New Years Eve ...

We began by declaring Your divine favour and grace, and did we see anything but -
And Even when we don't keep our promises to You, You remain faithful and full of trust.
You show us Your salvation in the morning, and comfort us in the night.
You guide is into all the truth we need, leading us to Your light.
In The moments when it seemed ; that a new day would never come,
You shower us with Your mercy and care for each one by one.
When the storm raged about our boat we clinged to you more tightly, You've turned our hearts more towards Yours, You've fanned our flames more brightly.

How wonderful are Your ways or Lord , You grace reaches to the Heavens, Your love reaches the depths of my soul, Your peace in every way is bestowed and given.
From January till this hour we have been changed by Your power. The divinity of Your grace is the only reason why we are here this moment.
Even now as we stand , we know it was your hand. That led us through the desert valleys low.
So many have fallen away, been deceived and led astray, but Your Spirit has kept us, as our quest for the knowledge of You has sustained.


We still have questions, we don't understand it all, but we accept Your divinity in the unknown. The world may be receding from Your presence, but we walk boldly towards Your throne.
Bring out Your Spirit to see for there is no better place to be. Than in the knowledge of You developing me.
Your arms are my life,
Your embrace is my courage
Your strength is my honour
And your love is my eternity.
And as we get 1 year closer to seeing Your Glorious face,
Let us stand remember your divine favour and grace.

DoPoetry©
By Lakechia Jeanne

Human Hearts

Human Hearts

On Human hearts- that's where it starts,

The Law is written by The Spirit of God.

Not to condemn you, up-root or de-stem you.

But to hold you strong like Jacobs Rod.

It's not about tradition or esteemed selfish ambition

That you gain right-standing in His grace.

But a sincere motive to trust in His righteousness,

Will lead you to seek His Face.

And when you fall, even seven times, you must stand up again.

For the righteous are the ones who never give up, never pretend or feign.

When you feel you do not deserve it; His mercies are new everyday.

His power never ceases to amaze. He's perfect in every way. 

So don't look back now although more 'whys' then 'how', you're so far from the start.

It's not what goes in you that defiles you, but what comes out from your heart.

By Lakechia Jeanne
---

26-10-15

(Morning Devotion) 

Inspired by MARK 7'15 and 2COR3'3

The Rights of Civility

So it's nearing the end of October, and I absolutely cannot believe it.
I was speaking to a very wise man recently, who also happens to be my Pastor and I asked him :
" Is it just me, or do the years go faster the older you get"
He responded : "Oh most definitely."

It's a funny thing, but I guess you're more aware of life and time as you get older, and it just seems to whizz-on-by . (forgive my colloquialism:)

Anyway, the poem writing business (wordsxpressed.com) has made me more than busy this week.
And I am grateful.

October is officially known as 'Black History Month'. And as a girl of colour , it's supposed to be a season of remembrance and gratitude.
I can't say I've been as focused on this as perhaps I ought to.
But its a difficult thing when you're raised in a world that is so far from the history you read in books about racial prejudice and discrimination.
I can't even IMAGINE the possibility of being treated differently because of my skin colour, yet
it was a reality for so many people from the past.
It's unfathomable. Really.

My mum has raised me to see everyone as the same, and I do just that.
I don't even think of colour unless pointed out- which it rarely (almost never) is.
I went to a school for 7 years where I was 1 of 2 African girls in the entire year. And it didn't bother me once. Honestly.
I should really appreciate that more. because 50 years ago, that would have been so different.
This week I was asked to write a poem for a child to read at  BHM Event.
It really made me think more than ever before how grateful to God I should be.
* the names written in brackets aren't necessarily parts of the poem, but explain the people being mentioned.

And so here it is :
THE RIGHTS OF CIVILITY .

He said he had a dream,

And now I can say it too (Martin Luther King)

She said she wouldn’t stand,

Now I don’t have to. (Rosa Parks)

He put his case forward, so I would never face a judge. (Thurgood Marshall)

They stood their ground and received an education,

Now I can exceed without a grudge. (The little nine rock)

He said he had a dream, and I am living it now.

They said it couldn’t be done, 

But justice wouldn’t allow.

Now I can be free, and live in perfect peace.

He went to prison for 27 years,

And then was released.  (Nelson Mandela)

So now we can achieve to the best of our ability, 

Because of the sacrifices made, the: ‘Rights of Civility.’

By Lakechia Jeanne - Dose of Poetry 

words-xpressed.com

Do not let me Wander

So I'm sitting in my room in the middle of the night,I had an evening of nothing at all , nothing profitable, nothing of good report (as Paul would say - PHILLIPAINS4'8 ;) And so about 40 minutes ago I watched a sermon by one of my favourite Pastors, Pastor Carter Colon, and last week at Time Square Church (loooove) he preached a message called SIX WORDS THAT WILL DETERMINE YOUR ETERNITY.He looked at Matthew 25, particularly the parable of the three servants. It was such a powerful message.I realised, that I could be a success in life in so many different ways, even in the kingdom of God (externally speaking) - by that I mean , I could work in full time ministry travelling the world all of my life, but if God wanted me to be a stay-at-home-mum.I would have failed.I could work in charities and feed the homeless and visit prisons, but if God wanted me to be a sunday-school-teacher...I would have failed.I felt so desperately in my heart, in the very moment after listening to the sermon that I wanted so much to do the Will of God, because I don't want to be the man who hid his talents in the ground for fear of doing something wrong, or laziness.This has been a desire for such a long time for me, And I realise that. I also realise that it has become such a fear for me that I might make some sort-of shortfall and step out of HIS will,But,We need to be able to trust HimI also realised that today marks a year since I moved to University. And what a year its been .In a card my mum left for me for my first night away-from-home, she put a verse :Jude 1'24-25 This is one of my favourite verses.And it tells us, That God is able to keep us from stumbling, falling away from Himself and His will.I just pray that I'll have the faith to believe that and hold it as a truth in my life.

(NIV) 24 To the One who can keep you from falling and present you before His glorious presence without fault and with great joy— 25 to the only God our Savior be glory, majesty, power and authority, through Jesus Christ our Lord, before all ages, now and forevermore! Amen.

Do not let me Wander :

Do not let me Wander,

Do not let me stray .

Do not let me 'think to myself''-

And sail far away.

Do not let me miss the plan You kept for me,

Do not let the ground be swept from beneath my feet.

Do not let me turn my head from You ahead,

Or gaze in other pastures seemingly green.

Do not let My Spirit become gradually dead, but instead

Bring newness of life to me .

Bring a morning of mercy, an evening of grace.

A joy so deep it fills my life, a smile on my face.

Bring a life of daily purpose and intention each new day,

A Spiritual rejuvenation, one that never fades away.

'Glory to God in all of His goodness He kept me not to fall,

His Son, His World, His mercy and redemption - My God I have it all !'

I will be a witness. Bold, strong, loud and clear.

Dear Lord change my character, quench every fear.

I use my freewill now and humbly ask of You :

Dear God not my will - But what You want me to do.

By Lakechia Jeanne

DoseofPoetry.

Hello everyone !

I'm very excited to share some amazing news, I've been working very hard recently to start my own online company - it's not directly linked to dose of poetry, however it does include poems.
The Company is called : WORDS-XPRESSED and it is an online company that writes for clients anything they might need. For Resumes, CV Cover letters, presentations and reports to sound more professional. For poems and Wedding vows to be more conveying of emotions and sentimental, for School work check ups ... literally anything. It was made official as a company earlier today, and I am so excited to share the news.
Don't worry, now that it's up an running I will have a abit more time to be writing more regularly here,
Feel free to take a look at some of the work that's just been finished,

Thank you all for your amazing support !!
Lakechia xxx

http://www.words-xpressed.com/

Though so many different lives.

Hi everyone ,
its been a week and a half for me, so very busy with different things and I love that but it's nice to finally get a morning indoors. Around this time last week, I was asked to write for an event we had, a MultiCultural day in the City Centre, it was alot of fun but it really made me think alot. I do not really think about Cultures and origins and races all that much, And I'm sure that I take for granted all the liberties I have to live in a place with no limitations and tensions racially. It was just a lovely day to celebrate that , this was a part of what I said on the day :

I look around and I see colours,
All of us here one by one.
No longer underground are the cries of joy,
The light has been brought out by the sun.
I look around and I see smiles, on every face from ear to ear;
In every corner and every mile
Being together has brought us near.
So here we are, hand in hand, from the North, South and the Western Hills.
The void between ignorance and bliss is closing further still.
Bunched and mixed together, culture in a pot.
Unconventional with solidarity - a movement that cannot be stopped.
I look around and Thank the Father, for we are all unique and wise.
All made with the same hands
- though so many different lives.

By Lakechia Jeanne
DoPoetry©

I've started getting alot of requests to write poems for various people and events , and I must say , I thoroughly enjoy it, it makes me glad to use words to aid and encourage others, especially in the Body of Christ. Today, I was asked too write a poem for a Baby shower coming up soon.

It's will be the first baby Shower I have ever attended, and I absolutely cant wait to see what it's really like (as opposed to dramatised on-screen versions). I won't be speaking at this event though, so it will be a great opportunity to enjoy the time.

We know the gender of the Baby, and are so thrilled for it to be a girl, there is something just so precious about baby girls, and I wanted to convey that in this piece,

Baby Girl : 

 

There’s nothing like a baby girl, pre-known to the earth

Resting in the Mind of God, before taken in birth.

More precious than carmine rubies, the flowers jewelled in dew.

A graceful pillar intricately made from Heaven’s point of view.

Nothing can be done in life, to inherit a gift so great.

No, it’s not by chance, incidence or fate.

A gentle heart, pure mind and quiet young soul.

God created detail assured, sacredly written on a scroll.

A beautiful life is unfolding, the work continuing still,

Every talent being chosen, every part and skill.

There’s nothing like a baby girl, pre-known to the earth

More precious than sapphire, gold - infinite is her worth.

By Lakechia .B. Jeanne

DoPoetry© Summer 2015

So I was recently asked to write a poem for the FDM Annual Marriage Retreat that our church does, a re-vamping for the couples to come along and be inspired by God to continuously work on their Relationships with God and their Spouse, 

I feel like I know more about marriage than I should  but the process was not overwhelming at all , I postponed it for a while , waiting for the moment that God would give me some inspiration, I'm 19, have never been in-love (except for with Jesus of course ;) - how was little old me supposed to know what to wright for couples who had been married 20+ years ?!

I was starting to feel abit at wits-end, the deadline was soon and I was in the middle of a holiday with my family, in other words, I was completely busy.

BUT. Admist all of the chaos, one morning it just came, I was sitting on a deck chair, took out my phone and wrote it all out. 

Marriage is an honorable state of living , I believe God ordained it for a Man and a Woman, I also believe that it is the bed-rock and skeletal structure for society everywhere. I by no means completely understand the words below , because I have not yet lived it, but I hope that this will shed light on God's view of marriage. I just wrote what I heard,

Here it is : 'Till death do us part'

You promised to love with all your heart,to cherish and obey.
To honour each other with all your lives and conquer come what may.

You promised to share all that you had, in all generosity give.
To lead yourselves in the way of The Cross, honour God in the way you live.

You took to each other two hands to hold, in thoughts, deeds and in heart.
To keep their clasp close to yours and never be apart.

To protect and defend with eternity to end ,
For richer for poorer you promised,
To remember the bond always shared, the annuals never missed.

In health and sickness - you made a vow, the day you said 'I do'.
The love you felt that day indeed was the start of something new,

A family, a life, a purpose hidden eternal through and through.
A love so deep- cannot be found on Earth, but in the heart of God so true.

And in times when that wains, you remember the promise you sealed above,
So that's it not your love that sustains your marriage, but your marriage that sustains your love.

By Lakechia JeanneDoPoetry©

Fiery Red Hair

This poem was inspired by a series I had been watching on the BBC entitled : 'Poldark'
It was such a great series and I was so captivated by the character 'Demelza' - they captured her beautifully.
Demelza, and the land of Cornwall inspired this poem .

* * *

Over and under the Cornish waves

Through and through the meadow paves.

A girl sings, red hair swings, around her willowing frame                                          

Hear the larks as they call her name,                                                                            

Her piercing green eyes light up the night.                                                                   

She looks around, they give me a fright.

On and on the wind blows

At the highest of peaks, indeed she knows.

The Cornish skies and the Cornish hills,

The Cornish cliffs, industries and mills.

The Cornish air, witness does bear,

The Cornish wind through her fiery red hair.

By Lakechia Jeanne

DoPoetry©

The Lord Serenades us with the birds every morning,

Reminds us of His love in the night.

He pierces the darkness keeps us from falling,

Leading us towards The Father of Light.

The richness of His love is too much to take in; 

I am in awe of His wonder,

His grace provides the ability to refuse sin.

I gaze at His sky and ponder;

His goodness, His kind words enriches my soul ,

I fall to my knees overwhelmed.

The lavish Glory He has made available for me

Goes far beyond this ordinary realm.

The world is grey compared

To the glory that lies ahead.

Then we will serenade Him forever and ever, 

For indeed the Bible has said. 

By Lakechia Jeanne - Dose of Poetry©

So it's the 2nd of April - and exactly 1 year since I began this journey with all of you through poetry and lyrical words.
I absolutely do not believe it;
My how things can change in a year.
My scope of time has changed over time, and I am beyond sure that with time , ie: the older you become, the quicker time flies by.
I'm not going to write a poem today, I'm literally just going to Give Thanks, first of all, to God for His amazing ability to work through words to touch hearts and lives all over the world.
My prayer is that, no matter who you are, and what pre-conception and definition you may have of the world, that the words God leads me to write, will impact you in ways I could never ask or think. [Ephesians 3'20].
I'm also aware that not everyone that may be a reader of this blog is a follower of Jesus yet.
I sincerely realise that,  and I hope that the indirect messages presented throughout all my stanzas will lead you to a place of clarity ad light.

If you would have told me a year ago, what #DoPoetry would have become , I would have completely laughed at the thought, but God makes BEAUtiful things out of nothing and this blog hass been a great personal help throughout some of the biggest changes in my life.
The magnitude of it all is totally, and completely beyond me
 God bless you all Xxxx

Every Woman

It's Mothers Day #2015 today (In England at least :) And I must say , I am missing my beautiful mummy more than ever before, its my first Mothers Day -ever , without actually being with my Mummy. It's a huge deal for me. I normally spend weeks making paper chains, and other, various , pink decorations. I get presents and make pancakes- even dinner reservations.

But,

Every year, my mum seems to get out of it somehow. She's wonderful , but not the out-going-type , she absolutely prefers a homemade dinner and normal-routine.

It always ends up frustrating me - and I'm sure that the 'Middleton' Restaurant  back home must know my name for all of the cancellations I've made.

This morning she texted me to say 'It was a strange mothers day without all of the 'fuss'

- It melted my insides.

So... deep, deep down inside, she did like the fuss.

She did like the fact that I got 4 hours sleep on a Saturday evening because I had to make breakfast the next morning, and she loved the cupcakes (that I had not made), and the fact that I always wanted to take pictures of her when we got back from church.

Since the past couple of weeks have been filled with days appreciating Women all over the world, I thought I would share a poem I wrote for an Event in Milton Keynes on Woman's Day 2014.

I was asked to talk about the variety of Women in the community, and I can definitely say that I have had my share of them.

I have been raised by a remarkable group of Strong Women who have invested into my life such a great deal. They consist of family-friends, teachers, Godmothers and relatives ,and some of them don't event know it. They've taught me to love, and laugh , to stand firm and keep smiling. They have had challenges in life that have shaped and refined them in the most painful ways.

They know God - and love with all their heart.

There are elements of each individual that I completely adore, and I'm so blessed to have them in my life .

Every woman of the world,
Different lands,  different tongues.
Every woman in this world,
Though Different songs we have sung .
Though different lives we have lived and different sacrifices have had to give .
Though different roads we have walked and different paths we have stalked.
Though different memories have been made and different treasures have been saved.
Though our eyes have been exposed to the worlds varieties and our ways have been conducted in hierarchical proprieties ...
We are one .
One voice we share ,
One child we care ,
One family we tend ,
One crooked way we un-bend .
You are the survivors, the keepers the thrivers .
You are the makers, untouched by the breakers .
One we are, were and will be.
One we stand under God. You and me.
Every woman of the world,
Different lands, different tongues,
Every woman in this world though different songs we have sung.

- By Lakechia Jeanne

DoPoetry©

The Valentine

If I was to love for what you were to be

I could have loved, but in truth disagree.

The unperfect love you had would see.

My perfect love in present be.

I loved you enough to give you the key,

To eternal love and light in Me.

There is reason to love, look at Calvary

It's not just Me who loves I am one of Three

To love is to know and to know is to be.

I loved you long before you ever loved Me.

By Lakechia Jeanne, Valentines Day 2015

DoPoetry©

There once was an Irish girl ...

I love a good show. And a good one is so hard to find. But honestly I'll dig deep and look far to find something that I feel rests with my Spirit when I watch. One of the very few series I find legendary is 'Touched by an Angel' #TBAA . I watched it from beginning to end. It was slightly before my time and started in 1994 when I was -2 years old. But in my opinion was one of the best shows that completely rocked the world, winning numerous awards, having influence in the political world and more than anything touching the hearts of so many individuals. Della Reese, honestly ... I just want to be related to her. During some really tough times and along with scripture I would remember her words and that lovely, beautiful smile.
And Roma Downey. The series would have never worked without her as the lead. She was perfect ! From the Irish accent, her classic (angelic;) look to the Love for God so evident in her that it just jumped out at you. The series made me see God in an amazing light. And I'll forever think of it as a personal favourite. I think my time in the British acting-media-world really helped me to understand the significance of her numerous roles in-front and behind the camera. It makes me truly appreciate how God can use gifts and talents even on the worlds stage to Glorify Himself and Kingdom.


I recently saw a post on instagram by her... a striking picture of earlier times in her life captioned by her :

Once upon a time, many moons ago there was an Irish girl . 

I just fell in love, those words were such an inspiration, I just had to write about them ! - And so here's a personal tribute to the inspirational Roma Downey.

Once upon a time, many moons ago there was an Irish girl ...

With fiery hair, deep brown eyes and a smile that could make you twirl.

She was  Full of ambition and dreams many deemed impossible at the start .

 But indeed nothing is what is seems, For God saw her heart .

Derry, Ireland was her home at first but it didn't stay like that for long ;

For the dream took her far away -To a new place she would belong.

Her mother was called to Heaven young, and father a decade to wait - 

But God in Heaven stayed close by, to her, He would never shut the gate. 

Painting was a love at first, but she soon truly did see , the world of the Arts had more in store. It was the place she was meant to be. 

The Land of Opportunity, brought many paths to her way. 

The city, stars and lights on her were found, and that's not to mention broadway . 

Soon one thing led to another- She was to be the presidents wife . But that was minor in comparison to : 

The biggest role of her life .

The role, Heaven sent, as an Angel she touched -

The hearts and lives of many, to them she meant so much . 

Year after year the light continued,

Till it was too bright to shine,

Heart after heart was turned to God, His Love proclaimed till year nine. 

And within those times came the greatest gifts; a daughter, her heart to please . 

And a co-star turned into a mother-figure, a very special Ms. Reese .

Then Heaven joined together a duo so dear and true ,

Two sons to her He added, a family created anew.

And so they change the world together, one production at a time . 

In the deserts, earnestly endeavour;

And in many hearts redefine - 

Perceptions and emotions towards the King -

 Many of which in Heaven we'll see .

The increasing radiance of a light so clear . 

The life as yet of Roma Downey .

By Lakechia Jeanne

-Inspired by Roma Downey

2015 - And Here we Are

I am so completely awed in the ability of God to make time pass by so rapidly, The beginning of January 2015 has already come, and with God's guidance I truly believe this year, in all happiness and challenges, we can be assured that The LORD will be with us and help us to maintain a perfect peace that exceeds all of the physical things we will see in the future. I was asked to do a poem for my church's end of year celebration on the 31st and I was so thrilled , I knew that it need to be something significant, it was some of the last words people would be hearing in that year. I procrastinated for a while, but I finally wrote it the night before, I really needed inspiration. And I believe I received it ~Thank You God~  In the end, the poem went really well, and as long as it inspired people and aided them even a little in stepping into the presence of God, then that's what matters.

2014 was a year and a half in many regards. But... #bringon2015

And so the day is here, the last one of the year,
Its been good for some, but yet the none are wishing it reappear.
For January till June seemed to end so soon,
The crisp winter mornings, and high sun at noon.
Its the grace of The Father that from July till now -
We've been guided on this journey. Someway and Somehow.

There's been many a day, that we couldn't see the light,
But God guided us in the day and kept us in the night.
The darkness of circumstances couldn't keep Him away from us,
Everything in the earth is His, we reign in Him victorious -
Enemies tried to knock us down, but here today we stand.
We can trust in the Rock, so gentle and true,
- for our times are in His hands.

Double blessings have come,
And double blessings have gone.
But in the end - And in our hearts, He has given us a song.
The double valleys were worth it for on the highest peak we stand.
A double source of strength He gave , to enter into the promised land.
The double blessings came to us, but in unexpected ways,
Who knew we would find dependence in the most fragile times and days.

In long suffering patience, the ability to endure.
In chaos a warmth of peace, a trust in Him we're sure.
The double blessings weren't solely found in
What the world sees as best.
The trial you may have seen,
Is nothing but a test ...

Am I what I used to be ?
Have I learnt the ways shown ?
Is my character of good quality ? Do I have strength and backbone ?

Our pursuit is Jesus He is the goal unseen,
Our double blessing is our reward in Him.
Bring on 2015.