Morning’s
Faithful sunrise
Gifted from Father
Love opens another window
Hope
Prayer’s
Comforting conversation
Father’s faithful presence
Nourishes another hungry heart
Hope
Evening’s
Glorious sunset
Created by Father
Faithful tomorrow always waiting
Hope
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.
Autumn’s graying face
Sunshine taking cover
Landscape’s serenity
Going undercover
Snowflakes in forecast
Temperatures plummet
What will overnight bring?
Joining winter’s summit
Morning cold descends
Snowfall blankets each road
Nature playing her cards
Covering each zip code
Snow calls in favors
Wintertime’s gifts galore
Arctic airstream arrives
Drafting each snowplow corps
Winter’s carousel
Endless fun disembarks
Children grab toboggans
Sledding’s snowy footmarks
From Psalm 103:8: “The Lord is merciful and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love.”
Praising God eternal
His merciful grace reigns
Steadfast, abounding love
Unshackling evil’s chains
Praising almighty God
His glory always reigns
Filled with merciful love
Blessing life, changing lanes
Praising God’s steady hand
His endless grace shall reign
Forgiveness, heals with love
Boarding heavenly train
Praising God’s Holy name
Spirit coming to reign
His mercy shared with love
Covering distant plains
Praising God’s divine plan
Son’s kingdom born to reign
Taste lasting, grace-filled love
Washing white, sinful veins
From the words of American pastor and theologian, Eugene Peterson: “God is sheer mercy and grace.”
Rescinding harsh tongue
Letting kindness step forward—
Spoken thoughts matter
Always one by one
Each day shares discoveries—
Lifetime of blessings
Overcoming noise
Words beautiful and caring—
Inner peace colors
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).
Photo by Brett Sayles on Pexels.com
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
Photo by Aleksey Kuprikov on Pexels.com
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.
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.”
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
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.
Grace
Unconditionally offered
Father’s timely gift
Propelling faith’s lasting peace
Love
Hope
Tomorrow’s destiny
God’s everlasting promises
His faithful, righteous Word
Trust
Courage
Undeniably witnessed
Savior’s steadfast journey
Mercy’s blood spilling over
Faith
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
From Psalm 139:1-2: “O 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.”
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
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.”
New day arriving
Sunrise marks destination—
Journey’s starting page
Each minute matters
Unlocking inspiration—
Filling empty page
Final revisions
Courage to find honest words—
Editing each page
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