THE LONG SKIP HOME

I just finished this excellent story!

Even though it is for middle grade readers,

I felt like I still related to Lily and her different struggles.

Elstar and all the friends from the world of Whule made

me excited for Heaven. I loved all the reminders of Jesus

portrayed through Elstar's character. An excellent, moving story!

-Amazon Review

THE POND BY THE WOOD

I hiked to the pond early Friday morn,
through rain and mist and woods forlorn;
for the winter had torn limbs here and there,
and a heaviness clung in the air.
 
I stood on the bank by the meadow bleak,
with my head hung low, down and weak;
for what have I done to deserve this love
from such a Savior above?
 
Circles spun on the water’s face
when raindrops fell softly to their place,
and clouds swirled free in the pool’s dark depths
when winds encircled off Heaven’s steps.
 
Then there on the water, the sun came shining!
His words of love to me reminding;
pledging gladness through oaks as the sky turned blue,
encouraging wonder in all things new!
 
What grace shines upon the pond by the wood!
What joy restored and understood!
I know Jesus loves me with all His heart,
and from me, never will He depart.
 
 
To appoint unto them that mourn in Zion,
to give unto them beauty for ashes,
the oil of joy for mourning,
the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness;
that they might be called trees of righteousness,
the planting of the LORD, that he might be glorified.
Isaiah 61:3

THE POND BY THE WOOD

Fallen branches and debris from winter’s harshness clutter the woodland floor. It's not pretty in the woods. There isn't any greenery on the branches of slowly-waking maple and beech trees. But, last years ferns, still green, lay matted to the ground and green moss clings to rocks and trees. We know spring is coming as we trek to the pond on a gnarly path.

Who has believed our report? And to whom has the arm of the LORD been revealed? For He shall grow up before Him as a tender plant, and as a root out of dry ground. He has no form or comeliness; and when we see Him, there is no beauty that we should desire Him. He is despised and rejected by men, a Man of sorrows and acquainted with grief. And we hid, as it were, our faces from Him; He was despised, and we did not esteem Him. 

Isaiah 53:1-3

As we stand beside the pond by the wood, we contemplate that the Man of Sorrows, Jesus, took upon Himself our sorrows for our sin debt. The Man acquainted with grief knew our grief. Only the innocent blood that was sacrificed by God's Anointed could pay the price for our eternal redemption. Only Jesus Christ, the Son of God, could solve our sin problem.

And, when we get to Heaven, give us glorified bodies. GLORIFIED. What is another wonderful thing about Heaven? Being glorified!

Moreover whom He predestined, these He also called; whom He called, these He also justified; and whom He justified, these He also glorified.

Romans 8:30

Can sinful people like us understand being glorified? We can try, by the power of the Holy Spirit. To be glorified is to be sin-free. Adam and Eve lived sin-free before they sinned and were exiled from the Garden of Eden. In their sinless state, they had no shame. They didn't sin. They walked and talked with God. For how long, we don't know. We can deduce that there will be no sin or shame in Heaven. Sinless is being made holy, and that's why it's quite difficult for any of us sinners to understand glorification. But our Lord's Word declares this promise of being glorified in Heaven.

Now this I say, brethren, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God; nor does corruption inherit incorruption. Behold, I tell you a mystery: We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed—in a moment, in the twinkling of the eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed. For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality.

1 Corinthians 15:50-53

Paul writes in the first book to the Corinthians that through faith in Jesus, who is the second Adam, we will bear the image of the second Adam, the Heavenly Man, Jesus. We who believe (the brethren) will be raised sinless, or glorified. We will gain everlasting life, which is immortality. We will not be subject to death or decay or dishonesty, or bribery, or whatever, which all are incorruption. The perishable things of the world will perish and not enter Heaven. The second Adam and His Word are very powerful.

And holy.

After the construction of the tabernacle in the book of Exodus, the glory of the LORD filled the area.

For the cloud of the LORD was above the tabernacle by day, and fire was over it by night, in the sight of all the house of Israel, throughout all their journeys.

Exodus 40:38

Behind the temple veil was the Holy of Holies. Only the High Priest could enter once a year. Aaron's sons tried entering the courtyard but because their approach was not authorized, they were destroyed. Yes, God is powerful and His Word binding. He had given the command and He wouldn't be just if He didn't follow through with what He commanded. Then, when Jesus died on the cross for us, the temple veil was torn in two. The sacrifice Jesus willingly made on the cross took away all sin once and for all. Amazing grace and eventual glorification are offered to anyone who believes in Jesus Christ.

Surely He has borne our griefs and carried our sorrows; Yet we esteemed Him stricken, smitten by God, and afflicted. But He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities; the chastisement for our peace was upon Him, and by His stripes we are healed. 

Isaiah 53:4-5

But, after death on a brutal cross, Jesus didn't stay dead.

After Jesus was buried, then came the third day. Joy comes with Easter's dawn! He was risen from the dead! He is alive today!

As the sun breaks away clouds of darkness, we feel sin's ugliness dissipate from us. As the sun beams to the woodland floor to restore the greens shoots that will come up with April rains and more sunshine, we stretch our roots and bask in the nourishing son-shine. Spring returns, in the woods and our souls. Only Jesus can restore the human soul. What joy comes from restoration of the soul! Thank you, Jesus!

Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.

John 14:6

For our citizenship is in heaven, from which we also eagerly wait for the Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, who will transform our lowly body that it may be conformed to His glorious body, according to the working by which He is able even to subdue all things to Himself.

Philippians 3:20-21

And... if you're thinking no way can a Creator who created the first Adam OUT OF DIRT IN THE GROUND possibly reconnect EVERYONE'S DNA that ultimately decayed into the soil across generations, think again. Yes, Jesus is THAT powerful, too, as I'm sure, dear reader, you know.

So, we of faith are just passing through this world on our way to citizenship in Heaven, and gonna be having that glorified body, too.

FOR THE JOY: CHRISTIAN POEMS ABOUT GOOD FRIDAY AND EASTER  -update

My latest update is I made the subtitle more specific. Also, I put the book's trim size back to 9x6 to match my Unto Us: A Christmas Poetry Book. I had wanted to write an Easter poetry book to be a sister book to the Christmas book, and Unto Us is 9x6. Also, like the Christmas book, I'm changing the font size to 14 point. For eyes that are struggling with small print, like me, large print books are okay, I say.

FOCUS ON PRAYER

Please pray for our Christian pastors everywhere, and closest to you. Many things rise up in attack against faithful, Bible-teaching ministers. Many attacks are under the guise of 'religion', just as in the days of the Pharisees and Sadducees. The devil still lurks about, tricky as ever. A reason the Lord tarries, in my opinion, is to provide more time for people to have opportunity to become saved, to become sure of a citizenship in Heaven. Jesus is the Narrow Way that leads to life. Broad is the way that leads to destruction which means many are on that way of death. Get on the narrow way. Remember pastors and pray for their endurance and encouragement during these taxing times of witness.

IN CLOSING

Beloved, now we are children of God; and it has not yet been revealed what we shall be, but we know that when He is revealed, we shall be like Him, for we shall see Him as He is.

1 John 3:2

When the glorified body is revealed, it will be perfectly outfitted and suited for eternity, like Jesus, in Heaven.

THE WATERFALL

Down in the gorge of mist and cold

pours out a gushing, strong and bold,

that makes the hemlocks surge up tall—

the power of the waterfall.

The water dances as it sings

and off the trees, its echo rings

to fill the woodland concert hall—

the music of the waterfall.

The flow that washes like a sea

removes the mud and creek debris

and smooths the jagged, rocky wall—

the cleansing of the waterfall.

The Lord of Heaven gives the might

with mercies pouring day and night

to send my wrongs cascading all—

the beauty of God’s waterfall.

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

THE WATERFALL

All the snow had melted a few days ago, and the waterfall was ripping, across from Veery Glade. But, winter returned and snow blanketed everything. We haven't heard the male chickadee singing his two-note courting song, but we have seen red-winged blackbirds and robins (the chickadees are here year-round). Spring, like Fall, is doing a cha-cha dance— two steps forward, one step back.

In my last post, I wrote a little about gold in Heaven. This post will be about Heaven's precious gems, which must surely sparkle. Earth's diamonds, rubies, emeralds, jasper, and precious stones radiantly please the eye, but the jewels of Heaven must surely outshine them all. In this life, a sampling is provided only to be more vastly enjoyed by citizens living with Jesus, The Anointed, in the kingdom with no end, in His kingdom of unlimited resources.

We read at the beginning of the book of Revelation that the revelation of Jesus Christ and things that will take place was revealed to John. He, in turn, wrote it down, as instructed. We further read that anyone (like us) who reads and hears this book of prophecy is blessed.

Immediately I was in the Spirit; and behold, a throne set in heaven, and One sat on the throne. And He who sat there was like a jasper and a sardius stone in appearance; and there was a rainbow around the throne, in appearance like an emerald.

Revelation 4:2-3

Jasper and sardius and emerald. John, enabled by the Holy Spirit, was shone the throne in Heaven and reported what it was like. As I read the Biblical narrative of this scene as recorded in chapter four, I imagine the colors, the rainbow, the lightning, and sounds of thunder, and the 24 elders with gold crowns on their heads falling before He who sits on the throne.

And he carried me away in the Spirit to a great and high mountain, and showed me the great city, the holy Jerusalem, descending out of heaven from God, having the glory of God. Her light was like a most precious stone, like a jasper stone, clear as crystal.

Revelation 21:10-11

How can one fully describe the glory of God? John gives us a comparison to a precious jasper stone, clear as crystal. We have to factor in how big 'great' is. 'Great' is substantial, significant, considerable, sizable, exceptional, serious— all synonyms. And in verses 16-17, measurements are given in furlongs and cubits. God enabled John to write down what he saw, giving us an account of God's glory radiating out from the holy city.

Therefore thus says the Lord GOD: "Behold, I lay in Zion a stone for a foundation, a tried stone, a precious cornerstone, a sure foundation; whoever believes will not act hastily."

Isaiah 28:16

Jesus is our Cornerstone. A life trusting Him is like a building on a sure foundation. When the wrath comes, those who trust in Christ will not need to run nor act hastily, trying to save themselves.

Jesus said to them, "Have you never read in the Scriptures: 'The stone which the builders rejected has become the chief cornerstone. This was the LORD'S doing, and it is marvelous in our eyes'?

Matthew 21:42

Jesus is The Chief Cornerstone, the only One able to save. And for me, He is The Jewel of Heaven.

FOR THE JOY: Christian Poems for Easter  -update

Here are three lines from a poem I'm planning to include in the Easter collection:

Hearts broken are full-mended when miracles abound.

A loss is gone forever when victory is found.

And songs of exultation require joyful sound.

Jesus performed many miracles, including raising Lazarus from the dead. The complete poem entitled "When Miracles Abound" will be in the first half of the poetry book. (I won't be able to finish the poetry book by this Easter but, well, it will be done when its done!)

FOCUS ON PRAYER

And this is the testimony: that God has given us eternal life, and this life is in His Son. He who has the Son has life; he who does not have the Son of God does not have life. These things I have written to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, that you may know that you have eternal life, and that you may continue to believe in the name of the Son of God.

1 John 5:11-13

Please pray thanking God for eternal life through His Son, Jesus. Pray praises of appreciation to our Heavenly Father that we who believe may know we have eternal life. Isn't that wonderful that we can know we have eternal, everlasting life? There's no second-guessing. A solid Creator gives us solid assurance. A trust-worthy Father opens the minds of believers and equips them for eternity by the faith they live. John, by the power of the Holy Spirit, wrote that down, too, for us. Ultimately, it's all from God. So, that's why I say 'thank God' in prayer!

CLOSING 

No mention shall be made of coral or quartz, for the price of wisdom is above rubies.

Job 28:18

(Other verses: Exodus 39:6-14; Proverbs 16:16, 20:15, 31:10)

The Jewel of Heaven is the only One able to gift the jewels of Heaven.

FROM A PURE STAND

Jesus, the Christ, suffered,

like what falls from a pure stand;

with majesty stripped and beauty no more, 

bearing sin and hurts and a whipping strand—

the punishment, humbly, He bore.

Jesus, God’s Son, perished,

like what dies low on the ground;

left to waste and decay, where the grave takes back,

cast away, disowned, but not making a sound—

obedience, none did He lack.

Jesus, our Lord, descended,

like what goes under the floor;

where there is no esteem at the end of the day,

smitten and stricken, where shadows grow more—

the price He did willingly pay.

He was despised and rejected by men,

a man of sorrows, and familiar with suffering.

Like one from whom men hide their faces 

he was despised, and we esteemed him not.

Isaiah 53:3                                                      

FROM A PURE STAND

A wooded area that is not mixed with any other type of tree is said to be a ‘pure stand’. There are pure stands of oak, pine, beech and maple trees. In these splendid groves, one can be reminded of our Creator who sent His Son, Jesus, from the realms of Heaven to mankind.

For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

John 3:16

Jesus willingly went to the cruel cross for us and poured out His life for the remission of our sin. Our debt was completely satisfied. Only Jesus could have paid it. And He could have called a thousand angels to His side but He didn’t. He humbled Himself and obeyed His Father’s will to go to Calvary, to shed His own innocent blood for us, the sinful, knowing not everyone would believe in Him. He left His pure, Heavenly realm to die the sinner's death for us. Creation itself reminds me of the holiness and determination of our Creator to have a relationship with us.

Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God. 

John 3:3

Be born again. Be saved! Not all will see the kingdom of God. Not all will walk on streets of gold. 

What does the Bible say about gold in Heaven?

For Christ has not entered the holy places made with hands, which are copies of the true, but into heaven itself, now to appear in the presence of God for us.

Hebrews 9:24

When Moses went up Mount Sinai to meet with God, God gave him the blueprints for the tabernacle that the Israelites were to build. The gold they plundered from the Egyptians (which God had said in Exodus 3:21-22 would happen before it did, as we read later in the Exodus account) provided the gold used in the construction. By God's presence and power, He glorified the meeting place. Here in Hebrews, we learn that those blueprints were a copy of the tabernacle in Heaven.

"You shall make a mercy seat of pure gold; two and a half cubits shall be its length and a cubit and a half its width."

Exodus 25:17

In the tabernacle, the cherubim were made of gold and so were other items. The gold-plated Ark of the Covenant was there. All were made holy by God's power. None of it was made holy by men.

And when they had come into the house, they saw the young Child with Mary His mother, and fell down and worshipped Him. And when they had opened their treasures, they presented gifts to Him: gold, frankincense, and myrrh.

Matthew 2:11

Jesus, God incarnate, left His home in Heaven, His glory, and became a baby, a life born limited, although not for Him! At His birth, gold was one of the gifts given. I'm sure Mary and Joseph used this wealth to help them. God provides, doesn't He? Even from great distances. And miraculously!

Then I turned to see the voice that spoke with me. And having turned I saw seven golden lampstands, and in the midst of the seven lampstands One like the Son of Man, clothed with a garment down to the feet and girded about the chest with a golden band.

Revelation 1:12-13

The book of Revelation reveals images of Jesus and angels in Heaven and prophecy about the future. There are golden crowns, golden candlesticks, golden bowls, golden censers, golden streets, and the Heavenly city made of gold.

The construction of its wall was of jasper; and the city was pure gold, like clear glass.

Revelation 21:18

And this is Heaven's gold, mind you! Not Earthly gold. I wonder if it's more spectacular. I wonder if it's more priceless. I imagine so.

May you be encouraged to live a life trusting Jesus. Live a life trusting God's Word to see Heaven's gold for yourself.

 

FOR THE JOY: AN EASTER POETRY BOOK   update...

It's still slow going. Maybe spring weather would help! I didn't paint since the last post. My painting is collecting dust. But I have chiseled away at a few poems. I was happy to reach out to a pastor friend who in turn reached out to another pastor friend for help in getting the Aramaic translation of 'I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly' from John 10:10. This Aramaic phrase will be the title and last line of a poem in the resurrection half of the book.

FOCUS ON PRAYER

Please pray that representatives in the House will stand for American citizens above illegal immigrants. ILLEGAL immigrants. Can the illegal people have any respect to come into the country legally? My grandparents from Sweden came legally. What a trouble it is that the elected people in the House of our government did not show support for the nation's citizens over illegal immigrants nor respect for the office of presidency at the State of the Union address. Please pray for American citizens to elect better representatives.

IN CONCLUSION

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His abundant mercy has begotten us again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to an inheritance incorruptible and undefiled and that does not fade away, reserved in heaven for you, who are kept by the power of God through faith for salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while, if need be, you have been grieved by various trials, that the genuineness of your faith, being much more precious than gold, though it is tested by fire, may be found to praise, honor, and glory at the revelation of Jesus Christ.

1 Peter 1:3-7

We believers are kept by the power of God. Even if killed, God will work it out. It pays to live a life trusting Him. Faith, more precious than gold, leads to the gold in Heaven.

JOY IN THE HOLLOW

Joy, that blissful state to keep,

is met in a winter hollow,

where tracks lead in, both wide and deep,

by the edge of the firs on landscape steep,

and where I, with wonder, follow.

Over head, the sun shines perfect light

on the snowy hemlock tree,

and the downy bridesmaid’s hearty flight

is joined by grouse in peaceful sight,

where the woods are hushed for me.

You, Maker of my spirit’s smile

by the marriage you impart,

declare Your goodness for my while.

With a skip, I’ll go another mile,

having joy within my heart.

For unto you is born this day in the city of David 

a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord. 

And this shall be a sign unto you: 

Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, 

lying in a manger.

Luke 2:11-12

JOY IN THE HOLLOW 

The Spirit of the Living God satisfies the empty space in the hollow of the heart. He communes with the believing human spirit assisting, instructing, and rooting joy.

Know God, know peace. No God, no peace.

And an highway shall be there, and a way,

and it shall be called The way of holiness;

the unclean shall not pass over it;

but it shall be for those:

the wayfaring men, though fools, shall not err therein.

No lion shall be there, nor any ravenous beast

shall go up thereon, it shall not be found there;

but the redeemed shall walk there:

And the ransomed of the LORD shall return,

and come to Zion with songs and everlasting joy

upon their heads: they shall obtain joy and gladness,

and sorrow and sighing shall flee away.

Isaiah 35: 8-10 

The LORD makes clear through the prophet Isaiah that the ransomed people will walk on the highway in Heaven. The redeemed will sing songs of joy. Nothing unclean nor ravenous will be on the highway in Heaven. God makes a distinction that people not ransomed and people not redeemed will not be there.

If you don't already know, how does one become 'Ransomed'? How does one get the condition of being 'Redeemed'? How does someone walk on this Heavenly highway? How can unholy people (everyone is unholy) stroll The way of holiness? It is only by Jesus Christ who is able to ransom sinners. Only by the way of the Redeemer whose redeeming work on the cross bore all iniquities. Only by the Son of God who allows passage on the highway because He knows who truly believes in Him from their heart.

Christ has redeemed us from the curse of the law, having become a curse for us (for it is written, "Cursed is everyone who hangs on a tree"), that the blessing of Abraham might come upon the Gentiles in Christ Jesus, that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith.

Galatians 3: 13-14

This is a faithful saying and worthy of all acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am chief. However, for this reason I obtained mercy, that in me first Jesus Christ might show all longsuffering, as a pattern to those who are going to believe on Him for everlasting life.

1 Timothy 1:15-16

Paul, who was a first-rate sinner, knew the mercy extended to him and explains how his decision to accept Christ, awful as he was, might serve to be a model for others to follow.

 

For Christ also suffered once for sins, the just for the unjust, that He might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh but made alive by the Spirit.

1 Peter 3:18

I am amazed and grateful that Jesus Christ, the very Son of God, gave His life for ours— His righteousness for our unrighteousness. In His work on the cross, He alone makes it possible for an unholy person like me to gain entrance to that joyful, holy highway in Heaven.

Blessed are those who do His commandments, (who wash their robes) that they may have the right to the tree of life, and may enter through the gates into the city. But outside are dogs and sorcerers and sexually immoral and murderers and idolaters, and whoever loves and practices a lie.

Revelation 22:14-15

Who loves and practices a lie? People who haven't had their robes washed. Children of the devil. People who don't care about God's commands. Who are the dogs? The ravenous, unclean, dirty people who have not repented nor have called on the only name that can save them— Jesus. Who are the sorcerers? The ones who conjure up their own self-help devices. The sexually immoral? A long list, including those shameful drag queen dressers. Murderers and idolaters? Wicked people and worship.

We gain from the truths in the Bible that the spiritually blind have no testimony to share because Jesus doesn't mean anything to them. The blind still exist today, even in churches. If the spiritually blind lead the blind, both will fall into the pit. Both will miss the road completely. Hell is as real as Heaven.

"Enter by the narrow gate; for wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and there are many who go in by it. Because narrow is the gate and difficult is the way which leads to life, and there are few who find it."

Matthew 7:13-14

Jesus is the Gate, or Door, to the sheepfold. He knows His sheep by name. And the way which leads to life is difficult. But God desires as many as possible to come to Him through His Son. We're made from the ground. He is eternal. The work of Jesus dying on the cross saves sinners and brings them onto the highway. His resurrection from the dead is the power that changes everything. Believe, if you haven't already, because Heaven awaits.

I am encouraged when I hear someone's testimony and the work God has been doing in their life. I have joy to know true brothers and sisters in Christ who pray together. When we pass away, I know we'll see each other again because of grounded faith and obvious witness. I can tell who is a Christian because the mouth speaks what the heart is full of. In this life, we're walking the highways on Earth and I know we'll be walking on Heaven's highway together, following Jesus— The Way, The Truth, and The Life. Yeah, you can know it!

For The Joy: An Easter Poetry Book …update

I haven't worked much on my next book, which is For The Joy, since my last post but I was able to buy new paint for illustrations and a few new brushes. Always good to find the preferred paint and ideal brushes.

FOCUS ON PRAYER

Please pray that the horrible exploitation of children ends. Please pray for front-line workers, law enforcement and judges to be able to end the abuse, rape, and trafficking that victimized children face. How tragic that children are exposed to sexual sins, and sometimes (if not often) by their own mothers, fathers, aunts, and other supposed-to-be-trusted adults! The trust of the child is ruined. God sees the evil. He knows their hurt and knows their harm. He is a just God, upholding what is good and judging what is evil. Pray that these hurting children can trust a truly loving Heavenly Father even when adults did not love them.

When my father and my mother forsake me, then the LORD will take care of me.

Psalm 27:10

"But He will say, 'I tell you I do not know you, where you are from. Depart from Me, all you workers of iniquity.' "There will be weeping and gnashing of teeth, when you see Abraham and Isaac and Jacob and all the prophets in the kingdom of God, and yourselves thrust out."

Luke 13:27-28

IN CLOSING

"They will come from the east and the west, from the north and the south, and sit down in the kingdom of God."

Luke 13:29

Jesus is explaining to the people listening that it is the people who came through Him, the narrow gate, who will have a seat to sit on in the kingdom. They will come from all directions and enter into rest, joy, gladness, singing, holiness, redemption, cleanliness, and safe pasture... all the promises God has made for those ransomed, for those redeemed.

Not all roads (ways) lead to Heaven. Only through Jesus can anyone walk on the highway in Heaven.

SNOW ON THE EVERGREEN

Jesus, Jehovah, Immanuel—

Abundant joy rich to tell.

There is a love that fills my heart,

like snow in the deepest part.

El, Creator, Merciful, Love—

Blessed assurance from above.

There is a peace from Heaven’s crown,

like snow gently falling down.

Savior, Messiah, Adonai—

Blood outpoured to sanctify.

There is a grace from only Him,

like snow coating every limb.

Unspeakable Gift, Redeemer, King—

Sing the song the ransomed sing!

There is a life made wholly right,

like snow turning woodlands white.

Spirit, Counselor, Author, Friend—

Kingdom wonders never end.

There is a seal forever clean,

like snow on the evergreen.

But as many as received him, to them gave he power

to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name:

which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh,

nor of the will of man, but of God.

John 1:12-13

SNOW ON THE EVERGREEN

In the woods, here in Veery Glade, snow comes straight down and coats an evergreen. This scene reminds me that in Christ, we are sealed with the Holy Spirit who guarantees our inheritance of eternal life.

In Him you also trusted, after you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation; in whom also, having believed, you were sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise, who is the guarantee of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, to the praise of His glory.

Ephesians 1:13-14 

As I continue to write about this year's word, which is Heaven, I am drawn to the passage in Isaiah about how the wolf will feed with the lamb. Will there be prey and predators in Heaven? No! Let's take a look at God's Word which always comes to pass. Isn't that amazing? We know the Word of the holy, sovereign God is infallible. If that weren't so, He wouldn't be God.

"The wolf and the lamb shall feed together, the lion shall eat straw like the ox, and dust shall be the serpent's food. They shall not hurt nor destroy in all My holy mountain," says the LORD.

Isaiah 65:25

As we know, lambs are easy prey for one wolf, let alone a pack of wolves, even if mom and dad sheep were around. And they'd get eaten, too! And, we know lions eat the meat of the prey they stalk and kill, but to eat straw like the ox? Is this possible?

God says so, and He did through the prophet Isaiah, years and years ago! Has it happened yet? No, but we can count on this happening, even across generations because God said so. He will create new Heavens and a new Earth. Dust will be the serpent's food. In the LORD'S holy mountain, wolves, lions, and serpents will not hurt or destroy anywhere.

Mountains on Earth are not holy because the ground, through Adam's sin, was cursed as we know from the verse in Genesis 3:17. Even if the view were magnificent and the resources beneath abundant, the mountain is still less than holy. Only God can make something holy.

What is holy? Holiness is having no sin whatsoever, and no one qualifies for that. Holy is not us. Not even the best person is holy. No one is sin-free as I'm sure you already know. We have all fallen miserably short of the immense glory of God. The devil masquerades as an angel of light, trying to deceive anyone he can by convincing said person she or he does not need atonement, forgiveness, cleansing, redemption, and mercy— all of the work of Jesus Christ, the Son of God, on the cross, and in His victory over death, the resurrection.

Who is holy? Only God is holy as I'm sure you know, too. By His matchless love, He demonstrated His love and mercy by sending His Son to us, which is Him, incarnate. Jesus is God in human form! He holds the power of making what was corruptible incorruptible and what was mortal immortal. He gives the promise of eternal life in Heaven when we believe in Him.

"No one is holy like the LORD, for there is none besides You, nor is there any rock like our God."

1 Samuel 2:2

God, who at various times and in various ways spoke in time past to the fathers by the prophets, has in these last days spoken to us by His Son, whom He has appointed heir of all things, through whom also He made the worlds; who being the brightness of His glory and the express image of His person, and upholding all things by the word of His power, when He had by Himself purged our sins, sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high.

Hebrews 1:1-3

THANK YOU, JESUS, FOR DYING ON THE CROSS FOR MY SINS!

The place our loving and merciful Savior, Jesus, is preparing for us in Heaven will include wolves and lambs feeding together and lions eating straw like the ox. That, I got to see!

For The Joy: An Easter Poetry Book update...

As snow piles up around Veery Glade, I continue to work on writing poems for my next book release For The Joy. At this point in the manuscript, I have a sonnet, a diamante, a villanelle, a free verse (which is something new for me), and other verses. Also, I've painted some scenes that will accompany each poem and I've selected Bible verses. For The Joy is not quite half way finished with the first draft. Please pray for me.

Focus on Prayer

Please pray for our unsaved loved ones. Oh, that they would believe and draw close to the Lord! That is the best way to live each day— in fellowship with our Heavenly Father who is also our loving Creator. What a joy it would be if our loved ones could experience this good relationship, this wonderful relationship! Jesus said to not give up in praying. As long as we have breath, pray for the salvation of those individuals near and dear to us.

That if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved.

Romans 10:9

So they said, "Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and you will be saved, you and your household."

Acts 16:31

Then He spoke a parable to them, that men always ought to pray and not lose heart.

Luke 18:1

In Closing

Out of the ground the LORD God formed every beast of the field and every bird of the air, and brought them to Adam to see what he would call them. And whatever Adam called each living creature, that was its name.

Genesis 2:19

Wow! God created then and He can create in the future. And, what a desire God had to know what Adam would name each animal! If you created something, wouldn't you want to be the one who named what you created? Yet God, who is love and desires a relationship with us, His creation, with Adam, let him name the animals. Maybe God even had a chuckle to hear the different names Adam announced.

Set your sights on the promised new order in Heaven!

THE ICY GNARLY ELM

The icy, gnarly elm alone
in the dell, just beyond the spruces,
has taken on to moan and groan
and wonder of her uses;
to worry in the winter scene
where none but harshness grows—
and the cold wind blows.
 
Yet even so, the elm stands firm,
though the weighted ice is building.
And there lies at core a diseasing worm,
as the branches soon are breaking.
Forbidding is the winter scene
in which all things are made weak—
where the plight looks bleak.
 
But there is remembrance of who one is,
as the sun shines on and sparkles.
Even through the strain and brittleness,
there is reason yet for marvels.
Hostile may the winter scene become
and the stressful toll long—
but her trust is strong.

 

Trust in the LORD with all thine heart;
and lean not unto thine own understanding.
In all thy ways acknowledge him,
and he shall direct thy paths.
Proverbs 3:5-6

 

THE ICY GNARLY ELM

Here in Veery Glade, ice and snow covers the branches of maple, beech, and old gnarly elm trees. The only dash of green color against the white backdrop of land and sky is from the evergreens. We are locked in the grips of winter.

Winter doesn't bother me...yet. Snow on the ground in April is a bit discouraging, and so are snowflakes frilling in the air as late as June here, but they don't stick. Even so, onward I write, posting about my new word for the year—Heaven! A wonderful place!

'Call to Me, and I will answer you, and show you great and mighty things, which you do not know.'

Jeremiah 33:3

How great is that? Call on God! See if it's true that He will answer you. And, that He would show you great and mighty things you didn't know before. Smart people are the ones who do this. Wise people meet this opportunity. I urge you to take the LORD up on His offer, if you haven't already.

"In My Father's house are many mansions; if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you. I will come again and receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also."

John 14:2-3

An earthly 'mansion' is a large, impressive home with over 5000 square feet of living space. In addition to the distinctive architecture and the home's five to ten or more bedrooms and ample bathrooms and the usual kitchen and living room or great room, rooms like a library, a music hall, an art studio, a theater, and a gym might all be included under one roof. Elaborate grounds with gardens, pools, and saunas make up the surroundings. Premium and luxurious materials are used everywhere. In the kingdom of Heaven, where rust and decay aren't present, where roofs don't leak, where resources are limitless, where God lives, I think the heavenly mansion Jesus is preparing for each person who called upon Him will be fantastic, to say the least.

For "whoever calls on the name of the LORD shall be saved." 

Romans 10:13

Jesus knows who calls on Him. Are you known? He's gone to prepare a place. Does He know you? Does Jesus know you would love a music hall with a grand piano and pipe organ? Does He know you would love trails to ride your snowmobile great distances? Does Jesus know you? So that He can prepare for you? Take Him up on His offer and call on Him today. It isn't about gaining possessions as it is about receiving a gift from the Great Gift Giver. Ever since time began, which God began, all has been to prove His love for us.

What a great promise Jesus gives when He says that He will come again and receive us. He, who once walked on this Earth, the planet He made, and who then ascended into Heaven after His resurrection from the dead, will return. He will receive us like a gracious host greeting at the door of a beautiful mansion home. But even better than that. We will not be guests. A guest has to eventually go home. When He receives us, we will be entering home. Our new home. Our place He has prepared.

For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And thus we shall always be with the Lord.

1 Thessalonians 4:16-17

Not so for the dead not in Christ. Not so for anyone not saved. Not so for anyone going to Hell. There are no mansions in Hell, not even burnt ones.

For God did not appoint us to wrath, but to obtain salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ, who died for us, that whether we wake or sleep, we should live together with Him.

1 Thessalonians 5:9-10

God knew forcing us to love Him is not love. God gives us freewill. We are made in His image with the power to choose. God gives us a way to obtain salvation and avoid His wrath, which He did not appoint to us but will be faced by those who chose not to be reconciled. I urge you to accept His Son and all the benefits that go with that decision.

FOR THE JOY: AN EASTER POETRY BOOK

The above scene is a possibility for the image to be used on the title page of my next release. For The Joy will feature poems and illustrations leading up to the day of the crucifixion and death of Jesus Christ on the cross, and, the book will feature poems and illustrations of His resurrection from the dead, the victory that changed everything. If you would like to pray for me that I can present the Easter message vividly and clearly to readers, I would be very grateful.

FOCUS ON PRAYER

Please pray for our American nation and government as they strive to make good decisions. Please pray for the safety of our president and cabinet members, and for wisdom to govern.

Obey those who rule over you, and be submissive, for they watch out for your souls, as those who must give account. Let them do so with joy and not with grief, for that would be unprofitable for you.

Hebrews 13:17

Remind them to be subject to rulers and authorities, to obey, to be ready for every good work.

Titus 3:1

CONCLUDING WORDS

The twelve gates were twelve pearls: each individual gate was of one pearl. And the street of the city was pure gold, like transparent glass.

Revelation 21:21

The icy, gnarly elm keeps trusting, even through winter, even through hardship, the words of Jesus and the promise of Heaven.