Monday, September 26, 2011

I am not ashamed






I am not ashamed, of this faith in my heart

for I know, yes I know

You are Lord, King of Kings

while there are those that turn Your words

make them suit their desires

I seek You, to be like You

filled with Your love, let my countenance shine

with the filling of Your presence

indwell in my heart always

let my feet not stray from Your path

let my heart remain strong in Your ways, Your Word

draw me ever nearer, nearer my God to You

I am not ashamed, I will bear this cross for You

share this within my heart, that is You, with those that will hear

for You are love, compassion for all

You have reached out to the poor, healed and lifted up

those that were weak and weary

Let my words be Yours, calm in delivery, filled with Your love

for Your love is great, You gave the greatest to save all

offering freely, seeking all, while knowing, all would not come

I am not ashamed, of my faith

the trust that I have placed in You

for I have felt Your presence with me, Your love covering me

in the quiet times, in my times of troubles and trials

You are here, close to me, Your Spirit abiding within

I am not ashamed

for even as the skies may darken, the storms grow fierce

You are with me, You shield and protect me within Your love

You are my Sanctuary, there is no fear

Your peace is my armor, Your love my shield

I will walk into the battle of life with no hesitation

You are my light, in You no darkness can dwell

You stand at the gate waiting, calling

to those that will hear and heed Your voice

Your Word everlasting, Your love never ending

I am not ashamed

I am humbled at Your merciful grace, undeserved

Your love washing away the stains of my sins

healing a body weakened by sins

I go to my knees before You, bowing to You

Lord of Lord, King of Kings, Savior

I am not ashamed

Thursday, September 22, 2011

how sweet Lord, is your love



how gentle is Your peace

flowing down, filling this heart

healing the wounds of daily battle

calming the spirit, suffering weariness

from the struggles and storms

how gentle is Your peace

how precious is Your love

I was the broken one, fallen by the wayside

suffering the defeats of the lost

when You called my name

in love

how gentle so gentle Your love

lifting me, healing a weary heart

giving a renewed sense

hope, courage

I can now walk, believing

because You loved me

You teach me love, speaking to this child

how gentle is Your peace

that fills a weary soul

how precious, so precious is Your love

that gives one reason to smile

reason to believe and to try

in love

Tuesday, September 20, 2011

merciful and precious love





I am Your child, God most Holy

Father, Lord, Master of this life

to my knees I fall

wash me with Your love

cleanse me Father most Holy

with Your most merciful grace

fill me to overflowing with Your Holy Spirit

let my eyes see the glory of You around me

in the gifts You have placed before me

in the love within my heart

reside in my life, within my heart

shine forever shine so others may see

You are my God, most Holy of Holies

You are life

Your word my guide

love sweet love

guide my hands, to do Your work

teach my tongue Your words

place my feet on Your path

that my life, this life is a reflection of You

Your love shining

I am Your child, I speak without shame

bow before You, without shame

for I know Your love

peace fulfilling, as I walk without fear

knowing You, feeling Your love

healing me, forgiving me of my iniquities

teaching me with each step

fill me Lord my God

to overflowing, with Your most merciful and precious

love

Friday, September 16, 2011

here- I wait





somewhere out there

you cross this land

while here I wait



miles pass beneath the wheels of the truck you drive

white lines marking time as the radio plays some sad country song

taking you so far away, another load, another day



somewhere out there

you cross this land

while here I wait



a truckstop with a place to park, an overpriced meal to fill a hungry belly

somewhere to shower away the grime of the road

sleep oft interrupted by whomever is around, in need, in want



somewhere out there

you cross this land

while here I wait



the day will come, finally come

when you are headed back this way, headed home

crossing the miles, white lines marking time as your heart yearns



somewhere out there

you cross this land

while here I wait



always wait

with my eyes on the road

watching, for your return

Tuesday, September 13, 2011

Dawns





So gently the day begins

dawn softly spreading across a sky

held by the darkness of night

released to the morning

I stand in awe, watching

as a new day begins

the songs of the night wind down

as the serenade of the day begins

peace washes over me

as I witness this incredible gift

in the brilliance of the sky endless above me

the breeze that brushes against my cheek

the songs and motions of life around me

each special in its own right

singular and yet one

each in their own act and purpose

creating and completing a circle of life

gently the day begins

this day a gift from You

precious and special

washing over me with Your love

I bend a knee to You

in reverence, in awe, in faith

as the new day, renewed hope,

dawns on me.



















































Blessed, a collection of God given inspirational poetry by Rebecca Stepp Revels is available now @

http://stores.lulu.com/store.php?fAcctID=2137587

and now also at

Amazon, Books-a-Million and Barnes and Noble .com





The Legend of Dragon's Doom:a Young Warrior's vow, by RS Revels is available @

http://www.lulu.com/content/paperback-book/the-legend-of-dragons-doom-a-young-warriors-vow/7505820

and other online sites







Blessed in His Promises by Rebecca Stepp Revels available at:



https://www.lulu.com/product/paperback/blessed-in-his-promises/12670945



all books available at Bookin' It your mobile bookstore www.bookin-it.com

All books available @ Poor Richard's Book Shoppe @ www.PRBookShoppe.com



http://main.acsevents.org/goto/rebeccasrevels

Saturday, September 10, 2011

ten years ago







Ten years ago this day-at this time- many were calling it a night. Children had been tucked into bed, parents breathing a sigh of those who had a few moments of quiet before they too would turn out the lights on the way to bed. Some were still actively doing the things they enjoyed of the evening hours. A late evening watching the night around them, an evening out with friends, movies, meals, events of the ordinary type. Ten years ago, on this day, at this time we were innocent. We went about our day to day life. We went about doing the every day things without worry, without concern, without fear. Ten years ago.



What would we have done differently had we known?



On this night ten years ago, we laughed, we argued, we loved and we took for granted what we had. All across the country, we acted with an unconscious disregard. We felt safe, secure, impenetrable.



How all of that would change come morning.



Ten years ago, September 11, 2001 the world as we knew it, life as we knew it changed forever.



As morning arrived many rose from a night's sleep, those who worked the night shifts were headed home for rest. Children were preparing for school as their parents made ready for a day of work. Life was normal, ordinary, safe. We were innocent in our actions and lives. We never expected, accepted that it could happen much less would happen here. We were the greatest country, the strongest, the most secure.



How that all was about to change.



I was at work when I got word. The moment I saw for the first time the images of that plane flying into the World Trade Center, my innocent world was rocked. Shock vibrated through my system. For the time allowed I stood transfixed before that small grainy television watching what was going on around us. Hijacked planes being used as weapons against us. Thousands of people killed. The skies fell silent as all planes were grounded. The falling of the World Trade Center buildings..the fires, the fears the screams of people running.



As everything changed, never to be the same.



Families were torn apart. Fathers and mothers never to return home, never to tuck little ones into bed at night never again to help with homework or complain about a messy room. Fathers and mothers, uncles, brothers, family never to return. No lessons taught, no hugs, no teasing. Just that empty place at the table, quiet where there had once been laughter.



Buildings can be rebuilt, replaced. Lives lost, are gone forever. Hundreds came to help. They scoured the wreckage of what had once been tall, powerful, beautiful buildings. A landmark of the area. They scoured the Pentagon, looking for survivors. In that field it was obvious from the wreckage, there was no one left alive. A trench from the crash landing the proof that a terrible event had just taken place. Terrible and yet honorable. An event brought about by people on a hijacked plane who were determined that their plane not be used against their countrymen.



Never the same.



The dust, the smoke would settle. The rubble would be removed. Any sign of bodies, remains, property of those lost would be recovered. The list of names would grow. The sky in New York would appear empty, the places of the first responders, would show those lost in the attempt to rescue. Lost, so many lost.



Ten years ago, September 11, 2001. Everything changed.



All across the land, the red white and blue would fly. From any and everywhere a flag could hang from. They thought they could destroy the 'enemy' by such an enormous loss of life. Instead it angered, it drew us together. We stood in the face of this enemy and showed them, there is pride, great pride; there is determination here, that isn't found elsewhere.



Ten years ago, we were wounded, but we healed stronger.

Ten years ago, there was massive loss, we have not, never will forget.

Ten years ago, we were innocent, but we learned, we grew, we survived.



Ten years ago on this night, 9.10.11 we called it a night and went to sleep to one world. A world that would be forever changed within hours of rising on 9.11.01.



For those who lost much, we have not forgotten. For those who lost family, we remember. For those who rushed to help, those first responders, those who spent hours upon hours searching, for those who responded and were lost. We have not forgotten what you did. We have not forgotten that because of what you did then, you suffer now. We have not forgotten, we remember, always will remember. For those who lost, we are sorry, your pain is ours. For those who gave much, we thank you. For those who gave all- we remember, and we thank you. For those on the planes determined to try and retake the plane, for those we know not what you were doing, attempting to do on the other planes- we salute you, we honor you- all of you- are our heroes.



















































Blessed, a collection of God given inspirational poetry by Rebecca Stepp Revels is available now @

http://stores.lulu.com/store.php?fAcctID=2137587

and now also at

Amazon, Books-a-Million and Barnes and Noble .com





The Legend of Dragon's Doom:a Young Warrior's vow, by RS Revels is available @

http://www.lulu.com/content/paperback-book/the-legend-of-dragons-doom-a-young-warriors-vow/7505820

and other online sites







Blessed in His Promises by Rebecca Stepp Revels available at:



https://www.lulu.com/product/paperback/blessed-in-his-promises/12670945



all books available at Bookin' It your mobile bookstore www.bookin-it.com

All books available @ Poor Richard's Book Shoppe @ www.PRBookShoppe.com



http://main.acsevents.org/goto/rebeccasrevels

Friday, September 9, 2011

with me




When I walk

I am not alone

no matter where I may be

not alone

for You are with me

guiding my steps



When the day begins

the sun rising up

a new morning

a new chance

to remember

You are with me



In the day

as I go about responsibilities

activities

I know, within

You are with me

reminding me,



I have no fears

worries can not hold me

You are with me

my Guide, my Shelter

my Strength

as I go-

You are with me



















































Blessed, a collection of God given inspirational poetry by Rebecca Stepp Revels is available now @

http://stores.lulu.com/store.php?fAcctID=2137587

and now also at

Amazon, Books-a-Million and Barnes and Noble .com





The Legend of Dragon's Doom:a Young Warrior's vow, by RS Revels is available @

http://www.lulu.com/content/paperback-book/the-legend-of-dragons-doom-a-young-warriors-vow/7505820

and other online sites







Blessed in His Promises by Rebecca Stepp Revels available at:



https://www.lulu.com/product/paperback/blessed-in-his-promises/12670945



all books available at Bookin' It your mobile bookstore www.bookin-it.com

All books available @ Poor Richard's Book Shoppe @ www.PRBookShoppe.com



http://main.acsevents.org/goto/rebeccasrevels

Thursday, September 8, 2011

I run to You




Your love fills me, wraps around me

as child to parent I run

when the storms approach

thunder rumbling in the clouds

winds whipping around me

I run, I run to You

trembling in the fear, tears falling

I am lost in the emotion

lost, weary of the struggle

I run, I run to You

and I feel Your peace

comforting, calm, reassuring

You are my Sanctuary

You protect me from the storms

strengthen me, with Your word

strengthen me, with Your peace

weary of the storms

I run, I run to You

tired of the fight, weary beyond words

You draw me, to You

offering rest, offering healing

Your love fills me, wraps around me

You call my name

I run, I run to You

















































Blessed, a collection of God given inspirational poetry by Rebecca Stepp Revels is available now @

http://stores.lulu.com/store.php?fAcctID=2137587

and now also at

Amazon, Books-a-Million and Barnes and Noble .com





The Legend of Dragon's Doom:a Young Warrior's vow, by RS Revels is available @

http://www.lulu.com/content/paperback-book/the-legend-of-dragons-doom-a-young-warriors-vow/7505820

and other online sites







Blessed in His Promises by Rebecca Stepp Revels available at:



https://www.lulu.com/product/paperback/blessed-in-his-promises/12670945



all books available at Bookin' It your mobile bookstore www.bookin-it.com

All books available @ Poor Richard's Book Shoppe @ www.PRBookShoppe.com



http://main.acsevents.org/goto/rebeccasrevels

Wednesday, September 7, 2011

the day that everything changed












Funny how there are times when you can be going along, doing the things that you always do. Whether at work, home or play. Living your life as you always do to blissful in your ignorance of what may be going on around you. Then suddenly everything changes.



9.....11......2001 the day that everything changed







I was at work. As a lead person on first shift I was busily keeping the department running to the best of my ability. With over a dozen machines to keep humming I was never bored. At one point one of the ladies from the planning office came through and asked if I knew what was going on in the real world. Of course I didn't. Working in manufacturing there was no contact with the outside for hourly workers for the duration of the shift. So I had heard nothing since before 8 that morning. When she told me that planes had flown into the twin towers in New York I didn't believe her. I thought she was trying to pull a rather perverse prank.

Part of my job duties was to take papers up to the front office on a regular schedule. When I made that first trip up and saw they had a small television set up I was intrigued. When I saw what was on that fuzzy screen I was transfixed. I couldn't tear my eyes away as they showed the plane flying into the tower. When someone spoke behind me I managed to turn away. The shock I felt must have been obvious on my face. all anyone could do was nod and talk in hushed tones. This was beyond horrible.

I made more trips that day back and forth to the office than I ever have. The department ran fine, I had to know. I had to see for myself what was going on.

I noticed that it had grown very quiet crossing the complex. Then I found out that all planes had been grounded. Not that there were ever than many to begin with, but it was so quiet. Empty skies seemed to go on into infinity.

When the towers fell, I had no words. All you could do was stand...and feel, something. There was loss, there was sadness, there was anger, fear, everything that could possibly flow through your heart, mind and spirit.. it was there.

Thing is, if the terrorists that hoped to crush our spirit, they didn't know who they were messing with.

From our house to the nearest Wal-Mart is only a couple of miles. We were on our way for what ever reason when I began counting. By the time we were past the houses I had counted well over 100 flags. Flags of all sizes flew from any and every where. They were on flag poles, they were on porches, cars, mailboxes anywhere that could support a flag, held a flag.

I was held captive by the television for days. I had to know. There were so many families affected. By the loss of lives, not just in the towers, but in the Pentagon and in the field in Pennsylvania where those braves souls tried to retake control of their plane. "Let's Roll" taking on a meaning never to be forgotten. A country that came under attack, but stood tall, stood firm, stood together. As much as I mourned, I was proud of my fellow countrymen. Of those that poured into Ground Zero, searching for survivors, helping each other. People who donated, who delivered so many of the things the rescuers needed.

We stood watching, we took action, we cried and we yelled and we grew strong together. All on that day when everything changed.



















































Blessed, a collection of God given inspirational poetry by Rebecca Stepp Revels is available now @

http://stores.lulu.com/store.php?fAcctID=2137587

and now also at

Amazon, Books-a-Million and Barnes and Noble .com





The Legend of Dragon's Doom:a Young Warrior's vow, by RS Revels is available @

http://www.lulu.com/content/paperback-book/the-legend-of-dragons-doom-a-young-warriors-vow/7505820

and other online sites







Blessed in His Promises by Rebecca Stepp Revels available at:



https://www.lulu.com/product/paperback/blessed-in-his-promises/12670945



all books available at Bookin' It your mobile bookstore www.bookin-it.com

All books available @ Poor Richard's Book Shoppe @ www.PRBookShoppe.com



http://main.acsevents.org/goto/rebeccasrevels

Your gift, Your love








Morning, soft and gentle

such is your love

opening slowly, dawning gracefully

brightening the day before us

enlightening

as the colors spring forth under the light

the brightness of a morning sun

shining

warming the day

I stand and marvel at the beauty before me

consumed by the peace around me

wrapping around me

filling my heart and soul

with simple and pure joy

such is Your love

a gift of peaceful beauty

to hold close and treasure

knowing and understanding

how unworthy I may be

but how even in my state

You forgave and continue to forgive

such

is Your love

















































Blessed, a collection of God given inspirational poetry by Rebecca Stepp Revels is available now @

http://stores.lulu.com/store.php?fAcctID=2137587

and now also at

Amazon, Books-a-Million and Barnes and Noble .com





The Legend of Dragon's Doom:a Young Warrior's vow, by RS Revels is available @

http://www.lulu.com/content/paperback-book/the-legend-of-dragons-doom-a-young-warriors-vow/7505820

and other online sites







Blessed in His Promises by Rebecca Stepp Revels available at:



https://www.lulu.com/product/paperback/blessed-in-his-promises/12670945



all books available at Bookin' It your mobile bookstore www.bookin-it.com

All books available @ Poor Richard's Book Shoppe @ www.PRBookShoppe.com



http://main.acsevents.org/goto/rebeccasrevels

Sunday, September 4, 2011

I'll dream, while I do what I know how, to make a living


                                          my very first official booksigning-thank you Bookin' It





Once upon a time...I had this dream. I was going to be a best selling author. I was going to write wonderful things that would make people think, laugh,cry. From my writings they would learn or they would be able to escape for a while into a world of my making. It was my dream, it was my goal. Somewhere along the way something happened.



I write, I have never quit writing. Depending on the mood and the muse it is either poetry, short stories or even working on the great American novel. It just isn't my career. Its still a dream, but its turned out to be more of a hobby than a goal. Even as I yearn for that dream to become reality..I do what I know how. I ignore the tears of loss, the frustration of feeling the failure and do what I must.



As a teenager my very first real job was in a hosiery mill. They had an order that the customer wanted packed differently. All the hosiery had been returned and the company had hired several people to shove these hose into what was called pencil boxes. I was good, I was really good, quick and with a good enough dexterity to go through the trays of hosiery quickly. I was paid hourly with those on production complaining that they were going to be expected to pack that much once the school year began again and I would no longer be there. I ignored them and did what I had to, what I was good at doing.



After school I went back, but it wasn't the same. My mother had worked there before and now she was no longer in the work force. I didn't like it, wanted out and eventually moved on. I went to work at a different plant on a machine. I was running a winder on second shift. Single and not really dating it wasn't a bad shift. Over the course of time I changed jobs. I moved living in a different state for a while. My writing was mostly letters, but my creative side still slipped out in my sketches. I held low paying jobs where in some I endured things I had only heard about, dodged things I wanted nothing to do with and survived. Thankfully I moved back home to a place I understood and loved.



Between then and now I have been married, divorced, gone through things that I would have never thought I would have done or dealt with. But I did. Not only that, I survived to tell about it, which I do in part from time to time. I don't tell it all because I don't want some of those things that happened to get back to my parents. As a parent I know how it hurts to know your children are hurting or have been hurt. I'll protect them from that in any and every way I can. I know they suspect, but they don't need confirmation.



Now, and for the last 21 years I have worked at a textile plant making specialty yarns. I know it, I'm good at it. I better be after all this time. I know what the various customers want and require. I know by memory what most of the years should look like and what special set ups are required in getting that look. I know this job. At one time we were working four ten hour days, now we are back on five eight hour days. I really miss those Fridays off giving us that long weekend. But you have to do what they tell you.



My sense of humor tends to get me into trouble, some don't understand it, some laugh, some just look at me oddly and walk away.



They know how I love to wander and walk and take nature photos and they know how I love to write. Some even listen to me talk about my writing..they don't understand it all, especially when I get off on some fantasy tale. When you make up creatures..then try to talk about them to non-writers you tend to get some really odd looks. A couple times I feared that they were about to call for the men with the white jackets and net.



I was among several that were sending editorial type articles to the local paper, but they changed a lot of things and are no longer running those like they once did. Now I send them to a small free weekly salespaper. Slowly those that followed me in the local paper are finding me in this one. I self-published three books, two poetry and one young adult fantasy novel. I'm not a business person, I don't know how to go about doing the promoting to get these noticed. They're still available online, but I haven't said much about them. I haven't given up on them, I'll figure out something. A friend I know has paid the cost for me to have a profile page on a site, I just have to have paypal..I have as yet to figure out how to set it up properly. James said he was going to help me - something he does a lot. I'm working on a collection of short stories, memoir-type stuff. I finally came up with a title I'm happy with, I was allowing that to be a stumbling block. Now I have to check with a person that was recommended about publishing through them. What little I know sounds good, better than what I did before on my own.



Some of my non-writing friends as I said do not understand this driving force within me. They don't understand how my dream of becoming a best selling author could be so important. They have even made comments that have left me wondering, hurting, doubting. Picking apart my writing, finding fault...leaving me disappointed and discouraged. I could understand constructive criticism that points out the bad..and the good. I know I'll shake it off. I know the driving force won't allow me to sit here in this little pity puddle long. I'll write, I'll publish, I'll promote, I'll sell..



Until then, I'll do what I know. I'll get up every morning and get ready to go and work in that textile plant. I'll help make the yarn that allows others to create things of beauty. After my sift is up, I'll go home, I'll pick up my camera and walk. I'll get home and write about what I found along my walk. I'll follow my muse don't its own winding paths to where ever it leads. and I'll dream, I'll always dream.





















































Blessed, a collection of God given inspirational poetry by Rebecca Stepp Revels is available now @

http://stores.lulu.com/store.php?fAcctID=2137587

and now also at

Amazon, Books-a-Million and Barnes and Noble .com





The Legend of Dragon's Doom:a Young Warrior's vow, by RS Revels is available @

http://www.lulu.com/content/paperback-book/the-legend-of-dragons-doom-a-young-warriors-vow/7505820

and other online sites







Blessed in His Promises by Rebecca Stepp Revels available at:



https://www.lulu.com/product/paperback/blessed-in-his-promises/12670945



all books available at Bookin' It your mobile bookstore www.bookin-it.com

All books available @ Poor Richard's Book Shoppe @ www.PRBookShoppe.com



http://main.acsevents.org/goto/rebeccasrevels

Friday, September 2, 2011

just chillin' with a white spider

spider......just chillin'

listen..do you hear something?

hmm..I could have sworn I heard something


    ohhhhh..I know where they are..


                                                                   come on now--just a bit closer

                                                                   there you are.. come to poppa

                                  over here..hey! psst.. over here, I have some thing to show you..

                                                    that's right--over here
                                                   Gotcha! ewwww what is that smell??

                                  
                                                            ug.. now that's just nasty
                                                       now that was just a bit too close

                                        ahhhhh yeah-- just chillin'

Your love






Your love sustains me Lord

through all things

when I grow weary of the ways

of the things around me

when I feel myself struggling

I turn to You

I give to You, the things that are working against me

trying, to tear me down

I come to You,turn to You

give to You, all the worries of this life

weary, I come to You

knowing, that You will take the burdens

making my load, my cross lighter

so that I may continue

following You

in all things