Category Archives: Poetry

Taking Love Forward

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Morning sunrise greets

Another new day

Taking love forward

Rainbows without gray

 

Bold, positive steps

Encourage each day

Taking love forward

Spirit won’t betray

 

Heart finds harmony

Melodies all day

Taking love forward

Happiness shall play

 

Impatient clouds brew

Compassion saves day

Taking love forward

Life’s innocent way

 

Nightfall now arrives

Day finally sleeps

Taking love forward

Tomorrow will keep


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One of my favorite songs is “If I Were a Carpenter.”  With lyrics and music composed by Tim Hardin, the song climbed the charts in 1966 when Bobby Darin recorded it.  Darin’s interpretation of the lyrics is filled with love’s theme.

Faith Through Love (Elfchen Series #108)

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Lost

Pursuing

Flesh’s desires

Filled with works

Life falls short in

Darkness

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Faith

Truth

Speaks boldly

Christ’s Holy Word

Building hope through Spirit’s

Fruits

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Found

Love

Thy neighbor

Obedience to Christ

Grace meeting our needs

Freedom

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Small Town America

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Main Street in Virginia City, Montana (population 169).

Cherishing small towns

America’s gift

Community pride

Life never adrift

 

Welcoming Main Street

Absent traffic lights

Community hub

Unique stores excite

 

People greet with “hello”

Strangers become friends

Community loves

Caring’s dividends

 

Close-knit neighborhoods

Immaculate yards

Community joy

Beauty fills postcards

 

Town’s crowning jewel

School engages minds

Community guides

Students’ daily grind

 

White wood-framed churches

God’s daily footprint

Community prays

Town’s faithful blueprint

 

First Lutheran Church in Circle, Montana (population 591).

On Our Way

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From Psalm 118:24:  “This is the day that the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it.”

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On our way—

Following

Son of God,

Jesus Christ

 

On our way—

Witnessing

Faithful hope,

Filled with Christ

 

On our way—

Confronting

Day’s darkness,

Buoyed by Christ

 

On our way—

Restoring

Shattered lives,

Praising Christ

 

On our way—

Quieting

Stormy seas,

Christ as work

 

On our way—

Conquering

Evil’s foe,

Christ with us

 

On our way—

Redeeming

Wayward souls,

Christ’s love saves

 

On our way—

Proclaiming

Thankful hearts,

Blessed Christ

 

On our way—

Rejoicing

Forever,

Within Christ

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From Philippians 4:4:  “Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, Rejoice.”

The inspiration for this poem comes from the hymn, “On Our Way, Rejoicing.”  Here are the lyrics and music of this beloved song.

Nature’s Creation (Haiku Series #185)

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All of these morning photographs were taken at two different Metro Parks (Walnut Woods and Chestnut Ridge) in central Ohio, not far from my home.  I frequently walk both of these areas.

Day Begins

Morning awakens

Creation’s treasures stirring—

Lord above smiling

Another spring day awakens along Walnut Creek.

Lasting Gifts

Season to season

Witnessing every change—

Praise God’s masterpiece

Autumn’s masterpiece of colors is captured at Chestnut Ridge.

Divine Artistry

Nature never rests

Flora and fauna’s beauty—

Creator molding

Summer’s beauty fills a hilltop garden while a solitary deer grazes.

Monday Memories: Pure in Heart

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From Lamentations 3:25-26:  “The Lord is good to those who wait for Him, to the soul that seeks Him.  It is good that one should wait quietly for the Salvation of the Lord.”

landscape photo of pathway between green leaf trees

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We are an impatient lot

We know what we want

We want it right now

 

God’s Word brings us wisdom

Try following a different path

 

Remain patient at all times

Allow God to be in charge

His faithful plans will unfold

 

Offer our prayers to God

Give thanks for our blessings

 

Remain ever hopeful each day

Wait faithfully with quiet reverence

For the Lord delivers Salvation

 

God allows us free will

How will we use it?

From Philippians 4:8:  “Finally, beloved, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is pleasing, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence and if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.”

Infuse quality into our lives

In our attitudes and thoughts

Guard our actions and words

 

Influence our daily course

Adjust our tone of thoughts

 

Jesus taught us to believe

“Blessed are the pure in heart

For they will see God”

background close up day daytime

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From the words of evangelical pastor Henry Blackaby:  “God is concerned about your life in Eternity.  Allow Him to take all the time He needs to shape you for His purposes.”

 

Retelling His Story

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From Lamentations 3:22-23:  “The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases, His mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.”

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Retelling His story

Filling with wonder’s peace

Becoming never old

Rekindling life’s new lease

 

Witnessing His message

Loving God with whole heart

Grasping forever’s grace

Walking with Lord’s fresh start

 

Retelling His story

Sitting near empty tomb

Sharing Salvation’s news

Lighting yesterday’s gloom

 

Tasting His Holy Word

Longing for heaven’s home

Hungering for much more

Breaking chains, free to roam

 

Retelling His story

Finding Jesus nearby

Seeking new mercy’s grace

Cherishing faith’s bullseye

 

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This inspiration for this poem comes from the beloved hymn, “I Love to Tell the Story.”  One of any believers most blessed tasks is to share and tell the story of Jesus Christ.  Country singer Alan Jackson is a renowned Gospel singer, and he sings this wonderful hymn.  Enjoy.

Gospel Breathes (Elfchen Series #107)

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Assurance

Nothing

Comes between

God and ourselves

Walking in His faithfulness

Peace

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Harmony

Father’s

Steadfast love

Holy Spirit guides

Jesus dwells within us

Grace

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Mission

Daily

Blessed discipleship

Faith community unites

Diverse group of believers

Growing

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Summer’s Bliss

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Looking out from backyard deck

Nature’s bounty welcomes all

Noble trees shroud quiet creek

One more day, closer to fall

 

Summer pleasures, don’t leave yet

Early sunrise, high blue sky

Birds finding feast, velvet lawn

New moments, ready to fly

 

Taste tranquility-filled hours

Blissful life singing with praise

Path through woods, deer’s faithful sign

Midnight’s moon always ablaze

 

Gentle wind serenades now

Cooler evening air invites

Tree’s swinging to breezy song

Quiet peace, life’s hidden heights

 

Hour grows late, pausing to see

Promised arrival smiles back

Fireflies dancing above grass

Nature’s final, sweet snack

 

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Leading On

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From Luke 9:59-60:  “To another He said, ‘Follow Me.’  But he said, ‘Lord, first let me go and bury my father.’  And Jesus said to him, ‘Let the dead bury their own dead, but as for you, go and proclaim the kingdom of God.'”

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Life’s journey calling thee

Expectations reach out

Chains of flesh holding tight

Darkness casting its doubt

 

Hundreds gather to hear

Christ willingly teaches

His actions empower

Endless spirit reaches

 

Christ commands, follow Me

Father’s Word sets life’s tone

Go, proclaim His kingdom

With God, never alone

 

Spirit’s transforming hand

Born again, faith renewed

Hope’s patience enduring

Evil’s choices subdued

 

Life’s labors, not in vain

Daily, Christ leading on

His steadfast support stands

Tomorrow’s lasting dawn

 

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From 1 Corinthians 15:58:  “Therefore, my beloved brothers and sisters, be steadfast, immovable, always excelling in the work of the Lord because you know that in the Lord your labor is not in vain.”