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
This poem was inspired from an early morning walk in a neighborhood. The walk began in the darkness of the pre-dawn and finished with the rising sun.
Pre-dawn light slowly brightens the dark sky
Encouraging the night to salute its good-bye
Night’s closing remnants offer one concluding look
Winking back, crescent moon appears, like a hook
Crisp, cool air reposes its gentle hand
Rising sun will shortly warm the land
Morning dew moistens the grassy, green meadows
Frolicking rabbits chase each other in the shadows
Pungent odor permeates the pre-dawn air
Marking its territory, a skunk doesn’t care
Multitudes of birds announce the coming day
Sending out a chorus of joyful songs of praise
Deer graze in lush fields for a moment longer
Eating tender, green shoots to grow stronger
No human eyes have awakened quite yet
Sleeping in a cabin, seems like a sure bet
Nature wakes up to the arrival of summer daylight
Presenting God’s creation, with abundant delight
From Psalm 94:1-2: “O Lord, you God of vengeance, you God of vengeance, shine forth! Rise up, O judge of the earth; give to the proud what they deserve!”
Holy, perfect Father
Bringing justice for all
Earth’s one, ultimate Judge
Love covers, like rainfall
Truest God of vengeance
Providing blessed Grace
Living high in Heaven
Father’s firm hand, in place
Lives thirst for discipline
Teaching knowledge, His Word
Knowing our hollow thoughts
Empty breath, minds stand blurred
Over the roaring seas
On highest mountaintops
Across fertile valleys
Earth’s Judge shall never stop
Gracious to believers
God’s goodness and kindness
Through our faith, accept Grace
Love overcomes blindness
Judging with righteousness
God’s law rules over all
Vanquishing the wicked
Justice builds righteous walls
From Psalm 98:8-9: “Let the floods clap their hands; let the hills sing together for joy at the presence of the Lord, for He is coming to judge the earth. He will judge the world with righteousness, and the peoples with equity.”
Gathering a few thoughts from recent newspaper headlines, these hidden gems share some notable treasures. Let’s celebrate in the praises of everyday life.
Infiltrating households and lonely hearts
Pets changing lives, with nurturing restarts
Treehouse fulfills wish, dreams really come true
Living monument, to boy’s health breakthrough
Retiring first-ever diet soft drink
TaB’s pop culture fades, no longer in sync
Gardening preserves one’s health, endless ways
Cultivate positive rewards each day
German icebreaker fulfills yearlong quest
Surveys the Arctic, climate change addressed
Sharing rock star’s reflections and insight
Peter Frampton, from ashes to twilight
Collectors flocking to Halloween gear
Vintage toys and costumes, from yesteryear
Small farms encompass lasting myths and dreams
Stewardship’s green space, sowing nature’s seams
Creating backyard bird-filled habitat
Places to perch, inviting welcome mat
Babysit grandson, brings grandpa a break
Takes little red wagon, loving keepsake
River
Mighty waters
Life paddles on
Trusting in God’s Spirit
Faith
Choices
Sowing seeds
Pleasing to God
Following footsteps of Christ
Blessed
Lost
In darkness
Grace comes calling
Accepting through faith, Jesus
Salvation
This poem was originally written for another Friday, the 13th, back in December, 2019. Today seems like an appropriate time to publish it again. Of course, I am usually not too superstitious. Hmm, where are my lucky socks?
Does Friday, the 13th, bring on bad luck?
Breaking a mirror, let’s not make a scene
Crossing paths with a black cat, now fear struck
This Friday’s trying hard, to make us scream
Let’s focus on a different number
Twelve delivers a comforting meaning
Twelve Days of Christmas, never to shudder
Twelve Tribes of Israel, never demeaning
For some people, “thirteen” seems unlucky
Not really sure why others whine and fuss
Heading out the door with my dog Lucky
Snow flurries in June, now that’s treasonous!
So, what’s the big deal about the 13th?
Just change the calendar to the 14th
From Proverbs 15:15: “All the days of the poor are hard, but a cheerful heart has a continual feast.”
Life draining, more exhausted each day
Skies and mind, filling with darkest gray
Feet feeling locked, stuck in deepest mud
Fear turns on its spigot, now a flood
Advice shouts from all comers, all sides
Inner soul overwhelmed, faith divides
Daily walk, no longer stunning bright
Chaos reigns, becoming lasting night
Seasoned man, parked at Main Street’s corner
Life hits pause, who is this foreigner?
His thoughts and words, simple in their task
Holy Spirit reaches, to unmask
Keep it simple, fill your life with love
God’s peace, bringing comfort from above
In an instant, the wise sage departs
Night transforms to day, love fills this heart
From 1 John 5:3-4: “ For the love of God is this, that we obey His commandments. And His commandments are not burdensome, for whatever is born of God conquers the world. And this is the victory that conquers the world, our faith.”
