I’ve found that the worst thing I can do when it comes to any kind of potential pressure situation is to put off dealing with it.
From Psalm 34:4-5: “I sought the Lord, and he answered me and delivered me from all my fears. Look to him, and be radiant, so your faces shall never be ashamed.”
John Maxwell (born 1947) is an American pastor, author, and speaker. He has written numerous books about leadership, with a Christian point of view.
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Jesus gathers up His apostles from humble ground
Making up God’s team, their witness shall abound
God’s Word oversees the performance of this team
Standing as chief executive, seeing holiest theme
The Holy Spirit earmarks the hearts and brains
Serving as the binding glue, better than chains
Returning to the beginning of God’s creative time
Transforming a land, His Word continues to climb
The Creator conceives of a perfect place for man
Placing Adam and Eve in Eden, always His plan
But, Adam and Eve journey on a sin-filled path
Leaving the ample garden, under God’s wrath
From this moment, God’s team stumbles and wanders
Facing estrangement from God, His people squander
Jesus comes to bridge what separates us from God
Sitting at the right hand, coaching a humbled squad
God establishes His expectations, perfectly high
Faltering and imperfect mortals, will never satisfy
The team continues to collapse over and over again
Forgetting God’s Commandments, sin seems to win
Many teams measure success by the flashy show
Works by themselves, will never add much glow
But, Jesus shepherds His team on a brand new track
Following by faith alone, Jesus always has their back
He reminds us to always love our God in Heaven’s seat
Loving each other as you have loved Me, always repeat
A bloody, criminal’s Cross summons all to take a knee
Accepting Jesus as Savior, teammates look up to see
Our Father orchestrates, with infinite patience and love
Creating and molding, the Great I Am looks from above
Jesus remains alert at the Creator’s side
Carrying keys to eternal life, all bona fide
As team members, we must trust, follow, and abide
Playing for Jesus, His coaching is forever our guide
Originally published January, 2020.
Patience is the ability to idle your motor when you feel like stripping your gears.
From Galatians 5:22-23, 25: “By contrast, the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, generosity, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against such things. If we live by the Spirit, let us also be guided by the Spirit.”
Barbara Johnson (1927-2007) was an American author. Much of her writing reflected a strong Christian faith.
From Genesis 1:1-5: “When God began to create the heavens and the earth, the earth was complete chaos, and darkness covered the face of the deep, while a wind from God swept over the face of the waters. Then God said, ‘Let there be light,’ and there was light. And God saw that the light was good, and God separated the light from the darkness. God called the light Day, and the darkness He called Night. And there was evening and there was morning, the first day.”
Scripture’s Holy verses
Breathing with His sacred love
Even before Creation acts
Father’s grace looks down from above
Planet’s vast emptiness
Moving from darkness to light
Eternity wakens with love
Father’s mercy always in flight
Favored, luscious garden
Inviting twosome to walk
Sinfulness spreading life’s darkness
Yet, Father’s love becomes faith’s rock
Harsh wilderness called home
Searching for His promised land
Israel waiting in exile
Father’s love forges plan so grand
Divine patience shares gift
Choosing Bethlehem stable
Greatest love story now proclaimed
Father’s peace sets Heaven’s table
From 1 John 4:9-12: “God’s love was revealed among us in this way: God sent His only Son into the world so that we might live through Him. In this is love, not that we loved God but that He loved us and sent His Son to be the atoning sacrifice for our sins. Beloved, since God loved us so much, we also ought to love one another. No one has ever seen God; if we love one another, God abides in us, and His love is perfected in us.”
Jesus did not tell parables to confirm well-known truths, but rather to shatter well-known truths.
From John 8:31-32: “Then Jesus said to the Jews who had believed in Him, ‘If you continue in My word, you are truly My disciples, and you will know the truth, and the truth will make you free.'”
John Newton (1725-1807) was an English pastor who also was a writer of several hymns, including the beloved “Amazing Grace.” His early life is filled with contrasts, when compared to his later life. He served as a ship’s captain during the slave trade, but later renounced his work after his conversion to Christianity. He became an outspoken opponent of the slave trade later in his life.
Hallelujah!
Wonderful, Counselor
God with us
Hallowed Prince of Peace
Everlasting
Hallelujah!
Blessed Savior
Eternal life’s gift
Journey away from darkness
Inexhaustible
Hallelujah!
God’s goodness
Peace and grace
Kneeling at one cross
Undefeated
You’re here to be LIGHT . . . Shine! Be generous with your lives.
From Matthew 5:16: “In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father in heaven.”
Eugene Peterson (1932-2018) was an American pastor, theologian, and Christian author.
From Isaiah 9:2: “The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; those who lived in a land of deep darkness—on them light has shined.”
World stumbling in darkness
God’s promises breathe truth
Shining cosmos bright light
Love’s descendant of Ruth
Heavy, burdensome tasks
Father sees mankind’s plight
Living life without joy
Heavens glow with His light
Son of God, born to us
Wonderful, Prince of Peace
Coming King, righteous reign
Never shall His light cease
Heavenly host praises
Angelic chorus sings
Kneeling shepherds humbled
From Bethlehem, light brings
Emmanuel’s new hope
God with us evermore
Turning darkness away
Light upon mercy’s door
From Isaiah 9:6: “For a child has been born for us, a son given to us; authority rests upon His shoulders, and He is named Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.”
Even though our culture looks very dark, Christ can use your light to show someone the way to Jesus.
From 1 Peter 3:12: “For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous, and His ears are open to their prayer.”
Today’s poem is a very special guest post and gift from Mrs. Buckeye. My talented wife, Colleen, adds her voice to this Advent season as we both await the birth of our Savior.
A special gift arrived for us!
It came so quietly . . .
. . . perhaps you did not know.
There was no fancy wrapping,
not even a pretty bow,
no ornate frills or glitter,
no festive party mood . . .
. . . Just a tiny, baby boy
born in a stable crude.
He was our Savior King.
He came to earth to bring
God’s gift of love.
God’s greatest gift was giv’n to us.
It was His only Son . . .
. . . perhaps you did not know.
He left a throne in heaven
to come to our world below.
His birth was without grandeur;
a star His only crown;
Just a precious little babe;
our God, to earth came down.
He is our Savior King
To Him all Praises sing
God’s gift, great love.
So, turn your eyes from glittering scenes
with Santa’s presents bright . . .
. . . perhaps you need to know.
Just turn from worldly glitter,
and gaze on that glorious night.
Look there upon the baby
in God’s own Holy light.
Now, look past the party crowds
past shopping to be done.
Look past all worldly things.
Look at the baby king,
God’s Gift has come!
From 2 Corinthians 9:15: “Thanks be to God for his indescribable gift!”
Big Sky Buckeye 