HAPPY EASTER

Editing this afternoon.  Came across this partial poem which goes along with this celebratory weekend:

Something that was completed or accomplished once-for-all

was the plan of salvation when Jesus died on the cross for all.

Jesus took your sins and mine and crucified them

so that we could have new, eternal life within.

By simply believing Jesus paid the price

when He became our once-for-all sacrifice,

we are guaranteed an eternity in heaven

because our sins have been forgotten and forgiven.

Once for all! All means you.

The gospel message is true.

Simply believe

then receive.

(Yes, I realize "all" also means for all time instead of individuals.)

There is a hymn entitled "Once for All".

1. • Once for all, O sinner, receive it,
     Once for all, O friend, now believe it;
     Cling to the cross, the burden will fall,
     Christ has redeemed us once for all.
2. Now we are free, there’s no condemnation,
   Jesus provides a perfect salvation;
   “Come unto Me,” oh, hear His sweet call,
   Come, and He saves us once for all.

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 your heart that you believe and are justified,

and it is with your mouth that you confess and are saved...

for, "Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord

will be saved."

Romans 10:9-10,13

SUNSHINE YELLOW

 

SUNSHINE YELLOW

A test of patience each spring is yearly instilled

as we wait 11 months for the daffodils -

some bright yellow with trumpet frills

or maybe the white ones will thrill.

Though these yellow blooms last for up to three weeks

their green leaves from the flower bed will peek

for several more weeks,

looking messy, not neat.

In the meantime yellow forsythia bursts into bloom,

though if you're impatient you can force their yellow blooms

by cutting a few canes to bring inside.

Just a week it takes for flowers to betide.

Forsythia, another springtime bloom,

that we patiently await to bloom

bursts into color, a bright sunshine yellow,

reinforcing spring is here – hello!

How soon these bright sunshine yellow daffodils are over and gone

but do not fear, yellow dandelions are soon coming on...

and on...

and on.

Dandelions test our patience

seemingly beyond our endurance.

Many neighbors yearly apply "weed and feed"

as dandelions are filled with endless greed.

You'll find my yard filled with an abundance

which remind me of God's "faithfulness"

for that's what dandelion happens to mean -

these sunny blooms among jagged leaves of green.

For many weeks on end, over and over again,

you'll find me (impatiently) digging out dandelions in the gardens

as last year's dandelions went to seed

growing thousands of dandelions to weed.

I'm reminded of God's patience

and everlasting faithfulness

daily toward me as I weed -

a needed reminder indeed.

Let's not forget the sunshine yellow sun

that each spring brightens and warms

the barren, colorless earth

causing new life to spring forth.

Bright sunshine yellow,

such a cheerful color.

Much happiness it brings,

painting the earth each spring.

* * * * *

Patience is a hard lesson to learn,

though often needed at every turn,

for everyday something unforeseen goes awry

causing unwanted suffering, why oh why?

Yet God's Word says those who persevere are blessed.

Something to contemplate during the next test -

and you can be sure one will come,

though hardly ever welcomed.

Instead of worrying,

simply start praising.

The peace of God will again calm your spirit,

then perhaps you'll see God's solution in it.

And you'll find an attitude

of unceasing gratitude

will peacefully surround

through life's many ups and downs.

Asking for God's "hedge of protection"

will allay many daily problems

showering us with blessings instead.

Just pray this simple prayer before bed.

Focusing on the positive

instead of the negative

will change your perspective.

A blessed way to live.

As an example of patience in the face of suffering,

take the prophets who spoke in the name of the Lord.

As you know, we consider blessed those who have persevered.

You have heard of Job's perseverance

and have seen what the Lord finally brought about.

The Lord is full of compassion and mercy.

James 5:10-11

Have you not put a hedge around him

and his household and everything he has?

You have blessed the work of his hands...

Job 1:10

Life Is a Garden Party

is available via Amazon.

APRIL

 

Draft of a poem that goes along with today's date and weather:

April

April flowers, where art thou?

Hibernating still, 'neath the snow

for winter's blanket 'tis cold

as flowers slumber below.

With much anticipation, April

is welcomed each spring, yet...still

a'waiting for flower bulbs

to spring forth and become.

Each new morrow and morn

snowflakes befall and adorn

this month April when

flowers shouldst begin to bloom.

Too cold, too cloudy,

too gray, too wintery.

Methinks the warmth of the sun

shouldst befall; aye, blooms hasten.

In the meanwhile, April's

graceful arrival is spoiled

by cold snow which covers and cradles

the landscape like a betrayal.

Gardeners can'st wait to discover,

when out from hibernation, flowers

haply ope (by chance open),

at last – hope!

Perchange these snowflakes wiltst be envious.

It's knownst, flowers enhance one's countenance.

Wiltst snowflakes and flowers parley (negotiate with)?

Posthaste - will snowflakes scurry....

as in, return to the heavens?

Thank heavens!

My voice exclaims "Yes!"

as does many a lasses.

None to soon spring's apparel

will happily wave their colors.

Everyone everywhere will exclaim: Marvelous!

April's flowers are most intently glorious!

Ahhhh, April

come...my angel,

ever faithful

become now wakeful.

* * * * *

Life Is a Garden Party, Vol IV

will be available in April.

GESTATION

 

Gestation

After 11 months

we're happy to make a fuss

as it's been a loooonngg wait to see

something that will please you and me.

All through long days or weeks when too much rain came

and other weeks when there wasn't enough rain,

they wait and wait as we count the months down

when this delivery is seen in our town.

For each new birth is something to be celebrated

after we wait and wait through the gestation period.

All through long weeks when it was too hot and humid

we impatiently waited as they silently hid.

Hidden in a dark cocoon,

morning, night, and noon, a womb

protected them

during gestation.

And still they waited,

activity bated,

as it wasn't time

for them to shine.

Through the final months, though,

they waited under snow.

The wait seems like it is taking too long.

Each new day feels like a week prolonged.

This incubation

or hibernation

continues through January

and all through February.

Will this long pregnancy ever end?

Everyone's counting the days until when

this new birth

arrives on earth.

Then one day, through the snow,

new life begins to show.

The 11 months is nearing completion.

It's almost time for their presentation.

Who will be born

one chilly March morn?

Who waited 11 months

and arrives with a fuss?

Tiny white snowdrops

and crocus' will pop,

daffodils add to the array

when spring gives birth this glad day!

Their debut

creates a view

that is worth the wait

no matter which state.

Look for hyacinths,

followed by tulips;

alliums

also blossom.

Celebrate

spring's due date.

A time of rebirth

upon planet earth.

* * * * *

What a long wait it is to see the newborns!

What a long wait it seems to see spring born.

Each season winter follows autumn

then it begins all over again.

After winter is past

spring begins with a blast:

a parade, a show, a gala

of brightly colored flowers.

See! The winter is past;

the rains are over and gone.

Flowers appear on the earth.

Song of Songs 2:11-12

I went down to the grove of nut trees

to look at the new growth in the valley,

to see if the vines had budded

or the pomegranates were in bloom.

Song of Songs 6:11

Life Is a Garden Party

is available via Amazon.

Spring Showers = Spring Flowers

Psalm 103:15

Flourishes like a flower of the field:

March 20

 

March 20

It’s here! Finally! The day we waited for.

The day anticipated by gardeners.

According to the calendar, there’s a new birth –

as the first day of spring is March 20^th.

Birds should ring in

the first day of spring

with songs they sing

each new morning.

A day when the sun should glow

and you see spring flowers grow.

A day when temperatures warm

and you don’t need your mittens.

A day when winter is past

and the snow is gone - at last.

A day of mirth

over the earth.

For everyone can’t wait

for this dividing date

when spring is scheduled to begin.

A date when gardeners dig in.

But apparently the weather report doesn’t abide

by the yearly calendar, unless the calendar is a lie.

This morning the sun didn’t rise,

so the birds didn’t sing their lullaby.

Instead of the sun ascending,

there were snowflakes descending;

instead of a carpet of green grass appearing,

there is a blanket of white snow in the clearings.

Winter’s hanging on,

and on - and on - and on.

Each new spring seemingly waits - and waits - and waits.

Did, perhaps, my calendar have the wrong date?

* * * * *

What do you find yourself waiting for?

Something that you’ve forever endured?

Perhaps a way out of financial debt?

Maybe a child gives you reason to fret?

Perhaps you’re waiting for employment

or maybe you’re nearing retirement?

Is there a health problem that lingers?

Do you want to change your figure?

Maybe the birth of something new?

That seems to take a long time, it’s true.

Waiting is difficult to endure

and can take forever, that’s for sure.

Whatever it is you’re waiting for,

waiting, we find, has good things in store.

It’s in waiting that patience is truly matured.

Perseverance builds character by its nature.

Waiting patiently – seems to be an oxymoron –

though simply waiting solves many problems.

Waiting patiently – two opposites that attract –

and in the end is God’s best for us. How about that!

God made his promise to Abraham...

I will surely bless you and give you many descendants.

And so after waiting patiently,

Abraham received what was promised.

Hebrews 6:13-15

We consider blessed those who have persevered.

You have heard of Job’s perseverance

and have seen what the Lord finally brought about.

The Lord is full of compassion and mercy.

James 5:11

Be still before the Lord

and wait patiently for him.

Psalm 37:7a

I waited patiently for the Lord;

he turned to me and heard my cry.

He lifted me out of the slimy pit, out of the mud and mire;

he set my feet on a rock and gave me a firm place to stand.

He put a new song in my mouth; a hymn of praise to our God.

Psalm 40:1-3a

If we hope for what we do not yet have,

we wait for it patiently.

Romans 8:25

Life Is a Garden Party

is available via Amazon.

Alas!

 

Alas!

At last, at last,

winter is past.

When winter is past

it's springtime – at last!

There's a red or blue flash

from songbirds doing the dash

who joyfully sing with each task,

a Capella, not heard in vocal class.

Colorful spring bulbs pop up in mass

causing happy smiles to be cast.

Bees return at last.

Don't touch or you'll sass!

There's much to do when winter is past.

Each year we long for spring to come fast.

Soon we'll be busy with spring tasks

as warmer days come to pass.

Time to open the window sash

and spring clean the window's glass.

Then shine the front door's brass

door knocker when going past.

Earlier each morning the glow of the new day's sunrise is cast

as gardeners stretch and determine to complete each day's tasks.

Later each evening disappearing sunsets paint a rosy repast

while lullabies are sung by songbirds as dusky twilight is cast.

Yes, spring is here at last

as temperatures warm up fast.

Some can't wait to go fishing for bass

then prepare a fish fry at last.

Happily, we see the greening of grass.

Soon we'll need to buy lawnmower gas.

We forget about dandelions amassed

until more return each year despite last year's task.

Everyone's glad to see winter has passed.

Especially we who garden in mass.

Rather a garden lad or lass,

we're happy winter has passed.

Spring is here . . . at last -

until a surprise blast

of arctic air is cast

upon this country vast

and lasts and lasts and lasts.

Will this winter ever pass?

We're aghast!

Alas! Alas!

* * * * *

Shakespeare wrote, "Parting is such sweet sorrow,"

but not when winter continues to burrow.

We long for spring after months of snow.

Spring can't come too soon, we often crow.

It seems that the birds radar was off

for their return signaled spring's takeoff.

Perhaps their song woke up the crocus

and even bees who gleefully buzz.

Then surprisingly more snow...

and it's too cold to melt the snow.

Will winter ever be past?

When will spring come – at last?

Yet spring is an unknown

as our days are unknown.

We don't know what tomorrow will bring.

Hopefully joy and not suffering.

We seem to long for what we don't have

always hoping for the best life has.

Our focus is on the temporal

instead of on the eternal.

It's what's done for eternity that lasts.

So when you come to an impasse

this question you should ask:

will my faith live on and last?

Hebrews 11 talks about faith that lasts.

Faith that generations could not unmask.

Faith that continues to hold fast

irregardless of what comes to pass.

Faith is a certainly that will surpass

daily doubts that often harass.

Faith will turn your weakness into strength that lasts

for faith is the key that always removes doubt's mask.

See! The winter is past.

Song of Songs 2:11

The length of our days is seventy years -

or eighty, if we have the strength;

yet their span is but trouble and sorrow,

for they quickly pass, and we fly away.

Psalm 90:10

...for such a time as this...

Esther 4:14

Faith is being sure of what we hope for

and certain of what we do not see.

Hebrews 11:1

Read Hebrews 11.

Be very careful to keep the commandment and the law

that Moses the servant of the Lord gave you:

to love the Lord your God, to walk in all his ways,

to obey his commands, to hold fast to him

and to serve him with all your heart and all your soul.

Joshua 22:5

But you are to hold fast to the Lord your God,

as you have until now.

Joshua 23:8

Life Is a Garden Party

is available via Amazon.