Too many times we miss so much because we live on the low level of the natural, the ordinary, the explainable.
From Psalm 77:14: “You are the God who works wonders; You have displayed Your might among the peoples.”
Vance Havner (1901-1986) was an American pastor and Christian author. During his many years of service to the Lord, he preached throughout America.
Sovereign
Unlimited boundaries
God’s eternal presence
Penetrating life’s every moment
Assurance
Vision
Plans unhindered
God’s steady hand
Shaping with mercy’s breath
Divine
Purpose
Never doubt
God’s faithful promises
Reaching into man’s heart
Fulfilled
Knocking
Each day
Seeking Father’s voice
Perseverance follows trusted choices
Praying
Asking
Yet, nothing
Humble thy heart
Now aligned with Father
Answering
Finding
Father’s light
Adopting fresh attitude
Growth in spiritual landscape
Trusting
Witnessing
Empty tomb
Victory, Jesus lives
Hope’s darkness forever vanquished
Light
Impossible
Calvary’s cross
Crucifixion, death, burial
Meeting along Emmaus Road
Possible
Believing
Messiah’s Resurrection
Chains forever broken
Enemy’s false assurances shattered
Redemption
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.
From Psalm 28:7: “The Lord is my strength and my shield; in Him my heart trusts; so I am helped, and my heart exults, and with my song I give thanks to Him.”
Every generation
Hope rests in Father above
His help in decades past
Built upon eternal love
From salvation’s refuge
Father’s strength grasps every hand
His presence shall defend
With faith’s shield, just as He planned
Hopeful hearts always trust
Father’s promises fulfilled
Morning’s light ever shines
Earthly ground now freshly tilled
Past, present, and future
Father’s guidance, count on it
Fed with living water
Darkness fades, ready to quit
Rejoice with today’s gift
Grace comes from Father above
Step forward, now accept
Songs of praise, filled with our love
With lyrics written in 1708 by English minister and hymn writer, Isaac Watts, “O God, Our Help in Ages Past” provides an enriching complement to Psalm 28. Watts fashioned this hymn from the verses of Psalm 90. You are encouraged to listen to American singer, Bing Crosby, as he presents this stirring hymn.
Christmas is the celebration of the keeping of a promise . . . A saving promise.
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.'”
Michael Card (born 1957) is an American singer and songwriter. He is best known for his contemporary Christian music. He has also authored several books.
From Isaiah 7:14: “Therefore the Lord Himself will give you a sign. Look, the young woman is with child and shall bear a son and shall name Him Immanuel.”
God’s plan of redemption
Viewed through love’s transforming scope
Faithful virgin shall bear His Son
Fulfilling flame of eternal hope
God’s warm heart offers love
Promised Prince at Heaven’s gate
Empty darkness shall fill with joy
Breathing from cold, humble stable’s fate
God’s peace nurtures man’s trust
Filled with mercy’s lasting grace
Sacred Word witnessed in Son’s flesh
Living waters share love to embrace
God’s creation speaks truth
Blessed news fills shepherds’ ears
Advent’s greatest virtue breathes love
Silencing night, morning’s sun appears
Light born in Bethlehem
Delivered hope sharing peace
Angels’ unbelievable joy
Praising Savior’s love, shall never cease
Advent Prayer: Heavenly Father, as we remember and reflect upon this Advent season, assist us in turning our hearts toward You as we approach the birth of Your blessed Son. Encourage us to celebrate the gifts received from that very first Christmas: hope, peace, joy, and love. Amen.
The final hymn of this Advent series comes from the inspiration of American pastor and Christian writer Phillips Brooks. Recalling his 1865 trip to Bethlehem, he wrote the lyrics for “O Little Town of Bethlehem” in 1868.
Witnessed
Discipleship’s faith
Always take courage
Christ offers His peace
Love
Trusted
Father above
Rising above darkness
Christ’s light delivers peace
Hope
Seasoned
Spirit descends
Righteousness fills journey
Guided by Christ’s peace
Joy
From Matthew 5:1: “When Jesus saw the crowds, He went up the mountain, and after He sat down, His disciples came to Him. And He began to speak and taught them.”
Father’s Word becomes flesh
Now living among man
Gentleness of potter’s hands
Fulfilling promised plan
Truth found in Savior’s voice
Faithfulness, heaven bound
United as one Body
Traversing common ground
Touched by Messiah’s grace
Forgiveness now descends
Chains of sin breaking away
Finding hope, darkness ends
Christ’s lesson plans share love
Hillside offers classroom
“Sermon on the Mount” teaches
Sowing faith, seeds shall bloom
Rock of Ages, Jesus Christ
His peace shall never end
Always with man in spirit
Blessing each knee to bend
From Matthew 28:20: “The Son of Man came not to be served but to serve and to give His life a ransom for many”
Turning life’s empty page
Optimism running dry
Uncertainty arrives
Shifting darkness stands by
Flickering light of thoughts
Mind never seeking rest
Sporadic, impatient
Inviting nightly guest
Dreaming, story unfolds
Deeper into its script
Narrative continues
Typing empty transcript
Soothing spirit walks in
Please, please never depart
Stardust now raining down
Replacing mind with heart
Waking at early dawn
Empty page, still waiting
Writer’s pen left untouched
Seeing light, dictating
Big Sky Buckeye 