Nothing lasts forever–not even your troubles.
From 2 Corinthians 4:17-18: “For our slight, momentary affliction is producing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all measure, because we look not at what can be seen but at what cannot be seen, for what can be seen is temporary, but what cannot be seen is eternal.”
Arnold H. Glasow (1905-1998) was an American author and humorist. He was a regular contributor to the humor sections found in Reader’s Digest.
Evangelical repentance is not at the beck and call of the creature. It is the gift of God.
From Romans 2:4: “Or do you despise the riches of His kindness and forbearance and patience? Do you not realize that God’s kindness is meant to lead you to repentance?”
Arthur Walkington (A. W.) Pink (1886-1952) was an English Bible teacher and Christian writer. Following his death, many of his writings were well-received by readers. This turnabout established him as an influential evangelical author.
From Job 14:7-9: “For there is hope for a tree, if it is cut down, that it will sprout again and that its shoots will not cease. Though its root grows old in the earth and its stump dies in the ground, yet at the scent of water it will bud and put forth branches like a young plant.”
Born with innocence
Nurtured by mother’s love
Filled with newfound wonder
Shadow of Christ above
Tomorrow shall wait
Savior’s love comes this day
Nourished through grace from God
Faith follows hope’s walkway
Peace fills daily breath
Sprouts from living waters
God’s love feeds faith’s deep roots
For each son and daughter
Age gathering years
Yet, spirit remains strong
Love nourishes outlook
Christ writes salvation’s song
Joy fills every day
Darkness fades into light
God’s Word speaks of His love
Righteous faith knows what’s right
From Psalm 1:2-3: “But their delight is in the law of the Lord, and on His law they meditate day and night. They are like trees planted by streams of water, which yield their fruit in its season, and their leaves do not wither. In all that they do, they prosper.”
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.”
Welcoming
Father’s door
Opens with grace
Finding joy in hope
Prayer
Opening
Wounded heart
Coming to Father
Asking for mercy’s aid
Prayer
Enabling
Faith’s voice
Light replaces darkness
Gratifying conversation with Father
Prayer
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.
We act like pagans in a crisis, only one out of a crowd is daring enough to bank his faith in the character of God.
From Luke 9:61-62: “Another said, ‘I will follow you, Lord, but let me first say farewell to those at my home.’ And Jesus said to him, ‘No one who puts a hand to the plow and looks back is fit for the kingdom of God.'”
Oswald Chambers (1874-1917) was a Scottish evangelist and Christian teacher. Following his death from an illness while in Egypt during World War I, his wife took on the task of transcribing the detailed notes she had written from his lectures and sermons. Gertrude Hobbs Chambers’ efforts resulted in the publication in 1924 of MY UTMOST FOR HIS HIGHEST. I frequently read from this devotional, and it has greatly deepened my faith and understanding of God’s Word.
Special Note: Sometimes my early morning time brings God’s Word into greater focus. This poem walks through a day filled with His vision.
Waking up early on a darkened, rainy day
Unable to walk, disrupting my morn with gray
Turning off the news, craving a necessary break
Immersing in other blogs, with their unique take
Sharing thoughtful comments, here and there
Always reminded, so many people truly care
This stubborn mind stores much, obsolete clutter
Causing my mature engine to cough and sputter
Life’s music sometimes offers a stimulating tune
Witnessing other perspectives, into an afternoon
Discovering positive discussions, comforting my mind
Challenging me to see, steps lead to future grace to find
Life’s lens sometimes fails, entirely clouded over
Like searching for a four-leaf, in a field of clover
As a culture, broadcasting anew from many landscapes
Exchanging ideas, opening our lens to exciting escapes
Our Lord, fashioning in us a curious intellect to wear
Stepping out, witnessing life as others wish to share
Reading God’s Word, helping to clear the murky view
Seeing life through His lens, aligning honest and true
Originally published March, 2020.
Hope is being able to see that there is light despite all of the darkness.
From Psalm 18:28: “It is You who light my lamp; the Lord, my God, lights up my darkness.”
Desmond Tutu (1931-2021) was a South African Anglican bishop and Christian theologian. He was perhaps best known for his efforts as a human rights activist in dismantling his nation’s system of apartheid.
From 1 Kings 3:5: “At Gibeon the Lord appeared to Solomon in a dream by night, and God said, ‘Ask what I should give you.'”
Life’s adaptive landscape
Father’s faithful seeding
Walking new avenues
His wisdom interceding
Dreams flow with endless peace
Father’s mercy speaks
Offering new insights
His wisdom strengthens what’s weak
Sunrise brightens each mind
Father’s steady view
Filling one’s righteousness
His wisdom comes shining through
Day brimming with praises
Father’s grace feeding
Finding mountain meadows
His wisdom superseding
Light shall topple darkness
Father’s goodness flows
Choosing each time and place
His wisdom sends love to grow
From 1 Kings 3:9: “Give your servant, therefore, an understanding mind to govern your people, able to discern between good and evil, for who can govern this great people of yours?”
From 2 Samuel 1:2: “On the third day, a man came from Saul’s camp with his clothes torn and dirt on his head. When he came to David, he fell to the ground and did obeisance [extending respect].”
Facing distress
Surging downpour
Waves of darkness
Always, facing more
Confronting fate
Reeling with pain
Enemy waits
Always, comes again
Praying to God
Hearing His voice
Times of challenge
Always, offers choice
Reaching to thee
Grasping His hand
Deliverance
Always, God commands
Reading His Word
Lighting each lamp
Promise rings true
Always, in God’s camp
Finding refuge
Forgiving sins
Redemption breathes
Always, grace comes in
From 2 Samuel 22:29: “Indeed, you are my lamp, O Lord; the Lord lightens my darkness.”
Big Sky Buckeye 