Hearing
Christ’s call
Boldly following Him
Serving needs of others
Loving
Loving
Jesus more
Leaving earthly ways
Rescued from tumultuous seas
Following
Following
With humbleness
Touching another life
Living in Christ’s presence
Hearing
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.
What can wash away my sin? Nothing but the blood of Jesus. (taken from the hymn, “Nothing But the Blood of Jesus”)
From 1 John 1:7: “But if we walk in the light as He Himself is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus His Son cleanses us from all sin.”
Robert Lowry (1826-1899) was an American preacher as well as an acclaimed hymn writer. One of his most revered hymns is “Nothing But the Blood of Jesus.” It was written in 1876, and it has been sung by many contemporary gospel singers.
We must build our faith, not on the fading light, but on the light that never fails.
From 2 Corinthians 3:18: “And all of us, with unveiled faces, seeing the glory of the Lord as though reflected in a mirror, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another, for this comes from the Lord, the Spirit.”
Oswald Chambers (1874-1917) was a Scottish evangelist and Christian teacher. Following his death from an illness while in Egypt during World War I, his wife took on the task of transcribing the detailed notes she had written from his lectures and sermons. Gertrude Hobbs Chambers’ efforts resulted in the publication in 1924 of MY UTMOST FOR HIS HIGHEST. I frequently read from this devotional, and it has greatly deepened my faith and understanding of God’s Word.
From Isaiah 9:2: “The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; those who lived in a land of deep darkness—on them light has shined.”
From Bethlehem, arrives light
Lying in stable’s manger
Humble birth of hope’s Savior
Grace no longer man’s stranger
Shepherds witness God’s glory
Kneeling and praising His light
Justice shall cover this land
Mercy’s, one eternal flight
Christ answers His Father’s call
Saving every tender reed
Light pushes away darkness
Evil shall never impede
Righteousness shall mark all days
Opening each heart and mind
Jesus shall never waver
His light, perfectly aligned
From Isaiah 42:6-7: “I am the Lord; I have called you in righteousness; I have taken you by the hand and kept you; I have given you as a covenant to the people, a light to the nations, to open the eyes that are blind, to bring out the prisoners from the dungeon, from the prison those who sit in darkness.”
From Luke 2:10-11: “But the angel said to them, ‘Do not be afraid, for see, I am bringing you good news of great joy for all the people: to you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is the Messiah, the Lord.'”
Fling wide each window
Open every gate
God walks among us
Welcoming Savior
Choir of angels sing
From heavens above
City of David
Salvation’s bright light
Answer to prayers
Shepherds witness birth
Praise this King of Kings
Called Emmanuel
Trust God’s divine plan
Faith’s most Holy Rock
Fill hearts with gladness
Redemption paid for
Father’s act of grace
Eternity’s gift
Hope, peace, joy, and love
Welcoming Savior
From Galatians 5:22-24: “By contrast, the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, generosity, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against such things. And those who belong to Christ have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.”
Jesus of Nazareth had a magnificent obsession: the cross. His death on the cross was no afterthought on God’s part but rather, the fulfillment of the Father’s predetermined plan for His Son.
From Luke 24:46-47: “He said to them, ‘Thus it is written, that the Messiah is to suffer and to rise from the dead on the third day and that repentance and forgiveness of sins is to be proclaimed in His name to all nations, beginning from Jerusalem.'”
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Jesus gathers up His apostles from humble ground
Making up God’s team, their witness shall abound
God’s Word oversees the performance of this team
Standing as chief executive, seeing holiest theme
The Holy Spirit earmarks the hearts and brains
Serving as the binding glue, better than chains
Returning to the beginning of God’s creative time
Transforming a land, His Word continues to climb
The Creator conceives of a perfect place for man
Placing Adam and Eve in Eden, always His plan
But, Adam and Eve journey on a sin-filled path
Leaving the ample garden, under God’s wrath
From this moment, God’s team stumbles and wanders
Facing estrangement from God, His people squander
Jesus comes to bridge what separates us from God
Sitting at the right hand, coaching a humbled squad
God establishes His expectations, perfectly high
Faltering and imperfect mortals, will never satisfy
The team continues to collapse over and over again
Forgetting God’s Commandments, sin seems to win
Many teams measure success by the flashy show
Works by themselves, will never add much glow
But, Jesus shepherds His team on a brand new track
Following by faith alone, Jesus always has their back
He reminds us to always love our God in Heaven’s seat
Loving each other as you have loved Me, always repeat
A bloody, criminal’s Cross summons all to take a knee
Accepting Jesus as Savior, teammates look up to see
Our Father orchestrates, with infinite patience and love
Creating and molding, the Great I Am looks from above
Jesus remains alert at the Creator’s side
Carrying keys to eternal life, all bona fide
As team members, we must trust, follow, and abide
Playing for Jesus, His coaching is forever our guide
Originally published January, 2020.
Jesus did not tell parables to confirm well-known truths, but rather to shatter well-known truths.
From John 8:31-32: “Then Jesus said to the Jews who had believed in Him, ‘If you continue in My word, you are truly My disciples, and you will know the truth, and the truth will make you free.'”
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.
Hallelujah!
Wonderful, Counselor
God with us
Hallowed Prince of Peace
Everlasting
Hallelujah!
Blessed Savior
Eternal life’s gift
Journey away from darkness
Inexhaustible
Hallelujah!
God’s goodness
Peace and grace
Kneeling at one cross
Undefeated
From Isaiah 9:2: “The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; those who lived in a land of deep darkness—on them light has shined.”
World stumbling in darkness
God’s promises breathe truth
Shining cosmos bright light
Love’s descendant of Ruth
Heavy, burdensome tasks
Father sees mankind’s plight
Living life without joy
Heavens glow with His light
Son of God, born to us
Wonderful, Prince of Peace
Coming King, righteous reign
Never shall His light cease
Heavenly host praises
Angelic chorus sings
Kneeling shepherds humbled
From Bethlehem, light brings
Emmanuel’s new hope
God with us evermore
Turning darkness away
Light upon mercy’s door
From Isaiah 9:6: “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.”
Big Sky Buckeye 