Whitest Glow

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December’s barren ground

Autumn now long over

Snowflakes flying, earthbound

Winter’s white sweet clover

 

Village sleeping tonight

Children dreaming of snow

Crystal-clear sky’s moonlight

Changing to whitest glow

 

Beginning to drop in

Targeted flurries fall

Playful snowstorm begins

Winter finally calls

 

Snowy pace never wanes

Flakes now piling up high

Truckers reaching for chains

Driving where snowballs fly           

 

Wishful, children wake up

Stirring with loudest cheers

Sleds ready for tune-up

White Christmas comes this year

 

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Gospel-Driven

From 2 Corinthians 5:17-18:  “So if anyone is in Christ, there is a new creation: everything old has passed away; look, new things have come into being!  All this is from God, who reconciled us to Himself through Christ and has given us the ministry of reconciliation.”

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God’s living grace

Bends earthly lives

Word’s special place

Righteousness thrives

 

Forgiveness gifts

Mercy for all

Spirit uplifts

One man named Saul

 

Undeserved grace

Transforming hearts

Joy shall embrace

Life’s hope restarts

 

Redemption shared

Walking with Christ

Because God cared

Evil’s plan iced

 

Grace reconciled

Sins forgiven

Darkness exiled

Gospel-driven

 

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From the words of American pastor and Christian teacher, Charles Stanley:  “Experiencing the forgiveness God offers will transform every part of life.”

Paying Actions Forward (Haiku Series #208)

Character Counts

Guiding principle

Building lasting foundation—

Honesty always

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Gift for Tomorrow

Righteous citizens

Preserving lasting good name—

Sharing goodwill

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Setting the Table

Each generation

Integrity’s highest road

Inheriting trust

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Joy’s Game Changer (Third Sunday of Advent)

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.”

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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

 

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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.

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.