Warmest beginnings
Sunrise’s gift of welcome—
Youthful innocence
Horizon’s shadows
Sunset offers gratitude—
Joyful innocence
Landscape now resting
Under serenity’s quilt—
Nightly innocence
Peering out from her window
Times changing much, much too fast
Being alone many years
Husband and friends having passed
Small home meets her meager needs
But, the neighborhood has changed
Folks come and go, few she knows
Life blurs by, as if arranged
Sheltered from the outside world
Homebound most days by herself
Family in distant states
Ignored like books on a shelf
Watching some television
Staying away from the news
Remembering old classics
Dreaming of Julie Andrews
Reading occupies her time
Local newspaper connects
Crossword puzzle smiling back
Novels thrill with their suspects
Peering out from her window
Another sunset draws near
Unfamiliar car drives up
Grandchildren bring happy tears
Originally published August, 2020.
From Isaiah 43:1: “But now thus says the Lord, He who created you, O Jacob, He who formed you, O Israel: Do not fear, for I have redeemed you.”
Heavenly Father
Knowing what is best
His eternal presence
Leads man on his quest
Protection promised
Ford every river
Faith’s redeeming mercy
Spirit delivers
Encouragement brings
Restoration’s grace
Walking through every fire
Christ’s love to embrace
Precious in His sight
Hope fills cup, as planned
Chance eliminated
Gathered in God’s hands
Calling all nations
Eyes no longer blind
Accepting Father’s truth
Just as He designed
From Isaiah 43:9: “Let all the nations gather together, and let the peoples assemble. Who among them declared this and foretold to us the former things? Let them bring their witnesses to justify them, and let them hear and say, ‘It is true.'”
Christ’s
Door opens
Inviting another sinner
Come, walk with me
Awakening
Messiah’s
Blessed grace
Opens wayward heart
Waiting at Heaven’s door
Transformation
Savior’s
Faithful witness
Father’s door opens
Rising with Calvary’s forgiveness
Redemption
All images courtesy of Pinterest.
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.
Today, making big plans
Looking out, far ahead
Life’s landscape, calling out
Past now ready to shed
Yesterday, forgotten
Latching on to new tune
Positive, fresh outlook
Below night’s risen moon
Freedom filling each dream
Nourishing assurance
Confidence springs forward
Life’s steady insurance
Eager to keep moving
Opening novel’s page
Business taken care of
Wisdom heard from old sage
Timetable’s steady hand
Taking shortcut’s byway
No working overtime
Down tomorrow’s highway
From Isaiah 12:2: “Surely God is my salvation; I will trust and will not be afraid, for the Lord is my strength and my might; He has become my salvation.”
Resurrection revives
Eternal light reigns
Hope kept alive
God ordains
Holy Spirit active
Righteousness ahead
Faith proactive
Hope now fed
Love of Jesus rising
His power so high
Grace devising
Hope’s bright sky
God’s message never fails
Peace descends with hope
Journey’ trusted trail
Grasp His rope
Redemption’s light arrives
Promised by God’s Word
Hope kept alive
Faith’s password
From Romans 15:13: “May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.”
Positive outlook
Autumn’s gift of timely peace—
Every falling leaf
Autumn’s final days
Cascading colors of leaves—
Playing its swan song
Fragile leaf dropping
Barren forest standing still—
Autumn says, “So long”
From Psalm 146:1-2: “Praise the Lord! Praise the Lord, O my soul! I will praise the Lord as long as I live; I will sing praises to my God all my life long.”
Bless the Lord’s name forever
Sing praises for Holy deeds
His greatness stands infinite
Loving us like tender reeds
Witness our Lord’s mighty acts
Share with each generation
His greatness lauds His goodness
Building our firm foundation
Recall love works from His hands
Fueled by Grace’s steadfast love
His greatness flows with mercy
Protecting us from above
Call on the Father this day
Pray to Him on humble knees
His greatness lighting the way
Watching over all He sees
From Psalm 145:17-18: “The Lord is just in all his ways, and kind in all his doings. The Lord is near to all who call on him, to all who call on him in truth.”
Originally published August, 2020.
From 1 Peter 1:6-7: “In this you rejoice, even if now for a little while you have had to suffer various trials, so that the genuineness of your faith—being more precious than gold that, though perishable, is tested by fire—may be found to result in praise and glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed.”
Blessed Jesus Christ
His mercy shares love
Brings forth faith’s new birth
Hope stirs from above
Resurrected Christ
His unfading light
He walks among us
Hope ready for flight
Revealed through Jesus
Grace walks within Him
Freed from sin’s darkness
Hope breathes with each hymn
Spirit filled by Christ
More precious than gold
Molds faith’s salvation
Hope rebuilds foothold
Trust in Jesus Christ
Father’s righteous Son
Called to embrace Him
Hope’s faith in the One
From 1 Peter 1:13: “Therefore prepare your minds for action; discipline yourselves; set all your hope on the grace that Jesus Christ will bring you when He is revealed.”
Singing
Worship hymns
Praising Father above
In His Holy name
Gathering
Gathering
Congregation’s joy
Honoring Father’s Word
Faith nourished with grace
Blessing
Blessing
One Body
Father’s welcoming place
Uniting voices with hope
Togetherness
Big Sky Buckeye 