Heart and Soul Reflections: Poems, Anecdotes and Thoughts

by Lorna A. Henningham

Overview

This book speaks to individuals in a positive way through poetry and allows for moments of reflection, intrigue and motivation.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781481739023
Publisher:	AuthorHouse
Publication date:	06/10/2013
Sold by:	Barnes & Noble
Format:	eBook
Pages:	80
File size:	515 KB

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HEART AND SOUL REFLECTIONS: Poems, Anecdotes and Thoughts

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By LORNA A. HENNINGHAM

AuthorHouse

Copyright © 2013 Lorna A. Henningham
All rights reserved.
ISBN: 978-1-4817-3903-0

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CHAPTER 1

Anecdotes

Appreciation: Appreciation rides in the same car as work well done; be a passenger in it and join in the celebration.

Charity: Charity begins in the heart, extends from the hands and impacts the receiver.

Dignity: Dignity worn gracefully adorns the wearer and motivates the observer.

Failure: Failure at a task does not set the premise for future assignments to be life sentences.

Integrity: Integrity lies within the ambit of our horizon; it has no class, gender or color discrimination.

Nature: Nature is real beauty without the additives.

Trust: Trust is being ourselves and allowing others to make their own judgment.

Virtue: Virtue is the apex of purity to which we all can aspire.

Words: Words spoken irresponsibly may crush someone's ego for life and still not earn the user a distinction.

Blessed and Loaded

Accepting failure is not an option,
It is a spirit of defeat;
A non-progressive ideology.
The reverse opens our minds to the vastness
Of God's wonder and power.
Walk in favor;
Pursue goals with optimism;
Seize the handshake of opportunity as it comes;
And embrace its contents with enthusiasm.

Align purpose and passion with destiny;
Work hard with precision and integrity;
Plan wisely;
Utilize good judgment and empathy;
Don't apply brakes to empowerment;
Accept your blessings with thanksgiving;
And maximize the unique vision God invested in you.


Challenges

Challenges will come.
When they do,
Don't be afraid of intimidation.
With unwavering faith and tactile wisdom,
Hit the target where it's most vulnerable.

If we never had challenges,
How would we appreciate the feelings
Associated with winning?
When you see challenges don't run;
Step with the conviction of a winner;
Be positive about the outcome and prepare
For the next marathon.


Motivation

Confidently occupy your space;
You have a right to purposeful living.
Don't allow character assailants to derail your quest
For success, or negativity to be a deterrent.
Never subject yourself to limitations;
Negotiate life skillfully with a sense of caution;
Swim but do not succumb to contrary currents;
Surmount obstacles with a drive to survive;
Walk with uncompromised conviction;
Run with courage, stamina, and determination;
Use life's challenges to maintain altitudes of greatness;
Let it synchronize with your spirituality;
Live your life as God would have it;
Motivated, spiritually fulfilling, and full of options.


Peacemaker

Strive to be a mediator and peace facilitator
At all times;
Never light the match that ignites division;
Douse and smother the flames of confusion.
Malice is wasting valuable energy
That can be used otherwise to do good deeds;
Don't be a participant.
Hate is a conduit to the devil's territory;
A wide road leading to destruction;
Walk far from it.
Jealousy forms the basis for corrupted inclinations
To be at their worst;
Shun it.
Never go to bed angry;
Let peacemaking be a lifestyle commitment;
Soar to altitudes of greatness
And embrace God's peace initiative for your life.


Self-pity

Self-pity needs no affiliate to be destructive;
It can wreck the psyche all by itself.
When the party is over,
Piqued emotions will keep on riding;
Unless brought to a halt.
Life goes on regardless of our personal feelings.
A strong desire to survive;
And a deep resolve to be over comers
are bold initiatives.
But having God as our Father,
The Holy Spirit as our Comforter,
And Jesus Christ as our Deliverer,
Is enough motivation to mend broken pieces.


Sensitivity

If you don't enjoy the effects of pain,
Don't inflict it on others.
If you don't like being talked about negatively,
Don't initiate that conversation.
Hurtful words and actions are like sharpened knives without
handles, they can cut both user and potential victims.
A prudent person upholds wisdom, exercises
understanding and avoids insensitivity.
Think before you speak and act;
Or you might become your own victim.


THANKSGIVING


Awesome God

When I think of the intricacies of creation;
The Majestic Trio of The Godhead;
Father, Son and Holy Spirit;
I can only say, "God, You are Awesome!"

When I think of Your gift to humanity
And my encounter with Divinity
Through Jesus, Your Son,
The question is,
How could You give of Your One and Only?
Clearly, the answer is the redemption of man.

Lord, Your love is pure, measureless, reachable,
Without prejudice, limit or divide.
Lord, who can stand without awe in Your presence?
How could I take a breath of fresh air without gratitude
To The Creator of all good things?

Reverently, I stand in acknowledgement
Of Your Lordship and Supremacy.
God, I exalt You above everything.
Praises, honor and glory are Yours;
Everything belongs to You.
You allow us to be recipients of Your mercy and grace.
Thank You for the privilege, Lord.
Amen.


Connected

Personal, precious, ecstatic, pure;
Away from detractors, through my closet door;
Serene, solemn, reverent mood;
Anticipation heightens, conscience halts
And introspection begins.

His unforgettable presence fills the room;
There's savoring sweetness.
Deep within, my belly groans;
Emitting a crescendo of hallelujah and praise.

Feelings rise;
Infallible and new.
Transcending earthly realities,
Logistics and humanistic views.
Unable to keep silent,
Praise and worship ascends.
Self is slain.

Words do not adequately express the feelings
When The Holy Spirit is present.
There's closeness, depth, love incomprehensible;
Elevation to another dimension, another realm.
Spirituality supersedes self.
Every vital organ harmonizes with the vibration
Of precious moments – Really special with God.


Lord You Are

I see and I ponder;
I hear and I wonder;
I feel and I encounter;
Lord, You are Omnipotent and Omnipresent.
To exist is to be on Your radar;
Whether up high or in the bowels of the earth;
Even throughout the universe and beyond.

In every sphere and corner, even in awkward moments;
You show dominion, there's no escape from Your presence.
In lusty raindrops and beautiful sunshine;
In caressing wind swirls, midst breathtaking flowers;
You are ever-present as Creator.

In secrecy and dark moments You illuminate paths;
In lonely hours You give comfort;
And in weakness, strength for yet another task.
In tears and sorrows, You are our Joy;
In pain, You are the Analgesic,
And in problems, You are the Solution.

You hear words unspoken and thoughts not yet materialized;
You tune into faint whispers, loud atonements, and relentless cries;
You calm tempestuous anger and still raging emotions;
You are Alpha and Omega; the past, present, and future.
I see and I ponder;
I hear and I wonder;
I feel and I encounter;
You are indeed Jehovah.

New Thing

God created a new thing in me;
It began quite instantaneously.
I can't explain, but can surely say;
Thank You, Lord, for using me this way.

I started writing one day;
Feeling inspired,
Thoughts and ideas kept coming my way.
Lord, I said, this must be Your will.
Teach me to listen, teach me to be still;
As You engage my thoughts and will.

Before this experience, I had often prayed;
Lord, let Your will on me be laid.
Let there be something wonderful to do;
As I glorify and honor You.
This inspiration I know is true;
It could only have come from You.

Lord, to You I dedicate these poems.
Bless and anoint the words I use;
Let them bring You honest dues.
Let poetry be a powerful vehicle, Lord, I pray;
To bless some household everyday.
Thank You, Lord,
For using me in this special way.


NATURE WALK


Covenant

Dear Lord, how marvelous and majestic You are
To man's existence on planet earth!
The awesomeness of Your presence is evident;
As azure tinctured lily white cotton balls
Go fleeting across the cerulean skies;
Giving rise to picturesque formations way up high.
Behold!
You are universally clear.

A rainbow appears like magic silhouetting the sky;
The sun throws a backdrop of misty colors blending into
Magnificence;
Your covenant once made is still relevant and binding;
Bringing to remembrance the unflinching promise
You gave to man.


Intrigue

Delicate fingers against receptive skin;
Leaves sensory receptors tickled, that's the wind.
The sun shines brilliantly to light the world;
Never ceasing until whisked away by the
Darkening shades of twilight.

Provocatively, the moon smiles with an occasional wink;
Nature lovers ponder at what she thinks.
Stars twinkle nightly, their constellations bright;
For moonlight lovers, that's sheer delight.

The earth in its bounteous vastness unfolds;
God's artistry at work; a sight to behold.
Green massive trees protect the watersheds;
Habitat for birds to nestle their feathered heads.

Waterfalls cascade over jagged rocks;
Carved beautifully by nature's hands.
The allure of the sea as she beckons and calls;
No prejudice or discrimination, a warm welcome to all.

God speaks in volumes powerful and strong;
Take time to enjoy the lyrics of life's songs.
Intrigue, mystical beauty, all fashioned to heal;
Nature's orchestra lies within the Master's appeal.


Night Shade

Sunlight no longer permeates the sky;
Grey mist approaches, dusk draws nigh.
Night comes quickly, birds perch on branches worn thin;
They do not sway, for there's no wind.

Crickets chirp, toads croak loudly;
Speaking in tones humans do not understand.
Indistinguishable noises blend;
Echoing ritualistic night calls.

The sea looks harmless.
The ebb and flow of its tide sounds like music to the ears;
As waves glide over rocks;
In an endless race to steal sand from the sea shore.

Brackish water carried by a sudden gust of wind;
Sprays salty moisture on faces exposed.
A fish goes shimmering, under the moonlight;
Another flicks itself above the water's surface;
Not a single fishing bird beholds that sight.

Jasmine and violet's fragrance proliferate the air;
The elusive moon elicits romantic feelings;
Eerie silence gives way to tranquility;
And deep reflective thoughts ... sometimes surreal.
Tired from a hard day's work, sleep is eminent;
Then dreams take over.
With a flick of the eyes, a world of superb fantasy
Transforms into reality, but it is only a dream.

Before long, darkness evaporates, reality awakens;
The stillness of the night slips away unhindered;
Giving rise to the bustle of traffic, and the riotous noise
Of pots and pans creating a din to awaken the dawn.


Peacock's Pleasure

Proud Mr. Peacock has taken a bath;
Now he is strutting the rose garden path.
With head erect and perfect steps;
He flaunts in grandeur and acts his best.
He fluffs his tail feathers and throws a look;
To see who admires and who has been hooked.

Out comes the bellow, loud and profound;
I'm sure it was heard through the valley around.
Onlookers are mesmerized, cameras go click;
Proud Mr. Peacock employs some tricks.
Children are awed and reach out to touch;
But he does not indulge, that's asking too much.
His beads are a wonder, but teasers beware;
Don't venture too near to his attractive fan-tail.

His colors a blend of green, yellow, and blue;
With glistening feathers of shimmering hues.
Midst stunning wing-feathers there lies his appeal;
Kids know this unpretentious peacock is real.

This rare spectacle can teach us a lesson or two;
If we ourselves are only willing to be true.
God wants us, like him to be glad;
To show off our talents for His glory.

Should mean folks say we're not attractive enough;
Remember the allure of the peacock's strut.
He showed off his beauty, like him we can be;
As proud as the master designed you and me.


Silhouettes

Amidst shades of darkness, sparkling raindrops caress veins
Of silvery green,
Leaves that otherwise would not be seen.
Between broken blinds;
Beads of sunlight seep through tired droopy eyes,
Casting eerie shadows on overhanging beams.
A ribboned rainbow's portrait penetrates the daunting dusky sky;
Bringing thoughts of silhouette to the mind.

An eagle soars above intimidating clouds,
Leaving her shadows far behind;
A tulip turns her cup into beauty then fades into the earth
Which readily recaptures her waning strength.
Day kisses dusk and says goodnight;
But not before the riveting sunset ignites a kaleidoscope of colors,
From the water's edge and the looming skyline.

A little girl stands behind her mother's hips;
Pulls her apron strings;
Then peeks at the world with eyes of intrigue and nervous fright.
A dog barks and chases a cat into a maze of tangled ferns;
Depicting what cats and dogs sometimes do;
They fuss and fight.
Hope that cat makes it out alright.

Two lovers engage their hearts on history's page;
Their names are carved on barks of trees;
On which they make a pledge for life.
Their memoirs engraved in lover's accents;
Ah! The mystery of the mind and its ravishing emotions;
The complexities of life and the pleasures that evoke;
... Silhouettes ...
Of life.


Transformed

Dapper, debonair, lightweight and free;
Gracefully meandering from tree to tree.
Sucking nectar, swaying in the breeze;
Sprayed with droplets, sprinkled with rain;
Sometimes daunted but not outdone;
She flaunts her beauty and has lots of fun.

From an egg to a caterpillar, a cocoon to a butterfly;
Doesn't nature testify about our Creator most high?
Why not cry, "Abba Father, you are worthy, be glorified!"
How beautiful is nature if we can't appreciate the magnificence
Of butterflies?

Like them, our lives too were transformed;
Theirs through metamorphosis, ours through redemption.
Once we were sin-stained, blindfolded and hell bent;
But God had a plan for our transformation.

He sent His Son, our lifeline to eternity;
His blood became the ransom, His life a testimony.
Jesus conquered death and hell, as He exposed His heart;
Only a love so pure could deflect the devil's dart;
But we had to do our part;
By inviting Jesus into our hearts.

Look at us!
From ashes to beauty, God's image must win.
From darkness, now a bright light shines within;
Obliterating the past.

Keep looking and listen!
From sin to grace our sins were expunged
To give us a fresh start.
Look, listen, and live!
From death to life: new vision, new hope, new appeal,
New identity;
Adoption into God's family.

Should we be fervent in prayer?
There's no other way.
Once we're consumed with God's word,
There's power to deny the flesh.
His grace is sufficient in all aspects.

Christians, we must be on the watch.
No time for snacking in the midst of combat.
Let's move forward, no more eggs or pupas but full blown,
Awe inspiring, soul saving butterflies for God.


PRAYER, FAITH AND MOTIVATION

Call Jesus

When sin looks enticing and temptation feels like fun;
When the conscience warns of danger
And the mind is all perplexed;
The devil is targeting the physical;
Wants to destroy the emotional;
And is envious of the spiritual.

Eyes perceive and images are conceived;
Soon there's desire and germination of the seed.
Don't wait for proof of the enemy's strategy;
Stop the speculation and run.

Smoke is the forerunner of a fire;
Glare suggests a problem looms;
Don't hesitate to activate the wisdom button.
With the siren from prayer and Holy Spirit direction;
Deploy and charge full force with the power.

(Continues...)

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Excerpted from HEART AND SOUL REFLECTIONS: Poems, Anecdotes and Thoughts by LORNA A. HENNINGHAM. Copyright © 2013 Lorna A. Henningham. Excerpted by permission of AuthorHouse.
All rights reserved. No part of this excerpt may be reproduced or reprinted without permission in writing from the publisher.
Excerpts are provided by Dial-A-Book Inc. solely for the personal use of visitors to this web site.

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Table of Contents

Contents

Foreword....................     ix     

Preface....................     xi     

Acknowledgements....................     xiii     

Anecdotes And Thought Teasers....................          

Anecdotes....................     1     

Blessed and Loaded....................     2     

Challenges....................     3     

Motivation....................     4     

Peacemaker....................     5     

Self-pity....................     6     

Sensitivity....................     7     

Thanksgiving....................          

Awesome God....................     11     

Connected....................     12     

Lord You Are....................     13     

New Thing....................     14     

Nature Walk....................          

Covenant....................     17     

Intrigue....................     18     

Night Shade....................     19     

Peacock's Pleasure....................     21     

Silhouettes....................     22     

Transformed....................     23     

Prayer, Faith and Motivation....................          

Call Jesus....................     27     

Closer Walk....................     28     

Defined by You....................     29     

Dream Buster....................     30     

Empowered....................     31     

Fear....................     32     

Forgiveness....................     34     

Identity Theft....................     35     

Mold Me....................     36     

Self Doubt....................     37     

There Are Days....................     38     

Woman with the Issue....................     39     

Love, Life's Lessons and Appreciation....................          

Choices....................     43     

Debonair Fathers....................     44     

Galaxy....................     46     

Laughter....................     47     

Ode to Mothers....................     48     

Olive Branch....................     50     

Procrastination....................     51     

Somebody's Child....................     52     

The Old Rocking Chair....................     54     

The Power of Words....................     57     

What then is Love?....................     58     

Ripples of the Heart....................     59     

Tribute to Aunt Polly....................     61     

About the Author....................     63