Faith
Perishable, precious
Tested by fire
Rejoice with glorious joy
Indescribable
Love
Promises fulfilled
Born a Savior
Quenching world’s dry thirst
Salvation
Forever
Our Savior
Lights our way
His life, His truth
Jesus
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.
Life’s game passing by
Parked on lonely bench
Watching each inning
From this dugout’s trench
Endless time marching
Week following week
Absent from big plays
Life looking more bleak
Dreaming great moments
Where are they hiding?
Just needing one chance
Few hopes backsliding
Opportunity!
Finally knocking
Time to really shine
Eagerness rocking
Now just swing away
Life’s batter’s box calls
Confidence beaming
Stepping in, “Play ball!”
In the film, “The Natural,” starring Robert Redford, Roy Hobbs finally gets his big chance to step into the batter’s box. Here is the scene from the film. Indeed, life and baseball find ways to complement each other.
From Deuteronomy 6:4-5: “Hear, O Israel: The Lord is our God, the Lord alone. You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your might.”
Busy with daily lives
Pausing now, do you hear?
As God listens, we should
Opening minds and ears
As God’s chosen, come close
Father waits with patience
Intently, carefully
Despite our impatience
Read His Word with earnest
Focus on, meditate
God’s living stone, breathing
Do you hear Him, so great?
His mercy chooses us
With never-ending love
Calling us from darkness
Finding God’s grace above
Face each hour with new hope
Follow with faithful steps
Lives chosen and precious
God waits at our doorstep
From 1 Peter 2:9-10: “But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s own people, in order that you may proclaim the mighty acts of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light. Once you were not a people, but now you are God’s people; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy.”
Our Lord is waiting
When did you last call to Him?
Reach out in prayer
Praying to our Lord
Sharing truth and promises—
Our life’s foundation
He shall answer thee
There exists no greater hope—
Praying to Father
From Psalm 142:1-2: “With my voice I cry to the Lord; with my voice I make supplication to the Lord. I pour out my complaint before Him; I tell my trouble before Him.”
Roaming life’s wilderness
Old Man Trouble talking
No escape from his voice
Tougher times come knocking
Life’s rivers never rest
Turbulent waters wait
Walking through hottest fire
Faith in God shifts our fate
Bright days turning darkest
Where’s our protection gone?
Father’s love never fails
With us at day’s new dawn
Choosing life’s one clear choice
God’s love sending courage
Tackling intense troubles
Lord’s Word shall encourage
Facing Old Man Trouble
God renewing life’s hope
Eye to eye with our faith
Lord’s unbreakable rope
From Isaiah 43:1-2: “But now thus says the Lord, He who created you, O Jacob, He who formed you, O Israel: Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name, you are mine. When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and through the rivers, they shall not overwhelm you; when you walk through fire you shall not be burned, and the flame shall not consume you.”
Weekend sails at dawn
Taking pause from work
Leisure setting sail
Life catches its perks
Respite time knocking
Relief from week’s stress
No agenda waits
Saturday brings less
Lazy day ahead
Nothing on day’s scope
Extra morning time
Coffee’s horoscope
Sadie holding leash
Ready for her walk
Sun’s delights greet us
Sharing, we both talk
Taste mid-morning brunch
Sweet morsels waiting
Fruit-filled muffins baked
Hunger abating
Afternoon nap calls
Cozy spot surveyed
Blessed Saturday dreams
Respite’s lasting crusade
The inspiration for this poem comes from spending an overnight stay with Sadie, an English Lab. She served as the perfect hostess while her family was away.
Jesus
Steering lives
Along blessed river
Leading to higher ground
Deliverance
Vision
God’s enlightenment
Sharing the Gospel
Declaring trust in Christ
Guidance
Trusting
Stepping back
Sharing life’s burdens
Jesus carries us with
Resilience
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.”
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
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.”
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.”
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
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.”
Between God and man
There’s but one mediator—
Christ’s eternal bridge
God’s goodness and love
Revealed in His Son Jesus—
Giving us new life
Greatest commandment
Share love with one another—
In faith, follow Christ
