Tuesday, December 15, 2015

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LITTLE BABY KING
Copyright 2014
Little Baby King  

Merry Christmas 2015!

I trust that you know Jesus is the reason for the season! What a miracle that God gave us His Son, born of the virgin Mary. He created us, you know. And here, He became human, like what He created!

The Word became flesh
and lived for a while among us.
We have seen his glory,
the glory of the one and only Son,
who came from the Father,
full of grace and truth.
John 1:14 

I'm sure you know that God's Word is powerful. That statement is an understatement because there is nothing more powerful than God's Word!

Heaven and earth will pass away,
but my words will never pass away.
Matthew 24:35

Christmas is the time when we celebrate the birth of Christ. The whole Bible focuses around Jesus Christ. It is about Christ, the King of kings, who has been given the name above every name. Why? Because He, the Son of God who made himself nothing, died for the sins of the world.
 (Philippians 2:6-11.)  

We give gifts because God gave us the best gift, His Son.
   
I am pleased to share with you this poem Little Baby King. It was accepted for publication in the 2015 Christmas issue of the War Cry magazine, a publication of the Salvation Army. I am thrilled and thank God for what He has done for me! The Salvation Army is celebrating 150 years this year and the magazine is in its 135th year. Please pray for them and their continued good work.

I am thankful to God for so many things. I choose to be thankful and celebrate this season of joy! There is joy because of promise, and provision, help and reward. There is joy because of love...God's love to us through Jesus, and the love of family and friends.

This will be my last entry for the year 2015. I had ended every blog entry with the word "faith". I think, for the year 2016, I will end every entry with "love".

We have not had any snow here. I look forward to snow-covered woods, where every limb is covered.

Pray for endurance when times are difficult. Pray for your local churches and pastors. Pray for Christian businesses and teachers. Pray for Christmas carolers! Pray for those dear to you, and even those who persecute you. 
May you enjoy this Christmas season of Christian faith!

 
  
    

Tuesday, December 1, 2015

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THE SAPLING'S STAR
Copyright 2014
Christmas is coming!

I look forward to the Christmas season. I put out the decorations and start preparing our home and business for celebrating the birth of Christ. 

The book of Micah was written around 700 years before the birth of Christ in Bethlehem. Micah and those waiting for the Messiah waited a long time. But it happened! I know I am called to wait as well. Indeed, the Bible says to patiently wait upon the Lord. And those that do will renew their wings, regain their strength and be restored.

I can plod along each day as Christmas Day approaches, taking in each moment with family, friends and customers. But I can't do it without prayer!

Please remember to Pray for Jerusalem. And while you're at it, remember Bethlehem as well. I was blessed with a wonderful trip to the Holy Land a few years ago...a great pilgrimage for any Christian. It is good to pray for Israel, and not because I say so, but because God tells us to in His Word.

Pray for the peace of Jerusalem:
May those who love you be secure.
Psalm 122:6

Our woods here are, well, drab. But that is usually the case at this time of year. We need the clean, white snow to cover it all up. We have had some snow fall but there is none on the ground at this writing. I guess we wait for that too. 

Like a little sapling in the woods which will one day become a mighty tree, a lot can happen to a person who has faith like a mustard seed. I trust you call upon, in prayer, the only name that can grow your faith.

 

  

  

Sunday, November 15, 2015

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WOODLAND PRAISE
Copyright 2014


Woodland Praise

Thanksgiving is coming soon! It is a time for family and friends and remembering to be thankful. Indeed, we should be every day. I find the things I have committed to the Lord in prayer that have been answered need to be acknowledged and appreciated back to the Lord. I know it is his doing and so I must thank him for his provision and goodness to me. God loves with an everlasting love.

 The one who said thanks...

Remember the story of Jesus healing ten men with leprosy but only one of them came back to him and said thank you? 
One of them, when he saw he was healed,
came back, praising God in a loud voice.
He threw himself at Jesus' feet and thanked him-
and he was a Samaritan.
Luke 17:15-16

There are a lot of things to be thankful for: freedom, not being persecuted for your faith, the faithfulness to pray for those being persecuted for their faith, the opportunity to worship freely in this country, a warm house, good water, a job, family, friends, abilities, joys God gives on a beautiful silver platter, music, and the list goes on. What do you thank God for?

When Jesus was entering Jerusalem and people were yelling out 'Blessed is the king who comes in the name of the Lord!', the Pharisees in the crowd told Jesus to rebuke his disciples. And his reply was:

"I tell you," he replied, "if they keep quiet,
the stones will cry out."
Luke 19:40
    
Here in the woods, nature whispers to me its thankfulness. The barren trees here seem to know God is in control as they wait quietly for winter snows to come showering down on them. The sun shines through the trees, reminding me of God's faithfulness. God knows who is thankful and it doesn't go unnoticed. Present your requests to the Lord, with thanksgiving, and live by faith.   
  
 
 

Sunday, November 1, 2015

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A Forest Night
Copyright 2014


The Parable of the Persistent Widow

Then Jesus told his disciples a parable to show them that they should always pray and not give up.
He said: "In a certain town, there was a judge who neither feared God nor cared about men. And there was a widow in that town who kept coming to him with the plea, 'Grant me justice against my adversary.'
For some time he refused. But finally he said to himself, 'Even though I don't fear God or care about men, yet because this widow keeps bothering me, I will see that she gets justice, so that she won't eventually wear me out with her coming!'"

And the Lord said, "Listen to what the unjust judge says. And will not God bring about justice for his chosen ones, who cry out to him day and night? Will he keep putting them off? I tell you, he will see that they get justice, and quickly. However, when the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on earth?" (Luke 18:1-8)

So, how's your prayer life?

The widow kept bothering....Are you bothering God? Are you praying day and night? Do you practice prayer? Do you set aside a time designated for prayer? Are you disciplined in it?

I have been encouraged by joining a small prayer group in my Church. We want to be faithful and true in attendance, commitment and dedication. I have found that when believers get together and pray earnestly, like Elijah, private prayer life gets better too. Be persistent in praying. Don't give up, even if you want to. Remember, 7 days without prayer makes one week (or weak)!

Well, here in our neck of the woods, the leaves have severely fallen. There are a few beech trees with colorful leaves clinging on them but the maples are stripped. The air is turning chilly and we hear coyotes frequently. (Of course, we hear them in summer too.) And the night of the blood moon a few weeks back, an owl was close and let out its nighttime call. Time marches on and the change of season is upon us. Face every change with prayer, thanksgiving and faith.


    
  

Thursday, October 15, 2015

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The Fruit of the Tree
2014
The Fruit of the Tree

We have a lot of apples this year. A friend of mine gave me a bag of them that she picked off her tree and I made some apple bread. I am planning to bake another one to take to my friend. My husband has enjoyed eating apples like the zestar and honey crisp. On a recent walk, even some wild apples tasted alright. They'd be good in a cobbler.

This past weekend, the color in the trees was at peak. Awesome! When the sun hits the colorful leaves, it is amazing! It was a great weekend here in central New York.

But yesterday, the leaves began to fall like snow. As I watch their graceful descent, sometimes in packs and droves, I know it is only a matter of time before the whole fall scene will give way to the bleak, cold winter. The sun will shine, though, as it does every season, and will surely make the snow sparkle.

Today's poem is about the harvest and recognizing fruit. It is based upon Galatians 5:22-23, which lists the nine fruits of the Holy Spirit. Nothing is against fruiting these nine things. They're always correct! You know, sometimes we would like a letter from God to tell us how to be or do or what to do.
Well, we have one...the Bible! And in this one verse, there is a lot of wisdom:  helping us know how to be, how to do and what to do. Because of God's graciousness to us, we can extend graciousness to others.

Here is another verse, which contains the words of Jesus:

A good tree cannot bear bad fruit,
and a bad tree cannot bear good fruit.
Every tree that does not bear good fruit
is cut down and thrown into the fire.
Thus, by their fruit you will recognize them.
Matthew 7:18-20


Like a beautiful fall day at peak, God couldn't be clearer. There is no vagueness with God or His Word or His creation. It is not too difficult for Him to tell who is bearing good and who is bearing bad...or, who has chosen to believe in Christ and who has not. Hear the words and put them into practice, like the wise man who built his house upon the rock. 

PRAYER is a good practice!

I hope you can enjoy this vivid fall season and get out and pick some good apples! You might be finding yourself giving a few away!

Pray that God would help you bear good fruit and grow in faith!
   

   


Thursday, October 1, 2015

The Trees of the Field
Copyright 2014
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The Trees of the Field will clap their hands!

One of my favorite passages in the Bible is Isaiah Chapter 55.
Today's poem is based on verse 12, but one should read the whole chapter to get the great impact. There's a lot of punch in only a few words!

How do I tie in today's poem with a word about prayer?

One thing is in our changing fall season, we can be sure that God doesn't change. We know He is the same yesterday, today and tomorrow. We can go through life's changes with a constant friend. 'Jesus calls us o'er the tumult of our life's wild restless sea'...do you know the old hymn? People of faith have a lifeline! This keeps prayer from being just a bunch of words, which is what prayer is to a person lacking faith.

Another thing is our changing fall season reminds us of God's love to us. The brown, red, orange and yellow leaves all have something to say...truths, facts, God's sovereignty, God's Son, God's gift, God's grace, God's love. The Painter of Eternity paints clear, vivid images...nothing is vague. It is amazing that God, the creator of our known universe (and by just speaking it into existence...talk about power!), loves me and you! This propels me to follow, to pray:

1 Thessalonians 5:17
Pray continually.

There are many other passages in the Bible about praying...do you know them? (If you don't, you'd better get reading that Bible of yours.) (I include me in that too.)

A final thing that can be said today, on this first day of October, is a word about promise. People of faith love God's promises. Isaiah 55 speaks of promise. The whole Bible is filled with promises! It is only to our benefit to know them. This, too, propels us to pray (and study God's Word). 

Do you hear the trees clapping their hands? Do you hear mountains and hills bursting into song? Would you like to hear those sounds? I would! Do you know joy and peace? Do you go out in joy? Are you led forth in peace?

And to all that, I say:

God is able.

His word will not return to him empty but will accomplish what he desires and achieve the purpose for which he sent it. You can count on Him.

Enjoy our colorful, joyful fall season and maintain your faith!
  



 

Friday, September 18, 2015


The Orange Leaf
Copyright 2014
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Pray in the name of Jesus.

Jesus said that no one comes to the Father except through Him.
(This statement sure puts a damper on religion and philosophies that are man-made...and there are many.)
That's because worthy is the Lamb that was slain. We read about that in Revelation 5.

As I watch the changing of the season, I am comforted in knowing He who doesn't change. God is our Rock, our Fortress, our Deliverer! His name is exalted throughout the Bible. 'How excellent is thy name!' It is declared in the Psalms...and everywhere in scripture and in creation!
  
And He gave His only begotten Son ...as we know from John 3:16. Jesus died for our sins. We have access to God through Jesus. We become children of God because of our belief in Jesus. When we pray in the name of Jesus, there is authority and power. Do I have any authority and power in my own name? No! I can assure you I have none. But Jesus has authority and power because it has been given to Him. He has been given the name above every name because He was obedient unto death, even the death of the cross (Philippians 2:9).


 Here are the words of Jesus: 


John 14:13-14
And I will do whatever you ask in my name,
so that the Son may bring glory to the Father.
You may ask me anything in my name,
and I will do it.

What a glorious opportunity! I like glorious opportunities!
Hallowed be thy name! The Bible is full of His glory and honor!

I am hoping you will catch an orange leaf this fall! Ask, in the name of Jesus, step out of the way, and let God intervene on your behalf as you pray and maintain your faith.
  

Tuesday, September 1, 2015

Copyright 2014
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God Knows

HAPPY SEPTEMBER 1st!

It wasn't too difficult to pick today's poem to post.
Yes, the September winds are kicking up! The beginning of Fall has begun. I have seen leaves fall and there's a yellow hue to many. Some leaves are already orange and red. I remember a forest friend explaining the sicker trees are often the first to turn. They're turning!

And my husband and I heard bluejays this morning, cawing through the woods. They were the only bird to be heard. It was as if they were giving the final call to "Leave...and head south, all birds who migrate!" (There are still hummingbirds at our feeders but they were quiet...and will one morning, not be there anymore.)

How do I tie in Forest Winds with a word about prayer?  Here is my attempt:

God Knows. He knows who believes and who is deceived.

It is encouraging...it is comforting to know that God is not deceived. We, on the other hand, can become deceived. I think one of the devil's main jobs is to stick his foot out and cause us to trip. Lots of us are tripping!

Here is 1st Corinthians 6: 9-10:

Do you not know that the wicked will not inherit the kingdom of God?
Do not be deceived:
Neither the sexually immoral nor idolaters nor adulterers
nor male prostitutes nor homosexual offenders
nor thieves nor the greedy nor drunkards 
nor slanderers nor swindlers
will inherit the kingdom of God.

AND verse 11!
And that is what some of you were. But you were washed,
you were sanctified, you were justified
in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ
and by the Spirit of our God.

How do you know a line is straight if you don't have a ruler? What do we measure things by? What is my standard? Who is my authority?

There are many places in the Bible that talk about deceiving oneself. God knows we do it. Indeed, we have a disposition for it.  Let's look at this command:

Colossians 2:8

See to it that no one takes you captive through hollow and deceptive philosophy, which depends on human tradition and the basic principles of this world rather than on Christ.

The Bible proclaims that Jesus, the Son of God, died for our sins. Unconfessed sin is not forgiven by God. But confessed sin is, and becomes as white as snow. If one clings to her deceptions, she will have to face God alone. The Bible warns that no one will survive that. It makes me think of a little sea critter wanting to rule the world and the other bigger sea critters saying "good luck with that!".

So, my thought about prayer is that God knows. I don't have to know everything but I do know who does. He is worthy and I can choose to be obedient. God blesses those who listen to the winds of the Holy Spirit kicking up as they pray in faith.    
   

Monday, August 17, 2015

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The Faithful Trail

I am called to walk on the faithful trail.
But what gets in my way? What hinders me?   
I can think of a lot of things and perhaps you can too. Still, Jesus tells us to have faith in God.
Isn't that interesting that Jesus, God's Son, said to have faith in God?
He must know the importance of faith. We read He sees a heart that trusts. 
And I realize...we walk by faith.
He wants me to live a life trusting Him!
I think of Biblical people who had faith. There were many.
The Centurion only needed to hear a word and that was enough for him!
The sickly woman knew if she could touch the hem of Jesus' cloak, she'd be healed. And she was!
Our faith rewards us!

 Here is James 1:5-6:

If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives
generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him.
But when he asks, he must believe and not doubt,
because he who doubts is like a wave of the sea,
blown and tossed by the wind. That man should not think
he will receive anything from the Lord;
he is a double-minded man, unstable in all he does.
The Centurion was not wishy-washy: he knew what he decided on.
The sickly woman was quite stable in her purpose.
Faithers (people of faith) are tough cookies. They're not the do-this-now-do-this-later kind of people.
They're not here, and then there, and then who knows where. They're not unstable. They don't float on the wind. (They might like the wind, particularly at their back, especially riding a bicycle, for example.)
People of faith are stable because their trust, their faith required of them a decision.

Stick to the trail.
Great promises, now and in the future, are bestowed on those with faith! (Here's a little tidbit: Every blog entry so far, here on my Poems and Prayer Blog,
               has ended with the word "faith"!)
   
 


Monday, August 10, 2015

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Trust God

Two years ago, we picked a lot of blackberries.
It was a good year for them. After work, you could find us up in the field with our containers thoroughly thrilled to be out in the field picking berries. It was therapeutic.

And productive. We ate a lot of blackberry cobbler that winter and remembered those summer days.
I am hoping this year proves fruitful. Last year, there weren't any berries. There are seasons of prosperity and non-prosperity. But God is always in control.

Prayer involves trust.

"Have faith in God," Jesus answered.
Mark 11:22

Bring petitions to the Lord with a believing heart and then trust him with an answer.

Is God trust-worthy?

YES! 
And I have learned to depend upon His Word!
   
He who created the whole universe can help little ole me. And he wants to!
What a privilege prayer is to those who walk in faith!
      

Tuesday, August 4, 2015

Copyright 2014
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Birds of a feather flock together.
I thought I'd post Woodland Song as I am noticing the woods are getting quieter.
The birds are done with their noisy chitter-chatter, calling woo's and spring-time songs. But the cicada bugs have taken over, as well as a few early crickets and these returning sounds are welcomed too.
God is faithful, like the nature he created, whether it be springtime or late summer!

 I wondered how to tie in the poem to today's word about prayer.

Isn't it true that birds of a feather flock together?
There is strength in numbers. 

Here are two interesting verses in Genesis:

Then the LORD said, "The outcry against Sodom and Gomorrah is so great
and their sin so grievous that I will go down and see if what they have done is
as bad as the outcry that has reached me. If not, I will know."
Genesis 18:20-21 

People told God how upset they were with sin. And he listened.
Can we do that today? Sure can.
Now, does this mean some people have no sin? No, anyone knows that we're all sinners. 
(Well, actually, I guess there are some people that think they have no sin. But the Bible says these people have deceived themselves.) And did God really need to hear people say there was sin and wicked deeds happening? Did he need to be informed? 
No, he sees everything including everyone's heart...the good, the bad and the ugly.
Nothing escapes God.

He knows who is upset with atrocities, injustices, wrongs, things obviously against scripture.
He knows who thirsts for righteousness and who could care less.

Here are the words of Jesus, the Son of God:
"For where two or three come together in my name,
there am I with them."
Matthew 18:20

We're talking strength in numbers!
Yes, one can pray alone in the closet, like is also explained in the Bible and is very good. 
But I also think God honors those who pray together. Like birds of a feather, 
a group of faithful believers can bring their petitions before the LORD.
Then those who feared the LORD talked with each other,
and the LORD listened and heard. A scroll of remembrance was written 
in his presence concerning those who feared the LORD and honored his name.
Malachi 3:16

It's cool to have friends.
And it's way cool that God listens to them and hears their faith.

Thursday, July 30, 2015

The LORD is my Rock!
He who made the entire universe
 is sure enough for me to call upon in prayer. 

For the eyes of the LORD run to and fro throughout the whole earth,
to shew himself strong in the behalf of them whose heart
is perfect toward him.
2 Chronicles 16:9

LORD, I'm waving my arms!

Prayer is waving your arms.
God is looking, you know. (It says so right there.)
He is looking for the one who calls upon Him.
He hears the one who calls His name.

I will take the cup of salvation, and call upon
the name of the LORD.
Psalm 116:13

And then, have faith.
 


 
Copyright 2014

Friday, July 24, 2015

Prayer is Doing Business with God!

Are you a good business person?  
Did you know God knows who the business people are?  
It is not too difficult for God to see whose hearts are for him and whose are against him.  
So, keep doing business with God...
you'll be greatly rewarded for your faith!

 

Thursday, July 23, 2015

Where The Leaves Dance

Copyright 2014
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This is my very first entry on this blog, in loving memory of my mother.
The post date of July 23rd is also special...It is my beautiful daughter's birthday.