Tag Archives: hope

In His Midst

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From Psalm 29:3-4:  “The voice of the Lord is over the waters; the God of glory thunders, the Lord, over mighty waters.  The voice of the Lord is powerful; the voice of the Lord is full of majesty.”

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Life’s calmest seas

Facing coming storms

Never alone

In His midst, strength forms

 

From God, our hope

Reaching out His hand

Safely sheltered

Upon His command

 

Witness His peace

Quieting these waves

Triumphant’s might

Father’s grace shall serve

 

Darkness retreats

Hearing comfort’s voice

Glory thunders

All saints will rejoice

 

Mercy rescues

Breathing with God’s love

Everlasting

Blessings from above

 

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The lyrics and music of “O God, Our Help in Ages Past” is a familiar hymn to many.  Inspired by Psalm 90, the lyrics were composed by English hymn writer and theologian, Isaac Watts, in 1708.  

Pearl S. Buck Quotes

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Many people lose the small joys in the hope for the big happiness.

If you want to understand today, you have to search yesterday.

American writer and novelist, Pearl S. Buck (1892-1973), spent much of her early life in China as a missionary.  She was widely heralded for her book, THE GOOD EARTH, which was published in 1931.  She garnered the Pulitzer Prize in 1932 and later the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1938.

Monday Memories: Shattered Hopes

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From Romans 10:12-13:  “For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek; the same Lord is Lord of all and is generous to all who call Him.  For, ‘Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved.'”

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Sitting here on a quiet, morning dawn

Drinking coffee, warming a drowsy mind

Passing the time with memories, all wrong

Looking for warmhearted hopes, none to find

 

Wishing countless troubles would go away

Thinking another day will bring some hope

Realizing now, my dreams are crushed today

Watching out the window, through hopeless scope

 

Opening a Bible, found by God’s Grace

Inviting me in, His Word reaches out

Sensing a way to change life’s dismal pace

Offering a new path, without a doubt

 

Witnessing Christ Jesus on a cruel Cross

Accepting my Savior, no longer lost

 

clouds during golden hour

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Love’s Arrival (Fourth Sunday in Advent)

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From Isaiah 9:6-7:  “For a child has been born for us, a son given to us; authority rests upon His shoulders; and He is named Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.  His authority shall grow continually, and there shall be endless peace for the throne of David and His kingdom.  He will establish and uphold it with justice and with righteousness from this time onward and forevermore.  The zeal of the Lord of hosts will do this.”

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Faithful God’s Holy love

Shining from Bethlehem

Blessed virgin gives birth

In world filled with mayhem

 

Hope springs forth from God’s love

Filling manger with grace

Messiah born this night

Stable now Holy place

 

Divine love preaches faith

Sharing Lord’s precious gift

Behold man’s salvation

Satan’s plans now adrift

 

Peace covers earth’s landscape

Sowing eternal love

Savior’s mission begins

Father views from above

 

Lasting joy now goes forth

Hearing angels singing

Christ’s love, Calvary’s cross

Forgiveness now bringing

 

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You are invited to join in prayer:  Lord God, your love and mercy promise hope, joy, and peace.  During this season of Advent, open our hearts in preparation to receive our Savior.  Amen.

Written in 1865 by English hymn writer, William Chatterton Dix, the hymn of “What Child Is This?” is sung by Charlotte Church.  The lyrics are based upon the verses from Isaiah 9:6-7, and the tune is “Greensleeves.”

Tender Mercies (Elfchen Series #89)

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Overcoming

Challenges

Embrace them

Fearless, with courage

Taste life’s treasured gifts

Blessings

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Cherishing 

Maturing

Home alone

World grows smaller

Embrace family and friends

Love

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Trusting

Embers

Burning low

Embracing more hope

Blazing back to life

Rekindled

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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.

Filled with Joy (Third Sunday of Advent)

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From Zephaniah 3:14-15:  “Sing aloud, O daughter Zion; shout, O Israel!  Rejoice and exult with all your heart, O daughter Jerusalem!  The Lord has taken away the judgments against you, He has turned away your enemies.  The king of Israel, the Lord, is in your midst; you shall fear disaster no more.”

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Looking inward, changing selves

Repenting, reversing course

Searching for life’s cherished peace

Joy spreads from Bethlehem’s source

 

Reading, praying, reflecting

Preparing our minds and hearts

Beaming starlight in dark times

Joy brightens, world seeks restart

 

Rejoicing always, Lord is near

Restoring fortunes, Prince of Peace

Renewing tomorrow’s hope

Joy transcends Father’s new lease

 

Trusting in God’s promises

Waiting with welcoming grace

Singing praises, justice calls

Joy blossoms in this birthplace

 

Proclaiming mercy-filled peace

Glowing, rising midnight sun

Igniting life’s dormant faith

Joy worships birth of God’s Son

 

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You are invited to join in prayer:  Lord God, your love and mercy promise hope, joy, and peace.  During this season of Advent, open our hearts in preparation to receive our Savior.  Amen.

“Joy to the World” is frequently sung during the Advent and Christmas season.  Written in 1719 by English minister and hymnwriter, Isaac Watts, this hymn has been a favorite for well over 100 years in North America.

Gregory David Roberts Quote

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Sometimes we love with nothing more than hope.  Sometimes we cry with everything except tears.

From 1 Corinthians 13:4-7:  “ Love is patient; love is kind; love is not envious or boastful or arrogant or rude.  It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; it does not rejoice in wrongdoing, but rejoices in the truth.  It bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.”

Seed of Hope (First Sunday in Advent)

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From Isaiah 11:1-2:  “A shoot shall come out from the stump of Jesse, and a branch shall grow out of his roots.  The spirit of the Lord shall rest on him, the spirit of wisdom and understanding, the spirit of counsel and might, the spirit of knowledge and the fear of the Lord.”

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Fragmented prayers lack faith

Hope’s seeds lost, now scattered

World filled with endless despair

Dazed, bruised, and battered

 

Hope conceived, chosen virgin

God preparing love’s way

Nothing impossible for Him

Holy Spirit holds sway

 

Bethlehem’s star shines at night

God’s love lights hope’s beacon

Future sparkles from His grace

Mercy never weakens

 

Heavens prepare peace and joy

Darkness brightens, rejoice!

God plants Holy seed of hope

Angels sing with His choice

 

Father’s goodness overflows

His everlasting gift

Living water promises

Hope transforms faith’s gearshift

 

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You are invited to join in prayer:  Lord God, your love and mercy promise hope, joy, and peace.  During this season of Advent, open our hearts in preparation to receive our Savior.  Amen.

 

Originally written in Latin during the 8th or 9th century, “O Come, O Come, Emmanuel” is a frequently chosen song during the season of Advent.

Eagle’s Shadow

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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.”

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Lost in hidden wilderness

Walking gloomy path, alone

Life’s never-ending circle

Frozen in time’s endless zone

 

Abandoned without refuge

Searching hellish, barren land

Emptiness speaks with silence

Tireless quest, sinking in sand

 

Days feel as chilling as nights

Shivering, icy outlook

Hopelessness without promise

Shadow circles, pause to look

 

Eagle flying overhead

Calling out to thee, follow

Sunrise filling empty heart

Journey no longer hollow

 

Calvary’s cross stands over

Kneeling upon sacred ground

Tears’ cascading emotions

Life no longer lost, grace found

 

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From John 20:18:  “Mary Magdalene went and announced to the disciples, ‘I have seen the Lord’; and she told them that He had said these things to her.”