The Presence & Poetry Podcast

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 

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

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

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

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

It is essential that we know who Jesus really is. When we understand His identity as the Son of God who took on human flesh, we will better appreciate the significance of His sacrifice on the cross for us. We are reconciled to the Father by grace, not by our good works. Jesus took on the punishment for our sins that we deserve, and made a way through His blood for us to be in right standing with the Father. We can now boldly approach God and draw near to Him with the confidence that we are loved and accepted through His Son. For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— not by works, so that no one can boast. Ephesians 2:8-9 If you declare with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you profess your faith and are saved. Romans 10:9-10 For I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God that brings salvation to everyone who believes: first to the Jew, then to the Gentile. Romans 1:16

We do not have to conform to the labels that seek to limit us. When we find our identity in what God says about us, we can rest in His love as well as live in freedom. His words are the only ones that truly matter. He calls us loved, forgiven and redeemed. For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful; I know that full well. Psalm 139:13-14 “Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; I have summoned you by name; you are Mine.”  Isaiah 41:3

This poem is a call to boldly let our lights shine in a dark world. As we spend time with the Lord and grow in our relationship with Him, we will begin to reflect His glory and love in greater measures. We will radiate His goodness everywhere. Arise, shine, for your light has come, and the glory of the Lord rises upon you. See, darkness covers the earth and thick darkness is over the peoples, but the Lord rises upon you and his glory appears over you. Nations will come to your light, and kings to the brightness of your dawn. Isaiah 60:1-3 You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden.  Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house.  In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven. Matthew 5:14-16

Christ’s sacrifice on the cross was an acceptable offering to God. He took on the punishment that we deserve, so now because of His blood we have full access to the Father. This poem is a prayer that my life would be an offering to my King out of gratitude for all He has done for me. For God made Christ, who never sinned, to be the offering for our sin, so that we could be made right with God through Christ. 2 Corinthians 5:21

We can look at the world through new eyes when we realize the glory and power of Jesus’ resurrection. As our outlook on life is transformed through the Word of God, we can joyfully bring the hope of Christ to a broken and hurting world. Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead. 1 Peter 1:3 “Therefore, go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” Matthew 28:19-20  

I pray this poem encourages you that God is with you even in the middle of the valley of the shadow. He loves you in the middle of the struggle, the pain, the confusion, the heartache. He is right there, in the middle of it all. The Lord is my shepherd, I lack nothing. He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters, he refreshes my soul. He guides me along the right paths for his name’s sake. Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me. Psalm 23:1-4

Jesus is knocking at the door of our hearts. He desires us to open up and let Him have full access to every area of our lives. I encourage you to let Jesus into every area of your heart. When you give Him your whole heart, He will make your heart whole. He will restore what is broken and will provide you with steadfast peace, radiant joy and unshakable hope. This poem expresses the journey of my relationship with Jesus during a very difficult season. Even when I wanted to hide, He still gently beckoned me closer to His heart. Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with that person, and they with me. Revelation 3:20

We often try to hide our scars from God and from others. But our scars, our wounds and weaknesses, can actually lead others to the Healer. Even Jesus has scars. His scars testify of His love for us. Likewise, our scars testify of His compassion and healing in our lives. We can boldly show our scars because others will see Jesus through them. But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was on him, and by his wounds we are healed. Isaiah 53:5 After he said this, he showed them his hands and side. The disciples were overjoyed when they saw the Lord. John 20:20

When we realize who God has made us to be and align with His plans and purposes for our lives, we will begin to experience the “MORE” we were made for. We will live in the joy of looking beyond ourselves and discover the beauty of serving others. We will remain confident in what God says about us no matter the opinions of the crowd. We will live the abundant life Jesus died to give us when we lay down our entire life to follow Him. When we choose to give our whole lives over to Him, we will actually understand more than ever what it means to live. Now is the time to step into the abundant life Jesus provided. Our King is inviting us into a fresh start, an awakening to who we are and who He’s called us to be. We were made for more. Then Jesus said to his disciples, “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me. For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me will find it.” Matthew 16:24-25