Good Hope

“Where are the promises of Your song?

They seem to be distant like a long ago storm.

Remembered in name but gone all the same;

Where are the notes of Your horn?”

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“Glory to God in the highest realms of heaven!

“For there is peace and a good hope given to the sons of men.”

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“When the choir of angels disappeared and returned to heaven, the shepherds said to one another,

“Let’s go! Let’s hurray and find this Word who is born in Bethlehem and see for ourselves what the LORD has revealed to us.” Luke 2:14-15 TPT

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“You are wearied in the length of your way; yet you did not say, ‘There is no hope.’ You have found the life of your hand; therefore you were not grieved.” Isaiah 57:10 NKJV

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“I created the fruit of the lips, “Peace, peace to him who is far off and to him who is near.” says the Lord, “And I will heal him.” Isaiah 57:19 NKJV

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Poem by denisebalogc2021

Photographs captured by denisebalogc2015 – Prestonwood Christmas Program, Dallas, TX

My Own Small Way

I decided this summer,

As I watched my Flag wave,

I’d save which was once lost,

In my own small way.

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With renewed hope and delight,

Plans were laid out,

As I dreamed through the night.

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In the cool of the morning,

My work would begin,

Planting and digging were gardens had been.

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With the sweat of my brow on 90 degree days,

I’d press through the heat wiping my face.

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The moisture of salt mixed with my tears,

Remembering the former beauty of my garden’s earlier years.

“Tears are the summer showers to the soul.” Alfred Austin

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Day after day,

Going back out at first light.

I’d press to restore her,

It only seem right.

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In her kindness and sweet morning refrain,

She draws me to her moist soil,

As my Flag bravely waves.

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“And now, Lord,

what do I wait for?

My hope is in You.”

Psalm 39:7 NKJV

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Alfred Austin was an English Poet Laureate in 1896.

Born May 30, 1835-Died June 2, 1913.

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Poem and photographs by denisebalogc2021

The First Day Counts

It’s been awhile since you heard from me.

I started back to school, and yes,

I could barely see.

Covered in questions, “When does enrollment start?”

I thought I lose my mind at each day’s start.

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But then the bells began to ring,

School is open! Welcome our children in!

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“My child, if you truly want a long and satisfying life, never forget the things that I’ve taught you.” Proverbs 3:1-2 TPT

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“A child who reads will be an adult who thinks.” Unknown

WordPress friends and family,

I’ve missed seeing you!

Denise

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“The ways of wisdom are sweet,

Always drawing you into the place of wholeness.”

Proverbs 3:17 TPT

Song in the Wind

“All writing is in a sense a prayer – a sending out of hope, a thanksgiving, a celebration, a song sent into the wind that we hope someone will hear.” Quote by Georgia Heard

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Writing the words scored on our hearts happens for me in the quiet places of life. In the uninterrupted times when the house is asleep or the rare days of gardening outside in the light.

Raking pass the clutter of the “to do’s”…

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Stepping into the ideas, dreams and stories my heart longs to share.

Cutting away the weeds of negativity…

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Not listening to the trash talk, “Your not good enough,” or “No one else will care to read.”

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“Weeds were wrapped around my head.” Jonah 2:5

Uncovering a nugget of truth.

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It takes persistence to break open the time…

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Once opened, beauty blooms upward toward the light renewing the passion planted deep inside one’s soul.

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“In hope believed.” Romans 4:18

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Let it not be said of me, she didn’t find the time to write, to embrace her destiny for if she passes by her heart’s desire as “…a song sent into the wind…”

“I tell you that if these should keep silent, the stones would immediately cry out.” Luke 19:40 NKJV

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“Blessed is she who believed, for there will be a fulfillment of those things which were told her from the Lord.” Luke 1:45 NKJV

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“Like an open book, You watched me grow from conception to birth; all the stages of my life were spread out before You, The days of my life all prepared before I’d even lived one day.” Psalm 139:15 TM

Perfect in One

You are the storm,

You are the Sea.

You are the One Who rescues me.

At Your word mountains move.

In the sound of Your voice Peace is heard.

Declaring Your love with the rising of the Son.

I live, breath and walk to be with You as One.

“I in them, and You in Me; that they may be made perfect in one, and that the world may know that You have sent Me, and have loved them as You have loved Me”

John 17:23 NKJV

“You live fully in Me and now I live fully in them so that they will experience perfect unity.”

John 17:23 TPT

Poem by denisebalog

Photograph by denisebalog – Caesarea, Israel

Be Still

 

Silencing the sounds.

Peace embraces.

Holy Quiet surrounds.

 

“He will quiet you with His love.” Zephaniah 3:17 NKJV

 

“How precious also are Your thoughts to me, Oh God!

When I awake, I am still with You.” Psalm 139:17-18 NKJV

Sugar Eyes

“Do you want a flat mint or the poofy kind?” I would ask sweet Edwin at least once, and occasionally if he could swing it, twice during the day.

Psalm 91:15 – He Will Answer

“He shall call up Me, and I will answer him; I will deliver him and honor him.” Psalm 91:15 NKJJV

I hear myself answering back to the cat’s cry to go out yet again this morning, “I don’t want to hear it!”

How comforting to know my Father never says the same to me.

“He shall call upon Me, and I will answer him.” Amen

May your day be blessed,

Denise

Psalm 91:13 – Dancing Power of God

“You shall tread upon the lion and the cobra…” Psalm 91:13 NKJV

Verse 13 was one of the last Faith Pictures for Psalm 91 left for me to photograph.

I would pray and ask for God’s eye to point me in the right direction, but “Lion and cobra” left me blinded each time.

Interestingly, The Passion Translation notes this on verse 13.

“The Hebrew includes words for “lions,” “snakes,” and “dragons” as the three great symbols of satanic power.” [pg. 875]

Isn’t that just like us in the natural? How do we stomp on lions and cobras when we can’t see anything physical to stomp on.

Today’s picture is of the eclipse that occurred a few years back.

Remember the media and authorities warning us daily to “Don’t look”, “Don’t go out”, you may be blinded or something worse? 

Well, I did go out. No, I didn’t look directly into the sky to see what was happening, but oh how I would have missed seeing the awesome display of God’s power dancing on the paths around my house.

Today, in God’s wisdom and discernment, may we not fear what the world fears, both in the natural and the unseen. Stepping into the Light of His path knowing in our heart, we will “the serpent you shall trample underfoot.” because Jesus “bruised His head” for us at Calvary. Genesis 3:15

Blessings,

Denise

Psalm 91:12 – Precious Value

“Lest you dash your foot against a stone.” Psalm 91:12 NKJV

As I thought on this verse, Holy Spirit brought the Parable of the Hidden Treasure and the Pearl to my mind’s eye.

This is how I believe Jesus sees each of us. We are His treasure, His pearl, worth great value that He gave up His heavenly Kingdom to open the way to bring us, His Bride, to His.

May you each be blessed today knowing, you are “very precious” and an “exquisite pearl” in His eyes.

“Heaven’s kingdom realm is also like a jewel merchant in search of rare pearls. When he discovered one very precious and exquisite pearl, he immediately gave up all he had in exchange for it.” Mathew 13:45-46 The Passion Translation

Psalm 91:12 – Moving Forward

“In their hands they shall bear you up.” Psalm 91:12 NKJV

This picture was captured from my window seat flying into Washington, DC in early August 2020. My family and I flew in to attend a postponed wedding of March 2020.

I selected this picture for verse 12 because the winding muddy river below. It reminded me of a snake. In the midst of the snake’s plaque upon our Land, the infestation of voices warning us over and over, “Do not go, it’s not safe to travel.”  In the midst of the world’s crazy, with His Word tucked in my heart, we stepped out in faith and moved forward.

Psalm 91 and the faith pictures of His hand of protection upon us brought us safely to the wedding and home again. No plague came near our tent, and for His Word we are forever grateful.

May you step into your day filled with God’s promises, and hand of protection upon you and your family.

Denise

Psalm 91: 10 – Your Dwelling Place

“No evil shall befall you,

Nor shall any plague come near your dwelling…” Psalm 91:10 NKJV

Dwelling – Hebrew word #168 – ohel – a tent (as clearly conspicuous from a distance) – covering, (dwelling) (place), home, tabernacle, tent.

From the root Hebrew word #166 – ahal – to be clear – shine.

“For I am persuaded that neither death nor life,

Nor angels nor principalities

Nor powers,

Now things present

Nor things to come,

Nor height nor depth,

Nor any other created things,

Shall be able to separate us

From the love of God

Which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.”

Romans 9:38-39 NKJV


May your dwelling place, your tent, your heart, shine with “the love of God” confident, assured, knowing nothing can separate us from the “Christ Jesus our Lord.” Amen

Blessings for your day,

Denise