Life Poems
A Journal of Christian Poetry
Life Poems
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Special Issue January 17, 2021  "Lo, children are a heritage from the Lord; the fruit of the womb is a reward." Psalm 127:3 Lord of all creation, please give us grateful hearts Sarah Sherwood Little Faces Little faces thrown away From shelter and nurturing nest Established in God's likeness An image dispossessed Who is it that gave you life? Is it not the Lord Almighty? Perfect, tiny knitted one Yet, robbed, your worth and dignity Timeless spirits fluttering home Before a chance to dance or sing No memories saved or stories to tell But presented before your King Little souls are tossed away It's human hearts that must be changed Fervent prayers must never wane Our having life is why He came! Carol Grandell Scott "Now the serpent was more crafty than any of the wild animals the LORD God had made..." Genesis 3:1 reproductive health rollssoeasilyoffthetongue Susan Beth Furst "Your eyes saw my unformed body; all the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be." Psalm 139:16 written words another closed book sits on the shelf never spoken Lori Assadi Ramsey
Gagged One day, they just stopped playing it. Then they took it off the shelves. I found it forty years later, in a bin in the back of a used record store. I play it in the dark, very softly, like cats feet… disappearing in the f o g unborn child spinning the sound of silence Susan Beth Furst  Susan Beth Furst Image by Canva "Look at the birds of the air, for they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feeds them..." Matthew 6:26 gourds hanging from a fence nests for the birds Ann C. Welch "Behold, I am making all things new." Revelation 21:5 in dappled sunlight a breeze touches my face... God is near ©Al Gallia 2019  "For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have everlasting life." John 3:16 I would like to thank our poets; Sarah Sherwood, Carol Grandell Scott, Lori Assadi Ramsey, Christine L. Villa, and Al Gallia. I pray that your words will speak hope to the hopeless, forgiveness to the burdened, and life to all who seek it. Jesus provides it abundantly. God Bless You. And God Bless the little children, for such is the kingdom of Heaven. In His Name, Susan "gourds," by my friend Ann C. Welch is published in her memory. "just when I think my life is in balance," haiga by Christine L. Villa, The Bluebird's Cry, Japanese short-form poetry, 2016. "Gagged," haibun by Susan Beth Furst, The Red River Book of Haibun: Volume One, Editors Steve Hodge & Paresh Tiwari, 2019. hyacinth & sunflower, photography by Susan Beth Furst. Life Poems, A Journal of Christian Poetry, edited by Susan Beth Furst, 2021. 
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 Life Poems A journal of Christian poetry June 2019 the snow is gone from here, it is time for spring Camellias Karen Chin, Virginia Roses in remembrance Who needs a special touch? All too often life gets spinning and whirling too fast to even think of those who might need a touch of care. But early this morning when it was very quiet a dear woman came to my mind. Yes, in a moment of quiet. Ah I'm so thankful for that quiet. I reached out to her with just a touch of care and she quickly responded. Just a moment where out two souls connected. And it changed me. Suddenly my heart came alive --- We need each other, don't we. Who can you think of today? I don't know about you but there is someone else I want to see. Lets take time to remember. Sharon Beth Brani, Virginia  Snow White Bride Seeking the Son He greets me with a kiss He's my Lord and Savior and I am His I've never known a love as great as this, so I embrace the Son and the love he gives. I've been made alive by Christ my scarlet sins turned snow white, In a lifetime or just the blink of an eye transformed into His beloved bride, His beloved snow white bride. Brian Shertzer, Pennsylvania I'm always here with You I'm here waiting I'm here wondering I'm here sitting I'm here listening I'm here with You I brought my heart I brought my soul I brought my pain I brought my struggles I'm here with You I love You I worship You I adore You I pour out my heart to You I feed on Your bread I'm here with You I'm always here desperately wanting You I'm incomplete without You I'm always going to be here with You Krystle Nicole Martin, Oklahoma  The question When did you change my name? I thought it was Olivia, Chloe, or Eliza Jane. The fetus, sounds rather odd like no name at all... I guess it doesn't matter what name you choose, in time I'll grow to like it. Won't I? Susan Beth Furst, Virginia "What is the price of two sparrows -- one copper coin? But not a single sparrow can fall to the ground without your Father knowing it." Matthew 10:29 (NLT) Our Father is the God of mercy. He is the God who forgives. He is the God who came and took our place, on a cross, made for us. There is nothing he won't forgive, if you ask. God loved you so much that he sent his only Son so that you might believe in Him and have forever life. John 3:16 In my own words... I hope you have enjoyed our June Issue of Life Poems. I would like to thank our poets; Karen Chin, Sharon Beth Brani, Brian Shertzer (our resident songwriter), and Krystle Nicole Martin. I appreciate your support and I love sharing your poetry. Submissions are open for the August issue of Life Poems. Come be a part of our community of poets. Our theme for the August issue is Seasons. Write as the Word leads you. Be creative - Be daring - Be different - Send in your poems! Click on our Submissions Page for our guidelines. Susan Unplanned Pregnancy? www.empowered2choose.org photography & shahai by susanbethfurst 2019   Al Gallia, Lafayette, Louisiana Life Poems April 2019 His hour had come His hour had come for glory salvation to secure "don't let your hearts be troubled" was his consoling word Although He was without sin a sacrifice He'd be condemned to crucifixion upon that dreaded tree Faltering up the craggy hill outside the city wall with a heaviness of heart his own cross He did haul The crafted sign above him for passersby to view was an attempt to mock him it read "King of the Jews" His garments were divided and lots cast for his cloak as was their wretched custom no pity was evoked The divine mission finished his spirit He did yield his hour had come for glory for us redemption sealed Carol Grandell Scott, Wilmington, Delaware Resurrection Signs A clean slate of blue – Jet streams chalking, up and down – Crosses light the sky. Mary Harwell Sayler, ©2019 lovely, rural, Florida "But He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities; The chastisement for our peace was upon Him, And by His stripes we are healed." Isaiah 53:5 NKJV Photograph, Ash Wednesday 2019  sunlight fills the cathedral morning glory Easter morning the sun 's warmth through closed eyes Nancy Rapp, St. Louis, Missouri ,, The Dance An old woman now soon to be unchained and free she remembers the wrath of polio, and the promise from a recurring childhood dream. Brown eyes wide and rosy-cheeked long golden hair bobs side to side, her white pinafore gracefully swirls sweet laughter wafting through the air, cherished abandon with each twirl. Daisies seem a meadow of clouds dancing to music only she hears, with giggles and squeals of delight leaping in flowers as if, she had wings on her tiny bare feet. Linda, New York, USA  Encore at Phipps It's Easter Sunday. Everyone in the city is lining up outside the Conservatory to see the Spring Flower Show. Dad's wearing his blue suit, Mom's wearing her pink fur coat, and I'm wearing my frilly socks and patent leather shoes. The organist is playing, Easter Parade. I pretend that I'm Judy Garland, dancing through the tulips with Fred Astaire. a familiar tune jogs my memory Easter lily The organist is gone now, so are the crowds, and so are my frilly socks. Ah, but the music. I can still hear it as I start to run down the familiar brick path, my patent leather shoes barely touching the ground, the ribbons on my Easter Bonnet fluttering behind me, Fred, just around the corner, in the orchid room... still tip toeing through the tulips in Technicolor Susan Beth Furst, Virginia garter snake leaving the old skin behind Nancy Rapp, St. Louis, Missouri seismic shift jelly beans lost in paper grass Susan Beth Furst, Virginia  Susan Beth Furst, with a little help from my friend, Al Gallia, Lafayette, Louisiana The Resurrection Song Happy resurrection day Vs1 He is alive forevermore Jesus, our risen Lord In only three days It was grace over the grave Chorus Happy resurrection day It's time to celebrate Happy resurrection day Let the saints jubilate Give Him thanks, And give Him praise For He is the only way Happy resurrection day Vs2 He freely laid down His life God's perfect sacrifice He is the risen King O death where is thy sting Chorus Bridge He has opened the gates to paradise He came to give all life So confess from your heart in faith Happy resurrection day Chorus Brian Shertzer, Pennsylvania It was the women... After the Sabbath. as the first light of the new week dawned, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary came to keep vigil at the tomb. Suddenly the earth reeled and rocked under their feet as God’s angel came down from heaven, came right up to where they were standing. He rolled back the stone and then sat on it. Shafts of lightning blazed from him. His garments shimmered snow-white. The guards at the tomb were scared to death. They were so frightened, they couldn’t move. The angel spoke to the women: “There is nothing to fear here. I know you’re looking for Jesus, the One they nailed to the cross. He is not here. He was raised, just as he said. Come and look at the place where he was placed. “Now, get on your way quickly and tell his disciples, ‘He is risen from the dead. He is going on ahead of you to Galilee. You will see him there,’ That’s the message.” The women, deep in wonder and full of joy, lost no time in leaving the tomb. They ran to tell the disciples. Then Jesus met them, stopping them in their tracks. “Good morning!” he said. They fell to their knees, embraced his feet, and worshiped him. Jesus said, “You’re holding on to me for dear life! Don’t be frightened like that. Go tell my brothers that they are to go to Galilee, and that I’ll meet them there.” Matthew 28:1-10 MSG  Susan Beth Furst, Virginia "For God so loved the world, for God so loved you, that he gave his one and only Son, that whosoever believes in him should not perish but have everlasting life." #John3:16 I would like to thank our poets; Al Gallia, Carol Grandell Scott, Mary Harwell Sayler, Nancy Rapp, Linda from New York, and songwriter, Brian Shertzer. I appreciate your support and I love sharing your poetry. I pray that your words will give hope to the hopeless and refreshment to the thirsty. God Bless You, and Happy Easter! Susan He is Risen!! He is Risen, Indeed!!! Submissions are officially open for the May Issue of Life Poems; In the beginning… Send in your poems!! “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have everlasting life.” John 3:16 NIV seismic shift first published Sonic Boom December 2017 Unplanned Pregnancy? www.empowered2choose.org   Colin Stewart Jones, Scotland Life Poems March Issue 3 2019 "Your eyes saw my unformed body; all the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be." Psalm 139:16 NIV Discard written words another closed book sits on the shelf never spoken Lori Assadi Ramsey, USA Winter Walkabout  A sunny Montana winter morning greets me as I look out the RV window at the snow-covered forest. In spite of arthritis pains, I decide that the chill wind isn’t sufficient reason to keep me inside and a walkabout is really needed today. So, pulling on my winter woolies, coat, and snow boots, I tell my wife, I love you, and step out into the winter wonderland. I follow the trail along the frozen stream and sense a familiar benevolent presence. Together we meander into the afternoon, chatting about this and that, and sometimes just sharing silence. As always, He listens to my concerns and problems with loving understanding, offering guidance when sought. Heavy snow begins to fall. I tell Him I have to go and turn toward home with a light heart. My wife has a hot cup of tea waiting when I get back. At the table, she whispers knowingly, You were with Him again, weren’t you? winter woods the old man bows his head against the snow ©Al Gallia 2019, Lafayette, Louisiana “Now the serpent was more crafty than any of the wild animals the LORD God had made...” Genesis 3:1 NIV reproductive health rollssoeasilyoffthetongue. . . Susan Beth Furst , USA The mistake It was a mistake that thwarted my admonishing heart a faithless hurried act reverberating against shallow fears and selfish needs, for tearing out innocence there’s no redeeming. Antonia T. Kilday, USA Many women who have had an abortion feel that they are unredeemable however there is nothing that Jesus will not redeem. Just ask him. He came to make all things new! "Behold, I am making all things new." Revelation 21:5 ESV in dappled sunlight a breeze touches my face... God is near ©Al Gallia 2019 I am honored to publish spring sun, a haiga by poet Colin Stewart Jones, in this issue of Life Poems. A haiga is the pairing of an image and haiku. As with haiku, haiga have something to be discovered that is greater than the sum of the two parts. Contemplate the image as you read the haiku. You will be amazed at the revelation. I hope you have enjoyed reading the March Issue of Life Poems as much as I have enjoyed putting it together. Publishing and editing a pro-life Christian journal, was not on my radar. But when God has other plans… I must say that I am starting to feel comfortable in my new hat. I would like to thank our contributors; Colin Stewart Jones, Lori Assadi Ramsey, Al Gallia, and Antonia T. Kilday. I couldn’t resist contributing a poem of my own, it’s the poet in me! Look for our Easter Issue next month. It's already promising to be amazing! Send in your poems! May the Lord bless you and give you his peace, Susan Resources: www.empowered2choose.org “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have everlasting life.” John 3:16 NIV   Life Poems February Issue 2 LITTLE FACES Little faces thrown away From shelter and nurturing nest Established in God's likeness An image dispossessed Who is it that gave you life? Is it not the Lord Almighty? Perfect, tiny knitted one Yet, robbed, your worth and dignity Timeless spirits fluttering home Before a chance to dance or sing No memories saved or stories to tell But presented before your King Little souls are tossed away It's human hearts that must be changed Fervent prayers must never wane Our having life is why He came! Carol Grandell Scott Wilmington, DE "Look at the birds of the air, for they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feeds them..." Matthew 6:26 NKJV gourds hanging from a fence nests for the birds Ann C. Welch "Lo, children are a heritage from the Lord; the fruit of the womb is a reward." Psalm 127:3 Lord of all creation, please give us grateful hearts. Sarah Rosebud the color of sleds in the fire susan beth furst  cherry blossoms
water color by Susan Beth Furst  Life Poems January Issue 1 may day no sound of rain only cheering and chanting all around the great spire illuminated light pink the color of petals crushed in the dust susan beth furst USA City of David a peasant girl sings a lullaby susan beth furst midwinter moon: a collection of Christmas haiku unborn child spinning the sound of silence susan beth furst USA Welcome to Life Poems, a monthly journal of Christian poetry! I hope you enjoyed our inaugural issue! Would you like to know more about us? Would you like to send in a poem or two? Our submission guidelines are at the top of the page! Thank you for stopping by! Stargazer watercolor by Susan Beth Furst |
