Sisters and Brothers

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Classroom welcomes each student

Powering through school day’s grind

Staying focused with each task

Finishing up what’s been assigned

 

Day after day, grind calls out

Rewarding for job well done

Overcoming each challenge

Smiling students, having some fun

 

Each moment filled with learning

Sharing bit of joy today

Moving past grind’s sweat and toil

Making school seem more like child’s play

 

Grind’s journey teaches respect

Helping out one another

Encouraging with kindness

Working as sisters and brothers

 

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Defining Contributions

From Galatians 5:13-14:  “For you were called to freedom, brothers and sisters, only do not use your freedom as an opportunity for self-indulgence, but through love become enslaved to one another.  For the whole law is summed up in a single commandment, ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.'”

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Creator always molding

Staying true to His design

Each believer sharing grace

Filling humankind’s sunshine

 

Freedom comes forth from Savior

Following Father’s design

Destiny at Calvary

Destroying sin’s evil spine

 

Eternal message proclaims

Living within God’s design

Redemption comes from His Son

Revealing faith’s bold headlines

 

Love’s kindness shared with neighbors

Witnessing mercy’s design

Defining contributions

Serving as Spirit assigns

 

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From the words of American pastor and Christian teacher, Charles Stanley:  “Our greatest impact on this earth comes from loving and serving others–as Jesus did.”

Inspiring Reflections (Haiku Series #244)

Inspiration

Hearing past voices

Filling another pathway—

History stirring

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Kindled

Heart’s ultimate strength

Finding untapped devotion—

Precious gentleness

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Unshakable

Endless harmony

Life’s free-flowing spirit—

Every ocean tide

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Monday Memories: No Ordinary Cross

From Romans 3:23-25:  “Since all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God; they are now justified by His grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus, whom God put forward as a sacrifice of atonement by His blood, effective through faith.”

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His Resurrection awakens a new pathway

Christ’s blood, painting it blazing white

Our Father remolds life, from a new clay

 

Pharisees claiming to be servants of God

Viewing our Lord as not worthy, a sinner

Walking with sinners makes Him a fraud

 

Son of Man, unblemished Lamb of God

No one but Jesus, can walk to the Cross

Humbled Christians kneel, totally flawed

 

Jesus’ blood ransomed for sinners, you and me

This executioner’s tool, a cruel criminal’s Cross

Darkest sins, all nailed to this old, rugged tree

 

Watching from a short distance, the Cross stands

God pours out His love through His faithful Son

Exchanging darkness for light, from His hands

 

Walking faithfully with Christ, never alone

Keeping the Cross, always front and center

Our Savior’s suffering, faith’s cornerstone

 

On an Easter morn, Christ defeats death

Leaving a darkened tomb empty, Alleluia!

Salvation and peace, with every breath

 

Moving closer to the Cross, forgiveness rings

Accepting Christ as Lord, filled with His mercy

Making a new covenant with Jesus, hearts sing

blue and red dress religious man illustration

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From John 15:10-11:  “If you keep my commandments, you will abide in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commandments and abide in His love.  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.

Trusting in Jesus

From Joshua 1:8-9:  “This book of the law shall not depart out of your mouth; you shall meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to act in accordance with all that is written in it.  For then you shall make your way prosperous, and then you shall be successful.  I hereby command you:  Be strong and courageous; do not be frightened or dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.”

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Just as Joshua’s steps trusted in God

Knowing always, He’d faithfully be there

Filled with everlasting strength’s courage

Taking time daily, spent in prayer

 

In days ahead, fresh hope breathes with each step

Trusting in Jesus, walk alongside Him

Filled with mercy’s lasting righteousness

Worshipping our Lord with every hymn

 

Life-stretching outcomes mold another step

Believing in Jesus, faithfully trust

Filled with His witness, love-inspired grace

Praising promises, never to rust

 

Spirit’s divine hand leads each daily step

Acting in accordance with trusted God

Filled with everlasting strength’s courage

Overcoming evil’s false facade

 

Faith-forming obstacles block every step

Walking forward, trusting always in Christ

Filled with mercy’s lasting righteousness

Receiving Lord’s redemption, high-priced

 

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From Hebrews 12:1-2:  “Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight and the sin that clings so closely, and let us run with perseverance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith, who for the sake of the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, disregarding its shame, and has taken His seat at the right hand of the throne of God.”

All in with Jesus (Elfchen Series #167)

Elevating

Christ

Risen indeed!

Transforming faith’s cornerstone

Grace breathes with purpose

Justification

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Transcending

Christ

Conquering death

Taking sin’s place

Calvary’s now empty tomb

Redemption

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Following

Christ

Faithful shepherd

Hearing Savior’s voice

Wayward sheep now found

Assurance

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Day’s Unhurried Pace

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Life with its purpose

Every minute spent

Never wasting any

Just need to pay today’s rent

 

Day’s unhurried pace

Let’s enjoy each scene

Sitting on nature’s porch

Sunshine better than caffeine

 

Yes, growing older

But treasure each day

Dreaming of fairway green

Does anyone play croquet?

 

Rather keep life simple

Chasing more blue sky

Positive state of mind

Patio invites, come by

 

Grilling cheeseburgers

Welcoming each friend

Tasty bushel of crabs

Please let this day never end

 

Holding off sunset

For few minutes more

Warmest ocean breezes

Tomorrow waits in night’s drawer

 

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This poem honors the musical legacy and life of American singer-songwriter Jimmy Buffet (1946-2023).  In his own words:  “Shells sink, dreams float.  Life’s good on our boat.”

Salvation’s True Hymn

From Romans 3:21-22:  “But now, apart from the law, the righteousness of God has been disclosed and is attested by the Law and the Prophets, the righteousness of God through the faith of Jesus Christ for all who believe.  For there is no distinction.”

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Faith’s wayward journey

Bearing under sin

Without righteousness

Evil in sheepskin

 

Life’s unworthiness

Deceiving ourselves

Misery’s ruins

Man’s faith hides on shelves

 

Eternal darkness

Living without hope

God’s love sends Savior

He changes faith’s scope

 

Light born in stable

Proclaiming Good News

Father’s righteousness

Faith calls us to choose

 

Assurance in Christ

Believing in Him

Justified by faith

Salvation’s true hymn

 

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From 1 John 5:13:  “I write these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, so that you may know that you have eternal life.”

Actions Forward (Haiku Series #243)

Perspective

Outlook smiling back

New day advancing forward—

Yesterday erased

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Sidekick

Constant companion

Life’s lyrics looking forward—

Melody’s rhythm

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Reassurance

Warming lonely heart

Blazing light sweeping forward—

Each morning sunrise

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Monday Memories: Praying for Deliverance

From Psalm 31:24:  “Be strong, and let your heart take courage, all you who wait for the Lord.”

sky earth galaxy universe

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Immense weight of the world

Resting on our shoulders

Crying out to our Lord

Pebbles fall like boulders

 

Darkest thoughts undermine

Harshest mental torment

Hidden physical foes

Hopeless, stuck in cement

 

Our Lord hearing, He cares

Listening to whole hearts

Filling with confidence

Piercing conflict, like a dart

 

Forever with our Lord

His refuge, without fuss

His righteousness delivers

Strong fortress, saving us

 

Cities under fearful siege

Virus shadows each street

Lord, lead us and guide us

Your goodness won’t retreat

 

Our Father’s steadfast love

Covers our affliction

Blessed be our Lord God

Faith, hope . . . our conviction

 

Trusting in the Father

Facing vicious disease

Your face shines upon us

We pray upon our knees

left hand

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 From Psalm 3:8:  “Deliverance belongs to the Lord; may your blessings be on your people.”

Originally published April, 2020.