A Poet's Holy Muse

Spring alternately bristled and curtsied this week. 

Cutting, crisp winds with rain and intermittent low temps one moment, 

upstaged by bold rays of sun the next day, 

teasing our trees and budding bulbs to release their fragile blooms.

Amidst the indecisiveness of the outdoors I ventured into the library 

where fortune blessed me with an introduction to poet Jane Kenyon

by way of A Hundred White Daffodils, 

a collection of her essays, interviews, translations,  and poems.

Pleasantly, as rain flooded the back ponds, I discovered a new favored writer.

Jane Kenyon is a highly regarded contemporary poet whose work is greatly influenced by her Christian faith. 

She writes,

“It was my habit to speak to Him.

His goodness perfumed my life.

I loved the Lord,

he heard my cry,

and he loved me as His own.”

From “Woman, Why are You Weeping”, p.207

* * * 

And later in reading an interview with  Bill Moyers,

Jane claims: There are times when I feel I’m given poems.

Bill Moyers: How do we cultivate that in ourselves?

Jane Kenyon: We have to get quiet. We have to be still, and that’s harder and harder in this century.     ...

Moyers: How did you come to write “Let the Evening Come”? So many people say that is the favorite of your poems.

Kenyon: That poem was given to me.

Moyers: By?

Kenyon: The muse, the Holy Ghost... I felt I needed something redeeming. I went upstairs with the purpose of writing something redeeming...this just fell out.

* * * 

This happens, does it not? In just this way. 

In our creative experiences, as one writes, strums, or applies oils to canvas, sensing a hand in union with eye and the heart, 

the Creator present in our inner musing 

to guide our efforts to record His creation.

A Hundred White Daffodils illuminated these early brooding days of spring, 

these expectant and watchful days Lent.

“It’s not just more flowers I want, it’s more light,

more air for flowers, more sun for cheerfulness...

and a hundred white daffodils that grow after dusk 

against the unpainted boards  of an old barn.” 

From “The Phantom Pruner”, p.50

Spacious Place

Once we have experienced the saving actions of our Lord,
once we have been rescued 
and brought out to a spacious place,
that sensation is expansive. 

Our sense of finally existing with ample security to allow 
our heart to grow again, to fill with the power of love again,
to embrace qualities of trust and assurance once again,
the breath we take in is deeper. 

The chest widens in hungry inhaling of freedom's air
and Christ's promises.

Our face exudes a light that is only derived from the saving love of God.

Eyes glisten with tears of gratitude and humility.
Lips, once captive to pain, tentatively lift at the corners 
releasing the joy of a smile and the long dormant laughter that ultimately escapes.

Praise and prayer slip forth in an unending stream
to honor the Lord God for his abundant mercies!

He rescues.
He restores.
He redeems.

Put your faith in the Lord.
For there is faithful love with the Lord,
and with Him
is redemption in abundance.
Psalm 130:7 HCSB

                                                                              ~


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writer's and photographers over at:
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Winter Sun

There had been only an afternoon’s reprieve from the perennial cold blanket of grey light. 

Lifting my head from the dense novel on my lap, I caught sight of the rays of sunlight that had just splayed across the kitchen wall.  Searching further beyond the shuttered windows revealed the sudden change in the sky newly lit by rays breaking through cloud cover that had hovered for days on end.  

Thinking, “move quick or miss it entirely”, I head to the entry, layering on muffler, cap, hooded coat, zipped past the chin. Track down gloves and sunglasses. Pull the door tight behind me as I walk out in the welcomed sun drenched, cold air. The slap of winter temperatures still catches ones breath but a quick pace soon produces the balance between outer cold and down insulated warmth. 

Cooped up muscles can literally sing when given the opportunity to stretch out in long extended strides. The scents of crisp air please the nose and lungs fill with thirst for all that oxygen rich air.  Eyes protected by UV shades, “I lift my eyes to you..” (Psalm 123:1), absorbing ... appreciating, the Creator’s gift of solar warmth poured out on the wintery earth. 

Its a brief interlude. 

Day’s end arrives early. 

Even as solar beams slip low on the horizon the senses remember heat and light. 

The soul praises Genesis gifts.

~

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Time Dawns as Blessed Potential

Time Dawns as Blessed Potential

The present moment, 

the present day, 

the present year –

Present time is always new. 

The arriving minutes unfold endlessly,

gifting us with continuous possibilities.

How do we receive this breath following breath of time? We may chart the unfolding in advance. 

Listing bullet points, planning timelines, orchestrating outcomes. Intent on molding the future. 

Or we may scarcely heed the tick marking times arrival, detachment brooding from an attitude of time as abundant, mere grains of a common resource, unceasing, unremarkable.

At times the arrival is taken out of the grasp of the recipient, spent by exterior demands limiting freedom, overshadowed by grief in the loss of the stolen, quickly spent moment.

Consider the gift that is time, 

among God’s first creations.

Ponder thoughtfully the rolling wave of arriving moments, potent with every possibility.

“Teach us the brevity of life, 

so that we may grow in wisdom.” 

Psalm 90:12

“The chief beauty about time

is that you cannot waste it in advance.

The next year, the next day, the next hour are lying ready for you,

as perfect, as unspoiled,

as if you had never wasted or misapplied

a single moment in all your life.

You can turn over a new leaf every hour

if you choose.” 

Arnold Bennett

A Light Has Dawned

We sit with steaming cups of tea,
mine, green with hints of orange rind; 
his, Chai, with rising wafts of vanilla.
Our kitchen window frames a view of blowing, wintery woodlands. 

“Another grey day”,  he says.
It is grey. White grey sky. Dark grey-brown trunks and limbs. Grey-green pines and hollies. Pond waters rippling liquid slate. Even the wood ducks repeat the same color palette.

Against a backdrop of these framed window panes the table candle flickers boldly bright. The Christmas tree glitters, brilliantly casting light far across the room. 

Against the dark and the grey, because of the dark and grey, the power of LIGHT expands its dominion and claims all attention. 

The light of Our Lord arrives in darkness; 
at His birth and in our hearts. 
The flame is eternal.

2

The people walking in darkness
    have seen a great light;
on those living in the land of deep darkness
    a light has dawned.

3 

You have enlarged the nation
    and increased their joy;
they rejoice before you
    as people rejoice at the harvest,
as warriors rejoice
    when dividing the plunder.

4 

For as in the day of Midian’s defeat,
    you have shattered
the yoke that burdens them,
    the bar across their shoulders,
    the rod of their oppressor.

5 

Every warrior’s boot used in battle
    and every garment rolled in blood
will be destined for burning,
    will be fuel for the fire.

6 

For to us a child is born,
    to us a son is given,
    and the government will be on his shoulders.
And he will be called
    Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,
    Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.

7 

Of the greatness of his government and peace
    there will be no end.
He will reign on David’s throne
    and over his kingdom,
establishing and upholding it
    with justice and righteousness
    from that time on and forever.
The zeal of the Lord Almighty
    will accomplish this.

Isaiah 9: 2-7

Posting with other communities pondering the quiet, the small, and the Spirit filled. 

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Seek Peace

Consider the blameless,

observe the upright;

a future awaits those who seek peace.

Psalm 37:37 NIV

Look at those who are honest and good,

for a wonderful future awaits 

those who love peace.

Psalm 37:37 NLT

~

He Heard My Voice

I love the Lord,

for he heard my voice;

he heard my cry for mercy.

Because he turned his ear to me, 

I will call on him as long as I live.

Psalm 116:1-2

~

"How does the Lord turn His ear to me?", one might ask.

The ways are countless and the occurrences numerous. Perhaps such 

would be seen in the kindness offered by a passing stranger, in the assurance heard in sacred 

hymns and songs of praise, in the scripture passage that shines brighter than every other word 

on the page, in the mental image that suddenly emerges {from where, you may wonder},  

or in the words of surprising wisdom from a child or your loved one. He has been refining 

your attentiveness to these mercies ever since his spirit first entered your heart. Remain alert. 

Engage the Lord's presence through prayerful intent throughout your days. Notice how He 

turns His ear to your praise and faithfulness.

~

Today's photo is shared with the writers over at 

Still Saturday and The Sunday Community. 

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Select one and click to wander among the beautiful images and sacred verses shared over there.

Paint Flows

"Gladiola in Profile", Oil on canvas, Lisa Moreland

Paint flows from brush to canvas. 

Delight springs 

from the glossy trail of color

as eye and hand collaborate to compose form. 

Deep in the brain 

synapse sing 

with the mysterious energy of being creative. 

Satisfaction rises from my soul. 

Dismissed aptitude,

neglected modes of expression 

swell, 

burst, 

and unfold 

like a saturated seed 

each time paint streams from the brush.

Lisa Moreland 

"Those things that mark our creativity - 

our sensual awareness, imaginative thinking, and manual skills - 

are God given tools in our task of cultivating the earth...and...simply for our delight."  

Art & Soul: Signposts for Christians in the Arts, 

Hilary Brand & Adrienne Chaplin, P. 46

Jars of Clay

Wandering among the results of a potter’s wheel brings to heart thoughts and meditations on God’s words. Words proclaim God’s people created from clay; as varied in shape, size, form, hues, and glazes as the pottery stacked in the artist’s yard. God’s people as fragile, as prone to chipping and susceptible to damage as every vessel made from earth’s malleable substance. Like earthenware, we are strengthened by a kiln. Through the kiln of life’s struggles and pain our Lord fashions our character, reveals our spiritual gifts, and builds our faith. We are God’s creation. We are made and remade for His purposes and His glory. And as such we are filled. Here, this is where we diverge from the ordinary, empty vessels found in a potter’s yard. Our divine creator filled us with the gift, the treasure of His Holy Spirit. No empty vessel are we. No. Fallible, breakable, yes; but treasured beyond understanding, blessed and gifted beyond deserving. Designed to serve our Lord and equipped to do so by the abiding power of the Holy Spirit. 

I bring the camera to my eye and strive to frame the large number and variety of pottery in the viewfinder, praising all the while that I am among God’s multitude of wonderfully made people. 

~

And yet, O Lord, you are our Father. We are the clay, and you are the potter. We all are formed by your hand. Is. 64: 7-9 NLT

~

18 The Lord gave another message to Jeremiah. He said, 2 “Go down to the potter’s shop, and I will speak to you there.” 3 So I did as he told me and found the potter working at his wheel. 4 But the jar he was making did not turn out as he had hoped, so he crushed it into a lump of clay again and started over. 5 Then the Lord gave me this message: 6 “O Israel, can I not do to you as this potter has done to his clay? As the clay is in the potter’s hand, so are you in my hand. Jeremiah 18: 1-6

~

We now have this light shining in our hearts, but we ourselves are like fragile clay jars containing this great treasure. This makes it clear that our great power is from God, not from ourselves. 2 Corinthians 4:6-8 NLT

Strength in the Stillness

Their strength is to sit still...

For thus saith the Lord God, the Holy One of Israel; 

In returning and rest 

shall ye be saved; 

in quietness and in confidence 

shall be your strength

Isaiah 30:7, 15 KJV

A lone chair, pulled away from the gathered seating at distance. Pulled closer to the water, closer to the pouring  sounds of the fountain’s spray, closer to the trees lining the shore. Seperated from chattering voices mingling about. Botanically hedged in and away from boulevard and path. A single seat. A momentary respite from restless going about. A miniature sanctuary under green boughs. A   chance occasion accepted to settle alone along the shore. To notice glory. To whisper gratitude. To seek Holy Spirit’s assuring presence and to recall the Lord’s restoring words. A lone chair; a call to quiet retreat, a return to rest. 

~

May you, faith filled visitors 

to this corner of online STILLNESS, 

happen upon your own 

quiet call to weekend rest. 

~

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Follow the Bird Song

Luke 13:18-19

 18 Then Jesus said, “What is the Kingdom of God like? How can I illustrate it? 19 It is like a tiny mustard seed that a man planted in a garden; it grows and becomes a tree, and the birds make nests in its branches.”

Mark 4:30-32

 30 Again he said, “What shall we say the kingdom of God is like, or what parable shall we use to describe it? 31 It is like a mustard seed, which is the smallest of all seeds on earth. 32 Yet when planted, it grows and becomes the largest of all garden plants, with such big branches that the birds can perch in its shade.”

Matthew 13:31-32

 31 He told them another parable: “The kingdom of heaven is like a mustard seed, which a man took and planted in his field. 32 Though it is the smallest of all seeds, yet when it grows, it is the largest of garden plants and becomes a tree, so that the birds come and perch in its branches.”

~

A photo and a few words to join the prayerful communities at Still Saturday and  Sunday. Select their buttons from those below to enjoy more photo praise.

Rest

Return to rest, my soul, 

for the Lord has been good to you. 

Psalm 116:7

 Familiar melodies, meaningful refrains 
fall from the tongue, from long ago memory. 
Dearly loved hymns seem to stay in the mind's folds. 
Even if unsung, dormant for a time, they rise. 
Memory holds them 
though much else will diminish.
Words for the soul.



 Be Still My Soul, a well loved 19th century hymn 
sung here by the lilting voice of Leigh Nash, 
settles my heart in quiet reflection 
and joy filled praise. 
Click here to enjoy the music. 
The lyrics below...

~

Be still, my soul: the Lord is on thy side.

Bear patiently the cross of grief or pain.

Leave to thy God to order and provide;

In every change, He faithful will remain.

Be still, my soul: thy best, thy heavenly Friend

Through thorny ways leads to a joyful end.

Be still, my soul: thy God doth undertake

To guide the future, as He has the past.

Thy hope, thy confidence let nothing shake;

All now mysterious shall be bright at last.

Be still, my soul: the waves and winds still know

His voice Who ruled them while He dwelt below.

Be still, my soul: when dearest friends depart,

And all is darkened in the vale of tears,

Then shalt thou better know His love, His heart,

Who comes to soothe thy sorrow and thy fears.

Be still, my soul: thy Jesus can repay

From His own fullness all He takes away.

Be still, my soul: the hour is hastening on

When we shall be forever with the Lord.

When disappointment, grief and fear are gone,

Sorrow forgot, love’s purest joys restored.

Be still, my soul: when change and tears are past

All safe and blessèd we shall meet at last.

Be still, my soul: begin the song of praise

On earth, believing, to Thy Lord on high;

Acknowledge Him in all thy words and ways,

So shall He view thee with a well pleased eye.

Be still, my soul: the Sun of life divine

Through passing clouds shall but more brightly shine.

Author: Catharine Amalia Von Schlegel 

Composer: Jean Sibelius 

Tune: Finlandia

The Hushed Voice, The Gentle Whisper

A spirit glided past my face, 

and the hair on my body stood on end. 

It stopped,

but I could not tell what it was.

A form stood before my eyes,

and I heard a hushed voice...

Job 4:15-16

~

After the earthquake came a fire, 

but the Lord was not in the fire.

And after the fire came a gentle whisper.

When Elijah heard it, he pulled his cloak over his face 

and went out and stood at the mouth of the cave.

1 Kings 19; 12-13

~

From L.B. Cowman’s Streams in the Desert, A.B. Simpson writes on June 30...

“This ‘gentle whisper’ became for me the voice of prayer, wisdom, and service. No longer did I need to work so hard to think, pray, or trust, because the Holy Spirit’s ‘gentle whisper’ in my heart was God’s prayer in the secret places of my soul. It was his answer to all my questions, and His life and strength for my soul and body. His voice became the essence of all knowledge, prayer, and blessings, for it was the living God Himself as my life and my all.” 

Fall Fresh On Me

Spirit of the living God, fall fresh on me.

Spirit of the living God, fall fresh on me.

Melt me, mold me, fill me, use me.

Spirit of the living God, fall fresh on me.

Daniel Iverson

~

Eyes seek the canopy overhead.

It shimmers with transparent green.

Branching limbs reach heavenward, 

botanical veins silhouetted against the sky.

Airy currents softly brush leaves and skin,

both uplifted to face the light.

The unique brilliance of overcast skies

intermingles with layers of deep shade.

In the whispers of His forest sanctuary

a grateful voice praises,

a longing soul listens,

a believers heart worships.

~

Hoping you find His Spirit 

in your quiet places this weekend.

Lisa

Contentment

I know what it is to be in need, 

and I know what it is to have plenty. 

I have learned the secret of being 

content in any and every situation, 

whether well fed or hungry, 

whether living in plenty or in want. 

I can do all this through him

 who gives me strength. 

Philippians 4: 12-13

Pray in that Secret Place

Framed in creamy painted wood, 

delicate lace curtains hung behind an old four pane window 

that had that aged bubbled character of old glass.  

The space on the other side unknown, 

but perhaps small, lit with the filtered shadows of lacy forms. 

Perhaps if the window is open, a gentle breeze whispers across 

a simple desk or a carved rocker situated in it’s quiet corner 

inviting a momentary retreat, a stilling pause. 

~ 

“Without solitude it is virtually impossible to live a spiritual life. 

Solitude begins with a time and a place for God, and him alone.” {p.69}

“Although the discipline of solitude asks us to set aside time and space, 

what finally matters is that our hearts become like quiet cells 

where God can dwell wherever we are and whatever we do. 

The more we train ourselves to spend time with God and him alone, 

the more we will discover that God is with us at all times and in all places." {p.79}

"Through the discipline of solitude we discover space for God in our innermost being. ... 

It is in that divine space that God’s Spirit prays in us." {p.90}

~

Excerpts taken from:

Making All Things New by Henri  J. M. Nouwen.

I Fed You in the Land of Drought

It was I who fed you in the wilderness,
    in the land of drought.

Hosea 13:5

Across the landscape of living most of us tread across years of 

personal drought and seasons of personal wilderness. 

The scorched seasons of scarcity or trial 

or loss take different dimensions 

but all are no less filled with suffering. 

For we the faithful, it is not a solitary journey.

Woven through every portion of the searing experience, 

God’s presence shepherds, encouraging, and girds the heart.

The Creator gifted the desert plants with structures

that insure their survival in formidable seasons.

The gifts of the Holy Spirit strengthen our character 

to provide faithful endurance 

through our lean or burdened times. 

Thanks be to God, life’s periods of drought 

are followed by renewing rains, flowering bounty 

and wilderness regions eventually transform into 

productive and inhabitable territory.

~

A portion of today's gratitude list:

• the Lord’s provisions in all seasons
• Psalm 34:4 “...He delivered me from my fears”
• Hosea 13:5 “It was I who fed you in the wilderness ...”
• for those around us who serve as ‘angels’ for the Lord
• scripture’s guide and assurance through troubling hours
• Psalm 23 “...for thou art with me”
• prayer's relational power