Embracing
His lead
Overcoming our resistance
Changed by God’s persistence
Prayer
Envisioning
Sharing hope
Acts of generosity
God’s works best revealed
Grace
Rain’s
Early morning
Rinsing our souls
God calling us home
Forgiveness
This series of poems (written in the German-inspired style of Elfchen or Elevenie) shares a total of eleven words in each poem, with a sequence by line of one, two, three, four, and one words.
Gratitude is as powerful catalyst for happiness. It’s the spark that lights a fire of joy in your soul.
From Colossians 3:16-17: “Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly; teach and admonish one another in all wisdom; and with gratitude in your hearts sing psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs to God. And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him.”
Retreating from urban scene
Tasting sweetest land of peace
Montana’s scenic prairie
Rejuvenating new lease
Returning home at long last
Embracing much simpler ways
Montana’s dry farming life
Waking to morning’s fresh praise
Laboring in nature’s soil
Farming begins at sunrise
Montana’s fields now planted
Waiting for harvest’s lush prize
Walking in tall grass so green
Unearthing life’s inner core
Montana’s rural anthem
Fielding life’s daily chores
Until one has loved an animal, a part of one’s soul remains unawakened.
If the path is beautiful, let us ask where it leads.
Anatole France (1844-1924) was a renowned French poet, journalist, and novelist. In 1921, he was awarded the Nobel Prize in literature for his lifetime of achievements.
From Romans 5:1-2: “Therefore, since we are justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have obtained access to this grace in which we stand, and we boast in our hope of sharing the glory of God.”
From ancient garden, crying out
Man’s sinful seeds scatter and sprout
Father’s wrath consumes with His fire
Suffering journey to hellfire
Spiritually dead from God
Lives walk in darkness, always flawed
Holy tablets proclaim God’s law
Sin’s frozen nature never thaws
Judgement follows life’s trespasses
Sticking like thickest molasses
Lord’s saving grace seeks better way
Messiah opens new causeway
Jesus steps into this abyss
Unselfish love shall never miss
Hopeless man’s eyes can’t turn away
Drawn to grim, cruel cross, Christ pays
Jesus offers Himself instead
Faith follows this new Living Bread
Father’s amazing grace enters
Salvation breathes life’s new center
From Romans 5:18-19: “Therefore just as one man’s trespass led to condemnation for all, so one man’s act of righteousness leads to justification and life for all. For just as through the one man’s disobedience the many were made sinners, so through the one man’s obedience the many will be made righteous.”
To hunger and thirst after righteousness is when nothing in the world can fascinate us so much as being near God.
From Hebrews 11:1-3: “Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen. Indeed, by faith our ancestors received approval. By faith we understand that the worlds were prepared by the word of God, so that what is seen was made from things that are not visible.”
Overcast morning
Gray covers forgotten sun—
Missing in action
Crystal clear waters
Canoe glides with rhythmic pace—
Perfect melody
Galactic journey
Cosmic adventure comes true—
Man’s final frontier
True heroism is remarkably sober, very undramatic. It is not the urge to surpass all others at whatever cost, but the urge to serve others at whatever cost.
Start where you are, use what you have.
Arthur Ashe (1943-1993) was an American professional tennis player. During his distinguished career, he won 76 tournament titles, including three Grand Slam tournaments.
Walking in the morning pre-dawn light
Waiting for the sun to resume its flight
Hearing the birds chirping familiar tunes
Feeling happy that spring will arrive soon
Stepping briskly along the charming path
Anticipating the sun bringing a warm bath
Seeing the shadows change and dance
Clearing a mind from its dormant trance
Witnessing God’s immense creation at dawn
Blessing with unique images that it spawns
Dashing in front goes a frightened rabbit
Making his morning visit a welcome habit
Dreaming of walking here each and every day
Picturing a scenic sunrise so appealing to say
Lifting above the distant horizon to bring a delight
Radiating sunrise brightens the morn with its light
The photo was taken at sunrise last fall at Walnut Woods Metro Park in central Ohio. I am looking forward to witnessing more sunrises in the coming weeks as the spring weather allows me to walk outside more often.
Do you enjoy a favorite time or place to walk and experience God’s creation?
No moment is wasted if you pay attention and learn the lessons contained in every experience.
The world wants to assign you a role in life. And once you accept that role you are doomed.
Robert Greene (born 1959) is an American author. He has written six international bestsellers based around the topics of strategy and power.
Big Sky Buckeye 