Stormy clouds approach
Life’s storms threaten with darkness—
Christ quiets the wind
Jesus promises
Another Advocate comes—
The Holy Spirit
Jesus walks ahead
Emmanuel, God with us—
Coming to save us
Gleaned from some recent entries in my journal, this poem serves as a reflection of life as seen through many of the blog posts which I have recently read.
Our lost, troubled world
Rocked by oppression
Arriving overhead
Dark skies ask questions
God’s living Word shouts
Straighten our actions
Fueling empty faith
Healing infractions
Our Father shares His peace
Do you now feel it?
Discouraged hearts climb
Do you now see it?
From lofty heavens
God’s work perseveres
Lasting hope dries up
Years of tear-filled fears
Reminded daily
Our Lord’s grace-filled truth
His presence proclaims
Lasting light of truth
Navigating storms
Embracing His hope
Never stop dreaming
Through God’s telescope
From Matthew 14:25:27: “And early in the morning He [Jesus] came walking toward them on the sea. But when the disciples saw Him walking on the sea, they were terrified, saying, ‘It is a ghost!’ And they cried out in fear. But immediately Jesus spoke to them and said, ‘Take heart, it is I; do not be afraid.'”
Dreaded Covid arrives, knocking at her door
Daughter takes refuge on a hospital floor
Fear challenges faith during this trying hour
Daughter and mother seek God’s love and power
Through their journey of faith, walking together
God steps forward, quieting stormy weather
Hand in hand with God, crossing scary tightrope
His love sustains their faith, resurrecting hope
Mother and daughter’s prayers, faithfully roam
This hellish scourge flees at last, sending her home
Singing praises of thanksgiving, with glad hearts
Walking hand in hand, their life journey restarts
Kneeling before a Holy, mighty Father
Feeling the Lord’s love, like a great grandfather
From Psalm 92:1-2: “It is good to give thanks to the Lord, to sing praises to your name, O Most High; to declare your steadfast love in the morning, and your faithfulness by night.”
When you say a situation or a person is hopeless, you are slamming the door in the face of God.
From John 16:32-33: “The hour is coming, indeed it has come, when you will be scattered, each one to his home, and you will leave me alone. Yet I am not alone because the Father is with me. I have said this to you, so that in me you may have peace. In the world you face persecution. But take courage; I have conquered the world!”
Reading from Psalm 38, one finds David’s words as he asks for God’s healing. This poem’s verses bring to the forefront an active voice with feeling, praying, finding, healing, praising, and seeing.
Feeling darkness
Feeling unknown
Feeling empty
Feeling alone
Praying with faith
Praying this Psalm
Praying for hope
Praying for calm
Finding God’s love
Finding what’s heard
Finding new life
Finding His Word
Healing these wounds
Healing this soul
Healing my heart
Healing me whole
Praising Father
Praising accords
Praising heavens
Praising my Lord
Seeing the Cross
Seeing the light
Seeing Christ’s love
Seeing God’s might
From Psalm 38:15: “But it is for you, O Lord, that I wait; it is you, O Lord my God, who will answer.”
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Failing once again
Life’s troubles bomb away
Whom shall I turn to?
Failing once again
Darkness moves ever closer
Where is the light?
Failing once again
Shame swallows me up
How can my spirit be restored?
Failing once again
Life’s torments engulf me
Why . . . why?
Failing once again
Loneliness surrounds my heart
What recourse do I have?
Failing once again
Life’s hour glass, now nearly empty
When will I be free?
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Failing once again . . .
Turning to my Heavenly Father
Never thinking of me as a bother
From a Cross, Salvation’s light sheds hope
Pulled up from the Pit by a Holy rope
Kneeling before the Savior, sins and all
Humbling following Him will be my call
Through a broken body and shed blood
By Grace alone, escaping life’s flash flood
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The structure of this poem features dual parts. In the beginning verses, the reader is taken to a much darker place. Using themes of sorrow, darkness, and hopelessness presents a challenge to both the reader and the writer. In answering the questions found in the poem, the ending verses are structured around common Christian themes of hope, joy, light, and rebirth.
From Hebrews 10:19-20: “Therefore, my friends, since we have confidence to enter the sanctuary by the blood of Jesus, by the new and living way that He opened for us through the curtain (that is, through his flesh).”
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Sharing these words of eternal hope
Living with hope-filling optimism
Gathering with positive people
Persevering through God’s bold prism
Living as faithful children of God
Hearing our Father’s message of hope
Realizing now, hope springs from our Lord
Praising His Word, helping us to cope
Joining into a New Covenant
Filling with assurance from His Creed
Approaching with hearts, clean from evil
Washing with His pure water, indeed
Recalling our earlier struggles
Showing compassion through hopeful hearts
Maintaining endurance, life’s ahead
Remaining faithful, as life restarts
Holding fast to God’s blessings of hope
Encouraging daily, each other
Blessing with our love and gracious deeds
Standing with our sisters and brothers
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From the words of American pastor and Christian author, Jim Cymbala: “We urgently need people who encourage and inspire us to move toward God.”
I keep a daily journal of “take-aways” from my devotional readings. This poem was crafted from some of my February entries.
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Sitting alone and hopeless
Faith’s shadow, covered in rust
God awakens mind and soul
In His Spirit, words bring trust
Turning to God, always there
His footprints walking ahead
Through life’s hefty challenges
Our Lord brings our daily bread
Reading from His Holy Word
Always giving thanks and praise
Marvelous things, God has done
Our hope alive and ablaze
Growing in faith, from our woes
Therefore, pray . . . listen . . . follow
Righteous life following Christ
Savior’s hope, never hollow
Facing temptation each day
Alignment with Son of God
Blood and body shed for us
Boldly fleeing evil’s fraud
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From Galatians 6:1-2: “My friends, if anyone is detected in a transgression, you who have received the Spirit should restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness. Take care that you yourselves are not tempted. Bear one another’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.”
The Bible offers a rich source of thanksgiving, hope, and deliverance as Psalm 107 inspires the text for this poem.
From Psalm 107:1-2: “O give thanks to the Lord, for He is good; for His steadfast love endures forever. Let the redeemed of the Lord say so, those He redeemed from trouble.”
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Thanking our Lord above
Seeing His wondrous deeds
His Holy, steadfast love
All humankind, He leads
Overwhelming distress
Crying out to the Lord
Discovering His light
Living by His accord
Bringing us from darkness
Satisfying our thirst
Saving us with His light
Loving us, always first
Filling endless hunger
Breaking these sinful chains
Reaching out to His light
Trusting God, with the reins
Halting all wickedness
Calming all stormy winds
Healing us with His light
Forgiving dark-filled sins
Praising our Redeemer
Hearing cries, not ignored
Delivering His light
Giving thanks to our Lord
Thanking our Lord above
Seeing His wondrous deeds
His Holy, steadfast love
All humankind, He leads
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From the words of American pastor and Christian author, Charles Swindoll: “Circumstances occur that could easily crush us. We can hand the circumstances to God and ask Him to take control or we can roll up our mental sleeves and slug it out.”
God tells Joshua
Meditating on His Word—
Still crucial today
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Being born of God
Overcoming life’s trials—
By our faith alone
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Tough times approaching
Trusting, now and forever—
Depending on God
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Big Sky Buckeye 