The Essence of Love

2With Valentine's Day fast approaching, the world turns its focus to "love". But what is "love", really? Perahaps it can best be defined, not in words, but in a thousand pictures God has given us to illustrate His profound feelings for those He created. Love is all around us and in us, if we only open not only our eyes, but our hearts...

The Essence of Love

Love is a sunrise- a radiant kiss

   of life and warmth to all creation,

The heavens' amidst;
   a glorious light of truth and dedication.

Love is a seashore- golden sand
   and silver waves depict the timeless art;
Collecting and sifting, again and again,
   carefully discerning those thoughts of the heart.

Love is a gentle rain shower in spring-
   soothing the thirst of a weary one's soul.
Falling, it makes the heat to sing
   and tenderly urges the flowers to grow.

Love is a mountain- majestic and strong;
   a colossus of truth, changeless and free;
A powerful fortress which all nature bonds
   and holds in its chambers life's key.

Love is a miracle- God’s special gift;
   His perfect plan brought to earth.
Love is the essence of all that is His;
   the measure of life and its worth.

And those who discover this wondrous gift
   hold greater wealth than the world can know.
It is love's priceless treasure that brings hearts a'lift;
   for the essence of love is life to the soul.

© 2009 Angela Hall Dobbins

If you want to discover or learn more about God's deep and endearing love for you, visit True Life Family Ministries or True Living Today- Life Coaching with purpose & passion.

The Will of God

January 1, 2010 by Rest Ministries

As we begin our new year it can be tempting to wonder if God really understands that our bodies cannot keep up with our dreams of all we’d like to do – for Him, ourselves, our family, those we care about.

But He does know exactly how you are feeling today. . . and how you will feel tomorrow. He knows you lack energy, even on days you may have enthusiasm and you feel like the day was wasted. Remember that God never wastes anything. Your time and your experiences are all a part of His greater plan.

The Will of God

The will of God will never take you,
Where the grace of God cannot keep you,
Where the arms of God cannot support you,
Where the riches of God cannot supply your needs,
Where the power of God cannot endow you.

The will of God will never take you,
Where the Spirit of God cannot work through you,
Where the wisdom of God cannot teach you,
Where the army of God cannot protect you,
Where the hands of God cannot mold you.

The will of God will never take you,
Where the love of God cannot enfold you,
Where the mercies of God cannot sustain you,
Where the peace of God cannot calm your fears,
Where the authority of God cannot overrule for you.

The will of God will never take you,
Where the comfort of God cannot dry your tears,
Where the Word of God cannot feed you,
Where the miracles of God cannot be done for you,
Where the omnipresence of God cannot find you.

Everything happens for a purpose. We may not see the wisdom of it all now, but trust and believe in God that everything is for the best.

~Author unknown

Lisa Copen submitted this devotional. She is the founder of Rest Ministries and lives with rheumatoid arthritis.

Beautiful Days Of Autumn

Beautiful Days of Autumn

~ Angela Hall Dobbins

Autumn leaves swirl ‘round in circles

O’er the beautiful, shimmering pond,

And, in the meadow, wildflowers wake

Into the misty fog beyond.

The sparrows seem to dance a ballet

‘Round the oak tree’s branching bows,

And the mockingbirds sing their melodies

In the time to them nature allows.

Little cottontails scamper ‘cross the meadow,

All covered in sparkling dew,

To drink from a stream of rainwater

That has freshly fallen anew.

The squirrel is gathering nuts

For the winter yet to come.

And, though it seems he’s plenty,

He’s always lacking some.

These beautiful days of autumn

The beholder will long remember,

For each reveals the Creator’s heart,

In all its glorious splendor.


Photo art by Angela Hall Dobbins

For more Christian poetry and bits of wisdom, visit True Life Family Ministries

What God Hath Promised

What God Hath Promised    

God hath not promised

Skies always blue,

Flower-strewn pathways

All our lives through;

God hath not promised

Sun without rain,

Joy without sorrow,

Peace without pain.

But God hath promised

Strength for the day,

Rest for the labor,

Light for the way,

Grace for the trials,

Help from above,

Unfailing sympathy,

Undying love.

~ Annie Johnson Flint