Only when we are brave enough to explore the darkness will we discover the infinite power of our light.
Vulnerability is the birthplace of innovation, creativity, and change.
Brene Brown (born 1965) is an American researcher and author. Much of her work has studied courage, vulnerability, shame, and empathy.
From Isaiah 49:13: “Sing for joy, O heavens, and exult, O earth; break forth, O mountains, into singing! For the Lord has comforted His people and will have compassion on His suffering ones.”
Peace rises above
Father’s comforting hand
Over every high mountain
Answers cover distant lands
Love rises above
Father’s comforting sense
Compassion lifts up each saint
Answers come to one’s defense
Hope rises above
Father’s comforting voice
Light eradicates darkness
Answers offer trusted choice
Joy rises above
Father’s comforting grace
Every storm becomes quiet
Answers which all should embrace
Grace rises above
Father’s comforting heart
Discipleship feeds spirit
Answers sustain faith’s restart
From the words of American Christian writer, Lettie B. Cowman: “Put your hand into the hand of God. He gives the calmness and serenity of heart and soul.”
From Isaiah 43:1: “But now thus says the Lord, He who created you, O Jacob, He who formed you, O Israel: Do not fear, for I have redeemed you.”
Heavenly Father
Knowing what is best
His eternal presence
Leads man on his quest
Protection promised
Ford every river
Faith’s redeeming mercy
Spirit delivers
Encouragement brings
Restoration’s grace
Walking through every fire
Christ’s love to embrace
Precious in His sight
Hope fills cup, as planned
Chance eliminated
Gathered in God’s hands
Calling all nations
Eyes no longer blind
Accepting Father’s truth
Just as He designed
From Isaiah 43:9: “Let all the nations gather together, and let the peoples assemble. Who among them declared this and foretold to us the former things? Let them bring their witnesses to justify them, and let them hear and say, ‘It is true.'”
From Isaiah 12:2: “Surely God is my salvation; I will trust and will not be afraid, for the Lord is my strength and my might; He has become my salvation.”
Resurrection revives
Eternal light reigns
Hope kept alive
God ordains
Holy Spirit active
Righteousness ahead
Faith proactive
Hope now fed
Love of Jesus rising
His power so high
Grace devising
Hope’s bright sky
God’s message never fails
Peace descends with hope
Journey’ trusted trail
Grasp His rope
Redemption’s light arrives
Promised by God’s Word
Hope kept alive
Faith’s password
From Romans 15:13: “May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.”
From 1 Peter 1:6-7: “In this you rejoice, even if now for a little while you have had to suffer various trials, so that the genuineness of your faith—being more precious than gold that, though perishable, is tested by fire—may be found to result in praise and glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed.”
Blessed Jesus Christ
His mercy shares love
Brings forth faith’s new birth
Hope stirs from above
Resurrected Christ
His unfading light
He walks among us
Hope ready for flight
Revealed through Jesus
Grace walks within Him
Freed from sin’s darkness
Hope breathes with each hymn
Spirit filled by Christ
More precious than gold
Molds faith’s salvation
Hope rebuilds foothold
Trust in Jesus Christ
Father’s righteous Son
Called to embrace Him
Hope’s faith in the One
From 1 Peter 1:13: “Therefore prepare your minds for action; discipline yourselves; set all your hope on the grace that Jesus Christ will bring you when He is revealed.”
If we are to discover the Lord’s best for our life, we must trust His way is better than our plans and desires.
From Jeremiah 29:11-12: “For surely I know the plans I have for you, says the Lord, plans for your welfare and not for harm, to give you a future with hope. Then when you call upon Me and come and pray to Me, I will hear you.”
I have come across ordinary people who have done extraordinary things.
We’re born to live. One is a realist if one hopes.
Louis “Studs” Terkel (1912-2008) was an American writer, historian, and radio broadcaster. His work in gathering oral histories of common Americans was recognized as one of his most well-received projects. He received the 1985 Pulitzer Prize for General Non-Fiction.
Christ’s
Defining mercy
Encourages faithful steps
Sharing grace with others
Discipleship
Savior’s
Righteous journey
Conquering fallen world
Taking Father’s high road
Redemption
Messiah’s
Resurrected body
Sets us free
Fulfilling faith’s blessed tomorrow
Hope
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 Romans 15:13: “May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.”
Life’s journey suddenly growing cold
Living under clouds of uncertainty
No longer feeling confident and bold
Even confident people possess fears
Overcome by unplanned dilemmas
Feeling much like the rest of our peers
Our faithful prayers will be heard
God’s will scatters those stormy clouds
Never lose hope, listen to His Word
As neighbors, our love supports each other
Through our steadfast encouragement
Children of God, true sisters and brothers
Tackling problems on life’s clipboard
Filled with determination and courage
Walking in confidence with our Lord
From the words of German-Dutch Christian author, Thomas a Kempis: “Oh, how great peace and quietness would he possess who should cut off all vain anxiety and place all his confidence in God.”
Originally published July, 2020.
From 1 Peter 1:6-7: “In this you rejoice, even if now for a little while you have had to suffer various trials, so that the genuineness of your faith—being more precious than gold that, though perishable, is tested by fire—may be found to result in praise and glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed.”
From furnace of suffering
Comes self-reflection’s light
Joined with eternal heat
Burning away chaff in its sight
Trials open one’s closed eyes
Wakened senses now see
Embraced with Father’s grace
Witnessing what hope should be
Faith in mercy of Father
Reveals salvation’s gift
Undefiled, unfading
Transforming hope’s precious shift
Believe redemption’s promise
Testifies to Christ’s love
Destined to break sin’s chains
Raising Good News from above
Trust in Jesus, now rejoice
Tested by hottest fire
Revealed lasting glory
Defining hope, faith acquires
From 1 Peter 1:8-9: “Although you have not seen Him, you love Him, and even though you do not see Him now, you believe in Him and rejoice with an indescribable and glorious joy, for you are receiving the outcome of your faith, the salvation of your souls.”
Big Sky Buckeye 