Rivers of Grace: Poems of Redemption and Restoration

By Melanie Houston

When Melanie Houston started on a fresh journey of writing, it began with one poem. From one season to another, her path intersected with women and men who inspired her to paint with a poetic flow, creating Rivers of Grace. In this first volume, her river takes you to places that are peaceful as well as those that evoke passion and sentiment. Bringing fresh revelation and intersecting social and spiritual matters of the heart, Rivers of Grace is a compelling chronicle of thoughts and insights. It allows the reader to hear the voice of God and embrace His essence as He communicates His love and grace.

Rivers of Grace is a collaboration of God's Words and the heart a woman. Prepare yourself to travel to places that will touch, cleanse and heal your soul.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Melanie Houston
• Release date: Apr 18, 2013
• ISBN: 9780974414645

Melanie Houston

Melanie Houston is the founder and president of Alabaster Box Media Group, a division of Vision Resources, Inc. Alabaster Box Media Group is a company dedicated to publishing, producing, and promoting literary works that advance the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Melanie also serves as the chief operations officer of Daniel Houston & Associates, a provider of training and executive coaching services. Melanie's professional background includes human resource and management experience that exceeds 30 years in corporate America and with her own management consulting firm. Clients include national and international profit and nonprofit organizations in the areas of community service, publishing, energy, telecommunications, microelectronics and chambers of commerce. She has served as an executive editor for an award-winning national publishing house, an international magazine, and several independent publishers. A native of Columbus, Ohio, Melanie is a graduate of Capital University with a Bachelor of Arts degree in art therapy. She received a Master of Arts degree from The Ohio State University, with a major in labor and human resource management. In her spare time, she enjoys creating works of art, jewelry design, and reading a good book. She celebrates the covenant of marriage with Daniel A. Houston, president of The 1750 Group, Inc./Daniel Houston & Associates.

Book preview

Rivers of Grace: Poems of Redemption and Restoration

Melanie Houston

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Smashwords Edition

Copyright 2013 by Alabaster Box Media Group

All rights reserved.

This e-book is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This e-book may not be re-sold or given away to other people. If you would like to share this book with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each recipient. If you are reading this book and did not purchase it, or it was not purchased for your use only, then please return to Smashwords.com and purchase your own copy. Thank you for respecting the hard work of this author.

Scripture taken from the New King James Version. Copyright 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

Book Cover Artwork by Lydell Martin

Book Cover Layout by Andre Hawkins, Kenosis Design Innovations

Editors: Ella Coleman and Amanda Forbes

Photography by Shellee Fisher Photography

This book is available at most online retailers.

http://www.alabasterboxmedia.com

CONTENTS

DEDICATION AND THANKS

INTRODUCTION

TREES PLANTED BESIDE THE WATER

The Women in My Family

Exiles

A View from the Other Side

Life with One Woman

Summer

The Women I See

Bank of America

RIVERS OF LIVING WATER

Promised Land Promises

A Remnant Woman Revisited

Full

Who Am I?

Fragments

Talk with God During Worship

MEMORIAL STONES

An Alabaster Box

Grand Cosmos of the Sistahood

Life in One Night

Perfume Ladies

Assassination

Extraordinary Wind

Places of Pride, Pain and the Press

Pressed into Eternity

RIVERS OUT OF EDEN

Silent Journey

Thoughts on Revolutions

Ancestors’ Honor

Single

Riverbank Redemption

Milkshakes and Blues Alley

Mother River

Southern Comfort

One Prophetic Word

YOUR ROAD TO RELATIONSHIP

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

PRODUCTS BY ALABASTER BOX MEDIA GROUP

DEDICATION AND THANKS

This is dedicated to the Holy Spirit, Who breathes words into my spirit so there is life and healing on these pages. My gifts come from Him and I continue to be amazed that He would use me as a vessel. With Christ as the head of my life, I am discovering I can do all things through Him; He strengthens me and transforms my mind.

To my amazing husband, Daniel, who believes in me more than I believe in myself. You are a testimony to waiting on the promises of God. Through this manuscript, I hope you come to understand the journey that brought us together. I love you from here to Nassau and back again.

To my mother, Roslyn, who did what no one thought possible. You single-handedly raised five children, worked two jobs, and kept the house and your sanity. You are the most beautiful and awesome mother a daughter could have. I owe you more than you can imagine.

To Aunt Annie, my sisters (Michele, Theresa, and Teri), brothers (Frank, Andrew), dads (Nick and Andy), and Loretta, your unconditional love has no limits. Thanks for the encouragement.

For all the women in my family, you are the collective sea into which my river flows. I am blessed to be part of a lineage of strong, beautiful women. Thank you for your perseverance and love.

To all my friends, both old and new, this is an answer to prayer.

To all the women and men who tirelessly work the fields of life searching for that great pearl of price, never give up.

With deep and abiding love,

Melanie

INTRODUCTION

Rivers of Grace has been an incredible journey in my relationship with family, friends and Christ. It is, to some extent, a journal of my innermost thoughts and simple observances -- from driving past a young girl at a bus stop to spending quiet moments in prayer, waiting for God