Monday Memories: Do You Ever Wonder?

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Receiving as a birthday gift a FitBit

Does it really get used or just sit?

 

Spending millions on ceaseless health care television ads

Why do rising drug prices make me feel like I’ve been had?

 

Eating at a restaurant that advertises a menu of “real good” food

Will someone explain the meaning of “good” to change my mood?

 

Hearing “Have a Holly, Jolly Christmas” again on the radio

Did I really see singer Burl Ives caroling out in the snow?

 

Watching commercials with animals who talk

When is enough really enough before I walk?

 

Viewing yet another rerun television show

Would anyone care if I played my banjo?

 

Finding tiny pill box in my small travel bag

Why does a missing pill want to play tag?

 

Seeing country music stars dressed up with extra glamorous glitz

Does anyone remember “Hee-Haw” and Roy Clark’s guitar blitz?

 

Reading a label on the side effects of my newest meds

How would I really know about being allergic instead?

 

Standing below the mistletoe on a freezing winter night

When was the last time anyone was kissed in its sight?

 

Hiding quietly in corner of hodgepodge clutter’s garage

Why is new bicycle hiding behind junk’s camouflage?

 

Frustrating political ads, insulting my common sense

Honestly, do I need to feel that dimwitted and dense?

 

Assembling an “easy to build” children’s playground

Do the leftover parts mean that my work is sound?

 

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Filled with Wonder

From John 6:51:  “I am the living bread that came down from heaven.  Whoever eats of this bread will live forever; and the bread that I will give for the life of the world is my flesh.”

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Around this treasured sea

Come five thousand and more

Hungry crowd gathering

Miles from food’s nearest store

 

From boy’s meager knapsack

Two fish and loaves of bread

Filled with wonder, eyes see

All satisfied and fed

 

Looking later for Him

Finding Jesus onshore

Hungering for His Word

Bread of Life offers more

 

Coming from His Father

Through Jesus’ wondrous deeds

All should hunger no more

Filling every need

 

Nourished from Heaven’s bread

Salvation never earned

Filled with wonder again

Jesus’ love now returned

 

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From John 6:40:  “This is indeed the will of my Father, that all who see the Son and believe in Him may have eternal life; and I will raise them up on the last day.”

Positive Affirmations

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Sharing affirmation

Bringing life tender smiles

Instilling confidence

Overcoming trials

 

Echoing words of praise

Focusing on kindness

Speaking positive words

Removing fear’s blindness

 

Spreading more peace and joy

Helping each other out

Expressing happiness

Casting away life’s doubts

 

Watching out for darkness

Lighting up someone’s day

Affirming yet again

Sweetening life’s sorbet

 

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In writing this poem, my creative juices challenged my poetic pen to quickly craft meaningful prose filled with positivity.  Today, may your thoughts and actions toward others share plenty of positive affirmation.

Kingdom Calling (Elfchen Series #68)

Gathering

Anticipation

Weekly worship

Word and Sacrament

Community response to God

Empowerment

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Rescuing

Quest

Righteous justice

Transforming unruly sheep

Father dispatches Good Shepherd

Deliverance

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Blessing

Creator

Inviting us

Come to Him

Receive compassion, teaching, healing

Everlasting

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Hungry for Hope

From Lamentations 3:22-24:  “The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases, His mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.  ‘The Lord is my portion,; says my soul,therefore I will hope in Him.'”

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Simple acts of faith

Filled with love for man

God pulls at heart strings

Part of Holy plan

 

Life hungry for hope

Man’s health in decline

Liver in failure

God opens hotline

 

Future growing dim

Darkness can’t escape

Searching for donor

Life’s faithful landscape

 

Seeking live donor

Doctors’ preferred choice

Humble man steps up

Quiets hopeless voice

 

Two lives now at risk

Surgery takes place

Success accomplished

Miracle brings grace

 

One man’s health restored

Donor’s body mends

Hope’s hunger fulfilled

God’s faith never bends

 

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This poem brings a true story, which is close to my family’s heart.  The living donor is my son-in-law, married to my youngest daughter.  The two of them will be back home in a few days (about one month since the surgery).  Many lives have been changed by this simple, humble act.  God’s blessings to all living donors.

Always First

From Exodus 20:1-3:  “I am the Lord your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of slavery; you shall have no other gods before Me.”

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Jesus tempted by Satan

Making His choice very clear

Placing Father always first

Walking in trust, without fear

 

Moses affirming God’s law

Following the Great I Am

Leading Israel to truth

Bearing faith of Abraham

 

God deserves our attention

Casting away sinful ways

Stepping in footprints of Christ

Hearing treasured Word each day

 

Always first, focus on God

Needing Christ’s mercy and love

Entering Kingdom’s blessings

Forgiving call from above

 

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From Psalm 100:1-2:  “Make a joyful noise to the Lord, all the earth.  Worship the Lord with gladness; come into His presence with singing.”

Living the Life (Haiku Series #144)

Checking My Wallet

Father of the bride

Totaling up wedding bills—

Empty bank account

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Tasty Favorite

BLT for lunch

Scratch lettuce and tomato—

Lovin’ my bacon!

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Rash Decision

Seeing plant’s beauty

Wading into lush ivy

Poisons today’s plans

Courtesy of Pinterst.

Monday Memories: Perfect Seat

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Circus shows once filled with excitement to delight

Few spectators now attend circus magic each night

 

Generation ago, numerous children experienced it all

Now mighty Big Tops have vanished with a huge fall

 

Sitting in the crowd with a perfect seat

Thrilled to adore another tasty treat

 

The ringmaster keeps the thrilling show moving along

Audiences soon realize that each act lasts only so long

 

Three rings keep crowd’s enthusiasm mounting with ease

Here come zany clowns, filled with foolishness to please

 

Dazzling jugglers and daring acrobats delight

Children dream of being in the circus spotlight

 

Sitting in the crowd with a perfect seat

Eagerly watching performances so sweet

 

Lions, tigers, and bears—Oh, what a sight to behold

Bravery shown by animal tamers, awesome and bold

 

Always pleasing are gigantic elephants from afar

Their majestic presence makes them the stars

 

Evening’s ultimate act flies high above three circus rings

Trapeze artists dangle with suspense from their swings

 

Sitting in the crowd with a perfect seat

Looking forward to each astonishing feat

 

Fewer circus companies still travel the globe

The “Greatest Show on Earth” needed to fold

 

Audiences once filled the Big Top’s nightly crusade

Now dying out, precious memories stumble and fade

 

New generation of young children shall never wonder

How circus night brought applause as loud as thunder

 

Sitting in the crowd with a perfect seat

Recalling circus images that will repeat

 

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Disciples of Faith

From John 8:31-32:  “Then Jesus said to the Jews who had believed in Him, ‘If you continue in my word, you are truly my disciples; and you will know the truth, and the truth will make you free.'”

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Throughout life spent with our Father

Clutching His message, forthright Word

Students learning each day and night

Growing in Christ, God’s flock He herds

 

Disciples of faith, taught by God

Walking in step with Jesus Christ

Children of truth’s Living Spirit

Guiding hands, Shepherd sacrificed

 

Christ’s lessons teach, lighting our way

Believing our Savior, always

His unselfish acts bring freedom

Following Him through life’s dim haze

 

Father, Son, and Holy Spirit

Building discipleship, praise Him

Lasting kinship as believers

Hearing our faith’s eternal hymn

 

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From Acts 11:25-26:  “Then Barnabas went to Tarsus to look for Saul, and when he had found him, he brought him to Antioch.  So it was that for an entire year they met with the church and taught a great many people, and it was in Antioch that the disciples were first called ‘Christians.'”

One

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“One” standing up, life’s lonesome number

Rising today, waking from slumber

 

One single digit, filled with courage

Stepping up, ready to encourage

 

One man standing with boldness, alone

Moving against tyranny’s dark throne

 

One tiny seed maturing to grow

Spawning thick forest, nature’s chateau

 

One last try remains, taking a chance

Advancing to championship’s dance

 

One more war, aiming to end all war

Proving to be mankind’s hopeless chore

 

One single journey, will never do

Touring Yellowstone’s picturesque views

 

One small voice, singing with gentle praise

Joining life’s chorus, hearts now ablaze

 

One yummy taste, frozen now in time

Savoring home cooking at mealtime

 

One kind act, paying forward life’s grace

Sharing love, lighting up darkest place

 

One heart knocks, opening couple’s door

Adopting this daughter, love cares for

 

One righteous Son of God, boldly walks

Bearing our sins, Cross forever talks

 

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