Night Sounds

I will meditate on the glorious splendor of Your majesty, and on Your wondrous works.

Psalm 145:5

beating, beating across weedy waters
drumming echoes deep in steady
calling, calling endless croaks calling

across the twilight rippling waters
beneath emerald lily pads chanting
hearts a beating, humming, drumming

upon the ragged battered beach
on the shoreline grass is singing
hearts are beating, humming, drumming

Beating, beating on weighty water
panting breath of inky, bleak night
searching for the cherished one

down flowing channel vibrating
under starry autumn night
hearts of beating, humming, drumming

around scrubby, sulky, sandy island
in the deepest of darkest evening
hearts a beating, humming, drumming

beating, beating across weedy water
croaking strong, secure, steady
now, resonates deep upon my heart

summer’s bullfrogs now sleeping, sleeping

Monday: Clinging

“Yet you do not have because you do not ask. You ask and do not receive, because you ask amiss, that you may spend it on your pleasures.”

James 4:2c-3

Just hanging on. Isn’t that how we sometimes feel? Like leaves dangling on empty branches; blowing wildly in battering winds. We question if there’s any hope to bring us back to some type of normal. And often the question, “Why me God?” flows from our mouths.

I was quite impressed this weekend. Some autumn leaves where still clinging tightly to woody branches during our recent wind storm. Rotted trees toppled, garbage cans were scattered and I even spotted a length of gutter in one of my small town intersections. The brisk breezes definitely left their signature. But the tightly clinging leaves remained secure.

On those days, or weeks, when everything seems to be tumbling in on you, there is Someone who is available to help. God sees all. Jesus left the Holy Spirit as a our Helper. The triune God is available. Just ask, dig in the Word and believe.

“Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened.”

Matthew 7:7-8

Praise

Let everything that has breath praise the Lord.

Psalm 150:6

Shadows shift in autumn sky
etched pools atop broken paths;
then squeeze through sleepy woods.
There endless limbs bow and bend;
silhouettes across an open sea.
Silent hush in still of tame twilight;
honoring the holy Master’s might.

I’ve always walked the woods and admired the outstretched limbs of trees which reach heavenwards, as if, in praise to their Creator, God!

Monday’s: Asters

You are my hiding place and my shield;
I hope in Your word.

Psalm 119:114

As September has long faded from this year’s calendar, it’s birthday flower symbol the aster, still lingers along the sides of country roads. Frost after frost has tainted other foliage, yet the aster lingers.

Purple asters symbolize wisdom and royalty and are the most popular color seen in the aster family. The word “aster” comes from the Greek word for “star”; for it’s flower petals are arranged in a star-like fashion. They are a striking flower with bright yellow centers surrounded by deep, rich purple petals.

Many cultures have tales to tell of the “star” blooms. My favorite was from a story told in France when bouquets of asters were placed on the graves of fallen soldiers. They were a representation of a wish that the battle had had a different outcome. Too often we all have that hope when we battle our own trials; that the outcome has been different.

Whatever your hope is today, may you seek wisdom from God and find safety in Him.

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!