Pausing and viewing
Photos on digital frame—
Lasting and unique
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Every Wednesday
High school faculty meeting—
Weekly poker game
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Around a campfire
Remembering good ol’ days—
Life’s recollections
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This poem was originally published in October, 2018, making it one of my earliest poems. The content drives the poem, and the format has been updated from its original style.
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Designed to carry a road or cross a ravine or river
Bridges are constructed to carry a load to deliver
Bridge designs range from very simple to complex
Some look very basic and daunting from the rest
More primitive bridges make one’s legs tremble and shake
Crossing them seems like a journey, certainly not to make
Scaling Everest, the world’s tallest and best known peak
Climbers use a crevasse bridge for the thrills they seek
Relishing a drive along many of America’s roads, without despair
Crossing a covered bridge that is unique and kept in good repair
More complex types are designed with beauty it seems
Trestle, arch, suspension, girder, drawbridge, and beam
Famous bridges are found nearly everywhere
Nearly all are built with a great amount of care
Sadly, a small number of bridges weaken and collapse
Due to flooding, earthquakes, or an engineering lapse
Pittsburgh proclaims to be the “City of Bridges” at last count
But, New York City possesses more bridges, without a doubt
Some bridges are named after people of notable fame
Benjamin Franklin and Andy Warhol, a couple to name
Other bridges are found in legends, films, and books
Golden Gate, Mackinac, and Brooklyn—take a look!
European designers have been busy in many places
Hamburg and Amsterdam’s bridges fill their spaces
Bridges comprise some of man’s grandest monuments of all
Designing impressive engineering marvels that shouldn’t fall
As some plan to demolish an old, downtrodden bridge
Expect others to stand and cry out, “Save Our Bridge”
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From Matthew 14:25-27: “And early in the morning He came walking toward them on the sea. But when the disciples saw Him walking on the sea, they were terrified, saying, ‘It is a ghost!’ And they cried out in fear. But immediately Jesus spoke to them and said, ‘Take heart, it is I; do not be afraid.'”
Following God’s commandments
Delivering steadfast courage
Building up one’s faith and trust
Go sends us forth, encouraged
Imagine walking each day
With Biblical superstars
Amazing stories with truth
God waiting near, not too far
Israel cries out in Egypt
God hears their anguish and pain
Moses’ courage answers prayers
Pharaoh’s heart, forever slain
God commissions a leader
Joshua destined to lead
His faith in God carries strength
His plan and vision succeeds
Daniel faces certain death
Overcoming his demise
God foils lions’ hunger
Courage arrives in disguise
Christ completes His final task
A Cross marks defeat, they say
His living breath creates light
Salvation, lives from that day
Boldness, defined by our Lord
Confronting uncertain pain
Faithful and steadfast courage
God’s love, never will abstain
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From American film actress, Dorothy Bernard: “Courage is fear that has said its prayers.”
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From Psalm 37:23-24: “Our steps are made firm by the Lord, when He delights in our way; though we stumble, we shall not fall headlong, for the Lord holds us by the hand.”
God wants us to succeed today
Asking for our patience and trust
Allowing faith to rebuild hope
Studying from His Word, we must
Always trusting in our Father
Bringing us guidance and His love
Achieving good through His name
Touching hearts, His joy sings above
We are never forsaken, never
Leading, God offers direction
Finding the means, moving forward
Meeting trials with reflection
The wicked gather all around
Following the Enemy’s lies
Causing God to judge their follies
Coming Judgment Day will apprise
Our Savior’s coming, all waiting
Receiving God’s Grace, what a gift
The Lord standing with the righteous
Accepting His plan, lives not adrift
We may still misstep and stumble
Preventing us from falling down
Reaching out, God’s hand guiding us
Fleeing, the thirsty Enemy frowns
Through His Word, the Father blesses
Giving generously, all with love
Choosing Jesus, Salvation comes
Seeking God’s guidance, from above
From the words of Dutch priest, writer, and theologian Henri Nouwen: “A spiritual discipline is necessary in order to move slowly from an absurd to an obedient life, from a life filled with noisy worries to a life in which there is some free inner space where we can listen to our God and follow His guidance.”
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Lost in life’s darkness
Good Shepherd faithfully finds–
Jesus brings His light
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Bring a friend to church
Worshipping God together—
Alleluia Lord!
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Messiah comes forth
Born as Jesus, Holy Son—
God’s gift . . . Salvation
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Another Ho-Hum year having arrived
Hoping to do more than just survive
The previous year gifted forsaken feelings
Kneeling in prayer, seeking God’s healing
Another year, unknown opportunities wait
Seeking peace and joy, should be our fate
Many witnessed the festive Big Ball drop
Celebrating a New Year, let’s never stop
Some have written down New Year’s resolutions
Looking to erase misfortune, with grand solutions
As for me, still writing a sketchy, initial draft
Wondering if these words will light my path
Of course, many will remind us . . . a new decade!
Imagining these days, filling with exciting parades
Even as some fix to pursue permanent life changes
Remaining with the old ways, has worked for ages
Let’s at least, attempt to instill in each and every day
Submitting more precious sway, following God’s way
Not just another year, hallowed in God’s eyes
Lifting us up, like eagles ascending in the sky
Our Lord’s Word guides by His true light
Making each day of this year, His delight
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From Revelations 22:5: “And there will be no more night; they need no light of lamp or sun, for the Lord God will be their light, and they will reign forever and ever.”
From 2 Timothy 1:14: “Guard the good treasure entrusted to you, with the help of the Holy Spirit living in us.”
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Life’s richest treasures, waiting just ahead
Following God’s true light to a new day
Unlike any of man’s earthly treasures
With God’s Spirit, angels leading the way
Our journey defined by something greater
Life can only be measured by God’s wealth
Allowing heart and soul to follow God
Our Father’s treasured Grace, restores our health
Rejoicing, now choosing God’s truthful way
Do you witness and see this path as well?
Join with Jesus, we’ll follow together
Following our Savior, our treasures swell
Courage, faith, and hope carry us along
Fueled by God’s love, we march to Jesus’ song
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Another gray day
Wintertime, always dreadful—
Must be Ohio
A frosty and gray day in central Ohio (January, 2019)
Waiting at the dentist
Somewhere, a drill does its thing–
Hey, I’m out of here
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Thunderstorm pours down
Soaking waterproof matches—
No campfire, cold food
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Today’s “Monday Memories” poem was previously published in February, 2019. Enjoy its short, yet humor-filled verses which tell a bit of a story.
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Farmer Fred lives near an insignificant, small town
His atrocious driving skills are very well renowned
He pops into town usually once a week
Leaving his farmhouse to take a peek
After a day filled with nothing and too much fizzle
Fred stops over at a local tavern to wet his whistle
He orders a cheeseburger and a sweet sarsaparilla
When a wayward woman spots this handsome fella
Marge is a forgotten classmate from their high school
She navigates quite well when playing a game of pool
She stumbles over and sits down—a bit wobbly
Ordering another drink seems to be her hobby
Fred informs Marge that his driving is now restricted
He has been crashing too much and been ticketed
Marge asks, “How do you then drive that old Ford truck?”
Fred replies, “I just need a navigator to bring me luck”
He asks her, “Interested in helping me one final time?”
“Sure my dear friend! But . . . the first tree is mine!”
From Luke 8:23-24: “And while they were sailing He [Jesus] fell asleep. A windstorm swept down on the lake, and the boat was filling with water, and they were in danger. They went to Him and woke Him up, shouting, ‘Master, Master, we are perishing!’ And He woke up and rebuked the wind and the raging waves, they ceased, and there was calm.”
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Sometimes life’s waters become turbulent
God’s seaworthy vessel carries the day
His Word quiets the daily storms we face
With His Spirit, angels leading the way
Jesus has walked on the water we sail
Inspiring many to always believe
Encountering rough “Titanic” struggles
Our journey will overcome, the storm leaves
Sailing off course, we have a champion
Jesus fathoms, walking ahead of us
Father, Son, Holy Ghost . . . never alone
Following our Savior, in whom we trust
God’s faithfulness, sets a perfect heading
Sailing away, His true compass leading
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Big Sky Buckeye 