INSPIRATIONAL WORDS

Spiritual Poems

2012-01-27T15:25:00.000-05:00

I wrote a spiritual poem responding to a poem by Langston Huges that our poet in residence, Fran Durler, at the Progress Energy Art Gallery (New Port Richey, Florida) included as a sample. Fran spurs us to greater poetic heights with a challenge before each poetry night. The Gallery offers poetry readings open to the public on the 2nd and 4th Fridays of the month at 6:30 pm.

Fran's recent POETRY CHALLENGE was to find a line of poetry that speaks to you. Write that line and then go on to make a new poem of your own; however, I couldn't allow Langston Hughes' poem titled, GOD, to remain unchallenged.

My poem, GOD WITH US, was the result, and could certainly be typed as a Christian poem. GOD by Langston Hughes follows; and while it is a spiritual poem, it is anything but Christian!

GOD WITH US

I God, came

to be your friend,

©Joyful Expressions Photography 2008

to give you My Purity,

Life without end.

Believe Me earth lovers,

I've walked your ground,

and I am God.

I have come down.

Christ,

My own son,

died for you only,

(total God, yet human).

My love is not lonely!

GOD

by Langston Huges

I am God --

Without one friend,

©Joyful Expressions Photography 2008

Alone in my purity

World without end.

Below me young lovers

Tread the sweet ground --

But I am God --

I cannot come down.

Spring!

Life is love!

Love is life only!

Better to be human

Than God -- and lonely.

Appeared in the October 1931 issue of POETRY

I have compassion for anyone with the view that God is up there somewhere without any concern for His creation. Jesus is Immanuel which means 'God with us.' Jesus proved His love when He opened His arms and died for us. And, gave evidence that He is God when he rose from the dead!

More of my spiritual poems are displayed throughout this site, but especially at my page titles, Inspirational Words.

I encourage you to share your poetry including your spiritual poems.

Nature Poems

2012-01-26T00:45:00.000-05:00

As I researched Key Words, I discovered that lots of you love nature poems. You are invited to contribute your own nature poetry, but I'll share the one I wrote yesterday in response to a challenge from Fran Durler, our poet in residence, at the Progress Energy Art Gallery in New Port Richey, Florida. The Gallery offers poetry reading open to the public on the 2nd and 4th Fridays of the month at 6:30 pm.

Fran's POETRY CHALLENGE was to find a line of poetry that speaks to you. Write that line and then go on to make a new poem of your own!

The Egret

Eschew the cluster'd herd,

Aloof from raucous flock,

Observe that stoic bird;

White egret by the rock.

Alabaster wings,

Unabashed elegance,

No lovely voice that sings;

His patience is intense.

No famed marble statue

Is ever still as he;

His fishing rendezvous

baited so carefully,

And when at last he strikes,

His beak a deadly spear,

High steps precede his flight

Off to a new frontier.

Aloft he dazzles sight,

Brilliant against the sky.

Unfurled wings a kite:

Beauty soaring high.

I chose to model a nature poem by Elinor (Hoyt) Wylie. She was the granddaughter of the Governor of Pennsylvania, and the daughter of Roosevelt's Solicitor-General. The poem below was apparently written in the early 1920s. I found it in Modern American Poetry © 1919, 1921 and 1925.

It sounds as though her message is to soar with the eagles, and avoid grubbing in the ground. Is that an inspirational word? You decide:)

The Eagle And The Mole

Avoid the reeking herd,

Shun the polluted flock,

Live like that stoic bird,

The eagle of the rock.

The huddled warmth of crowds

Begets and fosters hate;

He keeps, above the clouds,

His cliff inviolate.

When flocks are folded warm,

And herds to shelter run,

He sails above the storm,

He stares into the sun.

If in the eagle's track

Your sinews cannot leap,

Avoid the lathered pack,

Turn from the steaming sheep.

If you would keep your soul

From spotted sight or sound.

Live like the velvet mole;

Go burrow underground.

And there hold intercourse

With roots of trees and stones,

With rivers at their source,

and disembodied bones.

©Elinor Wylie

I don't really like working from another poet's work, but it was an interesting challenge

with creative results. And, now I have another nature poem to share with you, and encourage you to share your nature poetry.

We have eagles in Florida, but of all the Florida birds, I love the graceful egrets best. They hunt along the lake that borders our side yard. They are no songbirds. Their voices are a loud raspy croak, but their patience always amazes me, as they stand and stare, and wait. We can learn a lot from them!

I am looking for a photo I believe we took of an eagle's nest or perhaps it was an osprey. When I find it (or another that I think we took at the Lowry Park Zoo in Tampa), I will add it to this page.

I have several nature poems included at this link.

Poems About Poems

2012-01-14T07:06:00.003-05:00

'PRAISE' ©Joyful Expressions Photography*

During Poetry night at New Port Richey, Florida's Progress Energy Art Gallery, I read some of my poems about poems. So, I decided to share some with you. After all what does a poet know more about than how that poet creates poems!

INSPIRATION

Into my mind

a rhythm flows,

some words, a rhyme....

A poet knows

her writing time.

First the paper,

then the pen,

a comfy chair,

and often

the words unfurl,

escape my mind,

unfettered, free.

It is their time

to reflect me

as I unwind

with verse or rhyme.

©ELG 5/97

And, here I am again working the 'night shift'. I woke up at 3:30 and when I was still awake at 4 a.m., I decided to get up, have some homemade chicken vegetable soup that I made the day before, and post some of my poems about poems. It's now 6:30 a.m. and I'm not really tired (adrenalin I guess), but I'm heading back to bed for a couple of hours! (I hope!)

NIGHT OWL

I make such vows to me

to go to bed

and get some sleep.

Yet instead, you see,

I'm writing poetry.

©ELG 3/97 2 a.m.

I love the translation of Psalm 61:8 from The Message Bible that I use to begin the next poem. "I'll be the poet who sings your glory, and live what I sing every day."**

SENT TO THE WORLD

"I'll be the poet who sings your glory",

Your story

to the helter skelter world out here;

smiling, smirking outside

but

empty, searching in here

in the so,

so alone and so un-whole,

so masked,

so lied -

a far cry

from Your Perfect Plan.

I'll be the poet who shares Your love

from Above

to this helter skelter world so near

in my face, flesh stench,

full

of growling appetites; fear

struggling alone

round peg, square hole

empty soul.

so tried (or maybe fried?)

Trapped by a lie

of Your Perfect Plan.

Lord, send me to share Your love

from Above

to the deceived, lost world out here.

©ELG 1/11

'Sent To The World' reflects my concern for all who don't know that Jesus Christ is the answer for their lives and the only hope for this 'helter skelter' messed up world. My desire and prayer is that if you don't know Jesus personally, you will accept His gift of salvation; and that God will use me to share His love wherever He provides an opening. After all Jesus last words were to "go into all the world and preach the Gospel (lit: good news) to every person. (Mark 16:15 New King James Version)

Have you written any poems about poems? If not, take this as a challenge to write one! And, then share it here!

* I created 'PRAISE' in Photoshop from two of our photos; one of a sunset & the other of a woman joyfully worshiping God during a time of Praise at Calvary Chapel Worship Center in New Port Richey, Florida.

I devoted several pages at Joyful Expressions Photography Art on how to create a photo collage. . The bottom of the linked page offers links to additional collage creations with instructions.

**This quote is from Psalm 61:8 in The Message Bible.

FUEL FOR THE FIRE

2012-01-06T01:18:00.005-05:00

FUEL FOR THE FIRE

Elizabeth Phillips Goehringer

"A missing child, corrupt Senators, gang bangers, and a New Age commune weave an intricate plot of power at any price..."

FUEL FOR THE FIRE

is scheduled for print and e-book release in late spring.

CLICK HERE for a periscope into the nightmare world of Janisa Clark.
The same 'Fiction Writing' page chronicles the effect of my life in Hartford, Connecticut on this tense drama of a desperate mother's search for her missing child.

From Me To You....

Me (Beth) in England

I began Fuel For The Fire while living in Bloomfield, barely north of Hartford, Connecticut. I had no idea what 4 year old Lora's fate was when I started writing. I didn't know whether she was dead or alive. Nor did I know how the story would end. People died that I didn't expect to die. Characters seemed to appear almost on their own complete with their own personalities...humor, bitterness, whatever.

I began to understand what the ancients meant when they said they wrote under the influence of their muse. Only my muse was the Holy Spirit.

Sorry (well, actually I'm very glad for the Holy Spirit), but I didn't mean to freak you out! LOL! But that was how it felt. Oh, I still had to craft, and research and rewrite, but there were many times when I felt another Presence with me.

It was while we were still living in Hartford that I listened to an audio book of the Pelican Brief by John Grisham. Using that as a model, when I started writing 'Fuel', I decided it would include a protagonist on the run (Janisa Clark in 'Fuel') and multiple murders. ( http://www.jgrisham.com/ )

Just before my move to Cape Cod I began reading This Present Darkness by Frank Peretti, and I knew my suspense would include some supernatural appearances of angels and demons. I knew too that a well written plot with a spiritual component could appeal to mass audiences. After all Peretti followed up with Piercing The Darkness, The Oath and 19 other titles including his newest, Illusion. (http://frankperetti.com/ )

Since I didn't know the outcome, I was almost perpetually on the edge of my seat, wondering what would happen next! But I couldn't skip ahead. No cheating for the author. In fact it took me about two hours to write one page. Oh, the suspense!

Fortunately, you won't have to read Fuel For The Fire that slowly. You will be in suspense. You will be obsessed by the mystery of what happened to Lora and why, and you can skip ahead if you want to. But I hope you won't, because the outcome is in the details. I was very careful to not leave any loose ends. (I hate loose ends in a novel, especially a mystery!) But unfortunately you do have to wait for the publisher to complete their part.

I challenge you to figure out what happened to Lora before her family does!

And, I begin my suspense again. The sequel's underway, Plucked From The Fire, and I don't know the ending of that either, but I know the answer lies in the details....

Beth

For more details about the creation and cover of Fuel For The Fire, follow this link.

The Road Less Traveled

2011-10-31T00:08:00.003-04:00

If you have visited this page before, I have added a poem that describes the choices we all have to make for the year to come...and each day of our lives. Scroll to 'Belfry Balcony' two poems down....

I hate packing, but I love to travel! And, I love finding the road less traveled. You know exploring back roads, and country ways where we can stop and photograph a cow, or a church or even a deserted beach without worrying about where to pull over.

We met in England and honeymooned in England, so it was natural to want to return for our 10th Anniversary. We went right back to South Brent in Devon where we stayed in a 1600s mill 10 years earlier. The difference was that this time I was driving on the curvy, one lane roads across Dartmoor. And, I was wishing it was the road less traveled!

Moor Road

For more Dartmoor photos, Click Here;

New Bridge, Me & A Car
Copyright Joyful Expressions Photography

MOOR ROAD
by
Elizabeth Goehringer

One lane road
Two way traffic
“Good thing the car is small”,
I think.
That is until the tractor trailer
Showed,
And my heart exploded
Into my head.
As the road curled
On the brooks brink
I feared a fall -

"Middle Earth"
Treetop View of the River Dart
Copyright Joyful Expressions Photography

That our little car would slide right in.
Though there grew a double lane,
I thought, “I’m not doing this again.”

We stopped long before we planned
At a park simply called, New Bridge.
(I just couldn’t drive anymore!)
The stalwart rampart was ancient -
Width enough for just one car.
Looking down below the ledge
Dark rambling waters flowed.
Beneath an arched stone pediment
The earth was wet with recent rain.
Soft moss and grass were green -
So green!
We looked and saw a trail began
Across the narrow two lane road.
We were anxious to begin…

The stream squirmed and grew thin.
The path straightened and grew wide.
Through gnarled trees with far flung limbs,

Picnic Beside The River Dart
Copyright Joyful Expressions Photography

Scrambled roots and crusted trunks
With crones haunted nose and eyes.
“I could easily be in Middle Earth,
And craft a tale with my pen.
(If I lived here, I’d begin!)”

A verdant field hosts a picnic
Replete with top hat and unbrella.
Booted Brits with dappled dogs
Stroll as in some famous art,
A pastoral picture without flaw.
Our meandering stream meets its twin.
Cascading rocks invade the River Dart,
And shallow rapids play scratchy violin

A Stroll With The Hounds
At New Bridge Park
Copyright Joyful Expressions Photography

For our stroll through New Bridge Park.

The rain holds back.
The day is won.
Our cameras catch the waning sun
Through twisted arms of antique boughs
High above the River Dart
Where moos rise up from scattered cows
To serenade us as we trek,
Hand in hand to our little car,
And follow the road across the moor
To our cozy cottage door.
Copyright 2011 Elizabeth Phillips Goehringer October

Us at New Bridge Park
Copyright Joyful Expressions Photography
Click Here to link to our cozy Devon cottage
definitely on the road less traveled !

Moor Road was inspired by a poetry challenge at

the Progress Energy Art Gallery in New Port Richey, FL to write a poem on travel.

Look for a future page featuring the Gallery!

You are invited to add your stories, poems and photos about the road less traveled and any of our other topics at Inspirational Words.

Below is the famous poem by Robert Frost (written 1920), whose title is often misquoted as the road less traveled.

THE ROAD NOT TAKEN

by Robert Frost

The Road Less Traveled
Road to Dartmoor Sheep Pasture
Copyright Joyful Expressions Photography


TWO roads diverged in a yellow wood,
And sorry I could not travel both
And be one traveler, long I stood
And looked down one as far as I could
To where it bent in the undergrowth;

Then took the other, as just as fair,
And having perhaps the better claim,
Because it was grassy and wanted wear;
Though as for that the passing there
Had worn them really about the same,

And both that morning equally lay
In leaves no step had trodden black.
Oh, I kept the first for another day!
Yet knowing how way leads on to way,
I doubted if I should ever come back.

I shall be telling this with a sigh
Somewhere ages and ages hence:
Two roads diverged in a wood, and I—
I took the one less traveled by,
And that has made all the difference.

January 8, 2012: I went to bed the other night, thinking about these two poems and New Year's resolutions. 'Letting Go' is our poetry challenge for Poetry Night at the Progress Energy Art Gallery in New Port Richey, Florida, so I suppose I was thinking of that too. At any rate I couldn't sleep and 'The Belfry Balcony' was birthed. Alternatively it could be known as 'Time Traveler'. Have I piqued your curiosity? Well, then climb to the old church belfry and discover the mystery of the view.

THE BELFRY BALCONY

aka

TIME TRAVELER

by Elizabeth Goehringer

Rattery, Devon, UK
Copyright Joyful Expressions Photography

I climb the narrow way to the belfry

Of the ancient sanctuary.

The bells lie silent - no longer chiming.

The stones are hewn rough;

The way is steep and drear

Until the top where light shines clear.

Far below the busy street gleaming,

Spirals up hill and down again,

And splits in two, together first,

And then apart.

One wide and full of metal streaming;

The second narrow into hedgerows disappearing,

Until atop some hill again appearing.

Both lying before me to decide,

The one meandering narrow,

The other smooth and fast and wide.

One soothes with charm;

A stop with friends for food and drink

On the road to
Widicombe On The Moor,
Devon, UK
Copyright Joyful Expressions Photography

At some stone walled bucolic farm.

The other quickly travels, so I think,

'Time like money, once spent, spends no more;

Time to smell a rose; hear the sea roar....

It's all about the money, some say;

No - it's all about time.

It's all I have today.

How shall I spend it? Fast or slow?'

From the church belfry I see the way wide,

A Dartmoor Road,
Devon, UK
Copyright Joyful Expressions Photography

And the little road below where treasures hide.

I have so much to do. Will I be true

To Creation's plan?

Is fast wise? Is slower a fool?

From the bell tower I see the sand;

Faster than coins time flows from my hand.

A gentle breeze blows the dust of my soul.

It sparkles like gold - my life I see.

The bell starts to toll the choice for me -

Highway, path, fast or slow.

Hour by hour by minute,

Time's in my power. How to spend it?

From on top the lofty balcony

I survey the verdant world below,

And as I depart the old belfry,

and stair by stair I go,

The ancient bells clang to me,

"I think I know. I know. I know."
Copyright 2012 Elizabeth Phillips Goehringer January

So now we have three poems discussing the options of the road less traveled, but I believe the Bible says it best:

Leeds Castle, UK
Photo Painting
Copyright Joyful Expressions Photography

Matthew 7:13-14 "Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it."

I would be glad to consider your poem, or a poem that you think fits the theme written by someone else, or your thoughts on this subject.

I Can Only Imagine

2011-10-28T14:04:00.000-04:00

Death is something we all experience.

Heaven is something we all desire.

After the death of my 29 year old son in 1995, I wrote a series of poems trying to put into words of comfort what I can only imagine....

"But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him." (1 Corinthians 2:9)

FOREVERLAND

oh my child

Trebah Gardens, Cornwall, UK
Copyright Joyful Expressions Photography
For more of our photos of Cornwall click below -
http://www.joyfulexpressions-photography-art.com/Falmouth-England.html

Have you gone to Never Never Land

to never ever grow old,

where nothing wears out,

and pain is no more?

In a way you have,

For you have left us for a better place

where you will be forever young,

and in that eternity

of flawless gardens,

and no more tears

We will reunite,

and the years apart

will be as nothing.

1/11/96 ELG Copyright

I CAN ONLY IMAGINE - Lyrics

I can only imagine What it will be like When I walk By your side

I can only imagine What my eyes will see When your face Is before me I can only imagine

I can only imagine

[Chorus:]Surrounded by Your glory, what will my heart feel Will I dance for you Jesus or in awe of you be still Will I stand in your presence or to my knees will I fall Will I sing hallelujah, will I be able to speak at all

I can only imagine

I can only imagine When that day comes When I find myself Standing in the Son

I can only imagine When all I will do Is forever Forever worship You I can only imagine

I can only imagine

[Chorus]

I can only imagine [x2]

I can only imagineWhen all I will do Is forever, forever worship you

I can only imagine

[| From: http://www.elyrics.net/read/m/mercyme-lyrics/i-can-only-imagine-lyrics.html |]

These lyrics were last corrected by Graeme Beck.

Trebah Gardens, Cornwall, UK
Copyright Joyful Expressions Photography
Our inspirational page, I Can Only Imagine, is below -

http://www.joyfulexpressions-photography-art.com/I-Can-Only-Imagine.html

I pray that you will find words of comfort in these poems and inspirational

quotes - especially if you too have experienced the tragedy of the death of a child.

IN MEMORY OF DAVID

(HAIKU #2)

Like flowers in spring

we will meet again and bloom

where death stings no more.

12/31/95 ELG Copyright

SLEEPING

My David is sleeping
While I go weeping
And keeping my memories fond.

I feel so empty
Without his dear body
To Wrap my arms around.

When will he awaken?
When will the day break in
When he rises out of the ground?

Or will I go to him
In heaven's dominion
Before the trumpet's loud sound?

He's There and I'm here,
Separated though near,
'Til Jesus creates a new bond.

Tardy time speed away;
Bring forth that grand day
When, rejoined, our joy shall abound.

1/8/96 ELG Copyright

Walk In The Word

2011-10-25T23:58:00.000-04:00

How do we walk in the Word? That's a question most of us have asked at one time or another in one way or another. I know I have.

Maybe instead of the question above you've said, "What's it all about?" or "What's my purpose?" or "How can I know God's will for my life?"

Here we'll feature some inspirational poems and prose showing how to walk in the Word of God. We've included inspirational pictures to help infuse our souls with the reality of God's methods and plans for each of us.

This poem came to me late last night. Almost out of the blue as they say. But I believe it was God-breathed. Not because it's the best poem ever; or even the best I've ever written. But because it is Truth. And it speaks to my heart. I pray it will to yours.

THEN GOD WORKS...

Gorilla Jar
Photo Painting
Copyright Joyful Expressions Photography
I show how to create a Photo Painting
at the link below:
http://www.joyfulexpressions-photography-art.com/photopainting.html

Here’s how God works…

You hold on tight

Like a monkey’s fist in a jar

Full of candy;

And nothing happens…

At least nothing good.

You get caught in your own trap

Of overspending,

Over eating,

Picking the wrong mate,

Or car, or house,

Simmering with anger,

Bitterness,

Resentment,

Unforgiveness…

Until you give up,

Unball your tightly squeezed fist.

Open your hand,

And let go of all that stuff.

Then God works!

ELG 10-25-11 Copyright

God's Word, the Bible, tells how to walk in the Word:

Wait for the LORD; be strong and take heart and wait for the LORD.

Psalm 27:14

¹¹ For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. ¹² Then you will call on me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. ¹³ You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.

Jeremiah 29:11-13

New International Version (NIV)

Search for any verse or topic at: http://www.biblegateway.com

FOOTSTEPS IN THE SAND

Footsteps At Sandy Neck
Copyright
Joyful Expressions Photography
For more of Gods Promises, Click Below:

http://www.joyfulexpressions-photography-art.com/footstepsinthesand.html

One night a man had a dream. He dreamed he was walking along the beach with the LORD. Across the sky flashed scenes from his life. For each scene, he noticed two sets of footprints in the sand: one belonging to him, and the other to the LORD.

When the last scene of his life flashed before himhe looked back, at the footprints in the sand. He noticed that many times along the path of his life there was only one set of footprints. He also noticed that it happened at the very lowest and saddest times of his life.

This really bothered him and he questioned the LORD about it:"LORD, you said that once I decided to follow you,you'd walk with me all the way. But I have noticed that during the most troublesome times in my life there is only one set of footprints.

I don't understand why when I

needed you most you would leave me."

The LORD replied:"My son, My precious child, I love you and I would never leave you. During your times of trial and suffering, when you see only one set of footprints
in the sand, it was then that I carried you."

Author unknown

"You Are My Hiding Place" Psalm 32:7

Grays Preserve, Port Richey, FL
Copyright
Joyful Expressions Photography
Included in "A Photographer Looks At The Psalms" - Click Below:

http://www.joyfulexpressions-photography-art.com/Psalm23.html

You Are My Hiding Place. I Will Trust In You.

by Selah (with awesome photos)

The inspirational words are on the video below

in concert with inspirational art and verse.

World English Bible
You are my hiding place. You will preserve me from trouble. You will surround me with songs of deliverance. Selah. (Psalm 32:7)

Biblos offers parallel translations and commentary at - http://bible.cc/psalms/32-7.htm

The more of Gods Word I have in me, the more I will live God's Word...and Walk In The Word.

Fiction Writing

2011-10-10T00:39:00.024-04:00

INSPIRATIONAL WORDS - MY FICTION WRITING

FUEL FOR THE FIRE

is scheduled for print release in late spring.
http://www.inspirational-words.net/2012/01/fuel-for-fire.html

Fuel For The Fire is not inspirational in the usual sense. It was inspired by the 20 years I spent living in the city of Hartford, Connecticut and environs. Although it is fiction writing, 'Fuel' reflects some of the hopes, aspirations, fears and frustrations I saw and experienced within the minority community projected into an environment more like today's world than the world I wrote it in! In the end it is a glimpse into the power of hope, and the battle for faith.

TEASER: ": an advertising or promotional device intended to arouse interest or curiosity especially in something to follow (Merriam Webster)http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/teaser

So, Here's My Teaser!

Reading like the headlines of a 21st century newspaper, Fuel For The Fire, is non-stop suspense featuring mystery, murder, mayhem and unexpected glimpses of the supernatural.

Janisa Clark awakens in the hospital after crashing her car to discover that her three year old daughter, Lora, is missing. Her husband, Dr. Jeremy Clark, shows her a newspaper article reporting that Lora was abducted because minority rioters thought she was white. But she’s not.

In an economy reminiscent of the Great Depression, the fury of the have-nots has been vented in firebombs, riots and attacks on anyone and anything considered affluent or different. The city has been torched.

Against this backdrop Dr. Clark enlists the assistance of his gang banger brother-in-law, Cat, in his search for Lora. However, his HIV research is a valuable commodity, and his impetuous actions have placed it and him in great jeopardy.

As her husband disappears into the underbelly of society, Janisa’s desperate efforts to find Lora provoke a backlash that have her and their son, Sandy, running for their lives.

With fast paced precision the story catapults from homeboys in the hood to incendiary skin heads in the suburbs; a clandestine government installation; the conspiracies and secrets of two corrupt senators, and their wives; the schemes of a billionaire plotting world domination; bizarre murders; a child adoption agency with its own agenda; and a pristine commune specializing in occult phenomena.

FBI detective, Sean McArthur, stumbles on the Clark tragedy when Jan turns to his sister, Molly, for help. Can he unravel the tangles linking the Clarks to powerful minority Senator Raindolph, and the Senator to a commune he doesn’t know exists?

Will Janisa ever be able to place her trust in a God who allowed this travesty to happen but who Molly and Sean say loves her? Will Sean, the Senator and the Clarks survive the equally determined attempts of a unknown enemy to prevent them from knowing Lora’s fate?

Fasten your seat belt for a riveting ride to a screeching conclusion.

"Reading Fuel For The Fire is more like watching a high suspense movie than reading a book!"

The Effect of Hartford, Connecticut

On My Fiction Writing,

and Fuel For The Fire

Can I bare my soul to you for a moment? I spent all of my children's growing up years in Hartford and the close suburb of Bloomfield. I was married at that time to a prominent area jazz musician. His race excluded us from certain apartment rentals due to discrimination. He was the director of a summer jazz series which brought celebrities into Hartford, and placed the children and me in the middle of the arts community. At one time I ran the campaign office for a minority political candidate. I sold Real Estate and advertising, and wrote articles for two local publications. As a result I experienced the North End, the South End, the West side and every other neighborhood in Hartford and its environs.

In the course of those years teen gangs were active. My son was attacked with a hammer in school. My daughter saw friends die. She also saw a woman hosed off the street after she was run over by a bus. That episode found its way into Fuel For The Fire. At 13 my son was diagnosed with diabetes at the UCONN Medical Center which became the model for Jeremy Clark's Aids research. My advertising background became Janisa's career.

My son's untimely death resulted from his inability to overcome a cocaine addiction. My daughter has gone on to become the best RN I have ever met. She has helped me through some of the medical scenes in the book.

Finally the Hartford area hosted some of the most amazing experiences of my life. On the way home from a Billy Graham movie, my son asked me to stop the car so that he could pray. Yes, he died from a drug overdose, but a few days after his death, I had a phone call from a woman who used to do drugs with him. She told me that she came to know Jesus as her Savior because "even high David never stopped talking about him."

That was a theology buster and a major revelation to me. Drugs are not the unforgivable sin. Rejecting Christ as Messiah Savior is; and who else can share Jesus in a drug den except another addict. I am proud of my son for not keeping his faith to himself.

Through a friend of my daughter, I heard about spiritualism, and heard the cries of a demon in an empty apartment. Through another person I met a bonafide witch, and was introduced to the occult.

Spiritually, the Hartford area reflects some of my lowest points, but it also was home to some of the deepest growth of my life, and the foundation for my future. A church nicknamed "The Barn" in the suburb of Simsbury introduced me to the gifts of the Holy Spirit, and provided the template for 'His House' in the latter part of the book.

Missing children were only beginning to be an issue when I began writing 'Fuel'. It's an epidemic that has exploded in the last decade. My husband, Tom, and I moved to Florida just about that time, and shortly afterward a little girl in the next town was stolen from her bed, and buried alive beneath the child molester's front stairs. But the epidemic has grown far beyond individual perversion. We are told that the United States is the greatest purchaser of illegal slaves in the world. The profit motive for baby sales, sex slaves, work slaves and human sacrifice are woven into the story of Lora and the Clark family.

Books grow from experiences - even fictional, and my fiction writing is no exception; but no person, place or event in Fuel For The Fire is actual. It is all fiction, and it is my hope that it provides readers with a good ride regardless of whether they share my conviction or faith. But more important to me is that the Gospel of Jesus Christ is clearly presented in the midst of the murder, mayhem and unexpected glimpses of the supernatural.

We are living in potentially the most important historical period since the birth of Jesus. Look around, read the papers, listen to FOX and CNN; then read the Bible. The return of Jesus is not far away, and that means also that the greatest tribulation this world has ever known is also not far away. My prayer is that those without faith who read this suspense novel, will realize that it could easily be true, and that their eyes will open to see the spiritual battle that is here now and that is to come. If that is you, my prayer is that you will jump into the arms of Jesus before it is too late.

Stay tuned to this 'channel'! You will have one of the first opportunities to read one of the first print or e-books of FUEL FOR THE FIRE!

http://www.joyfulexpressions-photography-art.com/kindle.html

Autumn Poems

2010-09-18T23:42:00.008-04:00

Mild fall weather and glorious fall scenes inspire autumn poems, and autumn photos.

Autumn on Cape Cod in Massachusetts meant cranberry bogs turned ripe and red with harvesting in progress; and perhaps trips to northern Massachusetts or Vermont to see the brilliant hues of maples and elms. It's a quieter time of year to visit the Cape, and for many autumn is their favorite time of year.

Autumn in Florida also means a few trees with usually less vibrant but still colorful leaves. Roses and hibiscus are in bloom. The weather begins to cool and we can open the doors and windows to let the fresh breezes in - and save on air conditioning electricity. Although not really a swimming time of year in central Florida, it is a time for leisurely neighborhood strolls or exploring the beautiful parks, for bike riding and boating. Perfect weather; and very few miss northern winters regardless of how beautiful the snow sparkles!

Here I share a collection of my Autumn Poems, written at various places and times, but always, I hope, with the guidance of the Master's hand.

Autumn Harvest
Cranberry Bog, Cape Cod, Massachusetts
Copyright Elizabeth Goehringer
Our website features more of our Cape Cod photography -
http://www.joyfulexpressions-photography-art.com/CapeCodPictures.html

THE MASTER ARTIST

When the Master Artist walks the land,

And autumn trees burst into flame,

With His brush poised in His hand

He gently frosts the window pane,

And through the rippled glass is viewed

The charcoal'd forms of geese alight

Above the silvered land eschewed

In rapt formation as a kite.

Across the land a stream still sings

As it winds its poignant path

To shimmer in the sunlit beams,

And peel away its scales of glass.

Too soon the hoary season's tide

Will paralyze with ice tossed look.

Leaves brushed brown are quickly dried

As icy chards invade the brook.

Yet the Master still creates

With artistry in tones of white.

Entombed, the natural world awaits

His breath of life, His touch of light.
ELG 4/3/01 Copyright

AUTUMN

Experiment
Edward Steichen 1906
I feature Famous Photographers on my website,
http://www.joyfulexpressions-photography-art.com/famousphotographers.html

To some autumn is death,

To some it hints cold, comfortless winter
just around the bend.

But to me it is life,

And I welcome it as a much cherished friend.

Autumn is life and alive.

A man clad in crisp garments of freshness

and vitality,

By whose presence I'm awakened,

And compelled into a bees' nest of activity.

Life renewing Autumn,

Should your beauty and vigorous strength

surround us all the year,

How intensely we should live!

But as beauty fades, life dies

and winter is here.
ELG 1960s Copyright

TOO SOON AUTUMN

So quickly October relinquishes its faded glory…

Witches to wish bones,

Jack ‘O Lanterns to pumpkin pie,

Apple picking and bobbing

To pie gobbling and cider slurping,

Birds chirping to turkey eating,

Joyful leaves to somber winter -

Nature naps, closes its eyes.

Closeted out of sight,

It gathers strength,

And prepares for spring.

Renewed, restored, hidden,

New life impatiently patient,

Claws at its shell,

Breakwater Beach, Cape Cod Massachusetts
Copyright Elizabeth Goehringer
Our website features more Inspirational Poems -
http://www.joyfulexpressions-photography-art.com/inspirationalpoem.html

Cracks and bursts forth.

Spring is born.

ELG 10/24/11 Copyright

OCTOBER SUN

Soft winds blow

harbingers of winter snow.

Shrill gusts swirl leaves

in tattered colors from the trees.

Indian sun

beats summery upon

the waning earth

a belated, lingering worth...

And my life too

feels refreshed as you

gently warm my soul,

waking my heart from the cold.
ELG 11/7/97 Copyright

Waters Edge at Moon Lake,
Copyright Elizabeth Goehringer
For more of our inspirational photos follow this link;
http://www.joyfulexpressions-photography-art.com/Gods-art.html

ODE TO FLORIDA AUTUMN

The dew twinkles on the lake,
And sparkles on the trees.
Last night's rain drops softly prate,
Dripping gently from the leaves.

The morning breeze wisps the trees
As feathered plumes are flown.
Chirping birds their carols weave:
With joy the day is sewn.
ELG 9/28/10 Copyright

GOD'S HEART

God's heart is in new life

When buds burst forth in spring,

and hope grows yet eternal

And all of life seems green.

His tears refresh our summer

When life seems drawn and dry,

And there is none to share with

Nor shade us when we cry.

God's soul is in our autumn

when the winds begin to blow.

He knows how much we tremble

As the billows take their toll;

And in the depths of winter

When hope tends to desparir,

He blankets us with comfort

As we cry to him in prayer.

He's with us in life's seasons

Unwilling to let go.

He is there in times of joy,

Yet more as teardrops flow.

As we give our hearts to Him,

He will heal our every pain,

And bless our souls with Sonshine,

And turn our loss to gain.

ELC 5/3/99 Swedesboro, NJ Copyright

Words To Live By

2010-08-28T22:04:00.000-04:00

"Just Praise" copyright E.Goehringer

"I'll be the poet who sings Your glory - and live what I sing every day." Psalm 61:8 (The Message)." Those are worthy words to live by, and particularly applicable to a poet!

I heard an interview today on the radio between author, Eric Metaxas, and Christian apologist, Stuart McAlister from RZIM* (http://rzim.org/ ) [Ravi Zacharias International Ministries uses an intellectual approach to demonstrate the truth of Christianity's words to live by].

I was deeply impacted by Eric's portrayal of Dietrich Bonhoeffer as a pastor who twice left for the United States, and twice returned to Nazi Germany. He valued God's will for his life more than he valued his own life. He was executed just days before the end of the war.

I too want to go wherever my Lord goes; or, candidly, to be willing to go! The CROSS is not a place I want to go, but if the worst that can happen to me actually happens, I desire the grace and courage to be willing to go.

I believe God's Word, the Bible, has the Words To Live By, as Bonhoeffer so aptly expresses in the quote below.

"I believe that the Bible alone is the answer to all our questions, and that we need only to ask repeatedly and a little humbly in order to receive this answer. One cannot simply read the Bible, like other books. One must be prepared really to inquire of it. Only thus will it reveal itself. Only if we expect from it the ultimate answer, shall we receive it. That is because in the Bible, God speaks to us."
Bonhoeffer: Pastor, Martyr, Prophet, Spy - A Righteous Gentile vs The Third Reich by Eric Metaxas.
The quote above is from Dietrich Bonhoeffer.

It has been said that "timing is everything". Timing is an issue in each of our lives. Every decision involves timing, and each decision impacts the rest of our lives.

This quatrain (4 lines) from the Rubaiyat of Omar Khayyam (Rubaiyat #7) describes the speed of time:
"Come, fill the cup, and in the Fire of Spring
The Winter Garment of Repentance fling.
The Bird of Time has but a little way
To fly - and Lo! The Bird is on the Wing."
(Learn how to compose a Persian Rubaiyat. It's simple!).

Poet Laureate, Robert Frost 1874 - 1963), further defines the decision making process:
"Two roads diverged in a wood, and I -
I took the one less traveled by,
and that has made all the difference."

Frost's poem is titled, The Road Not Taken, which can be found at the link below along with my poem of a similar theme titled, The Belfry Balcony aka Time Traveler.
http://www.inspirational-words.net/2011/10/road-less-traveled.html

In Matthew 7:13 - 14 Jesus gives us words to live by that make that difference very clear:
"Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it."

Jesus further clarified that when He said "narrow" He meant "narrow! In John 14:6 He said,
"I am the Way, and the Truth, and the Life. No one comes to the Father except through Me."

Emily Dickinson (1830 - 1886), clearly express her faith in her inspirational poem, Chartless:
"I never saw a moor,
I never saw the sea;
Yet now I know how the heather looks,
and what a wave must be.

I never spoke with God,
Nor visited in Heaven;
Yet certain am I of the spot
As if the chart were given."

" God writes the gospel not in the Bible alone, but on trees, and flowers, and stars!" Martin Luther

"The more I study nature, the more I stand amazed at the work of the Creator...science brings men nearer to God." Louis Pasteur

"He gave up His life because He willed it, when He willed it and as He willed it."St. Augustine of Hippo

"Christus suffered the extreme penalty during the reign of Tiberius at the hands of one of our procurators, Pontius Pilatus." Cornelius Tacitus, Roman historian

Only I can fill my place in the world. The C.R.Gibson Company

You are of great worth. Christ died just for you. Won't you open your heart and invite Him in?

Click Here for more words to live by and inspirational photos.

I'm praying for you today. Drop me a note or share a poem. I'll be glad to respond if you'd like me to.

Warmly,
Beth

"The joy of the Lord is my strength." Nehemiah 8:10

*"RZIM is a global ministry that seeks to communicate the Gospel of Jesus Christ throughout the world. At its essence, apologetics is the art and science of Christian persuasion: communicating the relevance, coherence, and reasonableness of the Christian Gospel to skeptics, cultural influencers, and critical thinkers across the globe."

Beach Poems

2010-08-27T22:10:00.034-04:00

My beach poems come to me in many ways, but most commonly while I'm at the beach watching the surf, the birds, the people and even the air.
I love to stroll the beaches of Cape Cod, and gaze at the sea, sand and dunes.

Driftwood -National Seashore
Copyright Joyful Expressions Photography

In late September I returned to Cape Cod to be with my daughter after she underwent surgery. Once she was feeling somewhat better, I stole away to the 'Lower Cape' also called the 'Outer Cape'. It's the hook that sticks into the Atlantic lined with the magnificent cliffs and beaches of the National Seashore. I took time for a walk at Coast Guard Beach where we often went when my children were young until a hurricane took the parking lot and the Outermost House where naturalist and author, Henry Beston, spent many solitary hours. (The parking lot was rebuilt, but much smaller. Shuttles run from another lot slightly inland during the summer season. The Coast Guard Station is still there, but is privately owned.)

The photo below was taken there and is titled, "Dreamer". Like the woman in the photo, I spent many hours in watching and dreaming. Unlike her I usually had a pen and paper, or a camera or both. The beach poem, Reflections, was penned last night.

To learn more about Beston and the Outermost House, follow the link below.
http://massaudubonblogs.typepad.com/wellfleetbaynews/2009/04/the-outermost-house.html

REFLECTIONS

What does the water mean to me?
Why do I react so soulfully
at water's edge?

Coast Guard Beach
Photo Painting
Copyright Joyful Expressions Photography

The ocean spaces draw me in;
They haunt my soul from deep within.
with my back against a dune,
Sheltered deep in my cocoon,
a secret hedge.

Outside the world can promenade,
but sand and sea whisk me to God.
Breezes gently sooth my soul'
Waters swirl around our shoal.
Worries cease.
Barefoot He leads me to His strand;
This is a day that He has planned,
and I'm at peace.

(E. Goehringer - copyright 10-30-11)

During the almost 20 years that I lived on Cape Cod, Massachusetts, I wrote many beach poems.
Beach day was written while I sat people watching on Nauset Beach on the Atlantic Ocean in 1987. It's rainy in Florida today which has somehow ironically made me reminisce
about the Cape with its many opportunities
for nature poems.

Beach Day

Cape Cod Dune (copyright)
Cape Cod Beaches at Joyful Expressions Photography Art.

Crinkling ripples gaily roll
to romp with little children
on slushy, sandy slopes.

Quiet skiffs are gently moored....
A blue haze softly lingers
to muffle gulls squawking drawls.

Relentless nature spells her toll
in dimpled thighs of matrons
and dashes children's hopes
as white fringed waves rush landward,
and with icy fingers
batter fragile castle walls.

Through the haze the sun's pale glow
glazes bodies bronze again
'til chilling gusts evoke
goose bumps and a move toward
warmth across the grassy moors.

The sun slips while hunger calls.
( E. Goehringer - copyright)

CLICK HERE for Footsteps In The Sand, one of the most famous and best loved beach poem.

I lived for the Cape beaches. Another irony is that we so rarely get to the Florida beaches! I enjoy our pool and the heavenly view of our little lake and dock so much that the beach doesn't hold the same allure. But I'll share that story and those pictures with you another day.

Cape Cod is said to have a pond for every day of the year. I don't know how many salt water beaches there are, but I've been to most of them.

Cape Cod Bay is surrounded by the bent arm of the Cape on the north and west, and by Plymouth and the south shore of Massachusetts on the east. The Upper Cape is the portion closest to the bridges.

The cold Atlantic Ocean beaches are on the east. Sand dunes and breaking waves festoon this glorious shore for miles with barely a house or structure. It's all National Seashore! And, it's known as the Lower Cape.

On the south are the warm waters of Nantucket sound, and the two islands of Martha's Vineyard and Nantucket. Both are worth a day or week trip. But more about them on another day.

Provincetown is the finger tip of Cape Cod.
Copyright Joyful Expressions Photography

Days End On The Lower Cape

Gently rises the pale, cool moon
high over shaggy Cape dunes
as that red globe of fury, the sun
swiftly slides behind the ocean.

The cresting harsh breakers of white
soon becomes shadowed with night
while a wandering gull overhead
wings its tardy journey to bed.

The chilling gusts of twilight fan across
scattered, fragile dune grass
and rustle scrubby green pines
dwarfing their growth with sea brine.
(E.Goehringer - copyright)

Nauset Waves & Clouds
Copyright Joyful Expressions Photography
Cape Cod National Seashore
at Joyful Expressions Photography Art

CAPE SOUNDS

squawking seagulls
creaking ship's hulls
lapping bay waves against small sea-animal caves

CRASHING, white-fringed ocean surf
salt-sprayed wind
h o w l i n g
across the grassy turf

the cushioned peace of a tree-filled swamp
the trill of a bird in an early morn haunt
midnight's silence in a night-blacked woood
an owl's longely h o o t as he peeps 'neath his hood

Sandwich Boardwalk, Cape Cod
Copyright Joyful Expressions Photography

bare
feet
padding
over
a
wooden walk
the mul-ti-ple splash of a scaling rock
sands soft crunch between fingers or toes
crickets creak as day draws to a close

a multiplicity of sound
from
sea, sky, and ground

Copyright E. Goehringer

CAPE COD QUOTES
"A man may stand there and put all America behind him."
                    Henry David Thoreau speaking of Cape Cod

“. . . a sound in fullest harmony with its spirit and mood . . .and that sound the piping of a bird. As I walk the beach in early summer, my solitary coming disturbs it on its nest, and it flies away, troubled, invisible, piping its sweet, plaintive cry. The bird I write of is the piping plover. . . Its note is a whistled syllable, the loveliest musical note, I think, sounded by any North Atlantic bird.”
Excerpt from 'Outermost House' by Henry Beston describing Coast Guard Beach at night.

"The sea-shore is a sort of neutral ground,
a most advantageous point from which to contemplate this world."
          Excerpt from 'The Sea and The Desert"'in 'Cape Cod'

"As they say on my own Cape Cod, a rising tide lifts all the boats."
   John Fitzgerald Kennedy

"Man's attitude toward nature is today critically important simply because we have now acquired a fateful power to alter and destroy nature. But man is a part of nature, and his war against nature is inevitably a war against himself?[We are] challenged as mankind has never been challenged before to prove our maturity and our mastery, not of nature, but of ourselves."
Rachel Carlson commenting on her book, Silent Spring, documenting the dangers of DDT as the result of a large bird kill on Cape Cod.
http://www.fws.gov/rachelcarson/

Cape Cod quotes seem to be scarce, but on January 19, 1903 the Marconi wireless transmitted the first complete wireless transatlantic messages from President Theodore Roosevelt to King Edward VII, and from the King to the President. The cliffs of Wellfleet overlooking the Atlantic Ocean were the site. The historic marker and ruins are located within the National Seashore.
Click Here for the history of the wireless transmitted by Marconi on the Wellfeet, Cape Cod cliffs.
His Majesty, Edward VII.
London, Eng.
In taking advantage of the wonderful triumph of scientific research and ingenuity which has been achieved in perfecting a system of wireless telegraphy, I extend on behalf of the American People most cordial greetings and good wishes to you and to all the people of the British Empire.
THEODORE ROOSEVELT
Wellfleet, Mass., Jan. 19, 1903

Sandrinham, January 19, 1903 The President,
White House, Washington, America
I thank you most sincerely for the kind message which I have just received from you, through Marconi's trans-Atlantic wireless telegraphy. I sincerely reciprocate in the name of the British Empire the cordial greetings and friendly sentiment expressed by you on behalf of the American Nation, I heartily wish you and your country every possible prosperity.
EDWARD R. and I.

Romantic Words

2010-08-26T16:48:00.000-04:00

Howard Park, Tarpon Springs, Florida
Copyright Joyful Expressions Photography
More of our romantic wedding poses
are featured at Joyful Expressions Photography:
http://www.joyfulexpressions-photography-art.com/WeddingPoses.html

'Let him kiss me with the kisses of his mouth

for your love is more delightful than wine.'

Song of Solomon 1:2

Also known as the Song of Songs, this 3000 year old tribute to the love of King Soloman for his Shulamite

bride endures for the simplicity of their relationship and its magnificent language.

On a deeper level it describes the love of the Lord God for his people who love Him in return.

CLICK HERE for some of the most romantic words ever penned. It is written in English and in Hebrew.

Elizabeth Barret Browning expressed her love for

Robert Browning in Sonnet 43, a much read and classic inspirational poem, titled, How Do I Love Thee?

How do I love thee? Let me count the ways.
I love thee to the depth and breadth and height
My soul can reach, when feeling out of sight
For the ends of being and ideal grace.
I love thee to the level of every day's
Most quiet need, by sun and candle-light.
I love thee freely, as men strive for right.
I love thee purely, as they turn from praise.
I love thee with the passion put to use
In my old griefs, and with my childhood's faith.
I love thee with a love I seemed to lose
With my lost saints. I love thee with the breath,
Smiles, tears, of all my life; and, if God choose,
I shall but love thee better after death.
CLICK HERE for this famous poet's unique and rather sad biography.

Us at Conch House, Flagler, Florida

As Tom and I were dating, romantic
words sprang easily to mind, and
I wrote some inspirational poetry.

'FRIENDS' describes an important
foundation for love and marriage.
It definitely was for us!

We met in England, fell in love during a dance, and married on Cape Cod.
We began a photography business together, and moved to Florida.

FRIENDS

Friendship may like a garden be grown
 If true seeds of love are sown,
 And weeded and watered faithfully
 To await  the bounty patiently
 Of all God has planted there
 For friends to one day reap and share.

As the fruit upon the vine
 Slowly yields the best of wine,
 So friendship needs that certain clime
 Measured out with care through time
 To blossom forth with purity
 And climb to ripe maturity. 

Developing trust through dark of night;
 Confirming hope by deeds and sight:
 Building a root within the soul
 To twine two hearts into one whole:
 A bower wherein love may grow
 The scent of heaven here below.
  Copyright E. Goehringer 1998
CLICK HERE for more of my inspirational poetry on our Photography Art website.

WORDS OF INSPIRATION

2010-08-25T17:10:00.000-04:00

Inspirational Words by Elizabeth Phillips Goehringer (aka Beth) features inspirational poetry and inspirational stories I've written over the last 45 years in addition to inspirational stories, poetry and articles by others that have brought me new insights, or have inspired me to keep going through life's hazards.

Florida Sunset
Copyright Joyful Expressions Photography

Samplings of some Words of Inspiration and a beautiful video of Psalm 23 are found by Clicking Here.

Poetry topics range from love, romance, death and grieving to nature and travel. Stories will include a broad spectrum. Look for 'What Would I Have Been', a short story about Heaven, and a previews of my full length end times suspense novel, 'FUEL FOR THE FIRE' http://www.inspirational-words.net/2012/01/fuel-for-fire.html

Inspirational Words also incorporates selected works of other poets and writers as well as biographical and travel sketches.

Pictures of Flowers are inspirational photos taken by Joyful Expressions Photography. My husband, Tom, and I the are photographers, and I'm the graphic artist.

Most days are often far too hectic - more often than not in my case with self made work here at my computer! Other times are fraught with unexpected crises and anxiety that fight to overcome trust and faith.

The poem below is anonymous, but reminds me to make time for the most important part of my day and my life....

SLOW ME DOWN LORD

Slow me down Lord
Ease the pounding of my heart by the
quieting of my mind.

"You Are My Hiding Place"
Psalm 32:7
Copyright Joyful Expressions Photography
This Florida scene is included in our inspirational book,
A Photographer Looks At The Psalms
http://www.joyfulexpressions-photography-art.com/Psalm23.html

Steady my hurried pace with a vision
of your eternal glory.
Give me, amid the confusion of the day,
the calmness of your presence.

Break the tensions of my nerves and
muscles eith the soothing
experiences of your presence.

help me to know the magical, restoring
power of sleep.

Teach me the art of taking minute vacations -
of slowing down
to look at a flower;
to chat with a friend;
to pat a dog;
to read the Bible;
to pray to You.

Slow me dow, Lord, and inspire me to
send my roots deep into the
soil of life's enduring values
that I may grow in Your grace.

I found some more anonymous words of inspiration in a website titled, The Narrow Road while doing a search for the key words 'narrow road'. WHEN I SAY I'M A CHRISTIAN says it all....

The Narrow Road.

http://mypeoplepc.com/members/bdfarmer1/thenarrowroad/index.html

WHEN I SAY I'M A CHRISTIAN

When I say..."I'm a Christian"
I'm not shouting "I'm clean living"
I'm whispering "I was lost",
Now I'm found and forgiven.

When I say..."I'm a Christian"
I don't speak of this with pride,
I'm confessing that I stumble and need
CHRIST to be my guide.

When I say..."I'm a Christian"
I'm not trying to be strong.
I'm professing that I'm weak and need
HIS strength to carry on.

When I say..."I'm a Christian"
I'm not bragging of success, I'm admitting I have
failed and need GOD to
clean my mess.

When I say..."I am a Christian"
I'm not claiming to be perfect,
My flaws are far too visible but,
God believes I am worth it.

When I say..."I am a Christian"
I still feel the sting of pain,
I have my share of heartaches,
So I call upon HIS name.

When I say..."I am a Christian"
I'm not holier than thou,
I'm just a simple sinner who received
God's good grace, somehow.

Author Unknown

"Yes and Amen! That's what the Christian walk is all about!

We invite you to comment on what you see, share you own creations for us to share here, and return frequently for more of our inspirational thoughts.

Beth