Life is a Garden Party

Friday, May 12, 2017

Rainbow's End

A sampling of what's happening May 12, 2017 at Rainbow's End:

Breakfast of champions!
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.
Matthew 6:26

When morning gilds the skies,
my heart awakening cries
may Jesus Christ be praised!

The land produced vegetation:
plants bearing seed according to their kinds.
Genesis 1:12


Forget-me-nots
Praise the Lord, O my soul,
and FORGET NOT all his benefits -
who forgives all your sins
and heals all your diseases,
who redeems your life from the pit
and crowns you with love and compassion,
who satisfies your desires with good things.
Psalm 103:2-5

Bleeding Hearts
How great is the love the Father has lavished on us,
that we should be called children of of God!
And that is what we are!
I John 3:1

Honey bees in crab apple.
Pleasant words are a honeycomb,
sweet to the soul and healing to the bones.
Psalm 16:24

Rhubarb
Working fields and vineyards in the hills 
and in the fertile lands, for he loved the soil.
II Chronicles 26:10

Off to harvest rhubarb again!

How do you apply God's principles to nature?

P.S. A very good year for rhubarb:
28 more cups of rhubarb in the freezer
plus the 16 cups previously.

Saturday, May 6, 2017

Cycles

CYCLES

Spring is a time of sowing
seeds that will start growing
as rain and sun causes them to sprout
enticing the life within them out.

You see, in each seed is a miracle
planned that way from creation for all
to again recreate
what God did create.

Born in the dark womb of earth
this sowing of seed gives birth
establishing roots below
and green growth which above ground shows.

Dependent on the weather
determines whether
these seeds will grow
fast or slow.

Countless days and weeks go by
then eventually these seeds vie
for the attention of the grower
as the seeds bear fruit or flower.

A flower within a seed!
A miracle indeed!
Then the flower becomes a berry or fruit
or vegetable or seed fed through its roots.

What an awesome Creator is our God!
That a seed germinates within the sod
and will thrive though survival is hard.
It's like each seed can't help but give God laud.

It's now time for harvesting,
also known as reaping,
with another miracle continuing
as vegetables contain nutrition.

Some seeds are saved for sowing
to ensure a new harvest growing.
Provision for the future
each little seed ensures.

Sowing and reaping -
a cycle worth keeping,
producing daily miracles
that from the earth each year grow.

* * * * *

Miracles. Everyday occurrences
that richly blesses and enhances
our daily lives though often overlooked in our busyness.
Even often taken for granted, we'd probably confess.
Do take a minute right now to thank the Lord
for everyday miracles often ignored.

A man scatters seed on the ground.
Night and day, whether he sleeps or gets up,
the seed sprouts and grows,
though he does not know how.
All by itself the soil produces grain -
first the stalk, then the head,
then the full kernel in the head.
As soon as the grain is ripe,
he puts the sickle to it,
because the harvest has come.
Mark 4:26-29





To order Life Is a Garden Party, Vol II
go to WestBow Press.

To order Life Is a Garden Party, Vol I
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Friday, April 28, 2017

Sunshines

SUNSHINES

Sunday I saw the very first one.

I did think 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.

What are your thoughts about dandelions? Work or fun?

- - - - -

I don’t mind dandelions in my lawn.
I just think their season is way too long.
When you toil to manicure your yard,
dandelions make for more work – it’s hard.

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,
for every day 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




To order Life Is a Garden Party, Vol II
go to WestBow Press.

To order Life Is a Garden Party, Vol I
go to Amazon or B&N.

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Sunday, April 23, 2017

Silver Lining

SILVER LINING

Fluffy, white floating clouds set sail high in the blue sky.
They cruise where the wind blows, tonight catching my eye.
For as the sun sets westward
a silver lining jets overhead
from behind this snowy white cloud formation.
It's a cumulus cloud, for your information.

There, just on the fringe lies
a silver lining in the sky;
so bright it hurts your eyes.
In a moment it will be gone by
as the sun slowly ebbs
on its daily voyage.

Should you see a cloud's silver lining
take a few minutes to watch it shining
as the cloud's outline adrift furls and changes
while the atmosphere sways and rearranges
then sets sail way up high
in the sunset sky.

It's like the cloud
is wearing a crown.
Sparkling, this tiara ebbs and flows
delighting those who watch from below.
A moment in time enhanced
by the sun's last dawning dance.

A silver crown
on a mound
of snowy white fluffy billows
at the close of day, before tomorrow,
as the sun descends
westward again.

Take a moment tonight to watch alongside
others from coast to coast who view this tide,
this silver lining found,
as beautiful as a crown.
A stowaway haven
windward toward the heavens.

* * * * *

Today hold your head high
for the Lord God on high
has crowned you,
yes, it's true.
He has crowned you with love
from His heaven above.
His love and compassion will not fail you.
That's a promise you can count on, it's true.

Praise the Lord, O my soul;
all my inmost being, praise his holy name.
Praise the Lord, O my soul,
and forget not all his benefits -
who forgives all your sins
and heals all your diseases,
who redeems your life from the pit
and crowns you with love and compassion.
Psalm 103:1-4

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

...to bestow on them a crown of beauty...
Isaiah 61:3




To order Life Is a Garden Party, Vol II
go to WestBow Press

To order Life Is a Garden Party, Vol I
go to Amazon or B&N.

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Wednesday, April 19, 2017

Party Time

 PARTY TIME

The forecast promised a sunny Saturday
so let's plan a garden party for that day.
Let's decide on a color scheme.
How about sunshine yellow and green?

Who all should we invite?
Butterflies always bring delight.
The birds will provide music for free,
while buzzing bees hum along with glee.

Every sunny day these guests
delight me, I confess,
as they smoothly navigate
then quietly pollinate.

The sun puts on its happy face.
The yellow decorations are in place.
The garden guests can't wait to party.
Here they come. They're not tardy.

What should we serve our guests?
Something cool to sip is best
and something sweet
is always a treat.

Flavored herbal teas taste just right
as they sip to their heart's delight.
This afternoon new decorations arrive -
white bouquets in bunches of four or five.

Those yellow decorations are now white blooms.
They look like miniature bouquets of balloons.
In fact there's way too many to count.
More white, than yellow, decorations mount.

Those sunshine yellow decorations have gone to seed
filling the landscape with countless balloons that feed
more party guests that arrive this afternoon
filling up on dandelion seed in June.

Come on in.
We're glad you came.
There's plenty to eat.
Enjoy the treats.

(The yellow decorations turning into white balloons were dandelions,
providing a treat for bees then for birds.)

* * * * *

Looking for the positive
in what appears negative
will not only change our outlook
but will change our countenance – look!

We're have fewer health problems, for instance,
when we learn to look at our circumstance
with a positive attitude -
and a much happier mood.

The heavy weight of depression will lift
when we possess a positive spirit.
Peace will invade our soul,
seen in a contented glow.

Each day will be filled with blessings
instead of mindless stressing.
So stop dwelling on what's wrong
and fill your heart with a song.

Your attitude will have a positive effect on others.
In fact, contagious as it's passed on to one another.
Today, be a good example in word and deed
and start sowing positive, life-giving seeds.

A merry heart
makes a cheerful countenance.
Proverbs 15:13 (KJV)

A happy heart
makes the face cheerful.
Proverbs 15:13 (NIV)



To order Life Is a Garden Party, Vol II
go to WestBow Press.

To order Life Is a Garden Party, Vol I
go to Amazon or B&N.

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Saturday, April 15, 2017

Happy Resurrection Day!


The angel upon the tombstone said:
He is risen!
He is risen,
just as He said!
Quickly now, go tell His disciples
that Jesus Christ is no longer dead.
Allelujah!
Allelujah!

Wednesday, April 12, 2017

At Last

At Last

After days of below freezing temperatures
with no sun to illuminate the picture,
after donning boots and gloves and scarfs
as cold snow blankets the frozen earth,
after huddling around the wood stove
as the winter winds continue to blow,
after cold noses and cold feet
when perhaps a cold settles deep,
after winter does its dance -
it's time for a happy prance!

Why? Because the sun again shines
after the season's wintertime
when it nipped our nose
and froze our toes.
The sun warms the earth
bringing with it mirth
for the long days of winter
are finally over
when at last the early morning sunrise awakens
and at eventide the sunset hovers over the horizon.

At last, the winter snow has gone
and with it you'll hear a new song
for at last, birds return again
and with them springtime rains.
At last, the grass turns green
painting a pretty scene.
At last, snowdrops are in bloom
and you'll see crocus' soon.
At last, you'll see daffodils
over the landscape spill.

Although it seems winter lasts too long
winter is needed, it is not wrong,
for bulbs and perennials,
every year to return will,
need this time of frozen hibernation
as they use it for rejuvenation
before they burst on the scene
with spears of delightful green
soon followed by a rainbow
of colorful blooms just for show.

At last, spring has come
under the ground from
buried bulbs and roots
when hope again shoots
as at last flowers appear
and you'll see returning bees steer.
At last, the long winter is over
as each new day the sun hovers.
At last.
At last.

* * * * *

As bulbs yearly need a time of hibernation
to store up energy for rejuvenation
we too need a time to rejuvenate
as we study scripture when we awake
for each day will bring a burden, a care,
that God did not intend for us to bear.

God did, however, intend
that we search scriptures often
for answers to help us fend
when daily troubles offend.
You'll find that scripture often
comforts and relieves burdens.

Scripture also instructs and corrects,
our daily decisions direct.
It gives hope
to help us cope.
It tells us of God's love
sent from heaven above.

Discovering you are loved
is like receiving a hug.
Love will warm your stone cold heart
when it finds its target -
the life-long wrong impressions
that keep you in a prison.

Begin today to discover
what's under the Bible's covers.
You'll be delightfully surprised
as each day you can't wait to arise
to read about God's love for you.
You'll find God's love will see you through.

I will instruct you and teach you
in the way you should go;
I will counsel you and watch over you.
Psalm 32:8

Your word is a lamp to my feet
and a light for my path.
Psalm 119:105

Casting all your cares upon him
for he careth for you.
I Peter 5:7 (KJV)

You are forgiving and good, O Lord,
abounding in love to all who call to you.
Psalm 86:5

For the Lord is good and his love endures forever;
his faithfulness continues through all generations.
Psalm 100:5

You are precious and honored in my sight...
and I love you...
Isaiah 43:4

Though the mountains be shaken and the hills be removed,
yet my unfailing love for you will not be shaken
nor my covenant of peace be removed,
says the Lord, who has compassion on you.
Isaiah 54:10






To order Life Is a Garden Party, Vol II
go to WestBow Press.

To order Life Is a Garden Party, Vol I
go to Amazon or B&N.

Follow Life Is a Garden Party on facebook.