Tis' So Sweet

Flowers are the sweetest things God ever made,
and forgot to put a soul into. ~Henry Beecher

What Is Beauty?

Aristotle called beauty "the gift of God"
Socrates called it "a short-lived tyranny"
Theophrastus, "a silent deceit"
Theocritus, "an ivory mischief"
Carneades, "a sovereignty which stood in need of no guards."

The beauty that addresses itself to the eyes is only the spell of the moment; the eye of the body is not always that of the soul. - George Sand

picture: spider's web covered in the morning's dew

Stand Tall, Stand Straight

The soul that sees beauty may sometimes stand alone.

A Fig Tree's Lesson

If a blade of grass can grow in a concrete walk and a fig tree in the side of a mountain cliff, a human being empowered with an invincible faith can survive all odds the world can throw against his tortured soul. - R.H. Schuller

My God

My God is real . . . He's real in my soul
My God is real . . . for He has washed and made me whole
His love for me is like pure gold
My God is real . . . for I can feel Him in my soul

A Thinking Day

Certain thoughts are prayers.
There are moments when,
whatever be the attitude of the body,
the soul is on its knees. Victor Hugo

My God Is Real

There are some things I may not know...
There are some places I will not go.
But I am sure of this one thing...
My God is real, for I can feel Him in my soul.

My God is real, He's real in my soul...
My God is real for He has cleansed and made me whole.
His love for me is like pure gold...
My God is real, for I can feel Him in my soul.

Share Something Sweet

Pleasant words are as a honeycomb,
sweet to the soul, and health to the bones.
Proverbs 16.24

Sweep Over Me

Sweep over my soul

Sweep over my soul

Sweet Spirit...sweep over my soul.

My rest is complete

As I sit at Your feet

Sweet Spirit... sweep over my soul.

It's The Word Reading Time

For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.
Heb 4:12

No Tears = No Rainbow

The soul would have no rainbow had the eyes no tears.

John Vance Cheney

Hope

Hope is the dream of a soul awake.

French Proverb

Hidden With Him

Sometimes our soul likes to hide

from life's cares. But in that hiding

place, make sure you take God along.

Melody Making

Eph 5.19 “…singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord.”

Beautiful music is the art of the prophets that can calm the agitations of the soul; it is one of the most magnificent and delightful presents God has given us.

Martin Luther

The Soul's Praise

Praise Him!!!

REASON is our soul’s left hand,

FAITH her right,

by these we reach divinity.

quote of John Donne

Thank You Lord

Thank you Lord, for saving my soul
Thank you Lord, for making me whole
Thank you Lord, for giving to me
So great a salvation, so rich and so free

Whacked or Trimmed?

"Why has thou…broken down her hedges,
so…all…which pass…do pluck her?" Psalms 80:12

The Lord removed Job's hedge, at Satan's insistence. God wanted to prove that Job was not someone who gave only lip service but through adversity Job would continue to serve the Lord. When the trial of all trials hit Job, I am sure it felt like a weed eater had come in and whacked away his hedge. He lost everything, and everyone was looking to see how he would react. Today, the Lord does the same thing - only this time, we are the "Jobs." There are days when our hedge is removed and we stand exposed to the whole world. Being exposed can come in a whacking or just a trimming; however, no matter which, it will let us know in what shape our experience with the Lord is.

Whether we like to hear it or not, adversity reveals our true character. When we are exposed, every little thing has opportunity to get at us. We become a target to be bruised, taunted, mocked, and/or belittled. Our anxieties bring stress...stress to be what others think we should be, to go through pain within a certain time frame and a certain way, or to agree with whatever advice we receive. That's makes for stress, for sure; but the paramount of our stress is when we stand alone, face-to-face with ourselves. It is then that our flesh starts taking over, and we may think He doesn't care one bit about us or our own. In some situations, it would be far more logical to agree with rejection than believe that God cares. It is during these times that tears may cloud our vision, allowing our confidence to retreat. Hopefully, we will catch ourselves and trust that He will place His protective cover around us once again (in His own way, and in His own time).

I can guarantee that we have all had “Job” moments. So, as the Job of old, we as the “Job” of today must trust until the covering returns. I wrote the poem below a number of years ago after two of the greatest losses in my life. I remember standing exposed for the whole world to see. I wanted to retreat into a cave, and never come out - but I couldn't let my love for Him become only words, for my love for Him was originally born in my heart. I had but one choice, to stand exposed until the hedge grew back.

Why I penned this today, I don't know - but if you are in a Job experience, all I can say is, don't give in - wait patiently for the covering. The hedge will grow back. You can be a survivor! How do I know? Well, I am! (and I'm no one special but for the Grace and Love of God).

The removing of a hedge reveals not only my character
But places me face to face with contentiousness,
Leaving my heart open for bitterness to insert.
It takes words spoken in times of glorious elation,
And boisterously returns them in turmoil.
At this point, I must consider my heart’s location.

Vanity says, denounce creation, recant any inward hope.
Arrogance chimes in, "let go of what is right, what is true"
But it is here that my faith must hold strong.
In the removing of a hedge, my dedication is exposed,
A dedication, an allegiance, not found in books
But written on the pages of endless love.

If I will but believe that He does truly care,
I will allow strength to enter during weakness,
Reclaiming commitments originally sparked.
Setting my mind within reality’s boundaries,
Building a protection for peace to return.
A peace that can only come from above.

The removing of a hedge comes to all,
Uprooting adverse growth woven inside my domain.
The inner makings of my soul will be displayed,
And I will chance openly speaking thoughts once hidden.
Yes, I am destined to become a modern-day Job,
and there will be times when I stand uncovered for all to see.

Kindle Not Strife

An event happening in the last few days reminded me of one of my old poems. It is a reminder of how careful we must be, particularly if we profess to be one of His. It's called, Kindle Not Strife.

Friend, I beg you to kindle not strife,
setting ablaze the core of malice.
For the sin of animosity cannot burn
unless fueled by a wagging tongue.

Therefore, speak no wrong of any man
for by careless words, evil is ignited.
Raging at the character of humanity,
scorching the soul, causing great pain.

Allow no settling of contentious wood,
which may release a fire to consume the flesh.
For in keeping the flames of agony intact,
no one is destroyed by the crime of arson.

Friend, kindle not strife through your words,
give honor and dignity to all creation.
Subjecting yourself to a governed tongue,
reserving your judgment for another day.

Not "I" But "He"

The last little while my soul has been restless, and today I would like to release my thoughts in my little territory of blogging. Our world is reeling, and the events that surround us are troublesome. The scripture speaks of when He returns, "will there be faith?" Those words echo in my mind night and day. Faith! Good old-fashioned believing. No, that could never happen. Why, Faith has been and always will be with us. Right?

Just take a look at our society - most are putting their desires first. It is a place of where humans are becoming special gods within themselves. It is the "I" generation, where being number one is more important than following God's leading. Many want to be the leader, the "star" - oblivious to the sights and sounds that surround them. All desire, hope, and aspiration is in one's self. Take count of those you personally know who have turned away unto themselves, feeling no need of accountable to anyone but self. Their prayers tell God what they plan to do, never asking God what He wants done. Thereby, losing the Faith, because to them, they have the ability to care for their circumstances.

This concerns me; for it is so easy to say with my mouth that I love Him, but those are just words. What about my heart condition? Is my heart saying that I love Him? Oh, may I not be consumed with my own agenda that I lose sight of what the Lord desires. Bible scripture calls those who desire their own ways, "wandering stars" destined for "outer darkness". I must be careful not to elevate myself to shine in this life; for if I do, I could become a "star" wandering in this life but in eternity being placed in outermost obscurity.

My prayer today, and every day, must be that the "I" has no control over me but that "He" is my "I am."

His Sounds of Silence

Many times answers to prayers come in total silence. I love His Sounds of Silence.

The special sounds of silence come forth
penetrating the inner soul of man
Its quietness brings forth guidance
perhaps through ebony tides of disappointment
Or releasing tranquility founded upon discretion
making the way more simplified and secure.

Shh! Listen for the silenced sounds
for they portray the holiness of a cause
Allowing serenity to wrap itself without speaking
in perhaps the quiet presence of day's end.
Or by chance in the silence of a journey home
Whatever the unheard sound, He will lead you.

Shh! Listen for His silence for therein you will hear what He has to say.