Take My Place

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Have you ever thought?

About the significance of a chair

Providing comfort and relaxing care

 

Chairs, many in number

Starring in all sizes and shapes

Making for countless escapes

 

Summertime in the backyard

A sturdy, relaxing hammock waits

Making afternoon naps an ideal fate

 

Looking for a cool place to sit

Bean bag chairs, ready for fun

Comfortable seats for everyone

 

A rocking chair seldom sits alone

Inviting story time for two

Grandma reads, right on cue

 

Every living room offers choices

A colorful sofa seats two, maybe more

Crowding together, let’s not try for four

 

Extra chairs needed at an event

Arriving much, much too late

A folding chair will be my fate

 

Summer sun, surf, and sand

Sitting at the beach, carries the day

Relaxing under brilliant, sunny rays

 

Energetic, little people arrive

Parking themselves in tiny banana seats

Rocking with laughter, enjoying some treats

 

An oversized recliner, in a corner

Always my best and most favorite place

Stretching out to relax, by the fireplace

 

Before you go, I have one request to ask

Will you please “take my place” in this special chair

The dentist is eager and ready, with genuine care

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I must be honest and admit.  Visiting the dentist isn’t one of my favorite places to be.  I’ve endured the removal of four wisdom teeth (in one visit) as well as the preparation needed for a crown.  How do you feel about going to the dentist?

Tireless Miracle Worker

“Miracle” defined:  An event occurs without any explanation through natural or scientific law.  Conclusion:  God’s love results in many miracles.

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From the unknown darkness, nothing of worth

God creates the lofty heavens and this earth

 

Tireless miracle worker

Witness God’s interventions

Lives transformed by His love

Never bound by earthly limitations

 

Too old one says, Abraham’s Sarah bears a son

Isaac will lead a nation with a Godly destination

 

God’s faithful Grace flows freely

His hands at work, all around us

Miracles arrive in many forms

Inspecting God’s handiwork, forever trust

 

With Pharaoh’s army closing in on the Red Sea

God shows He truly is God, forever this will be

 

Always trust in our Lord

When we begin to lose hope

He bolsters our shaky faith

God remains near, never remote

 

In the lion’s den, Daniel faces impossible odds

Power of prayer covers and protects his cause

 

Through our Lord and Savior, Jesus

God brings forth miracles, never few

Remember them and share them

God’s infinite love brings a new view

 

To a lost people, witness the birth of a Holy Son

Jesus, the Messiah, He will always be the One

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From John 10:32:  “Jesus replied, ‘I have shown you many good works from the Father.  For which of these are you going to stone me?'”

Haiku Series #40 (Humor)

Ugly

Charming afternoon

Errant shot finds the thick woods—

Golfing ain’t much fun

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Oh my!

Beautiful park bench

Offering a short respite—

(Absent) “Wet Paint” sign

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Greed

Black Friday looming

Stores now offer Preview Sale—

Coming a week early

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Monday Memories: A River’s Journey

From November, 2018, here is an updated poem inspired from my reading of The Wind and the Willows, authored by Kenneth Grahame.  The novel can be enjoyed by both older children and adults.

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Meandering endlessly and aimlessly it seems

Infinitely pursuing each horizon downstream

 

The river faces its journey, to the ocean out to the west

Bringing much attention to itself, without taking a rest

 

Being fed from above, by mountain run-off far away

Roaming bank full and quickly, with not much to say

 

A friendly, gentle breeze offers cool, refreshing air

Bubbles rising up from a muskrat that doesn’t care

 

At times, the journey is surrounded by a background of trees

Arriving softly, the whispering wind says, “Please let me be”

 

Green, lush meadows encroach upon its rocky shore

While early spring flowers burst with color and more

 

Young willows grow along the river’s flank

Tree roots hidden, invisible below the bank

 

A large, brown trout rises gracefully above the bubbling water

Meanwhile downstream, mischief abounds with a pair of otters

 

An isolated cottonwood tree stands as a lone lookout

While a hungry grizzly bear wades in to pull a fish out

 

Sparkles of dancing light, reflecting by way of a bright sun

Providing opportunities for fishermen, casting for their fun

 

The vibration of splashes from a pair of wooden oars

Announces the arrival of a canoe, searching for more

 

A small island appears on the bend ahead—quiet and barren

There is always fascination with what nature will be wearing

 

Pushing ahead, an overloaded creek discharges its rampant load

The water’s own noises sometimes sound like a chorus of toads

 

Continuing to drive ahead toward the setting sun

The ageless river welcomes the end of its long run

 

Spiritual Victory

From John 8:31-32:  “Then Jesus said to the Jews who had believed in Him, ‘If you continue in My Word, you are truly My disciples; and you will know the truth, and the truth will make you free.'”

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Born of a Holy, benevolent God

Spiritual victory, comes to us

Our Lord Jesus boldly desires

Witnessing our enduring trust

 

Accepting Jesus as our Savior

Entering victorious ranks at last

Under Heaven, a time to be reborn

Across every season, full and vast

 

Our Prince of Peace, worthy Messiah

From the city of David, angels proclaim

God, as His Holy Son, comes to earth

Jesus lights the way, His eternal flame

 

Gathering truth, living by truth

Jesus continues to be the way

Knowing the truth, always believe

Truth through Christ, carries the day

 

In spirit and truth, worship our God

Speaking lasting truth, with eternal love

God’s gift of Grace, delivers Salvation

Coming with praise, from Heaven above

 

Standing firmly in one’s steady faith

By sustaining faith, the righteous live

Hold fast, praise the Lord’s Holy name

Remaining faithful, God always gives

 

One Lord, one faith, one baptism

Through God, justified by our faith

Nothing, in God’s eyes, seems impossible

Moving majestic mountains, on any date

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Haiku Series #39 (With God)

Commitment

Sacred marriage vows

Man and woman become one—

Following God’s Word

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Sowing Seeds

Read God’s Word often

Planting seeds in fertile ground—

Rich harvest awaits

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Defeated

Prepared for battle

The Enemy hides and flees—

Wearing God’s armor

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Thanksgiving Blessings

From Psalm 28:8:  “The Lord is the strength of His people; He is the saving refuge of His anointed.”

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Jesus, our true Savior and rock

You repay us many times over

For our sinfulness brings pain

Always, His witness is sought

 

Thankful, for Jesus stands here

He blesses us, our cup overflows

Jesus, our strength and shield

He calms hearts, never to fear

 

Writing a new song for our Lord

Words praising Him far and wide

Glorifying Jesus, God’s Holy Son

Accepting Jesus, climb aboard

 

Jesus alone, is our lasting Salvation

He gathers us, never to be shaken

Our patient Lord waits in silence

He knows when to save His nation

 

Trust in Christ, accept His goodness

Believe in Him, with heart and soul

The Messiah reigns forever and ever

His Words speak love and forgiveness

 

Jesus sits at the center of this day

Filling each Thanksgiving blessing

Covering all families with His love

Looking to Him, a delicious buffet

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How can we give Thanks?

From 1 Thessalonians 5:15-18:  “Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.”

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In the year 1621, the Pilgrims held their first Thanksgiving feast.  They invited the great Indian chief Massasoit, who brought ninety of his brave Indians and a great abundance of food.  Governor William Bradford and Captain Miles Standish were honored guests.  Elder William Brewster, who was a minister, said a prayer that went something like this:  “We thank God for our homes and our food and our safety in a new land.  We thank God for the opportunity to create a new world for freedom and justice.”

Linus’ Thanksgiving Prayer (courtesy of Charles Schulz)

Haiku Series #38 (Life)

No Sleep

Drip . . . drip . . . drip . . . drip . . . drip

Lying awake all night long—

Annoying faucet

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Yummy

Fresh bakery treats

Donuts, cakes, cookies, bagels—

Too many choices

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Perfect Timing

Couldn’t sleep last night

New recliner delivered—

Blessed power nap

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Monday Memories: Thanksgiving Memories

Today’s memory goes back to November, 2019.  Remembering past Thanksgiving gatherings with family long ago, creates images to last a lifetime in this updated poem.

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Remembering annual family gatherings from years past

Enjoying special, blessed times which will last and last

 

Filling Grandma’s packed house with people from near and far

Seeing aunts, uncles, and cousins—as numerous as the stars

 

Feeling the crisp, autumn air—possibly snow on the ground

Arriving with abundant food and family love to pass around

 

Pitching in, many helping hands prepare the meal

Eating together on Thanksgiving is a very big deal

 

Catching up on life from several corners of the state

Thanking the Lord that all arrived safely on this date

 

Listening to exciting conversation that fills the tiny house

Disappearing from a kitchen corner, a frightened mouse!

 

Preparing so many favorite and delicious treats

Tasting each will make today an awesome feast

 

Setting up Grandma’s sizable dining room table with care

Deciding where each family member will sit, here or there

 

Providing for extra places to eat in the living room

Anticipating that all of us will be eating very soon

 

Smelling the huge turkey roasting in the oven until finally done

Carving this bird and splitting the wishbone, most delicious fun

 

Pleasing everyone’s taste buds, with a gathering of yummy dishes

Adding stuffing, mashed potatoes, and yams to everyone’s wishes

 

Saving room for a sweet symphony of delicious pies

Savoring a slice of pumpkin or many others—Oh my!

 

Exchanging stories, playing cards, and watching football

Realizing too soon that the time says, “Goodnight to all”

 

Departing for home, before everyone’s bedtime arrives

Blessing our family time, this thanksgiving feels so alive

 

Smiling from her large window, Grandma feels so much love

Looking forward to experiencing peace, from the Lord above