Little Pine

Yellowstone Grand Canyon

Once a bird left a seed behind
On a cliff where no plant should be
The seed struggled wanting to be a pine.
But this no place to grow a tree.
Life won’t last upon that rock.
Why even try? occurred to me.
But the seed sent its roots through the cracks
in futile hope to grow.
“It’s more of a bush than a tree,” mocked a passing crow.
Then from this twisted shrub
God’s light did blaze.
An old man climbed up to have a gaze.
The light changed the tree to a holy place.
For Moses and Israel it became a sign
of God’s greater plans and design.
Pointing to a future rock and dying tree
Where God would hang to set them free.

There the angel of the LORD appeared to him in flames of fire from within a bush. Moses saw that though the bush was on fire it did not burn up. Exodus 3:2 NIV

Deep Calls to Deep

My soul is downcast within me;
therefore I will remember you
from the land of the Jordan,
the heights of Hermon—from Mount Mizar.
Deep calls to deep
in the roar of your waterfalls;
all your waves and breakers
have swept over me. (Psalm 42:6-7 NIV)

Sometimes I miss a beautiful scene,
because I see superficially.
Sometimes I miss God’s voice,
because I listen half heartedly.

Stop! Listen and understand.

Let the roar of God’s waterfall of love
sweep into your deep places
God’s deep mercy and grace
calling to your deep need.

Thou Art with Me

Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; for thou art with me. Psalm 23:4

Thank You, LORD, for giving me life,
Not just life,
but life with You.
Not just life with You,
but Your life in me.
Not just Christ in me,
but I in You—my hope of glory.
Not just me in You, but through You I produce good fruit for God.
Thank You LORD for giving me life with grand purpose in You.

Life is not a matter of knowledge of God or doing for God, but of a loving relationship with God.

Trees Raising Limbs of Praise

Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, Hebrews 12:1

Each tree a witness
of creation’s story.
The clouds rolling in
to heighten God’s glory.
Pity the eyes that do not see,
this miraculous witness of the tree.

The Beginning of a Simple Day

Then the seventh angel blew his trumpet, and there were loud voices in heaven, saying, “The kingdom of the world has become the kingdom of our Lord and of his Christ, and he shall reign forever and ever.” Revelations 11:15

A simple day is so much more,
when you meditate on what’s in store.
I can rejoice in this day,
because it’s the beginning of forever.
Praise the LORD!

The LORD will reign forever. He will be your God, O Jerusalem, throughout the generations. Praise the LORD! Psalm 145:16 NLT

A Sure Foundation

Holding up the sky

A Sure Foundation for These Troubled Times

“See, I lay a stone in Zion, a tested stone,
a precious cornerstone for a sure foundation;
the one who relies on it
will never be stricken with panic.
I will make justice the measuring line
and righteousness the plumb line;  (Isaiah 28:16-17)

A precious cornerstone on which to build,
perfect in every direction.
Upon Jesus we rest as God willed,
A sure foundation of strength and protection

Feeling Lost?

Don’t let your feelings guide you,
Don’t listen to what they say.
For feelings abhor discomfort,
trading future goodness for ease today.

God’s help comes through faith in Him,
and does not depend on how I feel.
Emotions gyrate up and down
causing life to sway and reel.

I’m learning to trust in God alone,
He is faithful in all His ways.
My rock and my salvation,
My shepherd for all my days.

When I stumble in the dark.
Anxious thoughts begin to bound.
God wants my faith to lead the way,
till my feelings come around.

Sometimes life is more about being than doing.

When I am weak and the tank is empty:
Christ bids me—show up.
When at every turn I meet my shame:
Christ bids me—bow down.
When failure once again wins the game:
Christ bids me—look up.

Life in Christ is:
show up,
bow down,
look up.

Then Jesus said, “Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest.” Matthew 11:28 NLT

Sunshine Polka-dots

Sunshine polka-dots floating through the aspen.
Snowflakes playing in the wind,
dancing to nature’s choreography.
Giving glory and praise to God though life is brief.
How good it is to sing praises to God.
Snow will melt,
and the aspen fall,
but His goodness and love are everlasting.

Praise the LORD. How good it is to sing praises to our God, how pleasant and fitting to praise him! Psalm 147:1

Looking Down From Heaven

Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a huge crowd of witnesses to the life of faith, let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily trips us up. And let us run with endurance the race God has set before us. (Hebrews 12:1)

Heavenly Cheers

Those looking down are cheering the race.
Applauding the runners not their pace.

Pulling out front does not make them roar.
But trusting in God brings shouting for more.

So ignore the distractions that so easily trick.
keep your eyes upon Jesus through thin and through thick.

When the day comes that you finish the race.
You’ll hear well done, but for now rest in God’s grace.