Monday’s Memories: Gentle Sounds

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Morning rain has marooned me at home

A brisk walk delayed, but never alone

 

Drinking coffee, another cup please

Addicted to caffeine with such ease

 

The early morning darkness

Stands ready in its stillness

 

The window is cracked open, just a bit

Hearing marvelous sounds, makes a hit

 

Pausing to listen and begin to write

Sounds of pleasure, being so right

 

Falling droplets of rain earn a trip down

Splashes on the deck, a relaxing sound

 

Song birds croon from atop tall trees

Sounding splendid, joyous, and free

 

Wet roads, close by, signal more

Amplifying car tires, ready to roar

 

An approaching plane flies overhead

Traveling on to Rickenbacker instead

 

A pair of geese flies through the sky

Their unique greeting says good-bye

 

My pen scratches delicately away

Listening to ink-filled words today

 

Simply enjoying an outlook from outside

Bringing life’s gentle sounds to me inside

 

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Love’s Precious Gift

From the words of author and poet, Ana Claudia Antunes:  “True love is like little roses; sweet, fragrant in small doses.”

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Montana to Ohio

God joins this woman and man

Love bringing His precious gift

As only He really can

 

Love begins with our Father

Nurturing words speak each day

Hand in hand, with each other

God’s grace and peace lights His way

 

Love matures, like fall’s harvest

Built upon God’s rock of trust

Daily hope breathes at sunrise

Walk under angel’s stardust

 

Love meaning more than just words

Through valleys to mountaintops

Joining as one, each ribbon

God’s love never, ever stops

 

God’s Word builds a cornerstone for love’s words and actions in our lives.

From Song of Solomon 8:6-7:  “Set me as a seal upon your heart, as a seal upon your arm; for love is strong as death, passion fierce as the grave.  Its flashes are flashes of fire, a raging flame.  Many waters cannot quench love, neither can floods drown it.  If one offered for love all the wealth of one’s house, it would be utterly scorned.”

Winter’s Tranquility

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Winter’s tranquility

Landscape sleeps, quiet time

Stillness fills snow-chilled air

Nature pausing, in rhyme

 

Snowflake-covered prairie

Farmers’ fields taking rest

Cold freezes idle land

Always dressed in whitest vest

 

Russian olive trees rise

Steady breeze, branches sway

Magpies call this their home

Nature wanting to play

 

Nearby ranches, life slows

Cattle feeding on hay

Days shorter, nights longer

Winter’s cozy chalets

 

Season of rest, spring waits

Snow-filled humility

Nature takes its respite

Winter’s tranquility

 

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With Us (Elfchen Series #45)

Serving

Called

By Christ

Servants to all

Graced as faithful witnesses

Christ-like

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Restoring

Waiting

For God

Resting with quietness

Lord’s refuge and strength

Patience

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Beholding

Goodness

Holy uprightness

Stands blessed Father

Steadfast love and faithfulness

Teaching

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Love Never Dims

From Ecclesiastes 3:1: “For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven.”

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Winter’s snow, cannot hide

Cherished love, deep inside

During darkness of night

Her love shines, always bright

 

Spring’s blossoms, love shares

Life’s newness, always cares

Nature wakens, each land

Her splendor, in God’s hands

 

Summer’s glowing spirit

Longing to walk near it

Love growing, day by day

Her grandeur comes this way

 

Autumn’s colored venue

Love fills each day’s menu

Landscape treasures each thrill

Her warmth hides winter’s chill

 

Seasons, patient with time

Faith grows, ever in rhyme

Righteous gifts, sing as hymns

Father’s love, never dims

 

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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.'”

Bewitching Storm

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Nasty winter gale approaching

Forecast broadcasting storm warning

Heavy snow, high winds, Arctic cold

Village alarms sound by morning

 

Life transcends to total frenzy

Salt trucks loaded, very much ready

Snow plow crews set for night’s work

Village life scrambling, unsteady

 

Packed grocery stores in chaos

Hurried, panic-filled shopping carts

Shelves urgently growing empty

Village pace quickens beating hearts

 

Students anticipate closings

Looking forward, lazy “Snow Day”

No classes, no books, no lessons

Village hunkers down, people pray

 

Winter storm “Tabitha” churning

Pondering, bewitching blizzard

Overnight fury passes on

Village eluding storm’s wizard

 

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The Weather Channel has been naming winter storms in America since 2012-2013.  You may have picked up the connection between the “bewitching” blizzard and the name of the storm “Tabitha.”  Tabitha is one of the available winter storm names for the 2020-2021 winter.  Tabitha is also the daughter of Samantha (Elizabeth Montgomery) on the successful American sitcom “Bewitched” from 1964-1972.

Courage Stands (Haiku Series #121)

Hands

As people of God

Graced to be Christ’s hands of change—

World’s transformation

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Echoes

Followers of God

Called as voices for justice—

Filled with Grace of Christ

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Feet

Our Creator calls

Walking in Jesus’ footsteps—

Lives for renewal

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Lord of Glory

From Isaiah 6:3:  “And one called to another and said:  ‘Holy, holy, holy is the Lord of hosts; the whole earth is full of His glory.'”

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Darkness, evil abound

Our Champion arrives

Freeing chained hearts with praise

Faith growing in our lives

 

Graced by shed blood of Christ

Facing every hour

Wisdom, courage unite

Strongest bonds of power

 

Standing as God’s people

Walking as peacemakers

Sowing seeds from His faith

Harvest Glory’s acres

 

Christ’s journey lights His way

Centered on His people

Calling us, step forward

Blessed Cross, our steeple

 

Jesus’ pierced hands of change

Steady feet meet life’s quest

Lasting voice for justice

Renewing lives, each test

 

Glory fills God’s Kingdom

From His Heaven above

Nothing stops living grace

Salvation’s gift, free love

 

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You are invited to sing or follow the lyrics of this blessed hymn, “God of Grace and God of Glory.”

Meeting at Last

From Luke 1:27-27:  “In the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent by God to a town in Galilee called Nazareth, to a virgin engaged to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David.  The virgin’s name was Mary.”

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When shall we ever meet?

Longing to meet my Lord

His lamp, lighting the way

Filled with love, now on board

 

Life’s laboring turmoil

Enchained by sin’s shackles

Christ offers lasting Grace

Freed from darkest jackals

 

Heaven’s gifts come to earth

Filled with unselfish love

Each dawn brings liberty

Embracing newfound love

 

Rejoice, again rejoice!

No more trembling in fear

Appearing like day’s sun

Safely home, Jesus steers

 

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From Luke 24:50-53:  “Then He led them out as far as Bethany, and, lifting up His hands, He blessed them.  While He was blessing them, He withdrew from them and was carried up into heaven.  And they worshiped Him, and returned to Jerusalem with great joy; and they were continually in the temple blessing God.”

Growing in God (Elfchen Series #44)

Faithful Tutor

Goodness

And uprightness

Stands the Lord

Steadfast love and faithfulness

Teaching

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Serving God

Called

By Christ

Servants to all

Graced as loving witnesses

Christ-like

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Holy Fortress

Waiting

For God

Resting with quietness

Lord’s refuge and strength

Patience

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