Spiritual Multiplication

It is a joy to raise the blinds in the morning and peek out of the window, to see beautiful birds enjoying a black oil sunflower seed breakfast on one of our bird feeders. It is a wonderfully peaceful past time to watch the bird traffic in the yard. The bird activity is a direct result of us trying to be diligent to keep the feeders filled for our feathered friends.

The hindrance to having full bird feeders, is due to the exploding population of fox squirrels residing in our oak trees. These antagonists also love dining on sunflower seeds and through their concerted efforts, can empty a feeder in an afternoon.

Squirrels will also heist the seeds and hide them or bury them in various locations throughout the yard. Thankfully, the squirrels are forgetful and fortunately for us, some of those hidden seeds become sources of great surprise and truly delight us.

If the soil the seed is buried in for the squirrel’s epicurean delight at a later date, is rich and fertile, we may be blessed with a beautiful sunflower that sprouts and blooms in Spring.

It is impossible to look at this beautiful flower without recalling Matthew 13:23, where the Lord Jesus says, “But the one who received the seed that fell on good soil is the man who hears the word and understands it. He produces a crop, yielding a hundred, sixty, or thirty times what was sown.”

That one little sunflower seed, dropped into that fertile soil produces a lovely flower, filled with innumerable seeds, each of which is also filled with its own potential for beauty.

We, as God’s children, who have heard His truth, believed it and understood it, will in turn live a life that prayerfully, speaks to others of the the love and goodness of God. By His mercy and grace, we will see others come to trust Him because of our loving witness. Then, as with the sunflower, the multiplication begins.

May we tend to the garden soil of our lives and prepare it with the reading of His Word, with prayer and worship and fellowship and bear much fruit for the sake of the Kingdom.

“He has made everything beautiful in its time. He has also set eternity in the human heart; yet no one can fathom what God has done from beginning to end.” (Ecclesiastes 3:11 NIV)

Nelda – copyrighted 2024

The Tallow Tree

There were three tallow trees planted in a row outside the fence around our yard. My dad must have planted them when he had our little house built, before I was born. When I was old enough to play alone outside, the first tree, which was the largest and tallest tree, was my favorite place to be, in the yard.

I would play with my dolls for hours under the shade of that tallow tree. If I wanted a place of refuge, the tree’s limbs were always ready to receive me and offer shelter from whatever was going on in life. I would snuggle into the branch where it attached to the tree and sway with the tree in the summer breeze, as I watched the sun sparkle on the leaves that danced in the wind, all around me. I was safe, above it all, and felt so sheltered and so peaceful.

My heart breaks for those who have no place of refuge, waiting and ready to welcome them in.

Psalm 32:6-8 says, “Therefore let all the faithful pray to You while You may be found; surely the rising of the mighty waters will not reach them. You are my hiding place; You will protect me from trouble and surround me with songs of deliverance.. I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you with my loving eye on you.”

Psalm 46:1 says, “God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.”

He is the greatest of refuges; far greater than my old tallow tree. He not only offers refuge and safety, but a future and a hope. He offers peace, joy and salvation, through faith in His dear son, Jesus.

Find your place of refuge in Him. He will never fail you or leave you. My old tallow tree is gone now but Jesus is faithful forevermore; for all eternity. He will always be there for you.

He is my refuge and my strength, for all time.

Nelda – copyrighted 2024

He Is Able

In long years passed,

Because of deep hurt,

My downcast soul was so dark.

But You are my redeemer Lord,

You granted true repentance

And sweetly restored my heart.

You and only You, Lord,

Can turn a person’s heart,

Like rivers of water in Your hand.

You healed all the sorrow,

Took all pain away,

You abolished all shame from my land.

You turned mourning into dancing,

Turned old sackcloth into joy.

The enemy’s fodder You destroyed!

Your glorious might,

Your unfailing love,

Your faithfulness were all You employed.

I’m grateful, Lord, for Your mercy so dear,

For Your Word,

For Your power divine.

I’ll walk in humility,

Thanksgiving and love,

Because You, Beloved Savior, are mine.

Do you have sin in your past

That is causing you pain?

Or a hurt that has never truly healed?

Give it all to the King

Who crushed satan underfoot,

That evil one who destroys,

Kills and steals.

Jesus is able to make all things new,

He can refresh you by His Spirit, like a dove.

He can heal you, forgive you,

Wash you whiter than snow,

Embrace you in His all-consuming love.

Lord of the Summer Night

I love the hour or so that evening takes
To pull back the covers for day,
And gently tuck it in to rest
So the fireflies can come out to play.

It’s a lovely miracle the Lord provides,
A wonder for all to see,
When heaven unfurls its starry light
And declares His majesty!

A sweet serenade fills the scented air,
When insects, great and small,
Take their cue from the night, to begin their song,
For the One who created them all.

It’s then that I rest and breathe in the peace,
From the sights and the sounds of the night
And give thanks to the Lord, for the wonders He’s made,
As evening overtakes the light.

Nelda Johnson
Copyright 2020

OUR SAVIOR


 Thank you, Lord Jesus,
 For your unfailing love, 
 As you looked through
 The corridors of time,

 And saw Calvary’s Cross
 And the pain You’d endure,
 And the suffering 
 That should have been mine.

 Your love bound you securely 
 To God’s plan for mankind.
 Your pure Blood,
 Shed for one and for all.

 Your innocent eyes
 Beheld the horrors of that day.
 In your obedience,
 You answered God’s Call.

 Your life for our pardon,
 Your Blood for our sin,
 Your will to die,
 That our will could be free.

 You thought of us,
 As the joy set before You.
 You are the Justifier 
 Of those who would believe.

 Your resurrection from the dead,
 Stands out in Your Word,
 As the event that changed history, 
 For all time.

 You were born. You preached truth,
 You were killed.  You were raised.
 You live on,
 Our intercessor, Divine.  

 Nelda Johnson
 6/11/21
 If you don’t know Jesus as Lord and Savior, would you consider all He has done for mankind?  Would you believe that God raised Him from the dead and ask Him to save you?  You will never regret it, for all eternity.

Your Word is Truth

When the words that I’ve spoken
Have been misunderstood,
And the enemy whispers,
You’re surely no good, 
There is Your Word.

When my heart races on,
And I can’t find Your peace
And the anxious thoughts in my mind
Just won’t cease,
There is Your Word.

When I’m feeling alone
And there’s no hope in sight,
Not a soul to confide in,
No help to cast light,
There is Your Word. 

Order my thoughts aright, O Lord,
Help my heart to abide in Your rest,
You’re the friend who walks by my side, my Lord,
You encourage me on to the best.
You are the Word.

Thank You, my Jesus, that You are Lord,
You’re not just simply a man.
Thank You, Your Word says that You cannot lie,
And that You have an intricate plan.
Your Word is truth.

Nelda Johnson

Treasure

Lord, the friend of my heart
Needs a touch from Your hand,
Your healing virtue to flow, head to toe.

Help her, Lord,
Show forth Your power.
Fill her room with Your presence,
Here below.

Let Your joy be her strength,
Your peace be her might,
Let Your love, drive out any fear. 

Hold her close, O my King,
And answer her prayers.
Gently wipe away each and every tear.

I thank You, sweet Lord,
For the gift of my friend,
For the treasure You’ve given to me.  

Bless her and keep her.
Make Your face shine upon her.
Give her Your sweet, precious peace.

Nelda Johnson

Written for my friend suffering from cancer.
The Lord was faithful, indeed!

Grateful Heart

When heaven was stormed
By the prayers of the saints,
You stirred the waters for me.

Your heart moved with compassion,
Mercy guided your hand 
And bestowed the gift of healing, so sweet.

How gracious and kind
Your are to your own.
How loving and faithful are You!

You fill my life with abounding joy,
To Your promises, O God, 
You are true.

Forever I will praise You, O Lord,
All honor to Your holy name,
I will forever sing!!

You are resplendent in Your glory,
In You, I want for nothing, Lord;
My Shepherd and my King!

Nelda Johnson

Written during a battle with cancer. I thank the Lord for His faithfulness to me.

Just As He Said

O Lord, I want to laugh and sing
And dance and twirl
And draw in all the colors 
Of this great big, beautiful world!

And paint this dance
With all the greens and yellows and reds,
So that everyone will know
That it is just as You said,

“Put your faith and your trust in Me,
With all of your heart.
I am with you, I am for you.
It’s been that way from the start.

I am your light in all the dark places.
I am your way when it seems there is none.
I am your hope when words seem to fail you.
I am your joy in the valley and when it’s all said and done.”

You have been that and more,
O, Lover of my soul.
You’ve been my bright shining rainbow
That has restored me and made me whole.

It’s unto You that I dance,
Offer praise and loudly sing,
To you alone my Beloved Healer,
My sweet Savior and Mighty King!

So color me joyous as I dance unto you,
Color me joy-filled and grateful always,
For Your grace and Your goodness toward me, dear Lord,
During what might have been, without You,
Long and gray shadowy days.

Nelda Johnson
Copyright 2020

Written after cancer treatment, five years ago. I am still celebrating this beautiful gift of life, with a grateful heart, to the Lord.

Before I Close My Eyes

Night’s rest has now come,
My labors have ceased.
Peace is the air that I breathe.

I’ve spoken with my Lord,
Cast my care upon Him.
My soul is perfectly at ease.

I sit here so late,
With His Word in my hands,
To quarry one last bit of light,

To fill up my mind and
To ponder in my heart,
To feast on, to my soul’s delight.

Sing songs of deliverance 
Over me, my Lord.
Give rest to my weary soul.

When tomorrow’s light dawns,
Let me rise with intent,
To purposefully reach that day’s goals.

Let me walk in a manner
That pleases you, Lord.
Let me shine with the light of your love.

Grant me grace and strength
To meet life’s demands,
Straight from Your own heart above.

Nelda Johnson
Copyright 2020