Two Tiny Voices

One tiny voice cries on throughout the night,

Amid despair and anger acted out,

‘Til those outside the walls hear every shout.

Two distant hearts, in fit of rage, take flight.

Approaching sirens split the evening sky.

Amid pain and confusion, voices calm

‘Til soothing comes; the touch of healing balm.

In strangers’ arms, the babe ceases to cry.

Then likened to a bird without a nest,

The little one stays here awhile, then there,

Instinctively desiring love.  But where

Could someone without someone’s love find rest?

     One tiny voice cried on throughout the night

     Amid the bits of cloth to shun the cold

     And damp.  For long ago in days of old,

     Each innkeeper blew out his welcome light.

     To think, that the Creator of the earth

     Took on Himself an earthly form and face

     And we beheld Him, full of truth and grace.

     Yet those He came to save denied His worth.

     Then likened to a bird without a nest,

     The King of Kings stayed here awhile, then there,

     Expressing love as only God can share,

     Knowing firsthand the need for peace and rest.

          The unloved humbly washed His holy feet,

          The palms of His hands dispelled rejection,

          Our hearts lifted with the resurrection;

          His compassion and love became complete.

   

               So now, let us adore this holy Child.

               Said Jesus to each man, “Come, follow Me.”

               I AM the poor, the longing to be free,

               The weak, the helpless babe, the one defiled.

                                  ~ae  12/11/2001

“For God

 did not send His Son into the world

 to judge the world,

but that

 the world should be saved

 through Him.”  

                   ~John 3:17

Give Thanks!

   Give thanks.  Say grace.  Pray.  Give the blessing.  Offer thanks.  Say a prayer…  There are many expressions referring to the manner in which we share our conversations with God in corporate settings, among family gatherings, or at home around the dinner table.

   The best expression that I have encountered is the phrase my dad would say every day for as long as I can remember… “Let’s return thanks.”

   To return something means to relinquish it, to give back, to restore it to its rightful owner.  The opposite of returning something would be to keep it, to hold on, to stash, to store or stockpile, to put it on the shelf, to file or to cling to it.

   What is thanks?  It is not an object, yet its presence transforms its host.  It has no form, yet it shapes the mind it occupies.  It weights nothing, yet its absence is too heavy to bear.  It earns nothing, yet its benefits are priceless.  It has no face or outward appearance, yet it is revealed through the countenance of its tenant.   It has no life of its own, yet it is a conduit for fullness of life.

   Thanks, alone, is nothing.  To thank infers the presence of a giver and a receiver.  To say, “Thanks!” is to say, “I thank you.” 

   What does it mean to give?  To give is the act of providing, of offering, of bestowing, of donating, of imparting, of transferring, of handing something over to someone else.  In order to give something to someone, we need to begin by owning it or producing it.  In contrast, when we return something to someone, it initially belonged to someone else.

   Is it wrong to “give thanks”? 

   God’s Word instructs and encourages us…

                “Give thanks to the Lord” ~I Chronicles 16:7

                “It is a good thing to give thanks to the Lord.” ~Psalm 92:1

                “Do not cease giving thanks…” ~Ephesians 1:16

                “Always to give thanks…”~II Thessalonians 1:3

                … and countless similar references throughout the Scriptures.

   So what’s the point?

   We cannot conjure thankfulness from scratch.  The act of thanksgiving is sourced in God alone.  He is the Creator, the Beginning, the Initiator of all things.  All that we have, therefore all that we have to give, originated with Him.  Any act of giving on our part is, in reality, returning to Him what is rightfully His.  On the contrary, not giving thanks could be described as keeping, hiding away, or stashing what was meant to be returned to its rightful Owner. 

   Could it be that to not give thanks, without any intention of returning it, would be considered stealing?

   This concept of thanks, of thanksgiving, of returning thanks, offers entrance into a deeper realm than what our capacity of understanding can provide.  It is sobering. 

   Thanksgiving is holy… a sacred act of yielding, of submission, of acknowledging our position in respect to God's.

   As we gather to celebrate Thanksgiving, let’s return thanks to Him together.

~ae

"The Lord is near.

Be anxious for nothing,

but in everything by prayer and supplication,

with thanksgiving,

let your requests be made known to God.

And the peace of God,

which surpasses all comprehension,

will guard your hearts 

and your minds

in Christ Jesus."

                                 ~ Philippians 4:5-7

Daddy, Please Carry Me

Daddy, please carry me up on Your shoulders,

Hold me up.  I can see what You see.

The feel of Your whiskers

and course wavy hair

and the scent of Your closeness gives comfort to me.

Daddy, please carry me up on Your shoulders,

Hold me up.  I am frightened and small.

I feel so much bigger

and steady and brave

whenever I sit on your shoulders so tall.

Daddy, please carry me up on Your shoulders,

Hold me up high.  Now everyone knows

that You are my Father

and I am All Nations,

and that my dependency upon You shows.

Daddy, please carry me up on Your shoulders,

Hold me up.  I can lift up Your Name;

Wonderful Counselor,

Mighty God, Prince of Peace,

Child Messiah who shoulders my shame.

Jesus, please carry me up on Your shoulders,

Hold me up even when my ways offend.

Your zeal will forever establish Your kingdom;

Your righteous judgments and peace will not end.

~ae

“For a child will be born to us, a son will be given to us;

and the government will

rest on His shoulders;

and His name will be called

Wonderful Counselor,

Mighty God,

Eternal Father,

Prince of Peace. 

There will be no end to the increase of His government

or of peace,

on the throne of David and over his kingdom,

to establish it and to uphold it

with justice and righteousness

from then on

and forevermore. 

The zeal of the Lord of hosts will accomplish this.” 

                                             ~Isaiah 9:6,7

The Weaned Child

A nursing babe thinks only for the moment,

His stomach soothed but never satisfied,

His sense of smell, of touch so overwhelming,

His need for milk, for love intensified.

A weaned child has experienced a fullness

Beyond the nourishment from mother’s breast.

He understands a measure of contentment

To stay enclosed within her arms at rest.

The natural man thinks only for the moment,

His passion soothed but never satisfied,

His sense of hopeless void so overwhelming

His need for truth, for love intensified.

A man of God experiences fullness

Beyond whate’er the world can give at best.

He understands immeasurable contentment

To stay enclosed within God’s arms at rest.

The babe cannot refuse milk altogether;

In lack of sustenance, would fail to thrive.

And yet he cannot simply nurse forever;

In lack of growth, unable to survive.

Just so, God gave creation for the moment,

Knowing full well that it would not suffice,

Nor could man live or grow in earthly pleasure.

Thus, He requires that man must be born twice!

~ae

“Surely I have composed and quieted my soul;

like a weaned child rests against his mother,

my soul is like a weaned child within me.

O Israel, hope is in the Lord

from this time forth and forever.”   

                                              ~Psalm 131

Behold, His Power

Before the stars, the sun, the earth,
Before the time began its pace,
The Father had arranged your birth,
He knew your name, He saw your face.


Behind the leaves, the shadows grew,
Behind the sin of Eden's man,
The Father saw, the Father knew,
He loved you and He had a plan.


Beneath the cross, the scorn, the pain,
Beneath the darkening of the sky,
The Father's Son removed your stain,
He gave you access to draw nigh.


Beside your plate, your evening meal,
Beside your father, hand in hand,
The Father's love to you was real,
He touched your heart to understand.


Between the days, the months, the years,
Between the pages of His Word,
The Father holds your joys, your fears,
His Spirit makes your rest assured.


Because He is the Holy One,
Because you are his precious child,
The strangers look, the neighbors see,
His Light gives hope to life defiled.


Behold, His Power is Divine,
Behold, His mercies new each day.
The Father declares, "You are Mine!"
His matchless splendor paves your way.
~ae

The Untold Story

There once were some Letters quite small,

Who went to a square dancing ball.

With each promenade,

A new Blend was made,

More Blends than the caller could call.

In the room were some arguing Blends,

Who decided they would make amends.

With every handshake,

A new Word did they make,

So it really made sense to be friends.

Next day, several Words took a stroll.

Before long they began to cajole.

In discussing the weather,

One lead to another,

And a Sentence became their new goal.

One Sentence made everyone laugh.

And as others joined on his behalf,

They giggled and chuckled,

‘Til everyone buckled,

Not knowing they’d formed Paragraph.

Well, Paragraph walked way behind,

Forming thoughts with those of like mind.

Soon Story was born,

And by dawn the next morn

‘Twas tapered, buffed up, and refined.

Now, Story got wind of some news;

That if he were to don some ink shoes,

His verbs and his nouns

Would spread all over town,

Instead of by ones or by twos.

When Story gained fortune and fame,

And all asked for him by his name,

It may sound absurd,

But he thanked every Word,

Blend and Paragraph by which he came.

~ae

I Do

He speaks to me;

His still, small voice

says, “Come to Me”.

There is no choice.

I MUST

I try to do,

I strive to be.

It’s not enough;

I am not free.

I CANNOT

I long to feel

His embrace,

to hear His voice,

to see His face.

I DESIRE

I am alone,

broken and bare.

I cry to Him,

He strokes my hair.

I CAST

All that I am

is Christ in me;

the Hope of Glory

set me free!

I DO

~ae  12/29/1998

The Door

To know of a door

is to know of one side.

A door that is closed

will no secrets confide.

To knock on a door

is to want to go in.

A door is a welcoming

quest to begin.

To open a door

is to see something new;

the doorway impending

with fresh hope in view.

To enter a door

is to cross the threshold;

a step through the doorway

where mysteries unfold.

The cost of man’s choice

to relinquish all hope

left man without God

and unable to cope.

The Door came to offer

the Way to God’s heart,

which only the Father

could truly impart.

The Door frame consists

of a manger and hay,

a cross with some nails,

and a stone rolled away.

The Truth paves the Way

to a Life that is new;

the Doorway impending

with fresh hope in view.

Come!  Take off your shoes.

And however you’re dressed,

the Door beckons you;

enter into His rest.

~ae

“Jesus says, 

‘I am the Door; 

if anyone enters through Me, he will be saved
… I came that they may have life, 

and have it abundantly.’”  

                          ~John 10:9,10

Blank Pages

Happy 50th Anniversary, Dad & Mom E.  May God bless you richly as you continue to walk hand in hand with Jesus and with each other.  I love you gigantically!

*       *       *       *       *

Fifty years yielding

to our precious Savior,

we savor His flavor,

forever in view.

                Setting the stage

                for more years to unfold,

                love more treasured than gold

                and His mercies anew.

Books filled with pages,

each book overflowing,

each paragraph showing

great things He has done.

                Yet blank pages linger

                and thus will remain

                unwritten and plain

                ‘til new days are begun.

Blank pages bursting     

with intrigue and mystery

of all that makes history

yet to be penned.

                Bare pages anxious

                for thrilling occurrence

                with joyful assurance

                fresh ink will commend.

Fresh pages aching

to tell of His glory

in every new story

that steps into shoes.

                Clear pages flowing

                in ceaseless unveiling

                of days never failing

                to bear the Good News.

~ae

"Therefore if there is any encouragement in Christ, 

if there is any consolation of love, 

if there is any fellowship of the Spirit, 

if any affection and compassion, 

make my joy complete by being of the same mind, 

maintaining the same love, 

united in spirit, 

intent on one purpose."  

                                           ~ Philippians 2:1,2

Snowin' Blowin'

Snowin' blowin' horizontal
Wind 'n' flakes make folks disgruntal
Wonderin' if the weather front'll
Up and blow away.

   But until the sun is shinin'
   Everybody quit yer whinin'
   Everything'll be just fine, an'
   Then you can go play.
~ae
 P.S. Side note to Ranchers, Linemen, Snowplow Drivers, and other amazing people who work every day out in it; thank you for all you do... you are our heroes!

Paws for Refraction

Boy slept soundly in the chair.

Cat saw sleeping boy was there.

Cat feigned casual and coy.

Cat completely ignored boy.

Boy breathed slowly in and out.

Cat saw opportune lookout.

Boy was tired and boy was ill.

Cat jumped to the windowsill.

Cat leapt blithely to boy’s chest.

Boy slept through his needed rest.

Cat gave tail defiant flick.

Cat began to groom and lick.

Cat yawned. Cat stretched. Cat lied down.

Boy woke up and walked around.

Cat leaped down and hissed at boy.
Cat sought others to annoy.
~ae 

Paws for Reflection

Boy slept soundly in the chair.

Dog saw sleeping boy was there.

Dog found every doggie toy.

Dog placed toys on top of boy.

Boy breathed slowly in and out.

Dog nudged toys with furry snout.

Boy was tired and boy was ill.

Dog was sad that boy was still.

Boy slept through his needed rest.

Dog was gloomy and depressed.

Dog gave boy a loving lick.

Dog would mimic being sick.

Dog sighed deeply.  Dog lied down.

Boy woke up and walked around.

Dog took every step with boy.

Boy pet dog.  Dog wagged with joy.

~ae

When We Watch ~ When We Do

When we Watch, we…

show up                                              

observe others expend effort            

have no control of outcome              

are a spectator                                  

admire others                                    

disapprove of others                          

are still                                                           

notice emotions of others                  

have nothing to lose                          

are safe                                              

see the loss and gain of others          

are being influenced                          

perform one-way communication     

employ wishful thinking                     

see results                                          

are independent & uninvolved          

have expectations                              

are relaxed                                        

recall                                                  

When we Do, we…

prepare

sweat

make a difference

are participants

are admired

change

are active

feel the rush

risk

are vulnerable

lose and gain

are influencing and being influenced

develop relationships

build confidence

accomplish results

are dependent and interactive

are satisfied

get tired

relive

~ae

“Commit your works to the Lord

and your plans will be established.”

~ Proverbs 16:3 

Only One Snowflake

     If you look way up into the sky, and if you have extremely amazing vision, you might see a tiny supercooled cloud condensation nucleus gathering moisture from the humidity surrounding it.  As it freezes, it gains mass and falls through the atmosphere.  If you keep watching it carefully, you might observe as it begins clinging to others like it and forming a cluster of ice crystals…. called a Snowflake!

     When God created all things, he spoke them into being.  But when He created man, He formed him from dust particles and completed His new being with the lifegiving moisture of His breath.  Then man turned a cold shoulder to the authority of his Creator, his whole being transforming into a vessel empty of spirit and full of sin.  Man’s independent, self-reliance and assurance in his own reasoning identified him as fallen and separated from God’s presence.

     The average snowflake is made up of approximately 10 ¹⁸ water molecules which cling to its nucleus.  This moisture is acquired at different rates, at different temperatures, and in different patterns as each snowflake falls through the atmosphere all the way to the ground.  Thus, snowflakes are uniquely shaped; there are no two alike.

     God created man in His own image, yet each of us is inimitable, distinctive and matchless… even identical twins are unique from each other in some respects.  He gives special gifts, talents and abilities to each of us, places us in a variety of environments, families and cultures, and His Spirit prompts, guides and whispers to our innermost beings as individuals.

     Even though ice is clear, the many facets and imperfections of each snowflake diffuse and reflect light, indicating the presence of all colors of the spectrum.  Thus, when snowflakes fall in the daytime or within the range of a source of light, they appear to be pure white.  However, if they are observed falling in the dark with the nighttime sky as their background, they are black, demonstrating the absence of color.

     Man has form and substance, body and mind, heart and soul.  Man is a complicated being sporting many strengths and imperfections.  It is only as a result of the indwelling of the Holy Spirit that the presence of God is indicated.  The radiance of Jesus’ Love, the enlightenment of God’s Word and the captivating freshness of His Grace demonstrate a beautiful and intensely desirable quality… called Faith!

~ae

“By faith we understand

that the worlds were prepared by the Word of God,

so that what is seen was not made

out of things which are visible.” 

~ Hebrews 11:3

“Behold, You desire truth in the innermost being,

and in the hidden part You will make me know wisdom…

Wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow.”

~Psalm  51:6,7

Behold the Dawn

... for my son, James


Behold the dawn

sheathed within soft mantle;

mountains wholly secreted,

overwhelmed by heavens

bearing days of snow

not yet fallen.

From where shall my hope come?

Mountains I knew so well

have vanished,

obscured memories

grasping for clarity.

Only one glimpse would suffice;

assurance

of their very being,

of their magnitude,

of significance,

of hope.

Yet they remain,

unmoved.

Must I see them

to know they are there?

Must I have answers

to know hope?

As I ponder

gazing expectantly,

longingly,

the mountains, my mountains,

are refreshed,

renewed,

restored,

gathering nourishment for strength to endure

an endless storehouse for all of life;

there will be spring again.

But for now…

In time, my eyes will see

my mountains again

in all their inexpressible beauty;

for misty uncertainty,

pursued by the sun,

has no foundation,

no grasp.

And so it is

with hope.

~ae

"I will lift up my eyes to the mountains; 

from where shall my help come?  

My help comes from the Lord, 

Who made heaven and earth... 

He Who keeps you will not slumber."  

                                             ~Psalm 121:1-3

My Brother's Toothpick

   Have you ever seen people walking around with toothpicks in their mouths? 

   Every ounce of maternal instinct in my mortal being trembles with horror at the thought of wood slivers imbedded in their gums or through their lips, or worse yet…   They might trip on air molecules or step on a cat’s tail, causing them to *gasp* swallow the toothpicks! 

   How could they be so ignorant not to fear these possibilities like I, in my knowledgeable awareness, am so carefully diligent to do? 

   And when they talk, the toothpicks in their mouths bounce up and down and are tossed side to side causing such distraction to their listeners.  I am appalled at such rude behavior, not to mention the germs these saliva-absorbing little bacteria storage units must harbor.

   Have you ever seen a log in someone’s eye? 

   I never have.  It doesn’t really make sense; a log can’t fit into an eye.  Logs are so big that I can’t even lift one, so how would I fit one into my eye?  I’ve measured them…

“For in the way (I) judge,

(I) will be judged;

and by (my) standard of measure,

it will be measured to (me)…”

“But (I will) seek first His kingdom

and His righteousness.”

~Matthew 7:2 & 6:33

Think a Thought

I thought I thought a think;

it landed in the sink

I heard a tiny “clink!”

My squint became a blink,

and groaping for my think

I think I thought a thought;

What if I caught my think,

and when my think was caught

it turned into a thought?

The think that clinked would not

be sought within the sink,

for think was now a thought.

And if I think more thought,

my thought will grow a lot,

and when big thought is caught,

and then this thought is taught,

the thought will fill the sink

and make a giant “Clink!”

and everyone will think.

~ae