The Tree of Life 

What is as old as the hills yet

 as youthful as yesterday?

What is as predictable and yet unpredictable

 in all its' twists and turns?

What is as grand as an afternoon sunset

whist being subject to stormy weather?

It is in fact the tree of life, its leaves unfurling each day,

and every year it does the same.

Yet as it matures it develops new limbs and new shades

as well as the hard troublesome knobs developing

from time to time when the going gets tough.

Occasionally it  has good years in which it grows

and grows, stretching up to the stars,

and sometimes its growth is stunted by the

various seasons of its life time.

When the tree dwells on the rocky ground

or is over taken by the many temptations that

a sinful world presents and then it does not thrive

and reach life's full potential,

as the Lord originally intended.

All this can be remedied by simply placing

our roots in which trust into the good soil;

the soil of Christ.

You see life is like a eucalyptus tree;

throughout all its twists and turns it is

imperative that we root ourselves firmly

into the only ground worth trusting.

A ground that will support us and not fail to

forms us into the godly persons that

we were created to be;

Gods' people, his treasured possession.

 

The Age of Beauty

Beauty is often perceived as something

belonging only to the young.

This idea, however, is not altogether correct.

for there is in fact a vast deal to be found in the mature.

They possess that certain manner and in

both semblance and personage that is beauty.

For beauty is not only a value to be

uncovered outwardly but inwardly.

In point of fact it is the former that causes

the latter to become so attractive.

Consider a person's smile -

Whether old or young what causes

that lifting of the corners of the  mouth

and that particular lighting of the eyes

that proclaims within one of two persons -

The benevolent and the malevolent.

This secret is indeed unveiled in such a smile.

Charm can also be uncovered in a persons' skin.

Whether it be the callous for many days of

hard labour in improving the lives of others,

or the various wrinkles upon the face depicting

a rather lively and jovial disposition or the

frequent smiles of humble contentment

that mould those distinctive

creases worn upon their countenances.

However some wrinkles indicate to an

observer the signs of discomfiture that

spring out of a fountain of dissatisfaction

with others, those around them,

and quite often with themselves.

You see, their was an age wherein our

saviour came and brought with him a

grace that brigs the ultimate satisfaction

and is the type of beauty that

continues to grows in the heart and

shall never cause it to begin to ache.

That my readers was the age that was

the watering can for all ages to bloom

and blossom into his own likeness.

It has in fact been promised that one

day all with be perfected.

For this water is the unfaltering identity

that can be found in Christ.

For he is the one that God sent

to makes us and all else alike to,

thereby making all right.

Upon The Beach of Grief

Grief comes in five waves of

emotions caused by

treacherous winds of pain and

regret.

Grief causes unique reactions in

individuals triggering

transformations and

determinations within the

individuals dampened

by this tide of

bereavement.

 When bearing up to such an

experience these individuals

endeavour to uncover

for themselves the right sort of

towel in which to wrap the

pain and confusion that is caused by

this rather

debilitating disorder.

The trouble is; there is only one that

will truly dry one and

not disappoint.

Only one that will not become threadbare

and leave one with little or no protection

against the great gusts of despair as they

essay to entangle and an entrap one in it's

dull-full tries.

This is the ever reliable,

unmistakable and comforting,

fortifying towel of

God's grace.

Be Wary Of Words

Words.

They can be innocent, soothing, hasty,

harmless, reckless, and perplexing all at the same time,

and even within the same breath.

We speak abruptly, and with careful consideration.

Both of which have consequences.

For with a word you can change a mind, wound a soul, and warm a heart.

All this is done with tools of communication - the spoken and written.

Indeed it was once observed that we use our tongues

to both praise our Lord and curse our fellow man.

Words are used by different people to achieve two very different purposes.

Some, use words to deliberately cause humiliation and hurt to those around them.

Others use this gift of vocabulary to build people up.

Remember, that the words that we use

to belittle or to encourage

come from the same mouth.

One made by our loving Father in heaven.

Formed that we too, might impart

to others our thoughts and emotions.

So be wary of the words that you chose.

Use the unique gift of speech wisely.

For some, sadly, do not possess such a privilege.

The Furniture

Dedication: to my Editor, thankyou.

My Readers often commend me for the content of my poems.   

You see when they give me this feedback

they see my work alone.

The reader observes the poem; not the pen and ink.

My audience do not perceive the chair of my

relatives and the portraits of my friends  upon the wall.

Nor do they perceive the table of those that have influenced me

and taken such meticulous care and investment in my education.

I am particularly indebted to my tutor, teachers,

and close family members for being so patient with me throughout.

Out of all the those essential pieces of furniture who have made a significant

contribution to my quality of life and the poems that reflect this ,

as they continually lead me on the road of this life,

paved with all sorts of challenges along the way,

the one that I simply cannot complete this work

without acknowledging with immense gratification is the floor.

For it is the foundation that supports all the others.

The one that suports all the others is he

who created them and is set apart.

For he is my Father in Heaven.

He will not decay, disappoint, or dissipate.  

It is he that I must thank above all.

Our Lord is both the Alpha and the Omega,

the beginning and the end.

The Restoration of Creation

When the Lord first created the world

he created the world's first and best masterpiece.

When sin was introduced by mankind,

the canvas began to wear.

As time progressed it faded more and more

and the cracks became deeper and deeper.

Then our saviour came and

his death and ministry started

to restore the canvas of creation.

When he returns the restoring work

will be completed.

Then all will be made anew.

At the very least it will be as good as it was

before sin arrived.

To my beloved old hound.

The Companionship of the Hound

O what a great and quiet joy it is stroll alongside a dog -

your dog.

To experience the simple wonders of nature through the senses -

together.

What a pleasure it is to possess all the five senses.

They operate in perfect harmony -

sight, smell, sound, touch, and taste.

All such senses work together

and when some fail the others prevail,

becoming stronger as they endure.

They make the gradual amble with an aged dog

a far more enjoyable and reflective time

than the otherwise lonesome and energetic jog that it may have been.

Sight: grants one the opportunity to observe one's sensorial surroundings.

Smell: allows you to inhale the fragrance of the flora

and the heavy breath of your dog, pacing patiently beside you.

Sound: enables you to hear the song of the birds and the soft rustle of leaves.

Taste: assists one to taste the fresh air that flows

as a consistent stream into the mouth, landing delicately on the taste buds.

Touch: allows one to feel the fur of the hound

alongside you as you meander along the path.

These things encompass the pleasure of the companionship of the hound.

A companionship that is the very best of friendship;

a friendship that is unique to that of the dog.