Love is Come Again

Now the green blade riseth from the buried grain,
Wheat that in dark earth many days has lain;
Love lives again, that with the dead has been:

       Love is come again,
       Like wheat that springeth green.

In the grave they laid Him, Love whom men had slain,
Thinking that never He would wake again,
Laid in the earth like grain that sleeps unseen:

Forth He came at Easter, like the risen grain,
He that for three days in the grave had lain,
Quick from the dead my risen Lord is seen:

When our hearts are wintry, grieving, or in pain,
Thy touch may call us back to life again,
Fields of our hearts that dead and bare have been.

by J.M.C. Crum  1872-1958

He is risen. He is risen indeed. Alleluia. God's blessing upon you this Easter.

Eyes of Faith

We gather 'round to sing
One morning bright in spring.
Palm branches wave and swing
All praises to the King of Kings.

Upon a donkey He doth ride;
Upon a foal He sits astride.
The lowly creature carries Christ -
His eyes with mine collide.

His eyes speak words of comfort;
They tell me I must persevere.
To keep the faith and trust His Word,
His silent message - this I hear.

As we proceed our praises ring,
Up front I see the King of Kings.
He holds the humble gifts we bring;
He offers hope this brightened spring.

by Julie Dunlap 4-19-2011

Seasons of a Treeman

Like a tree in the spring,
Blooming buds and signs of joy.
So were you, dear friend,
Putting joy in every girl and boy.

Like a tree in the summer,
Always giving fruit, delicious and sweet.
So were you, dear friend,
Always giving to those offbeat.

Like a tree in the fall,
Changing colors and adding beauty.
So were you, dear friend.
Changing lives and adding love.

Like a tree in the winter,
Dying out, ready for a new year.
So are you, dear friend,
Dead in flesh, alive in spirit,
Ready for a new life.

by Svetlana Dunlap 4-17-2011
in honor of Bill Anacker 12-8-1917 to 4-13-2011

The Tree Man's Question

How did I end up here
   Swaying with the leaves?
      I am not a monkey
   Climbing up a papaw tree.

How did I end up here
   Singing in the leaves?
      I am not a blue jay
   Nesting in an apple tree.

How did I end up here
   Searching through the leaves?
      I am not a squirrel
   Leaping in a walnut tree.

How did I meet You here
   Praying in the leaves?
      I am in awe of You
   Hanging from this Rough Old Tree.

by Nathan W. Dunlap 9-17-1998

In memory of our dear friend, Bill Anacker. We love you, Bill, and rejoice with you at your joyous homecoming. We have so many good memories of our years together, playing upwards, listening to the Lawrence Welk Show, planting flowers, listening to your stories, jumping off your 20 foot ladder and onto the swing in front of your house, so many birthday parties for children, morning devotions, on and on I could go, and I am so thankful!!

True Devotion

Praying long prayers
Studying God's Word
Wearing white robes
Singing bright songs

Is this enough?
Do we truly proclaim
Christ is the King
Of our hearts as we sing?

Do our acts of devotion
Affect our manner of living?

Patiently embracing each trial
Lovingly offering our lives
Willingly serving our King
Joyfully dying for Him.

by Julie Dunlap  3-8-2011

Brokenness

Brokenness will lead a humble soul
          into the presence of Jesus;
          though it seems we stand alone,
He is here to lead us.

He was broken upon the cross;
          His blood spilled out to save us.
          No love on earth will yet surpass
The brokenness of Jesus.

by Julie Dunlap  4-23-99

Note:  I have picked poems with a somber tone since it is Lent, in preparation for the celebration of Easter coming up at the end of this month. My prayer is that our hearts are softened by God's grace which is readily available to each of us. May God's blessing be upon you.