Sunset riding west
Daytime closes eyes
Darkness offers rest
Waiting for sunrise
As curtain lowers
Behold heavens’ stars
Pages turn slower
Dreaming from afar
Silence deepens breath
Moonlight’s fullness glows
Sleeping finding delight
Sailing each rainbow
Rhythm finds restart
Troubles take backseat
Calmness filling heart
Shaping night’s retreat
From Psalm 86:2-3: “Preserve my life, for I am devoted to You; save Your servant who trusts in You. You are my God; be gracious to me, O Lord, for to You do I cry all day long.”
Devoted to Father
Hearing His endless thoughts
Witnessing heavenly goodness
Life’s lessons always taught
Filled with Father’s steadfast spirit
Trusting His timely grace
Lifting wayward heart from darkness
Love offers mercy’s place
Called to walk in Father’s vision
Turning away from sin
Answering each burden’s prayer
Faith’s glorious linchpin
Delivered light shines upon thee
Words filling confession
Lifting soul from forgotten place
Forgiving transgressions
Comforted with Father’s favor
Rising from empty tomb
Sowing with every seeded field
Peace gathered from each bloom
From Psalm 86:11-12: “Teach me Your way, O Lord, that I may walk in Your truth; give me an undivided heart to revere Your name. I give thanks to You, O Lord my God, with my whole heart, and I will glorify Your name forever.”
Morning’s stillness breathes
Renewing peace returns home—
Dawn welcomes one back
Afternoon’s hope stirs
Gentle breezes come calling—
Spirit fills each heart
Nightly curtain drops
Horizon’s fading embrace—
Tomorrow’s light waits
From the words of British pastor and theologian, Charles Spurgeon: “The closer we are to the Shepherd, the safer we are from the wolves.”
Encountering another of life’s setbacks
Visitor from the darkness shouts, “I am back”
Old Man Trouble comes knocking at my front door
Relentless, he desires to even the score
How will I choose to deal with adversity?
His darkness masks the sky over this city
Tackle straight forward what Old Man Trouble brings
Or . . . wait timidly for his continued sting
God’s Word teaches us and brings us hope:
We all live preciously in God’s perfect sight
He gathers us in His loving, Holy might
Past—present—future . . . from the Great I Am
Making it through turbulent seas for each lamb
Through desolate wilderness, God shares a way
Bringing rivers of hope to this life’s gateway
Looking Old Man Trouble in his doom-filled eyes
With faithful courage, my hope begins to rise
Life waits to see . . . who will finally blink first?
With God’s living water, quenching my parched thirst
Listening, following God’s steadfast handbook
His love will save me with a whole new outlook
Bringing Godly fortitude, when needed most
Old Man Trouble defeated, nothing to boast
From Isaiah 43:2-3: “When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and through the rivers, they shall not overwhelm you; when you walk through fire you shall not be burned, and the flame shall not consume you. For I am the Lord your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior.”
Originally published August, 2020.
From James 1:2-3: “My brothers and sisters, whenever you face various trials, consider it all joy, because you know that the testing of your faith produces endurance.”
Facing life’s trials
Any and all kinds
Counting as joy
Faith never resigns
Testing endurance
Burdens grow lighter
Blessing as joy
Hope growing brighter
Maturing in faith
Every doubt erased
Feeling as joy
Father’s grace embraced
Growing every day
Inner self renews
Holding as joy
Spirit standing true
Preparing our way
Eternity’s flame
Seeing as joy
Peace in Christ proclaims
From 2 Corinthians 4:16-18: “So we do not lose heart. Even though our outer nature is wasting away, our inner nature is being renewed day by day. For our slight, momentary affliction is producing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all measure, because we look not at what can be seen but at what cannot be seen, for what can be seen is temporary, but what cannot be seen is eternal.”
Fulfilled
With confidence
Walking by faith
Light of righteousness leads
Trust
Encouraged
With assurance
Faith’s trusted steps
Perseverance carries hope forward
Endurance
Overwhelmed
With adversity
Grace transforms darkness
Faithful outlook trusts Jesus
Triumphant
Landscape witnessed, far and wide
Designed with painter’s vision
Praising daily, valley’s peace
Backdrop of divine precision
River slices through meadows
Lined with colonies of trees
Shining, crystal-blue waters
Beauty’s reflections, always free
Time never standing alone
Counted with infinite years
Honoring each precious gift
Postcard image, others find dear
Autumn paints its backstory
Borrowed from nature’s rainbow
Rising above, mountain peaks
Creator’s spirit freely flows
Seasons exchanging places
Poised to share wondrous treasures
Composing hope’s harmony
Melody of timeless pleasures
From Philippians 2:1-2: “If, then, there is any comfort in Christ, any consolation from love, any partnership in the Spirit, any tender affection and sympathy, make my joy complete: be of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind.”
Blessed encouragement
Resurrection’s light beams
Found in Savior Jesus
Redemption runs downstream
Being of same spirit
Heart’s beat filled with His love
Christ teaches righteousness
World finds peace from above
Acceptance of God’s will
Conscience stirs to confirm
Each element born in Christ
Faith’s trust breathes to affirm
Father always at work
Eternal light burns bright
Salvation finds its home
Tomorrow’s hope holds tight
Within every blessing
Enlightened with God’s Way
Holy Spirit defines
Obedience replays
From Philippians 2:12-13: “Therefore, my beloved, just as you have always obeyed me, not only in my presence but much more now in my absence, work on your own salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who is at work in you, enabling you both to will and to work for His good pleasure.”
Vacant lot’s dirt piles
Imagination’s new heights—
Scaling new mountains
Stomach’s emptiness
Texting mother for some lunch—
Tree-fort food service
Calendar’s big day!
School year finally begins—
Parents celebrate
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.”
Being careful with life’s missteps
Sinful disobedience waits
God’s Word touches our inner soul
Hell pleasing, never be our fate
Our truest, most faithful support
Shall always arrive from His love
God’s Word will endure forever
His Spirit reigns from high above
When life’s dark trials boil over
Creating quagmires of distress
God’s Word quells each predicament
His next move leads like playing chess
Our life’s journey travels by faith
Transformed by Christ’s merciful heart
God’s Word reaches out, filled with hope
Bringing a new day, let’s restart
From 2 Corinthians 5:7: “For we walk by faith, not by sight.”
Originally published July, 2020.
Big Sky Buckeye 