Photo by JESHOOTS.com on Pexels.com
You will never be given a task that you cannot handle. Your reward in life for learning the lesson is a bigger lesson.
There is nothing in a caterpillar that tells you it’s going to be a butterfly.
This poem was originally published in November, 2018. It has been updated in a few places to enhance the message. Witness the impact of America’s open door to immigrants with this poem.
Photo by Pixabay on Pexels.com
Images of immigrants arriving at America’s shores
Families hope the United States offers much more
Huddled and crowded together on ships bound for another land
Dreaming of moving forward and receiving an outstretched hand
Most Americans trace immigrants back to their family roots
Their ancestors arrived ready to energize lives with a boost
Singer Neil Sedaka proclaims the immigrants’ anxious arrival
“The Immigrant” sings of America waiting, without any denial
Coming to America is immortalized as Neil Diamond sings
“America” tells a fascinating story that only his lyrics bring
Both Sedaka and Diamond write beautiful and appropriate text
America can do better than people shouting, “You are not next”
Imagine the excitement felt upon seeing Lady Liberty
She has welcomed people to America for an eternity
Her torch offers a brilliant beacon of new hope and light
America extends a welcoming hand, ending their plight
This openhearted Lady, gifted from France, stands solemn
She invites the less fortunate to disembark in long columns
Emma Lazarus, an offspring of immigrants, expresses it best
Her poetic words in “The New Colossus” surely pass the test
Her inspiring words paint an ironic and emotional image for all
To see how a mighty Lady and America will forever stand tall
America’s melting pot overflows from a gentle and peaceful place
Tales from immigrants deserve to be heard without undue haste
Immigration has recently become a passionate, national debate
America’s history shows patience in opening its welcome gate
Photo by Artem Beliaikin on Pexels.com
The lyrics of “The Immigrant” can be found at Neil Sedaka.
The lyrics of “America” can be found at Neil Diamond.
The verses of “The New Colossus” can be found at Emma Lazarus.
Photo by Pixabay on Pexels.com
There is a difference between doubt and unbelief. Doubt is a matter of mind: we cannot understand what God is doing or why He is doing it. Unbelief is a matter of will: we refuse to believe God’s Word and obey what He tells us to do.
From Mark 9:24: “Immediately the father of the child cried out, ‘I believe; help my unbelief!'”
From Hebrews 8:18: “For I will be merciful toward their iniquities, and I will remember their sins no more.”
Photo by Porapak Apichodilok on Pexels.com
Darkness cannot hide from His light
Our merciful God, filled with might
Walking above His creation, God choreographs
From early morning to eventual nightfall
Climbing to mountaintops, above life’s battleground
With every step, God’s always present
Witnessing just how far we’ve come
Every victory is earned through Him
We carry scars from numerous struggles
Our hearts always feel God’s presence
Receiving joy-filled Grace, always free
Truly, we never feel left alone
Almighty God comes in three persons
Father, Son, and Holy Spirit alive
Pure, perfect, faithful, and with love
God’s creation reflects His Holy plan
God sends a champion, His Son
From a cruel Cross, comes love
A dark, empty tomb brings hope
Mercy sends love in Jesus Christ
Coming to Christ, dead in sin
Christ’s eternal love washes over us
Releasing us from shackles of sin
We are redeemed, forever set free
Accepting Jesus as Lord and Savior
Our new life begins through Him
Resurrection’s light, Christ has our backs
His endless love walks with us
Photo by Peter on Pexels.com
Photo by Vera Arsic on Pexels.com
We are all fallen creatures and all very hard to live with.
From Proverbs 22:25: “Bad temper is contagious–don’t get infected.”
Afternoon arrives
Singing voices all around—
Rocking to the sounds
Photo by Elena Buzmakova(borisova) on Pexels.com
Gray winter day walk
Stopping at an empty church—
Kneeling and praying
Photo by Dan Whitfield on Pexels.com
Weekend long ago
Feelings of love washed away—
By rain of darkness
Photo by Aleksandar Pasaric on Pexels.com
Photo by Kelvin Valerio on Pexels.com
It takes calm, thoughtful, prayerful meditation on the Word to extract its deepest nourishment.
From Joshua 1:8: “This book of law shall not depart out of your mouth; you shall meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to act in accordance with all that is written in it.”
From Psalm 62:1: “My soul waits in silence for God only.”
Photo by Luis Quintero on Pexels.com
Anticipating in faithful silence for the One
From Christ, comes our Salvation He won
God brings deliverance from life’s trials
His steadfast love proclaims and smiles
Witnessing transformation by Christ’s renewing love
Pouring out our daily needs to the Holy Lord above
Witnessing the Apostles in their committed walk
Learning about Jesus as His words openly talk
God delivering His promise, acceptable and good
Trusting in our Heavenly Father, as we all should
As a single body with Christ, persevere in daily prayer
Meditating upon what lies deep inside, our daily cares
Trusting always, we come forth to pray
God standing as our rock, always stout
His fortress never shaken with doubt
Allowing the Holy Spirit, a welcome space to invade
Loving one another, because Jesus ultimately gave
Replacing negative thoughts with a positive way
Slowing down, counting blessings—let us pray
Spending less time filled with our trivial worries
Praising God for His message of faithful courage
God’s kingdom depends upon His mighty hand
Feeling His promises, His will covers the land
Answering the great question for all to behold
Accepting Christ as Lord and Savior, so bold
Reveling in God’s glorious adventure, with trusting love
Allowing Him to assist, in sending answers from above
Trusting always, we come forth to pray
God standing as our rock, always stout
His fortress never shaken with doubt
Photo by eberhard grossgasteiger on Pexels.com
From Romans 12:11: “Do not lack diligence; be fervent in spirit; serve the Lord.”
Photo by Pixabay on Pexels.com
The challenge before us is to have faith in God, and the hardest part of faith is waiting.
From 1 Corinthians 16:13-14: “Keep alert, stand firm in your faith, be courageous, be strong. Let all that you do be done in love.”
Photo by Pixabay on Pexels.com
Autumn fills with sounds of cheering fans and the excitement of Friday night high school football games. We pick up the action with play-by-play announcer “Cato the Cat” Johnson as he calls the final seconds of the game between the undefeated Valley High Bulldogs and the lowly Vernon High Bengals.
Welcome back football fans as the undefeated Valley High Bulldogs are poised to garner their 10th division championship in a row. The winless Bengals of Vernon High have put up an incredible fight against overwhelming odds tonight, but their time in the limelight is about to be extinguished by the mighty Bulldogs.
The Bulldogs are poised to add to their lead with the score at 7-2. The stingy Bengals have only yielded one score, and its defense has scored their only points with a safety back in the first quarter.
From the Bengals five-yard line, the Bulldogs are facing a second down and goal. They line up in their favorite power run formation. The ball is snapped. But wait . . . fumble!
The Bengals have recovered! Oh my, what a turn of events. However, the Bulldogs still hold the lead, and the game clock only shows enough time for one more play.
The Bengals face nearly the entire length of the football field—95 yards to be exact. With only one more play, it appears their woeful season will end on another sour note. At least the marching band has performed quite well this season.
The Bengals line up in a spread formation. The Bulldogs’ defense sets up in a prevent mode. They only need to stop the Bengals here, and their string of championship crowns will continue.
The ball is snapped. Instead of passing, the Bengals hand the ball off to their speedy halfback Kurt Warner. With a power sweep to the right, the Bengals are pushing the ball up the sideline. There is a phalanx of blockers in front of Warner.
Only two players stand between the Bengals and a touchdown. One blocker takes out a defender, and Warner fakes left and hustles right, leaving the last tackler humbled on the ground.
Nelson is on his way . . . to the 30, the 20, the 10 . . . touchdown!!
The Bengals score, and the game is over. Vernon High 8, Valley High 7.
Oh my football fans! We have seen an incredible finish for the ages.
Life isn’t always as basic as a seemingly simple high school football game. Just as Vernon High comes into the game as a hapless underdog, Jesus Christ is perceived to be a loser and an underdog when he is taken to Calvary and a cruel Cross. Football fans underestimate the resolve of the Bengals, just as people underestimate Christ’s purpose.
The Vernon High team experiences an unbelievable moment, but it pales in comparison to the stunning moment when Jesus’ followers find the empty tomb.
Incredible!
Photo by Gareth Davies on Pexels.com
Big Sky Buckeye 