
Touch the heart, teach the mind.
The world is the true classroom. The most rewarding and important type of learning is through experience, seeing something with our own eyes.

Touch the heart, teach the mind.
The world is the true classroom. The most rewarding and important type of learning is through experience, seeing something with our own eyes.
From the words of Latin priest and theologian Jerome of Stridon: “Love Holy Scripture, and wisdom will love you. Love her, and she will keep you. Honor her, and she will keep you.”

Pursuing wisdom over a lifetime
Gathering, enriching a single life
Applying to everyday challenges
Loving Scripture, supplanting darkest strife
Seeking wisdom with a hunger for more
Searching in the truthful and proper place
Persevering with consistency now
Tasting God’s Holy Word and loving grace
Sustaining the tree of life, holding fast
Following a righteous path, leads to peace
Finding God’s wisdom, life’s only true wealth
Blessing His wisdom, sustains life’s new lease
Trusting these blessed fruits of God’s wisdom
Turning evil away, aligned with Him
Refreshing mind and body, healing flesh
Respecting God’s Word, singing a new hymn
Treating our neighbors better than ourselves
Trusting, loving, supporting each other
Walking together with God, hand in hand
Partnering with each sister and brother

From Proverbs 3:13: “Happy are those who find wisdom, and those who get understanding,”

Forget the faults of others by remembering your own.
From John 8:7: “When they kept on questioning Him [Jesus], He straightened up and said to them, ‘Let anyone among you who is without sin be the first to throw a stone at her.'”
From Matthew 14:25:27: “And early in the morning He [Jesus] came walking toward them on the sea. But when the disciples saw Him walking on the sea, they were terrified, saying, ‘It is a ghost!’ And they cried out in fear. But immediately Jesus spoke to them and said, ‘Take heart, it is I; do not be afraid.'”

Dreaded Covid arrives, knocking at her door
Daughter takes refuge on a hospital floor
Fear challenges faith during this trying hour
Daughter and mother seek God’s love and power
Through their journey of faith, walking together
God steps forward, quieting stormy weather
Hand in hand with God, crossing scary tightrope
His love sustains their faith, resurrecting hope
Mother and daughter’s prayers, faithfully roam
This hellish scourge flees at last, sending her home
Singing praises of thanksgiving, with glad hearts
Walking hand in hand, their life journey restarts
Kneeling before a Holy, mighty Father
Feeling the Lord’s love, like a great grandfather

From Psalm 92:1-2: “It is good to give thanks to the Lord, to sing praises to your name, O Most High; to declare your steadfast love in the morning, and your faithfulness by night.”

When you say a situation or a person is hopeless, you are slamming the door in the face of God.
From John 16:32-33: “The hour is coming, indeed it has come, when you will be scattered, each one to his home, and you will leave me alone. Yet I am not alone because the Father is with me. I have said this to you, so that in me you may have peace. In the world you face persecution. But take courage; I have conquered the world!”
Today
Pursuing Jesus
Cultivating your relationship
Drawing nearer to Christ
Salvation

Faith
First element
Christian life journey
Who is in control?
God

Darkness
Surrounding me
Challenging my faith
God says, “Don’t fear”
Jesus


He will clothe you in rags if you clothe yourself with idleness.
From Romans 12:11: “Do not lag in zeal, be ardent in spirit, serve the Lord.”
Reading from Psalm 38, one finds David’s words as he asks for God’s healing. This poem’s verses bring to the forefront an active voice with feeling, praying, finding, healing, praising, and seeing.

Feeling darkness
Feeling unknown
Feeling empty
Feeling alone
Praying with faith
Praying this Psalm
Praying for hope
Praying for calm
Finding God’s love
Finding what’s heard
Finding new life
Finding His Word
Healing these wounds
Healing this soul
Healing my heart
Healing me whole
Praising Father
Praising accords
Praising heavens
Praising my Lord
Seeing the Cross
Seeing the light
Seeing Christ’s love
Seeing God’s might

From Psalm 38:15: “But it is for you, O Lord, that I wait; it is you, O Lord my God, who will answer.”

Photo by Pixabay on Pexels.com
Our Lord is ultimately acquainted with all our ways. Darkness and light are alike to Him. Not one of us is hidden from His sight. He sees it all. He knows our frame. He remembers we are dust . . . Best of all, He loves us still.
From Proverbs 10:12: “Hatred stirs up strife, but love covers all offenses.”
I must admit that I have been feeling a bit homesick in thinking of my native state of Montana, where much of my family still lives. This poem and photographs share some past memories of experiencing these awesome wonders of the Big Sky state, and I look forward to visiting when Covid-19 finally takes a backseat.

Dreaming often of Montana’s Big Sky
Feeling more like an eagle, flying high
Revisiting wide open eastern plains
Watching combines harvesting ripened grains
Driving switchbacks on the Beartooth Highway
Topping amazing heights, wishing to stay
Floating the Yellowstone, like yesterday
Spending time with old friends, lasting all day
Scaling Baldy Mountain, there’s just one goal
Reaching the “M” without taking a roll
Fishing the scenic Madison once more
Joining Herb and his grandson, trout in store
Exploring limestone caverns underground
Enjoying mysteries, yet to be found
Walking the Bear Paw Mountains near Chinook
Learning Nez Perce history, without books
Motoring down the “Going to the Sun”
Chasing this highway to the setting sun
Flying over this amazing “Last Best Place”
Returning soon for another sweet taste
