Fig Trees Grapes and Puddles

Blessings received in the midst of 

desert dry seasons

drench us like refreshing rain,

and we dance

like children,

splashing in puddles of blessings!

© 2014 Marie Nease

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

May the dry, cracked earth of you

be drenched as the Holy Spirit 

falls like rain, 

refreshing, restoring again.

May you lift empty hands 

high, in joyful praise,

thankful just for hands to raise!
May you honor God with all that you own
and the first fruits of your increase,

then find you're surprised by God

as He fills your "barns" until

they can hold no more

and your barrels will burst with new wine!

Yet, if your fig trees do not blossom

and there are no grapes on your vines,

will you still lift your voice in joyful songs of praise

to the God who gave you life and salvation?

You will be able to be joyful

if you remember and believe

that the Lord God is your strength 

and He'll make you surefooted, like a deer,

and swift to run.

 He will equip you to tread on mountain heights,

sure and stable, as you traverse

troublesome times and surmount with ease 

all difficulties and obstructions that lie in your way.

© 2014 Marie Nease

Habakkuk 3: 17-19

Proverbs 3:9-10

Snow

Reveling in this verity

as white covers the ground,

my heart knows with certainty

that though our sins abound,

Jesus' blood that flowed

freely from His heart

brought forgiveness and showed

us His desire to impart

His likeness in mere man

to embrace us as His bride

 is the Trinity's plan.

Though our sins are red like crimson

His blood makes them white as snow.

Jesus sacrificed, His life given

so we would fully know

Him.

 © 2014 Marie Nease

 

 

 

 

Forever...

Is anything forever any more in this life? 

Relationships form, they flourish, 

all smiles and ablush, then, in agony, 

sometimes they die. 

Why? 

An uncoupling occurs, 

yet what we long for is relationship. 

It isn't good for man to be alone. 

Hours and years of dedication to a job or career result in a moment that hits us hard, 

intense as a head-on collision, 

"we have to let you go today." 

A couple's longing fulfilled in sweet baby, cradled warm, yet tender life is snuffed out, before a year is gone. Unimaginable pain, hearts cry out, just to understand...

Gentle heavenly Daddy holds you, 

though it doesn't make sense. 

He feels every ache, 

He carries every burden and offense.

A deer runs into headlights on a country road,

 a blue eyed, blond haired beauty enters paradise before her story had time to fully unfold.

Flowers fade from bright yellow to brown every Fall,

Through the season's lessons he reaches and calls.

A chill in the air, the flowers brilliant colors fade.

Can our lives be a prayer, even though we're dismayed?

 

Tragedies, loss and misfortune fill this world we live in.

Remedies are discovered if we are desperate for Him...

though all else fade, 

His Word stands forever.

Jesus is our protective shade 

and is with us in every endeavor.

Oh, don't give up hope though your nights are so dark, 

a raging fire can grow from a little spark. 

Just look up into the expanse that is God, 

gaze into His majestic eyes and be awed. 

 

  © Marie Nease 2014

Resolve - 2014

He knows...

One of my sons said this earlier. "Life is hard at times." 

He lives in Costa Rica! In paradise! 

The gut truth is that life isn't perfect, even in a "paradise." We get stressed no matter where we live, right? Growing a business or making a living, working on relationships or living alone, letting go of earthly things, paying bills, learning to be still...

The past several days have been a time of stretching for me as I've been learning new things in post processing of images, in order to deliver what a client desired. My brain hurt in the learning. Good news is that the work is complete and will be in the clients hands tomorrow. 

Will they be happy? 

I sure hope/pray so...

So, today, I was at a saturation point. I needed an escape from my computer, more than I knew. I needed to escape from being up until 3:00 a.m. trying to finish this project. 

A FaceBook status for The Cottage Vineyard & Winery spoke tome, as if it knew... "Looking for that wintertime escape? The Cottage offers breathtaking mountain views, wines that will take your mind to your own personal oasis, and hospitality only found in the south! " I typed, "YES!" then pushed away from the computer and headed in their direction.  

I needed to feel the mountain breezes playing with my hair. My soul needed expansive views. I longed to feel the heat of the sun, low in the sky.  Sunshine did more than physically warm me. My soul warmed. The sun does our body, soul and spirit good. (The Son, Jesus, does our body, soul and spirit good!) 

Pink sky silhouetted against bare trees and fences brought me to "life" again. Just what HE ordered to refresh me, body, soul and spirit.

Was my afternoon perfect? No. Was I able to experience the total peace I hungered for? No. There were other guests who had no idea of the quiet I sought there. They were laughing loudly, their sense of humor not in sync with mine at all... Sounds like life right? Yep. Am I glad I went? Yes! The wide-screen views, sweet wine to sip, the breeze, 

the warm autumn sun were medicine. 

The sunset itself was worth the drive.  

 Sweet dreams are made of "this"... Our Father God knows what we need. I can rest in this.
Signing off for the night...

Wingdreamer

  

 Your Father knows what you need before you ask.” Matthew 6:8

 

Our God doesn’t dwell in clouds

Our God doesn’t dwell in clouds so high,

He chooses to live and identify
with mortal souls today.
Creating joy in hearts of dismay
because He came to die
and be the answer to our why.
Through the power of his ascension
He brought us into His dimension.
Now our purpose is fulfilled in his plan
because our God was willing to become man.

May you sense God’s presence anew
within the very core of you.
Relentlessly he woos and pursues
Like a bridegroom, until he captures
our hearts to be His own.
Then, He takes us to heights of rapture
when our hearts are his alone.

© Copyright 2013 Marie Nease

Don't Let Life Pass You By

Today, we celebrated a very special woman's life. Von Rogers. She was Jesus with skin on to so many people. I personally haven't had the joy of knowing her closely in recent years, yet the years I was close to her and her husband Mike, are memorable in so many ways. They were a special part of my wedding, years ago. As I walked down the aisle they sang an amazing song called "Lady in White" by Larry Stockstill. It speaks of the bride of Christ.

Moments shared with Mike and Von were focused on worship and fellowship. Those kind of moments make imprints on souls. I'm so thankful that Von and Mike's imprint is still there, in my heart. (and so many others that I saw today at Von's memorial service that I recognized from past years. 

I found myself saying, I know that smile, but having to ask their name. Precious people that I've worshiped with and enjoyed sweet fellowship with way back in the 70's.)  

Such mixed feelings were experienced today as we spoke of Von and together, we remembered her, together we sang "It is well with my soul" though through tears of realization that we don't understand why Von left earth for heaven's realm, before we were ready to see her go... 

There were so many things I took away from today. I guess what stands out now, before I lay head to pillow, is to not let life pass me by. To live fully. Live. Every. Moment. 

To be Jesus with skin on to those around me: to family, friends and strangers. To pursue Jesus with fiery passion. To pursue my calling and gifts with total focus, leaning totally on Jesus' strength. To love others fully and passionately.

To walk on water when necessary. 

Don't let life pass you by!

© 2013 Marie Nease ~ Wingdreamer