America’s Renewed Declaration

From John 8:32:  “And you will know the truth, and the truth will make you free.”

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Blessed land stretching from ocean to ocean

Spacious skies wink at fields of abundant grain

Framed in by towering, majestic mountains

God’s Grace covering the land like fruitful rain

 

Lady Liberty extends her message of hope

Calling out, only demanding to breathe free

Ensuring freedom for the huddled masses

Keeping her torch lite, from sea to shining sea

 

Asking God to mend a nation’s ills and flaws

Lifting praises up to the Father above

His glory be forever praised here below

Liberty and freedom shall ring, filled with love

 

Forgiving our nation’s errors and transgressions

Healing hearts of discord, peace now safeguarded

Leading this nation out of its dark wilderness

Remembering an old path, long discarded

 

Nation founded from scratch, with lasting vision

“All men are created equal” crying out

Endowed from the Creator, come certain rights

Life, liberty, pursuit of happiness shout

 

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“America the Beautiful” is a beloved song.  You are invited to listen to this familiar song, as sung by Lee Greenwood

Charles Swindoll Quote

yellow plush toy

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Personally, I think a healthy sense of humor is determined by at least three abilities:

  • The ability to laugh at our mistakes
  • The ability to accept justified criticism–and get over it
  • The ability to interject (or at least enjoy) wholesome humor when surrounded by a tense, heated situation

From Proverbs 15:13:  “A glad heart makes a cheerful countenance, but by sorrow of heart the spirit is broken.”

Jim Cymbala Quote

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We urgently need people who encourage and inspire us to move toward God.

From Hebrews 10:24-25:  “And let us consider how to provoke one another to love and good deeds, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day approaching.”

Defeating Darkness His Way

From Ephesians 6:10-11:  “Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of His power.  Put on the whole armor of God, so that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.”

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God’s people under attack

Roaring lion on the prowl

Looking for prey to devour

Evil presence brings a scowl

 

Days becoming the darkest

Running away from the Lord

But, hope waits like eagles’ wings

Holy Spirit comes aboard

 

Remaining strong with our Lord

Under His mighty power

Wearing protective armor

God’s Word will carry the hour

 

Our Father’s righteousness speaks

Spirit with us on this day

Withstanding what evil brings

Defeating darkness His way

 

Time to witness hope-filled faith

Praying daily for action

Quench evil’s flaming arrows

Calling for man’s retraction

 

Behind His truth, standing firm

Urging others to repent

Proclaiming Gospel of peace

Our Holy God will relent

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From Psalm 85:6-7:  “Will you not revive us again, so that your people may rejoice in you?  Show us your steadfast love, O Lord, and grant us your salvation.”

Martin Luther King, Jr. Quote

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Courage faces fear and thereby masters it.  Cowardice represses fear and is thereby mastered by it.

From Mark 5:35-36:  “While He was still speaking, some people came from the leader’s house to say, ‘Your daughter is dead. Why trouble the teacher any further?’  But overhearing what they said, Jesus said to the leader of the synagogue, ‘Do not fear, only believe.'”

Oswald Chambers Quote

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Evidence of new birth is that we see the rule of God.

From James 4:7-8:  “Submit yourselves therefore to God.  Resist the devil, and he will flee you.  Draw near to God, and He will draw near to you.  Cleanse your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded.”

Calming Our Fears

From the words of Dr. Martin Luther King:  “Courage faces fear and thereby masters it.  Cowardice represses fear and is thereby mastered by it.”

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Worry arrives with concerns never to come

Building upon past fears, stoking future ones

Life’s landscape fills with looming mountains

Instead of gentle molehills, fear gathers and stuns

 

Concerns about future challenges come forth

Transforming into worries, fueling more fear

Darkest clouds come together and gather

Who will grab the wheel and start to steer?

 

Waiting for our Lord, He renews our strength

Living by faith, His Word restores our soul

Rejoicing in hope, patient in suffering

Renewed by the Spirit, we feel more whole

 

God always walks with us, seek Him in prayer

Darkest valleys ahead, His love casts out fears

With compassion for our sufferings, hear His Word

Comforted by His rod and staff, God never veers

 

Asking of our Father, seeking His counsel

Bringing clearer witness, through His precise scope

His guidance renews our hearts, calming fears

His wisdom touches minds, filled with Gospel hope

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From Mark 5:35-36:  “While He was still speaking, some people came from the leader’s house to say, ‘Your daughter is dead. Why trouble the teacher any further?’  But overhearing what they said, Jesus said to the leader of the synagogue, ‘Do not fear, only believe.'”

Hope Overcomes Fear (Haiku Series #83)

Fear

Stormy clouds approach

Life’s storms threaten with darkness—

Christ quiets the wind

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With Us

Jesus promises

Another Advocate comes—

The Holy Spirit

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Hope

Jesus walks ahead

Emmanuel, God with us—

Coming to save us

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Catherine Marshall Quote

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When the dream of our heart is one that God has planted there, a strange happiness flows into us.  At that moment, all of the spiritual resources of the universe are released to help us.

From Matthew 6:7-8:  “When you are praying, do not heap up empty phrases as the Gentiles do; for they think that they will be heard because of their many words.  Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him.”

Monday Memories: Stormy Seas

This poem was originally published in July, 2019, and it was inspired from artwork in a hotel room while traveling out west.  

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Most days, life experiences calming seas

Witnessing each moment, steady to see

 

God provides for us, through it all

Picking us up, even when we fall

 

Life moves along at its normal pace

Taking for granted, God’s free grace

 

Then, stormy seas appear in the west

Bringing worried looks, never the best

 

Life’s ship now encounters the storm

Feeling the sea’s fury, totally reborn

 

The storm smothers this helpless ship

Causing sure footing to slide and slip

 

Panic and worry fill helpless hearts

Asking God, may we try a restart?

 

Our boat takes on water, brisk and cold

Overwhelming our spirit, no longer bold

 

Has our Lord forsaken us at this time?

Sinking ship, as faith no longer climbs

 

Across the tempest sea, comes a voice

Calming the storm and sea, His choice

 

Our Lord and Savior walks over to thee

Releasing the terror caused by the sea

 

In an instant, the dark storm is gone

Restoring faith and hope, now strong

 

God prompts us to maintain our hope

Remaining faithful, steadies our boat

 

Calm or stormy seas, look straight ahead

Accepting God’s grace, always best said

 

Thank you Lord for being with us each day

Reminding us, Your Word points the way 

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