Life’s Firm Foundation

From Psalm 62:1-2:  “For God alone my soul waits in silence; from Him comes my salvation.  He alone is my rock and my salvation, my fortress; I shall never be shaken.”

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World’s foundations often shake

Failure crashes upon lives

Fragile planet in distress

How will we ever survive?

 

Earthly alliances break

Financial systems crater

Globe overwhelmed in turmoil

Where is our navigator?

 

Life’s storms never-ending

Future stands on wobbly ground

Weakest foundations crumbling

Who can help us to rebound?

 

Sharing His love, comes Jesus

Delivering freedom’s grace

Gathering in God’s fortress

Accepting Christ, let’s embrace

 

Rising from dark, empty tomb

Sitting at Father’s right hand

Saving us, Christ carries us

Life’s firm foundation shall stand

 

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From Psalm 62:11-12:  “Once God has spoken; twice have I heard this:  that power belongs to God, and steadfast love belongs to you, O Lord.  For you repay to all according to their work.”

Spirit Leading

From Romans 5:5:  “Hope does not disappoint us, because God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit that has been given to us.”

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Holy Spirit leading

Life takes Father’s high road

His love pours into us

Following divine code

 

Holy Spirit shaping

Jesus shares Father’s grace

Character’s makeover

Transforming life’s dark place

 

Holy Spirit aiming

Righteous hand reaches out

Christ ties our sin in knots

Replenishing life’s drought

 

Holy Spirit forging

God’s desires take over

Feet now follow Jesus

Tasting sweetest clover

 

Holy Spirit guiding

Actions change journey’s road

Grace strengthens faith and hope

Producing life’s new code

  

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From Romans 8:26-27:  “Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness; for we do not know how to pray as we ought, but that very Spirit intercedes with sighs too deep for words.  And God, who searches the heart, knows what is the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints according to the will of God.”

Monday Memories: Walk of Faith

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Public baptism by immersion occurs on this date

Young girl reveals her guided walk to faith’s gate

 

Scripture speaks of baptism at every turn

From this girl, we all have so much to learn

 

Believe, be baptized, and continue to be brave

For Christ arose and escaped from His grave

 

All are baptized into one body so pure

Made to drink one spirit, totally for sure

 

Christ’s baptism launches His ministry, rich for all

In God’s presence, His words forever stand tall

 

Scorned persecutor of Jesus’ faithful, Christian way

Saul baptized as Paul, with Lord’s forgiveness to stay

 

Believers baptized under God’s authority of thee

Through Father, Son, and Holy Spirit which see

 

Baptism generates life’s faithful walk, filled with newness

Youthful girl accepts Jesus as Savior, blessed trueness

 

Feeling transforming spirit of Father’s Holy, living water

Accepting God’s purpose, living as newfound daughter

 

This young girl’s act of faith inspires so many others

Opening eyes to witness, every sister and brother

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This poem, written in February of 2019, has been updated in style.  The content reveals the public baptism of a granddaughter back on this date.

Charles Spurgeon Quote

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To trust God in the light is nothing, but trust Him in the dark–that is faith.

From Romans 13:12:  “The night is far gone, the day is near.  Let us then lay aside the works of darkness and put on the armor of light.”

Christian Reflections (Elfchen Series #70)

Steadfastness

God

Always present

Hearing heartfelt prayers

Every mountain and valley

Unwavering

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Transformation

Father’s

Forgiving grace

Opens up hearts

Reshaping darkness into light

Love

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Community

Fellowship

With believers

Sharing mutual burdens

Strengthened through the Gospel

Faith

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Martin Luther King, Jr. Quotes

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We are now faced with the fact that tomorrow is today.  We are confronted with the fierce urgency of now.

There is an invisible book of life that faithfully records our vigilance or our neglect.

Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. (1929-1968) remains one of America’s most influential voices in the public arena of civil rights.  These quotes came from a speech given at the Riverside Church in New York City on April 4, 1967 (almost exactly a year before his tragic assassination).  

Tempest Brewing

From Psalm 89:8-9:  “Lord God of hosts, who is as mighty as you, O LordYour faithfulness surrounds you.  You rule the raging of the sea; when its waves rise, you still them.”

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Approaching storms

Burdened with fear

Now darkness forms

Hope’s light unclear

 

Tempest brewing

Drowning with fright

Life’s undoing

Faith must invite

 

Our Prince of Peace

Seeing our plight

Renews life’s lease

Turns night to light

 

Lord’s mighty voice

Storm’s rage resigns

Angels rejoice

Peace rules divine

 

Heart’s calmness grows

Lord takes control

Dark chaos slows

Christ on patrol

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From Psalm 107:28-29:  “Then they cried to the Lord in their trouble, and He brought them out from their distress; He made the storm be still, and the waves of the sea were hushed.”

Here is a familiar hymn, “Eternal Father, Strong to Save.”  While I have used this hymn in the past, this shortened version features the true intensity of the “tempest brewing.”  We can always look to our Father’s strength to help us persevere.

God’s Steady Hand (Haiku Series #146)

Always

Beware of idols

Turning away, seeking truth—

Placing faith in God

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Everlasting

Love abides in God

Seeking lost and wayward sheep—

Welcoming each home

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Forever

Father, be gracious

Faithful promises leading—

Hearing each prayer

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Monday Memories: Lonely Road

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Sometimes life resembles a lonely road

Walking endless miles, filling with shame

Surrounded by darkness, bearing life’s load

Feeling mixed up, never into the game

 

God’s Word and Spirit bring transformation

Empty, spiritual desert . . . leaving now

Bringing dramatic change, new foundation

An oasis of faith becomes a vow

 

Discovering new hope, suffering ends

God’s light shines ahead of our faithful steps

Stumbling and failing, no longer contend

God’s Glory reigns supreme, without missteps

 

Old ways transforming to a better life

Exchanging total control with our Lord

God’s Grace gives, without cutting like a knife

His everlasting love, brings rich accord

 

God’s army of angels, walking ahead

Lonely road left . . . following Christ instead

 

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