perhaps pretending - winter

perhaps pretending

is a way of understanding

how the sun shines

on the firs

as if a Norwegian winter;

how the moons reflecting

on our river

is the same as on the Seine

and to savor lavender fields

of Provence

while strolling here among

the meadows in spring;

how the birds swirl

in the sky

as if in

England,

their songs  to sing;

perhaps pretending,

while bereft of being there,

is to find an understanding

that to simply be aware

is perhaps the same

as being somewhere…

in silence be (reverence)- winter

here we sit in silence be

in reverence

of Love from Thee

and know we have not

ever earned

what you have given

nor could return

the grace or goodness

given we

in reverence

sit

in silence be 

isolation's revelation - winter

One day I rose

ascending

upon a mountain

covered with clouds,

there I sat

suspending

above the clamor

and voices loud;

what need have I

descending?

does sun await

and troubles ending?

or new found faith

as doubt abates

and trust in God

transcending...

the well of hope - winter

How deeply 

her self doubting,

that words could not tell

but somehow

He knew her -

this woman at the well.

His manner, 

so disarming,

she could look at

herself

through the eyes of the

Savior -

this woman at the well.

We'll all find we're thirsty,

for mankind fell,

we'll find springs of living water

with Christ at the well.

Speak freely then

my sister

for Messiah indwells

the Spirit and the truth -

we're all drawn

to be with Jesus-

the well. 

windows of snow - winter

when you're living in the moment

only the music abides

and the falling snow

we relish so

is the scene that God provides;

we sing in such a wondrous way

that the glass scarcely divides

the wall of windows that joins us to

the worlds of winter

outside

beloved ones - fall

to do something beautiful

that may never be known

to wake up with benevolence

and let it be shown

amid those who can’t thank you

and applause never comes

these saints are those God recognizes

as truly beloved ones

Reception of the Heart - fall

the water splash

diffusing in the setting sun

all the colors

how they run

but what would it mean

if the eye hadn’t been created

for its splendor to be seen?

or what of the intricate song

of the bird

if the ear weren’t created

for its essence to be heard?

or what of the wonders of music,

of art,

if God had not given

reception of the heart?

or why have a discerning mind

if not to write such thoughts

and share in kind;

creator, sustainer,

pardon us if we

should think

that beings in your image

would not be in sync

with all the wonders you have given

and to totally absorb

all that You have shared in this existence

may Your name solely

be adored.

keep the faith - fall

every year

in the fall

that tree of red

has me in awe

along with its neighbors,

yellow and orange,

true colors come through

(kept in summers storage)

when the temperatures cool

and the shadows grow long

that is when the colors are strong –

out of weakness

no one else knows,

how beautiful you’ve become

that only now shows.

I believe you are crimson,

caring and kind,

the blood of our Lord

is His blessing divine

we show our colors

when we keep the faith,

it is true,

with our weaknesses uncovered

God’s will shines through.

season slipping - fall

oh sunshine slipping away

it seems as though 

you're leaving us behind

but I have seen enough

seasons to know

you've done nothing of the kind,

oh no, you're just resting

as all of us do

still making an appearance

to turn the snow blue

like all of the earth you

have your ebb and flow

and though

it's sad to see you waning

you'll return to us

we know

this be one of those quiet days - fall

this be one of those quiet days

when nary a word was said

and feelings reign completely unspoken

their only outlet, within my head;

when poetry writes itself

a song

and shared within silence,

if anyone wish to sing along

prayer for the persecuted - fall

when God smiles on those who suffer

the skies are filled with light

and someone who serves Him is blessed-

they have looked to Him in humility

and kept faith throughout their test;

in desperate need of something good

they rest their eyes on Who they should

so the breezes of comfort within their spirit consoled

with all the goodness that He possesses

and shares with believing souls;

the greatest rewards are yet to come

the day of dawning into the welcoming

of the Father and the Son

Psalm 94:19

"When anxiety was great within me,

your consolation brought me joy."

Hallelujah - summer

Come out sun

from behind the clouds

come out voices

and sing loud

the soul rejoices

and can't be restrained

when He shows Himself

and we answer "Praise his Name"!

Hallelujah

you've saved us again

Hallelujah

Christ is redeemer

and friend!

Who God wants me to be - summer

I'm going to live a little longer

reach a little higher

come back a little stronger

be who God wants me to be

A Place of Peace - summer

the Son that radiates within

there is no end

no place to begin

He is in all

and through

His eternal voice of Love says

"I will never leave you".

Life sweeps past,

an icy blast,

of the world

and its cruelty

presenting itself

for each of us

differently.

But You are always here

resonant and true

Your eternal voice of Love says

"I will never leave you".

A place of peace,

so let it rest,

inside my soul

that You know best

and underneath

this continual cry

the constant comfort

of reassurance lies-

Christ came for me,

You'll never let go,

it was for me

Your Love was shown

that nothing

in heaven or earth

can move

the words You spoke

"I will never leave you".

Hebrews 13:5

“I will never forsake you or leave you”.

how the light falls - summer

something so simple

as how the light falls

evokes such feelings

as to leave us in awe

of life's dimensions

both here and elsewhere,

how nothing is static

how change takes us unaware;

artists attempt the rendering,

poets set about to rhyme

but it's the way the light falls

that leads our feelings

to align 

when I get to winter - summer

when I get to winter

let me think of the spring

for there is peace

in the remembering

when life was new

and all was green

so much sadness

still unseen;

all that goodness 

still remains

a part of me -

I hear the strains

of comforting birds

and sunshine's rays

in peacefulness on

the grassy plain

where kind folks dwell

just over the hill -

no matter the winter,

I'll live there still. 

gentle grace - summer

gentle grace

set your holy place

among we who need thee so much...

there is pain

we're bearing its name

and we long for your merciful touch

turn our eyes

from what lies

before us here

and let us find

you, soft and kind

as we feel you, oh so near 

In the Light of God's Paint - summer

the lake is holding a glimmering sky

but can no more contain it than can the eye

too vast its wild and shimmering tide

its canvas open wide

*

the mountains portrait cannot be framed

their massive crown of royalty reigns

they cannot be controlled or tamed

a thousand years the same

*

the forest breathes a breath so deep

each moment sighs and silence silence speaks

its message wafts to lofted peaks

beyond the farthest reach

*

the scented scenes of meadows find

a sense of awe and grand design

for those who search and seek and wait,

may find great hope -

in the light of God's paint. 

"Blessed is he...whose hope is in the Lord his God,

the Maker of heaven and earth.

For with You is the fountain of life;

in your light we see light.

Psalms 146:5,6,9

Home, Sweet Home - summer

What if I hadn't left my first home?

What if I hadn't traveled to where I was called?

Can't bear to think of all the souls

I wouldn't have known at all

sweet, sweet children

now so grown

Lord, Your direction is always so right

this life is witness to what You've sown

there's no mistaking

you've surely shown

here, where You brought me

is clearly my home.

rock me to sleep by the bay - summer

the bay rocks itself to sleep

every night

the trees point the way

to the skies waning light

with swaying sound

it soothes the soul

simplicity captured

within its hold

I'm just a bystander

receiving its care

its calming and healing

keep calling me there

each evening I'm seeing

it's never misleading

awaiting -

its dreamscape to share

Dutch Masters Maiden - summer

I am still a mere maiden

inside my heart

in a plain dress and apron

with a milking cart

I sing and I hum

it helps get my tasks done

so free I'll then be

and sweet sleep will soon come

I am still a mere maiden

inside my heart

thinking of life 

as a pure work of art

with beautiful images

yet to behold

and tales of loves' goodness

still to unfold

I am still a mere maiden

within my heart

so soft and accepting

in all my regard

to welcome each moment

though come what may

reflects my souls gladness -

so a maiden I'll stay

Love's Soliloquy - summer

He means to give 

His Love to me

before I leave

so freedom can be

full and truly free.

His Words were first

but now there is meaning,

the world is fresh

and beyond what it was seeming!

So many scales from my eyes

have fallen

that I pristinely see now

His calling;

there's much the evil one 

leaves torn asunder

but what God desires as revelation

has opened us to His wonder...

Love is caring

Love is kind

never meant to be left behind

or shoved away or trampled beneath

but enveloping our life complete

to whomever we may meet.

Love is His ambassador,

the only one evil can't defeat

it can't be dismantled

or dismayed

for where all else fails

His Love will find the Way...

"See what great love the Father has lavished on us that we should be called children of God!

1 John 3:1

girl of the fog - summer

girl of the fog

lost in the mist

though silence surrounds you

it will not persist

for outside your sight

there exists

the realm of the future

you cannot dismiss

for with it a hope

that won't be bound

by the droplet enclosure

encasing you now

with sight unfettered

full and free

revealed in God's time

with His Sovereignty 

I breathe in the wind - summer

I breathe in the wind

to replenish what I lack

filling up the empty places

assured it won't hold back

if only life could fill our sail

so freely given

we would avail

ourselves of sunshine,

hope is in the air,

send me soaring

on your wing

and with a breath of prayer 

Seize the Morning - summer

seize the morning

welcome the day

thankful to be here

I'm looking His way

first five minutes

with God alone

sits the day aright

and sets the tone

before the world

comes crowding in

with the kingdom of God

I've already been

when things go awry

I remember I'm loved

when the first five minutes

are spent looking above

Grace is... - summer

can a kind and gentle soul

be bought with silver or gold?

is love to be insisted on -

or simply there to hold?

we reach out

searching desperately

yet it's not what we grasp -

it's what we receive;

so be still my soul

for He will arrive

through no striving of my own

by His grace 

He alone 

provides

The Cove - summer

the cove in the hills

held us fast

kept us close

with our lives unmasked

here we breathe

and natural be

while out there

fades to anonymity

and like dancers

to the music we

take comfort

with familiarity

amid the unspoken

ties that bind

a warmth envelopes

soul and mind

a shelter

for a lifetime sought

sweet return

oh haven - 

here within

my thought

servant seed - summer

servant seed

fall to the ground

no servant is worthy 

who is found to be proud

it's the lowly of heart who rises above

the wrongs of this world

on the wings of God's love

gentle grace - summer

gentle grace

set your Holy place

among we who need thee so much...

there is pain

we're bearing it's name

and we long for your merciful touch

turn our eyes

from what lies

before us here

and let us find

you, soft and kind

as we feel you, oh so near

Simpler Times (a must read) - summer

On Monday mornings we could 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

of sunlight slant through radiant haze

while house lights twinkle as twilight fades -

God grant us simpler times. 

Mother's Day memory of Grandma

The peonies always come back-

Doesn’t matter the political climate

or the season or drama of men

these peonies my Grandma planted

rise again and again.

Long gone is the house they lived in,

now the cars just pass it by,

overgrown the driveway with it

no one there to wave “hi”.

It doesn’t matter that no one waters them

for God sends just enough rain

and the spring  sun makes its annual appearance

so that they know to rise again.

So much comfort comes from knowing

though I’m three hundred miles away

that the peonies come back in remembrance of Grandma

every Memorial Day.

return to faith- spring

little girl on a swing

living out her dreams of spring

back and forth her flowing hair

wishing I were living there

in the place of simple cares

of life in it's purest fare

so what is it that bids me grieve

is it really life or what I conceive

it to be

oh me 

of little faith

let me return to you Lord

with such trust and be safe.

The Beauty of the Butterfly - spring

The beauty of the butterfly is beyond

being here or there,

the freedom of flight,

the resting where

ever they come to land

we would never demand

a predictable time 

or place

for their beauty is their eddying wings

and a gentle touch of grace. 

Overture to Eternity - spring

When I get to heaven will I say -

This is the healing music I heard

while on earth when my soul was disturbed

and this is the warmth

that came my way

when no one knew what to do

or to say..

It is all here and it's came to pass

that faith in You,

held steadfast,

was Your coming to me

and an overture to eternity.

The feeling of being held

was Your Spirit that swelled 

inside of one

who now can see

all that You are

is exactly what You said 

You would be. 

In the Season of Changes- spring

In the season of changes

we may feel neither here nor there. 

Looking for meaning as life rearranges

in ways that we hadn’t prepared.

This is when faith is a constant companion

and the Lord keeps our souls aware

that He’s always leading us by the hand

and we’ll never be out of His care. 

Misery to Mercy - Good Friday/Easter

Who is this

transforming power

turning misery to mercy

at the ninth hour?

Here He is

as silent as a lamb

adhering to His love for us -

truly the great "I Am".

His misery is mingling

with mine

only He is truly

the Divine

Son of God the Father

He has come to take it all

He is as burdened as certain

as I am flawed.

I cannot fathom

His love

to take

my torment and wrongs

He who made no mistake,

who gave only goodness

on this earth of lament

but because of His sacrifice

He would prevent

any more suffering -

by His ascent

and turn misery to mercy

as was His Almighty intent.

Praise the Lord, Praise the Lord

now and forever more - Praise the Lord!

Peace as a Pillow - spring

Tonight

as I go to bed

I have peace as a pillow

for my head;

Peace as a pillow

while I sleep,

trusting the Shepherd

to guard His sheep.

Trusting the Shepherd

for I am weak

I have peace as a pillow

while I sleep. 

Who Are We Reaching? - spring

What can I learn from the birds in spring?

They're calling out and listening.

To watch them fly they seem all alone

but their songs reach out,

by these they are known.

So to whom are we reaching

and who is nearby,

are we actively seeking

are we willing to try?

This is the beauty of birds

in the spring

who richly rejoice

in their offering...