John Newton Quote

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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 with Us (Elfchen Series #130)

Renewing

God’s

Magnificent creation

Praising every sunrise

Worshipping His blessed peace

Sustaining

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Affirming 

God’s

Sustaining spirit

Sunset never closes

Reaching for tomorrow’s hope

Awakening

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Cleansing

God’s

Awakening message

Endless joy sings

Mercy delivers His love

Forgiving

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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.

Love of the Game

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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

 

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Seeking Christian Soldiers

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.”

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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

 

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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.”

Lighter Side (Haiku Series #207)

Hey, Big Spender

Buying up houses

Trading for largest hotel—

Monopoly’s wealth

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Powerless Circumstances

Bandit on the run

Car’s battery fails to start—

Police bringing charges

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Fitting Ending

Old shoes in tatters

Needing firmer foundation—

Meeting new solemate

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Monday Memories: Countless Blessings

Psalm 106:1:  “Praise the Lord!  O give thanks to the Lord, for He is good; for His steadfast love endures forever.”

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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.

Peace Yet to Come (Second Sunday of Advent)

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.”

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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

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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.

Coldest Darkness

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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

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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.

Focus on Jesus (Elfchen Series #129)

Son of God

Witnessing

God’s truth

Feeding faith’s hunger

Mercy saving another soul

Jesus

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Savior’s Actions

Hope’s

Emptiness fading

Nourished with mercy

Living Water quenches thirst

Jesus

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Unselfish Love

Father’s

Righteous expectations

Swallowed by sin

Mercy arrives at Calvary

Jesus

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His Voice

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.”

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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

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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.”