Monday Memories: Rejoice!

From Isaiah 61:10:  “I will greatly rejoice in the Lord, my whole being shall exult in my God.”

Photo by Andrea Piacquadio on Pexels.com

Promised love, Holy Grace from God

Rejoice with glory to the Lord

His glad tidings unite our faith

Not forsaken, never ignored

 

Our Father’s Word offers new life

His caring hand touches each lamb

Rejoicing with Holy goodness

Everlasting joy, sweetest jam

 

Foundation of life, through our faith

Sharing the mantle of God’s love

Deliverance heals our spirit

God’s Glory, rejoicing above

 

Every breath exalts the Lord

Clothed in garments of salvation

Covered by robe of righteousness

Rejoice in Christ’s coronation

 

Photo by Piotr Twardowski on Pexels.com

From Philippians 4:4-5:  “Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, Rejoice.  Let your gentleness be known to everyone. The Lord is near.”

Originally published December, 2020.

New Life in Christ

From Colossians 3:1-2:  “So if you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God.  Set your minds on the things that are above, not on the things that are on earth.”

Photo by ylham on Pexels.com

Resurrection’s breath

Eternal truth above

Joining hands with Savior

His light calls out with love

 

Good Shepherd’s clear voice

Every lamb follows Him

Praising new life in Christ

Journey no longer grim

 

Today’s stumbling steps

Faith’s imperfect avenue

Revealing Christ’s mercy

Spirit carries one through

 

Clothed in righteousness

Forgiven of one’s sins

Accepting Savior’s grace

Heaven’s joy, hope shall win

 

Trust welcomes Christ’s Word

Darkness leaving each heart

Tasting His peace at last

Eternity’s fresh start

 

Photo by Bich Tran on Pexels.com

From Colossians 3:17:  “And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him.”

Special Guest Post: Choose Jesus

Photo by RDNE Stock project on Pexels.com

Take a look around your life.
Tell me what you see.
Do you have a future?
Are you living free?
Perhaps you haven’t seen the time
you had to make a choice.
Will you choose to follow them,
or listen to another voice?

Make a vow unto yourself.
Let the whole world see.
Make a choice for yourself.
Be the best that you can be.
Be sure you know what you’re doing.
Stand up and shout it out loud.
Know where your life is going.
Choose to know Jesus, be proud.

Take a look around your life.
Tell me what you see.
Can you see the future,
where you’re living free?
Perhaps you know that He loves you.
He gave His life for all.
Will you listen to the world,
or listen to our Savior’s call?

Make a vow to yourself.
Let the whole world see.
Make a choice for yourself.
Be the best that you can be.
Be sure you know what you’re doing.
Stand up and shout it out loud.
Know where your life is going.
Choose to know Jesus, be proud.

 

Today’s poem is selected from Colleen Peterson’s recently published book.  Her book is dedicated to themes of Family and Christian life.

My wife accumulated countless thoughts and writings over the years while her two daughters were in their childhood.  Eventually, these treasured bits and pieces formed the foundation of her book.

Here are some of Colleen’s thoughts about the book: 

Bits ‘N’ Pieces Of My heart contains stories, devotions and poetry for the adults, activities to do with your children, and fun little songs. The devotions and poetry will strongly open up your faith walk to more of God’s light. Doing the fun activities and singing little songs with your children will bring smiles to everyone’s heart.

More information is available on Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and several other platforms.

Heavenly Leadership (Elfchen Series #261)

Commitment

Father

Calls us

For His use

Facing life’s daily grind

Faithfulness

Photo by Thirdman on Pexels.com

Empowerment

Father

Helps us

Hearts set afire

Lighting way through darkness

Trustworthiness

Photo by Luis Quintero on Pexels.com

Encouragement

Father

Teaches us

Lessons in forgiveness

Sending out His disciples

Worthiness

Photo by RDNE Stock project on Pexels.com

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.

 

River’s Steady Course

Photo by Pixabay on Pexels.com

River’s dynamics

Blessing waters’ source

Mountain’s melting snow

Staying true to its course

 

River’s known outcome

Flowing every day

Never in hurry

Charting eternal way

 

River’s attitude

Praising every land

Nature in balance

Holding Creator’s hand

 

River’s calming thoughts

Singing to mankind

Tranquility’s voice

Leading as He designed

 

River’s steady course

Observing mankind

Hurried, with missteps

Falling further behind

 

Photo by Kampus Production on Pexels.com

Fire Always Bright

Photo by mas_hha on Pexels.com

Darkness masks life’s landscape

Hiding sin’s heartless shame

Trying to flee past hurts

Shadows always aflame

 

Trials sometimes arise

Shrouding foundation’s cracks

Concealing hell’s façade

Tomorrow painted black

 

Misery breathes as one

Filling with cold despair

Seeing nothing beyond

Jesus descends with care

 

Dependence upon grace

Acknowledging past sins

Kneeling at Calvary

Forgiveness calling in

 

Redemption comes through Christ

Extending mercy’s light

Transforming soul’s battles

Spirit’s fire always bright

 

Photo by Marek Piwnicki on Pexels.com

Curiosity’s Journey (Haiku Series #337)

Retrieving

Taking time to search

Looking for smallest wonders—

Summer’s precious gifts

Photo by Meriu00e7 Tuna on Pexels.com

Responding

Wonder asks questions

Images from deepest space—

Searching for answers

Photo by Pixabay on Pexels.com

Treasuring

America’s roads

Discovery of wonders—

Travel’s shining gems

Photo by Amaury Michaux on Pexels.com

Monday Memories: From Death to Life

From Isaiah 64:6: “We have all become like one who is unclean, and all our righteous deeds are like a filthy cloth. We all fade like a leaf, and our iniquities, like the wind, take us away.”

Photo by Kaique Rocha on Pexels.com

Coming into this harsh world

Born spiritually dead

Ruled by darkest deceptions

Sinful nature fills life’s thread

 

Do we deserve God’s goodness?

Facing our Holy Lord’s wrath

Separated by our sins

Satan lights a wayward path

 

Our lives resemble darkness

Righteous acts, thin and meager

Offering nothing of value

Father’s true love, remains eager

 

Calling upon the Lord’s name

Deliver us from our sins

God, the Potter, molding us

Transforming the clay, He wins

 

Once living under the flesh

Filled with darkest death and sin

By Holy Grace, saved through faith

Walking with Christ, life’s linchpin

 

Placing virgin faith in Christ

In spirit, alive through Him

Body and blood, Cross vanquished

Sins pardoned, new life in Him

 

Photo by Rodolfo Clix on Pexels.com

From Ephesians 2:4-6:  “But God, who is rich in mercy, out of the great love with which He loved us even when we were dead through our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ–by grace you have been saved–and raised us up with Him and seated us with Him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus.”

Originally published November, 2020.

His Gentle Spirit

From Psalm 23:4:  “Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.”

Photo by Pixabay on Pexels.com

Trusting heavenly Father

His gentle spirit always near

Offering sweetest taste of grace

Morning’s sunrise shall appear

 

Ruling over universe

Rod with staff, trusted comfort’s strength

Bearing conditional love

Father closer than arm’s length

 

Giving thanks for His presence

Father’s hands crafting faith’s high road

Singing praises for His efforts

Eternity’s seeds now sowed

 

Hearing when righteous cry out

His refuge sends rescue’s clear light

Redeeming all crushed in spirit

Father’s love shares His delight

 

Living in His blessed house

Faith’s steady journey now fulfilled

Feeling Father’s gentle spirit

Salvation forever filled

 

Photo by Min An on Pexels.com

From Psalm 27:4:  “One thing I asked of the Lord; this I seek:  to live in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to behold the beauty of the Lord, and to inquire in His temple.”

Serving as His Light

My poem serves as an introduction for praising the gift that God has shared with my dear wife, Colleen.  From a bag filled with a collection of writings, she has crafted a book from her faith-filled heart about family and God.

Photo by Anastasia Shuraeva on Pexels.com

Mother’s faith-filled love

Embracing Father’s grace

Teaching her daughters

About Heaven’s special place

 

Daughters’ faith blooming

Accepting Father’s love

Learning from His Word

His presence reigning above

 

Mother’s writing pen

Following Father’s heart

Serving as His light

Book begins initial start

 

Daughters growing up

Living in Father’s peace

Welcoming next steps

Faith maturing, piece by piece

 

Colleen fills so blessed to share God’s light with others.  After nearly seven months in the publishing process, her book is now in print.  The book is currently available on Amazon, but it will soon be featured on other platforms such as Barnes & Noble.