Enduring
Endless storms
Light’s navigation calms
Returning to tranquil waters
Faith
Surrounding
Darkness overcome
Light’s merciful hand
Leading to higher ground
Hope
Sustaining
Light answers
Prayer fills heart
Continued devotion to Jesus
Grace
From Matthew 7:13-14: “Enter through the narrow gate; for the gate is wide and the road is easy that leads to destruction, and there are many who take it. For the gate is narrow and the road is hard that leads to life, and there are few who find it.”
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Life tempting us with enticing shortcuts
Most of these never seem to bring success
Gods speaks honestly, always asking us
Did we burrow deeper, rather than guess?
Clever world flooding us with remedies
Formulas for a more successful life
Simple, surefire, easy to use, guaranteed
God’s formula, always true without strife
Never shy from following the Father
He doesn’t promise a road without bumps
God offers promises with blessed love
His way leading us forward, our hearts jump
Requiring patience, life’s a marathon
God remains our Rock, faithful and steadfast
His blessings fill our lives in countless ways
Our ship sails, with eternal hope amassed
Losing hope at times, seeking a quick fix
Encouragement and trust arrives from God
Offering us Grace, filled with peace and joy
Grateful, He accepts us, totally flawed
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From the words of Saint Teresa of Avila, “We ought to make some progress, however little, every day, and show some increase of fervor. We ought to act as if we were at war–as, indeed, we are–and never relax until we have won the victory.”
Originally published March, 2020.
Creator’s
Transcending love
Each living witness
Handiwork crafted through faith
Forever
Free-flowing
God’s love
Never running dry
Eternal spring, drink deeply
Grace
Hope’s
Future envisions
Through Spirit’s eyes
Walking in Christ’s love
Fulfillment
Witnessing
Christ’s purpose
Opening up hearts
Inviting to follow Him
Faith
Nurturing
Life’s endurance
No longer suffering
Character molded by Christ
Hope
Connecting
With believers
Christ’s humble approach
Sharing love with others
Grace
This poem is inspired by a song which has been sung by many artists. Bobby Darin and later Johnny Cash and June Carter recorded their versions of “If I Were a Carpenter.” The song was written by Tim Hardin, and other artists have recorded and performed the song as well. Here is Bobby Darin’s version: “If I Were a Carpenter.”
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If I was a teacher
Bringing energy, passion, and patience
Showcasing learning as school’s top feature
If I was a firefighter
Serving with unselfish duty and pride
Protecting all, making worries lighter
If I was an architect
Designing buildings for many uses
Looking ahead to challenging projects
If I was a farmer
Rising at dawn, working until sundown
Bringing a nation food, as God’s armor
If I was a nurse
Sharing with patient, compassionate care
Filling lives with hope, never for the worse
If I was a writer
Crafting words into stories and much more
Witnessing through eyes, open and brighter
If I was a musician
Creating good vibes through words and music
Entertaining songs’ perfect rendition
If I was a preacher
Instilling God’s Word within a church’s flock
Encouraged to be one of God’s teachers
If I was a soldier
Preserving peace and freedom in the world
Band of brothers, stand shoulder to shoulder
If I was a young tyke
Looking up to these inspiring adults
Growing up, each day feeling more alike
Photo by Wendy Wei on Pexels.com
Originally published March, 2020.
I am not the man I ought to be, I am not the man I wish to be and I am not the man I hope to be, but, by the grace of God, I am not the man I used to be.
From 1 Corinthians 15:10: “But by the grace of God I am what I am, and His grace toward me has not been in vain. On the contrary, I worked harder than any of them, though it was not I but the grace of God that is with me.”
John Newton (1725-1807) was an English pastor who also was a writer of several hymns, including the beloved “Amazing Grace.” His early life is filled with contrasts, when compared to his later life. He served as a ship’s captain during the slave trade, but later renounced his work after his conversion to Christianity. He became an outspoken opponent of the slave trade later in his life.
Our fingerprints don’t fade from the lives we touch.
Things change . . . things happen . . . things you can’t imagine when you’re young and full of hope.
Judy Blume (born 1938) is an American writer who is best known for her children’s books and young adult novels.
From John 3:16: “For God so loved the world that He gave His only Son, so that everyone who believes in Him may not perish but may have eternal life.”
Stirred up, walk with Jesus
Taking mercy’s high ground
Sharing our Savior
Hope never wavers
Overjoyed with Jesus
Stepping forward to serve
Loving our Savior
Grace never wavers
Pumped up for Jesus
Witnessing to others
Trusting our Savior
Peace never wavers
Thrilled to follow Jesus
Accepting Him always
Blessing our Savior
Joy never wavers
Moved to be with Jesus
Praying for each other
Meeting our Savior
Trust never wavers
Excited for Jesus
Living in His Kingdom
Praising our Savior
Faith never wavers
From Philippians 1:6: “I am confident of this, that the one who began a good work in you will continue to complete it until the day of Jesus Christ.”
From Matthew 10:38-39: And whoever does not take up the cross and follow Me is not worthy of Me. Those who find their life will lose it, and those who lose their life for My sake will find it.”
Life’s suffering
World calls out
Run from burdens
Filled with doubt
Wandering
Castaway now
Full of hate
Life’s heavy plow
Overwhelming
Darkness calls
Enemy waits
Man shall fall
Each of us
Jesus teaches
Cross to bear
Pain, it reaches
Taking up cross
Burdens ease
Embrace each one
Mercy sees
Follow Christ
Losing old ways
Find new life
Faith’s hope ablaze
From the words of American pastor and Christian author, Charles Swindoll: “Each of us has some area of pain and suffering in life. The world around us would have us run from that burden–to resent it, hate it. Instead, we should embrace it.”
No one needs to tell you that these are very troubling times; however, the Word of God can give us assurance for a hope and a future, even in a troubled world.
From 2 Timothy 3:1-2: “You must understand this, that in the last days distressing times will come. For people will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boasters, arrogant, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy.”
Jack Wellman is an American pastor and Christian author.
Big Sky Buckeye 