Witnessing
“Follow Me”
“Come and see”
God descends upon man
Emmanuel
Hearing
Of Nazarene
Disciples now believe
Turning water into wine
Messiah
Following
Righteous steps
Glory’s light ahead
Path to eternal home
Savior
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.
Clouds of change fill morning’s sky
Hidden in frozen crystal ball
What will tomorrow bring?
Many questions wait to free fall
Transformation rides each wind
Hidden story’s unwritten thread
Others forecast gloom and doom
Some say, better times ahead
Harmony fills every thought
Hidden in history’s playbook
Another bridge, not too far
Truth discovers faithful nook
Joyful peace, flowing with hope
Hidden anthem’s spirited choice
Rodeo’s last mount to ride
Countless answers offer voice
From 1 Peter 5:6-7: “Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God, so that He may exalt you in due time. Cast all your anxiety on Him, because He cares for you.”
Our world will sometimes
Turn upside down
Filled with anxiety
Peace faces meltdown
Life’s heavy anchors
Worry weighs down
Sinking ever deeper
Hope lifts at sundown
Father sees darkness
Brings forth His grace
Therefore, humble ourselves
Peace comes to embrace
Father’s mercy beams
Light’s bold outlook
Always caring for us
Hope’s warming chinook
Father’s caring breath
Calls us to cast
Every despondent thought
Faith always steadfast
From Psalm 94:19: “When the cares of my heart are many, Your consolations cheer my soul.”
Watching every child
Life’s mirror shares reflections—
Seeing bit of self
Viewing from window
Life’s gentle pace steps outside—
Adventure’s road trip
Scanning fresh headlines
Life discovers some goodness—
Flowing with kindness
From the words of Scottish evangelist and Christian teacher, Oswald Chambers: “We are not turned into spiritual mediums, but into spiritual messengers; the message must be part of ourselves.”
Our time here on this earth
Limited and finite
Humble servants of God
Carry on the good fight
Called to spread the Good News
Find one person at a time
Urged to evangelize
Sharing God’s paradigm
Giving us strength in faith
Our Lord standing with us
Invite all to listen
Proclaim His truth, a plus
As our God’s messengers
Hearts broken by our flaws
Baptized by Holy Spirit
Drafted into His cause
From 2 Timothy 4:2: “Proclaim the message; be persistent whether the time is favorable or unfavorable; convince, rebuke, and encourage, with the utmost patience in teaching.”
Originally published August, 2020.
From Isaiah 9:2: “The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; those who lived in a land of deep darkness—on them light has shined.”
Chained without freedom’s hope
Slaves to enemy’s grip
Bound in his deception
Lost in darkness, faith’s flagship
God sows fresh seeds of hope
Promised redemption’s road
Light upon wilderness
Blessed revelation’s code
Prayer seeks divine hope
Messenger prepares way
Foretold in prophet’s words
Endless night searches for day
God’s narrative shares hope
His Word shall become flesh
Faith’s promises fulfilled
Harvest’s righteous grain to thresh
New birth of living hope
Forgiveness leads outcome
Salvation shall rescue
Waiting for who is to come
Advent Prayer: Heavenly Father, as we remember and reflect upon this Advent season, assist us in turning our hearts toward You as we approach the birth of Your blessed Son. Encourage us to celebrate the gifts received from that very first Christmas: hope, peace, joy, and love. Amen.
One of Advent’s most enduring hymns is “O Come, O Come, Emmanuel.” The original text was composed in Latin during the 12th century. In 1861, English priest and scholar John Mason Neale translated the lyrics into what many Christians recognize and sing today.
Witnessing
Father’s creation
Every river straightened
Flowing with His grace
Peace
Trusting
Father’s teachings
Scripture lies open
Heart gathering His wisdom
Faith
Praising
Father’s light
Given clean slate
Forgiveness carries burdens away
Hope
Each year follows another
Memories flowing downhill
Some filled with only sadness
Others sketched with joyful thrills
Another sunrise knocking
“Father Time” never slows down
Blessed to be alive, Amen!
One more day, praises go round
Sometimes days feel like winter
Overwhelmed with sky of gray
Other days waken to spring
Youthfulness wanting to play
Daily lessons in patience
Treasures come from smallest gifts
Appetite filled with sweetness
Road ahead, free of snowdrifts
Sunset wraps up one more day
Nightly dreams forever seek
Thankful for every blessing
Journey’s perseverance speaks
From Psalm 9:1-2: “I will give thanks to the Lord with my whole heart; I will tell of all your wonderful deeds. I will be glad and exult in you; I will sing praise to your name, O Most High.”
Another harvest finished
Bushels filled with Father’s grace
Spirit of thankfulness sings
Chorus of voices embrace
Gifted with bounty’s surplus
Every homestead offers praise
Spirit of Messiah sings
Mercy’s light always ablaze
Humbleness in daily walk
Morning’s sunrise praises all
Spirit of risen Lord sings
Cherished rewards come each fall
Community now gathers
Worship fills this tiny church
Spirit of faithfulness sings
Hope filling tomorrow’s search
Another spring shall arrive
Father’s glory in each seed
Spirit of thankfulness sings
Savior’s love forever freed
From Psalm 100:4-5: “Enter His gates with thanksgiving and His courts with praise. Give thanks to Him; bless His name. For the Lord is good; His steadfast love endures forever and His faithfulness to all generations.”
Welcome back sunrise
Sharing landscape’s masterpiece—
Creator with us
Autumn transitions
Fashioned by Creator’s breath—
Anxious winter waits
Horizon’s curtain
Sunset invites journey’s dreams—
Creator at rest
Big Sky Buckeye 