Freda's Garden:

Welcome to my Garden!

To you O Lord, I called; to the Lord I cried for mercy.
Psalm 30:8
I call on the Lord in the morning on my walk and I call
on the Lord in the evening in my bedroom.

I CALL OUT TO THE LORD
I call out to the Lord...
And He hears my voice.
I call out to the Lord...
I make that a choice.

I call out to the Lord...
When overwhelmed with fear.
I call out to the Lord...
I know He is near.

I call out to the Lord...
When sin gets in the way.
I call out to the Lord...
He forgives me each day.

I call out to the Lord..
In loss and pain.
I call out to the Lord...
His peace I gain!

Freda Fullerton
June 30, 2014

Freda's Garden:

Welcome to my Garden!
Sometimes, choosing joy means spending time with your
grandchildren. This is me playing with Katie when she
was little.

CHOOSE JOY
Choose joy...
When you're down and out.
Choose joy...
When you're in doubt.

Choose joy...
When you've had very bad day.
Choose joy...
When things aren't going your way.

Choose joy...
When you fail.
Choose joy...
When your ship won't sail.

Choose joy...
To chase away fright.
Choose joy...
And things will be alright!

Freda Fullerton
June 29, 2014

Freda's Garden:

Welcome to my Garden!
I have always loved this picture out of our old King James Bible.
"Suppose one has a hundred sheep and loses one of them. Does he not
leave the ninety-nine in the open country and go after the lost sheep
until he finds it?" Luke 15:4

JESUS CAME TO RESCUE
Jesus came to rescue
Those that live in sin.
Jesus came to rescue,
To cleanse us within.

Jesus came to rescue
Lost sheep, that's gone astray.
Jesus came to rescue
Those without hope today.

Jesus came to rescue
Those with messed up lives.
Jesus came to rescue
Those that have been unwise.

Jesus came to rescue
If you search for Him, you see.
You will find Him in the trenches
Rescuing sinners like you and me!

Freda Fullerton
June 28, 2014

Freda's Garden:

Welcome to my Garden!
This is me holding up a neighbors sunflower plant.
A lot of people love eating sunflower seeds.
The Bible mentions seeds and sowing the seed many times.
Jesus taught a parable about seeds and mentions them several
times. He always taught about the things the people knew... sowing
the seed, vineyards and fishing.

SOWING THE SEED
Sowing the seed...
A farmer knows well.
Sowing the seed...
God's good news to tell.

Sowing the seed...
Some sow discontent.
Sowing the seed...
Some sow evil intent.

Sowing the seed...
Some sow gossip and greed.
Sowing the seed...
God's Word we must heed.

Sowing the seed...
That multiply threefold.
Sowing the seed...
That will save every soul!

Freda Fullerton
June 27, 2014

Freda's Garden:

Welcome to my Garden!

"Now faith is being sure of what you hope for and certain of what you
do not see." hebrews 11:1
This is Jim with his Bible. He reads it through each year, although it is a
struggle since he has macular degeneration. He builds up my faith!

BY FAITH
By faith...
We walk, not by sight.
By faith...
We get through a lonely night.

By faith...
We bear each pain.
By faith...
Faithful we remain.

By faith...
We kneel in prayer.
By faith...
We know that God is there.

By faith...
We look beyond where we roam.
By faith...
We will be carried home!

Freda Fullerton
June 26, 2014

Freda's Garden:

Welcome to my Garden!
This is our beautiful granddaughter, Katie, with Jim and I. Yesterday She
graduated from HS. Today's poem was written in 1992 for our youth minister
to read to our graduation class at church. It is my advice to Katie and all the
2014 graduates.

REACH OUT FOR YOUR DREAM
Reach out for your dream
On graduation day.
Stay on the path
Make God's way your way.

Do not dream of things,
This world thinks are grand.
Look to your Savior,
For Him, take a stand.

Do not measure success
By the world's tarnished rule,
For Proverbs calls
Such a one fool.

Measure your success
By the golden rule
And the things you were taught
In Sunday school.

Look to the future,
But remember the past.
Seek not life's quick-silver.
But the things that will last.

Honesty and kindness
A love that is true...
And all the good things of life
Will surely come to you!

Freda Fullerton
June 25, 2014

Freda's Garden:

Welcome to my Garden!
This is wild lupine on Prince Edward Island.
"Why do you worry about clothes? See how the (lilies) flowers of the field
grow.  They do not labor or spin. Yet Solomon in all his splendor was not
dressed like one these.  Matthew 6: 28-29

WORRY:
Worry...
You fret and stew,
Thinking of the things
That can happen to you.

Worry...
Robs you of sleep,
Disturbs you so,
You can't even count sheep.

Worry..
Destroys peace and home
And will find you
Wherever you roam.

Worry...
Displeases your Savior and Friend
For it is on Him...
That He wants you to depend!

Freda Fullerton
May 24, 2014

Freda's Garden:

Welcome to my Garden!
A Rainbow and a Cross! Two different
covenants. Two different promises. But  
Just One Person, who paid the cost.

JUST ONE PERSON
Just one person...
You may be,
But it takes only one person
To start a fire, you see.

Just one person...
Some might say,
But it takes just one person
To show the way.

Just one person...
So it may seem.
But it takes just one person
To start a dream.

Just One Person...
Who paid the cost,
It was just One Person
That went to the cross!

Freda Fullerton
June 23, 2014

Freda's Garden:

Welcome to my Garden!
"If you then, though you are evil, know how to give
good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father
in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him! "
Matthew 7:11

GOD'S FAVORITE WORD IS "YES!"
We seem to think...
God's favorite word is "NO!"
That He frowns upon our laughter
And wants to zap us here below

We think He keeps a list
Of each and every sin...
And that He will remind us
Of them again and again.

But God's favorite word is "yes"
He has blessings galore.
He wants us to enjoy life,
As we're never done before.

He wants us to express His love
And wants us to enjoy each day.
For His favorite word is "yes,"
As He cheers us all the way!

Freda Fullerton
June 22, 2014

Freda's Garden:

Welcome to my Garden!
We are blessed with little boys in our family.
This is two great grandsons, Sawyer and Teddy.
They are brothers. Teddy is 2 and Sawyer is 9 today.
Sawyer is so sweet with his little brother. We have
one more great grandson, Camden 3 months old.
So here is to little boys!

LITTLE BOYS ARE...
Little boys are...
Bloody noses
and skinned shins.
Dirty hands
And toothless grins.

Little boys are...
Baseball caps,
Tennis shoes,
Eyes of brown
and eyes of blue.

Little boys are...
Rugged jeans
and muddy feet.
Sometimes words,
You can't repeat.

Little boys are...
Angels only, in their sleep,
In their sweet repose
They can't be beat.

Little boys are...
Joy and exasperation
And one of God's
Best creation!

Freda Fullerton
June 21, 2014

Freda's Garden:

Welcome to m Garden!
This is Katie on one of our trips to Disneyland. I think that
is me reaching for her to make sure she does not fall!

REACH FOR
Reach for...
Your dreams each day.
Reach for...
Happiness along the way.

Reach for...
Love and peace.
Reach for...
Your fears to release.

Reach for...
Opportunities in loss.
Reach for...
The forgiveness of the cross.

Reach for...
Heaven, it's near.
Reach for...
Confidence that it's here!

Freda Fullerton
June 20, 2014

Freda's Garden:

Welcome to my Garden!
This is Janet and Richard, getting ready to leave for home, after one of their visits.
Saying goodbye is always hard but, we look forward to another hello... life is
like that, a balance of good and bad experiences.
(Job answered) "Shall I accept good from God and not trouble?" Job 2:10

FOR THE BAD TIMES
For the bad times
Can I give thanks,
Or shall I join
The unthankful ranks?

For the bad times
This I know,
Tis at this time
That I shall grow.

For the bad times,
Do not outweigh
All the joy,
I have each day.

For the bad times,
I must endure...
My Savior whispers,
"I'm always near!"

Freda Fullerton
June 19, 2014

Freda's Garden:

Welcome to my Garden!
This is my favorite picture of our granddaughter Katie, when she was little.
I made the princess dress and this was her first look at herself in it. I'm so
thankful "the rest of the story" of her life, is still to be played. She graduates
from HS Tuesday. We are so thankful for her.

THE REST OF THE STORY
The rest of the story...
Has yet to unfold.
The rest of the story...
Is still to be told.

The rest of the story...
We're writing each day.
The rest of the story...
Our lives will convey.

The rest of the story...
Is found in each step.
The rest of the story
Is in those that we help.

The rest of the story...
Is not found today.
The rest of the story...
Heaven's sweet way!

Freda Fullerton
June 18, 2014

Freda's Garden:

Welcome to my Garden!
This is our grandson, Russell, with his new-born son, Camden James.
Camden is now 3 months old. So this is Russell's first Father's Day!
Happy Father's Day to all you fathers!

THE STRENGTH OF A MAN
The strength of a man...
Is not in muscles and brawn.
Then strength of a man...
Is his will to carry on.

The strength of a man...
Is not if he can instill fear.
The strength of a man...
Is if he can shed a tear.

The strength if a man...
Is not a hunter's quest.
The strength if a man...
Is when he tries his best.

The strength of a man...
Is not in his smile.
The strength of a man...
Is trusting God like a child.

Freda Fullerton
June 15, 2014


 

Freda's Garden:

Welcome to my Garden!
This is me, reading one of my poems at church.
May God always give me words that heal and
shut my mouth on words that hurt!

WORDS THAT HEAL
Words that heal...
We should always speak.
Words that harm...
We should never seek.

Words that heal...
Should be upon our tongue.
Words that harm...
Can never be undone.

Words that heal...
Should be my quest.
Words that harm...
Are Satan's little test.

Words that heal...
Can mean so much.
Words that harm...
Put you from the hearers touch!

Freda Fullerton
June 14, 2014

Freda's Garden:

Welcome to my Garden!
Although you can't see him very well, my friend Oscar, is perched
on the very top on the pine tree on the right. That is where he meets me
every morning. With his joyous lack of inhibitions,  Oscar knows that life
is "much more than survival!"

MUCH MORE THAN SURVIVAL
Much more than survival...
God meant life to be.
Much more than survival...
He meant us to feel free.

Much more than survival...
He wants us to be unafraid.
Much more than survival...
It was for this debt He paid.

Much more than survival...
Existing day to day.
Much more than survival...
God lights the way.

Much more than survival...
And learning, just to cope.
Much more than survival...
But a life that's filled with hope!

Freda Fullerton
June 13, 2014

Freda's Garden:

Welcome to my Garden!
This is our beautiful granddaughter, Katie. This is her
senior picture. She graduates from high school the 24.
Our son, John and his wife Chris will be experiencing
an empty nest in the fall as she will be off to college in
Oregon. It's hard to let go when they leave the nest!

IT'S HARD TO LET GO
It's hard to let go...
Bad habits seem to come to stay.
It's hard to let go...
Worry ruins each day.

It's hard to let go...
Of a foolish, selfish way.
It's hard to let go...
We think God wants to make us pay.

It's hard to let go...
Of a "little" secret sin.
It's hard to let go...
And feel cleansed within.

It's hard to let go...
When you don't want to say goodbye.
It's hard to let go...
All you want to do is cry.

It's hard to let go...
Of dreams, not in God's plan.
It's hard to let go...
And hold to God's unchanging Hand!

Freda Fullerton
June 12, 2014

Freda's Garden:

Welcome to my Garden!
We really had to overcome some serious FEAR to get on this tram
in Switzerland!

LOOK OUT FEAR HERE COMES FAITH!
Look out fear...
Here comes faith,
With more love
And a lot less hate!

Look out fear...
On God I depend.
I have made faith
My good friend.

Look out fear...
I've swept you away,
I feel close to God
When I kneel and pray.

Look out fear...
You  have no hold on me.
For here comes faith
To set me free!

Freda Fullerton
June 11, 2014

Freda's Garden:

Welcome to my Garden!
This is a picture of our neighbor's grapevine.

GRAPES OF JOY
Grapes of joy...
Not grapes of wrath.
Grapes of joy...
Flow in my path.

Grapes of joy...
From the True Vine.
Grapes of joy...
Jesus declares, "You're Mine."

Grapes of joy...
Share the refreshing juice.
Grape of joy...
The fruit of truth.

Grapes of joy...
Pick some today.
Grapes of joy...
Shall come you way!

Freda Fullerton
June 10, 2014

Freda's Garden:

Welcome to my Garden!
This was when we first moved into our mobile home.
It was certainly a "Beginning Again" for us. We had
lived in our home for 38 years.

BEGINNING AGAIN
Beginning again...
A brand new day.
Beginning again...
Show me the way.

Beginning again...
When mistakes I've made.
Beginning again...
When I'm afraid.

Beginning again..
Free from all strife.
Beginning again...
With renewed life.

Beginning again...
Christ paid the cost.
Beginning again...
Knowing all is not lost.

Beginning again...
Yesterday is no longer mine.
Beginning again...
Today is my time!

Freda Fullerton
June 9, 2014

Freda's Garden:

Welcome to my Garden!
Friends love at all times!

LORD, GIVE ME EYES OF UNDERSTANDING
Lord, give me eyes of understanding,
For those who fall by the way.
Lord, give me eyes of understanding,
As I go about my day.

Lord, give me eyes of understanding,
When others are unkind.
Lord, give me eyes of understanding,
And patience may I find.

Lord, give me eyes of understanding,
When I've been betrayed.
Lord give me eyes of understanding,
When of life, I am afraid.

Lord, give me eyes of understanding,
When I kneel and pray.
Lord, give me eyes of understanding,
When You answer, "Not today."

Lord, give me eyes of understanding,
When I suffer loss.
Lord give me eyes of understanding,
Help me remember Christ upon the cross!

Freda Fullerton
June 8, 2014

Freda's Garden:

Welcome to my Garden!
Me receiving my KOPS at a TOPS meeting 12 years ago
I have sometimes struggled to maintain my weight, but I always
try to  remember "To Whom I Belong"

REMEMBER WHOSE YOU ARE
Remember whose you are,
When you kneel to pray.
Remember whose you are,
When you go about your day.

Remember whose you are,
When temptation is very strong.
Remember whose you are,
When things seem to go wrong.

Remember whose you are,
When with a worldly friend.
Remember whose you are,
And on whom you can depend.

Remember whose you are,
When disappointment comes your way.
Remember whose you are,
And your faith will be your stay!

Freda Fullerton
June 7, 2014

Freda's Garden:

Welcome to my Garden!

WE BOW DOWN
We bow down...
And worship with care.
We bow down...
In silent prayer.

We bow down...
Under our sorrow.
We bow down...
In thoughts of tomorrow.

We bow down...
And listen to a child.
We bow down...
And give the world a smile.

We bow down...
Under a load of sin.
We bow down...
When we've been forgiven again!

Freda Fullerton
June 6, 2014

Freda's Garden:

Welcome to my Garden!
That's me on the left, being "Sunshine the Clown," along with
"Ho-Bo," J. E. Dowell: God loves me anyway, even when I'm
making a fool of myself!  :)

I LOVE YOU ANYWAY.
I say, "I'm not worthy."
God says, "I love you anyway."
I say, "I'm a sinner."
God says,  "I cleansed you today."

I say,  "I can't forget,
That I have all this sin."
God says, "On Me...
You shall completely depend."

I say, Satan says...
"That I am a fool."
God whispers,
"It is I that doth rule."

I say, "I'm all alone
And I can't see you at all!"
God says, "I am waiting,
Patiently for your call!"

I say, I'm not worthy."
God says, I love you anyway."
I say, "I am a sinner."
God says, "I cleansed you today!"

Freda Fullerton
June 5, 2014

Freda's Garden:

Welcome to my Garden!
This picture came from my old King James Bible.
I always loved the pictures in it, perhaps because
my mom had this Bible and showed me the pictures,
as she read to me from it.

PROMISES OF JESUS
Promises of Jesus
I am the Light
I am the Way
I am the Life.

Promises of Jesus
I am the Vine
I am the Bread
I am the Wine.

Promises of Jesus
I am the Water
I am the  Shepherd
I am the Altar.

Promises of Jesus
I am the First and the Last
I am the Morning Star
I am the Future and the Past.

Promises of Jesus
I am the Lamb
I am the Sacrifice
I am  THE I AM!

Freda Fullerton
June 4, 2014

Freda's Garden:

Welcome to my Garden!
A few years ago I made these "singing buddy" puppets
for my pre-school Sunday school class. I was seeking a
way to make the shy ones feel more comfortable with
singing.

SEEK NOT
Seek not...
Riches or fame.
But seek...
God's Holy Name.

Seek not...
To always be in control.
But seek...
Peace for my soul.

Seek not...
To always be right.
But seek...
To see another's plight.

Seek not...
To live a life of ease.
But seek...
Forever, my Lord to please.

Seek not...
To avoid pain and sorrow.
But seek...
God's solace for tomorrow.

Seek not ...
This world in vain
But seek...
To make heaven my gain.

Freda Fullerton
June 3, 2014

Freda's Garden:

Welcome to my Garden!
Joy is the song of a bird!

"The joy of the Lord is your strength."
Nehemiah 8:10

FILLED WITH JOY
Filled with joy...
In Your creation.
Filled with joy...
And imagination.

Filled with joy...
Of feathered wings.
Filled with joy...
As the bird sings.

Filled with joy
When I walk with You.
Filled with joy...
When we talk too.

Filled with joy...
At a lovely smile.
Filled with joy...
Of a trusting child.

Filled with joy...
In Your promises sure.
Filled with joy...
When You are near!

Freda Fullerton
June 2, 2014

Freda's Garden:

Welcome to my Garden!

SHAPED AND RESHAPED
Shaped and reshaped
On the potter's wheel,
By the Master Potter
Who makes the wounded heal.

Shaped and reshaped
Like a diamond from the coal,
Or like a vein in a rock
That becomes a piece of gold.

Shaped and reshaped
The clam with the grain of sand
That becomes a precious pearl
In the Master's hand.

Shaped and reshaped
Skinning off the dross,
Is the furnace of affliction
The forgiveness of the cross.

Shaped and reshaped
By God's eternal grace.
We shall be like Him
When we see HIm face to face!

Freda Fullerton
June 1, 2014