messengers - summer

perhaps you came

maybe you sat

perhaps your words

were enough so that

a hurting heart

knew a little less pain

for even a moment

and overcame

the mortal, this flesh,

to the world beyond

where angels minister

and worldly cares gone

I pray this for you

and may ministry come

from mercies messengers

one by one

there's a craggy coast - summer

I was imagining a western coast of Europe in this one -

there's a craggy coast

on the other side of the sea

where peaceful sunsets

meet rising rocks

and splashing water upon the lea

as every day the sun unfurls

to wind its way

upon this part of the world

where the sounds of surf

God put into place

are never taken

from its embrace

whether tinted red

or hues of blue

it comes round same

it comes round true

tainted not by mans desires

so truth may be seen

in the sunsets fires

a plea - summer

tell me what will take me away

to that slice of heaven

beyond today

light as a dove

and soft as a feather

raise my eyes

be lifted up

to praise the God in heaven

who knows my thoughts 

and prayers from afar

just a slice of heaven please

to here 

from where you are?

sinking into summer - summer

I'm sinking into summer

like a cozy stuffed chair,

all warm and barefoot

surrounded by the soothing air.

Nothing here so pressing

that I have to jump and run,

so lazily I'm lounging

moving slowly as the sun.

Living in the outdoors

whose arms are open wide,

there's a different pace

in the place of grace

less confined than when inside.

Sinking into summer

like a warm cozy chair,

storing up for winter -

like a hibernating bear!

Mothers Day - candle in the window

that one thing 

she used to do

the candle in the window -

welcoming peace

was in view,

oh mother

from far away

I know your love

your candle calls to me today

with never a disappointment

of what is waiting there

only the light and love

that a mother can share

so that one thing

you used to do,

remembering the candle in the window,

peace is in view

dandelions of youth - spring

dandelions of youth

exert more truth

than all the planted flowers

that adults arrange;

to see children laughing

while picking these that are unbidden,

whose same flowers

be ridden

from landscapes to make way

for more purposeful heads

that incite the less gleeful

and just looked at instead;

so I choose the dandelion

and children set free

and hope to be happy in life

simply.

Eternity Reclaimed - spring

How far back can we remember???

There’s a cry for the children,

those that are here

and those that are now,

who we once were –

we can reach them somehow;

knowing we’ve all come

from our youth

learning good things and bad

the lies and the truth

the sweet days of innocence

sunshine and breeze

warmth while out playing

a feeling at ease

yet how deeply we felt

when evil had its way

but we’ve lived to come through it

to another day.

The Lord’s reaching out

He heals and He saves

it’s all there in Him

come what may.

Bless us Lord

in the darkest of night

sit with us and bring us

to the Glory of Your Light,

Your message received

that was proclaimed

Hallelujah for

the healing –

praise He

who overcame!

For eternity’s calling

we’re but in a time frame

our past, present, future

through Him

reclaimed!

empty grave - Easter morning

we can never go farther

than the empty grave

even with modern

or enlightened ways

His was the triumph

where once He lay

risen to never

see decay.

let's stop here 

and gather to praise

with worship

at the empty grave

Easter Poem Hold Me Fast - spring

help me to hang unto Christ,

He who hung upon the cross,

who gave up ever treasure of heaven

to be with us in our loss;

selfishness and society

would try to pry me

loose from Thee

but only Your enveloping arms

will hold me fast

and safe from harm

when life seems tenuous - spring

the sun has been out brightly

we see the goodness of God

oh keep us all in faithfulness

especially now

when times call for such tenderness

and none seems to be found -

who will bring us what we need

when we ourselves scarcely know

except that life seems tenuous

and it is to You we go...

becoming wise - spring

I can still walk

but it's getting harder to climb

being long on this planet

takes its toll over time;

maybe dimming eyes

and softening ears

means a lessening awareness

and perhaps a lesser fear

for we know we've made it thus far

and this not of our own

so from now on there's less struggle

and more trust to take us home

the promise of watching - spring

Just outside the window

there was a little knoll,

where in my senior year of college

I watched the spring grass grow.

While I sat, the wind raced free

fluttering the green grass so expressively,

anticipating every promise

of what life had to hold -

sharing music's joy with children

like flowers to unfold.

I am not God who plants life's seeds

but went out to nourish, provide and weed,

and in the end I could sometimes see

them flourish ever so naturally.

With every spring I cannot wait

until the sun and rain will send

the warm wind blowing wistfully

over the land again;

and think of the students,

that in the end,

fulfilled the ambitions ideals portend

and honor the feelings

I once did hold

with the promise of watching

the spring grass grow. 

mercies are rising - winter

the birds are back

but the snow's still intact

I open my window

to hear them sing

but the air of winter

is not of spring

so frozen still

but somehow they know

that mercies are rising

though the earth is cold. 

fragrance of faith - winter

how many beautiful,

lovely things

under the snow doth lie

waiting for the sun to sing

its gentle lullaby

to soothe the land

and bring forth dreams

of sounds unheard

and seed unseen

for we know they are there

and patiently wait

while trusting God

for our fragrance of faith

path to heaven - winter

my path to heaven began –

light through a window

my eyes are raised

my heart is drawn

there is more than me –

there has to be…

answers stream

comfort beams

for all the children

belong to God

He has come to redeem.

Jesus called the children to him and said,

 "Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them,

for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these."

Luke 18:16

circumstance comes to dance - winter

You've given me voice

how can I not rejoice?

Circumstance

comes to dance

through the pen

so praise

may rise again

from either thought 

or situation

Your desire

be my dictation. 

Amen

where I've stood - winter

where I've stood

and where I stand

footprints left upon the sand

where with the tide be swept away

and never known a later day

but where I land is solid ground

the light of Jesus all around

and in the end no feet

can leave

no greater mark

than the Eternal

to Whom I cleave

sweep over me sweet Jesus - winter

begin sweet Jesus

to sweep over me

like the changing of the seasons

like the waves upon the sea

move through my emotions

You will bring

the newness of Your saving grace

the freshness of a spring

come to us 

though we be still

and carry us

into Your will

taken away

with loving care

swept up in Your Spirit

my deliverance

there 

We'll never be out of His care - winter

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. 

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.