NaPoWriMo Day 7 – Easter Cinquain
Tag: Jesus Christ
There Is A Cure
The truth of Jesus Christ’s complete redemption can be told in any form. In this post I’ve set God’s truth into Cinquain — one of my favorite poetic forms.
Virus:
To lots of folks
It is a scary word.
But there’s a name that can kill it:
Jesus!
Disease
By any name.
Must bow to Jesus’ name.
His sacrifice redeemed us from
Disease.
Have faith.
Get in His Word:
He says it’s medicine
For every ailment we can face.
Trust Him.
(Scripture References: Acts 3:16, Philippians 2:9-10, Galatians 3:13-14, Proverbs 4:20-22, and Psalm 107:17-20)
Emmaus Road To Revelation
Holy Bible, Luke 24:13-35
Two walked along Emmaus’ dusty road.
And there was none to soothe their aching hearts.
‘Twas only days since they’d stood at the cross,
And watched as death tore all their dreams apart.
The Teacher they had come to love and serve
Had spoken words they’d never heard before.
They thought He’d bring about more drastic change,
And were confused when He’d walked through death’s door.
But suddenly another trod with them,
And questioned them about their solemn air.
They couldn’t believe He did not know the tale:
The prophet’s death and how His grave was near.
And as they stopped for evening’s rest, they asked
If He would join them in their humble meal.
And as they ate, He spoke to them with love,
‘Till their hearts burned, and they saw Him revealed.
This teacher who had blessed them with His life,
And whom they’d reckoned dead until that hour,
Now quietly revealed Himself alive,
Risen to reign in unimpeded power.
~~~
Painting by Robert Zund, 1877
Lenten Poems — week 6
How deep and dark the grave in which they laid the Lord.
And naught to give Him hope except the Father’s Word.
But ’twas enough, for God had said, “When day three comes,
You’ll rise with life anew and come again to Home.”
Throughout the vigil, silence reigned and men did mourn.
And in the halls of Hell, the demons, they did groan:
This man from off the cross had stormed their barriers staid.
Hell panicked at the word from Heaven: “The price is paid!”
Then Jesus, Son of God and Son of Man, stepped forth
And grasped the keys of Death and Hell with violent force.
Then rose through realms beneath to burst from earth and grave.
His shout of victory rang abroad: “Mankind is saved!”
Lenten Poems — week 5
O, Lamb of God
So pure, so holy, undefiled,
You came so meekly,
Vulnerable, a tiny child.
You took our sin
And took all of its consequence.
You chose the cross,
And on it your lifeblood was spent.
But for what cause,
When tempted in the garden that night,
Did you still choose
To let yourself be crucified?
You told us, Lord;
If we’d just listen, we would know.
You said, “Because
I love the Father, I will go.”
Lord, work in us
That holy and obedient love,
That we, when tried,
Will speak and act only for God.
~~~
(Photo courtesy of Karen’s Whimsy)
Lenten Poems – week 1
Today is Ash Wednesday, the beginning of Lent. A few years ago I wrote 7 poems during Holy Week — or Passion Week — leading up to Easter Sunday. This year in commemoration of our Lord’s suffer, I’m going to repost those poems on each Wednesday in Lent — and then post the last of the 7 on Easter Sunday. I hope they bless you and inspire you to gratefully meditate on how our Lord Jesus suffered for our sins and in our place to work our total redemption and salvation.
BARABBAS
My heart pounded
As they dragged me out.
They stood me close beside Him,
And I looked about.
The crowd was frenzied:
With rage and raw disgust.
I wasn’t sure the real cause–
Why they fumed and cussed.
I glanced beside me
To catch a glimpse of Him,
But what my eyes saw in His
Convicted me within.
When guards shouted,
“Who is it going to be?”
Then I understood they’d choose
To set one free.
“Free Barabbas!
Set Barabbas free!”
I could not believe my ears:
They chose, not Him, but me.
“What of Jesus?”
Then asked the guards.
“Crucify Him! Crucify Him!
He is not our God!”
My shackles fell off:
By law a free man.
Pilate called for water then
And there he washed his hands.
The day grew dark
As He hung there,
Upon a cross with thieves each side,
Then He said a prayer.
He prayed, “Forgive them.”
Did that include me?
When He said, “It is finished!”
I knew He’d died for me
— Barabbas.
Christmas Light
Oh Christmas tree, oh geometric Christmas tree,
Updated decoration of this century,
Combining old tradition with technology —
Eye-catching combination set for all to see.
I wonder if the architect has realized
That though his modern concept is a structural prize,
The Light that gives it meaning appeared to Moses’ eyes.
From burning bush to modern tree, it’s Jesus Christ.
photo courtesy of Ana_J @ pixabay
~~~
2 Trust Acrostics
TRUSTWORTHY
There is but One whose love and help are sure.
Renewed each day as surely as the sun.
Under His wings of grace I find the cure:
Sin and hate, sorrow, sickness – done.
‘Tis Jesus Christ, the sole trustworthy One.
PROVEN
Tiny babe: He took that form in Bethlehem.
Relinquished Heaven’s privileges; became a man.
Upon Himself, He took my sin and all its curse.
Secure in Love’s omnipotence, He took the cross.
Then surely I can trust myself into His hands.
photo courtesy of Sunpath @ pixabay.com
~~~
Psalm 23 Poetically Paraphrased
I am resting in green pastures,
Quiet waters at my side.
There are enemies surrounding
But I rest here satisfied.
For my Shepherd never leaves me,
Always watchful and prepared;
With His rod and staff at ready,
All my foes need to beware.
And my Lord’s prepared a table
Laden with my heart’s desires,
And my cup is running over;
There is nothing else required.
Every path on which He leads me
Is encompassed with His grace,
And if ever I am fearful,
I just look upon His face.
With His goodness and His mercy,
Daily He restores my soul,
And the oil of His anointing
Heals and makes me fully whole.
I will boast in my Good Shepherd.
In His love I am secure.
His provision is eternal:
Peace and rest forevermore.
Reference: Holy Bible, Psalm 23
photo: Tommy_Rau @ pixabay.com
~~~
Captivated
I am
Your captive, Lord.
You’ve drawn my heart to Yours.
Now, captured by Your love, I am
Your slave.
Photo: Momentmal @ pixabay.com
~~~
Now My Heart Must Sing
I woke to face another day,
No glad expectancy,
For heavy disappointments were all
Weighing down on me.
The day before had been so filled
With unsupportive words;
With problems piled four levels high
and everywhere closed doors.
The friends I’d counted on were not:
They came and went like rain:
All so enwrapped in their own lives
They couldn’t feel my pain.
It was just like so many days,
All running wearily –
So sad, with disappointments too,
All weighing down on me.
And though I knew I would survive,
That didn’t soothe my heart,
For sorrow deep and troubles too
Brought a longing to depart.
But then to Jesus I did run;
I saw it in a dream:
I stood below a gentle hill,
All carpeted in green.
When I looked up and saw Him there,
He stood beneath a tree,
And waited, smiling patiently;
He’d been expecting me.
I ran but didn’t feel the strain;
He grabbed me in His arms;
He wrapped them hard around me; held me
Strongly, safe and warm.
I’d never felt so light and free;
Engulfed with joy and rest;
No problem lingered to be weighed;
All I could feel was blessed.
And all the disappointments, though
So heavy they had been,
Took flight, and sadness too was gone,
Ev’ry conflict, ev’ry pain.
All threats and fears and torments sore,
All guilt, defeat, and shame –
In love so glowing and so strong,
All were dissolved away.
Then suddenly I saw a truth –
It caught me by surprise –
That Jesus’ joy exceeded mine;
I saw it in His eyes.
I’d known He would accept me, that
He’d made a place for me,
But never had I even guessed
How happy He would be.
He was so thrilled to have me there;
He laughed so loud and strong,
That all things not of joy and life
Just vanished in joy’s song.
And when I woke to this new day,
His laughter still did ring;
His arms still held me close and warm,
And now my heart must sing!
~~~
Christmas = Jesus
I’m sooooo enjoying Christmas this year — celebrating the birth of Jesus — and the reason He was born. His birth was the most extravagant gift ever given because He was not born for Himself — to just live His own life on this earth in any way He pleased. He came for a specific purpose: to live a perfect life for me — which I could not live for myself, to die on my behalf (for my sin and rebellion), to be resurrected on my behalf, and to ascend back to His throne in Heaven, from where He gives me victory for my life here and the guarantee of continued life with Him for eternity.
And since I celebrate the 12 Days of Christmas, I will continue to enjoy it all the way through to Epiphany, which is January 6. Epiphany means a revelation or showing forth of something that has not been seen or understood previously. And I celebrate the revelation to my heart of the truth that Jesus has done everything He’s done for me. His life, death, and resurrection have made me right with God, and I now reign with Him.
I hope you know Jesus personally. So that you can enjoy that revelation as well — and His extravagant gift. And if you don’t, this season is a perfect time to get to know Him. He loves every one of us — no matter who we are, what we are, or what we’ve done. And His love is big enough to overcome every sad, painful, evil thing in us and in our lives. So if you don’t know Him yet, just call out to Him today. Ask Him to reveal Himself to you fully and to come in and take over your life. It will be the beginning of the best year of your life — and what’s more — that new life will continue throughout eternity.
Daily Post Prompt: Extravagant
~~~
Christmas Eve Meditation
It is the eve of Christmas,
And still there’s much to do.
One gift I’ve yet to make —
And Christmas goodies too.
But as I sit here, quiet,
Sipping coffee at its best,
I find I’m not frustrated,
But in a state of rest.
For Christmas waits upon me;
It’s peace surrounds me here
And springs within my happy soul.
I’m resting in good cheer.
I concentrate on Jesus
The Center of it all;
Each stress and care and worry
At His lovely feet must fall.
And soon, now, I’ll get busy —
Wrap up gifts and finish treats.
And when at last I go to bed,
I’ll have it all complete.
But when, on Christmas morn, I wake
And rise to festive play,
My joy will be much richer
From my time with Him today.
photo: PublicDomainPictures @ pixabay.com
~~~
Who Is This Babe of Bethlehem?
At His birth,
A tiny, helpless child;
At His death,
A lamb so meek and mild;
At His grave,
A conqueror supreme;
At His coming,
Universal King!
~~~
Touchstone
Jesus
Is the touchstone:
The standard that I use
To make sure my own heart and will
Are right.
And He
Is so gracious
That, if I’ll just receive,
He imparts His own heart and will
To me.
photo courtesy of Momentmal @ pixabay.com
***
Tell
Tell me,
Is there a balm
That heals a broken heart?
That comforts and restores a soul?
Tell me.
And please,
Is there a cure
For sickness and disease?
Is there a power strong enough
To heal?
Tell me,
Is there cleansing
From sin’s embedded stain —
A solvent that can purify
All men?
Tell me,
Is there someone
Who knows the truths of life —
Who can be trusted to lead us
Aright?
Oh, yes!
There is a balm —
A cure for soul and flesh —
A purifying solvent for
All sin
And yes,
There is a God
Who came to earth Himself
To pay the price for us and set
Us free.
He bought
Our liberty
With His own precious blood.
He is Himself the way, the truth,
The life.
His name:
Jesus, the Christ.
And everyone who calls
He will receive. Now that you know,
Go tell.
***
The Reason For Hope
My hope
Is built upon
Nothing but Jesus Christ:
His righteousness and His blood shed
For me.
***
POETRY BY AHYOKA 