Monday Memories: Bewitching Storm

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Nasty winter gale approaching

Forecast broadcasting storm warning

Heavy snow, high winds, Arctic cold

Village alarms sound by morning

 

Life transcends to total frenzy

Salt trucks loaded, very much ready

Snow plow crews set for night’s work

Village life scrambling, unsteady

 

Packed grocery stores in chaos

Hurried, panic-filled shopping carts

Shelves urgently growing empty

Village pace quickens beating hearts

 

Students anticipate closings

Looking forward, lazy “Snow Day”

No classes, no books, no lessons

Village hunkers down, people pray

 

Winter storm “Tabitha” churning

Pondering, bewitching blizzard

Overnight fury passes on

Village eluding storm’s wizard

 

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The Weather Channel has been naming winter storms in America since 2012-2013.  You may have picked up the connection between the “bewitching” blizzard and the name of the storm “Tabitha.”  Tabitha is one of the available winter storm names for the 2020-2021 winter.  Tabitha is also the daughter of Samantha (Elizabeth Montgomery) on the successful American sitcom “Bewitched” from 1964-1972.

Originally posted February, 2021.

Redemption’s Lasting Prize

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.”

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Outlook’s scarred landscape

Uncertainty’s shadows

Pervading, cold darkness

Hope’s final ember glows

 

Peace overpowered

Gloom of night never leaves

Witnessing life’s heartbreaks

Another day must grieve

 

Despair comes ashore

Empty vessel of grace

Asking, where has light gone?

Hope discovers its place

 

Each burden gathered

Sunrise at last arrives

Breaking oppressor’s rod

Messiah’s love alive

 

Resurrection breathes

Savior’s mercy shall rise

Sharing heavenly view

Redemption’s lasting prize

 

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From Isaiah 9:6:  “For a child has been born for us, a son given to us; authority rests upon His shoulders, and He is named Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.”

Truth Forevermore (Elfchen Series #287)

Seamless

Trusting

Heavenly lamp

Spirit’s faithful beacon

Heart illuminated in light

Clarity

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Dynamic

Placing

Burdens aside

Spirit’s embracing hope

Heart transformed by light

Tranquility

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Vibrant

Downloading

Resurrection’s peace

Spirit’s forgiving grace

Heart strengthened through light

Eternity

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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.

With Single Voice

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Conflict’s illumination

Breathing at darkened crossroads

Competing sides debate

Feuding over each thought sowed

 

Wisdom arrives with patience

Lowering volume through grace

Pausing time to listen

Slowing down rhetoric’s pace

 

Conflict’s common ground merges

Finding compromise through peace

Hearing words of reason

Solving puzzle’s missing piece

 

Wisdom empowers new day

Offering one blessed choice

Walking together now

Gathering with single voice

 

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Messiah’s Love

From Colossians 13:13-14:  “Bear with one another and, if anyone has a complaint against another, forgive each other; just as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive.  Above all, clothe yourselves with love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony.”

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Faith’s journey with Christ

Seeking all things above

Heavenly treasures wait

Revealed in Messiah’s love

 

Bitterness removed

Embracing Christian love

Salvation’s welcome voice

Nourished from heavens above

 

Spirit of patience

Spreading each truth of love

Just as Scripture teaches

Joined in Christ, grace shines above

 

God’s mercy forgives

Sharing peace from above

Harmony’s hope brings joy

Marked with unlimited love

 

Resurrection’s light

Raising praises of love

Redemption fills each heart

Witnessed by Lord from above

 

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From the words of American pastor, Harry Emerson Fosdick:  “Bitterness imprisons life; love releases it.”

Natural Refreshment (Haiku Series #363)

Waiting

Pre-dawn’s innocence

Preview with minimal light—

Sunrise holding back

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Awakening

Epic cataract

Lazy river’s destiny—

Crushing waters roar

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Captivating

Creator’s spirit

Tall grasses reach to heavens—

Prairie much alive

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Monday Memories: Meeting at Last

From Luke 1:27-27:  “In the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent by God to a town in Galilee called Nazareth, to a virgin engaged to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David.  The virgin’s name was Mary.”

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When shall we ever meet?

Longing to meet my Lord

His lamp, lighting the way

Filled with love, now on board

 

Life’s laboring turmoil

Enchained by sin’s shackles

Christ offers lasting Grace

Freed from darkest jackals

 

Heaven’s gifts come to earth

Filled with unselfish love

Each dawn brings liberty

Embracing newfound love

 

Rejoice, again rejoice!

No more trembling in fear

Appearing like day’s sun

Safely home, Jesus steers

 

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From Luke 24:50-53:  “Then He led them out as far as Bethany, and, lifting up His hands, He blessed them.  While He was blessing them, He withdrew from them and was carried up into heaven.  And they worshiped Him, and returned to Jerusalem with great joy; and they were continually in the temple blessing God.”

Measuring Every Word

From Proverbs 16:22:  “Wisdom is a fountain of life to one who has it, but folly is the punishment of fools.”

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Wisdom’s fountain of life

Vision of Christ unblurred

Blessing days without strife

Measuring every word

 

Wisdom’s voice fills each mind

Left hand joins truth of right

Maturing faith aligned

Cascading from Christ’s light

 

Wisdom’s appetite knows

Joy in Christ, never cease

Sowing hope’s seeds, trust flows

Reaping from fields of peace

 

Wisdom’s patience merging

Just as Father hath planned

Witnessing strength surging

Reaching out from Christ’s hand

 

Wisdom’s honest sweetness

Christ transforms man’s blindness

Filling life’s completeness

Building grace of kindness

 

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From Proverbs 16:24:  “Pleasant words are like a honeycomb, sweetness to the soul and health to the body.”

Special Guest Post: In Your Way

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I see the sunrise.

The day is new.

I lift my voice Lord, in praise to You.

I feel the warmth of Your care.

I know You’re with me everywhere.

All Your goodness, I must share with those I meet.

 

I know You’re here, God.

To You I yield.

I thank You Father, for You are real.

You give Your strength when I’m weak.

You lead me as Your will I seek.

In my spirit, I feel peace as I praise You.

 

I see Your children,

Live in defeat.

I share Your love, God, with those I meet.

I know our life is Your Son.

In Him, the war’s already won.

All Your mercy, You do give to all for free.

 

I worship Father,

My heart renews.

I thank You Jesus for all You do.

I feel Your strength when I fail.

You protect me when the storms rail.

All Your love holds me through sorrow and through pain.

 

Oh Lord, please live Your life through me.

Shine through me every day.

Every moment, help me stay . . .

Walking . . .  talking . . . loving . . .

In Your way!

 

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Today’s Christian poem is one of several contained in BITS ‘N’ PIECES OF MY HEART.  The proud writer is my wife, Colleen Peterson.

From her own words:

BITS ‘N’ PIECES OF MY HEART contains stories, devotions and poetry for the adults, activities to do with your children, and fun little songs.  The devotions and poetry will strongly open up your faith walk to more of God’s light.  Doing the fun activities and singing little songs with your children will bring smiles to everyone’s heart.

Colleen appreciates the kind reception her book has received.  It is available on your favorite online bookstore site.

Salvation’s Refreshment (Elfchen Series #286)

Quenching

All

Who thirst

Seek living waters

Flowing into believer’s heart

Come

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Enriching

Given

From Jesus

Precious living waters

Flowing from Spirit’s depths

Life

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Praising

Accepting

Christ’s nourishment

Blessed living waters

Flowing outward from heavens

Grace

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From Isaiah 12:3:  “With joy you will draw water from the wells of salvation.”