Witnessing
God’s truth
Feeding faith’s hunger
Mercy saving another soul
Jesus
Hope’s
Emptiness fading
Nourished with mercy
Living Water quenches thirst
Jesus
Father’s
Righteous expectations
Swallowed by sin
Mercy arrives at Calvary
Jesus
From the words of American pastor and Christian teacher, Charles Stanley: “Many voices compete for our attention, but abundant life comes when we listen to our Good Shepherd.”
Good Shepherd’s voice
Searching for sheep
Finding lost ones
Mercy won’t sleep
Recognizing
True Shepherd’s Word
His voice shares grace
Forever heard
Good Shepherd’s faith
Persistence heeds
Calling His sheep
Voice gently leads
Shepherd holding
Salvation’s keys
Closed gate opens
God’s voice agrees
As faithful sheep
Hearing His voice
Safely at home
Always rejoice
Coming to Christ
Believers walk
Trusting His voice
Hope’s solid rock
From John 10:3-5: “The gatekeeper opens the gate for him, and the sheep hear his voice. He calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. When he has brought out all his own, he goes ahead of them, and the sheep follow him because they know his voice. They will not follow a stranger, but they will run from him because they do not know the voice of strangers.”
From 2 Timothy 13-14: “Hold to the standard of sound teaching that you have heard from me, in the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus. Guard the good deposit entrusted to you, with the help of the Holy Spirit living in us.”
Grateful to Father
Clear conscience worships free
Prayers seek encouragement
Always knowing thee
Heart filling with joy
Trust growing, day by day
God’s Word leading each journey
Molding us like clay
Surrounded by truth
Self-discipline stands fast
Spirit of resolve and love
Lord’s grace built to last
Saved by Christ’s mercy
Hallowed be His power
Called to always follow Him
With each passing hour
Light conquers darkness
Faith in Christ, living free
Guided by Holy Spirit
Always knowing thee
From the words of American pastor and Christian teacher, Charles Stanley: “The Bible is our protection against deception.”
First snowflake arrives
Autumn’s spirit carries on—
Lingering voices
Morning’s frost whispers
Autumn’s voice fading away—
Winter’s shadow calls
Winter’s coldest words
Warmest phrases lifting up—
Sunrise welcomed back
From Isaiah 65:17: “For I am about to create new heavens and a new earth; the former things shall not be remembered or come to mind.”
Photo by Scott Webb on Pexels.com
From the beginning of time
God’s creation changes each day
This eternal blueprint conveys mastery
His design takes center stage
His earthly canvas presents wonder
Artistic palette of colors astonish
His imaginative mind never ceases
Earth’s treasures continue to impress
Traveling around this awesome planet
Breathtaking venues await our call
Majestic mountains loom high above
Immense beauty reaches the clouds
Rolling plains shine with beauty
Grasslands thick with green tapestry
Swift rivers travel for months
Mountain-fed water reaches blue seas
Dense forests blanket the terrain
Trees of every description stand
Endless oceans bombard distant shores
Continuous tides frolic with beaches
Wide canyons stretch above rivers
Featuring amazing sculptures and hue
Desert sands infinitely scatter themselves
Continually sifting from God-inspired winds
Days launch with illuminating sunrises
Nights commence when the moon rises
God continues molding and shaping
Praise His incredible creation forevermore
Photo by Pixabay on Pexels.com
Originally published May, 2019.
From Isaiah 9:2: “The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; those who lived in a land of deep darkness—on them light has shined.”
Awaiting salvation
Praying for His coming
Lord, Savior, Prince of Peace
Crowning hope’s homecoming
Seeking mercy’s refuge
Praying for faith to speak
Rock built with God’s goodness
Boosting hope, small and weak
Sharing God’s depth of love
Praying for grace-filled news
His assurance sows trust
Walking in hope’s new shoes
Inviting our wonder
Praying hearts, blessed with praise
Darkness fades, peace arrives
Lighting hope’s steadfast blaze
One of Advent’s most enduring hymns is “O Come, O Come, Emmanuel.” The original text was composed in Latin during the 12th century. In 1861, English priest and scholar John Mason Neale translated the lyrics into what many Christians recognize and sing today.
Saturday’s biggest game arrives
Will football’s underdog survive?
Top-ranked team looking much too strong
Winless team plays losing theme song
Jack-rabbit offense can’t wait long
Slow-moving turtle plods along
Favored team feeling discomfort
Score remains too close for comfort
Game’s undecided final score
Which team will nail victory’s door?
Gridiron classic’s final big play
Winning touchdown fulfills doomsday
Upset scoring with eager hands
Sending shockwaves across this land
Giant’s beanstalk crashes to earth
New winning streak’s star bursting birth
Hearts back-filling with dark despair
Champion no longer game’s bear
Number “One” ranking bites the dust
Closing winning drive comes up bust
Long live football’s newest kingpin
Ending score etched on game’s pigskin
Praising
Heavenly Father
Quenching our thirst
Thoughts filled with gratitude
Thanksgiving
Feeling
Every blessing
Receiving God’s Word
With songs of praise
Worship
Trusting
Christ filling
Love’s grateful hearts
With His lasting hope
Grace
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.
This poem was originally posted in November, 2018. The text was revised and republished one year later. The verses capture my own memories of Thanksgiving during my youth when my extended family gathered at my maternal grandmother’s house. Blessings to all!
Photo by Craig Adderley on Pexels.com
Remembering annual family gatherings from years past
Enjoying special, blessed times which will last and last
Filling Grandma’s packed house with people from near and far
Seeing aunts, uncles, and cousins—as numerous as the stars
Feeling the crisp, autumn air—possibly snow on the ground
Arriving with abundant food and family love to pass around
Pitching in, many helping hands prepare the meal
Eating together on Thanksgiving is a very big deal
Catching up on life from several corners of the state
Thanking the Lord that all arrived safely on this date
Listening to exciting conversation that fills the tiny house
Disappearing from a kitchen corner, a frightened mouse!
Preparing so many favorite and delicious treats
Tasting each will make today an awesome feast
Setting up Grandma’s sizable dining room table with care
Deciding where each family member will sit, here or there
Providing for extra places to eat in the living room
Anticipating that all of us will be eating very soon
Smelling the huge turkey roasting in the oven until finally done
Carving this bird and splitting the wishbone, most delicious fun
Pleasing everyone’s taste buds, with a gathering of yummy dishes
Adding stuffing, mashed potatoes, and yams to everyone’s wishes
Saving room for a sweet symphony of delicious pies
Savoring a slice of pumpkin or many others—Oh my!
Exchanging stories, playing cards, and watching football
Realizing too soon that the time says, “Goodnight to all”
Departing for home, before everyone’s bedtime arrives
Blessing our family time, this thanksgiving feels so alive
Smiling from her large window, Grandma feels so much love
Looking forward to experiencing peace, from the Lord above
From Luke 23:44-46: “It was now about noon, and darkness came over the whole land until three in the afternoon, while the sun’s light failed, and the curtain of the temple was torn in two. Then Jesus, crying out with a loud voice, said, ‘Father, into Your hands I commend My spirit.’ Having said this, He breathed his last.”
Darkness surrounds solemn ground
Bloodied cross witnesses death
Son of Man’s reign ending now
His journey, now out of breath
Heartless enemy praises
Night sky covers grave of death
Disciples fleeing . . . hiding
But grace, never out of breath
Son of God shall rise, be seen
Morning light erases death
Praising over vacant tomb
Alleluia fills each breath
Called to march with our Savior
Love forever conquers death
Crown beloved Christ, our King
Mercy’s everlasting breath
From Matthew 28:5-6: “But the angel said to the women, ‘Do not be afraid, for I know that you are looking for Jesus who was crucified. He is not here, for He has been raised, as He said. Come, see the place where He lay.'”
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