all there is and it's everything

Today I just want to hold each moment as I wonder "is this ever going to get old?"  Of course I know the answer.  No... it's not.  Forever and for eternity it will grow more sweet and embracing and real. Anyone who has tasted life without understanding and then tasted that the Lord is good understands what I'm talking about.  Anyone who has not dipped into the everlasting Well Of Life needs to know...  Needs to know that we are 'in the world but not of it' ~ just as quickly as we believe.  That when we offer ourselves as living sacrifices consecrated to Him, joy and peace and purpose are ours.  Old things pass away and our vision (though still looking through a glass darkly) is cleared.  And abundance is our inheritance.  

My Jesus

Debbie Penington May 30, 2013

Let me always trust in thee

let my comfort always be

the truth I know, not what I see

My Compass

As I walk I learn and wonder

that you turned my sin asunder

 Mighty One who claps the thunder

My Fortress 

Peace, elation in great measure

Truth and Manna, wondrous treasure

giver of embracing pleasure

My Jesus

Blessings, Debbie

wash me anew

Wash me anew

Debbie Penington

April 2, 2013

Wash me anew
And then stand me to dry where the indigo blue of the sea and the sky
Fuse together connecting the mist and the dew

Come Holy Father and
Wash me anew

Wash me anew
And remove all the blame, let the cloak of your spirit wrap round this damp frame

As it's healing, preparing and willing to move

Come Holy Father and
Wash me anew

Wash me anew
Father, Wash me anew

Flood me and rinse me and fill me with You

Raise me and feed me and spur me and lead me

Wash me anew Father
Wash me anew

Wash me anew
Then prepare me to walk where there's evil and darkness and people who talk

Of a faith that is hopeless and a god who's not you...

Come Holy Father and
Wash me anew

Wash me anew
Send me to the masses who wait for an answer to questions unasked

To hearts that are hungry for truth that is true

Come Holy Father and
Wash me anew

Wash me anew
Father, Wash me anew

Flood me and rinse me and fill me with You

Raise me and feed me and spur me and lead me

Wash me anew Father
Wash me anew

Blessings, Debbie

For Cassey, Korey and Makenna

a true story!

; )  a true story
Debbie Penington

3/12/13

From murky blue and gray to black 

It pulled away and then rushed back

Pounding rocks and tickling toes, across the sand.. I watched it go!

I gave a giggle then ran a-wry 

wanting to keep my tootsies dry

It grabbed my ankles and would Not. Let. Go.  Ack! Shackled by the undertow

Oh, what to do could this be true?  

I was whisked into the ocean blue

First bobbed and lolled then tossed a-shore, I awoke in Anderson's fairy lore

For as I tried to stand I'd fail 

Crippled by.. my mermaid's tail?!

And that is how (now I regale), I came to rest beside the whale.

A silly pair beached near the waves, he wanted back in and I wanted.. legs!

  Blessings, Debbie

a fall-ish riddle

Apples
 Debbie Penington 
August 7, 2012

What's round of face with red-ish bloom

Sporting top-ish leaf-ish plume
Sweet of taste with tart-ish tones

to satisfy my growl-ish moans!

;)

Blessings, Debbie

chickadee!

Chickadee

Debbie Penington

May 23,  2012 

A hopeful hand held open

offering a tiny seed

a single seed

a nervous flutter looking

down in contemplation

yes, it's tempting

a decision to be brave 

because there's no turning back

once committed

a chickadee sized feast

trustingly enjoyed,

and a grateful perch.


*Audrey would like everyone to know that she too had her special moments with the chickadee but apparently no one loves her enough to take pictures!

Blessings, Debbie

the birds of the air...

birds perspective

Debbie Penington 
April 3, 2012 

Quietly free, riding on currents of after-noon

Watching the world below from a birds-eye view

The sun playing across backs that hold-up clouds
As wings dip and rise in accord with storms a-brew

clay

Clay

Debbie Penington
February 17, 2012

Lying in my slumber bed, dreaming of a lump of clay

Hands that knew just how to form it

reached right in, took it away

From my hands and into His, with tender care he drew it near
The lump of nothing I'd created
He held close as if  'twas dear

As I fought to get it back, because you know, it first was mine

I slowly changed my thoughts to join His

when I recognized the fine

vessel that was taking form, as I watched Him quietly awed

A master potter smoothed perfection

into what my hands had flawed

A vessel fine and fit for service was His skillful offering
Nothing that this child could give it
added to it, not a thing

 No longer did I want it back, in fact I gladly gave him more

clay from my own messed up life

He took it, ne'er demanding more

Now I dream with hands held open ever since that joyous day

The Master took the time to show me

just what He will do with clay.

Joining Spiritual Sundays

Blessings, Debbie

a cheap date

The time spent... meandering.  First we head down the highway looking for an interesting byway.  A left or a right catching each sight that comes our way.  All through an appropriately smudgy windshield.

Holding hands as we smile down each shadowed mile.  Dusk chases us back as the night sky turns black. The thirty minute road trip.

Have a blessed weekend,  Debbie

retired

This is what I found upstairs at Bonnie's.  Just look at her...

The rich color of the old wood.  The aged patina.  The workmanship.  The elegant turnings.  The obvious wont of plastic.  The sturdy grace....

The history (she's a family heirloom).  The date.

Isn't she beautiful.  

The Memory of the Working Wheel

Debbie Penington 
September 7, 2011

The memory of fingers deft

Plays ever through her mind

She'll not forget the daily spin

Or Lady fair and kind

How she did hum and often sing

While roundy roundy sounds did ring

From out the gentle working frame

As fibers they did bind.

A working team of two were they

Creating by the light of day

While only during sleeping hours

Would respite ere they find

Goodnight, goodnight to lady fair

Goodnight, I say to thee

Goodnight she bids to working wheel

Goodnight she bids to me.

today it's jam

Berries!

Debbie Penington 
August 31, 2011

Berries in the berry patch

Berries in the bowl

Berries by the spoonful

I love to eat 'em whole

Berries by the riverbank 

Where pickin' 'em is hard

Berries by the picket fence 

In someone else's yard

I pick 'em in the morning

And I pick 'em after noon

(whispered) 

I pick 'em from my neighbor's 

Only underneath the moon

If berries are your favorite 

And they grow beside the gate

Be sure they are on your side

Or be sure and pick 'em late!

Blessings, Debbie

a splash in the night

It's 10:30 p.m. and I'm going to bed now.  I am allowing myself 10 minutes to write this post, download a picture and jump between the covers (I'll go between tonight, because it's cool and I've been outside for the past 2 hours!).  Today began at 10:30 a.m. and I popped back to the house for 45 minutes this afternoon before disappearing again into the evening.  So, although the day was full of goodness I want to share (in my brief self-allotted time) how my day ended.

It ended with a beautiful, clear, night sky full of stars, a creek, about 20 dear saints and 1 precious, obedient lover of Christ.  There was testimony, a splash, praise and rejoicing, and singing.  There were prayers, tears, hugs and more singing.  Oh yes, and flashlights.  Because this sweet soul decided to be obedient at 9:00 p.m.!

poem written for my brother, sister in law, and nephew

 for their baptism January 30, 2011

What a marvelous day is this 

As your decision leads you into the water

As you heed the call of Jesus, now!

What a marvelous path before you 

As you walk the path lit by His light 

Abandoning your way to His

What a joyous uproar

Resounds in Heaven

As the angels bear witness

And we alongside the waters

(We who know)

Rejoice in His goodness! 

Rejoicing!,  Debbie

quiet giant

Quiet Giant

Debbie Penington 
July 10, 2011

Tall and strong, green and grand

upon the carpet lawn I stand

keeping vigil night and day

night and day 

night and day

Waking dawn to moonlit night

casting shadows, filtered light

spreading limbs o'er kids at play

kids at play

kids at play

To birds a haven, a resting perch

the favored quiet weeping birch

come sparrow, crow and talking jay

talking jay

talking jay

I'd rather be this giant lord

who uses girth, instead of sword

to slay the sun's bright stinging ray

stinging ray 

stinging ray

Tall and strong, green and grand

upon the carpet lawn I stand

Keeping vigil night and day

night and day

night and day...

Blessings, Debbie

heart's cry

Joining Spiritual Sundays

Heart's Cry

Debbie Penington 
July 7, 2011

All the day I try to pray but naught comes forth but fear

Through the night I toss about afraid of what is near

Tomorrow may change my circumstances

So I keep throwing backward glances

Hoping I might hang on tight to all that I hold dear

Quiet daughter.  Hear me now.

Close your ears and hear.

Stumbling forward eyes wide open why can I not see

Wishing to regain my sight I blindly reach for thee

Grasping with my hands to find

Just what is and is not mine

Wishing I could figure out what you have planned for me

Be still my daughter.  Take a look.

Close your eyes and see

If only I could recollect the things I know are true

If only I could stop my mind from seeing things askew

Start and stumble toss and tumble

Float about my mind a jumble

Reaching, flailing, looking, crying, calling out for You

Quiet daughter.  Hear me now.

Close your ears and hear.

Seek me with your heart this time.

See that I am near.

**
Oh elation heart wide open ears closed now I hear.

Jesus, oh my sweet salvation all that I hold dear

No more fear I stumble not

I've found the joy that I forgot

It's flooding back in praise I sing a song to you in prayer 

Sing my daughter.  Sing out now.

Your heart is listening, sing!

I'm singing Lord.  My praises ring.

To you I gladly sing!

I'm singing Lord.  I gladly sing.
My heartfelt offering.

Blessings, Debbie

a sweet end

I was invited to a tea party ~ I love tea parties!  A bunch of us home school mamas drank tea, ate cheesecake and had a delicious time of fellowship.  The friend who planned this event asked me to keep a watch out for teacups and saucers while thrifting.  Two days later while talking about this with another friend, her visiting mother in law offered to give us some of hers that had been packed away in boxes.  When she sent them over there were 29 gorgeous, vintage sets... every one unique!  Most were English.  She had no idea that we would have such a great turn out.  We had 24 ladies attend!  The best part of the evening was when we told everyone that the teacup they were using was theirs to take home! What a blessing...  and a wonderful way to end a school year.

Drink Your Tea
Debbie Penington
June 24, 2006

Pinkie up

take your sips

never ever 

lick your lips

if you will do as I say

a lady you will be one day

be polite

place your cup

politely down

do not hiccup

if all these things you will do 

the gentlemen will call on you

Check out The Tea Trolley at BlackBerry Rambles
Blessings, Debbie

the hope and the history

The Hope and the History
Debbie Penington 
June 17, 2011

Like footprints on the beach, my life leaves an imprint.

If I look forward I see nothing but sand as eternity 
stretching before me.

If I look back I see the path that I've taken.  

Steady prints, directed steps 
giving a clue as to what was happening with my walk.

I prefer to look forward, throwing a backward glance now and then. 

If I look too closely at what my feet are doing this moment 

I risk missing out on the hope, 
and the history.  

The hope of an unmarked stretch of eternity before me, 

and the history of lessons learned 

and love lived behind.

Blessings, Debbie

eternally dogmatic

Often as Christians we are so thankful for the gift of salvation that we are complacent to just rest in His grace.  What would happen if there was a surge of pro-action in the body.  An understanding that we are living eternity right now.  The moment we became heirs to the kingdom, we became eternally His.  We don't have a stopping and starting point.  We don't die to live again.  Our physical bodies die as a result of the curse but our souls are eternal.  Eternally given over to the purpose of the enemy or eternally given to the Will of the Father.  My desire is to live the existence that began at my salvation.  What if we, the church as a whole, were to pour out ourselves to His will at all times?  Based solely on the knowledge of the reality of our sonship now.  

This revelation is not new to me.  I am just more aware today of how much I am not doing, that I should be doing.  When I think about how I order my days, I am convinced that so much is right, yet there is more.  I want to be better about telling people about Jesus.  I want to be better about following through on Holy Spirit nudges that seem important at the beginning of the day, and are forgotten by the end.  I want the study of the Word to always take precedence over any other study in our home school.    

I am very aware of works based doctrines that have completely missed the point of grace.  May I never be found guilty of leading someone to believe that this is what I am condoning.  I will forever be amazed and grateful that if I never did any of the things I just mentioned, I would still be a child of God based solely on my belief and submission to the gospel of Jesus.  I just think that I've been so worried about being labeled dogmatic that I've been less effective for the kingdom. 

Too dogmatic?  Never mind, I'm leaving it as written. :) 

My all

Debbie Penington 
May 31, 2011

Lord, not my will but thine be done

From break of day

To setting sun
From day of rebirth 'til eternity through

Cause me to give my all for you

Search me and purge me of all that was me

Cleanse me and fill me

With eternity
Test me and find me willing to do 

Only the things that bring glory to you.

Bring to my mind your holiness
All that's divine
All that you've blessed
Creation that sings out the power of your love
The downpour of mercy that reigns from above

Search me and purge me of all that was me
Cleanse me and fill me
With eternity
Test me and find me willing to do
Only the things that bring glory to you.

Blessings, Debbie

ode to my mother

Ode to My Mother

Debbie Penington 
May 7, 2011

Steady from a mother's hand comes ministering care

Steady from a mother's mind creativity and flair

With quiet strength our burdens carried

While her own needs gladly buried

Often hurried, never harried

Selfless love lives there

Calmly from a mother's lips sweet words gently spill

Calmly from a mother's song a babe's cries gently still

Though oft times anxious for not knowing

Just how well her efforts going

While still in all her love is flowing

These little cups to fill

An ode to mother's perfect place in families and homes

I'll oft sing praise because for me God chose mine as my own

I Love you mom!

Joining Spiritual Sundays

Happy Mother's Day,  Debbie

a song

 Everything
written by me 
April 12, 2011

Hope for tomorrow and Grace for today

protection for loved ones at home and away

your spirit guiding through joy and through strife

provision today and yourself in my life

Glory and honor and praise to my King 

Glory because he is my everything

bring to the alter your everything

to lay at the feet of Christ Jesus your King  

*

May others be blessed because I am yours

let me be the mirror that reflects Heaven's shores

as the difference you make in the life of 'your own'

shows a difference to those who are longing for Home

That your tender voice might resonate clear

well done faithful servant, you're finally here
on that great day when we each stand alone
joyfully there at the foot of your throne
*

Glory and honor and praise to my King

Glory because he is my everything

bring to the alter your everything

to lay at the feet of Christ Jesus your King  

Blessings, Debbie
linking with Spiritual Sundays

homeschooling ~ the younger years

Our Home school

Debbie Penington

Stretch, shower, coffee, the Word, good morning hugs...

 ...dawn yawns into morning

sharp pencils, books, smiles, questions; why?  how?...

          ...morning studies to noontime

p.b.j. faces, tumbles, naps, chores, daddy, dinner...

          ...afternoon giggles to evening

  

charlotte's web, cuddles, prayers, good night hugs...

          ...evening yawns into twilight

rest from today, dreams for tomorrow...

          ...the dark hours snore.

Blessings,  Debbie

the poem that just happened

Allow me to share with you the depth and richness of my creative mind. :)

I've been a bit shy about sharing my poetry.  I'm going to step out on a limb here. For several years my family has joined together with other families from our church to build a home for a family in need in Mexico.  This particular year, I believe it was 2006, was an especially moving trip as we had already been the year before and were excited to return and connect with the friends we had made the previous year.  If you've never had the opportunity to share in this way I strongly encourage it.  The great need was so evident yet the oneness with those of faith was immediately moving.  They had "nothing" yet they had hope and joy and amazing love because they knew their Savior.  I don't have any pictures on the computer and I don't have a scanner which really is a shame. I'll post about this again when I do because a picture really is worth a thousand words.

So, this poem was written by my daughter and I in the van on the way down.  It was obviously inspired, as it's title hints. :)  Hillary was in the back of the van and I obviously had a hard time hearing her.  This is exactly how the conversation went.  Hillary first, then me.

The Poem That Just Happened  

by Hillary and Debbie

I want a beagle.
That's illegal.
To have a beagle?
I thought you said eagle!

Touching I know.  If I were with you I would share my tissues.

Blessings, Debbie