| God, Show-Not-Tell Poetry and What You Can Learn From a Seven Year Old |
[Jul. 31st, 2005|09:56 am] |
A little over a year ago, I gave up on trying to write "show not tell" poetry. I didn't think I was good at it. But my friend Tony really liked it so he's getting me into it again. :) The Bible uses LOTS of "show not tell". My challenge is just to make my poems pretty enough that people enjoy reading them and are blessed by them, but also understandable enough so that people aren't just confused and wrapped up in word pictures to the point that it's rendered pointless. I want them to be drawn to God through my poetry, not left confused.
I've been thinking of a song Family Radio plays which uses the phrase "the trees of the Lord shall clap their hands", and I'm pretty sure it's from a beautiful verse in Isaiah which says, "For ye shall go out with joy, and be led forth with peace: the mountains and the hills shall break forth before you into singing, and all the trees of the field shall clap their hands." Isaiah 55:12
So I said to my 7-year-old brother, who was nearby, teasing him a little, "Did you know that the trees clap their hands?!"
He replied, smiling mischievously, "It's not true!"
I said excitedly, still teasing a little, "It's true! The Bible says so!"
Then I read to him from Isaiah 55:12.
He smiled again, but this time his response put me to shame. Even at seven years old, he seems to have a strong and abiding sense that everything the Bible says is true and there must be an explanation for everything in it.
After thinking for a couple of seconds, he said (still smiling), and while I was trying to teach him a little bit about word pictures and metaphors, "They clap their hands because the leaves hit against each other. I've seen them!" |
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| Some of 1 Peter 1 |
[Jun. 16th, 2005|12:19 pm] |
| [ | mood |
| |  contemplative | ] |
"But as he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation; because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy." 1 Peter 1:15-16
"...see that ye love one another with a pure heart fervently:" 1 Peter 1:22 |
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| Waiting, and a struggling bird. |
[Jun. 5th, 2005|02:24 pm] |
| [ | mood |
| | contemplative | ] |
Good things are worth waiting for, right?! I'm trying to be patient. I have so many things I want to do and so many things to look forward to and some things I just want to be "made right", but alas, I must wait for them. I wish they could just all be accomplished right now. But, may they all be worth the wait! I'm sure they will be! It's a good thing God is the One in charge - His timing is way better than mine! :) And hey, if some of them happened right now, they would be finished all too quickly anyway. Like my upcoming trip to New Jersey and Maryland.
Today one of my sisters found a struggling seagull in the yard. He was lying on the ground and could only really move one of his wings. He kept on moving that wing but just couldn't get away from that dreadful spot. None of us wanted to touch him for fear that we'd just make it worse. So my dad called the vet, and then the Humane Society, and a lady said she would come to bring him to the "bird hospital". She came and put him in a cage so she could bring him. She said she didn't think he would make it, though. :( Watching the poor struggling bird made me wonder if birds could get heat stroke. It's so hot out!
I wonder what we can learn from the little bird. He represents all of us, I think. We need God to help us through everything. Without Him, we are completely helpless. We may try to move our wings on our own time and time again, but without His aid we will continually fail because our own strength is useless and will only end up tiring us out. We know we're in a dreadful spot, but until He takes care of us, we'll remain stuck there. If He doesn't save us, we will end up dying. :(
"I [Jesus] am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in Me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without Me ye can do nothing." John 15:5 |
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| Sewing |
[Jun. 3rd, 2005|11:42 am] |
| [ | mood |
| |  chipper | ] |
Guys, I really, really, really want to learn how to sew, and I'm finding myself with all kinds of extra time to do just that. So, I'm hoping to go to Wal-Mart tomorrow and buy a sewing machine. I'm kind of new at this, though, so I'm not completely sure exactly what all I will need besides obviously some thread, needles, material, and patterns.
So, any and all suggestions would be GREATLY appreciated!
Also, is there a better place to get a good quality sewing machine? I just thought of Wal-Mart because I happened to be there last Saturday and saw that they had what looked to be an inexpensive place to get whatever you need for sewing.
I'm really hoping that through this I can find some way to minister to others, too. One of the things I want to do is start making clothes for people who need them. I'd love to make clothes for my siblings and the other children I've taken care of, too! |
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| No words. |
[May. 29th, 2005|06:14 pm] |
| [ | mood |
| | optimistic | ] |
No words can describe how relieved, happy, and thankful I am.
There is no need to go into detail.
Praise God that He is faithful.
"1 Bless the LORD, O my soul: and all that is within me, bless his holy name.
2 Bless the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits:
3 Who forgiveth all thine iniquities; who healeth all thy diseases;
4 Who redeemeth thy life from destruction; who crowneth thee with lovingkindness and tender mercies;
5 Who satisfieth thy mouth with good things; so that thy youth is renewed like the eagle's."
Psalm 103:1-5 |
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| Hunger |
[May. 29th, 2005|11:45 am] |
| [ | mood |
| | calm | ] |
| [ | music |
| | Safe in the arms of Jesus | ] |
You know that feeling you get when you're really hungry? I have that feeling right now, so I'll go eat something in a minute. But for me, and most other North Americans, that type of hunger can be easily satiated.
Tons of people in the world today are spiritually hungry. How much worse must that feeling be, when the only thing, yea, the only ONE, who can satiate that spiritual hunger is Christ Himself? I know a lot of people feel "empty", but they don't realize it is God they are missing.
"Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me." John 14:6
"Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved." Acts 4:12
And who am I to keep the message from them, when I do?!
"Withhold not good from them to whom it is due, when it is in the power of thine hand to do it." Proverbs 3:27 |
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| Psalm 19:13-14 |
[May. 29th, 2005|11:42 am] |
| [ | mood |
| | calm | ] |
| [ | music |
| | What A Friend We Have In Jesus | ] |
"Keep back thy servant also from presumptuous sins; let them not have dominion over me: then shall I be upright, and I shall be innocent from the great transgression. Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O LORD, my strength, and my redeemer." Psalm 19:13-14 |
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| "April showers bring May flowers." |
[May. 28th, 2005|06:49 pm] |
| [ | mood |
| | hopeful | ] |
April showers bring May flowers!
What a fitting quote for my life right now. I believe the 'April showers' of my life last month will bring 'May flowers' soon, and finally. I don't know quite what to expect tomorrow, but I can say that I'm entrusting it to the Lord, with His help.
So I am hopeful.
"In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you."
1 Thessalonians 5:18 |
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| New journal and screen names |
[May. 20th, 2005|05:56 pm] |
Now that I no longer have a paid account, I'm going to gradually start using another journal. People keep thinking that my screen name is "heal one is my rock" when it's really "He ALONE is my Rock". :) I'm not sure how people can get mixed up with this one: http://www.livejournal.com/users/yearningforgod
So if you still want to read along, feel free to add that journal, because I plan to eventually stop using this for posting normal entries. (Hopefully it will be the last time I change my journal name, too! ;-) )
Also, I plan to start using Yearning for God on AIM and yearningforgod[at]hotmail.com on msn.
(I just want all my screen names to match. :) ) |
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| So, can any of you understand this email I just wrote? ;-) |
[May. 20th, 2005|01:27 pm] |
"I am sure that it wouldn't take much for you to be bilingual. You should write in French :)"
( Ok, je vais essai ecrire en francais. :) ) |
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| It's hard to believe I've already been home a week. :) |
[May. 20th, 2005|09:58 am] |
| [ | mood |
| | calm | ] |
"What shall I render unto the LORD for all his benefits toward me?" Psalm 116:12 |
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| Yay! |
[May. 18th, 2005|02:47 pm] |
| [ | mood |
| |  excited | ] |
Exactly one month before I leave for New Jersey! At least, that's the plan. :)
"A man's heart deviseth his way: but the LORD directeth his steps." Proverbs 16:9 |
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| Abide With Me |
[May. 17th, 2005|07:45 am] |
Abide with me; fast falls the eventide;
The darkness deepens; Lord with me abide.
When other helpers fail and comforts flee,
Help of the helpless, O abide with me.
Swift to its close ebbs out life’s little day;
Earth’s joys grow dim; its glories pass away;
Change and decay in all around I see;
O Thou who changest not, abide with me.
Not a brief glance I beg, a passing word;
But as Thou dwell’st with Thy disciples, Lord,
Familiar, condescending, patient, free.
Come not to sojourn, but abide with me.
Come not in terrors, as the King of kings,
But kind and good, with healing in Thy wings,
Tears for all woes, a heart for every plea—
Come, Friend of sinners, and thus bide with me.
Thou on my head in early youth didst smile;
And, though rebellious and perverse meanwhile,
Thou hast not left me, oft as I left Thee,
On to the close, O Lord, abide with me.
I need Thy presence every passing hour.
What but Thy grace can foil the tempter’s power?
Who, like Thyself, my guide and stay can be?
Through cloud and sunshine, Lord, abide with me.
I fear no foe, with Thee at hand to bless;
Ills have no weight, and tears no bitterness.
Where is death’s sting? Where, grave, thy victory?
I triumph still, if Thou abide with me.
Hold Thou Thy cross before my closing eyes;
Shine through the gloom and point me to the skies.
Heaven’s morning breaks, and earth’s vain shadows flee;
In life, in death, O Lord, abide with me.
- William H. Monk |
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| Take Time to Be Holy |
[May. 17th, 2005|12:53 am] |
| [ | mood |
| | happy | ] |
Take time to be holy, speak oft with thy Lord;
Abide in Him always, and feed on His Word.
Make friends of God’s children, help those who are weak,
Forgetting in nothing His blessing to seek.
Take time to be holy, the world rushes on;
Spend much time in secret, with Jesus alone.
By looking to Jesus, like Him thou shalt be;
Thy friends in thy conduct His likeness shall see.
Take time to be holy, let Him be thy Guide;
And run not before Him, whatever betide.
In joy or in sorrow, still follow the Lord,
And, looking to Jesus, still trust in His Word.
Take time to be holy, be calm in thy soul,
Each thought and each motive beneath His control.
Thus led by His Spirit to fountains of love,
Thou soon shalt be fitted for service above.
- William D. Longstaff |
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| I'm a madwoman |
[May. 16th, 2005|09:36 pm] |
| [ | mood |
| |  crazy | ] |
This afternoon, I dropped everything and began running back and forth down the street in my sandals just so I could take pictures of a rainbow God decided to bless me with viewing. I almost went barefoot... |
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| My web-site |
[May. 15th, 2005|02:50 pm] |
I'm finally updating my web-site. Can't believe the last time I updated it was in 2003.
May it be a blessing to you! |
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| Psalm 27:1 & Hebrews 13:5-6 |
[May. 15th, 2005|07:26 am] |
| [ | mood |
| | contemplative | ] |
"The LORD is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? the LORD is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?" Psalm 27:1
Isn't that something? A child of God can boldly say, "The Lord is the light of my life!"
"Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee. So that we may boldly say, The Lord is my helper, and I will not fear what man shall do unto me." Hebrews 13:5-6 |
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[May. 14th, 2005|02:04 pm] |
"All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: that the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works." 2 Timothy 3:16-17
I know that Christian literature in addition to the Bible can be helpful, but at what point is it "too much"? Everything man writes is tainted, but everything in the Bible is God-breathed, 'and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for instruction in righteousness; that the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works'. Reading can be good, but what if I start reading more man-written literature about God rather than just sitting at His feet like Mary, and listening to Him?
(Neat! The exact same verses I just quoted here were read over the radio immediately as I finished writing the above paragraph! :) ) |
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