Monday Memories: Harmony in Creation

This poem is inspired with Creation’s visions from Psalm 104 (the poem’s first 12 verses), and with a response from the hymn “My Life Flows On in Endless Song” (the poem’s final six verses).

clouds

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Clothed with Holy majesty and honor

Heavens stretching out to infinity

Our Lord’s masterpiece endures forever

Clouds witness this sacred affinity

 

Earth’s foundation, never to be shaken

Lofty mountaintops look upon it all

Safe refuge waiting in fertile valleys

Creation’s spirit fulfilling each call

 

From flowing springs, animals quenching thirst

Every season following moon’s phases

Birds singing praise from highest tree branches

Rising and setting sun painting praises

 

God’s creation flowing as endless songs

Nothing shall ever shake its inner calm

Echoing across earth’s fruitful valleys

Scaling each mountaintop as joyful Psalms

 

Creation’s fountain forever springing

Beauty of the Lord’s harmony singing

time lapse photo of water falls in the forest

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From Colossians 1:16:  “For in Him all things in heaven and on earth were created, things visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or powers—all things have been created through Him and for Him.”

Here is the melody and lyrics to “My Life Flows On in Endless Song”:

Originally published June, 2020.

Hope’s Fulfilling Night (First Sunday of Advent)

From Isaiah 7:14:  “Therefore the Lord Himself will give you a sign.  Look, the young woman is with child and shall bear a son and shall name Him Immanuel.”

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Leading from Zion

Mercy taking flight

God shall be with us

Hope’s ember of light

 

Sprouting from his roots

Jesse’s stump alive

Faithful branches breathe

Hope’s spirit survives

 

Waiting in prayer

Prophesied birthplace

Prince shall bring His peace

Hope’s beacon of grace

 

Sheltering man’s faith

Bethlehem sleeping

Flock’s promised Shepherd

Hope’s heart now leaping

 

Believing in God

Life’s harshness turns bright

Virgin bears His Son

Hope’s fulfilling night

  

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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.

Gospel’s Revelations (Elfchen Series #179)

Encouraging

Grace

Unconditionally offered

Father’s timely gift

Propelling faith’s lasting peace

Love

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Fulfilling

Hope

Tomorrow’s destiny

God’s everlasting promises

His faithful, righteous Word

Trust

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Beholding

Courage

Undeniably witnessed

Savior’s steadfast journey

Mercy’s blood spilling over

Faith

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Returning to Morning

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Season follows season

Stormy seas giving way

Returning to morning

Tranquil waters each day

 

Autumn’s peaceful colors

Restful days bringing calm

Returning to morning

Gratitude fills each psalm

 

Winter’s brisk cold arrives

Fireplace warming each heart

Returning to morning

Snowstorm ready to start

 

Spring’s joy welcomes comeback

Love sharing fresh flowers

Returning to morning

Praises flood each hour

 

Summer’s playful leisure

Laughter filling each day

Returning to morning

Endless moments won’t stay

 

Harmony’s creation

Nature writing each verse

Returning to morning

Always time to rehearse

 

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Inescapable

From Psalm 139:1-2:  “Lord, you have searched me and known me.  You know when I sit down and when I rise up; you discern my thoughts from far away.”

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Searching and knowing

Discerning each thought

Inescapable

God ties one more knot

 

Seeing tomorrow

Opening one’s eyes

Inescapable

God hears every cry

 

Leading each day forth

Holding darkness back

Inescapable

God’s light covers black

 

Sharing His good works

Teaching righteous truth

Inescapable

God matures one’s youth

 

Weaving from earth’s depths

Knitting with intent

Inescapable

God’s efforts well-meant

 

Navigating storms

Lifting each above

Inescapable

God brings grace-filled love

 

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From Psalm 139:11-12:  “If I say, ‘Surely the darkness shall cover me, and night wraps itself around me,’ even the darkness is not dark to You; the night is as bright as the day, for darkness is as light to You.”

Narrative’s Toolkit (Haiku Series #255)

Setting

New day arriving

Sunrise marks destination—

Journey’s starting page

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Plot

Each minute matters

Unlocking inspiration—

Filling empty page

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Wrap

Final revisions

Courage to find honest words—

Editing each page

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Monday Memories: Vigorous Joy

From Christian campus ministry founder, Bill Bright:  “The joy of God is experienced as I love, trust, and obey God–no matter the circumstances.”

beach woman sunrise silhouette

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Celebrating Jesus each and every day

Receiving our lasting, priceless gift of joy

Smiling faces, always with kind words spoken

Experiencing our Lord’s vigorous joy

 

Child of God, leaping with joy

Messiah’s birth, sends great joy

 

Rejoicing, today rises up as God’s day

Praising our faithful, Almighty Lord with joy

Sending out His strength and hope, God’s justice reigns

Experiencing our Lord’s vigorous joy

 

Fruit of the Spirit, brings joy

God’s love, proclaiming His joy

 

Fleeing life’s messy scene, sorrow and worry

Lasting an eternity, singing with joy

Restoring in us, His joy of Salvation

Experiencing our Lord’s vigorous joy

 

Life’s trials, nothing but joy

Holy Spirit, shouts with joy

 

Waking all of the city on Easter morn

Singing praises of “Alleluia” with joy

Restoring hope, defeating death on the Cross

Experiencing our Lord’s vigorous joy

 

Jesus, lasting source of joy

He’s Risen! Salvation’s joy

joy painting brush

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From John 15:11:  “I have said these things to you so that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be complete.”

Originally published April, 2020.

Each Worthy Cause

From Matthew 25:21:  “His master said to him, ‘Well done, good and trustworthy slave; you have been trustworthy in a few things; I will put you in charge of many things; enter into the joy of your master.”

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World full of needs

Each worthy cause

Hearing God’s voice

Presence gives pause

 

Spirit’s actions

Heart fills with grace

Seeking to serve

God’s chosen place

 

His guiding hand

Light walks ahead

Trusting in faith

God’s daily bread

 

Each open door

God always near

Growing in love

Never to fear

 

Needs overflow

Faith’s timely seeds

Planting each one

Watchful God feeds

 

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From 1 Peter 4:10:  “Like good stewards of the manifold grace of God, serve one another with whatever gift each of you has received.”

Sanctuary of Peace (Elfchen Series #178)

Daily Bread

Exhausted

Weariness overtakes

God’s renewing grace

Faith nourished with love

Strengthened

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Trusted Mentor

Confronted

Life’s battles

Always our wingman

Jesus marches with us

Strengthened

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Faithful Presence

Overwhelmed

Darkest times

Trusting in faith

Light from Holy Spirit

Strengthened

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Innocent Dreams

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Sleeping beneath midnight stars

Dreaming of faraway lands

Tracing desktop’s spinning globe

Traveling with comfort’s hands

 

Searching for bold adventures

Filling imagination

Revolving world comes to rest

Discovering location

 

Boarding fastest clipper ship

Setting sail, freedom ahead

Lighting up destiny’s route

Leaving comfortable bed

 

Traversing treacherous seas

Sailing toward setting sun

Scanning distant horizon

Anticipating more fun

 

Pulsating alarm intrudes

Crashing through innocent dreams

Waking for Monday’s school day

Leaving journey in midstream

 

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