THE MUSTARD SEED NECKLACE

by Janet Paradee  9/28/12  

What kind of adornment around my neck do I bear?

Is it a millstone, an anvil, or a mustard seed that I choose to wear? Will the weight of my unforgiveness and prideful sin

entice the deepest ocean to engulf me and pull me in?

OR Can I truly have faith as big as the tiny mustard seed

and trust that God will surely meet my every need?

Am I in a hurry to always do things my way?

Do I stop, look, and listen before, during and after I pray?

Am I willing to be compassionate and kind?

Do I fend for me only, leaving everyone else behind?

OR do I have a clear conscience before God and man

knowing that for others, daily, I have helped wherever I can?

The choice, for me, is certainly very clear...

I choose to wear the mustard seed necklace without doubt or fear. It will be my constant reminder and a "refreshing fountain"

for with it I know and trust that God will move any mountain.

AND Since His forgiveness from that refreshing fountain freely does flow; 

I, too, must forgive others and His love always show.

SO What kind of adornment around your neck will you wear?

Will it be the tiny mustard seed or a large millstone that you bear?

Thank you ever so much. Your presence blesses us daily. 

WIND OF GOD

WIND OF GOD

   

Contrary to popular belief

to keep on sinning brings no relief

from the guilt and shame I possess,

from the transgressions in my life I refuse to confess.

Reveal to me, O Lord I humbly now pray,

those iniquities I cling to that have led me astray.

Wind of God revive me with Your fresh air;

Breath of Life flow o'er me for I know You are there.

Why should I die? Can I avoid this certain death 

that would eternally separate me into the lowest depth?

Compromise, disobedience, even dishonesty had,

for a season, overshadowed me.

But, Holy God, I choose to repent of it all, 

and, now on Your name I sincerely call.

Wind of God revive me with Your fresh air;

Breath of Life flow o'er me

for I know You are there.

Empty me of all that to You has been an offense.

Display in me the works worthy of my repentance.

Refreshing Spirit, energize me with a new vibrant walk,

with a new way of thinking, a new way to talk.

I surrender to You Lord, for only in You can I find

this new heart, this new spirit, this brand new mind.

Wind of God revive me with Your fresh air; Breath of Life flow o'er me for I know You are there.

Janet Parradee

9/20/12

This is another poem from Janet. She writes at least one peom a day. We, her sisters, are trying to get her published. 

A NEW POEM FROM JANET

The Separating Wall

Is there a separating wall that divides the intimacy between
The Creator of All and little ol' me?
Has sin crept in in the form of selfishness or pride?
To whom have I given the contorl of my life to guide?

How did this separating wall begin to take shape,
And from it now can I fully escape?
One brick at a time is all that it takes,
With mortar of willful sin the sun it will bake.

A brick of anger, one of lying or of greed
Is all it requires, that's all this wall needs.
Gossip, unkindness to others are bricks too
That can be piled on, it's easy enought to do!

This separating wall towers over me,
I fear; Can I climb it now, can it's height I clear?
I want to chip away at this separating wall no
Matter how deep, how wide, how tall.

So, incline Your ear, dear Lord, I pray;
Search my heart and know me today.
If there be any evil that separates You and me,
Show me today Lord, that's my desperate plea.

The bricks of unforgiveness and anger I see collapse
As I cling to You and Your promises I clasp.
Now, instead of a separating wall betweenYou and me
A frame, a hedge of protection under construction I see.

Bricks of love, honesty, obedience now surround me;
Lord, will You add bricks of confession, repentance, and humility?
Expose my sin, bury it deep under this frame...
This, my prayer Lord, I pray in Your Name.

This is the group I belong to of believers, Sisters Who Pray. They are pretty special to me.
We spend most of our time praying. If you have a prayer request make a comment below.
God Bless

A BROKEN HEART

The following is a poem by Janet Parradee a friend of mine. She has an amazing gift.
I pray you will enjoy it as much as I do.

A Broken Heart August 12, 2012

A broken heart tatters and shatters when it breaks.
Sometimes it seems more than just one person can take.
A childhood friend moves away; That last “Goodbye!” is so hard to say.
A teenager’s crush that very first date,
It’s not meant to be, but reality we don’t equate.
At twenty or thirty-something it’s marriage, home, work…
Too many failures hit and we don’t know where to look.
At midlife we should be all set, But closer to retirement is all we get!
Who can sustain us when brokenhearted is all we feel?
There’s One who knows, He’s the One that will heal.
No matter the brokenness, He knows our heart.
He’s always been willing to allow us a fresh start.
Turn crying and weeping into dancing and singing,
Because of forgiveness and love the Savior is bringing…
For every situation, the pain or the loss,
He took upon Himself as He hung on the cross.
Beauty for ashes He promises, dear child.
Take off the sackcloth, stay no longer beguiled.
The shattered pieces of your broken heart
Can be mended, made whole, put back into one part!     By Janet Parradee

OH LOVE 2-27-99

In your arms, I am in bliss.

Then off to Ecstasy I go.

Come back to take you with,

Opening up that door

To see what joy lay inside. 

This Ecstacy that exists.

Thy kiss, oh kiss, what is this? 

But unbounded bliss,

Oh my God!

Oh my Love! 

Back Again

I look into the pools 

Of your blue eyes,

I see the Universe, 

Beyond our blue skys.

Life is but a shadow,

moving in the wind.

I gave my life to you,

Won't take it back again.

Running through the woods

The  wild dog in you,

Chasing the wolf in me,

Until the day is through.

Sunlight in your mane,

Starlight in your eyes.

I gave my life to you,

Won't take it back again.

Barbara M.
April 22, 1994