Guiding principle
Building lasting foundation—
Honesty always
Righteous citizens
Preserving lasting good name—
Sharing goodwill
Each generation
Integrity’s highest road
Inheriting trust
From Isaiah 35:10: “And the ransomed of the Lord shall return and come to Zion with singing; everlasting joy shall be upon their heads; they shall obtain joy and gladness, and sorrow and sighing shall flee away.”
Facing constant waves
Overwhelming despair
Father seeking to save
Eternal grace cares
Bethlehem manger
Looking beyond today
Savior, joy’s game changer
Mercy’s light conveys
Hope breathes, Son of Man
King of Kings, Prince of Peace
God opens His divine plan
Joy’s new centerpiece
Angels’ choir deploys
Always singing above
Reflections full of joy
Peace filling with love
Scaling highest slopes
Locating lasting peace
Rebuilding life’s new hope
Joy shall never cease
Peace restored, anew
Joy’s steady, beating drum
Tomorrow’s hope accrues
Salvation to come
With lyrics composed by renowned English hymn writer, Issac Watts, “Joy to the World” has become the most published Christmas hymn in North America. These verses were penned in 1719, and they share an interpretation from Psalm 98. In this Advent season, the hymn holds a special place with its emphasis on the joy we have been patiently waiting for.
Here is the humble confidence of faith–that what God begins shall not miscarry and those whom He leads shall not be lost.
From Mark 10:43-45: “But it is not so among you; instead, whoever wishes to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wishes to be first among you must be slave of all. For the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve and to give His life a ransom for many.”
John Newton (1725-1807) was an English pastor who also was a writer of several hymns, including the beloved “Amazing Grace.” His early life is filled with contrasts, when compared to his later life. He served as a ship’s captain during the slave trade, but later renounced his work after his conversion to Christianity. He became an outspoken opponent of the slave trade later in his life.
God’s
Magnificent creation
Praising every sunrise
Worshipping His blessed peace
Sustaining
God’s
Sustaining spirit
Sunset never closes
Reaching for tomorrow’s hope
Awakening
God’s
Awakening message
Endless joy sings
Mercy delivers His love
Forgiving
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.
One’s love of the game sharing
Encouraging life’s new vision
One more summer of baseball
Boys answering their final call
Autumn’s sandlot football days
In field’s dirt, drawing up plays
Collecting each baseball card
Keeping all, never will discard
Playing catch with dad each night
Pitching finds home plate in moonlight
Playing high school football games
Friday nights bringing lasting fame
Playing one final season
Retirement waits in postseason
Wrapped up in competition
Respecting each sport’s traditions
Memories of each game played
Never allowing time to fade
Dreaming of playing again
Competing in life’s senior lane
Remembering each mentor
Always open, each coach’s door
Enduring fabric of sports
Our love of the game playing out
From 1 Samuel 18:14-16: “David had success in all his undertakings, for the Lord was with him. When Saul saw that he had great success, he stood in awe of him. But all Israel and Judah loved David, for it was he who marched out and came in leading them.”
Marching upright, heaven’s sacred drum
Accepting His will, faithfully come
Shattering evil’s empty façade
Navigating from darkness, with God
Trusting His hands, molding every heart
Following Spirit, renewing start
Searching heavens, finding lasting peace
Living in righteousness, never cease
Leaving sinful ways, Jesus leading
Steering life’s mission, now proceeding
Heeding His call, taking faith’s high road
Promising light, Lord’s mercy bestowed
Looking past Bethlehem, blood-stained cross
Seeing empty tomb, enemy’s loss
Building up redemption’s faithful walls
Touching another soul, God’s grace calls
Seeking Christian soldiers, through His Word
Lasting victory, no longer blurred
Stepping on ashes, filled with untruth
Marching with Christ, believing His truth
From 2 Timothy 2:2-3: “What you have heard from me through many witnesses entrust to faithful people who will be able to teach others as well. Share in suffering like a good soldier of Christ Jesus.”
Buying up houses
Trading for largest hotel—
Monopoly’s wealth
Bandit on the run
Car’s battery fails to start—
Police bringing charges
Old shoes in tatters
Needing firmer foundation—
Meeting new solemate
Psalm 106:1: “Praise the Lord! O give thanks to the Lord, for He is good; for His steadfast love endures forever.”
Photo by Pedro Sandrini on Pexels.com
Life’s journey hurries along
Blessing with joy and her song
Remembering His blessings each day
Our mighty God molds us like clay
God crafts His creation with love
Offering His blessings from above
Rising from cold, darkened tomb
Christ restores light to every room
Filling with Spirit, no more strife
Savior extends His bread of life
Hiding, dark enemy ready to harm and take
Christ’s way conquers, with love He makes
Son of Man submits to our Holy Lord
Paying for sin’s ransom, so climb aboard
Being gracious for everything that shines
God, Savior, family, home, and love so fine
Life’s possessions are meager, they are
Blessings from God will carry us, truly far
Pause and consider, dropping to knees and bow
Praising God for infinite blessings, do it now
Psalm 29:11: May the Lord give strength to His people! May the Lord bless His people with peace.”
Originally published August, 2019 with revisions December, 2022.
From Micah 5:3-5: “Therefore He shall give them up until the time when she who is in labor has brought forth; then the rest of His kindred shall return to the people of Israel. And He shall stand and feed His flock in the strength of the Lord, in the majesty of the name of the Lord His God. And they shall live secure, for now He shall be great to the ends of the earth, and He shall be the one of peace.”
From root of Jesse
Rises spirit of man’s hope
Filling believers with peace
Climbing up faith’s slope
Called to one body
Newborn King shall share His peace
Extending bridges to God
Writing hope’s new lease
As children of God
Blessed be His peacemakers
Filled with Father’s righteous peace
Hope’s new groundbreakers
Future hope muffled
Reconciled through Father’s grace
Reclaiming merciful peace
Bethlehem’s birthplace
Hope’s light filled with peace
Easing burdens of others
Shattering sinful darkness
For every brother
Creation’s spirit
Promise of restoration
Foretaste of peace yet to come
Hope’s new foundation
Another beloved Advent hymn is “What Child is This.” The lyrics were crafted by English hymn writer and poet, William Chatterton Dix, in 1865. In 1871, the tune of a traditional English song, “Greensleeves,” was added to the lyrics. This hymn shares the spirit of peace, forever witnessed in the birth of Jesus Christ, our Savior.
Candlelight reaches into darkness
Lasting symbol of perseverance
Winter’s persistent cold approaches
Gallant and stalwart hearts warm within
Interrupted basic needs of life
Power, heat, and water sometimes dwindle
Daily tension builds, never leaving
Terror rains down from harsh sky above
Civilians facing frequent attacks
Resilience shadows endless fear
Taking nothing today for granted
Blessed gratitude for another day
Nation’s spirit remains vigilant
Looking ahead to final breakthrough
Coldest darkness shall be overcome
Determined faces tell the world so
Always looking toward tomorrow
Morning’s light, never cast away
Everlasting dreams of victory
Proud people keep freedom’s fire glowing
Calling out to fellow world nations
Never forget lessons we teach you
The journey of a vicious and unforgiving war in Ukraine has touched countless people in profound ways. May a compassionate world continue to pray for this nation. The spirit of freedom and self-determination survives each and every day.
Big Sky Buckeye 