Empty Pages

Photo by Dom J on Pexels.com

Life begins much like an empty book

Pages waiting as a tranquil brook

 

How will daily life compose each page?

Breathtaking words at every age

 

Words starting with childlike, joyful prose

Sentences fill with love, head to toes

 

Paragraphs arrive, smiling each day

First page finishes, much like crochet

 

Chapters now gather, picking up speed

Transmission accepts each tender reed

 

Pages adding up, never afraid

Days, weeks, months, years gather . . . no charade

 

Life reaches the twilight of its time

Not pausing, not even for halftime

 

Who will ever read this manuscript?

There’s time to add a final postscript

 

With empty pages, life’s book began

Words maturing, always in God’s plan

Photo by Mark Neal on Pexels.com

Faithful Journey

From Psalm 85:8-9:  “Let me hear what God the Lord will speak, for He will speak peace to His people, to His faithful, to those who turn to Him in their hearts.  Surely His salvation is at hand for those who fear Him, that His glory may dwell in our land.”

Photo by Jose Aragones on Pexels.com

Uncertain darkness

Surrounds me this day

Humbly take a knee

Bowing now to pray

 

Prayers calling God

Remain unhurried

Unanswered questions

Never be worried

 

Christ’s teachings feed thee

With the bread of life

This eternal gift

Blessings without strife

 

Lord of life and love

He feeds and frees all

Through His Holy Word

Never builds a wall

 

Allow me to pause

God prods thee along

Hearing His questions

Answers make me strong

 

God everlasting

Faith remains with thee

Through life’s harsh chaos

Calming stormy seas

 

Photo by Luis Quintero on Pexels.com

From Romans 10:10-13:  “ For one believes with the heart and so is justified, and one confesses with the mouth and so is saved.  The scripture says, ‘No one who believes in Him will be put to shame.’  For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek; the same Lord is Lord of all and is generous to all who call on Him.  For, ‘Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved.'”

Still on Watch

Deserted, severed tree trunk

Shattered by storms long ago

Splitting this giant in two

Forsaken now in its woes

 

Nature’s hand calling the shots

Drawing dark cards from the deck

Standing alone, slowest death

Trying to salvage this wreck

 

Deformed snag appears lifeless

Yet, God calls this wildlife tree

Standing proudly, still on watch

Nature’s snack bar waits for free

 

Living nearby, log still lives

Covered with lichens and moss

Home for God’s smallest creatures

Termites, beetles . . . march across

 

Jagged stump remains on guard

Below the ground, roots still thrive

Life holds on, another year

Perseverance to survive

 

Around the dark, scuttled tree

Racing to reach sunlight first

Young saplings growing skyward

Cycle of life, marked to burst

 

All of the photographs were taken at Chestnut Ridge Metro Park, which is located just outside of Canal Winchester, Ohio.  I frequently walk this park during the fall, spring, and summer months with an occasional hike in the wintertime.

Actions of Faith (Haiku Series #95)

Seek the Lord

Following Jesus

Running with perseverance—

Sin no longer clings

Photo by Pixabay on Pexels.com

My Savior

Sharing words of hope

Joining others in Jesus—

God’s endless blessings

Photo by SevenStorm JUHASZIMRUS on Pexels.com

Giving

Sow bountifully

God loves a cheerful giver—

Reap bountifully

Photo by Matthias Zomer on Pexels.com

Monday Memories: Across the Street

Photo by Binyamin Mellish on Pexels.com

My retirement years usually produce a smile

But some days sink my spirits deep, by miles

 

My childhood sweetheart and lovely bride

Now rests with God, absent from my side

 

I stay occupied with my yard each morn

Discovering pleasure from nature’s form

 

 

There is a fine lady across the street

She emerges looking nice and sweet

 

She stays active around her place

Her yard definitely fits her tastes

 

The grass is mowed and trimmed

I wonder how she stays so thin

 

 

There seems, between us

A subliminal connection

Inviting her for coffee

Is my dreamy confession

 

 

Her petunias appear superior to mine

       Perhaps I’ll ask for her secret, in time       

 

She smiles when my puppy is outside to play

I wonder what her plans will be for this day

 

I imagine what she might think about me

Watching me hang a bird feeder in a tree

 

 

There seems, between us

A subliminal connection

Inviting her for coffee

Is my dreamy confession

 

 

We both come from the same generation

Her beauty creates a wonderful sensation

 

I’m thinking of walking across the street

Meeting this fine lady would be a treat

 

She steps back inside from the dry, summer heat

Perhaps tomorrow morning, we can finally meet

 

My Grandfather lost his childhood sweetheart and bride, but believe it or not, he found love again . . . across the street!

Accepting His Way

From Romans 6:1-2:  “What then are we to say?  Should we continue in sin in order that grace may abound?  By no means!  How can we who died to sin go on living in it?”

Photo by Pixabay on Pexels.com

All have been baptized into Christ

God’s offer of Grace shall abound

Christ suffering death on the Cross

Accepting His way, God’s Word found

 

Living with God through our Savior

United with Jesus by His death

Walking in goodness of new life

Accepting His way, lasting breath

 

Escaping life of sin and death

Obedient to God’s commands

Following our righteous Father

Accepting His way, where we stand

 

Knowing God through His Holy Word

Rescued, no longer slaves to sin

Total devotion to Jesus

Accepting His way, love within

 

Photo by Pixabay on Pexels.com

From Romans 6:12-14:  “Therefore, do not let sin exercise dominion in your mortal bodies, to make you obey their passions.  No longer present your members to sin as instruments of wickedness, but present yourselves to God as those who have been brought from death to life, and present your members to God as instruments of righteousness.  For sin will have no dominion over you, since you are not under law but under grace.”

God’s Creatures (Haiku Series #94)

Wake Up

Geese flying overhead

Echoing in morning dawn—

Nature’s alarm clock

Photo by Wendy Wei on Pexels.com

Tasty

Summer afternoon

Sweetest nectar from milkweed—

Butterflies frolic

Photo by Pixabay on Pexels.com

Under Surveillance

Walking the park trail

Sensing with each cautious step—

Who’s really watching?

Photo by Brett Sayles on Pexels.com

Educator’s Prayer

Photo by Pixabay on Pexels.com

Lord, my God, hear this prayer

Bless the students in my care

 

Together, we’ll face each day

Overcoming times of gray

 

Bring patience to this classroom

Allow these young minds to bloom

 

Create a safe learning zone

God with us, never alone

 

There may be days not at school

Find ways to make learning cool

 

Cover colleagues with your love

Devotion, to be proud of

 

Send families gifts of grace

May we all stand and embrace

 

Loving each child in my care

Walk together in prayer

Photo by Arthur Krijgsman on Pexels.com

It seems there are nearly infinite challenges to educating our youth (both in schools and universities).  My own daily prayers include significant time for teachers, students, and families during these challenging times.  I especially reach out to my former colleagues who are still teaching as well as two of my daughters who teach.  I may be retired from the classroom, but my heart still misses all whom I served and worked with.

Praise and Glory

From Psalm 86:12:  “I give thanks to you, O Lord my God, with my whole heart, and I will glorify your name forever.”

Photo by Brett Sayles on Pexels.com

Singing blessings to the Lord

Sovereign God from heaven

Filled with all praise and glory

Grace-filled salvation beckons

 

True author of Creation

God of love with healing touch

Destined for praise and glory

Always faithful in the clutch

 

From morning into the night

His mercy and compassion

Eternal praise and glory

Guiding, leading with passion

 

Always hearing our voices

Observing our helplessness

Love-inspired praise and glory

His goodness and righteousness

 

Confessing to our Father

Proclaiming His perfect power

Sharing His praise and glory

His faithful love never sours

 

Seeking God in our distress

Cast each idol in the fire

Grace-filling praise and glory

Holy Spirit never tires

Photo by Pixabay on Pexels.com

From Galatians 5:22-24:  “By contrast, the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, generosity, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.  There is no law against such things.  And those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.”

Cookies, Books, and Coffee (Haiku Series #93)

Ain’t Fun

Bag of Oreos

Milk missing in the ice box—

Now singing the blues!

Photo by Tijana Drndarski on Pexels.com

Say What?

I’ve read some good books

Me as well . . . a plethora—

Never read that one

Photo by Mauru00edcio Mascaro on Pexels.com

Oh No!

Need to hurry home

Checking out at the market—

Forgetting coffee!

Photo by Oleg Magni on Pexels.com