Hope Breathes

From Psalm 146:1-2:  “Praise the LordPraise 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.”

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Sunrise filling eastern sky

Singing praises to God’s love

Trusting in His divine Word

Hope breathes form heavens above

 

New day faithfully arrives

Reigning forever with grace

Nourishing with righteousness

Hope breathes from Savior’s birthplace

 

Prophecy’s promises true

Holding mercy in His hands

Sending His Son in man’s place

Hope breathes from Father’s heartland

 

Faith pursues with endurance

Approaching eternal light

Witnessing redemption’s peace

Hope breathes from Christ’s risen flight

 

Savior’s precious blood now shed

Granting forgiveness of sins

Calling all to walk with Him

Hope breathes from His love within

 

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From 1 Timothy 6:12:  “Fight the good fight of the faith; take hold of the eternal life to which you were called and for which you made the good confession in the presence of many witnesses.”

Henri Nouwen Quote

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Jesus must become the heart of my heart, the fire of my life, the love of my soul, the bridegroom of my spirit.

From Ephesians 3:16-17:  “I pray that, according to the riches of His glory, He may grant that you may be strengthened in your inner being with power through his Spirit and that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith, as you are being rooted and grounded in love.”

Henri Nouwen (1932-1996) was a Dutch priest, professor, writer, and theologian.

Monday Memories: Lonely Heart

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Alone and isolated

Empty calendar pages

Absent family and friends

Life walking in Dark Ages

 

Hour’s darkest shadows lengthen

Day’s hope missteps and stumbles

Sudden tears, any moment

Faith now tumbles, then crumbles

 

Day awakens, same old drill

Memories fade, bit by bit

Miles from nowhere, so alone

Silence fills heart, not close-knit

 

Few good days dwarfed by bad ones

Sunny smiles becoming few

Lonely heart needs titan’s lift

Shining light makes its breakthrough

 

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Make it a point today to reach out to someone who could use a warm hug, a trusting smile, or a kind word.  Lonely hearts fill many people with emptiness; share your light.

Originally published January, 2021.

Faith’s Vision

From Luke 17:5-6:  “The apostles said to the Lord, ‘Increase our faith!’  The Lord replied, ‘If you had faith the size of a mustard seed, you could say to this mulberry tree, ‘Be uprooted and planted in the sea,’ and it would obey you.'”

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Remaining at life’s station

Waiting, always watching

Living with righteousness

Faith’s vision of salvation

 

Trusting in hope’s fortitude

Adopting God’s patience

Committing to His ways

Faith in Him shall be renewed

 

Believing in Savior’s grace

Facing life’s rising tides

Revealing light to come

Faith rekindled to embrace

 

Repenting of sinful ways

Floundering no longer

Accepting forgiveness

Faith powering up each day

 

Pulsating heart filled with joy

Hearing God’s truthful voice

Witnessing through Christ’s love

Faith gathers peace to deploy

 

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English hymnwriter and theologian, Frederick William Faber (1814-1863), wrote the hymn “Faith of Our Fathers” in 1847.  The lyrics reflect upon an inspiring vision of faith at work.

Andrew Peterson Quote

The burden God places on each of us is to become who we are meant to be.  We are most fully ourselves when Christ most fully lives in us and through us.

From 1 John 2:5-6:  “Whoever obeys His word, truly in this person the love of God has reached perfection.  By this we know that we are in Him:  whoever says, ‘I abide in Him,’ ought to walk in the same way as He walked.”

Andrew Peterson (born 1974) is an American Christian singer-songwriter and author.  

Nourished Faith (Elfchen Series #273)

Redeemed

Witnessing

Man’s shortcomings

Our perfect Father

Christ’s victory at Calvary

Grace

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Strengthened

Embracing

Gospel’s truth

Salvation’s precious breath

Forwarding gift of peace

Light

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Emboldened

Becoming

Christ followers

Trust’s precious steps

Taking up thy cross

Disciples

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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.

Hudson Taylor Quote

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You do not need a great faith, but faith in a great God.

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.”

Hudson Taylor (1832-1905) was a British-born Christian missionary.  He spent 54 years in China.

Joy’s Anticipation

From John 15:10-11:  “If you keep My commandments, you will abide in My love, just as I have kept My Father’s commandments and abide in His love.  I have said these things to you so that My joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete.”

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Rejoicing with Father

Peace quiets every storm

Joy’s spirit transforms heart

Nurturing, always warm

 

Learning from Father’s Word

Faith nourished, always trust

Joy sails on eagle’s wings

Bringing light, always just

 

Receiving Father’s grace

Precious gift of each day

Joy cascades from His love

Rising sun, never gray

 

Walking in Father’s steps

Hope breathes with every stride

Joy’s anticipation

Filling outlook with pride

 

Kneeling at Father’s feet

Gratitude sweeps ashore

Joy flowing with gladness

Entering Heaven’s door

 

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From the words of American evangelist, Bill Bright:  “The joy of God is experienced as I love, trust, and obey God.”

Joy Quotes

Oswald Chambers (1874-1917) was a Scottish evangelist and Christian teacher.

Joy is the great note all throughout the Bible.

C. S. Lewis (1898-1963) was an English writer and Christian scholar.

Joy is the serious business of heaven.

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

Left:  Oswald Chambers.  Right:  C. S. Lewis.  (Courtesy of Pinterest)

Always Trust

From Psalm 16:1-2:  “Protect me, O God, for in you I take refuge.   I say to the Lord, ‘You are my Lord; I have no good apart from you.'”

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Facing uncertainty

More questions than actions

Reaching out to Father

Love’s trusted interactions

 

Harboring inner doubts

Weakened by rising tides

Praying now to Father

Mercy brings answers to guide

 

Choosing to always trust

Assurance speaks to heart

Listening to Father

Grace nourishing faith’s fresh start

 

Tasting heavenly joy

Life’s outlook now renewed

Receiving from Father

Page turned, filled with gratitude

 

Rejoicing in hope’s light

Righteous path before thee

Conversing with Father

His peace calms as darkness flees

 

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From Psalm 16:11:  “You show me the path of life.  In Your presence there is fullness of joy; in Your right hand are pleasures forevermore.”