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Acceptance is taking from God’s hand absolutely anything He gives, looking into His face in trust and thanksgiving, knowing that the confinement of the situation we’re in is good and for His glory.
From Isaiah 43:18-19: “Do not remember the former things, or consider the things of old. I am about to do a new thing; now it springs forth, do you not perceive it? I will make a way in the wilderness and rivers in the desert.”
Many of my teaching years were spent in Montana where the entire community took pride in their schools, and everyone shared responsibility in raising and educating their children. Some of my stops included Plevna, Corvallis, and Circle.
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A child is born into a world foreign and new
Arriving today with a brighter future to view
Long before a child enters school year number one
Blessings come from many for a daughter or a son
Parents bring the beginning of learning home each day
Offering nurturing love and teaching with plenty of play
Others step in to provide valued assistance along the way
Teaching from grandparents and others with much to say
A book becomes a timely, precious, and vital gift
Learning to read will open up a life—never adrift
The pre-school years finally arrive and go
Seeking ways to seek, discover, and grow
A Sunday school teacher speaks of God’s love
Enriching a young heart with Spirit from above
Kindergarten and elementary school now await
Inspiring and faithful teachers remain at its gate
Yes, it always takes an entire village to teach a child
Educating a young mind each day, makes God smile
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There seems to be a chilling fear of holy enthusiasm among the people of God. We try to tell how happy we are–but we remain so well-controlled that there are very few waves of glory experienced in our midst.
From Colossians 3:23-24: “Whatever your task, put yourselves into it, as done for the Lord and not for your masters, since you know that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward; you serve the Lord Christ.
From 1 Peter 2:25: “For you were going astray like sheep, but now you have returned to the shepherd and guardian of your souls.
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Like sheep, we wander astray
Turning away from our Lord
Feeling harassed and helpless
Sheep lost, by our own accord
God lays a new cornerstone
Our Good Shepherd, Holy Son
Calling us, hearing His voice
His work will never be done
Leading us, on this right path
Following His voice, love flows
With Him, we shall never want
Restoring souls, we all grow
Good Shepherd, loving His sheep
Bringing comfort, rod and staff
Green pastures, nourishing us
Still waters, on our behalf
Jesus, loving Good Shepherd
Unblemished, Lamb of God casts
Body and blood on that Cross
Risen Savior, His hope lasts
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From Christian author, W. Phillip Keller: “It takes some of us a lifetime to learn that Christ, our Good Shepherd, knows exactly what He is doing with us.”
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When you strike out in anger, you may miss the other person, but you will always hit yourself.
From Proverbs 15:18: “Those who are hot-tempered stir up strife, but those who are slow to anger calm contention.”
I read The Columbus Dispatch every Sunday, and I appreciate its objective reporting and coverage of local and state issues as well as national news. Using some headlines from the past couple of weeks, this poem is crafted to give you a glimpse of life. A similar post, New Flash, was posted about a year ago.
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Learning to survive, food cart vendor relocates to new place
Sights, sounds, smell–remaining the same at his new space
Playing accordion from his apartment’s stoop
Neighbors appreciate, spirits no longer droop
Growing a family’s vegetable garden this spring
Fresh air, saving money with a harvest to bring
Parking silent airplanes at far too many airports
Not so friendly skies viewed in shocking reports
Scheduling virtual medical appointments for next week
Telemedicine brings seismic shift with new techniques
Facing uncertain fall semester, colleges standing by
Hiring freezes and furloughs deliver agony and cries
Adopting distance learning challenges America’s schools
Some students missing special help and technology tools
Switching over to virtual college visits this summer
Zoom becomes social distancing’s new drummer
Appreciating entertainment from comedy superstars
Virtual comedy shows now sharing laughs from afar
Missing daily routines, spring sports coaches feel sidelined
Life without athletics, coaches alone and missing the grind
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The real delight of hearing God is tempered with shame in having been so long in hearing Him.
From Exodus 20:18-20: “When all the people witnessed the thunder and lightning, the sound of the trumpet, and the mountain smoking, they were afraid and trembled and stood at a distance, and said to Moses, ‘You speak to us, and we will listen; but do not let God speak to us, or we will die.’ Moses said to the people, ‘Do not be afraid; for God has come only to test you and to put the fear of Him upon you so that you do not sin.'”
Ford
Fastback pony
Classic sports car
Steve McQueen drives “Bullitt”
Mustang
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Memory
Which file?
What’s his name?
Calling secretary for help
Fallible
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Losing
Stubborn pounds
Clothes too big
Time for shopping spree
Winning
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An Elfchen is a German-inspired form of poetry. A total of eleven words are contained in the poem with a pattern using one, two, three, four, and one.
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Contentment should be the hallmark of my life, as I put my affairs in the hands of God.
From 1 Timothy 6:6-8: “Of course, there is great gain in godliness combined with contentment; for we brought nothing into the world, so that we can take nothing out of it; but if we have food and clothing, we will be content with these.”
Looking outside from the kitchen table offers a view each morning of how our Lord presents each day as a precious gift. Here is a mini sonnet which witnesses a foretaste of the feast to come.
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Viewing the early morning
Welcoming each libation
Peering from kitchen’s window
Witnessing God’s creation
Growing greener, grass below
Blooming, flowers spelling love
Witnessing creative hands
Working each day from above
Taking in this peaceful scene
Witnessing each day’s foretaste
Blessing each feast, more to come
Tasting moments, without haste
Witnessing God’s daily Grace
Making life a happy place
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From Lutheran Communion liturgy, Christ’s people sing: “Grace our table with Your presence, and give us a foretaste of the Feast to come.”
Big Sky Buckeye 