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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John Calvin Quote

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Faith is like an empty, open hand stretched out toward God, with nothing to offer and everything to receive.

From Ephesians 3:17-19:  “And that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith, as you are being rooted and grounded in love.  I pray that you may have the power to comprehend, with all the saints, what is the breadth and length and height and depth, and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, so that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.”

Hungry for Hope

From Lamentations 3:22-24:  “The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases, His mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.  ‘The Lord is my portion,; says my soul,therefore I will hope in Him.'”

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Simple acts of faith

Filled with love for man

God pulls at heart strings

Part of Holy plan

 

Life hungry for hope

Man’s health in decline

Liver in failure

God opens hotline

 

Future growing dim

Darkness can’t escape

Searching for donor

Life’s faithful landscape

 

Seeking live donor

Doctors’ preferred choice

Humble man steps up

Quiets hopeless voice

 

Two lives now at risk

Surgery takes place

Success accomplished

Miracle brings grace

 

One man’s health restored

Donor’s body mends

Hope’s hunger fulfilled

God’s faith never bends

 

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This poem brings a true story, which is close to my family’s heart.  The living donor is my son-in-law, married to my youngest daughter.  The two of them will be back home in a few days (about one month since the surgery).  Many lives have been changed by this simple, humble act.  God’s blessings to all living donors.