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...

You are here - spring

How troubling

does the world appear

til I look to You

and You are here,

and when my thoughts

stray from Your realm

I spiral down

on earthly things to dwell.

So what takes me

away from You,

oh hope of ages ever true?

And how many times

must I in misery slip

before I once again thank You

for Your divine Lordship?

I pray it happens

less and less

until I'm with You

and Your eternal Holiness.

Tranquility- spring

I wear the robe of retirement

no early departures for me

taking my time in the mornings

to sit and enjoy my tea.

The rising sun seems also at ease

just flowing along with the gentle breeze,

life takes a new meaning

in moments like these,

the best of which

is tranquility.

Struggle - winter

Such a difficult time of year

the snow is slow to disappear,

it struggles to hang on;

the life beneath

strains to appear

wishing it all were gone.

Creatures reach inside themselves

sustained with a final drive to spring

while humans deal with winters ills

and to life's promise cling.

So we'll set our sights ahead

to look with faith and hope instead

past struggles,

looking for the strength we need

lying in God's assurance seeds.

Peace in Your Presence - winter

There will be peace 

in Your presence

flowing pure with delight

filling us with your refreshing

as you carry our sorrows out of our sight.

We long to drink of Your living water

freely it will never cease,

we who are errant sons and daughters

finally resting in Your peace.

There we will have no burdens,

You wash them away in Your gentle stream

our thirst will suddenly be no more

and our souls sparkling clean.

Draw me closer

to hear the sound

of Your peaceful presence

streaming down

and know in my spirit that You are near

Jesus, shelter me,

with Your presence here.

“Whoever believes in me, as Scripture has said,

rivers of living water will flow from within them.”

John 7:38

He Who Watches Over Me - winter

In times of want,

in drought of soul,

when life itself -

beyond control,

that is when we

learn to see - 

who is watching over me?

Beyond all doubt,

when in despair,

we live without

and turn to prayer,

that is when

we beg to see -

who is watching over me?

And when survived,

the effort's made

to share or hide

that which was prayed,

that is when -

acknowledge we,

He who watches over me...

While in the Wood - winter

While in the wood

there are no prying eyes

there is only what you see

and it tells no lies.

While in the wood

the rich are all brought low,

humbled, though they throw about

a hundred coins of gold.

While in the wood

poor are not recognized,

instead existing as their lives

are meant in God's image - prized.

While in the wood 

all falsehood set aside

you may once again trust what's real

it's peace will heal inside.

Be assured that this wood

is stable - in morning

as in night,

I flee to the safety of the woods

where everything is set aright. 

Transform - winter

Pile it up

Pour it on

Poetry in motion

is the snowfall.

Flying free

fluttering flakes

come to rest

with what it makes

Oh let me be ever so free

as to transform

life's drudgery...

Music Every Moment - winter

Music at University,

was as in Elizabethan times,

like living in a castle

playing songs and singing rhymes. 

Full expression as I performed

of heart and mind,

how much desire still lives in me

to return to such a time...

Taken Away - winter

Here,

I am allowed to live 

without the stain of my sin;

taken to a place of perfect peace

I really cannot begin

to describe the release

except to say

it's less of a giving,

more a taking away,

of mistakes I've made

just as to You I'd prayed

that all the pain

be drawn..

it doesn't live here,

so grateful to God,

and all memory of it- gone. 

Hood of Snow- winter

Draw me in

oh hood of snow

cover my thoughts

that only I know.

With padded sound

I scare will hear

distracting din -

my mind is clear.

Embraced

in your safety

my refuge

you will be.

Draw me in

oh hood of snow

so peace

be all I know.

Consider the Cardinal - winter

Consider the cardinal

all robed in red

rejoicing through winter

and singing instead

of simply existing

for what lies ahead.

Granting each dawn

its chance for a day

where a hopeful song

may find its way

into the here

into the now

life is worth living

we'll know it somehow

for in each of us

the Creator has placed

a song

that belongs

to His sustaining grace.

Supermoon in January - winter

The moon holds January in its wake,

the snow capturing the white,

sanctioned light

dispersing it throughout the acquiescent night.

So it steadfast stands

like one second in command

who guides nocturnal ways

as the still, chill air

and icy satin sheen

comprise the properties propelling it on -

converging with the dawn. 

He Cares for You - winter

Huddled or hurried

we're being preyed upon

uncaring or worried

our resources gone

wounded and weary

daytime dark

and night is dreary

let us all

unfailingly fall

to the Light

and call

to Him

who won't leave our sight.

Humanity hopes

on blessings that He

brings to all

who are in need.

We either accept

or decline

He'll never force us -

it's what we decide.

We are in His image made

and cherished so -

if just for a moment

we must know

how when a sparrow 

falls from the sky

He cares,

so much more

for you and I.

"Are not five sparrows sold for two pennies?

Yet not one of them is forgotten by God.

Indeed, the very hairs of your head are all numbered.

Don't be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows."

words of Jesus in Luke 12:6

Joy to the World - post-Christmas

The world is back

with all its demands

dealing and reeling

with what is at hand

if only we could

hold in our heart

the hope Christ gives

though the season depart

and cold be the winter

and bold it cut through

give us joy that can only

be coming from You.

Your Arrival - Christmas

We know what it is to wait

and to pray

with hope that transcends

what is now and today,

a hearts hope for healing

be it body or soul

for Him who is higher

to come here below.

Desire is inherent

but greater still

the anticipation

of joy through God's will

He has not left us

oh come and see

this baby conceived

through his mother Mary.

Whether a nation had waited

for hundreds of years

or a nine month term

for Christ to appear

weeping may last for a night

but joy comes in the morn

come then Messiah

the blessed with us born.

Life was meant to be more than

survival

how eagerly we've waited

for your arrival!

Snowflakes Free...- winter

How is it the raindrops are so driven?

They point themselves straight into the ground 

while we find the feathery snowflakes wandering around...

they dip up to my window 

and pause to wave hello 

before lying gently down

in unexplored space below.

Scattering like leaves

they find a place to rest themselves as flying things will do

in a tapestry 

ever shaping anew. 

The rain will run to its lowest level 

forming its puddles and ponds

but the snowflakes free 

flit gleefully 

with the air their riding on...

Breathe a World - winter

How astounding

to take a breath

and breathe a world -

with a Word there was light

as Your Spirit hovered over the waters...

I take a breath and breathe

a song, a psalm

of ascending praise

in word and melody

with a voice that You made...

Greatest Thoughts - Fall

Perhaps our greatest thoughts in life

are those we never write

they're hidden away

so we never say

but hold onto them tight.

Coming in on silent feet

that tread upon the stair

they rise up where reflections meet

and leave impressions there.

Given voice,

what would they seem

if others couldn't know,

from past or present

incidents how deeply

they intone?

So they furrow

through our minds

with seeds of insights sown

but these will never see the light

nor their impact ever known.