Perfect Love

This month I'll be adding Christmas 'stories' two or more times each week.  Please feel free to share.

Let's consider the miracle of Christmas.
Because of God's mercy and amazing grace,
in His perfect love His promise was fulfilled
one night in Bethlehem as God's glory spilled
across the night sky when an angel announced to the shepherds
news of a Savior born - the most incredible news ever heard.

The promise of salvation for all.
Forgiveness from sins now possible.
The miracle of forgiveness alone was bliss
but now eternal life was also promised.
Forgiveness of sins and eternal life offered for free.
This miracle of God's mercy and amazing grace for you and me.

Not through anything we have done
but because of God's love which had come
one night long, long ago
in a stable where cattle lowed
as God provided shelter
in a town helter-skelter.

God's provision - a miracle at the  11th hour -
proving that He is our rock, our strong tower.
And God still performs these 11th hour miracles today.
Miracles that build our faith and trust as we journey on our way
through God's mercy and amazing grace
faithfully sustaining the human race.

God's promise fulfilled by the birth of a baby
which was God's perfect love personified, truly.
Perfect love that offers forgiveness and eternal life also.
Perfect love that from the heart of God to our continuously flows.
Christmas signifies the gift of God's perfect love
when the Savior came down from heaven above.

May you realize the incredible love God has for you
not only at Christmastime but the whole year through
as you recall God's promise of a Savior who came to earth -
announced by angels, witnessed by shepherds - with a birth
nothing less than a miracle:
God's gift of love to all peoples.

* * * * *

God's love is perfect because it is unconditional
based on God's continuous mercy and amazing grace to all.
Unfathomable from the human mind,
this perfect love that God has for mankind.

God's mercy and grace, though undeserved,
always lovingly bestowed
for God desires everyone come to repentance -
to receive His free gift of salvation through forgiveness.

I pray that you have received this free gift.
A gift that will bring peace and joy to your spirit.
Receive God's gift of love to us -
the gift of Jesus - this Christmas.

The name of the Lord is a strong tower;
the righteous run to it and are safe.
Proverbs 18:10

You ave been my refuge, a strong tower.
Psalm 61:3

There is no fear in love.
Perfect love drives out fear,
because fear has to do with punishment.
The one who fears is not made perfect in love.
I John 4:18

Every good and perfect gift is from above,
coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights,
who does not change like shifting shadows.
James 1:17

Be imitators of God, therefore,
as dearly loved children
and live a life of love,
just as Christ loved us.
Ephesians 5:1-2

Dear friends, Let us love on another,
for love comes from God.
Everyone who loves has been born of God
and knows God.
I John 4:7

God's kindness leads you toward repentance.
Romans 2:4

If we confess our sins,
he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins
and purify us from all unrighteousness.
I John 1:9

To order Life Is a Garden Party, Vol II

go to WestBow Press, Amazon or B&N.

To order Life Is a Garden Party, Vol I

go to Amazon or B&N.

The Day Before Thanksgiving

The day before Thanksgiving
in this blessed country we're living
our kitchens are a-flutter.
Don't forget the butter.

The day before Thanksgiving
there are pies baking in the oven
with cinnamon and allspice.
Doesn't it all smell nice!

The day before Thanksgiving
the turkey's still defrosting,
butternut squash is ready for roasting
when the pies come out of the oven.

The day before Thanksgiving
there's day-old bread for cubing
to mix with poultry seasoning
causing some to be sneezing.

The day before Thanksgiving
celery and onions are sauteing
to be added to the stuffing
or do you call it dressing?

The day before Thanksgiving
the refrigerator's stuffed with everything.
In fact, everyone's favorite foods for eating,
as many are preparing for a day of feasting.

The day before Thanksgiving
the pretty company dishes need a quick washing,
perhaps the tablecloths or lines need pressing,
and there doesn't seem to be time for everything.

The day before Thanksgiving
our country is preparing
for a day of feasting
with much thanksgiving.

* * * * *

The day before Thanksgiving
with thankful hearts we're intent on giving
a prayer of gratitude overflowing
for much more than the food we're busy cooking.

We're thankful for our loved ones,
those near and those far from home,
for those added to the family
and those now in eternity.

We're thankful for everyone's health,
irregardless of what has been dealt -
for adversity teaches us to trust,
growing our faith, which is God's good plan for us.

We're thankful for freedom to worship
with others in like fellowship,
to pray for one another
and encourage each other.

We're thankful for God's Word
which helps keep us moored
in choosing to do what's right;
to stand firm in faith, not sight.

We're thankful for God's Word which keeps us nourished
so that our faith will grow strong and flourish
as God's Word is food for the soul -
sustenance to keep us well and whole.

We're thankful for
so much much more
as God's blessings daily pour
from his storehouse stored.

Foods, which God created to be received with thanksgiving
by those who believe and who know the truth.
For everything God created is good.
I Timothy 4:3-4

Let us come before him with thanksgiving.
Psalm 95:2

Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good;
his love endures forever.
Psalm 107:1

To order Life Is a Garden Party, Vol II

go to WestBow Press, Amazon or B&N.

To order Life Is a Garden Party, Vol I

go to Amazon or B&N.

Fruits of Summer

Berry canes heavy laden with ripe fruit and morning dew
offer good-for-you anti-oxidants in red, black or blue.
Bowed low with sweet berries waiting to be plucked -
one for your belly, two in a basket tucked.

Best eaten when warmed by the summer sun,
berry picking turns into a day of fun.
Serenaded by the happy hum of bees
or the musical scale of a fledgling wee.

Strawberries, blackberries,
raspberries, blueberries.
Perhaps for dessert:  a pie, a cobbler, or crisp will be baked
heavy laden with fruit and topped with whipped cream on a plate.

Some preserved in jams or jellies in pretty jars,
often given as gifts to loved ones near and far.
Others will be savored this winter
while enjoying the fruits of summer.

Heavy laden with sweetness,
summer fruits are the best!

Fruit trees heavy laden with ripening fruit and dense leaves,
soon cherries, peaches, plums, pears, crisp juicy apples will please.
Sun shiny days spent filling a bucket or basket full
with sweet, satisfying nourishment by the handful.

Each month of the summer
and into October
quarts are filled with summer's bounty
filling shelves with a rainbow pretty.

Picking cherries in July, then summer peaches, before autumn's apples.
Making memories with one's family will one day be special.
A tradition most likely passed on
to the next generation born.

Seasonal fruits taste the very best.
You'll be glad you took time to invest.

* * * * *

Have you ever felt heavy laden?
Weighed down with worries turned into burdens?
Stressed out which does not allow for peaceful rest?
Anxiety is your everyday dress.

Carrying a heavy load is not God's plan for you.
You weren't designed to carry the heavy load you do.
Heavy loads can lead to health problems including depression.
Heavy loads zap you energy causing more vexation.

Worry is doubting God knows what is best.
Trust is the antidote to worry and stress.
You already know that worry is neither fair nor just.
Trust is confidence that God has a good plan and purpose.

That stress you hang on to is not God's best for you.
Realize God has a good plan purpose for you.
Often call to mind God's love for you personally.
His continual faithfulness will build trust daily.

Let trust in God trump over worry.
Let trust in God become your life's story.
Focus on God's faithfulness.
Worry will become less and less.

Do you no know?  Have you not heard?
The Lord is the everlasting God,
the Creator of the ends of the earth.
He will not grow tired or weary,
and his understanding no one can fathom.
He give strength to the weary
and increases the power of the weak.
Even youths grow tired and weary,
and young men stumble and fall;
but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength.
They will soar on wings like eagles;
they will run and not grow weary,
they will walk and not be faint.
Isaiah 40:29-31

Come unto me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden
and I will give you rest.
Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me;
for I am meek and lowly in heart,
and ye shall find rest unto your souls.
For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.
Matthew 11:28-30 (KJV)

Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened,
and I will give you rest.
Take my yoke upon you and learn from me,
for I am gentle and humble in heart,
and you will find rest for your souls.
For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.
Matthew 11:28-30

Cast all your anxiety on him
because he cares for you.
I Peter 5:7

An anxious heart weights a man down,
but a kind word cheers him up.
Proverbs 12:25

Do not be anxious about anything,
but in everything, by prayer and petition,
with thanksgiving,
present your requests to God.
And the peace of God,
which transcends all understanding,
will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
Philippians 4:6-7

"For I know the plans I have for you,"
declares the Lord,
"plans to prosper you and not to harm you,
plans to give you hope and a future."
Jeremiah 29:11

Yet this I call to mind and therefore I have hope.
Because of the Lord's great love we are not consumed,
for his compassions never fail,
They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.
I say to myself, "the Lord is my portion;
therefore I will wait for him."
The Lord is good to those whose hope is in him,
to the one who seeks him;
it is good to wait quietly for the salvation of the Lord.
Lamentations 3:21-26

To order Life Is a Garden Party, Vol II

go to WestBow Press, Amazon or B&N.

To order Life Is a Garden Party, Vol I

go to Amazon or B&N.

Terra Firma

Of dirt and turf
which makes up earth
called terra firma, or ground,
or sod, the whole world round.

Earth
gives birth
east, south, west and north
with delightful mirth.

Birthing for all its worth
over all the earth -
its length, breadth, and girth -
giving us green turf.

This turf or sod
upon which we trod
is a gift from God
who loves us, though clods.

For we are just a lump - a clod -
that is being shaped by God
when times are good, or when hard,
just as we shape our yards.

For terra firma is stubborn,
often full of rocks and stones,
needing loam
to be transformed.

Composted loam,
not overnight born,
but formed
through storms.

Good soil
born from toil,
sometimes broiled,
turns out royal.

As good ground
now abounds
we, too, through ground,
end up grounded/well rounded.

So while storms may pound
and troubles abound
we're held safe and sound
from evening till morn.

Terra firma, solid, secure,
enabling us to endure
though we're often insecure
as troubles around us roar.

Yes, life can be hard,
as the ground is hard,
but it's for our good
as our God is good.

* * * * *

Transformation, which brings about change,
often feels uncomfortable and strange.
Not only does it seem to hurt,
it takes forever to give birth.

Transformation takes place in our minds -
daily, not just once for all time.
It's a renewal, a change of attitude,
that slowly gives birth to a new, improved mood.

Transformation, for our good,
to make us Christlike, it would,
if we could see the good
that comes from God who's good.

Be made new in the attitude of your minds.
Ephesians 4:23

To order Life Is a Garden Party, Vol II

go to WestBow Press, B&N or Amazon.

To order Life Is a Garden Party, Vol I

go to B&N or Amazon.

Roots

Each year when one plants seeds or plants with roots
much emphasis
is placed on the condition of its leaves which boosts
photosynthesis
but not much attention is paid to its roots.

Yes, it is a good sign when the plant's roots,
their genesis,
are growing out of the bottom of the pot like boots;
but there's a crisis
if round and round the pot grow the tangled roots.

In this case, these pot-bound roots
cause paralysis
choking the plant from sending shoots
lacking osmosis
and from drinking in needed juice.

After removing the circling roots
from its nemesis
one must de-tangle and/or cut the roots,
a needed prognosis,
so that new growth the plant will boost.

Rather these roots
feed coreopsis
or grow slender cucs,
roots basic catalysis
is to produce fruits.

Flowers and edible fruit
need photosynthesis
to grow new shoots and roots
so the synopsis is:
nurture those roots.

Begin by giving the soil a boost,
a nutritious oasis,
so that the roots will deeply shoot
during hypothesis
growing pretty flowers or fruits.

Soon you'll be enjoying these fruits,
perhaps sharing with brother and sis,
when blossoms mature into fruit
(yes, home-grown is the most delish)
for dinner, dessert, or as juice.

* * * * *

Deeply rooted plant roots
will one day produce
good fruits
just as our spiritual roots
will one day produce
good fruits.

If our spiritual roots
are not nurtured from the root
they will not produce
beneficial fruit.
These forsaken roots
will become useless shoots.

To nurture your spiritual roots
they need to be fed nourishing juice
daily from God's Word to grow deep roots.
Then healthy roots will grow producing fruit
benefiting many as healthy fruit will boost
and encourage yourself and others by your fruits.

I pray that out of his glorious riches
he may strengthen you will power
through his Spirit in your inner being,
so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith.
And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love,
may have power, together with all the saints,
to grasp how wide and long and high and deep
is the love of Christ,
and to know this love that surpasses knowledge -
that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.
Ephesians 3:16-19

Indian Summer Days

Three days of Indian Summer!  Hooray!!!
You'll find me sprucing up the yard these warm days.
It sounds like the entertainment committee has gathered
for there are many birds in the yard, some with colored feathers.

Searching for leftover sunflower seeds
are blue jays and papa cardinals who feed.
These birds entertain me the whole year long
when I take a minute to listen to their song.

Their caw-caws and cheerio-o-os
often dispel daily sorrows
for songs brighten one's countenance
as a smile will commence.

There's young robin the crab apple tree.
Today he's joined by friends and family.
Perhaps on their trip south
they stopped to fill their mouth.

They dine on dried crab apples.
The tree is covered with ample.
Perhaps they sang out an invite
for other birds stop in flight.

This morning three black crows
in the maple tree pose.
Their feathers shine in the sun.
Then off they go, so long.

A flock of small birds race across the sky.
Perhaps their wings are waving bye bye
for many bird species will migrate
before winter snows accumulate.

A chickadee is seen eating seeds
from the perennial sunflower seeds.
A woodpecker must have found some bugs to eat.
Perhaps his dinner fare came out in the heat.

Here's another round bug
gardeners seen to love.
It's a little lady bug.
Now there's a smile on my mug.

In the warm Indian Summer day
yellow jackets surprise me today.
They awoke from their hibernation
to join in today's celebration.

Squirrels are seen gathering nuts
(hickory nuts and black walnuts)
then hop, skip and jump this Indian Summer Day.
Though busy, their activity looks like play.

Indian Summer is a tease.
Two days ago there was a freeze
when snow covered the ground like frosting on a cake
though there are still bushels of fallen leaves to rake.

* * * * *

Yes, I was entertained this afternoon
by God's many creatures with feathered plumes
and with two wings, the bugs and bees,
and furry gray squirrels in the trees,
who all foraged for lunch
around and about tree trunks.

Indian Summer
makes one feel better,
more energized somehow
as much work awaits - and how.
A last chance to work in the yard
before it looks like a Christmas card.

God has ordained work as a good thing.
Look at the good things work will bring:
satisfaction and joy
as we all enjoy
God's many blessings
in the life we're living.

Whatever awaits you today, be glad
for blessings from God are to be had.
God commends us to be happy, do good, and enjoy life
though many of us often go through life filled with strife,
worry, anxiety, difficulties, disappointments,
fears - day in and day out, without finding enjoyment.

Start today by thanking God for the work that you do.
Thanking God often keeps us from feeling anxious and blue.
Realize work is a gift from God
as life, also, is a gift from God.
God has a plan for you that supersedes all you can ask or imagine.
Put on your thinking cap, list your strengths and weaknesses, then imagine...

I know that there is nothing better for men
than to be happy and do good while they live.
That everyone may eat and drink,
and find satisfaction in all his toil -
this is the gift of God.
Ecclesiastes 3:12-13

I commend the enjoyment of life,
because nothing is better for a man under the sun
than to eat and drink and be glad.
Then joy will accompany him in his work
all the days of the life God has given him under the sun.
Ecclesiastes 8:15

To him who is able to do immeasurably more
than all we ask or imagine,
according to his power that is at work within us.
Ephesians 3:20