MeaningFull Poetry Week: Bianca's Heart

Day4 and what a day to share our hearts and lives! Today I am blessed to introduce my fellow friend and sister Bianca Pipe.

Bianca is a Yeshua pursuing, tea hoarding, animal loving South African. As someone who is a big planner and likes things to go according to said plan, she is terrifyingly and wonderfully in awe as she experiences all these plans unravel and watches as Yahweh creates a story for her life much better than the one she had originally planned for. Currently, she finds herself as an accidental nomad in England as she discovers who she is in Yeshua and all that He has in store for her life. She occasionally shares bits of her story over at Written by Rivkah

Bianca does not write poetry or even considers herself a writer, but she wrote a moving Psalm through a personal encounter with her God, here are her words..

A Psalm

A season of life without words

A destitute land.

Forgotten, abandoned, left for dead.

Why have you forsaken me, my God?

When will you remember me?

I cried out onto empty ears.

I searched high and low

I searched for You but You were nowhere to be seen.

Please, my God, remember me.

May Your anger towards me disappear,

Before I do.

In a destitute land, it was there.

It was there where You found me.

Broken, beaten, bleeding.

You lifted me in Your arms.

Cradled me close to Your chest.

I could hear the beating of Your heart against my ear.

Come, My darling daughter.

Come, rest in My arms.

Weep no more, daughter

For I am with you.

Along the still waters, I walked

Hand in hand, gazing into Your eyes

The warm glow of the sun on my bare face.

Forever loved, forever safe in Your care

And now, out of my mouth comes no more wailing

But rather a song.

A song of restoration

A song of grace.

Words that speak of Your majesty and saving power

A song for my King and my Beloved.

A song for the nation

A song for the future

A song.

Her favourite Poem;

I am Woman by Aliyah Lauren Jacobs, (thanks my friend!:))

The reason that this is my number one poem is because when I read it, a fire within me is ignited. This poem causes a light to be cast on all that I have been through. Things that were meant to defeat me, reject me and silence me. This poem makes me see that these things instead made me unconquerable in Him, accepted in Him and helped me to live more loudly and boldly than what I ever thought I’d be able to. I have this poem hanging in my bedroom and when I need to be reminded of who I am, I read it. When I need encouragement, I read it. When I am feeling weak and broken and weary, I read it. It is through this poem that the Father has spoken so deeply into my heart. It reminds me of who He created us all to be. It is who we are – unafraid, hand-made, warrior, ruler, poet, queen.

I am Woman

By Lauren Jacobs

I am Woman – I choose to be undefined.

Undefeated but despised.

Rejected

Dismembered

Disgraced

Maltreated.

But I am Woman – unafraid to be seen.

I am me – a woman and everything that means.

Unafraid

Hand-made

Warrior,

Ruler, poet

Queen,

Boldly powerful,

With a need to be seen.

This is Woman – take a look and see

Object,

Subject,

Beaten

Silenced

But still undefeated; Queen.

I am Woman! Possessing a powerful form.

Victorious,

Impassioned,

Courageous,

Spirited.

Formidable.

She is Woman and all that means!

Captain,

Healer

Fighter,

A Freer.

Impassioned,

Emblazoned

Powerful,

Whole.

I am woman, a spark inflamed, crowned with glory

That is all of me. She is woman, poet, ruler, Warrior, Queen.

Sharing at Holley Gerth

 

MeaningFull Poetry Week - Karrilee's Heart

Day 3 of our MeaningFull Poetry Week and it's a blessing  to see people interacting with the heart words of others, for poetry is an expression of our hearts.  Today I'm breathless in introducing to you a fellow blogger and believer in the "prophetic post card ministry" aka, sending cards in the mail! So without further ado, let me introduce to you Karrilee Aggett; Karrilee is a wife, mother, daughter, sister and friend. She is a writer, reader, pray-er, photographer, artist, beach lover, laugh seeker...serving God to the best of her ability. She lives in the Pacific Northwest with her husband where they are new empty nesters to their only girlie. They are also co-leaders of Dad's House, a new church plant in their hometown. She is passionate about diving in deeper with the Lord and inviting others to discover His love for them. Her life message is...Speak Life. Be Love. Shine On. Karrilee loves to share her heart and what the Lord is speaking to her over at Abiding Love, Abounding Grace.

You can connect with Karrilee on her blog, Abiding Love, Abounding Grace 
She is also all over Bossy Social Media (and clearly has a love/addicted relationship with it!) You can find her on Facebook!

 

Ready to Listen, Ready to Hear...
by Karrilee Aggett Copyright 2015

"It's Wednesday,

and I breathe in deep,

letting the morning breeze shower me

with sprinkler mist, like dew

gently refreshing and waking me

to wide-open possibilities

and an unplanned day.

Inhale.  Exhale.

I close my eyes and open my ears.

Ready to listen, ready to hear.

"Hear am I, Lord..."

...and I wait.

The chimes sing their lazy summer song

as the hazy skies remind me of smoke and of fire,

of prayers for rain and for triple digits gone.

It drops to the 80s now and I can feel it there...

--the faint hint of Fall sneaking around

in the early waking hours, floating on air.

It smells like the return of schedules, of routine,

and of pumpkin-spiced everything.

And as the seasons change,

I hold on to Rest and to Peace,

--to all that Adventure may bring.

"What would You like me to do today, Lord?"

"I'd like you to read and to write...

--to dream and not doubt!

To create art in many ways,

inside of yourself,

and then, just let it spill out!

I'd like you to bring Me with you

in your everyday living...

your washing, and folding,

and in all of your giving.

I'd like to sit with you slow,

and run with you fast,

to speak to you 

and through you

--words that give life;

words that will last.

"No," I interrupt, "specifically what would You like to do today?"

And I can't be certain, but I think I hear Him laugh.

"That's it!" He says.

"Simply take Me out wherever you go.

I'm with you always,

but sometimes you forget

that this, you already know!

Just invite Me in to all of your days!

Live this life I've given you with joy,

letting love show through in all of your ways.

Be brave, be bold... Wait for Me to Lead.

I hold your heart. I meet your needs.

Don't hesitate or fear.

I'll quiet your soul until you're ready

to Listen and to Hear.

"Beloved..." He leans in and whispers,

"I'm never far... I'm always near,

and you? Well you are ready

to listen and to hear."

It's Wednesday,

and I breathe in deep..."

Karrilee and I share a similar love, a similar inspiration, a poem written by Robert Frost called "The Road not Taken." Karrilee explains, "The reason I love this poem dates way, way, (way!) back to my early elementary school days!  I believe it was in second grade that our teacher had us memorize poems and recite them in front of the class. Now, I was a shy kid and never wanted to be called on, but there was something magical and rhythmic in speaking words so full of hope and beauty! I've always loved this piece. I was actually sitting in a workshop session with Amena Brown, talking about and practicing writing Spoken Words when I realized that ever since second grade, I have loved the spoken word! What a gift!"

 

“The Road Not Taken" by Robert Frost

Two roads diverged in a yellow wood,

And sorry I could not travel both

And be one traveler, long I stood

And looked down one as far as I could

To where it bent in the undergrowth;

Then took the other, as just as fair,

And having perhaps the better claim,

Because it was grassy and wanted wear;

Though as for that the passing there

Had worn them really about the same,

And both that morning equally lay

In leaves no step had trodden black.

Oh, I kept the first for another day!

Yet knowing how way leads on to way,

I doubted if I should ever come back.

I shall be telling this with a sigh

Somewhere ages and ages hence:

Two roads diverged in a wood, and I—

I took the one less traveled by,

And that has made all the difference.” 

Sharing at Word of God Speak

FMF- The Beautiful Journey

Five Minutes of Uninterrupted Writing, unedited on the prompt "Journey." Go!

 As I lit the Sabbath candles this evening I pulled the light towards my eyes and smiled, heavenly peace. Today I have been thinking about the wonders this year held for me, for this family. And the guilt that sometimes one feels when one finally says, wow this year has been great. But, yes this year has held so many beautiful surprises and still they keep on coming. Yahweh our God is a Master Chef, a Master Artist, a Master Journey Digger of one sweet journey after another. Tonight, I am grateful for so much. This morning I was feeling worried about my book launch happening tomorrow (another part of the journey) and I prayed so for joy to find my soul today and it has. I have done things I never thought were possible. Things that required money I did not have - but then doors opened where no money was required and the miracles took place. Deeper doors for ministry opened, changes and shifting seasons. My book published, my marriage strengthened, a little one coming in to our family soon (my brothers little girl due December). But most importantly, God in all His Love. I have grown, I have been made more whole, I have changed, my spirit enlarged and I see His beautiful Love, Hear His Voice clearly, oh so clearly. Know His Love, know I am called, deeper still, and He is ever drawing nearer. This journey just begun and my heart is filled with gratitude tonight, and wonder. 

STOP! Sharing at Kates

MeaningFull Poetry Week - Denise's Heart

Day 2 of our Meaning Full Poetry and truthfully, hearing other voices has inspired me and encouraged me, breathed new life in to my poets soul. Today, I am blessed to share the poetry of a dear sister and someone whose life shines with Heavenly Light, Denise Armstrong. Denise equals worshipper. Her purpose is to glorify God by enjoying Him in all of His Creation, among His People, His Bride, the Church; accentuating His glorious Bridge of reconciliation — the Cross of Jesus Christ — through words laced with His Truth, and cast abroad in the world He loves, and died and lives again to save. She met her husband, Claude, some 27 years ago, on a trip to procure supplies after hurricane Gilbert decimated her island home Jamaica. They exchanged addresses and two photos. Two years and many letters later, he proposed. He went to Jamaica one year later and whisked Denise away to wifery, motherhood and homeschooling, with all their attendant sorrows and myriad joys. This year they marked their silver anniversary with a vows renewal ceremony in the presence of their mothers, and three beautiful children, Joseph(24), Charis (22) & Timothy (18) along with friends, in Richmond, VA, where they now reside. She shares over at Dawn Wings

KANSAS SUNRISE (II)

The Next Step

Kansas sunrise, misty grey 

Night that loathes to give way to day 

Earthbound water and heavenly fire 

Tussling to rule, cloud the new day's desire 

To break forth upon the night of man 

So crawling we go to catch-as-catch-can

Striving we go to discern the intangible 

Loathing to take the one step that is possible 

Doubting that in 'the next step' we find 

The way that is open to sighted or blind 

Focusing on the grey swirl that is seen 

We reach forth our arms and embrace the screen

But earth takes its axis so soon night and day 

Make clear to the faithful plodder the way 

With light from above he'll steward the earth 

 For the Creator's nature is shouting forth 

The Truth that draws the final line 

That determines our rise or vain decline

So Kansas sunrise, your cover is blown 

Your bushel of doubt is overthrown 

'The next step' brings the piercing ray

That scatters your shades and brings forth the day 

And now through the dark like an arrow true 

Comes word by the song-bird the day's broken 

through!

                                                      (c) 1993 - Denise Stair Armstrong        

Some of Denise's Favourite Words;

                 'Omnipresence'

Oh, praise the Lord!
   "This earth is crammed with heaven!"
Oh, praise the Lord!
    And, Christian, look around!
For every bush you pass with fire is flaming,
And every spot you tread is holy ground.
                                          Women's Devotional Bible, (c) 1990
                                                 The  Zondervan Corporation
                                    ***^^^****^^^^
"Earth’s crammed with heaven
And every common bush afire with God.
But only those who see take off their shoes…”
                                              Elizabeth Browning                 

Sharing over at Katie Reid                   

MeaningFull Poetry week - Julia's Heart

Shalom beloved! Welcome to our week of meaningFull Poetry, where we are sharing bits of our own poetry, along with some of our favorite poems and pieces of writing that have inspired us. This is Day 1 and I am so excited to introduce someone filled with poetic inspiration and encouragement, Julia Putzke. Julia writes to and for her Saviour Jesus, her poetic pieces are expressions of that journey and she loves to share about it over at Crippled at Your Table. 

Here are her words....

 To Me

Love,
a brush against
my cheek--a gasp
escapes my mouth.
I watch yellow wings
carry on their way,
my eyes wide open.
A nudge on my back.
I pull a red leaf from
my black jacket, a burn
mark in the center, half
of a heart. Where is the other
half, LORD? You are twice as
good as my half-hearted to be good. I want to feel the love between us, not only longing desire for embrace. I know there are different kinds of happy: anticipatory, like waiting for this journey to unfold step by guided step. In the moment, an unexpected gift arriving when hope has lost its hold.
Residual, when you go through
moments behind: a homemade pumpkin muffin, a box of Christmas joy from a friend when grief came so sudden,
how are you? texts when nights felt long. Enough of these to bring a thought to mind: maybe there's a loving God who wants
me to know, You are wonderful.

 Julia's Favourite Poem is,

Psalm 103:2-5 is one of my favourite pieces of poetry, it reas; "Let all that I am praise the Lord; may I never forget the good things he does for me. He forgives all my sins and heals all my diseases. He redeems me from death and crowns me with love and tender mercies. He fills my life with good things. My youth is renewed like the eagle’s!"

I love this part of psalm 103 because of a song by Ellie Holcomb, called "Don't forget his love." http://youtu.be/fMflCr1Vge8 I've loved her music since 2013 when I first discovered it and I have felt like God sings his hope for the heartache I've felt from my parents divorce and not knowing where He is taking me, through her songs. I've learned His Word through her music without even realizing it until months later. Which has also why this poem has given me hope: it has taught me that He will always find intimate ways to speak to me. He will always lead and guide me.

 

SHaring at Holley Gerth's 

I'm Feasting - FMF

We travelled up country for the Feast of Tabernacles, to teach and be among people we had never met before. The geyser in our room was leaking, so was the toilet and the food was terrible, but how we feasted! Feasting on the fellowship of others, feasting licking lips deliciously with the presence of our Holy King. Feasting on the Love of the Messiah. We delighted in the aroma of His Love, and we drank deeply from His cup of deliverance and freedom. How we ate with such delight!

At the entrance of the hall where we gathered for sessions where we heard teaching and preaching, one woman set up a wedding canopy just like they would do in the Ancient biblical wedding ceremony. And on the table, was a daily feast of different fruits, nuts, and all kinds of sweet offerings. We stood beneath the wedding canopy feasting on the never ending flow of fruits that came from nowhere! I marvelled at how, daily I never saw anyone replenish the table but it was always full. I was reminded at how much Abba Father has for us, how He has laid a table before us and how He tells us that it is a table which overflows (Psalm 23). Do we expand our spiritual hunger enough to go and eat? Do we still desire the fresh Spiritual Manna He wants to give us daily (Exodus 16)? Are we hungry like the bride in Solomons Song!
 

I am at the table Abba, knife and fork in hand, I am hungry for You, Abba I delight to feast on Your Presence, fill me!

Stop!Five minutes of unedited writing sharing over at Kate's 
And Amanda's Books