A Glimmer of Hope

A glimmer of hope slipped into the world,

arriving with love at our Savior’s birth,

a promise fulfilled that was long foretold,

with divine light piercing the darkness of earth.

That hope leapt into the hearts of shepherds

at the angel’s appearance with great news of joy.

It swelled with the praises to God in the highest

because of the coming of this holy baby boy.

The shepherds hurried to find the infant

lying in a manger filled with hay.

Hope overflowed with love and amazement

on seeing the precious gift from God where He lay.

This hope gleams on in us today,

flickering, growing, steady and bright,

bringing joy and peace that Jesus conveys

into lives receptive to God’s holy light.

© Connie Arnold, 2017

Each New Day Offers a Gift

Each new day offers a gift,
Something special about the day
To give the heart and soul a lift
And make life better in some way;
If you seek then you will find
That each day's gift will come to mind.

It may be sunshine through a cloud,
A rainbow glimpsed after the rain,
A friendly face in the midst of a crowd,
The sudden easing of a pain;
If you look around with a hopeful view,
The gift in your day will appear to you.

A gift may be in what you see,
Things you touch or what you hear,
The joy in simply being free,
The love of someone very dear;
If you take time to quietly pray,
God will reveal your gift today.

 

© Connie Arnold

Christmas Hope

Hear the jubilant tones 
of Christmas bells ringing

And the magnificent echoes 
of angel choirs singing,

See the beauty and splendor 
of a starlit sky gleaming,

Feel the joy and wonder 
in a peaceful night’s dreaming.

Envision in your mind 
a baby laid on a bed of hay,

The glory that beamed from heaven 
on a star’s bright shining ray,

The amazement of the shepherds 
at what the angels had to say,

The shepherds kneeling to worship 
the holy infant where He lay.

Reflect on the great significance 
of that life changing night,

Feel your heart being pierced 
by God’s love beaming pure and bright,

Find hope that the gift of Jesus 
brings salvation, peace and light,

And assurance of God’s mercy and grace
 making all things right.

© Connie Arnold, 2016

On God You Can Rely

Sunshine returns when the clouds roll away,

Spring comes once winter is through,

After the night comes the following day,

After showers a rainbow comes into view.

On the beauty of nature we can rely

As surely as God creates birds to fly.

Again joy returns following sorrow,

Healing can come after suffering pain,

At the day’s end we have hope for tomorrow,

And enjoy blooming flowers after the rain.

On God’s comfort and blessings we can rely

As surely as there is a sun in the sky.

Excerpt from Abundant Comfort and Grace
by Connie Arnold

Love and Light Came for All

Love and Light came at Christmastime,

a gift from God, divine and sublime,

offered freely to everyone,

the gift of God’s only beloved Son.

The light of a star shining radiantly

glittered with hope for humanity,

a glimpse of the peace that was meant to be

and of God’s power and majesty.

The world was trapped in the darkness of sin

until the Light of Christ entered in,

revealing God’s mercy, love and grace,

shining on people of every race.

The world was changed by this Love and Light

when Jesus was born on that special night.

Through the centuries, celebrating His birth,

joy is found in the miracle of God coming to earth.

 © Connie Arnold

Beauty and Splendor

The beauty spread for you to see

Across the land, sky and sea

Are glimpses of God’s majesty

And creative power that caused all things to be.

Whenever you watch the clouds drift by

Or view the stars in a moonlit sky,

Remember the One who reigns on high,

Hears each prayer and mournful sigh.

As the darkness slowly turns to light

Reveling the wonders within your sight,

As the sunshine touches you, warm and bright,

Be filled with the strength of God’s power and might.

In the splendor of creation when you look around,

In the music of life and each joyful sound,

In the rushing water, blue skies and the ground,

Glimpses of God’s grace are waiting to be found.

© Connie Arnold

This photo is from our recent trip to Ireland, where we saw many glimpses of God's majesty!

Lessons of Life

Although we enjoy sunshine,

We know there must be rain,

And though we long for pleasure,

At times in life there’s pain.

The chaos of the world

May lead us to despair,

To wonder why bad things occur

And feel that life’s not fair.

We yearn to find more joy,

To never suffer sorrow,

But though today the clouds may come

There’s hope for a brighter tomorrow.

The lessons of each day,

If they are to be learned,

Can lead us to the joy and peace

For which our hearts have yearned.

When we in faith seek God,

Who has all things in control,

Healing and strength can flow to us,

Shining beauty into each soul.

© Connie Arnold

Joy and Peace

Jesus is risen; what joy that thought brings!

He lives in our hearts as our own King of Kings.

We need not fear death but can have hope and peace

for He is God's Son, and His love will not cease.

The sacrifice made leads the way to salvation

of all who believe, for each generation.

A song of thanksgiving and joy gladly raise

as we offer our hearts in grateful praise.

Wishing you a beautiful and blessed Easter as we celebrate Christ's resurrection and the new life we have with Him forever!

Christmas Star

The Christmas star pouring its light

on the world, glittering, clear and bright,

directed the way to God’s gift of love

by its brilliance shining down from above.

The radiance of that glowing star

beamed more brightly than the others by far,

but its glory could not begin to compare

to the light of love that shone everywhere.

That star’s light focused on a stable stall,

on a tiny infant, the Lord of all.

The light of hope that this Child would impart

flickers and glimmers in each beating heart.

The light of joy and love beams on,

spreading salvation to everyone

who open their hearts so the light may come in,

with faith that Jesus will cleanse every sin.

Like the star that sparkled that holy night,

God’s love continues to shed holy light

as the light of hope that came at Christ’s birth

is shared through the centuries across the earth.

© Connie Arnold, 2014

www.conniearnold.webs.com 

October Peace

True happiness can only begin

when peace and harmony live within,

anchored to your Creator above,

Who fills your life with joy and love.

This is the photo and verse for October on my new 2015 calendar, Moments of Peace. Each month is filled with colorful nature photos and verses about peace. See more at Inspirational Poetry of Connie Arnold or Amazon.

Life is Good

  

 

Life is good in spite of pain,

For sunshine follows after rain.

When life at times is filled with sorrow,

Hope arises for a brighter tomorrow.

Without the struggles in life to bear

It might be harder to be aware

Of the gracious love poured into each soul,

Strengthening, healing, making it whole.

Look for the good things in life each day

And receive the blessings directed your way.

Discover the joy and love that abound,

And the heart of God is what you have found.

Connie Arnold

 

A Heart Filled With Love

With a heart that overflows
I give thanks, Lord, today
for the many blessings
You have sent my way.

Without You I am nothing.
I can't make it on my own,
and I'm forever grateful
for the love that You have shown.

I thank You for your love
and the gift of your dear Son,
for your boundless grace and mercy
and all that You have done.

To You I give all glory
for all of life's good things
and for the special joy
that loving You brings.



© Connie Arnold 

Lessons of Life



Although you enjoy sunshine,

Know there also must be rain,

And though you long for pleasure,

At times in life there’s pain.

The chaos of the world

May lead you to despair,

To wonder why bad things occur

And feel that life’s not fair.

You long to find more joy,

To never suffer sorrow,

But though today the clouds may come

There’s hope for a brighter tomorrow.

The lessons of each day,

If they are to be learned,

Can lead you to the joy and peace

For which your heart has yearned.

When you in faith seek God,

Who has all things in control,

Healing and strength can flow to you,

Shining beauty into your soul.

 

© Connie Arnold

http://www.conniearnold.webs.com/

In Each Whisper

God is in each whisper and sigh,

In every land and the sun in the sky.

He's in each day and every night,

Offering mercy, grace and light.

The Lord is in each segment of time,

In dreariness, sorrow and moments sublime,

Bringing to life what He only can give,

Adding great joy to the life you live.

The King of Kings and Lord of all things

Loves and protects and great blessings brings,

Is present in every minute and hour,

Filled with great beauty, glory and power.

© Connie Arnold

Blessed Gift

Beauty and joy were quietly born

Early on that first Christmas morn

While a star shone, clear and bright.

Mercy, kindness, goodness and love

Came down to earth from heaven above,

In a tiny form, filled with light.

The light of that star, touching the earth,

Was a beacon of this miraculous birth

And the beauty that shone from within.

It hovered over this humble place,

Which was transformed by holy grace

For the One born to save us from sin.

A song of joy seemed to fill the air

As a multitude of angels suddenly was there,

Singing and praising God on high,

Proclaiming a love that will never cease,

The birth of the blessed Prince of Peace,

And their praises rang through the sky.

The peace and love this small infant brought

Was what the world so long had sought,

And hearts overflowed with joy.

We too now rejoice as we celebrate

And remember on this most special date

The gift of this blessed little baby boy.

© Connie Arnold