FOREST WINDS

The September winds are kicking up,

and the poplars, all so grandy,

along the road are saying, “Turn!

Your way is not too dandy!”

Their silvery leaves are telling me,

as the sun falls in, and merry,

that the way I go is not that good,

and I’d best let someone carry—

Carry me to where the birches dance,

and the ferns, on a wind a-borning,

do swirl and twirl, as I listen well,

to their end-of-summer warning—

Warning of the way that I think’s right,

which is not, to be contrary,

for there are commandments to obey,

and they’re anything but airy!

There is a way which seemeth right unto a man, 

but the end thereof are the ways of death.

Proverbs 14:12

FOREST WINDS

The September winds are kicking up. A yellow hue is appearing on the trees and some leaves are already orange and red. Apples have fallen on the ground. Autumn has begun, here in my neck of the woods. 

And with the changing winds, I have exciting news: the book I had self-printed at a local print shop in 2014 is now being self-published and available worldwide! When I had 50 copies of Seasons Of Love: Woodland Poems of God’s Love printed, I thought I was self-publishing and gave the books away as gifts to celebrate my 50th birthday. Now, and with additions, it is truly self-published and available to more readers, like you! I hope you are encouraged by this poetry collection which is accompanied with colorful paintings and enclosed in a matte finish cover. If you purchase my book, I want to say Thank You! And that goes for your prayerful support as well, and time writing a kind review. 

Have you noticed how the wind moves the ferns and branches in the woods? Sometimes, a whole bunch of trees sway from the wind and other times, one lone fern has caught a windy swirl while other ferns around it are motionless. It looks as if it’s waving.

The Word of God is the standard by which to live. The Word of our Creator is the authority by which all creation is measured. Creation can remind us of warnings. Just because something feels right doesn’t mean it is.

Know ye not, 

that to whom ye yield

yourselves servants to obey,

his servants ye are to whom ye obey;

whether of sin unto death,

or of obedience unto righteousness?

But God be thanked, that ye were the

servants of sin, but ye have obeyed 

from the heart that form of doctrine which

was delivered you. Being then made free

from sin, ye became the servants of righteousness.

Romans 6:16-18

What we obey is what we are a servant to. The passage from Romans explains that a person can be a servant of sin which leads to death or a servant of obedience which leads to righteousness. It seems the opposite of obedience is sin. The devil is fighting against the winds of obedience that kick up. Don’t be listening to him.

When we read about the prodigal son in Luke 15, we learn of poor choices and reckless attitude, squandered inheritance and wild living. We are aware of wayward direction. It seemed right at the time. But one day, the prodigal son came to his senses and returned to his loving, patient father.

Know ye not that the unrighteous

shall not inherit the kingdom of God?

Be not deceived:

neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers,

nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind,

nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, 

nor revilers, nor extortioners,

shall inherit the kingdom of God.

And such were some of you: But ye are washed,

but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified

in the name of the Lord Jesus,

and by the Spirit of our God.

1 Corinthians 6:9-10

Washed. Sanctified. Justified. These are the wonderful words for the righteous, for those who experience God’s mercy, for children of God, for people who made a u-turn. Why did they make a u-turn?

Then he saith unto them, My soul is exceeding sorrowful, even unto death: tarry ye here, and watch with me. And he went a little farther, and fell on his face, and prayed, saying, O my Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me: nevertheless not as I will, but as thou wilt.

Matthew 26:38-39

The Son of God willingly went to the cross for us because He loves us and was obedient to His Father, praying, “Thy will be done.” Our faith in God’s provided perfect Lamb, Jesus Christ, equals being washed, sanctified and justified. People make u-turns because of faith. Those whose names are written in the Lamb’s Book of Life live forever. Live to be there!

If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

1 John 1:9

All unrighteousness is forgiven. Only Jesus is able to make this amazing thing happen! No one else can forgive any sin. That’s because Jesus Christ bore all sin on the cross. No one else bore sin. He alone is faithful. This verse rings true only IF we confess our sins. To do that, we must own up to our sin. It is realizing personal efforts towards justification fall short. It’s acknowledging self-centered seemingly right ideas and traditions not relying on Christ lead to death.

If ye love me, keep my commandments.

John 14:15

Because of a grateful heart for Jesus, we can strive to obey commands and go and sin no more. Because of love for what Jesus did for us, we can try to pray ‘Thy will be done.’ Because of Jesus, we can be patient and live under grace.

And I will pray the Father,

and he shall give you another Comforter,

that he may abide with you for ever;

Even the Spirit of truth;

whom the world cannot receive,

because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him:

but ye know him;

for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you.

John 14:16-17

It’s good to know God’s mercies are new every morning. He wants a relationship with us and that is very encouraging. God is the God of second chances. God created to have a relationship.

After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever, Amen.

Matthew 6: 9-13

...being confident of this,

that he who began a good work in you

will carry it on to completion until

the day of Christ Jesus.

Philippians 1:6 

There must be glorious forests in Heaven waiting for us to walk among them. May forest winds guide you to them in your obedient patience.