Breaking Free

From Psalm 31:3-4:  “You are indeed my rock and my fortress; for your name’s sake lead me and guide me, take me out of the net that is hidden for me, for you are my refuge.”

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Crying out from devilish wasteland

Surrounded by desert’s empty sand

Caught, tangled in sin’s deceptive net

Buried under life’s heaviest debt

 

Captured by evil’s sly temptations

Confined to cellblock’s harsh reception

Engulfed by relentless guilt and shame

Throwing key away, dimming life’s flame

 

Praying to Holy Father above

Singing of His steadfast, faithful love

Seeking His mercy in valley’s distress

How will life move forward, from this mess?

 

Coming to life’s rescue, Jesus Christ

Accepting His grace, He pays full price

Breaking free from sin’s ongoing grip

Sailing on Spirit’s armored flagship

 

Exiting darkest, shame-filled prison

Beholding blood-stained Cross, He’s Risen!

Remaking character, with each day

Walking with Jesus, never shall stray

 

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From Psalm 18:1-2:  “I love you, O Lord, my strength.  The Lord is my rock, my fortress, and my deliverer, my God, my rock in whom I take refuge, my shield, and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold.”

Night

From Colossians 1:13-14 “He has rescued us from the power of darkness and transferred us into the kingdom of His beloved Son, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.”

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From the Creator, comes the day’s light

Why then, is there perpetual night?

 

Sin-filled darkness, traverses borders

Nations breathing endless disorders

 

Not a single country shall be spared

Few if any, seem ready . . . prepared

 

Partisan turmoil ignites unrest

Another sleepless night, minus rest

 

Social illness parks at each corner

Past ills, leaving many a mourner

 

Violence, injustice never pause

Out of this gloom, marches a new cause

 

Shroud of night’s blackness, tearing apart

Light conquers night, crashing our Lord’s heart

 

Blood-stained Cross, now-empty tomb proclaim

Son of Man, Son of God lights new flame 

 

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From Revelation 22:5:  “And there will be no more night; they need no light of lamp or sun, for the Lord God will be their light, and they will reign forever and ever.”

Without Faith

From Hebrews 11:6:  “And without faith it is impossible to please God, for whoever would approach Him must believe that He exists and that He rewards those who seek Him.”

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Living without faith

Never pleasing to God

Scripture grows musty

Seeing life as a fraud

 

Lacking true knowledge

Missing God’s living Word

Whole heart feels empty

Running with the wrong herd

 

Callous attitude

Faith absent, lonesome walk

Mind unbelieving

AWOL from Shepherd’s flock

 

Holy Trinity

Faith’s long forgotten light

Father, Son, Spirit

Blessed angels take flight

 

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From Proverbs 3:5:  “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not rely on your own insight.”

Monday Memories: Lights Out!

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On a deserted, darkened street

Halloween arrives with its treats

 

The two of us, walking down the lane

Scared and excited, looking for fame

 

An empty house breathes, coming alive

Energy awakens and desires to thrive

 

An electrifying party is set for tonight

The ancient house turns up its lights

 

A full moon illuminates the night sky

Just as witches in black, prepare to fly

 

Special guests add to the scary fun

Arriving from their past, one by one

 

Escaping from his creator’s famous lab

Frankenstein stumbles in, frightfully fab

 

Waking up from sleeping in a coffin bed

Dracula flies over, with a thirst for “red”

 

Howling eerily, over sighting a rare full moon

Wolfman pounces in, not a moment too soon

 

Sitting like unsuspecting flowers on a wall

The two of us don’t want this to end at all

 

Music and spirits fill the old, rundown place

This Halloween returns with a familiar taste

 

The impromptu party doesn’t last long

Finishing the night with one final song

 

Precisely tapping ruby-colored shoes three times

A young girl requests to return home before Nine

 

Walking past the darkened, empty house

You and I cannot even hear a tiny mouse

 

Realizing again, it’s time for lights out

Planning to return in a year, no doubt

 

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Finding New Life

From 2 Corinthians 11:13-14:  “For such boasters are false apostles, deceitful workers, disguising themselves as apostles of Christ.  And no wonder!  Even Satan disguises himself as an angel of light.”

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Facing life’s harshest trials

Walking uphill in shadows

Keeping on the proper trail

Coveting greener meadows

 

Suffering darkest ordeals

Praying for divine advice

Listening for God’s response

Willing to pay any price

 

Hiding off the path, waiting

Offering cunning, false hope

Sliding into Satan’s net

Reaching up for rescue’s rope

 

Clutching God’s forgiving hand

Leaving the enemy’s grip

Finding new life with the Lord

Walking in His fellowship

 

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From Romans 6:22-23:  “But now that you have been freed from sin and enslaved to God, the advantage you get is sanctification.  The end is eternal life.  For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.”

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.”

Nocturnal Beauty

lake beside forest photography

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A magnificent oak tree stands center in a park

Waiting with quiet majesty in the solitary dark

The blackness of night only adds to the scene

Bringing tranquility and peace, free and clean

Trees with fruit blossoms, in full view even at night

Sending forth a fragrance, invigorating and right

Tiny green leaves are growing out on the tall trees

Waving from a gentle breath of the wind with ease

In the distance, glowing lights enhance a background

Providing a reverent atmosphere without any sound

A bit of shining moonlight fashions extra to see

Moving and playful shadows amongst the trees

Even at night, God’s creation sparkles all new

Painting for each evening, a breathtaking view

The eastern light rises to create the dawn

Crooning birds welcome a newborn fawn

The stillness begins to wake-up from its rest

Leaving its nocturnal beauty, always the best!