Presenting Poetry, September Edition

 It's time again for a Presenting Poetry post! Hopefully you are still enjoying these. :) I've tried to pick a variety of topics for the poems, but sometimes they're rather similar. Anyway, this month's poem is called "Kind Thoughts".

Kind Thoughts

Kind thoughts are like seeds,

For out of them grow

Kind words and kind deeds;

But first you must sow

A kind thought so deep

In your mind and heart

That nothing can tear

Such a kind thought apart.

Each seed must be watered

Or else it will die,

And so must each kind thought

As each day goes by.

If you water each kind thought

With much love each day

Kind words and kind deeds

Will soon blossom your way. 

~Author Unknown 

I think this poem is a good reminder of the kind thoughts and deeds that we should be doing each and every day. It's great to have kind thoughts, but we need to actually do them! I do that a lot- I think of something that I could do to bless someone else, but then I don't actually go and do it. 

This poem reminded me that I need to be doing as well as thinking kind thoughts and deeds for others.

So the next tine you think of something kind you can do for someone else, do it!

Whether it's in the blogging world (such as leaving a comment on someone's blog) or in your home(like helping a younger sibling), let's be blessings to others. It can be a challenge at times, but it's worth it! And of course, we shouldn't do it to get things in return, but when we do do kind deeds, they always come back in some way or another! 

What are your thoughts about this poem? Have you ever head it before? 

Thanks for reading, and have a great weekend!

//Emily 

Presenting Poetry, August Edition

Hello, readers!
After an (unintentional) break from Presenting Poetry in July, it's back again for August. This month's poem is called "The Tongue".

The Tongue  by Philip B. Strong 
"The boneless tongue, so small and weak,
Can crush and kill", declared the Greek

"The tongue destroys a greater horde,"
The Turks asserts, "Than does the sword."

A Persian proverb wisely saith,
"A lengthy tongue - an early death";

Or sometimes takes this form instead,
"Don't let your tongue cut off your head."

"The tongue can speak a word whose speed,"
Says the Chinese, "Outstrips the street";

While the Arabs sages this impart,
"The tongue's great storehouse is the heart."

From Hebrew with the maxim sprung,
"Though feet should slip, ne'er let the tongue."

The sacred writer crowns the hole;
"Who keeps the tongue doth keep his soul." 

This poem ties in perfectly with James 3:3-8, ESV, which says

"If we put bits into the mouths of horses so that they obey us, we guide their whole bodies as well.  Look at the ships also: though they are so large and are driven by strong winds, they are guided by a very small rudder wherever the will of the pilot directs.  So also the tongue is a small member, yet it boasts of great things. How great a forest is set ablaze by such a small fire! And the tongue is a fire, a world of unrighteousness. The tongue is set among our members, staining the whole body, setting on fire the entire course of life, and set on fire by hell.For every kind of beast and bird, of reptile and sea creature, can be tamed and has been tamed by mankind,but no human being can tame the tongue". 

Yikes! I'm sure you've read that passage or heard it referenced before, and there's a pretty good reason for it- our words have power!  Our tongue is one of the smaller parts of our body, and yet is has enormous power to build up or destroy, to encourage or discourage, like this song says. 
I think this poem is a really good reminder to think first about what we say, and try to use our words to lift up and encourage others. It's so important! 

Thanks for reading, and I'll see you on Tuesday with another book review! =)

//Emily 

Presenting Poetry, June Edition

Hello!
 I know this post is 2 days  late, and I apologize.  I have been sick for the last week, so I haven't been able to focus on much lately except getting better, and learning (again) that life usually doesn't go how you want it to. I know you understand. God has much better plans in mind for us! ;)
Anyway, on to  the post, which is Presenting Poetry, since it's the first post of the month again. I can't believe we're a week into June already!  This month's poem is titled "A Humble Heart".

A Humble Heart

I would not ask Thee that my days

Should flow smoothly on and on,

Lest I learn to love the world

Too well, ere all my time is done.

I would not ask Thee that my work

Should never bring me pain or fear,

Lest I should learn to work alone

And never wish Thy presence near.

I would not ask Thee that my friends,

Should always kind and constant be

Lest I learn to lay my faith 

In them alone and not in Thee.

But I would ask a humble heart

A changeless will  to work and wake,

A firm faith in Thy providence

The rest- 'tis Thine to give or take. 

~Alfred Norris 

I'm not exactly sure what drew me to this poem (maybe since I just did a post on humility), but I really like it. We often forget and make other things (good days, good work, good friends) more important than God in our lives. When we ask Him for  humble hearts to do His will, those things will often come with it! It takes time, but learning to do God's will above your own in important. Yes, my mind is still  rather scattered today, so these are my very short thoughts on this poem
Maybe my thoughts aren't  exactly what you got from this poem, but however you read it, I think it's definitely one to remember and think about.
 Comment below-- What are your thoughts about this poem?

I also have another link to share for another giveaway for a Kindle and ebooks. Click here!



Thanks for reading!
//Emily

Presenting Poetry, May Edition

Hello, everyone!
Today is the May edition of Presenting Poetry. I hope you are still enjoying this series! If you ever have any ideas for some new series or posts that you might like me to do, just comment and let me know.

Okay, the poem for this month is--

I am My Neighbor’s Bible

I am my neighbor’s Bible;

He reads me when we meet.

Today he reads me in my home–

Tomorrow, in the street.

He may a relative or friend be;

Or slight acquaintence be;

He may not even know my name,

Yet he is reading me.

And pray, who is this neighbor,

Who reads me day by day,

To learn if I am living right,

And walking as I pray?

Oh, he is with me always,

To criticize or blame;

So worldly wise in his own eyes,

And “Sinner” is his name.

Dear Christian friends and sisters,

If we could only know,

How faithfully the world records

Just what we say and do;

Oh, we would write our record plain,

And come in time to see

Our worldly neighbor won to Christ

While reading you and me.

~Author Unknown 

I just now noticed how my last few poems seemed to be along the same lines as far as the subject. I will try to pick a different topic for next month..... ;)

 This poem really reminded me how we should be "salt and light" to the world around us (from Matthew 5:13-16). Whether we realize it or not, the world is watching us! We may be the only example that they see of a godly Christian  that day, or week, or maybe for a long time, so we can either be a good witness or a bad one. We need to be careful of how we respond to situations, and ask ourselves "Am I representing Christ well?"  Of course as humans, we are not  perfect and we will mess up and sin. But representing Christ doesn't mean that we are perfect all the time. It means that we can choose how to respond to the situation in a godly way.


 I'd love to hear what you thought of this poem! Comment below with your thoughts.





And before you go, I have another wonderful  giveaway to share with you! (Don't you like this pattern? ;D)
 This one is from Eden at Eden's Evaluations. She is giving away a beautiful pair of bow-shaped, sparkly rhinestone earrings.. They are really pretty and I'd hurry over to Eden's blog to enter right now! (And while you're there, be sure to check out the rest of her blog too. :)


Have a great weekend, and thanks for reading!!

//Emily

Presenting Poetry, April Edition

Hello, readers!
I wanted to let you know that from now on, you can expect my posts on Fridays. If I have anything extra, that will be on Tuesdays, but Friday will be my main day. Just wanted to let ya'll know!
And yes, this post is extremely short, but it's better than nothing.... ;) I've been very busy this week, so my "post writing time" got cut a bit short.

Okay, now on to the topic for today. It's time for the April edition of Presenting Poetry. The poem this month is:

PASS IT ON 

By Henry Burton

Have you had a kindness shown?
Pass it on;
 Twas not given for thee alone,
Pass it on;
Let it travel down the years,
Let it wipe another’s tears,
Till in heaven the deed appears—-
Pass it on.
Did you hear a loving word?
Pass it on;
Like the singing of a bird?
Pass it on;
Let its music live and grow,
Let it cheer another’s woe,
You have reaped what others sow—-
Pass it on.
Be not selfish in thy greed,
Pass it on;
Look upon thy brother’s need,
Pass it on;
Live for self, you live in vain,
Live for Christ, you live again,
Live for Him, with Him you reign—-
Pass it on.

 I think this poem is a good reminder that everything belongs to God. The poem doesn't directly state that, but of course, it's true. Whenever God blesses us through something or someone else, we should take the time to pass it on! Whether it's through a kind word, a random act of kindness, an unexpected surprise, or whatever He sends our way, we should reflect Him back to others. Sometimes it's just too easy to receive and not to give, but it's "always more blessed to give than receive" (Acts 20:35).

So there's my  quick thought on that poem. I hope you enjoyed this poem, and you can expect my next post to be a bit longer! Thanks for reading!

Presenting Poetry, March Edition

Hello, readers!
Today is the first post in my new feature, Presenting Poetry. (Thank you very much  to Hosanna Emily for suggesting the name!)
Once a month, I'll be posting a new poem for you all, with a little review or commentary. If you ever have suggestions for some good poems, please comment and tell me!
So without further ado, here's this month's poem.


If Jesus Came to Your House
by Lois Blanchard

If Jesus came to your house
To spend some time with you,
If He came unexpected,
I wonder what you'd do.

Oh, I know you'd give your nicest room
To such an honored guest
And all the food you'd give to Him
Would be the very best.

And you would keep assuring Him
You're glad to have Him there—
That serving Him in your home
Is joy beyond compare.

But when you saw Him coming,
Would you meet Him at the door
With arms outstretched in welcome
To your heavenly visitor?

Or would you have to change your clothes
Before you let Him in
Or hide some magazines
And put the Bible where they'd been?

Would you hide your worldly music
and put some hymn books out?
Could you let Jesus walk right
in, or would you rush about?

And I wonder—if the Savior
spent a day or two with you,
Would you go right on doing, the
things you always do?

Would you go right on saying, the
things you always say?
Or would life for you continue
as it does from day to day?

Would you take Jesus with you
everywhere you go?
Or would you maybe change your
plans for just a day or so?

Would you be glad to have Him
meet your closest friends?
Or would you hope they stay away,
until His visit ends?

Would you be glad to have Him
stay forever on and on?
Or would you sigh with great
relief when He at last was gone?

It might be interesting to know,
the things that you would do,
If Jesus came in person, to spend
some time with you.



What did you think when you read this? At first, I was just like "Oh, well that's nice. I like that poem". Then I read it again, and it really struck me. If Jesus really could come to my house, would I act the same? That really got me thinking. I may not run to hide any carved idols I have, or change my plans from some that are simply ungodly, but would every action be the same? Our first reaction, mine included, would be "No, of course I wouldn't change anything!" But the more you think about it, it's all the little things that we would most likely be ashamed of, if Jesus came to our house. Our reaction to our annoying younger sibling, to our misplaced school paper, to our day that hasn't gone anything like what we planned. Remember, Jesus always sees us, even if we don't see Him!
We are called to be different from  the world around us, and that means being like Christ all the time-- not just on Sunday morning at church. Anyone, at anytime, should be able to tell that we are different! This poem really convicted me to think about that more.
So there's my ramblings for that poem. :D
Did you enjoy this poem? What did you think of it? Tell me below!