Sonnet: Roses for God as Offering
The roses that I place before Thee, God,
Do bless my offering this day, some way;
And help me do my duty well, O Lord,
Conforming to Thy divine way, I pray!
The rain You showered, helped the plant to grow;
The sun You shone gave it the nutrition;
The roots anchored it well in soil and oh,
The buds sprouted without inhibition!
The plant’s studded by flowers beautiful!
They are from You and they are Yours, I know;
They smell so well and look so wonderful;
Do accept them from me, O Lord for now!
I add my labour and my sacrifice,
O God; Your grace and blessings suffice!
Copyright by Dr John Celes 16-11-11
poem by John Celes
Submitted by Poetry Lover
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Related quotes
A Rose-bud advises man…
I asked a rose-bud, ‘who gave you your beauty? ’
And it replied, ‘my mother’s sap gave me! ’
I asked again, ‘who gave your mother plant, its sap? ’
It said, ‘the soil and rain by roots, the sun through leaves! ’
I asked the rose-bud, ‘who gave the soil, sun and rain such abilities? ’
It replied, ‘the One who made all things, and you and me! ’
And now the rose-bud asked me, ‘But why do you ask such questions?
Are you not made beautiful too by the same One,
Who made me, the moon, sky, soil and sun?
And yet, like you, we cannot walk or run! ’
It continued, ‘we plants feel sad we cannot move like how you do! ’
‘We buds grow bigger by each dawn;
The Maker feels so happy when we’re born,
And smiles on seeing us each morn,
Turning ecstatic, when we blossom on,
The landscape to perfume and to adorn –
By morrow, most of us are almost gone! ’
I asked the rose-bud, ‘are the dew-drops then because you cry? ’
And it replied, ‘they are the tears of joy and sadness of God on high,
Who knows we are born to sooner die.’
But tell me man, such questions, you ask, ‘why? ’
The rose-bud went on:
‘God gave you man, woman, a long life-span;
And do many things, you surely can! ’
God made you far more beautiful!
Be satisfied and be dutiful;
God is our Master One, most wonderful!
Praise Him, thank Him for all His gifts to you, bountiful! ’
Copyright by Dr John Celes 2-2-2010
poem by John Celes
Submitted by Poetry Lover
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The Plant upon the Window-sill!
A little plant grows on the window-sill!
Perhaps a fern or shrub of smaller size!
Why it should grow in such a queer site/place?
I wonder how it gets its nutrition!
May be, a bird had placed the seed just there!
How come, it grows despite no soil at all?
I see it flutter in the breeze at times;
I'm sure, it cannot grow to its full size!
My curiosity is evoked much;
What does it try to tell us human folks?
May be, it is a sign of hope for us!
Should we not trust the Maker for our birth?
By habit, we complain when things go wrong;
Our faith in God dithers and wavers much;
We ought to keep steadfast in times of strife!
Our faith gets tested during stress and strain.
The little plant has taught me some wisdom;
It grows because of God's glory on earth!
It does not care for want of nourishment;
It grows for sake of God as long He wants!
Dissatisfaction fills most human hearts;
Discontented, we stay mostly in life;
Should we not thank the Lord for our fine birth?
We ought to live to glorify our God!
Copyright by Dr John Celes 18-08-12
poem by John Celes
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Plight of World’s Children Today
Like buds nipped before turning into flowers;
Like flowers plucked before fully blossoming,
Crushed without being allowed to form seed –
This is the state of world’s children today!
Like seedlings pulled like weeds with roots from soil,
Like sprouted plants that never can turn trees,
With branches trimmed or broken off like twigs –
This is the state of world’s children today!
Like saplings not nurtured by sun and rain,
Like plants, whose leaves are eaten by stray beasts,
Whose roots can never find right type of soil –
This is the state of world’s children today!
When human beings treat their own offspring
In ways inhuman, most condemnable,
How can God bless mankind upon the earth?
No wonder Nature kills adults likewise!
Copyright by Dr John Celes 09-17-08
poem by John Celes
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The Rose-plant
A plant bore roses ten in number all,
And two got nipped when young by Nature’s way;
One blossomed to adorn God’s celestial throne;
Six bloomed becoming beauteous flowers big,
To put forth seed that fell on fertile soil,
That grew into rose-plants like their parents.
One still remains a flower big on mother-plant:
Weathered a bit, perfuming her landscape;
She yearned but could not turn into a seed!
Nevertheless, she bowed to Divine Will.
The soil was good in which the rose-plant grew,
Watered by rain and bathed by sun for years;
God’s grace and mercy nurtured her growth-curve;
Life’s storms and strife could not up-root the plant.
The mother-plant is very old in age;
Her life-partner left years back to God’s Home;
She lives by sheer will-pow’r, amidst her own,
And thanks the Maker for blessing her life;
God’s plans and ways are strange and mysterious;
Yet, earthlings must abide by Will Divine;
God gives us freedom to decide and act;
But Heaven must remain our goal always.
poem by John Celes
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Bible Stories: Jonah (Part IV)
Chapter 4:
What God had done, displeased Jonah;
In angry mood, he prayed,
‘I knew You’ll show clemency, Lord,
That’s why at first, I fled! ’
‘You’re a gracious, merciful God,
You’re slow to punish men;
And this is what I had said then;
You’re slow to anger, Lord! ’
‘Lord, take away my life from me,
’Tis better, I be dead! ’
God asked him, ‘Is your anger just? ’
Jonah had not replied.
He left the city to its east,
And built him small a hut;
And in its shade, waited to see,
What happened to men, beast!
God made a gourd plant grow over,
To give him more of shade;
Jonah was happy with cover,
His discomfort did fade!
Next day, God sent a worm to kill
The plant which withered fast;
The scorching sun then made him ill,
To faint, he turned almost.
The sun made Jonah angry more,
‘Better I die, ’ he said;
When God asked him, he thus replied,
‘The plant’s death made me sore! ’
And then the Lord explained Jonah,
‘You feel for gourd, not own.
You neither sowed the seed, nor raised,
The plant that lived one night! ’
‘Concerned are you, about a plant
For which you labored not;
And when it perished over-night,
You’re angry enough to die! ’
‘Oh, should I not show concern for
Great Nineveh city?
One twenty thousand men live there,
And beasts- what a pity? ’
Copyright by Dr John Celes 4-25-2007
poem by John Celes
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Sonnet: Have Mercy Lord, O God!
Have mercy on our children, Lord, O God;
They live in modern times, afilled with sin;
The fruits of Science have blunted conscience, Lord;
They falsely think, by labor, they can win.
Have mercy on our neighbors, Lord, O God;
The need for wealth has driven them crazy;
They tend to forget Thee and behave odd;
Ignore their faults and rain on them, mercy.
Have mercy on our friends and foes, O God;
Remember their good deeds and not their faults;
Bless them for every uttered holy word,
And break their journey onto hellish vaults!
Have mercy on all mankind, Lord, O God;
And spare most souls from thy divine just rod!
Copyright by Dr John Celes 2-17-2008
poem by John Celes
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A Thanksgiving Prayer to God
Almighty God, to Thee I pray,
And thank Thee for all things this day,
I had received in ample way;
Let glory be to Thee, Aye! Aye!
I am a human being mere;
I sin often and always err;
Forgive me Lord, my God, I plead,
A better life, may I still lead.
This day is almost over, Lord!
I’m sorry if I broke accord;
Without Thine mercy, love O God,
My life gets thrown into discord.
My every want, Thou providest;
My praises, thanks, I offer best;
Ignore my iniquities Lord;
Afill my heart, mind with Thine word.
O let my lips utter good words,
And let my tongue not turn like swords,
And let me labor for Thine sake,
And dispel ignorance and ache.
The good I did all came from Thee
The bad surfaced from within me;
O help me do my duty well,
And always toll the success bell!
O fill this vessel, Lord, I pray,
With gifts that I can share today,
With downtrodden brethren around,
And men and women, poor, unsound.
O bless my solitude always;
Let devils not invade my days;
So bless my deeds and mundane ways,
Miraculously most, in case.
O take away my pride, O Lord;
I long to live in Thine accord;
Rescue me from each temptation
That takes me nearer Damnation.
Provide me Lord, with Thine insight;
Thou art my only way, truth, light;
Let love for Thee burn always bright,
From dawn till dusk, and through the night.
My fallacies are not just mine;
O keep me off women and wine;
This bread will do; my health is fine;
My soul with grace must always shine.
O Lord, now bless this bread I eat;
And keep my body, heart, soul, neat,
And walking in heavenly grace,
With wisdom, piety-filled face.
Copyright by Dr John Celes 1-17-2008
poem by John Celes
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Roses, Roses
Roses, Roses blooming bright!
In earth’s gardens; ‘What a sight! ’
Studding plants in dawn’s dew, light;
And perfuming day and night!
Queen of flowers, roses stay;
Budding, blossoming en way;
Hues pretty, very well laid;
Decorating bride and maid.
Oh, what mind had shaped thee thus!
And what hearts enjoy thy bliss;
Thorns amongst green leaves just say,
‘Beauty needs protection, Aye! ’
Roses, Roses petaled fine;
Standing glorious in sunshine;
Beauty unmatched on earth, thine;
Making garlands more divine!
Roses add to Mary’s crown,
Reciting Rosaries when;
Blessings and grace then come down,
Making souls fit for heaven!
Copyright by Dr John Celes 06-12-2010
poem by John Celes
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A Song to God
I ask for mercy God,
Lend me your ear;
I need your guidance Lord,
I want you near.
I ask for will-pow’r God,
Give me your grace;
I need your blessings Lord,
I want your pace.
I ask for soul pure God,
Shed me your light;
I need your friendship Lord,
I want your sight.
I ask for wisdom God,
Show me your way;
I need your closeness Lord,
For these, I pray.
poem by John Celes
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Nature Succeeds Where Man Fails
What seeds, I threw
across the window, grew
as custard apple saplings, fast,
surprising all who came and looked aghast
and wondered how miraculous things could happen thus!
The seeds within the bird-droppings
Find domes and steeples, gopurams,
To grow so well that people often ask,
‘Can plants grow without soil and only rain,
Deriving nutrition from merely air? ’
Yet, farmers till the ground until
Forehead sweat falls and rain and sun
Can’t germinate the seeds sown well,
As tears fill eyes as crops don’t grow:
‘O God, they cry, why are we so unblessed? ’
At times, man may not reap what he may sow,
Until God-blessed, allowed by God;
He knows what, when, how much to give
Each person, as he well deserves:
God’s words decide our labour’s fruit.
Copyright by Dr John Celes 18-10-11
poem by John Celes
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The Vessel That I am!
I am a weak vessel.
Strengthen me, O Lord!
Help me fill up to the brim
With virtues of all sorts.
I am a small vessel.
Make me hold more, O Lord!
Take away my porosity;
Let things remain intact.
I am a clay vessel.
Polish my sides, O Lord!
Let me stand most splendidly,
Glorifying my God.
I am a mere vessel,
Distorted somewhat, O Lord!
Place me on a rocky base,
To show the world my class!
The vessel whatever that I am
Will serve Thee only, Lord.
Fill me up with thy grace, O God
To prove that I’m fine clod!
Copyright by Dr John Celes 2-1-2009
poem by John Celes
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The Seed in the Womb- Baby Alive!
There is a dormant life, unseen,
In every seed!
When sowed in soil that’s wet,
Under the bright rays of the sun,
It sprouts into a seedling,
With overt life!
It grows into a sapling-
A miniature plant,
Which grows into a plant or tree,
Laden with flowers, fruits and seeds,
And happy are both,
God and mankind.
Do farmers destroy seeds?
Do they destroy sprouted seeds?
Do they pull off seedlings?
Do they remove saplings?
And all have life,
From Creator!
There is an innate life, unseen
In each zygote!
On nidation in womb,
Under the loving care of God,
It grows, becoming embryo:
With overt life!
Which grows into a fetus-
Miniature human being!
Bubbling with life;
And grows into a human babe,
That should be born,
To grow into an adult (male/ female) ,
Who can now have, children,
Maintaining human race,
And happy are both,
God and mankind!
Should one destroy zygotes?
Should one destroy embryos? (Abortion)
Should one murder the fetus? (Feticide, Abortion))
Should one kill the babe, unborn? (Infanticide)
And all have life,
From Creator!
Life is life- plant or beast!
Life is life- in seed or ovum / sperm!
Life is life- small or big!
Life is life- in utero or ex!
Life is life- unborn or born!
Life is life- child or adult!
Would anyone sane destroy
A growing plant?
Would anyone sane cut down
A little tree?
Does any woman have the right
To abort her child?
Can any man or woman
Murder own child?
‘God gives the ‘seed’ life in the womb,
None dare take this out, except Him.
God makes the seed grow in the womb;
No one dare turn the womb, a tomb!
Abortion is murder, most foul
Of a baby in the womb! ’
‘THOU SHALT NOT KILL- saith the Lord.’
Copyright by Dr John Celes 1-29-2008
poem by John Celes
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On New Year’s Eve
Fully obey the Lord;
Thy God can exalt anyone
To levels, undreamt of;
But then,
One must fulfill His commands,
And listen to His words,
Or else,
The blessings could vanish very fast;
One shouldn’t do things for fear of men;
One shouldn’t appease the wishes of the world;
God is the supreme One and expects us to obey His words;
He can change our destiny for the better anytime,
And this lies in our very hands;
Sin is the only impediment to the Lord’s blessings;
We must beware of the wily devils,
And keep the road to righteousness;
Never turn back or go astray;
God makes us fit for mighty tasks;
Abide in Him and follow His code;
Heaven’s blessings rain from the sky;
Pray to Him to remain in godliness.
Copyright by Dr John Celes 12-30-2006
poem by John Celes
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Sonnet: Faith in God
Hear the Word of God and faith shall grow;
Faithlessness can’t sprout the seeds you sow;
Without faith, your prayers, God won’t bless;
God wants your soul to be in gracefull-dress!
Without faith, you cannot seek the Lord;
Faith multiplies whenever you read His Word;
The key of Faith’s unlocks God’s heart of love,
And brings the rain of grace down from above.
Do as He bids for God is Almighty;
He uses everyone most mightily;
‘God’s with the righteous ones, ’ the Lord saith;
Heal your body, mind and soul through faith!
Decide on things that God prefers with care;
Faith can help you win a race like a hare!
Copyright by Dr John Celes 11-09-10
poem by John Celes
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Winds of Change Will Blow Some Day
Nothing will stay forev’r the same:
Sky, earth, land, sea, vale, mountain, air;
The honest souls, why should all blame?
Let things happen, why should we care?
The sky will change and come will rain;
The soil with seed will sprout again;
A plant will grow quite speedily;
A mighty tree will stand truly!
With roots so deep, good fruits to reap;
And branches stout and strong will peep; .
And it will live a hundred years,
And lauded be, much more than peers.
And give all shade, yet not be paid;
While birds build nest and gladly rest.
The world will say on its D-Day:
Oh, what a tree and go away!
Yeah, things are done by word of God
In heaven, earth by same one Lord;
The world today though unfair be,
Cannot stay so for long surely.
For, winds of change will blow some day,
And truth will have its final say;
And acknowledge will people all:
’Tis best to heed to Maker’s call.
Copyright by Dr John Celes 12-8-2001
poem by John Celes
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Sonnet: With God as Friend Why Should I Fear
Oh, let me bear the trials of my life!
For Thy sake Lord, I want to sacrifice;
Let anger not take over me in strife;
Let me be honest, hard-working and wise.
I thank Thee Lord for gifts Thou did bestow;
Help me O God, Thy Will to realize;
My missionary zeal has started now;
My Divine-work seems increasingly nice.
I know the cost of buying Thy disciple-ship,
Is suffering and persecution, Lord;
But nothing scares when God is in friendship,
And to Thy divine song, I play my chord.
Help me O Lord, to keep always upright;
Help me O God to serve Thee with my might.
6-15-2001
poem by John Celes
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How to Pray?
Pray incessantly;
Pray most fervently;
Pray with all your heart;
God will do His part!
Pray most sensibly;
Pray most effectively;
Pray deep from your heart;
Pray as if an art!
Pray for prolonged time;
Pray in any clime;
Pray by singing rhymes;
God’s answers chime!
Pray in holy place;
Pray with heav’nly gaze;
Pray for human race;
Pray in many ways.
Let prayers rise up high;
Let prayers pierce the sky;
Let prayers touch God’s heart,
As blessings divine start!
Copyright by Dr John Celes 11-14-2009
poem by John Celes
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Rain On Me O' Rain Rain Rain
o' rain rain rain
come rain on me o' rain
rain on every plant that grow o' dear rain
rain on every resource o' dear rain
rain to green the plants
the plants that of nature's decor
rain on us and never let go
quench my thirst; to get so
rain on me o' rain rain rain
rain for happiness and leisure
rain for our children to play
rain on the soil for us this day
so, we plant more food to feed us this way
go to the fields and gardens; same way
rain o' beautiful rain
rain rain rain
**extract from 'patterns of life' november 2011 ebook
ntema's unique poetry (nup)
poem by Onalethuso Petruss Ntema
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Prayer For Soldiers Coming Out Of War
• I have seen the glory and promise of Lord God Almighty in my life.
Thank You, Lord, for everything that happened to me in the war.
• My Lord and my God, I want to thank You for answered prayers.
• I thank You for protection and support in the war. Accept my thanks,
in Jesus’s name.
• I thank You for the wisdom and understanding in the war. Accept
my thanks, in Jesus’s name.
• I thank You for the power and strength You gave me during the war.
Accept my thanks, in Jesus’s name.
• I thank You for the boldness and courage You gave me during the
war. Accept my thanks, in Jesus’s name.
• I thank You for the joy and peace You gave me during the war. Accept
my thanks, in Jesus’s name.
• I thank You for the guidance and preservation You gave me during
the war. Accept my thanks, in Jesus’s name.
• I thank You for the deliverance and freedom You gave me during the
war. Accept my thanks, in Jesus’s name.
• O Lord my God, You are worthy to be praised. I will always adore
You, exalt You, bless You, glorify You, lift You up, extol You and
magnify Your holy name, in Jesus’s name.
• O Lord my God, You are worthy of my thanks. I appreciate You, I
am grateful, and I thank You very much. If I have a trillion tongues,
they are not enough to thank You. Accept my thanks, in Jesus’s
name.
THE MAGNIFICENT 333 PRAYERS 71
• You only will I serve, You only will I worship, You only will I praise,
and You only will I give thanks, for I have no other God.
• Unto the Lord be the glory. Great things You have done in my life,
You have done excellent things for me, and I know You will do more
things for me, Mighty God.
• What shall I say unto You, Lord God? All I can say to You is a big
thanks. I will always thank You all the days of my life.
• Thank You, Lord, and thank you, Lord, for everything you have
done. I am saying this thank-you from the bottom of my heart.
Accept it, in the name of Jesus.
• I will give thanks unto the Lord, for Your goodness and greatness
over me during the war was wonderful.
• I will give thanks unto the Lord, for Your mercy and favor over me
during the war was beautiful.
• I will give thanks unto the Lord, for Your protection and deliverance
over me during the war was awesome.
• I will give thanks unto the Lord, for the joy of serving and worshipping
You is peaceful.
• Great is Your faithfulness, righteousness, truthfulness, goodness,
and loving-kindness. They will all continue to be in existence
forevermore.
• Father God, I want to thank You again and again. I will never stop
thanking You, and in the name of Jesus, I give thanks. Amen.
poem by Enoch O. Akanji
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SONNET: God, what shall I render Thee?
Oh, what can I give Thee O God, my Lord?
How can I ev’r repay thy love for me?
Oh, can I call Thee by a better word?
All that I have today are Thine truly!
Oh, can I give my labour and my toil?
But still, my energy must come from Thee;
Oh, can I offer things that grow on soil?
Alas! Nothing on earth looks heavenly!
Oh, can I give my time that Thou gav’st me?
My time is meant to serve Thee through brethren;
Oh, can I give my precious life only?
If thats the way to Heaven, let me then.
Oh show me something that is truly mine!
Thou art the Fountain of my Life, divine!
poem by John Celes
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