Courage
Nation’s challenges
Continue tackling them
Grit will bring success
Doggedness
Sowing
Unity’s seeds
Harvest precious time
Blessed corner of faith
Patience
Challenges
Country faces
Finding common ground
Working together as one
Compromise
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 1 Chronicles 16:34: “O give thanks to the Lord, for He is good; for His steadfast love endures forever.”
Another Thanksgiving
Patiently waits on deck
Staying safely at home
Asking for a rain check
Missing our family
Sending our blessed love
Watching over our home
Holy God, high above
Remember gatherings
From numerous years past
Memories still linger
Let us not be downcast
Past months filled with darkness
Yet, family stands strong
Boosting one another
Faith in God, sings along
Chairs around our table
May look empty this year
But, God’s blessings offer
Love, filled with grace sincere
While my wife and I will be celebrating the blessings of Thanksgiving at a table for two, we will still be thinking of our family in both Ohio and Montana. We have much to be grateful for.
Be glad and rejoice
God’s nourishment sustains us—
Come to His table
Run life’s marathon
Strength fused with steadfast patience—
Our Lord’s mighty hand
Behold Christ’s Kingdom
Gratitude for Salvation—
Rescued from our sins
This poem was originally written in October, 2018. At the time, it seemed more of a reflective piece, written prior to the elections in November of that year. The text has been edited to update the overall style, but the original theme remains the same. In light of the election of 2020, it seems to be an appropriate time to publish this poem again.
Voting has finally finished for yet another election
Americans have once again made their selections
As the election numbers begin to trickle in
People grow anxious to learn who will win
The past weeks have bombarded the airwaves with ads
Some of their messages are so negative and very sad
Candidates rekindle passions with their positions
Voters seek news outlets with impartial conditions
Democratic or Republican, both sides seek votes
Our world seems confused, filling with wild oats
Many look back at the past and yearn to return
But so much has changed in taking a wrong turn
Any nation steps forward, when citizens rally as one
Coming together, putting country ahead of anyone
Falling asleep in his chair, with the television still on
He awakens to see a nation coming together at dawn
America is the home of the brave and the land of the free
Let us all make our country as proud as it should really be
From Romans 5:1-2: “Therefore, since we are justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have obtained access to this grace in which we stand; and we boast in our hope of sharing the glory of God.”
Our sinful nature
Takes Christ to the Cross
God responds with love
Grace reaches across
Jesus defeats death
Living cornerstone
Sacred salvation
Grace comes to atone
Father’s gift of life
Receive daily bread
Through our faith alone
Grace walking ahead
Christ teaches of love
Shares His peace of mind
Hearts and minds now cleansed
Grace saving mankind
Never fear again
Look forward to peace
Fate sealed with God’s love
Grace, life’s Holy lease
From the words of American pastor and Christian teacher, Charles Stanley: “When facing painful trials, we may be tempted to doubt God’s love for us. Remember that God orchestrated the greatest demonstration of love possible–His Son’s death on the cross.”
Ambition! We must be careful what we mean by it. If it means a desire to get ahead of other people–which is what I think it does mean–then it is bad. If it means simply wanting to do a think well, then it is good.
From Proverbs 13:7: “Some pretend to be rich, yet have nothing; others pretend to be poor, yet have great wealth.”
Precious moments live
One fallen leaf at a time—
Autumn passes by
Barren and quiet
Sleeping during winter’s cold—
Trees rest, chilling out
Heavy, humid air
Wind wringing out the water—
Pleasantness arrives
From Proverbs 13:7: “Some pretend to be rich, yet have nothing; others pretend to be poor, yet have great wealth.”
Living a life, pleasing only to self
Ignoring God, leaving Him on a shelf
Competitive world, craving ambition
Pleasing to God, never this life’s mission
High expectations, demanding more time
Living the dream, seeking ladders to climb
Mankind commands, chasing full-time career
Pleasing to God, never happens this year
Targets set higher, with each passing week
Hustling to scale, another highest peak
Life fills with emptiness, something amiss
Pleasing to God, change focus . . . lasting bliss
God lights the way, spiritual journey
Coming to Him, forgo the attorney
Heart and mind, accept Father’s deepest love
Pleasing to God, eyes now find Him above
Daily meditation, filled with God’s Word
Rejoicing in His truth, no longer blurred
Priorities flip, following the Lord’s light
Pleasing to God, faithful voyage takes flight
From Ephesians 5:8-10: “For once you were darkness, but now in the Lord you are light. Live as children of light–for the fruit of the light is found in all that is good and right and true. Try to find out what is pleasing to the Lord.”
Sun sets on another day
Evening calls, wanting its way
Family gathers around
Home now, love and peace abound
Night sky envelopes the land
Stillness breathes on high command
Supper cooking, hunger calls
Mom’s spaghetti and meatballs
All hands on deck, helping mom
Frenzy soon returns to calm
Television calling out
Favorite show brings a shout
Mom crochets, sitting nearby
Dad reads book, about Shanghai
Final chores, homework to do
Soon slumber stirs up its brew
Before the last light goes out
Prayers praise God, so devout
Facing all darkness
Living in our wilderness—
Savior’s blood heals us
Listen for His voice
No longer lost, at last found—
Christ, our Good Shepherd
Walk with faith and love
In the Father’s midst and light—
His Kingdom shall reign
Big Sky Buckeye 