The sufferings that the Lord allows in our life are given to us for His good purpose. Whenever God allows suffering to remain, He gives grace to endure it.
From 2 Corinthians 12:7-9: “Therefore, to keep me from being too elated, a thorn was given me in the flesh, a messenger of Satan to torment me, to keep me from being too elated. Three times I appealed to the Lord about this, that it would leave me, but he said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for power is made perfect in weakness.'”
The pace of work at Bill’s office has recently been too much to bear. Laboring for countless hours to land a substantial account for his marketing business, he has been working diligently, nearly nonstop, with little time off.
Viewing a beautiful day outside of his office window, Bill checks his calendar. All looks free for an afternoon rendezvous with one of his favorite places . . . a splendid, quiet 18 holes on the golf course.
As he quietly slips away from the office, Bill instructs his secretary to hold down the fort . . . “Please keep the boss off of my back for three hours.”
About two hours later, Bill’s boss shows up. He needs to catch up with Bill about this new account. Let’s eavesdrop on the conversation between the boss and Bill’s ever-protective secretary.
The boss asks the secretary, “Where’s Bill at? I need to check on his progress with our newest account.”
She dutifully replies, “He’s working on his game.”
“What game?”
“He’s working hard to land this new account that’s better than par.”
“Well, I hope he keeps his eyes focused on the prize, just like an eagle.”
“Oh, I’m sure he’s looking for lots of birdies, perhaps an eagle or two”
As the boss leaves the office, he turns around and smiles, “Bill really is my ‘ace in the hole’ around here.”
Meanwhile at this same moment on the golf course, Bill tees off on the short, par-3, 13th hole. His ball carries straight and true, lands softly on the green, and meanders right into the hole.
A hole-in-one . . . an ACE!
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.”
