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.”

Photo by FRANK MERIu00d1O on Pexels.com

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

Photo by Claudio Herrera on Pexels.com

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

Photo by Kampus Production on Pexels.com

Paying Forward

Old-fashioned kindness

Offer gentle courtesy—

Always in style

Photo by RODNAE Productions on Pexels.com

Blossoming Keepsake

Creative journey

Endless imagination—

Peaceful contentment

Photo by Andrea Piacquadio on Pexels.com

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.”

cross-sunset-sunrise-hill-70847.jpeg

Photo by Pixabay on Pexels.com

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

Photo by bruce mars on Pexels.com

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.”

Photo by Lisa Fotios on Pexels.com

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

Photo by Valeriia Miller on Pexels.com

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.”

Confident Voices

Photo by Ekaterina Astakhova on Pexels.com

Somewhere stands a vacant, empty building . . .

 

Sometimes wondering

Seeking out hidden voices

Still trying to hear

Holding out, few choices

 

Listening closely

Imagination unlocks

Now discovering

Shifting life’s gearbox

 

Another room calls

Peeling paint covers each thought

Wisdom speaking out

Taking another shot

 

Draining time’s hourglass

Final hours, dreadful waiting

Still so much to share

Speaking words, dictating

 

Eager wrecking ball

Setting to flatten each room

Confident voices

Transferring to courtroom

Photo by Sora Shimazaki on Pexels.com

Gospel’s Transformation (Elfchen Series #138)

Redefining

Creator’s

Intimate hand

Reshaping another life

Woven from heaven’s depths

Treasures

Photo by eberhard grossgasteiger on Pexels.com

Freedom

Life’s

Daily Clutter

Grace shall free

Replaced with Christ’s light

Peace

Photo by Adrien Olichon on Pexels.com

Everyday

Faith’s

Powerful connection

Walking in spirit

Conversation with heavenly Father

Prayer

Photo by Rodolfo Clix on Pexels.com

Morning’s Mystery

Photo by KoolShooters on Pexels.com

Transforming night’s darkness

Morning’s mystery calls

Covering land with mist

Sunrise waiting, now stalls

 

Spirit’s sentinels stand

Towering, leafless trees

Daybreak’s silent twilight

Catching whisper of breeze

 

Sharing message of peace

Stillness joining crisp air

Breathing with day’s fresh hope

Spring waits as winter’s heir

 

Time forgets to advance

Hitting snooze, stardust reigns

Nature’s one vacation

Filling cold-blooded veins

 

Freezing rain descending

Sleep’s final ticket home

Chilling another day

Winter ready to roam

Photo by Acharaporn Kamornboonyarush on Pexels.com

Shall Never Rest

From Psalm 23:1-3:  “The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.  He makes me lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside still waters; He restores my soul.  He leads me in right paths for His name’s sake.”

Photo by Quang Nguyen Vinh on Pexels.com

Through life’s foggy mist

God’s mercy filled

With eternal peace

Feeling trust build

 

Darkness to light

God’s spirit flowing

Faith’s quiet brook

Leading and knowing

 

Greenest meadow calls

God’s deepest love

Creation’s wings stir

Flying above

 

No greater warmth

God’s grace melts away

Life’s icy outlook

Kneeling now, let’s pray

 

One heart transformed

God shall never rest

New day’s promise

Seeking another quest

Photo by Pixabay on Pexels.com

From 1 Chronicles 29:12-13:  “Riches and honor come from You, and You rule over all. In Your hand are power and might, and it is in Your hand to make great and to give strength to all.  And now, our God, we give thanks to You and praise Your glorious name.”

Life’s Lighter Side (Haiku Series #215)

Temptation

Viewing cooking shows

Watching, yet never taste test—

Counting calories

Photo by ANTONI SHKRABA production on Pexels.com

Raceway

Pushing shopping cart

Faster than flashy Corvette—

Speed up–kids at play!

Photo by Polesie Toys on Pexels.com

Prodigy

Gifted three-year old

Earning Phi Beta Kappa—

Reading picture books

Photo by cottonbro studio on Pexels.com

Monday Memories: Snowbound

white snowy environment with pine trees

Photo by Adam Lukac on Pexels.com

Bright afternoon blues began to darken

Winter’s cold blanket prepares to descend

Snowflakes twirling and dancing, at first glance

Ol’ Man Winter, with a message to send

 

Grandfather clock proclaims each passing hour

Intricate flakes, magnified in their size

Winter’s harsh intensity growls and howls

Like a hungry wolf, seeking his one prize

 

Outside, barren landscape feels overwhelmed

Pristine white now nature’s color tonight

Modest cabin remains toasty and warm

Ancient kitchen stove consumes wood all night

 

Staying indoors, cozy and safe

Snowy frenzy roars, no ending in sight

Minutes turn to hours, forwarding to days

Snowbound but home, never a hopeless plight

snowy brown house near tree

Photo by Evelyn Chong on Pexels.com

 

Originally published February, 2020.