Monday Memories: Total Surrender

From Romans 6:4:  “Therefore we have been buried with Him by baptism into death, so that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, so we too might walk in newness of life.”

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Are we truly walking in Christ?

With a new life, born again

Follow Jesus, He paid our price

 

True sanctification will come

Only from burial of an old life

Known as “white funeral” to some

 

Baptized into Christ, the Holy Son

Baptized into His death

With His death, victory is won

 

Through the confirmed Resurrection

We humbly come to a Holy God

His defining purpose, brings reflection

 

God is leading, always out front

Facing trying times of adversity

Our duty shall be, always to confront

 

Come to almighty and loving God

Sanctify a promise with the Father

God’s will be done, by His rod

 

When Christ forever defeats the Cross

His lasting, living Resurrection offers

“Walking in newness of life,” without loss

 

To Jesus, surrender these sinful ways

Hear Him, accept Him, follow Him

Ask for His forgiveness, without delay

 

Mighty God of angel armies leads

His righteousness marches with us

Filling a hungry soul, His Word feeds

 

Freed from sin, obedient to God

Wages of sin only bring death

Accept Jesus, He overcomes all odds

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From the words of Scottish evangelist and Christian teacher Oswald Chambers:  “No one enters the experience of entire sanctification without going through a “white funeral”–the burial of the old life.” 

Originally published February, 2020.

Grace Leading

From Matthew 5:13-14:  “You are the salt of the earth, but if salt has lost its taste, how can its saltiness be restored?  It is no longer good for anything but is thrown out and trampled under foot.  You are the light of the world.  A city built on a hill cannot be hid.”

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Life’s human experience

Never-ending shortcomings

Darkness follows every step

Hearing its constant drumming

 

God’s Word shatters evil’s myth

Called to His righteous standing

Light shines with divine goodness

Offering safest landing

 

God’s eternal promises

Resurrection defines hope

Faith growing, following Christ

Scaling each slippery slope

 

God’s faithfulness never tires

Jesus fulfilling His law

Holy Spirit reaches out

Teaching, transforming life’s flaws

 

Kingdom of Heaven beckons

Earthly journey will be hard

Grace leading, trusting each day

Laying bricks toward God’s courtyard

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From Matthew 5:19:  “Therefore, whoever break one of the least of these commandments and teaches others to do the same will be called least in the kingdom of heaven, but whoever does them and teaches them will be called great in the kingdom of heaven.”

Confident Voices

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Somewhere stands a vacant, empty building . . .

 

Sometimes wondering

Seeking out hidden voices

Still trying to hear

Holding out, few choices

 

Listening closely

Imagination unlocks

Now discovering

Shifting life’s gearbox

 

Another room calls

Peeling paint covers each thought

Wisdom speaking out

Taking another shot

 

Draining time’s hourglass

Final hours, dreadful waiting

Still so much to share

Speaking words, dictating

 

Eager wrecking ball

Setting to flatten each room

Confident voices

Transferring to courtroom

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Gospel’s Transformation (Elfchen Series #138)

Redefining

Creator’s

Intimate hand

Reshaping another life

Woven from heaven’s depths

Treasures

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Freedom

Life’s

Daily Clutter

Grace shall free

Replaced with Christ’s light

Peace

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Everyday

Faith’s

Powerful connection

Walking in spirit

Conversation with heavenly Father

Prayer

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Morning’s Mystery

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Transforming night’s darkness

Morning’s mystery calls

Covering land with mist

Sunrise waiting, now stalls

 

Spirit’s sentinels stand

Towering, leafless trees

Daybreak’s silent twilight

Catching whisper of breeze

 

Sharing message of peace

Stillness joining crisp air

Breathing with day’s fresh hope

Spring waits as winter’s heir

 

Time forgets to advance

Hitting snooze, stardust reigns

Nature’s one vacation

Filling cold-blooded veins

 

Freezing rain descending

Sleep’s final ticket home

Chilling another day

Winter ready to roam

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Shall Never Rest

From Psalm 23:1-3:  “The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.  He makes me lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside still waters; He restores my soul.  He leads me in right paths for His name’s sake.”

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Through life’s foggy mist

God’s mercy filled

With eternal peace

Feeling trust build

 

Darkness to light

God’s spirit flowing

Faith’s quiet brook

Leading and knowing

 

Greenest meadow calls

God’s deepest love

Creation’s wings stir

Flying above

 

No greater warmth

God’s grace melts away

Life’s icy outlook

Kneeling now, let’s pray

 

One heart transformed

God shall never rest

New day’s promise

Seeking another quest

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From 1 Chronicles 29:12-13:  “Riches and honor come from You, and You rule over all. In Your hand are power and might, and it is in Your hand to make great and to give strength to all.  And now, our God, we give thanks to You and praise Your glorious name.”

Life’s Lighter Side (Haiku Series #215)

Temptation

Viewing cooking shows

Watching, yet never taste test—

Counting calories

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Raceway

Pushing shopping cart

Faster than flashy Corvette—

Speed up–kids at play!

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Prodigy

Gifted three-year old

Earning Phi Beta Kappa—

Reading picture books

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Monday Memories: Snowbound

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Bright afternoon blues began to darken

Winter’s cold blanket prepares to descend

Snowflakes twirling and dancing, at first glance

Ol’ Man Winter, with a message to send

 

Grandfather clock proclaims each passing hour

Intricate flakes, magnified in their size

Winter’s harsh intensity growls and howls

Like a hungry wolf, seeking his one prize

 

Outside, barren landscape feels overwhelmed

Pristine white now nature’s color tonight

Modest cabin remains toasty and warm

Ancient kitchen stove consumes wood all night

 

Staying indoors, cozy and safe

Snowy frenzy roars, no ending in sight

Minutes turn to hours, forwarding to days

Snowbound but home, never a hopeless plight

snowy brown house near tree

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Originally published February, 2020.

Accepting His Challenge

From Micah 6:1-2:  “Hear what the Lord says:  Rise, plead your case before the mountains, and let the hills hear your voice.  Hear, you mountains, the case of the Lord, and you enduring foundations of the earth, for the Lord has a case against His people, and He will contend with Israel.”

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Speaking to His wayward flock

God issues new covenant

Echoing across valleys

Scaling each lofty mountain

 

Hearing God’s divine message

Called, accepting His challenge

Following with trust, grace speaks

Stepping from darkness to light

 

Watching from heaven above

God’s righteousness brings justice

Sowing seeds of repentance

Turning man away from sin

 

Praying for God’s forgiveness

His Rock, man shall climb in faith

Seeing empty tomb’s mercy

Walking every day with Christ

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From Micah 6:8:  “He has told you, O mortal, what is good, and what does the Lord require of you but to do justice and to love kindness and to walk humbly with your God?”

Years Ago

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Hidden in forest’s midst

Ancient homestead’s landscape

Under winter blanket

Wakening, day takes shape

 

One more snowy morning

Old barn wrapped up in white

Barely able to stand

Making for quite a sight

 

Corral broken, rails split

Livestock forever gone

Snow-painted grass smiles back

Waiting for spring’s new fawn   

 

But wait, life still stirring

Chimney’s smoke drifting high

Rustic cabin’s fireplace

Warming urge to drop by

 

All welcome, step inside

Plenty of room to share

Coffee’s hot, feel at home

Sitting on kitchen’s chairs

 

Hilltop looking back down

So many years ago

Memories slowly fade

Covering up in snow

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