Our Everywhere God!: Waking up to God’S Almighty Presence Through Poetry
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About this ebook
These days many people are finding it difficult, if not impossible, to experience God in their lives. Some are finding it less and less necessary, or even desirable, to seek the presence of God. Our Everywhere God! is a collection of poems that draws insight from the experiences of everyday life and acts as a reminder of the presence of God in all things. Written in a manner both simple and profound, Our Everywhere God! invites readers to recognize and celebrate Gods presence in prayer, nature, relationships, and suffering.
Renee Hilton-Taylor found the inspiration to write this book during times of quiet prayer. These poems have challenged her to come out from underneath a bushel of fear and doubt in order to let her light shine. It is Gods presence within that allows the divine to be experienced everywhere.
The light in the window
Gave me such peace.
It shown in the darkness,
And my worries released.
When a lamp gives off light
Within a very dark room,
It dispels the unknown questions
And the feelings of unwelcomed gloom.
When light shines within our darkness,
Then we are able to see
All the things that hold us back
From Gods call, Come follow Me.
Renée Hilton-Taylor
Rene’e Hilton-Taylor is a retired teacher and counselor. She holds a master’s degree in pastoral studies from the University of Loyola New Orleans. She directs individual and conference retreats at Our Lady of the Oaks Retreat House in Grand Coteau, Louisiana. She lives in Sunset, Louisiana, with her grown children and their families.
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Our Everywhere God! - Renée Hilton-Taylor
Copyright © 2012 by Renée Hilton-Taylor.
All rights reserved. No part of this book may be used or reproduced by any means, graphic, electronic, or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, taping or by any information storage retrieval system without the written permission of the publisher except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles and reviews.
All Scripture references were taken from the New American Bible, Thomas Nelson Publishers, New York, 1971.
The reference in the Preface from Francis Vanderwall’s book was taken from:
Francis W. Vanderwall, Freedom From Fear, A Way Through the Ways of Jesus the Christ, Acadian House Publishing, Lafayette, Louisiana, 1999, pg. 21.
Charles Bub
Harper, bpharper2002@gmail.com, is photographer for cover design and: Be Still; My Bible, My Friend; My Kitchen Table, Yes by Surprise!; A Lamp in the Window, I Thirst!
; Walls; Unnoticed Beauty; The Fog; The Oaks; Stars; Family Fractured and Healed; Love Goes Beyond the Grave; Things that Matter; The Garden of Grief Doug Gagnon, doug.gagnon316@gmail.com is photographer for Dancing Partners; and Melissa Andries is photographer for A Voiceless Cry.
Inspiring Voices books may be ordered through booksellers or by contacting:
Inspiring Voices
1663 Liberty Drive
Bloomington, IN 47403
www.inspiringvoices.com
1-(866) 697-5313
Because of the dynamic nature of the Internet, any web addresses or links contained in this book may have changed since publication and may no longer be valid. The views expressed in this work are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of the publisher, and the publisher hereby disclaims any responsibility for them.
ISBN: 978-1-4624-0108-6 (sc)
ISBN: 978-1-4624-0107-9 (e)
Library of Congress Control Number: 2012905568
To my parents, Joe and Doris,
whose faith provided fertile ground for my own
faith to grow; to my children whose love,
understanding and forgiveness has blessed me
through thick and thin;
to my deceased husband, Marc,
who encouraged me to write
and continues to be the wind beneath my wings;
to all those beyond measure who have been
my teachers, soul mates, and friends;
and most gratefully to my Higher Power,
whom I choose to call God,
in the person of Jesus Christ,
who abides in all things through His Holy Spirit.
SKU-000490317.pdfSKU-000490317.pdfPreface
If today you hear His voice,
harden not your heart.
—Psalm 95:7-8
I couldn’t not write. The words of this poetry have come so powerfully and personally that refusing to put pen to paper would have surely hardened my heart and denied my spirit the joy and healing it sought. Many of the poems were written during times of deeply felt grief. The epilogue is dedicated to my late husband, Marc.
The inspiration to write came during times of quiet prayer, or as I worked in my garden, drove my car, or observed nature. God’s Spirit has known no limits. These poems have challenged me to come out from underneath the bushel basket of fear and doubt and let my light shine. This work has been a tremendous spiritual exercise. I have had to trust that what I have felt, heard, and written came from God and not from my own ego.
I found encouragement in the words of Francis W. Vanderwall in his book Freedom From Fear: "I (God) am very pleased with you, and your desire to do the right things in your life for the sake of my kingdom." I translated right to write and am now finding freedom from the fear that had diseased my life.
It is God’s presence within that allows us to experience the Divine everywhere. Without this inner presence, we could not recognize the outer presence. My hope is that you will be drawn into a deeper awareness of God’s presence in your life; that the eyes and ears of your heart will recognize this presence in all things and at all times.
SKU-000490317.pdfSKU-000490317.pdfContents
Chapter One
Be Still
Hands Joined
Quiet Times
The Living Voice of God
My Sacred Couch Space
My Bible, My Friend
A Simple Prayer
Monday Mornin’
Empty Cravings
Praying Our Gifts
My Kitchen Table
The Living Word
The Three-Pronged Plug
News Break
There’s Always More
Life Without Prayer
A Thorn in My Flesh
Reaching Out
Divine Guidance
The Heart’s Desire
Give It Up!
Troubles Galore; Graces Aplenty
Joy
Yes by Surprise!
Chapter Two
My Love is Forever Real
Love’s Absolute
Good News
The Lamp in the Window
Love’s Meaning
Faith
God’s Personal Call
Called by Name
Trust Beyond Understanding
Love and Forgiveness
Keeping It Simple
Son-shine
Was Jesus a Happy Person?
The And of Jesus
A Merciful Lord
I Thirst!
God Has a People
The Kingdom Within
The Otherness of Faith
Saints
Faith Beyond Religion
Deception
Nine-Eleven, a Remembrance
The World Aches
Imperfection
Walls
I AM–the Same
Life’s Divine Connection
Chapter Three
Unnoticed Beauty
Gazing at the Sun
As the World Awakens
It’s Easter Morning!
Birds that Fly
An Annoying Grace
The Song of the Bird
Pansies
The Fog
God’s Whispering Breeze
The Silence of Nature
The Greatest Star
Seeds of Hope
Awareness
Pickin’ Pecans
The Oaks
Moonlight
Stormy Weather
Nature’s Reflection
Leaf Lessons
The Lesson of the Sunflowers
Stars
Remove the Bushel Basket
Chapter Four
Being a Mother
Being a Mother II
Too Much is Not Enough
A Voiceless Cry
A Mother’s Prayer
Menial Tasks
Cycling through Life
Isn’t God the Same?
For Our Children
The Place to Be
Burdens Set Free
Unrealistic Expectations
Family Fractured and Healed
Life after Divorce
The Children’s Plea
Chapter Five
Women Who Mourn
Falling Rain
Faith Tried by Fire
Questioning Life’s Purpose
The Divine Lifeguard
Eulogies
Death’s Promise
I Am Blessed
The Tempter’s Call
Jesus Speaks
Making Sense
Love’s Connection
Removing the Stone
Attitude of Gratitude
The Joy of Gratitude
The Heart’s Longing
A Reality Check
Ageless Wisdom