Max Lucado Quote

Photo by Josh Willink on Pexels.com

Teach us to set our hopes on Heaven, to hold firmly to the promise of eternal life, so that we can withstand the struggles and storms of this world.

From Colossians 1:5-6:  The faith and love that spring from the hope stored up for you in heaven and about which you have already heard in the true message of the gospel that has come to you.  In the same way, the gospel is bearing fruit and growing throughout the whole world—just as it has been doing among you since the day you heard it and truly understood God’s grace.”

Hope’s Flame

Photo by Andrea Piacquadio on Pexels.com

Hearing hope-filled words

Again and again

 

Different story

Always same message

 

Better tomorrow’s

Waiting in the wings

 

Whatever issue

Life’s hollow words sting

 

Today’s hope searching

Empty souls stare out

 

Yesterday shattered

Future dreams snuffed out

 

Confidence shaken

Sunrise uncertain

 

Starving for action

Grieving voices weep

 

Life struggles onward

Energy waning

 

From smallest ember

Hope’s flame still glowing

 

Photo by Emiliano ZeroWaste on Pexels.com

Eternity’s Home

From John 14:2-3:  “In my Father’s house there are many dwelling places.  If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you?  And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, so that where I am, there you may be also.”

Photo by Maria Orlova on Pexels.com

Yes, there awaits Heaven

Eternity’s home calls

Father waits, open arms

Steps without sinful falls

 

Heaven, Father’s true home

Good Shepherd’s gate, waiting

Believers’ dwelling seat

Beauty captivating

 

Home of joyful healing

Heaven’s firm foundation

Father’s masterful plan

Peaceful destination

 

Father lives in Jesus

Son of God lights His way

Heaven never shaken

Sin no longer finds prey

 

Into Father’s presence

At our Savior’s return

Death forever conquered

Heaven never adjourns

 

Photo by David Dibert on Pexels.com

From Revelation 22:1-2:  “Then the angel showed me the river of the water of life, bright as crystal, flowing from the throne of God and of the Lamb through the middle of the street of the city.  On either side of the river is the tree of life with its twelve kinds of fruit, producing its fruit each month, and the leaves of the tree are for the healing of the nations.”

Oswald Chambers Quote

Photo by Ron Lach on Pexels.com

One of the greatest strains in life is the strain of waiting for God.  Remain spiritually tenacious.

From Psalm 46:10:  “Be still, and know that I am God!  I am exalted among the nations; I am exalted in the earth.”

Holy Trinity’s Blessings (Haiku Series #181)

God Almighty

Father’s grace and peace

Sticking to each hungry soul—

Fed along rocky roads

Photo by Monstera on Pexels.com

Immanuel

Dealing with life’s stress

Islands of isolation—

Jesus rescues us

Photo by Asad Photo Maldives on Pexels.com

Comforter

Righteous highway leads

Like river’s gentle current—

Spirit’s guiding hand

Photo by Lukas Rodriguez on Pexels.com

Charles Stanley Quote

Photo by Arina Krasnikova on Pexels.com

No matter what you have or don’t have, true wholeness comes from Jesus alone.

From Philippians 4:6-7:  “Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.  And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”

Monday Memories: Vacation Paradise

Written and published in June, 2019, this short story is an early attempt with humorous, flash fiction.

field of trees near body of water

Photo by R. Fera on Pexels.com

Pete has been planning a well-deserved, solitary fishing trip for months.  His actual plans have remained a secret—especially from his nauseating cousin, Wilbur.

Wilbur always meddles in Pete’s affairs.  So much so, he even frightened away the love of Pete’s life.

Pete is ready to make his “secret” trip for some rest and relaxation.  He anticipates fantastic weather, superb fishing, and time all to himself.  Paradise awaits!

As Pete enters the lobby of the sleepy, little motel in a tiny, isolated town, he agonizingly hears, “Good Buddy!  How ya doin’ cousin Pete?”

Vacation paradise . . . Never!

 

Helen Keller Quote

Photo by Alex Green on Pexels.com

Character cannot be developed in ease and quiet.  Only through experience of trial and suffering can the soul be strengthened, ambition inspired, and success achieved.

From Romans 5:3-5:  “And not only that, but we also boast in our afflictions, knowing that affliction produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, and hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit that has been given to us.

Pursuing Christ

From Psalm 119:1-3:  “Happy are those whose way is blameless, who walk in the law of the LordHappy are those who keep His decrees, who seek Him with their whole heart, who also do no wrong but walk in His ways.”

Photo by Ben Mack on Pexels.com

Happiness comes to those

Pursuing Christ, our Lord

Walking in righteousness

His grace brings us on board

 

Heart’s treasured devotion

Pursuing Christ, our Lord

Following His teachings

Peace sings harmony’s chords

 

Soul’s consuming passion

Pursuing Christ, our Lord

Hearing His sacred Word

Faith breathes, fully restored

 

Future hope lights each day

Pursuing Christ, our Lord

Praying darkness shall fade

Trust grows, mercy’s accord

 

Empty tomb now proclaims

Pursuing Christ, our Lord

Opening heaven’s gate

Resurrection awards

 

Photo by u00d6mer Aydu0131n on Pexels.com

From Psalm 119:159-160:  “Consider how I love Your precepts; be gracious to me according to Your steadfast love.  The sum of Your word is truth, and every one of Your righteous ordinances endures forever.”