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Creator: A Christian Poetry Collection

  Edited by Kim Bond

  This poetry collection is dedicated to our Lord.

  Copyright © 2014 for each poem is held, all rights reserved, by the individual authors unless otherwise noted.  Printed with permission by Kim Bond. 

  This publication was designed to be distributed and shared online free of charge in its entirety. Other reproduction or distribution in part or whole is prohibited except where noted.  Questions about the use of this publication should be directed to Kim Bond by email at [email protected].

  ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

  Scriptures taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®.  Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.™  Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide.www.zondervan.com  The “NIV” and “New International Version” are trademarks registered in the United States Patent and Trademark Office by Biblica, Inc.™

   TABLE OF CONTENTS

  Preface

  The Word by Jeanne Beaumont

  Falling by Antony Mark

  Deliverance by Jay Harding

  Mary Magdalene by Faye Gibson

  The Cross by Judy K. Haught

  A Friend of Mine by Isaac Thomas

  Holy Is the Lamb by Brenda Meier-Hans

  Christmas Light by Liam Mcdaid

  John 3:16 by Joyce Johnson

  Rising Within Your Pages by Richard Lamoureux

  Heaven’s Gifts by Dave Wood

  The Crying Candle by Jan Allison

  Alone and Weak by Stephan McBride

  Finding God by Casarah Nance

  My Unbelief by Brother Joseph

  The Healer by Jeanne Beaumont

  True Love by Regina Riddle

  The World Is in a Mess by Leon Wilson

  The Heavens Open Wide by Judy K. Haught

  God Sends Promises and Love by Robert Lindley

  How Poetry Began by Brenda Meier-Hans

  Smile by Kimmy Nelson

  Trinity by Kim Bond

  A Note to Readers

  PREFACE

  “Ascribe to the Lord the glory due his name…” –Psalm 96:8

  The Lord’s love for us is immeasurable.  It literally cannot be calculated using men’s measurements.  When I read the above verse in Psalms, my mind attempts to estimate the amount of glory due to our Creator.  I cannot even fathom it!  Just like the Lord’s love for us, the glory due to Him is also immeasurable.

  Then my mind drifts to the type of praise that would be worthy of our Creator’s greatness.  Would it be one million men dressed in white robes with arms raised?  Would it be the most talented singers raising their voices to heaven in unison?  Worthy praise may mean different things to different people, but it means carefully chosen words to the ones God has gifted with writing talent.

  Our talent is our contribution to the glory due to the Lord’s name.  We will not let the fact that we fall short of praise that is worthy of God’s Holy Name stop us from giving Him our very best efforts.  Readers will find the poetry contained in Creator is exceptional by every measure of fine literature. 

  All of God’s creation should value poetry as an esteemed form of writing.  After all, scholars believe several books of the Bible use poetry, including Song of Solomon, Psalms, and Proverbs.  Poetry’s limitless forms makes it difficult to distinguish from other types of writing.  However, poetry tends to communicate emotion whereas other forms of writing stress information, influence, or escape.  Furthermore, the poems selected for Creator express the common theme of the glorification of the Lord’s name. 

  We invite you, the reader, to praise God with us in your heart as you enjoy every poem in this collection.  It is our hope that together our praise will reach the Lord and be as pleasing to Him as a sweet-smelling perfume.  These poems were not intended to teach theology or doctrine.  Instead, the reader embarks on a journey through joy, grief, admiration, regret, and devotion. 

  The authors of the poems contained in Creator agreed to share their poetry for the specific purpose of glorifying the Lord.  They donated the use of their poetry to this publication.  No author, editor, or publisher was paid for their work.  It is our hope that when readers have finished reading Creator, they will have drawn nearer to God in their heart, mind, and soul.  There is no greater blessing than a close relationship to our Creator.    

   

  The Word By Jeanne Beaumont*

   

  Lord,

  Like Jeremiah

  Your word often burns in my bones.

  When spoken, I feel the life.

  When believed, I understand the power.

  My being is held up by your word.

  By only one word, I am healed.

  Help me to express your word

  To be that letter read by all.

   

  Burn it in my heart.

   

  *If you are interested in obtaining more Christian resources by this author, visit

  https://www.amazon.com/Send-It-To-You-Free/dp/1419695479/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1414171187&sr=8-1&keywords=I+send+it+to+you+Free

   

  Falling By Antony Mark

   

  Falling I felt your breath

  Lift me higher

  Than I could love

  And now lifted I fell deeper

  Upon your holy

  Desire that I

  Would at last

  See the whole

  Of your gaze and

  Falling now ever deeper

  I ascend in grace

  Your will not mine

  Thy kingdom not mine

  Nothing now but

  A surrendered breath…

   

  Deliver Us* By Jay Harding**

   

  O Father, save us from temptation’s snare,

  The kind that lead us far away from You.

  If You must test us, help us stay aware

  Your trials help to keep us wise and true.

  The Devil may attempt to feed us doubt;

  He may tempt to distrust the Holy Ghost.

  O God, though trouble circles us about,

  Deliver us from evil’s hoary boast.

  Emancipate our minds from wicked thoughts

  And save our souls from Satan’s hateful ways;

  Your Son and our Redeemer Jesus taught

  That we should call on You, God, when we pray.

  So lead us not into temptation’s hold.

  Deliver us from evil, make us bold.

   

  * “And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one.” –Mathew 6:13

   

  ** If you are interested in obtaining more poetry from this author, visit   www.jaytharding.com

   

  Mary Magdalene By Faye Gibson

   

  One summer eve in Galilee

  I stood before my open door;

  To me it seemed just one more night—

  Like all the others gone before.

  Someone would come and, passing by,

  Would hear the tinkling of the bells,

  Would see the garish harlot’s robe

  And painted eyes beneath my veil.

  Someone, a man like all the rest—

  It did not matter much to me—

  A nobleman, Samaritan,

  A Roman or a Pharisee,

  Someone would pause and with one glance

  Strip me again of maiden pride,

  And leaving, later, never know

  The shame and shattered dreams I hide.

  O, he would think me very gay;

 
He would not see my hollow heart

  Nor hear me curse him for his pay.

  Twas then I saw a band of men

  Approaching down the narrow road;

  There should be one among that crowd

  Who wants the favors I bestow.

  Kind eyes met mine, and with one look,

  He saw what others could not see;

  He saw the hunger of my soul,

  My loneliness and misery.

   

  I only know that since that day

  I live to walk along with Him.

  His look of love has changed my life;

  I need not sell my love again.

  Tonight He sups at Simon’s house—

  All day the dusty paths we roamed;

  But, still He waits, unwashed, unkissed;

  Small courtesies no one has shown.

  My love for Him! It rolls and swells

  Till from His side I cannot stay;

  I’ll wash His feet with tears of love

  And with my hair wipe them away.

   

  The Cross By Judy K. Haught

   

  It wasn’t the nails that held Him there,

  It was Love for us, He came to share.

   

  Looking up into His battered face,

  Knowing it was for our sin, He hung in place.

   

  Lord, we praise You for Your great love.

  Leaving Your great throne from above.

   

  Angels singing Your praises all day long,

  You came here, there would be no song.

   

  You eagerly await us, with outstretched arms,

  No longer nailed by Satan’s intended harm.

   

  Your blood, O Lord, defeated the enemy,

  When You hung from the rough hewn tree.

   

  Bless the Lord, O my soul!

  Glory to the Lamb, for making us whole.

   

  Rejoice ye angels, rejoice all ye earth

  For the cross, our freedom, our new birth.

   

  Master, Savior, to Thee we sing,

  Songs of praise to the King of Kings.

   

  A Friend of Mine* By Isaac Thomas

   

  He is sometimes too quick

  This friend of mine

  Too quick to do things for others

  To cook for fundraisers, church dinners or family reunions

  To drive an elder to the doctor

  To visit someone in a hospital or nursing home

  He gives up his time and what he wants to do

  And does for others.

   

  I have learned a lot about the heart of a servant

  Because of this friend of mine.

   

  He is sometimes too slow

  This friend of mine

  When we cook church dinners a job of one hour takes two

  Because we stand around and talk

  And enjoy each other’s company

  And he sets the pace

  When we went to the supermarket to pick up something

  A quick trip took twice the time

  Because everyone in town knows him

  And he stopped to talk to them.

   

  I have learned a lot about priorities

  And how to slow down and listen to people

  Because of this friend of mine.

   

  He is often too quiet

  This friend of mine

  When he knows something about someone

  Something negative, that should not be told

  Where most, almost all others would take pleasure in telling

  He has seen the pain gossip can cause

  And he cares enough about the person to not say anything.

   

  I have learned a lot about discretion

  And how to keep my big mouth shut

  Because of this friend of mine.

   

  He is often too loud

  This friend of mine

  When he preaches about something we should do

  And I have let that something slide

  When he preaches against something I have let slip into my life

  And I sit and say “Amen!” aloud

  But inside I’m squirming

  He steps on my toes sometimes, this friend of mine

  Though he probably does not know who he is preaching to

  The arrows God gave him find their mark.

   

  I walk a straighter path

  Because of this friend of mine.

   

  He is always helping someone

  Always at church prayer meetings, always cooking dinners

  Always working for God and people

  Always with a willing and cheerful heart

  He is my pastor

  And I thank God I have been able to enjoy his presence.

   

  I am a much better man

  Because of this friend of mine.

   

  * Copyright © 2005-2014, Isaac Thomas. “A Friend of Mine” is licensed under the CC free-to-use license. See https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nd/3.0 for a summary of this license. The CC free-to-use license applies only to this poem.  

   

  Holy is the Lamb By Brenda Meier-Hans

   

  Deep in my heart I search Oh Lord

  Deep in my wretchedness I pray

  Deep in my soul I cry for words

  Words oh Lord, deep words worthy

  To praise your Holy Lamb

   

  How could I with human tongue

  How could I with this spotted soul

  How could I the unworthy one

  Sing praises, how oh Lord

  Sing praises worthy of the Lamb

   

  Will I ever have the words oh Lord

  Will I ever sing your song

  Will I ever be around your throne

  Where there I will praise, ….praise

  The Holy Lamb

   

  I search the earth your hands have made

  I search the sky, the clouds above

  I search your flowers and your trees

  Yet in their beauty none, none compare

  To the beauty of the Lamb

   

  Oh Holy Lamb please hear my plea

  Oh Holy Lamb look in my soul

  Oh Holy Lamb dispense your grace

  That I oh Holy Lamb, I may have the words

  To sing forevermore, Holy is the Lamb

   

  Christmas Light By Liam Mcdaid

   

  Before midnight

  On Christmas Eve

  I put

  A lighted candle

  Upon the window sill

  To say

  Love

  Of baby Jesus

  Welcome

  To my home

   

  This door

  Of the heart

  Is open

  With prayer

  Welcoming his holiness

  To receive

  The Lord’s blessing

  On his birthday

  I sing a song

  With praise

  Kneeling a lamb

  Of God

  Happy birthday

  Lord and Master

   

  John 3:16* By Joyce Johnson

   

  God’s promise to the world means

  That we only need to believe

  He gave his only begotten Son

  And we eternal life receive.

   

  Some parents know the anguish

  Of losing a beloved child.

  Yet our God did that for us,

  We sinners so defiled.

   

  How many of us have thanked him

  On our y
oung or aged knees,

  For the joy he has promised?

  What have we done to please?

   

  If we believe in Jesus

  And profess His Holy Name,

  Our God has promised to us

  An eternal life to claim.

   

  This life is a short journey.

  You’ll know that when you’re old.

  Read the verse, believe his promise.

  It’s the way to stay well souled.

   

  * Poem based on John 3:16 “For God so loved the world, he gave his only begotten son that everyone who believeth in him, shall not perish but have everlasting life.”

   

  Rising Within Your Pages By Richard Lamoureux

   

  I take for granted all that I can do

  Thinking that what I have has all been earned

  Instead I should be so thankful to You

   

  A spirit of pride is one that is learned

  I start to believe the things that are said

  Thinking that what I have has all been earned

   

  Within my heart I begin to be led

  Rising within the pages of Your Word

  I start to believe the things that are said

   

  I learn to fly on the wings of a bird

  Here is where I learn the ways of Freedom

  Rising within the pages of Your Word

   

  I no longer doubt Your Kingdom will come

  Without Your Love I will never know Peace

  Here is where I learn the ways of Freedom

   

  Within the Heavens praises never cease

  Without Your Love I will never know Peace

  I take for granted all that I can do

  Instead I should be so thankful to You

   

  Heaven’s Gifts By Dave Wood

   

  Three gifts from Heaven

  All priceless in their appeal

  Yes…Faith, Hope and Love

  They descend on us like rain

  And the greatest of these…Love!

   

  The Crying Candle By Jan Allison

   

  I called my son…he said you were fading

  The candle seemed to call my name

  I watched its brightly flickering flame

  The light from it shone bright in the dark

  I was hypnotized by its golden glow

  The wax melted slowly so slowly

  Like creamy liquid tears running down the sides

  Drip, drip, drip, a silent puddle formed

  Slowly oh so gradually over time the wick decreased

  Almost like your life was ebbing away

  Getting smaller and weaker every second

  The candle flame started to dim

  Flickering dancing flickering dancing

  Fighting to stay alive with every ounce of its strength

  Finally it flickers for the final time

  It gave its final breath

  Leaving a wisp of smoke

  I imagined it was your spirit rising through the air

  Ascending towards heaven

   

  Alone and Weak By Stephan McBride

   

  When I feel alone and weak

  I read your word and seek

  While you’re so eager to teach

  No further than just a reach

  Always by our side

  Leading the way down the path

  Serving as a comforter and guide

  Claiming and protecting us from the wrath

  Lord, You are the only way

  Any saying other have gone astray

  I feel Your presence get stronger and stronger

  As I pray it will not be much longer