JESUS (No Longer a Babe in a Manger)

Merry Christmas Blessings to each of you. In honor of our beautiful guest of honor, I would like to share a poem I wrote after Christmas 2004. Blessings & love, enjoy.


JESUS (No Longer a Babe in a Manger)

Jesus my strength, my strongtower, my intercessor and my King.
You're my peace, my joy and most definitely my everything.

Jesus the sweet lamb of God
Lion of the tribe of Judah.
You're seated at the right hand of the Father God
where no one else can move You.

Jesus no longer a babe in a manger
wrapped in swaddlin ' clothes.
You're the Prince of Peace and the Lord of Lords
who came to save lost souls.

Jesus no longer a babe in a manger,
who was at the beginning before it was ever begun.
You were born to die upon a ruggard cross,
so through salvation we could become one.


copyright 2005 Arnita L. Fields

Scribing the Father's Truth: Prophetic Scribe Mentoring

Attention, Memphis, TN and the surrounding areas.

If you are a poet, playwright, psalmist, writer or new author and have questions concerning how to flow prophetically in your writing, then this free training session is just for you. In this inaugural session you will learn how to write, publish and minister through the written word of God.

What:  Scribing the Father's Truth: Prophetic Scribe Mentoring Inaugural Session

When: Saturday May 18, 2013

Where: Memphis East Shelby Library-Meeting Room B
7200 East Shelby Drive, Memphis, TN 38125

Cost: No Charge

Handouts will be provided

http://scribingthefatherstruth.eventbrite.com/

JESUS no longer a babe in a manger

Jesus my strength, my strongtower, my intercessor and my King.
You're my peace, my joy and most definitely my everything.

Jesus the sweet lamb of God
Lion of the tribe of Judah.
You're seated at the right hand of the Father God
where no one else can move You.

Jesus no longer a babe in a manger
wrapped in swaddlin ' clothes.
You're the Prince of Peace and the Lord of Lords
who came to save lost souls.

Jesus no longer a babe in a manger,
who was at the beginning before it was ever begun.
You were born to die upon a ruggard cross,
so through salvation we could become one.


copyright 2005 Arnita L. Fields

2012 National Poetry Month: Spotlight on Poet I. Renai Collins

It is our pleasure here at "A Poetic View" to honor poet, I. Renai Collins during the 2012 National Poetry Month this April. She is truly anointed to write unto the Lord and it is an honor to know such a precious vessel of God.

Renai Collins grew up in Palm Beach County, Florida where she began the journey to becoming an award winning poet. For fourteen years, she made her home in Plano, Texas and it is there that her poetry began to receive the notice that it deserves.In 1995, Ms. Collins received a Special Merit Award from the Ninth Annual Iva Mary Williams National Inspirational Poetry Program. The program, which is sponsored by Cooper House Publishing and Poet Magazine honored Renai for her poem, Can’t, Can’t Be. Renai was also heralded by the Plano Star Carrier newspaper for her outstanding poetry.

Upon her return to Palm Beach County, Renai immersed herself into the area and continued to write and perform her phenomenal poetry. She started the Junior Poets of Palm Beach County in 1997 and served as vice-president of the Poets of the Palm Beaches from 1997 to 2001. In 1998 Palm Beach Magazine named Renai’s Open Mic Poetry group one of the top 25 best things to do from Boca Raton to Vero Beach, FL. In the April 24, 2002 issue of the Palm Beach Post, columnist Linda Haas wrote of Renai’s outstanding poetry in an article titled, Poet Tries to Inspire, Plants Positive Seeds with Her Words.

In addition, Renai served as Poet Laureate and hostess of adult and children’s poetry events for Barnes & Noble, Book-A- Million, schools, libraries, Boys & Girls Clubs along with numerous churches. Renai is a member of the American Academy of Poets and the American Christian Writers Association. Her book Can't, Can't Be was released in November 2009. You will also find her poetry on Cross Way Publication www.christianpoetry.org “Proclaiming God’s Promise Through Poetry”

Martin Luther King, Jr. Coordinating Committee & Poet I. Renai Collins Presented the 1st Annual Poetry Contest January of 2011

 

Book Reviews:

All too often, we are inundated by negativity from the world around us. The stories of war, poverty, cruelty and sadness can threaten the resolve of even the most determined optimist. But I. Renai Collins’ poetry shines with a hopefulness that touches us deeply. She writes from the heart about the essence of our lives – family, beauty, and yes, love. Yet, this is not a collection of poetry that ignores the darker side of life. In “Remember Me,” the protagonist demands that her legacy be one of humanity, not perfection, and in “Colors,” Renai recounts the tale of a teenage victim of gang violence. However, even when Renai writes of pain it is covered in the grit of survival; we are left with no doubt that, although one’s past have yielded disappointments, the future offers goodness and light. In “Solid,” Renai writes: “Know my past/I do/my future/now I face/my roots are/firmly planted/I cannot/be moved.” It is this determination to be optimistic that sets Renai’s poetry apart; it is this determination that makes Can’t, Can’t Be a unique pleasure to read. - Africa Fine Author of Katrina, Becoming Maren and Looking for Lily

I continue to be amazed at the power of the word. Whether written or spoken, words can and will change your life. I. Renai Collins understands the power of the word and she has put her words to use in the form of poetry that will grab you from the very moment that you open her book. You will confront “Fear,” but you will refuse to let your “flame… be snuffed out before it is lit.” As you near the end of the book you will “transcend greed…and your eyes be opened by the truth, never to be blind again.” When you close this book after reading it the first time, although you will read it many, many times again, you will know without a doubt, that “what you dream really can come true.” Let the words change your life. - Steve White Publisher, Protective Hands Communications

Product Description - Amazon
Can't, Can't Be is a book of poetry by award winning poet, I. Renai Collins. Her poetry covers all aspects of the personal life experience. Renai takes you on a journey of your past, remembering those life changing experiences with your mother and grandmother. She explores the intimacy and the hurt of male, female relationships. She helps the reader visualize a brighter day and a better world. You will transcend the moment.

"A Poetic View" 2011 National Poetry Month Spotlight for this week: Maya Angelou

Maya Angelou born Marguerite Ann Johnson on April 4, 1928, is an author, writer and poet who writes poetry with a flair of color and a whole lot of jazz. Angelou recited her poem "On the Pulse of Morning" at President Bill Clinton's inauguration in 1993, she is only the 2nd poet to have recited poetry during a presidential inauguration in our nation's history. Angelou one of our nation's most recognized poet's has also worn many hats throughout her life & career including those of a civil rights activist, dancer, film producer, television producer, playwright, film director, author, actress and professor.

Dr. Angelou has received over 30 honorary degrees and is Reynolds Professor of American Studies at Wake Forest University. On February 15, 2011, she was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom the nation's highest civilian honor for contributions to society.

The Lesson


I keep on dying again.
Veins collapse, opening like the
Small fists of sleeping
Children.
Memory of old tombs,
Rotting flesh and worms do
Not convince me against
The challenge. The years
And cold defeat live deep in
Lines along my face.
They dull my eyes, yet
I keep on dying,
Because I love to live.

Maya Angelou

Rise Above Your Ashes

Rise above your ashes, no matter where they may fall.

Rise above your ashes, don’t panic or your destiny will surely be stalled.

Rise above your ashes, and tap into your well deep down inside.

Rise above your ashes, and kiss your misery good-bye!

© Arnita L. Fields 2009

     As the seasons began to change and we enter into the last quarter of 2009, many of us will find ourselves once again in a mode of self reflection as we assess how the events and changes in the first three quarters of this year have affected our lives. If you are still dealing with the effects of a loss you have faced, I would like to take a few moments to offer you a word of encouragement which is taken right out of the word of God.

     You may have lost your home; car, a job, furniture, family or friends and some of you may even have lost your faith. But despite what you may have lost, you can and are well able to recover those things that God has preordained for you to have. If you are serious about reclaiming what you have lost, you are going to have to become a willing participant in your own recovery process.

     Let’s go now to the word of God in 1 Samuel 30:1-8 and take a look at David and how he was able to rise above his ashes and recover that which belonged to him. In verse 1 we see where the Amalekites had invaded Ziklag and burned it with fire, but as we come to verse 4 we began to see how David responded in his trial. (4) “Then David and the people who were with him lifted up their voices and wept, until they had no more power to weep. (6) Then David was greatly distressed for the people spoke of stoning him, because the soul of all the people was grieved, every man for his sons and his daughters. But David strengthened himself in the Lord his God.” (NKJV)

     Do you see that it was okay when you cried about your loss? But after you have cried and released your tears, you must come to a point where you will have to get up from your ash heap and begin to tap down into your spirit and make a divine connection with your Heavenly Father. The attitude that you take when you are in the midst of a fiery trial is key as to how well you will respond back to God. If you have previously been building yourself up in your most holy faith, you will be able to pull up whatever it is that you need to come out of your situation victorious. David had the right attitude towards God when he approached the throne of grace. He knew that the wisdom he needed to pass his test was not wrapped up in the people around him, but in his own personal relationship with God.

     Now let’s go back and see what David did in the following verse, (8) “So David inquired of the Lord, saying shall I pursue this troop? Shall I overtake them? And He answered him, “Pursue, for you shall surely overtake them and without fail recover all.” (NKJV) When David made his divine connection with God; he was able to receive the wisdom he needed to move forward in his recovery process.

     Have you taken what you have been struggling and dealing with to God? Are you willing to take part in your own recovery process? Or are you just looking for someone else to come and bail you out of all of your troubles? You may say that you are not like David and you don’t have his faith or even his strength, but the word of God says that you do have the same divine connection that he had, and that’s a direct line to the heart of God. We serve a God who never sleeps and never slumbers. He is a God who is not a respecter of persons, and He is a wise loving Father who hears the cry of His children. Your ashes are not meant for you to sit in forever; they are only there to help propel you to your next level and place in God. So my dear sister and brother I say to you right now, arise and dust yourself off; and immediately consult God for His divine wisdom and direction so that you too; can move forward into your divine destiny and purpose.

Restoration Prayer for America

Father God, we humble our hearts and align our minds and spirit with you, the only true and living God. We ask that you forgive us for the times we have missed you and allowed our fleshly desires to cloud our thoughts and lives with things which took our focus from true kingdom business. God we repent for all of the negative and unholy things we as a people have allowed to enter into our country and communities. Many of the things we have allowed could have been prevented if we as a people had taken out time to petition your throne of grace.

Heavenly Father, we repent for the murder of every unborn child who will never have an opportunity to experience life. We repent for allowing prayer to be taken out of our public schools and for allowing the enemy free access to our children’s lives. Forgive us God for abusing the elderly and for mistreating the poor and disenfranchised. We repent for not truly loving our neighbors as ourselves. Forgive us dear God for all of our selfishness and for only being concerned about our individual needs. So many people are hurting and dying right before our eyes because we have not been true lights upon a hill, but more like pen lights in a dense fog. Father, please forgive us for our spiritual blindness. Open our eyes so we may see our country and the world through your eyes.

Father God, forgive us for sleeping on the job and for wasting precious time. We repent for not standing in the gap and interceding for our government leaders and those who have rule over us. Forgive us for our constant complaining and bickering and for not participating in our country’s growth process. Your word tells us to work while it is yet day, for when the night comes no man can work. Breathe on us God, so the flame in our hearts will burn with a new intensity and fire as we set our hands to help complete the work that you have already started in this country. May our eyes be focused as we renew our commitment to serve you God in not only words but in faith and godly works. Father God, we humbly accept this new challenge as our country unites to walk into this new season of change. Thank you for forgiving us for our sins and iniquities and also for directing us back to your heart and into your divine will and purpose for America.

 

Restoration Prayer from the book, America's Change a Poetic View 2009