ART & POETRY BY PAUL & KATHY BOECHER©

The painting today is an oil pastel, which allows the artist to paint softly. I’m sure there are other reasons to use this medium, but I like the effect it has on the mood it creates. When I look at this barren landscape, my thoughts turn to progress – of which I am very thankful. Without that aspect of life, we would remain stagnant and never move on. I just finished watching the Ken Burns special on PBS about the American Revolution. It is a thought-provoking series which explores all sides of the founding of our country and the war that seemed to go on forever. I will go into my thoughts at another time, but today I simply want to dwell on the soft side of progress and my gratitude for it. For many, progress leads to greed and greed leads to lust and so on and so on. God wants us to use progress to advance His goodness and love for the world. It is often an uphill battle, but with Him, it is also possible. When He leads and we follow, progress will always be good.

Within the mountain’s early dawn, His majesty is seen,

The skies fill up with brilliance, and glorious golden sheen,

His breath is seen in morning mist, His voice through eagles’ song,

His power displays in sunlit rays, He shines the whole day long,

His love for us unspoken, but seen in every rock,

He leads us like a shepherd protects his wandering flock,

I am so weak and fragile, like many a stubborn sheep,

My trust oft wanes, my fears o’er take, I toss through dream filled sleep,

My tears won’t stop, may faith grows weak, I stumble all the way,

But He’s right there, surrounding me, protecting me each day,

I’ll never grow to understand His unconditional love,

But thank Him that He grants it from His throne high up above,

My God, you are my fortress, my strength when I am weak,

You carry me through deserts, you lead me when you speak,

Through pastures green and waters clean, fulfilling every need,

You fill my heart with gratitude, my soul your Word does feed.