Coffee’s sunrise treat
Certainly tastes much better—
From favorite mug
Overnight snowfall
Mountaintop’s deepest powder—
Skiers’ paradise
Winter’s impromptu
Out-of-school experience—
Another snow day!
Published in April, 2019, this faith-based poem remains the most viewed post on Big Sky Buckeye. The theme of family and adoption hits close to home, and this poem honors a family very dear to my wife and I. Their story has been a true and rewarding journey of faith with our Lord.
God always manages an astonishing plan
He stretches His hands across the land
He spends six days building His creation
Then, He smiles at His brilliant sensation
Again and again, God shows He is in charge
His Holy presence looms, caring and large
His Book of Life satisfies with infinite pages
He sends His Son as a sacrifice, for the ages
When our Savior rises on Easter morn
God proving, His love will always adorn
A woman grows up, dreaming of more
She longs to be a wife with love to soar
She looks forward to being a mother
God would have it this way, no other
A devoted man with his son, will now deploy
Her sacred marriage brings to her much joy
She becomes a wife and mother in one day
Wow! God’s plan brings much delight today
Alas, something is missing in a life filled with peace
An unfilled yearning to bear a child, the final piece
Through much prayer, faithful words to offer
This couple places their trust with the Father
A young girl appears, needing a loving place
They become her foster parents, with haste
Over time, this girl discovers love, with such vastness
Her home permeates with love, without any sadness
But wait—the story carries on for a year
Now adoption lies ahead, without fear
Father, mother, son, and now a daughter
God’s love touches all, thicker than water
Praise God, our heavenly Father this day
Praise His miracles that astound and say
God always manages an astonishing plan
He stretches His hands across the land
From Psalm 31:3-4: “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.”
Crying out from devilish wasteland
Surrounded by desert’s empty sand
Caught, tangled in sin’s deceptive net
Buried under life’s heaviest debt
Captured by evil’s sly temptations
Confined to cellblock’s harsh reception
Engulfed by relentless guilt and shame
Throwing key away, dimming life’s flame
Praying to Holy Father above
Singing of His steadfast, faithful love
Seeking His mercy in valley’s distress
How will life move forward, from this mess?
Coming to life’s rescue, Jesus Christ
Accepting His grace, He pays full price
Breaking free from sin’s ongoing grip
Sailing on Spirit’s armored flagship
Exiting darkest, shame-filled prison
Beholding blood-stained Cross, He’s Risen!
Remaking character, with each day
Walking with Jesus, never shall stray
From Psalm 18:1-2: “I love you, O Lord, my strength. The Lord is my rock, my fortress, and my deliverer, my God, my rock in whom I take refuge, my shield, and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold.”
Father
Almighty God
Never sits silent
From sunrise to sunset
Righteousness
Voices
Seeking attention
Single voice calls
Come, walk with Me
Jesus
Journey
Never ends
From Calvary’s cross
Resurrection faithfully assures tomorrow’s
Hope
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 Song of Solomon 4:12: “A garden locked is my sister, my bride, a garden locked, a fountain sealed.”
Heavenly garden, locked and closed
Eternal fountain, sealed and dry
Searching, Salvation’s hidden key
Faithless works, blinding sinful eyes
Body, soul, spirit in despair
Soul without spirit, dead to sin
Body without soul, starkest death
Life’s spirit, missing God’s linchpin
Holy Spirit, always at work
Lasting, heart-filled renovations
Infused into life’s coldest heart
Building restored soul’s foundation
Christ choreographs love-filled hearts
Breathing life into each saved soul
Lighting our way to Salvation
Father’s love leads to Christ’s patrol
Arriving at Heaven’s garden
Receiving its eternal key
Fountain flows with living water
Come rest under Salvation’s tree
From Song of Solomon 4:16: “Awake, O north wind, and come, O south wind! Blow upon my garden that its fragrance may be wafted abroad. Let my beloved come to His garden, and eat its choicest fruits.”
From Romans 12:1-2: “I appeal to you therefore, brothers and sisters, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your minds, so that you may discern what is the will of God—what is good and acceptable and perfect.”
True Christians, marked by God
Born again, in Jesus Christ
Love always be genuine
Grasping all of life’s goodwill
Forsaking evil’s shadows
God’s presence never stands still
Cherishing one another
Actions bring honor to all
Serving Heavenly Father
Holy Spirit’s blessings call
Rejoicing, tomorrow’s hope
Enduring patience, breathing
Persevering in prayer
Christ builds durable sheathing
Assisting with others’ needs
Sharing kindness with many
Walk as brothers and sisters
Heaven’s home offers plenty
Stay noble, take life’s high road
Hungry rivals, feed with love
Live as one, in harmony
Good News comes from God above
From Romans 12:19-21: “Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave room for the wrath of God; for it is written, ‘Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord.’ No, ‘if your enemies are hungry, feed them; if they are thirsty, give them something to drink; for by doing this you will heap burning coals on their heads.’ Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.”
Soggy, rainy day
Washing away winter’s blues—
Snowfall overnight
Pond’s quietness calls
Inviting geese, stay awhile—
Wintertime haven
Day begins with snow
Excited children can’t wait—
Wintertime playground
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
From the words of author and poet, Ana Claudia Antunes: “True love is like little roses; sweet, fragrant in small doses.”
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
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
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
