The Presence & Poetry Podcast

Butterfly

God takes each of us through a process to get to our destiny. This often involves much suffering, and we wonder where God is in our chrysalis seasons. But it is during the times of our greatest darkness and desperation that our destiny is birthed. As we finally break out of our chrysalis, we discover how we have been transformed into a vessel equipped to carry His glory. We fly free like a butterfly in the springtime of His faithfulness.  I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us.  Romans 8:28

Alabaster Box

This poem combines the stories of the women who broke their alabaster boxes and shows how these events relate to the cross. Imagine the courage it took for these women to break cultural customs and disregard their reputations in order to shower their affection on Jesus. Matthew 26 and Mark 14 recount the events which took place in Bethany, where a woman broke her alabaster box to prophetically prepare Jesus for burial. Luke 7 describes the events which took place in the home of Simon the Pharisee, where a woman who lived a sinful life broke her alabaster box out of gratitude for the Lord’s mercy toward her. Jesus was broken and poured out just like the alabaster box. He was crushed for our peace and healing. Now we can release His fragrance to a world in need. While he was in Bethany, reclining at the table in the home of Simon the Leper, a woman came with an alabaster jar of very expensive perfume, made of pure nard. She broke the jar and poured the perfume on his head. Some of those present were saying indignantly to one another, “Why this waste of perfume?  It could have been sold for more than a year’s wages and the money given to the poor.” And they rebuked her harshly. “Leave her alone,” said Jesus. “Why are you bothering her? She has done a beautiful thing to me. The poor you will always have with you, and you can help them any time you want. But you will not always have me. She did what she could. She poured perfume on my body beforehand to prepare for my burial. Truly I tell you, wherever the gospel is preached throughout the world, what she has done will also be told, in memory of her.” Mark 14:3-9

Christmas

Merry (early) Christmas! This poem features excerpts from many popular Christmas songs and relates the Christmas story to the gospel. From the cradle to the cross, Jesus’ life was the cost to buy back what we had lost—intimacy with the Father. Be blessed this Christmas. And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.” Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, “Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.” When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let’s go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.” So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger. When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them.  But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart. 20 The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told. Luke 2:8-20

The Mystery

There is a time and a season for everything. A winter season may be confusing, dark and lonely, but there is a beautiful mystery in it all. When the spring finally arrives, we look back in wonder at the faithfulness of God even in all the suffering He sometimes allows. Our tears are seeds in the soil where in time flowers will grow. Those who sow with tears will reap with songs of joy. Those who go out weeping, carrying seed to sow, will return with songs of joy, carrying sheaves with them. Psalm 126:5-6 The season has changed, the bondage of your barren winter has ended, and the season of hiding is over and gone. The rains have soaked the earth and left it bright with blossoming flowers. The season for singing and pruning the vines has arrived. I hear the cooing of doves in our land, filling the air with songs to awaken you and guide you forth. Song of Songs 2:11-12 TPT

The Desire of His Heart

This poem expresses the desire of the Father’s heart, to once again have fellowship with His children through the blood of Jesus. We journey through the fall of man as recorded in Genesis 3, and see how these events lead us to the gospel. By the blood of Jesus, we now have complete access to the Father and we can draw near to Him with confidence. We can experience the total reconciliation with the Father that Jesus paid such a high price to restore to us. Therefore, brothers and sisters, since we have confidence to enter the Most Holy Place by the blood of Jesus, by a new and living way opened for us through the curtain, that is, his body, and since we have a great priest over the house of God, let us draw near to God with a sincere heart and with the full assurance that faith brings, having our hearts sprinkled to cleanse us from a guilty conscience and having our bodies washed with pure water. Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful. Hebrews 10:19-23