Father
Calls us
For His use
Facing life’s daily grind
Faithfulness
Father
Helps us
Hearts set afire
Lighting way through darkness
Trustworthiness
Father
Teaches us
Lessons in forgiveness
Sending out His disciples
Worthiness
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 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
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
Taking time to search
Looking for smallest wonders—
Summer’s precious gifts
Wonder asks questions
Images from deepest space—
Searching for answers
America’s roads
Discovery of wonders—
Travel’s shining gems
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.”
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
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.
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.”
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
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.”
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.
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.
Following
Father’s light
Evading enemy’s shadows
Truth in Savior’s love
Flourishing
Accepting
Father’s grace
Guiding another step
Gratitude flows from heart
Praising
Trusting
Father’s path
Maturing with goodness
Breath of His righteousness
Growing
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.”
Endless days
Rain with cold
Clouding ways
Hidden folds
Journey’s road
Whispers heard
Bearing loads
Past unblurred
Rhythm’s pace
Patience calls
Giving chase
Freedom stalls
Darkness reigns
Future waits
Changing lanes
Freshens fate
Clouds depart
Sun arrives
Thawing heart
Full of drive
Outlook warms
Boldness shines
Leaving storm
Day looks fine
From Genesis 1:1-3: “When God began to create the heavens and the earth, the earth was complete chaos, and darkness covered the face of the deep, while a wind from God swept over the face of the waters. Then God said, ‘Let there be light,’ and there was light.”
Stillness of another day
Creator’s spirit thrives
Composing eloquent song
Gentleness arrives
Morning’s sun always arrives
Creator’s love surrounds
Flowing with eternal peace
Harmony’s background
Wilderness coming alive
Creator’s welcome breath
Fathering tomorrow’s hope
Life renews from death
Nature’s intimate whispers
Creator’s rhythmic beat
Offering eternal joy
Love where rivers meet
Daylight replaces nightfall
Creator’s timeless clock
Aligning earth with heavens
Spirit’s key unlocks
From John 1:1-3: “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things came into being through him, and without him not one thing came into being.”
Big Sky Buckeye 