Big Sky Buckeye Quote

gold and black crucifix

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Our compassionate Lord shows His mercy upon me, a sinner not worthy of His love, through the Cross.

From Titus 3:4-7:  “But when the goodness and loving kindness of God our Savior appeared, He saved us, not because of any works of righteousness that we had done, but according to His mercy, through the water of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit.  This Spirit He poured out on us richly through Jesus Christ our Savior, so that, having been justified by His grace, we might become heirs according to the hope of eternal life.”

Always with Us (Haiku Series #80)

Finding

Running to Jesus

Feeling the Holy Spirit—

Finding still waters

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Hearing

Kneeling at the Cross

Praying for America—

Hearing the Gospel

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Loving

Jesus’ teaches us

Always loving our neighbors—

Step forward as one

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Oswald Chambers Quote

photo of man listening with jbl wireless headset

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If we let the Spirit of God bring us face to face with God, we too will hear something akin to what Isaiah heard, the still small voice of God; and in perfect freedom will say–“Here am I; send me.”

From Isaiah 6:8:  “Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying, ‘Whom shall I send, and who will go for us?’  And I said, ‘Here am I; send me!'”

Failing Once Again

woman in gray tank top showing distress

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Failing once again

Life’s troubles bomb away

 

Whom shall I turn to?

 

Failing once again

Darkness moves ever closer

 

Where is the light?

 

Failing once again

Shame swallows me up

 

How can my spirit be restored?

 

Failing once again

Life’s torments engulf me

 

Why . . . why?

 

Failing once again

Loneliness surrounds my heart

 

What recourse do I have?

 

Failing once again

Life’s hour glass, now nearly empty

 

When will I be free?

 

selective focus photography of hour glass

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Failing once again . . .

 

Turning to my Heavenly Father

Never thinking of me as a bother

 

From a Cross, Salvation’s light sheds hope

Pulled up from the Pit by a Holy rope

 

Kneeling before the Savior, sins and all

Humbling following Him will be my call

 

Through a broken body and shed blood

By Grace alone, escaping life’s flash flood

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The structure of this poem features dual parts.  In the beginning verses, the reader is taken to a much darker place.  Using themes of sorrow, darkness, and hopelessness presents a challenge to both the reader and the writer.  In answering the questions found in the poem, the ending verses are structured around common Christian themes of hope, joy, light, and rebirth.

Henry David Thoreau Quote

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If one advances confidently in the direction of his dreams, and endeavors to live the life he has imagined, he will meet with success unexpected in common hours.

From Proverbs 13:19:  “A desire realized is sweet to the soul, but to turn away from evil is an abomination to fools.”

Walking with Jesus

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Selected verses from Psalm 122 bring inspiration for this poem.  America, as a nation, needs healing and reconciliation.  The two verses of Scripture take us on a journey from where we have been to where we wish to go.

From Jeremiah 6:14:  “They have treated the wound of my people carelessly, saying, ‘Peace, peace,’ when there is no peace.”

Praying for peace in our city

Loving Jesus takes center stage

Welcoming peace into all hearts

Hearing love of God over rage

 

Listening to cries of anguish

Walking with Jesus protects all

Showing empathy for neighbors

Sharing His peace at every call

 

Stepping forward with trusting words

Treating these wounds with Jesus’ care

Saying “peace, peace” with conviction

Lifting hands high, love fills the air

 

Standing and feeding His lost flock

Replacing discord, Jesus comes

Proclaiming a new dawn today

Following Grace-filled, beating drum

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From Isaiah 57:19:  “Peace, peace, to the far and the near, says the Lord; and I will heal them.”

Time with God (Haiku Series #79)

Come to Me

Life’s sinful burdens

Repent, go to our Father—

Forgiveness received

red neon light signage

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Rich Harvest

Faithfully sowing

Planting seeds in fertile soil—

But, God gives the growth

man planting plant

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Never Lost

Only from God’s Word

Filled with faithful love and hope—

Finding a road map

young woman with map looking away on city street

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Charles Swindoll Quote

beautiful calm chain chain link

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Nobody is a whole chain.  Each one is a link.  But take away one link and the chain is broken.  We need each other.  You need someone and someone needs you.  Isolated islands, we’re not.

From Colossians 1:9-10:  “For this reason, since the day we heard it, we have not ceased praying for you and asking that you may be filled with the knowledge of God’s will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding, so that you may lead lives worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing to Him, as you bear fruit in every good work and as you grow in the knowledge of God.”

Monday Memories: Sweetest Dream

This updated poem was first-published in March, 2019.  Every day I accept the personal challenge to follow a healthy lifestyle in managing my blood glucose levels.  With proper exercise, eating right, and taking medications, I have been able to succeed.  I sometimes use humor as a tool to keep myself motivated, and writing this poem serves this purpose.

three assorted donuts with milk

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Sleeping at night brings pleasurable dreams my way

Dreaming of sugar-filled treats most every single day

 

Tasting a doughnut filled with vanilla cream

Allowing my sweet tooth to sample a dream

 

Advising the doughnut to vanish and scamper away

Appearing next, freshly baked cookies wish to stay

 

Smelling the melted chocolate and cookie dough

Rolling over, my taste buds scream out to know

 

Dashing dreams of cookies, a delicious pie arrives

Looking at coconut cream is a mammoth surprise

 

Tossing in bed, my mouth anticipates the sweetest taste

Cruising into my dream, appears a cake—freshly baked

 

Licking my lips, velvety-rich chocolate cake will be my fate

Sampling the moisture-rich texture seems a perfect mate

 

Closing my fantasy suddenly, my mind stirs awake

Remembering to manage my sugars is no mistake

 

Envisioning so many tantalizing, indulging treats

Controlling sugar levels will be a bitter-filled feat

bakery baking cake chocolate

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