Napoleon Hill Quote

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Cherish your visions and your dreams as they are the children of your soul, the blueprints of your ultimate achievements.

From Habakkuk 2:2:  “Then the Lord answered me and said:  ‘Write the vision; make it plain on tablets, so that a runner may read it.'”

Elfchen Series #7 (Life)

Winter

Snowflake

Brilliant white

Each one unique

Inviting more to come

Blizzard

brown shed near green pine trees during snow

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Sweet Outcome

Hungry

Stomach growls

Something to eat

Sweetness fashions a surprise

Doughnuts

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Marriage

Man

And woman

Husband and wife

Sharing life’s cherished journey

Love

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An Elfchen is a form of German-inspired poetry.  It is sometimes referred to as an Elevenie.  In German, Elfchen means “wee eleven.”  The poem is constructed with a total of eleven lines, distributed among five rows.  If you need more information, search the Internet for more about the basics of writing in this poetry genre.

 

Angel’s Message

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Summer’s radiant warmth fills the morning air

Playing children scamper, filling simple cares

 

Park trees arising with lively hues, bounty of dreams

Dancing shadows flowing beneath, moving like streams

 

People come and go, some stay for more

Singing above, summer birds fly and soar

 

Empty benches welcome many, resting a spell

Inviting a gray-haired man to sit now and dwell

 

Images scurry around him, some only in his mind

Remembering yesteryears, when all felt defined

 

Career, money, and power once meeting his needs

Sitting all alone now, like ancient dried-up reeds

 

One detail has been missing in his life

Leaving God has wounded like a knife

 

Alone, feeling forsaken, helpless at times

Living a life, nothing richer than springtime

 

Laughing and carefree, small children bring him joy

Filling his empty heart, much like a brand new toy

 

At God’s chosen bench, now sharing with a stranger

Smiling, a lady shares about a stable’s Holy manger

 

She notices him here quite often, sitting all alone

Inspired by God’s love, now enters his quiet zone

 

This visit and chat create sweet treasures

Sharing God’s Word, true by any measure

 

Jesus’ message of Salvation brings honest light

Kneeling, the old man accepts his Holy might

 

This worn bench brings God to a lonely heart

Allowing this man, a fresh and bold restart

 

Her assignment being fulfilled, now time to travel on

Replenishing this man’s heart with Grace and a song

 

Many others arrive at this park every day

Missing out on what this angel has to say

 

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Haiku Series #49 (Life)

Memories

Pausing and viewing

Photos on digital frame—

Lasting and unique

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Literary Club

Every Wednesday

High school faculty meeting—

Weekly poker game

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Nighttime

Around a campfire

Remembering good ol’ days—

Life’s recollections

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Monday Memories: Engineering Marvels

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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Steadfast Courage

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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.”

Seeking His Guidance

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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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Haiku Series #48 (With God)

Searching

Lost in life’s darkness

Good Shepherd faithfully finds–

Jesus brings His light

herd of sheep on focus photography

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Invitation

Bring a friend to church

Worshipping God together—

Alleluia Lord!

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Ultimate Grace

Messiah comes forth

Born as Jesus, Holy Son—

God’s gift . . . Salvation

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Just Another Year

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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.”

Treasured Grace

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

gold and black crucifix

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