John Maxwell Quote

Photo by Pixabay on Pexels.com

We are either the masters or the victims of our attitudes.  It is a matter of personal choice.  Who we are today is the result of choices we made yesterday.  Tomorrow, we will become what we choose today.

From James 3:17-18:  “But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, willing to yield, full of mercy and good fruits, without a trace of partiality or hypocrisy.  And a harvest of righteousness is sown in peace for those who make peace.”

Twenty-Five Cents

Photo by cottonbro on Pexels.com

Running a quick errand for mother

Feeling twenty-five cents in my hand

Heading to the nearby little store

Milk, bread—let’s see what candy looks grand

 

Years ago, two bits meant feeling rich

A few coins equal twenty-five cents

Today, this sweet tooth will be in luck

Let this candy shopping now commence

 

Below the front counter, treasures wait

Friendly woman cashier stands and smiles

A few pennies for Sweet Tarts and more

Licorice, Smarties add to the pile

 

Looking to spend one final nickel

Picking through endless, tempting choices

Spying at last, a sweet Hershey bar

Overcome by sugar-filled voices

 

Arriving back home without delay

Pockets filled with sweetest treasure

Mother asks about the milk and bread

Two bucks unspent, plus her displeasure

Photo by Pixabay on Pexels.com

Growing up in my childhood neighborhood, there was a little store just a few blocks away.  My brothers and I made many a journey to the store for milk, bread, and other quick-to-find essentials for our mother.  I cannot recall forgetting the milk and bread, but having a few coins in my pocket was treasure waiting to be spent on the candy found there.  

The poem lists a few of the types of candy found back in the 1960s.  Do you have a favorite candy from your childhood?

Vance Havner Quote

now or never quote

Photo by Daria Shevtsova on Pexels.com

Life is a series of choices between the bad, the good, and the best.  Everything depends on how we choose.

From 2 Corinthians 5:6-9:  “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.  Yes, we do have confidence, and we would rather be away from the body and at home with the Lord.  So whether we are at home or away, we make it our aim to please Him.”

Choices Through Faith

From the words of American pastor and Christian evangelist, Vance Havner:  “Life is a series of choices between the bad, the good, and the best.  Everything depends on how we choose.”

action adventure challenge climb

Photo by Martin on Pexels.com

Our daily walk encounters many tests

Life’s decisions shall never be easy

Facing a series of heartfelt choices

Sometimes feeling so alone and uneasy

 

Quality decisions lead life forward

God’s Word and righteousness always shining

Making choices, pleasing to our Father

Our Lord’s love, His sacred silver lining

 

God chooses our Savior—His Holy Son

Jesus becomes our faithful source of life

Bringing lasting redemption to ourselves

Hope-filled Cross saving the foolish from strife

 

Our Father calls many, few are chosen

His chosen, precious cornerstone—Jesus

Believing in Him, never put to shame

Living by faith through our Lord, who frees us

 

Jesus chooses us in His Father’s name

Days ahead offer bounties of treasures

Following His love and wealth of teachings

Therefore, bear lasting fruit through His measures

person sitting on mountain cliff

Photo by Marius Venter on Pexels.com

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.”

Choose His Path

photography of mountains under cloudy sky

Photo by Simon Matzinger on Pexels.com

We have a clear path to choose

Anything else, we definitely lose

 

A godless enemy brings emptiness

He prowls and waits, eager to strike

His path only leads to unhappiness

Our lives feel like a bursting dike

 

We see the good life in front of us

But the light comes with false hopes

Glamour and riches without the fuss

Darkness clouds over life’s periscope

 

Gloomy doom brings promises, so empty

A champion bears our guilt and shame

There is a better way, filled with plenty

Life truly means more than just a game

 

The Light of Salvation chases away the dark

Christ bears our wounds at a bloody cross

The enemy slithers away, gone is his spark

Jesus’ Holy righteousness reaches across

 

Our loving Father sacrifices His only Son

His shed blood atones for our sinful ways

An empty tomb declares, Christ has won

Accept me and follow, He proudly says

 

We have a clear path to choose

Anything else, we definitely lose

cross-sunset-sunrise-hill-70847.jpeg

Photo by Pixabay on Pexels.com