
Stories are meant to comfort the afflicted, and afflict the comfortable.
Trust everyone but always cut the cards.
Finley Peter Dunne (1867-1936) was an American writer, humorist, and journalist.

Stories are meant to comfort the afflicted, and afflict the comfortable.
Trust everyone but always cut the cards.
Finley Peter Dunne (1867-1936) was an American writer, humorist, and journalist.
From Psalm 23:4: “Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.”

Trusting heavenly Father
His gentle spirit always near
Offering sweetest taste of grace
Morning’s sunrise shall appear
Ruling over universe
Rod with staff, trusted comfort’s strength
Bearing conditional love
Father closer than arm’s length
Giving thanks for His presence
Father’s hands crafting faith’s high road
Singing praises for His efforts
Eternity’s seeds now sowed
Hearing when righteous cry out
His refuge sends rescue’s clear light
Redeeming all crushed in spirit
Father’s love shares His delight
Living in His blessed house
Faith’s steady journey now fulfilled
Feeling Father’s gentle spirit
Salvation forever filled

From Psalm 27:4: “One thing I asked of the Lord; this I seek: to live in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to behold the beauty of the Lord, and to inquire in His temple.”
From Proverbs 15:15: “All the days of the poor are hard, but a cheerful heart has a continual feast.”

Life draining, more exhausted each day
Skies and mind, filling with darkest gray
Feet feeling locked, stuck in deepest mud
Fear turns on its spigot, now a flood
Advice shouts from all comers, all sides
Inner soul overwhelmed, faith divides
Daily walk, no longer stunning bright
Chaos reigns, becoming lasting night
Seasoned man, parked at Main Street’s corner
Life hits pause, who is this foreigner?
His thoughts and words, simple in their task
Holy Spirit reaches, to unmask
Keep it simple, fill your life with love
God’s peace, bringing comfort from above
In an instant, the wise sage departs
Night transforms to day, love fills this heart

From 1 John 5:3-4: “ For the love of God is this, that we obey His commandments. And His commandments are not burdensome, for whatever is born of God conquers the world. And this is the victory that conquers the world, our faith.”
Originally published November, 2020.
From Isaiah 49:13: “Sing for joy, O heavens, and exult, O earth; break forth, O mountains, into singing! For the Lord has comforted His people and will have compassion on His suffering ones.”

Peace rises above
Father’s comforting hand
Over every high mountain
Answers cover distant lands
Love rises above
Father’s comforting sense
Compassion lifts up each saint
Answers come to one’s defense
Hope rises above
Father’s comforting voice
Light eradicates darkness
Answers offer trusted choice
Joy rises above
Father’s comforting grace
Every storm becomes quiet
Answers which all should embrace
Grace rises above
Father’s comforting heart
Discipleship feeds spirit
Answers sustain faith’s restart

From the words of American Christian writer, Lettie B. Cowman: “Put your hand into the hand of God. He gives the calmness and serenity of heart and soul.”


Any fool can make something complicated. It takes a genius to make it simple.
It’s a folk singer’s job to comfort disturbed people and to disturb comfortable people.
Woody Guthrie (1912-1967) was an American folk singer and songwriter.

No journey is complete that does not lead through some dark valleys. We can properly comfort others only with the comfort wherewith we ourselves have been comforted of God.
From Matthew 5:4: “Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.”
Vance Havner (1901-1986) was an American pastor and Christian author. During his many years of service to the Lord, he preached throughout America.
Someone in despair
Extending bright light of grace—
Hope fills one more heart

Lost in valley’s depths
Healing’s descending courage—
Quiet peace surrounds

Life’s roller coaster
Leaving peril’s ups and downs—
Straightened and smooth


You shall be faith sustain yourself and comfort yourself in your Lord, and be strong in His power.
From Proverbs 3:3-4: “Do not let loyalty and faithfulness forsake you; bind them around your neck; write them on the tablet of your heart. Then you will find favor and high regard in the sight of God and of people.”
Samuel Rutherford (1600-1661) was a Scottish pastor and Christian theologian.

Harmony drops in
Lifting spirits high
Waking from slumber
Morning’s bluest sky
Valley’s faithful river
Unending with peace
Flowing with wisdom
Comforts never cease
Sun brightens flashbacks
Counting former days
Energizing with joy
Ready now to play
Time injects stillness
Billowing with clouds
Yielding blessed shade
Whispers never loud
Heaven’s love singing
Blessing life below
Extending day’s light
Nature now aglow

Special Note: Sometimes my early morning time brings God’s Word into greater focus. This poem walks through a day filled with His vision.

Waking up early on a darkened, rainy day
Unable to walk, disrupting my morn with gray
Turning off the news, craving a necessary break
Immersing in other blogs, with their unique take
Sharing thoughtful comments, here and there
Always reminded, so many people truly care
This stubborn mind stores much, obsolete clutter
Causing my mature engine to cough and sputter
Life’s music sometimes offers a stimulating tune
Witnessing other perspectives, into an afternoon
Discovering positive discussions, comforting my mind
Challenging me to see, steps lead to future grace to find
Life’s lens sometimes fails, entirely clouded over
Like searching for a four-leaf, in a field of clover
As a culture, broadcasting anew from many landscapes
Exchanging ideas, opening our lens to exciting escapes
Our Lord, fashioning in us a curious intellect to wear
Stepping out, witnessing life as others wish to share
Reading God’s Word, helping to clear the murky view
Seeing life through His lens, aligning honest and true

Originally published March, 2020.