Category: #Prayer

#Good Morning from the Lakeside Deck, #Lake Ann, #Nature, #Prayer, #Winter, Journal Writing, Joy, Loving Spirit, Ozarks, Poetry

Good Morning from the Lakeside Deck

shadowleavesonlakeann

This Sunday morning — It’s a cold winter day but morning sunshine gives way to my day. I reflect upon my reading in Hope for Each Day by Billy Graham, “That in every moment there is a new chance to begin again.”

That we can choose to make a new choice~ this is truly one of God’s greatest miracles which touches each & every one of us, every single day and with every breath we take! Blessed!

My writing today —

A Winter Morning
Blue skies and winter sunshine
moves me forward
as I sit here framed in light
bathed in morning warmth
as full glass windows hold out the cold
while also holding all of Lake Ann’s Bear Cove

a blanket of diamond sparkles lightup the waters
moving in quick-time across the lake — seemingly, forever moving towards me
in such a delightful dance
pulling me
straight up to
blue skies,
my spirit rises

and I standing bare,
stark and naked
pale, against a winter sunshine

if for only a moment
free . . .

#Lake Ann, #Nature, #Prayer, #Winter, Grace, Joy, Loving Spirit

Good morning from the lakeside deck ~

shadowleavesonlakeann

I awoke this morning way too early to take our new pups outside. Afterwards, I realized the time ~as it was only 3:00 a.m. ~so I decided to go back to bed and put Sweetie & Ginger back into their crate for another night-nap.

We woke back up at 7:00 a.m. ~ much better! It was about sunrise over the mountain ridge when I walked out onto the deck and we had daylight with cold air and a light snow that had fallen overnight.

My morning writing ~
Winter sunlight rises over my mountain ridge
Touching the horizon
Bear Hollow woodlands are tinged in soft white snows ~
Tops of green pines wear a new crown of white
Hickory and Oak tree branches now standing in white
With newly paved snowways running along boughs, forks and mighty sky branches
Warm vapors swirl,
Move and rise over Lake Ann waters
Skirting
Dancing
Swirling
Waltzing in movements of a Danube
Such a glorious sight
Only to last
A few gifted light-rays

My morning prayer reflections ~
“May the God of hope fill you with all joy” Romans 15:13

“In your presence is the fullness of joy” Psalm 16:11

How do I find God and the Joy He brings to our hearts? ~
~ It happens when I pray
~ when I am just being in His presence
~ when I am still and just enjoying being
~ when I can feel His presence surrounding me
~ when I’m aware of my breath and as it calms me I can reclaim my spirit
~ when I see His love in others
~ when I see God’s face in this world
~ when I walk in nature or hear music
~ when I remember the Holy Spirit does indeed dwell inside me
~ AND understand again and again that the Holy Spirit prays for me everyday!

Psalm 46:10
“Be still and know that I am God “

How to do we try to live everyday with God ?
~ Listen ~ ~sit in silence
Surround yourself ~ walk ~ in God’s beautiful world that He has made for us and that we are made to take care of ~

Love each other and see the good that is in others and in the world ~

LISTEN ~
L / Love
I / Intentional grace
S / Sit at the fountain
T / Tattered souls
E / Excavate the moment
N / Nature’s springwell

#Prayer, #Winter

Good morning from the lakeside deck ~

shadowleavesonlakeann

Surprise, we did get a sciff’ of snow last night about 9:30 ~ a fairy dusting of light powder, as my niece said, my grand nieces were outside drawing pictures in the snow.

I’ve been wanting some snow as we have missed most of it this year with snow storms going around us here in these northwest Ozark hills.

This morning, I’m thinking about Joy and it’s presence ~ and this is what I’m thinking. . .

If I step aside from my day, and take time to just be here, in this present moment, then I can become more aware of and open to God’s beauty, blessings and love that surrounds me every day.

I feel his presence, here and now ~ as His love and peace is here ~ inside me, and surrounds me at all times ~ for He is forever with me.

My writing this morning ~

Haiku 3/5/3

music air
heart holds believing
joy is full

I sing my song this day ~blessings for mercy, peace, love and joy.

#Lake Ann, #Prayer, #Winter, Grace, Loving Spirit

Good morning from the lakeside deck ~

shadowleavesonlakeann

Last night I went to sleep way early and slept most of the night, so after a long night’s rest I was ready to wake up early and be with the puppies playing and Dado getting ready for school this morning.

I stepped outside with Sweetie Pie & Ginger Bread and was surrounded by darkness of early morn and it was a brrrr cold greeting. Ha! We evacuated fast back into our warm home and I settled down with the pups laying on my lap and me sitting on the couch.

As the black of night turned into twilight with pale blue lights just hovering over the horizon, I kept thinking about all of the tasks I needed to do today. Pushing them away, I turned to my hands holding a warm cup of coffee! Warmth and calm.

About sunrise, we again stood on the deck and marveled now at the sudden changes as the sun rays began to claim day and touch the low clouds turning them into a blazing superhighway!

Short lived, I tired to hold this glorious sight in my mind and heart as I began to wonder about all the changes we go through and how quickly life can indeed change for us.

I’m reminded of how God is here for us and holds our hand along the way. Wishing each of you blessings of grace and love ~

My morning writing ~

Watchful eyes
Sunrise colors fade
“Still I rise”

#Lake Ann, #Nature, #Prayer, #Winter, Grace, Ozarks

Good morning from the lakeside deck ~

shadowleavesonlakeann

I awoke very early this morning as the darkness of full “night-hood” kept everything void of light.

As I made my coffee and then stepped outside, the sudden smells of smoke greeted me. I put my mother’s hand guilted blanket around my shoulders to keep warm, and stayed outside for awhile.

I marveled at the number of house and yard lights, I could now see so much more over the hills, as fallen leaves have opened up both sky, and land to view.

Starting my day ~ my morning write ~

I contemplate God’s love for us, grateful!

Haiku 3/5/3

blazing pinks

slide across horizons

new skies born

#Nature, #Prayer, Autumn, Ozarks

Good morning from the lakeside deck ~

shadowleavesonlakeann

img_4903.jpg

Be still and know, I am here ~
God speaks to us in many ways
One is through the natural rhythms of nature
By being still and listening
By watching the morning sun rise
By feeling the crisp autumn air
By walking along a forested trail
We can feel the gentle flow of life
Tuning ourselves into God speak

#Good Morning from the Lakeside Deck, #Lake Ann, #Nature, #Prayer, #Winter, Loving Spirit, Ozarks

Morning Still

shadowleavesonlakeann

img_0468-1

I’m held here by a single moment
Stepping outside
Into the cold winter warmth

A soft morning light bathes my soul
In gentle touches
Sweet as sweet soft cheek kisses

Reflections of both land and sky
Shine upon a stilled Lake Ann
Out-stretching trees linger over its shores
Forever, falling into the depths below
But, soon this Escher painting will vanish too

In the distance
Canadian Geese fly through the cove
Leaving only echoes behind

An Ozark mountain sunrise moves over the ridge
And twilight blues
Turn into day
Leaving the world silenced and still

Oh, how my heart wishes to stay
Pausing in this day
For just one more treasured moment
Held in peace and joy

How thankful I am . . .
Gratitude floods over me
Surrounds me
Wraps its arms around me

I embrace this place
With each breath I breathe
Wishing again for a single morning star-rise
But, I must go

#Good Morning from the Lakeside Deck, #Lake Ann, #Nature, #Prayer, #Summer, Loving Spirit, Ozarks, Poetry, Shadows

Morning Delight

shadowleavesonlakeann

Let my eyes see
In beauty & stillness lay
Fresh & new once again
To know you are with me

The morning is full of vapors
Like an old sunken ship
Lost at sea

Soft summer sun peaks over
The Ozark mountain ridge
And dapples through the mighty oaks

Pouring down into the cove over Lake Ann
Carrying ~ forever shadows
By the arm fulls

As I gather each and every one
I lay them into my lap
With morning smiles and joy

Morning glides into my day
Soft ~ and fully emerging
Changing ~

Changing everything

It touches . . . Even me

 

#Prayer, Death, Written for dVersePoets Open Link Night

#CharlestonStrong

shadowleavesonlakeann

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A young nation mourns
While hatred kills again
Evil raises its ugly head
Our unceasing prayers cry out loud

Surrounded by heavy hearts
We ask God for His strength
His unwavering love
For those who died and their families

Our souls openly weep
In the streets
Of every town
We stand side-by-side
Held by
His tender mercy and grace

Today ~
Now at this moment
And in this time
We stand
Against all evil
Everywhere

Let the power of prayer
Become our strength,
Our treasure, our healing
God’s embrace

All life matters
We stand
Together hand-and-hand

We hold
Onto mercy and love
God’s assurance

Our cries are heard
And we are never alone!

When no reason can ever explain
These retched days of killing innocents
Where did we go so wrong? . . . .senseless

Shared with @dversepoets #OpenLinkNight #PoetsPub #CharlestonStrong

#Lake Ann, #Nature, #Prayer, Fall, Joy, Ozarks, Poetry

September Gold

shadowleavesonlakeann

*{shared with @dVerse Poetics Open Link}

Once more
These late summer days
Unfold into glorious
September Gold

First Phase — SKY

Sky blues
At an all time high
Blue, blue, blue
So blue ~ I could even fly

Second Phase — EARTH

many harvest colors
scratch the landscape ~
old brown hardwoods
new roadside reds
bright orange edges and
yellow sunshine golds

just simple stubble
on these ancient hills
sticking out —
like an old man growing
a brand new beard

orchards sit
on both sides of the road
plentiful red delicious apples
ready for picking and
offering apple cider makings

Third Phase — WATER

summer droughts
have parched the lands
and stilled rivers
but now
from around the bend
over and across the cove
moving down river
Cyrstal Springs and
Sugar Creek waters
begin to flow again

Fouth Phase — PEOPLE

framed by tree bridges
campfires and paddle boats
new campsites dug in
tents and trailers
fill every nook and cranny

fairy tales
fly out of story books
stories abound —
cane pole fishing and
catching rainbow trout
for iron skillet cooking

grandpa
tapping maple trees
for their sweet sugar sap
stirring up golden brown
home made country syrup

Fifth Phase — SPIRIT

And I . . .
watch each new sunrise
listen to the morning blue heron calls
pray for peace and some measured joy
then
with one step
walk out again
along these Ozark woodland trails
now through overgrown shores
waiting to hear the call to stay!

Once more
These late summer days
Unfold into glorious
September Gold

cropped-photo8.jpg

#Prayer, Family, Friendship, Grace, Joy, Loving Spirit, Poetry

Live Bravely

shadowleavesonlakeann

 

photo (46) brave

Set yourself free
Let go of hurt
Knowing
You
Are a loving spirit

You are called
To live and to grow
To love others
To walk this life’s journey
With joy and happiness

You are still you
Accept who you are
Embrace your inner self
Change is a part of the journey
And let yourself be happy

You are a gift to others
Don’t loose years by
Focusing on the past
Or hurt or disappointments
Forgive yourself and others

Rise above what limits you
Step into your future
And live now
Today
With a happy heart

God is
And always will be
A part of who you are
He is with you
He walks with you side-by-side

You are truly never alone
Listen for the divine
You are indeed held by
His loving spirit
Always and forever

#Prayer, #Summer

Outstretched Hands

shadowleavesonlakeann

Sweet Lord goodnight

A thunderstorm is a coming

I can’t see you

I don’t even know you

Oh, sweet morning dew

I run right past those fields of green

Where is heaven?

I pray,  please stay awhile ~

I wrap my arms around you
I whisper of surrounding love
A heart prayer to hold you
Longer than forever

Stay with me ~

A summer white

Magnolia flower~

I promise I’ll dance with you

Under a magnolia

blossom

tree …

#Prayer, #Summer, Poetry, Revolution and Peace

A Votive Prayer

shadowleavesonlakeann

 

I whisper a votive prayer

By the holy shrine’s radiant light

Deep within this earthen cave

Surrounded by rock and stone rises

I lift my eyes as well as my heart

Toward the most beautiful empyrean garden

Soft scattered layers

Of green leaves and woodland debris

Hide the well-worn walking path

Here, in fields of sweet Lavender and ever-blooming Roses – – A sweet bath

Fills this morning’s air with soul nourishing scents

I only hope this day

Brings understanding and peace

That we don’t choose to keep it at bay

Stopping short

We turn away from a neglected peace

Toward only the wretched pains of war

I whisper a votive prayer

Believing prayer light will travel over vast distances

Finding our hearts aglow in time