Beware of idols
Turning away, seeking truth—
Placing faith in God
Love abides in God
Seeking lost and wayward sheep—
Welcoming each home
Father, be gracious
Faithful promises leading—
Hearing each prayer
Sometimes life resembles a lonely road
Walking endless miles, filling with shame
Surrounded by darkness, bearing life’s load
Feeling mixed up, never into the game
God’s Word and Spirit bring transformation
Empty, spiritual desert . . . leaving now
Bringing dramatic change, new foundation
An oasis of faith becomes a vow
Discovering new hope, suffering ends
God’s light shines ahead of our faithful steps
Stumbling and failing, no longer contend
God’s Glory reigns supreme, without missteps
Old ways transforming to a better life
Exchanging total control with our Lord
God’s Grace gives, without cutting like a knife
His everlasting love, brings rich accord
God’s army of angels, walking ahead
Lonely road left . . . following Christ instead
From Genesis 1:1-2: “In the beginning when God created the heavens and the earth, the earth was a formless void and darkness covered the face of the deep, while a wind from God swept over the face of the waters.”
God nurtures His creation
Sharing its ageless treasures
Rising with life’s morning sun
Earth boldly sings with pleasure
Love passed with each spoken word
Flowing through God’s gentle hands
Breathing newness with each day
Earth remembers where He stands
Unsurpassed beauty looks up
Praising God’s own perfection
Shining from Heaven’s mirror
Earth glows in His reflection
Awesome mystery to touch
Inheriting Master’s aim
Setting sun applauds each day
Earth salutes His Holy name
From 1 Timothy 4:4-5: “For everything created by God is good, and nothing is to be rejected, provided it is received with thanksgiving; for it is sanctified by God’s word and by prayer.”
Appreciate
Day’s treasures
Each precious minute
Fleeting moments pass by
Photographs
Freedom’s
Challenging task
Brick by brick
Renewing democracy’s fragile road
Courage
Legendary
Life journey
Childhood’s early dreams
Maturing into life’s amazing
Accomplishments
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.
From Psalm 145:2-3: “Every day I will bless you, and praise your name forever and ever. Great is the Lord, and greatly to be praised; His greatness is unsearchable.”
God’s worthy promises
Remembering always
Encouraging Word leads
Gratitude stirs our praise
Our God of Israel
Sharing thoughts in prayer
Trumpeting His greatness
Father’s Holy Word cares
Daily meditation
Worshipping His glory
Confessing transgressions
Faithful Gospel story
God’s firmness offers hope
Praising His blessed name
Infusing daily routines
His love lights brightest flame
To each generation
Walking with God’s mindset
Facing Calvary’s cross
Son of God pays our debts
Everlasting kingdom
Receiving gifts of grace
Hearing God’s steadfast truth
Heaven’s Spirit in place
From Psalm 145:8-9: “The Lord is gracious and merciful, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love. The Lord is good to all, and His compassion is over all that He has made.”
Boyhood memories
From summers long past
Adventures waiting
Hot weather forecast
Sandlot invites fun
Baseball games on tap
No umpires needed
Wearing well-worn caps
Bike hike across town
Returning back home
Pedaling with haste
Where’s slowpoke Jerome?
Backyard sleepover
Under heavens’ stars
Awake at midnight
Sharing candy bars
Afternoon calling
Under cloudless sky
Swimming pool waiting
Diving board banzai
Waiting for darkness
Nighttime doorbell fun
Hiding in shadows
Ditch ‘em on the run
Christ’s own humble acts
Open eyes to witness God—
Awash with wonder
Life’s jigsaw puzzle
Searching through God’s Holy Word—
Find our missing peace
Asleep in our boat
Approaching dark, stormy clouds—
Christ fully aware
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?
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.”
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
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.”
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
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.
