Clouds light and wispy,
thick cotton balls;
stacked thunder heads with lightening flashing.
Clouds drifting, changing shapes,
floating in azure skies
carry dreams of another life.
Clouds rolling, dark and thick,
bring promised rain.
Bursting, they release fat drops on a scorched earth.
Clouds hiding the sun.
Shadows disappear
and a breeze brings cool relief.
Clouds painting the sky orange, pink and purple
at sunset. Playing peek-a-boo with moon and stars,
they stretch over the night.
Clouds roll back.
King Jesus and His army descend.
Battle rages. War is won by His Word.
Sunday, July 26, 2009
Sunday, July 19, 2009
My Lord, My God
How wonderful you are!
You are full of grace and mercy.
You see the depths of my soul and know my innermost thoughts.
You see how unworthy I am of your love, yet you love me.
I hide from the world, from myself, but from you I cannot hide.
You reach down and hold me, drawing me close to your heart.
You see beyond any mask I might wear; beyond the words that say, "I'm fine" or "All is well"; past the pasted on fake smile to the child hiding inside.
You love me.
You forgive me.
You heal me.
You set me free.
From before time began until after time is no more, you love me with a never ending love; you forgive with a never ending forgiveness.
When I am bogged down in this life, I come to you, Holy God, and you lift me up to stand before you.
You set my feet back on the path you have for me.
Then I breathe in your breath of grace and begin to praise and worship you.
You encourage me.
You fill me with your Spirit and wait for me to take the next step on the path with you.
I cry out, "I don't know which way to go!" and you remind me that I don't need to know because I follow you, the One who is the Way.
I bow before you.
I worship you.
I praise and adore you.
I honor you with my lips and with my life.
I serve you.
Enable me to hear you.
Empower me in your Spirit to do your will and show you to others.
Be my courage and my strength.
Lead me, as you always have, day by day and moment by moment on your path and in your way.
I thank you for your grace.
I thank you for your salvation.
I thank you for your unfailing love.
Amen
Sunday, July 12, 2009
Remembering Brannan's Bluff
A Favorite Swimming Hole of My Youth
Before I could drive myself, Aunt Eva Lea would take us to the "big creek" at at Brannan's Bluff on Baron Fork Creek near Proctor, OK. After chores were done, my cousins (Glenda & Rhonda) and my sisters (Gail & Sandra) and I would jump into the back of Uncle Jewel's 1969 red Chevy pick-up truck. We'd climb up two or three rungs on the wooden stock rack and head to the water. The hot summer wind would rush through our hair as we sped down the road. We'd wave to all we met, happy to be on our way.
After we turned off the highway onto the dusty lane, we'd climb down and crowd around the narrow gate. Almost before the wheels stopped, we'd hop out and race bare-foot across the rocks to see who would be first in the water. We'd drop towels on the way and shout to those behind to hurry. Once in the water, we'd dive straight into the crystal clear cold water, swim across to the bluff and climb the gray flint wall to the natural cut ledges. The bluff had varying heights so you could choose where to stop depending on how brave you felt at the time. Sandra was too little and didn't swim well enough to make it to the bluff so she stayed close to shore with friends -- new or old -- that she found. Gail and Glenda would usually stop on the lower levels; sometimes still knee deep in the water, to practice diving. Rhonda and I were tomboys and would climb as high as we could to jump off.
I would stand on the narrow ledge and look down at the scene below. Groups of swimmers would laugh and splash each other. Some floated on inner tubes and rafts. On the gravel bar to one side, teenage girls would lie on towels talking and sun bathing. Rock and roll from transistor radios echoed off the rock wall. The smell of Coppertone drifted in the still air. Blue sky stretched above. Not a cloud in sight -- birds swooping and darting in joy. Dear Aunt Eva Lea would be in her folding lawn chair, a towel over her head to protect her from the sun, at the edge of the water in what little shade could be found. The water sparkled and reflected the sun except int he shadow of the bluff. There, where the water was deep, fish swam lazily or did under a ledge. A glorious place to be when you are a young teen: before worrying about looks, boys and popularity yet and after being an over protected kid. That just right age.
Rhonda would jump. Then I would. Or, we'd all four play follow the leader or other games we made up as we went along. We'd climb and jump and swim until breathless and shivering we'd find a sunny spot to rest and warm. Rhonda, shivering with blue tinged lips and fingers, would sit on the ledge just long enough to stop shaking. Denying she was cold, she'd jump in again and we'd all be off once more.
After about two hours, it would be time to go. We'd hear Aunt Eva Lea call us but would delay as long as possible. We'd swim to the shallow side and beg for just one more jump. She must have been about to melt from the heat but was kind and usually gave us a few more minutes. Eventually, we'd all come dragging out, wrap in our towels then climb in the back of the truck for the ride home. Often, since we thought we were starving, we would stop at the Proctor Store for an ice cold Coke and a candy bar.
As soon as we got home, we'd run down to our little creek to wash off the "big creek". We'd play until supper then fall into bed exhausted to sleep the dreamless sleep of the young.
Oh, those were wonderful days!
Before I could drive myself, Aunt Eva Lea would take us to the "big creek" at at Brannan's Bluff on Baron Fork Creek near Proctor, OK. After chores were done, my cousins (Glenda & Rhonda) and my sisters (Gail & Sandra) and I would jump into the back of Uncle Jewel's 1969 red Chevy pick-up truck. We'd climb up two or three rungs on the wooden stock rack and head to the water. The hot summer wind would rush through our hair as we sped down the road. We'd wave to all we met, happy to be on our way.
After we turned off the highway onto the dusty lane, we'd climb down and crowd around the narrow gate. Almost before the wheels stopped, we'd hop out and race bare-foot across the rocks to see who would be first in the water. We'd drop towels on the way and shout to those behind to hurry. Once in the water, we'd dive straight into the crystal clear cold water, swim across to the bluff and climb the gray flint wall to the natural cut ledges. The bluff had varying heights so you could choose where to stop depending on how brave you felt at the time. Sandra was too little and didn't swim well enough to make it to the bluff so she stayed close to shore with friends -- new or old -- that she found. Gail and Glenda would usually stop on the lower levels; sometimes still knee deep in the water, to practice diving. Rhonda and I were tomboys and would climb as high as we could to jump off.
I would stand on the narrow ledge and look down at the scene below. Groups of swimmers would laugh and splash each other. Some floated on inner tubes and rafts. On the gravel bar to one side, teenage girls would lie on towels talking and sun bathing. Rock and roll from transistor radios echoed off the rock wall. The smell of Coppertone drifted in the still air. Blue sky stretched above. Not a cloud in sight -- birds swooping and darting in joy. Dear Aunt Eva Lea would be in her folding lawn chair, a towel over her head to protect her from the sun, at the edge of the water in what little shade could be found. The water sparkled and reflected the sun except int he shadow of the bluff. There, where the water was deep, fish swam lazily or did under a ledge. A glorious place to be when you are a young teen: before worrying about looks, boys and popularity yet and after being an over protected kid. That just right age.
Rhonda would jump. Then I would. Or, we'd all four play follow the leader or other games we made up as we went along. We'd climb and jump and swim until breathless and shivering we'd find a sunny spot to rest and warm. Rhonda, shivering with blue tinged lips and fingers, would sit on the ledge just long enough to stop shaking. Denying she was cold, she'd jump in again and we'd all be off once more.
After about two hours, it would be time to go. We'd hear Aunt Eva Lea call us but would delay as long as possible. We'd swim to the shallow side and beg for just one more jump. She must have been about to melt from the heat but was kind and usually gave us a few more minutes. Eventually, we'd all come dragging out, wrap in our towels then climb in the back of the truck for the ride home. Often, since we thought we were starving, we would stop at the Proctor Store for an ice cold Coke and a candy bar.
As soon as we got home, we'd run down to our little creek to wash off the "big creek". We'd play until supper then fall into bed exhausted to sleep the dreamless sleep of the young.
Oh, those were wonderful days!
Thursday, July 9, 2009
We Have Puppies at Our House
Last Thursday morning, my son's Blue Heeler had 7 new babies: 5 females and 2 males. Heelers are born white but usually get their color by the time they're weaned.
No one planned these puppies -- except their mama. We thought we watched her closely and kept an eagle eye out for male visitors but nature took over. Now we have Puppies! They are one week old today.
They are the cutest little babies and Dixie, the mama, is very caring and protective of all of them. She stays on alert for any possible intruders and will hardly leave them long enough to eat and get a drink. If one of us humans comes close, she tries to cover them with her body and a paw.
When I look at newborns, I see the Creator God in the miracle of birth and life. Amazing chances of conception, developing in the womb and birth come together in new life. Nurturing parents give attention and protection until the young ones are able to fend for themselves. I am amazed by the intricate planning of God to bring about each life.
Even more amazing is the new life we have in Christ. The Father planned for our forgiveness and salvation before He made the world. He knew me before I was born and provided for me to come to Him in faith.
Puppies, all new babies, are beautiful and wonderful. New life in Christ Jesus is Awesome.
Sunday, July 5, 2009
Why I Need Books
Books have always been my close companions. They let me hide from the real world. They explain life and show me what the world is like -- or how it could be.
Books show me God. First through His Word, then from other Christians. With books, I can learn almost anything: to speak well, write, science, cook, childcare, relationships, home decor and on and on and on.
Books allow me to lose myself in time. I can go far into the past, see how it must have been to live in a cave or in the wild west, be on the "inside" of courts with kings and queens, learn to love selflessly, fly into the future, or go "Over the Rainbow" to Oz and other worlds of make believe.
Books show and tell and bless and inspire. They encourage me to be better. In biographies, I see how ordinary people become extraordinary and do great things. They explain the whys of the world, keep history accurate, expound on God's grace and how to please Him.
Technically, I could exist without books. But, books make it more of a life than an existence. Books often say it better than I can. I need books to help me enjoy life.
Books show me God. First through His Word, then from other Christians. With books, I can learn almost anything: to speak well, write, science, cook, childcare, relationships, home decor and on and on and on.
Books allow me to lose myself in time. I can go far into the past, see how it must have been to live in a cave or in the wild west, be on the "inside" of courts with kings and queens, learn to love selflessly, fly into the future, or go "Over the Rainbow" to Oz and other worlds of make believe.
Books show and tell and bless and inspire. They encourage me to be better. In biographies, I see how ordinary people become extraordinary and do great things. They explain the whys of the world, keep history accurate, expound on God's grace and how to please Him.
Technically, I could exist without books. But, books make it more of a life than an existence. Books often say it better than I can. I need books to help me enjoy life.
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