Promised by God

From Psalm 107:1-2:  “O give thanks to the Lord, for He is good, for His steadfast love endures forever.  Let the redeemed of the Lord say so, those He redeemed from trouble.”

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Overcoming one more trial

Patience seeking unsteady heart

Navigating life’s endless miles

God’s light insuring faith’s fresh start

 

Bringing lost sheep to green meadows

Darkness replaced with mercy’s hope

Meeting truth, forever aglow

Savior extends light’s righteous rope

 

Giving thanks to Christ’s steadfast love

Redemption proven, empty tomb

Releasing grace from high above

Spirit’s light, transforms every room

 

Fulfilling Word, promised by God

Thirst now quenched, hunger at last fed

Witnessing His love, never flawed

Light at cross, enemy has fled

 

Transforming life, away from sin

Faithfulness renewed, finding grace

Blessing Resurrection’s linchpin

Savior’s light takes its righteous place

 

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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.”

Dignity Intact (Haiku Series #274)

Resolute

Solid character

Bracing against every storm—

Always standing tall

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Sincere

Genuine remarks

Appreciating others—

Integrity speaks

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Resilient

Fame’s fleeting limelight

Humility covers heart—

Enduring respect

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Monday Memories: Ridgetop Treasure

From above the ground, a trellis provides a fertile place for grapes to grow.

From a ridgetop garden

Nature’s treasure hides out

Offering its harvest

Flora lives all about

 

Flowers blooming early

Winter now disappears

Colorful bouquets reign

Sweetest fragrances cheer

 

Warming springtime sunshine

Changes the ground cover

New, tender shoots of grass

Young deer will discover 

A young deer finds the tender grass to her liking.

Trellis roof shelters grapes

Ripen in summer’s sun

Fill with juicy flavor

Birds enjoy tasty fun

 

Apple and black walnut trees

Shading nature’s grand shrine

Fruit dropping to the ground

Squirrels and deer will dine

 

Former home site lives on

Garden paradise waits

Coming alive each spring

Winking back at its mates

Apples ripen in the warm summer sun.

All of the photographs were taken during a couple of recent morning walk at Chestnut Ridge Metro Park, which is just minutes away from Canal Winchester, Ohio.  The hilltop garden remains long after the house (built in the 1930s) was abandoned.  I was blessed to spend several minutes photographing a very cooperative deer while I was quietly standing near a tree.  

Originally published July, 2020.

Faith’s Rebirth

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Heavenly message

Writing with new hope

Lifting spirits high

Praising faith’s bright scope

 

Heavenly boldness

Persevering grace

Penetrating love

Praising faith’s new base

 

Heavenly mercy

Blessing with each breeze

Filling lungs with peace

Praising what faith sees

 

Heavenly goodness

Sharing righteous voice

Adorning with joy

Praising faith’s best choice

 

Heavenly greatness

Descending to earth

Filling one manger

Praising faith’s rebirth

 

Courtesy of Pinterest.

Blossoming Faith (Elfchen Series #197)

Beginning at Sunrise

Faith’s

Daily priority

Always seeking first

Righteous hand of God

Relationship

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Setting Worries Aside

Troubles

Weighing heavy

Tomorrow’s must wait

Grace through faith blessing

Today

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Compass Settings Calibrated

Seeking

Faithful light

Navigating life changes

Alignment always with God

Perspective

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River’s Glory

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From high mountain meadow

River begins fateful trip

One mile follows another

Flowing at steady clip

 

Creator’s light precedes

Clear path to river’s glory

Journey shaping each landscape

Scripting nature’s story

 

Time shall never stand still

River’s persistence will win

Always forward to its goal

Streaming patience within

 

Day will come, very soon

River sets up final score

Faithful waters running free

Asking for nothing more

 

Ocean’s waters ahead

Finish line in river’s sight

Peace traveling through its pulse

Pulling eternal might

 

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Wisdom Interceding

From 1 Kings 3:5:  “At Gibeon the Lord appeared to Solomon in a dream by night, and God said, ‘Ask what I should give you.'”

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Life’s adaptive landscape

Father’s faithful seeding

Walking new avenues

His wisdom interceding

 

Dreams flow with endless peace

Father’s mercy speaks

Offering new insights

His wisdom strengthens what’s weak

 

Sunrise brightens each mind

Father’s steady view

Filling one’s righteousness

His wisdom comes shining through

 

Day brimming with praises

Father’s grace feeding

Finding mountain meadows

His wisdom superseding

 

Light shall topple darkness

Father’s goodness flows

Choosing each time and place

His wisdom sends love to grow

 

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From 1 Kings 3:9:  “Give your servant, therefore, an understanding mind to govern your people, able to discern between good and evil, for who can govern this great people of yours?”

All About Children (Haiku Series #273)

Open Classroom

Learning’s cherished time

Child’s endless observations—

Watching we adults

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Daily Quest

Epic adventures

Wearing out each pair of shoes—

Growing with each step

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Adult’s Invitation

Noticing youngsters

Teaching through their carefree lens—

Simple as child’s play

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Monday Memories: Following His Voice

From 1 Peter 2:25:  “For you were going astray like sheep, but now you have returned to the shepherd and guardian of your souls.

woman standing near sheep

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Like sheep, we wander astray

Turning away from our Lord

Feeling harassed and helpless

Sheep lost, by our own accord

 

God lays a new cornerstone

Our Good Shepherd, Holy Son

Calling us, hearing His voice

His work will never be done

 

Leading us, on this right path

Following His voice, love flows

With Him, we shall never want

Restoring souls, we all grow

 

Good Shepherd, loving His sheep

Bringing comfort, rod and staff

Green pastures, nourishing us

Still waters, on our behalf

 

Jesus, loving Good Shepherd

Unblemished, Lamb of God casts

Body and blood on that Cross

Risen Savior, His hope lasts

sky sunset person silhouette

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From Christian author, W. Phillip Keller:  “It takes some of us a lifetime to learn that Christ, our Good Shepherd, knows exactly what He is doing with us.”

Originally published May, 2020.

Lessons of Faith

From John 17:25-26:  “Righteous Father, the world does not know You, but I know You, and these know that You have sent Me.  I made Your name known to them, and I will make it known, so that the love with which You have loved Me may be in them and I in them.”

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With every waking hour

Reading from faith’s Good Book

Guided by Jesus Christ

Spirit waits by quiet brook

 

Righteous steps lead to God

Praying for mercy’s light

Gathered by Jesus Christ

Faith growing, now taking flight

 

Journey of faith goes forth

Approaching grace-filled curve

Propelled by Jesus Christ

Goodness awaits those who serve

 

Endless lessons of faith

Teaching fills precious space

Mentored by Jesus Christ

Hope speaks, “Let’s finish this race”

 

Given tasks to complete

Hearing One lasting voice

Promised by Jesus Christ

Faith always trusting His choice

 

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From 1 Corinthians 9:24:  “Do you not know that in a race the runners all compete, but only one receives the prize?  Run in such a way that you may win it.”