Seize the Moment

 Seize the moment when it comes,

It may never come again.

Do not waste it or cause regret

As you look back to "when."

Seize the moment, make it count,

Rescue some soul today.

Let lonely souls know of God's love

Whene'er they come your way.

Don't pass up opportunities

That God may bring to you,

For everything is planned by Him

And His every word is true.

He has a plan for you, my friend,

Each moment of your day,

So seize these moments, use them well

To give His love away.

~Helen Gleason

Conduct yourselves wisely

toward outsiders, making

the most of the opportunity.

Colossians 4;5



Sunsets

 The constant crash of ocean waves,

A star-filled Autumn sky,

An eagle soaring through the air,

A sailboat drifting by...

The first snowfall of Winter,

A budding tree in Spring,

Raindrops on my window,

Birds that sweetly sing...

All these things I treasure,

Yet, I think the best

Of all God's rich creations

Are His glorious sunsets.

~ Mary Ann Jameson

Thank You, Lord

 

Thank You, Lord, for giving me

The courage to face each day,

The strength to carry me onward

And the vision to light my way.

My burdens are sometimes hard to bear,

But they may be a blessing by far,

For I've found a light inside of me

That burns like the brightest star.

 

~ Nancy Moran

 



I Am Thankful for the Trees

The morning arose in a whisper of gold,

So tranquil and peacefully fair;

Mesmerized I watched its grandeur unfold,

Then I thankfully murmured a prayer.

From my window I watched the sun rising,

Easing slowly up out of the east,

And I saw a red-breasted robin

Alight on the feeder to feast.

The trees seemed to shimmer with foliage,

Greening and bathing in dew,

And my garden was bursting with blossoms

In colors of every hue.

How often we all take for granted

The treasures that only God made,

With never a thought to be thankful

For flowers and trees that give shade.

But if these were all taken from us,

What a colorless world it would be;

Therefore, from now on I will thank Him

For each flower, robin, and tree.

~ Ruth Gillis

It became beautiful and stately in its

spread of foliage, for its roots were

turned toward abundant water.

Ezekiel 31:7

Troubled Heart

 When your heart is troubled

And no one seems to care,

Don't believe it for a moment,

For God is always there.

If trouble gets you down

And life does seem so bleak,

Lift your eyes to Heaven,

The face of God now seek.

In your soul you'll know Him

And peace will fill your heart,

If you believe in Him

And try to do your part.

He never will forsake you -

That's a promise He has made.

Lift your heart this very day,

Then watch your troubles fade.

~ Bernice Laux

Relieve the troubles of my heart;

bring me out of my distress.

Psalm 25:17



Take Time

 It only takes a moment

To make a day worthwhile,

To say a word in kindness,

To flash a friendly smile.

It only takes a moment

To watch a child at play,

To stop and smell the flowers

That bloom along your way.

It only takes a moment

To offer God a prayer,

To thank Him for His goodness,

To know you're in His care.

~ Beverly J. Anderson

As for me, when I came to you it was not

out of any favor on my part, but because

it was God's will. So continue to thank

Him every day; praise Him with song.

Tobit 12:18



My Little Country Home

 

It's often that I wander back

To visit or a while,

Back to my little country home

Where things were out of style.

 

There were no fancy linens

Or carpet on the floor,

No crystal chandelier that shined,

But we had love and more.

 

Our quilts were sewn by hand with care,

Each patch a lovely sight,

And kept us warm and comfortable

Upon a winter night.

 

I still can see a lamplight glow,

A Bible by our bed,

I still recall its sacred trust

And scripture Mother read.

 

Our home was just a humble house,

But we felt safe, secure,

And children all, both large and small,

Knew love and kindness pure.

 

Our home is still my castle and

My treasured memories,

And I can visit now and then -

My family waits for me.

 

~ Katherine Smith Matheney

 



Wings of Faith

 

I know a little secret
Of how to make faith grow -
Fold each hand and bend both knees
With your head bowed low.

Keep prayer in both heart and mind.
With God communicate.
Remember you must listen
And for an answer - wait!

Have God centered in your life,
Surrender to the King,
Yield your life to God on high...
Your faith will take to wing!

~ Carol Zileski

For through the Spirit,
by faith, we await the
hope of righteousness.
Galatians 5:5



The Blessings in a Smile

 

 A smile, it can do many things,

This I found is true.

It can say, "I really care,"

To someone who is blue.

 

It can bond to perfect strangers

As they pass along the way.

It can tell a weary soul,

"I send God's love your way."

 

It can touch a broken, hurting heart,

And bring it hope renewed.

You have this "gift" upon your face...

Today, use it for God's good.

 

~ Mary Ann Jameson

 



Miracles

 

I believe in miracles... I see them every day -
When barren trees don leaves once more,
When waves caress a sandy shore
And seasons slip away.

I believe in miracles... I hear them everywhere -
The murmur of the talking trees,
And bird song on the evening breeze,
A small child's bedtime prayers.

I believe in miracles... I smell their rare perfumes -
Apple blossoms, clover fields,
The heady scents a vineyard yields
On Autumn afternoons.

I believe in miracles... the flavors tantalize -
Sun-ripened fruit on tree or vine,
A farm-fresh egg, a vintage wine,
Warm-from-the-oven pies.

I believe in miracles... the touch of Summer rain -
And after rain the warmth of sun,
Contentment when the day is done
And I'm at home again.

I believe in miracles... the simple and the grand -
The strength God gives to face life's woes,
The blessings that He bestows
With such a caring hand.

~ Alice J. Christianson

Therefore I tell you, all that you
ask for in prayer, believe that you
will receive it and it shall be yours.
Mark 11:24
 

Walk My Garden

 

I've no olives in my garden,

Nor figs upon my trees,

But I offer sun and shadow,

Fragrant blossoms, gentle breeze.

 

And the heart can swell with gladness

And the mind can take its rest.

There's contentment in my garden

Where no man is put to test.

 

In my garden there's no weeping,

There's no sorrow, there's no pain.

Take my hand and I will lead You

Through a peaceful world again.

 

You have walked in many gardens -

In the desert, by the sea;

Come, accept my invitation...

Walk my garden, Lord, with me.

 

~ Ruth Malan Clingerman

 

For a sun and shield is the Lord God

bestowing all grace and glory. The

Lord withholds no good thing from

those who walk without reproach.

Psalm 84:12

 



River of Tears

 

There's a crystal river in Heaven

That catches each tear that's shed,

Then rushes past God's golden meadows

To His waterfall overhead.

This waterfall then forms a rainbow

Which covers our sky in a mist,

Then falls ever gently upon us...

A river of tears, Heaven-kissed.

 

~ Ruth E. McDaniel

 

Those who will sow in tears will

reap with cries of joy.

Psalm 126:5

 



Valley of Flowers

 Memories of the valley of flowers

Viewed from the grassy knoll

Never fail to move me

And bring pleasure to my soul.

I can still vision the beautiful flowers

Shimmering in sun's bright glow

And see the birds soaring over

The valley of flowers below.

I remember the field of clover

And the smell of it, fresh and fair.

Memories are planted deep in me

And my mind still wanders there.

There is no place more beautiful,

Where the trees are looming towers

That grow beside the rocky stream

In the valley of the flowers.

~ Shirley Hile Powell



Blossoms

 

 I watched the blossoms of the trees

In colorful array,

And swaying with a gentle breeze

They seemed to softly say...

 

"Each blossom that our God hath made

Does beautify the land,

And every lovely, pastel shade

Is painted by His hand."

 

I loved to watch them on that day,

But knew that suddenly --

At season's end they'd fade away,

But saddened I'd not be...

 

For blossoms shed -- they come and go,

And others then appear.

New peace, new life, God does bestow

Each season of the year.

 

~ Edna Massimilla

 

Our days are like the

grass; like flowers of

the field we blossom.

Psalm 103:15

 

Snowflakes

 

 Snowflakes swirling through the air

Descend to dress the landscape bare.

Floating gently to the ground,

They come to rest without a sound.

Streaming from a  laden sky,

Whirling bows go drifting by,

Counting rooftops, dusting lanes,

Dancing by the windowpane.

Falling snow of frosted lace

Accents the glow upon my face

And thrills a child's heart with delight

To bring "Old Frosty" back to life.

Born of Winter, tempest tossed,

Forming blankets laced with frost.

Moonbeams catch your crystals bright,

Creating magic in the night.

 

~ Annette Lightbourn

 

God's Grace

 

Whenever I'm discouraged or

Whenever I feel blue,

When life's blows seem too hard to take,

I turn, dear Lord, to You.

I know that You will understand

My human frailty,

That You will listen to my prayer

And always answer me.

And though the answer may not be

The one I want to hear,

I know that if my faith is strong,

I have no need to fear

Whatever Your plan is for me,

For You will help me face

The future, come what may, secure

And strengthened in Your grace.

 

~ Alice J. Christianson

 

The grace of the Lord

Jesus be with you.

I Corinthians 16:23

Life's Changing Seasons

 

 Often we ponder

What are the reasons

When heartaches assail

In life's changing seasons,

When teardrops fall

In the still of the night

And cries are not hushes

By dawn's early light;

In seasons of suffering

And days of deep sorrow,

When mounting uncertainty

Veils our tomorrow.

We ponder and wonder

And often ask "why,"

But the answers are hidden

With our Father on high.

He knows our affliction,

Its purpose and reason.

For all things on earth

There is a season.

But if we surrender

And trust and obey,

Our heavenly Father

Will show us the way.

 

~ Regina Wiencek

 



Look for the Wonder in Winter

 There's a certain magic about Winter -

Perhaps it's the snow everywhere.

Could it be the chuckle of children

Enjoying the crisp, chilly air?

The stately pines offer a scent of mint

As sleds tumble down the valley.

Snowdrifts pile high, roads are blocked,

Yet kind folks with their shovels rally.

We mustn't forget the sparrows need a nest -

Seems each home has a birdhouse of two.

Warm chicken soup, a kettle of tea,

And a cozy fire help men muddle through.

During Winter months remain an optimist -

Watch as good times appear on the scene;

Snowballs will roll, snowflakes will fall,

The earth unfolds like an artist's dream.

Look for wonder in Winter

And reach out, don't you shy away.

Discover the harvest that Winter bestows -

Not barren branches, but a "snow-bountiful" day!

~ Linda C. Grazulis



Winter White

 

 Softly, silently the snowflakes fall,

And flannel-posted fences raise their heads

Along the winding miles of ermine shrubs,

Down roadsides lined with crystal flowerbeds.

The intricate design of frosted lakes

Gleams dully 'neath a matted sky of gray.

Pale pointed fingers of the north wind tear

The frozen branches roughly from its way.

Like a scene within a waterglobe,

The smallest hand need only shake to see

The dazzling swirl that breathlessly descends

To shape the world in fragile mystery.

So the world appears to me tonight

Dressed in a flowing gown of ermine white.

 

~ Grace E. Easley

 

Come and see the world of God,

awesome in the deeds done for us

Psalm 66:5

 



His Cathedral

 

Icicles hang like organ pipes,

Each one a different tone,

To peal out the snowflake symphony

Composed by God alone.

White robed choirs are all around

To sing their heavenly songs.

All the world is one big church,

Each member a part of the throngs.

 

~ Ronald Dietterick

 

 

 



Autumn Tapestries

 The woods, ablaze with Autumn tints,

Are gay and colorful as chintz

As trees stand on display today

In Fall's new fashionable array.

The aspen dons a golden shawl,

The maple trees are dressed for Fall

In gowns of vivid crimson hue,

Bedazzling all within their view.

The pines and firs in emerald green

Lend their enchantments to the scene

While red-gold leaves swirl all around,

Then softly carpet all the ground.

Fall's beauty stretches far and wide

Across October's countryside.

I watch, spellbound, as Nature weaves

Bright tapestries of tinted leaves.

~ Beverly J. Anderson

Amazed

 

 I never cease to be amazed

By wonders God has planned...

The rising sun, the morning dew...

It's the work of a Master's hand.

Such perfect system of control;

Every month, in sweet array,

Some different kinds of flowers bloom...

God planned it all that way.

For in the early days of Spring,

The bright forsythias grow,

And then in June sweet roses come,

In Autumn pumpkins glow.

And when cold weather comes our way,

I glance up at the sky

And see formation of the birds

As to the south they fly.

It's just a fool who could deny

This power through our land.

I am amazed, but realize

It's the work of a Master's hand.

 

~ John and Edna Massimilla

 

Splendor and majesty go before Him;

praise and joy are in His holy place.

1 Chronicles 16:27

 



October Is

 October is a signal

For trees to turn to fire

And show off crimson colors

Before they must retire.

October is a beauty

Dressed in Autumn's spell;

She walks in splendor everywhere

And wears the season well.

October is a treasure

She's rich beyond belief;

Her patchwork days of color

Are spectacular, but brief.

October is a painting,

A scarlet leaf display

Framed by a sky of sapphire blue

And wrapped in Autumn day.

~ Nora M. Bozeman



Beneath October Skies

Autumn is strutting our way once more;
Trees are wearing shawls of red and gold.
There's a purple tint above distant hills;
Such beauty enriches the heart and soul.

Fall flowers are blown aslant by the wind;
Chrysanthemums are a delight to the eyes.
Jack Frost will soon show his pixie face
Beneath the glorious blue of October skies.

The forests are with brilliance massed;
Oaks are dropping their acorns with pride.
The squirrels gather them and swiftly run,
Scurrying up the trees to hide them inside.

God sends us beauty that is unparalleled
When Autumn's colors arrive on the scene.
Beneath the glorious blue of October skies
Is treasure beyond the riches of kings!

~ Barbara Cagle Ray

An Autumn Song

 

 Fall will soon be here again,

That special time of year

When colored leaves of red and gold

Will suddenly appear.

 

Fall will soon be here again,

And joyful I will be

Because it is the season

When my heart feels glad and free.

 

Fall will soon be here again;

Tomorrow it will start,

And I shall feel both happiness

And beauty in my heart.

 

Fall will soon be here again

And Summer will be done,

But Autumn is the time of year

When my life o'erflows with fun.

 

~ Hope C. Oberhelman

 

The whole earth rests peacefully,

song breaks forth.

Isaiah 14:7

 

Reassurance

 When I'm overwhelmed with worry,

I turn my thoughts above

And linger in the presence

Of God the Father's love.

It's in this time of quiet

That I find a sweet release.

As I lay my burdens down,

There comes an inner peace.

Reassurance fills my heart

As I go about my day,

For I know that God is with me

And He will guide the way.

~ Kay Hoffman

His Healing Love

 In the quiet of the evening

When the chores have all been done

And there's time for meditation

As we watch the setting sun,

It is then we count the blessings

That have fallen down like rain.

As our God has walked beside us,

Guiding, caring, once again.

Was the road so steep and narrow

As we struggled through or day?
Were there obstacles to slow us

And to make us lose our way?

That was when God's love was strongest

For He heard us call His name,
And He held us all the closer,

Giving hope for us to claim.

For our Father's love is endless

And it shows in every way -

In skies awash with windswept clouds

And seas of foam-flecked gray;

We feel it in the evening breeze

And hear it in their cry

As gulls wheel freely in their flight

Across the evening sky.

As Spring awaits the Summer,

Then blends quickly into Fall,

And the coldest Winter breezes

All give way to robin's call.

We embrace all Nature's healing,

Put aside our cares and strife,

Hear the music of Creation

In God's symphony of life.

~ Helen M. Motti

So faith, hope, love remain, these three;

but the greatest of these is love.

I Corinthians 13:13



June's Delights

 Roses cascade over fences,

Flowers bloom more brightly now;

Grass is greener, skis are bluer,

Snowy blossoms dress the bough.

June is shining on the hillsides,

Meadows, too, are fresh and fair;

Daisies, buttercups and clover

Catch gold sunbeams in their hair.

Dogwood shades the country pathways,

Birdsong fills the Summer air;

Twinkling violets fringe the booklets -

June's delights are everywhere!

Month of simple charms and beauty,

God's world's smiling, all in tune...

And I find my heart uplifted

By the loveliness of June.

~ Beverly J. Anderson

I will delight and rejoice in You; I will sing

hymns to Your name, Most High.

Psalm 9:3



God Made This Day

 God made this day for one and all -

The big and mighty, the meek and small.

This is the day to rejoice and sing;

This is God's special offering,

Showing His everlasting love,

Sending His blessings from above.

Treasure this day, enjoy every minute,

Put a full measure of living in it,

For this is the day the Lord has made,

From stalwart mountain to sunny glade.

Let us sing our praises to Heaven above

And thank our dear Lord for His eternal love.

~ Virginia DiTomas

This is the day the Lord has made;

Let us rejoice and be glad.

Psalm 118:24

Friendship's Smile

Lord, thank You for loyal, loving friends

Who are there in Winter or springtime fair

New acquaintances are easy to come by,

But true friendship is extremely rare.

A friend always sees the best in you,

Although they've known you at your worst.

They laugh with you in the good times;

When storms threaten, they'll be there first.

They'll offer a shoulder to rest your head

When tears are welling in your eyes,

Take a walk down friendship's path with you

And help chase away those stormy skies.

Lord, thank You for all the gifts You give;

Each one makes our life seem more worthwhile.

But one of the finest gifts you've given us

Is the warmth of friendship's loving smile.

~ Barbara Cagle Ray

A faithful friend is beyond price,

no sum can balance his worth.

Sirach 6:15

When You've Abandoned Hope

When you've abandoned hope

And feel you've lost your way,

Remember God above loves you

And waits for you to pray.

Before you ever seek Him,

He is seeking you

And hoping you will turn to Him

So He can strengthen you.

~ Jan Kilby

You are my refuge and shield;

in Your word I hope.

Psalm 119:114