Poetry: “I Am Near to You” by Angela Hunt, 2005.

My people, I AM near to you:

I am as close as the mention of My name.

I am as near as your yearning for Me,

As near as the desire in your heart.

I am as close to you as the tear in your eye.

Realize I desire to have a relationship with My Beloved

that is more than a Sunday morning date–

I want a moment-by-moment friendship with

you through your week.

I want a relationship with you that is the envy of the world.

But I need your response.

I require your ascent.

I am asking you to respond now . . . because I love you.

“My Soul Thirsts for You, O Lord” © Charlotte Laxen Helfritz, 2014

“I Am Near to You” © Angela Hunt, 2005

The post My Soul Thirsts for You, O Lord first appeared on Great Commission Artists.

Poem: “The Storm” by Angela Hunt, 2009.

Few

Are willing to step there,

There, into the storm.

They, instead,

Whisper their incantations

Of warrior prayer, intent upon their escape.

They willingly march around the fire

For forty years they circle it

Then go into the Promised Land

In flesh and blood

Instead of in spirit and in power

Expecting the delight of their Father.

Few there are

Who learn to pray that way:

To command the demons still.

But fewer still

Who whisper

Not my will

But Thine be done

Then willingly open and step inside

The furnace

To embrace the white hot holy

And be consumed.

You may be one of the few

The elite

Who, rather than

War away spiritual giants

Come to test you and make you fit,

Instead, even of positioning armor

Preparing to parry and thrust,

Set it all aside in the wilderness

And allow the pummeling

Without turning cheek to run.

You 

Who have suffered in cell

For a Righteous cause;

In bed, in silence

Knowing your Redeemer lives

As you fade to black;

You who have endured in obscurity

As fame and fortune march around you

You

Who have been faithful

Though He slay you

To you,

Faithful,

Will be whispered,

“Well done”.

For you

Is the Crown of Life

Promised

Prepared

Hoisted

Polished

And secured.

“Struggle of the Will” © Barbara Bonnell, 2022

“The Storm” © Angela Hunt @6/28/09

The post Struggle of the Will first appeared on Great Commission Artists.

She wandered into the Wonder.

She followed close to the man who makes miracles.

She stepped out in faith because she knew He holds the world. 

She knew He heals the world.

She looked for her Father’s face in everything.

She believed in beauty; she saw it in everything and in everyone.

She leaned in close to see, she knew we are all image bearers.

Some radiated His peace and love, but all needed it radiated back to them.

She fell short and so did all the rest as they wandered.

She met some on the narrow path, some in the desert lands, some in the wilderness; He was there, so she was there.  

She could see the connection between all creation.

She could see The Creator in all of creation.

She could see when He held her gaze.

She wandered into the Wonder.

She would wander until He called her home.

Until then, she carried the wonder with her.

Art “Wander into the Wonder” Copyright © Kris Newlin, 2023; Poetry “Copyright @ Kris Newlin, 2024

The post Wander into the Wonder first appeared on Great Commission Artists.

Remember!

When the going is rough

and resistance is tough,

Be Strong!

Endure through your trials,

and search for the smiles,

Take Courage!

When your heart is alarmed

and you’re facing great harm,

Don’t Fear!

When you cannot find hope

and are struggling to cope,

Don’t Despair!

There’s no time or place

when you can’t find My face,

I’m Here!

I’m with you forever

In every endeavor,

Always!

Art: “Still” Copyright © Rachel L., 2020

Poem: “Remember My Words” Copyright © Liz Kimmel

Poem inspired by Joshua 1:9 in The Message version

                                                            “Haven’t I commanded you?

                                                            Strength! Courage!

                                                            Don’t be timid, don’t get discouraged.

                                                            God, your God, is with you 

                                                            Every step you take.”

The post Still first appeared on Great Commission Artists.

a musty, earthy smell escapes its plastic prison
as I open a new block of clay
calming me, connecting me to the earth
taking me home

a slab is cut
fingers curl the slab as hands begin
to wedge the clay like playing in mud as a child

a memory flashes
a young son and daughter fly into the house
mud covered faces, arms, legs
eyes sparkling with glee “we’re mud monsters!”

slapping the clay on the wheel, moistened hands surround it
as it starts to spin, the world disappears
alone with the clay, I become the mud monster
pushing and pulling, challenging the clay to become what I want
though often I follow its lead, allowing the clay to become what it wants

from dust we were created, connected to the earth forever,
holding a piece of earth in my hands, molding it into something beautiful
I feel its energy
energy that flows through everything
renewing, grounding

Image “Master Potter” Copyright © Shannon Wirrenga, 2023

Poem “Untitled” Copyright © Gail Lipe, 2024

The post Master Potter first appeared on Great Commission Artists.

Peace is a product of God’s design.

It didn’t just happen without the divine.

It’s not an accident or a mistake – 

He gave it to us to heal every ache.

Peace comes to our hearts by knowing God’s Son.

It’s a wonderful gift that He gave to each one.

Its presence is not linked to circumstance,

But communion with Jesus at every chance.

It’s one of the Spirit’s top three gifts.

Without love, joy, and peace all the others might shift.

They form the foundation on which we build

Relationships waiting on God to be filled.

This gift from the Father we’re not to keep.

Our job is to share it with all we meet.

As the Light of the World, we shine with God’s peace,

That the growth of His kingdom would never cease. 

Art Peace and a Promise © Susanne Redfield, 2023

Poem “Principles of Peace” © Liz Kimmel, 2024

The post Peace and a Promise first appeared on Great Commission Artists.

Who should we listen to? The godly and wise.

How should we walk?  With wide open eyes.

What should delight us? The Word of the Lord.

To think on it day and night brings great reward.

This is the way that we prosper and thrive.

We’re just like the trees that are fully alive. 

Our roots go down deep to the waters below,

and the open heavens help us to grow. 

The fruit that we yield is for all to enjoy 

and the blessings from God nothing can destroy.

The trials of each day will not hinder our lives.

God’s Word surrounds us and makes us to thrive.

Image Trees of the Field Copyright © Sandy Tuzinski, 2024

Poem “Psalm 1” Copyright © Liz Kimmel, 2024

The post Trees of the Field first appeared on Great Commission Artists.

In all my wanderings,

In all my doubts,

In all the times I spent figuring it out.

You met me with Love,

You showed me Your Grace

You filled me with wonder as I turned to Your face.

In all the times I strayed from the path,

In all my confusion and all my wrath,

You continued to fight on my behalf.

So many times I wasted following my own lead,

So many days I tried to meet my own needs,

So many moments I barely believed.

In all the times I did not seek You first,

In all the times I gave You my worst,

You quenched my withered heart’s thirst.

You were always there, waiting for my love,

You were always pointing toward the wonder from above,

Reminding me that with You, I am always enough.

I give you my love, my life, and all that is within me

It is my hope, Your Wonder is what the world sees,

You, The Creator of All that is, was, and will be.

Image Watching God’s Active Presence Copyright © Barbara Nelson, 2024

Poem “Always There” Copyright © Kris Newlin, 2024

The post Watching God’s Active Presence first appeared on Great Commission Artists.