TRACKS IN THE SNOW

A glistening dell,
white-clad and temple-like,
a line of fresh-made tracks
beneath a spruce’s spike,
where winds have not come in
to shake the boughs of snow,
and in a winter’s blue,
the sunlight shimmers low.

It’s here we see a pattern,
while breathing crispy air,
the prints of whitetail deer
preserved in snowy care.
The pointed toes had followed
the ones before them made,
and dainty ones, too,
had crossed the frozen glade.
 
The wisest and the learned
trust in established ways
through cold and drifted trials
to kinder, warmer days;
So, let us raise a prayer
and speak our human need—
to step within the tracks
of Sovereign-made lead.

 

If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.

Galatians 5:25

 

TRACKS IN THE SNOW 

HAPPY NEW YEAR! 

Time marches on, even here in Veery Glade. Our eternal Creator started the clock when He made time and it's been ticking away ever since. That makes me think and remember my days are limited.

So teach us to number our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom. 

Psalm 90:12

Would you agree it's good to make the best use of the time given us? Many souls are perishing every day. One cannot sugarcoat the eternal place of torment, which is Hell, and once you check in, you can't check out.

But, the place of Heaven is real, too. And oh... Wow! That's the place to go! When you die, that's where you want to live forever and enjoy abundant life. And that's my highlighted word for 2026— Heaven.

In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.

Genesis 1:1

The Word of God begins with this opening declarative sentence that God created the heavens and earth. If one cannot accept this as truth, then one, most likely, cannot accept much else that follows after the Bible's first sentence. But for we who do accept this sentence as glorious truth, the promise of Heaven shines like the rarest gem of them all. The reality of Heaven sustains our hope and feeds our joy. The biblical descriptions of Heaven ignite our imaginations. (I will capitalize 'Heaven' but I will write it as it appears when quoting scripture.)

We read in the Bible that Heaven is beyond our imaginations without the Holy Spirit. It's so good we cannot wrap our minds around it without God enabling us to see, much like God taking on flesh, which He did as His Word tells us.

But as it is written: "Eye has not seen, nor ear heard, nor have entered into the heart of man the things which God has prepared for those who love Him." But God has revealed them to us through His Spirit. For the Spirit searches all things, yes, the deep things of God. 1 Corinthians 2:9-10

So much rides on belief which I've noted before here on my blog. The indwelling of the Holy Spirit happens with the decision to believe. God reveals to believers. And not only that but the deep things of God Himself. Amazing! Is this why some people, even kids, understand scripture while others, even long-time church goers, are blind?

Genesis 1:1 says there are heavens. What can we learn about this? We learn through Paul that there is a third Heaven, which implies there is a first and second Heaven.

I know a man in Christ who fourteen years ago—whether in the body I do not know, or whether out of the body I do not know, God knows—such a one was caught up to the third heaven.

2 Corinthians 12:2 

Basically, the first Heaven is what we see in the sky where birds fly. The second Heaven is outer space including the sun, moon and stars. The third Heaven is where God resides on His throne with Jesus, His Son, seated beside Him.

We are given glimpses of the place Jesus has prepared for us (that is, if you are a believer. If not, why not become one today? Believe on the name of Jesus Christ. Ask Him into your heart. Accept His death payment on the cross for your sins. He took the wrath of Almighty God for everyone so that we don't have to be targets of wrath stemming from original sin. Without the blood of the perfect Lamb, a person is left wide-open to God's wrath and that is something no one will survive. Jesus came to save us from being the objects of wrath we are without Him. But He won't force anyone to believe. Everyone has freewill. I urge you to call upon Him today for your salvation). As I was saying, we are given glimpses of Heaven.

"Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal; but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal."

Matthew 6:19-20

The dimension of Heaven is different than the dimension of Earth. Further, Heaven doesn't have the elements of rust and decay like Earth does. And it doesn't contain thieves. Oh, maybe it's residents once were on Earth before they got saved, but being saved brought a change of heart, and thievery doesn't exist in Heaven. Citizens of Heaven have the nature of being redeemed. Things operate differently in Heaven than we know here on Earth. And, even if you had all the treasures of Earth, it wouldn't amount to anything when you die because you can't take any of it with you.

What you can take is a spirit filled with the Holy Spirit, destined to receive a new, perfect body that lasts forever and won't break down or get bored. What you can take is a soul that hungered after God's Word so much, sharing often on Earth, like shepherds first hearing the Good News, that it is destined to receive a reward for the love of God's Word and the spreading of it. What you can take is excitement to experience the above promise of treasures in Heaven made good cause you know God keeps all His promises. 

And suddenly a voice came from heaven, saying, "This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased."

Matthew 3:17

Can you imagine hearing God's voice from Heaven? The people at Jesus' baptism heard it. There are other verses in the Bible of people hearing God's voice from Heaven, like in the days of Moses at Mount Sinai. Through the coming year, I hope to write more about wonderful Heaven, the place of God, the place for the redeemed, and the place Jesus is preparing for the born-again.

FOCUS ON PRAYER

As I read about persecution of fellow brothers and sisters in Christ in troubling parts of the world, I am compelled to draw attention to their dilemma. Please pray for Christians in central Asia where governments oppose them and their Bible teaching, especially to children. Please pray for Christian parents as they teach their children about love and forgiveness and the message of the Gospel under threatening conditions. Please pray for encouragement to these targeted Christians and that their persecution would end. In Heaven, I wonder how many stories will be shared of earthly persecution.

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

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.

CONCLUSION

"For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life."

John 3:16

Follow tracks in the snow. Follow Jesus to everlasting life. Contemplate the word that will appear here at the end of every Poems and Prayer blog post this coming year with the place that Jesus is preparing—Heaven.