Garden’s Fountain

From Song of Solomon 4:12:  “A garden locked is my sister, my bride, a garden locked, a fountain sealed.”

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Heavenly garden, locked and closed

Eternal fountain, sealed and dry

Searching, Salvation’s hidden key

Faithless works, blinding sinful eyes

 

Body, soul, spirit in despair

Soul without spirit, dead to sin

Body without soul, starkest death

Life’s spirit, missing God’s linchpin

 

Holy Spirit, always at work

Lasting, heart-filled renovations

Infused into life’s coldest heart

Building restored soul’s foundation

 

Christ choreographs love-filled hearts

Breathing life into each saved soul

Lighting our way to Salvation

Father’s love leads to Christ’s patrol

 

Arriving at Heaven’s garden

Receiving its eternal key

Fountain flows with living water

Come rest under Salvation’s tree

 

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From Song of Solomon 4:16:  “Awake, O north wind, and come, O south wind!  Blow upon my garden that its fragrance may be wafted abroad.  Let my beloved come to His garden, and eat its choicest fruits.”

Mount Rushmore Presidents Quotes

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Mount Rushmore National Monument is located in South Dakota’s Black Hills.  The sculptured figures of George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Theodore Roosevelt, and Abraham Lincoln stand watch.  

George Washington (1789-1797)

Guard against the impostures of pretended patriotism.

Thomas Jefferson (1801-1809)

I never considered a difference of opinion in politics, in religion, in philosophy, as cause for withdrawing from a friend.

Marked by God

From Romans 12:1-2:  “I appeal to you therefore, brothers and sisters, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship.  Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your minds, so that you may discern what is the will of God—what is good and acceptable and perfect.”

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True Christians, marked by God

Born again, in Jesus Christ

 

Love always be genuine

Grasping all of life’s goodwill

Forsaking evil’s shadows

God’s presence never stands still

 

Cherishing one another

Actions bring honor to all

Serving Heavenly Father

Holy Spirit’s blessings call

 

Rejoicing, tomorrow’s hope

Enduring patience, breathing

Persevering in prayer

Christ builds durable sheathing

 

Assisting with others’ needs

Sharing kindness with many

Walk as brothers and sisters

Heaven’s home offers plenty

 

Stay noble, take life’s high road

Hungry rivals, feed with love

Live as one, in harmony

Good News comes from God above

 

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From Romans 12:19-21:  “Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave room for the wrath of God; for it is written, ‘Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord.’  No, ‘if your enemies are hungry, feed them; if they are thirsty, give them something to drink; for by doing this you will heap burning coals on their heads.’  Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.”

Charles Stanley Quote

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To flourish and grow, a person must be completely dependent on Christ for spiritual nutrition.  That involves drawing near to Him each morning through His Word and prayer and receiving His Grace all day long.

From Isaiah 55:6-7:  “Seek the Lord while He may be found, call upon Him while He is near; let the wicked forsake their way, and the unrighteous their thoughts; let them return to the Lord, that He may have mercy on them, and to our God, for He will abundantly pardon.”

Winter’s Voice (Haiku Series #122)

Transitions

Soggy, rainy day

Washing away winter’s blues—

Snowfall overnight

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Home

Pond’s quietness calls

Inviting geese, stay awhile—

Wintertime haven

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Playtime

Day begins with snow

Excited children can’t wait—

Wintertime playground

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American Authors Quotes

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Harper Lee (1926-2016)

 

The one thing that doesn’t abide by majority rule is a person’s conscience.

Best way to clear the air is to have it all out in the open.

Best known publication:  To Kill a Mockingbird (1960)

Monday’s Memories: Gentle Sounds

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Morning rain has marooned me at home

A brisk walk delayed, but never alone

 

Drinking coffee, another cup please

Addicted to caffeine with such ease

 

The early morning darkness

Stands ready in its stillness

 

The window is cracked open, just a bit

Hearing marvelous sounds, makes a hit

 

Pausing to listen and begin to write

Sounds of pleasure, being so right

 

Falling droplets of rain earn a trip down

Splashes on the deck, a relaxing sound

 

Song birds croon from atop tall trees

Sounding splendid, joyous, and free

 

Wet roads, close by, signal more

Amplifying car tires, ready to roar

 

An approaching plane flies overhead

Traveling on to Rickenbacker instead

 

A pair of geese flies through the sky

Their unique greeting says good-bye

 

My pen scratches delicately away

Listening to ink-filled words today

 

Simply enjoying an outlook from outside

Bringing life’s gentle sounds to me inside

 

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Love’s Precious Gift

From the words of author and poet, Ana Claudia Antunes:  “True love is like little roses; sweet, fragrant in small doses.”

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Montana to Ohio

God joins this woman and man

Love bringing His precious gift

As only He really can

 

Love begins with our Father

Nurturing words speak each day

Hand in hand, with each other

God’s grace and peace lights His way

 

Love matures, like fall’s harvest

Built upon God’s rock of trust

Daily hope breathes at sunrise

Walk under angel’s stardust

 

Love meaning more than just words

Through valleys to mountaintops

Joining as one, each ribbon

God’s love never, ever stops

 

God’s Word builds a cornerstone for love’s words and actions in our lives.

From Song of Solomon 8:6-7:  “Set me as a seal upon your heart, as a seal upon your arm; for love is strong as death, passion fierce as the grave.  Its flashes are flashes of fire, a raging flame.  Many waters cannot quench love, neither can floods drown it.  If one offered for love all the wealth of one’s house, it would be utterly scorned.”

Oswald Chambers Quote

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Purity is not innocence, it is much more.  Purity is the outcome of sustained spiritual journey with God.  We have to grow in purity.

From Matthew 5:8:  “Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God.”