
Fear is a reaction. Courage is a decision.
Some men change their party for the sake of their principles; others their principles for the sake of their party.

Fear is a reaction. Courage is a decision.
Some men change their party for the sake of their principles; others their principles for the sake of their party.
From Psalm 142:1-2: “With my voice I cry to the Lord; with my voice I make supplication to the Lord. I pour out my complaint before Him; I tell my trouble before Him.”

Roaming life’s wilderness
Old Man Trouble talking
No escape from his voice
Tougher times come knocking
Life’s rivers never rest
Turbulent waters wait
Walking through hottest fire
Faith in God shifts our fate
Bright days turning darkest
Where’s our protection gone?
Father’s love never fails
With us at day’s new dawn
Choosing life’s one clear choice
God’s love sending courage
Tackling intense troubles
Lord’s Word shall encourage
Facing Old Man Trouble
God renewing life’s hope
Eye to eye with our faith
Lord’s unbreakable rope

From Isaiah 43:1-2: “But now thus says the Lord, He who created you, O Jacob, He who formed you, O Israel: Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name, you are mine. When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and through the rivers, they shall not overwhelm you; when you walk through fire you shall not be burned, and the flame shall not consume you.”

Nothing harms or destroys us but the wrong use of that liberty of choice which God has entrusted to us.
From Romans 6:22-23: “But now that you have been freed from sin and enslaved to God, the advantage you get is sanctification. The end is eternal life. For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.”

Weekend sails at dawn
Taking pause from work
Leisure setting sail
Life catches its perks
Respite time knocking
Relief from week’s stress
No agenda waits
Saturday brings less
Lazy day ahead
Nothing on day’s scope
Extra morning time
Coffee’s horoscope
Sadie holding leash
Ready for her walk
Sun’s delights greet us
Sharing, we both talk
Taste mid-morning brunch
Sweet morsels waiting
Fruit-filled muffins baked
Hunger abating
Afternoon nap calls
Cozy spot surveyed
Blessed Saturday dreams
Respite’s lasting crusade

The inspiration for this poem comes from spending an overnight stay with Sadie, an English Lab. She served as the perfect hostess while her family was away.

If all men are created equal, that is final. If they are endowed with inalienable rights, that is final. If governments derive their just powers from the consent of the governed, that is final.
Freedom is the open window through which pours the sunlight of the human spirit and human dignity.
Jesus
Steering lives
Along blessed river
Leading to higher ground
Deliverance

Vision
God’s enlightenment
Sharing the Gospel
Declaring trust in Christ
Guidance

Trusting
Stepping back
Sharing life’s burdens
Jesus carries us with
Resilience


Ask God to keep the eyes of your spirit open to the Risen Christ, and it will be impossible for drudgery to dampen you.
From 2 Corinthians 6:3-4: “We are putting no obstacle in anyone’s way, so that no fault may be found with our ministry, but as servants of God we have commended ourselves in every way: through great endurance, in afflictions, hardships, calamities.”
From Ephesians 1:13-14: “ In Him you also, when you had heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and had believed in Him, were marked with the seal of the promised Holy Spirit; this is the pledge of our inheritance toward redemption as God’s own people, to the praise of his glory.”

Adopted as God’s children
Following His Word of truth
Spiritual blessings sprout
Sharing wisdom since our youth
Holy Spirit breathes insight
Glorious grace singing out
Love and peace, freely granted
Hope from heaven, rousing shouts
Holy Word reigns eternal
Gospel of salvation acts
Forgiving our trespasses
Life renewed with Savior’s pact
Baptism with Holy Spirit
Redemption through Jesus’ blood
Called and claimed by our Father
True faith restored, life’s new bud

From the words of German pastor and Christian theologian, Martin Luther: “The Holy Spirit has called me through the Gospel, enlightened me with His gifts, and sanctified and kept me in true faith.”

Survival is the second law of life. The first is that we are all one.
A hero is someone who has given his or her life to something bigger than oneself.
From Psalm 31:3-5: “You are indeed my rock and my fortress; for your name’s sake lead me and guide me, take me out of the net that is hidden for me, for you are my refuge. Into your hand I commit my spirit; you have redeemed me, O Lord, faithful God.”

When daily life tumbles
Love and kindness arrive
Helping hand reaching out
Spirit bringing high fives
When little steps tumble
Curious toddler falls
Mother offers sweet hugs
Spirit’s love never stalls
When career takes tumble
One avenue closes
Another path opens
Spirit turns up roses
Healthy life takes tumble
Caring neighbors help out
Lending love’s blissful hands
Spirit waters our drought
Shame stings with sin’s tumble
Darkness changes to light
Jesus calls out with love
Spirit’s grace glowing bright

From Romans 8:26-27: “Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness; for we do not know how to pray as we ought, but that very Spirit intercedes with sighs too deep for words. And God, who searches the heart, knows what is the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints according to the will of God.”