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. 

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

Carried Along

Carried Along   

Frequently there appears a connection beyond present understanding

All nature presents an image almost other worldly in truth upstanding

A journey through fog layered views

Seems to encapsulate the lessons of life in splendorous hues

The journey begins in quiet stillness with just enough light to discern the way

Slowly, deliberately setting out in the middle of an elegant display

Things that would distract are hidden from sight

I am captivated by changing glimpses of light

At times the effect is almost blindingly white

Shadowy forms move silently along without actually appearing

Something suggesting reality beyond what I am physically seeing

It is the layers of fog themselves on the move

Delighting my soul with glorious glimpses beyond what I can touch or prove

A fleeting image or impulse of something yet hidden until a future day

That seems akin to seeking enlightened direction for life’s way

I travel with uncertainty until I hear a familiar voice behind me

“This is the way, walk in it.” I am given eyes to see

The road rises out of the fog into a clearing of light

Landmarks reveal true pathway; my overjoyed soul responds in delight

As the highway of life leads through foggy valleys for a time

The way always opens before me with glimpses sublime

I see how that voice behind me has guided me through a difficult way

It is with a sacrifice of praise that in worship I thankfully pray

Awakening in the mountaintop sunlight many mornings gives perspective

Preparation for facing hidden valleys waiting through God’s directive

From an eagles nest view the fog gives a surreal essence of peace and tranquility

But when one descends from the mountaintop that sight surpasses physical ability

Knowing with assurance through transformed faith and love

God’s faithfulness awaits in splendor those who with hope lift their eyes above

The hidden valleys will intermittently appear in waves

Just as the river of fog is unpredictable in the way it behaves

It is the Great Light that is eternally constant and true

Leading, carrying as on eagle’s wings to see blessed ones through.

This time of waiting is not a free pass to earthly desire

Not a guarantee of goals to which the old nature might aspire

For God’s thoughts perfectly lift the eyes of the heart much higher

Until one day breaking through the light dressed in white linen attire

We will know in its fullness as we are welcomed home

The radiance of heavenly glory ours, never again to roam

What the eyes of faith have seen through billowing fog filled valleys below

Will be gloriously revealed to those given to persevere, having been divinely healed

IMP 1/17/2012

Unwrapped Gifts

Ode to the Gift That Comes Unwrapped

When the eyes of my heart are opened to see

To see further than the beautifully wrapped gifts under the tree

To listen with the higher reaches of the mind

I begin to see amazing gifts of a far different kind.

Gifts of time and special thoughts may lift me to a higher realm

To see with purer purpose through distractions that overwhelm.

Perhaps a gift is received of which the giver is unaware

Often the Lord has further purpose for a small gift chosen with care.

Such gifts may plant a seed of inspiration to write a new song

And to thrive through unity that to the soul is a balm.

A word of encouragement may lift one to reach a lofty aim

To fulfill an eternal desire, God’s promise to claim

A joy filled greeting flowing from a loving friend

Is such a gift woven into the tapestry of life without end

It may instill confirmation that God’s work in me is true

Validating His love with glorious sounds and colors of every hue

It may be an awakening to ever brighter hope through an apt word

Shepherding with extra contentment through what is heard

Such a gift, coming unwrapped, may surprise both giftor and giftee

Coming in providence, not placed under the tree

That it comes with such startling innocence causes the soul to sing

With unbridled joy as a soaring nightingale singing at taking wing

When given ears to hear the melody of the true giftor above

We are blessed beyond blessing, born of divine love.

Christmas Eve Morning 2011

Ina May Pummill

Christmas Inspiration

The Trumpet Call of Hope

Trumpets pierce the stillness of the night

Listen! Anticipate the glorious light

A trumpet stirs the soul. It excites the heart

It transcends worldly noise with news to impart.

The Word of God is filled with both warning and grace

It confirms the wonder beyond boundaries of this place.

A trumpet sounds with triumph to signal life that is real

It is a call to lift the eyes heavenward as bells of truth peal

It sounds with joy that cannot be contained

It overflows with salvation’s joy abundantly sustained.

You who are suffering along this pathway today

Trust in Jesus our Lord, eternal Son of God, when you pray

Those who hear trumpets resounding as music sweet and bold

Rejoice in God’s promises His prophets long ago foretold

Be comforted by the Lord’s compassion from old

Angels sang over Jesus” birth; He is Shepherd of the fold.

With renewed strength you will soar to heights joy

As on wings of eagles you are lifted to glimpses of glory.

These wings enfold you enabling strength to stand

They encourage believers to persevere just as God planned.

In this glorious Christmas season of celebration and light

Pause to listen for the Spirit Who ministers in the night.

Give from rich gifts received through the gospel of grace

Echo assurance to others from this set apart place.

Behold God’s mighty power revealed in all He has made

His marvelous deeds lift us to splendor that shall never fade.

Wings as of eagles formed in clouds of great height

An expanse of light appeared as a dove before my sight.

Sing a new song to the Messiah, Jesus, Everlasting King

Voice praise in adoration as overflowing joy takes wing

We shall never be disappointed when we pursue God’s grace

Mercy flourishes with abundance when we seek Jesus’ face

May blessings abound each morning that is new,

Carry His joy with you and respond with what is true. 

Imp/11-2011



It was thrilling to discover this image of clouds as eagle's wings spread across the heavens and an image of light shaped as a dove being carried along with the previaling winds.



Continued Thanksgiving

Father, How Can I Thank You?

Heavenly Father, I sing to you… praise you…

But I wonder, do I thank you enough?

When I am rejoicing in the things you have done,

Does my heart reveal my thanksgiving?

Does my joy make You smile at my recognition of glorious gifts?

Sometimes in moments on the mountain, I fear I forget to thank you.

The joy of the situation overwhelms me…

I smile in jubilation until my face aches with gladness.

I automatically thank You for the beauty of the spring flowers,

For the fruits of summer…. For the warm autumns golden glow…

I praise you for the way the moonlight glitters on the fallen snow.

You should receive thanks each time the Bible is opened…

Your words to me should echo from within.

When  thoughts in Your word reach out in a special way

A verse lights my soul and I claim the truth of the message.

In great rejoicing and awe of Your presence I find delight.

Inwardly I am filled with thanksgiving, but do I form it into words?

Do I consciously communicate this great love I have for you?

Do others see evidence of Your presence in my words and actions?

As You fill me with the joy of salvation…

As You grace me with the love of others…

With the joy of witnessing grandchildren running to me with open arms…

Running to me with open arms of love and delight in their eyes…

I am overcome with the overflowing of Your loving kindness.

I love to write praise to worship Your glorious presence…

But do I stop and simply say thank You?

When obstacles are moved… when pain is lifted and my body healed…

Do I whisper my appreciation of Your hand gently guiding my life?

Do I thank you, then sit in stillness,

Enveloped with the certainty of your attentive hearing?

It is in this quiet expectance that I feel the warmth of Your gentle breath.

It is then I feel the prevailing presence of Your acknowledgement…

Your Spirit within me whispers “you are welcome.”

My thanksgiving to You must go back to the beginning of time…

Back to creation where You prepared my heart to receive You.

Back to each providence along the way.

For through Your perfect providence Your light guided my pathway…

Through providence You awakened desires which You then abundantly filled.

How can I begin to thank You for drawing me with Your powerful love?

Drawing me to hunger and thirst for Your truth in all things?

If I do not express my thanksgiving as often as I should

Please take my joyful praise of You as declaration of gratitude for Your grace.

May desire to touch the hem of Your garment be a sincere expression…

One of love for You Lord, and of thanksgiving from the depth of my soul!

Time Flows Gently Into Autumn

This concept of time continues to capture my imagination with its powerful purpose and its illusive nature. A day or two ago summer was moving toward its grand finale with the late blooming purple ironweed and stands of magnificant goldenrod smiling in the morning sunlight. I turn around and the mornings arrive with a distinct chill. The valleys fill with layers of fog moving along the natural curve of the riverbed to lend a surreal misty element to a soft morning. It seems fall combines the brilliant flourish of a summer's end with a softening of the surroundings to prepare us for winter's harsh glare. These mornings can be so beautiful as to cause one to linger at this window of time.
As summer slips through my fingers as quicksand the hourglass of time is being refilled with a new crisp atmosphere.

There is a sense of urgency. Something of longing stirs my heart as I remember times of preparation in decades past. As a little girl autumn was accompanied by the arrival of a load of firewood and the time of staking wood into neat rows when my dad got home from work. At that time fall was a step of preparation for the comforting fires in the wood stove later on when I would walk home from school and stand by the stove to get warm, first front then back, and feel the radiant heat clear to my bones.

Fall meant a time of outdoor activity; of taking Sunday afternoon drives through surrounding hills to delight in the turning trees. Now as I drive from the mountaintop and travel country roads the sumac is shining in bright red along the road and the goldenrod catches the sunshine to make my heart glad. I think of some years in the high country of Colorado when the aspen were at their peak and whole mountains were ablaze with that gold that contrasted with the deep greens of the fir trees.

We just have to enjoy each of these days as it quickly passes by and to celebrate those images from other days in the realms of memories of another time. Such are the yarns of many colors stored in the heart through which we delight in the previousness of God throughout the span of years given to us for His glory.