Posted on by Lois Stephens

The Journey Back to Eden: A Poetic Reflection


She inherited a clear mountain stream
It murmurs and burbles with hope & dreams.
Life-giving waters that renew & refresh
Lined with fruit-yielding trees that long to bless.

She inherited a wood where roots run deep
Where leaves do not wither, where souls do keep.
Where hope springs eternal in her fertile breast
A lush garden, a vineyard, a celestial nest.

Cast out of Eden love welcomed her back
Forgiven, redeemed with no shame attached.
A fountain of grace springing up from within
She inherits a Life that has always been.

Love & Peace,

“We were never cast out of Eden. We merely turned from it and shut our eyes. To return and be welcomed, cleansed and redeemed, we are only obliged to look.” – Margaret Renkl

“…Every fountain of delight springs up from your life within me!”  Psalm 87:7 (TPT)

Posted on by Lois Stephens

Nature’s Whisper of Divine Presence

Another windy day, my favorite kind of day. Not a gale-force dangerously windy kind of day, but a Winnie the Pooh-blustery kind of day every child enjoys … leaving its wind-swept imprint of rosy cheek glow.

In sacred writings, wind is often symbolic of God’s sovereignty over creation, as well as His power and presence. In Hebrew “wind” can also mean “spirit”, combining both the natural and spiritual realms. God’s desire has always been to use both natural and supernatural means to speak to His children.

Today I hear the wind whistle among the trees, and when the wind whistles, I listen. For in the presence of wind everything rises, and I look forward to the ascension.

An exhaling of the Creator’s breath
Carried on the wings of the wind.
Fanning to flame the doused wick within
Left breathless by secrets revealed.

Love & Peace,

“He makes winds his messengers, flames of fire his servants.” Psalm 104:4

Posted on by Lois Stephens · 5 Comments

The Poetry of Life

“You need the strength of endurance to reveal the poetry of God’s will.”  Hebrews 10:36 TPT

The poetry of life.  A framework of poetic structure: rhythmic qualities, imaginative awareness; brimming with aesthetic-beauty moments (if only I’d stop long enough to notice). 

A life arranged by the Creator-Master Poet.  Composed to call forth a human-heart response through meaning, sound and the rhythms of a faith-enlarging life.

It takes a strength beyond self to reveal the poetry of life.  Its ambiguity, irony and metaphorical connections have left my life open to myriad interpretations (and people can be so cruel).

It takes connecting serendipitous dots with hopeful imagination and the strength of endurance for the perfection of The Poet’s passion to be revealed. A glorious unveiling of unrequited love that has power to turn even my tears into poetry.

Love & Peace,

Photo by Wallace Chuck on Pexels.com

Posted on by Lois Stephens · 3 Comments

Poetry on Fire, Part II

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The Psalms, a poetic masterpiece that guides me in my quest to know God more.

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Psalm 16, A Michtam of David.  Herein lies a beautiful hidden secret in the title of this psalm.  For the Hebrew word Michtam, rendered “a sculptured writing of gold” in the Septuagint, speaks of God’s divine nature permanently engraved upon David’s heart.  I am a living letter, sculpted in gold by my Creator God.

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Psalm 11, Song of the Steadfast.  “Lord, don’t you hear what my well-meaning friends keep saying to me:  “Run away while you can!” (v.1, TPT).  Sometimes I can be my own best “well-meaning friend”.  Today I remind myself to stand firm and not run from the enemies of my soul.  Lord, I will face each one with courage & grace for I have placed my trust in you.

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Psalm 3, Covered by the Glory.  A song written by David as he runs for his life from his own son, Absalom.  David sings out to God his Shield, translated in ancient Hebrew as Taker.  God, my Taker, shields me by taking me into Himself.  In challenging times, sometimes I just need to step back into God.

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Psalm 5, a song written by King David for the Chief Musician upon the Nehiloth.  As a flutist myself, I love that this song was written to be played upon the Nehiloth, or flute.  This same Hebrew word can also be translated inheritances.  The gift of music is a beautiful inheritance given by the Chief Musician Himself–a gift for which I am very grateful.

Today and always, may our wrap-around God surround you in favor and cover you under His canopy of kindness & joy.

Love & Peace.

Posted on by Lois Stephens · 2 Comments

Poetry on fire

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The Psalms—a mirror into my soul.  A divine pathway into the presence of God.  Songs ablaze; poetry aflame.  Causing my spirit man to burn.

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Psalm 23, The Good Shepherd.  “The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want.”  Do you know that the Hebrew word for shepherd can also be translated best friend?  The Lord is always looking for those he can call friends.

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Psalm 11, Song of the Steadfast.  “And with a glance, his eyes examine every heart.”  Do you know that the actual Hebrew word for eyes is eyelids?  Some believe the eyelid symbolizes the lid of the ark of covenant, called the mercy seat.  The Lord examines every heart with an eye of mercy.

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Psalm 32, Forgiven.  A poem written by King David after he had an affair with the wife of his most loyal soldier, then had him killed to try to keep her pregnancy a secret.  Yet, God still calls David a man after his own heart.  Forgiven & forgotten.

Today and always, may our wrap-around God surround you in favor and cover you under His canopy of kindness & joy.

Love & Peace.

Posted on by Lois Stephens

The Mystic Embraces The Poet

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“She writes like a poet with the heart of a mystic”, states one well-known author of another.  The words tug at my heartstrings–those melodious tendons said to brace the heart.  I brace myself, and I imagine …

If only those words were said of me,

My heart would sing an unchained melody!

With unbroken rhythms of truth & grace,

I’d find myself in my happy place!

 Just kidding.  Not really.  LOL.

Searching for my singing heart’s motive, I ask the question, “What is a mystic anyway?”

I read the definition: “One who believes in the spiritual apprehension of truths that are beyond the intellect.”

For me, that definition is … close but no cigar.  Yes, I know, a rather every-day idiom to employ by a wannabe mystic such as myself, but please, allow me to explain!

The expression, “Close but no cigar” originates from the practice of fairground booths handing out cigars as prizes.  The phrase would be said to those who gave it a good try, but did not win the prize.

My faith is based on the radical belief that the Word behind all words in scripture has been made flesh.  That flesh, a man named Jesus, is Truth.  He’s the prize I get to spiritually apprehend; the full manifestation of All Truth that extends far beyond “my truths”—my human reasoning and intellect—and leads me into the higher realm of All Truth.

So I’m running my race for the prize—the prize of apprehending greater dimensions, not of truths, but of the Truth.  In the taking, the mystic embraces the poet within and something of value, something of worth, something life-giving appears.

In the taking, I center not on what is true about me, but what is Truth about me.  I choose the Way of Truth that brings Life, and I win every time.

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Writing for me becomes a dialogue with the Spirit of God.  My heart’s response to scriptures whispering through my spirit.  This dialogue flows from John 14:6, “Jesus answered, I am the way, the truth and the life …”  May the dialogue continue in you… Love & Peace.

 

Posted on by Lois Stephens · 1 Comment

egomaniacal abyss

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“How can it be, not all about me!”
”How can it be, not all about me!”
Over and over and over again,
I hear the vain cry of humanity…

Then suddenly, in the midst
Of this egomaniacal abyss
The sound of Christ’s heart of humility…
“Oh, how can it be, not all about me”?

And I am undone.

 

Posted on by Lois Stephens · 5 Comments

The Treasury of the Snow

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“Have you entered into the treasury of the snow? …”  Job 38:22

 

Winter—
a season of activity & celebration
a season of rest & restoration
a treasury of life lessons & gifts
… if only we’re willing to listen.

 

Posted on by Lois Stephens · 3 Comments

Sometimes Walking Away Is Okay

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“I am learning to love the sound of my feet walking away from things not meant for me.”                                                                                                                                          Author Unknown

Sometimes … 

walking away is okay.

If it takes more courage & faith

to walk away than to stay

Then just maybe … 

walking away is okay.

 

“But he [Jesus] walked right through the crowd and went on his way.”  Luke 4:30 (NIV).  Love & Peace.

Photo Credit:  64715267 Everst | Dreamstime