December to New Year

December to New Years Blog.

The Christmas eve gathering at
our house was enjoyed by 12
of our family members. As usural
we had way more food then we
could eat in one evening.
The festive pasta dish I discovered
turned out yummy. As did our
old-fashioned mince meat pie.
Old-fashioned, because this recipe
is made with meat and topped with
a brandy hard sauce.
Christmas Day we traveled over the
River and through the woods to
our daughter Amanda's house.
I overdid it playing the new Wii
dance along game but healed up
in a couple days.
My brother David ended up in the
hospital on Christmas Day as a
result of his COPD flaring up. He
is much improved today.
My other brother Danny, who lives
in southern California, was not affected
from the recent flooding and mudslides.
He did have his phone service out
of order a few days.
These happy and fortunate reflections
lead me to a phrase from the Bible
that has been a direction for
my life over the past few weeks.
"In view of His mercy".
With this great gift in view,
all imperfections pale.
Terry showed me a new way to access
my files and search through the hundreds
of poems I've written to find a certain
word or phrase. The following poems
are shared here as a result.
May God's mercy be constantly in view
as this New Year begins.


Flattening Deception

He is generous
beyond expectation
and does not hastily
hand out judgment
His mercy is strong
and leads to restoration
He gently lifts
those who have fallen
and pours soothing
healing waters
out for them
He hears the desire
of hearts
and grants them
for the sake
of pure joy
God has prepared beauty
He directs our eyes
so that no detail
of His provision is missed
Christ offers
glimpses of Glory
His anthems restore the mind
and strengthen the body
As He leads
we will leap over barriers
His name appearing over us
like a banner
declaring victory
and rich rewards.


In Celebration of What Will Be

As in a dream
I stood in a doorway last night
on the threshold of freedom
I could look in
and see the bands that holds me
falling off
I could hear the shouts of Heaven
as God showed himself strong
Mercy drops ran down
from my head onto my chest
The imagery of His victory
so real
so sweet
It released my tongue in peals of praise
of adoration to Jesus
My voice lifted in exultation
at the manifestation on earth
as it is in Heaven
Let drums beat out a rhythm of celebration
in rehearsal for that great day
When every eye will see
the flash of the soon and coming King
I'll throw back my head and shout
in expectation of the fall
of every barrier
holding back the waves of Glory
sweeping over the baren minds
of those who have not yet
looked on His face
A crescendo of the cosmos
is coming this way
heralding the culmination
of poured out lives
leading up to this great finished love
complete and perfect in purpose
for all mankind
That none should perish
but all be splashed with Glory
as He kicks up his heels
Old and young tripping through
the fully revealed goodness
of the Father's Love.


Why Wait

Love
righteousness
perfection
burning away the lies
of the enemy
As the heavens come down
and the Glory of God
covers the land
His peace reigns
over those who will bow
and accept His kiss
A mark for all eternity
showing favor
with the King
Clothed in brilliant
raiment
His name is Jesus
and He shall rule
over all the earth
Let mercy triumph
over judgment
another day
As the plantings
of salvation
rise to meet Him
in the air.

Announcing "Listeners" Publication

December 2010 Blog

Announcing "Listeners" Publication

Another year has almost run away like a freight train.
This December marked the successful publication
of the children's book that I started writing
several years ago. The book is titled "Listeners",
and subtitled, A tale of early earth - The Journey Begins.
It's a fantasy fiction book in the style of
The Narnia Chronicles, which are a favorite
of mine. "Listeners" is geared to 7-13 -year-olds.
and is available at www.lulu.com., under the title
or Deborah Armstrong. For those who are not
comfortable ordering on the Internet and would like a
copy, you can purchase directly from me for $17.95.
This includes shipping.
435 Nora Avenue
Merritt Island, Florida
32952
December always starts off for us with a birthday party
for my daughter on the 1st. The fun continued as I
traveled to Lakeland with a friend to hear Georgian Banov.
It was an encouraging Jesus celebration.
My girls and I got to attend the taping of the
Disney Christmas Parade again this year and enjoyed
hearing Maria Carey Sing.
On a sad note, one of my two kitties has been very sick.
Those of you who are pet owners will understand
how they become important parts of your family.
This month has been a time of reconnecting with
relatives and old friends. The distance between us
erased with surprise phone calls, letters,and e-mails.
As I look back at my journal entries for this month,
here are a few notes from the Justice Conference
that I attended last month and continue studying.

Get to know, Jesus, the judge who restores dignity and
worth... ask for insite into what God is thinking and
feeling... Isaiah 32... a King will reign in righteousness
and princes will rule with justice... Matthew 12... He will
proclaim justice to the nation's... In His name the nations
will put their hope. Isaiah 59... no one calls for justice...
justice is far from us...
God is not discourage...Habakkuk 2... For the earth will
be filled with the knowledge of the Glory of the Lord as the
waters covering the sea...3... remember mercy... be joyful
... the sovereign Lord is my strength...

As 2010 comes to an end, keep your eyes looking at
the "view of His Mercy".

A Treasure Hunt

Find the baby Jesus
it's not that easy
today
There's bells
and Angel wings
wisemen following
a star
and in the center
a kind old saintly
gentleman
dressed in red
a long white beard
adorned
Christ's mass
so often missing
the one true
and living Christ
Who
for all mankind
to see
stepped down
into a lowly manger
to set mankind
at peace
with Father God
Emmanuel has come
to seal
with perfect
sacrificial love
true joy
to last eternity
With mighty shouts
of praise
the Angels
did proclaim
As goodness and
mercy
was born
that holy day.

Travel and Thanksgiving

November 2010 Blog.

Travel and Thanksgiving

Lots of activity finished out the month of October.
Great Grandma Jennie took Alexus to Tallahassee
to visit the capital and museums. Terry and I
were invited along. It was a fun trip and an
educational reminder of our state history and
the workings of our government.
On return, I attended a conference on
God's justice. Most of the speakers were from
the International House of Prayer in Kansas City.
If you are a Web browser looked up Shelley
Hunley on You Tube. She was one of the
speakers. Teachings and a re-enactment
of her life story can be seen there.
This month I enjoyed two adventures at Disney.
First the food festival at Epcot. This year we
began at the opposite side of the park sampling
the nation's delicacies. In past years I'm too full
to enjoy this side. The first sampling was from
Poland, stuffed cabbage. It was a favorite. Another
favorite was the maple ginger ice cream from the
Far East. Before we left for the night we
enjoyed the dancing fountain performance.
The second Disney adventure was to the
Christmas Party at the Magic Kingdom Park. After
dawning my Christmas hat and vest, we
consumed all the hot chocolate and cookies
we could hold while watching the parade. The
dancers and costumes were fun. Then we watched
the fireworks over the sparklingly lit up castle, Wow!
My ladies Bible study went on a field trip to the
Morse Museum. They have a large collection of
Tiffany stained glass along with other Tiffany
creations. Such a beautiful reminder of Heavens
splendor.

A Bible verse for reflection
Romans 8 .. He who raised Christ from the dead
will also give life to your mortal bodies through His
Spirit, who lives in you.

A favorite quote --- behold and become
by Mike Bickel

Some poems:

God Bless

Thanksgiving
for turkeys and stuffing
for pies and for cake
for all kinds of squashes
with colors
you just can't mistake
I'm sure that in
washing up dishes
there'll be time to reflect
As Thanksgiving flies by
with a chilly November whiff
So savor this moment
plant a kiss on the cook
Then remember Thanksgiving
can wrap 'round the year
and bring all year fragrance
when family's held dear.

Thanksgiving Reflections

Possibilities
of what could be
are endless
Yet here we sit
in peace
Our plates are full
Our hearts
see all around
the ones
who love us
In giving thanks
we kiss the God
whose joy
is to continue
serving up
the blessings.

R.S.V.P.

You are invited
The Lord
of the universe
has prepared
a feast
All your hopes
and dreams
upped in volume
tweaked into
the menu
Paid in full
by Christ alone.

Trouble to Triumph

Blog for - August and September

Troubles to Triumph

August started out with high hopes
for a grand adventure. A trip to my
beloved Blackwater Falls in West Virginia.
Amanda, Alexus and I started out and
made it to the border with Virginia.
Where we experienced the first snag.
There were no rooms at the inns.
We had waited too late and all hotel rooms
on the interstate were full for 100 miles.
We ended up at a "not so nice" room
off the main road. This required driving
in the dark on two-lane mountain roads.
Which my Florida daughter was not happy
about.
The next two days went well. My brother
David and niece Rene arrived at the cabin
for a visit. I can't remember the last time
my brother appeared so relaxed and happy.
The weight of careing for our elderly father
over the last twenty years had lifted.
Now that Dad is safe in Jesus' arms.
The rest of the trip was bumpy. The toilet
overflowed late one evening. The weather
was hot. Not the cool refreshment we
expected. Amanda got a wicked migraine.
And I developed a nasty infection from an
old injury.
It gets worse. The infection was deep.
And I had to have surgery when we got home.
The next six weeks involved pain and discomfort.
As my poor buttock cheek slowly healed.
This is probably T.M.I. for some.
Now the good news. I have almost totally
healed. Terry has retired. And the Lord
taught me awesome aspects of His ways
and His Kingdom during this. He visited
in my dreams and gave me some glorious visions.
Was it worth it. I love to learn and then place
what I can into poems. The Lord has
emphasized, these days, to trust, to live
in love, to not doubt the completion and power
of His forgiveness. To take Him at his word.
and to expect the miraculous every day.

Following are a few poems written over the
last two months.



Remembrance

Go there
go to where
He first was bruised
and see the power
loosed
Go to where
the piercing crown
was placed upon
His kingly brow
and let Him
set you free
Now go and stand
beside Him
as lashes open up
the Son of God
Be wholly cleansed
and know
it was enough
to cause all men
to be delivered
Cleansed
no longer captive
to what flesh
and blood
alone contains
This span of life
its pain
not to be compared
to what
the empty grave
has spoken
The King of Glory
rides
Come along
and with your praises
set in motion
revelation's power
Revealing all Christ's
mystery
setting more
of His reward
onboard the ark
that swiftly rides
As pleasure is found
in Him.



Chandeliers

Down deep
in the caves of pain
are crystal chandeliers
encapsuled
with pure love's elixir
Only those
asked to probe
the depths of pain
can play
their organ sound
Living praise
to light the travelers
way
Not the expected path
not the easy way
Pure love
has no hallowed
softly padded place
to lay its head
This love can only
be perfumed
in its own
cavernous way
The way of the depths
of the deep
deep love of Jesus
Echoing
crossing every painfully
agonizing breath
Marked by the knowing
that He is close
and bids to come on in
and dine with Him.



Live On

To touch His flesh
His body broken
the Holy wine
poured out
for you
for me
Then to turn
and be forever
change
giving thanks
as we together
form His new life
On Earth
transforming
with this expanding
mystery
each soul
He sends
our way.

Mystical Fragrance

July blog 2010

Mystical Fragrance

Mystical - defined as relating to direct communion with God

A new month and I continue meditating on Colossians chapter 2. I've narrowed this down to the words, "In Him", realizing that this is a whole different place to be.
This has been an inspiring time for me. So I have chosen a few of my writings to share.

Glory Surfing

The wave
building
far from shore
His power unleashed
To watch
and admire
is one thing
To stay on the shore
is to meet
with a mighty blow
Paddle out
expect to ride
inside the curl
Experience aspects
of the Almighty
that moment before
were but adjectives
on a flat surface
Spread your arms
bend the knee
and ride
Life will never
be the same.



Deeper Still

Have you scratched
the surface
of what is prepared
for those
who refuse to be
excluded
from the exquisite
perfect life
hidden in Christ Jesus
Burst through
the temporal surface
into pleasures
with He who
rose victorious
over death
who beckons
come to Me
and drink the wine
of My pleasure.



Today is Tomorrow

Wait on the Lord
wrap yourself in Him
prepare to fly
jump with the Master
into the unknown
Tie yourself to the
solid One
let the flood go by
let His courage
infuse you
with strength
His kingdom stands firm
When His promises
are seen
We are revealed
as His.



Beauty Looks

Some spots on earth
take your breath away
Some experiences
do the same
New life
springing up
lemons
into lemonade
Watch
look forward
to the greater things
As God hovers close
each time
we kiss His Son.



Together

Imagine
dream with God
Who are you
in the Creator
Then
dwell within
His limitless
domain.



Signs

The earth screams
spewing out ash
crying out
for the revelation
of the sons
and daughters
The earth quakes
groaning
a moving mantle
waiting
for His mantle
to fall
onto His bride
Get ready
yield
be clothed
in His grace
proclaim
His excellence
And the whole Earth
will be filled
and rest
at peace
for a time
before that great
and terrible
day of the Lord.



Safety

Lord of the islands
Lord of the sea
drape Your peace
over our fragile
frames.

Is it Summer Yet

May blog
in June

Is It Summer Yet

Time keeps marching on without my knowledge or permission.
May is just a blur. Without my daily journal entries I would swear
it hadn't passed by at all.
So I went back and read May's entries.
I attended a fish-a-thon with my granddaughter Alexus
worked with her on homeschool lessons
bought a video called "Furious Love", about Christ's love in the face
of evil and persecution around the world.I found it very encouraging and empowering
I visited with friends
helped my husband Terry with a translation of a Spanish treasure book, we are
still working on this.
wrote lots of new poems
handed poems to waitresses and clerks along the way
So I was busy.
I'm studying and meditating on the book of Collosians now. I find the Amplified Bible
to be very helpfull.
I include another "parfait" of verses that have helped me this last month. They help me
to move on, not getting bogged down by these temporary skin conditions that try to
hobble me and consume my peace. God always wins.

.. Rejoice in the Lord always.. Don't be anxious..the peace of God..will guard..
Think about what's true...noble...right...pure...admirable...excellent or praise worthy...
God will meet all.needs according to His glorious riches.. Philippines 4
..new wine will drip from the mountains... Amos 9
...the depth of the riches of the wisdom and knowledge of God... Romans 11
...by His wounds we are healed.. Isaiah 53
...by His wounds you have been healed...1 Peter 2
... I am the Lord who heals you... Exodus 15
... I will do whatever you ask in my name so that the Son may bring Glory to
the Father... John 14
... ask and you will receive and your joy will be complete... John 16
... Everyone who believes that Jesus is the Christ is born of God... he who
has the Son has life...1 John 5

I hope to write again in June, before that, life mark, called my birthday overtakes me.
In closing, here's a recent poem I wrote.

Beyond Microscopic

Swirling round and round
the particles of life
atoms of light
protons of power
quirks
of the distinct
signature
of the Holy One
Get on your mark
that He has set
before your life began
Get set
to walk into
the greater expectations
He has in you
Go into
the very flesh and blood
of Christ
Who seals you
for all time
and time again
His Kingdom
resurrected life
flowing
scene by the spirit
Love triumphant
without end.

Word Parfait's

April Blog

Word Parfait's

This is a great time of year in Florida. The temperature is just right
and most plants are flowering. I love to sit on my porch and devour
the Bible. This usually leads to the writing of several new poems.
I have been exploring some ideas on how to share the good news
with a larger circle of people.
I like to write what I call Jesus "parfaits". Scripture snippets that when
read together lift me up and set me where the Angels sing.
I include an example:

... God is light..(His city) does not need the sun.. the glory of God gives.
light and the Lamb is its lamp...(Jesus) the light of the world... whoever
follows... will have the light of life... whoever lives by the light comes into
the light.
These words were taken from, I John, Revelation 2, and John 8.

Another days parfait:
... Jesus said... I am not of this world... baptized into Christ...
we too may live a new life... united with Him in his resurrection...
death no longer has any mastery over us... the life (Christ) lives
He lives to God... yourself... alive to God... offer yourselves to God...
instruments of righteousness... your Master... Grace... I have been
crucified with Christ and I no longer live but Christ lives in me. The
life I live in the body I live by faith in the Son.
John 8, Romans 6, Galations 2.

One more Heavily flavor to savor:
... anyone... in Christ... is a new creation... the new has come...
in Him we become... righteousness... love and faithfulness meet together,
righteousness and peace kiss each other... a heart at peace gives life
to the body... in (Christ) you have peace... I have overcome the world.
I Corinthians 5, Psalms 85, Proverbs 14, John 16.
Meditating on these words is life giving.

I include a poem:

A Morning Prayer

Thank You
for the singing birds
They add just the right
accompaniment
joined with the
flowing fountain's song
Light and shadow
on the lawn mixed expertly
with the color of the leaves
A patchwork
for hop scotching critters
to play among the grasses
Peace revealed and echoed
by the purring of the cat
curled up at my feet
Your Kingdome's echo
here on earth
in spite of misconceptions
of what's available
through full agreement
with what You have
already provided
Your perfect plan
composed and carried out
right before man's eyes
Now bringing restoration
Our hearts to be enclosed
as one.

A Double Celebration

March blog
(I know it's already April, I'm a little behind the time.)

A Double Celebration

The month of March opened for me with a trip to Boca Raton FL
where friends and I attended a "Global Celebration" conference.
This was a six-day conference which included three meetings
a day.
The main speaker was Georgian Banov. He and his wife Winnie
travel the world loving and sharing Christ with the poor.
Teachings presented by the various speakers provided a new
depth of understanding of what being co-crucified with Christ
and living a life fully possessed by the Holy Spirit means.
Benjamin Dunn led worship and taught from a collection of 30
different Bible translations. The joyful message of the gospel
was intoxicating.
Other speakers included Charels Carr who spoke on the
Kingdom of God and the believers authority over demons.
Will Matthews, an NFL football player, spoke briefly along with
Jerry Anderson, a businessman who successfully trains
correctional officers. His accounts of the changes in the
prisons in Columbia were extraordinary.
Bill Vandenbush was a surprise addition. He taught those
in attendance how to "treasure hunt", among other life
changing revelations he presented, revealing a new debth
of the workings of the Kingdom of God.
Sid Roth, John Arnott and Patricia King also were among
the speakers.
The C.D.'s, D.V.D.'s and books that we brought back continue
to add to increasing awareness of Christ in us the hope of Glory.
This includes a newfound freedom to share the depth of the
love and compassion of our happy God. These revelations
and teachings are at an atomic, nuclear, life altering perspective.
After only a few days of rest back home, the call came that
my father had died. Terry and I packed the car and drove to
West Virginia. The flowering trees and new spring colors were
breathtaking on the drive.
It was not a sad good by to Dad. I know he had finished his
course and that he and Mom were now celebrating with Jesus.
Friends and family that I had not seen for 30 years arrived to
give condolences. Some family friends that I was not aware
were still living came to say goodbye. Dad was 101 years old.
His last remaining brother attended. My mother's brother proceeded
over the funeral service. My brother came from California. My
brother David, who has cared for our father for the last 20 years,
was the one who needed the most encouragement. It will be an
adjustment for him to live alone again after so many years as Dad's
faithful care giver.
I close with a poem that I wrote and read at the funeral.

My Father's Day

Father's are one of God's
best ideas
Being a father himself
He knows just what
they need
Unlimited patience
a kind of love that can
overlook spilled milk
Wisdom that sees over
childish pleading
yet gives a better gift
then what was asked for
at the time
Dad had it all
He could look that look
that made me run
to please him
And when I'd mess up
big
he stayed close by
to help me pick up
all the pieces
Father God
I take this special day
to thank you for my Dad
You picked him out
of all the choices
placed me in his arms
and stood by close
to guide him
Always looking forward
to this place in time
when You look at him
and say
Well done
my good and faithful
servant.

February Thoughts on Love

Valentine's Discovery

Does love wear a negligee
or does it stoop and wash
ones stinky feet
Does love make you feel good
after the one night stand
has left the toothpaste lid
on the floor
or is it leaving a third
of his dinner uneaten
so that his disabled wife
won't be left at the table alone
struggling with her knife and fork
Is the strength of love
demonstrated by
three dozen roses
left trailing up
the bedroom stairs
or is it making sure that
the toilet paper spool
never runs out
in the night
when that third trip
just can't wait
Love is not a sudden urge
It does not leave as soon as
the age defining lines appear
Love doesn't wave goodbye
as the sports car leaves
the assisted living facility
once a year
Love is an unexpected kiss
while pealing onions
It hands over the remote
without being asked
and it never never
runs out of passion
once desire turns to
companionship.

February Thoughts on Love

Earthquakes and Sleet

January Blog.

Earthquakes and Sleet

Okay, so it's February. I am still in a January flow.
January started off with Alexus turning 11
and with lots of visits with friends.
The Florida weather was cooler then usural.
One day it even sleeted almost to the point of snowflakes.
David reported that Dad was having a struggle to eat
the rehab.center food and wanted to sleep more than he should.
Then the earthquake in Haiti,
the horror brought right into living rooms on TV.
What to do to help?
So many lives lost or turned upside down.
Every little convenience of my life taking on the need
to be so very thankful.
Laurie took me to a "Harp and Bull" prayer gathering.
So powerful to begin each prayer with scripture
and end with music and praise.
Ken Malone gave a short teaching on prayer.
The worship music was very uplifting.
I attended a 90'th birthday dinner for a lady
who grew up in Germany during the second world war.
She told several stories of her life in Germany back then.
Her first hand accounts helped explain how Hitler rose to power
and showed how, without understanding, this could happened again.
I also got to go to the "Gospel and Grub" night at church.
Local musicians and singers performed.
One man was a flamenco guitarist, very talented.
Also a "Bard" recited some poetry.
I had opportunity to read a few of my poems.
It was great fun.
Dad is getting stronger and at last report is eating more.
I'm looking forward to more visits with friends this month
and attending the fair where Alexus will show her 4-H steer.



A poem

Change the Day

Monotony and sameness
their color is but gray
Gray sky
gray thoughts
gray mood
they seem to taunt
the heart beat
Pick up the pen
a whisper's heard
etch forest glens
and mountain roads
then take up colors
lying in the dust
and paint out all the
grayness
Inside the heart
is light and breath
to blow away the shadows
Emerging from a grave
of doubt
creation's colored window
can shine through fingers
wakened up
Arise
the melody of art
longs to play and
brighten winter's sun
Let it shine
let it clean away
the darkness.