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We were therefore buried with him
through baptism into death in order that,
just as Christ was raised from the dead
through the glory of the Father,
we too may live a new life.
Romans 6:4
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Walking in White
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Have I not walked that dark valley
the death of all I once had been
the washing away of past sinful deeds
the robe I wear now white and clean?
~
If I’ve not died to my old life
and been raised set apart for Him
perhaps my faith is only theoretical
and I’m still buried within my sin?
~
Yet I delight in my remembrance
of the valley walk in scarlet attire
when Christ’s crimson blood washed over
and robed me in white – his heart’s desire.
~
Wendy/2013
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I wrote this poem in response to an
Oswald Chambers January 15th devotional in:
My Utmost for His Highest
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This is my favorite, so far, of all the poems I’ve written in response
to the writings of Oswald Chambers.
I felt reaffirmed in Christ while reading the devotional
and responding with my own words.
(I’ve borrowed this post from a previous one of mine, as I’m busy editing another manuscript.)
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Are you familiar with Oswald Chambers?
What’s your all-time favorite devotional book?
I love devotionals and hope to publish one.
Devotionals, like kindred-spirit-friends, are good for the soul.
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Blessings on your weekend.
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For His Highest Blessings ~ Wendy
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It is beautiful Wendy! Thank you so much for sharing your poem! Have a wonderful and blessed weekend! 🙂
Thank you, dear Majka. I enjoyed your thistle and bee post. Blessings.
You are most welcome, Wendy! ☺
beautiful <3
Thank you, dear Morgan.
Thank you for this inspirational post
Thank you, dear Maureen. I always enjoy your photography and poems.
As always, beautiful photos and words…thank you Wendy. My favourite daily devotional, is from Streams in the Desert by Mrs Charles E.Cowman. A well worn copy is on the verandah, and now I also read it on my iPad – as well as a daily reading from Faith’s Checkbook by Charles Spurgeon. I so much enjoy seeing the Scriptures you share with your thoughtful words and your photos. As well as your beautiful pics and poems. I think you’d do a wonderful devotional book!
Had a quick look on Amazon, I reckon I’ll buy, Oswald Chambers, “My Utmost for His Highest”. Sounds great! Thanks, for all the sharing you do about your faith. I pray to more and more, “infuse” (just seems the right word) my love of God into my art and words. Your lovely posts, are certainly a further inspiration to do so. ~ all the best, Janette. God Bless
Janette, would you believe I was reading “Streams in the Desert” this morning? I’d set it aside while reading another book and then started it again today. Oswald Chambers is thick reading. I’m not always sure I’m understanding him correctly, but he includes a scripture with each devotion–so that helps.
Thank you for your encouraging words. I’m also hoping to finish a project concerning poetry in response to “My Utmost for His Highest”. I suspect I’m not the only person who finds his writing rich but challenging.
Your art inspires me to continue with my own creativity. God doesn’t necessarily call everyone to share their faith overtly through their work–but the Holy Spirit lets us know when. Just by virtue of believing, our art will be infused with His grace and love.
I’m curious to see if I have anything in my personal library by Charles Spurgeon, as I see him quoted a lot. Blessings, dear friend.
How wonderful, yes I would believe that – I think, a lovely example of God’s synchronicity.. 🙂
Thanks for your encouraging reply. I’ll continue to keep sensitive, to the Holy Spirit for those “overt” opportunities to share my faith. Love that word; have used it in a similar context, myself. I do think when I was a new Christian, about 30 or so years ago, I was sometimes too “overt”!
I agree, by walking close with God, He touches – “infuses”, (hmm, do like that word) our art and every aspect of our lives with His love, and in this way, we can be also be a witness for Him.
Thanks again Wendy, for your wonderful posts. Enjoy your weekend. ~ Janette
This is such a touching and thought provoking poem. I liked that it speaks of a living faith rather than an intellectual pursuit. I have heard of Oswald Chambers, but have not read his books…only an assortment of quotes.
It is hard to narrow down to just one all-time favorite book. “Grace Abounding To The Chief Of Sinners” would be one of them. It is John Bunyan’s autobiography, and is often included in many editions of “The Pilgrim’s Progress”.
Blessings,
Theresa
Thank you, dear Theresa. “The Pilgrim’s Progress” is a must read for sure. I read a modernized version to my children years ago. There’s a movie too, though it’s not near as good as the book, but it’s fairly true to it (and that’s rare these days).
I’ve not read “Grace Abounding to the Chief of Sinners”, but now I want to. And guess what? I just checked and got it for free on my Kindle from Amazon as it’s a public domain book now. 🙂 Thanks so much for mentioning it. <3
Really makes me think about my belief. Beautiful.
Thank you, dear Laura. I suspect God’s thinking about each one of us more than we could ever imagine. I know I’m secretly praying blessings over my children. 🙂
I think so too. 🙂
Beautiful. As always! ❤️
Thank you, dear Heather. Our Father sure knows how to create flowers “pleasing to the eye”. <3
I haven’t read any devotionals for a long time, but recently I have been enjoying a daily post from a Facebook friend who lives by the sea in South Africa. It has a devotional aspect to it. I am sure you will write a beautiful and inspiring devotional. 🙂
“By the sea” sounds like a lovely setting for devotionals to be posted from. I’m spoiled living so close to ocean beaches and walking trails too. Thank you for your encouragement. This morning the sun came out, after two days of rain, so my camera got put to good use.
Yes, you are in an ideal spot for devotional writing, too.
Wendy, a beautiful poem. I’ve read My Utmost For His Highest a number of times, and I glean so much every single time I read his words. I love that your responses come in the form of poetry. 🙂
Beautiful pictures too!
Thank you, dear Jeanne. I’m hoping to write more poems in response to his book. It forces me to dig deeper into each devotion; otherwise I tend to be a lazy reader if the message isn’t obvious to me.
Beautiful post and poem, Wendy. I’ve read “My Utmost for His Highest” many times and this post makes me want to to pick it up again! 🙂
Thanks, dear Nancy. I’ve also got it sitting out by my reading chair again. I think it’s the most popular devotional. Blessings to you & Bob.
Oh, I love this Wendy. We who’ve come to Christ have all been washed white as snow though a crimson past and heart yet are a part of our reality. That’s just the way of this world. It’s good as my friend Julie said in her post recently, it’s good to remember the markers of the times we’ve encountered the Christ on that old Damascus road. And I praise The Grace that brought me to Him. Thanks for this lovely post and reminder of the past sins that He has washed with His blood for us. Love and hugs, N 🙂 <3
Thank you, sweet Natalie. <3 Yes, "as far as the east is from the west", He's removed our sins from us. I love the worship song that includes this Scripture in it. Pointing to markers of our faith help us counter attacks and doubts. xo
😊❤️
I love Oswald Chambers. I don’t think I have a favorite book of his, but my favorite saying is “When you don’t know what to do, and you’re seeking God’s will, you just pray and do the next thing.” That’s probably not a word-for-word quote, but it’s the idea. It’s from “My Utmost for His Highest.”
Thank you, Linda. That’s a wonderful and timely quote for me. Today my pastor talked about discovering God’s will. Whatever we do or wherever we go, God’s will is for us to be holy. When we seek that first, we’ll find all the other stuff we need too. “Doing the next thing” is doable. 🙂 Blessings.
This makes me think of the scripture verse that says, “Though your sins are as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow.” Is. 1:18 I like to read the devotionals in My Daily Bread
Susan, that’s one of my favorite verses. I don’t think a week goes by without me remembering it. I heard it for the first time as a brand new Christian taking my first communion. I miss “My Daily Bread”. I need to subscribe to it again. 🙂
Beautiful little spring flowers! So hopeful
Thank you, dear Iris. Blessings as you begin a new week.
A beautiful, heartfelt poem, Wendy. And your photos are always lovely. 🙂
Thank you, dear Tracy. I’m hoping to catch up on my blog reading this week, I’m curious what you’ve been up to. 🙂
Bless you today! Loving your blog, poetry, and the Word! I was given a My Utmost for His Highest journal in May 1996…it remains my absolute favorite devotional! The original gift was genuine bonded leather 6.5 x 9.5″, gold-edged pages, just a beautiful book. The words within had even greater beauty and the book is now in three pieces with the leather over the spine missing. I so often find myself reading Utmost from my computer or phone. Your post and my reply has just quickened my heart to get this book in a little better condition and return to those golden pages. So many notes…so many opportunities to see how God has proven Himself in my life. Bless you, Wendy Macdonald!
Thank you for your encouraging words. It’s possible to have a book rebound. I had my grandmother’s garden book done at a reasonable cost. I’m sure your notes are faith boosters as you’re reminded of what God has done in your life. I journal, and it’s a joy to read and see what He’s accomplished. Blessings on your weekend.
Thanks for this, Wendy. Oswald Chambers is one of my most favourite writers. I quote him in my writing and my talking! My mother gave me the same book and I love it.
Thank you, dear Cynthia. I’ve heard Oswald Chamber’s devotional is the most popular one. I’m hoping to write poems in response to each of his entries (19 so far). It helps me understand and absorb his words. He was an amazing inspirational writer.
Excellent goal. Keep writing!