Sunrise With Fog

Sunrise With Fog
Every Morning is New

Monday, April 30, 2012

Swiftly Winging Spring

And April is nearly finished... it seems in the spring time the days are so filled with the newness and the urgency to plant and be about the busyness of new life that surrounds us in every form that we discover good intentions have failed us. There is so much enthusiasm and eagerness to create and to delight in the outdoors that the days do not seem long enough to accomplish everything that fills our lists. How can anyone claim to be bored? How can there be a single person who does not long for extended hours with which to respond to all the responsibilities and the inspirations that flood the mind when the heart and soul sings with delight in springs colors and sounds and joy?

Tomorrow is May Day... the first day of May. When we moved to Gravette before I started to the first grade, I was met by little friend, a new friend who lived just across the street. I remember seeing her standing there by the fence when we drove up to the house. The thing that stood out at that moment was her red house shoes! We became fast friends and were almost inseparable when not in school. We would ride our bicycles down the country lane and pick blackberries. We would walk the few blocks to town and have a rootbeer float (at least mine was rootbeer) at the local drugstore. We would sit outdoors on a summer day and look up at the clouds and in our imagining try to discover shapes in the clouds. The clothesline became a stage when we hung a quilt on it for a curtain and many a summer night we would pretend to give a great theatrical performance. There are many more such memories about which I will write at some point, but for today I am remembering May Day. 

We would make little baskets out of paper and fill them with flowers from the yard or fields. Then we would ride our bikes or walk to nearby homes of friends and hang a basket of flowers on the door knob, knock on the door and then run and hide around the corner, leaving the pretty little posey basket as a surprise. It was so suspenseful to wait for someone to answer the door... I don't remember if we were discovered or if we stepped out to clap our hands with joy after they found the flowers... it was the creating and the waiting that are the most memorable... then after a time we outgrew that activity, or got too busy... but not before the memories were etched into our hearts.
Sooooo... Happy May Day to you... if I could I would send you a colorful lttle paper basket filled with the joyful flowers of spring... perhaps this flower image will bring a smile to replace the one that accompanied he basket of flowers so very many years ago. 

Monday, April 2, 2012

Easter: Simple Resurrection Beauty

Simple Resurrection Beauty
In this season of new birth much reminds one of simple profound truth abiding
Just as a tulip unfolds in the light, we also blossom in illumined understanding.
That we are such amazing creatures in a complex world is indeed a miracle
Before time began the Lord Jesus spoke the words of the Father’s plan into being
They were simple words for such far reaching creation including man.
The Spirit watched the world begin, waiting for His part in the salvation of man
After forming man from clay and pronouncing all creation good
God placed him in a garden paradise with beauty for the eyes and plentiful food
Man was tempted by the serpent, indulging in the fruit of the forbidden tree
Man was cast from the garden and now constrained to labor until given eyes to see
God made Himself known to man in every season and place
He gave the law but man could not obey perfectly before God’s face.
God clearly made Himself known to man time and again
But man, relying on his own wisdom and power continued to sin.
Our marvelous creator left nothing to chance; from eternity past
His plan was built on the Son, the victory to win.
Through the history of God with men all of nature proclaimed the work of His hand
Through the prophets God foretold the coming of a Savior to help them understand  
To lift them above the fallen state where they were to be found
They were born in this fallen state to die and die again and return to the ground
But Jesus, the Bright Morning Star came to make known His Father’s love
He lived and died, then was gloriously lifted from the power of death to reign
Bringing those who believed in Him into forgiveness with eternal life to gain
Apart from belief in Christ Jesus man is still in the wilderness wandering
Still grumbling in discontent, still searching for meaning with worldly intent
Still lost on a raging sea, tossed about as a proud ship adrift
But God in His infinite mercy sent His Son to suffer in our place and uplift
Jesus came to rescue those hopelessly lost
He paid the price that enabled us to believe and eat the bread of life without cost
In Him through the powerful Word of God we partake of eternal food
Restored again to reflect His image which the Father had pronounced good
Restored to come before the throne of God at any time
Where we may taste the lavish goodness of heaven sublime
It is His Spirit Who enables a life more pleasing to our Father in heaven above
It is God Who sees those who believe in His Son through the cleansing of His blood
In our time and season we are nourished to bloom as a tulip shining in the light
Filled with the light of joy and hope, we may reflect His light as a beacon to those walking in the great darkness of night.
We have been given much to become rich blessings to others as opportunities arise
There is purpose for each gift beyond our knowing, His ways are always a surprise
Let us praise the Lord and sing in wonder of all He has made known
Thank Him for His constant presence; we must never fear being abandoned or alone.
In the body of Christ we are resurrected to new life that will never end
For He is the absolute foundation upon Whom we must confidently depend.
In this season let us identify with truth that agony has become eternal joy
And sing, and live in unity to the praise of His splendor and glory. Amen