Breath of Repentance

From Joel 2:1:  “Blow the trumpet in Zion; sound the alarm on My holy mountain!  Let all the inhabitants of the land tremble, for the day of the Lord is coming, it is near.”

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Living in shadows of darkness

Lost in depths of hope’s despair

Looking upward to heavens

Light gathers from daily prayer

 

Hearing call of Zion’s trumpet

Trust found on wilderness road

Returning to walk with Christ

Heart gathers His grace to reload

 

Following hope-filled voice of Christ

Faith’s gathered army of One

Witnessing forgiving light

Darkness flees before Father’s Son

 

Gathering to witness mercy

Truth received from Christ’s own hands

Abounding with steadfast love

Peace nourishes each grain of sand

 

Raising hope’s breath of repentance

Calvary’s transforming night

Pouring from Spirit’s waters

Christ returning with gathered light

 

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From Joel 2:13:  “Return to the Lord your God, for He is gracious and merciful, slow to anger, abounding in steadfast love, and relenting from punishment.”

On Way to Heaven

From 1 John 1:5:  “This is the message we have heard from him and proclaim to you, that God is light and in him there is no darkness at all.”

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On way to Heaven

With each passing day

Envisioning New Earth

Jesus leads our way

 

Righteousness proceeds

Praises filled with joy

All marching to Zion

Jesus leads convoy

 

Blessed harvest waits

Feast upon light’s grace

Leaving sin’s darkened street

Jesus takes our place

 

Chains of bondage break

Freedom’s bells now ring

Reaching heavenly peace

Jesus always King

 

On way to Heaven

Mercy’s opened door

Forgiving voice of love

Jesus evermore!

 

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You are invited to sing or follow along with Isaac Watts’ hymn, “We’re Marching to Zion.”  Watts, an English pastor, wrote these lyrics in 1707.

Wendell Berry Quote

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The Christian gospel is a summons to peace, calling for justice beyond anger, mercy beyond justice, forgiveness beyond mercy, love beyond forgiveness.

From Colossians 1:13-14:  “He has rescued us from the power of darkness and transferred us into the kingdom of His beloved Son, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.”

Wendell Berry (born 1934) is an American novelist and poet.  Much of his writing embraces the goodness of protecting our environment and preserving agriculture’s way of life.

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Embracing Tomorrow

From James 1:2-5:  “My brothers and sisters, whenever you face various trials, consider it all joy, because you know that the testing of your faith produces endurance.  And let endurance complete its work, so that you may be complete and whole, lacking in nothing.  If any of you is lacking in wisdom, ask God, who gives to all generously and ungrudgingly, and it will be given you.”

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Trusting with confidence

Facing life’s many trials

Testing of faith endures

Patience studies each mile

 

God supplies every tool

His wisdom offers light

Faith strengthened every day

Removing doubts each night

 

Leaving evil’s darkness

Rising sun brings great joy

Receiving peace through grace

Richness in truth deploys

 

Temptation’s breath withers

Forgiveness brings fresh start

Every chain now broken

Filling hope in one’s heart

 

Persevering each day

Walking with Christ above

Embracing tomorrow

Submission tastes His love

 

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From James 1:12:  “Blessed is anyone who endures temptation.  Such a one has stood the test and will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love Him.”

Messiah’s Love

From Colossians 13:13-14:  “Bear with one another and, if anyone has a complaint against another, forgive each other; just as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive.  Above all, clothe yourselves with love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony.”

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Faith’s journey with Christ

Seeking all things above

Heavenly treasures wait

Revealed in Messiah’s love

 

Bitterness removed

Embracing Christian love

Salvation’s welcome voice

Nourished from heavens above

 

Spirit of patience

Spreading each truth of love

Just as Scripture teaches

Joined in Christ, grace shines above

 

God’s mercy forgives

Sharing peace from above

Harmony’s hope brings joy

Marked with unlimited love

 

Resurrection’s light

Raising praises of love

Redemption fills each heart

Witnessed by Lord from above

 

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From the words of American pastor, Harry Emerson Fosdick:  “Bitterness imprisons life; love releases it.”

Father’s Vision

From Deuteronomy 6:5:  “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might.”

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Unconditional, none greater

Father’s steadfast and faithful love

He witnesses each human stain

Yet, His grace forgives from above

 

Eternity’s river of hope

Father’s truth expressed through His love

Heavenly spirit’s mercy flows

Righteousness descends from above

 

Enemy’s darkness now shattered

Father’s peace illuminates love

Patience always slow to anger

Angelic praises from above

 

Judgment left to His caring hands

Father’s vision expresses love

Invites man’s actions of kindness

Sunrise always leads from above

 

Truth sown from greatest commandment

Father looks inward at man’s love

Shared with every generation

Joy destined to praise from above

 

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From Leviticus 19:18:  “You shall not take vengeance or bear a grudge against any of your people, but you shall love your neighbor as yourself:  I am the Lord.”

Journey’s Protector

From 1 Corinthians 15:56-58:  “The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law.  But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.  Therefore, my beloved brothers and sisters, be steadfast, immovable, always excelling in the work of the Lord because you know that in the Lord your labor is not in vain.”

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Each advancing year

Blessed by Father’s love

Overcoming through faith

Joy’s praises soar above

 

Journey’s protector

Loved by Holy Son

Reconciling sin’s sting

Heaven’s work shall be done

 

Resurrection’s light

Powered by Son’s grace

Transforming forgiveness

Today’s peace to embrace

 

Steadfast in spirit

Encouraged by Son

Raising up hope’s outlook

Tomorrow’s rising sun

 

Mercy found in Christ

Discouraged no more

Witnessing Calvary

Redemption’s open door

 

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From the words of English preacher, Charles Spurgeon:  “By perseverance the snail reached the ark.”

Redemption’s Quest (Elfchen Series #283)

Immanuel

Family’s

Earthly realm

Born of virgin

Son of skilled carpenter

Jesus

Lamb of God

Destiny’s

Heavenly presence

Light replaces darkness

Fulfillment of God’s Word

Savior

Deliverer 

Resurrection’s

Unselfish love

Rising with forgiveness

Shattering chains of sin

Messiah

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William Wilberforce Quote

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True Christians consider themselves not as satisfying some rigorous creditor, but as discharging a debt of gratitude.

Colossians 2:13-14:  “And when you were dead in trespasses and the uncircumcision of your flesh, God made you alive together with Him, when He forgave us all our trespasses, erasing the record that stood against us with its legal demands.  He set this aside, nailing it to the cross.”

William Wilberforce (1759-1833) was a member of the British Parliament.  He became a major figure in the movement to abolish the slave trade and slavery itself in the British Empire.

Forever, King of Kings

From Luke 2:8-11:  “Now in that same region there were shepherds living in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night.  Then an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified.  But the angel said to them, ‘Do not be afraid, for see, I am bringing you good news of great joy for all the people: to you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is the Messiah, the Lord.'”

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Humble shepherds

Tending flocks at night

Angel sharing great news

Shining from Bethlehem’s light

 

Minds awaken

Praising with great joy

Hearts filling with wonder

Witnessing love in this boy

 

Promise fulfilled

Giving thanks to God

Savior comes to rescue

Raising hope, at last unthawed

 

Darkness conquered

Forgiving man’s sin

Forever, King of Kings

Locking redemption’s linchpin

 

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From Colossians 1:13-14:  “He has rescued us from the power of darkness and transferred us into the kingdom of His beloved Son, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.”