Unfathomable
Dreaming of donuts
Buried underneath dozens—
Eating one’s way out
Jazz All Night
Playing clarinet
Fingering every sweet note—
Benny Goodman dreams
Second Slice Please
Cuisine’s sweetest dream
Never mind paper napkins—
Freshly baked peach pie
From John 3:14-17: “And just as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, so must the Son of Man be lifted up, that whoever believes in Him may have eternal life. For God so loved the world that He gave His only Son, so that everyone who believes in Him may not perish but may have eternal life. Indeed, God did not send the Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through Him.”
Holy God of Abraham and Sarah
His Tree of Life blesses generations
Throughout Creation’s awesome certainty
Into Christ’s death, reborn as new nations
When rising with each new, precious morning
Blessed by our Father’s love, mercy, and grace
Witnessing His divine truth, now spoken
Passing on to each act and word we place
Walking as His body, the Son of Man
Sanctified through His sacrificial blood
Christ leads, encouraging all to follow
Life streaming to pristine sea, free of mud
Broken lives, breathing as imperfections
Life’s daily missteps, forever stumbling
Christ’s forgiveness showers each soul with love
Pardoning sinners, no longer tumbling
Grace-filled Holy Spirit moves within us
Offering necessary strength and hope
Fueling deep faith, God’s awesome certainty
Go forth, blessed and ready, walk life’s tightrope
Here is a special song, written by American composer, Marty Haugen, “Tree of Life and Awesome Mystery.” This short tune is filled with inspiring verses.
Originally published March, 2021.
From Ephesians 2:5-7: “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, so that in the ages to come He might show the immeasurable riches of His grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus.“
Faith’s spirit seeks
Heavenly grace
Distilled through Christ
Love shall embrace
Depths of joy thirst
Touched by His grace
Waters of hope
Christ’s welcome face
Righteousness breathes
Strengthened by grace
Free gift from Christ
Destiny’s place
For each Christian
Peace full of grace
Resume filled
Christ’s risen space
Bountiful feast
Nourished from grace
Truth found in Christ
Finish thy race
From Ephesians 2:20-21: “Built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus Himself as the cornerstone; in Him the whole structure is joined together and grows into a holy temple in the Lord.”
Never feeling any shame
Proud of family tree
Born and raised in backwoods
Harmony plays for free
Filled with daily confidence
Travels always remind
Heart remains in backwoods
Throughout each daily grind
Landscape’s refreshing waters
Muted by midnight train
Life wrestles in backwoods
Creeks rise with blessed rain
Sweet corn ready to harvest
Lessons from lifetime’s love
Light searches from backwoods
Sunrise witnessed above
Front porch needs fresh coat of paint
Always be home to thee
Memories of backwoods
Destiny’s breath born free
Messiah
Witnessing
His flock
Wayward, lost sheep
Father inserts faithful Shepherd
Jesus
Mentor
Teaching
Without rest
Refreshed through prayer
Energized for His ministry
Jesus
Redeemer
Walking
Upon waters
Churning, tumultuous sea
Sharing peace, winds cease
Jesus
Night vanishes
Dreaming of promised grace
Unfolded from moon’s light
Gratitude’s place
Morning’s darkness
Penetrating with cold
Surrounded without light
Yet, feeling bold
New day begins
Feeling comfort’s sunrise
Thrusted forward with light
Spirit’s franchise
Joy warms each heart
Breathing with renewed hope
Fulfilled with newfound light
View through life’s scope
Tomorrow waits
Drafting another page
Engaged with freshened light
Truth’s conscious stage
From Ephesians 2:4-5: “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.”
Called by Father’s grace Renewing Heaven’s light Receiving forgiveness Redemption takes flight
Called by river’s strength Flowing with nature’s rain Living waters fill light Taste of harvest’s grain
Called by Savior’s peace Discovering true hope Following blessed light Faith grips mercy’s rope
Called by Calvary Kneeling again to pray Witnessing Risen Light Transformation’s clay
Called by Spirit’s light Embracing Scripture’s Word Honoring every verse Truth no longer blurred
Called by destiny Walking in Christ’s shadow Matching His faithful steps Light’s grace always flows
From 1 Thessalonians 5:23-24: “May the God of peace Himself sanctify you entirely, and may your spirit and soul and body be kept sound and blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. The one who calls you is faithful, and He will do this.”
Equalizer
Seeking more balance
Drawing upon each other—
Tomorrow brightens
Unifier
Vision looks backwards
Past lessons travel forward—
Persistence grinds on
Leader
Interactions’ breath
Changes fulfill transition—
Minutes recovered
From Psalm 88:1-2: “O Lord, God of my salvation, when, at night, I cry out in your presence, let my prayer come before you; incline your ear to my cry.”
Cold stillness greets early morning air
Dressed in armor’s extra warm layers
Pre-dawn speaks with inviting brightness
Heavenly Father answers prayers
Heart’s emptiness filled with sorrow’s grief
Walking life’s open road with brisk pace
Precious moments with Father’s goodness
He stands ready at this time and place
Frigid frost slaps rosy cheeks and nose
Step after step, life moving along
Chill penetrates through extra clothing
Heart needs comfort, love from Heaven’s song
Absent clouds replaced with brightest sun
God’s advent warms both body and soul
Speaking with loving mercy and grace
Father softens pain from rocky shoal
Walk’s intensity traded for peace
Warmness and hope, alive and feeding
Life’s burdens lightened with God’s blessings
Sharing much more, His presence leading
From Psalm 25:16-17: “Turn to me and be gracious to me, for I am lonely and afflicted. Relieve the troubles of my heart, and bring me out of my distress.”
Originally published March, 2021.
From Jeremiah 20:7: “O Lord, You have enticed me, and I was enticed; You have overpowered me, and You have prevailed.”
Rising every morning
Praising Father above
Heart overflowing with grace
Embracing His righteous love
Overpowering truth
Receiving Father’s Word
Faith trusting in every verse
Seeing heavens’ light transferred
Clutching hope with each test
Disbursing Father’s peace
Enemy’s footprint erased
Prevailing darkness shall cease
Witnessing newborn child
Breathing with Father’s joy
Savior Jesus brings Good News
Rising, His mercy deploys
From Jeremiah 20:13: “Sing to the Lord; praise the Lord! For He has delivered the life of the needy from the hands of evildoers.“
