Last evening my husband and I attended the Tomball Pregnancy Center Banquet held in the Community Center at Salem Lutheran Church for the purpose of funding the ministry of the pregnancy center. As I listened to State Senator Dan Patrick speak about initiatives in our Texas state government formulated to promote life, a diamante poem contrasting pregnancy and abortion was formed in my mind.
To write a diamante poem, one begins with two words that seem like opposites. In this case, pregnancy and abortion became the theme of this poem. Common adjectives and verbs tie the two opposites together. A diamante poem encourages people to look at opposites in a new way. Here is the formula for a diamante poem:
1. One noun
2. Two adjectives that describe line 1
3. Three verbs that describe line 1
4. Four nouns, two referring to line 1 and two referring to line 7
5. Three verbs that describe line 7
6. Two adjectives that describe line 7
7. One noun that is the opposite of line 1
This is the diamante poem I penned as the senator spoke:
Pregnancy
Living, expectant
Sustaining, germinating, developing
Propagation, creation, expulsion, murder
Terminating, eliminating, destroying
Dying, feticidal
Abortion
Kathy Graumann
February 25, 2012
Sunday, February 26, 2012
Saturday, February 25, 2012
Grandparents' Day/Grandchildren Writing
GRANDPARENTS’ DAY 2012
On March 9, 2012, students at Salem Lutheran School will honor their grandparents during a special chapel service. The students in my writing elective are writing poetry and essays to give to their grandparents on this day. I have given them several writing opportunities for their presentation.
1. They may honor their grandparents with a cinquain poem , as follows:
First line: Grandparent (example)
Second line: Two adjectives describing their grandparent
Third line: Three verbs depicting activities of their grandparent
Fourth line: A four word sentence about their grandparent
Fifth line: A synonym of line one, such as Papa, Pawpaw, Poppy, Grandpa
2. They may write an acrostic poem, using this format:
G
R
A
N
D
P
A
R
E
N
T
Students use each letter to begin a short phrase, using descriptive adjectives and action verbs, to describe the letter shown in the left hand column.
3. They may also write an essay that includes these points: memory, life lesson, feelings, and details. Topic choices may include:
• The best day they have had with their grandparent
• A memorable adventure with their grandparents
• How their grandparent has made a difference in their life
• A favorite memory of their grandparent
• A time they received encouragement from their grandparent
• A special gift from their grandparent that made a difference in their life
• A character trait or value of their grandparent that they want to emulate in their own life
• A memory they want to keep forever about their grandparent if everything else were erased from their memory
To provide an example for my students, I have written an acrostic poem in honor of my grandchildren: Deja, Kaylah, Mikayla, Miranda, Aurora, and Micah.
My precious grandchildren are
Youthful: 16, 13, 11, 10, 7, and 2 years of age.
God has graciously blessed us with
Respectful, redeemed grandchildren, baptized into the Christian faith.
Attractive, athletic, academically-focused, they are
Naturally-gifted young people.
Dedicated to excellence,
Called into fellowship with Jesus,
Happiness and joy are reflected through them,
Infecting the spirits of those they meet. The
Love of Jesus motivates them to live
Disciplined lives that are
Radiant in the joy of the Lord.
Every day their grandfather and I thank God for His
Notable gift to us of our treasured grandchildren.
On March 9, 2012, students at Salem Lutheran School will honor their grandparents during a special chapel service. The students in my writing elective are writing poetry and essays to give to their grandparents on this day. I have given them several writing opportunities for their presentation.
1. They may honor their grandparents with a cinquain poem , as follows:
First line: Grandparent (example)
Second line: Two adjectives describing their grandparent
Third line: Three verbs depicting activities of their grandparent
Fourth line: A four word sentence about their grandparent
Fifth line: A synonym of line one, such as Papa, Pawpaw, Poppy, Grandpa
2. They may write an acrostic poem, using this format:
G
R
A
N
D
P
A
R
E
N
T
Students use each letter to begin a short phrase, using descriptive adjectives and action verbs, to describe the letter shown in the left hand column.
3. They may also write an essay that includes these points: memory, life lesson, feelings, and details. Topic choices may include:
• The best day they have had with their grandparent
• A memorable adventure with their grandparents
• How their grandparent has made a difference in their life
• A favorite memory of their grandparent
• A time they received encouragement from their grandparent
• A special gift from their grandparent that made a difference in their life
• A character trait or value of their grandparent that they want to emulate in their own life
• A memory they want to keep forever about their grandparent if everything else were erased from their memory
To provide an example for my students, I have written an acrostic poem in honor of my grandchildren: Deja, Kaylah, Mikayla, Miranda, Aurora, and Micah.
My precious grandchildren are
Youthful: 16, 13, 11, 10, 7, and 2 years of age.
God has graciously blessed us with
Respectful, redeemed grandchildren, baptized into the Christian faith.
Attractive, athletic, academically-focused, they are
Naturally-gifted young people.
Dedicated to excellence,
Called into fellowship with Jesus,
Happiness and joy are reflected through them,
Infecting the spirits of those they meet. The
Love of Jesus motivates them to live
Disciplined lives that are
Radiant in the joy of the Lord.
Every day their grandfather and I thank God for His
Notable gift to us of our treasured grandchildren.
Tuesday, February 21, 2012
Diamante Poem: Honesty
To write a diamante poem, one begins with two words that seem like opposites. These become the theme of the poem. Common adjectives and verbs tie the two opposites together. A diamante poem encourages people to look at opposites in a new way. Here is the formula for a diamante poem:
1. One noun
2. Two adjectives that describe line 1
3. Three verbs that describe line 1
4. Four nouns, two referring to line 1 and two referring to line 7
5. Three verbs that describe line 7
6. Two adjectives that describe line 7
7. One noun that is the opposite of line 1
"Proverbs 12:17 -- Whoever speaks the truth gives honest evidence, but a false witness utters deceit."
TRUTH
Accurate, Genuine
Approve, Authenticate, Legitimatize
Correctness, Infallibility, Deceit, Falsehood
Distorting, Perjuring, Fabricating
Fraudulent, Evasive
LIES
1. One noun
2. Two adjectives that describe line 1
3. Three verbs that describe line 1
4. Four nouns, two referring to line 1 and two referring to line 7
5. Three verbs that describe line 7
6. Two adjectives that describe line 7
7. One noun that is the opposite of line 1
"Proverbs 12:17 -- Whoever speaks the truth gives honest evidence, but a false witness utters deceit."
TRUTH
Accurate, Genuine
Approve, Authenticate, Legitimatize
Correctness, Infallibility, Deceit, Falsehood
Distorting, Perjuring, Fabricating
Fraudulent, Evasive
LIES
Monday, February 20, 2012
God's Love
"1 John 4:7,8 -- Beloved, let us love one another, for love is from God, and whoever loves has been born of God and knows God. Anyone who does not love does not know God, because God is love."
"John 3:16 -- For God so loved the world, that He gave His only Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life."
A Haiku Poem about God's Love:
God's love is perfect,
Eternal, sacrificial,
Immeasurable.
God's unchanging love --
His unfathomable love --
Cannot be improved.
His love cannot be
Explained, limited, nor be
Fully understood.
God will not love me
More, when I am good, or less,
When I live badly.
My unworthiness
Will not change God's love for me;
God's love is constant.
Unique and changeless,
It's incomprehensible,
Unconditional.
God specializes
In making broken people
His useful servants.
God's love seeks to draw
Me in to relationship
With him that endures.
God's love is freely
Available to us all;
It never wavers.
Live with assurance
God's unfailing devotion
Is given to you.
Saturday, February 11, 2012
A Cinquain Poem: Marriage
This past week I introduced my students to cinquain poetry, which consists of five lines in the following format:
Line 1: A subject/noun
Line 2: Two adjectives describing the subject/noun
Line 3: Three verbs
Line 4: Four words depicting line 1
Line 5: A synonym of line 1
In honor of Valentine's Day, this is a cinquain poem I wrote:
Marriage
God-ordained, life-long
Giving, caring, sharing
A man and woman
Commitment
Line 1: A subject/noun
Line 2: Two adjectives describing the subject/noun
Line 3: Three verbs
Line 4: Four words depicting line 1
Line 5: A synonym of line 1
In honor of Valentine's Day, this is a cinquain poem I wrote:
Marriage
God-ordained, life-long
Giving, caring, sharing
A man and woman
Commitment
Tuesday, February 7, 2012
Shaped by the Word
John 8:31,32 -- "...If you abide in My Word, you are truly My disciples, and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free."
Psalm 25:1,4-6,8-10,21 -- "To You, O Lord, I lift up my soul...Make me to know Your ways, O Lord; teach me Your paths. Lead me in Your truth and teach me, for You are the God of my salvation; for You I wait all the day long. Remember Your mercy, O Lord, and Your steadfast love, for they have been from of old...Good and upright is the Lord; therefore, He instructs sinners in the way. He leads the humble in what is right, and teaches the humble His way. All the paths of the Lord are steadfast love and faithfulness, for those who keep His covenant and His testimonies...May integrity and uprightness preserve me, for I wait for You."
A Haiku Poem
Let God's Word shape you;
Become grounded in Scripture;
Seek God's instruction.
Experience the
Blessing of obedience;
Plant truth in your heart.
I will meditate
On God's Word to understand
His will and His ways.
He will fill my mind;
He will guard my emotions,
Influence conduct
As I read His Word.
He will transform my worries
And fill me with joy.
Psalm 25:1,4-6,8-10,21 -- "To You, O Lord, I lift up my soul...Make me to know Your ways, O Lord; teach me Your paths. Lead me in Your truth and teach me, for You are the God of my salvation; for You I wait all the day long. Remember Your mercy, O Lord, and Your steadfast love, for they have been from of old...Good and upright is the Lord; therefore, He instructs sinners in the way. He leads the humble in what is right, and teaches the humble His way. All the paths of the Lord are steadfast love and faithfulness, for those who keep His covenant and His testimonies...May integrity and uprightness preserve me, for I wait for You."
A Haiku Poem
Let God's Word shape you;
Become grounded in Scripture;
Seek God's instruction.
Experience the
Blessing of obedience;
Plant truth in your heart.
I will meditate
On God's Word to understand
His will and His ways.
He will fill my mind;
He will guard my emotions,
Influence conduct
As I read His Word.
He will transform my worries
And fill me with joy.
Monday, February 6, 2012
Assurance
Joshua 1:5,9 -- "...I will never leave you nor forsake you...Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go."
There is no challenge;
There's no obstacle that is
Insurmountable,
Because the Spirit
Is far greater than any
Hardship we could face.
Jesus lives within --
His power delivers us
From bondage's grip.
Stay focused on Him;
No task is impossible
With God on our side.
God will be with us;
He will not fail or forsake;
He'll keep His promise.
There is no challenge;
There's no obstacle that is
Insurmountable,
Because the Spirit
Is far greater than any
Hardship we could face.
Jesus lives within --
His power delivers us
From bondage's grip.
Stay focused on Him;
No task is impossible
With God on our side.
God will be with us;
He will not fail or forsake;
He'll keep His promise.
Sunday, February 5, 2012
My Mission
Since its beginning on July 20, 1851, Salem Lutheran Church of Rosehill in Tomball, Texas, has been a mission-oriented congregation seeking to reach the lost with the Good News of salvation in Jesus Christ. Salem's ministry reaches into the community and beyond. During 2011, 42,397 people were served through Salem's dental, medical, and vision clinics in Honduras and Kenya. Four water wells were drilled in Honduras. Thirteen congregations from the United States were involved in ministry with Salem in Kenya and Honduras. We rejoice that, as a result of this ministry, there were 1,788 new believers and 328 baptisms in Kenya. Salem's ministry and Jesus's words in Matthew 28:19, 20 -- "Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age." -- have inspired me to write the following haiku poem about "My Mission."
I am included
In the Lord's redemptive plan
To bring Christ to all.
He's given me a
Vital part in kingdom work,
Sharing the Good News.
I choose to follow
The promptings of the Spirit.
As I obey Him,
The Spirit will work
Powerfully to achieve
Life transformation.
In cleansing my heart,
I'm determined to follow
God's gracious leading.
I ask for guidance
And trust Christ as my Savior;
I wait and listen.
God has given me
A mission field where I am
Among those I love.
He puts on my heart
Others I may influence
With the love of Christ.
The Lord desires
To see His purpose fulfilled,
His plan completed.
Christ walks beside me
As my Guide and Comforter,
Watching over me.
Ev'rything I need
To accomplish this great task
The Spirit provides.
I am included
In the Lord's redemptive plan
To bring Christ to all.
He's given me a
Vital part in kingdom work,
Sharing the Good News.
I choose to follow
The promptings of the Spirit.
As I obey Him,
The Spirit will work
Powerfully to achieve
Life transformation.
In cleansing my heart,
I'm determined to follow
God's gracious leading.
I ask for guidance
And trust Christ as my Savior;
I wait and listen.
God has given me
A mission field where I am
Among those I love.
He puts on my heart
Others I may influence
With the love of Christ.
The Lord desires
To see His purpose fulfilled,
His plan completed.
Christ walks beside me
As my Guide and Comforter,
Watching over me.
Ev'rything I need
To accomplish this great task
The Spirit provides.
Wednesday, February 1, 2012
Wholly Available to the Lord
(A Haiku Poem)
I'm available;
Lord, do whatever you want
To do with my life;
I will follow You.
Direct my steps in the way
You want me to go.
Amen.
Jeremiah 17:7 - "Blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord, whose trust is the Lord."
Proverbs 3:5 - "Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding."
Isaiah 26:4 - "Trust in the Lord forever, for the Lord God is an everlasting rock."
Psalm 37:3 - "Trust in the Lord, and do good; dwell in the land and befriend faithfulness."
Psalm 37:5 - "Commit your way to the Lord; trust in Him, and He will act."
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