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Sunday, December 30, 2012

Venice


Drawing from a photo taken in Venice while visiting my son Josh in 1998.  He was stationed in Aviano for 2 years.  

Friday, December 28, 2012

Rain


Wet drops heavy
On a tin roof
Pours into ears
The balm of peace.

Sleep falls steady
on weary mind
Wrapping gently
In liquid bliss.

12/28/12



Sunday, December 16, 2012

God's Tapestry


I stand in the presence of the morning;
God’s beauty revealed in the dawn.
In silence, unite with creation;
Proclaiming the Glory of God.

In harmony with my surroundings,
I offer myself to my Lord.
I’m simply a thread in God’s tapestry;
Woven into His marvelous song.

Beauty


The beauty of the morning
Draws me close to you.
Your majesty displayed
Across the sky so blue.

As darkness is pushed aside-
The light breaks through the sky
Your Glory is declared
In valley low and mountain high.

Some say “there is no God!”
But how do they explain-
The miracle of the morning-
God’s gift- His Presence proclaimed!

God of the Morning


God of the morning
Your beauty makes me smile;
My joy rises with the sun
As light dawns across the miles
Of horizon.

God of the morning
I cannot comprehend
Your abundant love for me
Nor the grace you extend
To my heart.

God of the morning
My souls sings out to you-
You are Almighty, Everlasting,
My Rock, Faithful and True
To the end.

God of the morning
I place my life in your hand;
I give you my heart, my soul
And in your presence I stand
Forever.

Insignificance


INSIGNIFICANCE

Insignificance knocked on the door of my mind;
He rattled the knob, then walked right inside.
I did not object – he’s been here before.
He’s big and he’s hairy, he’s seven foot four!

He strolled to the table and pulled up a chair;
He sat there in silence glaring his cold darken stare.
He watched as I readied myself for the day;
Then whispered, “Why bother? No one cares anyway.
The world is too large and you – you’re so small.
Nothing you do makes any difference at all.
You can dream your big dreams; but you’ll never succeed;
You’re a vapor, invisible, and insignificant, you see.
The world doesn’t like you, you’re broken by life.
You’re a lost little child, full of sadness and strife.”
And so as I left that small room in my mind,
I pondered those whisperings two or three times.

“Broken by life"- yes the world doesn’t care;
"An invisible vapor"- I was left in despair.

Then from somewhere deep inside of my heart,
Softly these words interrupted my thoughts:
 “You know that you know that his words are all lies,
I gave you my Son, He gave you His life.
I know all your flaws, and I know all your ways;
Your comings and goings, your nights and your days.
I loved you before you were formed in the womb,
I know all the plans I've designed just for you.
You’ve forgotten its My Love which gives you your worth,
In my Kingdom you’re valued above all the earth.
“Oh Father, forgive me!” My mind is so weak,
The voices so loud, my heart can’t compete.”

Then God walked me home from my heart to my mind,
I opened the door, He opened the blinds.

“Ponder my Word, instead of the lies,
And call on my name – I’ll be by your side.”
As His light filled the room, His presence so near;
My value and worth were suddenly clear.

Now the whisperings gone-God’s Word fills this place!
My purpose renewed - Joy fills up the space.
When Insignificance knocks, now I RUN to the door,
And WE tell him to SCRAM! - all seven foot four.

Nov 2009

Saturday, December 15, 2012

Clouds



Just as clouds obstruct the sun,
Its rays I cannot see;
It is there, shining bright-
Just as God is there for me.

For the sun – it never changes,
Its brilliance always shines.
But my vision, clouds impair,
From my view it hides.

And so it is with God Himself,
His majesty abounds.
And when my life is clear I see
His glory all around.

But there are days when clouds appear-
His light they do impede.
I shall not lose the blessed hope
Because my eyes can’t see.

I simply trust and place my faith
Into His loving hand.
And even through the darkest storm
What I do is stand-

And wait until the storms of life
Pass by in God’s own time.
Again to clouded eyes revealed,
His Brilliant Light Devine!


2009
           

Come Stroll with Me


Come Stroll with Me

“Come stroll with me?” my Savior asked –
Much to my surprise;
For the journey’s long, we’ll have to run –
To make it there in time!

He smiled and said “Let’s slow the pace,
I’ve many things to share –
Great beauty’s on this road ahead,
And dangers waiting there.

“But Lord, I want that perfect place,
Where all my dreams come true –
And if we hurry, I’ll have more time
To visit there with you.”

I peered ahead and down the road,
A shortcut I could see-
My steps were quick, I made that choice
And walked on hurriedly.

And soon the path was full of rocks-
And muck and mire and mud!
I turned to see my Savior’s face,
But in darkness – alone I stood.

I called for Him and He was there –
Confused, I didn’t understand;
“I thought we’re going to that perfect place!”
But He simply took my hand,

And led me back to where I’d left
The safety of His way,
And once again He smiled and said,
“Come stroll with me today?

Embrace the journey – let’s celebrate
Each step you make by faith,
So stroll with me, there’s peace and joy,
No matter the time it takes.”

Nov 2010

Saturday, December 8, 2012

The Lot


Psalm 16:5  “Oh Lord, you are the portion of my inheritance and my cup.
                     You maintain my lot.” NKJ

The Lot

My Father’s inheritance, his children received- a plot of land – one each.
He gave one flowery meadows, and one the sandy beach.

One a beautiful hillside, with trees majestic tall.
One the lowlands by the creek, meandering through it all.

But when it came my turn to see which wonderful land I got,
He took my hand and led me to a thorny, rocky lot.

Not rolling hills, not sandy beach, no beautiful babbling brook.
Just scrubby weeds and soils of clay – with tears, my head I shook.

“It isn’t fair – yes I deserve a better piece of land!
I’m as good as all of those – surely this is NOT your plan!”

All knowing smile across His face, my tantrum He didn’t stop.
He simply left me standing there on the edge of my ugly lot.

For years I worked half-hearted-still grumbling about my lot.
But He was there beside me, removing clay and rocks.

And next the soil was broken, and all the thorns removed.
Then I could see it through His eyes- repentant tears He soothed.

In the corner He had dug, a well so wide and deep.
And from it sprung, to my delight, a babbling little creek.

And then He planted along each side, trees majestic tall,
And flowering plants and meadows green, then from the midst He called –

“Come, child, and see what I have done, to this ugly land you got.
It is your special gift, you see, but one thing you forgot.

No matter how life may appear, filled with briars and thorns and rocks,
TRUST ME – I can see beyond it all – for I maintain your lot!”



The Christmas Light


The Christmas Light

So long ago in Bethlehem, a Christmas Light was given.
A tiny babe in swaddling clothes, a precious gift from Heaven.

As Mary held this Christmas Light, her heart began to glow.
With tender care and lots of love, this Light began to grow.

The Light stepped out into the world, its darkness to dispel;
He chose the twelve to walk with Him, the Gospel they would tell.

The Christmas Light knew He must die, to set the people free.
His will He laid at His Father’s feet and climbed upon the tree.

Darkness hovered, the ground shook, the veil was torn in two.
This Christmas Light grew ever dim then died for me and you.

As Mary cried, her Christmas Light was placed within the tomb.
It seemed for now all hope was lost but Light was coming soon.

God reached down and once again the Christmas Light was given.
Death can’t quench this glorious Flame- Eternal Fire from Heaven!

This Christmas Light has come to all Salvation’s gift He brings
To everyone-it’s free by choice-the darkened soul redeems.

So as you string your Christmas lights upon your Christmas tree,
Ponder the miracle of the Christmas Light who died for you and me.

December 2008

Friday, December 7, 2012

Full moon

A mural on my wall: I love a full moon-now I always have one!

These are my favorite Sips n Stokes:


Mixed media:  picket fences should not be white, but multicolored which makes them more beautiful.

Christmas Presence


The Christmas Presence

“Tis the season to be jolly” rings throughout the halls.
But loneliness and disillusion close ‘round me like four walls.
Lord, give me Christmas presence.

“I’ll be home for Christmas” is what most people say,
But empty chairs and unused plates are seen on Christmas Day.
Lord, give me Christmas presence.

“Peace on earth, good will toward men?” Is this fantasy real?
With wars abroad and wars at home; harsh words that smiles conceal.
Lord, give me Christmas presence.

“He’s making a list and checking it twice”; the expectation’s high.
But jobs are lost and cupboards bare, can I make it by?
Lord, give me Christmas presence.

“People passing, children laughing” with gifts so neatly wrapped.
But where the tree stood yesteryear, still stands that dusty lamp.
Lord, give me Christmas presence.

Not the presents wrapped with gold,
The kind that money buys:
That cordless drill, the box of mints,
No not those ugly ties.

But Christmas presence, oh so sweet,
With Holy Spirit near.
When hearts are warmed and joy abounds;
His gift to us so dear.

In Christmas presence I now stand
All worldly cares aside.
I bow my head, He hears my prayer,
His arms are open wide.

While others have “A Merry Little Christmas” with gifts and elves and bows,
I stand complete within His love, surrounded by life’s woes,
Because God gives Christmas Presence.

December 2008

Tuesday, December 4, 2012

Questions


Little sea gull
Alone on the shore-
Why do you stand on one leg?

Tired is the one?
In need of a rest?
Or is it cold instead?

Why don't you sit?
Rest both at one time?
Nestle down warmly in sand?

Are you thinking
the same about me -
While on my two feet I stand?

It's strange to think
You're not afraid
For I am so closely by,

You spread your wings
The wind brings them lift
And you begin to fly-


In that moment
The questions dissolve -
my soul follows you in flight

Against the sea,
You gracefully glide
Completely out of my sight.

Sunday, December 2, 2012

Have you wept?


May 2010

Have you wept
As Jesus wept?
For a lost and lonely soul?
For the one who's wandering
Or one who wants to be made whole?

Have you wept
As Jesus wept?
For the one in disbelief?
For the one who turns away
Or one whose heart is wrapped with grief?

Jesus felt the weight of sin
As He wept upon the cross,
All those tears he freely shed
And gave His life for all the lost.

We are called to bear the news
Of all that Christ has given-
Joy and peace while here on earth
And eternal life in heaven!

So dare to weep as Jesus wept.
For all those who've lost their way;
For He will use you as His light
And welcome home a soul today!

Broken Pieces


The beauty of the clearest ocean
Breaking gently on the shore,
Foaming fingers rushing forward-
Flowing back-engulfed-no more.

Where the waves have met the shoreline
Broken shells outline each curve.
Somewhat saddened as I search them
In my quest for one superb.

Cause all I see are broken pieces
As I walk along the waves,
Remnants of both shell and starfish-
Not unlike my life these days.

"Pick some up" the spirit prompted,
And in the fragments there I saw
Inherent beauty of God's creation
No storm nor wave could 'ner destroy.

And looking closer in the fragments
There I saw what God sees in all,
Inherent beauty by His design
In each piece both great and small.

It's not the whole that really matters,
For each piece contains His plan.
And if I look at all my my fragments,
I clearly see my Savior's hand.

And as these waves have washed the pieces,
And left them glistening in the sun,
So my fragments are more beautiful
When they're washed in Christ's shed blood.

Oh the vastness of the ocean
And the innumerable shells within;
But I know that each one's precious
And in time will be whole again.

"don't look down at broken pieces,
Lift your face into the Son-
For in the vastness of My presence
All the fragments are held as one"

12/4/2011

The Way It Was


For the last few years I had taken my art to the walls of my home (My husband Rick said it kept me off the streets!) so when I decided to clear the walls by repainting, I took pictures to remember them by.  The top is my take on a how-to-paint-murals and the bottom is a trompe loeil of our home, iL Nostro Tesoro - Italian for "our treasure." While we know our real treasure is with our Lord, we have been blessed abundantly.

Abandoned 12/2/2012

God - Your love is as big as the ocean;
Your mercy as vast as the sea.
Your waves crash toward me
      As I stand on the edge -
Inviting me into the deep.

Oh the joy of your presence- it thrills me!
As the foam rushes over my feet;
But why do I stand
     In the edge of the sand,
When the depths of your love waits for me?

Am I afraid of salt water?
Or afraid to let go of the shore?
I say that my hope
    Is anchored in You,
Yet sand castles become so much more.

Through the roar and the breeze you whisper;
A new wave of faith floods my soul!
I'm running into
     The crest of your arms
My heart - this world will not hold!

You engulf me, Lord, with your presence.
You surround me with swells of your peace.
Abandoned in joy
       I'm catching your waves
Of mercy and of love and of grace.