The Healing Leaves

Posted on February 26, 2017 by Connie Pease

There is a tree not far from here,

Hidden from our sight;

And in it’s shadow we will rest,

Darkness changed to light.

Hardships, heartaches, sad despair,

Their vanquishing control

Will fall away and in their place

The healing of the soul.

Then the angel showed me the river of the water of life, as clear as crystal, flowing from the throne of God and of the Lamb

down the middle of the great street of the city. On each side of the river stood the tree of life, bearing twelve crops of fruit, yielding its fruit every month. And the leaves of the tree are for the healing of the nations.

I’m thinking about healing today, how there’s such a relief when there is no

more pain or distress. I’m thinking about the tree that made the terrible, wonderful cross that takes our death and redeems us to life. And I’m thinking of the tree we are promised that will heal the nations. It will heal the nations. Oh, it will heal the nations!

Poem: CJP; Quote: Revelation 22:1-2; Images: en.wikipedia.org_.png; Pixabay-cc-cross-78000_640.jpg

A Thanksgiving Prayer

Posted on November 24, 2016 by Connie Pease

Dear Heavenly Father,

We thank you for life from first to final breath, from parents’ delight to loved ones’ sorrow. And in all the days between: in the warm and easy days of goodness and contentment, in the harsh and frigid days of crushed spirit and lost hope, in the exhuberant days of learning new things, in the stumbling days of confusion and disappointment; in all of our days we give You thanks for life, itself.

We thank You for sustenance. For food, whether plentiful or insufficient; for enjoyable or pitiable shelter, in all degrees of health and comfort we are grateful. For it is by Your hand every help is given.

We thank You for good things, knowing that every good and perfect gift comes down from the Father of lights. You, Father, are the One who loves His children – His creation – with a love that is beyond mere words of expression. That love desires not just good, but best. It wants more than we ask for ourselves and guides us to trust.

So on this Thanksgiving Day whether we are with loved ones or alone, we ask more than anything the pleasure of Your company, and we thank You for the many things You give whether we see and understand them or whether we are unaware of them. And until the day when all the world raises its voice in praise to You, we will praise You and thank You wherever we are and in whatever state we find ourselves. We. Love. You!

In the blessed and generous Name of Jesus,

Amen

Image: thanksgiving-1060214_960_720-pixabay-cco-public-domain.jpg

A Walk Outside

Posted on October 11, 2016 by Connie Pease

A walk outside is good for the soul
Before the rain, before the cold,

Before the bite of wind and snow,

And what we do or do not know.

To wander down a colored street

Of pocked and crunchy, musky leaves

And know that all creation breathes The balmy scent that nature gives;

With open hand extending grace

To troubled heart and torpid breast;

And thoughts, unsettled, find release;

And gives the spirit sweetened rest.

—CJP

Image:commons wikimedia.org; publicdomainpictures.net

A Graduation Benediction

Posted on May 14, 2016 by Connie Pease

I had the privilege of offering the benediction at Crossroads College 96th Baccalaureate – Commencement. Here it is – for them and for all of us. May God act on our lives according to His will.

*************************************************************************************************

Our dear Heavenly Father and our Lord Jesus Christ,

How fortunate we are to be here today, for these students to have gained an education that includes Your wisdom and direction, to have formed relationships with people of like faith, to have taken time out of their lives to learn from the knowledge of professors who belong to You.

These graduates are Your intricate creation. We see a small part of who they are; they, themselves, see a bit more; but You, oh Lord, You see so very much more. You know what they are capable of: of great work for your kingdom, of courageous stance for your truth, of noble words and deeds on your behalf. Please mold them into mighty men and women to carry out all kinds of work in this world: To be the encouraging smile, to help carry the heavy load, to inspire the weary to greater heights, to do the necessary task without concern for credit. We pray that You will show them how to open the gifts that You have given them whether in talent or opportunity and to understand the responsibility they have to You in using those gifts.

We pray that You will give them humility in success and sustain their faith in times of struggle.

Now as we set our eyes on a future that holds we know not what, we ask for Your strong hand on these graduates. We ask for Your boldness, for the infusion of Your Holy Spirit, for Your help, Your provision, Your direction, and Your peace – not as the world gives, but as You give.

We want, above all else, to please You best and to run to You first. Fix our eyes, dear Jesus, on You, the author and finisher of our faith.

In Jesus Name, Amen.

Just One More Day

Posted on February 21, 2016 by Connie Pease

When morning star’s shy, hesitant light

Approaches the edge of dawn

And stretches its fingers beyond blackened night

Exploding in brilliance of morn;

When afternoon’s haze rests over the day,

A blanket of homey embrace;

When work and thought and love and play

Fill hours, each in its place;

When in the stillness of the night

Memory its company pays;

I think of you and wish we might

Have had just one more day.

Poem: Connie Miller Pease thinking about her dad; Image: glow-643959_640-CCO-Public-Domain.jpg

Journey

Posted on January 19, 2016 by Connie Pease

Come away from glare of city lights, Of sparkling baubles, flattering speech; Walk far and fast from false allure, And surface treasure, now impeach.

Reach deep into the mines of God; Stretch high to beauty still unsung. Consider better thought and find The unsearched gem of heaven’s tongue.

— CJP

Image: pixabay-sunset-214576_640-CC0-Public-Domain.jpg

A New Year

Posted on December 28, 2015 by Connie Pease

https://animoto.com/play/EFG8yRwZW3DT5L1PFtyeBw

A Springtime Sigh

Posted on March 13, 2015 by Connie Pease

There’s a favorite place with piney scent and water lapping on the shore;
The strum of a guitar or a sweet and gooey s’more;
Voices low and secrets shared and laughter in the air;
And firm and solid knowledge of Jesus with us there.
– CJP

Photo: https://www.facebook.com/DJamesKennedy?fref=photo

Plan For Just In Case, Just In Case, No Trouble

Posted on November 24, 2014 by Connie Pease

Umm – well, I’m sorry, but not sorry enough to resist. Look for my guest post on Kimberly Rose Johnson’s blog on Thanksgiving Day!

*****************************************************************************************

You know I plan for just in case, just in case, No trouble;
I plan for just in case, just in case, No trouble;
I plan for just in case, just in case, No trouble;
I plan for just in case, just in case!

Listen to me, dear, I say this is true;
We will make it, make it like Grandma wants us to
Get work done ahead, you know just in case
Of what the heck happens in all the wrong places;

You know the magazines and Martha Stewart’s choice
Make it seem it’s a snap to make the turkey moist
We’ve got our home-made, home-made and something in a jar
‘Cause there is nothing more exciting than some extras at the door!

Yea, the talk shows they say not to worry about THE day;
They say your guests will love it and you’ve no real cause for dismay;
If the oven’s on fire or the rolls haven’t risen a wink,
Just put on a smile and dump them in the kitchen sink.

Because you know I plan for just in case, just in case, No trouble;
I plan for just in case, just in case, No trouble;
I plan for just in case, just in case, No trouble;
I plan for just in case, just in case.

We’re bringin’ the doughboy back
He’s never let us down,
Perfectly browned; Yea!
We’re all together now,
And the rest is just as perfect from the prayer to the dessert!

Riff from All About That Bass by Meghan Trainor;
image: flickr.Marc Levin.creativecommons lic. 2.0

If I Could Tell Of What I’ve Been Given

Posted on November 18, 2014 by Connie Pease

If I could tell how much I’ve been given; Of clear, cloudless days and of warm, balmy nights;
Of sparkling light on the lake’s deep blue waters; And misty spring mornings all dressed in delight;

If I could tell of God’s goodness around me; Of kindness and help when I needed it most; Of people who give up their time for another; Of firewood and tea and marshmallows to roast;

Of musky fall evenings, Of still winter nights; Of shrieks from some children who tear through the room; Of shy smiles, Of bear hugs, Of chocolate, Of music; Of good books and sweet looks, a full harvest moon;

If I could indeed tell of what I’ve been given I’d spend every breath of my nights and my days Just telling and telling again of God’s goodness And raising my voice in His infinite praise.

Give Thanks

Poem: copyright by Connie Miller Pease, 2014; Images: pixabay-CC0-Public-Domain.jpg; Nina-Hale-Flickr-C.-CC-by-2.0.png; commons.wikimedia.org_.-creativecommons-lic.png; www.pinterest.com-camerons-healing-kitchen.png

My Fireside Chat

Stories and Conversation – with Connie Miller Pease

Category Archives: Prayers and Poetry

The Healing Leaves

Like this:

A Thanksgiving Prayer

Like this:

A Walk Outside

Like this:

A Graduation Benediction

Like this:

Just One More Day

Like this:

Journey

Like this:

A New Year

Like this:

A Springtime Sigh

Like this:

Plan For Just In Case, Just In Case, No Trouble

Like this:

If I Could Tell Of What I’ve Been Given

Like this:

Share this:

Like this:

Share this:

Like this:

Share this:

Like this:

Share this:

Like this:

Share this:

Like this:

Share this:

Like this:

Share this:

Like this:

Share this:

Like this:

Share this:

Like this:

Share this:

Like this: