A White Christmas 

Clouds full of moisture

were approaching,

temperatures dropping,..

With the right mixture

magic can happen...

So heaven winks

then releases whiteness,

falling, swirling, 

dancing, twirling

causing faces of children

young and old

to gaze heavenward, 

smiling...

watching earth blanketed

in pure whiteness

bringing quietness

to this night...

so we breathe

in the beauty

of this white Christmas. 

Written on Christmas evening in Georgia.

© Copyright 2010 Marie Nease 

heaven came to Earth

Jesus, on this quiet eve 

when we celebrate Your birth

I muse on the reasons 

heaven came to Earth.

As your Father painted the first strokes

On the canvas of you, 

the stars were a special messenger

to announce your arrival in this world.

God, your seed in a pure maiden,

brought forth a child, to be my King.

Jesus, you are music of heaven

sung through your voice, so I hear & sing.

Jesus, you are God spelled out

In a language I can understand.

Jesus, you are the face of God

close up, so I can see with new eyes.

So on this quiet eve, when I celebrate your birth

 I behold You, lamb of God 

Who takes away my sin

And the sin of all the world.

© Copyright 2006 ~ Marie Nease 

Inspired by Quiet Talks About Jesus by S.D. Gordon 

“But chiefly in Jesus God came. Jesus is God going out in the cold black night, over the mountains, down the ravines and gullies, eagerly hunting for His lost man, getting hands, and face, and more, torn on the brambly thorn bushes, and losing His life, in the darkness, on a tree thrust in His path, but saving the man.” ~S.D. Gordon

thankful for things that are simple, yet profound

Touch that comforts, heals & expresses love

Hope that’s always there as an anchor when heart is sinking

Answers from God when we question & need direction

Needs that are met through God’s divine and endless supply 

Kisses from Jesus that bring smiles in the midst of challenges

Sounds of birds, laughter, kisses, wind chimes, cellos, geese 

Gift of family, friends & closeness shared

Inspiration of God’s creation - sunrises, sunsets, mountain views, starry nights & a full moon’s glow

Victories gained, lessons learned through struggles & battles

Inklings and insights that bring clarity to foggy moments 

Nearness of God - hiding under the shadow of his wings

God’s grace, goodness and glory He gives us

© copyright 2010 marie nease 

true reality is played 

in rhythm by God 

as He dances with me 

through the blues until 

the blueness gives way 

to hope. 

Marie Nease

Pasture Therapy

Lying on soft blanket, 

in the middle of a green pasture

on top of a hill where

gentle breezes play with my hair

gazing right up 

into the brightness of light

and clouds floating by...

Unexpected, yet welcoming

warm November sun 

takes my mind vacationing

on a Sunday afternoon,

and I’m beginning to sense I’m 

escaping the stress 

of this world

and seeing God’s 

glory unfurled

in nature’s display 

and within my soul

I am restored

as I lie in 

green pastures,

today.

© Copyright 2010 Marie Nease

A Sweet Fragrance .... Shared

One Sunday afternoon, after taking turns reading Proverbs 27 out loud, a friend and I took 20 minutes or so to quietly meditate on the verses and write about one thing that stood out to us. Strangely enough, we both wrote about the same verse. “Perfume and incense bring joy to the heart and the pleasantness of one’s friend springs from his earnest counsel.” Proverbs 27:9 was our choice. Well, if we recognize what God is doing in our friendship, maybe it’s not so strange at all.

Like sweet fragrance,

a scent of joy

poured out

and fragrant burning

rising...

are your wisdom words,

a shared pleasantness

springing up 

like fresh flowing waters...

earnest, honest,

poured out from 

the pitcher 

of you,

fully received

in the depths

of me

and returned

because wisdom

cries out to 

freely flow

like joy

springing up!

© Copyright 2010 Marie Nease 

A Gift of Mourning

A dear friend read to me from Ecclesiastes 3: 1-8.  For me, verse 4 stood out from all the others, and as it turned out, it was a gift. And, so I write...

My dear friend, 

you placed in my hand

a gift...

a gift of mourning.

My usually carefree heart

would much rather dance,

yet the gift given

is tears

running down cheeks

like rivers 

without ceasing...

wet rivulets 

whose source

is a mother's heart

heavy with weight of son

pushing his way

through yet another day

of finding his purpose

in a world with pain

a world hard to explain.

Tears can’t fix 

this weighty burden

yet they bring release

to damned up emotions

and deliver a sense of peace.

In embracing this 

gift of mourning

I’ll allow tears to fall,

knowing Father’s compassion’s

will not fail,

His mercy is fresh,

every morning...

© Copyright 2010 Marie Nease 

Soul is stirring

twirling

swirling

like

a leaf falling

in autumn breeze…

Heaven’s eye sees, 

pauses & smiles

 then breathes...

and I inhale

air inspired

with

holy desire,

stirring up

a holy fire

within.

© copyright 2010 marie nease

Muted to Vivid

You paint muted joy

across my skies.

Pastel colors awash

in nature’s glory,

birthed by God’s

breath

and as I gaze

beyond the horizon,

Free birds fly

With such panache

and a subtle flair...

Heart soars

with wings

dreaming

of days ahead

when feet won’t

touch this earth

and vivid colors

cause heaven's

cheeks to blush

with joy,

fully expressed,

which will find us

laughing out loud…

©Copyright 2010 Marie Nease