PROPHET HAGGAI’S EPISTLE ‘Twas the time of King Darius’ reign That angry God looked down to stir the souls (Suffering diversely--cluelessly vain) Of Zerubbabel’s masses, young and old His temple profane--void of sacrifice, In ruins! God thundered beauty on demand: His house for His followers to suffice For His great glory. Thus, the people’s land Did prosper. And adhering, listening, They built His temple of fine new wood. And He changed junk to gold. Vats: wine glistening.

Anything that pleased them was put in hand.

Their armies slowly became intumesce.

The king’s masses swelled and richly were blessed.

(My first attempt writing a Shakespearean sonnet in 1992.)

MOSSY ROCK PERCH To deal with the heavy pressure, stop and rest. Never lose your place in your called purpose. Enemies work overtime to throw you off. He stirs confusion. He wants to cause you to lose grip with your loving God. Hold on and keep your ground.

Keep your mind on time. Keep on praising and loving Him. Don’t allow yourself to lose it. The Lord has hiding places, lovely places for you. Go there. Get away from all that chokes to communicate with the Divine. It can be a closed room with soft music. Or a little walk in the pasture, a park, or by a lake. A spot under a tree. Perch yourself on a mossy rock.

Praise Him continually. Then open up and thank Him for all blessings given. Lose yourself in beauty and in nature. Lose yourself in the BOOK and in Wordsworth, In Thoreau. In whatever uplifts your spirit. Splash yourself and cleanse with them. Leave physically and stay mentally refreshed. Stay...to...Breathe. (2005) LIVING THE FRUITS OF THE SPIRIT The spirt of LOVE for everybody Is her really strong gift She prays that people see God in her Knowing her, gives them a lift JOY smiles through all things daily She knows God is her source His presence is a lighthouse For those who get off course PEACE knows nothing but God’s promise For those who need His rest No matter the frightful circumstance With the Word, she stands ready to test PATIENCE loves people of all ages Not losing temper with those irate She will remind herself of the reason Hurting people have this trait KINDNESS AND GOODNESS are her virtues Which prove God’s Golden Rule to be The only way one is to treat others Which causes friction to flee FAITHFULNESS strives continually To be true to God and to all She stands steadfast when she is tempted And prays to stand firm and tall GENTLENESS works like a magnet To those both young and older It’s easy to see God’s love in her To the hurt, she’ll provide a shoulder Oh...how we love SELF-CONTROL!

How she keeps her temper at bay She prayerfully lives the Word in her life To be God’s woman of today Each of you is different and beautiful And no matter what role on Earth you play Should carry these Fruits of the Spirit In action and in all that you say!

(written in 2006) Stay safe and warm this chilly season.