Category: poetry

Resurrection: rebirth, regeneration, renewal, resurgence, resuscitation, revival, recovery. One that I love, reinvention; the creation God always intended. The old is dead and buried, we can be raised to a new life in Christ!

The act of bringing something back to life…

“New Life Call”

Spring is in the air
A freshness near and far
Summoning a newness
I sense a “New Life Call”

What anticipation
Something new is happening
Love is in the air,
Springtime’s joy I hear you clapping.

Spring shall pen the words
to tell about the story,
Time to be about Our Father’s work;
to Him be all the glory.

Spring is Resurrection Time
A remembrance of when,
Jesus took the reigns
And new life did begin.

We no longer have to fear,
Oh death where is your sting?
You have been defeated,
By Jesus Christ our King!

Defeat your time is over
Now for eternity’s sake,
Because Jesus Christ won the battle;
Over death, the ground did shake.

When the power of God,
Conquered death, hell, and the grave.
And we do love to share,
This story of how we were saved.

“We serve a Risen Savior
He’s in the world today,
I know that He is living,
whatever men say.

I’ve seen His Hand of mercy
I feel His voice of cheer,
And just the time I need Him
He’s always near.”

Never once forgotten
I’ve felt the touch divine,
Don’t miss another opportunity
It’s “New Life” Resurrection Time.

Anytime on any day
The time or yes any hour.
But there is something special,
About “New Life” Resurrection power.

If you do not know Him,
May I ask for you,
To join me Sunday morning,
and get a life that’s new.

You will be changed forever
With a “New Life” too,
And love to tell the story
Of what Jesus did for you.

It is an old, old story
but one that has no end,
As long as there is life
To you, His hand extends!

Don’t miss the chance this spring
With newness in the air,
Eternity is forever
and together we can share.

Poem written by laurette laster 2018 March

John 11:25 WNT
I am the Resurrection and the Life,” said Jesus; “he who believes in me, even if he has died, he shall live;

Rev 1:18 KJV
I am he that lives, and was dead; and, behold, I am alive forevermore, Amen; and have the keys of hades and of death.

John 20:14,16,18 NKJV
Now when she had said this, she turned around and saw Jesus standing there, and did not know that it was Jesus.

Jesus said to her, “Mary!” She turned and said to Him, “Rabboni!” (which is to say, Teacher).

Mary Magdalene came and told the disciples that she had seen the Lord, and that He had spoken these things to her.

Blessings, laurette

God bless you and keep you and make His face shine upon you and be gracious to you. The Lord cause His countenance to rise upon you and give you Shalom.

Until next time, thank you for listening with me. laurette
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Thursday, was an intense time as the reality of the Cross drew close.
Jesus celebrated the Passover meal with His disciples, saying to them, “I have eagerly desired to share this meal with you. He taught His disciples about the elements, He took the bread, gave thanks and broke it, taking the cup, saying this cup is the new covenant in My blood, which is poured out for you. His blood poured out, the meaning would be eternal. He then went to Gethsemane to pray, the place of pressing, where in agony His sweat became as great drops of blood. Judas had betrayed Him, His arrest was at hand.

Thy Will be Done

Oh My soul is troubled
And sorrowful unto death
I must go to pray
This fear is choking out My breath

Will you pray with Me
In Gethsemane for prayer
Can you watch one hour
Sit here while I go there

Oh My Father hear My prayer
And if it be Thy Will
I ask that this cup pass;
Crucifixion on Golgotha’s Hill

There isn’t a worse death
Ever known in time
The scourging and the Cross
Salvations price paid for mankind

His sweat became as drops of blood
And to the ground did flow
“Because redemption starts
Where the will of God is known”

As He prayed He agonized
Is there another way
When He was reminded
While on His knees He prayed

Nevertheless not My will
But Thine be done on earth
For this has been prophesied
From before the time of My birth

Just then an angel from heaven
Appeared and strengthened Him
For He would rise and conquer
And drink this cup, indeed The Will of Him

Saying for this reason I was born
And I have come to say
Resurrection power
Came to you this way

And when I rose up, yes I knew
I had already won
The war was fought in a garden
My mind set on things above

satans lies had deceived
In a garden long ago
God redeemed our minds with blood
Giving us back our soul

For I did bleed and agonize
So when you call on Me
You can read and remember
Fight your battle on bended knee

In that garden I redeemed
The ability to win
The war against your minds
To do the will of Him.

Poem written by laurette laster © 2018 March

Luke 22:42-45 NKJV
saying, “Father, if it is Your will, take this cup away from Me; nevertheless not My will, but Yours, be done.” Then an angel appeared to Him from heaven, strengthening Him.

“And being in agony, He prayed more earnestly. Then His sweat became like great drops of blood falling down to the ground.

When He rose up from prayer,
and had come to His disciples, He found them sleeping from sorrow.”
**

John 18:37 NLT
“Pilate said, “So you are a king?” Jesus responded, “You say I am a king. Actually, I was born and came into the world to testify to the truth. All who love the truth recognize that what I say is true.””
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Song of Songs 2:1 YLT
As a lily among the thorns, PASSION

◄ 3958. paschó ►
Strong’s Concordance
paschó: to suffer, to be acted on
Original Word: πάσχω
Part of Speech: Verb
Transliteration: paschó
Phonetic Spelling: (pas’-kho)
Definition: to suffer, to be acted on
Usage: I am acted upon in a certain way, either good or bad; I experience ill treatment, suffer.
HELPS Word-studies
3958 pásxō (a primitive verb) – properly, to feel heavy emotion, especially suffering; affected, experiencing feeling (literally “sensible” = “sensed-experience”); “the feeling of the mind, emotion, passion” (J. Thayer).

3958/pásxō (“to experience feeling”) relates to any part of us that feels strong emotion, passion, or suffering – especially “the capacityto feel suffering” (J. Thayer). The Lord has privileged us to have great capacity for feeling(passion, emotion, affections). Indeed, this is inherent because all people are created in the divine image. Note for example how Jesus in His perfect (sinless) humanity keenly felt(3958/pásxō, see Lk 17:25, 22:15, 24:26,46, etc.).

[3958/pásxō (“experiencing strong feeling”) is the root of: 3804 /páthēma (“passions, sufferings”), 3805 /pathētós (“suffering”) and 3806 /páthos (“strong feeling, passion”).]

Asking His disciples to pray with Him. After the third time of agonizing in prayer, He emphatically declared “Not My Will But Thy Will Be Done.”
The gospel of Luke records He rose up from prayer. He rose up to be raised up, resurrection Sunday was coming.

Sozo is Greek word for salsalvation. Salvation is more. It is the healing and redemption of our mind, will and emotions, and our physical beings.

Strong’s #4982: sozo (pronounced sode’-zo)

from a primary sos (contraction for obsolete saos, “safe”); to save, i.e. deliver or protect (literally or figuratively):–heal, preserve, save (self), do well, be (make) whole.

Redemption begins where the will of God is known. He redeemed our mind, our emotions, and the ability to follow God’s will in the Garden of Gethsemane. In Gethsemane His soul was sorrowful unto death, but, for the joy that lay ahead our Lord ensured the shame is the Cross.
The first place His blood was shed was in Gethsemane, the place of pressing.

God bless you and keep you and make His face shine upon you and be gracious to you! The Lord cause His countenance to rise upon you and give you Shalom.

Until next time, thank you for listening with me. laurette

Hope Grows in “In between” places, painting the most beautiful scenes.

Evening sunsets slow us down to slowly usher in night. Dawn’s tender waking ushers in the day with amazing artistry across the expanse. Gradually seasons conclude and emerge, year after year. Sights and sounds awaken us to the change. We are “In Between.” The birds joyfully sing a new song, can you hear it? There is hope in their singing, love is in the air. Buds appear, always early. Spring is close, but not yet. We are “In Between.”We do not want to miss the beautiful scenery or what God is working out while we are here, in the “In Between.”

“In Between”, as one season is ending the next is advertising their soon arrival. In between I feel hope, new life is soon to be born. And in between I sense God’s presence all around.

In Between

Hope and joy
Glisten and shine
Ice in the birdbath
Buds on the vine

Winter temps
Spring like sounds
Glory “in between”
God’s artistry all around

Tender callings
Morning delight
Covering required
Seasonal foresight

© laurette laster 2/2023

Merriam Webster- In Between: inmost, inner, innermost, nearest, center or central.

I would conclude this to be, The heart of the matter…

Our Heavenly Father is not, and has never been a knee jerk God. He is not trying to attack us. He teaches and educates us through wisdom.
Didactically teaching us as He extends invitations. He calls, He awakens, He announces, He shows His acts, He teaches us His ways, and He summons us to come along side Him.

Our Father sends out notifications and reminders, over and over, and over again. Long suffering is His own proclamation, and merciful and gracious. As ole man winter begins his descent the sun warms the ground, summoning it’s time to wake up, spring is coming. We are at an in between place.

God’s “Son”, our Savior Jesus Christ is awakening you to new life, new hope and fruitfulness. The long cold winter of your life is drawing to an end. Do you feel the in between place? That’s the proof. The light has come, and It is time be fruitful and grow!

“TO EVERYTHING there is a season, and a time for every matter or purpose under heaven:”
‭‭Ecclesiastes‬ ‭3‬:‭1‬ ‭AMPC‬‬

God bless you and keep you and make His face shine upon you and and be gracious to you. The Lord cause His countenance to rise upon you and give you Shalom

Until next time, thank you for listening with me, Laurette

I’m Learning to Love “In Between.”
Friday, The Lord said, “”you are “In Between.”” A new joy sprang up, made my baby leap so to say. Freezing temps, yet the birds were singing like it was a spring morning and the trees are budding and it’s not spring, yet.

We are “In Between.”

“In Between” not a comfortable or fun place to be…unless we understand the significance, the purpose and yes, the power. “In Between” where unknowns, uncomfortable, and the unprecedented, gives way to New excitement. Faith empowers us to wait, to stay the course, fight the good fight, believe, pray, speak, and rest in The Lord. Now it’s time to get excited.

Wonderful things happen
In between
Night turns into day
Fear vanishes and flees

Thinking of so many “In Between’s” these came to mind first.
El Roi, the God who see’s, found pregnant Hagar “in between” running away from Sarai., and spoke to her (Genesis16).
Abraham “in between” the death, (at his own hands) of his promised heir, Isaac and the sacrifice he believes God would provide, the ram caught in the thicket, reveals to us Jehovah Jireh, The Lord our Provider (Genesis 22).
Jehovah Nissi, showing that as long as Moses hands were raised the Israelites were winning while “in between” warring against the Amalekites, (which by the way is a picture of the flesh). Sending Aaron and Hur to Moses aide, sat Moses on the rock and held up his arms.

Amazing sounds
In between
Laughter silences
The sobs, the screams

So many events “In Between” but the one I’m bubbling over is from the beginning to end of the Bible. The grave to the Resurrection. Three Days, panic and fear, extreme dread, doubt, dispair, especially for Mary, the mother of our Lord Jesus, who “in between” kept all these things hidden in her heart, and Peter. Peter who faithfully thought to be stong, instead as Christ had warned. “In between” the denial and despair, went outside and wept bitterly…

Wonderful sights
In between
Frustration gives way
To hopeful scenes

Oh the Joy of Sunday morning, recorded in all four gospels! The disciples couldn’t contain their amazement and excitement when Christ, their Teacher, their Rabbi came to them, just as He said, He came. Jesus walked through the wall and came into their midst.

Amazing revelations
Had I only known
In between is where
Christ is shown

The events happening after Christ’ resurrection play out like our modern day washing D.C. political scene scams. Lies, bribes, death threats, cover ups, and attempted hostile take overs. It didn’t work then and it sure won’t work now.
If we believe! The One who promises IS FAITHFUL!

In between
Growing tenacity
Rooted and grounded
Christian audacity

I’ve come to proclaim the Good News. He who promised IS FAITHFUL. No matter your “in between” He is with you. Jesus preparing His disciples for the “In Between” of His crucifixion and Resurrection assured them, saying “I will not leave you orphans” (John 14:18).

Knowing Christ shed His precious blood for our redemption, that all our sins may be forgiven, gives us courage and hope to go through and endure the “In Between.”

I hear the Lord saying, “This is an encore not a final sentencing.” Our praise ushers and calls Him back to do an encore. The applause and our prayers calls Him back to center stage. Like Jacob, we won’t let Him go. Our God is doing a new thing, a repeat showing, He will appear, He will show Himself strong and mighty on your behalf. Again and again.

I’m learning to love “In Between” I pray you will too.

Happens “In Between”

Wonderful things happen
in between
Night turns into day
Fear vanishes and flees

Amazing sounds
In between
Laughter silences
The sobs, the screams

Wonderful sights
In between
Frustration gives way
To hopeful scenes

Amazing revelations
Had I only known
In between is where
Christ is shown

In between
Growing tenacity
Rooted and grounded
Christian audacity

© laurette laster 2/2023

God comforts and calls us back to Him.

Isaiah (42:9) (43:19 NKJV)

“Behold, the former things have come to pass, And new things I declare; Before they spring forth I tell you of them.””
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Behold, I will do a new thing, Now it shall spring forth; Shall you not know it? I will even make a road in the wilderness And rivers in the desert.

God bless you and keep you and make His face shine upon you and be gracious to you. The Lord cause His countenance to rise upon you and give you Shalom.

Until next time, thank you for listening with me, laurette.

Don’t Keep Christmas in the Closet

Don’t keep Christmas in the closet
Don’t store it away for months
Keep it out in the open
Let’s decide this now for once

God does nothing in secret
Though at first we may not understand
But if we continue on in faith
We shall see the work of His hands

It is the most wonderful time
The most celebrated season
But we should take an account
Remembering, Christ our Lord is the reason

Do not place The Lord away
Or store Him out of sight
Oh no we must tell of His wondrous works
While it is day and not the night

Yes, He was born as a babe
Humbled Himself as a Servant
But that is not all we know
To those who are observant

Christmas was heralded
From the perfect Angelic chorus
So don’t put Christmas away
Keep our soon coming King before us

I shall not store Christmas away
I encourage you each to search
In Luke, Isaiah, then Mathew
Each describes His miraculous birth

Oh but there is more
In every book we find
That Christmas was forever
And was foremost on God’s mind

Do not put Christmas away
It is the most wonderful time of the year
Keep it magnificently lighted
And displayed from ear to ear

It is The Gift that keeps on giving
We can share in daily amounts
Our Hope is in Jesus at Christmas
Are we ready to give an account

© Laurette Laster 2018 Dec.

Born as a babe; Humbled Himself; becoming obedient to God; Died on the Cross; Buried in a borrowed tomb; Raised from the dead; appeared to over five hundred; taken to heaven; Seated on God’s throne, at God’s right hand; Rules and reigns from heaven through His Holy Spirit; Lives to make intercession…

Christ the Messiah, Born King of the Jews! The gospel, the good news believers are commanded to herald. Have you read the headlines? Have you received your gift? Did you take time to open and examine, explore, glean and find out Who delivered “THE” gift to us? “THE” Eternal Gift from God. Merry CHRISTmas indeed.

His Name shall be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.

“For to us a Child is born, to us a Son is given; and the government shall be upon His shoulder, and His name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father [of Eternity], Prince of Peace. [Isa. 25:1; 40:9-11; Matt. 28:18; Luke 2:11.] Of the increase of His government and of peace there shall be no end, upon the throne of David and over his kingdom, to establish it and to uphold it with justice and with righteousness from the [latter] time forth, even forevermore. The zeal of the Lord of hosts will perform this. [Dan. 2:44; I Cor. 15:25-28; Heb. 1:8.]”
‭‭Isaiah‬ ‭9:6-7‬ ‭AMPC‬‬

“Where is He Who has been born King of the Jews? For we have seen His star in the east at its rising and have come to worship Him. [Num. 24:17; Jer. 23:5; Zech. 9:9.]”
‭‭Matthew‬ ‭2:2‬ ‭AMPC‬‬

“Behold, the days are coming, says the Lord, when I will raise up to David a righteous Branch (Sprout), and He will reign as King and do wisely and will execute justice and righteousness in the land.”
‭‭Jeremiah‬ ‭23:5‬ ‭AMPC‬‬

Merry Christmas, much more than seasonal, it is required, reasonable and immeasurably more than we can contain.

God bless you and keep you and make His face shine upon you and be gracious to you. The Lord cause His countenance to rise upon you and give you Shalom.

Until next time, thank you for listening with me. Laurette

Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.

And Jesus was in the temple courts…walking in Solomon’s Colonnade.

The Light of the world had come, and stood ministering, in their very midst.
During the Festival of Dedication at Jerusalem, (John 10:22-24) the Light was in their very midst. Shining brightly. Illuminating the works of The Everlasting Father, they were on display. Right in front of them…

Celebrating and remembering, the miracle of one Cruse of sanctified oil burning brightly for eight nights, yet oblivious to The Miracle Maker in their midst. Instead they chose to stone Him.

May it never be said of us!

Sanctified Oil

Wonderful Counselor
Of all my days
The good the bad
The cold, the gray

Twenty four hours
Of busy and glad
Mourning and grieving
Boring or sad

Immanuel, Who is
Has already been
The Lord of my tomorrows
Time, and time again

When I win
Fail to measure up
The Lifter of my head
Overflowing cup

Salvation’s miracle for my family
Steadfast, generous, overflowing
The Light of the world
Hanukkah’s miracle oil glowing

© laurette laster November 13, 2021

Without Christ there would be no Christmas.
Salvation, our eternal gift, hand delivered from The Everlasting Father, who is God, to mankind. With the birth of Christ, heaven opened and they witness His miraculous delivery. Heaven came and invaded earth, and the angels announced His arrival, oh yes, oh what a glorious night.

“And so the Living Expression became a man and lived among us! We gazed upon His glory, the glory of the One and Only who came from the Father overflowing with tender mercy and truth!”
‭‭John‬ ‭1:14‬ ‭TPT‬‬

Translated from Greek, this literally means, He pitched His tent among us. John takes us back to the book of Exodus where God tabernacled among His called out ones. God delivers us out and delivers to us Himself. Our Warrior God is Tabernacling and is with us, in our wilderness. He is Christ The Lord, Immanuel. God with(in) us!

Just as in the time of the Maccabees and the battle that ensued over reclaiming the temple, today a very real battle is warring all around us. Guard your temple, stand your watch, man your post. Prepare your fresh oil, sanctified and double pressed. This holy oil doesn’t emit smoke, but glory. Refuse to be deceived. God is with us!

Merry Christmas

God bless you and keep you and make His face shine upon you and be gracious to you. The Lord cause His countenance to rise upon you and give you Shalom.

Until next time, thank you for listening with me. Laurette

Hanukkah’s Light shines bright the Love of God long ago planned.

A Miracle Happened Here

Do you feel what I feel…

The mysteries of God
Miracles continue to unfold
Truths from Ancient of Days
Never ever tiresome, nor grow old

I feel it in my spirit! Do you feel what I feel…

Hanukkah’s miracle of love
Like oil flowing through my veins
Cleansing of the temple sought
The fight, the loss for gain

Yes I feel it in my bones
Warring across the land
Love’s Lampstand on the move
Salvation by His mighty Right Hand

Dating back before the Maccabees there was a game that included dreidels; a four sided spinning game piece. This game was later used as a decoy, when Torah had to be taken underground. Each dreidel has four letters on each side, the acronym for “Nes Gadol Hayah Sham,” which means “a great miracle happened there,” referring to the miracle of the oil lasting eight days in Israel.

The greatest miracle from Christ our Savior is rebirth, rededication, redemption, and restoration, from The Servant Candle flows the love of Christ to light the world.

Part of the priestly duties involved tending the lampstand, filling with fresh oil. A menorah, the Hebrew word for lamp, has seven branches. The nine branch menorah celebrated the miracle of the lamp burning eight days.

The Bible mentions the Feast of Dedication in the Gospel of John. “Then came the Festival of Dedication at Jerusalem. It was winter, and Jesus was in the temple courts walking in Solomon’s Colonnade” (John 10:22–23). This is the scene in which Jesus claims oneness with the Father, which unbelieving Jews intended to apprehend and stone Him (verses 24–39).

“When I turned to see the voice that was speaking to me, I saw seven golden lampstands. And walking among the lampstands, I saw someone like a son of man, wearing a full-length robe with a golden sash over His chest.”
‭‭Revelation‬ ‭1:12-13‬ ‭TPT‬‬

God bless you and keep you and make His face shine upon you and be gracious to you. The Lord cause His countenance to rise upon you and give you Shalom.

Until next time, thank you for listening with me. Laurette