Best Chastening Poems
Dreams Dancing A Dance Into Retreating Time
I hasten to see worrying worries flown
In abyss of chastening chastened fires,
For decades she held tight, loving love, her own,
Soft melody, with noted notes that inspire,
Fallen spirit given grasping grasps at hope,
Dreams dancing a dance into retreating Time,
Resplendent ardor, its aching aches a rope,
Wrapping blessed blessings true, sweet and sublime!
There within bluest blues, sweet angel resides:
Her feet prancing a prance in bright ruby shoes
Through mirroring mirrors where no secret hides
With laughing laughs, tossing treasures two by two's.
Where dreaming dreams and only love's heart abides
Resplendent loving love sings, and then decides!
Robert J. Lindley, 3-23-2019
Sonnet, ( Of Dreams, When Full Moon's Glow Sings)
Note: A heavily reworked old poem fragment, which was
originally dated from September 3rd, 1977...
As we travel along with a heart full of song,
We've a dream that hangs on a rope;
Like a lantern of light, shining at night,
She shines on the fair dwelling called hope.
The arms of time roll round as we climb,
And our youth fades fast with the years;
With a soul grown numb, with sorrows we come,
Back to the valley of tears.
Still forward we press with faults to confess,
With hearts that need much repair;
Where glistening gleams on soft sunbeams,
Shines on a world of despair.
All lives need change but the heart can estrange,
A soul from the Father above;
And reviling the rod administered by God,
Brings chastening He calls Love.
Illumination of wondrous delight
Enlightening moments midst wisdom flight…
They commenced by my parents’ teaching light.
Vivid kindergarten nursery rhymes
Became functional with my Mother’s chimes
As Dad reinforced in glad counting times.
Grader’s home works became partnership bliss
Since Mom’s project-aids I never did miss
With Father’s assistance midst “that or this.”
Learning in high school midst challenges’ pain
Turned to triumph with lessons I did gain
Since parents support prevailed of love*-reign.
Reminiscing “learning is fun” at home
I longed for safe educational dome
Where truth around Mom and Dad I did roam.
Grateful to God for fruitful learning zest
I commend parental guidance as best
Inside concern, comfort compassion’s nest
Now, faced with special child’s tutorial spree
My heart rejoices midst mentoring glee
Beholding his milestones along faith’s key.
*Proverbs 3:11-12 My son, despise not the chastening of the Lord; neither be weary of his correction: For whom the Lord loveth he correcteth; even as a father the son in whom he delighteth.
October 17, 2022
8th place, "Your Favourite Rhyming Poem from the second half of 2022" Poetry Writing Contest
Sponsored by Julia Ward; judged on 2/1/2023.
The Personification of Success
Success when seen with my eyes looks like quilts, diaries, prayers chastening rods and lots of hugs, off to school and then to college even marriage too.
Success smells like pastures with cows horses and chickens in a coop, orchids in the meadows, daisy’s and pine and big tall paper trees and Squirrels running on the power line ; rabbits running through the bushes, smoke from the wood left from previous campers which lingers .
Success taste like a
feast on the table with lots of apple pies, you know Turkey with dressing rice with gravy , and a green beans recipe you got from your neighbor.
Success sounds like laughter, cheering and little children playing .grandma and grandpa giving sound advice; oh wait it sounds like my fast car playing melodies on the radio I like to hear; and my favorite TV shows and funny episodes.
Success I can touch it my with my hands, because it
Feels like real possessions from my labor, I can sigh with relief because of my achievement. I really work hard and do what is right and I am free to live good.
Success Is displaying charity through the lenses of hope giving with only good intentions asking nothing in return as was taught to you and displayed by people who have come before you ; for Instance, you recall your parents , Pastors ,teachers , mentors and friends. Their success exemplifies just how it should be.
The end.
By Felicia Elizabeth Jefferson written for my Children to inspire them to follow after success.
Hewn in verse and ancient lore,
It descends through an open door
To place its fingers on mortal souls,
On meager pleas on lifeless shoals.
Far below where creatures dwell,
Its surging scorn is born as rising embers swell.
Small shadows merge where thoughts collect,
And pierce the fog of day,
Murmured sounds rise to settle on unsympathetic play.
Cast aside each whimper lost within a chastening howl;
Hidden in burrows, mortals scurry
And feel the weight of worry.
Dark whispers mingle ravenous desires
From misty lofts in chambers forlorn,
From anvil thrones their cries adorn the morn.
From a heavenly palace, they scatter stones of malice;
Sparks of thunder pierce the night,
Then fade from sight.
Their cold embrace excites our race;
Unleashed hordes reap our toil,
And plunder our grace.
My Poems
Are but only and unto me
An inner source of both shuttling
and chastening my day dreams
My very own fantastical imagination
galaxy and far off universe
Inside my head rallying me to discover
what may well just reside beyond the
setting stellar sun or dark side of the moon
Because I would far rather be alone and
searching for something more significant
other than this out there than here
Than awaken again tomorrow with a
sore neck from staring up at a sky full
of shooting stars
Constantly wishing and waiting for the quickening crash of thunder and lightning
to strike
And with such levity and brevity of
clarified thought and sadly devoid of
any means of leaving this world's earths atmosphere behind
I instead have no other option left but
to try and imagine it's splendor in my
mind's eye
And even if I was to take this journey
on my own alone with not another
single soul or anyone to tell
How would that be any different
but rather so much better than being
surrounded by people but nobody
willing to listen
I think at least much like the 1st Apollo
crew taking 1 small step for mankind
who returned
I would rather happily live out the rest
of my life as a Giant
Jettisoned as a castaway just me myself
and Wilson
Gazing out a porthole both utterly bemused
and blown away taking in an ever increasing
impressive interplanetary firework display
Thankful for the fact this ethereal majesty
has thus far been spared from humankind
Otherwise this would probably by now
have been turned into a ride on an
amusement park complete with hotel
casino fast food chains and shopping mall
It’s hard again
And the loneliness
Abrades the skin and soul
I am yours
With assurance I am whole
But not today
The saints seem
All so far away
And claiming victory
Even in the smallest things
While I doubt much
And fear the strokes
That chastening brings.
But Father this is just
Denial of your love
You feel and touch
And timely send your
Rescue from above
Mine to wait and watch
And speak those words
Of timeless writ
Til I see the joy of it.
When trials seems to want to show up
And life’s headaches makes you want to throw your hands up
Jesus says don’t be discouraged you are not in despaired
When you are tired of always going through a test
Always your life in such a big fat mess
Jesus says don’t be discouraged come to me I’ll give you rest
When people want to try and keep you down
Not willing to lift your spirits up, you frown
Jesus says don’t be discouraged I’m always around
When you think everyone has turned their backs on you
And you just don’t know what in the world to do
Jesus says don’t be discouraged I’m here to guide you through
When you feel alone got no more strength to stand
Feeling your feet sinking in the sand
Jesus says don’t be discouraged I’m here holding your hand
When folks don’t want to give you your respect
And you know in your heart you’re doing you’re very best
Jesus says don’t be discouraged lay your head upon my chest
When satan is doing nothing more than to steal, kill and destroy
You don’t think life you’ll ever enjoy
Jesus says don’t be discouraged I’m going to restore
When putting one foot in front of the other
And you find that you can’t put hope in another
Jesus says don’t be discouraged I am your brother
When satan tries to steal your joy away
Trying real hard to keep your spirits at bay
Jesus says don’t be discouraged I’m just a pray away
So when the trials of life have you spinning all around
Keep your head up and don’t look down
And remember Jesus says don’t be discouraged
Because I am here to keep you encouraged!
Hebrews 12: 5-6
….My son, do not despise the chastening of the Lord,
nor be discouraged when you are rebuke by Him;
for whom the Lord loves He chastens.
Complaining with bitterness
My heart mourns over selfishness-caused angst
Grieving because of pride-bruised infirmity…
Oh, God… correct me, I beg
As I submit to You, humbly broken
Thanking You for chastening me with Your love
For my virtuous transformation…
…never impossible through faith’s strength!
Immersing in failure’s frustration
My soul wallows in futile blame-game
Afflicted with vanity ailment…
Oh, God… Your mercy* I beseech
While I yearn for Your corrective act
Praising You for awakening me by Your grace
Toward triumphant servanthood…
…marked with joyous obedience!
*Psalm 30:10 Hear, O LORD, and have mercy upon me: LORD, be thou my helper.
June 28, 2019
A cooling autumn breeze
laden with the perfume of fallen leaves
and forest earth;
an earth of crumbly black
that guards dame nature's hidden scheme.
Tiny squirrels scamper
thither and fro
while below
the forest villain slowly plods
he wears his winter sleeping robe of cinnamon hue.
This is a time when gross delusion falls in sleep
anesthetized by autumn's chastening air
for there are few who really hear
this season's lyric song of quarter tones.
And like the wild berry bush that never cares
if anyone should taste its sumptuous fruit
or if it goes to seed
it is there for the patient and the unafraid.
Trials to blessings? Is it so
that the evil I encounter
God redeems to good from woe?
Afflictions, vexing confounders,
convulsing me upon the surge,
the Master Potter's implements
to conform me, mold and purge.
Confident His just intent
is with skillful wheel to craft
an object shapely for His pleasure.
Upon the scrap heap never cast
an imperfect caricature,
unyielding to Your purposes,
disobedient to Your plan.
Pliable--not rigid, formless--
surrendered in Your loving hand,
the sharp knife shapes the tender clay;
I flinch beneath the chastening mace:
My God determined to portray
a trophy worth of His grace.
© Faye Lanham Gibson, 6-14-2014
Walking in peace amidst of the war For the sword is sent and the bow is bent Go through the straight gate a narrow door Repent enter the light where the darkness is rent Turning from your sin which is hard fallow ground Love the Lord with all your heart and your fellow man Swords spears pruning hooks and ploughshares abound All in your hand but where to plant Tell me if you can Ploughing through your hearts and mind The peaceable fruit comes from pruning Chastening can seem painful for a time But there is peace and love is blooming Learning to war no more must start With knowing what is in your heart 10/24/2015
February 24 Relationship to God Bible Meditations
Based on Deuteronomy 29-31
Key Verse– Deuteronomy 29:13 That he may establish thee to day for a people unto himself, and that he may be unto thee a God…
LORD GOD, YOU ARE MY LIFE ESTABLISHER
Lord God, You are my life Establisher, strengthening me by Your covenant
Thank You for calling me to be Your child, despite being sinfully repugnant
So I can experience Your miracles, powerfully dominant…
Please always lead me to Your will, away from becoming stagnant.
Lord God, You are my life Establisher, setting me to prosper by Your nourishing
Thank You for carrying me to Your refuge, sheltered for peace-relishing
So I can exercise separation against temptations’ pushing…
Please always let me rise up toward worship-flourishing.
Lord God, You are my life Establisher, satisfying me by Your compassion
Thank You for cleansing from filthiness of transgression
So I can exalt Your name with my praises’ jubilation…
Please always liberate me against entanglement of worldly distraction.
Lord God, You are my life Establisher, seeking me to walk in Your ways
Thank You for cheering me up by Your kindness all through the days
So I can express my love for You along Your truth-mercy rays…
Please always listen to every time my spirit prays.
Lord God, You are my life Establisher, showing me Your goodness
Thank You for correcting me every time I fail You in my unfaithfulness
So I can examine myself according to Your laws’ clearness…
Please always light my way as I learn from Your graciousness.
Lord God, You are my life Establisher, shaping me up along biblical service
Thank You for carving me with Your grace along stewardship-bliss
So I can expose myself toward faithful ministerial practice…
Please always lengthen my faith’s endurance while I trust Your promise.
Lord God, You are my life Establisher, securing me by Your Book’s authority
Thank You for chastening me of my disobedience toward repentance-sincerity
So I can expect for Your Word’s wisdom toward my spiritual integrity…
Please always link me to Your heart for my devotion’s stability.
February 24, 2023
June 22 Relationship to God Bible Meditations Based on Proverbs 1-4
Key Verse – Proverbs 1:7 The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge: but fools despise wisdom and instruction.
LORD GOD, YOU ARE MY WISDOM INSTRUCTOR
Lord God, You are my wisdom Instructor
for my understanding’s perception
Thank You that Your justice enables my judgment of equity’s reception
Along Your divine knowledge and discretion
Toward my learning midst counsel interpretation.
Lord God, You are my wisdom Instructor
for my grace ornament
Thank You that Your law hinders my heart from sin-enticement
Along Your reproof against iniquity-entanglement
Toward my prosperity, protected from transgression-defilement.
Lord God, You are my wisdom Instructor
for my obedience to Your truth willingly
Thank You that Your precepts illumine my mind radiantly
Along Your guidance for me to walk upon Your ways uprightly
Toward my zeal to dwell in Your will constantly.
Lord God, You are my wisdom Instructor
for my days’ lengthening while from You, learning
Thank You that Your direction points my heart to heavenly leaning
Along Your correction with loving chastening
Toward my peace midst pleasant faith-refining.
Lord God, You are my wisdom Instructor
for my meaningful happiness
Thank You that Your statutes smite my foolishness
Along Your assurance against hopelessness
Toward my security, shielded by Your goodness.
Lord God, You are my wisdom Instructor
for my doctrine attendance
Thank You that Your principles propel my spiritual endurance
Along Your teachings against destructive arrogance
Toward my discipleship of faithfulness-sustenance.
Lord God, You are my wisdom Instructor
for my warning from spiritual departure
Thank You that Your Scriptures guard my soul against worldliness’ venture
Along Your exhortations bracing servanthood-posture
Toward my victory in ministerial loving gesture.
June 22, 2023
For our survival
You win our bread
In our pursuit rival
You show us a good head
On every crooked path
You, a good lead
There are friends
You are a more than...
Just like a mother.
To our 'Daddy'
A listening ear always
Courage to make hays
In the sun pelting rays
A true hand lending
Defines you a better father.
Under your arms
Secured and cared for
A true defence
When in murky trials
A chastening reliance
That checks every offence.
You teach me
To be a better person
For every lesson
Springs of wisdom
Thank you...
For God...For you
The best dad.