Precious butterfly
Creator’s natural art—
Fragile, yet strengthened
Summer’s final days
Another field ripening—
Harvest’s bounty waits
Calendar’s page turns
Landscape knowing its schedule—
Morning’s autumn peace
From Proverbs 13:7: “Some pretend to be rich, yet have nothing; others pretend to be poor, yet have great wealth.”
Living a life, pleasing only to self
Ignoring God, leaving Him on a shelf
Competitive world, craving ambition
Pleasing to God, never this life’s mission
High expectations, demanding more time
Living the dream, seeking ladders to climb
Mankind commands, chasing full-time career
Pleasing to God, never happens this year
Targets set higher, with each passing week
Hustling to scale, another highest peak
Life fills with emptiness, something amiss
Pleasing to God, change focus . . . lasting bliss
God lights the way, spiritual journey
Coming to Him, forgo the attorney
Heart and mind, accept Father’s deepest love
Pleasing to God, eyes now find Him above
Daily meditation, filled with God’s Word
Rejoicing in His truth, no longer blurred
Priorities flip, following the Lord’s light
Pleasing to God, faithful voyage takes flight
From Ephesians 5:8-10: “For once you were darkness, but now in the Lord you are light. Live as children of light–for the fruit of the light is found in all that is good and right and true. Try to find out what is pleasing to the Lord.”
Originally published November, 2020.
From Philippians 4:8: “Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is pleasing, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence and if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.”
With each morning sunrise
Lifting eyes to heavens above
Praise every blessing
Embracing Savior’s love
With each tribulation
Embracing Father’s grace above
Praise every blessing
Breathing from depths of His love
With challenges ahead
Breathing from ever tranquil seas
Praise every blessing
Taking steps to be free
With each evening sunset
Taking control of endless seas
Praise every blessing
Walking with Christ, now free
From the words of American pastor and Christian author, Charles Swindoll: “Attitude is more important than the past, than education, than money, than circumstances, than what people do or say. It is more important than appearance, giftedness, or skill.”
Encouragement
Through Father
Light’s faithful beacon
Grace shared with others
Welcomed
Eyes
Upon Father
Righteousness shall lead
Precious is His light
Following
Love
From Father
Blessed Resurrection’s light
Mercy’s breath of faith
Trusted
Conflict’s consuming breath
Tomorrow’s sunrise waits
Evening’s beating rhythm
Will darkness be mankind’s fate?
Each hour fails to open
Anger’s agitation
Whispers breeding chaos
Peace scouting for its station
Searching for safe harbor
Bumpy shall be ship’s ride
Echoes’ explosive drift
Stormy waters’ rising tide
Calmness now surfaces
Persistence pays each debt
Voices now standing down
Courageous steps quell each threat
Tomorrow comes about
Darkness has run aground
Morning works together
Blessed spirit at last found
From Psalm 139:13-14: “For it was you who formed my inward parts; you knit me together in my mother’s womb. I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Wonderful are your works; that I know very well.”
Our Creator’s breath
Inescapable
Molding each precious gift
Earth’s dynamic facelift
Our Creator’s touch
Undeniable
Crafting nature’s landscape
Tenderness fills each shape
Our Creator’s works
Unfathomable
Filling with Heaven’s light
Harsh darkness taking flight
Our Creator’s grace
Insurmountable
Offering love’s embrace
Patience marking each space
Our Creator’s faith
Undebatable
Delivering life’s hope
Atop each mountain slope
Our Creator’s way
Inseparable
Leading to Promised Land
His plan forever grand
Our Creator’s truth
Unequivocal
Writing Scripture’s story
Destined for His glory
From Psalm 139:23-24: “Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my thoughts. See if there is any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.”
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.
Big Sky Buckeye 