Category Archives: Poetry

Little Things Become Big Things

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Have you ever seriously thought?

How little things in our lives become big things

 

A single snowflake falls at sundown

Becomes a skier’s paradise at sunrise

 

A single encouraging thought

Becomes the key to unlock a young mind

 

A single thoughtful gesture

Becomes a way for others to “pay it forward”

 

A single painting by an artist

Becomes a masterpiece for all generations

 

A single drop of rain

Becomes a nourishing drink for flowers so bright

 

A single warm smile

Becomes the connection between a father and daughter

 

A single laboratory discovery

Becomes the means to cure a disease

 

A single lightning strike in the forest

Becomes a way for nature to manage itself

 

A single book read at a young age

Becomes an inspiration for life-long reading

 

A single win for a struggling team

Becomes the spark for a championship run

 

A single handwritten short story

Becomes the inspiration for an award-winning novel

 

A single diamond engagement ring

Becomes a long and lasting marriage

 

A single simple prayer

Becomes the bridge between one and God

 

A single moment of intimate love

Becomes the birth of a blessed child

 

A single job interview

Becomes an incredible and fulfilling career

 

A single bright-shining star

Becomes the beacon to proclaim Christ’s birth

 

True, not all little things lead to good things

But, with patience and God’s guidance, some will become great!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

With God’s Grace

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Another year has finished its journey, forever gone

What will a New Year bring that is never wrong?

As this New Year thoughtfully begins

Resolutions will be thought of once again

Why do people make such a list?

Few will seriously bring much bliss

Perhaps we all harbor the very best at last

As another year brings us a hopeful blast

The number and depth of resolutions is wide

All look unique and amazing, to never hide

For myself, I have a few in mind to hopefully soar

But for me, less written is always easier to score

Here are three simple goals for 2019 to be able

Faith, family, and health will always be on my table

Each requires some effort on my part

But the journey will be worth it to start

With God’s continued grace for each one

My bucket list will be filled and nicely done

 

 

 

 

 

Never Taken for Granted

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Never taken for granted

A young nation moves forward to be brave and free

To remove the shackles of oppression so others see

A soldier takes a bullet in a far, distant land

To protect freedoms that will always stand

Thomas Jefferson will never have to write a sequel

To state for all to read, “All men are created equal”

A minister preaches to a racially divided nation

To envision “free at last” will be his final station

A newspaper criticizes the government with much to say

To reinforce freedom of the press is always here to stay

A hesitant nation awakens while its other allies fight

To bring her vast resources in a victory full of might

A mother takes a stand at a school board meeting

To support a worthy novel that is taking a beating

A crowd protests peacefully in a city very near

To bring attention to issues without any fear

A writer uses his words to bring an issue to light

To encourage all to make a difference and fight

A President hides behind the sins of Watergate

To shamefully resign from office will be his fate

Workers strike to protest low wages and more

To organize labor unions to even up the score

A young politician inspires and leads the way

To become a worthy leader with much to say

Other nations come to the aid of a valued friend

To bring support with the troops that they send

Students stare into TV cameras with one voice

Violence in schools is truly not about a choice

A former republic declines and fades away

To witness freedom’s erosion without delay

Christ’s red blood stains an old rugged cross

To bring a second chance for all who are lost

Never taken for granted

 

 

 

 

Hiring a Pastor

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A church must deal with finding a pastor quickly

Unfortunately, their preferences are a bit picky

Another applicant’s letter is presented to all

Perhaps this candidate will impress and not fall

His submitted application lists many qualifications

If there is any anguish, his will meet disqualification

I have been a successful pastor in many places

My writing has proven beneficial in several cases

My ability to organize new churches has been strong

As for my leadership traits, few if any are ever wrong

My age is adding a few years to my hard life

But my experiences bring me no fear or strife

I have never preached anywhere for longer than three years

Sometimes my preaching has disrupted and created much fear

I am not ashamed to say that I’ve been in jail a few times

None of this has been caused by any wrongdoing of mine

While my health is declining, I continue to push on

I feel a need to continue preaching about God’s song

In some communities, other religious leaders haven’t liked me

Some have even threatened and attacked for what they see

My recordkeeping skills are very poor at best

I am forgetful about baptisms and the rest

Hopefully, you will put your concerns aside

I, Apostle Paul, will in God always abide

I found a letter with details about this situation many years ago.  Anyone can search the Internet for this letter as well as sermons that are based upon Apostle Paul being a pastoral candidate at a church.  For an example, go to Paul.

 

A ‘Perfect’ Memory

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Proud of my memory with its endless perfection

My impeccable recall never needs any correction

 

As a small child from many years ago

My memories remain vivid, this I know

 

My family stands astonished and amazed

While my data files work through a maze

 

I remember many, many things from my past

Hoping that these remarkable powers will last

 

Many beautiful memories organized to be found

I am thrilled by a brain that is sharp and sound

 

Sometimes my mind feels like an encyclopedia

Please don’t ever challenge me with Wikipedia

 

God has blessed me with an awesome mind

As for my car keys . . . please help me find?

 

 

Haiku Series #5

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Too Fast

An afternoon drive

Racing down a narrow road

Hairpin turn ahead

 

Soccer Fans

Dressed like Eskimos

Freezing in the stands today

How much time to go?

 

Contagious Laughter

Two laughs follow one

Another and another

Hilarious fun

 

Last Second Shot

Game clock ticks downward

Precious seconds slip away

Swish—Nothing but net!

 

Let It Snow

Powder snow arrives

Deeper with each passing hour

Skiers rejoicing

 

Dental Visit

Sitting back in chair

Extracting teeth one by one

Wisdom teeth all gone

 

Check out previous Haiku posts:  Haiku 1, Haiku 2, Haiku 3, Haiku 4.

 

 

Riding the Train

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Lying awake in bed on hot, sultry summer nights

Young boy listens to moving trains, far out of sight

 

Dreaming of riding passenger trains, brings thrills

Reliable North Coast Limited quickly travels at will

 

Riding the Northern Pacific Railway’s pride and joy

Father takes son on his first-ever train trip—oh boy!

 

Sitting together in the comfy coach car, so much fun

Experiencing all that connects a father with his son

 

Shuffling down the aisle, steward offers snack foods

Restaurant in Glendive soon satisfies hungry moods

 

Making its journey to Montana’s “Gateway City” today

Hustling train passes many small towns along the way

 

Flashing quickly by—Custer, Hathaway, and Terry

Steady North Coast Limited acts as trusted ferry

 

Feeling safe with train’s constant rocking motion

Son’s eyes soon close, sleeping to its locomotion

 

Waking up, train slowing for a scheduled stop

Town of Forsyth, pausing for quick eavesdrop

 

Picking up steam, locomotive continues on its way to the East

Yellowstone River runs alongside, train powers up like a beast

 

Finishing this exciting journey and reaching their destination

Glendive will serve as today’s ending Montana train station

 

Accompanying his father as he takes care of his affairs

Enjoying dinner and staying overnight without any cares

 

Returning back home to Billings the very next morn

Son believing train travel should be his new norm

 

Sitting in cozy dining car, both treated quite well

Elegantly set table makes pancakes taste swell

 

Moving up to the observation car, enjoying beautiful views

Autumn’s harvested farm fields, lining up straight and true

 

Hurtling by more towns—Rosebud and Fallon go past

It’s much too bad this captivating journey cannot last

 

Remembering again those images and sounds of the train

Memories of the North Coast Limited shall always remain

 

I actually made this trip with my father back in the late 1960s.  Read more about the Northern Pacific Railway’s amazing passenger service from North Coast Limited.

 

Then Came Light

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To a formless world, shrouded in whole darkness

God brought forth light to remove the harshness

 

To a dark, foreboding room with no shape

Candles illuminate our morning landscape

 

From a barren, lifeless pine or Douglas fir tree

Christmas brings lights, and makes us feel free

 

To a cold, hostile land without any light at night

Early man learns of fire, to warm and offer sight

 

To a student, who feels frustrated in a lesson so dark

A teacher brings patience, and a smile offers a spark

 

To a darkened, isolated highway on a night with no moon

Bright headlights point us safely towards home very soon

 

To a world seeking guidance and a fresh start

Lady Liberty’s welcoming torch, sets her apart

 

To a frightened child, waking up in darkness of the night

Parents bringing a beam of light, to take away his fright

 

To a middle-aged adult, stricken with eyesight very poor

A doctor’s skill removes a cataract, so she can see more

 

To an empty and humbling manger, in a crowded stable

A bright star over Bethlehem, showing what is now able

 

To heal the broken, lost life of a desperate man

God offering a sustaining and hope-filling plan

 

Morning Walk

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Waking from my sleep on a dark, chilly day

Preparing for another early morning to play

 

Pulling on my warm jacket and stocking cap

Heading out the door without need of a map

 

Making this early morning journey once again

Walking down a street where many have been

 

Moving hurriedly while struggling with numbing, frigid air

Searching a pocket to discover my gloves are not a pair

 

Being discovered, a nervous rabbit hops away

Seeing me, he certainly doesn’t desire to play

 

Crossing the street, a black cat stares back

Slithering away, she doesn’t cross my path

 

Freezing my face, the frosty air feels bitterly cold

Hurrying along with a pace that is rapid and bold

 

 

Still a Desperate Man

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Waking up in the morning much, much too late

My alarm clock was telling me to sleep and wait

I’m still a desperate man!

 

Opening my bank statement one afternoon

A positive balance won’t come anytime soon

I’m still a desperate man!

 

Looking forward to a hot shower early in the morn

The frigid, cold water tells me this is not the norm

I’m still a desperate man!

 

Forgetting to check my car’s fuel gauge

The gas runs out, and my emotions rage

I’m still a desperate man!

 

Turning on my bathroom light, around midnight

The bulb burns out, and leaves me in a fright

I’m still a desperate man!

 

Returning home after a long week on the road

Discover the fridge conked out, nothing’s cold

I’m still a desperate man!

 

Arriving at work on a cloudy, rainy, gray day

My boss tells me to permanently stay away

I’m still a desperate man!

This poem is inspired by Eric Church’s song, “Desperate Man.”