Category: Poetry

Iron, Silver & Fruit

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We sharpened each other

Like an axe to the grind

Bearing down all the edges

Smoothing sin we tried to hide

Our weaknesses surfaced

But in grace we loved anyway

As little by little his righteousness

Burst forth and took the stage

For you, my friend, bore fruit in me

And I the same in you

I’ll never forget and always be thankful

For the refining we went through

“As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another.” Proverbs 27:17

“This third I will bring through the fire; I will refine them like silver and test them like gold. They will call on My name, and I will answer them. I will say, ‘They are My people,’ and they will say, ‘The LORD is our God.’ ” Zechariah 13:9

“I am the true vine, and My Father is the keeper of the vineyard. He cuts off every branch in Me that bears no fruit, and every branch that does bear fruit, He prunes to make it even more fruitful.” John 15:1-2

Believe

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Let not my pride rob me

Nor my unforgiveness blind me

But my eyes of faith provide me

Vision to hope and believe

Let not my doubt corrupt me

Nor my selfishness drive me

But my call of grace guide me

To more than I can think or dream

“Now to Him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to His power that is at work within us,” Ephesians 3:20

Sweet Surrender

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To walk with You is my greatest desire

Receiving the wisdom of my faithful Father

No other fortunes or earthly ways

Satisfy this heart like your embrace

You humble every lofty idea

Reminding me I am but dust

All while loving and blessing me here

What a gift! The simplicity of trust

“More than that, I count all things as loss compared to the surpassing excellence of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have lost all things. I consider them rubbish, that I may gain Christ” Philippians 3:8

The Flood

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You’re working in each of our lives

For You know all the changes needed

Still in the storm, clinging to the one branch left

You’ll let us know when the waters have receded

“When the dove returned to him in the evening, there in its beak was a freshly plucked olive leaf! Then Noah knew that the water had receded from the earth.” Genesis 8:11

God of Certainty

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He is not a God of confusion

He clearly lays his plans out

He whispers his intentions

And is faithful to bring them about

So don’t let the waiting or the shadows

Fill your heart with doubt

“Let us know; let us press on to know the Lord; his going out is sure as the dawn; he will come to us as the showers, as the spring rains that water the earth.” Hosea 6:3

Don’t trade what you know for what you don’t know…

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Maybe this part of the past

Won’t be reconciled

Looking back

there may still be gaping holes

But time to let go of the questions

And focus on the truths I know

Although many days

seemed meant for evil

He’ll use them to produce good

Though oft it appeared

the enemy was winning

I’ll see his purpose in the end withstood

Battlefield

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With an increase in wind

All my doubt rushed in

Harder pressure on all sides

Surfaced my pride

Humbled to find

The battlefield

In my mind

“The greatest challenge in receiving great things from God is holding on for the last half hour” selected from Streams in the Desert

under cover

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Broken,

Missing a beat

Defeated,

Can’t even weep

Faithless,

With no sight

Wishing for answers,

Night after night

Hope is gone

You can’t be found

Only darkness surrounds

“He has blocked my way so I cannot pass; he has shrouded my paths in darkness.” Job 19:8

Beware

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Every bright light

Has to be tested and tried

Held up to your Word

So the darkness can’t hide

“And no wonder, for Satan himself masquerades as an angel of light.” 2 Corinthians 11:14

“We tear down arguments and every presumption set up against the knowledge of God; and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.” 2 Corinthians 10:5

On the Way

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Closer closer, Lord to Thee

My spirit gets every day

Trusting You for the desires of my heart

And my earthly needs while on the way

To an ever after in glory bright

Where I’ll behold You, your beauty

Your radiant light

Raised to Walk

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Crucified with Christ
My heart will remain
All my sins buried
My old self lay slain

He could leave me here
In defeat to face my doom
Wait, His outstretched hand I see
Lifting me out of the tomb

“When I saw him, I fell at his feet as though dead. But he laid his right hand on me, saying, “Fear not, I am the first and the last, and the living one. I died, and behold I am alive forevermore, and I have the keys of Death and Hades.” Revelation 1:17-18

“We were therefore buried with him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life.” Romans 6:4

Better Tomorrow

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When the turmoil of this day goes away

When healing trumps this sorrow

I will love you better tomorrow

As the lines on my face deepen

And past troubles I learn not to borrow

I will love you better tomorrow

Betrayed

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And when He was betrayed, He spoke not a word
For He knew it was all in His Father’s hands
To bring about the worst of earthly conditions
As a backdrop to marvel at His glorious plan

“Look! The hand of My betrayer is with Mine on the table. Indeed, the Son of Man will go as it has been determined, but woe to that man who betrays Him.” Luke 22:22

“If an enemy were insulting me, I could endure it; if a foe were rising against me,
I could hide. But it is you, a man like myself, my companion, my close friend, with whom I once enjoyed sweet fellowship at the house of God, as we walked about among the worshipers.” Psalm 55:12-14

Gifts of Deficit

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Thank You for my sorrow
For it is in the night
I best see Your light

Thank You for my questions
For it is within doubt
My faith finds it’s sight

Thank You for my hunger
For it is the pain of my need
That seeks filling from Your hand

Thank You for keeping my eyes under cover
For it is not knowing tomorrow
That keeps me surrendered to Your plan

Vision

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Sorrow only seen with our own mind’s eye
will continually tear us apart.
We have to look to Him and ask for the sight
to view life and tragedies through His heart.

“I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” John 16:33

Heaven

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Maybe it is a gift

When You don’t make things here

The way that we want

Because here is not the purpose

Or the goal

Our unrequited requests and desires

Refuse to make us whole

And instead point our eyes towards home

A home where all our troubles

Will be washed away

Our tears forgotten

No more dreams tattered and frayed

But all of our hopes finally realized

And our joy completed

On that fateful day

Humbled

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Does Christlike to you mean perfect?

Does it mean proud for all you give

Is it a list of your accomplishments?

Just another boast for how you’ve lived?

Or does it mean humble?

Does it mean sick and dependent on His grace?

Is it awareness of your weakened condition?

And finding peace in His embrace?

His Grace Along the Way

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My sin has caused me to stumble
My failure causes much pain
But Your loving grace and discipline
Puts to death my own thinking and ways

Each season I rush to reach the end
Of the lesson at hand on my own
Instead of trusting the timing
In Your omniscient Hand is known

“If we claim we have not sinned, we are calling God a liar and showing that his word has no place in our hearts. My dear children, I am writing this to you so that you will not sin. But if anyone does sin, we have an advocate who pleads our case before the Father. He is Jesus Christ, the one who is truly righteous. He himself is the sacrifice that atones for our sins-and not only our sins but the sins of all the world.”

1 John 1:10- 2:2

I Self Identify as…

On By Jodi EymanIn Poetry4 Comments

I am the daughter of a King

Richly blessed, redeemed

I am a warrior, clothed in grace

Equipped and strengthened for this very place

My rags are removed, washed in His blood

Replaced with a crown sealed with His love

“Come now, let us settle the matter,” says the LORD. “Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red as crimson, they shall be like wool.” Isaiah 1:18

Photo credit: https://www.artstation.com/irinaplachkova

Dusty Road

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Living in mansions of gold

May have turned my heart to stone

Traveling a carefree road

May have left my need for You unknown

Instead many troubles were designed

Further deepening my search for You

Delivered at specific times

For reasons only Heaven knew

“But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.”

2 Corinthians 12:9-10

Uncomfortable

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If God leaves you in a place you don’t like, you can either stay miserable or find ways to experience peace and joy in the midst of it. And where is our only source of eternal joy that rises above our circumstances? In Him alone.

My earthly mind says

Make it all the way I want

Just do as I please

Don’t inconvenience or burden me

But His heart says

I’ll cause you discomfort

Uncertainty and unease

Until You place all your trust in Me

Home With You

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I don’t need fame or busy-ness

I don’t need success

Just a roof over my head

And Your rest

I don’t need recognition

Or constant activity

I don’t need to be seen

Just Your Spirit

Surrounding and indwelling me

I don’t need to join the crowd

Or make everyone hear my voice

I just need Your promises

Your truths not muted

By the competing noise

Peace like a river invades

When You get me alone

Seeking no one and nothing else

In Your presence, I am home.

His Presence

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You’re here with me today

Refreshing and guiding

Reassuring and confiding

Plans You have for me

You’re here with me today

Tangible and not hiding

Whispering and providing

Strength I hadn’t seen

You’re here with me today

Don’t take Your presence away

Stay with me always.

Sovereign Steps

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I say I will go this way
But You direct my steps
In my head, all my plans are made
But only You see what’s next

My vision is oft filled
With self-centeredness or fear
Directed by my instinct
To survive and thrive here

Your plans are grander
than I can conceive
Designed with a purpose
Linked to eternity

I know not the path
Nor the way
So close to You
I’ll stay

Christmas

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A Silent night as any other

While a miracle was born

Lowly laid in a manger

The very first Christmas morn

Could they hear on that night

His cries that would save

The wrath He would bore

As God set the stage

A fragile babe

Our heavenly King

God’s Light shining down

Erasing death’s sting

In the Arms of God

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Fall into my arms

You’ll find a safe haven here

I’m a Father who sees and cares

I’ll wipe away every tear

You don’t need to scramble

To self resolve or heal

My tender arms will do it

Just trust me and be still

In The Heat of the Day

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May my joy be found in You

On the long and scorching days

May Your peace overrule

When despair says there’s no way

May my heart learn to wait

When patience has all but gone

May my lips continue to praise You

When my ears can’t hear the song

Scandalous Grace

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Scandalous grace

Because no one can earn it

And it can’t be taken away

The lowest of us can wear it

As the proud look on in dismay

Scandalous grace

Because you can’t contain it

And it can’t be sold your way

Bought for us as a loving gift

At a price only He could pay

“For Christ also suffered once for sins, the righteous for the unrighteous, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh but made alive in the spirit,” 1 Peter 3:18

Selfish Fears

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What if this path brings misery

And I wake up in tears?

What if I wander around in boots of lead

While looking for a clearing to appear

The daunting task of this journey grips me

With threats of pain that may be endured

With no guarantee of how long it will take

And my fragility now underscored

Would the right way bring so much suffering

Is a conflict that lurks in my mind

I must endure the course, come what may

Instead of turning to my instincts this time

I’ll hold onto the hope one day it’ll be over

The work will have accomplished it’s intend

The perils of the journey left behind me

As I look up and behold this path’s end

“But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it.” Matthew 7:14

“For his anger lasts only a moment, but his favor lasts a lifetime! Weeping may last through the night, but joy comes with the morning.” Psalm 30:5

Dependence

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You create beauty from all the pieces of our lives.

In our own strength we can do nothing. Our hands just wriggle and writhe

With this knowledge we come before You limited yet sincere

In our dependence on Your mercy and Hand to act mightily here.

Joy Comes in the Morning

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This night is long

My requests play on repeat

Do you hear me? Are You answering?

I circle the same bleak scene.

My mind is tired, my spirit despaired

I try to conjure up gratitude

But none is found here

Then in the darkness, I hear His whisper in my ear.

Jump for joy, rejoice in your faith!

You’ve held onto my Hand and have not lost your way.

Through this storm, your character was born.

Be encouraged for my joy comes in the morn!

“O Lord, how long will you forget me? Forever? How long will you look the other way? How long must I struggle with anguish in my soul, with sorrow in my heart every day? How long will my enemy have the upper hand?

Turn and answer me, O Lord my God!
Restore the sparkle to my eyes, or I will die.
Don’t let my enemies gloat, saying, “We have defeated him!” Don’t let them rejoice at my downfall.

But I trust in your unfailing love.
I will rejoice because you have rescued me.
I will sing to the Lord because he is good to me.” Psalm 13

Overhaul of My Heart

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It had to be done, You say
There was no other way
I was sick and in need of repair

Each piece taken apart
Examined and decided
The remedy would come through despair

I may not understand
I may not like it
But there’s purpose in the troubles I bear

Written

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Uncertainty need not lurk in our minds

Obsessing about allowed or forbidden

He’s won the war and determined our course

The end has already been written

“No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.”

Romans 8:37-39

“And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ.”

Phillipians 1:6

“For everyone who has been born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world—our faith. Who is it that overcomes the world except the one who believes that Jesus is the Son of God?” 1 John 5:4-5

Calling all Sinners

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I desire mercy over sacrifice
I paid the highest price
For an open door to commune with you
So bow your knee, confess your sins
Follow Me and walk in truth.

“But go and learn what this means: ‘I desire mercy, not sacrifice.’ For I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners.” Matthew 9:13

‘”Then Jesus straightened up and asked her, “Woman, where are your accusers? Has no one condemned you?” “No one, Lord,” she answered. “Then neither do I condemn you,” Jesus declared. “Now go and sin no more.”’ John 8:10-11

For further discussion on this scripture, check out: https://www.christiantoday.com/article/what-does-it-mean-when-god-desires-mercy-over-sacrifice/88736.htm

Don’t be a Crybaby

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He will always respond to a repentant heart with grace
But come to Him with an argument
and you’ll fight and kick to defend your case

“Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.” Hebrews 4:16

Captain God

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This restless sea inside of me

Tries to pull me under

But I’ve learned to sail by the winds of Your Word

Unmoved by strike nor thunder

My compass spins out of control

Guided by worry and doubt

But my Captain aboard anticipated the course

And lovingly steers the whole route

I cannot see what’s ahead of me

But certain treasures I know will be there

His companionship and peace sustain me

As I sail with my God in prayer.

Hope

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Look up ahead! There is a clearing

A beam of sunlight past the bend

Can you see it? Do you feel it?

Heavenly hope streaming in

From a source so grand

Beyond our understand

It’s bubbling, now overflowing

Gifts pouring from His hand

“See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland.” Isaiah 43:19

Pleading

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Is my self deception too great for Your spirit?
My ears too clogged to hear Your Word?
Is my spirit too strong willed to sense your direction?
My vision too tainted to understand all observed?

If I have no ears to hear nor eyes to see
If all of my ambitions center around me
Then stop me in my path, turn me around
Whatever Your judgement, let it be.

But if I have sought and believed Your Word
If I have surrendered my will to Yours
Confessed my sin and trusted Your grace
Let not my prayers go unheard.

“But if we confess our sins to him, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all wickedness.” 1 John 1:9

“Now, will God not judge in favor of his own people who cry to him day and night for help? Will he be slow to help them?  I tell you, he will judge in their favor and do it quickly. But will the Son of Man find faith on earth when he comes?” Luke 18:7-8

Overruled

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With a contrite heart, I come before You

Confessing all I’ve tried to control by my will.

With my troubled mind, I’ve justified

With my sinful flesh, I’ve refused to be still.

I’ve hoped beyond all human reason

That Your hand would still provide

A way out of this wilderness

Out of the mess we’ve contrived

Is it Your grace I have hoped for

Or my selfish desires to come true

Is it Your plan I envision

Or am I forcing my plan on You?

Roll in with a thunder

Strike with Your mighty hand

May Your will be done, not mine, I cry

But not let my tears thwart Your plan.

Gospel of Grace

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In our longing for justice,
We argue, we reason, we explain
Hoping our offender
Will feel remorse for our pain

But where we have been wronged
We have wronged a thousand more
So we look to the cross
And see the grievances He bore

If we all weren’t in need of this grace
We could rest on our arguments
If all we had was our understanding
All through the day we’d lament

But thank God He teaches mercy
Thank God it’s not about evening the score
Thank God it’s not about who’s right or wrong
Thank God, grace gives so much more.

I Doubt It

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Today all I can see is every dream that never came true
Every time I screamed out and never heard from You
Every loose end that never got tied
Every time I felt alone as I cried.

Today all I hear are the sneers of those mocking my faith
The repetition of questions never being set straight.
The deafening silence when I wait for You to make a move
The countless reasons to give up my faith til it’s proved.

Yet, my heart keeps calling out for You.

Tomorrow

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If You are who you say you are

Then I don’t need to worry

If you are who you say you are

This is all under your control

If you are who you say you are

You have plans for every tomorrow

If you are who you say you are

Troubles for today, I need not borrow

Intentional Surrender

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No obstacles block Your will
The blueprint You carefully devised
Each road we’re led down with intention
No detour is a surprise
What joy there is in surrender
To trust Your answer whether yea or nay
What sweetness there is in knowing
You’ve already paved the way