Tag Archives: worship

Sonnet: When Christ’s Light Shifts the Soul’s Eternal View by Debbie Harris

12 Saturday Apr 2025

Posted by in Bible Centered Poetry, Christ Centered Devotionals, Christ-centered poetry, Christian Poetry, Exalting Jesus Christ, Holy Bible, Inspirational

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The sonnet explores the transformation of perspective through Christ and scripture, where newfound faith leads others to falsely accuse the speaker of deceit. Despite being labeled a liar, the follower of Jesus Christ is urged to remain steadfast, mirroring Christ’s own perseverance through mockery. The final stanza emphasizes resilience, love over anger, and trust in Christ’s truth to vindicate the speaker’s change as genuine. The rhyme scheme of the last stanza is ABBA, fitting the Petrarchan sonnet structure.

When Christ’s pure light does pierce the shadowed mind,
And scriptures’ truth remolds the heart’s deep core,
The world, once blind, now scorns what it abhorred—
Your change they brand as falsehood, cruelly unkind.

They see not how the Spirit’s flame refines,
How grace rewrites the soul’s unyielding scroll.
Your words, though true, they deem a traitor’s role,
For faith’s new lens reveals what doubt confines.

Yet stand you firm, though labeled as a lie,
For Christ’s own path was mocked by those astray.
His cross, His word, your anchor shall abide.

Let love, not wrath, your steadfast heart reply—
Through slander’s storm, His truth will light your way,
And prove your change no falsehood, but His bride.

All Beauty Finds Its Source in Jesus Christ Our Lord, the Eternal Fountain of Grace by Debbie Harris

12 Saturday Apr 2025

Posted by in Bible Centered Poetry, Christ Centered Devotionals, Christian Poetry, Exalting Jesus Christ, Holy Bible, Inspirational, Jesus Christ, King of Kings

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The sonnet, titled “All Beauty Finds Its Source in Jesus Christ Our Lord, the Eternal Fountain of Grace”, reflects the spiritual longing in C.S. Lewis’s quote, “The sweetest thing in all my life has been the longing — to find the place where all the beauty came from,” from Till We Have Faces. It portrays a soul’s journey, symbolized by a boat drifting through a tranquil, twilight landscape toward a distant castle, with still waters, moonlit glow, and mirrored light evoking a mystical quest. The poem captures an irresistible call to discover the origin of beauty, identifying Jesus Christ as its true source and the eternal fountain of grace. The soul’s pursuit fulfills the longing Lewis describes, revealing that all beauty flows from Christ, whose divine presence satisfies the heart’s deepest desire, resonating with the reflective tone of the original image.

Through twilight’s hush, where still waters glide,
A whisper echoes, soft yet fierce with flame,
A call none can ignore, though shadows hide,
It draws the soul to Christ, where beauty came.

A heart, a boat on longing’s endless sea,
Drifts past the trees, beneath a moonlit glow,
Each ripple sings of sacred mystery,
A pull to find the Savior’s light bestowed.

The castle looms, a silhouette of grace,
Its mirrored light on waves that gently gleam—
The quest pursues the truth, love’s pure embrace,
To wake in Jesus, Author of this dream.

In such a search, the soul shall find its shore,
Where Christ’s own beauty none can e’er ignore.

A Sonnet of Trust Amid the Lions’ Roar: Christ, the Truth, Guards Every Soul Forevermore by Debbie Harris

12 Saturday Apr 2025

Posted by in Bible Centered Poetry, Christ-centered poetry, Christian Poetry, Christmas, Exalting Jesus Christ, Holy Bible, Inspirational, Royally Redeemed

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“A Sonnet of Trust Amid the Lions’ Roar: Christ, the Truth, Guards Every Soul Forevermore” is a Shakespearean sonnet retelling Daniel 6. In Babylon, Daniel’s steadfast prayers defy a king’s decree, provoking foes to cast him into a lions’ den. Sustained by Christ’s light, he’s protected by God’s angel, emerging unharmed to Darius’ awe. For every soul, from Babylon to now, Christ, the Truth, reigns, His might guarding all with eternal victory, echoing Psalm 121:2’s unwavering trust in divine help

In Babylon, where Daniel’s prayers arose,
Defying laws that banned his faithful call,
His foes with envy schemed to work their woes,
And cast him where the lions’ hunger thrall.

The king, though grieved, could not the edict bend,
So stone was rolled to seal the den’s dark gate.
Yet Daniel knelt, his trust would never end,
For Christ’s own light did guard his fearful state.

No roar prevailed, no claw his flesh did tear,
God’s angel bound the jaws of death’s design.
At dawn, Darius found him whole, a prayer
Proclaimed the Truth that holds through every sign.

From Babylon to now, for every soul,
Christ, Truth, shall reign, His might shall guard our soul.

Come Unto Me: A Prayer From Matthew 11:28-30 by Debbie Harris

12 Saturday Apr 2025

Posted by in Bible Centered Poetry, Christian Poetry, Exalting Jesus Christ, Holy Bible, Inspirational, Jesus Christ, King of Kings

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“Come Unto Me: A Prayer from Matthew 11” is a free verse poem rooted in Matthew 11:28-30, where Jesus invites all who labor to find rest in Him. It addresses humanity’s universal burdens—unseen weights and grief—that weary every soul. Christ’s gentle call cuts through life’s toil, offering a light yoke and restful peace, not heavy chains. The poem speaks to all, from every corner of struggle, promising a path of ease through His love. It emphasizes surrender and hope, affirming that no one is beyond His reach, resonating with the shared desire for divine relief.

Come, all who labor under unseen weights,
whose shoulders bend with burdens none may tell—
not one soul stands beyond His open call.

In fields of toil, where dust clings to the heart,
His voice is soft, a whisper through the gale:
Lay down the load, and learn of Me instead.

No yoke of iron, no chain to bind the step—
His burden falls like feathers, light as breath,
a rest that holds the weary in its arms.

From every corner of the earth’s wide grief,
to every soul that stumbles in the dark,
He speaks, and peace becomes the path to tread.

The Shepherd’s Rest: A Villanelle on Psalm 23 by Debbie Harris

12 Saturday Apr 2025

Posted by in Bible Centered Poetry, Christ Centered Devotionals, Christ-centered poetry, Christian Poetry, Exalting Jesus Christ, Holy Bible, Inspirational, Jesus Christ, King of Kings

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“The Shepherd’s Rest: A Villanelle on Psalm 23” draws from Psalm 23:1-2, celebrating God as the shepherd who guides all souls to peace. The villanelle’s repeating refrains evoke a universal journey through life’s trials—want, fear, and shadows—where God’s presence ensures no lack. Green pastures and still waters symbolize divine rest, freely offered to humanity across ages. Despite weariness or danger, His rod, staff, and mercy lead to refuge, affirming that every heart can find solace in His unchanging promise. The poem underscores trust and comfort, inviting all to abide in the shepherd’s care, reflecting the shared longing for divine guidance.

The Lord, my shepherd, bids my soul to rest,
Through weary lands where want may cast its shade,
In pastures green, His peace shall be my guest.

No lack I know, though trials may infest,
His rod and staff uphold the path He made—
The Lord, my shepherd, bids my soul to rest.

By waters still, my fears are all repressed,
His gentle hand has every debt repaid—
In pastures green, His peace shall be my guest.

When shadows fall, His mercy is expressed,
No heart need wander, lost or sore afraid—
The Lord, my shepherd, bids my soul to rest.

All souls may find the refuge He professed,
In every age, His promise shall not fade—
In pastures green, His peace shall be my guest.

O humankind, by grace forever blessed,
Walk where His love has living waters laid—
The Lord, my shepherd, bids my soul to rest,
In pastures green, His peace shall be my guest.

Heaven’s Stay for Earth’s Striving Days: A Poetic Journey Through Psalm 121:2 by Debbie Harris

12 Saturday Apr 2025

Posted by in Bible Centered Poetry, Christ Centered Devotionals, Christ-centered poetry, Christian Poetry, Holy Bible, Inspirational, Jesus Christ, King of Kings

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When sickness grips my frame with fever’s chain,
And shadows veil the hope within my sight,
I seek the strength to rise above my pain—
My help cometh from the Lord, my light.

When loss doth rend my heart with bitter grief,
And empty days stretch far as eyes can see,
I find in faith a solace, though so brief—
My help cometh from the Lord, to me.

When foes arise to mock my striving day,
Their words like arrows pierce my weary soul,
Yet still I stand, upheld by heaven’s stay—
My help cometh from the Lord, my lord.

Through every trial, His hand shall e’er sustain,
The Maker’s love my refuge shall remain.

When sickness grips my frame with fever’s chain,
And shadows veil the hope within my sight,
I seek the strength to rise above my pain—
My help cometh from the Lord, my light.

When loss doth rend my heart with bitter grief,
And empty days stretch far as eyes can see,
I find in faith a solace, though so brief—
My help cometh from the Lord, to me.

When foes arise to mock my striving day,
Their words like arrows pierce my weary soul,
Yet still I stand, upheld by heaven’s stay—
My help cometh from the Lord, my lord.

Through every trial, His hand shall e’er sustain,
The Maker’s love my refuge shall remain.

The Ungodly Practice of Poisoning the Well of Trust with Slanderous Deceit by Debbie Harris

11 Friday Apr 2025

Posted by in Bible Centered Poetry, Christ Centered Devotionals, Christ-centered poetry, Christian Poetry, Exalting Jesus Christ, Holy Bible, Inspirational

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The sonnet The Ungodly Practice of Poisoning the Well of Trust with Slanderous Deceit condemns the sinful act of slandering a person’s reputation through lies, likening it to poisoning a communal well of trust. It portrays deceitful words as a destructive force that obscures truth, fosters doubt, and replaces love with scorn. Drawing on Christ’s example, who endured false accusations with grace, the poem urges readers to reject slander, protect the innocent, and uphold truth. It calls for a servant-hearted commitment to speak honestly, ensuring no one’s good name is tainted by malice.

To poison wells of trust with whispered lies,
And taint a soul’s good name with venom’d breath,
Is sin that clouds the heart where honor dies,
And sows a field where only malice wreathes.
A tongue unchecked, with subtle slander’s art,
Can dim the light of truth in others’ eyes.
It builds a cage of doubt to trap the heart,
Where once was love, now scorn and fear arise.

O Christ, whose name was marred by false disdain,
You bore the weight of lies with silent grace.
Your servant love calls us to cleanse the stain,
And guard the pure from slander’s foul embrace.
Beware the tongue that taints the innocent’s fame—
Speak truth, and let no well bear poison’s shame.

Sonnet: Christ’s Love Undeterred by Debbie Harris

10 Thursday Apr 2025

Posted by in Bible Centered Poetry, Christ Centered Devotionals, Christ-centered poetry, Christian Poetry, Exalting Jesus Christ, Holy Bible, Inspirational, Jesus Christ, King of Kings

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The majestic sonnet exalts Christ’s love as an invincible, divine force, unyielding against tempests, sin, or despair. With regal imagery, it portrays His mercy as a boundless river, the cross as a throne of glory, and His grace as a celestial light. No power can thwart this sovereign love, and the final line proclaims that through Christ’s salvation, all souls find love.

No tempest dares to quell Christ’s holy flame,
Its radiance gilds the blackest void with might.
Though sin’s grim hosts in shadowed fury claim,
His sovereign grace ascends, eternal light.

No fetter forged can bind His boundless heart,
No mortal dread can veil His sacred vow.
When earthly thrones in ruin fall apart,
His love prevails, a crown that none can bow.

The cross, a throne of glory’s sacrifice,
Defies the tides of anguish and despair.
From wounds divine, His mercy’s rivers rise,
To cleanse the soul and rend the dark asunder.

O love supreme, no power can disprove,
In Christ’s salvation, all souls find love.

A Majestic Ode to Psalm 91’s Sovereign Lord, Whose Eternal Protection and Triumph Crown the Faithful by Debbie Harris

10 Thursday Apr 2025

Posted by in Bible Centered Poetry, Christ Centered Devotionals, Christ-centered poetry, Christian Poetry, Exalting Jesus Christ, Holy Bible, Inspirational, Jesus Christ, King of Kings, Royally Redeemed

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This sonnet, a majestic ode inspired by Psalm 91, exalts God as a sovereign King whose radiant power and eternal glory protect the faithful. Portrayed as enthroned in fiery splendor, God’s unassailable authority repels all threats—storms, plagues, and chaos—rendering them powerless before His royal command. His angelic legions joyfully guard His chosen, ensuring their safety through darkness and turmoil. While worldly empires crumble, the faithful rise unscathed, fortified by God’s truth and soaring in spirit. The sonnet culminates in a triumphant proclamation of God’s unending reign, celebrating His victory that shields the soul from all strife and crowns it with everlasting life. Its regal, victorious tone mirrors Psalm 91’s assurance of divine refuge and deliverance for those who trust in the Almighty.

Great King of Heaven, crowned in endless fire,
Thy throne of glory gilds the starry skies;
No foe can breach the ramparts of Thy spire,
Where faithful hearts in radiant splendor rise.

The tempest kneels before Thy royal decree,
No plague endures Thy scepter’s holy might;
Thy legions, clad in light, proclaim Thy glee,
To shield Thy flock through chaos and the night.

Though empires quake and mortal glories fade,
Thy chosen stand, their spirits soaring high,
By truth’s great shield eternally arrayed.

All laud the Lord who reigns o’er vast empire!
His triumph guards the soul through every strife,
Forever crowned in everlasting life.

A Sonnet Reflecting on How a Society’s Drift from God Correlates with a Decline in the Beauty of Its Architecture, Poetry, Apparel, and Music by Debbie Harris

10 Thursday Apr 2025

Posted by in Bible Centered Poetry, Christ Centered Devotionals, Christ-centered poetry, Christian Poetry, Holy Bible, Inspirational, Jesus Christ, King of Kings, Royally Redeemed

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This Petrarchan sonnet explores the spiritual and cultural decay resulting from a society’s drift from God, contrasted with the redemptive restoration of beauty through salvation’s gift. The octave depicts a bleak decline: as souls abandon divine truth, architecture’s sacred forms turn cold and gloomy, poetry loses its grace, apparel dims without holy hues, and music’s anthems fade into discord, mirroring a broader loss of beauty when faith wanes. The sestet shifts to hope, proclaiming that salvation, freely given through Christ’s indwelling presence, revives the arts. Spires and psalms rise in sacred splendor, renewed forms restore God’s beauty across all creative expressions, songs glorify Him with rapturous praise, and truth takes root in hearts eternally. Structured with an ABBAABBA CDEDDD rhyme scheme, the sonnet uses vivid imagery—mire, cold arches, soaring spires, and roaring songs—to weave a narrative of loss and triumph, illustrating how society’s rejection of God dulls its arts, while His grace rekindles their biblical splendor.

When souls from God’s eternal truth depart,
The mire engulfs where once His beauty shone,
And sacred forms in stone to gloom are gone,
Their arches cold, unlovely to the heart.
No poet’s verse with heaven’s grace does start,
Nor garments gleam where holy hues belong,
But music wanes, its anthems lost to wrong,
And beauty fades where faith should play its part.
Yet salvation’s gift, so freely giv’n, restores,
Because of Christ within, the arts soar,
Where spires and psalms in sacred splendor soar,
In forms renewed, God’s beauty now restores,
And songs glorify God in rapturous roar,
To plant His truth in hearts forevermore.