Expectation: Seek and you will find.

Before you open your eyes in the morning, is there a quickening of your soul as you think about the day before you? Is there an eagerness to seek out the Lord and welcome Him into what ever is the plan for the day? It is so exciting when He gives us ability and light that we might begin to see Him at work around us in ways beyond our imagining. He is always near at hand. He is always ready to take you by the hand and lead you, guide you, and walk with you through every journey. In Isaiah, God tells the people, "Here am I, Here am I." But most do not listen. Most do not hear the the sweet blessings He provides in knowing Him because they reject Him, they reject His Son; They are too busy or they just do not realize the urgency of His message.  But Oh! The joy in lifting our eyes to see as He illumines much to our understanding! His majesty is marvelous and His sovereignty is evident in all He has made. Look around you. Stop and listen. Open the eyes of your heart to the splendor of His glory now. Then awaken to bright new mornings waiting for those whose trust is in His Son.  Blessings.

Anticipation

Oh God! How bright is the anticipation for each new morning upon awakening, for You have been at work in my heart through the night.

Perhaps there are difficulties or unknown challenges, but You are there

There is unequaled anticipation when the day holds particular promise, for promise comes wrapped in the aura of expectation and tied with ribbons of silver and gold.

For You, God, always provide abundantly in ways beyond my thinking out.

On the way to the good things of expectation, sometimes the phone may ring. A friend’s voice brings added joy to a day already filled with sunshine! A grandchild may call purposefully to tell me I am loved. A deer might walk out into a meadow to graze while pair of hawks soar overhead.

Oh Lord, in Your Word You promise, “If we seek you we will be found by You.” Every day can be such a day for You are lavish in Your gifting of Yourself. When I pray with expectation, You allow me to see You working in ways beyond asking.

When I begin a journey by praying that You would choose to reveal more of Your Glory, I am never disappointed.

I see that glory in the changing seasons, in a sunrise, or in a storm moving overhead. I feel Your glory in my soul as I witness You opening scripture to understanding and fitting it to bring wisdom to every situation; I glimpse Your glory when You give words to encourage another as You allow me to see Your image shining through them in a specific way.

You give light to see answered prayer, but often it is in a different form than that for which I prayed. Your way is the only perfect way Lord, as You always work in each heart for good; My way, without Your leading, might soothe or improve circumstances without allowing Your molding process to dispel dross and divulge more of Your light shining through.

You fill me with joy when You allow vision of fruit filling my basket; fruit is of Your doing as You take my small offering and use it as You have purposed. As a small stream pours over a mountain cliff to become a voluminous waterfall, so too do You fill Your people to overflowing with Your grace and loving kindness which is then imparted as sweet nectar for others.

When I open myself to You, You have promised to guide me and give me perception of someone’s needs; You give me patience to ponder, followed by desire and wisdom to proceed.

Your glory is revealed in Your grace and mercy shining into the darkness to restore the years in a mysterious manner, but as with the wind and the Spirit I can feel the results of Your working within and respond with the fullness of Your joy.

Your glory shines through the brokenness of nature as well… ice storms snap limbs; insects gnaw on the leaves, and yet beauty lives wherever there is a spark of life.

I search for perfection in all that is living but find it not with my own eyes; my understanding of perfection is to be without blemish and perfect in physical form.

But You, oh Lord, weave beauty with inner light into all You have made, no matter what the season of life, regardless of present trials. I see that beauty as the broken trees continue to put on leaves of green that change into the brilliant golden rewards of autumn. I see the continuing beauty as the clouds clear and allow the sunshine to touch ice-laden limbs and cause them to sparkle like thousands of diamonds.

I tell You the truth; I feel lovingly enveloped in Your imparted beauty when I am driving up the mountain road; as I near the top I find myself set apart to gaze to the west toward the late afternoon sunshine, enthralled, as the whole forest is transformed into a phenomenal scene.

You have promised to continue that work in me to restore my brokenness and Your light should shine through to point others to Your gift of life. Without Your light my heart would see only death and destruction in the physical world; I would grieve inconsolably in witness of brokenness surrounding me; but in the light of Your working there is displayed perfection in glorious gold that outshines darkness with the hope of eternity.

There is perfection in everything You sovereignly allow, for You purposed every detail for the revelation of Your glory from the beginning.

You draw the children of promise out of the darkness and into the beautiful light, and Your Spirit teaches the deeper things heard from the Father. You give desire for those deeper things; You alone satisfy that longing with eternal food for the inspiration of inquiring hearts; scriptural poetry seems filled with deeper symbolic truth enfolded, providing great treasure when we are impassioned to contemplate meaning as we interact with that scripture by application through Your grace.

When I behold You in glory Lord, I will know You; I will recognize the Hope of my life for Whom I have hungered. I will rejoice in the light of Your amazing love that transcends all else and shines into every recess of my heart now with joy abounding.

I know the light of that love now through the Holy Spirit as He illumines the words of scripture stored in my heart; I know it through the eyes of believers; You promised to guide me with Your eye and You do that through Your leaders in so many ways.

I see Your compassion now. I read of it, and then see it poured out in graceful rivers of living water to impart the truth of Your gospel wherever You direct the flow.

The beauty of Your artistry sings of Your glory; with my heart and soul I harmonize with great rejoicing because I am confident in Your promise to be with me always.

Anticipation must unquestionably be accompanied with blessing designed for eternity just as surely as is obedience, for anticipation comes through trusting Your sovereignty more fully each passing day. There is nothing that exists that is beyond the powerful reach of Your mighty long arm.

With much blessing follows responsibility to open the floodgates of blessing to encourage others as You would enable me to do so through Your gifting.

I humbly thank You for giving me eyes to see Your blessing and for filling me with eager expectation of glimpsing more of Your glory each new day. AMEN

IMP 10/24/09

Easter: In the Footsteps of Jesus

The newness of spring's arrival perfectly compliments the breath of new life through the life, death and resurrection of Jesus of Nazareth. The joyful blossoming of the hills and valleys lift ones heart to sing. The lengthening days lifts ones soul to rejoice in the sounds of the season as all of creation seems to proclaim the glory of God. There is a special glory of the heart in connecting to the truth in the Easter Story when one has been gifted to walk in the footsteps of Jesus in the Holyland. That which we have heard and read about and believe comes to life in a new and personal way when you can hear the waters of the Galilee splashing against the sides of a fishing boat, when you see those ancient names appearing on the roadsigns along the way, and when you walk the stone pavements in Jerusalem where Jesus went about His Father's work.

In this special season, will you walk with me yet again in those beautiful footprints of time and ponder the miracles of life that continue to bear fruit today through the power of the cross as the Light of the World shines through that cross that we might know the Father through the victory of the Son and find eternal joy that brings us peace now and forever. Blessings and prayers that you might know the fullness of His joy in a personal and lifegiving way. Perhaps pondering this poem that follows will give you food for thought in this special season of God's love.

Pilgrimage

To go back to the beginning and retrace steps of our knowing

We may pilgrimage to ancient lands to the place of God’s showing

Back to the desert wilderness still forlorn and bare

Back through the ages as if we too were there

Our soul seems transported through history to taste divine fare.

Back to the beginning, to walk through deserts rugged and mysterious

To feel ancient winds blowing with His presence awesome and serious

To feel that connection throughout time in a supernatural way

And know the fragrance of His loving providence each day

Our soul escapes the boundaries of time as we too kneel to pray.

Our pilgrimage leads forward through recorded history of time

Walking in the footsteps of those receiving God’s message sublime

We make empathetic connection with saints who have gone before

But we come gifted with knowledge of much more

We look back knowing Him to which they looked forward to in store.

Walking through the valleys where our patriarchs trod

The Bible tells us how they learned what is made known of God

It is as if we too feel that connection deeply with the remnant of old

The Spirit within confirms truth in what we have been told

We continue to walk through time with eternal hunger that is bold.

Up to the heights out of the desert lying below level of the sea

Up to the lush hills surrounding the timeless Galilee

We feel life unfolding as a blossom in the sun

Through the Spirit we know the life of Christ and His victory won

We taste the goodness of truth through the resurrection of the Son.

We walk in these places where now as then many fail to see

Tracing footsteps of our Lord Who became man to set us free

We sit together on a green hillside overlooking the sea to eat

We consume physical food while our souls feast on the Word at His feet

In some divine sense we feel both present and future inexorably meet.

Turning upwards to Jerusalem, on the Mount of Olives to stand

We too weep while praying for her peace through difficulties at hand

The children are now quiet who once waved palm branches and sang

We join the remnant with hopeful hearts that have heard truth as it rang

All the while suffering indignities inflicted by the serpent’s fang.

The Lord reigns at the Father’s side; His joyful light shines still

For those with faith to believe, blessed to climb the God’s holy hill

Jerusalem is still anointed with the glorious heavenly light of old

We who extol our heavenly King are also wrapped in His light of gold

This splendor of shimmering glory throughout time was foretold.

The pilgrimage may allow walking those same roads with sandaled feet

We may truly experience the land of milk and honey providentially sweet

We may savor the goodness through others who went before us to taste

Who lingered and listened and soaked in eternal light without haste

Granted reward now to number days to gain wisdom without waste.

There is something unique in setting foot on that soil from desert to sea

To breath the arid winds still blowing wild and free

To hear the wind blown waves near the Valley of the Dove

And know Jesus walked there before being resurrected above

To intercede with His Father for those upon whom He set His love.

After such a pilgrimage one returns home refreshed and restored

The life-changing gift becomes part of our nature as a great reward

Only in experiencing the enormity of life are we enabled to feed sheep

Only in walking humbly with our Lord are we enabled to reap

Blessing upon blessing of promised life He is faithful to keep.



Gethsemane Gate Cross



Spring Bursts Forth With Faith's Hope

A Soft Spring Song

It is a soft spring arriving,

Gentle light and pastel hues;

Satisfying anticipation and expectancy,

Certainty of hope abounding

Rewarded in observant persevering.

Evidence of kept promise

In softly swaying willow branches

Touched with yellowish green.

Musical orchestration adds dimension,

Heard in the melodious song of the wren.

Joyful laughter echoes with freedom,

Time to soak in the warm sunshine.

I come as a child delighting to sing,

Into the new day, wondering

What will the fresh season bring?

I stand in witness of creation’s beauty

Clasping loosely the spring flowers

I hold for passing moments in my hand,

In anticipation of the full blooming

Of all God has yet planned.

Looking through the cross in witness as

Heaven proclaims God’s glories.

My soul sings with thanksgiving

Winging it’s way through time’s memories

Remembered thus far through His gifting.

Seeing the hope of eternity

Shining through faithful promises fulfilled,

Certain as the lilies of Easter

Confirmed through the Spirit to eyes of my heart.

I stand secure on the Rock, the Redeemer.

Speaking the mind of the Father

Understood through the life of the Son

Overflowing with poetry of eternal grace

Until faith becomes pure sight,

When I rest my eyes on His face,

And glow in His incomprehensible light.

IMP 3/25/11

As each spring draws near, I await the singing of the forest, secure in the ordering of all creation, knowing that in God's perfect timing I will again see old friends blossoming with new joy.

More Than Crumbs

More Than Crumbs

I have been in and out of every door in my home this morning photographing the
sunshine through the ice with layers of snow, and as the light has changed, the images have
changed.  This exquisite light brings hunger for more of what God would make known of
Himself through these masterpieces of nature. This beauty is a gift of grace.

 I am realizing more and more what a gift it is that He has given me a desire to
create beauty beyond what I can comprehend; this hunger to see more of His
creation in every possible nuance flows from the eternal vacuum He has placed in my
heart. It can only be satisfied with what He makes known to me each day through

the joy of delighting in Him through the lens of all that He has made.

I could not find such joy in these things without the Word engraved in my heart and
illumined by His Spirit.   He richly gives beauty above the commonplace and
usual provisions which we need as well, but this beauty lifts our eyes above our

circumstances to rejoice in the Beautiful One. Yes, we need food, clothing and shelter

to care for our physical being. God provides more than the bare necessities, exceedingly more!

In giving gifts through the years, I almost always have chosen to give gifts of a special nature

rather than purchase something from a list, something that will be a reflection of memories.

Isn't this what God does for us? We ask for crumbs, and would be content. Or perhaps we

ask for things of momentary vanity  of our own choosing  only to discover that through His dear ones

He often provides something wonderful for which we had not thought to ask.

Yes, He provides the drink of water.  Yes, He provides morsels of food to sustain our bodies.

But it is our souls that He feeds with such beauty beyond what we might conceive or imagine.

He also gives us the desire to see more deeply into the mirror. For those with the gift of sight, He appoints a hunger for the perfection of beauty, and the will to glorify Him in responding to the illumined scenes.

There are times when He stops us and pulls us up short with magnificent moments in His light. 

He enthralls us with visions so glorious that we stand in speechless awe of the Creator!

We become so filled with His joy that we are compelled to respond in creative manner allowing bountiful rivers of rejoicing to overflow with His love to others.

On occasion, the splendor is so glorious we can scarcely breathe; when we remember to catch our breath it must be expelled with words of praise to our Maker much as the sound of the wind appearing from far away to burst into a melody of love.

We are to write, to tell, and to remember the works of God Who in every manner provides light for our way, no matter our circumstances. This morning was such a morning.  There was such magnificent splendor before me that I could not come back in the house, though I was freezing. I did not know what the
dozens of photographic images would look like, only that I was compelled to take them to record
and tell others of the exquisiteness of God, revealed before me through all He created. 

I think of Abraham as the Lord told him to come outdoors and see if he could count the stars.

Could he number the grains of sand along the shore?  This morning was so filled with brilliance

that I could not count the diamonds of ice transforming the forest into a glorious display of the Lord’s power and glory through the miracles He created.

I am yet a child, filled with delight in the incomprehensible feast set before me. Imagine what is yet to be.

IMP 2/5/11

Above The Wonder

Actively wait! A watched pot never boils. These thoughts have really been brought home to me the last couple of weeks as I have been watching for those little promises of spring's arrival.  There is a particular photograph that I am seeking so that I might finish a project, and that photograph is based on evidence of the bursting forth of spring. When I look too hard it seems that nothing is happening to bring it closer quickly. There are so many wonderful projects and many responsibilities to attend which take my mind away from such close watching. That is a blessing. In the hours and days of tending to life I find that God's orderly transformation of the landscape has been progressing as He intended. Although I know the season is changing I should not presume upon His moment by moment timing, but rather find delight in the surprises accompanying every part of time's moving forward. And it is such a delight to discover that which I have been expecting has blossomed; it seems the Creator is waiting to witness my joy and perhaps sing along with me in the moment. How can one not stand in wonder at what is made known and be brought to our knees in awe of the One Who spoke it into being. It is to His glory that I have been given witness of these glorious things. I am thankful.

Beyond the Wonder 

Beyond the wonder of present awe

            of morning sunrise heights

Beyond the miracles of present life

The majestic glory of God

shines with joy that fully delights.

What beauty remains to thrill my heart?

            I have no way to know

This taste of heaven delights my soul

with its lavish overflow

Revealing a bit of glory here below.

His divine Word is wholly perfect

            Not a hint of duress

Ancient truth fills me fully

The Words illumined by His Spirit

His light unfolds to bless.

His presence within His dearest ones

            More alive than life to me

Kindness overflows obedient hearts

flowing as a river

To love those the Son made free.

Symphonies in nature ebb and flow

            as waves upon the sea;

moved by power above the wonder

Surging continually to lift me

            Above what I by myself can be.

Glorious moments upon the heights

Almost to touch His face,

            Faith brings me close; I stand tall to see

I am affirmed to the praise of His glory,

Before time began, God rejoiced over me!

Buoyed in a sea of the Father’s love,

guided by His Spirit to understand,

Enabled to respond with love to others

With Christ like compassion and grace,

            More as the Father planned.

In quiet stirring of morning light

            before the dawn of day

There is an air of expectation

Creation is tuned to God’s melody,

            Waiting with excitement to play.

I am made in His image to love,

To offer prayers back to the Light.

Words inspired of the Spirit,

Rejoicing in hope for each new dawn,

            The King is victorious over the night.

I am a child of heavenly love

Having received from what is the Father’s above

through Christ our Savior and Lord.

He is the radiance of eternal God,

He alone is worthy to be adored.

With awe in witness of His glory

            Confident to approach the throne,

Promised assurance of One above the wonder,

made known in miraculous display,

Eternal God named me as His own.

3-4-10 Ina May Pummill

 

Unusual Visitors

Unusual Visitors

 Being a “town” girl all my life, moving to the country involved many surprises. The first years of our marriage my husband and I lived on a little three acre plot on the banks of the White River.  We had many unusual experiences there before moving into the middle of a forty-acre wood, subsequently purchasing more acreage surrounding the initial purchase.  Our experiences in learning to live in the backwoods would fill at least a book or two, but for the moment I am thinking of our experiences with flying squirrels.

One Christmas morning we were awakened by a little clicking noise. It was still dark and so I just listened and tried to get the direction of the sound. Finally I could not ignore it any longer, turned on the lamp, and finally located our little visitor. An inquisitive flying squirrel was sitting on the curtain rod just looking around, unconcerned with us. What to do? We decided to try to open the glass door and then I got a broom to try to direct its pathway, having closed the door to the hallway so it would not escape into the rest of the house.  My husband then went to the side of the squirrel and coaxed it toward the door. It did not try to run. It would walk a ways then look down at us, then walk a little more, finally easing out the door into the night. That has happened again a few times; once we discovered it on a bookshelf in the den, just looking around. That was a little more of a challenge to get him to the door, but it was successful.

Since they are nocturnal creatures we rarely see them outdoors, apart from their nightly appearance. They seem to be creatures of habit. Every evening, just about dusk, as the whippoorwills begin their stirring call, we hear scrambling little footsteps on the roof of the deck, just like clockwork. Shortly one squirrel will peer over the edge of the roof, then sail off and glide to a tree several yards away.  They always sail from exactly the same point and glide exactly the same direction.

One year we had several bird feeders hanging from the beam above the deck. One evening we were waiting for the nightly squirrel gliding, and suddenly there were such antics, as you could not imagine. They were trying to glide down the wire to the bird feeder… round and round they went, one would almost make it and another would scramble down and bump into the first and go tumbling on to the porch rail. We could barely see them in the growing darkness, but their huge eyes glowed like miniature moons. Finally they tired of that and moved on.  I am glad it is beginning to get a little warmer in the evening so that we may sit outdoors and continue watching for these little furry neighbors. It is a gift to be given opportunity to witness the delicate detail and the unique personality of one of God's special creations.

Faithful Season to Season

Lengthening days.... shortening shadows...

The sun’s warming rays feel so pleasant to me.

All God’s creation begins stirring anew

After winters slow pace...after resting for a while....

Now being restored with vigor and new life

Through God’s gentle warming touch.

After winter’s subdued light...

After cooler days and longer shadows

Slowly, faithfully signs of spring begin to appear.

I expectantly begin watching and listening,

I feel the renewal in my very being.

And begin looking for these gifts I trust God to send.

I can hear the increased joy in the melodies of the birds.

The ground is warming with the soft spring rains

That God lovingly sends for renewal.

Everything feels right, drawing me to the woods to see...

Yes Lord...Yes! They are right where I expect them to be,

They are blooming...delicate little Trout Lilies growing free.

The flowers make an orderly predictable appearance.

They are a gracious blessing God provides,

A stable, comforting reassurance of His nearness.

One morning I hear the Phoebe’s call,

Back from her winter journey,

Back to sing to me in greeting of spring.

Then a flash of red as the Summer Tanager arrives...

And the quarrelsome antics of the hummingbirds begin.

More little wildflowers begin to show,

Spring beauty, rue anemone, buttercups...

All right where God planted them ages ago to grow.

This resurgence of life energizes me as well.

But the continuity of the seasons,

The arrival of everything in the expected timing...

To see His hand constantly at work.

Is a gift of comfort from God,

Just like I feel when I go to a familiar passage in His Word,

It is a contentment, a peace, a joy....

It is another reminder that He will not leave me.

He is faithful from season to season.