not be used up and the jug of oil will not run dry until the day the Lordsends rain on the land.’”

15 She went away and did as Elijah had told her. So there was food every day for Elijah and for the woman and her family. 16 For the jar of flour was not used up and the jug of oil did not run dry, in keeping with the word of the Lord spoken by Elijah.


Blessings, Blessings

poem, poet, poetry, blessings, spiritual health, gem, focus, things

Background on Blessings, Blessings

Yesterday, I wrote a poem called “The Captain of the Ship”. You can find that poem here. Today’s poem deals with a different subject. Sometimes we get so caught up in our day to day living that we focus on the things that we have been blessed with instead of focusing on the source, the Creator of the universe. This poem is meant to cause one stop and take notice of what is most important in life: our “Gem”, the King of Kings.

Blessings, Blessings

poem, poet, poetry, blessings, spiritual health, gem, focus, things
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Blessings, Blessings.

Here and there.

Blessings, Blessings.

Everywhere.

Do we focus on the kings?

Or, do we focus on Him?

Do we focus on the things?

Or, do we focus on the “Gem”?

Blessings, Blessings.

Here and there.

Blessings, Blessings.

Everywhere.

James 1:17

Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.

Genesis 22: 16-17

16 and said, “I swear by myself, declares the LORD, that because you have done this and have not withheld your son, your only son, 17 I will surely bless you and make your descendants as numerous as the stars in the sky and as the sand on the seashore. Your descendants will take possession of the cities of their enemies,

Genesis 27: 28-29

28 May God give you heaven’s dew and earth’s richness— an abundance of grain and new wine. 29 May nations serve you and peoples bow down to you. Be lord over your brothers, and may the sons of your mother bow down to you. May those who curse you be cursed and those who bless you be blessed.”

The Captain of the Ship

poetry, poem, poet, captain of the ship, ark, vision, life raft, blogger, blogger life, podcaster. author, water, isaiah 43

 Background on “The Captain of the Ship”

I wrote this poem based upon a vision that I was given by God last week when I fell asleep. It was so realistic that it was scary. As buildings and cars turned over into the water, the coach bus that my kids and I were riding in, headed to Hawaii, continuing to trudge through the water as if it was an ark. We made one stop, and a man was passing out life rafts to everyone on the bus, just in case we didn’t make it as well. He ran out when it came to me and my family. I was in a panic, and then I woke up, remembering who the person had to be behind the wheel.

poetry, poem, poet, captain of the ship, ark, vision, life raft, blogger, blogger life, podcaster. author, water, isaiah 43
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The Captain of the Ship

When I lay down and go to sleep,

I dream with visions, and water is deep.

My fear of water comes rushing in.

Where are the life rafts?

Is this the end?

The captain turns and gives a smile.

“Have you forgotten, I’ve been here a while?



You sleep my child.

Rest for a while.

I have the wheel.

Control the dials.



My word will not return on void.

I keep my promises.

Don’t be annoyed.

Walk through the fire, swim through the sea.

No burning now, no drowning thee.”

Isaiah 43:1-2

But now thus saith the Lord that created thee, O Jacob, and he that formed thee, O Israel, Fear not: for I have redeemed thee, I have called thee by thy name; thou art mine.

2 When thou passest through the waters, I will be with thee; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow thee: when thou walkest through the fire, thou shalt not be burned; neither shall the flame kindle upon thee.

Bible Gateway

Dancing in the Rain

rain, feet, dancing, dancing in the rain, David, emotional health, mental health, spiritual health, poet, poetry, storms

Dancing in the Rain
Healing Our Brokenness Podcast Seri...

 
 
00:00 / 00:21:32
 
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The last podcast that was recorded was Episode 10: Pick up your mat and walk! You can find that episode here. Today’s episode is called “Dancing in the Rain”. I know that there are quite a few of you who like to dance. Unfortunately, this isn’t the kind of dancing that I am talking about. This dancing deals with the response to the storms of life. Click the play button and take a listen. God bless!

rain, feet, dancing, dancing in the rain, David, emotional health, mental health, spiritual health, poet, poetry, storms
Photo by Alicia Zinn on Pexels.com

Outline of Dancing in the Rain podcast:

  • Dancing in the Rain Movie-style
  • Dancing in the Rain Storm style
  • How Job danced in the Rain
  • How I danced in the Rain
  • How Do you Dance in the Rain?
  • Bible Verses to Meditate On:

Job 1

1 There was a man in the land of Uz, whose name was Job; and that man was perfect and upright, and one that feared God, and eschewed evil.

2 And there were born unto him seven sons and three daughters.

3 His substance also was seven thousand sheep, and three thousand camels, and five hundred yoke of oxen, and five hundred she asses, and a very great household; so that this man was the greatest of all the men of the east.

4 And his sons went and feasted in their houses, every one his day; and sent and called for their three sisters to eat and to drink with them.

5 And it was so, when the days of their feasting were gone about, that Job sent and sanctified them, and rose up early in the morning, and offered burnt offerings according to the number of them all: for Job said, It may be that my sons have sinned, and cursed God in their hearts. Thus did Job continually.

6 Now there was a day when the sons of God came to present themselves before the Lord, and Satan came also among them.

7 And the Lord said unto Satan, Whence comest thou? Then Satan answered the Lord, and said, From going to and fro in the earth, and from walking up and down in it.

8 And the Lord said unto Satan, Hast thou considered my servant Job, that there is none like him in the earth, a perfect and an upright man, one that feareth God, and escheweth evil?

9 Then Satan answered the Lord, and said, Doth Job fear God for nought?

10 Hast not thou made an hedge about him, and about his house, and about all that he hath on every side? thou hast blessed the work of his hands, and his substance is increased in the land.

11 But put forth thine hand now, and touch all that he hath, and he will curse thee to thy face.

12 And the Lord said unto Satan, Behold, all that he hath is in thy power; only upon himself put not forth thine hand. So Satan went forth from the presence of the Lord.

13 And there was a day when his sons and his daughters were eating and drinking wine in their eldest brother’s house:

14 And there came a messenger unto Job, and said, The oxen were plowing, and the asses feeding beside them:

15 And the Sabeans fell upon them, and took them away; yea, they have slain the servants with the edge of the sword; and I only am escaped alone to tell thee.

16 While he was yet speaking, there came also another, and said, The fire of God is fallen from heaven, and hath burned up the sheep, and the servants, and consumed them; and I only am escaped alone to tell thee.

17 While he was yet speaking, there came also another, and said, The Chaldeans made out three bands, and fell upon the camels, and have carried them away, yea, and slain the servants with the edge of the sword; and I only am escaped alone to tell thee.

18 While he was yet speaking, there came also another, and said, Thy sons and thy daughters were eating and drinking wine in their eldest brother’s house:

19 And, behold, there came a great wind from the wilderness, and smote the four corners of the house, and it fell upon the young men, and they are dead; and I only am escaped alone to tell thee.

20 Then Job arose, and rent his mantle, and shaved his head, and fell down upon the ground, and worshipped,

21 And said, Naked came I out of my mother’s womb, and naked shall I return thither: the Lord gave, and the Lord hath taken away; blessed be the name of the Lord.

22 In all this Job sinned not, nor charged God foolishly.

Life isn’t about waiting for the storm to pass. It’s about learning to dance in the rain.

Vivian Greene