Monday Memories: Winter’s Repose

Photo by Luca Chiandoni on Pexels.com

Winter’s white blanket covers frozen land

Sheltering nature’s glory until spring

Arctic-fed winds seem to blow from glaciers

Sleeping quietly, life conceals its zing

 

Northernmost Great Lakes transform skies to gray

Flying above, geese enjoy winter’s fling

Small ponds reflect from thick, icy mirrors

Pausing all around, boldness waits for spring

 

Ancient trees appear to wait in repose

Ignoring life’s deep freeze, buds holding out

Nature’s winter rest, preparing for spring

Arriving tonight, snowstorm’s final shout

 

Never to worry, winter fades away

Coming on schedule, spring colors each day

 

Photo by Matthias Cooper on Pexels.com

Originally published January, 2021.

Beacon of Peace (Second Sunday of Advent)

From Romans 15:12-13:  “And again Isaiah says, ‘The root of Jesse shall come, the one who rises to rule the gentiles; in him the gentiles shall hope.’  May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.”

Courtesy of Pinterest.

Longing for inner peace

Patience fills every heart

Shepherds wonder this night

Spirit’s goodness imparts

 

Viewing Bethlehem’s peace

Mercy nestled with love

Deliverance of light

Precious to God above

 

Raising harmony’s peace

Root of Jesse shall bring

Spring of living waters

Hope abounds, joy will sing

 

Hearing God’s voice of peace

Salvation’s breath of light

Messiah’s truth to come

Angels now taking flight

 

Shining beacon of peace

Heaven’s intent descends

Hope wakens in stable

Love invites joy, God sends

 

Courtesy of Pinterest.

From Psalm 72:12-13:  “For He delivers the needy when they call, the poor and those who have no helper.  He has pity on the weak and the needy and saves the lives of the needy.”

Peace at Last (Elfchen Series #278)

Trusting

Famine

Hungering faith

Savior raises hope

Living Bread feeds all

Nourished

The Last Supper Jesus breaks the bread.

Conquering

Darkness

Uphill journey

Messiah infuses light

Courage travels mercy’s road

Illuminated

Redeeming

Battles

With flesh

Calvary rises up

Salvation breathes from Cross

Transformed

All images courtesy of Pinterest.

This series of poems (written in the German-inspired style of Elfchen or Elevenie) shares a total of eleven words in each poem, with a sequence by line of one, two, three, four, and one words.

Beneath Warmth’s Joy

Photo by Ebahir on Pexels.com

Gray sky flies overhead

Winter’s cold arrives

Autumn now asleep

Chilling nature’s hard drive

 

Spirit fills every tree

Spring postpones her speech

Peace lands with each flake

Covering whitest beach

 

Silence rejoins landscape

Yet, very much alive

Transfusion hidden

Feeding grace to survive

 

Arctic freeze now coming

Double seal each hatch

Ship awaits next storm

Traversing icy patch

 

Night’s dreams seeking comfort

Winter’s frost deploys

Hope’s blanket of snow

Snuggling beneath warmth’s joy

 

Photo by eberhard grossgasteiger on Pexels.com

Following Jesus

From Psalm 34:4-5:  “I sought the Lord, and he answered me and delivered me from all my fears.  Look to him, and be radiant, so your faces shall never be ashamed.”

Photo by Eduardo Braga on Pexels.com

Reading Father’s Word

Answers come to thee

Praising from heart’s depths

Darkness at last flees

 

Filling hope’s goodness

Father shares His grace

Nourishing with love

Wisdom to embrace

 

Walking with Father

His righteousness speaks

Directing each step

Enemy now meek

 

Praying for guidance

Father bends earth’s light

Sending Christ to lead

Mercy taking flight

 

Following Jesus

Faith’s journey brightens

Choosing Him each day

His peace enlightens

 

Courtesy of Pinterest.

From John 5:20-21:  “The Father loves the Son and shows Him all that He Himself is doing, and He will show Him greater works than these, so that you will be astonished.  Indeed, just as the Father raises the dead and gives them life, so also the Son gives life to whomever He wishes.”

Taste of Joy (Haiku Series #354)

Reconnecting

Morning rendezvous

Meeting best friends for coffee—

Grace fills every cup

Photo by Jeff Vinluan on Pexels.com

Defining

Daily morning breath

Coffee, you always do it—

Another cup please

Photo by Nacila Gd on Pexels.com

Energizing

Morning’s fresh muffin

Tasting sweeter with coffee—

Way over the top!

Photo by Ron Lach on Pexels.com

Monday Memories: Affirming Love

From Song of Solomon 2:8:  “The voice of my beloved!  Look, he comes, leaping upon the mountains, bounding over the hills.”

Photo by Rakicevic Nenad on Pexels.com

Sitting here, another morning’s darkness

Thinking of today’s most beautiful view

Your kindness and love arrives with a smile

Transforming this heart to radiant new

 

Traveling life’s lonely, meaningless road

Dreaming of unlocking a better life

Your cherished spirit bestows precious light

Joining together as husband and wife

 

Making beloved home for two love birds

Nurturing passion with each priceless day

Your tender, caring thoughts lead us forward

Navigating with God’s love, shows His way

 

Affirming love through joyful affection

Walking in Jesus’ perfect reflection

 

Photo by Vlada Karpovich on Pexels.com

From Song of Solomon 4:1:  “How beautiful you are, my love, how very beautiful!  Your eyes are doves behind your veil.  Your hair is like a flock of goats, moving down the slopes of Gilead.”

Originally published January, 2021.

Transformed Hope (First Sunday of Advent)

From Isaiah 2:3:  “Many peoples shall come and say, ‘Come, let us go up to the mountain of the Lord, to the house of the God of Jacob, that He may teach us His ways and that we may walk in His paths.’  For out of Zion shall go forth instruction and the word of the Lord from Jerusalem.”

Photo by Being.the.traveller on Pexels.com

Seeking Father’s assurance

Darkness shall be overcome

Out of Zion, transformed hope

Embracing every breadcrumb

 

Praising every breath of grace

From root of Jesse will come

Messiah’s renewing hope

Rising to heavenly drum

 

Standing outside Bethlehem

Jerusalem shares her peace

Unity backed up with hope

Cradling redemption’s release

 

Waking to heavenly joy

Forces of darkness now quake

Manger caresses new hope

Witnessing Savior awake

 

Remaining always watchful

Shepherds innocently wait

Love piercing night sky with hope

Trusting in salvation’s fate

 

Courtesy of Pinterest.

From Romans 15:12-13:  “And again Isaiah says, ‘The root of Jesse shall come, the one who rises to rule the gentiles; in Him the gentiles shall hope.’  May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.”

The popular hymn, “O Come, O Come, Emmanuel” has been a favorite of past Advent seasons.  The original hymn can found in the music of monastic life over 1,200 years ago.  The English version was translated in 1851 by John Mason Neale, who was an English Anglican priest and hymn writer.

Guest Advent Poem: A Special Gift

From Isaiah 7:14:  “Therefore the Lord Himself will give you a sign.  Look, the young woman is with child and shall bear a son and shall name Him Immanuel.”

Courtesy of Pinterest.

A special gift arrived for us!

It came so quietly . . .

. . . perhaps you did not know.

There was no fancy wrapping,

not even a pretty bow,

no ornate frills or glitter,

no festive party mood . . .

. . . Just a tiny, baby boy

born in a stable crude.

He was our Savior King.

He came to earth to bring

God’s gift of love!

 

God’s greatest gift was giv’n to us.

It was His only Son . . .

. . . perhaps you did not know.

He left a throne in heaven

to come to our world below.

His birth was without grandeur;

a star His only crown;

. . . Just a precious little babe;

our God, to earth came down.

He is our Savior King

To Him all Praises sing

God’s gift, great love!

 

So, turn your eyes from the glitter,

of Santa’s presents bright . . .

. . . perhaps you need to know.

Just turn from what the world sees,

and gaze on that glorious night.

Look there upon the baby

in God’s own holy light.

. . . Now, look past the party crowds

past shopping to be done.

Look past all worldly things.

Look at the baby king,

God’s Gift has come!

Courtesy of Pinterest.

These scenes are captured by my wife, Colleen.  The poem is featured in BITS ‘N’ PIECES OF MY HEART, her Christian and family themed book.  The book features stories, devotions, and poetry for adults and teens.  Hands-on activities and delightful songs are included for families with young children.  God’s love is the guiding light throughout the book’s pages.

Rekindled Faith (Elfchen Series #277)

Deepened 

Clutching

Tomorrow’s peace

Kneeling at Calvary

Praying with renewed hope

Truth

Photo by Ric Rodrigues on Pexels.com

Intensified

Running

Toward Jesus

Accepting love’s grace

Paying His forgiveness forward

Unhindered

Photo by Brett Jordan on Pexels.com

Focused

Praising

Father’s interactions

Turning volume up

Sharing His trusted voice

Discipleship

Photo by Tara Winstead on Pexels.com