Puzzle Incomplete

From Romans 5:5:  “Hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit that has been given to us.”

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Trust’s missing pieces

Empty vision’s space

Puzzle incomplete

Father’s grace, replace

 

Fear’s lack of patience

Filled with anxious space

Puzzle defective

Father’s grace, backspace

 

Shame’s torn-up pages

Tattered, sinful space

Puzzle uncertain

Father’s grace, erase

 

Hope’s shattered darkness

Doubts drain daily space

Puzzle fragmented

Father’s grace, embrace

 

Faith’s empty focus

Lost in prideful space

Puzzle imperfect

Father’s grace, retrace

 

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From Romans 8:27:  “And God, who searches hearts, knows what is the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints according to the will of God.”

Gentleness

From Philippians 4:5:  “Let Your gentleness be known to everyone.  The Lord is near.”

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Savior filled with truth

Gentleness flows

Outward to others

Spirit knows

 

Ready to listen

Gentleness stirs

Shared with believers

Grace transfers

 

Savior always near

Gentleness loves

Risen from dark tomb

Peace-filled dove

 

Prayer opens heart

Gentleness speaks

Light shatters darkness

Mercy seeks

 

Savior’s faithful bridge

Gentleness leads

Steady, trusted rock

Heaven’s seeds

 

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From Philippians 4:8:  “Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is pleasing, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence and if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.”

Franz Joseph Haydn Quote

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When I think of God, my heart is so full of joy that the notes leap and dance as they leave my pen; and since God has given me a cheerful heart, I serve Him with a cheerful spirit.

From Proverbs 15:15:  All the days of the poor are hard, but a cheerful heart has a continual feast.”

Franz Joseph Haydn (1732-1809) was an Austrian composer.  Some of his most instrumental achievements dealt with the development of chamber music (both string quartet and piano trio).

Transforming Light (Elfchen Series #173)

Straying

Lost

Wayward sheep

Surrounded in darkness

Shepherd’s light finding each

Gathering

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Unknowing

Questions

Empty answers

Life’s harsh wilderness

Shepherd’s light sharing grace

Illuminating

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Unsettling

Forsaken

Coldest nights

Enemy’s false promises

Shepherd’s light warming hearts

Nurturing

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Charles Stanley Quote

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Without God, we would fail, and our constant companions would be worry and distress.  But with Him, we receive true wisdom and divine power.

From Galatians 5:22-23:  “By contrast, the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, generosity, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.  There is no law against such things.

Redemption’s Ticket

From Ephesians 2:8  “For by grace you have been saved through faith, and this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God.”

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Dotting I’s, crossing T’s

Life’s performance checklist

Nice life bestowed on thee

Knowing Father shall insist

 

Worshipping each Sunday

Dollars fill collection

Mirror says, “Good Christian”

Seeking Father’s affection

 

Feeling faith’s emptiness

Life’s perfection falls short

Redemption’s ticket waits

Striving for Father’s passport

 

Hearing at last, Word’s truth

New covenant shall rise

Hope’s mercy calls for faith

Fulfilling Father’s franchise

 

Receiving salvation

Despite life’s sinful walk

By grace, Savior redeems

Grasping Father’s faithful rock

 

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Leaving life’s performance treadmill, the Gospel’s true road offers guidance through our Savior’s blessed grace–as we walk faithfully in His light into new life.

Ralph Brownrigg Quote

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Trees have their seasons at certain times of the year when they bring forth fruit; but a Christian is for all seasons.

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.”

Ralph Brownrigg (1592-1659) was an English-born member of the Anglican clergy.  

Testaments of Faith (Elfchen Series #172)

Listen

Calling

From God

Following His righteousness

Running away from temptation

Living

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Promise

Living

Through Christ

Calvary’s cross waits

Blessed salvation rises ahead

Fortifying

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Transform

Fortifying

Against enemy

Darkness stirs doubt

Stand now, follow Jesus

Light

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George Augustus Moore Quote

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A man travels the world over in search of what he needs, and returns home to find it.

From Joshua 24:15:  “Now if you are unwilling to serve the Lord, choose this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your ancestors served in the region beyond the River or the gods of the Amorites in whose land you are living, but as for me and my household, we will serve the Lord.”

George Augustus Moore (1852-1933) was an Irish novelist, short story writer, and poet.  He has often been regarded as the first great modern Irish novelist.

Monday Memories: Speaking to Thee

This short poem is inspired from two different hymns:  “Lord, Speak to Me, That I May Speak” and “I Love to Tell the Story.”

sea on a stormy weather

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Telling His true story

Jesus, His glory reigns

Unseen, heaven above

Breaking sinful chains

 

Hungering and thirsting

Weary, endless despair

Message of Salvation

Answering these prayers

 

Firm rock, speaking to thee

Living echoes of hope

Children, lost and alone

Faith walking life’s tightrope

 

Hidden depths, troubled sea

Precious wisdom fills thee

Hearing His glowing words

Loving hand calms the sea

low angle photo grayscale of person tightrope walking

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One of my favorite hymns is “Earth and All Stars” which we sang many times at my former church in Montana.  Here is a link for the hymn:

Do you have a favorite hymn (an old favorite or a more current one)?  Let’s have a discussion in the comments.  

Originally published May, 2020.