Heavenward

Song birds
overheard
skyward.

Clouds in the sky leeward
chased by the wind onward
traveling southward.

Trees always tower heavenward,
also upward, northward, skyward.
Are they onward climbing homeward?

Seedlings also reach toward the sun heavenward -
a God-given innate ability inward
perhaps knowing that God on High is their Shepherd.

This ability isn't haphazard.
It's built in like a longed-for reward.
A lesson from which to springboard.

Check out skyscrapers built upward,
of man constantly reaching northward.
An innate desire to go heavenward?

Has that thought ever occurred?
Or are our thoughts wayward?
Rejecting what's heavenward?

Is heavenward
a byword,
a proverb?

Just a pie-in-the-sky referred
by poet's looking for pleasing words?
Never!  Heaven is our reward!

Just like seedlings receive their reward
when they daily reach heavenward,
heaven is our eternal reward.

* * * * *

Not only do bird's songs rise heavenward,
our thought are known, rising heavenward,
being heard by God, our Shepherd.

Unfortunately often afterwards
we wish we could erase words heard -
not just those spoken, but those heard.

It's the same with our thoughts unheard.
They are really not haphazard.
They express what our heart's hoard.

Are our thoughts pleasing to God?
We can't erase those unheard words
but we can press heavenward.

Striving to be pleasing in thoughts unheard
and encouraging in our spoken words.
Pressing onward, always maturing inward.

It's a lifetime worthy goal toward
in which we should strive inward
as well as onward, forward, upward.

Until that day we meet our Good Shepherd.
That day we go homeward, or heavenward,
wherein dwells our greatest reward.

The Lord searches every heart
and understands every motive behind the thoughts.
I Chronicles 28:9

The Lords knows the thoughts of man.
Psalm 94:11

For out of the heart come evil thoughts...
Matthew 15:19

Not that I have already obtained all this,
or have already been made perfect,
but I press on to take hold of
that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me.
Brothers, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it.
But one thing I do:  Forgetting what is behind
and straining toward what is ahead,
I press on toward the goal to win the prize
for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.
Philippians 3:12-14

What is true, whatever is noble,
whatever is right, whatever is pure,
whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable -
if anything is excellent or praiseworthy -
think about such things.
Philippians 4:8

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Day Is Done

As day fades into twilight
the afterglow of the sun's light
is sprinkled like gold reflecting dust
illuminating all it does touch
as day composes its last refrains
reflected in ripening grain,
mirrored in far away oceans and seas,
lakes and rivers as far as one can see.

This gilded afterglow
casts a radiant glow
on everything below
as it ebbs and flows
casting a golden hue
making everything look new
for a minute in time
then quickly lost in time.

This fading glow of gold
is a sight to behold
as the sky reflects
a masterpiece perfect
in waves of golden rosy pinks,
though quickly gone in a blink,
as day is done, gone
when twilight comes.

This golden shimmer
highlights and glimmers
on all it touches
though never captured.
It's illusive except for a moment
when your eyes behold this splendid event -
somewhat sacred, always awesome -
with each replay always welcome.

Yet each replay is always different,
never copied, always unique, distinct,
from the sunset the day before
as this golden glimmer pours
over the firmament
when the close of the day is met.
A benediction
in the making.

This gold
not sold
is often attempted
to be recreated
by artists
and poets
though a far cry from perfect
as sunsets are always perfect.

* * * * *

Do take time to watch the sunset cast its spell
in the sky above then over hill and dell.
You'll be awed by the Creator's masterpiece
and feel a contentment, a perfect peace,
as day turns into night
with a sigh of delight.
Another gift from the Master's paintbrush
because He loves us so very much.

The Lord blesses his people with peace.
Psalm 29:11

May God himself, the God of peace,
sanctify you through and through.
May your whole spirit, soul and body by kept blameless
at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.
The one who calls you is faithful
and he will do it.
I Thessalonians 5:23-24

May the God of peace...
equip you with everything good
for doing his will,
and may be work in us
what is pleasing to him,
though Jesus Christ,
to whom be glory forever and ever.
Hebrews 13:20

For the Lord God is a sun and shield
the Lord bestows favor and honor;
no good thing does he withhold
from those whose walk is blameless.
O Lord Almighty, blessed is the man who trust in you.
Psalm 84:11-12

This is the day the Lord has made;
let us rejoice and be glad in it.
Psalm 118:24

The righteous will shine like the sun
in the kingdom of their Father.
Matthew 13:43

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Me, Me, Me

Summer days brings hours of berry picking.
Sweetened by the sun, just right for picking.
Best eaten alfresco
in the great outdoors,
though the intent is to fill the freezer -
to enjoy the fruits of summer this winter.

Quiet, except for the hum of the bees.
Warm, though there's a breeze through the leaves of the trees.
Succulent, these pretty round jewels in red, black, or blue.
Antioxidants designed to give good health to you.
Tasty, one for now and two for later.
Enjoying the luscious fruits of summer.

The quiet is rudely dispelled
when someone repeatedly yells
"me, me, me".
Someone I can't see.
This "me, me, me"
is from someone greedy.

When this someone was a baby
their plea was "me, me, me".
Now someone is grown and their "me, me, me"
is loud, rude, increasingly greedy.
This someone had found the berries
and doesn't want to share, not hardly.

"Me, me me" as in mine.
"Me, me me" is whined.
Though not human, this someone
acts just like us humans often.
For more often than not our words, thoughts, and deeds
center around me, me, me; yes, indeed.

There, up in the tree top is this noisemaker.
Though, here, in my heart I'm often self-centered.
Seed eating birds have found the berries.
Greed in my heart often tarries.
Birds have much to teach us.
To share without making a fuss.

* * * * *

Greed, at its basic definition is idolatry; it's putting self first.
We learn greed is never satisfied, it leaves us with an unfulfilled thirst.
There's much that lures.
We want more, more, more.

The opposite of selfish greed
is to plant unselfish seeds
that will greatly encourage someone in need -
rather physical or emotional needs.

A helping hand, a listening ear,
transportation somewhere - each is dear.
You need not expend a lot of money,
time spent turns someone's spirit of gloom sunny.

Being consumed with "me, me, me" becomes quite unfulfilling.
Being concerned about another's comfort becomes fulfilling.
Don't be like the bird who doesn't want to share.
Exchange greed for an outlook that shows you care.

Watch out!  Be on your guard against all kinds of greed;
a man's life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions.
Luke 12:15

But among you there must not be even a hint...of greed,
because these are improper for God's holy people.
Ephesians 5:3

Put to death, therefore, whatever belongs to your earthly nature:
...greed, which is idolatry.
Colossians 3:5

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Re greed, I've had my eye on a certain wind chime for more than a year.  I even had the money put aside for more than a year but that money was just spent on gardening supplies, including potting soil which is used to share transplants with others.  Though I'm happy to give away transplants, the greedy part of me still wants that wind chime!?!?

Re berries, off in a few minutes to take homemade jellies to a neighbor for her birthday.  She's about 90.  It's a lesson in listening ears as she's not able to hear me.  She's an amazing lady with a fascinating life story, appropriately named Grace.

Who?

A pile of bark was seen yesterday.
There's a bigger pile today.
There wasn't a wind storm last night.
Neither was a rain storm in sight.

Suddenly a ruckus overhead
cackling up high over my head.
A large bird or a small duck?
It cackled instead of quacked!

Not at all happy with me
as it flew away from the tree.
I had disturbed its breakfast.
Startled, it flew away fast.

Its body was covered
with black and white feathers
with a bright red feathered head
seen flying away overhead.

A showy bird as large a a crow.
Actually, I was glad to see it go
as its cackles were not music to my ears.
It wasn't a sound that brought joyous cheer.

The old maple tree
had evidence to see
of circles bored in dead wood
as only certain birds could.

Was this bird a woodpecker?
Perhaps the king of woodpeckers
as it was very large.
The biggest in my yard.

As a woodpecker bores holes, it does,
a pileated woodpecker it was.

* * * * *

This woodpecker certainly was unique
which caused me to pause a moment, to think:
you are unique,
I am unique.

Yes, we are one of a kind
and quite special in God's mind.
God's Word, the Bible, is filled with His wonderful promises.
The psalm highlighted below contains several marvelous promises.

The Lord is faithful to all his promises
and loving toward all he has made.

The Lord upholds all those who fall
and lifts up all who are bowed down.

The eyes of all look to you,
and you give them their food at the proper time.

You open your hand
and satisfy the desires of every living thing.

The Lord is righteous in all his ways
and loving toward all he has made.

The Lord is near to all who call on him,
to all who call on him in truth.

He fulfills the desires of those who fear him;
he hears their cry and saves them.

The Lord watches over all who love him.

Psalm 145:13-20

Look what the bucks and does left me!

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Tea Party

Afternoon tea is being prepared.
Sun tea.  What will today's guests wear?
In what color will they dress?
Which tea will they like best?

On the wings of the wind floats
someone dressed in a black cloak
stopping at the purple butterfly bush
where yellow striped guests also sip their lunch.

Dressed to the hilt
with golden gilt
she's not late for her afternoon cup of tea
which she's happy to share with the bees.

There's purple conflower tea
and lavender hydrangea tea.
She sips to her heart's content
then up, up, up she went...

to try another flavor -
zinnia tea she favors.
Its hard to decide
as she quietly glides...

to sample pink hollyhock tea
where she finds more hungry bees
sampling this nectar - a gift from God,
of God's faithfulness when times are hard.

Other teas await.
Guests are not late.
Reubeckia tea is sipped in my town
by someone dressed in an orange spotted gown.

Looking like she lunched on "cheetoes"
after stopping at the cosmos,
her face is covered with yellow pollen
as she sips from each, going round and round.

She, too, likes zinnia tea
as do the yellow striped bees.
Afternoon tea delights
these winged creatures in flight.

Here's another guest
wearing a yellow dress.
Which teas will she like best?
Lily tea would be my guess.

She samples another flavor tea
sharing next to her friends, it's free.
Fragrant, colorful ambrosia
uplifting yet relaxing to all.

Another guest prefers red tea
as they share alongside the bees.
A green vest is worn over a red tee.
They prefer a straw to sip their tea.

Geranium tea is drunk this afternoon.
Look quick as this sipper zooms
in the red begonia for more tea
before sampling red trumpet vine tea.

They love red bee balm tea, too,
scented with citrus flavored dew.
To cleanse their palette, a sip
of blue borage tea is sipped.

Who likes sunflower tea the best?
It's the the bees wearing yellow striped vests.
They also like squash blossom tea
while humming a song of glee.

This song of contentment is heard
at this tea party outdoors.
The crickets even join in
strumming a constant din.

Afternoon tea was a great success.
Whose outfit did you like the best?
Tomorrow more tea will be brewed
and more acquaintances will be renewed.

Do you have a tea party planned?
Please do take the time to plan
time to sit and sip
as your cup is tipped...

with a cup of hibiscus tea
full of Vitamin C.
Cheers!  Cheers
to you, so dear.

* * * * *

I hope these tea party guests brought a smile to your face.
When they visit me, they bring a smile to my face
as one afternoon in August I sat
with pen and paper in lap
recording what I saw happening
as fluffy clouds overhead were drifting.

My heart was cheerful
as my yard was full
of winged guest -
can you guess
from the clues above:
butterflies, which I love,
bees and hummingbirds
quite often heard.

Rather sitting or working in my yard,
it's an occasion to give glory to God:
"O Lord, my God, when I in awesome wonder
consider all the worlds thy hands have made.
I see the stars, I hear the rolling thunder,
thy power throughout the universe displayed.
Then sings my soul,
my Savior, God, to thee,
How great thou art,
how great thou art!"

A happy heart makes the face cheerful.
Proverbs 15:13

The cheerful heart has a continual feast.
Proverbs 15:15

A cheerful look brings joy to the heart,
and good news gives health to the bones.
Proverbs 15:30

A cheerful heart is good medicine.
Proverbs 17:22

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.