Where there is so much racket, there must be something out of kilter.
What we give to the poor, we lend to the Lord.
Sojourner Truth (1797-1883) is an amazing witness of many formidable causes in American history. During her lifetime, she served as an evangelist, civil rights activist, and author. Being born into slavery, she escaped in 1826. Upon gaining her freedom, she became a Christian, and she felt the Lord urging her to take up the causes of equal rights and the abolition of slavery.
Around life’s corner
Failure’s waiting train
Our very fiber
Split open with pain
Chasing newest dreams
Success sometimes waits
Failure comes knocking
What will be life’s fate?
Unavoidable
Failure hitting hard
Inevitable
Drawing life’s harsh card
Fear of failure breathes
Spreading, holds us back
Life fogging over
Success now off track
Vulnerable vibes
Feeling passed over
Alone in darkness
Where’s life’s sweet clover?
Lessons from failure
Past trials teach us
Embrace them and learn
Ride fortitude’s bus
With renewed purpose
Learn while improving
Plus motivation
Success now moving
From the words of American writer, Meg Dowell: “Failure will teach you to be vulnerable. Failure will show you what it means to chase a dream. More importantly, your past failures will change the way you value your successes.”
One reason so much American Christianity is a mile wide and an inch deep is that Christians are simply tired. Sometimes you need to kick back and rest for Jesus’ sake.
From Matthew 11:28-30: “Come to Me, all you that are weary and are carrying heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you, and learn from Me; for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy, and My burden is light.”
Warmer days ahead
Tree buds filling with new life—
Spring waiting on deck
Frigid soil warms up
Transformation taking place—
First green shoots of spring
Crafting welcome signs
Daffodils make announcement—
Spring now official
Blessed be God’s voice; for it is true, and falsehoods have to cease before it.
From 1 John 5:20: “And we know that the Son of God has come and has given us understanding so that we may know Him who is true; and we are in him who is true, in His Son Jesus Christ. He is the true God and eternal life.”
Originally written in October, 2019, this re-edited poem brings forth a message from Sunday worship at New Life Church in Gahanna, Ohio. The free-verse style enhances my sermon notes.
From Hebrews 12:1-3
Let us throw off everything
Hindering sin, which easily entangles
Running life’s race with perseverance
Fixing faith’s eyes on Christ
He endures Calvary’s Cross
Defeating sin’s darkness and shame
Now sitting at God’s side
Bringing hope to lost hearts
The Message
Life’s treadmill defines our race
Running with God’s steady faith
Life’s marathon, hard and long
Facing emotional ups and downs
God sends His encouraging words
Overcoming defeat, distress, and despair
Trusting in Jesus, keep running
With perseverance, to the end
Jesus endures His own journey
Running to “our” bloody Cross
Following always Jesus’ faithful example
Showing us perseverance and trust
Young David ignores Goliath’s size
Focusing on faith in God
Christ faces the impossible
Yet, His journey will succeed
Jesus surrenders to God’s plan
Faithfully carrying our burdens
We all suffer sin’s consequences
Christ comes, guarding our hearts
Withstanding life’s harsh body blows
In this fallen, broken world
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Trusting God, eyes on Jesus
Focusing on Christ, remain obedient
Replacing life’s empty, negative notions
Knowing Jesus as our Savior!
Believers must remember that God’s love is of a much higher caliber–it is the starting point of our salvation.
From 1 John 4:9-10: “God’s love was revealed among us in this way: God sent His only Son into the world so that we might live through Him. In this is love, not that we loved God but that He loved us and sent His Son to be the atoning sacrifice for our sins.”
From Romans 13:11-12: “Besides this, you know what time it is, how it is now the moment for you to wake from sleep. For salvation is nearer to us now than when we became believers; the night is far gone, the day is near. Let us then lay aside the works of darkness and put on the armor of light.”
Turning away from temptation’s path
Following God’s Holy, righteous road
Transforming self into Christ’s image
Experiencing His love, bestowed
Breathing, yet lost in evil’s darkness
Hiding in shame, past sinful landscape
Reaching for Salvation’s lasting grace
Wearing armor of light, faith reshapes
Sharing His Father’s Word, Christ teaches
Loving one another, sharing peace
Witnessing His greatest commandment
Living with openness, life’s new lease
Leaving His advocate, Christ assures
Coming Holy Spirit, lifts each life
Overcoming sin’s flesh-filled desires
Growing in submission, without strife
Offering path to new life, Christ comes
Forsaking life’s bold truth, darkness flees
Walking in faith, stepping into light
Remaining steadfast, in what He sees
From the words of American pastor and Christian teacher, Charles Stanley: “When we rely on Him [God] instead of ourselves, He produces godly desires within us, empowers obedience, and transforms our character into Christ’s likeness.”
I’d rather attempt to do something great and fail than to attempt to do nothing and succeed.
From Hebrews 12:1-2: “Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight and the sin that clings so closely, and let us run with perseverance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus the pioneer and perfecter of our faith, who for the sake of the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, disregarding its shame, and has taken His seat at the right hand of the throne of God.”
Early morning’s reversing wind
No longer facing fierce headwind
Life takes comfort in day ahead
Thrilled to be awake, out of bed
Skipjack sailing away from home
Leaving Choptank’s berth, free to roam
Adventure waiting, take it on
Facing nature, ready with brawn
Pride of Maryland’s Eastern Shore
Nathan of Dorchester explores
With summer day’s life-giving breeze
She skims across these waves with ease
Distant river shoreline fading
Chesapeake Bay, now invading
Each crew member tackles his tasks
Loving this boat, each effort basks
With warm breezes, life’s sails now fill
Each port of call, sharing goodwill
The inspiration for this poem comes from my travels to Maryland’s Eastern Shore along the Choptank River at Cambridge. While I haven’t sailed on the Skipjack Nathan of Dorchester (yet), it is something I would enjoy experiencing during a future summer trip back to my wife’s hometown.
Big Sky Buckeye 