Category: National Poetry Month

Mercy Sunday


 

The Lord’s my shepherd, I’ll not want.

He makes me down to lie
In pastures green: he leadeth me the quiet waters by.
My soul he doth restore again; and me to walk doth make
Within the paths of righteousness, ev’n for his own name’s sake.
Yea, though I walk in death’s dark vale, yet will I fear none ill:
For thou art with me; and thy rod and staff me comfort still.
My table thou hast furnished in presence of my foes;
My head thou dost with oil anoint, and my cup overflows.
Goodness and mercy all my life shall surely follow me:
And in God’s house for evermore my dwelling-place shall be.

(Psalm 23, Scottish Psalter)

Linking up with:

 
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Pray Continually

 
Rejoice always,  pray continually,  give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.
(1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 NIV)

As I thumbed through a couple journals from summer 2012, I was searching for poetry and flowers, and instead I discovered a garden of prayer.

Last year, I was reading, The Hour that Changes the World by Dick Eastman and I adapted his twelve steps of prayer into a time of creative prayer. Here’s an example of one of my more colorful times praying:

 
Each bud in the pot names the topic of prayer!

 
 
 
Prayer of An Artist’s Need

 
 
I need
stunning vistas
wild wonders
great vantage points
a bridge to the past
the best seat in history
novel ideas
to experience art
to be filled with holy
INSPIRATION
 
 
 

Linking up with Random Journal Day.

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Thrilling Guest Thursdays are Back!

 
Two are better than one, because they have a good reward for their toil. 
 For if they fall, one will lift up his fellow. But woe to him who is alone when he falls and has not another to lift him up!
(Ecclesiastes 4:9-10 ESV)
 
Dogwood in bloom, Spring 2012, in our front yard
 
 
God uses our presence, our friendships and our words and prayers to lift one another up. One of the great encouragements of being a blogger is meeting others who walk the same path. We cheer one another on and share space to encourage, comfort and challenge one another.
 
Dawn Paoletta, a modern day disciple, as she calls herself, is one of those friends. She loves to share the power of words through journaling, blogging, and poetry. Today, she has graciously agreed to link up her newest Spring poem, which I also see as a vulnerable prayer:
 
 
 
Spring Desire by Dawn Paoletta
 
 

I find myself longing for something new.

Not that I am discontent.

I am not.

I have peace.

Am content.

Yet I feel a longing within,

not dissatisfaction,

for that stirs up

negative connotations.

Is there a fresh wind blowing?
 
 
 
 
Thanks, Dawn!
 
 
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Poem: A Piece of Imaginative Writing in Verse

 
When my soul is in the dumps, I rehearse
everything I know of you,
From Jordan depths to Hermon heights,
including Mount Mizar.
Chaos calls to chaos,
to the tune of whitewater rapids.
Your breaking surf, your thundering breakers
crash and crush me.

Then God promises to love me all day,
sing songs all through the night!
My life is God’s prayer.
 

(Psalm 42:6-8 The Message)

Psalms and poems,
April showers and May flowers
That is what Spring is made of.

The poetic language of the Psalms express my heart, as my joy ebbs and flows with the sunshine and clouds of Spring. To celebrate and contemplate this season of joy, my heart is drawn to poetry and to flowers. Poetry is celebrated this month, so I thought I’d join the festivities by posting some poem/prayers of my own, some from others and some from God’s word.

Flowers are the iconic representation of Spring, and with my new access to varieties unlimited through the Missouri Botanical Gardens, I will have photos to share. Last week, I went with my sister and the nieces and nephews. We were able to enjoy the superb display of orchids.

I plan to highlight guest poems on Thursdays, so if you have a poem you’d like me to post or link up here, please send me an e-mail with your poem or link at kelrohlf@gmail.com

Without further ado, here are some flowers and  a poem.

cloudless blue (Kel Rohlf)

 

cloudless blue raked by bare branches

redbud blossoms soften the view
warmth of spring swishes past
with just a hint of winter chill

man made droning behind the scene

breaks in upon this dream
echoing a great stream rushing
behind the woodland screen

senses drop to the underbrush

greening, growing unseen life
lush
underneath the winter gloom

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