Living Truths

From Proverbs 23:23:  “Buy truth, and do not sell it; buy wisdom, instruction, and understanding.”

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Philosophy breathes steady, faith’s living truths

Waiting with wisdom, long missing from our youth

 

Life’s daily chase may not be worth small treasure

Reading God’s Word, bringing life’s honest measure

 

Plan on giving more to others than ourselves

Blessing us with far more than dusty bookshelves

 

Jesus teaches us to treat others with love

Harnessing our Lord’s grace and peace from above

 

Trust lives as hope’s virtue, never to be lost

Securing it tightly, at ultimate cost

 

Our daily comfort zone brings false sense of peace

Rising up with Christ, offering life’s new lease

 

Failure teaches toughest lessons of living

Earning later success, praise with thanksgiving

 

Mankind’s world spins daily, filled with too much change

Praying to God, calms life with daily exchange

 

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From James 1:17-18:  “Every generous act of giving, with every perfect gift, is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change.  In fulfillment of His own purpose He gave us birth by the word of truth, so that we would become a kind of first fruits of His creatures.”

Life’s Golden Rule (Elfchen #37)

Be Polite

Timeout

Really listen

Taking the time

Appreciating each spoken word

Sincerity

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Be Gracious

Daily

Living as

Best person possible

Pay it forward with

Kindness

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Be Empathetic

Compassion

Speaking softly

Helping others more

Expecting nothing in return

Understanding

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Charles Spurgeon Quote

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Jesus wept, but He never complained.

From Philippians 2:14-15:  “Do all things without murmuring and arguing, so that you may be blameless and innocent, children of God without blemish in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, in which you shine like stars in the world.”

Under the Big Sky

Looking westward toward southwestern Montana’s Tobacco Root Mountains, with the Madison River flowing through the valley below.

God’s creation under the Big Sky

Treasured landscape covers this vast land

Immense prairies flow into mountains

Few places on earth looking this grand

 

Rugged backbone of the continent

Chiseled spine of the Rocky Mountains

Stray mountain ranges dotting the plains

Cascading streams flowing as fountains

 

Three distinct rivers form its headwaters

Mighty, boundless Missouri River

Eastward, collecting the Yellowstone

Precious mountain rains move downriver

 

White-tail and mule deer camp in thickets

Pronghorns graze in the midst of grasslands

Mountain valleys gather elk and bears

Ducks and geese pilot into wetlands

 

Frequently titled the Treasure State

Montana shines under its Big Sky

People flocking to witness its gems

You just might meet a Buckeye nearby

 

Montana’s Yellowstone River continues its eastward journey, eventually flowing into the Missouri River.

I could probably write something about my native state of Montana every day.  It will always be a very special place to me.  Watch out, you just might run into a Buckeye returning to the Big Sky.

Rejoice!

From Isaiah 61:10:  “I will greatly rejoice in the Lord, my whole being shall exult in my God.”

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Promised love, Holy Grace from God

Rejoice with glory to the Lord

His glad tidings unite our faith

Not forsaken, never ignored

 

Our Father’s Word offers new life

His caring hand touches each lamb

Rejoicing with Holy goodness

Everlasting joy, sweetest jam

 

Foundation of life, through our faith

Sharing the mantle of God’s love

Deliverance heals our spirit

God’s Glory, rejoicing above

 

Every breath exalts the Lord

Clothed in garments of salvation

Covered by robe of righteousness

Rejoice in Christ’s coronation

 

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From Philippians 4:4-5:  “Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, Rejoice.  Let your gentleness be known to everyone. The Lord is near.”

Rejoice in His Love (Haiku Series #111)

Gospel Speaks

Hearing the Good News

Our Lord loves, feeds, and frees us—

Thine Kingdom will come

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Spirit of Love

Our Father’s goodness

Springs from His living water—

Steadfast in His love

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How Sweet

Bagpipes awaken

Playing of “Amazing Grace”—

Comforted by God

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Monday Memories: Memories

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Thanks for the memories

For sunrises, spectacular and refreshing

Feeling God’s creation, always fetching

Let me witness one more, very soon

 

Thanks for the memories

For teaching for forty years, now gone

Being retired, yet singing a new song

Each day feels precious and engaging

 

Thanks for the memories

For daughters special and sweet

Always making this heart tweet

You make me smile every day

 

Thanks for the memories

For travels across this vast land

Witnessing God’s creative hand

I look forward to seeing more

 

Thanks for the memories

For seeing grandchildren grow up

Their blessings overflow my cup

How truly marvelous they are

 

Thanks for the memories

For nights watching films from years ago

Classic stories and acting, tied in a bow

Enjoying movies and popcorn at home

 

Thanks for the memories

For finding love before growing old

God’s promises come true and bold

Never say never to His amazing grace

 

Thanks for the memories

For writing poetry and sometimes more

Allowing my new passion to fly and soar

Thankful for wonderful readers like you

  

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This poem’s theme is inspired by Bob Hope, one of America’s greatest entertainers.  He excelled in vaudeville, Broadway shows, radio, film, and television.  He may be best known for the many shows he did for American troops overseas.  In 1938, Hope and Shirley Ross performed the song “Thanks for the Memory” in the film “The Big Broadcast of 1938.”  Adapting lyrics in future years as needed, the song became Hope’s signature song whenever he performed.  Here are a few lines from “Thanks for the Memory.”  Enjoy!

Thanks for the memory
Of rainy afternoons, swingy Harlem tunes
Motor trips and burning lips and burning toast and prunes
How lovely it was
Thanks for the memory
Of candlelight and wine, castles on the Rhine
The Parthenon, and moments on the Hudson River line
How lovely it was
Many’s the time that we feasted
And many’s the time that we fasted
Oh well, it was swell while it lasted
We did have fun, and no harm done
So thanks for the memory
Of crap games on the floor, nights in Singapore
You might have been a headache, but you never were a bore
I thank you so much

Peace in Christ

From Psalm 27:1:  “The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear?  The Lord is the stronghold of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?”

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Love-filling peace coming to earth

Saving us from darkness and sin

Messiah’s birth bringing shalom

Born to us, root of Jesse’s kin

 

Precious child of peace shall be born

Ruling with righteousness, indeed

Heaven’s Wonderful Counselor

Prince of Peace proclaims Father’s creed

 

Glory to God, highest heaven

Peace sharing goodwill amongst man

Worshipping, now as one body

Trusting the way, His divine plan

 

Exchanging weakness for God’s strength

Blessed will be the peacemakers

Forever called children of God

Sowing peace, Holy Caretaker

 

Light the way into our future

Adoring child delivers peace

Born the hallowed King of Angels

Hope, peace, and joy shall never cease

 

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From Isaiah 9:6:  “For a child has been born for us, a son given to us; authority rests upon His shoulders; and He is named Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.”

Christian Walk (Elfchen Series #36)

Holy Father

Kneeling

In prayer

God sitting close

Hearing our every word

Sustaining

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Life’s Purpose

Called

To duty

Servants of Christ

Producing lasting spiritual growth

Transforming

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Sharing

Enough

We possess

Trusting our Lord

Do enough for others

Unselfishness

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Winter’s Slumber

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Winter’s slumber takes hold

Life rests from freezing cold

 

Living on the vast plains

God’s hand guides, holds the reins

 

Barren trees wait and watch

Fresh snow paints whitest swatch

 

Rhythm of life exhales

Time waits for springtime’s trails 

 

North winds blow, chill the land

Hollow sounds, winter’s band

 

Cattle ask for more feed

Ranchers care for their needs

 

Clear, sunny skies pretend

Sly, cold temps now transcend

 

Daily routines slow down

More time to spend in town

 

Chinook winds warm the land

Snug tease, then cold expands

 

Quietness covers farms

Planting waits for spring’s charms

 

Neighbors check-in each day

Ready to help and pray

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Most of my years of teaching in Montana were in small towns, surrounded by a community of farms and ranches.  Life during the wintertime was challenging, but the close-knit people looked out for each other.