In His Care

 

May God above look down and bless

Your life with love and happiness,

And may His holy grace impart

Abiding peace within your heart.

 

~ Vi B. Chevalier

 



God's Wonderful Grace

Just as sure as the stars in Heaven

Shine forth in the darkness of night,

We can rely on the love of God

To carry us through our plight.

Just as sure as the sun each morning

Gives of its light through the day,

We can know that we have God's presence

No matter what comes our way.

We may not have all the answers

To the many trials we face,

But on one thing we can always rely -

We are kept by God's wonderful grace.

~ Olive B. Elvin

Winter Silence

The rich, green life of Summer

Has now been put to rest,

Trees have lost their foliage

And birds expose their nest.

The river that sang sweet music

Now flows softly and slow,

For Winter has made an entrance

And has ushered in ice and snow.

Cedar and pine boughs are covered

With ruffles of snowy white lace.

Bright red berries are enchanting

And are scattered all over the place.

Children all gather to sleigh ride

And are filled with laughter and glee.

The Winter scenery is breathtaking

And is truly a blessing to see.

The fire's red embers are glowing,

Spreading a cozy warmth everywhere.

Let us enjoy the days of Winter

And its beauty that's all too rare.

~ Shirley Hile Powell

Ice and snow, bless the Lord;

praise Him above all forever.

Daniel 3:70

Questions

Sometimes in the still of the evening,

When the chores of the day are done,

I sit alone in the twilight

And watch the setting sun.

In my heart I ponder the questions,

Have I honored my Lord today?

Have I picked up the cross and followed

In His footsteps, still leading the way?

Has my presence made a difference

In the life of a friend in need?

Have I cared enough to lend a hand,

Have I been a true friend indeed?

Have I taken the time to listen

To someone distraught and alone?

Have I welcomed the weary stranger,

Have I opened my heart and my home?

All around me there are people,

Discouraged, unable to cope;

Today, have I made a difference

And touched someone's life with new hope?

~ Regina Wiencek



Only a Heartbeat Away

 The noise of the world is too loud for my ears,

And I long for heavenly sounds,
Where beauty and peace and joy abound,
And time is not measured in years.
My long ago dreams are tarnished by tears,
Man cannot survive on the wages of sin,
Nor trust every voice that he hears.
So in my aloneness I reached for His hand,
Knowing that He would respond,
And through the dark night I was able to see
All that my Father has destined for me,
And only a heartbeat away I found
...His gentle shoulder there to lean upon.

~ Grace E. Easley

Behold

One night I dreamed that He appeared

In wondrous majesty,

He gazed at me with tender love,

And this He spoke to me:

"Behold," He said with gentle smile,

His arms outstretched above,

"If you abide My spoken word,

I'll bring you peace and love;

If you believe the truths I speak

And glorify just Me,

And live the life I ask of you,

Then blessed will you be,

For all who share My light and faith

With those who have a need

Will one day find eternity -

And joy for each good deed;

It matters not your place in life

If you but share my love,

I'll welcome you with open arms

At Heaven's gate above."

~ Vi B. Chevalier

Come! Behold the Deeds of the Lord

 

Come! Behold

the deeds of the Lord,

the astounding things He

has wrought on earth.

Psalm 46:9

 

 



Only God

 Only God can paint the sky

That gorgeous shade of blue,

Can paint the sunrise at the dawn,

The magic sunset too.

'Tis He who captures sun of gold

To thrill each Summer heart,

And then He sends the snow of white

When Autumn days depart.

Only God can paint a meadow

Green - when it is Spring.

He alone can grow a tree

And bid the birds to sing,

Can send the rain one April day

To bless the thirsty earth,

Then tuck the Winter fast away

In moments of rebirth.

'Tis He who colors Autumn leaves

One bright October morn,

And helps our hearts to love the rose

Despite the hurtful thorn,

Who takes our hand and walks with us

On every step we trod?

Who paints a rainbow there on high?

No other - only God.

~ Garnett Ann Schultz



God's Heavenly Message

 This morn I gazed up toward the clouds

Which gathered in the sky,

And thought I saw the face of God

Float softly, slowly by.

This form - it seemed to linger

For a longer time than most;

And for a moment, I could hear

God's heavenly angelic host.

No sooner than my eyes did see,

While joy welled in my heart,

The clouds dispersed - as did the shape

I'd seen right from the start.

But I was let with hope, anew,

That God does watch o'er me;

And ever so often, He does send

These signs for us to see.

~ Mary Chevalier



If "Memories Are Golden"

 

 If "memories are golden,"

I'm rich as I can be

As I recall the blessings

That God has given me.

 

As long as I can remember,

He gave me daily bred

And provided me with shelter

Whenever I was led.

 

In the "valley of the shadow,"

I knew He was near

For His Spirit dwelled within me

To vanquish my fear.

 

Each trial and temptation

Became a stepping stone,

And my tears were only interest

For all the joy I've known.

 

My past is paved with memories

That make me what I am,

For I have known the Shepherd

Since I was a lamb.

 

If "memories are golden,"

I would not trade a one

As I recall the blessings

And all that God has done!

 

~ Clay Harrison

 

Then all who take refuge in You will be glad

and forever shout for joy. Protect them that You

may be the joy of those who love Your name.

Psalm 5:12

Autumn Coming

 The locusts are gone,

The cricket's still here,

The weather is cooler

Somewhat, one can bear.

Indian Summer was nice,

Autumn is near.

It is my favorite

Time of the year.

The leaves will soon turn

To orange, red and gold;

A breathtaking view

For one's heart to behold.

One can tell God is with us

With the wave of His hand -

To the colors of Autumn

He will transform the land.

~ James Joseph Huesgen

To everything there is a season, and a time

to every purpose under Heaven.

Ecclesiastes 3:1

A Pretty Scene

 Crisp and cool, outside it's fall,

Trees will blend their colors all -

Orange and gold, a pretty scene,

Crimson, too, mixed with the green.

Seems as if an Artist took

Colors from a picture book,

Touched the leaves with all His might,

Made them such a pretty sight.

Autumn, stay a little while,

How I love your color style.

Crimson gold and all the rest...

Autumn, you are surely blessed.

~ Katherine Smith Matheney

Hallelujah! Give thanks to the Lord,

Who is good. Whose love endures forever.

Psalm 106:1



The Flame

Inside of me there is a flame

That's glowing constantly

Lit for me by my Jesus

Who came to live in me.

It started with a spark of faith

That grew and grew each day

With hope for its companion

And love to give away.

For we who live on earth below

Must learn to look above

To Jesus who looks down on us

With everlasting love.

So if you yearn to follow Him

He'll light that flame for you,

Surround you with a special glow

And send you blessings, too!

~ Edna Fontaine 



Beauty Grows

 Beauty grows with time and seasons

In the hearts of humankind -

Like God's majesties of nature

Passing years make more sublime.

And we grow in loves and wisdoms -

More forgiving through the years

Of the greeds and selfish passions

Youth is common to endear.

We no longer strive in ventures

That demand us to succeed,

And we judge - with greater kindness -

Friends of avarice and greed.

It's a time of gracious seasons

That God's graying years impart

For our thoughts and deeds and actions

To be loves of Christian hearts.

~ Michael Dubina

When their buds burst open,

you see for yourselves and know

that Summer is now near.

Luke 21:30



Countryside Splendors

 Green fields of sweet clover,

Gold promise of grain,

Bright sunshine and breezes,

Quick, warm drops of rain.

Clear pools of soft water,

Quiet, green shady nooks,

Fat honeybees scouting

By cool, bubbling brooks.

Tall trees weave fine shadows,

Their cools shade bestows,

Goats frisk in the meadows

Where redbud trees grow.

Wildflowers reach skyward,

Birds' cheery songs ring,

Slow sheep in green pastures,

Cows graze by the spring.

Nature knocks at your door,

God's rich treasures abound,

With His fields of fruitful harvest

Glowing over the countryside round.

~ Elizabeth Weaver Winstead



Praise at Evening

 Thy world, dear God, is glorious

As far as eye can see;

I praise You for its beauty

With my heart on bended knee.

Laid out before me spreads a field,

Rain quickened, full and green;

Tall stalks of rye lift straight and tall,

The grain head crisp and clean.

Along the road dried new-mown hay

Lies browned by Summer's heat;

A sweet and musky fragrance lifts

As it's crushed beneath my feet.

Small, purple flowerlets crown a field

Where small butterflies at play

Whirl and flutter, light and sip

Sweet nectar on their way.

This earth, dear heavenly Father,

Is Thy gift to all mankind;

We left our voices in praise to Thee

With heart, and soul, and mind.

~ Lola Neff Merritt

You will show me the path to life,

abounding joy in Your presence, the

delights at Your right hand forever.

Psalm 16:11



In Sheerest Bliss

 

 For all these years of life, of love,

I thank You, Father God, above.
For all these years of peace and pain,
Of joys, of sorrow, sun and rain.

For all my failures and success,
Of deep despair and happiness,
For ups, for downs, the turns in life
That brought me harmony and strife.

I've tasted life, and it is good,
And Lord, I've truly understood,
That humankind, it will endure
All that You have planned and more.

If only we will follow You
And do what You command us to,
When life is over we will rest
On Heaven's shore in sheerest bliss.

~ Mary Ann Jameson

May our Lord Jesus Christ Himself and God our Father,
who has loved us and given us everlasting encouragement
and good hope through His grace, encourage your hearts
and strengthen them in every good deed and word.
2 Thessalonians 2:16-17



Something to Live For

 

We all need something to live for,

To hearts that have hardened -- renew.

Give an ear, hear the Savior calling --

Saying, "Here's what your caring can do!"

\We all need that something to keep us --

Reluctant our feet for the road!

There is naught like the helping of others

To unburden and lighten our load!

So many are needy and helpless,

Refuse not to help where you can --

When  you give from your heart to others,

Our great God will help you to stand!

 

~ Lynn Fenimore Nuzzi

 

 

 



Blossoms of Peace

 I think of you and often pray

For God to send some golden ray

That lifts your heart and eyes to Him,

Tho pressing cares may make life grim.

I ask for mercy and tender grace

That through it all you see His face,

And know He's standing next to you

In everything you say or do.

I pray you feel His gentle touch

That lets you know He cares so much;

This fallen world can bring us pain,

But nothing grows without some rain...

And spirits touched by suff'ring know

The mercy only God bestows -

For we reach up when streams run dry

And let Him wife the tears we cry.

It's tough to walk in shifting sand,

But Jesus takes us by the hand,

Showing us the path to peace

And restful times of sweet release...

And bursting forth from buds of love

Are blossoms of peace sent from above,

Watered from tempest's fury,

Renewing hope and slighting worry...

Teaching us to hold on tight

And rest in His abundant might -

Then on the golden wings of prayer,

We leave with Him our ev'ry care.

~ Denise A. DeWald



Dancing with the Butterflies

 

The wisteria was in full bloom,

It hung in veils of pearly white.

The sweet fragrance of its blossoms

Added pleasure to this lovely sight.

 

I, in awe and breathless silence stood;

For fitting and dancing above the blooms

Were dozens of delicate butterflies,

Drawn to the nectar and sweet perfume.

 

In quiet solitude I watched them dance,

As they proudly spread celestial wings.

I felt the presence of God in the air;

It is through Him all beauty springs.

 

Oh, how lovely is the earth this day;

She parades her beauty before my eyes.

If I had only been given gossamer wings,

I'd go dancing with the butterflies!

 

~ Barbara Cagle Ray

 

How precious is Your love,

O God! We take refuge in the

shadow of Your wings.

Psalm 36:8

 

 

 

 

 



Have You Seen

 

Have you seen the sky on fire

Just before the sun is up?

Seen a hummingbird sip nectar

From a morning-glory cup?

 

Have you seen the world reflected

In a crystal drop of dew?

Seen the sunshine paint a rainbow

When the Summer storm is through?

 

Have you seen the color spectrum

In the ripples of a stream?

Seen the full moon's yellow magic

Cast a Summer evening's dream?

 

Have you seen an eagle soaring?

Seen the gentle mourning dove?

Then, you've seen God paint a picture

With the paintbrush of His love.

 

~ William Daniel Robinson

 

The flowers appear on the

earth, the time of pruning the

vines has come, and the song of

the dove is heard in our land.

Solomon 2:12

Thank God for Friends Who Care

 

Thank God for friends who really care

And show you that they do.

By acts of kindness, letters, calls,

You know their love is true.

These kinds of friends will stand by you

When trouble comes your way.

Tho storm clouds gather, friends of worth

Will never turn away. 

 

Thank God for each kind word they speak -

Choice words that heal and bless,

And for the way they comfort you

In loving tenderness.

Thank God for friends who really care

And take the time to pray

To ask that God will meet your needs

And grant you strength each day.

 

It truly is a miracle

What caring friends can do -

God's hand extended, reaching out

To help both me and you.

I know you're thankful for your friends

Just as I am for mine -

These precious friends whose loving touch

Reflects God's love divine.

 

~ Beverly J. Anderson

 



On Bended Knee

 

Lord, when my soul is heavy

With the burdens of the day

I find that I must turn to You,

On bended knee to pray;

For you said in our time of need

That we may come to You;

You are the constant in my life,

With strength to see me through.

So here I am in humble prayer

To ask of Thee again

A cheerful spirit through it all,

With You to share the pain.

I thank Thee with my heart and soul

That You are always there

To listen with a Father's love

When I seek You in prayer.

 

~ Sandra Town Lytle

 



Home

 

Home is a place I take with me

Wherever I may go.

It's my island paradise

And the very best place I know.

 

It's filled with fondest memories

In each and every nook.

Delightful days of hope and love

Are everywhere I look.

 

Home is a place within my heart,

That's where it will always be;

Day or night, near or far,

Home dwells inside of me.

 

~ Nora M. Bozeman

 

You are near, O Lord;

reliable are all Your commands.

Psalm 119:151

 

 

 

 



Warmed by Wintertime Blessings

 

There are many wintertime blessings

That will surprise you and me,

All we need is to pause from our hurried life

And let wintertime blessings run free!

 

Hear the blades of a sled in the crispy snow

As it swiftly slides downhill,

Let each waltzing snowflake entertain you -

A tiny miracle so real!

 

Design a snowman of your very own

And be an architect, experience fun,

Give it some mittens and a carrot nose -

Be a child once against before the setting of sun.

 

Chuckle as masked raccoons romp

And brave bunnies tumble in the snow,

If you're lucky, in the forest you may spot

A couple of frolicking doe.

 

Winter is a time for blessings

Such as hot chocolate, a lit fireplace.

With plenty of time to praise our Creator,

We'll be warmed by His goodness and grace!

 

~ Linda C. Grazulis

 



When Winter Came Calling

 

 The trees are so lovely,

All seem made of glass,

When Winter cam calling

And touched them with class.

All look like fine crystal,

An artist's own scene,

As dawn streaked the heavens,

A wintertime dream.

Oh, beautiful wintertime splendor array,

Your lovely white blanket is now on display.

Dear Father, I thank You for loveliest scenes,

For snow-covered landscape and sweet, happy dreams.

 

~ Katherine Smith Matheney

Winter's Lullaby

 

There's nothing like a peaceful sight

As snowflakes falling in the night.

The midnight sky a cobalt blue

Caressed by stars that shimmer through.

The earth abound in joyful splendor

As Winter wakes in late December.

It hugs the valley down below

With pristine blankets made of snow.

Blows up and down the mountain side

To carve a path for skis to glide,

Then swirls around the frozen lake

Where merry children go to skate.

 

The snowman, what a welcomed sight

To come upon a wintry night.

His winsome charm and charcoal grin

Awake the restless child within.

Beyond the frosted windowpanes

The glow of stroking fires reigns.

It warms the soul and then the hearth

In homes that welcome peace on earth.

But the best of winter's pleasures

Are those found in yuletide treasures.

Love, the greatest gift of all,

Is born resplendent Christmas morn.

 

~ Annette Lightbourn

Snowflakes

 Snowflakes - tiny wisps of white

Falling in the dark of night,

Lending us a sweet surprise

When the dawning lights the skies.

Fence posts wear a cap of snow

Tossed about by winds that blow.

Snowflakes cover frozen ground,

Never make the slightest sound,

Dressing every naked tree

In a beauty wild and free,

Falling from the clouds of high,

Miracles from Winter's sky.

Painting cheeks a rosy red,

Little children fondly sled,

Touching hearts with beauty rare,

Gently sailing through the air...

Covering the hills and farms

Winter snowflakes lend their charms.

~ Garnett Ann Schultz



From the North the Splendor Comes



From the North the splendor

comes, surrounding God's

awesome Majesty!

Job 37:22

The Answer

 Where shall I see His countenance,

The beloved face of God?

On a busy road where hurried feet

Of pedestrians have trod?

Or shall I find Him in the peace

Of a quiet country lane?

Will His face be visible to me

In sunshine or the rain?

When shall I hear His gentle voice?

In the whisper of the breeze,
Or will it be a wilder shout
With the rustling of the trees?

How will I know when He is near?
Will I feel His hand in mine?
When I walk the darkened ways of life
Without a welcome sign?
If I can keep my belief alive,
Although I may walk alone,
Somehow I will meet the Lord
Once my faltering faith has grown.
Then I will see without a doubt
My Savior and I will not part.
He will be my Guide and keep me safe
If He dwells within my heart.

~ Jean Conder Soule