Pinheads and Poets

I was reading about our newly-named Poet Laureate, W.S. Merwin, an 82-year-old Maui recluse who started writing hymn lyrics when he was only five. He credits Ezra Pound for encouraging him to write 75 lines of poetry daily. It's difficult, at least at first, as I've tried. Much easier for me to write prose than attempt poetry as one thinks poems should be more esoteric, prompted by deep, inspired thoughts. David, the shepherd who became King, wrote a lot of poetry - some joyful, some from the depths of despair. I love his Psalm 8 which begins and ends with this: "O Lord our Lord, how Excellent is Thy name in all the earth!" Three verses later he writes a verse that I took as the name of an artwork I did (not the one pictured above which is a detail of a print I adore but did not do). The verse: "What is man that Thou are mindful of him?" In my painting there is a wee pinhead man looking heavenward. David's awe-inspired and humbling question echos today but I for one am very thankful GOD loves pinheads and poets equally.

Where Have You Been?

Where have you been? Just heard that the other day in reference to my Encouraging Words blog. I have no good answer. Life gets in the way sometimes but that doesn't mean we don't need Encouraging Words - in act, probably need a whole lot more, right?

I look through my journal - 2010 volume 2, and see so many wonderful encouraging words that I've transcribed during my morning quiet times. I'll share a few with you, willy-nilly. I also pledge to be more faithful in sharing these!

"...nor trust in uncertain riches, but in The Living GOD who giveth us richly ALL THINGS to enjoy!" I Timothy 6:17

After that entry I wrote: Doesn't He? Yes, He does. Look around you and see what He's given you to enjoy.

Another one: "GOD is our Refuge and our Strength, a very Present Help in trouble." Psalm 46: 1 which ends with another one I love: "Be still and know that I am GOD."

That's my re-entry into Encouraging Words. Encourage one another!!

PHOTO: Taken last week: A morning image on my dining room ceiling. Couldn't resist it!

Cloaking Device - Old and New

I am a lover of science - physics both mystifies and intriques me. I'm also a keeper of magazines that I mean to get around to reading, thus recently I picked up a 2008 Discover Magazine. In it was a piece about invisibility cloaks - concealing objects from anything that travels as a wave. Fans of 'Star Trek' and 'Star Wars' know them as cloaking devices. Its no longer science fiction as scientists have engineered metamaterial to cloak items - bending the incoming waves of light or sound (submarines can hide from sonar - the unfortunate concert goer behind a column can still hear the music). Reading that I thought of how we, as Believers, have our own cloaking device - the love of GOD surrounds us and protects us. We will not always be free from physical or emotional harm, but the cruel barbs and arrows of the enemy that would affect our Soul are deflected through GOD's love and compassion. I think of David as a boy who came against the giant and heavily armed Goliath. He said "Thou comest to me with a sword, a spear and a shield but I come to thee in the name of the Lord of Hosts." He is our shield - or cloaking device. "For in the time of trouble, He shall hide me in his pavilion." Psalm 27:5
PHOTO: Prescott Spring Iris

Twittering Revelation - Go Figure

I'm working on an article about a local pastor who is tweeting on the book of Revelation! To me, Revelation has always been a scary book, though I've often said sometimes reading the front page of the newspaper is like reading Revelation (and yes, it is singular despite common usage as plural - Revelations.) As part of my research, I opted to read the first chapter of this last book of the New Testament - akin to dipping my toes in a chilly stream. Found a verse I loved, and one I'd read before I'm sure but nevertheless, it moved me. "I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the ending," said The Lord, which is and which was and which is to come." Revelation 1:8. Take this with you today and have a great one!
Photo is part of my Artes de Calle series - rusty metal pieces found in out-of-the-way places.

Bikers and Bibles

A recent article I wrote dealt with the Black Sheep Harley-Davidsons for Christ organization - an international group of committed Christian bikers who minister to Harley Owners Group (H.O.G.) members and other motorcyclists. The passion of the Arizona regional director Tom Anthony and his wife Tina, one of the first women chapter presidents (there are still only 3 worldwide) is palpable. My lead mentioned they not only wore leather but carried it in their saddlebags (their Bibles). They spoke of how ministering the mercy of GOD to folks who might never go inside a church propelled their mission (though a membership prerequisite for all Black Sheep is they attend a local church ). Mercy of GOD got me to Psalm 136 with its 'call and response' refrain. "For His mercy endureth forever" is repeated in all 26 verses!

Verse 1: O give thanks unto The Lord: for His mercy endureth forever!" and verse 26 "O give thanks unto The GOD of heaven: for his mercy endureth forever!" Its a wondrous read and I encourage you to check it out. Regardless of where we are or what we've been, we can be assured "His mercy endureth forever!"

Photo is a budding ornamental plum tree in Prescott. Don't you LOVE spring??

Unsung Heroines of the Nile

After Saturday's 'Ten Commandments' movie, I decided to do a bit more research on Moses and that time.
In my reading I found two very-much unsung heroines: Shiphrah and Puah. Heard of them? If I had, I certainly didn't remember but these two Israelite midwives were brave women.
Worried about the increase in Israelites in Egypt - where they'd been invited to live during Joseph's time as he was the then-ruling Pharaoh's top man - the new Pharaoh told these two midwives to kill every baby boy born to their countrywomen. "But the midwives feared GOD and did not," says Exodus 2:17. When Pharaoh called them to the palace to ask why they said,"The Hebrew women are not as Egyptian women, for they are lively and deliver ere the midwives come." Smart. Of course Pharaoh eventually ordered the people to cast every son born to them into the river, but as we know, Moses' mother put her own spin on that ruling, prefering to place him in a river-ready basket before putting him in at 3 months of age. The rest, they say, is history..or movie.You might enjoy reading Exodus 1-3 for a bit more background. Photo herein makes me think of what the Nile may have looked like but in fact was taken last week at Tucson's Aqua Caliente Park. A true desert oasis.

Moses and the Big 10

On Easter Eve, for the first time in my life, I watched the 1956 movie "The Ten Commandments". Most of you have probably seen this Oscar-winning Cecil B. DeMille epic, but I never had. Though ABC aired it the same night, I watched it on a digitally-remastered DVD and was enthralled. Some liberties were taken, doubtless, but it was nevertheless quite moving - especially the Passover scene as recounted in Exodus, chapter 12 and the crossing of the Red Sea in chapter 14. This morning, I read Psalm 113 and was taken by the fifth and sixth verse which reads "Who is like unto the Lord our GOD who dwelleth on high; who humbleth Himself to behold the things that are in heaven, and in earth." Isn't that what happened with Moses and the Israelites? Isn't that what happens with us? Verse 7: "HE raiseth up the poor out of the dust and leadeth the needy out of the dunghill that HE may set him with princes, even the princes of His people." Aren't you thankful GOD still beholds us, raises us up and leads? Me, too.
I took this photo of the Ten Commandments erected in the Library Park of Yuma, Arizona in 2007. I learned today it is still there. Cool.

No Fear

Had a friend last week who rhetorically asked 'So where do you think this week's quake will hit?' Yikes. It seems to be a wobbly world we're inhabiting of late, but perhaps it seems so because we have such unprecedented communication access - researching online I see there were 10 quakes yesterday, from northern Alaska to Chile (and L.A.) Having experienced SoCal quakes, I know the fear that strikes when the earth moves, but today's Encouraging Word from Psalm 46 is a fear salve - "GOD is our refuge and our strength a very present help in trouble." That's verse 1; verse 2 reads "Therefore we will not fear though the earth be removed and though the mountains be carried into the sea."
Whether we experience a physical earthquake, emotional or spiritual one, know that HE is your strength and refuge to which you can flee for safety.
Photo is of a favorite church of mine on the island of K'auai where my adopted children and two Godchildren live. On the island, not in the church!

Does He Hear? Does He Help?

Back to the Psalms, and one I find very dear. Also one I know to be so true.

"I love The Lord because He hath heard my voice and my supplications; Because He hath inclined His ear unto me, therefore will I call upon Him as long as I live." Psalam 116:1

And further down in verse 6 and 7 , two verses that mean a great deal to me, the first one, for reasons I'll share with your personally sometime, always makes me smile. The second ends up on my chalkboard perennially.

"The Lord preserveth the simple; I was brought low and he helped me."

"Return unto thy rest, O my Soul; for The Lord hath dealt bountifully with thee!"

Photo here is of a spectacular February sunset on the Bradshaw Mountains, taken from my bedroom window.

Comfort and Beauty

Been traveling, thus my lack of 'Encouraging Words' posts. Back and ready to go!
This past weekend, I noted a note (among many) in the front of my Bible that said 'Two Favorite Pages: 648, 649'. As I looked for them, curious, I assumed they would be in the Psalms as you all know how I love the Psalms. To my surprise, it was four Old Testament books further in Isaiah. Indeed, two well-marked pages with hearts in the margins (indicating favorites). Chapters 54 from verse 10 onward over to verse 19 in Chapter 57 (your Bible will probably have different page numbers.) This week I'd like to share a few with you starting with the first onces I had marked: "Oh thou afflicted, tossed with tempest, and not comforted, behold, I will lay thy stones with fair colors, and lay thy foundations with sapphires. And I will make thy windows of agates and thy gates of carbuncles (a red garnet cut with facets), and all thy borders with precious stones." (Note here - isn't this a beautiful symbolism? Especially for rock and gem lovers like me.) And THEN: "And all thy children shall be taught of The Lord, and great shall be the peace of thy children." As the Psalmist David would say, "Selah": or 'think on these things'.
Photo herein was taken last week, south of Tucson looking from the desert to the snowdusted Catalinas.

Descriptive Words

I read this again this morning and thought, wow, these are but a few words that can be used to describe GOD in our lives. The Psalmist certainly gives us some good ones! Buckler, by the bye and as you may already know is a small shield worn on the arm; a means of defense. I had to doublecheck that one!

"The Lord is my Rock and my Fortress and my Deliverer;

My God, my Strength in Whom I will trust.

My Buckler and the Horn of my Salvation, and my High Tower.

I will call upon The Lord who is worthy to be praised, so shall I be saved from mine enemies."

Psalm 18: 2, 3

Think on these things.

I like to post notes around the house - inside cupboards, on my bathroom mirror, inside the medicine cabinets. On these are (surprise!) words of encouragement, whether Bible verses or quotes - Shakespeare to Mark Twain. One I have up now near my mirror is a series of words taken from this verse in Philippians 4:8 - a good reminder to us all.
"...Whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report, if there be any virtue, if there be any praise, think on these things!"
My list reads like so: True, Honest, Just, Pure, Lovely , Good Report. Think on these things!

An easy read when I'm getting ready and a good reminder for my day.

Vaya con Dios!

And again I say Rejoice!

Woke up this Saturday morning to the sound of birdsong. Sweet clear notes. Out my window, perched near the top of a leafless but pretty tree, was a female cardinal, singing for joy. Made me think of a couple verses I'd like to share with you. The first two, from Psalm 65, are so poetic -
"Thou makest the outgoings of the morning and the evening to rejoice!" (vs 8) and
"The little hills rejoice on every side." (12).
Then in Philippians 4:4 "Rejoice in The Lord always, and again I say Rejoice!"
And, so succinctly, the two-word verse of 1st Thessolonians 5:16 - Rejoice Evermore!
So whattaya say? Lets REJOICE today!!
Vaya con Dios.

Word on the Run

Another busy morning, a quick read of an encouraging word and pow! What a beauty! This is one I know personally from my journey!

"The Lord is gracious and full of compassion,
Slow to anger and of great mercy.
"The Lord is good to all and His tender mercies
are over all His works."

Psalm 145: 8, 9
Vaya con Dios!

Photo: Ahwatukee morning walk - hummingbird in 8-foot blooming ocotillo. Dulce! (Sweet!)

Photo by Coty

Loving Kindness in the Morning

"Cause me to hear Thy loving-kindness in the morning; for in Thee do I trust.
Cause me to know the way wherein I should walk, for I lift up my Soul to Thee." Psalm 143

I love mornings. The freshness of the day, that first cup of perfect coffee, the stillness. Even on snowy days (my Thumb Butte nearly invisible here through last week's snow - or was it the week before?)

This verse was also my 2009 Journal title - especially the latter part 'Cause me to know the way wherein I should walk..." because I foresaw that there were to be some decisions made. As I looked back at 2009, knowing I'd prayed and claimed these words of the Psalmist David (the shepherd boy who became king), I could see GOD had shown me the path to walk. As David said in Psalm 23, "He leadeth me..."
Enjoy your mornings as you hear His Loving-kindness and know, if you'll ask, GOD will show you the way 'wherein you should walk.' Vaya con Dios.

Seven Times a Day

I'm an avid reader and among the topics I enjoy are books set in India - like Pearl Buck's 'Mandela'. In some of these books, I've been impressed at the faithfulness of the people - the women especially, who make time for their prayers, many times a day.Islam also calls the people to regular prayers. In Psalm 119:164 (its a long one!), David writes "Seven times a day do I praise Thee because of Thy righteousness judgements." This encourages me to do the same - I don't always pull the prayer rug off my bedroom door to do this - it is more of a reminder to me, but throughout the day I lift my heart to my Creator, not only with supplications, but praise for all He provides me - wisdom, stength, beauty. If followers of other religions can be so faithful, shouldn't we as well?
Vaya con Dios!

Word on the Go

Its my quotidian practice - or nearly so, to read my Bible each morning. Sometimes work loads and time constraints make this more difficult and on such busy days I often use the 'open and point' method though my Bible is old enough that I have many passages marked with hearts (Yes! So me!) This busy morning I opened and found such a marked verse that I'd like to share with you that may be of help today:
"Commit thy works unto The Lord, and thy thoughts shall be established."
Proverbs 16:3
Vaya con Dios!

Isn't GOD good?

Living in Arizona, I am surrounded by natural beauty. Shown here is the drive into Sedona, just a spot in the road that is one of so many 'photo ops' available in this state, from the saguaro-covered hillsides south to the lofty pines of the central and northern mountains.


I am also surrounded daily by GOD's love and - mercy. Like Nehemiah (9:17b), I proclaim "but Thou art a GOD ready to pardon, gracious and merciful, slow to anger and of great kindness"- I think I can say this is the verse that describes what I've experienced in half a century (last time I'll mention THAT.)

So in the upcoming posts, may I share with you some encouraging words that I have been given?
Together we will lift up our heads and thank the GOD that gives us good gifts. Like the beauty that surrounds us, wherever we are.