Welcome To Emerald Book Club

Welcome To Emerald Book Club

Welcome to Emerald Book Club! We are a community of book enthusiasts dedicated to exploring the world of literature together. Our club offers a space for readers of all genres to come together, share their love for books, and engage in meaningful discussions

Emerald Book Club

Who We Are

At Emerald Book Club, we’re more than just a book club – we’re a community. We’re the early morning risers who can’t put down a good book, the night owls who lose track of time between pages, and everyone in between. We’re the dreamers, the thinkers, the storytellers, and the explorers. Together, we embark on literary adventures, uncover hidden gems, and share our passion for reading with the world.

About Us

At Emerald Book Club, we believe in the transformative power of literature. Founded in September 2018 by Joshua Jehudah, our club is a vibrant community of book enthusiasts dedicated to exploring the world of literature together. Whether you’re a seasoned bibliophile or a casual reader, there’s a place for you here. Our diverse membership spans across genres and backgrounds, united by our shared love for books and our desire to connect with fellow readers.

  • Book Reviews
  • Word Games
  • Book Recommendations
  • Writers Lift
  • Digital Art
  • Community Events

Our Pages

Home: Get acquainted with the latest news and events, and discover what’s new in the world of books.

About Us: Learn more about our club’s history, mission, and the team behind the scenes.

Book Lists: Explore our curated reading lists, featuring a diverse selection of books across genres.

Events: Stay updated on upcoming events, author talks, book swaps, and themed reading challenges.

Blog: Dive into articles, reviews, and member contributions, and join the conversation.

Join Us: Become a member of the Emerald Book Club and unlock exclusive benefits and opportunities.

Contact: Reach out to us with your questions, suggestions, or just to say hello.

Events

Join us for our next event:

  • End of Month Book Club Meeting: Date: Last Wednesday of each month 8 PM GMT – Bring a book, take a book, and enjoy lively discussions with fellow book lovers.
  • Book Club Wednesday: Date: Every Wednesday 1 PM GMT – Dive deep into the latest literary gems as our passionate readers share their insights, opinions, and recommendations. Discover your next must-read!
  • Poetic Flows Podcast: Date: Every Monday 8 PM GMT – Join us for poetry

Join Us Today!

Whether you’re looking for your next great read, eager to engage in thought-provoking discussions, or simply seeking connection with fellow book lovers, you’ve come to the right place. Join us on our journey as we celebrate the written word, one page at a time.

Welcome to Emerald Book Club – where every story has a place and every reader belongs.

These Inward Trials

These Inward Trials

These Inward Trials

I asked the Lord, that I might grow
In faith, and love, and every grace;
Might more of His salvation know,
And seek more earnestly His face.

T’was He who taught me thus to pray
and He I trust has answered prayer,
but it has been in such a way
it almost drove me to despair.

I hoped that in some favored hour
At once He’d answer my request,
and by His love’s constraining power
Subdue my sins, and give me rest.

Instead of this, He made me feel
the hidden evils of my heart;
And let the angry powers of hell
Assault my soul in every part.

Yea more, with His own hand He seemed
Intent to aggravate my woe;
Crossed all the fair designs I schemed,
Blasted my gourds, and laid me low.

‘Lord, why is this?’ I trembling cried,
‘Wilt thou pursue Thy worm to death?’
‘This in this way,’ the Lord replied,
‘I answer prayer for grace and faith.

These inward trials I employ
From self and pride to set thee free;
And break thy schemes of earthly joy,
That thou mayst seek thy all in Me.’

John Newton

A Prayer for Victory over Temptation

A Prayer for Victory over Temptation

A Prayer for Victory over Temptation

Haste to me, Lord, when this fool-heart of mine
Begins to gnaw itself with selfish craving;
Or, like a foul thing scarcely worth the saving,
Swoln up with wrath, desireth vengeance fine.
Haste, Lord, to help, when reason favours wrong;
Haste when thy soul, the high-born thing divine,
Is torn by passion’s raving, maniac throng.

Fair freshness of the God-breathed spirit air,
Pass through my soul, and make it strong to love;
Wither with gracious cold what demons dare
Shoot from my hell into my world above;
Let them drop down, like leaves the sun doth sear,
And flutter far into the inane and bare,
Leaving my middle-earth calm, wise, and clear.

A Prayer For You

A Prayer For You

A Prayer For You

 

Published by Family Friend Poems May 2018 with permission of the Author.

I lifted you to the Lord today
as I spent some time in prayer.
I asked God to be near you
and your burdens help you bear.

I could feel the Father smile
each time I called your name
because I talk to Him quite often
and my prayers are the same.

I pray that God will protect you
every minute of every day.
And to always direct your path
and guide you on your way.

I pray that God will give you joy
and shower you with His peace.
I pray He will smile down on you
so His blessings will not cease.

I pray God’s love will keep you
So you won’t waver in your faith.
And may His presence surround you
as He covers you with His grace.

Lenora McWhorter. “A Prayer For You.” 

The Peace Prayer of Saint Francis

The Peace Prayer of Saint Francis

Lord, make me an instrument of your peace.
Where there is hatred, let me sow love;
Where there is error, truth;
Where there is injury, pardon;
Where there is doubt, faith;
Where there is despair, hope;
Where there is darkness, light;
And where there is sadness, joy.

O Divine Master, grant that I may not so much seek
To be consoled as to console;
To be understood as to understand;
To be loved as to love.
For it is in giving that we receive;
It is in pardoning that we are pardoned;
It is in self-forgetting that we find;
And it is in dying to ourselves that we are born to eternal life.
Amen.

About The Prayer

The anonymous text that is usually called the Prayer of Saint Francis (or Peace Prayer, or Simple Prayer for Peace, or Make us an Instrument of Your Peace) is a widely known Christian prayer for peace. Often associated with the Italian Saint Francis of Assisi (c. 1182 – 1226), but entirely absent from his writings, the prayer in its present form has not been traced back further than 1912. Its first known occurrence was in French, in a small spiritual magazine called La Clochette (The Little Bell), published by a Catholic organization in Paris named La Ligue de la Sainte-Messe (The League of the Holy Mass). The author’s name was not given, although it may have been the founder of La Ligue, Father Esther Bouquerel. The prayer was heavily publicized during both World War I and World War II. It has been frequently set to music by notable songwriters and quoted by prominent leaders, and its broadly inclusive language has found appeal with many faiths encouraging service to others

5 Poems About Prayer

5 Poems About Prayer

Prayer is defined as a solemn request for help or expression of thanks addressed to God or another deity.

Prayer has been part of human history since the earliest times, with some of the oldest literature, such as the 26th-century BC Kesh temple hymn, considered a form of prayer. It evolved across different cultures and religions, including ancient Egyptian, early Christian, and Hindu traditions, playing a central role in spiritual and cultural life and providing comfort, solace, and a connection to the divine. 

Origins and early history
Ancient origins: What is considered to be one of the earliest forms of prayer is found in the 26th-century BC Kesh temple hymn, which is a liturgy addressed to deities. Additionally, the ancient Egyptian Pyramid Texts contain spells and incantations addressed to the gods.

Biblical earliest mention: In the Bible, the first mention of people praying is in Genesis 4:26, which says, “At that time people began to call on the name of the Lord”. This is considered to be the first time people addressed God after the Fall.

Early Christian prayer: Early Christians devoted themselves to prayer, a practice central to their faith from the beginning. They prayed the Lord’s Prayer, which was taught to them by Jesus and became a foundational prayer. By the 2nd century, Christians began praying in a specific direction, facing east.

In this blogpost are 5 prayer poems to boost your spirit and heal your soul. 

King David
Pslams 86

 Bow down thine ear, O Lord, hear me: for I am poor and needy.

Preserve my soul; for I am holy: O thou my God, save thy servant that trusteth in thee.

Be merciful unto me, O Lord: for I cry unto thee daily.

Rejoice the soul of thy servant: for unto thee, O Lord, do I lift up my soul.

For thou, Lord, art good, and ready to forgive; and plenteous in mercy unto all them that call upon thee.

Give ear, O Lord, unto my prayer; and attend to the voice of my supplications.

In the day of my trouble I will call upon thee: for thou wilt answer me.

Among the gods there is none like unto thee, O Lord; neither are there any works like unto thy works.

All nations whom thou hast made shall come and worship before thee, O Lord; and shall glorify thy name.

For thou art great, and doest wondrous things: thou art God alone.

Teach me thy way, O Lord; I will walk in thy truth: unite my heart to fear thy name.

I will praise thee, O Lord my God, with all my heart: and I will glorify thy name for evermore.

For great is thy mercy toward me: and thou hast delivered my soul from the lowest hell.

O God, the proud are risen against me, and the assemblies of violent men have sought after my soul; and have not set thee before them.

But thou, O Lord, art a God full of compassion, and gracious, long suffering, and plenteous in mercy and truth.

O turn unto me, and have mercy upon me; give thy strength unto thy servant, and save the son of thine handmaid.

Shew me a token for good; that they which hate me may see it, and be ashamed: because thou, Lord, hast holpen me, and comforted me.

These Inward Trials

I asked the Lord, that I might grow
In faith, and love, and every grace;
Might more of His salvation know,
And seek more earnestly His face.

T’was He who taught me thus to pray
and He I trust has answered prayer,
but it has been in such a way
it almost drove me to despair.

I hoped that in some favored hour
At once He’d answer my request,
and by His love’s constraining power
Subdue my sins, and give me rest.

Instead of this, He made me feel
the hidden evils of my heart;
And let the angry powers of hell
Assault my soul in every part.

Yea more, with His own hand He seemed
Intent to aggravate my woe;
Crossed all the fair designs I schemed,
Blasted my gourds, and laid me low.

‘Lord, why is this?’ I trembling cried,
‘Wilt thou pursue Thy worm to death?’
‘This in this way,’ the Lord replied,
‘I answer prayer for grace and faith.

These inward trials I employ
From self and pride to set thee free;
And break thy schemes of earthly joy,
That thou mayst seek thy all in Me.’

John Newton

A Mother’s Love Prayer

© 

Published by Family Friend Poems January 2019 with permission of the Author.

Lord, help me be the Mother
You’ve chosen me to be,
One parent with a loving heart,
The mother of my three.

Give me wisdom and courage.
A righteous and faithful leader I’ll be,
So I may live through you, Lord,
An example of good I may be.

Teach me patience and understanding,
Grant me compassion and kindness too,
So my daughters may desire a tender heart,
Being kind, forgiving, and true.

Help me show them the way to salvation,
Lord, and the value of their souls,
So they may sustain love, hope, and faith,
That will lead them on their pathway home.

Remind me to hold them tightly
And tenderly let them go
So they might feel my comfort and love
When at times they may feel alone.

And in our body’s absence, Lord,
I’m praying they may know
The only need that they would have
Is what I’ve instilled in their heart and soul.

Jac Judy A. Campbell. “A Mother’s Love Prayer. more by Jac Judy A. Campbell

A Prayer For You

Published by Family Friend Poems May 2018 with permission of the Author.

I lifted you to the Lord today
as I spent some time in prayer.
I asked God to be near you
and your burdens help you bear.

I could feel the Father smile
each time I called your name
because I talk to Him quite often
and my prayers are the same.

I pray that God will protect you
every minute of every day.
And to always direct your path
and guide you on your way.

I pray that God will give you joy
and shower you with His peace.
I pray He will smile down on you
so His blessings will not cease.

I pray God’s love will keep you
So you won’t waver in your faith.
And may His presence surround you
as He covers you with His grace.

Lenora McWhorter. “A Prayer For You.” Family Friend Poems, May 10, 2018. https://www.familyfriendpoems.com/poem/a-prayer-for-you

A Letter To God

Shannon Michelle Haynes

Dear God,
Can you hear me?
Can you please take my hand?
I need your loving arms around me-
I need to know you understand.

I’m feeling angry and helpless,
Even lonely and sad.
Am I wrong? Is Satan winning?
I know he wants me so bad!

Will I ever know freedom?
Will I always be bound? 
How does he enter 
When Your love’s all around?

When I can’t fight these feelings,
It helps to write them all down.
Then I find myself kneeling
With my face to the ground.

Thank You, God, once again
For lending an ear,            
And that you not only listen,
But you care enough to hear.

Please help me, dear Jesus,
To find the strength deep within,
To fight these inner demons
That try to lead me to sin.

Please help me to smile
When what I wanna do is weep,
And please stay with me tonight.
Now I lay me down to sleep.

With all my heart,
I love You!          
Amen

I hope you enjoyed this 5 poems about prayer. Is there a poem I should add to the list? Let me know your thoughts in the comments below

The Year Outgrows The Spring

The Year Outgrows The Spring

The Year Outgrows the Spring

by Ella Wheeler Wilcox

The year outgrows the spring it thought so sweet
And clasps the summer with a new delight,
Yet wearied, leaves her languors and her heat
When cool-browed autumn dawns upon his sight.

The tree outgrows the bud’s suggestive grace
And feels new pride in blossoms fully blown.
But even this to deeper joy gives place
When bending boughs ‘neath blushing burdens groan.

Life’s rarest moments are derived from change.
The heart outgrows old happiness, old grief,
And suns itself in feelings new and strange.
The most enduring pleasure is but brief.

Our tastes, our needs, are never twice the same.
Nothing contents us long, however dear.
The spirit in us, like the grosser frame,
Outgrows the garments which it wore last year.

Change is the watchword of Progression. When
We tire of well-worn ways, we seek for new.
This restless craving in the souls of men
Spurs them to climb, and seek the mountain view.

So let who will erect an altar shrine
To meek-browed Constancy, and sing her praise.
Unto enlivening Change I shall build mine,
Who lends new zest, and interest to my days.

Withered Leaves by Peter Burn

Withered Leaves by Peter Burn

Withered Leaves

by Peter Burn

I watch the leaves as they fade and fall
And form a heap by my garden wall.

I think of my loss in days “to be,”
My garden’s wealth but a leafless tree.

I loved those leaves in their day of birth:
I love them now in the lap of earth.

Withered leaves! They are beautiful yet,
Though nipt by the frost, and dash’d by the wet!

Mine eyes feast not on the world of green,
Death holds its revels where life has been.

Snow, sleet, and hail, and a sunless sky!
These, these are mine, till the by and by.

I wait the hour. My heart has rest;
Seasons are faithful to His behest.

Through leaden sky, and through leafless tree,
I see the summer that is to be.

The Circling Year by Ramona Graham

The Circling Year by Ramona Graham

The Circling Year

by Ramona Graham
SPRING

The joys of living wreathe my face,
My heart keeps time to freshet’s race;
Of balmy airs I drink my fill—
Why, there’s a yellow daffodil!
Along the stream a soft green tinge
Gives hint of feathery willow fringe;
Methinks I heard a Robin’s “Cheer”—
I’m glad Spring’s here!

SUMMER
An afternoon of buzzing flies.
Heat waves that sear, and quivering rise;
The long white road, the plodding team,
The deep, cool grass in which to dream;
The distant cawing of the crows,
Tall, waving grain, long orchard rows;
The peaceful cattle in the stream—
Midsummer’s dream!

AUTUMN
A cold, gray day, a lowering sky,
A lonesome pigeon wheeling by;
The soft, blue smoke that hangs and fades,
The shivering crane that flaps and wades;
Dead leaves that, whispering, quit their tree,
The peace the river sings to me;
The chill aloofness of the Fall—
I love it all!

WINTER
A sheet of ice, the ring of steel,
The crunch of snow beneath the heel;
Loud, jingling bells, the straw-lined sleigh,
A restless pair that prance and neigh;
The early coming of the night,
Red glowing logs, a shaded light;
The firelit realm of books is mine—
Oh, Winter’s fine!

In Time’s Swing by Lucy Larcom

In Time’s Swing by Lucy Larcom

In Time’s Swing

by Lucy Larcom

Father Time, your footsteps go
Lightly as the falling snow.
In your swing I’m sitting, see!
Push me softly; one, two; three,
Twelve times only. Like a sheet,
Spread the snow beneath my feet.
Singing merrily, let me swing
Out of winter into spring.

Swing me out, and swing me in!
Trees are bare, but birds begin
Twittering to the peeping leaves,
On the bough beneath the eaves.
Wait,—one lilac bud I saw.
Icy hillsides feel the thaw.
April chased off March to-day;
Now I catch a glimpse of May.

Oh, the smell of sprouting grass!
In a blur the violets pass.
Whispering from the wildwood come
Mayflower’s breath and insect’s hum.
Roses carpeting the ground;
Thrushes, orioles, warbling sound:—
Swing me low, and swing me high,
To the warm clouds of July.

Slower now, for at my side
White pond lilies open wide.
Underneath the pine’s tall spire
Cardinal blossoms burn like fire.
They are gone; the golden-rod
Flashes from the dark green sod.
Crickets in the grass I hear;
Asters light the fading year.

Slower still! October weaves
Rainbows of the forest leaves.
Gentians fringed, like eyes of blue,
Glimmer out of sleety dew.
Meadow green I sadly miss:
Winds through withered sedges hiss.
Oh, ‘t is snowing, swing me fast,
While December shivers past!

Frosty-bearded Father Time,
Stop your footfall on the rime!
Hard you push, your hand is rough;
You have swung me long enough.
“Nay, no stopping,” say you? Well,
Some of your best stories tell,
While you swing me—gently, do!—
From the Old Year to the New.

The Seasons by E.F Hayward

The Seasons by E.F Hayward

The Seasons

by E. F. Hayward

I love to watch the seasons change;
As Summer takes the throne from Spring,
So wonderful sublime and strange,
Each one its own sweet songs does sing.

It seems each one, in turn, is best;
Is gifted with some special grace;
Yet Summer fades, as have the rest,
And Autumn boldly takes its place.

This of the Four I hold most dear,
Would be content to have it stay;
But Winter comes to close the year,
And Autumn scenes must pass away.

Just so our lives; our childhood days
Are filled with joy, that’s ne’er forgot;
And he is wise who simply says,
“I love them all,” and murmurs not.