LOOK and SEE!

Where are you? Can you see? What are you looking at? What are you looking for?
I speak with so many people with different vision.
I have a bad habit(?) of noticing good in just about everything I look at.
Most of the folks around here are currently looking at the remnants of the season that need "cleaning up." This was put into perspective for me several years back when the neighbor next to me was walking through the quilt that autumn had spread across his property. I made a remark about the task ahead of him.
"Leave 'em alone. I'm going to enjoy the leaves as long as I can."
That comment spoke volumes to me then about the simplicity of life. It still does. It doesn't matter what 'opinion' is about a lot of things. What does matter is your perspective about it.
Do you see a yard that needs to be raked and disposed of, or do you see proof of the perfect order that He set long before we were here?

Through the failing branches
boundless is the blue;
is anybody able
to number every hue?
Assigning each a color--
too daunting for the pen!
Too wonderful to be contained
by languages of men!
To only be discussed with the
Creator of the same.
God Most High--for He assigns
to each of them a name.
And, quicker than the poet man
can capture them in verse,
more subtleties arrive--the pen
to once again rehearse!

Through the waning branches,
(and thinner with each breath,)
life, so very evident,
in what most see as "death."
Perspective--it is everything
when seeing without sight;
o, the glory of the season
just beyond its height!

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Hurry up?

October in full color,
behold, behold the sight
so very living and alive--
let everyone delight!
O be there no discussion,
discouragement be gone!
The autograph of God Himself,
each sight, to rest upon.

October in full color,
abduct the seeking heart!
Captivate the willing with
your evidence, your art!
Sunlight to accentuate
variety so vast;
into your embrace, emotions
easily are cast!

October in full color,
brief your glory stay;
easily recalled when present
subtler of day;
His artistry embracing
and warming with each thought...
oh, the many blessings the
beholder, he has got!

Behold the season! TAKE TIME to see it!
You have reason not to?
Make sure your 'reason' is not merely 'excuse!'
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The Purpose of Life

Do you know what it is?
Do you know what it is for your life?
God does have a perfect plan and purpose for EVERY life!
I assure you, HIS plan is quite a bit more than "...just getting by."

"Because of You I do more than 'survive;'
Because of You, I prosper and I thrive!
Blessed and highly favored I've become
Calvary and crimson due the sum!

Why have You placed me so high above?
Why does this man know so great a love?!
There is nothing lovely in this man.
It has to be the Purpose of Your Plan!

Because of You I am alive and live.
With abandon You so freely give.
Nothing could be greater than Your love!
A higher Plan and Purpose I am of."

When you come that that humble place, He will give you everything I have spoken of, as well. Let Him. Trust Him. He can do more with your life than you can, and you will obtain wealth untold along The Way.
GO FOR IT!
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Timeless Beauty

Evidence of season--life is full of it!
What a blessing to live in a place where the same is beyond photograph--it is real and living:

The shadows of October to extend...
the subtleties of autumn boldly blend!
The splendor of the season amplify
beneath the azure of the even sky.

Shadows of the afternoon, so long,
only to contribute to the song
that is the season unto those aware;
how many are the elements to share?

Elements of autumn,
surely life has got 'em!
Savor every one
before the thrill is done!

Wherever You are, glorify God and enjoy the blessing and privilege of being alive for one more season!
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Hideout

Ah, the wonders of technology...
the blessings of 'civilization...'
The disciples knew it for their day, but what did Jesus do?
So very often, The Word points out that He separated Himself for a season:
He went into the wilderness...
He went up into the mountains...
He walked across the water to escape the crowds...
He even left His laptop and His cell phone behind!!
So many occasions are given to remind us to leave behind everything to be alone with God.
Can you?

In the roar of silence,
the tumult of the 'hush,'
there is a precious healing,
there is a greater rush!
Where there are no distractions,
He has my full attention,
and present there are benefits
too wonderful to mention!
The blessings of 'technology'
absent for a season;
forgotten on one's own volition
for a Greater reason;
the fewer the amenities
the focus be more keen,
until His holy Presence only
felt and heard and seen.

Escaping to that wonder
His direction under;
until I return,
more of His blessings learn.
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Morning Vows

In the very able mist
rhapsody to yet exist
excitedly resounding;
upon the wind, upon the earth,
daylight once again gives birth
and life, it is abounding!
The choir on the wing is heard—
those with and without a word
make sweetest harmony;
every matrix to display
the glory of the living day
and promises that be!

“The Promises that be…” Are you aware of them? Are you waiting for one of them? Has God promised you something that has not yet come to pass?
DON’T GIVE UP! We serve a God that loves us so much that He will NEVER forget not just what He has promised, but those heart’s desires that you have shared with no one yet, not even Him!
Trust Him!
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Disaster

Disaster. What does it mean?
For another season of life, I live in a place where it happens.
But 'disaster' has different meanings to different people.
It's sort of like "tribulation." Do we understand that word in America?
Go to a country somewhere in the world where you can be murdered for your faith and tell them that the tribulation is coming.
While here in America we are preaching about the coming tribulation, other countries are living it!
But 'disaster.' No one is immune from it.
We had to drive down to Little Rock one day. The beautiful, peaceful 4-hr. drive contained scenes this time of anything but! As we drove through one of our usual rest breaks, a Scripture came to mind: "...there shall not be one stone left upon another..." Just days before, a tornado went through this town and several others on its destructive path!
In the aftermath, the human spirit was very evident...

In an after moment
where life has taken place,
so evident becomes the fact
"Abundant is the grace!"
Life has seen disaster,
but life continues on--
the beauty of resiliency,
it is not ever gone!
While hiding from the elements,
the hiding place escapes...
nature has a weapon which
it wields and mis-shapes!
Even though its force, it is
immune to hands of men,
the human spirit overtakes,
repairing where its been!

In an after moment,
so temporal the sight,
living soon again will show
much healing in the light!
"No good thing is taken unless
better is in store!"
Standing on this truth reveals
what is tomorrow for.
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Perfect Presence

Don’t lose heart!
Whatever that is that is staring you in the face, God is greater!
Whatever news you just received, God loves you so much that He wants you to trust Him for it!
You are part of creation, but God is

So far above creation,
so present in the same;
all life sings coronation
unto His holy Name!
He’s worthy of exalting…
He’s over and above…
He is The Perfect Father,
He has the greatest love!

And being The Perfect Father, He can and will be right there with you through everything that happens in your life.
Let Him!

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By Grace...

One more time, You prove that You
are present in the gap.
When we are not inside Your palm,
we’re sitting on Your lap!!
Though life would constantly encroach
it will not overtake;
for You are mine and I’m aware
of every move You make!

“Try Me, I will satisfy;
trust Me, I protect;
Depend upon Me, seek My will
to always intersect!
There, behold the moving of
My Being in Your midst;
learn My attributes, for they
will constantly exist!
You are My righteousness, no matter
how you feel inside!
No matter what man thinks, in you
I have abundant pride!
I want to be there, present in
your each and every time,
assuring you, but always, that
next elevation find!"

Once more, Your Presence reaffirmed
no matter landscape be;
a royal purpose to exist
no matter what men see;
far greater are Your purposes
than any of this place;
the same to only come to proof
in life that’s lived by grace!
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"The Dead Alive"

Are you a part? Do you even understand?
Jesus told the crowds that unless we ate of His body and drank of His blood, we could have no part in Him.
That sounds harsh? That sounds cruel, disgusting?
O, but the blessings, beauty and benefits of the same...

Your Body, it is holy
and all that is within;
every member needing You
because of wretched sin!
There is not one exclusive
from a need for You.
Lord Jesus, see Your Body,
oh see each part anew!
Sin has overtaken,
o cursed be the same!
Its affects are rampant,
we cry out in Your Name.
Grace alone atoning,
Your bleeding to suffice;
why do we crucify again?
You've fully paid the price!
Your Body, oh so holy,
but only through the Same.
Due alone what You have done
is life alive to claim!
The Body and the Blood unto
the body, soul and spirit;
oh, every time partaking, may life
feel and see and hear it!
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"The Glory of the Season"

Do you have it where you are?
I grew up in a place that had 1 month of winter, 2 months of Spring, and 7 months of summer, and 2 months of Autumn. Yes, there was color, but nothing like the colors here! No, I am NOT complaining. I am simply stating my amazement at the wonder of HIS creation here...

How quick, the flight of summer,
As autumn comes to call;
The changing of the guard would linger
Precious in the fall.
Not this year, however, it
Is all so cut and dried,
And, by the gentle norther sigh,
All is beautified!

The beauty of the season
In the wooded hills….
The wardrobe of the timber gently
Floating in the rills….
A symphony accompanies
The trickle of the same
To only add unto the glory
Of the yearly flame.

“Fly on, fly on, oh summer,
I’ll see you in awhile!
Thanks again for everything,
The memories to file.
I’ll savor, oh, the moments and
The seasons in between,
And see you after everything
Has donned, again, the green!”

If you can relate to these words, ENJOY IT! There are too many people who read this that have no idea what four seasons are like!
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Only 'Feelings?'

What is inspiration?
Just because it may not be 'tangible,' is it present?

Where is inspiration when
it is too hard to feel?
Must a thing be seen or felt
to be considered 'real?'

But when is absent 'feeling'
inspiration DOES exist!
If only 'moved' when feeling 'is'
how much of life be missed!

Inspiration always!
Acknowledge it and know
the gamut of emotion from
the very same to flow!
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Faith

"God will provide!"
That is a proven truth. But how often do I trust in that solely?
I know that He will provide, and I see ways that He will do so.
But what if 'those ways' are invisible? What if 'those ways' fail? Am I then trusting God?
I have to trust God, because 'those ways' that other folks see God providing are often impossible for me.
His ways are not my ways. More often than not, 'His ways' with my brother are NOT His ways for me.

"Heavenly Father,
I know that You will meet all of my needs today. Please forgive me for trying to help, and for 'assuming' how You will do so.
I know that if I assume the way that bill is going to be paid, it puts You in a box. Your ways are so much greater than my ways. Therefore, I will say "not my will but Thine be done," so that I can see the wonder and the awe that is far beyond my 'assumption!'
Thank You for already meeting that need that I will find out about later today.
Thank You for holding firmly all those needs I already have.
Thank You for even knowing my life's desires, not just my needs.
Thank You for wanting to hear about those desires as we walk through the day.
O Father, You are so good to me!
Thank You for Jesus.
Thank You for saving my soul.
Thank You for healing my body.
Thank You for being so great that You can do all this for ANYONE that calls out to You!
Father, You are God and there is not another!
In JESUS' Name,
Amen"

Disabled?

The limbs of the trees are anxious so early.
They murmur amongst themselves.
Their intercourse has a familiar sound and tone.
Silhouetted against the east, they appear to be nervous.
One by one, they begin to sway in anticipation of His arrival.
With the presence of His breath, they begin to clap their hands.
The glow of His arrival turns the eastern sky purple...blue... orange...red...yellow...white...
Father is here!
Let the day begin!
What?!
When did the day end?
Did life 'end' with the arrival of 'today?'
But what if it is one continuous 'time' that keeps getting better and better until THAT day?
So, when He inspires us forward with a promise of THAT Day ahead, are we not merely going to be translated to another place to but continue THIS day?
NO WAY! ABSOLUTELY NOT!!
THAT day ahead is so wonderful and so ______ that my pen is not even allowed to record it!
"I can do all things through Him Who strengthens me..."
All things? Then why is my pen so 'disabled' when it comes to capturing the glory--THE glory that is merely sampled in the east as I look out my window?
Disabled? Handicapped?
Yes...until His return shall break the fetters of all expression and we shall see Him as He is, no longer '...darkly, through a glass!'
The rays now extend all the way across the morning.
The arms of the trees are fully extended in the surrender of adoration!
"Even so, Lord Jesus, come..."
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Chamber

The Holy Place . Have you been there? Do you go there?
It is a very intimate place. I often hear people say they want to keep God at a distance for whatever reasons.
I spoke recently of how, as a child, I was told that God knew everything about us, and that if we asked Him to forgive us for something, He would. My childish reasoning found the secret: He knew about it because I confessed it! Therefore, if I did something wrong, I would talk to Him like nothing ever happened. No, it didn’t last long and, yes, I was miserable!
God is so intimate. However, He will only be as intimate with you as you will allow. Let go!

In the chamber once again
where is not another;
present in the Holy Place
with my Friend and Brother;
doing what is heavenly,
hearing life alive,
seeing Him Who causes me
to certainly arrive!

The chamber of my Father,
reserved for all of men;
He calls me into His Presence
knowing where I’ve been!
He dances with me as I sing,
embracing me so oft…
His touch, His voice, His living breath,
they take this man aloft!

The chamber, it is refuge,
conviction there resides;
there be no moment for ‘facade,’
no thing impure resides!
I am naked in the chamber,
there be not another way;
He sees, He knows, He feels all things
about me anyway.

Blessed be the chamber,
so very real and not.
Closer to my Father God—
there be no other spot!
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