Harvest God’s Treasures

From Luke 12:32-34:  “Do not be afraid, little flock, for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom.  Sell your possessions, and give alms.  Make purses for yourselves that do not wear out, an unfailing treasure in Heaven, where no thief comes near and no moth destroys.  For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.”

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Mankind endlessly searches earth’s treasures

Wandering and looking under each rock

Few ever deliver much to measure

As time flees, few seconds left on a clock

 

Treasures worth seeking, always to be found

Depositing the seeds of faith with God

His Word brings a richness, lovingly bound

Accept now His Grace, with a “yes” and nod

 

No earthly treasure can compare to this

Eternal life awaits, accept His call

Taking up our cross, we follow God’s list

His Holy treasure, never fails or falls

 

Following our Lord, no need to measure

Christ’s blood brings a harvest of treasures

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America’s Minister of Encouragement, Dennis Swanberg, writes:  “There is absolutely  no evidence that complexity and materialism lead to happiness.  On the contrary, there is plenty of evidence that simplicity and spirituality lead to joy, a blessedness that is better than happiness.”

 

Lights Out!

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On a deserted, darkened street

Halloween arrives with its treats

 

The two of us, walking down the lane

Scared and excited, looking for fame

 

An empty house breathes, coming alive

Energy awakens and desires to thrive

 

An electrifying party is set for tonight

The ancient house turns up its lights

 

A full moon illuminates the night sky

Just as witches in black, prepare to fly

 

Special guests add to the scary fun

Arriving from their past, one by one

 

Escaping from his creator’s famous lab

Frankenstein stumbles in, frightfully fab

 

Waking up from sleeping in a coffin bed

Dracula flies over, with a thirst for “red”

 

Howling eerily, over sighting a rare full moon

Wolfman pounces in, not a moment too soon

 

Sitting like unsuspecting flowers on a wall

The two of us don’t want this to end at all

 

Music and spirits fill the old, rundown place

This Halloween returns with a familiar taste

 

The impromptu party doesn’t last long

Finishing the night with one final song

 

Precisely tapping ruby-colored shoes three times

A young girl requests to return home before Nine

 

Walking past the darkened, empty house

You and I cannot even hear a tiny mouse

 

Realizing again, it’s time for lights out

Planning to return in a year, no doubt

 

 

Haiku Series #30 (Life)

Done

Farmer in the field

Tractor quits, fuel tank empty—

Finished for the day

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Fire Hydrant

Waiting patiently

Hoping never to be used—

Prepared and ready

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Listen’

Walkin’ to the pond

What is the dang noise about?

Those frogs are somethin’

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Monday Memories: Scary Halloween Night

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The midnight moon arrives low in the sky

Another wicked witch stands ready to fly

 

Rising from his barren, freezing coffin this night

Dracula seeks a bloody treat before dawn’s light

 

All of the spirits, zombies, goblins, and others

Arrive for a Halloween dance like none other

 

The trick or treaters have long since been in bed

With their high blood sugar rushing to their heads

 

Howling under the dark, scary night—preparing to play

The ferocious werewolf, inclined to frighten and prey

 

How are you sleeping on this dreadfully dark night?

While the darkness brings horror and much fright!

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Walk With Me

From James 4:8-10:  “Draw near to God, and He will draw near to you.  Cleanse your hands, you sinners, and purify your hears, you double-minded.  Lament and mourn and weep.  Let your laughter be turned into mourning and your joy into dejection.  Humble yourselves before the Lord, and He will exalt you.”

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Walking in the quiet, pre-dawn darkness

Inviting someone to share its calmness

Appreciating the morning’s starkness

Jesus joins these moments of peacefulness

 

Sharing these special times, feeling so blessed

Listening to Savior Jesus, what joy!

Feeling renewed, with mercy invested

God’s Son gathers peace, ready to deploy

 

Witnessing this time, brings purpose to life

Forgiving light, leading this faithful walk

Sensing Christ’s harmony, removing all strife

His eternal love, conveying faithful talk

 

God shapes His flock as a skillful potter

Drawing closer to our Holy Father

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Shattered Hopes

From Romans 10:12-13:  “For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek; the same Lord is Lord of all and is generous to all who call Him.  For, ‘Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved.'”

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Sitting here on a quiet, morning dawn

Drinking coffee, warming a drowsy mind

Passing the time with memories, all wrong

Looking for warmhearted hopes, none to find

 

Wishing countless troubles would go away

Thinking another day will bring some hope

Realizing now, my dreams are crushed today

Watching out the window, through hopeless scope

 

Opening a Bible, found by God’s Grace

Inviting me in, His Word reaches out

Sensing a way to change life’s dismal pace

Offering a new path, without a doubt

 

Witnessing Christ Jesus on a cruel Cross

Accepting my Savior, no longer lost

 

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Be a Doer

From James 1:22-24:  But be doers of the Word, and not merely hearers who deceive of themselves.  For if any are hearers of the Word and not doers, they are like those who look at themselves in a mirror; for they look at themselves and, on going away, immediately forget what they were like.”

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Actions speak loudest for ourselves

Walking in a Christ-like manner

Be a doer of God’s Word

God builds with a benevolent hammer

 

God calls upon each of us

Acting in faithfulness each day

Be a doer of God’s way

He always knows what to say

 

Being responsible with life’s rewards

Witnessing God’s work on this earth

Be a doer of God’s Word

Docking our ship at God’s berth

 

Our blessed Lord sends His harvest

Leaving us with a bountiful taste

Be a doer of God’s Word

Listening with intent, never in haste

 

Reading the Holy Ten Commandments

God declares all that is good

Be a doer of God’s Word

Now following all that we should

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Haiku Series #29 (With God)

Light

Facing harsh darkness

God delivers us with light—

Resurrection comes

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Grace

God’s Grace comes to all

Turning weakness to power—

Accept His free gift

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Jesus

He is life’s true source

Nothing can replace Jesus—

Our only Savior

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Monday Memories: Journey to America

This poem was originally published in November, 2018.  It has been updated in a few places to enhance the message.  Witness the impact of America’s open door to immigrants with this poem.  

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Images of immigrants arriving at America’s shores

Families hope the United States offers much more

 

Huddled and crowded together on ships bound for another land

Dreaming of moving forward and receiving an outstretched hand

 

Most Americans trace immigrants back to their family roots

Their ancestors arrived ready to energize lives with a boost

 

 

 

Singer Neil Sedaka proclaims the immigrants’ anxious arrival

“The Immigrant” sings of America waiting, without any denial

 

Coming to America is immortalized as Neil Diamond sings

“America” tells a fascinating story that only his lyrics bring

 

Both Sedaka and Diamond write beautiful and appropriate text

America can do better than people shouting, “You are not next”

 

 

 

Imagine the excitement felt upon seeing Lady Liberty

She has welcomed people to America for an eternity

 

Her torch offers a brilliant beacon of new hope and light

America extends a welcoming hand, ending their plight

 

This openhearted Lady, gifted from France, stands solemn

She invites the less fortunate to disembark in long columns

 

 

 

Emma Lazarus, an offspring of immigrants, expresses it best

Her poetic words in “The New Colossus” surely pass the test

 

Her inspiring words paint an ironic and emotional image for all

To see how a mighty Lady and America will forever stand tall

 

 

 

America’s melting pot overflows from a gentle and peaceful place

Tales from immigrants deserve to be heard without undue haste

 

Immigration has recently become a passionate, national debate

America’s history shows patience in opening its welcome gate

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The lyrics of “The Immigrant” can be found at Neil Sedaka.

The lyrics of “America” can be found at Neil Diamond.

The verses of “The New Colossus” can be found at Emma Lazarus.

 

Mercy Sends Love

From Hebrews 8:18:  “For I will be merciful toward their iniquities, and I will remember their sins no more.”

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Darkness cannot hide from His light

Our merciful God, filled with might

Walking above His creation, God choreographs

From early morning to eventual nightfall

 

Climbing to mountaintops, above life’s battleground

With every step, God’s always present

Witnessing just how far we’ve come

Every victory is earned through Him

 

We carry scars from numerous struggles

Our hearts always feel God’s presence

Receiving joy-filled Grace, always free

Truly, we never feel left alone

 

Almighty God comes in three persons

Father, Son, and Holy Spirit alive

Pure, perfect, faithful, and with love

God’s creation reflects His Holy plan

 

God sends a champion, His Son

From a cruel Cross, comes love

A dark, empty tomb brings hope

Mercy sends love in Jesus Christ

 

Coming to Christ, dead in sin

Christ’s eternal love washes over us

Releasing us from shackles of sin

We are redeemed, forever set free

 

Accepting Jesus as Lord and Savior

Our new life begins through Him

Resurrection’s light, Christ has our backs

His endless love walks with us

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