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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Spirit at Work (Elfchen Series #67)

Devotion

Father’s

True foundation

Times of trouble

Witness Scripture’s divine promises

Truth

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Reformation

Surrender

In faith

Keep His commandments

Come to know God

Obedience

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Collaboration

Called

By God

Sharing our abundance

Walking together with others

Community

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Circle of Life

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Children and grandchildren

Each fills precious treasure

Hug this “Circle of Life”

Family time’s pleasure

 

Watching young daughters grow

Teaching lessons of love

Taking delight each day

Dad, where’s my softball glove?

 

Time moves much too quickly

Each day shares its rewards

Daughters become women

“Circle of Life” records

 

Transforming life’s landscape

Mastering how to crawl

Cherishing grandchildren

Grandpa, will you play ball?

 

Robust “Circle of Life”

Family roster grows

Memories made each day

Lifetime’s delightful rose

 

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Some of the best poems are written from from the heart.  Such is the case with this poem; created from just a thought about family and its blessings.  My wife and I have been blessed with five daughters between our Montana and Ohio families.  Our grandchildren now number ten.  Our own “Circle of Life’ has indeed been a blessed one.

Enduring Presence

From Psalm 139:1-2:  “Lord, you have searched me and known me.  You know when I sit down and when I rise up; you discern my thoughts from far away.”

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Seeking blessed comfort

Father always present

Inescapable God

Filled with Holy intent

 

Praising our faithful Lord

Saving us with His love

Trusting His steady hand

Searching Heaven above

 

God knows all and sees all

Unlike Jonah, we stay

Through morning until night

Come to worship and pray

 

Seeing God’s wondrous works

Enduring presence leads

Counting endless blessings

Protecting tender reeds

 

Changing darkness to light

God saves us from our sins

His grace covers each life

Forgiveness always wins

 

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From Psalm 139:11-12:  “If I say, ‘Surely the darkness shall cover me, and the light around me become night,’ even the darkness is not dark to you; the night is as bright as the day, for darkness is as light to you.”

Always Near (Haiku Series #143)

Encouragement

Facing life’s problems

Alone in harsh wilderness—

Hearing Father’s voice

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Restoration

Lord’s steady hand cares

Removes life’s withered, dark past—

Prunes with love and grace

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Answers

Every morning

Faithfulness and righteousness—

God’s channel broadcasts

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Monday Memories: Sweetest Love

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Love springs eternal in many, beautiful forms

Helping to ease some of life’s angry storms

 

A mother focuses on her handsome new boy

Rocking him fast to sleep, she’s filled with joy

 

A teacher reaches out to his unsettled class today

Filling the room with learning, discovering a way

 

A nervous man asks a pretty woman for a date

Dreaming, could marriage be their future fate?

 

A son calls upon his ailing mother quite often

Bringing love that helps her illness to soften

 

A mature couple capturing romance from afar

Tying ribbons of love, reaching heaven’s stars

 

A young girl eagerly waits by the window all day

Jumping into her father’s lap with much to say

 

A caring wife prepares a meal by candlelight

Inspiring a time of love with her man tonight

 

A family cherishes togetherness for all

Adding gentle love that will never fall

 

A romantic husband brings flowers to his bride

Adding fragrance and beauty, their love amplified

 

A young couple ties marriage’s knot with “We do”

Cherishing their love, feeling deeply rich and true

 

God sends His Son, offering His greatest gift

Washing away our sins, lives no longer adrift

 

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This poem was written and published back in February, 2019.  In looking at its original form, I found an opportunity to improve a few flaws in its presentation.

Beholding God

From Psalm 16:11:  “You show me the path of life.  In your presence there is fullness of joy; in your right hand are pleasures forevermore.”

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Witnessing daily life

Scanning God’s fingerprints

Saluting His presence

Growing from His blueprint

 

Recalling past events

Entering safety’s zone

Protecting us from harm

Kneeling at Heaven’s throne

 

Viewing God’s handiwork

Beholding how lives change

Embracing His Spirit

Moving from evil’s range

 

Learning from life’s lessons

Reading God’s Holy Word

Discovering His truth

Nourishing grace conferred

 

Casting out unholy thoughts

Boosting faith with each step

Living life of “I Can”

Knocking at God’s doorstep

 

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From the words of American pastor and Christian teacher, Charles Stanley:  “The evidence of God’s great power is all over your life.  Live confidently knowing out living, omnipotent God dwells with in.”

Five Cup Minimum

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Sputtering at sunrise

Human engine starts up

Needing its caffeine boost

Always more than one cup

 

Yes, speaking of coffee

Savor its mountain blend

Aroma-filled goodness

Taste morning’s boldest friend

 

Body grows accustomed

Medium grade of fuel

Drinking anything less

Makes for a sluggish fool

 

Life’s experience counts

Paying close attention

Day’s “Five Cup” minimum

Brew’s perfect dimension

 

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