Spring has returned. The Earth is like a child that knows poems.
There are no classes in life for beginners; right away you are always asked to deal with what is most difficult.
Rainier Maria Rilke (1875-1926) was a Austrian poet and novelist. He has been widely recognized as a significant writer in the German language.
Creator’s
Transcending love
Each living witness
Handiwork crafted through faith
Forever
Free-flowing
God’s love
Never running dry
Eternal spring, drink deeply
Grace
Hope’s
Future envisions
Through Spirit’s eyes
Walking in Christ’s love
Fulfillment
We have to take the first step as though there were no God. It is no use to wait for God to help us, He will not; but immediately we arise we find He is there.
From Isaiah 60:1: “Arise, shine, for your light has come, and the glory of the Lord has risen upon you.”
Oswald Chambers (1874-1917) was a Scottish evangelist and Christian teacher. Following his death from an illness while in Egypt during World War I, his wife took on the task of transcribing the detailed notes she had written from his lectures and sermons. Gertrude Hobbs Chambers’ efforts resulted in the publication in 1924 of MY UTMOST FOR HIS HIGHEST. I frequently read from this devotional, and it has greatly deepened my faith and understanding of God’s Word.
Captured segments from the early pages of my journal, provide the energy for this poem. Life’s reflections can come from anywhere, deal with any topic, and occur at any time.
Journal’s reflections speak out
Expressions ready to sprout
True, unconditional love
Hearing praise singing high above
Wise teaching comes from many
Grandparents offer plenty
Life’s happiness embraces
From unexpected places
Art expressed in many ways
Imagination ablaze
Dark, stormy clouds chased away
Rainbow arrives, set to play
Negativity removed
Positivity approved
Passion no longer alive
How will our tomorrow thrive?
Parents watching with delight
Children making day so bright
Finally, returning home
Prized memories always roam
Life’s faithful river
Always flowing free
Spirit awakened
Jesus walks with thee
Light covers darkness
Faithful source of hope
Spirit awakened
Jesus tames each slope
Quiet place welcomes
Prayers nurture peace
Spirit awakened
Jesus holds life’s lease
Resurrection breathes
Eternity’s grace
Spirit awakened
Jesus leaves His trace
Destiny fulfilled
Journey now complete
Spirit awakened
Jesus offers seat
Winter moves aside
Spring rains water faithful seeds—
Summer flowers bloom
Backyard garden plot
This farmer never retires—
Hands in richest earth
Hearing crack of bat
Season of baseball returns—
Stealing one more base
From Galatians 1:15-16: “But when God, who has set me apart before I was born and called me through His grace, was pleased to reveal His Son to me, so that I might proclaim Him among the Gentiles.”
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Life will sometimes serve us trials
God asking for some elbow room
Always leaving room for the Lord
Delivering light over our gloom
Never be surprised when God comes
At His choosing, His will descends
Always leaving room for the Lord
His Spirit pays real dividends
Looking out for God’s faithful love
Expecting Him to come close by
Always leaving room for the Lord
Never certain of how, when, why
Following God’s Holy commands
He stands at center of our selves
Always leaving room for the Lord
Transforming lives, from cluttered shelves
Just as Jesus stuns vengeful Saul
On a darkened Damascus road
Always leaving room for the Lord
Knowing our way, will just implode
Any given time, God breaks in
He blesses us with His surprise
Always leaving room for the Lord
Following His plan, always wise
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From Scottish evangelist and teacher, Oswald Chambers: “Always be in a state of expectancy, and see that you leave room for God to come in as He likes.”
Originally published March, 2020.
From Isaiah 40:10-11: “See, the Lord God comes with might, and His arm rules for Him; His reward is with Him and His recompense before Him. He will feed His flock like a shepherd; He will gather the lambs in His arms and carry them in His bosom and gently lead the mother sheep.”
Staying close
Mercy knows
Chasing away doubts
God’s hand reaches out
Quiet rest
Hope be blest
Faith’s embers restart
Nestled in God’s heart
Always near
Never fear
Righteous grace arrives
Resurrection thrives
Peaceful place
Light’s embrace
Holy Spirit roams
Redemption comes home
The hymn “Near to the Heart of God” inspired today’s faith-based poem. Here is a dynamic video of the hymn with lyrics by Fountainview Academy in British Columbia, Canada.
Ever homeward
Waiting destination
Year after year
Leaving last train station
Traveling forward
Allowing no backward glance
Final ticket punched
Cashing in for final dance
Journey’s sunset
Saying “hello” once more
Second chances
Taking life’s encore
Garden filled with dreams
Sprouting memories of home
Season to season
Riding free, ready to roam
Yesterday’s clues
Arriving with each breeze
Earmarked answers
Lighting up home’s marquee
Infinite sunrise
Forsaking final “good-bye”
Irreplaceable
Greeting Montana’s Big Sky
This poem reflects upon many memories of my native state of Montana, which will always seem like home. Perhaps each reader will experience his or her own homeward journey of memories, just waiting to be revisited again.
Lost
Darkest wilderness
Focusing on Light
Mercy shall be waiting
Found
Believing
Never forsaken
Conversation with God
Faithful trust connects daily
Prayer
Discouraged
Frozen outlook
Spirit’s warming presence
Gentle rain of grace
Encouraged
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.
Big Sky Buckeye 