Monday Memories: Just Checking In

man in white dress shirt sitting on black rolling chair while facing black computer set and smiling

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Sending a priority email to my boss an hour ago

A quick reply would be prized as time is my foe

 

Facing an ever-approaching deadline

The pressure is building—not so fine!

 

Writing one more email might do the trick

“Just checking in” doesn’t sound so slick

 

Hearing no reply yet, by the middle afternoon

Would another email bring an answer soon?

 

Sensing desperation as the clock winds down

Frustration fills my heart with a gloomy frown

 

Composing again—Sorry, but I must persist

“Just checking in” again, I must clearly insist

 

Receiving an email, which is long overdue

An automated message comes to my view

 

Using “Just checking in” as the subject line

These three words “really” are never fine!

man in white shirt sitting on chair

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Praying for Deliverance

From Psalm 31:24:  “Be strong, and let your heart take courage, all you who wait for the Lord.”

sky earth galaxy universe

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Immense weight of the world

Resting on our shoulders

Crying out to our Lord

Pebbles fall like boulders

 

Darkest thoughts undermine

Harshest mental torment

Hidden physical foes

Hopeless, stuck in cement

 

Our Lord hearing, He cares

Listening to whole hearts

Filling with confidence

Piercing conflict, like a dart

 

Forever with our Lord

His refuge, without fuss

His righteousness delivers

Strong fortress, saving us

 

Cities under fearful siege

Virus shadows each street

Lord, lead us and guide us

Your goodness won’t retreat

 

Our Father’s steadfast love

Covers our affliction

Blessed be our Lord God

Faith, hope . . . our conviction

 

Trusting in the Father

Facing vicious disease

Your face shines upon us

We pray upon our knees

left hand

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 From Psalm 3:8:  “Deliverance belongs to the Lord; may your blessings be on your people.”

Elfchen Series #13 (Life)

Remembering

Memories

Loved ones

Gone, never forgotten

Cherished smiles and laughter

Photographs

antique camera classic lens

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Lasting

Love

Conquering all

Finding a way

Forgiving, patient, caring, faithful

Unconditional

man kissing woman s cheek

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Delicious

Steak

Medium well

Charbroiled, sizzling hot

Seasoned by skilled chefs

Perfection

grilled meat on stainless steel tray

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Living Hope

Reading through the last four entries in my journal, God brought inspiration to bring this praise to Him.  There entries provide the bulk of the this poem, along with a few selected writings of Apostle Peter.  I hope this poem sustains hope in you during your daily journey.  During Lenten season, we are reminded of the hope we receive through Jesus’ walk to an old rugged Cross.

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With God’s truth leading us

Our faith growing each day

Fueled by our Lord above

Hope responds, let us pray

 

God guides with steadiness

Navigating our ship

Through ever-present storms

Safe on our Lord’s flagship

 

Life-giving hearts may hide

Our emotional selves

Yet, other times we find

God’s Word within ourselves

 

Sometimes, life proclaims

Our “red badge of courage”

Straight into inner souls

Our faith will encourage

 

Much like a frigid wind

Freezing our tender face

Life challenges us to bear

Torment covered by grace

 

Through our Father’s mercy

A new birth, a living hope

Jesus . . . Resurrection

Life viewed through His new scope

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From 1 Peter 1:3-5:  “Blessed be the God and Father our Lord Jesus Christ!  By His great mercy He has given us a new birth into a living hope through the Resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, and into an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you, who are being protected by the power of God through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.”

 

Treasured Pleasures

Sunrise at Walnut Woods

Sunrise at Walnut Woods Metro Park in central Ohio. 

Every day, filling with precious moments

Life’s simple pleasures, love-filling treasures

Never again, take any for granted

Traveling life’s long road, each step measures

 

Darkened dawn sky, erupting with bright hues

Granddaughter taking first tentative walk

Life sometimes slows down, bringing a replay

Neighborhood sidewalk, hopscotch drawn in chalk

 

Neil Diamond lyrics, harmony through song

Mother calls, reminding me her love cares

Favorite novel, author’s words smile back

Trio of daughters, sweeter than a pair

 

Evening sunset, brings awesome pleasures

Tomorrow, witnessing simple treasures

November 30, 2014 005

Sunset in Columbus, Ohio.

Haiku Series #67 (Humor)

Timeout

Digital “brake” time

Turn off social media—

Pausing to recharge

facebook application icon

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Satisfying Workout

Meeting for coffee

Skipping the Tuesday workout—

See you on Friday

bright close up color colorful

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Too Early

Morning alarm rings

Hey, it’s the weekend silly—

Switching back to snooze

cat lying on table

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Melody in the Woods

bright daylight environment forest

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Music permeates through the woods

Listen closely, can you hear it?

This melody brings a sense of calm

Nature witnesses a new hit

 

Calmness radiates from a banjo

Listen again, can you feel it?

Life pauses, taking in this song

Appreciate this moment, let’s sit

 

Even in darker times, comes light

Listen now, can you feel its blitz?

Calming tune filling every heart

Playing a banjo, without the glitz

 

People reaching out to others

Living as sisters and brothers

 

Steve Martin is an accomplished banjo player, and he shares a message of calmness and peace from the woods with his own self-video performance.   This video inspired the writing of this poem.

Monday Memories: Then Came Light

woman stands on mountain over field under cloudy sky at sunrise

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To a formless world, shrouded in whole darkness

God brought forth light to remove the harshness

 

To a dark, foreboding room with no shape

Candles illuminate our morning landscape

 

From a barren, lifeless pine or Douglas fir tree

Christmas brings lights, and makes us feel free

 

To a cold, hostile land without any light at night

Early man learns of fire, to warm and offer sight

 

To a student, who feels frustrated in a lesson so dark

A teacher brings patience, and a smile offers a spark

 

To a darkened, isolated highway on a night with no moon

Bright headlights point us safely towards home very soon

 

To a world seeking guidance and a fresh start

Lady Liberty’s welcoming torch, sets her apart

 

To a frightened child, waking up in darkness of the night

Parents bringing a beam of light, to take away his fright

 

To a middle-aged adult, stricken with eyesight very poor

A doctor’s skill removes a cataract, so she can see more

 

To an empty and humbling manger, in a crowded stable

A bright star over Bethlehem, showing what is now able

 

To heal the broken, lost life of a desperate man

God offering a sustaining and hope-filling plan

person spreading hands against sun

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One on One

From American theologian, Fulton J. Sheen:  “God does not love us because we are valuable.  We are valuable because God loves us.”

white paper with red text

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God’s eternal love seeks

Intimate relationships

No longer standing back

Feeling love as He speaks

 

Our Lord loves each of us

Stepping forward with faith

Accepting His sincere truth

Our God, never to mistrust

 

When darker times arrive

Opening hearts to our Lord

Never to feel forsaken

Trusting, abiding, alive

 

Our Father always cares

Hearing faithful prayers

Watching trusting steps

Feeling moments of despair

 

Flowing from Heaven above

To a stable’s manger

Witnessing from a cruel Cross

God’s Grace delivers His love

backlit cemetery christianity clouds

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From John 15:8-9:  “My Father is glorified by this, that you bear much fruit and become My disciples.  As the Father has loved Me, so I have loved you; abide in My love.  

Haiku Series #66 (Life)

Daily Changes

Coronavirus

Learning to adapt each day—

World paradigm shift

blue banner sign posters

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Experience Counts

Cleaning and cooking

Being a baby boomer—

Fatherhood training

cleaning supplies

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Not Now

Muddy, rain-soaked road

Destination now delayed—

Changing a flat tire

shadow of person on water during daytime

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