We can’t avoid darkness or pain in this life. But we can go to the Lord in our weakness, knowing that In Him we are made stronger.
From 2 Corinthians 3:17-18: “Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. And all of us, with unveiled faces, seeing the glory of the Lord as though reflected in a mirror, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another, for this comes from the Lord, the Spirit.”
Running away to nowhere
Sky absent of any joy
Hope feeling forsaken
Worry arrives to destroy
Driving along road’s darkness
Sky absent of moonbeam’s light
Hope feeling forsaken
Worry invades every night
Fleeing from life’s harsh outcomes
Sky absent of any peace
Hope feeling forsaken
Worry refuses to cease
Navigating stormy seas
Sky absent of any stars
Hope feeling forsaken
Worry bleeds from every scar
Wasting each forgotten day
Sky absent of all sunlight
Hope feeling forsaken
Worry forever in flight
Indeed . . . there is a faithful and forgiving Light, filled with unseen hope, as found in these verses of Scripture:
Matthew 11:28-30: “Come to me, all you who are weary and are carrying heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you, and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.”
From Isaiah 49:13: “Sing for joy, O heavens, and exult, O earth; break forth, O mountains, into singing! For the Lord has comforted His people and will have compassion on His suffering ones.”
Peace rises above
Father’s comforting hand
Over every high mountain
Answers cover distant lands
Love rises above
Father’s comforting sense
Compassion lifts up each saint
Answers come to one’s defense
Hope rises above
Father’s comforting voice
Light eradicates darkness
Answers offer trusted choice
Joy rises above
Father’s comforting grace
Every storm becomes quiet
Answers which all should embrace
Grace rises above
Father’s comforting heart
Discipleship feeds spirit
Answers sustain faith’s restart
From the words of American Christian writer, Lettie B. Cowman: “Put your hand into the hand of God. He gives the calmness and serenity of heart and soul.”
God loves us the way we are, but He loves us too much to leave us that way.
From Hebrews 10:38-39: “But my righteous one will live by faith. My soul takes no pleasure in anyone who shrinks back. But we are not among those who shrink back and so are lost but among those who have faith and so preserve our souls.”
Leighton Ford (born 1931) is a Canadian-born pastor and Christian evangelist. During his fruitful life of ministry and witness, he has enjoyed relationships with other Christian teachers, including Billy Graham.
From Isaiah 43:1: “But now thus says the Lord, He who created you, O Jacob, He who formed you, O Israel: Do not fear, for I have redeemed you.”
Heavenly Father
Knowing what is best
His eternal presence
Leads man on his quest
Protection promised
Ford every river
Faith’s redeeming mercy
Spirit delivers
Encouragement brings
Restoration’s grace
Walking through every fire
Christ’s love to embrace
Precious in His sight
Hope fills cup, as planned
Chance eliminated
Gathered in God’s hands
Calling all nations
Eyes no longer blind
Accepting Father’s truth
Just as He designed
From Isaiah 43:9: “Let all the nations gather together, and let the peoples assemble. Who among them declared this and foretold to us the former things? Let them bring their witnesses to justify them, and let them hear and say, ‘It is true.'”
Christ’s
Door opens
Inviting another sinner
Come, walk with me
Awakening
Messiah’s
Blessed grace
Opens wayward heart
Waiting at Heaven’s door
Transformation
Savior’s
Faithful witness
Father’s door opens
Rising with Calvary’s forgiveness
Redemption
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.
By making us in His image, God gave us capacities not given to other forms of life. He gave us freedom to make choices.
From Deuteronomy 30:19: “I call heaven and earth to witness against you today that I have set before you life and death, blessings and curses. Choose life so that you and your descendants may live.”
From Isaiah 12:2: “Surely God is my salvation; I will trust and will not be afraid, for the Lord is my strength and my might; He has become my salvation.”
Resurrection revives
Eternal light reigns
Hope kept alive
God ordains
Holy Spirit active
Righteousness ahead
Faith proactive
Hope now fed
Love of Jesus rising
His power so high
Grace devising
Hope’s bright sky
God’s message never fails
Peace descends with hope
Journey’ trusted trail
Grasp His rope
Redemption’s light arrives
Promised by God’s Word
Hope kept alive
Faith’s password
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.”
Worry, whatever its source, weakens, takes away courage, and shortens life.
From Isaiah 41:10: “Do not fear, for I am with you; do not be afraid, for I am your God; I will strengthen you; I will help you; I will uphold you with My victorious right hand.”
John Lancaster Spalding (1840-1916) was an American author, poet, and advocate for higher education.
From Psalm 146:1-2: “Praise the Lord! Praise the Lord, O my soul! I will praise the Lord as long as I live; I will sing praises to my God all my life long.”
Bless the Lord’s name forever
Sing praises for Holy deeds
His greatness stands infinite
Loving us like tender reeds
Witness our Lord’s mighty acts
Share with each generation
His greatness lauds His goodness
Building our firm foundation
Recall love works from His hands
Fueled by Grace’s steadfast love
His greatness flows with mercy
Protecting us from above
Call on the Father this day
Pray to Him on humble knees
His greatness lighting the way
Watching over all He sees
From Psalm 145:17-18: “The Lord is just in all his ways, and kind in all his doings. The Lord is near to all who call on him, to all who call on him in truth.”
Originally published August, 2020.
Big Sky Buckeye 