Treasures in My Garden: A Mother's Inspirations from the Father

By Charlene Warren

This is a collection of inspirational writings by the author over the last twelve to fifteen years. Many of the poems and essays were divinely inspired while meditating on the Lord.

With keen insight, the author portrays the divine character qualities of those most dear to her. Intertwined in her thought-provoking work is seen a love for her heavenly Father, family, and nature and creation.

The author shares her journey into a greater awareness and appreciation for Gods magnificent creation. Becoming fond of observing Gods nature and the growth of plant life, she produces some of her literary writings from a gardening aspect.

The book is light-hearted at times, yet it suggests and encourages deeper spiritual growth for the individual.

• Language: English
• Publisher: WestBow Press
• Release date: Mar 3, 2016
• ISBN: 9781512728866

Charlene Warren

Charlene Warren, at retirement, moved with her husband, Doug, to Springfield, Missouri, where they continue to reside. They have four grown children and four grandchildren. Over the years, Charlene’s career was in office administration—some of that time spent in social services. Most rewarding was her experience as student-ministries secretary at a large church in Southern California. She also loved teaching third and fourth grade girls in Sunday school. Presently, she coaches a guest services team at James River Church (Assembly) in Springfield, Missouri. For the past six years, she has led a women’s life group into a deeper walk and spiritual intimacy with the heavenly Father.

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Copyright © 2016 Charlene Warren.

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be used or reproduced by any means, graphic, electronic, or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, taping or by any information storage retrieval system without the written permission of the author except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles and reviews.

This book is a work of non-fiction. Unless otherwise noted, the author and the publisher make no explicit guarantees as to the accuracy of the information contained in this book and in some cases, names of people and places have been altered to protect their privacy.

Scripture taken from the New King James Version. Copyright © 1979, 1980, 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

Scripture taken from the Amplified Bible, copyright © 1954, 1958, 1962, 1964, 1965, 1987 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission.

Illustrations: Sketches done by Charlene Warren

WestBow Press

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ISBN: 978-1-5127-2885-9 (sc)

ISBN: 978-1-5127-2887-3 (hc)

ISBN: 978-1-5127-2886-6 (e)

Library of Congress Control Number: 2016901700

WestBow Press rev. date: 3/3/2016

Contents

Preface

Introduction: Gardening Guide to Treasures in My Garden

Chapter 1: Nature/Creation Inspirations

God’s Plan for Nature

A Yellow Flower

If I Were a Flower

Snowflakes

The Marvels of Winter and Spring

Rain: Heavenly Jewels

Sunrise, Sunset

Creator God

Chapter 2: Loving Inspirations

Heart-to-Heart

Loving Thoughts to My Husband

Dedicated to My First Love

His Steadfast Love Endures Forever

Chapter 3: Family Inspirations

Family

My Daddy Means So Much to Me

Memorial to My Dad

My Mom

Our Destiny and Design

A Mother’s Daughter

Reflections and Prayer for My Dear Daughter

Our Daughter-in-Law and A Mother’s Son

Happy Father’s Day, Jonathan

Lovely Leah

Our Favorite Son-in-Law

Tribute to Aunt Nutty

Recipe for Simple Pleasures

Chapter 4: Tender Inspirations

My Sweet Jesus

Tender Thoughts of Thee: Jacob

His Faithfulness, My Trust

Chapter 5: Little Treasures Unearthed

Essay: Char’s Treasure Garden

The Treasures of Children

Grammy’s Little Gems

Little Jewels for My Melissa

Ten Commandments for Families Raising Children

Chapter 6: Friendship Inspirations

Seeds of Friendship

Mother’s Day Tribute to Eleanor

Tribute to Pastor Judi

My Thoughts of You, Barb

Tribute to Neil Ryan

My Dear Sister in Christ, Donna

Tribute to a Cat Named Blue

My Faithful Friend, Buttons

Chapter 7: Inspirations to Meditate

Fragmented Thoughts on Life

Time #1 and Time #2

Numbers

Paths We Take

Promises, Promises

Challenge to Daughters of the King

Words

Nighttime Thoughts

My Little Quiet Place

Such a Wonder

Essay: Thoughts on the Holy Spirit

Chapter 8: Secret Thoughts

Emotional Exasperation

Contemplations

How Do You Love Me, Dear God? and How Do I Love You, Dear God?

Longings from Within

The Secret Place

My Testimony

To my dear Christian friend Cathy Power, who shares a common interest in writing and has supported and encouraged me in this undertaking.

Also to Donna Byrd, who truly encouraged me in the faith and will always be my lifetime sister in Christ.

Foreword

Charlene has remained true to her Savior since childhood. Her greatest moments have always been in the company and service of Jesus. Her life testifies of His plans that each of us can live to the fullest, not only across this nation, as she has experienced from Pennsylvania to California. As an old song (by Andre Crouch) says, through it all she has learned to trust in God. In this, she remains steadfast.

Doug

Preface

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Come with me to my treasure garden …

My journeys through life are not uncommon to man, but they are unique to me. Overall, I have had a good life, and I came from a loving Christian home.

I had no real interest in writing until recent years. Near the end of my career before retiring, I started to greatly anticipate something the Lord wanted to express through me in writings. Not aware of how or what He wanted to do, I certainly would not have chosen poetry as an interest, but the Lord had plans in mind for me (Jeremiah 29:11) that were beyond my comprehension or expectations.

Most of my inspirations begin with thoughts of and encounters with the Lord when I least expect them, usually when I’m meditating on or admiring God’s nature and creation. He must love to reveal His wonders to His children as the Father of the universe. Over the years, I have come to have a greater appreciation for God’s wonderful creation and majesty through His revelations.

I enjoy expressing in words His magnificent glory. But there are truly no verbal means adequate to express His awesomeness in the human language. So I share with you, the reader, to the best of my ability, intimate times with Him in the secret places of my heart.

I am compelled to give Him all the glory for the great things he has accomplished in my life and the great things he wants to accomplish in your life too. Life’s experiences aren’t accidental but occur to shape us into living testimonies for Him.

The greatest joy of my journey is to please and serve my Savior now and throughout eternity. So, in the following pages, I shall share