Monday Memories: Living Hope

Reading through the last four entries in my journal, God brought inspiration to bring this praise to Him.  There entries provide the bulk of the this poem, along with a few selected writings of Apostle Peter.  I hope this poem sustains hope in you during your daily journey.  During Lenten season, we are reminded of the hope we receive through Jesus’ walk to an old rugged Cross.

ocean waves crashing on rocks

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With God’s truth leading us

Our faith growing each day

Fueled by our Lord above

Hope responds, let us pray

 

God guides with steadiness

Navigating our ship

Through ever-present storms

Safe on our Lord’s flagship

 

Life-giving hearts may hide

Our emotional selves

Yet, other times we find

God’s Word within ourselves

 

Sometimes, life proclaims

Our “red badge of courage”

Straight into inner souls

Our faith will encourage

 

Much like a frigid wind

Freezing our tender face

Life challenges us to bear

Torment covered by grace

 

Through our Father’s mercy

A new birth, a living hope

Jesus . . . Resurrection

Life viewed through His new scope

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From 1 Peter 1:3-5:  “Blessed be the God and Father our Lord Jesus Christ!  By His great mercy He has given us a new birth into a living hope through the Resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, and into an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you, who are being protected by the power of God through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.”

Originally published April, 2020.

Broken, Yet Chosen

From Psalm 51:17:  “The sacrifice acceptable to God is a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise.”

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Broken, yet chosen

Each doubt overcome

Following Jesus

Mercy’s sacred drum

 

Every believer

Jesus commissions

Making disciples

Spirit-led missions

 

God choreographs

Gospel-filled verses

Outlining faith’s map

Sin’s path reverses

 

Blessed tomorrow

One empty heart waits

Filling with Jesus

Shepherd opens gate

 

Hand-picked by Savior

Together as one

Stirring grace within

Eternity’s sun

 

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From Matthew 28:19-20:  “Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit and teaching them to obey everything that I have commanded you.  And remember, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”

Heavenly Witness (Elfchen Series #156)

Affirming

Nourishing

Inner self

Unconditional love received

Running toward sustaining light

Grace

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Defining

Precious

Daily moments

Prayer sharpens focus

Faith connects with Scripture

Journey

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Rising

Challenges

Weaknesses transformed

Trust strengthens endurance

Heart overflows with joy

Overcome

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Nature Overcomes

In recent weeks, high level winds have moved a thick, smoky haze from Canadian wildfires into the airspace in some of the northern regions of the United States.  

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Northern-based fires burn

Smothering southern skies

Nature under assault

Day-by-day forecasts advise

 

Hazy, smoky skies

Hiding morning sunshine

Air quality alert

Heavens covered in disguise

 

Filtered sky above

Waiting for winds to change

Today must continue

Even though feeling short-changed

 

Fires now flaming out

Welcoming back blue sky

Sun makes blessed comeback

Disruptive smoke says goodbye

 

Nature overcomes

Pushing through stressful days

Time ahead brings healing

Sky offers hours to stargaze

 

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Bold Journey

From 2 Timothy 1:7:  “For God did not give us a spirit of cowardice but rather a spirit of power and of love and of self-discipline.”

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Showing gratitude, filled with praise

Daily worship focuses mind

Setting aside time for prayer

Bold journey’s mercy, never blind

 

Sharing devout faith with others

Treasured gift from Holy God’s hands

Serving with kindness, filled with joy

Bold journey follows His commands

 

Witnessing morning, Lord alive!

Death abolished, new life begins

Revealing eternity’s road

Bold journey sheds dark life of sin

 

Dying with Christ, now born again

Redemption drinks from blessed well

Enduring faithfulness shines bright

Bold journey freed from chains of hell

 

Teaching others from Lord’s Gospel

Strength received from His daily grace

Suffering shared, soldiers of Christ

Bold journey meets in Heaven’s place

 

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From 2 Timothy 2:11-13:  “The saying is sure:  If we have died with Him, we will also live with Him; if we endure, we will also reign with Him; if we deny Him, He will also deny us; if we are faithless, He remains faithful—He cannot deny himself.”

Invigorating Moments (Haiku Series #233)

Absorbed

Afternoon hideout

Character’s introvert side—

Submerged with good book

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Replenished

Walking new avenues

Positive energy swells—

Restore and renew

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Revitalized

Smallest achievements

Self-esteem’s power supply—

Brighter tomorrow

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Monday Memories: Worship and Praise

From John 4:23-24:  [Jesus is speaking] “But the hour is coming, and is now here, when the true worshippers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for the Father seeks such as these to worship Him.  God is spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth.”

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Praising with faith the Sabbath, the Lord’s Day

But, our lives needing to connect in other ways

 

Worshipping each day, receiving God’s serenity

Setting aside daily moments, faithful identity

 

Reading Scripture from the Lord’s Holy Word

Praying, praising, giving thanks—voices heard

 

Coming to the Lord with sincere-filled thoughts

Spending time with Him, connecting life’s dots

 

Sowing seeds of worship and praise with our God

Transforming by His love, perfect and unflawed

 

Reaping abounding harvest, singing with gladness

Witnessing God’s sacred harmony, never sadness

 

Filling our hungry hearts, opening up our minds

Listening to our Lord, He comes and truly finds

belief bible book business

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From American pastor and Christian author, A. W. Tozer:  “If you will not worship God seven days a week, you do not really worship Him on one day a week.”

Originally published March, 2020.

Mercy’s Trusted Flame

From 2 Corinthians 5:6-7:  “So we are always confident, even though we know that while we are at home in the body we are away from the Lord—for we walk by faith, not by sight.”

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Lost in fog of sinful flesh

Hidden from Father’s intent

Caught again in evil’s net

Faith’s ember waits to repent

 

Selfishness, full of darkness

One more transgression adds shame

Swallowed by false promises

Faith finds mercy’s trusted flame

 

Spirit breathes with precious grace

Savior’s blood washes sin clean

Paid for from Calvary’s cross

Faith’s pastures, forever green

 

In Christ, walking His high road

Old ways now passing away

Reconciled by Father’s love

Faith maturing, day by day

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From the words of American pastor and Christian author, Charles Swindoll:  “The only way to find happiness in the grind of life is to do so by faith.”

Faith’s Confidence (Elfchen Series #155)

Questioning

Searching

Unimaginable contrasts

Journey of paradox

Contentment as God intended

Faith

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Reassuring

Trusting

Gospel’s vision

Nurturing healthy outlook

Spirit’s hand at work

Faith

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Overcoming

Enduring

Challenging times

Tsunami of darkness

Firm foundation’s pilot light

Faith

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Dawn’s New Arrival

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Nature wakening

Early morning hour

Dawn’s new arrival

Whispering stillness

 

Nature witnessing

Unique day ahead

Heavens’ face brightens

Breathing peacefulness

 

Nature prevailing

Sunrise lifts her shade

Nighttime put to rest

Stirring each creature

 

Nature conceiving

Life breathes easily

Blossoms swell upward

Seeking tender warmth

 

Nature gathering

World founded from light

Rhythms now salute

Beaming melodies

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