Joy’s Heavenly Place

From Philippians 3:14:  “I press on toward the goal, toward the prize of the heavenly call of God in Christ Jesus.”

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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

 

Courtesy of Pinterest.

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.”

Shrinking Darkness (Elfchen Series #258)

Always Forward

Father

Witnessing transformations

Smallest of steps

Raising faith’s enduring foundation

Rejoicing

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Mercy Received

Precious

Harvest gathered

Filled with destiny

From smallest of seeds

Possibilities

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Peace as One

Daily

Hope embraced

From Savior’s light

Smallest voice sharing grace

Beginnings

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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.

William Gurnall Quote

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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.

Next Steps

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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

 

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God’s Assurance

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.”

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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

 

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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.”

Positivity’s Nerve (Haiku Series #334)

Activation

Enlightened vision

Moving beyond next summit—

Goals looking forward

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Buoyancy

Disappointment comes

Marooned in valley’s darkness—

Sunrise lifts spirit

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Initiative 

Turning life’s next page

Heart opens another door–

Deepened excitement

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Monday Memories: Father’s Firm Hand

From Psalm 94:1-2:  “Lord, you God of vengeance, you God of vengeance, shine forth!  Rise up, O judge of the earth; give to the proud what they deserve!”

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Holy, perfect Father

Bringing justice for all

Earth’s one, ultimate Judge

Love covers, like rainfall

 

Truest God of vengeance

Providing blessed Grace

Living high in Heaven

Father’s firm hand, in place

 

Lives thirst for discipline

Teaching knowledge, His Word

Knowing our hollow thoughts

Empty breath, minds stand blurred

 

Over the roaring seas

On highest mountaintops

Across fertile valleys

Earth’s Judge shall never stop

 

Gracious to believers

God’s goodness and kindness

Through our faith, accept Grace

Love overcomes blindness

 

Judging with righteousness

God’s law rules over all

Vanquishing the wicked

Justice builds righteous walls

 

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From Psalm 98:8-9:  “Let the floods clap their hands; let the hills sing together for joy at the presence of the Lord, for He is coming to judge the earth.  He will judge the world with righteousness, and the peoples with equity.”

Originally published November, 2020.

Father’s Certainty

From Psalm 23:6:  “Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord my whole life long.”

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Searching for life’s certainty

Facing darkness without end

Seeking mercy’s treasured light

Father’s truth will never bend

 

Praying for darkness to leave

Believing in light above

Accepting His timely grace

Father’s gentle touch of love

 

Walking into valley’s light

Stepping toward Heaven’s gate

Watching darkness crawl away

Father’s certainty creates

 

Rising from Calvary’s death

Trusting Savior’s final words

Defeating darkness at last

Father’s light no longer blurred

 

Feeling certainty redeemed

Tearing apart chains of sin

Seeing Eternity’s light

Father’s benevolence wins

 

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From 2 Timothy 2:8-10:  “Remember Jesus Christ, raised from the dead, a descendant of David—that is my gospel, for which I suffer hardship, even to the point of being chained like a criminal. But the word of God is not chained.  Therefore I endure everything for the sake of the elect, so that they may also obtain the salvation that is in Christ Jesus, with eternal glory.”

Holiest Presence (Elfchen Series #257)

Breath

Messiah’s

Infant face

Witnessing Father’s love

Kingdom shall never end

Majesty

Afterglow

Mother’s

Ultimate favor

Bearing Father’s Son

Love filled with Spirit

Destiny

Remembrance

Savior’s

Humble Beginnings                        

Stable’s common feedbox

Angels praise Father’s joy

Light

All photographs courtesy of Pinterest.

Lighter Side of News

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Grandest mansion for sale

Anchors nearby lake’s yacht club

Billiards room’s crafted stained glass

Neighborhood’s vital hub

 

Viewing old photographs

Peek at Victorian times

Men with sculpted mustaches

Personal grooming rhymes

 

Master Gardener’s tasks

Skillful expertise it takes

Inspiration for others

Backyard coming awake

 

Preserving each antique

Timeless lessons filled with joy

Newest, precious collection

For others to enjoy

 

Red-shouldered hawks return

Hidden in tree’s highest nest

Maturing chicks taking flight

Passing nature’s big test

 

All of the above photos courtesy of Pinterest.