Listen
Life’s surroundings
Hearing God’s peace
Sharing blessed, warmest transitions
Faith
Precious
Holy moment
Holy Child’s birth
Holy Father’s glory revealed
Gift
Promised
Holy Spirit
Sin’s righteous judgement
Steering us to follow
Truth
Words used every day
Little or much to say
Used in positive ways
Conveying life’s essays
Mindful, powerful voices
Daily, humble choices
Impacting other lives
Celebrate with high fives
Disciplined purpose speaks
Positivity seeks
Sharing tender kindness
Truthful, without blindness
Careful to help and heal
Offering a square deal
Words paying it forward
True and straightforward
Thoughtful expressions said
Weaving with tender thread
Replace evil with good
Words plain and understood
Honest lyrics in song
Carried through all day long
Life unfolds from our text
Watchful where words go next
This poem was written several days before January 6, 2021. Its intention was to praise and encourage the positive power of words. The events taking place in Washington, DC on January 6 showed the negative power of words. How will our future words speak?
From Romans 6:6: “We know that our old self was crucified with Him so that the body of sin might be destroyed, and we might no longer be enslaved to sin.”
Today’s world fills with darkness
Hiding earth’s moral decay
Needing to live as Christ lived
Removing evil, God’s way
Dying and rising in Christ
Baptized into Jesus’ death
Raised up like Him from the dead
Walk in newness of life’s breath
Sinful nature saved through Christ
Vanquished through body and blood
Walking away from the flesh
Carried far from sin’s sour flood
Accepting our Savior’s love
No longer walking in sin
Past selves redeemed at the Cross
Chains of sin’s power grow thin
Like wearing a worn-out shoe
Dark, sinful life doesn’t fit
Living as new creations
Trusting Christ, His love acquits
From Colossians 3:1-2: “So if you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth.”
Reminded today
Keep the main thing, the main thing—
Christ front and center
We’re never alone
Fed by the Holy Spirit—
Love’s chain reaction
God seeks each of us
Unholy and unrighteous—
Gathering the lost
From Psalm 107:28-29: “Then they cried to the Lord in their trouble, and He brought them out from their distress; He made the storm be still, and the waves of the sea were hushed. Then they were glad because they had quiet, and He brought them to their desired haven.”
Life meeting relentless turbulence
Perpetual, never ending storms
Shaken by overwhelming defeat
Sinking beneath unending harsh swarms
Downtrodden, now hungry and thirsty
Clinging to life, in darkness and gloom
Shackled by sin’s shame, harshest irons
God’s steadfast love delivers from doom
Crying out to our Father above
At final end of life’s fraying rope
Nowhere else to turn, escape darkens
Realizing now, God’s way restores hope
Cutting and freeing lives from bondage
Storm’s wrath consumed by transformation
Into valley of richest harvests
Redeeming lost souls from damnation
Fleeing life’s turmoil, rescued by God
Trusting Him leads to gladness and praise
Faith grows by yards instead of inches
Life’s turbulence quiets, hope ablaze
From American pastor and Christian teacher, Charles Stanley: “God knows we sometimes need to reach the end of our own resources before we will turn to Him.”
With the start of a new year with fresh beginnings, an opportunity arrives to discover the light pointing us in a new direction. May we appreciate the smallest blessings each and every day as our lives restart. One of my goals for the year is to write a note each day . . . there is something to be thankful for.
Year’s flame extinguished
Darkness fills this void
Life’s sad shortcomings
Past times to avoid
Life’s heavy anchor
Blackest thoughts surround
Pulling soul beneath
Surging waves abound
Eternal goodness
Light pointing ashore
There’s always something
To be thankful for
Life says, “Keep breathing”
Understand always
Smallest of blessings
Cuts through foggy haze
Share blessed moments
Smiles fill empty heart
Cup remains half full
Color life’s restart
Truth
From God
Proclaiming His righteousness
Moving forward in acceptance
Faithfulness
Faith
Calvary’s darkness
Our Lord promises
Green blade now rises
Hope
Sunrise
New day
Feeling His peace
Being anxious for nothing
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.
Darkness hides
Morning’s reception
Silence riddles chilly air
Mellow breeze
Wind chimes serenade
Peace soothing this resting soul
Candle glows
Dancing shadows play
Frolicking, flickering flame
Hot coffee
Early, steady mate
Comforting, every drop
Good ol’ friend
Morning hums with fun
Feeling the caffeine-fueled boost
Dawn’s twilight
Distant horizon
Breaking through hardheaded clouds
Music plays
Tunes stir memories
Jukebox sings with sunrise joy
Life’s pages
Another chapter
Feeling all cozy and warm
Dreams invite
Delightful journey
Buzzing, unmistaken joy
Snooze button
Calling, “Please hit me”
Let’s start all over . . . again!
From 2 Timothy 1:3-4: “I am grateful to God—whom I worship with a clear conscience, as my ancestors did—when I remember you constantly in my prayers night and day. Recalling your tears, I long to see you so that I may be filled with joy.”
Witnessing God’s desires each day
Growing in faith, kneeling to pray
Coming to our Savior in faith
Sharing blessings of the Good News
Telling others about Jesus
Understanding the Gospel’s views
Calling on the name of the Lord
Believing in His divine Grace
Saving us through body and blood
Walking with Christ, our special place
Studying Biblical teachings
Guiding others, led by God’s love
Drawing ever closer to Christ
Coveting His peace, from above
Abiding in Christ, the true vine
Encouraging our daily walk
Building stamina and our faith
Lighting our path, around the clock
Living under God’s righteousness
Trusting our Father day and night
Submitting to sacred commands
Transforming lives through faith’s daylight
Breathing with Savior’s peace and joy
Running to Jesus, faith’s convoy
From Philippians 4:19: “And my God will fully satisfy every need of yours according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus.”
Risky stock market
Transferring investments now—
High stakes poker game
Bored with daily life
Home shopping network’s passion—
Needing more gadgets
Midnight’s scary dream
Water skiing on big lake
Chased by hungry shark
Big Sky Buckeye 