ME, ME, ME

 

Me, Me, Me

Summer days brings hours of berry picking.

Sweetened by the sun, just right for picking.

Best eaten alfresco

in the great outdoors,

although the intent is to fill the freezer

to enjoy the fruits of summer this winter.

Quiet, except for the hum of the bees.

Warm, although there's a breeze through the leaves of the trees.

Succulent, these pretty round jewels in red, black, or blue.

Antioxidants designed to give good health to you.

Tasty, one for now and two for later.

Enjoying the luscious fruits of summer.

The quiet is rudely dispelled

when someone repeatedly yells

"me, me, me."

Someone I can't see.

This "me, me, me"

is from someone greedy.

When this someone was a baby

their plea was "me, me, me."

Now someone is grown and their "me, me, me"

is loud, rude, increasingly greedy.

This someone had previously found the ripened berries

and doesn't want to share with anyone, not hardly.

"Me, me, me" as in mine.

"Me, me, me" is whined.

Although not human, this someone

acts just like us humans often.

For more often than not our words, thoughts, and deeds

center around me, me, me; yes, indeed.

There, up in the tree top is this noisemaker.

Although, here, in our heart we're often self-centered.

Seed-eating birds don’t want to share the berries.

Unfortunately, greed in our heart often tarries.

Birds have much to teach us.

To share, without making a fuss.

* * * * *

Greed, at its basic definition is idolatry, it's putting self first.

We learn greed is never satisfied, it leaves you with an unfulfilled thirst.

There's much that lures.

We want more, more, more.

The opposite of selfish greed

is to plant unselfish seeds

that will greatly encourage someone in need -

rather physical or emotional needs.

A helping hand, a listening ear,

transportation somewhere - each is dear.

You need not expend a lot of money,

time spent turns someone's spirit of gloom sunny.

Being consumed with "me, me, me" becomes quite unfulfilling.

Being concerned about anothers’ comfort is always fulfilling.

Don't be like the bird who doesn't want to share.

Exchange greed for an outlook that shows you care.

Watch out! Be on your guard against all kinds of greed;

a man's life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions.

Luke 12:15

But among you there must not be even a hint...of greed,

because these are improper for God's holy people.

Ephesians 5:3

Put to death, therefore, whatever belongs to your earthly nature:

...greed, which is idolatry.

Colossians 3:5

For of this you can be sure:

An immoral, impure or greedy person - is an idolater.

Ephesians 5:5

Pink Raspberries

Life Is a Garden Party

is available via Amazon.

SUPPLY

 

SUPPLY

For breakfast robin redbreast dines on a worm

readily available after last night's rain storm.

Did she know that God would supply

with more than money can buy?

A yellow finch feasts on dried cornflower seeds.

Soon more yellow finches join and feed for free.

It sounds like a party atmosphere.

Their song of thankfulness always cheers.

Sweet chickadees come to dine

under the evergreen pine.

A smorgasbord of treats await

supplied by their Creator, who's great.

A flicker, speckled with an orange head

and a black beard, dines on bugs instead.

He's seen climbing for breakfast in a tree up high

where perhaps the best tasting bugs reside.

Titmice with their little crest

search for seeds that taste best.

God lovingly caters to their personal needs

furnishing an endless supply of weed seeds.

Papa blue jay seeks his ready-made breakfast

from a buffet of sunflower seed heads, hear him sass,

for his caw-caw is heard near and far

perhaps telling everyone he scored.

Canadian geese overhead fly

perhaps off to the lake to fish. Bye-bye!

Wherever they land they know God will provide

for they've learned God has an abundant supply.

* * * * *

Each sunny morning "It's a Wonderful World" is heard

outdoors from happy, contented, chirping songbirds.

Isn't it amazing how God supplies

breakfast each morning for birds that fly,

just as God supplies our needs

and many of our wants, indeed.

Yes, there will be lean, hard-to-understand, times

when you wonder if the sun will again shine,

but these lean times are when we learn God is faithful.

This head and heart knowledge is better than pearls.

Knowing that God has a good plan and purpose no matter what

is much better than playing the odds or wishing for good luck.

Know that God already has a solution in mind

and He's never late, His plan will unfold in His time.

Next time you wonder what's God up to,

think of the early morning birds who

do not worry, who start their day happy

with a song of thankfulness quite early.

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?

Matthew 6:26

Hope in God,

who richly provides us with everything

for our enjoyment.

I Timothy 6:17

He has shown kindness

by giving you rain from heaven

and crops in their season;

he provides you with plenty of food

and fills your hearts with joy.

Acts 14:17

Life Is a Garden Party

is available via Amazon.

VIM & VIGOR

 Came across this one when editing this humid afternoon.  Thought it might energize fellow gardeners.

VIM & VIGOR

(Exuberance and Endurance)

A gardener starts each year with vim and vigor.

This year his vegetable garden will be bigger.

Have you ever meant a gardener who’s a kidder?

He gets out his gardening tools, including his digger,

but not too early in the morning or all the neighbors

will let him know when they telephone and (perhaps) holler.

The gardener attacks his plot with vigor

for this year he has plans to plant much more, so

this morning the gardener’s full of vim and vigor.

Is anyone more ambitious than a gardener?

Before the day is half over

he’s run out of vigor

for he has plowed a quarter

of an acre,

go figure!

Tomorrow his vim has returned bigger.

He’s now bursting at the seams to ensure

his garden is bigger

and better -

for sure.

At the end of the day he heads for the back door

for vim and vigor has left him for awhile, but be sure

it will soon return - for a gardener has learned to endure.

Behold, the gardener needs more vim and vigor

for when weeding, be assured, there’s always one more.

His gardening exuberance will boost his endurance for

he is going to get each and every weed outside his door.

If only the neighbors

had his vim and vigor

for weed seeds blow over

from the neighbors next door.

A dedicated gardener invites you for a tour.

You will realize he’s full of vim and vigor to the core.

The gardener relies on common folk lore

when he catches bad insects with stinky lure.

Of insects, there always seems to be one more

just waiting to be lured outside the back door.

Everyday the gardener does more

and to do everyday there is more.

Fortunately the gardener’s vim and vigor

returns during the night with dreams of better

ideas for his garden plot that grows bigger

each year. Now where will he find room to store?

Life is certainly not a bore

outside the gardener’s back door.

The gardener realizes he is not poor

because on him God’s blessings continually pour

and because of the gardener’s vim and vigor

he has many good-for-you fresh vegetables to store.

Vim is restored and so is vigor

every passing year for gardeners.

And very thankful are his neighbors

when they receive from the gardener.

It is neither one or the other.

It will always be vim and vigor.

* * * * *

Vim and vigor is needed in your spiritual life too.

Sometimes we all need exuberance and endurance anew.

When you’re under attack

and it’s wrong to fight back.

When prayers are not answered

when you’d like them answered.

When life isn’t fair

and sorrows you bear.

When the way is not clear

and each day seems more drear.

When God seems silent

and fears won’t relent.

When no one is there

to say they care.

When hardships come

though not welcome.

When there is no money

or your heart is empty.

Take heart. Be of good cheer.

The Lord is always near.

There’s no need to fear.

The Lord will fight for you

for He is with you

and on your side too.

Often when God seems to be silent

He’s working through others He has sent

to be ministering angels met.

Nowhere in the Bible does it say life would be fair.

The Bible does say we are not meant to burdens bear

for God is our burden bearer when we ask through prayer.

This is the day the Lord has made,

let us now rejoice and be glad.

There’s always something that makes one glad.

A spirit of fear is from Satan.

He only spoils and makes rotten.

Trust in the Lord. You’re not forgotten.

God loves you personally and unconditionally.

Others may not say to you “I love you,” unfortunately,

but you are loved by Jesus Christ the Lord daily.

Troubles, problems, hardships are part of everyday life

and have a purpose - to teach us to be more Christ-like.

Be at peace today. Everything will turn out all right.

Instead of counting your worries, count your blessings.

You’ll be richer than you can ever imagine.

Your heart will be full when you count your many blessings..

This is the day the Lord has made;

let us rejoice and be glad in it.

Psalm 118:24

Trust in the Lord with all your heart

and lean not on your own understanding.

In all your ways acknowledge him,

and he will make your paths straight.

Do not be wise in your own eyes;

fear the Lord and shun evil.

This will bring health to your body

and nourishment to your bones.

Proverbs 3:5-7

The Lord...turned the curse into a blessing for you,

because the Lord your God loves you.

Deuteronomy 23:4

You are precious and honored in my sight...

because I love you.

Isaiah 43:4

You whom I have upheld since you were conceived,

and have carried since your birth.

even to your old age and gray hairs I am he,

I am he who will sustain you.

I have made you and I will carry you;

I will sustain you

and I will rescue you.

Isaiah 46:3-4

I am the Lord our God,

who teaches you what is best for you,

who directs you in the way you should go.

Isaiah 48:17

Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial,

because when he has stood the test,

he will receive the crown of life

that God has promised to those who love him.

James 1:12

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

Life Is a Garden Party

is available via Amazon.

SONGS

 

SONGS

A tweet

sounds sweet.

A chirp,

like syrup.

Unless it's 4:30 in the morning

when young ones start practicing their singing!

These young ones are not even on key -

sounding quite off key, according to me.

Eventually they will harmonize.

Eventually they wait until sunrise.

Eventually...but not today.

Today they can't wait to play.

They sound like a ruckus,

not a pretty chorus.

One is always louder than the rest.

One who probably thinks he sounds the best.

They call back and forth

as "good mornings" are versed

with each tweet, twitter, peep, and chirp,

thankful for another day on earth.

It's not the sound but the spirit of which they start each day,

this joyful spirit that we should emulate everyday -

happy to be alive,

knowing that God will supply!

It's an internal knowing -

like faith indwelling.

Knowing that God who is faithful today

will be faithful throughout all their days.

Now that's something to sing about!

Definitely something to get excited about!

And God will supply

for both you and I.

* * * * *

Do you awaken each morning

like the birds who start their day singing?

Even though they don't know what their day may bring

they start each day with a happy song to sing.

If each morning birds sing a new song of thankfulness to God,

then we, too, should sing songs of joy – in good times and in hard.

Singing will change our attitude

and erase any dour mood.

Turn on some music

and sing along with it.

Feel better? You'll find, if the truth be told,

this daily practice will lighten any load.

Wake up, wake up, break out in song!

Judges 5:12

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

Psalm 40:3

Shout for joy to the Lord, all the earth,

burst into jubilant song with music.

Psalm 98:4

Is any one happy? Let him sing songs of praise.

James 5:13

Life Is a Garden Party

is available via Amazon.

RAIN

 

RAIN

Rain greens the grass like a can of paint,

like applied fertilizer can't.

There's a luminous brightness

greening the grass with a freshness.

Aglow

it grows

overnight,

leaf green bright.

Blooms reach heavenward to receive

the rain falling on blades and leaves.

Rain welcomed

in gardens

where there's a colorful rainbow on the ground -

red, orange, yellow, green, blue, purple found.

More will be found tomorrow, you'll find,

when their petals unfurl in the sunshine.

Birds singing in the rain shower.

Their tune as bright as the flowers.

Cheerfully they take a bath

before the rain shower does pass.

Others hover

under cover.

Some cover their little ones

when the rain comes down on them.

Rain cools the air

and scents the air

with a freshness

and cleanness

while clouds pass over

so that others

to the east will receive

as a breeze stirs the leaves.

When rain comes in the middle of the night,

rain becomes a lullaby tonight

for this shower

passing over

is like a blessing

everlasting

sent from God above

with abiding love.

Even though rain grows more weeds

it's still a blessing, indeed,

for a free exercise program awaits.

Everyday there's an expected date.

Weeds call my name

after the rain

softens the earth making easier weeding.

I find the end result is always pleasing.

This week rain is forecasted every day.

Between the showers you'll find me, today,

putting on my gardening boots

for it's a good time to uproot

those weed seeds that sprout overnight

pushing their way into sight.

The birds are singing.

It's time for weeding...

* * * * *

Sunshine, rain, and the brown earth

are needed to give birth

to seeds

and weeds.

God's Son made a way when He came to earth

to ensure those who believe a second birth

when we believe

then receive.

In this second birth we become children of God

who dwells within to guide us on the path we trod

for earth is our temporal home.

Heaven is our eternal home.

Our journey on earth will be full of difficulties,

disappointments, sorrows, troubles, and a lot of worries,

all of which are temporary,

seemingly making us contrary.

The Bible tells us to expect

life to be less than perfect.

But the Bible also gives us abiding hope

for Jesus has overcome, to help us cope.

So when a little rain rains on your parade

in the form of troubles, which sometimes cascade,

remember adversity builds faith

which in turn will grow us more Christ-like.

I tell you the truth, no one can see the kingdom of God

unless he is born again.

John 3:3

We live by faith, not by sight.

II Corinthians 5:7

In this world you will have trouble.

But take heart! I have overcome the world.

John 16:33

For our light and momentary troubles

are achieving for us an eternal glory

that far outweighs them all.

So we fix our eyes not on what is seen,

but on what is unseen.

For what is seen is temporary,

but what is unseen is eternal.

II Corinthians 4:17-18

Therefore, since we have been justified through faith,

we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ,

through whom we have gained access by faith

into this grace in which we now stand.

And we rejoice in the hope of the glory of God.

Not only so, but we also rejoice in our sufferings,

because we know that suffering produces perseverance;

perseverance, character; and character, hope.

Romans 5:1-4

(Yes, there's a purpose in sufferings.

Character means Christlikeness.)

I will be glad and rejoice in your love,

for you saw my affliction

and knew the anguish of my soul.

Psalm 31:7

This morning's daily verse:

I will give you the treasures of darkness,

riches stored in secret places,

so that you may know that I am the Lord,

the God of Israel, who summons you by name.

Isaiah 45:3

Note to self:

If you feel that you're in a dark place

(unanswered prayers, terminal illness, tight finances, more),

bear in mind that God is there, alongside.

You are not alone. God knows your name.

He knows you personally. He knows what makes your heart heavy.

Those dark times are meant to build your faith and trust.

Faith and trust are the treasures, the riches,

drawing you closer to God, to know Him (heart and head knowledge).

Learn to view your difficulties from God's perspective.

Ask God to teach you what you need to learn.

Strength will come, blessings will flow, prayers will be answered, joy will return -

all in God's time.

Rain and thunder produce nitrogen which makes the grass appear luminous - and to grow faster!

Life Is a Garden Party

is available via Amazon.

Morning Blessings

Was searching for zucchinis early morning when heard the distinctive hum of a hummer.  

Finally got some clear photos - in the scarlet runner beans.  (TY Andre Jones)

When I share these beans I suggest planting where you can watch the hummers.

Some of this morning's "pots of gold" here at Rainbow's End.

High humidity is beneficial to the vegetable garden.

Been searching for butterfly caterpillars in the dill and parsley but so far nothing.

I've also seen caterpillars in parsnips and lovage in year's past.

For the earth

which drinketh in the rain

that falleth often upon it

and bringeth forth

herbs fit for him

by whom it is tilled

received blessings from God.

Hebrews 6:7