I SAW A MONARCH...

One of the simple delights of summer...

I saw a monarch this week

dancing atop a coneflower

at a butterfly garden

 in Ringwood, New Jersey

Photo credit: martydavisphotos.com

SKY DANCERS

There's something happy about butterflies.

They flit-flitter as they flutter by,

flying flowers against the azure sky.

They alight upon the milkweed, and then

they circle, soar and alight again,

toe-dancing on pink petals in the glen.

Ever dwelling in hue and sweet fragrance,

in garden splendor they flicker as they dance.

Pollination is purely happen-stance.

I delight in their overflow of joy.

(They wouldn't even know how to be coy.)

A flame of mirth! A whirligig! A toy!

Do they recall they once were grubby worms,

remember well their dark and squiggly squirms?

Reborn, now grace and beauty each affirms!

This almost seems to be sheer fantasy,

sky dancers as enchanting as can be,

springing from blossoms right in front of me!

So, merrily a-nectaring they go,

reaping and sowing sweetness in day-glow…

Seems they have learned what all of us should know.

In contemplation of their simple ways,

I wish to add their ballet to my days,

to sky dance Heavenward on wings of praise!

Maude Carolan Pych

Camp Meeting Week is Coming...

Camp Meeting Week 2018

in Beautiful Ocean Grove, New Jersey

Begins Sunday, July 29th

Tent houses by the Great Auditorium, Ocean Grove, NJ.
Photo credit: kidsunplugged.org

CAMP MEETING WEEK

An hour and a world away

is a charming place we love to stay,

where time stands still a little while,

in fact, some call it, “God’s Square Mile.”

Our spiritual retreat vacation

at this gem within our nation

is where we find more than we seek,

at Ocean Grove, Camp Meeting Week.

The Great Auditorium’s surrounded

by quaint tent houses, abounded

by flower gardens, every hue;

coral, magenta, lavender blue.

Great preachers come from far and near,

expectant pilgrims come to hear

the preaching and angelic choir

as the great pipe organ sends its fire

of resounding music through the air,

inviting all who will to prayer.

All this takes place beside the sea

in a grove of sweet tranquility.

Stroll tented lanes in ocean breeze,

past tabernacle, B & Bs;

Victorian landmarks give a show

of “painted ladies” row on row.

Visit eateries, little stores

and take the garden trolley tour.

This Jersey shore town gives to each

respite, chapels, sandy beach,

a quiet boardwalk and pavilion,

where perhaps, more than a million

over the years have stopped and heard

Gospel concerts and God’s good Word.

So come, find more than you may seek

at Ocean Grove, Camp Meeting Week.

Maude Carolan Pych

It's Time to Take a Vacation...

Photo credit: foursquare.com

OCEAN GROVE

Ocean Grove—

This tiny Christian community

comes to life in the summertime

Methodist. Camp Meeting.

Boxy tent houses

with colorful flower gardens

American flags and banners

surround The Great Auditorium

with its lighted Cross

facing the ocean

It’s just a mile square

Quiet. Subtle.

Not in-your-face-religion

although

church bell chimes

do break the quietude now and then

with a gentle reminder

and there’s a pavilion

on the boardwalk

where Gospel events take place

Folks can walk-in or walk by

and there’s a tabernacle

for morning worship

and solid Bible teaching

but it’s optional

Personally, the spiritual amenities

are what draw me

to this particular place

at the Jersey shore

What’s surprising

is that many vacationers come

not for the Bible Hour

not for the concerts

not to hear great preachers

from all over the world

not to worship in the great old edifice

with its magnificent pipe organ

not to sing hymns of antiquity

in fact, they come

not for the Gospel, at all

but for peace and quiet

for one square mile

of no hawking of tee shirts

and games of chance

roller coasters, carousels

freak shows and body piercing

in fact, there’s nothing for sale

on the boardwalk

and no alcohol for sale

in the grove

No, they come

for a sandy beach

and ocean spray

quaint Victorians, B & Bs

curiosity shops on Main

and shady sidewalk dining

oh! and ice cream at Nagle’s or Day’s

and they know they can rely upon

good old-fashioned

Ocean Grove wholesomeness

and Christian acceptance

even if they’re not necessarily

seeking the Christ of Christianity

…and to my way of thinking

miss out on the Best

this precious little gem

has to offer

Maude Carolan Pych

Praying for Revival...

Image credit: flags-unlimited.com


Here's a poem that I wrote this week:

PRAYING FOR REVIVAL IN AMERICA

2 Chronicles 7:14

I grew up loving Jesus

and blessing the USA—

With my classmates every morning

I’d bow my head and pray.

God Bless America we’d sing

with heartfelt awe and pride

aware that God Almighty

was our nation’s Holy Guide

Our churches were full of people

and from our homes flags flew;

we saluted veterans, and

respected leaders, too.

We knew America was beautiful,

“God shed His grace on thee!”

then took that grace for granted

and failed to bend a knee.

The years have led us far off course;

and faith in God has waned—

Our leaders now get less respect.

The Bible’s been profaned.

In the shadow of 9/11

we live every day.

Many hearts are downcast;

many folks have lost their way.

So I’m praying for revival—

We need it desperately!

Let us promise to follow God

with true sincerity.

When we return to follow Him

He’ll restore His loving grace.

From sea to shining sea, our Lord

will shine again His Face.

Oh, come and join your prayers to mine,

let’s do it every day.

Ask God to heal this troubled land

and vow to live His way.

Maude Carolan Pych

Happy 4th of July!