Feeding the Birds

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Remembering a former time

Coming to town’s square at daybreak

Feeding songbirds from her basket

Proud lady sits by tiny lake

 

Visiting every morning

Arriving on schedule each day

Feeding waiting birds with her love

Quiet lady shoos away gray

 

Calling out to each bird with song

Smiling and offering her joy

Feeding grateful birds, rain or shine

Blessed lady warmly enjoys

 

Sharing her meager resources

Delighting her feathered treasures

Feeding hungry birds until noon

Gracious lady offers pleasures

 

Remembering time long ago

Sitting faithfully at her post

Feeding tiny birds again

Grown-up lass takes her place as host

 

This poem is inspired from a memorable scene in the film “Mary Poppins,” starring Julie Andrews.  Here is a video clip from the film.  Perhaps you remember it as well.

 

Living with Integrity

From the words of American pastor and Christian teacher, Charles Stanley:  “God understands our struggle to resist temptation and choose righteousness, and He has sent His Holy Spirit to help us live with integrity.”

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Walking blamelessly

Speaking truth from heart

Holding back thy tongue

Integrity starts

 

Drafting one’s beliefs

Adopting God’s Word

Standing by His oath

Integrity heard

 

Living in God’s light

Honoring Him here

Accepting His grace

Integrity steers

 

Submitting to God

Following His lead

Choosing righteousness

Integrity feeds

 

Carrying thy cross

Standing on God’s rock

Forsaking evil

Integrity walks

 

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From Psalm 15:1-5:  “Lord, who may abide in your tent?   Who may dwell on your holy hill?  Those who walk blamelessly, and do what is right, and speak the truth from their heart; who do not slander with their tongue, and do no evil to their friends, nor take up a reproach against their neighbors; in whose eyes the wicked are despised, but who honor those who fear the Lord; who stand by their oath even to their hurt; who do not lend money at interest, and do not take a bribe against the innocent.  Those who do these things shall never be moved.”

Washington Irving Quotes

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A mother’s love endures through all.

A kind heart is a fountain of gladness, making everything in its vicinity freshen into smiles.

American Washington Irving (1783-1859) ranks as one of his country’s most renowned authors.  His amazing short stories of “Rip Van Winkle” and “The Legend of Sleeping Hollow” remain all-time classics.  Ironically, his final resting place is at the Sleeping Hollow Cemetery in New York state.

Life’s Handbook (Haiku Series #160)

Solving

Life’s puzzling game board

Patience offers solution—

Much improved focus

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Unlocking 

Trauma’s darkness reigns

Deepest burdens lock up life—

Love offers its key

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Liberating

Accepting life’s flaws

Turning to another page—

Conscience walking free

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Returning from Exile

From Jeremiah 31:8:  “See, I am going to bring them from the land of the north, and gather them from the farthest parts of the earth, among them the blind and the lame, those with child and those in labor, together; a great company, they shall return here.”

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Filling life with darkness

Wandering, defeated

Residing in exile

Forfeiting, depleted

 

Hearing distant trumpet

Sending invitations

Proclaiming Good News

Gathering each nation

 

Calling to faithfulness

Extending Holy hand

Leading us with promise

Witnessing God’s command

 

Sustaining light ahead

Proclaiming Father’s might

Returning from exile

Forsaking former plight

 

Accepting Lord’s mercy

Praising His love and grace

Walking in step with God

Tasting life’s Holy place

 

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From Jeremiah 31:7:  “For thus says the LordSing aloud with gladness for Jacob, and raise shouts for the chief of the nations; proclaim, give praise, and say, ‘Save, O Lord, your people, the remnant of Israel.'”

With Father (Elfchen Series #83)

Speaking

Waiting

Daily prayers

Searching for answers

Responding in His time

God

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Guiding

Hurting

Life’s pitfalls

Swirling, stormy seas

Anchored by His Word

God

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Inviting

Arriving

Precious day

Heavens open up

Come, walk with me

God

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Beware of November

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Calendar page turns to November

Autumn season filling with its peace

Colorful leaves have fallen away

Winds of winter begin to release

 

Temperatures cascading downward

Barren trees swaying and shivering

Farm fields ready for hibernation

Autumn’s harmony now quivering

 

Many say, beware of November

Her fading hues begin looking north

Arctic’s snowy cold now encroaching

Winter’s early surprise coming forth

 

Ranchers scurry to shelter cattle

Yards cheerfully display fall’s decor

Boldly hanging on to each strawman

Nothing postpones winter’s early chore

 

Harsh winds of November come and go

Sometimes with cold feints, or so much more

Chilling rain turns to ice, never nice

Winter’s snow, knocking at autumn’s door

 

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During my first year of teaching at Plevna Schools, found in southeastern Montana, I was greeted with a winter that I will always remember.  The first snowflakes and cold began arriving in early November, and they didn’t stop until late February.  Finally the chinook winds began to warm up the countryside, and ranchers and farmers were rejoicing.  After all, the winter one year earlier had included the famous blizzard of 1978.  

Knowing God

From Ephesians 2:8:  “For by grace you have been saved through faith, and this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God.”

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During childhood years

Hearing about God

Stories filling ears

Joining with His squad

 

Years moving along

Learning about God

Life fills with His song

Accepting His rod

 

Adulthood arrives

Discovering God

His message now thrives

Walking on fresh sod

 

Maturity comes

Truly knowing God

Steady, beating drum

Crashing sin’s facade

 

Divine hands rebuild

Spirit calling out

Righteousness refilled

Taking Heaven’s route

 

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From Philippians 3:15-16:  “Let those of us then who are mature be of the same mind; and if you think differently about anything, this too God will reveal to you.  Only let us hold fast to what we have attained.”

Life’s Odyssey (Haiku Series #159)

Better Tomorrow’s

Life crushed and shattered

Love’s undelivered intent—

Youthful innocence

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Starting Over

Where walked once before

Narrative regains traction—

Now making new tracks

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Learning’s Bridges

Confidence growing

Moments shared with life’s mentors—

Lessons never end

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