Help in Trouble

From Psalm 46:1-3:  “God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.  Therefore we will not fear, though the earth should change, though the mountains shake in the heart of the sea, though its waters roar and foam, though the mountains tremble with its tumult.”

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Drowning in sinfulness

Darkness covers this land

Needing help in trouble

God reaches out His hand

 

Facing our transgressions

Mighty hand bringing grace

Saving us, all alone

God tapping life’s backspace

 

Sending love through His Son

Refuge found in one cross

Squashing dark’s empty hope

God triggers evil’s loss

 

Leaning on His wisdom

Strength flows from His power

Living with righteousness

God rebuilds faith’s tower

 

Knowing we walk with Him

Lord’s armor covers thee

Praying in Christ’s spirit

God’s mercy sets us free

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From Ephesians 6:13:  Therefore take up the whole armor of God, so that you may be able to withstand on the evil day and, having prevailed against everything, to stand firm.”

Shepherding Actions (Elfchen Series #109)

Serving Others

Christ’s

Central command

Love, care, feed

Shepherd’s hands at work

Disciples

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Extending Grace

Life’s

Puzzle pieces

Scattered and lost

Shepherd finds each one

Savior

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Coming Home

Hearing

Shepherd’s calling

Following in faith

Spirit leads our way

Believing

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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.

Season of Discouragement

From Nehemiah 1:3:  “They replied, ‘The remnant there in the province who escaped captivity are in great trouble and shame; the wall of Jerusalem is broken down, and its gates have been destroyed by fire.'”

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Shining locomotive churning along

Life ascending every mountain peak

Suddenly, trusty light turns to darkness

Disappointment abounds, whom shall we seek?

 

Loyal tracks of faith, now wrecked and ruined

Trusting walls of protection, now in shambles

Shepherd’s gate to heaven, forever crushed

Life in darkness, attempts to unscramble

 

Season of discouragement, shrouds small faith

Eyes filling with tears, overwhelming scene

Kneeling below bloody, Golgotha cross

Prayer fills with forgiveness, hope blooms green

 

God’s attentive ear, mercy listens in

Rebuilding life within Christ, faith’s linchpin

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From Nehemiah 1:11:  “O Lord, let Your ear be attentive to the prayer of Your servant and to the prayer of Your servants who delight in revering Your name.  Give success to Your servant today, and grant him mercy in the sight of this man!”

Faith Through Love (Elfchen Series #108)

Lost

Pursuing

Flesh’s desires

Filled with works

Life falls short in

Darkness

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Faith

Truth

Speaks boldly

Christ’s Holy Word

Building hope through Spirit’s

Fruits

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Found

Love

Thy neighbor

Obedience to Christ

Grace meeting our needs

Freedom

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On Our Way

From Psalm 118:24:  “This is the day that the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it.”

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On our way—

Following

Son of God,

Jesus Christ

 

On our way—

Witnessing

Faithful hope,

Filled with Christ

 

On our way—

Confronting

Day’s darkness,

Buoyed by Christ

 

On our way—

Restoring

Shattered lives,

Praising Christ

 

On our way—

Quieting

Stormy seas,

Christ as work

 

On our way—

Conquering

Evil’s foe,

Christ with us

 

On our way—

Redeeming

Wayward souls,

Christ’s love saves

 

On our way—

Proclaiming

Thankful hearts,

Blessed Christ

 

On our way—

Rejoicing

Forever,

Within Christ

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From Philippians 4:4:  “Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, Rejoice.”

The inspiration for this poem comes from the hymn, “On Our Way, Rejoicing.”  Here are the lyrics and music of this beloved song.

Retelling His Story

From Lamentations 3:22-23:  “The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases, His mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.”

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Retelling His story

Filling with wonder’s peace

Becoming never old

Rekindling life’s new lease

 

Witnessing His message

Loving God with whole heart

Grasping forever’s grace

Walking with Lord’s fresh start

 

Retelling His story

Sitting near empty tomb

Sharing Salvation’s news

Lighting yesterday’s gloom

 

Tasting His Holy Word

Longing for heaven’s home

Hungering for much more

Breaking chains, free to roam

 

Retelling His story

Finding Jesus nearby

Seeking new mercy’s grace

Cherishing faith’s bullseye

 

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This inspiration for this poem comes from the beloved hymn, “I Love to Tell the Story.”  One of any believers most blessed tasks is to share and tell the story of Jesus Christ.  Country singer Alan Jackson is a renowned Gospel singer, and he sings this wonderful hymn.  Enjoy.

Monday Memories: Expressions of Hope

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Expressions of hope are written throughout the Old Testament.  At times, the people of Israel lost hope, but God always found ways to restore their trust and hope to believe in Him.  

From Psalm 65:5:  “By awesome deeds you answer us with deliverance, O God of our salvation; you are the hope of all the ends of the earth and the farthest seas.

Broken faith with God

Flicker of hope remains

Have hope, seek God

Hopeful in His deeds

 

Place our Living God

Above all other gods

 

Light turns into darkness

Hiding in the shadows

Yet, God remains close

Hope grows once again

 

Living tree of hope

Will live into eternity

New buds always sprout

Strength from the Father

 

There is always hope

Even in darkest times

 

Life’s trials uproot hope

Adversaries line up against

God hears our cries

Intervenes when hope’s weak

 

Ancestors of Jacob witness

Their hope in God

The God of Jacob

Always God of Hope

 

God keeps His decrees

Believe, look to God

 

God remains always faithful

Our Lord reigns forever

For God’s righteous believers

Hope ends in gladness

 

Way of the Lord

Offers refuge with wisdom

Follow God with hope

Always in our hearts

 

Tree of Life endures

Ready to sustain us

 

Hope shows the light

Steady on life’s course

When spirit is dried

Hope quenches our thirst

 

God opens hope’s door

Inviting us to enter

 

 

Path of Life

From Psalm 16:1-2:  “Protect me, O God, for in you I take refuge.  I say to the Lord, ‘You are my Lord; I have no good apart from you.'”

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Seeing foolishness

Walking darkest roads

Life’s journey of faith

Coming to crossroads

 

To whom shall we choose?

Evil’s empty book

Filled with deception

Flesh becomes his hook

 

Wilderness calls out

God’s refuge protects

Love filled with goodness

Earning our respect

 

Boundary lines set

Marching in God’s trust

Chosen path of life

Faith removes our lust

 

Always before us

God’s daily support

His right hand’s guidance

Grace never falls short

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From Psalm 16:11:  “You show me the path of life.  In your presence there is fullness of joy; in your right hand are pleasures forevermore.”

Taken From a Church Sign

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Worry ends where faith begins.

From Philippians 4:6-7:  “Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.  And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”

Our Rock, Our Refuge (Elfchen Series #106)

Invincible

Searching

Life’s wilderness

Where’s stability found?

Nothing shall shake God’s

Cornerstone

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Proven

Faith

Deeply challenged

Whom to trust?

Christ’s love builds His

Cornerstone

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Everlasting

Waiting

No longer

Finding empty tomb

Jesus fulfills faith’s empowering

Cornerstone

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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.