Dawn

God came to me in shades of night
Dark so thick I could not see
And there within the blackness
Spoke light and love to me.

In my fears I trembled
So weak I couldn't stand
But then I felt Him reaching
Found Hope within my hand

I discovered there a strength
I hadn't known before
The things I thought were lost to me
He spoke and did restore

I've faith enough to follow
Where He leads me now
And though I do not know just where
It matters not somehow.

Grey streaks of light now fill my sky
And so I follow on.
His love my light and dawning
Soon the darkness will be gone.

Written by: Laura L. Grapes
Copyright 2008

I Corinthians 13:12 For now we see through a glass darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known.

What's Important

What's Most Important

What's most important in life?

Things which cause heartache and strife?

Daily pains that cut like a knife?

Is this what's important in life?



Is it money, possesions, and fame?

Your heritage or good family name?

Is it recognition or worldly acclaim?

What's important's not one and the same.



For what's most important indeed

Is what too often we pay little heed

Like the touch of a friend when in need

Kindness in action, in word, or in deed



What's important begins with this seed

A growing flower 'midst a garden of weeds

Bringing cheer to your heart when it bleeds

Now this seed we call charity



But this seed that is too little known

In truth can only be sown

By those who kneel before the throne

Of the Lord Jehovah: Who is charity

Written by: L.L.H.

Copyrighted 2001

1 Corinthians 13

1 Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, and have not charity, I am become as sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal. 2 And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries, and all knowledge; and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, and have not charity, I am nothing. 3 And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, and have not charity, it profiteth me nothing. 4 Charity suffereth long, and is kind; charity envieth not; charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up, 5 Doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil; 6 Rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth in the truth; 7 Beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things. 8 Charity never faileth: but whether there be prophecies, they shall fail; whether there be tongues, they shall cease; whether there be knowledge, it shall vanish away. 9 For we know in part, and we prophesy in part. 10 But when that which is perfect is come, then that which is in part shall be done away. 11 When I was a child, I spake as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child: but when I became a man, I put away childish things. 12 For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known. 13 And now abideth faith, hope, charity, these three; but the greatest of these is charity.

CHARITY....1 : benevolent goodwill toward or love of humanity 2a : generosity and helpfulness especially toward the needy or suffering; also : aid given to those in need b : an institution engaged in relief of the poor c : public provision for the relief of the needy

Divine Expression

I heard the voice of God today

By a stream which flowed so free

Saw the artwork of His fingers

In the etchings of a tree



I thought I saw His footprints

Upon the moss rich covered ground

As I breathed His very essence

In the wind which stirred around



I knew somehow that God had wrought

In the wonders which I saw

His own divine expression

Of the love He has for all.



Written By: Laura.L.Hensley

Copyrighted 2002

Exceeded Expectations

Exceeded Expectations

God would move stars in their courses

If it would do me good

I know He’d move a mountain

Because He said He would



The universe and galaxies

Beyond the scope of man

He has an intimate knowledge of

They’re under His command



His loving care is infinite

For if I dare to think

My life within the spectrum of time

Is merely but a blink



God is from everlasting

The beginning and the end

Why He chooses to bother with me

I just can’t comprehend



But everyday He is faithful

Always mindful of my needs

And just when it seems like I know God

My expectations He exceeds.

Written By:

Laura L.Hensley

Copyright 2001



Who is like unto the Lord our God

Who dwelleth on high, Who humbleth

Himself to behold the things that are in heaven, and in earth!

Psalm 113:5-6

Blessings

Not too many Blessings

18 And a certain ruler asked him, saying, Good Master, what shall I do to inherit eternal life? 19 And Jesus said unto him, Why callest thou me good? none is good, save one, that is, God. 20 Thou knowest the commandments, Do not commit adultery, Do not kill, Do not steal, Do not bear false witness, Honour thy father and thy mother. 21 And he said, All these have I kept from my youth up. 22 Now when Jesus heard these things, he said unto him, Yet lackest thou one thing: sell all that thou hast, and distribute unto the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come, follow me. 23 And when he heard this, he was very sorrowful: for he was very rich. 24 And when Jesus saw that he was very sorrowful, he said, How hardly shall they that have riches enter into the kingdom of God! 25 For it is easier for a camel to go through a needle's eye, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God. 26 And they that heard it said, Who then can be saved? 27 And he said, The things which are impossible with men are possible with God. Luke 18:18-27

Let this passage serve as a warning to not let our blessings become the very reasons we would give for not serving God in complete surrender without any reservation. Riches in this passage blinded the ruler from realizing just how much he needed God in his life.

I wrote the poem Blessings when I was dwelling on the thought that the very things we should be most indebted to God for, which should evoke feelings of thankfulness, sometimes can become the very things we hold too tightly; and, hinder us on our journey toward closer fellowship with God. As I dwelt on this thought; I began to pray this prayer.

Blessings

Not too many blessings, Lord

Lest I become content

To depend on what You’ve given

To love the things You’ve lent



Though I thank You for relationships

May I never lean on them too much

That they’d become so dear to me

I’d fail to seek Your touch



May I not become so happy

With my life and things of earth

That I’d become complacent

And forget the things of worth



May I never be so satisfied

I would not hunger after You

Though I may have to suffer need

I want to be close to You



Grant me only enough blessings

To give to me a song

And never, Lord, so many

For You I would not long

Written By:

Laura L.Hensley

Copyright 2003

26 He is ever merciful, and lendeth; and his seed is blessed.

Psalm 37:26