STORMS

 

Storms

Clouds gathering in the sky,

the sun now hidden by and by,

distant thunder draws nigh,

lightning flashes by and by.

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

Life Is a Garden Party

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HOURS

 

HOURS

Swallowtail butterflies quietly flutter

sharing with honey bees sipping nectar

where hidden brown toads peep

and green grasshoppers leap

in the flowers

where they spend hours.

Hummingbirds visit for a quick minute

as they sip from red flower trumpets

a midst the black ants crawling

and busy bees pollinating

in the flowers

where they spend hours.

Crickets are heard day and night strumming

while bees are at work all day humming.

This gardener enjoys their song of joy

everyday when she goes out to enjoy

in the flowers

where she spends hours.

There's the caw-caw of blue jays

adding to musical escapades

for other birds sing along

in joyful chorus all day long

in the sunflowers

where they spend hours.

Pulling weeds makes its own “rip and tear” music

as the clock’s hands go around: tick, tick, tick.

Weeding is never done, there's always one more

to pull, under the sunshine in the outdoors

in the flowers

where I spend hours.

* * * * *

How fast time goes

when outdoors

under the sun

having fun.

How slow time goes

when indoors

waiting,

praying...

at the hospital

where time seems to stall.

When time almost stands still

but emotions won't sit still.

"Casting down imaginations"

should be printed on a sign

to remind all of us

to have faith, hope, and trust,

to not let our imagination run away from us,

but to have believing faith and hope in God whom we trust,

Who works all things together for our best and good

even though the present circumstance doesn’t look good.

Cast down whatever you are imagining

and put your trust in God with faith believing.

Peace will replace the unrest

and your spirit will be at rest.

Time will continue to tick by

as the minutes testify.

Waiting.

Praying.

Praying for God's peace

to replace the unease.

Waiting for miracles

to help your faith grow.

Casting down imaginations,

and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God,

and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ.

II Corinthians 10:5 (KJV)

We demolish arguments and every pretension

that sets itself up against the knowledge of God

and we take captive every thought to make it obedient o God.

II Corinthians 10:5

We know that in all things

God works for the good of those who love him,

who have been called according to his purpose.

Romans 8:28

Who shall separate us from the love of Christ?

Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine

or nakedness or danger or sword?

No, in all these things we are more than conquerors

through him who loved us.

Romans 8:35,37

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OUTDOORS

OUTDOORS

Overhead a vivid blue sky

with puffy white clouds floating by

as the sun dons

a bright new morn.

A breeze stirs the treetops

rustling the leaves atop

where last night's raindrops

are heard – plop, plop, plop...

for thunder heard during the night

brought cooling rain to delight,

afterwards inducing sound sleep.

Now a new day’s sunlight peeks.

Can't wait to get outside

where so much light ups the eyes

including a rainbow of flowers

in many crayon colors.

Have you ever read the names of crayon colors?

You’ll find names of nature’s flowers.

There’s: carnation pink, wisteria,

cornflower, orchid, goldenrod, fuchsia.

Continuing the tour

out the back door

there are fresh vegetables to harvest,

enough to fill a big basket.

There are even crayons named after fruits and vegetables:

mango, plum, banana, melon, granny smith apple,

apricot, wild strawberry, tangerine, watermelon,

as well as eggplant, carrot, olive, asparagus - yum.

Be sure to listen to birds singing,

always thanking God before receiving

their daily provisions.

Others are already dining.

As the temps warm up

bees come to sup,

butterflies float in to sip,

hummingbirds fly in to dip.

You won't want to waste a minute.

So let's get right into it.

Get out the wheelbarrow and let's roll.

You know overnight more weeds did grow.

Who would want to stay inside

when there's so much to see outside?

There's so much more in store

in the great outdoors.

You might take time to look around for other crayon colors:

tropical rain forest, pine green, caribbean green,

shamrock, mountain meadow, fern, forest green, jungle green,

inch worm(!), outer space, purple mountain majesty, robin’s egg blue,

pink flamingo, shadow, sand, canary, sun glow, pacific blue.

Which of these colors light up your view?

Everyday you’ll see something new.

Be on the lookout today for awesome colors

as you explore the vast array from the Creator.

Here’s a crayon color that will bring a smirk: macaroni and cheese!

I wonder what new colors you might nominate, if you could choose?

My mailbox and shutters were painted purple mountain majesty (it’s true)

long before I started writing in rhyme. Who knew? Did you?

* * * * *

I pray you are able to enjoy some time outdoors today.

Hopefully visiting with some friends you've met along life's way.

Or maybe taking a ride to see

your localities scenery

for God's creation is a wonder to behold,

more awe-inspiring than can ever be told.

Be sure to read the below scripture from Job.

Then look for God's whisper, simply behold

the wonder of God's majesty in creation

created throughout each and every nation.

You'll be filled with awe

over what you saw.

He spreads out the northern skies over empty space;

he suspends the earth over nothing.

He wraps up the waters in his clouds,

yet the clouds do not burst under their weight.

He covers the face of the full moon,

spreading his clouds over it.

He marks out the horizon on the face of the waters

for a boundary between light and darkness.

By his breath the skies became fair...

And these are but the outer fringe of his works;

how faint the whisper we hear of him!

Who then can understand the thunder of his power?

Job 26:7-10, 13a-14

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TOO TOO

 

TOO TOO

It’s too too cold to plant.

Then too too wet to plant plants.

Finally just right to plant plants.

Then too too dry. Daily water plants.

Much needed rain rains on planted plants.

Too too much too too fast uprooted plants.

Too too wet to tend to plants.

Weather now too too cold for plants.

Gardeners fret over their new plants.

Every year new worries about their plants.

Sunshine grows bigger plants.

Rain, too, grows larger plants.

Weeds grow much faster than plants.

Which are weeds and which are plants?

Weather turns too too hot for planted plants.

Everyday watering too too dry plants.

Days turn into weeks for growing plants.

Planted plants grow into larger plants.

Produce ready to pick from plants.

Too too little time to tend to plants.

Frosted overnight. It’s too too cold for plants.

Weathered storms of life, those planted plants.

Now planning next year which plants to plant.

Gardeners plan their lives around plants.

That fact is too too true

for despite rain or dew,

or too too much blistering sun too

gardener's are grateful for what grew.

* * * * *

And such it is with life –

storms of life filled with strife,

troubles, disappointments,

sorrow, grief, bereavement –

it’s too, too much to bear

but remember God cares.

He has a good plan

for man and woman.

As storms make plants grow and endure,

troubles will also us mature.

The end result is worth it all.

In the meantime, on the Lord call.

He will bear your burdens, too,

for they’re too, too much for you.

Seek the Lord first

when troubles come forth.

You will eliminate much strife

and be able to enjoy life

because your burdens the Lord will bear

when you daily give Him all your cares.

Cast your burdens upon the Lord

and be sure to leave them there – moored.

Worry only brings them back.

Your joy and peace it will attack.

“Do not worry” is a command

given to all men and women.

Repeated often in God’s Word

as a reminder from the Lord.

Learn to pray first when troubles come,

from worries learn not to succumb.

Learn this lesson from your plants –

they do not worry or fret.

His delight is in the law of the Lord,

and on his law he meditates day and night.

He is like a tree planted by streams of water,

which yields its fruit in season

and whose leaf does not wither.

Whatever he does prospers.

Psalm 1:2-3

Do not worry, saying,

'What shall we eat?' or

'What shall we drink?' or

'What shall we wear?'...

your heavenly Father knows that you need them.

Matthew 6:31-32

Cast all your anxiety on Him

because He cares for you.

I Peter 5:7

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

Praise be to the Lord,

to God our Savior,

who daily bears our burdens.

Psalm 68:19

Story from Life Is a Garden Party Vol IV

available via Amazon.

REASONS GARDENERS GARDEN

After a week of high heat and humidity followed by thunderstorms,

the vegetable garden is "pregnant" with new births. 

1. The miracle within a seed.  (Genesis 1:11-12)

With only sun and water from heaven above, and soil enriched by gardeners,

seeds planted in the womb of earth germinate and spring forth with foliage, then blooms and fruits.  

2. To watch the growth of foliage, soon overrunning garden paths with no room for feet.

(Fencing to keep unwanted midnight guests at bay.)

Spaghetti squash vines running.

Seeds saved from last year.

Soon won't be room for feet.

Hope to plant in their own separate bed next year

after enriching that area with compost.

Pole beans climbing.

I think pole beans are easier to harvest.

Tomatoes growing taller.

All tomatoes planted from seeds saved last year:

Brandywine, German Gold, and orange cherry tomatoes

or were they orange grape tomato seeds shared.

I don't recall.

Cabbages growing larger.

Spiraling around and round like a green rose.

Potatoes knee high.  To me, the hen sitting on her nest of eggs.

I didn't care for digging seemingly 1/2 acre of potatoes when I was a kid,

but today I consider my 20 plants an Easter Egg Hunt.

Potato blossom signifying there are potatoes in the nest big enough to eat.

As dad's quote proves itself true once again "new potatoes by the 4th of July."

Dad had other "wise" sayings as well.  

One was "you have two ears and one mouth for a reason."  

That is found in Scripture.

Summer squashes blooming and fruiting.

Female blossom on the left with summer squash attached.

Male blossom on the right.

The males seem to bloom first

beckoning honey bees to come pollinate.

Blossoms are edible. Yum!

3.  To see "pots of gold" in the garden enticing bees to come hum their symphony.  Reminds me of John W. Peterson's hymn:  I Believe in Miracles.

Creation shows the power of God,

it's plain for all to see

and those who see must stand in awe

for miracles abound...

Also, Romans 1:20 -

For since the creation of the world God's invisible qualities -

his eternal power and divine nature -

have been clearly seen,

being understood from what has been made,

so that men are without excuse.

4. To enjoy the fruits of harvest.

Swiss chard will be sauted in olive oil with a few scapes found in herb garden.

There are many other reasons gardeners garden,

Please share your favorite reasons.

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

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

James 5:7

BATTLING

 

BATTLING

Gardeners spend the season battling

newborn weeds each and every spring.

They might find grubs in the soil

making for unwanted toil.

The battle has turned to war

for dedicated gardeners.

Without fail, slugs will find the hostas.

Gardeners devise ways to take them hostage.

After they think aphids are under control,

they then find green worms on the flowering rose.

Yes, the battle has turned to war

for most dedicated gardeners.

Japanese beetles come every summer

making more work for the gardener.

Some years there are striped beetles and bugs galore.

A dedicated gardener is never bored.

Gardeners battle daily to win the war.

That’s a large part of being a gardener.

Not only will gardeners battle insects and beetles

they declare war on weeds – a season-long battle.

In flower beds, there are dandelions

or you might find two types of plantain.

Gardeners declare incessant war.

A yearly conquest for all gardeners.

At my house there’s unwanted purslane

and horsetails – both a genuine pain.

They both came in a load of topsoil

which now makes for constant labor and toil.

Though war is declared, the battle is waylaid.

This warrior’s combat has begun to fade.

Though the battle continues the season long,

unfortunately this war is never won.

Sometimes due to heat and humidity.

Other times because of lack of ability.

Partly from age or lack of action.

Mostly from procrastination.

* * * * *

Every day there’s a battle of some sort,

though unwanted, I’m sorry to report.

Gardeners battle with bugs and weed seeds,

but there are worse battles to wage against, indeed.

There are physical, emotional, and mental battles.

Everyone fights the battle of gossip. Please don’t tattle.

Physical battles come and makes life hard to deal.

Emotional battles take much longer to heal.

Mental battles with oneself even weaken the strong.

There are spiritual battles between right and wrong.

It seems we constantly battle something

for no one knows what a day will bring.

We battle not to eat too much,

otherwise we might end up feeling stuffed.

We battle not to spend too much

even though we already have too much stuff.

Battles are meant to make us stronger

so we’ll grow stronger faith and trust.

Pray that your battle does not linger,

that everything turns out fair and just.

Please don’t give up your battle

with whatever it is you are saddled.

Fight to win the battle by declaring war

and you’ll learn the good things God has in store.

This is what the Lord says to you:

'Do not be afraid or discouraged because of this vast army.

For the battle is not yours, but God's...

Take up your positions; stand firm

and see the deliverance the Lord will give you...

Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged.

Go out to face them tomorrow,

and the Lord will be with you.'

Have faith in the Lord your God and you will be upheld,

have faith...and you will be successful.

II Chronicles 20:15b, 17, 20b

"Be strong and courageous.

Do not be afraid or discouraged…

for there is a greater power with us than with him…

With us is the Lord our God to help us and to fight our battles."

II Chronicles 32:7-8

If you make the Most High your dwelling -

even the Lord, who is my refuge -

then no harm will befall you, no disaster will come near your tent.

For he will command his angels concerning you

to guard you in all your ways.

Psalm 91:9-11

"Because he loves me," says the Lord,

"I will rescue him; I will protect him, for he acknowledges my name.

He will call upon me, and I will answer him;

I will be with him in trouble, I will deliver him and honor him.

With long life will I satisfy him and show him my salvation."

Psalm 91:14-16

Story from Vol IV Life Is a Garden Party

available via Amazon.