Peace and solitude
Cross-country skiing beckons—
Awesome Montana
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Three rivers join up
Mighty Missouri River—
Headwaters . . . God’s gift
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Lone Mountain summit
Powder blowing all around—
Skiing the Big Sky
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Here is a humorous poem filled with amazing, and quite forgettable Christmas gift ideas. I am not sure if I see one for me, but perhaps you will find something unique for yourself. The poem was published in December, 2018, and it has been updated.
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Imagining a zany list of gift ideas for another year
Let’s make Christmas cool again, as it comes near
Sitting here tonight in Ohio’s Buckeye land
Not too certain about Santa’s helping hand
Hoping that special gifts will await under the tree
Thinking that “some” might be pleasing for thee
A self-stirring coffee mug looks quite neat
Stirring my cup o’ Joe will be an easy feat
Christmas tea bags offer a fresh twist
Leaving my cup filled with a tasty mist
Is that Darth Vader defending the door?
Inflating him brings fear and much more
I’m not really into checking Twitter most of the time
Looking at a set of framed tweets, could be just fine
My stocking might be filled with a hockey stick snow brush
Cheering for my beloved Blue Jackets on the ice is a must
Someone spies a cassette tape collection of familiar songs
Wondering where to find a cassette player that is long gone
Golf ball finder glasses will most likely do the trick
Searching for each wayward shot in rough so thick
My daughter tempts me with chocolate Brussel sprouts
Wishing for “just” the sweet chocolate, leaves no doubt
A senior moment’s memory workout DVD should be slick
Keeping my brain’s recall functioning, makes a great gift
Coffee drinking in the morning, wine sipping late at night
Using a “Flip Over” glass, makes switching work just right
Last of all, needing to conceal every doughnut so sweet
Receiving a doughnut mug may hide it—isn’t this neat!
Warming myself in front of a blazing fire this cold night
Hoping that another lump of coal, will never be in sight
From Mark 10:13-16: “People were bringing little children to Him in order that he might touch them; and the disciples spoke sternly to them. But when Jesus saw this, He was indignant and said to them, ‘Let the little children come to me; do not stop them; for it is to such as these that the kingdom of God belongs. Truly, I tell you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God as a little child will never enter it.’ And He took them up in His arms, laid His hands on them, and blessed them.”
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Through Holy Spirit’s presence
A virgin gives birth to a child
The Messiah, Jesus our Lord
His life, anything but mild
Images of baby Jesus abound
Lying in a manger, a feed trough
All babies, even Jesus, need love
From God’s Word, many thoughts
God holds Israel dear as a His child
With Holy divinity, Jesus is the One
Mary and Joseph, parents to Jesus
From Egypt, He will beckon His Son
All of us, born children of God
Led by His Spirit, from above
Receiving Him . . . Believing in Him
We cry out . . . Abba! With love
Standing as heirs, with Jesus Christ
Suffering with Him, glorifying Him
Guided by His faith, hope, and love
Jesus at the Cross, paying for sins
Through God’s Word and instructions
Parents, loving and caring for a child
Conveying blessed discipline and love
Raising to adulthood, no longer a child
Bringing God’s Holy blessings to a child
Jesus holding a child, close to His heart
Loving a child as much as one loves God
From birth, giving a child a great start
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From South African missionary from Scotland, Andrew Murray: “Let us look upon our children; let us love them and train them as children of the covenant and children of the promise. These are the children of God.”
From Lamentations 3:22-23: “The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases, His mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.”
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Waking on an early morn
Winter’s darkness invites
Kitchen wood stove warms
Hot coffee always delights
Opening the family Bible
Reading God’s Holy Word
Feeling ever close to Him
God’s peace, gladly heard
Morning light, brings a smile
Caressing sunshine’s charm
Anxiously awaiting the day
Jesus protects all from harm
Sun disappears behind clouds
Transmitting a wintry scene
No need to go anywhere today
Playing for retirement’s team
Days are short, nights long
Thoughts of spring, far away
Feeling at peace, but alone
Who visits on this snowy day?
Peeking out the window again
In the distance, twin headlights
Daughter’s family, safely arrives
Making this day, absolute delight
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From John 15:11: “I have said these things to you so that my joy may in you, and that your joy may be complete.”
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Blessed sun rises, starting a new day
A precious day, under Lord’s watchful eyes
Celebrate this day, riding in love’s sleigh
Nothing ever holding back, watching doves fly
Singing of praises, blessing this fresh start
Jesus walking with us, our daily bread
Sharing this day, between loving sweethearts
Together, God’s Word keeps us full and fed
Our love sparks an endless celebration
God’s love filling hearts, fulfilling our fate
Singing songs, with love and adoration
Celebrate this day, love’s delightful taste
Jesus shares His joy, smiling from above
Making our joy complete, filling with love
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Watching life go by
From a warm café—
Sheltered from the cold
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Mountain in the clouds
Yes, let it snow, let it snow—
Skiers’ paradise
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Hungry for lunchtime
“Taco Time with Don Carlos”—
Food truck serves ‘em up
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Today’s memory was published about a year ago, and this poem has been updated from its original form. Taking this fruit cake down from the shelf, it is being re-gifted to you. Enjoy!
Another Christmas is approaching, soon to be here
Sharing a delicious treat, makes one’s mission clear
Chef Benson’s “Old Home Classic” has been baked
Dashing to a local grocery, purchasing some to take
Christmas fruit cakes filling a shopping cart
Making each shopper feel clever and smart
Each cake is guaranteed to surprise and please
Weighing a full pound, taste buds will be teased
Each fruit cake is prepared with home-baked care
Allowing many, many others to send one to share
The highest quality ingredients go into every slice
Producing a rich sweetness that will likely entice
The special recipe includes ingredients plus yummy fruit
Filled with golden raisins, cherries, and pineapple to suit
Pecan and walnut pieces add much to the flavor
Tasting this delicious cake is something to savor
Each serving is filled with additional nutrition so great
Adding high fructose corn syrup, hunger meets its fate
Benson’s special fruit cake makes a great gift each year
Sending to family and special friends, far away and near
Every sweet box arrives without any expiration date
Re-gifting this cake to someone else, may be its fate
This delectable fruit cake is just waiting for someone to taste!
From 2 Corinthians 3:18: “And all of us, with unveiled faces, seeing the glory of the Lord as though reflected in a mirror, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another; for this comes from the Lord, the Spirit.”
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Sometimes life resembles a lonely road
Walking endless miles, filling with shame
Surrounded by darkness, bearing life’s load
Feeling mixed up, never into the game
God’s Word and Spirit bring transformation
Empty, spiritual desert . . . leaving now
Bringing dramatic change, new foundation
An oasis of faith becomes a vow
Discovering new hope, suffering ends
God’s light shines ahead of our faithful steps
Stumbling and failing, no longer contend
God’s Glory reigns supreme, without missteps
Old ways transforming to a better life
Exchanging total control with our Lord
God’s Grace gives, without cutting like a knife
His everlasting love, brings rich accord
God’s army of angels, walking ahead
Lonely road left . . . following Christ instead
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Worries, anxiety
Will all come out in the wash—
Leave it with Jesus
Photo by Kevin Menajang on Pexels.com
Messiah, Prince of Peace
Advent proclaims His coming—
Jesus, our Savior
Photo by Nubia Navarro (nubikini) on Pexels.com
God in human form
Greatest gift ever given—
Blessed Salvation
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Renee from Heart Tokens has graciously nominated me for this Barnabas Award. I am truly humbled by her appreciation of my writing.
If you have not visited Renee’s site, I encourage you to do so. She is a Christian who shares her faith without reservation. She inspires many readers with her praise and love of God while sharing other experiences in her life.
The Barnabas Award is presented in recognition of encouragement and inspiration a blogger brings to his or her readers.
How the award works:
Five things about me:
I am a retired teacher who’s turned to writing. After 40 years in the classroom, my writing journey has been a true joy.
I now live in Ohio, the Buckeye State.
I grew up in Montana. I will always look forward to visiting my homeland under the Big Montana Sky.
I grew up with five siblings (four brothers and one sister). I’m the oldest, for better or worse.
I have nine grandchildren between my blended family in Ohio and Montana. The most recent addition arrived on November 29 . . . a boy.
Here are the answers to Renee’s questions:
If you were given as much money as it took to change something for the good, what would be that one thing you would choose?
Eliminate hunger across the world. I am far too blessed with what I’ve been given.
What is one trait from a bible character that you wish you had/or am currently working on having more of?
Witness the Lord’s Word much as Apostle Paul did. I have felt God’s nudges to write more Christian-themed poetry as a way to share my faith.
If you could have been in the crowd that day the young man had the loaves and fish lunch, what do you think your modern-day lunch would have consisted of?
My lunch would have consisted of the same fishes and loaves. To humbling break bread with Jesus would be a life-changer.
If you had a choice, which would you do, stop world hunger or stop bullying?
I already addressed hunger, so I would then turn my attention to removing bullying from our culture—schools, workplace, on the street, politics, and so many other places. Jesus commands us to love one another, just as our Lord loves us.
Do you believe that we can change the world by the words we speak? Whether negative or positive?
We can change the world in a positive way, one conversation at a time. The world definitely needs more positivity.
Here are my five questions to my nominees:
What do you like most about blogging?
Who serves as one of your main inspirations for life?
Do you have a favorite quote or verse from Scripture? Feel free to share it.
If you could change one negative thing in our world, what would you want to change?
Besides God and Jesus, who is a person or an event which you enjoy reading about from the Bible?
My nominees:
To those whom I give this award to, I dearly appreciate you for your unwavering inspiration. If you wish, you are invited to participate.
