Apples of Gold: Poems from the Heart

Why write a poetry book? In keeping with the "apple" metaphor, it offers a peck of words for a bushel of meaning. One of the poems in this book tells that a rhyme saves time. In our busy lives, using fewer words to create important images and understanding is a good thing and can be appreciated. "Apples of Gold" comes from Proverbs 25:11: "A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in settings of silver."

Many of the poems in this book peek through the window of Barbara's life experiences: family weddings, births, funerals, anniversaries, and holidays. The purpose of these writings is twofold. On one level, they have some humor and are fun to read. On another level, the poems are meant to cause you to pause and remember the special moments in your own life. In remembering, be mindful of God's promise in Romans 8:28, "And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to his purpose." Perhaps you would be moved to write down your memories or attempt to create poems yourself. Ask God to give you the words, and he will!

Barbara's poems, written during her teaching years and her miscellaneous poems, will make you laugh or may touch your heart, bringing a tear.

Two of her poems are political and were written to cause Christians to consider our time in history. Much of the church remained silent during what happened to freedom-loving people and the Jewish people during the WWII era. In our day, the church cannot remain silent if our constitution and freedoms are going to be saved. Get involved at the grassroots level, as government should be: "by the people and for the people." In Proverbs 29:2, it says, "When the righteous are in authority, the people rejoice." Vote!

Many of the author's poems are prophecies from God the Father. These are truly "apples of gold." All of her poems are laced with "gold," but some of them are "apple pie!" These poems can be used by pastors to start or end a sermon or just give encouragement from the Lord.

This entire book was written from start to finish with Holy Spirit guidance. Over the last fifty years, the inspiration has come for Barbara to write poetry. He gave her the nudge to share them in a book just for you. Enjoy these poems, then pass the book on to those you love.