Knew My Name

From Isaiah 49:1:  “Listen to me, O coastlands; pay attention, you peoples from far away!  The Lord called me before I was born; while I was in my mother’s womb He named me.”

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Long before my birth

Father knew my name

Yes, creating me

No one shall be the same

 

Witnessing His grace

Father builds my trust

Day’s resolve strengthens

Righteousness now entrust

 

Providing for needs

Father’s light leads me

Mountains become roads

Future path, clear to see

 

Serving life’s purpose

Father never awed

My green pastures wait

Forever, child of God

 

Praising Savior Christ

My blessed salvation

New life now christened

Father’s creation

 

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From Isaiah 49:13:  “Sing for joy, O heavens, and exult, O earth; break forth, O mountains, into singing!  For the Lord has comforted his people and will have compassion on his suffering ones.”

Winter Moods (Haiku Series #217)

Tranquility

Winter’s quiet night

Appreciate each moment—

Stillness embraces

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Cozy

Calendar says “Spring”

Warm under snowy blanket—

Not ready quite yet

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Curiosity

Wildflowers fill dreams

Winter’s snow melting away—

Spring’s colors peek out

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Strength in Adversity

From Psalm 46:1:  “God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.”

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Imperfect life’s darkness

One more faltering step

Defeat again knocking

Discouragement’s doorstep

 

Observing faithful light

Glowing with lasting hope

Strength in adversity

Grasping mercy’s firm rope

 

Hearing Father, trust grows

Transforming future days

Faith journey maturing

Receiving grace, let’s pray

 

Evil’s message scuttled

Healing from Father’s hand

Peace brings lasting comfort

Affirming His commands

 

Beholding mighty works

Melting away concerns

Impossible vanquished

Trusting Father’s U-turn

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From the words of English-born preacher Charles Inwood:  “When God is going to do a wonderful thing, He begins with a difficulty.  When He is going to do a very wonderful thing, He begins with an impossibility.”

New Beginning

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Our attitude

Letting go, yesterday’s past

Enjoying each daily quest

Freshly written page to last

 

Our individuality

Allowing self to shine through

Hanging on to every strength

Life now ready to renew

 

Our character

Practicing Lord’s “Golden Rule”

Sharing kindness with others

Day’s always shining jewel

 

Our relationships

Searching every precious heart

Reflecting love through actions

Another day’s blessed start

 

New beginning

Pioneering novel ways

Tasting delicious goodness

Tomorrow ready to blaze

  

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Faith’s Blessed Actions (Elfchen Series #139)

Stepping Up

Hearing

Christ’s call

Boldly following Him

Serving needs of others

Loving

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Life’s Turnabout

Loving

Jesus more

Leaving earthly ways

Rescued from tumultuous seas

Following

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Making Differences

Following

With humbleness

Touching another life

Living in Christ’s presence

Hearing

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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.

Fascination Calls

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Eyes looking skyward

Symphony’s rhythm

Galaxy sparkles

Night’s algorithm

 

Trying to focus

Heavens lighting up

Fascination calls

Universe close-up

 

Each night different

Constellations speak

Billions of voices

Infinite mystique

 

Chasing one starship

Courageous and bold

Man’s final frontier

Destiny unfolds

 

Distant cosmos soars

Beyond any star

Hyperspace journey

Dreams traveling far

 

Beyond today’s world

Young boy’s mind takes flight

Ancient comets glow

Rivers filled with light

 

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A young lad dreams of space travel as he enters grade school in the early 1960s.  Images of astronauts and space capsules begin an adventure.  Building models of the Apollo spacecraft tags along with “Star Trek” and more.  As a mature adult, the journey continues.

Paying Every Cost

From Matthew 4:16-17:  “The people who sat in darkness have seen a great light, and for those who sat in the region and shadow of death light has dawned.”

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Beneath ocean’s depths

Hearing whispers of hope

God’s mercy always reigns

Transforming life’s scope

 

Atop mountain peaks

Echoing faith sings out

God’s righteousness descends

Removing all doubt

 

Across each valley

Lasting hymns, filled with pride

God’s nurturing love acts

Sending grace, Son guides

 

Throughout darkest world

Navigating light now leads

Christ’s faithful message calms

Healing’s peace proceeds

 

From Calvary’s cross

Searching for sheep, now lost

Good Shepherd never fails

Paying every cost

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From Hebrews 13:20-21:  “Now may the God of peace, who brought back from the dead our Lord Jesus, the great shepherd of the sheep, by the blood of the eternal covenant, make you complete in everything good so that you may do His will, as He works among us that which is pleasing in His sight, through Jesus Christ, to whom be the glory forever.  Amen.”

Appreciate Each Day (Haiku Series #216)

Cherishing Life

Needing to slow down

Take time to reflect upon—

Smallest victories

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Paying Forward

Old-fashioned kindness

Offer gentle courtesy—

Always in style

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Blossoming Keepsake

Creative journey

Endless imagination—

Peaceful contentment

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Monday Memories: Total Surrender

From Romans 6:4:  “Therefore we have been buried with Him by baptism into death, so that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, so we too might walk in newness of life.”

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Are we truly walking in Christ?

With a new life, born again

Follow Jesus, He paid our price

 

True sanctification will come

Only from burial of an old life

Known as “white funeral” to some

 

Baptized into Christ, the Holy Son

Baptized into His death

With His death, victory is won

 

Through the confirmed Resurrection

We humbly come to a Holy God

His defining purpose, brings reflection

 

God is leading, always out front

Facing trying times of adversity

Our duty shall be, always to confront

 

Come to almighty and loving God

Sanctify a promise with the Father

God’s will be done, by His rod

 

When Christ forever defeats the Cross

His lasting, living Resurrection offers

“Walking in newness of life,” without loss

 

To Jesus, surrender these sinful ways

Hear Him, accept Him, follow Him

Ask for His forgiveness, without delay

 

Mighty God of angel armies leads

His righteousness marches with us

Filling a hungry soul, His Word feeds

 

Freed from sin, obedient to God

Wages of sin only bring death

Accept Jesus, He overcomes all odds

man in red crew neck sweatshirt photography

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From the words of Scottish evangelist and Christian teacher Oswald Chambers:  “No one enters the experience of entire sanctification without going through a “white funeral”–the burial of the old life.” 

Originally published February, 2020.

Grace Leading

From Matthew 5:13-14:  “You are the salt of the earth, but if salt has lost its taste, how can its saltiness be restored?  It is no longer good for anything but is thrown out and trampled under foot.  You are the light of the world.  A city built on a hill cannot be hid.”

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Life’s human experience

Never-ending shortcomings

Darkness follows every step

Hearing its constant drumming

 

God’s Word shatters evil’s myth

Called to His righteous standing

Light shines with divine goodness

Offering safest landing

 

God’s eternal promises

Resurrection defines hope

Faith growing, following Christ

Scaling each slippery slope

 

God’s faithfulness never tires

Jesus fulfilling His law

Holy Spirit reaches out

Teaching, transforming life’s flaws

 

Kingdom of Heaven beckons

Earthly journey will be hard

Grace leading, trusting each day

Laying bricks toward God’s courtyard

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From Matthew 5:19:  “Therefore, whoever break one of the least of these commandments and teaches others to do the same will be called least in the kingdom of heaven, but whoever does them and teaches them will be called great in the kingdom of heaven.”