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My Offering - fall

There have been times

when my heart hasn't sang

though my vocal chords vibrate

and the sound of it rang

within the chapel, or church,

loud and clear;

though human ears heard it,

it wasn't sincere,

but a mere facsimile

of the true gift

that mortals like me

are permitted to lift

if the souls response

to God's goodness is real

it reveals itself

in what we feel -

so I hope that in worship

today when I sing,

my heart is included

in the offering.

Purpose Past Potential - fall

"The LORD will fulfill his purpose for me;

your love, O LORD, endures forever -

do not abandon the works of your hands."

Psalm 138:8

I have a purpose that's past potential,

it's invisible, but He knows what's there,

and I will not die until it is finished -

those things He wanted me to share......

*

He's placed intentioned thoughts inside me,

and orchestrated all around

the places, times and people

where He desires that I be found.

*

What a gorgeous piece of artwork -

human souls infused with Spirit,

responding to His words of Truth,

led upward to be near it -

*

Hearts held firm within His grasp,

faces raised up to the sky;

He is faithful to be with us,

while encouraging us on high.

*

If I keep within this Faith,

I will one day see His promise coming true,

and I'll rest easy, knowing that whatever I've done,

He intended for me to do.

Gentle Evening - fall

Come upon us, gentle evening,

you won't prey upon the old;

sit with us in languid feeling,

neither hot nor cold:

there's no movement to this moment

all is calm and still -

come upon us, gentle evening,

we'll be grateful if you will....

Armor of God - Fall

Belt of Truth - worthy of our Reverence
Breastplate of Righteousness - Worthy of our Worship
Helmet of Salvation - Worthy of our Love
Shoes of the gospel of Peace - Worthy of our Thankfulness
Shield of Faith - Worthy of our Trust
Sword of the Word - Worthy of our Praise

No Failure in Fall - fall

What can I learn from the falling leaves?

How can one stay so vibrant that visibly grieves?

to cast adrift the draining remains,

so that the host may maintain -

*

releasing the burdens that sometimes cling,

that would keep me from returning

with the spring;

back from the hardship

about to begin,

winter forthcoming

how it rides with the wind;

*

my time is not over,

but my trial may show

both with hope and with sadness -

that all of the leaves must go.

Vestige - fall

The sun turns tree

into shadow -

*

an imprint planted

on a momentary plate;

an ever turning,

molten shape

that all too soon escapes....

*

we're all lives in form,

absorbing the rays,

casting our existence

upon earth's clay;

we are God's drafts

upon the dust,

outlining in vestige

the part that is "us".

Silent and Still....... - fall

Silence and stillness
are not the same,
it depends on the places
from where they came;
silence may be
chosen or forced,
but eventually runs
outside of its course,
while stillness digs
a well so deep
that all it may hold
will safely keep.
Few find these waters
of earthly denial
that stand the fire
of external trial,
but those who find it
are satisfied
to not rely on
applause or pride -
they make this prayer
their creed instead,
as we watch the world turn itself
on its head,
to follow what the Living Water
has said,
"but give us this day
our daily bread."

Sonshine - summer

There's a house that I know

through a yellow haze,

it's reflecting the Sonshine's golden rays,

where a garden grows

full of butterflies

and the breeze is warm

under cloudless skies...

there my soul can find peace

resting underneath

the eaves that will never know lifes' grief,

where the days never wane

and my heart knows no pain,

my mind never fears

and there'll be no tears -

close to heavens' mercy seat.

Why write? - summer

A thousand people could play it,

so a million people could hear,

but only one human could write it-

that's what's crafted my career.

Heavenly Hope - summer

Try as we might,

things will never be just right,

this world is fraught with trouble

and in the flesh we groan,

no matter where we are in life

there will always be a hunger for home.

origins - fall

cravings in the night

thoughts unguarded

soaring to the surface

from the origin of emotion

seeking light

impossible to drown

bubbles that won't burst

don't even try

pushing them down.

Magnanimous Heart - summer

Those who possess magnanimous hearts

make you think you're the one who is great.

You seek out their attention

for the feelings they create.

You're rewarded with each encounter

that makes you want to see them yet more;

Yes, they behave as though

you are the center,

but on reflection,

they are the core.

Collective Conscience - winter

It's but a small inconvenience to lie

just once in a great while;

to make it seem so believable

(with a sly little smile).

It may all appear so simple,

but my mentors taught me well;

for when I lay in bed at night,

my collective conscience rebels.

States of Mind - summer

Some people live a liquid life,

fluid and flowing through different places;

some people exist in a gaseous form

eminating from various spaces;

some are in a solid state,

firm and with a stable base;

-

Most everyone I've ever known

fits into one of these three;

what I have to wonder is,

which would they assign to me?

Capture - summer

The poets sense the sunrise,

though it is not yet seen,

they live within an obscure world

trying to grasp what it may mean.

-

God desires to capture them,

much as they capture with their art,

to bring understanding to their lives

and to write upon their heart.

Amber Waves - summer

For so long

the wheat stood stiff and straight,

each stem strong

bearing its' own weight,

but as it aged it began to droop

dropping its head as if to stoop

relaxing into amber waves,

bowing with dignity

graceful and brave.

Plates - fall

All my plates

spin 'round and 'round,

I can't bear to see one

come crashing down.

All of them are honorable tasks

but keeping them turning

is beyond what you can ask.

I value all these visions

and what they may become,

believing I can nurture them

one by one -

managing my missions,

(may they be of the Divine)

constantly in motion

with the turning of my mind.

-

to Beth

Being - summer

Hand on her chin,

elbow on the windowsill,

she listens to the world outside

of cardinals and whippoorwills

enjoying just the moment,

the world can wait for work and worry,

this sweet season lasts but for a time

so she wonders -

what's the hurry?

Virtually - summer

The setting sun

through the leaves

threw itself upon my white chair

-

this flickering flame

from a gas giant

millions of miles away

dances with the warmth

of a hearth

here on earth

so much closer

to my own soul -

and I am allowed to touch.

Dreams... -winter

Once again awake at the mercy of a dream,

not as things are,

but how they seem.

Parcels and pieces of puzzles arrayed,

scattered on backdrops of emotions' parade -

sleep deeply

and don't be afraid,

as God grows nearer

His truths are ever clearer,

while the forgery fades...

Pardon's Passing - spring

The clicking of the clock at the hearts resting speed,

life slowly passing as it plants its rhythmic seed.

The turning, shiny, silver second hand,

glinting like the wielded sword in Garden of Eden land,

guarding access

to the eternal Tree of Life -

we are buried beneath its constancy,

straining for rays of light.

*

You look for me here,

lost in this land,

alone, as You've given

the choice to be

hopeful of the help that is still within reach -

Come to me...

*

Rescue is not strong enough a term

for being pulled from the wreckage

with mercy as I emerge:

extend Your tender hand,

I'm weak, but I'll grasp

and be lifted by Grace

in this so precious act,

to rise yet above Eden

(it's so hard to believe)

that coming to You

can really relieve

all the guilt and shame,

through pardon it is passing -

things will never be the same,

I'll be free,

everlasting.

Endeavor - summer

As you are permitted to push ahead,

give yourself permission to fail,

not in the light

that you'll give up the fight

but in trying,

you couldn't prevail.

Such is the way of the heroes

that give everything their all,

so much is accomplished

by way of endeavor,

that it matters not if they fall.

Simpler Times - summer

On Monday Mornings we would rise,

To amber meadows, azure skies,

And hear the still, small voice inside

So silent is the dawn.

*

With work no farther than our door,

Asking little, receiving more,

Not knowing whether rich or poor -

Content with what we have.

*

We'd live God's time - by sun and moon,

All else is later, now, or soon.

No ticking clocks say "nine" or "noon" -

No measured time of day.

*

By evening, filtered golden rays

O f sunlight slant through radiant haze

While house lights twinkle as twilight fades-

God grant us simpler times.

*

To my parents, and grandparents who practiced this poem.

Hamlet - spring

Let me always head for the hamlet

where spritely spring awaits with green,

bringing its consoling smile

and humming merrily;

tending to the winter wounds

that harsh conditions bring,

making welcome weary souls

embraced in the home of the King.

Fluttering Flowers - summer

Fluttering flowers -

butterflies.

Lavender petals

that rise.

Enticing

to gather

a bright bouquet,

until all of the petals

dance away.

Southern Serenade - summer

I miss the southern serenade,

of cicadas where

the overnight heat

is like dark chocolate;

dense,

intense,

wrapping warm arms

around you;

holding you close....

Wings - winter

If you take away their habitat

the birds will have to leave,

in no position to protest,

their lot is to receive;

something familiar has been removed,

but birds are given wings

that transport them and all they are

to new grounds,

still to sing.

My Reach - spring

Teach me to trust beyond my reach;

my arms are short,

my eyes are weak;

Your vision, Lord, goes on and on,

Your ways are sure and strong.

If there's one thing I would ask to do,

teach me Lord to reach

for you.

Large and Small - spring

The earth You created is so powerful

and yet the grass bends to the slightest breeze,

God, You are for everyone,

and yet You're God to me.

Please be kind and tender,

for I will break at Your slightest touch,

living in awe and wonder

that You have sent so much.

Watch over the whole entire earth,

Holy One who sees -

and don't forget to watch over

just little ol' me.

Brilliance.... - spring

God who brings
the brilliant skies
come to brighten up our lives;

though bitterness
be on our tongue
let us taste the work
You have begun.

Pimples and Poems - humor

Poems are like pimples,

you feel them rise,

they come to a head

right before your eyes,

you stuff them down

but they're vividly exposed

so accept their eruption

and consider them composed!

Triangle Flag - 4th of July

There's a triangle flag displayed on my wall;

dark blue with white stars

like when daylight is gone,

and you see past here - to beyond.

Many souls have served

beneath that flag

when it was unfurled in the field,

to later lie beneath it spread,

in rest they all are healed.

A symbol only,

of unity

that becomes more precious still

with each new life that gives itself

of its own free will.

There's a triangle flag displayed on my wall;

dark blue with white stars

like when daylight is gone,

and you see past here - to beyond.

English Garden - summer

To visit an English Garden

may be just a matter of mind,

perhaps not known as authentic

but experienced in kind.

The breeze borne sun is just the same;

like shadows move upon the grass,

though physically a world away

their shape upon the mind is cast.

Attitudes and feelings shift,

with birds and scents the soul unwinds;

to visit an English Garden

may be just a matter of mind......

(To Elaine in England)

Cathedrals..... - summer

The natural warmth welcomes me
and I give way -
the green of the forest becons me
and makes me sway
to the call that mixes man
and emotions
drawing him to have his devotions
in the cathedrals of open sky
and the chapels of the woods.

Reflect: What is the natural
summer world offering you this
holiday weekend?

Mentor - spring - faith

Gently held by caring hands,

whose support is sound and sure,

whose love comes forth from kindness' spring -

safe and pure.

"I long to see you so that I may impart to you

some spiritual gift to make you strong -

that is, that you and I may be mutually encouraged

by each other's faith"

Romans 1:11-12

Rise

Be sure, whenever God's tide comes in,

all of His boats will rise,

those who kept safe His sacred ways

and those who led bolder lives.

Even number of days won't matter,

whether many were served or few,

for He examines the depths of the heart,

while we only see what men do.

Fishermen all, won't you climb in

and follow Him to the skies,

be sure, whenever God's tide comes in

all of His boats will rise.

"Come, follow me, " Jesus said,"and I will

make you fishers of men." Mark 1:17

Seasons

If winter weren't so withdrawn,

then summer wouldn't sing.

If fall didn't shed its molting feathers,

then spring couldn't spread its wings.

We live in a world of perennial extreme,

trials followed by God and His grace,

the crucible mending through emerging mercy -

each season having its place.

"The Lord is faithful to all his promises
and loving toward all he has made"
Psalm 145:13