Moon Phase

Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.”

Joshua 1:9

Weary I am! Worn-out like tattered pages;
wondering how long, what will be next,
where it will go, unfolding to next phase.

From new moon’s darkness; dreary deep
twilight emerges with slow strolling steps.
Waxing crescent moon mounts solar night.

Full moon strikes high, illuminates and idly waits for final cue! Brilliant blue moon, at
times bleak, bitter, bare; all face phases!

Monday: Local Icon

In everything give thanks; for this is the will of God for you in Christ Jesus.

I Thessalonians 5:18

Every community has them. That landmark or icon which makes home. One of our endearing small town images was the elephant slide.

Research shows these slides were first made in 1950’s. We had one in our local park. As time passed, other playground equipment was added. But whenever we left the park, it was the small elephant slide the kids begged to go down.

Just a few years ago, as I was visiting the park with some of my grandkids, our dear elephant slide was being removed. Off to some circus event, we laughed. No one really thought it was funny.

Change is part of life. I am reminded not to get too attached to the everyday familiar things of life. Although, I do believe we can enjoy little treasures in our communities which bring a bit of joy; change will come.

To our surprise, one of my grandkids spotted a memorial to the beloved elephant slide yesterday as we admired the new mosaic murals in our downtown area. There he was all shiny and bright!

Appreciate the things in your life.

This is a close photo of the slide

The Changing

Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new

2 Corinthians 5:17

They change before my eyes:
translucent, transparent telling 
of coming changes chanting 
their farewells across the sky.

If trees could talk what would 
be said of their transformation?
Would willows weep or birches 
balk as their leaves are wisp away?

Maples seem to chatter in wind;
while oaks remain stately and only
rumble, rattle, roar as autumn exits 
clinging to their crisp leaves till spring.

My life could be as those sturdy oaks
torn by stormy winds on darken days,
as seasons change by hand of God I
choose to cling to Him until spring again!

Monday: Deception

See to it that no one takes you captive through hollow and deceptive philosophy, which depends on human tradition and the elemental spiritual forces of this world rather than on Christ.

Colossians 2:8

At first glance you’d think this was a beautiful sunset. It wasn’t. I took a photo of the sun rising last week on a chilly morning. Though the warm hues seemed to shout, “Bedtime!”, it was the beginning of a new day.

This led me to think of others things in life that can deceive us. Of course, advertising is a great example of sharing false information. Commercials, most likely, are at the top of the list. Every pictured hamburger shown across the television screen is not delicious.

Then there’s campaign advertising. This can be the most deceitful verbiage that crosses our paths. “Lies, lies lies!” my momma use to say decades ago. How does one know who to vote for? Is it the person who tells the least amount of lies?

I think we live in a society that thrives on deception. The act of deceiving seems to come natural for many. Honesty is a quality often missing in the lives of people. So how can the act of deception turn to truth? I would suggest by one person at a time. Let it start with each of us. Think before you speak.

Fall Colors & Hues

Now we have not received the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, so that we may know the things freely given to us by God.

I Corinthians 2:12

A patchwork covers my woodland,
it warms a cold day like a lit fire;
brings to life the shaded woods.

It reminds me of abundant gifts given;
given by the unseen Holy Spirit at
the point a heart surrenders to Christ.

Some colors are vibrant and seem to 
shout their ever presence in space;
while other meekly blush their hues.

Some spiritual gifts are bold and used
to reach the masses in gathering spaces;
others are humble gifts in secret corners.

What value is a autumn’s display?
It pleases the eye of the beholder,
excites the heart and warms the body.

Unless one tromps an autumn wood,
drives passed a tree-lined country road
or sits among the last hurrah of growth;

they cannot grasp the emotions tangled
among thinly lined branches still clinging,
as spiritual gifts wait like leaves to fall!

Monday… Time flies!

Our first grandchild

The world is passing away and also its lusts; but the one who does the will of God continues to live forever.

I John 2:17

More than a decade has fluttered away like the monarch butterflies that migrate south. I really can’t tell you where time has gone. Yet, here we are, with a little girl who has grown into womanhood.

I’ve enjoyed the years of grand-parenting. I will admit, my stamina is not like it once use to be. It’s still thrilling when anyone of my grandkids come for a visit, as time moves forward.

Time is something we have no control over, except for being on time. Or how we may use our time. As a follower of Jesus, it’s important to consider what we do with our time. There are so many things the world has to offer us. Often, our eyes are distracted on worldly pursuits instead of considering spiritual things.

It’s a new week. What is God calling you to do? Maybe it’s to help to train a child or grandchild? Or perhaps, to refresh your time to pray for others. Some may need to rekindle their time by reading the Word of God. Most of us will be given opportunities to monitor our day in a way that will glorify God. What choices will you make?

Changing of Fall

Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.

Hebrews 13:8

Wren has long gone, inky darkness veils
morn as cars rumble and fumble in the
thick cold air; I miss wren’s sweet song.

Stillness hangs in trees, as machines
replace the melody of birds long gone
south while I linger as seasons change.

Once again autumn comes in all array 
to lend a splendid show; sweet with color.
Yet, I miss wren’s early morning song.

Long black mornings moan loss, a duet
I understand for one clear voice is my.
Crisp air ushers in my thinly opened window.

For moments, I stretch to recall the cheery
song when sun shown bright at fading night.
I resolve, I will miss wren’s song till spring.

I am reminded that all doesn’t change;
for One whom seasons dutifully obey
is constant, ceaseless and continual!

Monday’s: Woolly Bear

But we all, with unveiled faces, looking as in a mirror at the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from gloryto glory, just as from the Lord, the Spirit.

II Corinthians 3:18

Woolly bear caterpillars, also called woolly worms, have a reputation for being able to forecast the coming winter weather; as legend has expressed. If the rusty band is wide, then it will be a mild winter. The more black there is, the more severe the winter. Can this weather lore be true? Or is it more realistic to believe there are greater changes?

After years of testing this theory, the results showed evidence that the coloration of the woolly bear did give a weather prediction. However, be careful for not all woolly bears enjoy this talent. Evidently, totally black woolly bears are not weather projectors.

If that is true, the woolly bear in my photo can tell us nothing so breath easy. Hopefully, a rough winter us not upon us! Yet, he was a charming find climbing five feet in the air on my elderberry bush.

Totally black woolly bears are just another species in the same category as the rust and black ones. Woolly bears hatch twice a year, usually June and September. The second generation of caterpillars are the “weather prophets,” according to specialists.

These critters enjoy violets, lambs quarter (different from lamb’s ear), and clover. Their goal in life is to find a place to hide for the winter. Woolly bears spend the winter as larva. Then in the month of May, they emerge as the Isabella moth. The fuzzy, brittle bug now takes on the shape of a fragile, delicate moth. Their transformation has been completed.

If those who are followers of Jesus and come before the throne of God daily with opened minds (unveiled faces) to receive the hope of the gospel (our salvation); then another transformation (final glorification) will one day take place in our lives. Unlike the woolly bear, it will take more than a season before a complete spiritual change happens. It takes a lifetime of exploring the Word of God.

Hide your heart in God who continues to transform us daily, if we’re willing, until our final day of glorification in heaven. The day when those who have accepted Jesus’ great sacrifice will join Him for eternity. Read His Word.

Lost

Long evening shadows cast 
a stark, vivid veil across 
autumn’s evening sky;
tells secrets from the past
before a multitude was loss.

In days of peace with man,
when tranquility daily rose
long before the greatest lie;
then changed God’s plan,
He covered sin with clothes.

The sky now displays scars,
of mankind’s daily choice;
God sent His only Son to die
and brighten gloomy stars
to declare with clear voice:

“… and through Him to reconcile
all things to Himself, whether
things on earth or things in
heaven, having made peace
through the blood of His cross.”

Colossians 1:20