Visions of Poetry

Saturday October 15 2016  OH THE STORY HANDS COULD TELL

 

OH THE STORY HANDS COULD TELL

Kathleen Martens

October 15, 2016

http://www.visionsofpoetry.com

 

Hands speak a thousand words.

In silent tongue they talk.

As they caress a new born babe

And teach their toddler to walk.

 

A story that exceeds what words can say

As an old lady sits quiet and still,

Hands folded serenely in silence

Which no longer do her beck and will.

 

Hands once smooth, now are veined,

Pots and pans she can no longer lift.

But those hands once cooked in mass,

Preparing for others her generous gift.

 

Fingernails now yellowed with age,

Brittle and stained with time.

But on that day so long ago

A beautiful ring slipped on so fine.

 

No thought given to all the tasks

The hands were required to do.

But as years past and pain set in

Her accomplishments became quite few.

 

Regardless the swelling and awkward bend

Of fingers that would no longer flex,

The hands devised many new ways,

Though sometimes fingers were vexed.

 

And through it all the spirit soars

Because life is so precious to live.

It is not what you can no longer do,

But to do what one can still give.

 

It may take longer to do a chore,

And the hands may need a rest,

But the joy is just being able to do

With limited movements, doing your best.

 

Oh the stories hands could tell

If they only could speak their voice.

But the attitude of those to whom they belong,

Tells the story of their choice.

 

The above poem was inspired by song I listened to today sent to me by a lady who reads my blog.  The song title is:

ONE PAIR OF HANDS

BY Carroll Roberson

 

If you would like to listen to the song you can do so by clinking on the link below.  IT IS SO BEAUTIFUL!  Be sure you have a screen for the visuals.

https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?v=10200715678792401

I hope the song blesses you as much as it did me.

GOOD NIGHT AND GOD BLESS YOU

 

Friday October 14 2016  HALF IS GONE

The month of October will be half over tomorrow.  Every day I type the date and it always seems surreal to see the days advance so quickly.  Remember our plans to begin setting up our Christmas tree on October 1^st?  Well, here it is the 14^th and we haven’t even had a moment to take our boxes out of the closet.

The sun room windows really needed washing and in order to do so we had to move all the furniture out from the walls and move all the little things into the formal dining room.  It took Dave a couple of days to finish washing all the windows, another couple of days to get all the large pieces back in place, and all the books and little do-dads are still gracing the dining room.  I have not had a minute to stop and do anything except the urgent pressing needs of the moment.  That is, until today.  But, unfortunately I wasn’t home.  Sunday’s nap was one of those “urgent pressing needs of the moment”!

So now we need to wash the formal dining room and living room windows.  And again, all the furniture close to the wall must be moved out, the windows washed from the inside, using squeegees to reach outside areas which are on the second floor. We haven’t figured that one out yet.  Normally we hire it done but this year we decided that since we are retired we should try to do more of the “house maintenance chores” ourselves.  Hmmm…maybe that wasn’t such a good idea. 

Perhaps you now understand why we start so early to get our Christmas tree decorated.  It will probably take us a month just to get the boxes out of the closet.  I’ll keep you updated.

It is now 9:00 p.m. and my bedtime.  So this will be a short blog. 

 

Autumn’s Recollection

Kathleen Martens

October 14, 2016

www.visionsofpoetry

 

Cool days and blustery wind

Bid summer adieu,

Sweaters and jackets pulled from storage,

Again feel quite new.

 

Morning light comes so late,

Internal clock reset.

Early evening beleaguered by dark,

Circadian rhythm beset.

 

Early to bed, early to rise,

Darkness becomes our friend.

All the daily outside chores,

Mid-day hours we must lend.

 

I view the world with new eyes

As it changes from day to day,

I stop and watch the flying Vee’s

Of migrating geese on their way.

 

To experience the grackles* in their flocks

Thousands darken the sky!

And our yard is their stopping place

As they go flying by.

 

Changing color as temperature drops,

More quilts go on the bed.

And brilliant shades sprinkle my view

From gold to radiant red.

 

Dazzling fields of drying corn

Shimmer in morning light.

Stunning landscapes around each turn

Create magnificent sights.

 

Spider webs sparkle with dew

With myriad, intricate design.

Like a lace floating in the wind

Workmanship oh so fine!

 

The sound of crunch on the path,

Cheeks cold with frigid air

Are recollections of the past

And so with you I share.

 

There is beauty yet to be seen

And cold you don’t want to feel.

Every day reveals new mystery

And that’s a really great deal!

 

Thank You God for the changing seasons in many parts of the world.

Thank You God that I live in one of the areas that has defined seasons.

 

THANK YOU FOR…

Kathleen Martens

October 14, 2016

www.visionsofpoetry.com

 

Thank You for the color I see.

Thank You for the wind I feel upon my face.

Thank You for the flowers and bees

For spiders who design intricate lace.

 

Thank You Lord for the rustle I hear

As wind flits through the leaves,

And thank You too that summer is over

Because I love wearing long sleeves.

 

Thank You God for Your majesty

That shines in Your earthly creation.

And for all the senses You gave me

In order to delight with such elation!

 

GOOD NIGHT AND GOD BLESS YOU.

 

*In winter, Common Grackles forage and roost in large communal flocks with several different species of blackbird. Sometimes these flocks can number in the millions of individuals. http://www.allaboutbirds.org

 

Personal note:  Sometimes when we are home as the grackles are migrating we hear a racket outside and we know the grackles are landing for a bit in our yard.  I am sure the birds cover a vast array of yards because there are thousands of birds which land in all the tree tops, the grass, and the fields around us. It’s as if the trees are alive with movement of their own.  When the birds take off they do so as if orchestrated by a choreographer.  They fly in mass from tree top to tree top.  The flap of so many wings must be like music to God’s ears; soft but crescendos, a sort of fluttering whoosh that revs up and just keeps on going.  The flock just keeps landing and taking off over a span of several hours throughout the day.  Usually it is only one day.  I do remember one such year however when it happened over parts of two days. 

At times we see them in the air from a distance and they literally blacken the sky in wide, long ribbons as they fly quite low above the tree tops.  Whether we view this escapade from our kitchen window or from the window of a car as we travel, it is one of such wonder that it takes my breath away.  Sometimes the ribbon of blackbirds stretch into the distance so far you can’t see where it ends and the same is for the distance from whence they come.  It is the kind of experience that you must experience firsthand to understand the scope.

Thursday October 13 2016  A WEEK IN A DAY

 

A WEEK IN A DAY

Kathleen Martens

October 13, 2016

www.visionsofpoetry.com

 

It seems as if I have lived

A week in just one day.

So much I have accomplished,

I wish this day would stay.

 

Up before the crack of dawn,

Photo order sent in by eight.

The early bird gets the worm,

On this order I won’t be late.

 

Off to the gym to burn some calories

And to enjoy my water massage,

As I leave Dave as busy as a bee

Blowing leaves out of the garage.

 

After my restful time on the table

I’m off to supply my larder,

Off to Aldi’s and then to Costco

Because growing a garden would be much harder.

 

And once again I’m back at home,

Unload, unpack and put away,

While organizing in my mind

All the things I would do today.

 

Dave and I are such a team

We worked together side by side,

As we prepare the food to cook,

We wonder where it will hide.

 

Our refrigerator is so full,

And now it’s crammed even more.

Every Thursday the food box comes,

And we need more places to store.

 

I peeled and cut, diced and sliced,

Snapped green beans to go in the skillet

I got out the big pots and pans

And my food actually filled it.

 

Chicken bones bubbling in the pot,

Stir-fry sizzling its delicious smells,

And I snacked while I worked,

Hoping my hunger to quell.

 

Finally the salads were all made,

Fresh greens from the garden box.

The room so quiet as I worked,

No one around but me to talk.

 

Just in case you think it not possible

On occasion I am sometimes quiet.

And during my hushed interludes

My thoughts are actually a riot!

 

After lunch I cooked some more,

Cleaned up as I made each mess.

By the time the cooking was done

My kitchen was spotless I must confess.

 

And one thing just led to another,

No end to food prep in this house.

But eventually everything was done

Without one speck of food on my blouse.

 

That’s because I have my towel

That hangs around my neck,

It covers me both front and back

To protects my clothing from specks.

 

And dinner time had come and gone

And I had nothing at all to eat.

So I ate peanut butter and crackers,

And finally got off my feet.

 

Made some calls, then answered some

So as to keep contact with our son.

We’d like to schedule a day of celebration

When together we can have fun.

 

But it is not to be

For the next two weeks are full.

And not one moment in this day

Was there even a lull.

 

Worked on the album for two hours

And then stopped to go to bed.

That’s when I remember my poem un-written

And my poem needed to be said.

 

So this is the story my saga tells,

Just the busyness of my day.

Now I’m ready to be tucked into bed

If I not too tired to find my way.

 

Yesterday seems so far away,

Tomorrow seems to come too soon.

Perhaps I should take a day off

And sleep blissfully til noon.

 

GOOD NIGHT!

Wednesday October 12 2016  KITCHEN MEMORIES

Loud thunder and brilliant lightening greeted our early morning hours.  Dave and I were both up early due to nature’s stereo being turned up so high.  As I was leaning against the bathroom sink, a hot water compress covering my eyes, I could hear the cascade of rain pelting on autumn’s destruction of our fern garden through the open bathroom window.  It sounded like gentle secrets caressing the earth.

From the other end of the house I could hear Dave taking the clean dishes from the dishwasher and putting them away.  All else was silent.  The gentle rain and the sounds coming from the kitchen lulled me back through time.  My journey took me back, one by one, to all the kitchens of bygone houses, bygone bits of life, and bygone years.  A gentle peace accompanied my thoughts as the visual images of the past came flooding in.

My kitchen of today looks out toward the street, through the leaves of the big old maple tree out front.  The kitchen from our last house covered the entire wall above the sink and looked out past our deck, that was suspended on stilts, to a view which encompassed a vast nature preserve, the inland waters of the Carquinez Strait* where the moth ball fleet was anchored in the distance.  We were at the top of the highest hill in the Martinez, Pleasant Hill, and the Walnut Creek area in Northern California.  I remember many days looking down and watching the eagles soaring below us.  Often we were above the thick fog and it appeared we were peering down from heaven looking at the top of the clouds.

The house before that was a rental house we stayed in while Dave was in a transition job on a temporary assignment.  Again we were high up but our kitchen window faced the back yard which continued to climb even higher.  The entire yard was covered with ivy that grew thick and profusely covering both the front and back yard to the delight of the snail population.  We challenged our daughter to gather snails for us and we would pay her a penny a piece if she counted them.  She diligently found as many as she could in one day.  She collected bags of them and her count was 1,300.  She earned a whopping $13.00!  She threw them in the garbage can in the garage.  She did not close the garbage can lid. 

Early the next morning I went out into the garage to hustle the kids to school and the entire garage was sliming with snails in every direction!  I kid you not; they were everywhere.  And guess who got to pick them up!  After I dropped the kids off at school I came home to the hardest $13.00 our daughter ever earned.  I didn’t get paid for picking them up the second time.  When I threw them in the garbage can I put the lid on very tight!

The kitchen before the rental house described above was the second home we bought.  We lived there for 10 years and it where we brought both of our children home from the hospital when they were born.  The window was above the kitchen sink and the counter. The window was 10 feet wide and looked out on a block wall which stood on our property line about 6 feet beyond the window.  The wall was about 6 feet high.  About 10 feet beyond the wall was another large two story house with the bedrooms looking down into our un-curtained kitchen window.  That house was on a high hill and was located in the Santa Ana Canyon of Southern California.  We lived in the pathway of the famous Santa Ana Winds.**  Our back yard was high and we had a view across the valley to the Anaheim Hills crowded with stair-steps of homes carved on the opposite hillsides.  Most days our view was a valley of smog.  Many days would pass when we couldn’t even see the homes across the valley; except after the Santa Ana winds.  Then it was crystal clear. 

Outside our kitchen window was a very nice ledge that served only one purpose.  That was where our two cats would hang out.  Dave was unable to have the cats in the house due to allergies but the cats were ever faithful, knowing they would have moments of loving touches from me and that their meals were always on time.  That is the house we lived in when our two year old son drug a chair the length of the kitchen over uneven brick floors and licked the frosting off an entire round cake decorated for a cake walk later than night.  That’s a whole story in itself.

The kitchen in our very first home was on the flatlands of the Anaheim area.  We bought a brand new house and it was like a dream to me.  Remember, growing up I had never lived in a home owned by my family.  This was my first home in my entire life that I lived in which was not a rental.  Dave and I moved in six months after we were married.  The early seventies look was the “IN LOOK”.  I papered the adjacent family room area (which we used as a formal dining room) with bold yellow and orange wallpaper that went up to the slanting roof line of our house.  The kitchen looked into the family room.  The sink was positioned in the white tiled bar that divided the kitchen from the family room.  There was a large double sliding glass door on the far wall of the family room that overlooked the uneven dirt and rocks of our un-landscaped side yard.   Whatever I looked at during that time of my life really didn’t matter.  I was just in love with life and the new world that awaited Dave and me.  In other words I was immature and didn’t have a clue as to what I was doing.  Actually, that was a tough year for us as I adjusted to married life. 

And as far as our married life goes there is only one more kitchen to remember.  Our first residence was an apartment in Anaheim California a couple of miles from Disneyland.  Alas, there were no windows above our kitchen sink.  As I washed dishes I looked at a solid wall.  But there were a lot of other things we were focused on during that first six months of our married life that kept us quite busy; and we were seldom in the kitchen. 

Each kitchen holds its own memories.  I so loved being in all the kitchens of each place I lived.  I love cooking, making new recipes, and having people over so I can let them try my “experiments”.  I learned the hard way that I must experiment at least once with a recipe BEFORE I use it as company fare. 

The kitchen is the heart of our home.  I enjoy our kitchen because it is large, open, has places to sit at the bar, has an eat-in area and is outfitted with all that I need to easily prepare meals.  We had our kitchen updated in the late 1980’s and so I’ve been told it is ready to have another update.  HOWEVER…and this is a big however, I like my kitchen just the way it is.  I have conceded to having the wallpaper removed (a nice small subtle flower print) and having the walls painted.  But that is all I desire to have done.  I love my Formica counter tops, the built-in stove top, built in ovens, and the stainless steel sinks.  I have lots of counter space, three pull-out cutting boards, lots of storage space with pull out drawers, and a very inefficient refrigerator that I would like to replace.  However, the fridge is quite new so we plan to keep it for a few more years.

The memories I love most are the sounds and smells of the kitchen; the talking and laughter, the cooking and the crowding of people, and the smell of sweet potatoes caramelizing in the oven as onions and garlic simmer on the stove.  And I especially love the sound of my husband putting the dishes away.  It is a sweet sound to me.  Oh, and one more thing.  I love coming home at night from a function and walk into the lingering aroma from the soup I made earlier in the day.

 

SO MUCH FOR WHICH TO BE THANKFUL

Kathleen Martens

October 12, 2016

www.visionsofpoetry.com

 

There is so much more I could say

About the sounds of life’s bustle

And all the stories of my life

While preparing food with all the hustle.

 

A place to keep things cold

A stove on which to cook.

And for whatever pot I need

I simply must take a look.

 

Utensils of choice for special jobs,

Mixers and squeezers, and measuring cups,

Bowls and spatulas, whisks and knives,

And plates on which to sup.

 

Spices galore grace my cupboards,

And containers of this and that,

Salt and pepper, flower and meal

And sugars that will make me fat.

 

Grains and beans await their turn

For a recipe to turn up

So they too can do their part

Measured out by the cup.

 

I am so grateful for all I have,

Especially the food that is ready to eat.

But I often turn my thoughts to others

Who live in poverty and defeat.

 

Those who have no food to prepare,

And go to bed without a meal,

And maybe not even a place to live,

No house or garden to till.

 

So many hungry in our world

Who starve more each day.

How can I help those who hunger?

How can I send food their way?

 

I cannot save the entire world,

But when I do even a small part

It garners strength when others pitch in

To help many have a new start.

 

And as I cook in my house

On a stove with glistening pots,

I never want to forget about helping

All those, who have not.

 

So give some thought beyond doors

And give every chance you can

To feed a hungry child abroad,

Or a local woman or man.

 

Food Pantries need donations,

Buy something extra to give away.

Even here close to home

Many need help along the way.

 

Be thankful for all you have,

For every morsel of food available to you.

Give thanks to God for providing

And every meal say a “THANK YOU” too.

 

Thank You God for all the food I have to eat.

Thank You for my garden box that comes during the summer.

Thank You for a kitchen in which to cook my food.

Thank You for the conveniences we have available in our homes.

Thank You for land that grows new crops each year.

Thank You God for You and Your mighty wisdom.

 

GOOD NIGHT AND GOD BLESS YOU.

*The Carquinez Strait is a narrow tidal strait in northern California. It is part of the tidal estuary of the Sacramento and the San Joaquin rivers as they drain into the San Francisco Bay. Wikipedia

 

**The Santa Ana winds are strong, extremely dry down-slope winds that originate inland and affect coastal Southern California and northern Baja California. Santa Ana winds blow mostly in autumn and winter, but can arise at other times of the year also. The winds originate from cool, dry high-pressure air masses in the Great Basin. The winds are known especially for the hot dry weather (often the hottest of the year) that they bring in the fall, and are infamous for fanning regional wildfires. For these reasons, they are sometimes known as the “devil winds” across Southern California. Wikipedia

 

 

 

Tuesday October 11 2016   A DEEP SADNESS  (POETRY DAY)

 

OUR COUNTRY IS QUITE ILL

Kathleen Martens

October 11, 2016

http://www.visionsofpoetry.com

 

How sad it is to know

Our country is quite ill.

A cancer roams through our land

With intent to kill.

 

Evil abounds wherever you go

Sorrow and sadness the norm.

Our country is being divided

By such a political storm.

 

Regardless of who is elected

The demise of our country is near.

It may take a little while

But our end may soon be here.

 

We kill our babies,

Shoot public servants of valor.

Prisons full to overflowing

Because goodness seems so shallow.

 

Prejudice roars like a lion

In all walks of life.

Too many innocents are imprisoned

Causing so much strife.

 

Our borders unprotected

And will possibly be opened more,

It matters not who wins the election

We have no clue what’s in store.

 

How did our country fall so low

That the dredges of the human race

Are now fighting for the highest office,

Desperately running in place?

 

The future of our country

Will be ruled by liars and cheats.

Either candidate is labeled both

And their match is such a heat.

 

How sad it is to ponder

The cancer that grows within,

Because our country no longer has values,

But willingly accepts all sin.

 

Avarice rules behind the scenes,

Lying is the accepted norm.

Closed doors of corruption

Cause more evil to be born.

 

More and more rights taken away,

The word “tolerance” is the choice.

Unless perhaps you disagree

When your lift your voice.

 

As long as you see eye to eye

With the words politicians say,

It’s all right to speak your mind

And you’ll be considered okay.

 

But should you legally carry a gun

You are blamed for crime’s infection.

The mastermind is to make it illegal

To have your own protection.

 

Take away the rights of citizens

And allow our borders open to all,

And then let’s see how safe we are,

Because evil men ignore the law

 

And soon our land no longer governed

Of, by, and for the people.

The landscape soon will change.

And there may be no more steeples.

 

Freedom of speech will be in the past,

We will do exactly as we’re commanded.

And the cancer will overtake the land

And all freedoms will be abandoned.

 

So go ahead and go to the polls

And try to not think what’s ahead.

Because as the world goes now…

We’ll all have much to dread.

 

AND ON THE OTHER HAND…

Here is a poem I wrote in 2010

 

Words of Grace

By Kathleen Martens

September 21, 2010

http://www.visionsofpoetry.com

 

There is such power in words.

To build up

Or tear down.

 

Do we say

That which is good?

Or words that carry a frown?

 

Words can cut

Deep in the heart

A wound of unseen blood

 

Where silent tears

Spill forth sorrow

Where no bandage can stop the flood.

 

Or words can heal

And give hope to life.

When given in loving grace

 

Can cause a heart to soar

With joyful song

When spoken softly face to face.

 

GOD BLESS OUR YOU AND OUR COUNTRY REGARDLESS WHO WINS THE RACE!

 

Monday October 10 2016  DO NOT COMPROMISE

“DO NOT GIVE UP WHAT YOU WANT MOST FOR WHAT YOU WANT IN THE MOMENT.  DO NOT COMPROMISE YOUR LONG-TERM GOALS.”

The above statement is a quote from a sermon message I listened to this morning while working out at the gym.  I backed up the audio and listened again to make certain I heard it correctly.  It was an epiphany moment, though not a new idea to me.  It was just that I had never heard the idea so succinctly worded.  I needed to hear it, TODAY. 

This past weekend was a busy, eat oriented weekend.  I was careful, but not careful enough.  Dave went to a men’s breakfast Saturday morning and they always have the kinds of foods he enjoys.  So that was his first meal.  Dave joined me on location at 9:30 a.m. to photograph a 35^th wedding anniversary.  Dave and I were invited to the sit down luncheon served to the wedding party from 35 years ago, family, and closest friends.  A WONDERFUL array of Italian food was served.  There was also an amazing array of desserts.  After the luncheon the open house guests began arriving for the afternoon.  

The caterers had the afternoon food prepared and presented in a beautiful arrangement within two hours of the luncheon.  AND OH MY GOODNESS…ANOTHER SPREAD OF DESSERTS.  Up until the last five minutes before we had to leave I had not taken even one bite of one dessert.  Since I was leaving I thought I should at least try one bite of what appeared to be cheese cake.  It was cheese cake; cold and firm (just like I like it) and the most delicious tasting cheese cake I have ever tasted (sorry sister)!   Well, I went back to the dessert table and cut off the entire piece of cheese cake.  Over the course of the next 45 minutes as Dave and I drove to our next event I ate the entire piece.  Probably about 2,000 calories!  But, it was so good.  And as I walked out with my cheese cake partially eaten I also decided to sample one other tidbit, a Norwegian cookie!

We arrived 45 minutes later just in time for a sit down dinner served in the formal dining room at our Son’s home.  We were there to celebrate our younger grandson’s birthday.  And yes, you guessed it, the party included all the trimmings, including popcorn AND cake served to all the party guests who arrived at 6:00 p.m.  My only salvation was that the cake was chocolate with chocolate frosting.  I was so glad!  It looked so delicious but I cannot eat chocolate due to a health issue so it was easy to pass it up.  Whew!  That could have been a 4,000 calorie day (and I’m only talking about the dessert calories)! 

And then today the preacher man I listened to on my iPhone from http://www.southlandchristian.org had to say the above words.  The statement hit a bull’s eye.  I have been struggling the last few weeks with over eating.  I don’t feel good when I take one bite over what I should but yet the food is always so delicious I think I can get away with it.  Well, I can’t.  I am still wearing the same clothes but I can feel a bit of tightness in some areas.  So, my goal has been to just refrain from the excess bites.  To attain and maintain my long term goal of keeping off the 80 pounds I dropped three and half years ago, I must not sabotage myself by allowing what I want in the moment to compromise what I want the most.  My goal is to maintain a healthy weight, stay in the same clothing size (especially since I only have one size in my closet now) and not eat sugar as it lowers my immune system considerably and makes me swell uncomfortably.  It also causes me to look and feel awful.

So, I will take to heart the words I heard spoken today.  I will not allow what I want in the moment to compromise what I want most.  Is it possible that this statement has also hit a tender spot in your life?  We each have our own dreams, goals, and visions.  Think about your life.  Are you missing out on what you want most because of what you want in the moment?  Give it some thought.  Tomorrow is a new day.  And after all, it only takes one day at a time to achieve what you want most if you will just bypass what you want in the fleeting, present moment.

 

DO NOT GIVE UP

Kathleen Martens

October 10, 2016

www.visionsofpoetry.com

 

An instant in time

Insignificant and fast.

In those moments of indecision

Allow your dream to last.

 

Let not busyness

Take away your focus,

Nor other hindrances

Become like locust.

 

What you desire most,

Put on top!

Succumb not to temptation

Which may cause you to stop.

 

The long term result

Of being true to self

Will become your glory

And your help.

 

Make a decision

And follow the course,

Saying no to the temporary

Will be your force.

 

Do not give up

What you want most.

A WISE CHOICE EACH MOMENT

Becomes your helpful host.

 

Thank You God for the words I hear.

Thank You Lord for helping me to understand truth.

Thank You for the gentle reminders you give me daily through the voice of others.

 

GOOD NIGHT AND GOD BLESS YOU!

Sunday Sabbath October 9 2016  THE UNWRITTEN POEM

 

THE UNWRITTEN POEM

Kathleen Martens

October 9, 2016

www.visionsofpoetry.com

 

Inspired to write

Earlier in the day,

But I was too busy

So I went on my way.

 

That is something

You would think I’d learned,

To write while inspired

Lest words be spurned!

 

And my poem now gone

From the shelf,

And I can’t remember

The words myself.

 

But it was about the Sabbath

Set aside for rest,

So I slept on the couch

And awakened refreshed.

 

MY THANK YOU POEM

Kathleen martens

October 9, 2016

http://www.visionsofpoetry.com

 

Lord, thank You for loving me so true

So that I in return can love You.

 

Thank You for food that fills my table

So feeding others I am able.

 

Thank You for the clothes upon my back

Enough to share with those who lack.

 

Thank You for joy that fills my heart

And spills out on others to help their day start.

 

Thank You for salvations that You gave to me,

So I can tell others it is always free.

 

Lord thank You for hope and eternal life

That makes it possible to carry no strife.

 

Thank You Lord for the words You speak

That instills my desire of You to seek.

 

Thank You God for each and every day,

So that I may follow heaven’s path way.

 

GOD BLESS YOU ON THIS SABBATH.

Saturday October 8 2016  A BEAUTIFUL DAY

 

A BEAUTIFUL DAY

Kathleen Martens

Oct 8, 2016

http://www.visionsofpoetry.com

 

A beautiful day of rejoicing

And celebrating life.

Thirty five years of marriage

Of one man and wife.

 

A marriage based on God,

A road of lessons learned.

Regardless life’s circumstances,

God they never spurned.

 

Days of Job often long

Through sickness, sorrow, and pain.

And regardless the situation

God made their days for gain.

 

Through times of need and tragedy,

And the loss of their precious son,

Even when their grief was deep,

It was to God they’d always run.

 

Their hearts given to others,

And it was LOVE which they gave.

To others they told their story of redemption

And how God their hearts will save.

 

A time of friends remembering

A wedding of many years before.

They always took the path of God

Unknowing what was in store.

 

And their vows of love survived

Through sickness and in health.

And their greatest gift from God

Is their love, which is their wealth.

 

And what an honor is was for me

To capture their moments of pleasure

As they shared with their friends

Joyous wealth which they treasure.

 

Unmeasured love God pours on them

Because they are willing to give theirs away.

And God has blessed them with more life

As they rejoice to overflowing each day.

 

And what a beautiful day it was!

I WAS THE PHOTOGRAPHER FOR THE 35^TH WEDDING CELEBRATION OF OUR FRIENDS.  I LOVE BEING BEHIND THE CAMERA FOR SUCH EVENTS AS THIS.

 

 

 

 

Friday October 7 2016  LIFE JOY AND CONTENTMENT

 

“THE DECISIONS WE MAKE DICTATE THE SCHEDULES WE KEEP.  THE SCHEDULES WE KEEP DETERMINE THE LIVES WE LIVE.” 

Quote by Lysa Turkheurst,  Christian speaker and author of “The Best Yes” as well as many other books.

I heard the above quote in a recent sermon I listened to at http://www.southlandchristian.org.  I have not read “The Best Yes”, so I am not familiar as to its topic.  The sentence just struck a chord in me.  It is a statement I have long believed to be true.

Decisions we make in life all have consequences, positive, negative, and sometimes unintended consequences.  What I have tried to put into practice before I make a decision is to intentionally think first; what could be the outcome, will it be good for me, is it necessary, and how will it affect my life in the tomorrows to come.

I look back at my life and realize at times the decisions I made, and schedules I chose to keep, were at times unattainable and somewhat obsessive.  Too many times I have put too much pressure on myself to live up to my decisions which dictated the schedules I tried to keep. (I’m certain my oldest sister could write a nice long chapter about that which would be very unflattering to me.) The quote by Lysa Turkheurst above is so true.  True because I know just how difficult different times of my life have been due to the unwise decisions I did make, which resulted in schedules that were overbooked, which certainly determined the frenzied life I lived.  And I just kept doing it.  And it was not good!

Age has given me a bit different slant on life now.  Yes, my decisions and schedules are still my decisions, but I am trying to take into consideration the life I do want to live.  When I am too busy it is sometimes the most important aspects of my life that suffer the most, such as spending quality time with God, my husband, children and grandchildren.  It is only myself that can make the decisions which allow more time in my life in order to determine the kind of life I desire to live.  Thus, that was one reason I cut back to writing my blogs only three days a week instead of the seven days a week I have done for the past couple of years.  The rest of my life is also feeling the cutbacks.  And I am better off because of my newer decisions.

Take a look at your life.  Give yourself an evaluation to see if you have too many items on your agenda which determines the hectic lifestyle you live.  And perhaps there is something which you are not doing that you should be doing.  Only you can make that assessment, only you can change your decisions which will dictate your schedule, thus affecting how you live your life as well as the quality of life you live.  Be open to change and be open to making new decisions if it means creating a better return on how you live.

 

LIFE, JOY, AND CONTENTMENT

Kathleen Martens

October 7, 2016

www.visionsofpoetry.com

 

Many decisions made in the past

Were not ones to easily last.

Over the years I have learned

That experience, is great value earned.

 

I have gleaned wisdom from others and books,

Some which I discarded; some which I took.

I ask God first, for His answer divine

And intentionally think, pondering for a time.

 

And the first decision I needed to make?

Was to accept Jesus as Savior; into my heart take.

And that decision, dictates the schedule I keep

As I pray to God daily and His values seek.

 

And the rest of my schedule I give to my Lord,

I live in His presence, His Holy Word my sword.

And because of the relationship I have with my King,

It determines all my decisions and the heart-songs I sing.

 

And it determines the very life that I live,

And how I see others, and how I give.

My schedule is lived each day with intent.

 It is only because of God I am so content.

 

I am a sinner, but I found a Savior so true!

It makes me different, but not better than you.

It helps me decide as to what schedule I keep

And it determines the kind of life I seek.

 

There are so many people; empty and in pain.

Regardless their decisions, their lives have no gain.

Perhaps a kind word is what they need to hear,

And that others who care, really are near.

 

Perhaps it is contentment and love they lack,

Maybe the schedules they keep are quite slack.

Perhaps with help they’ll receive new direction;

Knowledge that God offers life and affection.

 

God never runs out of life, joy, or contentment,

He pours out more, without resistance.

Dispense joy to others; He’ll pour it back on you,

With abundant contentment, and more life too.

 

Allow your decisions to open windows of love

So you can give to others what comes from above.

That which you so freely to others give

Will be the schedule that determines how you live.

 

Thank You God for excellent teachers such as Reverend Jon Weece (http://www.southlandchristian.org).

Thank You God for pouring out life, joy and contentment over me each day.

P.S.  The above blog and poem was inspired by a sermon preached by John Weece.  I listen to several of his sermons each day and have no idea which sermon title it is.  All I can suggest is that you might want to listen to them all!

 

GOOD NIGHT AND GOD BLESS YOU

Thursday October 6 2016  WHAT DO YOU WEAR UPON YOUR FACE?

 

WHAT DO YOU WEAR UPON YOUR FACE?

Kathleen Martens

October 6, 2016

http://www.visionsofpoetry.com

 

When you are out and about

Going from place to place

Do you ever give consideration

Of the expression upon your face?

 

Do you scowl and furrow your brow

When you pass people in the aisles

As you meander through the malls

Walking your daily miles?

 

Exactly what does your expression say

When a stranger looks you in the eye?

Do you give a pleasant impression

Quickly responding with a smile?

 

Or do you turn your gaze away

Uncomfortable with eye contact?

So few people ever visually connect,

And that is a very sad fact.

 

Stop and take a look sometime

When you catch a glimpse of your reflection,

Is your expression open and loving?

Or one of personal rejection?

 

What we wear upon our face

Can make or break our day.

Because when we smile at another

More smiles will come our way.

 

Know exactly who you are,

For you are a child of God above.

Without confusion always think clearly

And sincerely to all people show love.

 

Never hesitate to trust God,

With pure motives treat everyone.

The countenance shining from your face

Will be a reflection of God’s Son.

 

Put on your smile in the morning

To brighten another’s day.

Acknowledge the Lord in all you do,

And He will show you the way.

 

The above poem was inspired by the following quote from Helen Keller.  I incorporated some of her thoughts (italicized) throughout the poem.

“Four things to learn in life:
To think clearly without hurry or confusion;
To love everybody sincerely;
To act in everything with the highest motives;
To trust God unhesitatingly.”

 

Proverbs 3:5

Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will direct your paths. 

 

Wednesday October 5 2016  REQUIREMENTS OF LIFE

Life sometimes requires us to do things we don’t want to do.  We do them because they must be done to enable us to have orderly and well balanced lives.  Perhaps I should change the word “sometimes” to “often”. 

In order for each individual to lead a productive and organized life there are a lot of “have to’s” along the way.  When we are born there are necessary requirements needed for someone else to take care of, even when they don’t want to do it, in order that we survive infancy, toddlerhood, and childhood.  And even from an early age there are a myriad of “musts” that we, as young children, must learn to do.  And most likely, we will NOT want to do them!  We probably even threw a few loud tantrums because we just didn’t want to cooperate.

Every day decisions must be made “to do” what needs doing before we can do what we would like to do; so Dave informed me a few moments ago.  I was sitting at my desk going through emails since a blog topic had not yet surfaced.  I was thinking about how much I’d rather be upstairs in my craft room working on the photo album (that is consuming my life at present) instead of writing a blog.  Do I have to write a blog?  No, I don’t.  The world would not come crashing down around me if I chose not to write one today, skipped a few days, or even stopped altogether. So I suppose it is not a requirement for me to do, but a commitment that I have decided to do.  But because I have committed to doing it, I discipline myself to fulfill my commitment and so thus, it is something I have to do because I have chosen to commit myself to doing it. 

Well, Dave informed me that he was headed upstairs to do one of the things he did not want to do, but in order to upkeep our home, he knows it must be done.  His comment was the fodder I needed for my blog topic.  What he doesn’t want to do is a big job and must be done in spurts over many days.  Today he is tackling the sun room windows which need to be washed.  The room has six, large, double hung windows and is on the top level of the house.  There is no access from the outside except by ladder.  So, he capitulates and wrestles with the heavy windows which are hinged to hang horizontally into the house so they can be accessed on both sides.  It is a heavy, difficult job.  And because we live in the woods the debris that comes in through the screens creates quite a mess.  AND TO TOP IT ALL OFF, somehow the box elder bugs have learned how to enter and live between the screens and the glass.  He has to vacuum them up as quickly as he opens the window so they won’t fly all over the house.  There are dozens of them.  Dave is just beginning the autumn rounds of window washing.  We only have 45 windows in our house.  About half of them are on the upper level.  But, as he put it, it has to be done!  We have chosen to live here and have committed ourselves to keeping up our investment, so thus, we make certain to take care of the windows (along with a lot of other chores we’d rather not do).

I am looking at my life a bit differently these days.  I am committing to less clutter on my calendar, less mess in the house, and hopefully a smaller dwelling in the future.  It sort of reminds me of a statement I read in a book this past year, “downsizing up”.  The author emphasized that as we de-clutter our lifestyle, move to a smaller residence, rid ourselves of the things we don’t need, and limit our commitments, we are actually “DOWNSIZING UP FOR A BETTER QUALITY OF LIFE”.  Perhaps that is the answer to not having so much to do that you don’t want to do.” The flip side of the coin is that you can then spend so much more time doing more of what you would like to do. I’m not quite there yet.  But I’m working on it. 

 

THE HAVE TO’S OF LIFE

Kathleen Martens

October 5, 2016

http://www.visionsofpoetry.com

 

Downsizing up

Sounds a bit suspicious

But the end results

Are temptingly delicious.

 

But how to get there

Is the question?

How do I live

That I am not in subjection?

 

Do I put on hold

My desires and dreams

Until I am downsized

To the extreme?

 

Or do I muddle

Through all my mess

Doing all the have to’s

To experience success?

 

Just one day at a time

Do what must be done

Because there will be moments

When it’s time for fun.

 

Like reading and writing

And creating art

And garnering all the pieces

Of a free spirited heart.

 

And always remember

These days will go fast,

So give unto others

Memories that last.

 

The less you own

The more you can do,

Not just for yourself

But for another too.

 

Live life simply,

As it creates elegance,

Live one day at a time,

With hope and diligence.

 

The more you get rid of,

The more of self you can give,

“Things” are no longer more important

Than the life that you live.

 

P.S. Forty five windows are a lot of windows!

 

Just so you know it is so difficult for me to write short blogs.  There is so much more I would like to say about this topic but I am trying to keep my promise to write shorter blogs.  It helps me have more time to do all the other HAVE TO’S!

 

Lord, thank You for the opportunity of living in a country that offers so many choices.

Thank You Father that You gave me the choice to choose eternal life through the sacrifice of Your Son.

Thank You for this day, this hour, and this moment as my fingers write out these words.

Thank You God that You are Sovereign.

Thank You God that Your Word has given us truth, regardless what the laws of our country dictate. 

 

GOOD NIGHT AND GOD BLESS YOU

Tuesday October 4 2016  A DAY OF MEMORIES

 

A DAY OF MEMORIES

Kathleen Martens

October 4, 2016

www.visionsofpoetry.com

 

A day of memories

Lived with my eyes.

Photos of the past

Do not lie.

 

The days of film

Garnering truth,

No computer photo-shopping

Lines to smooth.

 

All the little newborns

Who brought great joy,

Through their precious lives

As little girls and boys.

 

Yet passage of time

Tells a different story,

About lives of destitution

That lacks all glory.

 

Hopes and dreams

Each had for self,

Yet so many goals

Left on the shelf.

 

Both joy and death

Have left their mark

Through the years lived,

No matter how stark.

 

Yet smiles prevail

On printed faces,

Though trouble abounds

In so many places.

 

And life goes on,

New generations born.

The elderly die,

And hearts are torn.

 

And in just a blink

Of the proverbial eye,

The ones who are old

Are you and I.

 

While creating an album

Of both the living and dead,

Thoughts run rampant

Of words once said.

 

I remember each face,

I still hear their voice.

Though longtime now gone

Their memories are foist.

 

As I arrange on paper

Faces staring at me,

With each new layout

More faces I see.

 

The photos are silent

But I still hear the clamor,

Of those I have loved

My memory hammers.

 

And page by page

Layouts are accomplished

And the pile of photos

Is slowly demolished.

 

Hour upon hour

The time passes by,

And I am so engrossed

That time seems to fly.

 

I abruptly come to the end

Of my fun and play.

My creativity is done…

Until another day!

 

My neck will relax,

My back will mend,

And tomorrow once again,

I’ll BE SORTING RELATIVES AND FRIENDS.

 

 

 

Monday October 3 2016  A RECOLLECTION OF GARBAGE DAYS OF YESTERYEAR 

Monday is garbage day. And every other Monday is also recycle day.  Today Dave brought to my mind some of the memories of past garbage days.  Our memories are different; having lived in different parts of the country growing up.  And I imagine that garbage collection from city workers or garbage disposal of one’s own trash is probably quite diverse depending on circumstances and where and when you lived.

My earliest memory is when we lived in the housing projects.  Scattered about the grounds were burn barrels with a screen to throw over the top when the fire raged inside.  There was one such can between our apartment building and the one behind us.  We collected the burnable trash and took it to the burn barrel, lit a match and covered it with the screen.  When anyone burned it was an entertainment draw for the rag-tag kids playing on the weedy, treeless hills.  Back when I was a youngster there were mean spirited kids that lived in the projects around us.  It was not uncommon for some kid to scoop up someone’s pet cat (of course the flea infested cats all ran free), and throw it into the burning incinerator.  It was always so traumatic to me when that happened and a burned and scarred cat would find footing to catapult itself out the flames.  Rarely did they survive, but they certainly suffered.

I remember the summers we spent in Arkansas on my grandparent’s dairy farm with its beautiful scenic landscape.  About a quarter mile down the dirt road past grandma and grandpa’s house there was a meandering little creek that worked its way through the wooded land.  The creek crossed the road in high water season.  Unfortunately, it was a dumping ground for the neighbor’s garbage, old appliance, dirty diapers (when disposables came along) and so much more.  The rushing water would send the debris floating across the road depositing it here and there along its way.  And believe it or not, it is still used for such.  And believe it or not, it is still a dirt road that washes out each year with the creek’s high water.  And one more “believe it or not”, my mom told me that grandma and grandpa deposited their garbage there too!

Dave and I both remembered years ago when the men who collected the garbage in the big trucks had to jump off the truck, pick up the cans manually, and dump them into the back receptacle of the truck.  When the bin became too full the driver would turn on a motor that would raise the bin to the top of the truck and dump all the garbage into the larger bin.  That sound could be heard from blocks away.  As a little kid it was always mesmerizing to watch.  One thing for sure, back then, and even now, we always know when the garbage truck is in the neighborhood. 

Dave and I remember the time when all the garbage cans were different.  Different sizes and different colors, but all were banged up.  When it was windy we kids would run down the streets collecting the light metal lids that where flipped away in the wind or because some kids rolled the lid down the hilly street just because they could.  Garbage can lids were always a great source of entertainment; loud entertainment!  And it was always fun to peek into the trash cans to see what others had thrown away.  There were few regulations or rules “way back when”, and sometimes as kids we discovered little treasures amongst the trash and garbage.

Now things are a bit different.  All the cans in our neighborhoods are issued through the city and the only difference is size choice and the colors.  Garbage is in the green can and recyclables are in the blue can.  And actually they are not cans at all.  Plastic has replaced the old metal round cans.  The lids are attached, and very rarely is a “can” ever touched by the garbage collectors.  The big claw comes out from the side of the truck, grabbing the can in its vice-like hold and then slings it above the bin in front of the truck’s cab, turning it upside down with the lid swinging back and forth, then sets the plastic container back down on the ground (sometime in the upright position) and goes along the street to the next square plastic container.  When it is very rainy outside it seems those are the days the plastic container maintains its upright position, with the lid open of course. 

And of course we are now governed with lots of rules and regulations, even on garbage and recyclables.  When both garbage and recyclables are picked up together the cans must be a certain distance apart, the lids must shut, and there are more “don’ts” than there are “do’s”.  Oh, the passage of time, how much better off we are for all the rules and regulations.  I say that both tongue-in-cheek as well as with sincerity.  It is certainly a lot better than dumping the trash, garbage, and a whole lot more in the gutter, or for that matter, in the stream!  Dave and I both came to the conclusion that we are just very glad that we have garbage pick-up as well as recyclable pick-up.  It is certainly a lot better than taking it to the dump or allowing it to pile up around the house.  But, sad to say, there are still some places in the U.S. that do just that.  I know, because I’ve been to Arkansas recently.

 

A LOT CAN BE DECIPHERED

Kathleen Martens

October 3, 2016

http://www.visionsofpoetry.com

 

A lot can be deciphered

By what you throw away.

When the lid won’t close,

Your labels are displayed.

 

It is easy to see

What other people eat

When spilling from the top,

MacDonald boxes peek.

 

And it’s easy to perceive

Who doesn’t cook

Because of empty boxes and cans

Wherever you may look.

 

Oh my! Sounds that rattle

From the recycle bin

When one drinks booze

With all their friends.

 

What you see in the trash

Has a story to tell,

A way to know neighbors

All quite too well.

 

And then there are packages

That blow in the wind,

Donuts and candy bags

Your mower will fend.

 

So be mighty careful

When you throw things away,

Take your address off of everything

So your trash won’t say

 

Who you are

And where you live.

And especially the junk mail

To your shredder give!

 

Better yet, grow your food,

Buy everything fresh.

And use canning jars

So you won’t have a mess.

 

Shred your personal business

As mulch for your plants.

Have a compost heap,

So your garden will dance.

 

On the other hand, just throw away

Whatever is on your shelf.

After all, others are not interested in you!

They are too busy with themselves!

 

Thank You God for garbage collectors!

Thank You too Lord for the food we have available that come in boxes and cans.

Thank You Lord for a society that does have rules and regulations that help us live on clean streets.

 

GOOD NIGHT AND GOD BLESS YOU.

Sunday Sabbath  October 2 2016  SUNDAY SABBATH POEM FROM ROMANS

 

IT IS GOD’S WORD THAT TEACHES US

Kathleen Martens

October 2, 2017

www.visionsofpoetry.com

 

Another Sabbath come and gone

To worship and glorify the Lord.

To be one in the body

To listen and hear God’s Word.

 

A time of reflection of what is truth,

With teaching for our hearts.

And the Sabbath of the week

Revitalizes a new week to start.

 

So I close this beautiful day

Full of joy to overflowing,

With my spirit full of peace

Because my God is all-knowing.

 

And our God is the God of Love

Who teaches us how to forgive.

So that we can be forever whole

He also teaches us how to live.

 

Our love to others must be sincere.

We are to hate evil that abounds,

And do good to all others,

And devotion is easily found.

 

Honor one another above self,

And never lack in zeal,

Always keep your spiritual fervor,

Because on our spirit we have a seal.

 

Serve the Lord with all your heart

And always be joyful in hope.

Even through the greatest affliction

Faithful prayer will help you cope.

 

Be certain to share with God’s people

And give to those in need.

Never forget to practice hospitality,

And you will be blessed indeed.

 

Bless those who persecute you,

Be certain you do not curse.

Rejoice with those who rejoice

And always put God first.

 

And when you know others mourn

Mourn whenever they mourn.

Live in harmony each and every day,

And do not live in scorn.

 

Be not proud of yourself

But rather associate with all men.

Never be self conceited

Lest you live in sin.

 

Never repay evil for evil,

Be careful to do what’s right!

Do not cause another to stumble;

Rather be their shining light.

 

And always do what is in your power

To live at peace with everyone.

And never take revenge on others,

But follow the steps of God’s son.

 

Allow God to be the judge

For these words God has spoken:

“It is mine to avenge, I will repay.”

It is only God who can fix the broken.

 

So if your enemy is hungry

Give him food to eat.

And if your enemy is thirsty

Offer him something to drink.

 

And never be overcome by evil

But overcome evil with good.

Just like Jesus who walked this earth

And has stood where you have stood.

 

The above poem was inspired from God’s word.  Poetic license has been taken for flow of words and rhyming purposes. 

“Romans 12:9-21  New International Version

Love in Action

⁹ Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good. ¹⁰ Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves. ¹¹ Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord. ¹² Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. ¹³ Share with the Lord’s people who are in need.  Practice hospitality.

¹⁴ Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse. ¹⁵ Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn. ¹⁶ Live in harmony with one another.  Do not be proud, but be willing to associate with people of low position. Do not be conceited.

¹⁷ Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everyone. ¹⁸ If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. ¹⁹ Do not take revenge, my dear friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written: “It is mine to avenge; I will repay,” says the Lord. ²⁰ On the contrary:

“If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink.
In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head.”

²¹ Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.”

 

GOD BLESS YOU ON THIS SABBATH EVENING

Saturday October 1 2016  LIFE THROUGH THE SPIRIT

 

LIFE THROUGH THE SPIRIT

Kathleen Martens

October 1, 2016

www.visionsofpoetry.com

 

Condemnation is no longer

For those born again.

When we are born in Christ

He has forgiven us of our sin.

 

It is the law of the spirit

That has set us free.

Sin no longer has a hold,

And death we’ll no longer see.

 

When we walked the way of the world

Sinful nature made us weak.

But God sent His own Son

That new life we could seek.

 

Jesus came in the likeness

Of a sinful man.

He became the sin offering

So before God we could stand.

 

And His righteousness requirement

Was met when He died on the cross,

So that man no longer carries

A sinful nature that is lost.

 

When man accepts Jesus as Lord

He walks in the Spirit of life and peace,

And his sinful nature, no longer in control

Because God it can never please.

 

The Spirit of God who lives in you

Will forever with you abide

And when you walk with the Lord

He will never turn aside.

 

We are no longer a slave to fear

For we have received the spirit of sonship.

And His Spirit will testify daily

Of our relationship.

 

We are the Children of God.

Though that is not the end of the story.

When we share in Christ’s suffering

We will also share in His glory!

 

THE ABOVE POEM INSPIRED FROM ROMANS 8:1-7

“Romans 8:1-17New International Version (NIV)

8 Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus,² because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit who gives life has set you^[a]free from the law of sin and death. ³ For what the law was powerless to do because it was weakened by the flesh, God did by sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh to be a sin offering.  And so he condemned sin in the flesh, ⁴ in order that the righteous requirement of the law might be fully met in us, who do not live according to the flesh but according to the Spirit.

⁵ Those who live according to the flesh have their minds set on what the flesh desires; but those who live in accordance with the Spirit have their minds set on what the Spirit desires. ⁶ The mind governed by the flesh is death, but the mind governed by the Spirit is life and peace. ⁷ The mind governed by the flesh is hostile to God; it does not submit to God’s law, nor can it do so. ⁸ Those who are in the realm of the flesh cannot please God.

⁹ You, however, are not in the realm of the flesh but are in the realm of the Spirit, if indeed the Spirit of God lives in you. And if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, they do not belong to Christ. ¹⁰ But if Christ is in you, then even though your body is subject to death because of sin, the Spirit gives life because of righteousness. ¹¹ And if the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead is living in you, he who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies because of^[e] his Spirit who lives in you.

¹² Therefore, brothers and sisters, we have an obligation—but it is not to the flesh, to live according to it. ¹³ For if you live according to the flesh, you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the misdeeds of the body, you will live.

¹⁴ For those who are led by the Spirit of God are the children of God. ¹⁵ The Spirit you received does not make you slaves, so that you live in fear again; rather, the Spirit you received brought about your adoption to sonship.  And by him we cry, “Abba,  Father.” ¹⁶ The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God’s children. ¹⁷ Now if we are children, then we are heirs—heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory.”

 

The following is a poem written in 2010

 

I AM HERE IN YOUR PRESENCE

By W. Kathleen Martens

May 13, 2010

http://www.visionsofpoetry.com

 

I am here in Your presence Lord to give you my love,

And I’m here to give you the first part of my day.

Lord tune my heart to the melody of your voice

So with listening ears I hear what you say.

 

I am here in Your presence Lord seeking your face,

Accepting your strength and glory as I walk through this world.

Moment by moment, I bask in Your love

That You gave so freely, on the cross unfurled.

 

I am here in Your presence Lord to drink from your counsel.

You make my paths straight when I acknowledge You.

You are the beginning and the end, the Alpha and Omega.

I give You my trust as You lead me through.

 

I am here in Your presence Lord just to be glad,

Drinking so freely from your river of delights.

Resting in love and the fullness of your glory,

Beholding Your righteousness with spiritual sight.

 

I am here in Your presence Lord to put my hope in You.

Trusting with faith for that glorious day

When my race is done, when this life is over.

“Well done faithful servant” is what I want to hear You say.

 

GOD BLESS YOU THIS DAY!

 

Friday September 30 2016  IT IS ALMOST CHRISTMAS!

As far as I am concerned when the calendar turns over to the month of September it means it is almost Christmas.  The older I become the faster time speeds by.  And since tomorrow will be October 1^st it is time to think about getting the Christmas tree set up.  I kid you not!  We already have it on our calendar next week to do just that.  Now, I’m not saying how quickly it will be done, but it will be started none-the-less.  So what if guests come over and see the tree up in October or November; they might think I am dorky but that won’t bother me in the least.  I already know I’m dorky!  When everything is trimmed, the lights are working, the Christmas packages wrapped and stowed away before Thanksgiving, it will be us who will be free to go to all Christmas event that pop up in December.  So many things always happen in December and if we are not ready with all our preparations we sometimes can’t participate in the fun stuff.

My goal is to be totally ready for Christmas by December 1^st (and hopefully before the week of Thanksgiving).  Now just to set the record straight, for the past several years we have just not done anything that had to do with a tree, decorations, hosting parties, or even buying many presents.  This year we want to do it differently.  We once again want the grand kids to see a tree at Gramma’s and Grandpa’s house.  We want them to have at least one memory of a Christmas celebration here at our house.  Oh, they usually come over each Christmas week but the house doesn’t look much different than it usually does. 

But then again, on the other hand they still may not see a Christmas tree here for Christmas.  As you know our goal is to downsize our belongings and one thing that we would like to downsize is the stash of Christmas paraphernalia that resides in our upstairs hall closet.  You got it!  THE CHRISTMAS TREE!  We own a beautiful artificial tree with a billion beautiful ornaments.  Actually it was on clearance at a local hardware store, completely decorated, and still looks like a million bucks.  The ornaments are beautiful and there is a plethora of them.  We thought perhaps we’d decorate the tree and see if our children were interested in having the whole shebang.  If they are not interested we plan to market it on Craig’s list right after Thanksgiving and sell it.  Perhaps someone will buy it, ornaments and all.  But in the mean time, the kids can enjoy it in October and November and then tell the story at our funeral about how we sold the Christmas tree.

Truth be told, we’ll see how it all works out.  But, I am serious about getting everything out next week and starting to decorate.  We celebrate Christmas with few gifts but lots of time together.  The memories we make while being together far outlast the memory of what we received for Christmas last year.  Who knows, if the tree DOESN’T disappear before Christmas perhaps we’ll have a party.  Once up on a time we threw some big shindigs; who knows, perhaps we have one more left in us.  Besides, I love parties!

I hope that this year Christmas day will not end with a flood at our house like it did last year.  It took about five months to get that mess ironed out and the bathroom rebuilt. 

 

WHAT A JOYOUS TIME TO COMMEMORATE

Kathleen Martens

September 30, 2016

www.visionsofpoetry.com

 

It is always best to be prepared

For what is yet to come.

Even if it is way too soon

To begin having such fun.

 

Christmas comes but once a year

Yet it seems to come so fast.

All the busyness of Christmas month,

And the special day seems not to last.

 

So much planning is always done,

And everything must be just so.

Always searching desperately for the right gift

Makes it necessary to be on the go.

 

I want everything done before the month

Of celebrating Christ’s Holy birth,

So I can participate in festive events

Rejoicing about His coming to earth.

 

My one goal is to be free

For the entire month of December.

And then it will be the family times

Which will be remembered!

 

What a joyous time to commemorate,

Lord, I thank You for coming to earth.

Thank You God for Your wonderful plan

Of salvation, through Your Son’s birth.

 

GOD BLESS YOU AND KEEP YOU THIS DAY.

AS WE ENTER THE HOLIDAY SEASON MAY YOUR JOY IN THE LORD BE COMPLETE.

 

P.S.  Just a reminder that I will be writing my blogs on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday beginning in October.  I do hope to publish a poem daily.  I hope you will still check in on my blog-free days.  I absolutely love the challenge of coming up with something to write about each day but due to all that I must accomplish in the next few months I am hoping my daily schedule will allow more time for me to finish up the projects I am currently working on.  I enjoy hearing from my readers so please check in occasionally.  Sincerely, Kathleen

 

 

Thursday September 29 2016  THE AMAZING HUMAN BODY

As I age I have become more aware of my body.  Perhaps it is because my body is talking louder than it used to.  Anyway, I can hear it better.

There was a time when I hardly had to think about what I was doing, could do, how difficult would it be to do, or the fact that I would become fatigued.  My body just did what I wanted it to do without me needing to really think about it at all.  It’s not that way anymore.  I take no part of my body for granted.  In order to work or play or sleep efficiently my body requires purposeful and attentive care.  I am so thankful that I can do as much as I can do. 

But never have I been more thankful for my body than I was yesterday when my right knee was hurting.  I just looked up to heaven and said to God, “God, thank You that I feel the pain in my right knee because I am so thankful that I have a knee in which to feel the pain.”  And I meant it from the bottom of my heart!

Before I got out of bed yesterday I was perusing my iPhone and came across a topic that said “Torso Man”.  My curiosity got the best of me and I clicked on that story.  That is something I almost never do!  I don’t normally “surf” the web for anything.  My heart was so saddened by what I saw.  It was a handsome young man, about 28 years old, who had been born without arms or legs; absolutely no part of either.  His parents had relinquished him to foster care as an infant.  An older woman took him in.  She was about 52 years old at the time and is now 75 years old. 

This young man is brilliant, charming, college educated, and can do absolutely nothing for himself.  He does have a wheelchair that can be maneuvered by his mouth.  He can move his head up and down and from side to side and that is it.  He must be placed in a seat specifically fitted to the contours of his body which allows him to be propped upright.  His spirit is amazing.

When he was about 3 or 4 years old he said to his “mom”, “I’ll have arms and legs when I get older, right?”  She told him no.  He then said, “I’ll have arms and legs when I get to be old like “PaPa”?  She told him, “No; you’ll never have arms or legs.”  He asked why.  She told him that God had made him that way because through his life he would bless others and God made him for a purpose.  A few other things were spoken which made me realize that this woman was a godly woman and was raising her “son” as a godly young man. 

Later as I was thinking about this man the thought came into my mind that when he arrives in heaven he will then have arms and legs.  I gave praise to God for the godly teaching this young man has received in his life and heard that still quiet voice inside me say, “It was no accident”.  And I knew in my heart that someday I really will see him in heaven.  It was God who provided just the right caretaker for that little precious baby who was given away because it was just too heartbreaking for his parents to keep him.  I can only imagine how difficult it must have been for them too.  But God’s plan was perfect.  Perhaps just hearing about his story will bless you as it did me.  And perhaps it will cause you to not take for granted all you can do, but instead to be grateful for EVERYTHING that you can do.

After viewing that U-tube story it has given me an even greater appreciation for my body.  My body is getting older and a bit more decrepit.  However, if I have the blessing of living a few more years it may fail me altogether.  Even then, I will give praise and thanks to God for what I can do, what I have been able to do, and I will try my very best to not take for granted the freedom of whatever movement I have.

EVERYDAY IS A MIRACLE

Kathleen Martens

September 29, 2016

http://www.visionsofpoetry.com

 

Every day is a miracle

When I set my feet on the floor,

When I can brush my teeth,

Or walk out the door.

 

When I have the freedom

To get in my car and go

I hope to never take it for granted,

Even as I age and get so slow.

 

I hope I remember to never complain

About the pains I feel here and there,

Instead I desire to be thankful

That my feet are a matching pair.

 

And so thankful I have two arms

And two hands that still work,

So when there are things to do

My tasks I will not shirk.

 

Oh Lord, let us never forget

That regardless of our dearth,

You have a purpose for our life!

 And a reason for everyone on earth!

 

Oh God, I am so grateful for having arms and legs my entire life.

Thank You Lord that I have two knees.

Thank You for Your love that You have for each one of Your children, and that each one is perfect in Your eyes, because You created them for a purpose.

 

A little story I once heard.

There was a large room of people who all carried a cumbersome bag.  This parcel they carried represented their life story and all the burdens they had in the world.  Hearts were weighed down by what they carried in their bags.  God was also in the room.  He spoke to everyone and told them to go and lay down their baggage over by the wall.  They all did so.  Then God spoke and told them that they could each go over and pick up any bag they wanted.  The group silently pondered a moment, looked around at the others, and then each went over to the wall and picked up their own bag and silently left.

My comment:  MORAL OF THE STORY:  The known MUST be better than what is unknown.  

 

GOOD NIGHT AND GOD BLESS YOU.

Wednesday September 28 2016  I KNOW WHO I AM

I am so grateful for the people God brings into my life, one of which is a recent acquaintance named Marilyn.  We’ve not spent much time together but share via email, an occasional phone call, and riding to church together a couple of weeks ago.  What attracts me to her is the peace of God’s glory that hovers about her wherever she goes.  I was drawn to that presence the first time I met her at Aldi’s grocery store.  She has already touched my life in so many ways.  God is so good to me through the people he allows me to meet.  It’s as if I can just feel the love God pours into me for those He brings into my life.  I have had this happen on a few other occasions during my life and it is always for a reason. 

Marilyn has written a column for a small town newspaper for many years.  She now sends me what she writes.  Whenever I read her morning thoughts or her column, my heart smiles; I see Marilyn as a kindred spirit.  To have a kindred spirit is a precious gift.  I have always felt different from others and somewhat of an outcast when I venture to talk about how I view God as a close friend and how I see the beauty of His creation around me.  As close as I am to my husband, he does not view the world as I do.  It must become very boring for others to be around me when all I want to talk about is the grandeur of God’s beauty that is living and pulsating, and breathing around about me.  And for Marilyn I am grateful.  I am grateful because she shares a bit of her heart each day as she sends a message of hope, or love, or of good sense to those on her email list.  And my heart can identify with what she says, how she says it, and all the beauty she sees in the world from an artist’s eye that is filled with a heart of gratitude and joy for God’s creation around her.  And I see it too; through her words.  It gives me joy to know that there are others who are just as comfortable and attentive to the presence of God’s mighty majesty that surrounds us.  Thank you Marilyn for sharing those glimpses into your spirit; in you I see a walking, talking, Jesus. 

Jesus came into the world and the world did not receive Him.  And when we love the Lord I believe the world sometimes does not (or refuses to) recognize who we are. 

But, who are we?  Do we even recognize exactly who we are?  I heard a Christian speaker recently say that until we know God we will never actually know who we really are.  I cannot quote him on the following in his exact words but this is what I wrote down as he spoke quickly.  I may have written it incorrectly but it made sense to me.

‘EVERYBODY IS TRYING TO BE SOMEBODY.

SOMEBODY IS NOBODY TO EVERYBODY.

SOMEBODY IS EVERYTHING TO SOMEBODY.’

“I AM SOMEBODY.

BECAUSE GOD SAYS I’M SOMEBODY!

I AM A CHILD OF GOD

I know WHOSE I am…

And I know WHO I am!

I AM A CHILD OF GOD!”  (Quote from Richard Ellis)

 

“John 1: 9-14

⁹ The true light that gives light to everyone was coming into the world. ¹⁰ He was in the world, and though the world was made through Him, the world did not recognize him. ¹¹ He came to that which was his own, but His own did not receive him. ¹² Yet to all who did receive Him, to those who believed in His name, He gave the right to become children of God—¹³ children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband’s will, but born of God.

¹⁴ The Word became flesh and made His dwelling among us. We have seen His glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.”

 

It is always such a joy to meet a kindred spirit of heart, but an even greater joy to meet another precious CHILD OF GOD! 

 

BECAUSE I KNOW

By Kathleen Martens

September 28, 2016

www.visionsofpoetry.com

 

Lord, thank You for those

You bring into my life

That my spirit is calmed

With less strife.

 

Thank you for the love

That flows from another,

From a heart full of joy

For sisters and brothers.

 

Thank You for family

That come together on earth

Because we are the children

Of a God of such worth.

 

Thank You that I know

Just WHOSE I am

A beloved child

Of the GREAT I AM.

 

You came to give light

To EVERYONE in the world

Yet the truth

Away was hurled

 

And was not received.

You suffered and bled as you died

And You were not recognized

As You were crucified.

 

Thank You Father

For such an awesome gift,

My heart is so grateful

As Your praise I lift.

 

Thank You for friends

With hearts full of love!

It will be so awesome

To know each other above.

 

Because I know

Just WHO I am!

I am the beloved child

Of the GREAT I AM!

 

My thank you list is in my poem.

HAVE A GREAT DAY!

GOD BLESS AND KEEP YOU THIS DAY!

Tuesday September 27 2016  THE WORK IS IN THE AIR

Cool nights and mild days of autumn signal the time for lots of work.  The cold nights quickly bring color to the trees and we know that lots of work awaits us.  As I sat down to write the sentence which my husband said to me a few moments ago, I realized that sentence was the first line of my poem for today, as well as the title for this publication.  So as I write this blog my poem about autumn is already written.  Usually I write the blog and THEN compose the poem.

In Wisconsin the seasons are very succinct when it comes time to change.  It’s just too bad that some seasons sometime arrive early and then, end up like unwanted guests, as you can’t seem to get rid of them; especially winter.  On the calendar the seasons are SUPPOSE TO START AND END ON CERTAIN DATES.  Rarely does that happen in Wisconsin.  Sometimes a season will begin on time but, some of them (like winter), long overstay their welcome.  

Autumn has made her debut right on time this year.  Some of our gardens are in demise and others will bloom profusely until the first frost.  And quickly the temperature begins to fall.  Beautiful warmish days as the night temperatures begin to plummet.  And another quilt is added to my side of the bed.  Perhaps that is because I sleep closer to the open window that allows the fresh cool night air to mingle with our breaths.  I so enjoy the brisk, invigorating night air.  And all too soon more quilts are again piled on, the window slit becomes smaller, and we have our first frost.  And Mr. Frost is coming soon because I had to wear socks to bed last night for the first time since spring.

Cleaning up a yard as large as ours is truly an endeavor.  Dave works diligently each day doing what needs to be done as our yard is put to bed.  He works and works getting everything cleaned up…and then…the leaves will fall.  When the leaves fall we know that winter is just around the corner.  And since we live in an extremely wooded area we have lots and lots of leaves.  Fortunately many of the leaves are used as mulch and are raked onto beds of ferns, hostas, and flower gardens.  We try to remove the flowers in bloom before the first frost hits.  They are easier to pull up by the roots rather than having piles of soggy black leaves everywhere.  We sometimes change our annual flower beds from year to year so we don’t like having all the seeds left behind which then encroach on next spring’s flower selection.

And now is the time when we feel the cooler temperatures and know that lots and lots of work is brewing in the air.  We love living here, but we pay dearly with back labor, especially Dave.  Someday we may move from this place.  If we do, it will only be because of the yard, not because of the house.  We love living right where we have been planted for the past 30 years.  Our roots go deep and it will probably take a lot of pruning in our lives to get us to the place of moving.  I do think it will happen.  God has been so gracious to allow me to live in such a wonderland of beauty and I will enjoy it to the fullest every day that I am here.  God never ceases to amaze me when I view the glory of his creation.

 

THE WORK IS IN THE AIR

By Kathleen Martens

September 27, 2016

www.visionsofpoetry.com

 

The nights are colder,

The work is in the air.

I can see it in the trees,

I see it everywhere!

 

Now is the time

To put the yard to bed,

Snipping and cutting

The branches that are dead.

 

Pruning and hauling

Debris to curb;

Their beautiful purpose

Has graciously been served.

 

God’s magnificent creation

Starts with a seed.

And then marches on

As if an army to feed.

 

Transplanting and thinning

Gardens gone wild,

Now is the time

While temperatures are mild.

 

The trees are yet green

Holding the promise of work

Over the next few weeks,

Which cannot be shirked.

 

Since nights are colder

The color will come,

And the leaves will fall

And we’ll call our son.

 

And the heaps will grow

As we rake the miles,

And the grandsons will enjoy

Jumping into the piles.

 

Autumn’s work creates

A celebration of life!

At the end of a season

So early is night.

 

And the world will sleep

Under mounds of snow,

And we then bundle up

When outside we go.

 

Yes, the season of work

Can be felt in the air.

As the garden is tucked

Into bed with such care.

 

And as the earth rests,

So gratefully shall we.

Short days and long nights

Make me happy as can be.

 

But first we must complete

All the chores we face

Before we can snuggle,

Into our warm cozy space.

 

Stop and take time to glory in the creation around you, WHEREVER YOU MAY LIVE.  After all, we can’t all live in the most beautiful state of the Union!  But isn’t it wonderful that God’s beautiful creation can be enjoyed wherever you are; if you but stop to partake.

 

Lord I give You praise for the beauty You have created around me.

Thank You God for the seasons that You have created.

Thank You God for the seasons of life which You have given me.

Thank You for every birthday celebration I have.

Thank You that I am Your child.

 

I HOPE YOUR DAY IS WONDERFUL!

GOD BLESS YOU!