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

 

God’s Mighty Fortress

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I awaken with a heavy heart today

Sleeping later than usual if I may

 

My thoughts are with those in dire need

Hoping their lives will blossom to please

 

When a person cares about others nearby

Feeling their sadness and sorrow going by

 

It causes me to really stop and think

Dashing my energy whenever I blink

 

I feel like running to those who suffer so

Forgetting the many miles that I must go

 

I reach for my Bible at this morning hour

Reading God’s word that forever towers

 

His amazing grace and love always fill me up

Plugging the vacuum of a sinner who’s corrupt

 

My Bible journey transports me to Psalm 31

Allowing the words to reach out, one by one

 

I pursue refuge with my almighty God, my Lord

Delivering to me His righteousness, like a sword

 

God has created a holy, mighty fortress for all

Carrying all of us to a safe place before we fall

 

Lord, remove me from this netting that holds thee

Allowing my troubles to fall as I drop to my knees

 

I extend my troubled hand out to His

Guiding me to bless Him and all that is

 

My Lord has redeemed me to stand firm

Sending me forth to help others in return

 

Waking up on a morning when my own heart was indeed very heavy, God transformed my attitude in His way.  Before writing this poem, I was reading a short devotional, and the Biblical text sent me to  Psalm 31:1-5.  Use the link to read these inspiring verses.

 

Where is Hope?

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The location of Hope County can’t be found on any maps

Perhaps hope resides in our caring hearts ready to tap

 

Last year’s drought

Brings misery and dried-up hope

Optimistic farmers seed spring crops with unwavering hope

 

A nearby processing plant

Will close soon with vanishing hope

Hurting families look to God for new hope

 

A nation’s inner fiber

Torn and ripped apart with faltering hope

Martin Luther King proclaims a message of rebuilding hope

 

A man sits despaired and forlorn

Being laid off with a future that offers spiritless hope

Receiving a new job brings praise to a God of immense hope

 

A crime-ridden neighborhood

Breathes each day with an absence of hope

Community spirit and love return with true hope

 

A charred Apollo spacecraft

Dashes an American moon journey with little hope

Neil Armstrong walks on the moon with restored hope

 

A scorned and forgotten child

Feels left out at school with fading hope

A passionate teacher smiles and brings refreshing hope

 

A middle-aged woman

Receives news that her body is filled with cancer and no hope

Prayers intercede filled with cancer-free and grace-filled hope

 

A sin-filled world

Awaits a Savior with never-ending hope

God sends His Son to deliver eternally-filled hope

 

Our world contains many places

Where hearts are filled with everlasting spirit and hope

Let’s never turn-off for a second our amazing hope

 

The Bible speaks a great deal about hope.  Search for numerous examples such as from Romans 15:13:  May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.

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

 

 

 

Walk of Faith

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From the Bible:  For by one Spirit we were all baptized into one body, whether Jews or Greeks, whether slaves or free, and we were all made to drink of one Spirit.  (1 Corinthians 12:13)

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

I recently witnessed the baptism of a young girl who was ready to make her walk of faith public in front of the congregation.  It was a very inspiring and emotionally-rich moment.

 

Nourishing Love

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A beautiful garden planted in the spring with great love

Flowers and vegetables blessed with peace from above

Every detail carefully planned and tenderly done

All this fertile soil needs now is water and sun

The first few weeks bring excitement and growth

Green buds and a bit of color are amazing both

One week goes by without any tender loving care

The young, immature plants now seem a bit scared

 

I am thirsty for a drink, can’t you see!

Why have you forgotten all about me?

 

Another week passes along without feeling a human hand

The fragile plants begin a slow march back to the land

 

I am thirsty for a drink, can’t you see!

Why have you forgotten all about me?

 

A third week arrives with unhappiness and despair

The once promising garden can’t surely be repaired

 

I am thirsty for a drink, can’t you see!

Why have you forgotten all about me?

 

From high above comes His promise to bring rain

Soon a gentle, nourishing mist reduces the pain

Humans need to be fed from above by Him

We must ask Him gently like singing a hymn

Without loving care, the garden and people will perish

The Lord adores all of His creation with love to cherish

 

Let us never, ever wonder and say . . .

 

I am thirsty for a drink, can’t you see!

Why have you forgotten all about me?

 

To have little faith isn’t part of our day!