A Tribute To The Bride of Heaven

The Snow

2010-12-07T09:15:00.000-08:00

Today I got inspired to use my blog once again....for no apparent reason other than the snow that's laying outside my window. It's been almost three years since I've posted something and although this is for my own personal comfort alone, if you happen to be reading this I hope you find it enjoyable.

As I look outside my window I'm reminded about how much I love our Creator. Depressing as I may think snow may be, there is a light in every situation. Maybe I'm overly joyful this morning because for exactly a year and a half now I've been trudging along though life, because of certain circumstances that shall remain nameless for the time being, and now I'm ready to be joyful once more. The winter always depresses me; no sun, no warmth, no light!

But as I looked outside my window today I saw something shinning and new and beautiful. The world has turned into a snow globe and everyone is singing praises getting ready for Christmas. The Lord says to praise Him in all seasons, and although this is talking about seasons of life one must also take it literally. It is truly beautiful outside, and even more beautiful because I do not have to walk to class today and traipse about on the frozen ground. The sun is glittering off the ice sickles and it is the morning of a brand new day. This is truly the work of the greatest artist who ever lived, and is living still inside each of His children. How can we keep from dancing and singing His praise even if it is the dead of winter?

The Lady Of Shalott

2008-02-16T07:17:00.000-08:00

One of my all-time favorite poems by Lord Alfred Tennyson.......The Lady Of Shalott....enjoy!

The Lady of Shalott

On either side the river lie Long fields of barley and of rye, That clothe the wold and meet the sky; And through the field the road run by To many-tower'd Camelot; And up and down the people go, Gazing where the lilies blow Round an island there below, The island of Shalott.
Willows whiten, aspens quiver, Little breezes dusk and shiver Through the wave that runs for ever By the island in the river Flowing down to Camelot. Four grey walls, and four grey towers, Overlook a space of flowers, And the silent isle imbowers The Lady of Shalott.
By the margin, willow veil'd,Slide the heavy barges trail'd By slow horses; and unhail'd The shallop flitteth silken-sail'dSkimming down to Camelot: But who hath seen her wave her hand? Or at the casement seen her stand? Or is she known in all the land, The Lady of Shalott?
Only reapers, reaping early, In among the bearded barley Hear a song that echoes cheerly From the river winding clearly; Down to tower'd Camelot; And by the moon the reaper weary, Piling sheaves in uplands airy, Listening, whispers, " 'Tis the fairy The Lady of Shalott."
There she weaves by night and day A magic web with colours gay. She has heard a whisper say, A curse is on her if she stay To look down to Camelot. She knows not what the curse may be, And so she weaveth steadily, And little other care hath she, The Lady of Shalott.
And moving through a mirror clear That hangs before her all the year, Shadows of the world appear. There she sees the highway near Winding down to Camelot; There the river eddy whirls, And there the surly village churls, And the red cloaks of market girls Pass onward from Shalott.
Sometimes a troop of damsels glad, An abbot on an ambling pad, Sometimes a curly shepherd lad, Or long-hair'd page in crimson clad Goes by to tower'd Camelot; And sometimes through the mirror blue The knights come riding two and two. She hath no loyal Knight and true, The Lady of Shalott.
But in her web she still delights To weave the mirror's magic sights, For often through the silent nights A funeral, with plumes and lights And music, went to Camelot; Or when the Moon was overhead, Came two young lovers lately wed. "I am half sick of shadows," said The Lady of Shalott.
A bow-shot from her bower-eaves, He rode between the barley sheaves, The sun came dazzling thro' the leaves, And flamed upon the brazen greaves Of bold Sir Lancelot. A red-cross knight for ever kneel'd To a lady in his shield, That sparkled on the yellow field, Beside remote Shalott.
The gemmy bridle glitter'd free, Like to some branch of stars we see Hung in the golden Galaxy. The bridle bells rang merrily As he rode down to Camelot: And from his blazon'd baldric slung A mighty silver bugle hung, And as he rode his armor rung Beside remote Shalott.
All in the blue unclouded weather Thick-jewell'd shone the saddle-leather, The helmet and the helmet-feather Burn'd like one burning flame together, As he rode down to Camelot. As often thro' the purple night, Below the starry clusters bright, Some bearded meteor, burning bright, Moves over still Shalott.
His broad clear brow in sunlight glow'd; On burnish'd hooves his war-horse trode; From underneath his helmet flow'd His coal-black curls as on he rode, As he rode down to Camelot. From the bank and from the river He flashed into the crystal mirror, "Tirra lirra," by the river Sang Sir Lancelot.
She left the web, she left the loom, She made three paces through the room, She saw the water-lily bloom, She saw the helmet and the plume, She look'd down to Camelot. Out flew the web and floated wide; The mirror crack'd from side to side; "The curse is come upon me," cried The Lady of Shalott.
In the stormy east-wind straining, The pale yellow woods were waning, The broad stream in his banks complaining. Heavily the low sky raining Over tower'd Camelot; Down she came and found a boat Beneath a willow left afloat, And around about the prow she wrote The Lady of Shalott.
And down the river's dim expanse Like some bold seer in a trance, Seeing all his own mischance -- With a glassy countenance Did she look to Camelot. And at the closing of the day She loosed the chain, and down she lay; The broad stream bore her far away, The Lady of Shalott.
Lying, robed in snowy white That loosely flew to left and right -- The leaves upon her falling light -- Thro' the noises of the night, She floated down to Camelot: And as the boat-head wound along The willowy hills and fields among, They heard her singing her last song, The Lady of Shalott.
Heard a carol, mournful, holy, Chanted loudly, chanted lowly, Till her blood was frozen slowly, And her eyes were darkened wholly, Turn'd to tower'd Camelot. For ere she reach'd upon the tide The first house by the water-side, Singing in her song she died, The Lady of Shalott.
Under tower and balcony, By garden-wall and gallery, A gleaming shape she floated by, Dead-pale between the houses high, Silent into Camelot. Out upon the wharfs they came, Knight and Burgher, Lord and Dame, And around the prow they read her name, The Lady of Shalott.
Who is this? And what is here? And in the lighted palace near Died the sound of royal cheer; And they crossed themselves for fear, All the Knights at Camelot; But Lancelot mused a little space He said, "She has a lovely face; God in his mercy lend her grace, The Lady of Shalott."

Love Among the Ruins

2007-12-26T19:55:00.000-08:00

Where the quiet-coloured end of evening smiles,Miles and milesOn the solitary pastures where our sheepHalf-asleepTinkle homeward thro' the twilight, stray or stopAs they crop---Was the site once of a city great and gay,(So they say)Of our country's very capital, its princeAges sinceHeld his court in, gathered councils, wielding farPeace or war.

Oh heart! oh blood that freezes, blood that burns!Earth's returnsFor whole centuries of folly, noise and sin!Shut them in,With their triumphs and their glories and the rest!Love is best.
- Robert Browning

A Poem for a Lover

2007-11-28T18:33:00.000-08:00

As our bodies wither away my love our souls will always live on. I'll hold your hand this whole dark night till the rising dawn. Lean toward me my love, and kiss me so sweetly till I surrender to your charms completely. Be true my love, till the seas run dry, and I will be till the seas flood the sky. Now that our love is strong it will never lack. We will be together for oh so long even when our Lord calls us back.
- My Sister Ashley :)

The Unquiet Grave

2007-11-28T18:30:00.000-08:00

The Wind doth blow today, my love, And a few small drops of rain; I never had but one true-love,In cold grave she was lain. I'll do as much for my true-love, As any young man may; I'll sit and mourn all at her grave For a twelvemonth and a day. The twelvemonth and a day being up, The dead began to speak: 'Oh who sits weeping on my grave, And will not let me sleep? 'Tis I, my love, sits on your grave, And will not let you sleep; For I crave one kiss of your clay-cold lips, And that is all I seek. You crave one kiss of my clay-cold lips; But my breath smells earthly strong; If you have one kiss of my clay-cold lips, Your time will not be long. "Tis down in younder garden green, Love, where we used to walk, The finest flower that ere was seen Is withered to a stalk.The stalk is withered dry, my love, So will our hearts decay; So make yourself content, my love, Till God calls you away.
-Anonymous

This Morning

2007-11-16T07:44:00.000-08:00

The sun hath risen, barren of warmth. Light is its maker. the rays of loveliness reflect the colors of the leaves, a rainbow of promises coming forth brought by the new day. How lovely is your creation oh God! Why am I deserving? Light! Sun! I need thee! For the darkness of the night hath filled the void in my soul, soaking up the remainder of hope. A black evil, descending upon the mortals that dwell on earth. May light of the immortal, of the other realm, battle the darkness that has covered my thoughts! Light of the sun! Come! Morning has arrived, Darkness has fled. My Spirit, my breath, can indeed be seen, tis so cold. The light hath come! The warmth I desire must, however, come from You, my Eternal Creator. Fill up the void in my soul for darkness may last for a night, but joy comes with the promise of the rising of a new dawn......

Fear and Faith

2007-11-01T10:31:00.000-07:00

Oh Father! What must I do as to grow and nourish my faith? I must posses a great multitude of fear to not even speak against my own peers! Grant me favor and give me courage! As your people did in Rome, against hungry beasts, and swords of the world! It would be an honor to die for Your name, so that others may see Your glory, give me a peace to put my fearful soul at rest. Rest in You. As the world tries to pursue me, may I only pursue You! Give me the strength of the Martyrs who were beaten, burned, and suffered a living death all for You. Give me the faith, to put my fear aside, and look only on the hope of heaven. "Be faithful even to the point of death, and I will give you the crown of life" Revelation 2:10

Your Beloved- The Vineyard

2007-10-26T11:39:00.000-07:00

Lord it was You,You created the heavens. And Lord, it was Your handsThat put the stars in their place. Lord, it was Your voice That commands the morning.' Cause even oceans and their waves bow at your feet, O Lord. Lord, who am I Compared to Your glory? Lord, who am I Compared to Your majesty? 'Cause I'm your beloved,Your creation,And You love me as I am. You've called me, chosen For Your kingdom. Unashamed to call me your own I'm your beloved. Lord it was You, You created the heavens. And Lord, it was Your hands That put the stars in their place. Lord, it was Your voice That commands the morning. 'Cause even oceans and their waves bow at your feet, O Lord. Lord, who am I Compared to Your glory?Lord, who am I Compared to Your majesty? 'Cause I'm your beloved, Your creation, And You love me as I am. You've called me, chosenFor Your kingdom. Unashamed to call me your own I'm your beloved. Lord, who am I Compared to Your glory? Lord, who am I Compared to Your majesty? 'Cause I'm your beloved,Your creation, And You love me as I am. You've called me, chosen For Your kingdom. Unashamed to call me your own I'm your beloved.

To my lover, my Jesus.

2007-10-22T07:14:00.000-07:00

My Jesus! You love me as a husband loves his wife. I am intoxicated by you, as you are me. May your love be all I every need. I relinquish my soul to you and give you my heart freely, for you have given me yours. May I drown in your eyes of beauty, and your love for me. You created me, and yet, love me more then the stars in the sky you have called by name. I thank you for the pleasure that fills up the void in my soul destined for oblivion, until you rescued me; my knight in shinning armour. To you, I give the glory. I cherish you, my father, lover, and spirit.

"A king was travaling upon an acient road, that led to a field, and he stumbled upon a newborn baby. A baby with its cord still attached, and laying in her life's blood. He, unlike everyone else who passed by that day, picked her up. Her blood stained His hands, and yet he did not care. He took her back to His palace, and clothed her, and nourished her. For she had been abandoned, a daughter of a prostitute, who cared nothing but her own flesh. The child was placed in the care of a noblewoman, who lived in a quaint cottage outside of His kingdom. Occasionally He would come and check on the girl, to make sure His treasure was being kept polished."

" 16 years had passed, and the girl grew up to be a beauty of spirit and face. It had become the day that the King should check up on His child, that had become a woman. As He saw her face, He was intoxicated by her beauty. She was a creation of worth. A baby who had been abandoned by a prostitute, and left to die, had become the favorite of the King. He swept her off her feet, and announced it was time. A wedding was planned, for the King finally had His bride. After much patients, and love, He had His love. They loved each other forever and ever, and still live today. For you are the princess, that had been abandoned, and had captured the King's heart. A Cinderella, born from ashes, has been made into a princess." - Lisa Bevere, Kissed the Girls and Made them Cry

2007-10-20T05:00:00.000-07:00

Hungry, I come to you for I know you satisfyI am empty, but I know Your love does not run dryAnd so I wait for You so I wait for You.I'm falling on my knees Offering all of me Jesus, You're all this heart is living for. Broken, I run to You for Your arms are open wide. I am weary, but I know Your touch restores my life. And so I wait for You so I wait for You- The Vineyard Church

A Promise to the Lord

2007-10-18T07:29:00.001-07:00

May I drown in your presence, may I receive your crown of love. May I praise you with everything that is within me, and scorn those that don't. May I find comfort in your bosom and Love in your words. May I rise up with perfect hatred with those that scorn you. May I dance in the streets for you dearest Lord. May I be intoxicated by your presence. May I bow before you with the highest honor. May I be your circle, your bride. Father I ask thee! Unshackle my woebegone mortal soul, and may my rose red blood run pearl white with purity and love. Drown me in your mercy, suffocate me in your grace. May I die here on earth for your glory. You, beloved, deserve nothing less, for you have died for me. I sent you to the cross, may you send me back, so that I may follow you. I love you with me entire being. I worship you Father.

To die is to live

2007-10-18T06:38:00.000-07:00

May I give up this old life of mine, for one made new! Like a baby finally born to waiting parents! Breath life into me, and make my soul something of worth. Kill my body, birth my soul! Drown me, so that I may live in you! I will never turn from your love! Everything you do, chases me back to it. Embrace me! Save me! Love and cherish me! Lavish upon me, woo me, for I am your circle, a bond never broken. As your love is demonstrated between the love of two people, may every person feel the presence of your holy light filled with warmth and comfort. Give me peace that keeps and holds, and give me faith in the dark times. Whither shall I go from thy spirit? Or whither shall I flee from thy presence? You are alwayas with me, today and everyday forever more.

School Assignment Poems :) Classical Conversations Challenge III

2007-10-17T14:40:00.001-07:00

A Cherry
August 15 2007
Taylor Victoria Elise Smith

I cautiously climb the long and steep hill gasping for breath as I reach the top to receive my treat of great delight. I reach the tree that was lovingly planted and grab a branch that sticks out before me as my other hand reaches for the little fruit of great joy. I pick it from the branch with great care for it is so incredibly small. I gently raise it to my awaiting mouth and pop it in with wondrous anticipation. As my teeth grind this fruit of great joy, red juice spills down my chin as I am smiling. It is so sweet and lovely nothing can compare to the cool and refreshing taste that runs down my throat. I suddenly bite down on something terribly hard and spit out the miracle that only our Heavenly Father can create; a seed. As it falls from my mouth to the ground I watch and wonder if a new tree would grow and produce red delights such as the one I had just smelled, touched and tasted. As I am pondering and thinking how great is this tiny morsel of delicateness, I anxiously reach for one more of those delicious treats.

Childhood Memory
Taylor Smith

The Mansion built on Black Mountain Road was where memories were made. For childhood is fleeting and stories are treasured. Friends had come over for us to enjoy. Wading in our extremely refreshing creek, or hiking along the bank of mud, jumping on our gargantuan trampoline was also an option. We had chosen the latter late in the day. We kicked off our shoes, yellow and pink, and hopped on the black nylon that bounced with rytham. Playing fun games we had the best of time, until we decided to indulge in the game of crack the egg. Resounding in the distance, a crack as loud as a gong, my wrist black, blue, and of purple hue. My second wrist broken in a time span of a year. A record I thought as down my face rolled tears. Pain gripping at my chest, arm, body in whole. “Why did you have to jump on my wrist”? I asked myself in my head. With my broken wrist, I had wished myself dead. Alas it did hurt for sometime, but tis better now and healed truly fine.

A Lamp

There is sits on my desk like a lady in waiting, waiting, yes waiting to be put to work. With a covering that looks like a dress and that fans out in a fashionable display. An array of colors shoot forth from its bosom, as the one who delights in it clicks the switch. Light shoots forth shunning the present darkness. Light has won the battle of absence. The dark has fled, like a spirit sent into oblivion. “Save thee”! She cries, from the dark depths, my soul! One click, like a beautiful melody, has chased away the fear of doubt and darkness, like a horse on the run. Tis why God is the Father of light and love, so this object represents the eternal bliss that is to come.

A Short Story

2007-10-17T11:35:00.001-07:00

Love

Once upon a time, in a land so far away no one even knew it existed, there lived a girl no older then 15 whose life was about to end. Her father had sin commited upon his soul, and he vowed by his word that he would sacrifice his daughter to pay off his sin, to the God of heaven. At that very moment the girls throat was to be slit, a rolling thunder resounded in the air. As a knock was layed upon the door of their humble home, the father answered, as was his duty. There stood the God's son, to whom the sacrifice was being made.

As he steped into the house, he looked at the girl with eyes so intoxicating that no one could look at them for more then a few seconds at most. He came unto the center of the room and shouted "My Father! She is perfect!" all at once only the Son was left in a sky full of stars. A conversation with his all-knowing father occured, until the plans were finished. Back of earth He came, no time had passed. As he took the girls hand her father threw the knife that was to kill the girl, and killed the son insted, not knowing He was the one who could take away his sin. As the son fell his emerald eyes shone with a constant glow of Love.

The girls father then snatched her back, and annouced it was her turn, he had more sin now, and must not have it on his head. Once again they were interupted by the son. As the father turned around at the noise he heard, he was shocked to see the son alive and well, when he was lying there in his own life's blood just seconds before. " When innocent blood is shed for the one's guilty, the most powerful weapon in the world is released, Love. My father has shed it down, and if you believe, you are already forgiven. Let your daughter go!" As the father kneeled down in worship, the son took the daughter and whispered words of love to her shackled soul. She was his bride forever more, and together, they led millions back to Him, the one true Father, who had all of these woebegone mortals in His plan from the beginning.

A Psalm For My Maker

2007-10-17T10:20:00.000-07:00

Oh Father! I beseige thee on bended knee, in the most humblest of places, my soul. My Lover and Bride-groom, grant this mortal favor, and go to Your Father on my behalf, for I have never denied thee! Never!Drown me in Your lake of unconditional love, where you pour out your mercy shamelessly through the swirling masses of color coursing through my body! I pine for your touch and yern for your words of love you whisper gently in my ear. Save me from the dark depths, and carry me into Your light, where I will be blinded by your kindness and compassion for your bride! Think of me as Your lover and Child, and kiss me sweetly as I sink into Your bosom where I may find eternal rest and happiness.