Directing Our Best

From Psalm 118:1:  “O give thanks to the Lord, for He is good; His steadfast love endures forever!”

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Giving thanks, praising Father

His enduring, steadfast love

Faith today, hope tomorrow

Embracing grace from above

 

Kneeling in daily prayer

Father listens with patience

Faith today, hope tomorrow

Transforming our impatience

 

Taking refuge with Father

His righteousness leads forthwith

Faith today, hope tomorrow

Overcoming evil’s myth

 

Surrounding witness of light

Father blazes road ahead

Faith today, hope tomorrow

Nourishing with daily bread

 

Grasping wisdom of Father

Skies no longer full of gray

Faith today, hope tomorrow

Directing our best, His way

 

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

Joyce Meyer Quote

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Patience is not simply the ability to wait–it’s “how” we behave while we’re waiting.

From Romans 12:12:  “Rejoice in hope; be patient in affliction; persevere in prayer. “

Joyce Meyer (born 1943) is an American Christian author and speaker.  

Monday Memories: Accepting His Way

From Romans 6:1-2:  “What then are we to say?  Should we continue in sin in order that grace may abound?  By no means!  How can we who died to sin go on living in it?”

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All have been baptized into Christ

God’s offer of Grace shall abound

Christ suffering death on the Cross

Accepting His way, God’s Word found

 

Living with God through our Savior

United with Jesus by His death

Walking in goodness of new life

Accepting His way, lasting breath

 

Escaping life of sin and death

Obedient to God’s commands

Following our righteous Father

Accepting His way, where we stand

 

Knowing God through His Holy Word

Rescued, no longer slaves to sin

Total devotion to Jesus

Accepting His way, love within

 

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From Romans 6:12-14:  “Therefore, do not let sin exercise dominion in your mortal bodies, to make you obey their passions.  No longer present your members to sin as instruments of wickedness, but present yourselves to God as those who have been brought from death to life, and present your members to God as instruments of righteousness.  For sin will have no dominion over you, since you are not under law but under grace.”

Originally published August, 2020.

Joni Eareckson Tada Quote

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Life becomes inspiring, not in spite of the problems and the hard hits, but because of them.

From Galatians 6:9:  “So let us not grow weary in doing what is right, for we will reap at harvest time, if we do not give up.”

Joni Eareckson Tada (born 1949) is an American Christian author and radio host.  Much of her work has focused on ministry in the disability community.  Her life journey is a living testament to this quote.

Peace Upon Earth (Second Sunday of Advent)

Courtesy of Pinterest.

From Isaiah 9:6:  “For a child has been born for us, a son given to us; authority rests upon His shoulders, and He is named Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.”

World’s hopeful emotions

Searching for inner peace

In midst of life’s struggles

When will this darkness cease?

 

Peace waits for Messiah

Unlocking hopeful light

Goodwill comes upon man

Bethlehem’s star beams bright

 

Hope fills faithful journey

Waiting for Father’s Son

Shall be called Prince of Peace

Darkness cannot outrun

 

Through precious, promised child

Blessing all with His peace

Emmanuel comes near

Hope renewed through faith’s lease

 

Father’s steadfast vision

Sending peace upon earth

Man called to trust His plan

Wilderness finds hope’s berth

 

Courtesy of Pinterest.

This poem’s hymn selection comes from “It Came Upon a Midnight Clear.”  Finding inspiration from Luke 2:14, American pastor, Edmund H. Sears, wrote these beloved lyrics in 1849.

Frederick Buechner Quote

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For outlandish creatures like us, on our way to a heart, a brain, and courage, Bethlehem is not the end of our journey but only the beginning–not home but the place through which we must pass if ever we are to reach home at last.

From Luke 2:13-14:  “And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host, praising God and saying, ‘Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace among those whom he favors!'”

Frederick Buechner (1926-2022) was an American pastor, Christian theologian, and author.  His writings were published in 39 books, which included several different genres.

Lionel Hampton Quotes

Lionel Hampton showing off his skills.  (courtesy of Pinterest)

Gratitude is when memory is stored in the heart and not in the mind.

Seemed to me that drumming was the best way to get close to God.

Lionel Hampton (1908-2002) was an American jazz vibraphonist, percussionist, and bandleader.  As a composer and arranger, he wrote more than 200 works.

Light of Christ (Elfchen Series #229)

With Us

Witnessing

“Follow Me”

“Come and see”

God descends upon man

Emmanuel

Believe Always

Hearing

Of Nazarene

Disciples now believe

Turning water into wine

Messiah

Faith’s Road

Following

Righteous steps

Glory’s light ahead

Path to eternal home

Savior

all images courtesy of pinterest.

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.

Charles Stanley Quote

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The Lord’s immutable nature is the foundation of our faith.

From Hebrews 1:10-12:  “In the beginning, Lord, You founded the earth, and the heavens are the work of Your hands; they will perish, but You remain; they will all wear out like clothing; like a cloak You will roll them up, and like clothing they will be changed.  But You are the same, and Your years will never end.”

Father’s Caring Breath

From 1 Peter 5:6-7:  “Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God, so that He may exalt you in due time.  Cast all your anxiety on Him, because He cares for you.”

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Our world will sometimes

Turn upside down

Filled with anxiety

Peace faces meltdown

 

Life’s heavy anchors

Worry weighs down

Sinking ever deeper

Hope lifts at sundown

 

Father sees darkness

Brings forth His grace

Therefore, humble ourselves

Peace comes to embrace

 

Father’s mercy beams

Light’s bold outlook

Always caring for us

Hope’s warming chinook

 

Father’s caring breath

Calls us to cast

Every despondent thought

Faith always steadfast

 

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From Psalm 94:19:  “When the cares of my heart are many, Your consolations cheer my soul.”