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STORMS

 

Storms

Clouds gathering in the sky,

the sun becomes hidden by and by,

distant thunder draws nigh,

lightning flashes high in the sky.

The wind comes from who knows where.

There's the smell of rain in the air.

Raindrops

start to plop.

Raindrops turn into sprinkles, than

sprinkles turn into showers, than

showers turn to pouring rain.

Will the sun ever shine again?

The temperature cools

as the storm moves through.

Vegetation

takes a beating.

Limbs sway

all which ways

as trees take a shower

from nature's awesome power.

Torrents of rain

and thunder reigns

as this afternoon's storm

leaves leaves and limbs torn.

Puddles form

before too long

then flooding from the downpour

as thunder continues to roar.

The sky is laden slate gray.

Nervous dogs are heard bay.

Although rain was needed, "enough already."

The storm turns into a shower steady.

Sooner or later the storm blows through

then gray clouds make way for skies of blue

for behind the clouds, the sun

was waiting to shine all along.

When the sun does finally shine through

a rainbow's spectrum will surprise you

with a promise,

nature's kiss...

lovingly bestowed

on everything below

assuring that God is in control

even when storm clouds continue to blow.

* * * * *

Yes, behind the storm clouds the sun

was hidden, but still there all along.

Yet our focus was on the storm,

of our new fears being born.

Behind our personal storms the Son

is forgotten, but still there all along.

His focus is always on us

even when we forget to trust.

Sometimes it takes a storm

for us to finally learn

that the Son knows what is best.

It's when we learn His faithfulness.

Next time there's a rainstorm

think about this lesson learned,

that the hidden sun will again shine

and the Son is there for you - all the time.

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.

Psalm 107:29

He got up and rebuked the wind and the raging water;

the storm subsided, and all was calm

Luke 8:24

For my Father's will is that everyone who looks to the Son

and believes in him shall have eternal life.

John 6:40

The life I live in the body,

I live by faith in the Son of God,

who loved me and gave himself for me.

Galatians 2:20

Everyone who believes that Jesus is the Christ is born of God,

and everyone who loves the father loves his child as well.

This is how we know that we love the children of God:

by loving God and carrying out his commands.

This is love for God: to obey his commands.

And his commands are not burdensome,

for everyone born of God overcomes the world.

This is the victory that has overcomes the world,

even our faith.

Who is it that overcomes the world?

Only he who believes that Jesus is the Son of God

I John 5:1-5

Always remember, behind the clouds

the sun is still shining!

GARDEN TOUR 5/22/21

Orange and purple blooms are abundant right now.  

Those colors are my favorite color combination in the garden.  

Perennial poppies.  

When the allium seed heads dry, will sprinkle in this bed.

These wild poppies and forget-me-nots planted themselves.  

These wild poppy blooms only bloom in the mornings.

The deer left me a few Solomon Seal flowers to take photos of.

Wisteria (and all other flowering trees and bushes) are the absolute best this year.

Although planted under the pine, ajuga has morphed into the sunny part of the yard.  

Will mow down in a couple of weeks.

Lily of the valley took awhile to become established but now invasive.

Difficult to dig up to share.

Bought myself my Mother's Day gift, although I'm not a mother.

Never really cared for petunias, but wave petunias are magnificent.

Woodland hyacinth planted between hostas.

Deer have chowed down before I got around to spraying.

Put off due to rainy weather at that time.

Cantoon.  Blooms profusely in the spring and blossoms return in the fall.

Have a video of a rabbit chowing down cantoon's leaves.

In that case only, a garden helper saving me from the need to deadhead.

Star of Bethlehem.  

Sweet Woodruff groundcover.

Allium self seed profusely.  When seed heads dry, I cut to share.

This Gerber Daisy was a gift last weekend.  Planted with white and blue flowers.

Patriotic planters attract my attention.

Despite being covered by a net, deer dined on this Azalea.  

Rhodo getting ready to pop in this week's heat.

Lilacs were lush and full this year, as were all flowering trees and bushes.

Snowball Bush, handed down from my mother's father's family.

Too hot to do gardening this week.  Did plant some flower seeds one afternoon, including zinnias which will bloom in time for monarch's migration.  Also planted potatoes.  Harvesting asparagus and spinach.  Leaf lettuce soon.

How does your garden grow?

For the earth,

which drinketh in the rain

which falleth often upon it,

and bringeth forth herbs fit for him

by whom it is tilled,

receiveth blessings from God.

Hebrews 6:7

LARKS

 

Larks

Hark!

A lark

in the park

when spring starts

across hills and parks

with a song in its heart.

Spring

sings

as larks take wing

and their songs bring

a cheerful welcoming

to announce "it's spring!"

Concertos -

some high, others low,

some sopranos,

others altos -

from larks and swallows,

and blue jays and sparrows.

Songs

strum,

sung out strong

all day long

from songbirds their life long,

somehow righting wrongs.

Teachers

these creatures

that feature

musical lectures

as unpaid preachers

making life richer.

Quiet

at night,

but morning quite

loud and blatant

thanking their Maker, that's right,

with a song from their spirit.

Grateful. Offering,

yes, daily praising

before receiving

their daily feeding.

A lesson they're teaching

those who are listening.

Who are these larks?

Robins start

by setting spring apart

from winter cold and dark.

Red-winged black birds, sparrows dart.

Be sure to watch for meadowlarks.

These larks

that dart

from hills and parks

wearing feathers dark

daily teach us grumbling humans to always start

each day with a song of gratitude in our hearts.

* * * * *

Do you have a song in your heart?

It's never too late to start.

Focus on what's right.

Your spirit will be light.

Focusing on what's wrong

quenches your heart's song,

zapping any joy or happiness

so peace of heart and mind will not last.

Focusing on what's right

will bring lasting delight

and you'll find there's a grateful song

bubbling up inside all day long.

So take a lesson from the birds

as each morning they are heard

thanking God before receiving

with a song of thanksgiving.

He put a new song in my mouth,

a hymn of praise to our God.

Many will see and fear

and put their trust in the Lord.

Psalm 40:3

Sing to the Lord a new song;

sing to the Lord, all the earth.

Sing to the Lord, praise his name;

proclaim his salvation day after day.

Declare his glory among the nations,

his marvelous deeds among all peoples.

Psalm 96:1-3

Shout for joy to the Lord, all the earth,

burst into jubilant song with music.

Psalm 98:4

Shout for joy to the Lord, all the earth.

Worship the Lord with gladness;

come before him with joyful songs.

Know that the Lord is God.

It is he who made us, and we are his;

we are his people, the sheep of his pasture.

Psalm 100:1-3

Shout for joy, O heavens;

rejoice, O earth;

burst into song, O mountains!

Isaiah 49:13

Speak to one another with psalms, hymns and spiritual songs.

Sing and make music in your heart to the Lord,

always giving thanks to God the Father for everything,

in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Ephesians 5:19-20

Is anyone happy?

Let him sing songs of praise.

James 5:13

Photo of a robin.

Life Is a Garden Party

is available via Amazon.

SHINE

 To go along with the recent post on my Life Is a Garden Party facebook page:

Here’s a potential song called “Shine.”

May your light continually shine.

Shine in the midst of your troubles

proclaiming that God is able.

Others will see you as an example

for when life seems to be impossible

they need a light that shines forth

showing them troubles have worth,

giving hope in their heartache,

bringing God’s peace to their hearts.

Shine in your words, deeds, and actions

for others you’ll be attracting

as you shine bright with God’s light

always proclaiming what’s right,

offering encouragement

to those you have met

with loving understanding and

often giving a helping hand.

Others will see your passion

when as a star you do shine -

so shine bright as the stars

today right where you are.

God’s purpose for you from your birth

is to shine like stars in the universe

to be a shining light in the darkness

so be a light and shine, shine forth.

Chorus:

Always be loving, patient and kind

for God’s plan for you is to shine.

Ambassadors in the family of faith

always illuminating God’s truth.

God’s purpose for you from your birth

is to shine like stars in the universe

to be a shining light in the darkness

so be a light and shine, shine forth.

...shine like stars in the universe...

Philippians 2:15

SURPRISE!

 One year ago this morning these two fawns were discovered in my yard:

EMPTY NEST

 

Empty Nest

Someone's growing up too fast.

Ready to leave home at last.

Their heads peek out the door.

They can't wait to explore.

Their parents are busy this morn

feeding their big babies worms.

And how they talk up a storm!

Their babies have lots to learn.

Are these parents saying "stay"

or encouraging "go play"?

Will today

be the day?

One leans too far out.

Suddenly he's out.

Or was he pushed

for two more heads push...

out the door

to explore

the great outdoors

where fun allures.

The first one

air born

spreads his wings

in the wind.

He's free! He's free!

There's much to see.

He calls "follow me"

to his siblings with glee.

There they go

down low

then up high as the breeze

blows in the trees leaves.

Spreading their wings

they glide on the wind.

Free!

Free!

Are their parents happy or sad?

Are the fledglings glad?

Their parents did their best.

All too soon there's an empty nest.

* * * * *

Do you feel empty, void, useless?

Do you feel you've lost your purpose?

A job ended unexpectedly.

Maybe illness came suddenly.

Perhaps the loss of your spouse

or foreclosure on your house.

Life the way you know it has changed.

Your time is now rearranged.

Sometimes this rearranging

is God's way of arranging -

opening the door for a new opportunity,

turning a dream into a possibility.

Instead of dwelling on the past

get busy and have a blast.

Turn your negatives

into positives.

An adventure awaits.

You won't want to be late.

Many, O Lord my God,

are the wonders you have done.

The things you planned for us

no one can recount to you,

were I to speak and tell of them,

they would be too many to declare.

Psalm 40:5

How precious to me are your thoughts, O God!

How vast is the sum of them!

Were I to count them,

they would outnumber the grains of sand.

Psalm 139:17-18

How great is the love the Father

has lavished on us,

that we should be called children of God!

And that is what we are!

I John 3:1

Life Is a Garden Party

is available via Amazon.

CARPENTERS

 

Carpenters

Busy this morning, a carpenter

builds, but not with nails or a hammer.

Not one to sit still, this carpenter flies

on days when there's no rain in the sky.

Back and forth collecting building materials

interspersed with a joyous call,

this carpenter is not deterred

as the material is transferred.

He must build a home for his family

where in two weeks, or so, hungry and greedy

his family will demand to be fed

from their little round bed.

In the meantime this carpenter collects,

arranges to his satisfaction, then inspects,

the building of their first home

although he does not work alone.

For his wife works along beside

on days when the sun abides.

Back and forth they fly

to their house build up high.

Built up high, safe from foes

and the wind that blows,

in the crotch of a tree limb

their house is somewhat hidden.

Although you won't hear a rat-a-tat-tat

you'll find they have an instinctive knack

of where to place each and every twig

as they busily construct their new digs.

Mr. and Mrs. Carpenter

are blue jays, round house builders,

for nests are round

the world around.

* * * * *

Read the Bible verse below about nests

then consider this question, but do not guess:

Is there room in your heart for Jesus,

or is His name a name you say in jest?

One day before God's throne

will God say you made no room

as Jesus was absent from your life,

you did as you pleased throughout your life.

Before God's throne it will be too late

as you already decided your fate.

Don't wait. Make a decision right now, today,

for there's no guarantee of another day.

Because of His sacrifice on the cross

He once-for-all paid the incredible cost

to pay the penalty for our sins

granting us assurance within.

A confidence that our sins are forgiven.

A certainty of a home in heaven.

Simply confess.

Jesus did the rest...

when He arose from the dead

taking our place instead

offering us God's mercy through forgiveness of sins.

Believe this truth today. Invite Jesus in.

This is why Christians the world around

celebrate each Easter in their towns.

Jesus Christ arose.

Now you know. Don't suppose.

Invite Jesus into your heart's room.

Simply confess your sins. Don't live doomed.

Jesus paid the price once-for-all.

Accept the greatest gift of all.

Jesus replied,

"Foxes have holes and birds of the air have nests,

but the Son of Man has no place to lay his head."

Matthew 8:20

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)

The centurion and those with him

who were guarding Jesus

saw the earthquake and all that had happened,

...exclaimed,

"Surely he was the Son of God!"

Matthew 27:54

Mark 15:38

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

Life Is a Garden Party

is available via Amazon.

SUNSHINES

 This poem is in Vol IV, available via Amazon or B&N:

Field of Dandelions

          (at the neighbors)

SUNSHINES

Sunday I saw the very first one.

I thought to myself, “how fun!”

It reminded me of being young.

Monday I did not see a one

as we had an all-day rain storm.

We needed the rain more than sun.

Tuesday I saw a few. I could count one plus one.

They looked like little smiley faces – little suns.

I told someone about them when I talked on the phone.

Wednesday I wasn’t at home.

Didn’t pay any attention.

I had spent the day on the run.

Thursday I thought, “where did they all come from?”

They were seen in the grass, the beds, the garden.

I needed to start removing one by one.

Friday more yellow than green did abound.

How come one was fun, but more was wrong?

It looks like they’ll add up to a ton.

Saturday they were finally mowed to the ground.

Green grass appeared for a few minutes when done

before they popped up again, these little yellow suns.

Little yellow sunshines in the grass are dandelions.

Irregardless of what you might think, they can be fun.

Please remember, honey bees nectar on dandelions.

Please reconsider before yearly buying

chemicals to eradicate dandelions,

for dandelions provide nectar for honey bees.

Honey bees are beloved to me and a delight to see.

* * * * *

Perhaps we should view dandelions as our blessings.

We can never have too many of God’s good blessings.

For each dandelion write down a blessing

to put in a jar you’ve labeled “blessings.”

It will be a reminder when life is confusing

and you are prone to give in to stressing from testings.

The reminder jar will keep you from stressing

during the times you’re experiencing testings.

Instead of living in much strife and guessing,

you can review your blessings and be resting

in God’s promises – His many blessings,

as everyday we receive more blessings.

The blessing of the Lord brings wealth,

and he adds no trouble to it.

Proverbs 10:22

You will eat the fruit of your labor;

blessings and prosperity will be yours.

Psalm 128:2