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.”

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.”

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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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.”

Winter’s Tranquility

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Winter’s tranquility

Landscape sleeps, quiet time

Stillness fills snow-chilled air

Nature pausing, in rhyme

 

Snowflake-covered prairie

Farmers’ fields taking rest

Cold freezes idle land

Always dressed in whitest vest

 

Russian olive trees rise

Steady breeze, branches sway

Magpies call this their home

Nature wanting to play

 

Nearby ranches, life slows

Cattle feeding on hay

Days shorter, nights longer

Winter’s cozy chalets

 

Season of rest, spring waits

Snow-filled humility

Nature takes its respite

Winter’s tranquility

 

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With Us (Elfchen Series #45)

Serving

Called

By Christ

Servants to all

Graced as faithful witnesses

Christ-like

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Restoring

Waiting

For God

Resting with quietness

Lord’s refuge and strength

Patience

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Beholding

Goodness

Holy uprightness

Stands blessed Father

Steadfast love and faithfulness

Teaching

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Love Never Dims

From Ecclesiastes 3:1: “For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven.”

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Winter’s snow, cannot hide

Cherished love, deep inside

During darkness of night

Her love shines, always bright

 

Spring’s blossoms, love shares

Life’s newness, always cares

Nature wakens, each land

Her splendor, in God’s hands

 

Summer’s glowing spirit

Longing to walk near it

Love growing, day by day

Her grandeur comes this way

 

Autumn’s colored venue

Love fills each day’s menu

Landscape treasures each thrill

Her warmth hides winter’s chill

 

Seasons, patient with time

Faith grows, ever in rhyme

Righteous gifts, sing as hymns

Father’s love, never dims

 

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From Lamentations 3:22-24:  “The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases, His mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.  ‘The Lord is my portion,’ says my soul, ‘therefore I will hope in Him.'”

Bewitching Storm

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Nasty winter gale approaching

Forecast broadcasting storm warning

Heavy snow, high winds, Arctic cold

Village alarms sound by morning

 

Life transcends to total frenzy

Salt trucks loaded, very much ready

Snow plow crews set for night’s work

Village life scrambling, unsteady

 

Packed grocery stores in chaos

Hurried, panic-filled shopping carts

Shelves urgently growing empty

Village pace quickens beating hearts

 

Students anticipate closings

Looking forward, lazy “Snow Day”

No classes, no books, no lessons

Village hunkers down, people pray

 

Winter storm “Tabitha” churning

Pondering, bewitching blizzard

Overnight fury passes on

Village eluding storm’s wizard

 

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The Weather Channel has been naming winter storms in America since 2012-2013.  You may have picked up the connection between the “bewitching” blizzard and the name of the storm “Tabitha.”  Tabitha is one of the available winter storm names for the 2020-2021 winter.  Tabitha is also the daughter of Samantha (Elizabeth Montgomery) on the successful American sitcom “Bewitched” from 1964-1972.

Courage Stands (Haiku Series #121)

Hands

As people of God

Graced to be Christ’s hands of change—

World’s transformation

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Echoes

Followers of God

Called as voices for justice—

Filled with Grace of Christ

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Feet

Our Creator calls

Walking in Jesus’ footsteps—

Lives for renewal

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