LIFTING THOUGHTS—a living collection of Christian poetry, inspirational writings, verses, photos, even humor, gleaned from quiet times and experientially. Author resides in a small historic mountain town, Hill City, located in the central Black Hills of South Dakota, near Mount Rushmore. The photo was taken at Poet's Table, a serene place where many thoughts are lifted, a resting spot near Sylvan Lake in the granite beauty at the heart of the Black Hills National Forest. Welcome!
Jesus’ Heart
When heart is dark
and heavy, set
in tangles of
its sunken nets,
when tears and grinding
teeth are spent
and eyes though seeing
are glimmerless...
will Jesus save you
where you went?
You went, or taken
with consent,
the future distant,
foresightless,
your conscience slipshod
misdirected,
and now you’re smitten
...with regret.
Can Jesus save you
where you went?
Forgive yourself
for where you went.
The circumstance,
though seen not best,
is just the thing
He circumvents
to lead you into
His own breast
where You can hear
His heart’s intent...
and know He saves you
where you went.
Copyright (c) 02.28.10 - Linda L. Brown
When a young girl, an intense passion for music was awakened within my soul. Father brought great joy into my life by presenting me with a beautiful organ. It would thrill me to the very fibre of my being, as the days slipped by, to be able to draw forth such wonderful harmony from my beloved instrument.
I used to sit at the organ in the early morning hours, just as the birds began to awaken, and through the open windows listen to their sweet little bird notes as they mingled with the melody of the organ, like a paean of praise to our Creator!
Then, one morning, quite suddenly, and at a time when I was preparing with girlish enthusiasm for my first concert appearance, one of the notes became faulty. How the discordant sound grated upon my sensitive ear. Father, sensing my grief, said: "Never mind, daughter, I will have the tuner come." Long hours the tuner worked on that faulty note before it again rang out all sweet and true with the others. And the concert was a success, because the tuner was successful! -author unknown
All the works of God are redemptive.
-Pastor Edward Wood
They were so quiet and plentiful;
they looked like leaves which the wind picked up
and moved from one resting place to another in a sudden gust.
Quietly so quietly
the small birds flutter by
and blend right in with background
turned upon a time...
Young lives are like that, flighting,
jumps and starts, some sky,
yet closest staying to background
as if it a watchful eye.
Up! Those with wings of Spirit!
Go with the Wind as high
as breath of Life will take you
above the lowland's light...
(There is a light to darkness,
seen differently at times;
but in the heavens, shined by Grace
soar those whose background...died.
A background, raw, gives comfort less
than when seemed perfect. Light
is dim under bandages.
But unbound a bird takes flight...)
Take flight!...make visible your Hope
to young lives, and old alike.
The Wind blows here, and over there
fluttering hearts and minds.
Young lives are giving treasures, rare
though plentiful, and quiet...
a card, hand-drawn, a smile, a prance...
rare fleeting chance to lift them higher.
Copyright (c) 02.14.10 - Linda L. Brown
If the Son shall set you free,
you shall be...
God's creation would be
beautiful beyond measure,
if He Himself was not.
He is, therefore, we worship Him
and admire the splendor
of His imagination spoken.
What good is there to keep
darkness at the heart's center,
hard where He is not.
Like buds in the morning, sunlit,
to Him may we answer,
may we unfold and deeply open...
...free indeed.
