Finding The Secret

More Than Conquerors
April 2004 Part 2

“Then God said, ‘Let us make man in our image, in our likeness, and let them rule over the fish of the sea and the birds of the air, over the livestock, over all the earth, and over all the creatures that move along the ground.’ So God created man in His own image, in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them.”
—Genesis 1:26-27

We are around other people so much that we often take each other for granted. Selfishness clouds our vision and we quickly lose sight of how special people are! If we lived on an island by ourselves, we would soon long for human companionship.

When God created Adam alone in the garden, He said “it is not good for man to be alone” even though Adam had all the animal companionship he could desire! God knew that Adam needed another human to fellowship with, and so He created the perfect match for him.

Both Adam and Eve were created in the image of God. Every human being was created in the image of God! That is the beautiful truth we so easily lose sight of when we take each other for granted. Humans are the only creatures given creativity, logic, and a will. And each one of us is special in the eyes of God.

As we interact daily with each other, let us always remember that each of us is created in the image of God, and is a masterpiece of His creation.

Special In The Eyes Of God

I see that you are down again—
You cannot see why God would care—
We’re dust among the galaxies,
Why should He listen to our prayers?

But you’re a handiwork of love,
You’re special in our Father’s eyes—
If He could cherish but one thing
Then you and I would be His prize!

The creeks are whispering your name,
The flowers watch your every move,
They wait in expectation now
To see God’s love for you be proved—

All creation is longing for
The sons of God to be revealed,
To gaze at you with joy unmatched
The masterpiece now unconcealed!

“The creation waits in eager expectation for the sons of God to be revealed.”
—Romans 8:19

—Benjamin Graber

Consider This

People come and people go; how you treat them, you should know.
Can make them either feel so great, or make them really want to hate—
The life they live, because, you see, you made them feel so horribly.
The struggles that they face each day, can make them sad and weary,
But just a kind and thoughtful word might change their day to Cheery!
So watch your words, your actions, too; be very, very careful
To say a kind and thoughtful word, and please do not be hurtful.
If you can’t say a nice, kind word, then leave your thoughts unsaid
Your silence will protect a wound, when words are left unread.
And when you have an attitude, remember this one thought:
Your actions, even without words, can hurt and cause a lot
Of pain and tears in someone’s heart—be loving, tenderhearted
So joy remains, good feelings stay, long after you have parted.
So think before you act or speak, and only say what you,
In kind would like to hear come back; Sometimes we must be meek.
If you have had a real bad day, just try to stop and think—
That maybe that the one you see needs help along the way.

“Be kind to one another, tenderhearted and forgiving...”

—Greta K. Cole
© 2000 Greta Cole. Used with permission.

No One

There is no one quite like you.
You’re unique in many ways.
You sooth a broken heart,
Bring joy and brighter days.

Your smile lights up my world.
Laughter echoes through the hills.
Your walk portrays a confidence
In the Lord. You serve at will.

His love has filled your heart
And you share it willingly.
His grace, imparted in your life,
You’ve given back to me.

No one could touch my heart
Quite the way you do.
You’ve accepted me as I am
And that’s why I love you.

© 2003 by Marie Williams
Used with permission

Trinity

A tiny mass of human cells
Sighs sweetly up at me—
Lying precious in my arms,
What a miracle is she—

Fragile fingers, rosy pink,
Moving in my hand—
Watching her I lose all sense
Of time as still I stand—

If this is chance, then why am I
So struck with awe because
God has kissed this little nose?
I think we’re both in love—

—Joanna Spencer
© Joanna J. Spencer. Used with permission.

A Tea Party

A steaming cup of tea—
Friend, would you share with me?

Please, take a cookie—take one or two!
They will be crisp and sweet for you to chew.

We can talk of gardening, of cooking and love
We can share our thoughts of our Father above.

A big lazy bee is buzzing by
Resting on pretty bright flowers nearby.

We can share our dreams and our hopes
What things make us sad and what makes us mope!

The clouds move languidly through the sky
Drifting along on the winds so high.

We can love each other as God loved us.
We can strive to one another bless!

Oh, do be careful—your tea is hot!
A hummingbird sits on a blue forget-me-not.

We can put our armor on, bein’ in this world.
Strengthen our bond as siblings in the Lord.

A steaming cup of tea—
Dear friend, thanks so for sharing with me!

—Terra Mandrell
© Terra Mandrell. Used with permission.

Iron Fist

There you stand, with iron fist
About to crush the fragile rose;
Petals trampled underfoot
Are those that you considered foes.

Dare you stand in place of God?
The beauty will you cruelly grind?
As you stand with kingly pride
Have you discovered God’s own mind?

Rose of His creation
It’s precious in the Father’s eyes
He would not have damaged it—
That lovely flower you despise.

Lest you be mislead, my friend,
Be careful ere you trample it,
When you stand at Heaven’s throne
You’ll be before the Infinite!

—Benjamin Graber

A poor torn heart, a tattered heart,
That sat it down to rest,
Nor noticed that the ebbing day
Flowed silver to the west,
Nor noticed night did soft descend
Nor constellation burn,
Intent upon the vision
Of latitudes unknown.

The angels, happening that way,
This dusty heart espied;
Tenderly took it up from toil
And carried it to God.
There,—sandals for the barefoot;
There,—gathered from the gales,
Do the blue havens by the hand
Lead the wandering sails.

—Emily Dickinson

Living Stones

Once lost within the depths of earth
And strangled in your self-made night,
A hundred miles from any purpose,
You didn’t know the joy of light.

But then a gentle hand came down
And cut you from your prison cell!
Not only did He free your soul,
He had a plan for you as well—

He cleansed you with refining fire,
And sifted through the useless dross,
And everything He found worth saving
He gladly purchased at the cross!

And then, with joy, He took His prize
And made you part of His own home—
And we fulfill eternal plans
As we become His living stones!

—Benjamin Graber

“Who shall separate us from the love of Christ?
Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or
nakedness or danger or sword?… No, in all these things
we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us.”
—Romans 8:35, 37

If you have any comments or questions, or if you have a poem to share, please send an e-mail to bgraber@neo.rr.com

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