Extra Extra


To go beyond
And give your all

Without complaint
A challenging call

To show up lift up
In rain or shine

To set aside self
And what we call “mine”

Extra extra
Is what it’s all about

Beyond the ordinary
That’s without a doubt

Though life may weigh down
Then persist and be true

Gain strength from above
To be faithful to do

Extra extra
Let His light shine

Purpose


God who has made us gave us life
Son created in love, surrendered in strife
Believing in Him; open heart to see
He gives us faith; shows the way to be

Entrusted with a special task
He welcomes any questions we ask
What is our purpose, our way, the plan?
Love God. Love others… I know you can!

When one turns to earthly greed
To selfish thought and hurtful deed
The mark is missed; we’ve gone astray
All’s dark as night, no light of day

To serve Him with all our might
With heart and soul, now that is right!
So hard some days, when we are down
Now feel God’s arms as they surround

Holding us with a love so true
Go as salt and light in all you do
Precious, valued, He waits for us
Our reason to be… For all have purpose!

Charlotte-Anne Allen

From Dry Bones


When the Hebrew people were in the land of exile, home of the Babylonians, God first spoke to the Jewish priest named Ezekiel. He was only thirty years old! … God had allowed the people to be taken into exile because they had turned from Him, worshiping idols, offering their children as sacrifices, living immorally, violently, and selfishly.

God gave words to his new prophet Ezekiel to call them back to Himself, hard words and difficult messages. There were some really weird visions!

In one vision, there was a valley full of dry bones!
“Ezekiel, can these bones live?!”
“Only You know sovereign God!”
“Prophesy, speak to these bones. I will restore them and put breath back into them.”

And so, Ezekiel obeyed, and God did as He said He would.

Wow! Dry bones. Dead. Without life. Unable to stand. To walk.
God spoke, breathed on those dry bones, and restored life.
Sinews. Flesh. Bones knitting together.

I’ve had times, and perhaps you have too, when I felt like those dry bones. Like the Hebrew people, we can be drawn away from the true source of life, God eternal. Life experiences, disappointments, unfulfilled expectations, tragedy, and pain shape us and can skew our perspective and understanding.

Yet, like those dry bones, the breath of God’s Spirit will fill us. He raises His children to stand in that dark valley of dry bones. God’s breath! Within us! Ezekiel’s story is an amazing one, one of promise and of hope for us all, isn’t it?! The breath of His Spirit moves within us when we follow God. We begin to take on more of His character, not perfect but striving to serve Him and to care for others. Examining the areas we need to grow in or change is a lifelong process.

We are redeemed. We are restored. We are given new life.

Edited and re-posted

Reflections on Popsicles

• Approach life with interest, flavor, and zest
• Treasure those memories of special moments frozen in time
• Cold hearts lead to a dreary life but warm hearts provide cheer to many
• True friendship is like a taste of creamy goodness
• Live honestly that your true colors reflect integrity
• Sharing compassionately arises from brokenness
• Do not allow frosty responses to dim your peace
• Be your positive and add color and flavor to life
• When coldness invades, allow warmth to savor goodness
• God can melt the most cold and stubborn heart
• Seek what refreshes and strengthens you and give thanks
• Missed opportunities can result from frozen indecision
• Let go of worries and enjoy good fruits of life
• Your center support is God’s strong presence

From “Reflections from the Everyday”
Charlotte-Anne Allen

Of… Creation’s Voice


Meadows and bees
Song and breeze
Mount and sky
Clouds against blue

Gurgling streams
Splashes and cool
Rustles and song
Rattles and tread

Bursting forth of life
Bud and bloom
Refreshing waters
Nourishment and newness

So, we bask in God’s creation
Soaking in His Wonder
Renewing and resting
His Light warming and filling

from “OF… Songs of Life”
Charlotte-Anne Allen

Storm Breaking

In rising wind and slashing rain
Storm breaking, pounding, roaring

Trees do dance… They break and tremble
Whipped by nature’s grasping breath

Do we yet cower… or stand in awe?
We in our weakness before God’s might

Surrendered to those cleansing waters
Breathing in His freshening wind

Look now… A Light is shining
Glowing, filling, warming…

Ever speaking of storm passing
Securely held in its wake

Charlotte-Anne Allen

Reflections on Webs


• See the beauty woven into the fabric of life
• Hope is like drops of dew amidst fragile strands shining in the light
• Outward fragility can belie strength and purpose
• When sticky situations rear up, hold on to what is good and kind
• Dishonesty builds tangled webs of deceit
• Nurture that which builds lasting relationships and overcomes storms
• Attend to tremors and shakings signaling significant arrivals
• If caught unaware, we run headlong into that which can trap us
• Know there is still purpose when we are dusty and spent
• Recognizing our smallness builds humility and empathy
• The spider’s mountain is still a mountain
• We are nourished as we are being formed
• Be one who draws others to receive healing
• When ragged and torn, turn to God who makes us new

From “Reflections from the Everyday”
Charlotte-Anne Allen

Drops

Shining, glistening
At dawns light touch

Life to drink
And hope inspire

Living water drawn
From God’s deep well

Drops to wash away life’s care
To touch those now upon one’s face

Cleansed washed renewed
As rainbow’s promise

Another day and year’s passing
New beginnings made possible

Through precious drops
Of Christ who gave his all

Shining, glistening still
At star’s bright light

Charlotte-Anne Allen 12/31/2022