November Snow

And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying. There shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away.”
Revelations 21:4

How dreary thorns in flesh?
Russet hues in wintry light;
against dismal resting earth.

It’s here first snow appears;
scatters crystals among trees,
interrupts rioting leaves of fall.

Where comes storehouses of snow?
God binds them in unreachable homes;
unleashing flakes at His sovereign will.

A child sees first snow differently,
when mossy earth is laden white;
over, over, and over again anew.

Yet time will come, snow shall melt,
life’s bleakness fade; in last of days
and earth made new again, as snow.

Monday: Morning Moon

Behold , He is coming with clouds, and every eye will see Him, even they who pierced Him. And all the tribes of the earth will mourn because of Him. Even so, Amen
Revelations 1:7

There was great excitement regarding the Harvest Blood Moon last week. If you were like me, I missed it as clouds veiled the event of the lunar eclipse. However the night before, as I walked my dog, I had the pleasure of staring at a full moon surrounded by an orange aura.

Just a few days later, I awoke to a morning moon enveloped by pink cotton candy clouds. The Blood Moon lunar eclipse was visible to potentially millions of stargazers around the world. Yet, I wonder who noticed the breathless pastel pinks surrounding my Morning Moon.

Many knew about the up-coming Blood Moon Eclipse. It was a worldwide event. Stargazers from far and near documented the event with photos from South, Korea, China, Italy, Australia and North America.

Did anyone bothered viewing the Morning Moon a few days later? It was the same moon.

There’s something else which will one day happen. Many know about this event too. It is the day Jesus will return. Sin will be destroyed for eternity. The choosen saints will worship in Heaven the King of Kings and Savior.

Jesus will return in the clouds. It’s been well documented in Scriptures. One day He will come and every knee shall bow.

Study the signs and wait breathlessly.

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.

My First Book Signing

AND…

I can’t wait!

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.

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!