Category: poetry

Teshuvah, Turn, Return, Answer Back!

Elul Thirteen

August/Elul
The thirteenth Day
The work has begun
Excellent progress I must say

This plowing and turning
Definitely hard work
Working steady
I mustn’t quit or shirk

Set the plow for deep
Well this is new to me
He said it’s for moisture retention
Its something new to see

I’ve never worked the fields
It is where we spend our days
I’ve come to love the work
“He has set my heart ablaze”

The work, though hard and grueling
“A day with Him is worth it all”
This is a labor full of love
Precious Teshuvah beginning of the fall

© laurette laster 2019

As many know and many are seeing Teshuvah has deep profound meaning to me. The Lord revealed the meaning of the fall feasts to me because someone asked me a question.
What was the question? Glad you asked, the question asked was, “what is Rosh Hashanah? Adding I knew you would know.” But, I didn’t know.

What a deep subject, one of the prophetic feasts of Jehovah. A new moon feast, hidden moon, the only feast in a new moon. Syzygy, when the earth, moon and sun are in perfect alignment and the moon is hidden between the earth and the sun from our view. Very much there just not visible to us.

“But as to that day and the exact time no one knows–not even the angels of heaven, nor the Son, but the Father alone” (Matthew 24:36). And again in Acts 1:7.

The feasts of the Lord, (Leviticus 23) His moedims, the rehearsals, holy convocations, written and detailed as God made covenant with Israel, now revealed and fulfilled in Jesus Christ our Lord. A hidden meaning until Christ Jesus came and revealed by fulfillment the meaning of the Spring Feasts. And we know the Fall feasts will be fulfilled. During the fall which is fruit season.

Teshuvah is a face to face encounter. Teshuvah is an invitation to join into a covenant with our Great God and Resurrected King. It is a vow, a promise, a ketubah.

Ketubah (means it is written)

Finding your partner, your basheret, your soul mate, is one of the hardest things to do, so to celebrate that with a wedding, in front of everyone you love that has brought you to this moment is an incredible celebration.

That’s why so many use the phrase, “I am my beloved’s and my beloved is mine,” in their wedding invitation, programs and especially their ketubah.

The Ketubah is a signed document (it is written) exactly what the bridegroom professes and vows to his bride. The care, the love, the promise of commitment, the financial responsibility, the protection, a home, and what he will do and be responsible for If the covenant is nullified. The Ketubah is ornate and displayed in the couples home as a reminder and for beauty.

Our Bridegroom has given us a very ornate and detailed Ketubah. It is written, it is recorded, it is signed in The Precious Blood of Jesus Christ, our Redeemer.

Our Holy bible is two, dual testaments and covenants, full of the promises He has vowed to keep. Let every matter be established by two witnesses. That is why the Bible alive. The Bible is the living, witnessed, testified, verified and sanctified oath of our Bridegroom to His body, His ecclesia, His chosen and dearly loved.

The Ketubah is signed by the bride and groom under the chuppah in front of witnesses…

Would you consider making a deep lasting covenant with our Resurrected King? Just say, yes “I will.”

Do you see parallels, pictures, meaning and prophetic truth? “I do!” Pun intended.

What a love story, what a vow…
Do not miss your day of visitation.

Isaiah 44:22
I have blotted out your transgressions like a cloud, and your sins like a mist. Return to Me, for I have redeemed you.

Teshuvah blessings

“Ani L’Dodi V’Dodi Li”
I am my beloved’s and my beloved is mine.

The Lord 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

“You keep all your promises. You are the Creator of heaven’s glory, earth’s grandeur, and the ocean’s greatness.”

Wind In My Sails

The wind in my sails
The harbor the sea
Captain of my boat
Summons me

Steps secured
The launch, The dock
Never unknown
Secured upon The Rock

Tethered and tied
Refrains my sails
Loose them now
I sense winds gale

His wind in my sails
What shear delight
Out to the deep
New depths, new height

© laurette laster 2021

As the storms of life subside, we look to the answers found only in surging storms. Preparing for the unknown is impossible, our Lord allows the impossible, the unknown and the uncertainty, to grow us and take us into deeper waters, and He faithfully sustains us. Like the disciples upon finding Jesus asleep, asking, “Master careth Ye not that we parish”…

We’ve never been alone, we too are headed to the other side. We have called to The Master, He has awakened our faith, we’ve maintained the uncertainty, we’ve managed the insanity, and now we emerge and set sail knowing nothing is impossible for our God.

This time hasn’t been wasted, we have sought The Lord and He has empowered His true church. This storm has indeed helped us plan and prepare. It has shown us that our boats are equipped with an anchor, however we cannot sail tethered to the dock of mans laws. We must raise our sails and catch The Wind of Holy Spirit. It is time to launch out into the deep. His plans are glorious.

He is Creator of heaven’s glory and earth’s grandeur and the ocean’s greatness and He keeps all of His promises.

Blessings, raise your sails, it is time to sail!

“But those who hope in the Lord will be happy and pleased! Our help comes from the God of Jacob!”
‭‭Psalms‬ ‭146:5-6‬ ‭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

“For the ear puts words to the test As the palate tastes food” (Job‬ ‭34:3‬ ‭AMP).‬‬

Why are butterflies attracted to sweet things after the grueling effort to emerge from the cocoon? Their indomitable call produces a change not only in appearance but also in purpose, one that effects us all, to pollinate. Their view and choices surprisingly different flying at a higher altitude, no longer crawling or groping, they (we) see the world differently, craving choice foods.

After salvation, being born again, receiving God’s amazing power and transformation, our desires and appetite change. We no longer settle or desire things not pleasing to God.

we thoroughly understand the psalmist declaration- “oh taste and see, The Lord is good” (Psalms 34:8).

or Jeremiah prophesying-
“Then the maidens will rejoice with dancing, young men and old as well. I will turn their mourning into joy, and give them comfort and joy for their sorrow. I will fill the souls of the priests abundantly, and will fill My people with My goodness,” declares the LORD” (Jeremiah 31: 13-14

And Isaiah
“Listen carefully to Me, and eat what is good, And let your soul delight in abundance” (Isaiah 55:2).

Is something leaving a bad taste in your mouth? Maybe a knot in your stomach? God may be teaching you discernment leading to wisdom of what pleases Him.

He calls and we answer, the transformation requires we change, completely. The ways of the world no longer satisfying or nourishing.

Why? In Him we discover we have wings…

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

It was prophesied The Messiah must suffer many things…
Christ our King, willingly endured the agony caused by the crown of thorns. Mocked, beaten, crucified, and humiliated, why? That you and I might be born again, and in Him become living stones, adornment, His adorning in His crown of life. Our Redeemer will proudly display the redeemed.

As spoken through Isaiah the prophet
“This people have I formed for Myself; they shall shew forth My praise” (Isaiah 43:21).

The hard to understand places, the dark and lonely places, even the damp and dirty places, He will and is using to create and bring forth something beautiful in your life, (Philippians 2:13).

We are never safer than securely set in place like a valuable gem, held with prongs, and fitted together for the Master’s design, in His hands which hold all His plans. You are of great value to Christ The King.

How could our King appear with missing jewels in His crown? This cannot be…

Hidden Mysteries Become Paradigm-

Called Out Of Darkness

Buried beneath the dirt
Is a mine of gold to find
When covered by mud
The reflector hasn’t the ability to shine

What once was considered valuable
Darkness dims over time
The rarest of God’s treasures
Hidden mysteries become paradigm

The emerald takes the longest
Forming deep within earths veins
Is it possible to overlook
Misinterpret trials and strains

A mighty oak does not bear fruit
For twenty to thirty years
Called mighty oaks of righteousness
Jesus said “let him that hath an ear hear”

A grain of sand causes irritation
When slipping between the cracks
Cultured pearls are on purpose
When a Farmer has the knack

Diamonds are the dirtiest
Hidden deep inside the coal
Created under pressure
Faceted with beauty to behold

Shame may be the dirt
Guilt may be your mud
I know the Master
He’s a gemologist of seeming crud

So if you feel an irritant
He’s placed it there to show
You have deep within you
The ability to secrete and grow

For the kingdom of God is within
You will not find it looking around
It is only with time and pressure
Gems fashioned in the deep then found

Do you feel abandoned or forgotten
Overridden by pressure and pain
Rare and precious gems are formed
To bring glory to His Name

I suggest we endure the dirt
Become patient under pressure
Pressing toward the prize
To be called His peculiar treasure

I will tell of His wonderful works
Of His glorious gift of salvation
The gift He so freely gave
Redeemed, we are a rare and new creation

Copyright © laurette laster July 2019

Job chapter 28 talks about digging into the earth but not able to find wisdom.

Zechariah 9:16
The Lord their God will save His people on that day as a shepherd saves his flock. They will sparkle in His land like jewels in a crown.

1 Peter 2:9
Contemporary English Version
“But you are God’s chosen and special people. You are a group of royal priests and a holy nation. God has brought you out of darkness into his marvelous light. Now you must tell all the wonderful things he has done. The Scriptures say,”

Weymouth New Translation
“But you are a chosen race, a priesthood of kingly lineage, a holy nation, a people belonging specially to God, that you may make known the perfections of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light.”

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, thanks for listening with me. Laurette

I’m giddy over gladioli.

Soft like velvet
Fragrant and sweet
This sword lily
Certain to compete

Pretty as a picture
Touches my soul
Straight and tall
In the garden they grow

Bold or pastel
Catches the eye
I’m just giddy
About gladioli

© laurette laster

I will be like the dew to Israel; He shall blossom like the lily; He shall take root like the trees of Lebanon; (Hosea 14:5).

Today I learned the plural for gladiolus is gladioli. This flower is also known as a sword lily and is in the iris (Iridaceae) family. Deriving this name from this action: each flower emerges, bursting forth, from a sheath like covering resembling a sword.

The author of Hebrews describes the word of God (Hebrews 4:12).
God’s WORD is alive, LIVING and POWERFUL. Sharper than ANY two-edged sword, dividing, piercing, discerning thought and intent.

And Peter teaching about being born again from this LIVING and POWERFUL seed that is from above, this incorruptible seed, which is the LIVING WORD of God who is Christ, quotes Isaiah…

“being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible seed, by the word of God, which liveth and abideth for ever. For All flesh is as grass, And all the glory of man as the flower of grass. The grass withereth, and the flower thereof falleth away: But the word of the Lord endureth for ever. And this is the word which by the gospel is preached unto you” (1 Peter‬ ‭1:23-25‬ ‭KJV).‬‬

The fragrance is heavenly and petals are soft as angels wings. Yes, I’m sure of it.

Blessings from the flower garden.

Oak leaves ruffling
Captured by the sound
Spring’s gentle breeze
Familiar calm abounds

Indelible hope
Nestled within
Something is stirring
Strokes of The Author’s pen

Glimpse the page
“Haven’t I commanded
Be Strong and courageous“
Neither alone nor empty handed

Moses had a staff
David had stones
The Israelites marched
Significant undertones

Ubiquitous bristling
Is heard throughout
Footsteps prevailed
Until the ordered shout

The leaves bustle together
Atop the trees
Erasing a faint memory
Of hard winters freeze

He does comfort
Our Giver of life
Springs gentle breeze
Balm for strife

Life has emerged
His promises reign
Soft like spring
Solace for pain

The tides have turned
The fight is real
Only In Christ’ Name
Is the Victory sealed

© laurette laster 2021

Oh how I missed the fragrance of privet blooms this year. The heavenly fragrance permeating the fresh spring air with the tender white pedals adorning the trees, they didn’t happen this year. The butterflies visited but without the sweet nectar couldn’t linger. Typically the spring would find privets a busy metropolis, amassing with excitement, the working of the bees and the butterflies gathering and distributing the precious pollen.

This year was difficult, desolate and sadly different. The privets were bare, unable to offer their delightful fare. No nectar or long visits from the honey bees and butterflies. Were the privets dead? I had almost given up hope. Not from the root for life was emerging with tender new shoots, but what about the branches, could they live? Would they bear fruit, fruit of the vine or would they require cutting off, only to be thrown into the fire and burned? Oh the thoughts, the uncertainty, the unanswered questions. No one had the answers I searched for or longed for.

Researching, I learned pruning would be necessary and then to watch. You know wait and see! Like faith, when we hope but haven’t seen.

We must be patient and filled with expectation as we wait. Think about the farmer who has to patiently wait for the earth’s harvest. So you also, keep your hopes high and be patient, for the presence of the Lord is drawing closer. (James 5‬‬).

Seeing this little bloom gave me hope. The excitement I felt was different. This wasn’t an emotional excitement, believing everything would continue as usual, no hallelujahs and dancing, but rather a deep understanding of rebuilding from deep within and getting back to the basics. Like the farmer waits, yes waiting for the precious fruit, the fruit of the vine.

The darkest hour is on the verge of day…

My understanding has grown much deeper, giving me new perspective concerning “indelible hope”. We cannot be moved by what we see or how we feel. Every faith person would agree but this is a hard fight. We cannot quit, Especially not now. America has suffered a hard freeze, a damaging freeze, and time like I’ve not seen in my lifetime but there is life and new growth in the branches.

America will recover. I truly believe America will bloom again. We will be covered in blooms and nourish nations with the gospel of Jesus Christ. Most importantly we will guard and protect Israel. If you search the beginning and the prosperity of the United States of America from our inception, we find Christianity as our rebar and protecting Israel our blessing from the Abrahamic Covenant (Genesis 12).

“He cares for the branches connected to Me by lifting and propping up the fruitless branches and pruning every fruitful branch to yield a greater harvest” (John‬ ‭15:2‬ ‭TPT).‬‬

And yes just as Jesus taught, those who abide in Him will bear fruit, fruit that lasts. (John 15) This is fruit that not only nourishes, but teaches allowing seeds for planting. Those who refuse Him will be destroyed, cut off and thrown into the fire.

The spring rains softened the ground, allowing me to dig up and remove the entire root ball of green briars. There is indelible hope in everything that is happening.

Sing o barren one, We will bloom again!

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.

Blessings Laurette

“But only the redeemed will walk there, and those The Lord has rescued will return” (Isaiah 35: 9).

Sometimes when I cry
My heart becomes sad
But then I remember
He said rejoice and be glad

Sometimes when I surrender
The pain and distress
Again I am quickened
This is only a test

When the time is right
These things will work together
For the good of the One
In this storm with me to weather

Sometimes when my heart
Is fragile and aches
I’m reminded
We will awake

To righteousness and goodness
Grace and love
All streaming down
Likened to a heavenly dove

Weighty and glorious
Tender and light
No time to stumble
Fight the good fight

Sometimes when I cry
He dries my tears
Other times sits quietly
As I battle the fears

Sometimes in laughter
The regaling and fun
Everything is worth it
When I’m one with The Son

Sometimes is generic
Not really His Name
He is the Great I Am
Today and forever always the same

Christ The Lord is with us in laughter
Also in the pain
But never oh never
Is it without gain

© laurette laster 2019

Yesterday my heart jumped with excitement seeing the tiniest new rose bud. Can you find it? I don’t believe I’ve seen such a tiny bud.
This small plant is approximately 3X3” wide and about 3” high. A root from a rose bush I transplanted last year; freeing it from a pot to a bed. A very determined main root had grown through the drain in the bottom of the pot. In search of and finding the lush, nutrient rich, moist ground beneath, this root began to grow deep into the soil. I’ve protected this tiny shoot since noticing the growth.

I actually expected it would grow into a new rose bush. When cutting the root to free the rose bush from the pot, I believed and wondered. I was careful to cut the root, not wanting to uproot it. When noticing the new growth, immediately I placed a guard around this tender new shoot.

I’ve protected this tender shoot through the hot summer, watering it, prayed for it during the bitter harsh cold leaving it beneath leaves for mulch desiring so much for it to survive, guarded this new growth from being mowed down or forgotten. And yes, according to His promise, from Isaiah 55: 10-11 we have a new emerging rose bush.

How much more our God watches over the redeemed, and those not yet redeemed during this season.
The life springing forth from this root will be another beautiful white drift rose bush, soon bursting forth with life, flocked with fragrant white blooms, filling the air with a delightful aroma as only roses can. This gives me hope.

We can take comfort in knowing He will not fail. Yes we will awake, and yes we will rejoice in our God! For we are growing from the Main Root which is Christ our Lord, and He watches over our coming and our going from this day and forevermore. Because it is a promise from Him and we are the planting of The Lord, (Isaiah 61:3).

“They will enter Zion with singing, everlasting joy will crown their heads. Gladness and joy will overtake them, and sorrow and sighing will flee away”
(Isaiah 35: 9-10).

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

The Day of The Lord

In times past God spoke in peals of thunder
With shouts of rain and lightening
So fierce were these sights
Even Moses found them frightening

The Perfect work complete at Calvary
At The Cross redemption’s red glow
Now in the still small voice
Jesus blood speaks a better word we know

Now He speaks in drops of rain
Silver and streaming down
His Voice gently saturating
As mornings dew covering the ground

He speaks in tender snowflakes
Quietly drifting over a town
Covering the earth
Comfort as blanket of soft down

I hear Him speak in buds that appear
In springtimes fresh new glow
Buds that burst forth with life
Eager to bloom and grow

I listened in summers soft breeze
on a warm and sunny day
When softly against my skin
I sensed His touch brush my way

He created all this to appear
Before our very eyes
Each different yet beautiful
Offerings of new surprise

He speaks in magnificent sunrises
To help us recognize the time
offers of unrequited newness
with its own unique shine

The sun never dims or loses its shine
or seemingly wasting away
Because with each new shining
We are coming closer to ‘The Day.’

He speaks in times of setting
The going down of the same
To teach this valuable lesson
Consistency is HIs Name

He is The Alpha and Omega
The Bright and Holy One
He is Aleph and The Tav
Consistent like the sun

He is that He is; and always will be
Long Suffering, Kind and Loving
He is Gracious and Merciful while calling
Softly and tenderly, never shoving

Do not become distracted
From the beauty He created us to see
every beautiful sunrise and sunset
He is saying, ‘The Day’ Is to remind you of Me!

© laurette laster 2018 April

Great is Thy faithfulness!
Great is Thy faithfulness!
Morning by morning new mercies I see.
All I have needed Thy hand hath provided;
Great is Thy faithfulness, Lord, unto me!
Summer and winter and springtime and harvest,
Sun, moon and stars in their courses above
Join with all nature in manifold witness
To Thy great faithfulness, mercy and love.

‭‭Romans‬ ‭1:19-20‬ ‭ESV‬‬
For what can be known about God is plain to them, because God has shown it to them. For His invisible attributes, namely, His eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly perceived, ever since the creation of the world, in the things that have been made. So they are without excuse.

‭‭Lamentations‬ ‭3:21-23‬ ‭ESV‬‬
But this I call to mind, and therefore I have hope: The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; His mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.

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

The Week of His Passion

Now the week of His passion
They surely wanted Him dead
How to carry out this evil
Keep the crowd going ahead

They wanted to avoid a riot
trying to cover up their scheme
It was the Passover celebration
Thousands gathering, the crowd could turn mean

Jesus went about cleansing the temple
And delivering all the woes
They desired even more,
His life to simply dispose

He gave attention to last details
Instructing His disciples to follow
Unleavened bread, bread of affliction
Isn’t He called the Man of sorrows

The last supper, Passover meal
He stood and did boldly proclaim
He uncovered the way and the plan
His body and blood our claim

Jesus said, “This cup is my blood
Blessed and poured out for you
When you drink it remember
for as often as you do.”

They seeking to take His life
How foolish could they be
It wasn’t theirs to take
He would lay it down willingly

Through all the pain He didn’t speak
His life was not His own
He and God did make this plan
His will and His alone

Behold I make all things new;
His heart and mind steadfast
But they didn’t understand
they needed Him gone, and fast

Thinking to do away with Him
And get this hushed away
Only later to realize,
Behold, Salvation’s Way

Through the scourging and berating
brutality and pain,
for the joy set before Him
At the Cross, He endured the shame

The week of His Passion
Free will offering poured out
He laid down His life gave His all
Now we know without a doubt

His perfect work was finished
And we do have our place
Secured for all who believe
Until we see Him face to face

© laurette laster 2019

Have you ever stopped to consider Jesus Christ’s intentionality when He fashioned the whip?

The purpose, The plans, The Passion of driving out what was not Holy from the house of God. He worked literally and diligently while preparing to cleanse once and for, making propitiation for our sin, placing His blood on the mercy seat in heaven.

He fashioned, working with His hands, with intention, with purpose, making, twisting or braiding a whip where with to drive out the money changers from the temple courts. This gesture was neither weak nor passive. This was intentional and bold!

“When Jesus entered Jerusalem, the whole city was stirred and asked, “Who is this?” The crowds answered, “This is Jesus, the prophet from Nazareth in Galilee.” Jesus entered the temple courts and drove out all who were buying and selling there. He overturned the tables of the money changers and the benches of those selling doves. “It is written,” he said to them, “ ‘My house will be called a house of prayer,’ but you are making it ‘a den of robbers.’ ” The blind and the lame came to him at the temple, and he healed them. But when the chief priests and the teachers of the law saw the wonderful things he did and the children shouting in the temple courts, “Hosanna to the Son of David,” they were indignant.”
‭‭Matthew‬ ‭21:10-15‬ ‭

He is able to save all who come to Him!

If you haven’t already, now is the time and today is the day, prepare your heart, be intentional!

Blessings as we enter the remembrance of the Holy season of our Great Deliverance.

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