Righteous Living

From Jeremiah 29:11-12:  “For surely I know the plans I have for you, says the Lord, plans for your welfare and not for harm, to give you a future with hope.  Then when you call upon me and come and pray to me, I will hear you.”

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Fulfilling His promises

Creating from His design

Cherishing every life

In God’s hands, futures shall shine

 

Calling upon our Father

Hearing our daily prayers

Listening with faithfulness

Blueprints, He lovingly shares

 

Restoring life’s direction

Gathering each of His flock

Distributing peacefulness

Spirit works around the clock

 

Teaching life’s daily lessons

Noting yesterday’s hardships

Offering timeless blessings

Tomorrow, we trust God’s script

 

Believing with faithful trust

Accepting our Father’s grace

Spending time with Gospel’s Word

Righteous living, life’s new base 

 

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From the words of American pastor and Christian teacher, Charles Stanley:  “If we want to discover the Lord’s best for our life, we must trust that His way is better than our plans and desires.”

Undaunted Spirit

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Born to serve freedom

America lives

Liberty’s fabric

Lasting spirit gives

 

Nation remembers

Forefather’s boldness

Valley Forge unites

Despite war’s coldness

 

New country now born

Republic takes shape

Independence sings

Brave sovereign’s landscape

 

Young democracy

Learns from stumbling steps

Imperfect Union

Overcomes missteps

 

Legacy passed down

Each generation

Diverse history

Building one nation

 

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From the Preamble of the U.S. Constitution:  “We the People of the United States, in Order to form a more perfect Union . . . .”

Timeless Guideposts (Elfchen Series #65)

Blessed Triune

Holy

Heavenly deliverance

Three in One

Father, Son, Holy Spirit

Trinity

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Firm Foundation

Faith

Heavenly Father

Hope and trust

Gathered in His hands

Cornerstone

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Lasting Assurance

Worthy

In Spirit

Gospel breathes forever

Lord finishes each task

Confidence

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Faith Renewed

From Romans 7:23-25:  “But I see in my members another law at war with the law of my mind, making me captive to the law of sin that dwells in my members.  Wretched man that I am!  Who will rescue me from this body of death?  Thanks be to God through Jesus Christ our Lord!”

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Remolding, new creation in Christ

Transforming self, flesh passing away

Turning to Jesus, finding new life

Lighting each path, righteousness holds sway

 

Restoring heart, Lord always with us

Healing spirit from sin, His way

Accepting grace from Holy Father

Feeling inner faith renewed each day

 

Walking with trusting faith, not by sight

Deepening Spirit rekindles life

Leaving sin’s guilt on Calvary’s cross

Living under Christ’s watch, without strife

 

Forsaking darkness, crushing evil

Seeking Jesus, His love walks ahead

Rescuing this life from sin and death

Lasting faith renewed daily instead

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From 2 Corinthians 5:17:  “So if anyone is in Christ, there is a new creation:  everything old has passed away; see, everything has become new!”

Day Ahead (Haiku Series #141)

Mindset

Ever shifting sands

Challenge life’s steady journey—

Changing paradigms

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Aim

New day, new focus

Meeting today’s challenges—

Feeling satisfied

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Intrigue

Mystery waiting

Hidden in darkest corner—

Flashlight discovers

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Monday Memories: Sunrise

Walking in the morning pre-dawn light

Waiting for the sun to resume its flight

 

Hearing the birds chirping familiar tunes

Feeling happy that spring will arrive soon

 

Stepping briskly along the charming path

Anticipating the sun bringing a warm bath

 

Seeing the shadows change and dance

Clearing a mind from its dormant trance

 

Witnessing God’s immense creation at dawn

Blessing with unique images that it spawns

 

Dashing in front goes a frightened rabbit

Making his morning visit a welcome habit

 

Dreaming of walking here each and every day

Picturing a scenic sunrise so appealing to say

 

Lifting above the distant horizon to bring a delight

Radiating sunrise brightens the morn with its light

  

This poem was written and published in March, 2019.  I frequently walk at two nearby nature parks, and it is always a delight to catch the sunrise (especially if my camera is handy).

Three in One

From Psalm 107:8-9:  “Let them thank the Lord for His steadfast love, for His wonderful works to humankind.  For He satisfies the thirsty, and the hungry He fills with good things.

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Father, Son, and Holy Spirit

Grace and peace filling life’s spirit

 

God, Creator, Holy Father

Gathering heavens, earth, and sea

Blessing east to west, north to south

His goodness shall never leave thee

 

Jesus Christ, Savior, Son of God

Commands and conquers stormy seas

Quiets endless wind into peace

Saving us from life’s gloomy breeze

 

Holy Spirit, Son’s Advocate

Wondrous works across land and sea

Turns desert to Living Water

Blessing days, Spirit true and free

 

Eternal Father, Three in One

Trinity’s mercy from above

Sing of Holy deeds, songs of joy

God’s Glory reigning with His love

 

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English writer and hymnist, William Whiting wrote the lyrics to the hymn, “Eternal Father, Strong to Save.”  Used in a recent devotional, this hymn inspired the crafting of this poem.  Written in 1860, this hymn is also known as “The Navy Hymn.”  

Special Moments (Elfchen Series #64)

Waiting

Hungry

For connection

Others reach out

Conquering isolation and loneliness

Relationships

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Paying Forward

Reflecting

Stepping back

Taking extra time

Making a better tomorrow

Today

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Best to Come

Vintage

Maturity calls

Aged to perfection

Years add goodness

Life

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America’s Tour (Haiku Series #140)

Hawaii

Breakfast made for kings

Never complete without meat—

Taste “Spam” from a can

Kansas

Fast food history

Wichita’s college brothers—

World’s first Pizza Hut

Michigan

Red, blue, and yellow

Man of Steel’s most favorite—

“Superman” ice cream

All photos are courtesy of Pinterest.

Monday Memories: Rule of Three

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Have you ever thought about the Rule of Three?

Life is amazing when “three” brings more to see

 

Making pancakes for a breakfast for me

Why enjoy a short stack of only two

When you can taste a big stack of three

 

Daughters bring a father happiness and glee

Witnessing the unforgettable births of two

Even more amazing to be delighted with three

 

Looking at the calendar for dates open and free

A two-day weekend offers much fun for all

Hmm, why not add one day and make it three

 

A morning walk with nature is thrilling to me

Finishing two miles with much energy left

Let’s add another mile and walk for three

 

Attending a circus tomorrow for a nominal fee

A show with only two rings just won’t do

Thank heaven P. T. Barnum expanded to three

 

A basketball game grows late as the seconds flee

Shouting out, the coach wants a two-point shot

Sorry coach, but I’m prepared to drain a three

 

Listening to music that brings meaning to thee

Some music just doesn’t work as a twosome

So Peter, Paul, and Mary sing tunes as three

 

Dancing as a couple with a two-step are we

Someone challenges our dancing with a new step

Now we enjoy our dazzling dancing with three

 

A chef prepares a breakfast omelet for free

Starting with two eggs certainly isn’t enough

He brilliantly adds another egg to equal three

 

Shopping for a stunning dress to impress me

She can’t decide on which one or two to try

So my wife brings home a cute set of three

 

Father, Son, and Holy Ghost follow thee

A poet pauses to give thanks to above

The Holy Trinity makes a blessed three

 

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Sometimes a poet’s journey finds a fun-filled avenue to follow.  This poem was published back in March, 2019.