Born into this world
Gifted with abilities—
Using for goodness
Watching out for self
Keeping hungry wolves away—
Nourished in spirit
Many roads ahead
Opportunity’s pathway—
Making wise choices
Sun sets on another day
Evening calls, wanting its way
Family gathers around
Home now, love and peace abound
Night sky envelopes the land
Stillness breathes on high command
Supper cooking, hunger calls
Mom’s spaghetti and meatballs
All hands on deck, helping mom
Frenzy soon returns to calm
Television calling out
Favorite show brings a shout
Mom crochets, sitting nearby
Dad reads book, about Shanghai
Final chores, homework to do
Soon slumber stirs up its brew
Before the last light goes out
Prayers praise God, so devout
Originally published November, 2020.
Never-ending vistas
Discovering each keepsake
Nature’s promised grace
Harmony’s singing at daybreak
Majestic mountain peaks
Reaching to heavens above
Fields’ ripening grain
Easy to witness Creator’s love
Highway’s distant crossroads
Welcoming each blessed guest
Town’s main street alive
Hospitality at its best
Heart searches for its peace
Dreaming . . . now Montana bound
Precious adventures
Journey complete . . . Montana found
As of July 1, Colleen and I are beginning our travels from our home in central Ohio to Montana. The Big Sky Country is my native state, and we are eager to see family and friends. We will return in about 15 days.
From Romans 5:1-2: “Therefore, since we are justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have obtained access to this grace in which we stand; and we boast in our hope of sharing the glory of God.”
Our sinful nature
Takes Christ to the Cross
God responds with love
Grace reaches across
Jesus defeats death
Living cornerstone
Sacred salvation
Grace comes to atone
Father’s gift of life
Receive daily bread
Through our faith alone
Grace walking ahead
Christ teaches of love
Shares His peace of mind
Hearts and minds now cleansed
Grace saving mankind
Never fear again
Look forward to peace
Fate sealed with God’s love
Grace, life’s Holy lease
From the words of American pastor and Christian teacher, Charles Stanley: “When facing painful trials, we may be tempted to doubt God’s love for us. Remember that God orchestrated the greatest demonstration of love possible–His Son’s death on the cross.”
Originally published November, 2020.
From Philippians 3:14: “I press on toward the goal, toward the prize of the heavenly call of God in Christ Jesus.”
Journey through darkness
Consumed by fire of sin
Filled with desires of flesh
Bound for hell’s tailspin
Enemy’s false words
Promises unfulfilled
Confidence now waning
Whisper of hope killed
Shepherd’s gate opens
Calvary’s light beholds
Kneel now, accept His grace
Heaven’s path unfolds
Flesh left in darkness
Repentance of past ways
Leaving sin’s wilderness
Faith in Christ each day
Lord’s grace accepted
Covered with Father’s love
Savoring hope’s reward
Glory from above
Holding fast in trust
Faithful, transforming pace
Redemption forever
Joy’s heavenly place
From Philippians 3:20: “But our citizenship is in heaven, and it is from there that we are expecting a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ.”
Father
Witnessing transformations
Smallest of steps
Raising faith’s enduring foundation
Rejoicing
Precious
Harvest gathered
Filled with destiny
From smallest of seeds
Possibilities
Daily
Hope embraced
From Savior’s light
Smallest voice sharing grace
Beginnings
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.
Faith is a plant that can grow in the shade, a grace that can find the way to heaven in a dark night.
From Psalm 17:3: “If you try my heart, if you visit me by night, if you test me, you will find no wickedness in me; my mouth does not transgress.”
William Gurnall (1616-1679) was an English author and member of the Anglican clergy.
Morning’s gentle voice
Invitation welcomes all
New day rising
Creator’s spirit comes to call
Next steps contemplate
Opportunity at hand
Always present
Creator’s breath covers this land
Mind absent of thoughts
Tranquility extends grace
Empty page waits
Creator’s own words embrace
Time seems to stand still
Sky’s expanse frozen in blue
Quiet breeze stirs
Creator’s peace channels breakthrough
Darkness encroaches
Patient light chases away
Innocence dreams
Creator’s perpetual way
From Hebrews 6:19-20: “We have this hope, a sure and steadfast anchor of the soul, a hope that enters the inner shrine behind the curtain, where Jesus, a forerunner on our behalf, has entered, having become a high priest forever according to the order of Melchizedek.”
God’s assurance
Backed up with love
Unchangeable
Reigns from above
God’s steadfastness
Shared through His Word
Unwavering
Light now unblurred
God’s character
Offered His peace
Unshakeable
Salvation’s lease
God’s persistence
Filled with His grace
Unrelenting
Truth to embrace
God’s perfection
Trusted faith’s scope
Unparalleled
Christ’s risen hope
From the words of American pastor and Christian author, Charles Swindoll: “Ask God. Trust God. We are completely dependent on Him for eternal life, for forgiveness, for character, for security.”
Enlightened vision
Moving beyond next summit—
Goals looking forward
Disappointment comes
Marooned in valley’s darkness—
Sunrise lifts spirit
Turning life’s next page
Heart opens another door–
Deepened excitement
Big Sky Buckeye 