Dappled

DAPPLED

Dappled sunlight can be seen

on the afternoon grass so green

through the maple tree's leaves.

Its picture does somehow please.

Peace it evokes

as pale sunlight pokes.

There's calm found in the shade

where there are green grass blades.

Where sunlight pokes

bees are seen, not slow pokes,

in the clover blossoms.

Busy bees. More than one.

Squirrels seen gathering in the afternoon shade

scampering around the hosta's broad blades.

Their fluffy tail

does tell a tale.

Blue jays now seen flying overhead

on their way to the sunflower bed.

Seeds will be dropped to the ground

where next year more will be found.

Red maple leaves seen falling down

making a gentle rustling sound.

One day soon the dappled light will be gone

when the trees no longer their leaves will don.

Weeks later shadows stretch out,

where leaf-green grass once did sprout,

on cold, white drifts of snow

and the winter wind blows.

Keep a lasting memory of the dappled light.

Get the camera to take a picture just right

of the ever-changing dappled light

on an autumn day that was just right.

* * * * *

Peace. Peace is hard to find

everyday, all the time.

Troubles wear you down.

You think you might drown.

The Bible calls it being at wits’ end.

That’s usually when we seek the Lord’s hand.

We usually seek God last

when we should seek him first.

Do you realize the Lord is now waiting to hear from you?

Not just when you have no peace and are stressed with much to do,

but also to hear you say “thank you”

for keeping all His promises to you.

If you are in the habit to telling God thanks,

then seeking God will be something you do first.

Don’t wait to seek God just when big problems burden you.

Do seek God concerning everything and thank Him too.

…they were at their wits’ end.

Then they cried out to the Lord in their trouble,

and he brought them out of their distress.

He stilled the storm to a whisper;

the waves of the sea were hushed.

They were glad when it grew calm,

and he guided them to their desired haven.

Let them give thanks to the Lord for his unfailing love

and his wonderful deeds for men.

Psalm 107:27-31

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Autumn Rains

Autumn Rains

When autumn rains rain,

you'll see colored leaves rain

tumbling down

where on the ground

they silently lay

until the sun's rays

return again

one morning.

When autumn rains rain

the trees canopies strain.

Branches and limbs

from up high within

an old tree covered with lichen,

from plain sight remaining hidden,

may tumble down

dead and brown.

When autumn rains rain

eaves troughs now drain

into rain barrels

that recycle

rain water

for gardeners

who are wise

gals and guys.

When autumn rains rain

the weathered weather vane

turns around and round

as quite often wind rebounds

from the sky

way up high

and cannot be contained

or at all restrained.

When autumn rains rain

time and time again

a breeze may come through

then these fallen leaves blew.

A whirlwind seen

leaving grass green.

There's no need for raking,

a yearly undertaking.

When autumn rains rain

it waters the fields and grains.

The grass turns a vivid green,

a beautiful refreshing scene

for rain enriches the earth –

its hills, valleys, and turf -

and is a blessing from God

who created the sod.

When autumn rains rain

some gardeners have more pain

for the barometric pressure

causes aches and pains, that's for sure,

as muscles become tight

but when the sunlight

returns, it's heard tell

by many "all is well."

When autumn rains rain

there is a muffling refrain.

When the sun does return

colored autumn leaves, we learn,

turn brown and crisp

heard when we scuff

walking through

then - a-chooo!

When autumn rains rain

trees undress again

shedding their leaves.

This sight doesn't please

for autumn is over

ushering in winter

when rains turn to snow and ice,

sometimes not at all nice.

* * * * *

When autumn rains rain

in valleys and on mountains,

it's a sign of God's blessing

because God is loving.

Have you counted your blessings recently?

I know you, as well as I, have plenty.

Our blessings are a reminder that God loves us

and faithfully provides and protects us.

So if you faithfully obey the commands I am giving you today -

to love the Lord your God and to serve him

with all your heart and with all your soul -

then I will send rain on your land in its season,

both autumn and spring rains...

Deuteronomy 11:13-14

...the Lord our God,

who gives autumn and spring rains in season,

who assures us of the regular weeks of harvest.

Jeremiah 5:24

Be glad, O people of Zion, rejoice in the Lord your God,

for he has given you the autumn rains in righteousness.

He sends you abundant showers,

both autumn and spring rains, as before.

Joel 2:23

Be patient, then, brothers, until the Lord's coming.

See how the farmer waits for the land to yield its valuable crop

and how patient he is for the autumn and spring rains.

James 5:7

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ABLAZE

ABLAZE

The hills are alive with a blaze of colors.

Among the green: red, orange, and golden yellow,

as if the painter’s palette had spilled

splashing the trees upon the hills.

The deep burgundy of the red maples,

the bright orange splashed upon sugar maples,

a magenta red drawing attention to the sumac,

autumn's golden yellow foliage never seems to lack.

When the sun shines, the hills are ablaze

under the autumn sun’s golden rays

calling attention to us today to gaze,

to take a moment to capture this blaze.

It will take your breath away

to see their beauty today.

Enjoy before this color leaves

when the rain falls on these leaves.

For when the rains come,

these leaves are soon gone.

Floating down they gather in a pile on the ground

where several afternoons of work will then be found.

Mottled leaves lie there,

crispy ones join in pairs.

The pile turns to brown

as these leaves pile on the ground.

Another year has come and gone,

another season is done.

A time of renewal awaits the trees.

A time of reflection for you and me.

A time to count our blessings

with a song of thanksgiving

from a glad, thankful heart.

Let's everyone now start.

* * * * *

Counting our blessings everyday

is a habit that will well pay.

One payment will be a happy heart

from the moment each new day starts.

You’ll discover more blessings to add,

even if the day turns from glad to sad.

Those with a heart full of thanksgiving

are thankful for their many blessings.

Counting our many blessings

causes us to look for blessings.

There’s always one more

around every corner.

Counting our many blessings

is much better than stressing.

You’ll find you’ll have more energy today

despite the ups and downs of the day.

Do you have a blessings jar?

If you don’t, it’s not hard.

An empty jar, slips of paper,

daily blessings written and dated.

One day you may take time to look back

and give thanks to God who never lacks

in giving many blessings individually

which, in turn, blesses others collectively.

The blessing of the Lord brings wealth.

Proverbs 10:22

You will eat the fruit of your labor;

blessings and prosperity will be yours.

Psalm 128:2

I will bless them...

I will send down showers in season;

there will be showers of blessing.

Ezekiel 34:26

A happy heart makes the face cheerful.

Proverbs 15:13

You are my God, and I will give you thanks.

Psalm 118:28

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Crayon Colors

CRAYON COLORS

Red, orange, yellow seen

dotting the hills of green.

A crayon box of colors spills

over the mountains and hills.

Mottled, multicolored leaves

seen decorating the trees.

Pigments shining in the sun

dyed by Jack Frost having fun.

Other colors concealed in the shade.

Their intensity a muted shade

but all the shades, tints, tones, hues, and stains

welcome autumn with a cheerful refrain.

Burgundies, cranberries, crimsons, reds,

yellow, goldenrod, dandelion wed

with orange, bittersweet, copper, sienna,

rust, brass, tumbleweed, and brown sepia.

Notice over the course of the next few weeks

chartreuse, forest, shamrock will no longer peek.

They'll give way to reds, oranges, yellows, golds

shining in the bright sunlight so bold...

before they turn brown

and tumble to the ground

where they complete the circle of life

after shining in the sunlight bright.

* * * * *

The circle of life ends for leaves

when they fall down from the trees.

Someday your life will end.

Are you ready, my friend?

There is life after death, which is swell.

It's either in heaven or hell.

You have a choice to make

today, before it's too late.

Hell is promised for everyone who does not believe

that God sent His Son Jesus for us to receive

eternal life through Jesus' sacrifice.

Believe and you'll receive everlasting life.

It's that easy for it's not what you have done

it's what Jesus Christ God's Son has already done

when He died and rose again

and promised a home in heaven

for all who believe

when in prayer receive.

For God so loved the world

that He gave His only begotten Son

that whosoever believeth in Him

should not perish

but have everlasting life.

John 3:16 (KJV)

If you confess with your mouth,

"Jesus is Lord," and believe in your heart

that God raised him from the dead,

you will be saved.

For it is with with your heart that you believe and are justified,

and it is with your mouth that you confess and are saved.

Romans 10:9-10

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Gold & Orange

GOLD & ORANGE

Amidst the green,

gold and orange seen

dotting the hill

in the still

of an October morning

where sunlight is shining.

For a few weeks

gold and orange seek

to dominate the green

trees on the hillside seen.

Earth tones

on loan.

Every day more colorful

falling by the bushel full

onto the woodland floor

where they'll decay some more.

Every year it's repeated.

This circle of life completed.

Come November all the trees will be bare

for gold or orange leaves they will no longer wear.

Stark against the winter sky

under falling snow by and by.

A time of rejuvenation.

Planned that way from creation.

Every season has its purpose.

A time of reflection for us.

As seasons change with each page of the calendar,

seasons also come each year as we grow older.

Time rushes by

for you and I.

The gold and orange sunset at the end of the day

announces the end of another great day.

The gold and orange leaves turning in the fall

says "welcome autumn” to one and all.

The golden years await

mixed with orange. It'll be great!

* * * * *

Seasons of life arrive suddenly.

Then winter sneaks up surprisingly.

There may be aches and pains

the day before it rains.

It could be you no longer recognize

who's looking at you from the mirror – surprise!

Who's that with the hoary head?

Just yesterday it was red.

Your children look old,

if the truth were told.

Be encouraged

by this Proverb:

it says your gray hair

(or a hoary head)

is a glory to wear.

(Don't be misled.)

A sign of respect,

of intellect.

That's you.

How true.

Each gray hair you have was earned

as the hands of the clock turned

marked by many birthday celebrations

and perhaps some somber occasions,

through happiness and tears

parceled through the years.

Let this season of your life

be the best one of your life

as you recall many happy memories

and share with others encouragement through stories.

Gray hair is a crown of splendor;

it is attained by a righteous life.

Proverbs 16:31 (NIV)

The hoary head is a crown of glory,

if it be found in the way of righteousness.

Proverbs 16:31 (KJV)

...gray hair the splendor of the old.

Proverbs 20:29b

Even the very hairs of your head are all numbered.

Matthew 10:30, Luke 12:7

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