Scents

Ahhh!

The spring fresh scent of daffodils
will our noses fill.
Yellow with their center frill
or even white, pleases still.
Enjoy today for it will be 11 months until
they bloom again - their scent reminding us of spring, it will.

The spicy aroma of lilacs,
alluring and liked by most a lot.
You must plant one in your garden plot
the water before it gets too hot.
In white, lavender, and purple; pots
are found in the local nursery lot.

The sweet fragrance of pink peonies.
You won't need to get down on your knees.
Their fragrance is known, you see,
by you and me and the bees.
Pick a pink bouquet then invite me
to come over for a cup of tea.

The perfume of blooming roses
delighting everyone's noses.
Do they realize their sweet message in prose,
of saying "I love you", or so the saying goes.
Think of that tonight as you doze
next to a vase containing a rose.

The heady smell of tomatoes.
A seasoned gardener just knows.
Each year they hoe a row
then late summer stows.
Perhaps into canning jars goes
tomato sauce for pizza dough.

The essence of pepper plants.
To have too many, you just can't.
To wait, you just do not want.
A salad or a sauce will enhance.
Some are too hot, you pant.
Milk might reduce your rant.

What was that whiff?
It surely reeks!
It's a (p-u) skunk!
And it stunk!!!!

Ahhh Choo!

* * * * *

God made many scents for our enjoyment
as He gave us common sense for discernment.

Most garden scents are pleasant and make lifelong memories
for when you get a whiff you'll recall bygone memories.
Some scents warn us of danger, to beware.
If you're not aware, a skunk's scent you might wear.

Common sense also tells us to be sensible,
to make good decision, to avoid trouble.
Those without much sense make errors in judgment.
Those with sense are know to be intelligent.

God's Holy Spirit, which does dwell within,
will guide us in making right decisions.
The Holy Spirit is our conscience,
our voice of reasoning that makes sense.

...have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil.
Hebrews 5:14

Tracks

Saw this in my front yard yesterday morning...

Yesterday it snowed
a white fluffy load
of frozen crystals
which now sparkle
as today's sun
shines upon.

Today's sun also shines upon
tracks left late last night by someone
uninvited, a trespasser,
whose telltale tracks today tattle
where they strolled
through the snow.

They're looking for something to eat.
Perhaps evergreens taste sweet.
But these trespassers are in for a surprise
as in the fall the evergreens were sprayed, that's why,
with stinky deer-terent...
so the trespasser left.

This deer-terent smelled like rotten eggs.
Not pleasant, I assure you it wasn't, ugh,
as the evergreen shrubs were sprayed
and the azaleas were also sprayed
with hopes to deter this winter
these uninvited critters.

Their tracks continued on.
Someone else they would con.
Someone's evergreens
would be eaten
late last night
in the starlight.

* * * * *

Have you been conned?
Has something happened
that left you stricken,
perhaps sickened,
or a hurtful demise
because of someone's lies.

Realize that Satan uses people
to accomplish his conniving goals.
Also realize that unforgiveness
is also one of Satan's demises
for unforgiveness separates
and will usually lead to hate.

Hate is not God's plan for you.
God's plan is one of love, it's true.
Love and unforgiveness are opposites.
Unforgiveness will cause hardness of heart.
This is what Satan planned.
It's time to stay is hand.

Forgive as God lovingly forgave you.
Realize Satan uses people to
act out his plan
to harm humans.
He uses people as pawns.
Be on the alert.  Run.

Love your enemies,
do good to those who hate you,
bless those who curse you,
pray for those who mistreat you.
Luke 6:27

Forgive us our sins,
as we also forgive everyone who sins against us.
Luke 11:4

Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances
you may have against one another.
Colossians 3:13

Be self-controlled and alert.
Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion
looking for someone to devour.
Resist him, standing firm in the faith.
I Peter 5:8-9

Frosting

In the still of the cold, dark night
something white and fluffy takes flight.
It won't come until the temperature is cold.
So cold it will give everyone a red nose.

You will not hear it come
for silently it comes.
Gently it does pile.
It gives children smiles.

It covers everything by morn,
like a calm shelter in the storm.
Perhaps the weatherman forewarned
of this approaching winter storm.

There is a hush afterwards
whenever it comes, unheard.
You might find bunny tracks
in the garden out back.

In the morning when you awake
you'll find white frosting on a cake.
Everything looks new and clean
then the sun comes out and it gleams.

Look!  There's vanilla ice cream cones
on top of the fence posts there formed.
A party is waiting to begin
with cake and ice cream so let's dig in...

for snow covers everything
in the gardener's garden.
A winter covering,
protection offering.

A winter wonderland snow makes
looking like frosting on a cake.
Enjoyed by all
the first snowfall.

* * * * *

Do you dread the coming of cold snow
or like a child, can't wait for snow?
Why do adults see problems, drawbacks, and chasms?
Why can't we maintain childlike enthusiasm?

To believe in God, who is the great Creator,
then made a way for us to receive the Savior,
we must all come in childlike faith and simple trust
for it's not a matter of the mind, but of the heart.

Let the little children come to me,
and do not hinder them,
for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these.
I tell you the truth,
anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God
like a little child
will never enter it.
Mark 10:14-15

Conversation

Birds seen sitting on a wire -
of chatting they never tire.
A telephone party
sounding quite chatty.

Listen to their chit-chat.
About what?  This and that.
Some bird's chirp sounds quite sweet -
a heavenly tweet tweet tweet.

Other birds cheep,
some heard peep.
They chatter
when gather.

Some repeat chit-chit-chit.
Listen for a bit.
They sing the same song
the whole day long.

Some dish the dirt,
while others flirt.
When there are thistles,
you'll hear whistles.

Today they share their good news,
talk about how baby grew,
warn about stalking cats a lot,
tell about the best eating plots.

Heard thanking their Creator again and again.
They have much to teach us.  Take time to listen.
You can be certain birds never worry
because God has stated so in His story.

* * * * *

Birds have no reason to worry.
Read about it in God's story.
As we're told God numbers every sparrow,
He also knows all about your sorrow.

"Do not worry" is a command
for all humans - men and women.
Worry is the opposite of faith believing.
Faith believing is to trust in God unseeing.

Is your conversation filled with worry?
Do your words of worry bring God glory?
Worrying will never change the outcome
but through prayer your answer will one day come.

Then wait for God's solution.
Waiting is your faith believing.
Let God surprise you.
You'll be blessed anew.

Don't be afraid;
you are worth more than many sparrows.
Matthew 10:31

Look at the birds of the air;
they do not sow or reap or store away in barns,
and yet your heavenly Father feeds them.
Are you not much more valuable than they?
So do not worry, saying,
"What shall we eat"? or
"What shall we drink"? or
"What shall we wear"?
Matthew 6:26,31

Broken

Here's the application of a rhyme entitled "Broken".   As the application is rather long, I'm only sharing the second half of the rhyme (the first half is the observation about broken tools).  May these words encourage and bless someone today.

The Lord can use broken people.
He can repair damaged goods.
He can take all your broken pieces
and turn them into something good.

Just by your being wiling to let go
of your anger and bitterness that grows
from your disappointments and failures,
poor choices, slanderers, and more.

The Lord will mend our broken pieces together
one-by-one until we are no longer tattered
but not until we ask in prayer
and tell Him the burdens we bear.

For the Lord is the repairer of broken hearts.
He loves you unconditionally no matter what.
The Lord can use all of your old broken pieces
to encourage another - as a teacher.

You are precious and your life does and will have meaning
even though you might think it doesn't seem worth redeeming.
Give the Lord Jesus Christ a chance.
He'll always give you a second chance.

The Lord is close to the brokenhearted
and saves those who are crushed in spirit.
Psalm 34:18

He heals the brokenhearted
and binds up their wounds.
Psalm 147:3

Romans 8:28

Brothers, think of what you were when you were called.
Not many of you were wise by human standards,
not many were influential, not many were of noble birth.
But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise,
He chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong.
He chose the lowly things of this world and the despised things -
and the things that are not - to nullify the things that are
so that no one may boast before him.
It is because of him that you are in Christ Jesus,
who has become for us wisdom from God -
that is, our righteousness, holiness and redemption.
Therefore, as it is written:
"Let him who boasts boast in the Lord,"
I Corinthians 1:26-31

Underline "God chose" and circle "foolish",  "weak",  "lowly",  "despised".
Does that describe you?  Do any of those words describe how you feel inside?
God uses you - and me - despite our foolishness, weaknesses, feeling lowly or despised.
Do you know God has a wonderful plan and purpose for you?  You are precious in His eyes.

Also underline these words:  "you are in Christ Jesus".
To become a believer all you need to do is confess;
that is, believe in your heart and confess with your mouth
that you believe Jesus is your Savior by having faith.

Now you are in right standing before God - righteous because Jesus paid the penalty.
You are holy or set apart, and you are redeemed through Christ - no longer guilty.
Not because of what you have or haven't done
but because of what the Lord has already done.

Let the Lord set you free
because salvation is free.

Don't you just love that God knows us so well
that He repeats himself in the Bible?
God knows we are prone to forget
so He reminds us a lot.

"Truly, truly" or "verily, verily" you'll find
written in the Bible, called the Scriptures, time after time.
So if you didn't catch it on the previous page,
this page also contains advice from the Old Testament that's sage.

The verse in the New Testament was I Corinthians 1:27-28
stating God chooses the foolish, the weak,
the lowly, the despised
instead of the wise.

In the Old Testament God used those in distress, in debt
or discontented.  They became the future king's army.
Down through the ages and still today God uses the distressed,
the debtors, and even the discontented in His army.

Not necessarily the strongest, the smartest, the most perfect.
God uses us - broken confused, worried, fearful, as He sees fit.
If you think you have to be perfect to serve God,
don't believe that lie from Satan - get rid of that load.

If God used only the perfect, He wouldn't have chosen me
to write these rhymes about how God faithfully teaches me.

All those who are in distress or in debt or discontented...
I Samuel 22:2

Ups and Downs

Spring rains rain down
Greenery grows up

Flowering plants cheer up
Whenever one feels down

Bending down
To pull weeds up

Weeding on one's knees, down
Now hard to get up

Weekly mowing May grass down
Dandelions quickly spring up

Bending down
To pick stones up

Cutting limbs, stretching up
Then pickup, bending down

Come August hot sun beams down
Grass eventually dries up

There'll be produce to put up
After stretching up or down

A shelf with vegetables filled up
Keeps one's spirits from feeling down

After putting down
Forgot where put up

Raking leaves falling down
In a pile to pick up

Snowflakes drifting down
Bundled up, then shovel up

* * * * *

Life is filled with ups
and oft times downs

Celebrations come up
A new pillow filled with down

Appliances break down
Septic systems back up

Emergencies come up
Worries get one down

Rains come down
Floods rise up

Prayers rise up
Blessings rain down

Prayers rise up
Blessings rain down

Prayers rise up
Blessings rain down

Repeated for emphasis.
Prayer is more than a wish.
Prayer establishes relationship
with God Almighty, whom we worship.

The blessing isn't necessarily the reward.
It's the growing relationship that's the better reward.
To know that God keeps His promises.
To stand on a foundation of trust.  Yes!

Isn't it ironic that we don't recognize God's faithfulness to us
until we hear about someone else's troubles and genuine mess.
Yes, God keeps His promises to us.
Keep praying.  Keep living a life of trust.

Blessings are surely coming.
Keep praying.  Keep trusting.
Stand firm in faith.
God will keep you safe.

Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine
and puts them into practice is like a wise man
who built his house on the rock.
The rain came down, the streams rose,
and the winds blew and beat against that house;
yet it did not fall,
because it had it foundation on the rock.
Matthew 7:24-25

Blessings crown the head of the righteous.
Proverbs 10:6

I love you, O Lord, my strength.
The Lord is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer;
my God is my rock, in whom I take refuge.
He is my shield and the horn of my salvation,
my stronghold.
I call to the Lord, who is worthy of praise,
and I am saved from my enemies.
Psalm 18:1-3

Treasures

Do you have a collection of gems?
Jewels are another name for them.
Something cherished of great value
that perhaps was a gift to you?

Though many do not own these jeweled treasures
they are content with other treasures.
Buried treasures born each spring
with more each and every morning.

Little white pearls in the form of snowdrops.
Later in the season white lilies will pop.
Who doesn't love daisies each year, so carefree.
Or a white bouquet from the snowball bush, so pretty.

There's amber yellow daffodils.
For weeks this treasure will thrill.
Later golden brown-eyed susans.
Each one a jewel, we reason.

Red ruby tulips
that bees visit.
Or red geraniums
found in your collection.

Purple globes of alliums like amethysts
late spring make a pleasing statement.
Or the purple butterfly bush
where bees and hummingbirds seen rush.

In the spring, blue sapphires appear.
It's those forget-me-nots, so dear.
Delphiniums are an exclamation point in blue.
In your assortment be sure to include something blue.

The colors of coral appear in many lilies.
Soon orange monarch butterflies will visit these lilies.
These flying flowers will love your collection of treasures.
To see a flying flower is always a treasure.

Emerald green hostas and ferns.
Foliage before Jack Frost returns.
More than beauty is found sprouting each year from the ground.
There's the process of photosynthesis all around.

A package of zinnia seeds contain a whole array  of jewels:
red rubies, purple amethysts, orange corals, yellow ambers, and pearls.
Whatever jewels are in your collection of treasures,
I'm sure they'll provide you with years of joyous pleasure.

* * * * *

Did you know the Bible says you are treasured?
In fact valued, cherished, loved beyond measure.

Now if you obey me fully and keep my covenant,
then out of all nations you will be my treasured possession.
Exodus 19:5

For you are a people holy to the Lord your God.
The Lord your God has chosen you
out of all the peoples on the face of the earth
to be his people, his treasured possession.
Deuteronomy 7:6

The Bible also says not to lay up for yourself treasures
though most people think materialism will bring them lasting pleasure.

Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth,
where moth and rust destroy,
and where thieves break in and steal.
But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven,
where moth and rust do not destroy,
and where thieves do not break in and steal.
For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.
Matthew 6:19-20

Godliness with contentment is great gain.
I Timothy 6:6

So what are treasures in heaven?
Here are examples to be practicing:

Command them to do good,
to be rich in good deeds,
and to be generous and willing to share.
In this way they will lay up treasures for themselves
as a firm foundation for the coming age,
so that they may take hold of the life that is truly life.
I Timothy 6:18-19