Life is a Garden Party

Tuesday, October 29, 2019

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


Life Is a Garden Party
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Wednesday, October 23, 2019

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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Wednesday, October 16, 2019

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


Life Is a Garden Party
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Tuesday, October 8, 2019

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


Life Is a Garden Party
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Tuesday, October 1, 2019

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





Life Is a Garden Party
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