William Penn Quote

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The jealous are troublesome to others, but a torment to themselves.

From 1 Corinthians 3:1-3:  “And so, brothers and sisters, I could not speak to you as spiritual people, but rather as people of the flesh, as infants in Christ.  I fed you with milk, not solid food, for you were not ready for solid food.  Even now you are still not ready, for you are still of the flesh.  For as long as there is jealousy and quarreling among you, are you not of the flesh, and behaving according to human inclinations?”

E. M. Bounds Quote

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Nothing is clearer than that prayer has its only worth and significance in the great fact that God hears and answers prayer.

From 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18:  “Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.”

Speaking to Thee

This short poem is inspired from two different hymns:  “Lord, Speak to Me, That I May Speak” and “I Love to Tell the Story.”

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Telling His true story

Jesus, His glory reigns

Unseen, heaven above

Breaking sinful chains

 

Hungering and thirsting

Weary, endless despair

Message of Salvation

Answering these prayers

 

Firm rock, speaking to thee

Living echoes of hope

Children, lost and alone

Faith walking life’s tightrope

 

Hidden depths, troubled sea

Precious wisdom fills thee

Hearing His glowing words

Loving hand calms the sea

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One of my favorite hymns is “Earth and All Stars” which we sang many times at my former church in Montana.  Here is a link for the hymn:

Do you have a favorite hymn (an old favorite or a more current one)?  Let’s have a discussion in the comments.  

Charles Swindoll Quote

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Believers who are growing toward maturity share in mutual feelings–mutual woes and mutual joys.  This is one of the best benefits of being part of the body of Christ and a major reason why we need to be involved in a local church.

From Romans 12:15:  “Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep.”

Haiku Series #74 (With God)

Answers

Facing life’s harshness

Putting our Lord always first—

Asking for His help

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Top Priority

Our Lord’s commandments

Foundation of true wisdom—

Put God in first place

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Listen

Hearing our Savior

Good Shepherd’s reassuring voice—

Following Jesus

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Rosa Parks Quote

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If you want to be respected for your actions, then your behavior must be above reproach.

From 1 John 2:3-6:  “Now by this we may be sure that we know Him, if we obey His commandments.  Whoever says, ‘I have come to know Him,’ but does not obey His commandments, is a liar, and in such a person the truth does not exist; but whoever obeys His word, truly in this person the love of God has reached perfection.  By this we may be sure that we are in Him:  whoever says, ‘I abide in Him,’ ought to walk just as He walked.”

Father’s Identity

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Beautiful melodies

Cellos and violins

Stirring memories

New lives, set to begin

 

Father with daughters

Growing up with each one

Precious treasures to bless

Through Father, Holy Son

 

Music playing, forevermore

Images of each step

Laughter filling their rooms

Love knocks at our doorstep

 

Afternoon tea parties

Playing games, singing songs

Favorite storybooks

Life perfect, never wrong

 

Seeing their eager eyes

Savoring school’s first day

Playing in autumn’s leaves

Days never seem too gray

 

Watching each girl mature

Life’s incredible ride

Graduation moments

Wedding days at their side

 

Playing in the background

Peaceful serenity

Past, special moments

Father’s identity

My life has been blessed with a splendid and loving trio of daughters who have made fatherhood a true blessing.  I was listening to a rendition of Johann Pachelbel’s “Canon in D Major” as I wrote this poem.  I especially enjoy strings or piano (all three of my daughters are accomplished piano players).  Here is a sample of the music.  Enjoy!

 

Andrew Murray Quote

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It is the secret of true discipleship to bear the cross, to acknowledge the death sentence that has been passed on self, and to deny any right that self has to rule over us.

From Luke 9:23:  “Then He [Jesus] said to them all, ‘If any want to become my followers, let them deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me.'”

Walking with Us

This poem is inspired from a post from Jan Beek, based upon a recent Sunday message from her church.  The message enlightened me with some wonderful applications to “The Walk to Emmaus.”  Visit her post for this wonderful message, complemented with some great hymns.

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Empty, very little hope

Weary, walking this grim road

Lonely, life hides in darkness

Misery, each step feels slowed

 

Believing, He would be king

Remembering, life seemed alive

Listening, His words brought hope

Blessing, barren lives would thrive

 

Ignored, a bloody Cross stands

Vanquished, His tomb sitting hushed

Restored, hope rises again

Conquered, sin and death now crushed

 

Raised, Savior walking with us

Transformed, our hope now restored

Energized, with daily steps

Saved, by our Lord’s new accord

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From Luke 24:13-16:  “Now on that same day two of them were going to a village called Emmaus, about seven miles from Jerusalem, and talking with each other about all these things that had happened.  While they were talking and discussing, Jesus himself came near and went with them, but their eyes were kept from recognizing Him.”

Saint Augustine Quote

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Two works of mercy set a man free:  forgive and you will be forgiven, and give and you shall receive.

From Matthew 5:43-45:  “You have heard it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’  But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, so that you may be children of your Father in Heaven; for He makes His sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the righteous and on the unrighteous.”