Finding Peace

Moving closer to God

may bring peace into one’s life,

gravitating towards serenity,

away from the stress and strife.

The essence of peace is found

in knowing God is in control,

trusting that God will calm the storms,

bringing peace to a troubled soul.

No matter the situation

or how uncertain life may seem,

with God we experience hope and love

far greater than what we dream.

© Connie Arnold

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!

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.

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/

Memorial Day

This is the day to honor those
who have gone before,
who live in our memories,
though we see them no more,
a day of recognition
for sacrifices made,
with gratitude and love for them
that will never fade.
 

We trust that they’ve passed on
to a better place,
with no more pain or suffering,
surrounded by God’s grace,
where there is never war,
where fear and hatred cease,
and there is only light and love,
and God’s eternal peace.

Connie Arnold

Excerpt of A Symphony of Seasons, 2012

Peace in the Storm

© Gary Strader

 

When the storms of life are overhead,

filling you with a sense of dread,

like ocean's waves that across you roll,

feeling like you have lost control,

hopelessness can overwhelm you

with uncertainty about what to do.

Remember the One wind and sea obey

can drive your doubt and fear away.

When facing problems in your life,

look beyond the pain and strife,

lift your eyes up from the storm

to find a place that's safe and warm,

set your mind on things above

to discover peace and love.

Remember that Jesus calmed the sea,

this peace He offers to you and me.

God is Very Near

 

In the silence of the morning

while the grass is wet with dew,

as the sun slowly brightens

a day that's fresh and new,

the chirping of a bird

is the only sound you hear,

and awareness dawns within

that God is very near.

In the hustle and the bustle

of a busy, active day,

with no time for reflection

as you go along your way,

the beauty may be missed,

nature's sounds you may not hear,

but although you may be unaware,

God still is very near.

In the ending of the day,

at the fading of the light

as you make your preparations

to go to bed at night,

before you close your eyes,

as the nighttime sounds you hear,

give thanks that you can sleep in peace

since God is very near.

© Connie Arnold

Revealing Love

Appealing,

Revealing,

Tenderly healing,

Love should be thoughtful and kind,

Through sharing

And caring,

Souls sweetly baring,

Love ought to bring peace of mind.

With kisses,

Caresses,

As God freely blesses,

Love can be daily shown,

Through giving,

Forgiving,

Joyfully living,

Love may be beautifully known.

© Connie Arnold, 2011 from e-book, Loving Inspirations, free with book purchase, see my website for details

A Pleasant Surprise

Beauty may be discovered each day

On the earth, in the sky and sea.

God’s handiwork is on display

Wherever we happen to be.

From dawn’s early light and into the night,

Whenever we look around,

In golden sunshine or the moon’s soft light

Glimpses of beauty are found.

Open your heart as you open your eyes

To experience life’s best things.

You may find inside a pleasant surprise

In the peace, joy and beauty God brings!

© Connie Arnold

Excerpt from Abundant Comfort and Grace, now available from RPJ & Company!

Peace in the Storm

© Gary Strader

When the storms of life are overhead,

filling you with a sense of dread,

like ocean waves that across you roll,

feeling like you have lost control,

hopelessness can overwhelm you

with uncertainty about what to do.

Remember the One wind and sea obey

can drive your doubt and fear away.

When facing problems in your life,

look beyond the pain and strife,

lift your eyes up from the storm

to find a place so safe and warm,

set your mind on things above

to discover peace and love.

Remember that Jesus calmed the sea,

this peace He offers to you and me.

© Connie Arnold, 2009

A Garden's Beauty

© Gary Strader, 2009

A garden filled with fragrant flowers,
Surrounded by tall, strong trees,
With leaves fluttering in a soft breeze
Can provide many pleasant hours;
The peaceful sense of beauty it brings
And joy flooding into each part
Satisfies a yearning in my heart,
As my spirit soars and sings.

Enjoying nature's beauty and rest
With the light of God's love on my face,
An awareness swells of a special grace,
Recalling the things in life that are best;
As a certainty fills me that all will be right
Since the One who caused all things to be
Created this beauty for you and for me,
And my soul overflows with pure delight!

© Connie Arnold

Be sure to visit my website to read more poems and for a chance to win a free book!

Passing Along a Song

A sweet song, carried on a breeze,
Floating through the air,
Whispering lightly through the trees,
Seemed to be everywhere,
Falling lightly on my ear,
Such a pleasant thing to hear!

The beauty of this melody,

Drifting across my mind,
Bringing a sense of tranquility,
A peace I'd longed to find,
I shared by humming through the day
As it continued on its way.

Someone having a problem or two,
As I was passing by,
Heard the melody coming through,
And gave a contented sigh,
As the song I carried on its way
Helped brighten up another's day.

© Connie Arnold

Need a Valentine's gift? How about poetry!

See my website.

Christmas Prayer

This prayer is offered for you, my sweet friends, all of you who come to read my poems and share the blessing of your time to visit and comment! It is an excerpt from a booklet of poems about Christmas and gifts, "The Greatest Gift." Please visit my website or contact me to learn how you can get one for yourself or to give as a gift. Wishing you a beautiful and blessed Christmas filled with peace, joy and love!

May God’s blessings be upon you
at this holy time of year
As we celebrate the birth
of his dear Son;
May he fill you with awareness
of his presence ever near
And assurance that he is
the holy, blessed One.

May your life be blessed with love and joy,
the sweetness of God’s peace,
And strength sufficient for your needs
in everything you do.
May God grant you knowledge and wisdom
that continues to increase,
And faith through times of trial
that he is faithful and true.

May you have endless patience
whenever you have to wait,
And courage for every moment
when you are afraid.
May you always be filled with love
and free of envy and hate;
And remember God sent his only Son
to fulfill the promise he made.

May your days be filled with mercy and grace,
surrounded by God’s love,
And your nights with restful, refreshing sleep
until the morning light.
May God’s goodness shine upon you
with radiance from above,
Like the star that shone on Bethlehem
that wondrous, holy night.

© Connie Arnold

Autumn Lesson

Autumn is the time of year
when summer sounds we no longer hear
and winter’s arrival is drawing near.

As leaves slowly begin to fall,
migrating birds follow nature’s call
to warmer climates for them all.

They fly to where warm breezes blow,
and somehow they just seem to know
that autumn is the time to go.

The instinct accepted by each one,
when no longer warmed by the late fall sun,
is to fly south before autumn is done.

Migrating birds in formation fly,
following their leader, not asking why,
steadily soaring across the sky.

There is surely a lesson to learn
from these birds, as we discern
there is a refuge where we can return.

When the coldness of sin is drawing near,
and we are filled with doubt and fear,
a still, small voice we need to hear.

We have a leader to be our Guide,
when from life’s problems we want to hide.

If we will follow, faithful and true,
God’s love and peace can come shining through.

© Connie Arnold, 2009

read more poems on the blog at http://www.conniearnold.webs.com/

Restless Longing

There's a restless, unknown longing
Deep within my soul
That keeps me always searching,
Striving to be whole.
My heart and mind are reaching out
For something I don't know,
Uncertain where it comes from
Or to where it will go.
It's like a shadowed mystery
That floats across my mind,
Blowing like the wind,
So very hard to find.
It leaves a gentle memory
And then returns once more
To lightly nudge my consciousness
As it has done before.
It's something that I can't quite grasp,
So difficult to hold,
To which I can't give utterance,
Yet seems it must be told.
It's something that's been present
Since the moment of my birth,
And may remain within me
Throughout my time on earth;
Unless I can grab hold of it,
Begin to understand
Where that yearning comes from,
What is its demand.
God gives that restless longing,
And it will never cease,
Until my heart opens to his love
And my soul is filled with God's peace.
© Connie Arnold, 2009
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