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

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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

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Haiku Series #47 (Humor)

Sad, But True

Another gray day

Wintertime, always dreadful—

Must be Ohio

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A frosty and gray day in central Ohio (January, 2019)

 

Quick Exit

Waiting at the dentist

Somewhere, a drill does its thing–

Hey, I’m out of here

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Miserable

Thunderstorm pours down

Soaking waterproof matches—

No campfire, cold food

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Monday Memories: The First Tree Is Mine

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!”

 

Sailing Away

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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Writer’s Journey

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Leaving memories from a classroom

Now pursuing and writing a new tune

 

Exciting, unfamiliar journey begins

Seeing life through a creative lens

 

Retirement offers a different team

Fulfilling hidden, unexpected dreams

 

Waking up in the very early morn

Coffee and writing, refreshing norm

 

Discovering a passion for poetry

Let’s see where words will take me

 

Finding a unique style to nurture

This pen flows with adventure

 

Short stories stir up this open mind

Enjoying the fun, these words find

 

Thankful for readers, such as you

This writer’s journey, quite a view

Haiku Series #46 (Life)

Gathering

Family Scattered

Coming together at last—

Mountaintop Christmas

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Not Yet!

Retirement arrives

Rocking chair waits in corner—

Having too much fun

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The Poet

Searching for lost words

Crafting special poems at dawn—

Mission accomplished

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Hallelujah!

From Luke 2:1-7:  “In those days a decree went out from Emperor Augustus that all the world should be registered.  This was the first registration and was taken while Quirinius was governor of Syria.  All went to their own towns to be registered.  Joseph also went from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to the city of David called Bethlehem, because he was descended from the house and family of David.  He went to be registered with Mary, to whom he was engaged and who was expecting a child.  While they were there, the time came for her to deliver her child.  And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in bands of cloth, and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn.” 

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Hallelujah!

Angels sing, from heavens above

Glory forever, to a newborn King

Praising Emmanuel, as they sing

 

Hallelujah!

Virgin Mary, mother to this Son

Jesus will be His blessed name

This world, never to be the same

 

Hallelujah!

Born in a bustling hamlet, Bethlehem

Chiseled in history, forever renowned

Baby in a manger, shepherds found

 

Hallelujah!

God with us, in flawless human form

Walking in our steps, we will trust

Witnessing a Cross, our Savior must

 

Hallelujah!

God lifts the veil of His great plan

His Son will bear our bloody sins

Forever, God’s flock will say “Amen”

 

Hallelujah!

All bow, take a bended knee

Praise our Savior in prayer

Darkness leaves, Jesus cares

 

Hallelujah!

God’s divine, sacrificial plan

Jesus comes in person, to save

He overpowers sin and the grave

 

Hallelujah!

Birth of this blessed, Holy child

Peace and joy, we will follow Him

His righteousness, a lasting hymn

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