Darkness of morning
Massive thunderstorm gathers—
Waiting light of peace
Nighttime without joy
Storm’s anger now exhausted—
Brilliant sunrise
Today’s windy breath
Questions about tomorrow—
Navigating hope
Every day begins with an act of courage and hope; getting out of bed.
Reality is the name we give to our disappointments.
Mason Cooley (1927-2002) was an American professor. As an aphorist, he was known for his witty expressions, which articulated accepted truths about life.
From 1 John 4:9-10: “God’s love was revealed among us in this way: God sent His only Son into the world so that we might live through Him. In this is love, not that we loved God but that He loved us and sent His Son to be the atoning sacrifice for our sins.”
Lost in darkest wilderness
Uncertain where to turn
Truth’s light marked with God’s love
Finding hope’s blessed return
Sky above filling with light
Destiny of Christ’s gift
Assurance of God’s love
Trusting, no longer adrift
Every breath of Spirit’s grace
Heaven’s light to behold
Radiance of God’s love
Removing sinner’s blindfold
Together at Calvary
Who can be against man?
Forgiveness through God’s love
Knowing from where light began
Every heart redirected
Strengthened from faithful light
Steadfast stream of God’s love
Redeeming on mercy’s flight
From Romans 5:3-5: “And not only that, but we also boast in our afflictions, knowing that affliction produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, and hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit that has been given to us.”
No less a person than God is needed to assure us of God’s love.
From 1 John 4:9-10: “God’s love was revealed among us in this way: God sent His only Son into the world so that we might live through Him. In this is love, not that we loved God but that He loved us and sent His Son to be the atoning sacrifice for our sins.”
Richard Sibbes (1577-1635) was an Anglican theologian and a Calvanist.
From the words of American naturalist, writer and philosopher, Henry David Thoreau: “Nature is but another name for health, and the seasons are but different states of health.”
Nature’s own therapy
Spring’s refreshing garden
Filled with colors of peace
Bearing life’s fresh pardon
Daily snapshot of hope
Each replenishing choice
Picked from nature’s goodness
Sharing next calming voice
Prime time’s blessed season
Signs of spirit reborn
Focused on healing light
Escaping from life’s thorns
Source of brighter outlook
Images praise with joy
Sweetened inspiration
Renewing vows deploy
Love accents morning air
Slightest breeze coming forth
Destined for harmony
Creating life’s true north
Fame is a bee. It has a song. It has a sting. Ah, too, it has a wing.
Hope is the thing with feathers that perches in the soul–and sings the tunes without the words–and never stops at all.
Emily Dickinson (1830-1886) was an American poet. Little known during her life, Dickinson has become to be regarded as one of America’s most respected poets.
Taken from the words of German priest and Christian reformer, Martin Luther: “The Bible is alive, it speaks to me; it has feet, it runs after me; it has hands, it lays hold of me.”
Pursuing truth within
Embracing Father’s Word
Meditating daily
Unlocking faith’s password
Father’s viewpoint of time
Filled with patient outlook
Each believer welcomed
Scripture’s trustworthy book
Father comes to gather
Those conquered, without peace
Light replaces darkness
Mercy set to release
Father shares living bread
Genuine grace sows trust
Fed from each Scripture verse
Righteousness to entrust
Transforming man’s spirit
Receiving precious gift
Accepting Father’s love
Witnessing hope’s airlift
From 2 Peter 3:18: “But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To Him be the glory both now and to the day of eternity. Amen.”
From Psalm 105:1-2: “O give thanks to the Lord; call on His name; make known His deeds among the peoples. Sing to Him, sing praises to Him; tell of all His wonderful works.”
Eyes of eagerness
Scanning earthly realm
Witnessed from Heaven’s light
Finding Christ at faith’s helm
Every miracle
Generating hope
Touched by Bethlehem’s light
Grasping Messiah’s rope
Blessed with wonderful
Singing hymns of praise
Confirmed through divine light
Teaching from faith ablaze
Truth fills worship’s tone
Tasting daily bread
Nourished from Savior’s light
Redeeming through blood shed
Eternity’s peace
Overflowing grace
Summoned to trusted light
Bringing joy to each face
From Psalm 105:5-6: “Remember the wonderful works He has done, His miracles and the judgments He has uttered, O offspring of His servant Abraham, children of Jacob, His chosen ones.”
Depending
Upon Father
Guiding light embraced
Faith’s trusted path rebuilt
Hope
Rescued
By Father
Hearing morning’s cry
Forgiveness removes heavy burdens
Peace
Accepting
Father’s grace
Nourishing daily strength
Filled with infinite love
Joy
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 Exodus 17:1-2: “The whole Israelite community set out from the Desert of Sin, traveling from place to place as the Lord commanded. They camped at Rephidim, but there was no water for the people to drink. So they quarreled with Moses and said, ‘Give us water to drink.'”
Surrounded by wilderness
God’s people seek hope’s waters
Responding with His goodness
Thirst quenched in sons and daughters
Shepherd’s eternal presence
His flock never left alone
Lifting eyes toward heavens
Trust in God, faith’s fabric sewn
Sinful stones must be softened
Hunger lingers tomorrow
Calling all to repentance
Mercy’s waters always flow
God ignites fire of judgment
Faith’s journey seeks lighted way
Praying for obedience
Wayward steps find grace this day
Wilderness tests man’s resolve
Enemy’s darkest shadows
Following Christ, our Savior
Destination of peace glows
From Psalm 95:6-7: “Come, let us bow down in worship, let us kneel before the Lord our Maker; for He is our God and we are the people of His pasture, the flock under His care.”
Big Sky Buckeye 