Spiritual Blessings

From Ephesians 1:13-14:  “ In Him you also, when you had heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and had believed in Him, were marked with the seal of the promised Holy Spirit; this is the pledge of our inheritance toward redemption as God’s own people, to the praise of his glory.”

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Adopted as God’s children

Following His Word of truth

Spiritual blessings sprout

Sharing wisdom since our youth

 

Holy Spirit breathes insight

Glorious grace singing out

Love and peace, freely granted

Hope from heaven, rousing shouts

 

Holy Word reigns eternal

Gospel of salvation acts

Forgiving our trespasses

Life renewed with Savior’s pact

 

Baptism with Holy Spirit

Redemption through Jesus’ blood

Called and claimed by our Father

True faith restored, life’s new bud

 

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From the words of German pastor and Christian theologian, Martin Luther:  “The Holy Spirit has called me through the Gospel, enlightened me with His gifts, and sanctified and kept me in true faith.”

When Life Tumbles

From Psalm 31:3-5:  “You are indeed my rock and my fortress; for your name’s sake lead me and guide me, take me out of the net that is hidden for me, for you are my refuge.  Into your hand I commit my spirit; you have redeemed me, O Lord, faithful God.”

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When daily life tumbles

Love and kindness arrive

Helping hand reaching out

Spirit bringing high fives

 

When little steps tumble

Curious toddler falls

Mother offers sweet hugs

Spirit’s love never stalls

 

When career takes tumble

One avenue closes

Another path opens

Spirit turns up roses

 

Healthy life takes tumble

Caring neighbors help out

Lending love’s blissful hands

Spirit waters our drought

 

Shame stings with sin’s tumble

Darkness changes to light

Jesus calls out with love

Spirit’s grace glowing bright

 

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From Romans 8:26-27:  “Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness; for we do not know how to pray as we ought, but that very Spirit intercedes with sighs too deep for words.  And God, who searches the heart, knows what is the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints according to the will of God.”

Divine Actions (Haiku Series #129)

Reconciliation

Between God and man

There’s but one mediator—

Christ’s eternal bridge

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Revelation

God’s goodness and love

Revealed in His Son Jesus—

Giving us new life

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Compassion

Greatest commandment

Share love with one another—

In faith, follow Christ

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Monday Memories: Nourishing Love

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A beautiful garden planted in the spring with great love

Flowers and vegetables blessed with peace from above

 

Every detail carefully planned and tenderly done

All this fertile soil needs now is water and sun

 

The first few weeks bring excitement and growth

Green buds and a bit of color are amazing both

 

One week goes by without any tender loving care

The young, immature plants now seem a bit scared

 

I am thirsty for a drink, can’t you see!

Why have you forgotten all about me?

 

Another week passes along without feeling a human hand

The fragile plants begin a slow march back to the land

 

I am thirsty for a drink, can’t you see!

Why have you forgotten all about me?

 

A third week arrives with unhappiness and despair

The once promising garden can’t surely be repaired

 

I am thirsty for a drink, can’t you see!

Why have you forgotten all about me?

 

From high above comes His promise to bring rain

Soon a gentle, nourishing mist reduces the pain

 

Humans need to be fed from above by Him

We must ask Him gently like singing a hymn

 

Without loving care, the garden and people will perish

The Lord adores all of His creation with love to cherish

 

Let us never, ever wonder and say . . .

 

I am thirsty for a drink, can’t you see!

Why have you forgotten all about me?

 

To have little faith isn’t part of our day!

 

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No Greater Love

From 1 John 4:9-10:  “God’s love was revealed among us in this way:  God sent His only Son into the world so that we might live through Him.  In this is love, not that we loved God but that He loved us and sent His Son to be the atoning sacrifice for our sins.”

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Jesus shows us God’s way

No greater love than His

Sharing all of himself

For us, taking our quiz

 

Coming in human form

Living His humble way

Obedient to God

For each sinner, He prays

 

Taking our place in death

His body bears our sins

Shedding His precious blood

Defeating death, God wins

 

Above darkest valleys

Highest mountains tremble

No greater love shall breathe

Saintly choir assembles

 

Greatest exchange ever

Washing sin, white as snow

Christ’s love covers darkness

Spirit forever glows

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From Philippians 2:9-11:  “Therefore God also highly exalted him and gave Him the name that is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bend, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.”

Quietness

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Morning begins with quietness

Behind locked doors, many hiding

Disciples and others mourning

Feeling God no longer guiding

 

Overcome with grief and sorrow

Memories fill with harshest tone

Quietness gathers in God’s hands

Barren cross stands bloody, alone

 

His torturous execution

Rabbi, teacher forever gone

Faith shattered, only quietness

Living as ignored Roman pawns

 

Confused, lacking understanding

What will tomorrow ever bring?

God waits with patient quietness

Sadness fills His heart, death its sting

 

From this darkness, quietness breathes

Hidden events still playing out

Love’s greatest story, not finished

God triumphs, never any doubt

 

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While it seems God’s Word is quiet on this day, He is orchestrating events to come.  While the world feels alone and forsaken, God is never quiet.  Tomorrow will shine light on His everlasting love and triumph.

Sing Alleluia! (Elfchen Series #52)

Grateful

Rejoice

Each day

God’s precious gifts

Be glad in it

Blessings

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Saved

Cross

Jesus alone

Scorned and rejected

Empty tomb’s glorious news

Triumphant

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Loved

Jesus

Meets us

Whenever and wherever

Sharing His Father’s Word

Hosanna!

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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.

Greed’s Footprints

From Hebrews 13:5:  “Keep your lives free from the love of money, and be content with what you have; for He has said, ‘I will never leave you or forsake you.'”

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Coveting greed, money, power

Like Judas, actions tasting sour

 

God’s teachings, pushing them aside

Sowing seeds, giving up control

Loving money above all else

Trading Christ, reaping sin’s bankroll

 

Souls filling with love of money

Lusting for power, endless greed

Selling even our Savior Jesus

Cashing evil’s footprints, each deed

 

Life’s journey ending in ruins

Betraying Christ for power’s game

Walking with our selfish Judas

Missing out on Salvation’s claim

 

Lovers of ourselves, over Christ

Following evil’s empty voice

Draining life’s grace-empty wallets

Realizing now, God offers choice

 

Born into this world, with nothing

Taking nothing from planet earth

Living within self, contentment

Walking with Jesus, our rebirth

 

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From 1 Timothy 6:9-10:  “But those who want to be rich fall into temptation and are trapped by many senseless and harmful desires that plunge people into ruin and destruction.  For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil, and in their eagerness to be rich some have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many pains.”

No Longer Alone

From Psalm 31:1-2:  “In you, O Lord, I seek refuge; do not let me ever be put to shame; in your righteousness deliver me.  Incline your ear to me; rescue me speedily.  Be a rock of refuge for me, a strong fortress to save me.”

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Life struggles with loneliness

Days without human contact

Isolation grows, lights go dim

Time without purpose, sidetracked

 

Scorned, rejected, forgotten

Christ also feels all alone

Where have His disciples gone?

Taunted, tortured, overthrown

 

Holy God always at work

Cries of loneliness, He heeds

Our needs, never glossed over

Spirit moves others to lead

 

Alone, never life’s last word

Visits from others arrive

Blessed comfort sealed with love

Sustaining light will survive

 

Darkest loneliness leaving

Empty hearts fill with courage

Father’s love touching each soul

His blessings shall encourage

 

God’s love remaining steadfast

At death’s cross, Christ not alone

Darkened, empty tomb proclaims

God’s triumph, faith’s cornerstone

 

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From Psalm 31:14-16:  “But I trust in you, O Lord; I say, ‘You are my God.’  My times are in your hand; deliver me from the hand of my enemies and persecutors.  Let your face shine upon your servant; save me in your steadfast love.”

Forever First (Haiku Series #128)

Truthfulness

Prayer and Scripture

Witnessing His promises—

God forever first

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Holiness

Always will be mine

Choosing righteous, not wicked—

God forever first

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Steadfastness

Patience shall reward

Life’s faithful obedience—

God forever first

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