Saturday morning
No alarm, sleeping in late—
Let’s do this again!
RV sales climbing
Alternative trekking mode—
Travel in land yachts
Volkswagen beetle
Rear engine, seating for four—
Relic of the past
The planet is fashioned by God’s expert hands
Creating the depths and peaks across the land
He uses wisdom to create the seas
Refreshing the dry land that we see
Earth Day arrives as an annual event
Witnessing our actions that implement
We are asked to be loyal guardians of this earth
Preserving it always, adds to its value and worth
Loss of natural treasures causes intense sadness
Being good stewards, brings God much gladness
Farmers operate to be effective caretakers of the land
Asking the rest of us to walk with them, hand in hand
We are called by our Lord to be fully aware
Sending out trustworthy legions, always fair
History and science often transmit gloomy news
Watching this earthly home decline in our view
Look around the planet, where we call home to be
Asking, what can be accomplished for God to see?
Perhaps our political kingpins should stop and pause
Leading a call to action for a just and worthy cause
Our planet is transforming before our vigilant eyes
Envisioning climate change and more as time flies
Our earthly sanctuary furnishes a home for all
Protecting our environment, too precious to fall
Earth Day is a yearly event on April 22. Many view “Earth Day” as an every day activity to preserve our planet for future generations. These verses from Psalm 95:3-5 bring to mind God’s wondrous creation, which deserves our fullest attention in being excellent stewards of what He has given us.
“For the Lord is a great God and a great King above all gods. In His hands are the depths of the earth; and the heights of the mountains are His also. The sea is His, for He made it, and the dry land, which His hands have formed.”
From Philippians 4:4-7: “Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, Rejoice. Let your gentleness be known to everyone. The Lord is near. Do not worry about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
Normally for many
This world looks full and bright
Cups overflow with blessings
But then, dark dims faith’s light
From this window, world turns blue
Hope was filled with each seed
Life’s harvest seems in doubt
Farmers’ fields fill with weeds
Harsh rhetoric and gloom
Positivity hides
Lost in negative times
With whom shall we abide?
There has to be a way
Let’s not fight over masks
Turning blueness to light
Remind us of our tasks
Jesus, faith’s Bread of Life
Fills our empty hunger
Leading us to His peace
Hearts feeling much younger
There are days during this Covid pandemic in which I feel at a loss. The roller coaster ride of life suddenly takes a dark turn, and I feel left at the gate. This poem was written following one of these “blue” moments in my life. Together, we can continue to share prayers and encouragement with others. God’s peace!
Running a quick errand for mother
Feeling twenty-five cents in my hand
Heading to the nearby little store
Milk, bread—let’s see what candy looks grand
Years ago, two bits meant feeling rich
A few coins equal twenty-five cents
Today, this sweet tooth will be in luck
Let this candy shopping now commence
Below the front counter, treasures wait
Friendly woman cashier stands and smiles
A few pennies for Sweet Tarts and more
Licorice, Smarties add to the pile
Looking to spend one final nickel
Picking through endless, tempting choices
Spying at last, a sweet Hershey bar
Overcome by sugar-filled voices
Arriving back home without delay
Pockets filled with sweetest treasure
Mother asks about the milk and bread
Two bucks unspent, plus her displeasure
Growing up in my childhood neighborhood, there was a little store just a few blocks away. My brothers and I made many a journey to the store for milk, bread, and other quick-to-find essentials for our mother. I cannot recall forgetting the milk and bread, but having a few coins in my pocket was treasure waiting to be spent on the candy found there.
The poem lists a few of the types of candy found back in the 1960s. Do you have a favorite candy from your childhood?
Healthy
Changing lifestyle
Plenty of exercise
Eating smart, watching carbs
Life
Active
Morning walks
Avoiding junk food
Setting more dynamic goals
Life
Morning
Mirror check
Losing stubborn pounds
Looking healthy and fit
Smiles
The German-inspired poetry style of Elfchen (or Elevenie) contains five lines of poetic verse, usually without the use of rhyming verses. A total of 11 words are used with a sequence of one, two, three, and four words before ending with a single word in the final verse.
From Psalm 32:7: “You are a hiding place for me; you preserve me from trouble; you surround me with glad cries of deliverance.”
With faces toward the rising sun
Lord, share your mercy and forgiveness
Coming to the Cross, with repentance
Humbly laying our transgressions there
On our knees, breaking bread together
In remembrance, Jesus truly cares
Coming to the Cross, seeking its hope
With reverence, looking to our Lord
On our knees, drinking wine together
Singing with praise to His perfect chord
Coming to the Cross, stained with red blood
Accepting Christ as Lord and Savior
On our knees, praising God together
Walking with transforming behavior
With faces toward the rising sun
Lord, share your mercy and forgiveness
Patient, yet restless
Every life needs a purpose—
Listen for God’s call
Do not be troubled
Holy Spirit walks with us—
God’s peace be with you
Days, weeks, months go by
Feeling God’s Gospel Spirit—
Never growing old
From Psalm 62:1-2: “For God alone my soul waits in silence; from him comes my salvation. He alone is my rock and my salvation, my fortress; I shall never be shaken.”
Anticipating in faithful silence for the One
From Christ, comes our Salvation He won
God brings deliverance from life’s trials
His steadfast love proclaims and smiles
Witnessing transformation by Christ’s renewing love
Pouring out our daily needs to the Holy Lord above
Witnessing the Apostles in their committed walk
Learning about Jesus as His words openly talk
God delivering His promise, acceptable and good
Trusting in our Heavenly Father, as we all should
As a single body with Christ, persevere in daily prayer
Meditating upon what lies deep inside, our daily cares
Trusting always, we come forth to pray
God standing as our rock, always stout
His fortress never shaken with doubt
Allowing the Holy Spirit, a welcome space to invade
Loving one another, because Jesus ultimately gave
Replacing negative thoughts with a positive way
Slowing down, counting blessings—let us pray
Spending less time, filled with our trivial worries
Praising God for His message of faithful courage
God’s kingdom depends upon His mighty hand
Feeling His promises, His will covers the land
Answering the great question for all to behold
Accepting Christ as Lord and Savior, so bold
Reveling in God’s glorious adventure, with trusting love
Allowing Him to assist, in sending answers from above
Trusting always, we come forth to pray
God standing as our rock, always stout
His fortress never shaken with doubt
From Romans 12:11: “Do not lag in zeal, be ardent in spirit, serve the Lord.”
From Psalm 23:4: “Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I fear no evil; for you are with me; your rod and your staff–they comfort me.”
Being careful with life’s missteps
Sinful disobedience waits
God’s Word touches our inner soul
Hell pleasing, never be our fate
Our truest, most faithful support
Shall always arrive from His love
God’s Word will endure forever
His Spirit reigns from high above
When life’s dark trials boil over
Creating quagmires of distress
God’s Word quells each predicament
His next move leads like playing chess
Our life’s journey travels by faith
Transformed by Christ’s merciful heart
God’s Word reaches out, filled with hope
Bringing a new day, let’s restart
From 2 Corinthians 5:7: “For we walk by faith, not by sight.”
Office
Flexible schedule
Working from home
Feeling fulfilled and happy
Retirement
Busy
Digital devices
Talking each day
So, why can’t we?
Pause
Writing
Rough draft
Building a novel
Hours of editing await
Masterpiece
The German-inspired poetry style of Elfchen (or Elevenie) contains five lines of poetic verse, usually without the use of rhyming verses. A total of 11 words are used with a sequence of one, two, three, and four words before ending with a single word in the final verse.
Big Sky Buckeye 