Saturday Vibes

KODAK Digital Still Camera

I love to get out of the city into the countryside and into smaller towns(although the town I live in is not too big). My husband and I went to a smaller town and the state park nearby. We never had seen the dam and lake at this particular park. It was a beautiful day. Some of the heat and humidity had finally left.

It’s also amazing what you can find at antique malls in smaller towns from old school desks, children’s wagons to cement angels plus I could not resist some of the lovely old restored homes and peaceful small town churches. We got to eat lunch in a small Mom and Pop city café with the best fruit pie I had ever tasted. I recommend taking a journey to smaller town America if you get a chance. Some of these small towns remind us of the peace and liberty we fight for in this country. Get out and enjoy the beauty of God’s creation. Praise God!

First in Line!!

KODAK Digital Still Camera

I guess everybody wants to be first in line for almost everything, even plants I guess. These are the first of the plants that are just starting to show some of the fall colors of yellow and red. For those of you unable to get out in the beautiful sunshine today, I took some more photos. This time I got a natural bog or wetlands in the city I live in. It is behind a Discovery Center or science center for children. It has a natural spring that comes out of a cave. The water is covered in plant life especially algae so thick in spots the water looks like green pea soup. I can’t believe I was actually able to get a dragonfly sitting still long enough to get its picture along with Mr. Turtle who is always obliging. It’s so nice they have this for the children of the city I live in.

KODAK Digital Still Camera

We live in a smaller town that has done an excellent job of preserving its downtown courthouse square. The building was used during the civil war by soldiers who would climb to the top of it and use it as a lookout post. I hope everyone has a blessed day and Praise God, Praise God, Praise God!!! I’m always so grateful after all the cancer treatments to be able to get out and enjoy His world!

The Last Hurrah!!

KODAK Digital Still Camera

Well, it’s the last hurrah of what felt like a very short summer. I can’t believe it’s already September. As I have said before we have the most beautiful greenway system in our city as it runs right at the edge of a river. I like to try and take photographs, and the greenway gives me a chance to catch some of nature. The butterflies are here I guess moving from north to south for the winter, and although it was hard, I did manage to catch a few sitting still for two or three short seconds.

A few wildflowers are still out, but some of the tree leaves are starting to turn yellow for fall. It makes me think of pumpkins and bonfires. We had some friends that every year for Halloween would invite us over for roasting hotdogs and marshmellows over an open fire. Fun, fun, fun!! Only problem is I will miss my pink mandevillas and white blooms on the crepe myrtle bush. Oh well, they’ll be back next summer. Praise God for the beauty of His world that He made for us!! I hope you have a peaceful and blessed day.

Spit Out Into Hell

impoverished-child-on-streets

Screenshot from Dante's Inferno video game — Screenshot from Dante’s Inferno video game

I came into the world as an orphan from birth with nothing, no mother, no father, no love. I was traumatized and abused both. They said I was a highly sensitive child so maybe it impacted me more than someone else. I remember only fear and terror. I was suicidal a few times, but God stays close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit Psalm 34:18. Here is a poem I wrote about my experiences. Hope you enjoy. Praise God!!!

Spit Out Into Hell

Alone, wet, cold
Shivering into the wall,
I try to fade, pushing
Into the emptiness inside,
This, an unending terror.

I crouch, attempting to avoid
The inevitable. Knowing it
Will come. Survive, survive,
Gritting the teeth
Hanging on, hoping
reprieve will come
Someday.

Despair, hopelessness
dragging. So worthless,
I deserve only
this joyless existence?

Looking up I scream
someone explain this
Why?

Until a light breaks in,
A gentle presence
Fear brought no longer
a feather-soft presence
ever over my head
hidden, between us only
a thin veil of sky.

Feelings stir
Leaving Hope.
Do Not Give Up.
I AM here.

A Wind lifts
Releasing, removing pain.
Strong, a glowing light
Shines down into
my interior.

A living God, a living
Son.
Wonder of wonders
He wants Me!
Joy begins, grows
Becomes stronger
Passion and Praise flow.
New Life Is Created.

So if I can endure
So can You.
His life can exist
Inside of you.

Remember, loving He spread out
His arms
On a wooden beam.
Death juxtaposed on top of
LIFE!

Strange but I believe
Eternally True.
an answer to the
WHY.
HE can use anything, pain
sorrow
To bring you closer to
joy.
and in the darkness give you
Himself.

Of Nazareth

crossforpoem

People like to argue over what they perceive to be inaccuracies in the Bible. For example, how no one could seem to find the location of Nazareth. In recent years, however, because of archeological discoveries, the location of Nazareth has been found. I wrote this poem thinking of this small, ancient village. Hope you enjoy it and have a blessed day. Praise God!!

Of Nazareth

Small, dirty
Slumbering at the foot
Of another, greater
larger, yet you persist
unrivaled in your beauty.

Overlooked, unpursued
By a world entranced
By power, lust, its greed
You slept waiting,
Dozing in your dust.

Until chosen by a power
Not understood by man
Wearing your unseen crown
You nurtured heaven’s
Purpose for all life.

He walked your streets
Breathed in your light-filled air
With every glance, smile
Literally dropped onto, littered your streets
With His glory.

What a King!! To leave
a throne of blazing glory,
enraptured within, carrying,
bringing the breath of heaven
To fill your ancient streets.

But it was just this
the tenderest, gentlest
Grandest deed ever performed,
This to become
Of Nazareth
That touched our human hearts.

A Prayer

Dear God, Creator, of all the Universe and Beyond

I give you all the praise and honor. Thank you for being who you are, for the beauty of your face and the beauty of your great heart. Thank you for the gift of your one and only Son and your Holy Spirit. Praise you God for who you are!

I pray your blessing and protection on all of your churches world-wide, your family, and the people trying to lead them closer to you. I pray we could all be more of what you want us to be so that it is not I that liveth but Christ that liveth in me. I pray especially for the church of my country, America, that we would be less caught up in the culture and more caught up in You, Holy Lord.

I pray for your whole world that every soul on it could come to know you as their Lord and Savior and come to know how much you love them. May we as your church show them your love! I pray this in the name of your most beautiful, gracious Son,

Amen.