Adversity is not only a bridge to a deeper relationship with God, but it’s also the path to freedom, healing, and maximum usefulness.
From Hebrews 12:11-13: “Now, discipline always seems painful rather than pleasant at the time, but later it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it. Therefore lift your drooping hands and strengthen your weak knees and make straight paths for your feet, so that what is lame may not be put out of joint but rather be healed.“
In recent weeks, high level winds have moved a thick, smoky haze from Canadian wildfires into the airspace in some of the northern regions of the United States.
Northern-based fires burn
Smothering southern skies
Nature under assault
Day-by-day forecasts advise
Hazy, smoky skies
Hiding morning sunshine
Air quality alert
Heavens covered in disguise
Filtered sky above
Waiting for winds to change
Today must continue
Even though feeling short-changed
Fires now flaming out
Welcoming back blue sky
Sun makes blessed comeback
Disruptive smoke says goodbye
Nature overcomes
Pushing through stressful days
Time ahead brings healing
Sky offers hours to stargaze
Each of us has a unique part to play in the healing of the world.
And no one will listen to us until we listen to ourselves.
Marianne Williamson (born 1950) is an American author who has written 14 books (at last count).
Be confused, it’s where you begin to learn new things.
Be broken, it’s where you begin to heal.
S. C. Lourie is a British writer, poet, and artist.
From Psalm 25:5: “Lead me in your truth and teach me, for you are the God of my salvation; for you I wait all day long.”
Living in God’s Kingdom
Providing all things
Sharing His steadfast peace
Grace forever springs
Healing our tattered souls
Witnessing our plight
Stirring up lasting faith
Eternity’s light
Filling hearts with mercy
Kindling each sunrise
Soaring on eagle’s wings
Glory in God’s eyes
Casting darkness aside
Saving every heart
Loving each child of God
New life now restarts
Blessing with His goodness
Hearing our sad cries
Raising us up in Christ
Salvation’s franchise
From Isaiah 40:31: “But those who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint.”
Baptismal
Mountainside spring
Filled with healing
Thirsty heart now restored
Waters
Receiving
Christ’s love
Following faithful steps
Paying forward to others
Compassion
Brokenness
Jesus builds
Redemption’s eternal bridge
Between sin and God
Living
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.
Accepting
God’s plan
Setting aside worries
Walking with His blessings
Obedience
Revealing
Our weaknesses
Relationship with Jesus
Transforming each into strength
Healing
Beholding
Faithful lifeline
With heavenly Father
Anytime, anywhere . . . He’s there!
Prayer
Turning life upside down
Darkness fuels discontent
Grief fills daily breakdowns
Hopelessness speeds descent
Reaching out to others
Care arrives through their grace
Like words from grandmother
Life moves to better place
Breathing, moving forward
Journey begins to smile
Ship now sails straightforward
Life transitions, each mile
Healing day by day
Sunshine now reappears
Precious words stop to say
Tender thoughts, always near
From Psalm 147:3: “He heals the brokenhearted, and binds up their wounds.”
Challenges overwhelm
Accidents, poor health
Seeking God’s divine grace
His healing power
Come to gracious Father
Binding up these wounds
Through abundant mercy
Life restored again
Road of recovery
God strengthens, blesses
Built upon living Word
Peace offers comfort
Healing brokenhearted
Buoyant life returns
Praise Father’s compassion
Trust His mighty hand
Life filled with confidence
Praying back to God
Thankfulness to Father
His mercies abound
From Psalm 147:7: “Sing to the Lord with thanksgiving; make melody to our God on the lyre.”
Anticipation
Weekly worship
Word and Sacrament
Community response to God
Empowerment
Quest
Righteous justice
Transforming unruly sheep
Father dispatches Good Shepherd
Deliverance
Creator
Inviting us
Come to Him
Receive compassion, teaching, healing
Everlasting
Big Sky Buckeye 