Monday Memories: Midnight Walk

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Stirring from my deep sleep at midnight

Seeing someone moving in the dim light

 

Hearing a gentle voice whispering my name

Calling out, “Missing you has been a shame”

 

Recognizing that her gentle voice is familiar, not new

Appearing now, my beloved Grandma comes into view

 

Walking towards me, she carries no fear

Listening to a voice so true and very dear

 

Saying again that I’ve been deeply missed

Bowing down, my forehead receives a kiss

 

Remembering previous days with her brings a smile

Telling me kindly, let’s walk together now for awhile

 

Asking her a question, “Is it now my time?”

Replying back, “No, but you must climb”

 

Facing a wall that records each of my sins

Condemning me, comes Darkness again

 

Reaching down comes a firm, strong hand

Grabbing hold, my feet flee sinking sand

 

Gazing upward, my Grandma has departed and left

Taking her place arrives Christ, raised from death

 

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Hope Calling (Elfchen Series #78)

Rudderless

Drifting

Compass forsaken

Man’s stubbornness reigns

Hope’s light reaches out

Jesus

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Engagement

Facing

World’s infections

Physical, social, spiritual

Will Hope pursue Christ?

Faith

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Solidarity

Community

Faithfully building

Using Hope’s hands

For God’s lasting goodness

Welcoming

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Monday Memories: Experiencing Contentment

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Encourage others as God encourages each of us

Be forgiving toward others, adding to life’s plus

 

Give thanks for all of Father’s grace

Be His prayer warrior at every place

 

Allow Christ to shine through in all we do

Be filled with the Spirit, faithful and true

 

Hold dear to our hearts, all that is good

Be thankful to God, as we always should

 

Fiery ordeals and daily trials will always challenge all

Be an eyewitness to Christ’s sufferings, never to fall

 

God is sovereign and forever in control of it all

Be aware, all things work together, forever tall

 

When God’s glory is finally revealed on that day

Be shouting with amazing grace, sing as we may

 

We bring nothing into this world we live

Be content with little, the rest God gives

 

The love of money brings evil times

Be taking nothing, not even a dime

 

Bring together godliness with contentment

Be willing to follow every Commandment

 

Despite our weaknesses, Christ dwells within thee

Be content with calamities and hardships we see

 

God’s Grace is sufficient for everyone

Be thankful for the sacrifice of His Son

 

Christ resides in our hearts, He yearns to save

Be strengthened with blood and body He gave

 

Always rely on God’s strength and mighty clout

Be content, following His Word, never in doubt

 

Love of Christ surpasses all that we ever see

Be grateful and shower blessings, take a knee

 

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Always Remains

From Proverbs 18:24:  “Some friends play at friendship but a true friend sticks closer than one’s nearest kin.”

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Dark perils lurking

Sin’s evil prowling

Reaching into souls

Fiercest storms howling

 

Fragile faith fading

Hope searching for God

Reaching out to light

Gospel never flawed

 

Others abandon

Lord always remains

Reaching into faith

Hope flowing through veins

 

At crossroads of life

Father comes calling

Reaching into hearts

No longer falling

 

Comfort bringing peace

Divine Word spoken

Reaching into self

Spirit unbroken

 

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From Hebrews 13:5:  “Be content with what you have; for He has said, ‘I will never leave you or forsake you.'”

Filled with Dreams (Haiku Series #151)

Tasting Goodness

Dreaming of fresh dough

To grocery store for yeast—

Bread shall rise again

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Fulfilling Life

Eighty-two years young

Earning high school diploma—

Ageless dreams blossom

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Sowing Faith

Golden harvest waits

Farmer’s efforts rewarded—

Blessed field of dreams

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Monday Memories: Everlasting Road

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I am a solitary man traveling on an empty road

My life journey’s been an awfully heavy load

 

I yearn to walk a few more miles by the end of this day

My battered and worn shoes have so very much to say

 

I survive by myself after all of these long years

My past is filled with disappointments and tears

 

I have met few along this road who even say “hello”

My disheveled appearance keeps eyes looking low

 

I look ahead to what this day will offer to me

My weakened eyes make it challenging to see

 

I would welcome a hot meal and a warm shower

My bag of jerky will need to nourish for hours

 

I feel my energy running low on fuel just the same

My mind tries to stay alert as if playing a new game

 

I wish to stop by this large sycamore tree

My eyes can rest under its shade for free

 

I will rest and relax in peace along this quiet road

My journey will soon be finished, yet I never slowed

 

I will continue my peaceful trek down a lonesome route

My days are numbered, but I remain strong and stout

 

I am ready to meet my Lord on His righteous terms

His everlasting spirit brings much for me to affirm

 

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Renewing Seasons

From Ecclesiastes 3:1:  “For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven.”

Central Ohio’s Walnut Woods Metro Park waits for spring under cover of snow.

Winter’s dormant, gray months

Nature taking her break

Gathering strength for spring

Life’s welcoming handshake

 

People face frozen times

Seeking spirit’s rebirth

Darkness returns to light

New season blesses earth

 

Summer’s shining moments

Nature’s blooming color

Autumn’s blessed pause waits

Hourglass sand grows smaller

 

Happiness seeks to shine

Hope filling eager hearts

Spirit nurtures man’s faith

Risen Lord, life restarts

 

Through nature’s creation

Breathing with perfect poise

Order to life itself

God’s divine plan deploys

 

Life’s transition wakens

Rising sun shares reasons

Joy, sorrow, gain, or loss

Renewing fresh seasons

  

Morning’s brilliant sunrise awakens in central Ohio.

From Genesis 8:22:  “As long as the earth endures, seedtime and harvest, cold and heat, summer and winter, day and night, shall not cease.”

Rest Assured

From Psalm 42:2-3:  “My soul thirsts for God, for the living God.  When shall I come and behold the face of God?  My tears have been my food day and night, while people say to me continually,Where is your God?'”

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Darkness comes upon

Evil drawing near

Thirsty and hungry

There’s nothing to fear

 

Discouraged feelings

From dark, fallen world

Approaching Father

His Spirit unfurled

 

Rest assured with God

Observing our tears

Hearing nightly cries

Boldly He shall steer

 

Facing life’s hardships

Never giving up

Faith shall overcome

Overflowing cup

 

Believing in God

Trusting divine walk

Casting away storms

Grace shall always talk

 

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From Psalm 42:11:  “Why are you cast down, O my soul, and why are you disquieted within me?  Hope in God; for I shall again praise him, my help and my God.”

Grateful Reliance (Elfchen Series #73)

Kinship

Peace

Composes harmony

Grace fills joy

Binds us all together

Relationships

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Devotion

Grace

Divine presence

Love’s unselfish gift

Placing trust in God

Faithfulness

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Deliverance

Faith

Gospel feeds

Believing in Jesus

Gift of Eternal Life

Salvation

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This series of poems (written in the German-inspired style of Elfchen or Elevenie) shares a total of eleven words in each poem, with a sequence by line of one, two, three, four, and one words.

Brokenhearted

From Psalm 34:11-12:  “Come, O children, listen to me; I will teach you the fear of the LordWhich of you desires life, and covets many days to enjoy good?”

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Souls crying out

Brokenhearted

Crushed in spirit

Turning to God

 

Seeking refuge

Comfort and hope

Righteous Father

Hearing our cries

 

Evil departs

Darkness transforms

Brightest light calls

Finding our Rock

 

Coming to God

He promises

Deliverance

Breathing goodwill

 

Lord calls us back

Humble and glad

Our troubles wane

Praising with joy

 

Faith surrounds hope

Love never fails

Unselfish grace

Redeeming us

 

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From Psalm 34:1-3:  “I will bless the Lord at all times; His praise shall continually be in my mouth.  My soul makes its boast in the Lord; let the humble hear and be glad.  O magnify the Lord with me, and let us exalt His name together.”