With all that 2020 has involved,
Covid-19,
Face masks,
Shut downs,
Shortages,
Limitations,
I wonder at this newest storm,
What once cold will now be warm?
With all that 2020 has involved,
Protests,
Riots,
Looting,
Crime,
Calls for justice, equality
I shiver at these chilling winds,
Will America ever mend?
With all that 2020 has involved,
Isolation,
Disruptions,
Unemployment,
Threats,
Hate upon hate,
I'm saddened that we've come to this,
What next in all this craziness?
With all that 2020 has involved,
Elections,
Lies,
Politics,
Untruthful media,
Evil erupting,
I ache with shame this is who we are,
How did we allow us to slip this far?
With all that 2020 has involved,
Health crisis,
Diagnosis,
Miles to travel,
Prayer itself,
God remains steadfast,
I pray for answers and solutions,
I pray somehow God will bring resolutions.
With all that 2020 has involved,
It could get worse,
It could get better,
Hearts could mend,
Friendships begin,
God could reign free again,
I clasp His hand for I see the winds,
They're roaring at us, change they send.
-----dfav
10/30/2020
“Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.”
Ephesians 4:29, New International Version, 1973, 1978, Zondervan Corporation.
Everywhere my eyes and ears turn
They are sure to see and hear,
Words that are hurtful and foul,
From hearts that are deaf and seared.
The argument is that it's shock value
To let whatever one thinks rip,
Only the degrading and humiliating
Are the core of their hearts that drip.
Over all of this what do You hear Lord?
In this chaotic canopy of spilling hearts?
I pray it's the souls crying out for You,
Do our pleas the darkness part?
What do You hear day and night Lord?
Cleanse my heart, my soul, my mind,
So nothing that betrays Your being,
Comes forth from me that is unkind.
May my words bring Your healing,
Encourage the weak, broken, wronged,
Call people to raise their eyes up to You,
Find strength in You to make them strong.
I pray my words are wholesome,
Bring Your honor with every word I say,
Please reside deep in my heart,
As I end this night and start a new day.
----dfav
10/26/2020
It's the fall, after months of waiting,
For cooler weather, crisp breezes,
Crunchy apples, corn stalks and pumpkins,
Foliage turning as we're anticipating,
Football, bon fires and apple cider.
Those leaves keep on turning,
They will keep on falling in chillier winds,
Until branches are bare, barren, naked,
Which will now have strength to bend?
With graceful, evergreens peeking in?
Now the winter temps have crept in,
Cold and dampness announce "I'm here",
Snow is swirling, dancing, blowing,
Leaves are buried in snowbanks near,
Snowmen, snow balls and forts we're seeing.
Streets are covered, black ice a danger,
It's too cold to play to long outside,
Roofs threatened by ice, heavy snows,
Chimneys puffing smoke from fires,
Hard wood, propane, natural gas.
Winter melts and spring is coming,
Flowers peeking, buds on branches appearing
Sneaks of colors, warm sun, new life,
Brand new leaves on branches breathing,
Wonder, amazement, hope appears.
Warmed air flirts with hidden seeds,
Before too long and life has bloomed in,
Anticipation of all new starts,
Life, reviving, resurrection begins,
All that is old is suddenly new again.
Summer steps with higher temperatures,
Last of baseball hits are echoing,
Swimming, zoo trips, vacation Bible schools,
All too soon school will be beginning,
Air conditioners, ice cream and late movies.
All four seasons leaves anticipating,
Of what is now and what will be,
Bright green, mellowed and yellowed,
Life renewing a cycle you can see,
Dying, renewing, birthing, life.
-----dfav
10/25/2020
The golden leaves of the Beech tree
Swirl and dance on the wind
Overhead canopies of branches
A tunnel shouting, "It's time to mend"!
There are so many leaves falling
They sparkle upon us like crystal snow,
Without the burden of the wet and cold,
They are fuel and evidence of all you know.
The crimson of the Japanese Maple
Whisper of Christ's blood shed,
Do you no longer remember
The day when your soul to Him fled?
The red-stained wounds still visible
Upon His precious feet and hands,
Spin in color around you now,
Beneath them now you stand.
The deeper evergreen of pine needles,
Shaken free in fall's cooling breeze,
Meant to last through winter's chill,
Fall now with grace and ease.
It's time to end all this bitterness,
Time those broken ties to mend,
Before winter claims it's own time,
When temporary finds it's end.
The burnt orange of the White Oak Tree,
Interacts with you, leaves and Earth,
They sing out, "The Spring will come"!
When nature again will give birth.
Right now though fall fully arrives
Echoed through the dance of the leaves,
Beginning preparation for winter's nap
For Nature and her seasons still believe.
---dfav
10/23/2020
There is still beauty in the world,
Flowers that bloom in majesty,
Clouds that fly on the breeze,
Colors that dance in autumn glory,
Warm hugs and love that
Carry us to our very knees.
There is still joy in this life,
A child's face with huge grin,
A loved ones touch saying, "I care",
Music that resides in your soul,
Lifts your heart towards God,
Laughter ringing out to share.
There is still God's love here today,
Grace that flows from His forgiveness,
Tears wiped from eyes turned to Him,
In hearts to Him surrendered He reigns,
His mercy rains down in His love,
Where belief in God's love never dims.
There is still happiness on Earth,
Though hard times knock and troubles hang in,
As it seems all have forsaken you,
Hold strong to His Word and promises,
Remember He always answers prayers,
Either yes, no or wait, see what He can do.
There is still God among us everyday,
Weeping in our sorrow, rejoicing in our delight,
Entering hearts that want Him there,
Working to reach even more people,
For He is unwilling that any perish,
He died, He rose and has proven He does care.
----dfav
10/20/2020
If I could just look at this view all day,
Not seeing the ugly scenes,
The nasty means used to get what people want,
If I could unhear the growling throated howls,
Or the innocent souls crying out to You,
The blood thirsty ones seeking revenge,
Could my soul believe what I say?
Here, in this cottage, just You and me,
I can keep my eyes upon You,
Finally I can lay face down before Your throne,
Seeking Your will and reading Your Word,
Your angels have covered us,
My heart wants and seeks Your peace,
Here with You in our Cottage-by-the-Sea.
The world though lays beyond this lot,
The Earth is where I live each day,
It's been growing darker and darker,
Regardless of how much sunlight shines,
How good our intentions are,
How bright the moon and stars,
How beautiful the fruit inside is rot.
Let me pick up my cross and follow You,
May I see the cost and pay it willingly,
For You paid all our redemption bounties,
And sharing that with others
Should be my deepest heartfelt pleasure,
Here I've come to draw upon Your strength
I come here to find mercy like morning dew.
Yes, some places on Earth are like this view,
Where winds race fresh and salty,
Sunlight creates the golden paths,
Diamonds on the sea waves twinkle,
The sky is clear and cool the breeze,
The shore is clean with golden sand,
I'm grateful for this as I come to You.
Help me face the truth regardless,
Help me stay true to Your Word and Will,
Keep my feet on Your pathways,
For Jesus only You are the Way, the Truth
And only You are also the Light,
Guide me here by Your Holy Spirit,
Forgive us all for this world's mess.
----dfav
10/19/2020
The wheels are rolling beneath the car
Wheels have carried us near and far,
Other trips come to mind so fast,
When pleasure and pain reared in the past.
It seems a metaphor for the present
To return to where we once were residents,
Life was hard but so much to come
Who'd have thought in all life's sum,
We'd find solace where we least expect
By physically returning will we connect
To who we were and who we are now?
Wheels keep rolling there's a reason somehow.
Do you remember the trip that day
Mother broke her leg that awful way?
We drove to visit and I cross-stitched
We were only a few years hitched.
Then the day that she died
How I wanted someone to have lied.
Or the day we moved to my home state
Sure of the future we did not hesitate.
Two became three after one trip
The wheels kept turning they did not slip,
The big trip to Walt Disney World that year
Our daughter grinning from ear to ear.
Now she's all grown and it's you and me
After nineteen years of us three.
Wheels keep rolling take us far
Further than wheels on a car.
Help us remember every single blessing,
Hear our praise and our confessing.
Open our ears to hear Your voice in the wind
For You Lord God are our Savior and Friend.
One day You'll call us home forever
Where our joy will not end, never.
Home to forever be with You,
All our souls long to do.
Prayer wheels keep on rolling far,
For they carry us further than any car,
To the throne of God, the King of Kings,
Hear our voices as Your praises we sing.
-----dfav
10/19/2020
Aromas drifting through the house,
Calling our names to the door,
What is under the pot's glass lid?
Steam has the contents slyly hid.
Carrots, garlic, onion, beef,
Beans, peas and whole kernel corn,
Chili powder, salt, pepper, potatoes,
And of course beef broth and tomatoes.
Cooked it low and very slow,
Noses teased and mouths are watering,
Cold outside and Mama's soup in the pot,
We all line up we want it nice and hot.
Before the spoons dip into our bowls,
We pause to thank the Lord above,
For the food that's He's provided us,
And how much Mama clearly loves us.
----dfav
10/15/2020
The air is cool in my lungs,
A light jacket feels cozy perfectly,
Purple-blue sky is invitingly clear,
And the stars shine through,
Mercury and mars shine too.
Here above is God's handiwork,
Evidence in this autumn sky,
I breathe in and look up it's vital,
Lord, cleanse my heart open up my soul,
Let Your peace be my your ultimate goal.
Lifting up my heart to You,
Awed in Your majesty displayed,
The cares of earthly existence,
Fall away in Your love and grace,
How I long to see Your face.
This is one of Your perfect autumn nights,
I see You in the stars that shine,
Sense You in the breeze that blows,
The baring branches of the tree,
You are here, You are all I sense and see.
----dfav
10/13/2020
Here I am and here are You
Meeting once again in this place
In this Cottage-by-the-Sea I am humbled
I dare not look into Your glory filled face.
My soul draws in Your very presence,
As my lungs breathe in the sea air,
How is it always possible dear Lord,
You always love me and always care?
Today I throw myself at Your feet,
Casting all my weariness and cares upon You,
You speak to my heart and very soul,
Reminding me of Your love and what I am to do.
From deep within me praise by song I offer up
The words lapping on Heaven's very shores,
Here I worship and praise You Lord,
Heaven itself has flung open her doors.
My soul is washed its windows flung wide,
As You accept my worship, prayer and praise,
Here in our place of intervention
I offer You my heart and soul to raise.
From our Cottage-by-the-Sea just You and I,
In the falls nipping sea salty bracing winds,
I freely give all I am to You my Savior,
Freed because I know in You there is no end.
----dfav
10/11/2020
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