this Easter

yellow and pink dyed eggs  – not so important

jelly beans  – not important

chocolate bunnies  – not important

bunny rabbits and Easter baskets – not so important

dressing to impress in overpriced suits  – not important

crowded church pews filled with parishioners claiming a desire to spend time with Jesus

when really what they dressed up for was the fashion show – not important

frowned faces because we don’t want to give up a seat to a neighbor – not important

White House Easter Egg Roll –  nope, not important

there will be 

no crowded malls for overspending

no parking lots where we ignore parking inside designated lines

no high heel shoes or spanx to squeeze into

no purchasing of ribbons and barrettes that pretty little girls cringe to wear

no purchasing of bow ties handsome little boys wonder why!!!

no rush to the grocery store to spread our table with a lavished meal 

while the homeless blocks away wonder where their next meal will come from

nope, there will be no over crowded restaurants

and no leftovers to throw away

no, not this year 

because silence reigns

the humans are inside and the earth is silent

the idols are being dismantled

this Easter 

Resurrection Sunday

the day set aside to remember

what Jesus did for every living soul

His broken body, His shed blood

His 33 years of human form existence

His “there are no words to fully describe” love

His amazing grace and mercy

will trump

this Easter

because silence reigns

the humans are inside and the earth is silent

the idols are being dismantled

Hallelujah! The Savior of His World reigns! Happy Resurrection Sunday.

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If the Creek Don’t Rise

Inspired by God on the last Friday of the year. Angela Riddick, Poet. Poetic Mustard Seeds. All work is protected by copyright. 12.28.18

If it were the last Friday of the year, what would you be doing?

Would you have called out to work, like maybe you did earlier this year and you really weren’t sick?

Would you be paying a payday loan back because you just could not wait until Friday?

Would you have gotten up early and said thank you to God for opening your eyes on this last Friday of the year?

I mean, really, on the last Friday of the year, what would you be doing?

Would you stop on the street to help someone less fortunate from all the blessings you received this year?

Would you let somebody over in traffic for all the times you cut others off?

Would you visit someone in ICU that you did not know?

Would you donate the things you no longer use or need to someone who is in dire straights?

I mean really, if it were the last Friday of the year would you make any sacrifices for anybody like Jesus did on Good Friday ———————— for everybody?

Would you stretch your arms wide so that you could hold someone else up, on both sides?

Would you be your brothers keeper and wash someone else’s feet?

Would you endure just a little pain, maybe not by a nailed scarred hand

but perhaps by a nail scarred Friday, giving more than you received on this here last Friday of the year?

Would you curse someone (even silently) on this last Friday because of all the crap you endured in this last week?

Or would you tell someone you love them and really mean it?

If this were the last Friday of the year, and you were not guaranteed to see the first Friday of next year, what would you do to end your life on an extremely high and loving note?

Happy New Year, if the creek don’t rise!

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Ride or Die

Inspired 3:33 am 12/11/18 by Psalm 23 NKJV. Poetic Mustard Seeds. All work posted is protected by copyright.

The Lord is my shepherd, because You said You would never leave me nor forsake me

I shall not want, because You said if I would just trust You, You would take care of every detail in my life

He makes me to lie down in green pastures, because there is no sun-burn grass in Your valley

He leads me beside the still waters, because only You know when I need total refreshing

He restores my soul, because You know how hard this life can be at times

He leads me in the paths of righteousness, because You know that righteousness is the only path that will lead me to a full life

For His name’s sake, because it was never about me and always about You

Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, because these are perilous times we live in

I will fear no evil, because again, You said you would never leave me nor forsake me

For You are with me, ALL OF THE TIME

Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me, because, You know what is best for me and You alone are my biggest cheerleader 

You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies, because my character means more to You than any of the conditions You allow me to go through

You anoint my head with oil, because You know what lies ahead in my valleys

My cup runs over, because You have every solid thing I need

Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me because again I say, You said wherever i am, there You are

All the days of my life, because You know the number of each one

And I will dwell in the house of the Lord because there IS NO other place for me or that I would rather be

Forever. Yes, forever because You are the ultimate ride or die. 

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That I Would Live a Life Worth Honoring

Inspired by God and written by Poetic Mustard Seeds on 10.17.17. All work posted is protected by copyright.

I wasn’t always saved

but some one was watching and Some One was keeping me

I’ve always had a big heart, yet I was selfish too

Even though I had a varied vocabulary, I cursed like Peter

My focus was on creating my kingdom and not living for God’s Kingdom

I was short tempered and got angry easily

because I wasn’t always saved

but some one was watching and Some One was keeping me

I was nice yet I could be cruel at the snap of a finger too because I had that gear

When I could not have my way, I metaphorically and literally at times

stumped my feet and made my own way

not even the least bit concerned about God’s way

I wasn’t always saved

but some one was watching and Some One was keeping me

I always loved helping people, but I never saw it as ministry and God’s practicum for purpose

Sadie said “don’t’ live a life of regrets”

so now I am grateful for the life I lived before God saved me

because He was keeping me all along the way

He knew those watching me would see my transformation and His Glory simultaneously

He knew my heart would expand, growing big enough for His Kingdom assignments

because some one is always watching

Like Paul, He knew He would give me some blinding time so my selfishness would turn into self-less-ness and

He knew Pastor James Marshall would be along my journey to teach me about managing my emotions so I and my tongue would leave less and less dead bodies along my way

He knew that one day my way would be less of a concern and His way would be more of my deepest desire

He knew that to be in authentic relationship with Him, for me to know Him from the mountaintop

I had to grow in the valley of life

so that I could live a life worth honoring

I am still in the valley growing

with honor and sold out, Jesus freak, not turning back

service to and reverence for God, the One Who keeps me

Psalm 23:3 states “He renews my strength. He guides me along right paths, bringing honor to his name.”

some one is always watching

Is your life a life worth honoring

but more importantly

do you bring honor to His name?

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Arrested Development

“Be still, and know that I am God! I will be honored by every nation. I will be honored throughout the world.” Psalm 46:10

You see I —— am every day people

Yeah yeah yeah

just like the song says

but like the name of the group

“Arrested Development”

that was my current situation

for 5 straight weeks

home recovering from knee surgery

and … while it healed

the Master Healer did surgery

on my mind, the rest of my body and my spirit

because He knew my knee

wasn’t the only part

needing reconstruction

You see I —— am every day people 

Yeah yeah yeah

He took me, His child

less mobile

what some might call broken

in pain a lot of the time

under the comfort of medicine

He allowed to be made

with little company

everybody else at work …   and He arrested me

in a good way for His development

He revealed parts of my future

He re-ignited my passion for poetry

He brought me lots of challenges

and He showed me how to remain calm

no matter the circumstance

You see I —— am every day people 

Yeah yeah yeah

in those first 5 weeks of recovering

I saw my neighbors in a new light

I saw the stress of the job — lessen

my confidence went to a new level

and my laughter began to come from unfamiliar bellies

Yeah, I Amazon shopped

but I was cautious about what I bought

because He was doing a new thing in me

my family became more precious as I became aware

that I am one of His princesses

You see I —— am every day people 

Yeah yeah yeah

while my nurses nursed me back to good health

God arrested me

He said and I quote

“I’m giving you new knees for the new work I’m sending your way!”

Arrested Development!

that is what took place

You see I —— am every day people 

Yeah yeah yeah

and so are you

look up the song “Everyday People”

by Arrested Development

check out the original video

and get quiet

cause’ He is waiting on you

He has things He wants to whisper

in only “your” ear

because He uses … everyday people

so allow Him to arrest and develop you

for the time is near!

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NoHustleNoBustle

Written by Angela Riddick. Poetic Mustard Seeds. All work posted is protected by copyright.

just a moment to cup my face

between my giving hands and

feel the warmth of my soul

as it breathes deeply

at the relaxed state

of knowing the

hamster wheel has stopped

NoHustleNoBustle

just a moment to reflect on

the sheer joy

of nothingness

of strangers in the background

of succulent delicious food

served in dimmed lights

with music from speakers high above

NoHustleNoBustle

just the memory of the winding roads

taken to get to the place

where the hamster wheel is un-welcomed

where the hamster wheel had to stop

where hustle and bustle took a back seat

to lighthouse calmness

Sedona serenity

Caribbean clouds and

free expression to be took over

ah

no hustle

no bustle

“Be still, and know that I am God! I will be honored by every nation. I will be honored throughout the world.” Psalm 46:10 NLT

Dedicated to Helen Ford who opened her home and her heart and allowed me to write.

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The Spectators Hope

All material posted by Poetic Mustard Seeds is protected by copyright.

The Lord was moving

oh yeah,

she felt His presence

as she stood in the midst

God was speaking through His man servant

who said come, for whatever you need

lifting her head from prayer

she watched souls in need

flock to the altar

as if she needed nothing

one by one, they went

and with each passing second she stood

still …

becoming a spectator

lovingly nudged by the Holy Spirit

her trembling body

pushed its way past her row mates

with clasped hands

and tears streaming

whew!

she was so glad she made it

she felt like the woman who bled for 12 straight years

and the centurion who said “Lord, I am not worthy that You should come under my roof. But only speak a word, and my servant will be healed.” [Matthew 8:9]

just like them

she was not taking no for an answer now

because she too, needed much

likely like you and I

she needed assurance

she needed to feel His touch

she needed forgiveness

she too, needed so very much

but … she was almost willing to be a spectator only

with mis-directed hope

So, this is her whisper to us

beloved

your change will not happen standing on the sidelines

with hope nestled in your side pockets

beloved

your change will not happen if you convince yourself that Gods promises are not for you

beloved

your change will not happen if you can not forgive yourself and forgive others

beloved

your change will not happen if you can not rise up and expect change

beloved

your change will not happen if you stand watching and waiting like a spectator

you must take a few steps

you must walk in hope

you must have faith

even if it is the size of a mustard seed

and

beloved

you must trust Him with the rest!

“For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved. He who believes in Him is not condemned; but he who does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.” John 3:16-18 NKJV

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The Heart of a Poet, Vol. 1, 3rd Letter

Written by Angela M. Riddick and edited by Grace M. Brown.  All material posted by Poetic Mustard Seeds is protected by copyright.

This past summer I went to a crab feast with a friend. At the end of the night, we found ourselves in a deep conversation with the DJ about how the current norms of society changed the way he now plays music.

I can still hear his words – “Remember, back in the day when the DJ would play a few slow songs for the lovers in the house?; well now, if I put a slow jam on, somebody is guaranteed to yell “ain’t nobody in love”; turn that stuff off!””

I think my heart is still aching from that conversation. The romantic in me remembers the day when hand holding and slow dancing were so cool.  Since that conversation, I started observing the number of times I noticed a couple holding hands and the results have been startling.

I know that not everyone is prone to outward displays of affection but one thing is definitely for sure; we have become a society that holds our smart phones more tightly than we hold each other’s hands.

My intention with the Heart of a Poet selections are to simply speak from the heart on a topic that God allows me to be impacted and inspired by. So there is no poetic expression this week but simply this:

I am just stopping by, crossing the bridge from my heart to yours, to remind you that 1 Corinthians 13:13 NLT says “Three things will last forever – faith, hope and love – and the greatest of these is love.”[Note to self: the entire chapter is worth reading.]

It hurts my heart that we are not only treating each other with such a grave loss of connectedness but this is what we are teaching our children – “ain’t nobody in love”.

Hold somebody’s hand, for God’s sake and let us not lose our compassion for connectedness towards one another. If we think the world has its share of ills now, let love go and we are really in trouble.

Merry Christmas, from my heart to yours. Angela

Written by Angela M. Riddick and edited by Grace M. Brown.  All material posted by Poetic Mustard Seeds is protected by copyright.

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Just follow these directions

Written by Angela M. Riddick. Poetic Mustard Seeds.  All material posted by Poetic Mustard Seeds is protected by copyright.

take a right turn on faith

then make a left turn from doubt

make a u-turn from self centeredness

and take the full circle up-ahead towards righteousness

then make another right turn on Study Your Word Daily Lane

and a left turn from many of life’s daily distractions

travel miles and miles toward love and

stop as often as needed to forgive

at the end of this destination, you will find

a dwelling filled with unspeakable joy and peace

a place

full of rich fruits

and down home spiritual nourishment

and a never ending well of fresh living water

to renew, refresh and revive your soul

just follow these directions

and you won’t go wrong

“I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will guide you with My eye.” – Psalm 32:8 NKJV

 

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The Seasons of Life (Inspiration for the Fall)

All material posted by Poetic Mustard Seeds is protected by copyright.

When Fall comes, and all you can think of, are the leaves you’ll have to rake,
your life is empty

For the person who embraces the colors of Fall, both red and gold,
Will dream with endless anticipation, all of life’s possibilities

When the frosty smell of Winter snow touches mother earth,
And all you can think of, is the snow you’ll have to shovel,
your life is empty

For the person who embraces the Winter and its bitter cold with a never ending fire, burning deeply inside,
is the person who with tireless effort, will embrace the task joyfully,
enjoying the softness of the snow, in the midst of the toil

When birds begin chirping, at the dawning of Spring, and all you can think of, is time moving forward,
your life is empty

For the person who rises, with the expectation of fresh budding flowers,
in many shades of color,
sees life as a child does, and never grows old

When the Summer sun starts to shine brightly, that shades, in all form, become a necessity, and all you can think of, is an air conditioned room,
your life is empty

For the person who can appreciate the coolness of a sweet summers night, appreciates life, with all its cyclical motions and embraces every movement with anticipatory gladness

Don’t let the Seasons of Life pass you by ………………

“And He changes the times and seasons; He gives wisdom to the wise And knowledge to those who have understanding.” Daniel 2:21 NKJV

 

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