Come Flutter Your Wings: The Butterfly: A Metaphor of Redemption

By Audrey Thompson

The author presents this book of twenty-three personal poems, and her life story, to encourage your heart, to enlighten your mind, and to realize that the LORD Jesus has a plan and purpose for your life also. As she has found God's purpose for her life, she encourages you to look at your journey through life, and turn to a way o

• Language: English
• Publisher: Samuel Thompson
• Release date: Dec 1, 2020
• ISBN: 9781087932552

Book preview

9781087932552.jpg

Contents

Acknowledgements

Preface

Chapter 1

There is no Greater Glory

The Faithful Promises of God

Carefree Birds in Flight

The Peace of God

Brought to Life by God’s Grace

Chapter 2

God’s Creation Purpose

From God’s Almighty Hand

Chapter 3

On Eagle’s Wing

Love One Another

I am Set Free

Joy in Time With Jesus

Chapter 4

Life is but a Vapor

Words in Action

Chapter 5

God’s Love Shines Bright

The Perfect Gift

Chapter 6

The Perfect Garden

The Thoughts of Jesus and me

Along the Ocean’s Shore

Chapter 7

Under the Bright Blue Sky

Chapter 8

On My Way Home

Memories to Frame

A Time to Laugh

Invited by God

Copyright

Acknowledgements

I am thankful to the LORD Jesus Christ, who has given to me the gift of life, and by His Holy Spirit He has revealed to me, that God created me with a plan, and for a purpose.

THANK YOU TO:

My wonderful husband Pete, who gave me his time, skills, support and God’s wisdom along the way.

My daughter Deborah Cherry-Shield, who encouraged me to write this book, as she nudged me to endure, with perseverance, persistence, and to have patience along the way

To my friends, Julia Barile, Alberta Talley, Sandy Kammer, and Grace Bensendorf, who held me up in prayer, encouragement, and Christian support,

A special thanks to, Pastor & Elder, Warren Burrell, and his wife Virginia, who led me into Salvation, and a personal relationship with Jesus Christ,

Pastor Clifford M. Johnson Jr., who taught me how to begin my walk in a new life in Jesus Christ, and how to practice Agape love,

Pastor & Elder Novell Deloatch, who taught me Doctrine and application of the scriptures, and

Pastor John Mc Knight, who diligently feeds me spiritual food each week, while he encourages me to continue my journey of Faith in Jesus Christ.

Preface

To the Reader:

This book is a personal collection of poems, with testimonies of God’s power at work in my heart, mind, and life. I shall praise my God, for He has brought me to this time and place in my life where He has revealed to me His sovereign plan and purpose for my being; whereby, through His Holy Word He revealed to me that I am to worship Him, and glorify Him in every aspect of my life.

This collection of poems was written to express praise and thanksgiving to The LORD Jesus Christ. I thank Him for the redemption of my soul, through His shed blood on Calvary’s cross. After my redemption, I was prepared by the Holy Spirit to give praise to my God.

1 Corinthians 6:20 (KJV)

²⁰ "For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God’s.

Though I tell the story of my life to present the poems and the book, they are not about me, but rather they are about Jesus and His sovereign, providential plan and purpose for my being.

I am thankful for the gift of new life in Jesus, and the gift of poetry to express praise to Him.

As the truth of the matter was revealed to me after much time spent in the Scriptures, I find that God speaks through His Holy word, and I find the Word of God to be tried and true. As I continued to spend time reading and studying the Holy Bible, I began to see that my ultimate purpose is to worship and glorify Him. God’s word is the power for repentance unto salvation; and it is a guide, and a map for righteous living. If we are to count on any blessings in life, then life must be carried out; according to God’s word and in His will, not our own will (doing our own thing). Moreover, to live according to the Holy Bible can be done only when the Holy Spirit illuminates our minds, changes our hearts, and after a person has come into a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. It is for this reason my soul rejoices.

Ephesians 1:4-7 (KJV)

⁴"According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love:

⁵ Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will,

⁶ To the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in The beloved.

⁷ In whom we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace."

My prayer for you is this: that you will find joy, peace, encouragement, and strength, while you read this collection of poems and the testimonies of how I came to know and except God’s purpose for my being. I also share in the book how I came to realize that God gave me a gift with encouragement to bring comfort and joy to my own soul, and to encourage others through poetry.

Over the span of my lifetime there have been times of deep troubles and sometimes despair, however the Holy Spirit of God delivered me from it all. You also, as I once was, may be in the midst of calamity or at the crossroads of your life. Therefore I pray for you and myself, that God will bless you in your endeavor to find His purpose and plan for your being. While I also pray that the story of my life will touch your heart and draw you to seek and embrace the Lord Jesus Christ. I pray that you will be persuaded to get into God’s Word, the Holy Bible, and learn of His love and purpose for your life as well.

Chapter 1

Delivered into Freedom, to Fulfill God’s Purpose for My Being

Romans 8:28 (KJV)

²⁸" And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose".

Ephesians, 1:5 (KJV)

⁵ Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will,

As my thoughts ponder upon things that are true, pure, just, honest, lovely, and of things that are of a good report, my mind rests on the thought of the Miraculous Transformation of my soul into Salvation by the shed blood of Jesus Christ. He raised my soul from death into life when He delivered me from my sins, and changed my heart and mind about who He really is.

It took the power of Almighty God to bring about that change, and as I look at the metamorphosis of the butterfly, this picture is very clear: The butterfly is a metaphor that depicts freedom, change, hope, and a renewed life. This portrayal shows how after the butterfly is transformed it is set free to get on with what it was created to do. As this process continues, the butterfly changes from a caterpillar and it now merges with quickly fluttering wings that are arrayed with bright vivid colors. As it dashes about with movement, it mesmerizes the mind of the one who watches as it flies fast and floats gracefully, while it seemingly brings inspiration and the evidence of hope. When I observe and trace this beautiful, colorful, flying insect with fluttering wings, I am reminded that the awaited, Spring Season has come at last. By instinct the butterfly goes forth daily during its short life span to gather its resources to maintain life. As the butterfly has now been transformed, it moves away from its dirt crawling stage to now soar high above the flower. As it hovers, it gathers the sweet fruit of nectar for energy to recycle itself; thus it starts a new beginning.

So it is with me and all other Christians, who has been redeemed, those who have exchanged the old way of life to live a new life in Jesus Christ. Like the butterfly that is created to fulfill God’s purpose; I am to get on with God’s business also, doing what I was created to do. My soul rejoices and my spirit dances, because of the freedom I have from the oppression of my soul, spirit, and mind. By God’s great power, He has delivered me from my oppressor’s strength, whereby this deliverance is from the Devil, who is the one with a desire to destroy my