Faith’s Tomorrow

From Psalm 142:3-4:  “When my spirit is faint, You know my way.  In the path where I walk, they have hidden a trap for me.  Look on my right hand and see:  there is no one who takes notice of me; no refuge remains to me; no one cares for me.”

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Floundering at life’s darkest end

Feeling trust in patience sinking

Plunging ever deeper . . . deeper

Faith’s emptiness never shrinking

 

Wandering away from Shepherd

Seeing only darkness ahead

Feeling last breath of hope fading

Faith missing blessed, daily bread

 

Following one more false promise

Running into final dead end

Finding lost anchor’s solid rock

Faith at last, refuses to bend

 

Rising with hope’s trusted beacon

Lighting way on Emmaus Road

Praying without ceasing to God

Faith’s living water, overflowed

 

Worshipping in Gospel’s safe place

Facing each new day without fear

Tracking to follow Shepherd’s voice

Faith’s tomorrow, forever clear

 

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From Psalm 23:1-2:  “The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.  He makes me lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside still waters.”

Single Voice

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Facing overwhelming odds

Single voice stating its case

Stepping out from shelter’s light

Today, darkness loses race

 

Standing alone with courage

At last, time for change arrives

Trampling down twisted darkness

Today, faithful light survives

 

Clinging to truth’s conviction

Multitude of pain erased

Extinguishing all darkness

Today, humble light embraced

 

Understanding life’s purpose

Human rights boldly proclaim

Recalling depth of darkness

Today, light forgives all blame

 

Learning from history’s past

Actions taking direct route

Offering nation new light

Today, darkness falls—no doubt

 

History has amplified the single voices shown below as a testament to taking a stand, respecting the value fellow man, and putting others above self.  Top left and moving clockwise:  1989, Tank Man stopped tanks at Tiananmen Square in China; 1877, Nez Perce Chief Joseph surrendered to American cavalry near Bear Paw Mountains in Montana Territory; 1955, Rosa Parks refused to give up her front seat on a segregated bus in Montgomery, Alabama; 1930, Mahatma Gandhi led peaceful protest during India’s Salt March; 1945, Anne Frank used her diary’s voice as her final witness of living under the brutality of war.  (All photos courtesy of Pinterest)

Always Stand Firm

From Matthew 8:24-25:  “A windstorm suddenly arose on the sea, so great that the boat was being swamped by the waves, but He was asleep.  And they went and woke Him up, saying, ‘Lord, save us!  We are perishing!'”

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Swamped by storm’s endless waves

Darkness covers waters

Perishing, “Lord, save us”

Every son and daughter

 

Deceived by enemy

Lord brings light upon scene

Watching evilness flee

Savior transforms faith’s genes

 

Filled with courageous strength

Darkness gives in to light

Witnessing, “Lord with us”

Mercy boards rescue’s flight

 

Glorified God in Christ

Lord teaches how to love

Rising beyond death’s tomb

Infinite grace above

 

Urged to always stand firm

Darkness shrinking away

Hearing Lord, “Do not fear”

Righteousness paves His way

 

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From Isaiah 41:13:  “For I, the Lord your God, hold your right hand; it is I who say to you, ‘Do not fear, I will help you.'”

Desmond Tutu Quote

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Hope is being able to see that there is light despite all of the darkness.

From Psalm 18:28:  “It is You who light my lamp; the Lord, my God, lights up my darkness.”

Desmond Tutu (1931-2021) was a South African Anglican bishop and Christian theologian.  He was perhaps best known for his efforts as a human rights activist in dismantling his nation’s system of apartheid.  

S. Kelley Harrell Quotes

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We don’t heal in isolation, but in community.

You don’t find light by avoiding the darkness.

S. Kelley Harrell is an American author with many books to her credit.  Her home is found in North Carolina.

Harm’s Way

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Early morning darkness

Sleep filled with quiet dreams

Sudden interruption!

Storm alert’s pulsing beam

 

Wide awake, checking phone

Tornado touching down

Only miles west of home

Shelter sought all around

 

Weather’s constant updates

Safety makes its quick choice

Moving to surest place

Heart fills with peaceful voice

 

Warning shrieks from siren

Calling all to be smart

Retreating from harm’s way

Bathroom, now rescue cart

 

Outside, wind-driven rain

Pounding with clear intent

Will storm alter its path?

Praying calmness be sent

 

Storm front now moving east

Heaven’s safety net cast

Thoughts with others in need

 “All Clear” arrives at last

 

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On Wednesday, February 28, a series of tornadoes touched down west of the Columbus, Ohio outerbelt.  At approximately 5:15 a.m. my wife and I were awakened by a storm alert on our phones.  Fortunately, the worst of the storm stayed south and north of our location, but others did not fare so well.   Here is a link to a photo update of the storm (courtesy of The Columbus Dispatch):  Storm Update.

Beacon’s Night Thread

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Navigating stormy seas

Hazardous, rocky shore

Hidden perils loom ahead

Darkness waiting to score

 

Facing overwhelming odds

Danger swarms all about

Faith’s ally always waiting

Rescue coming, no doubt

 

Searching for safety’s refuge

Lighthouse offers assist

Brighter than any moonlight

Mercy found in its midst

 

Steering away from trouble

Calmer waters ahead

Eerie sky shines like daylight

Promised beacon’s night thread

 

Arriving at safe harbor

Harm retreating away

Gratitude’s voice welcomes home

Sunrise blesses this day

 

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Shadows of Darkness

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Encroaching darkness

Day slipping away

Mystery returns

Sunset turning gray

 

Ocean’s darkened shore

Tide rolling away

Ship pilots alone

Jagged rocky bay

 

Forest’s darkened sounds

Nature dreams away

Each scary echo

Owl’s nightly buffet

 

Time waits in darkness

Future turns away

Hourglass still broken

Quiet on Broadway

 

Street corner’s darkness

Music plays away

Opera’s phantom

Night’s eerie screenplay

 

Ship sails darkened seas

Wind turns peace away

Distress now gathers

Storm’s narrow causeway

 

Darkened stories speak

Silence rides away

Headless horseman roams

Midnight’s getaway

 

Shadows of darkness

Now turning away

Destiny unknown

Sunrise marks new day

 

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Challenges Overcome

From Psalm 34:6:  “This poor soul cried and was heard by the Lord and was saved from every trouble.”

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Desiring smoother path

Journey faces pitfalls

Stressful days wait ahead

Darkness erecting walls

 

Showing what’s possible

Spirit lights Father’s way

Humbly see and follow

Walls crumble, new causeway

 

Turning toward Father

Life surrendered to Him

Troubled times diminished

Days no longer as grim

 

Tasting acts of goodness

Challenges overcome

Father’s peace now descends

Doubts reduced to breadcrumbs

 

Walking in Father’s love

Mercy remains steadfast

Every promise trusted

Faith transformed, hope recast

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From Psalm 34:19:  “Many are the afflictions of the righteous, but the Lord rescues them from them all.”

Ursula K. Le Guin Quotes

Courtesy of Pinterest.

No darkness lasts forever.  And even there, there are stars.

If you evade suffering, you also evade the chance of joy.

Ursula K. Le Guin (1929-2018) was an American author who achieved success in the realm of science fiction as well as fantasy.