Encouraging Deep Roots

There is Pleasure in the Pathless Woods by Lord Byron There is a pleasure in the pathless woods, There is a rapture on the lonely shore, There is society, where none intrudes, By the deep sea, and music in its roar: It's no secret that I love to be out in the woods and nature. So it was fitting that the first day of our staycation was spent hiking. Unfortunately, since I injured my knee last summer I cannot go on trails that are too strenuous. However, I'm thankful we live in an area where there are a lot of trails that are fairly flat or only have small and short inclines.  When I get out in the woods I can feel the tension melting away and it's an opportunity to disconnect from the world for a bit. The weather was beautiful yesterday so it was an especially pleasant hike. Sometimes Dan and I will chat as we walk and other times we are just quiet as we enjoy the scenery and one another's company. It's peaceful and calming. I love not man the less, but Nature more, ...

  Mother's Day To those who had mother’s who were full of love and comfort, Praise God for a mom who helped to heal every hurt.   To those who had mothers who were broken and flawed, God can mend and repair and help you move forward.   To those who have lost their mom’s and you need a healing balm, God sees those tears and brings peace and calm.   To those without children and this day pricks the hole that you feel. Remember God is sufficient and will meet every need.   To those who are single or choose to remain childless, Ask God to help you shine His light to the motherless.   No matter the circumstance, Whether one of joy or of pain. God is with you, and His love will always sustain.   Happy Mother’s Day to All!

Can you hear it? It's in the noisy chirping of birds. The winged and free, swooping and diving Speaking volumes without words. Can you hear it? It's in the movement of furry and sleek Moving and chewing, shuffling and snuffling Moving across land and creek. Can you hear it? It's in the warmth of sunshine upon my head Warming and uplifting, bringing growth and green Welcoming as I rise from my bed. Can you hear it? It's in the wind both gentle and wild Calming and refreshing, at times it is bracing Whipping and petulant as a child. Can you hear it? It's the breath in my lungs Pulling air in and out, giving life to my body Lifting chest and giving life to old and to young. Can you hear it? The voice of my God Heeding His words, spoken in all that was made Singing over all as we worship with awe. Can you hear it? Concentrate if you will Listening for it as you look all around, alert to the sound Hearing His voice requires us to be still.

The Unexpected King  by Terri Groh Hosanna! Hosanna! Blessed be the One who comes in the name of the Lord! Here comes the expectant King, riding towards Jerusalem, not with sword As what thought. Not on horse, tall and proud. But on a young beast of burden, before the expectant crowd.   They shouted and through the streets the men, women and children ran, Waved their branches of palm and threw up their welcoming hands. Little did they realize that in just a few short sleeps. This king would be led to a slaughter, much like sheep.   The crowd that waved those praising hands in the sky Would soon lift fists up high and shout, “Crucify!” “Crucify!” Fickle people that would so easily be turned astray, by religious leaders old and gray,  with hearts as hard and brittle as clay.   Jesus rode through that crowd and the children laughed and cried out. “Master, Teacher, Lord!” the people did shout! Joy and praise, love and laughter, ador...

When I was going through my mother's things, I found this poem  that was written by my Grandmother. You wrote it when her second husband, Penny, passed away. I'm putting together a box of things to send to my uncle and some of these I'm copying for myself.  God's Promise When sorrow captures you in its cold hard hand And holds you there like a vise,  And the ache in your heart is a bold demand That binds you like you're frozen in ice. Think of your loved one who is now free Of life's sorrow and bodily pain, Where time and toil have no meaning at all, Who is whole and like new again. Think of the freedom not to be weighted down By the need to have to breathe air, Where life knows only goodness and joy abounds And there is no hurt or despair. Where hunger and thirst are completely unknown, Where it's never too hot or too cold, Could you wish him back to Earth's sinful ways? Think what it's like not to grow old. Where flowers don't die and birds alw...

Winter's Artist by Suzanne Bates An awesome scene the artist paints,  expert and deft his hand. Brush strokes swift, he draws with ease,  a winter wonderland. Landscape sketched from memory,  heavens and land entwine Rapidly the scene is set, exquisitely divine. I should have left my hat on for this one. lol I think it's amazing that the curl of the wave is frozen solid. This lake is so beautiful in the winter. This week I'm thankful for blessings #3,581 - 3,595. 3581. I landed in the emergency room the other night with a nose bleed that wouldn't stop. I've had one every day since then and the e.r. doctor seemed to think that it was related to the very dry air we've been experiencing. They gave me some pointers on how to stop them and I am thankful that I've gotten the next three I've had under control in a much quicker time-frame. But they certainly aren't fun. 3582. Stephen likes his new jo...

I try to have my quiet time on my deck each morning. If the weather allows, I head out there with my cup of coffee, my Bible and journal. It's peaceful and quiet and I also get a glimpse every now and then of a "visitor." This was today's little one who came to visit. As I was sitting there this morning and finishing up praying, my heart was full of thankfulness for the way God uses all the things in my life to shape and mold me to become more like Him. This poem basically flew out of my brain and onto paper and I thought I'd share it here this morning. Thank You by Terri A. Groh The sun on my face The breeze lifting my hair The birds singing so cheerfully And sweet smells in the air These things remind me  that Your hand created it all, You care for each creature No matter how big or how small. Lord, help me to take pleasure In each moment You bring. To bow my head and give thanks, And Your praises to s...

When I was in college, I came across this poem and something about it struck a chord with me. At the time, I didn't realize how much of it I would have to learn to live out in my own life as a woman in ministry. Ministry life either makes you strong and learning to lean on the Lord, or it can destroy you. I've known many a pastor and ministry leader who are no longer in that position because they couldn't take the stress and criticism. My son has just started this road and is already seeing how difficult it can be, and how much criticism comes at you over non-sin issues. People's preferences reign supreme and it can muddy the waters of ministry. So my prayer for him is the following poem. My prayer is that he can learn grace in the midst of criticism. That he would listen, weed out the bad, accept the good and not let it discourage and destroy him. There is a lot of truth in that little two letter word, if.  If by Rudyard Kipling If you can keep your hea...

Twas three days before Christmas And all through the house The furnace was humming And so was my spouse I am wrapped and toasty In my warm fluffy robe While the precipitation floats down like inside a snow globe My chicks are all home And tucked into my nest At last I can relax And put my worries to rest The gifts are all wrapped And tucked under the tree My cards are all sent And I am full of glee The cookies are baked And I went way too far Fifty dozen in all They won't fit in my jar The advent readings have been written with care Christmas eve service is coming Not sure what I'll wear The children at church Are ready to sing They have practiced hard and will let their voices ring Today I make goodies to give our church family Each year I enjoy this And do it so happily My prayer for you Three days before Christmas Is the gift of our Lord Brings your soul full of His richness Have...

  Snow by Walter de la Mare No breath of wind, No gleam of sun – Still the white snow Whirls softly down Twig and bough And blade and thorn All in an icy Quiet, forlorn. Whispering, rustling, Through the air On still and stone, Roof, - everywhere, It heaps its powdery Crystal flakes, Of every tree A mountain makes; ‘Til pale and faint At shut of day Stoops from the West One wint’ry ray, And, feathered in fire Where ghosts the moon, A robin shrills                                          His lonely tune.                                         

Autumn by Mary Hamrick Autumn is like an old book: Marred spines turn mean yellow, staples rust red-orange. Every stained page is stressed by a splat of color. Rough-red, like an old tavern, we become hungry birds and prepare for fall. Shape and shadow are candied citron as lanterns turn bitter yellow. Autumn is a red fox, a goblet filled with dark wine, a hot chilli pepper with smoky eyes.  Pressed leaves take in the colors of seafood paella and saffron; these leaves are like death, climaxing with a smile.  Autumn: Her dress is a net of mussels; dark shelled, it covers up summer’s weatherbeaten body. So pull out your boots and stand on an aged, wood floor like an evergreen.  

All Things Bright and Beautiful... Author: Ce­cil F. Al­ex­an­der, Hymns for Lit­tle Child­ren, 1848  All things bright and beautiful, All creatures great and small, All things wise and wonderful: The Lord God made them all. Each little flower that opens, Each little bird that sings, He made their glowing colors, He made their tiny wings. All things bright and beautiful, All creatures great and small, All things wise and wonderful: The Lord God made them all. The rich man in his castle, The poor man at his gate, He made them, high or lowly, And ordered their estate. All things bright and beautiful, All creatures great and small, All things wise and wonderful: The Lord God made them all. The purple headed mountains, The river running by, The sunset and the morning That brightens up the sky. All things bright and beautiful, All creatures great and small, All things wise and wonderful: The Lord God made them all. T...