raw am I, naked and sweet
placing myself before you
blossoms tease and tempt
lost in their scent bouquet
informal fragrances will bow
breath like breeze, he craves me now

Depressing times,
takes a lot of hope
a true faith in God
to be able to cope.

For without faith,
hope there can’t be
to keep us believing
in what we can’t see.

Discouraging seasons,
takes a lot of trust
it takes the believer
inside all of us.

For without trust,
there can’t be belief
for the hope of having
everlasting relief.

Time’s depressing,
season’s discouraging
takes faith, trust and hope
constantly nourishing!

~~~~~~~~

Romans 12:12

Rejoicing in hope;
patient in tribulation;
continuing instant in prayer;

Proverbs 3:5

Trust in the Lord
with all thine heart;
and lean not unto
thine own understanding.

King James Version
Public Domain

Copyright 2022
Deborah Ann Belka

~ to GOD be the GLORY ~

God’s cup is brimming,
with His mercies and grace . .
He desires nothing more
than to see us finish the race.

So He gives us strength,
whenever ours is weak
keeping us humble
so we may remain meek.

He renews our faith,
so like eagles we’ll soar
in storms He helps us
to rise over the roar.

His anger is slow,
as we stumble along
His love is steadfast
to keep our trust strong.

He forgives and forgets,
our sins and our shame
He provides salvation
to all who call on His name.

God’s cup is brimming,
with compassion and favor
so He sent His own Son . . .
to be our personal Savior!

~~~~~~~~

Lamentations 3:22-23

It is of the Lord’s mercies
that we are not consumed,
because his compassion’s fail not.

They are new every morning:
great is thy faithfulness.

King James Version
Public Domain

Copyright…

The town of Mullens in the southern region of the U.S. state of West Virginia is not a popular small town to tourists. It has no great history although the town’s historic district is on the National Register of Historic Places. The town grew around the coal mining and lumber industry. What do these industries have in common? They are both users of the railroad. A short line railroad was planned, but the Virginian Railway was the first railroad to be built in Mullens where there was a yard and engine terminal near the town. The Virginian Railway was taken over by the Norfolk and West Railway which is now owned by the Norfolk Southern Railway.

As you visit the town and follow the railroad line along West Virginia Route 54 just north of the town center, you will notice a unique feature. What is it? You may have heard…

EMPTY WAGON

not just any gypsy would lay their breath
upon the resentful ground to calm it
jasmine lulling orange flowers
purr, blue notes, to her mare

long, lean legs glide across the beast
capturing wind as tears lay salt
upon barnacle beds asleep
awakening a yearning

racing in white shadows of a captive moon
hooves in shiny waters, her curls fly
white raven leads with vision
muscles take to the sky

Give me grace Lord,
when all is going right
give me more of it . . .
when up against a fight.

Give me grace Lord,
when the sunshine is out
give me more of it . . .
when there’s clouds of doubt.

Give me grace Lord,
when it’s time to sing
give me more of it . . .
when life begins to sting.

Give me grace Lord,
when I’m happy as a lark
give me more of it . . . .
when all is looking dark.

Give me grace Lord,
when I am sitting pretty
give me more of it . . .
when life becomes gritty.

Give me grace Lord,
amble and sufficient
for I know it will be . . .
perfect and efficient!

~~~~~~~~

2 Corinthians 12:9a

And he said unto me,
My grace is sufficient for thee:
for my strength is made…