The discipline of dismay is an essential necessity in the life of discipleship. When the darkness of dismay comes, endure until it is over, because out of it will come that following of Jesus which is an unspeakable joy.
From Mark 10:32: “They were on the road, going up to Jerusalem, and Jesus was walking ahead of them; they were amazed.”
From the words of English novelist and poet, Mary Webb: “Nature’s music is never over; her silences are pauses, not conclusions.”
Creation’s wonders, lasting treasures
Beyond compare, by any measure
God’s unique Spirit molds, creates
Earth living as His domain, first-rate
Forests dazzle with matchless beauty
Witness to our Lord’s sacred duty
Animal species roam, some quite rare
Others appear to be everywhere
Distinctive flowers color the land
Their music soothes, like any jazz band
Unequaled majesty reaching high
Rugged mountains climbing to the sky
Creatures with their eccentric pursuits
Actions showing off, fun attributes
Man taking note of what God has done
High praises, He stands second to One
One and only one master designs
Each day, smiling at His nature shrines
From Genesis 1:29-30: “God said, ‘See, I have given you every plant yielding seed that is upon the face of all the earth, and every tree with seed in its fruit; you shall have them for food. And to every beast of the earth, and to every bird of the air, and to everything that creeps on the earth, everything that has the breath of life, I have given every green plant for food.’ And it was so.”
Thank God for all things.
From Psalm 65:1-4: “Praise is due to you, O God, in Zion; and to you shall vows be performed, O you who answer prayer! To you all flesh shall come. When deeds of iniquity overwhelm us, you forgive our transgressions. Happy are those whom you choose and bring near to live in your courts. We shall be satisfied with the goodness of your house, your holy temple.
Morning
Internet outage
Experiencing suspended animation
Blank screen stares back
Stuck
Perfection
Constantly searching
Patience wearing thin
Never will be content
Impossible
Always
Forgiving everything
Kind and compassionate
Never holding a grudge
Puppy
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.
That we may not complain of what is, let us see God’s hand in all events; and, that we may not be afraid of what shall be, let us see all events in God’s hand.
From Proverbs 27:1: “Do not boast about tomorrow, for you do not know what a day may bring.”
In December, 1989, the Romanian Revolution ignited with passion which would no longer wait in silence. The rest of the Eastern Bloc countries under Soviet influence had already experienced peaceful change from communist dictatorships. Under Nicolae Ceausescu’s harsh leadership, Romania was the final holdout as the democratic wave of freedom blitzed across Eastern Europe. This poem shares some of this revolution’s story.
Ruthless, authoritarian rule controls the cards
Harsh, brutal regime crushes dissenting voices
Quietness hides the remaining, burning embers
Daily life conceals wounds, offering few choices
Citizens endure lack of even the basic needs
Challenging days, facing endless heartbreak
Darkest days of winter, hunger and little heat
Voices stifled, experiencing numbing heartache
Freedom routed, plummeting to rock bottom
System of repression forcefully controls lives
Defiant opposition, beaten down to nothing
Dictator’s untruths cover up with empty lies
Scattering of small voices continues to speak out
Smoldering protests fueled with hungry passion
Government crackdowns to silence any dissent
Voices growing bolder, backed with compassion
Massive protests ignite courage in a distant city
“Timisoara” becomes a rallying cry for liberation
Unexpectedly, dark and evil house of cards folds
Season of change witnesses rebirth of a nation
God forbid that the day should ever come when, in the American mind, the thought of man as a consumer shall submerge the old American thought of man as a creature of God, endowed with unalienable rights.
The path of progress is seldom smooth. New things are often found hard to do. Our fathers found them so. We find them so. But are we not made better for the effort and sacrifice?
From Lamentations 3:22-23: “The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases, His mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.”
Early morning arrives
Filled with mishmash of thoughts
Searching for peace of mind
Asking God, call the shots
Waiting in the kitchen
Prayer time with the Lord
His spirit calms life down
Life’s outlook feels restored
Table’s Bible invites
Reading, learning God’s Word
His insight teaches truth
Daily lessons inferred
Accepting God’s invite
Dressed for an autumn walk
Dialog moves outside
Let’s continue to talk
From Isaiah 57:19: “Peace, peace, to the far and the near, says the Lord; and I will heal them.”
Photo by Miguel Constantin Montes on Pexels.com
The simple fact is this: If we sow a lifestyle that is in direct disobedience to God’s revealed Word, we ultimately reap disaster.
From Romans 6:15: “What then? Should we sin because we are not under the law, but under grace? By no means!”
Blessings with God’s joy
Lifetime moments, fulfilling—
Marriage joins as one
Eternity smiles
Husband and wife forever—
Maturing love lasts
Bride and groom unite
Faithful under our Lord’s love—
Lifelong memories
Big Sky Buckeye 