Refocusing Lens

From Philippians 4:5-6:  “ Let your gentleness be known to everyone.  The Lord is near.  Do not worry about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.”

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Like Apostle Paul

Facing dark trials

Acts of injustice

Covering each mile

 

Never complaining

Rejoicing with joy

Each of life’s moments

Shirking evil’s ploy

 

Eyes fixed on Jesus

Refocusing lens

Worry set aside

Walking with our friend

 

Troubles fall away

Accepting Christ’s Word

Life’s highway brightens

Seeing hope, unblurred

 

Hearts and minds open

Learning more each day

Jesus strengthens us

Kneeling now, let’s pray

 

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From Philippians 4:13:  “I can do all things through Him who strengthens me.”

Father’s Gifts (Elfchen Series #84)

Freedom

Sin

Darkness prowling

One eternal sacrifice

Savior’s blood breaks chains

Forgiveness

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Reborn

Awaken

New dawn

High Priest Jesus

Empty tomb forever rejoices

Salvation

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Eternity

Love

None greater

Father sends Son

World saved through Him

Believe

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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.

Cherished Friend (Haiku Series #157)

His Mission

Chosen by Jesus

Harvest love’s fruit from His vine—

Sharing with others

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His Teaching

Embrace God’s commands

Filled with Holy Spirit’s love—

Walking with Jesus

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His Example

Love one another

Watching out for each brother—

Christ’s chosen tenet

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Monday Memories: Midnight Walk

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Stirring from my deep sleep at midnight

Seeing someone moving in the dim light

 

Hearing a gentle voice whispering my name

Calling out, “Missing you has been a shame”

 

Recognizing that her gentle voice is familiar, not new

Appearing now, my beloved Grandma comes into view

 

Walking towards me, she carries no fear

Listening to a voice so true and very dear

 

Saying again that I’ve been deeply missed

Bowing down, my forehead receives a kiss

 

Remembering previous days with her brings a smile

Telling me kindly, let’s walk together now for awhile

 

Asking her a question, “Is it now my time?”

Replying back, “No, but you must climb”

 

Facing a wall that records each of my sins

Condemning me, comes Darkness again

 

Reaching down comes a firm, strong hand

Grabbing hold, my feet flee sinking sand

 

Gazing upward, my Grandma has departed and left

Taking her place arrives Christ, raised from death

 

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Christian Affirmations (Haiku Series #152)

Believing

Curious and ask

Just what is a Messiah?

Calvary’s cross speaks

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Anchoring

Searching endless roads

Lord offering righteous route—

Built on trusted rock

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Finishing

Days fill with trials

Life’s journey walks with Jesus—

Promised Land ahead

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Monday Memories: Jesus Will Be With Us

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An early winter blizzard covers the immense ranching country.  The harshness of the storm threatens everyone’s safety, both people and cattle.

Phone lines are disconnected, with most on the ground.  Electricity is off except where well-prepared ranchers turn on generators to provide for their needs.  All roads into each ranch are drifted shut with the heavy, dense snow.

One rancher is overly concerned for the welfare of his family and his cattle herd.  The family is warm and safe inside their home, and they have enough groceries to last for several more days. 

However, the cattle stand in harm’s way.  Their water supply and feeding schedule have been disrupted, and the rancher worries about the length of the storm and the consequences for his 300 plus head of Black Angus cows.

At suppertime on the third night of the storm, the atmosphere is tense.  The rancher’s son sees the worry painted on his father’s face.  This faithful, little soul of a five-year old reminds his father with words filled with hope, “Jesus will be with us.”

Overnight the storm begins to abate and move on.  In the morning, crews begin to slowly and carefully clear the roads.  In a matter of hours, they will reach the isolated ranch. 

Using his powerful four-wheel tractor with its giant dozer blade, the rancher clears a path to where his precious cattle are nestled against the wall of a massive shelter.  While he makes sure the water is running, and the cattle receive their hay with a helping of rolled oats, he smiles and remembers the faithful words of his young son, “Jesus will be with us.”

Charles Stanley Quote

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At some point, we all experience heartache.  But one thing is certain:  Jesus will be standing by our side to strengthen and deliver us in our time of need.

From Hebrews 13:5-6:  “Be content with what you have; for He has said, ‘I will never leave you or forsake you.” So we can say with confidence.'”

Charles Stanley Quote

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The world makes all kinds of promises about love, acceptance, and self-worth, but they never last.  Only Jesus can fill our empty souls for eternity.

From John 4:13-14:  “Jesus said to her, ‘Everyone who drinks of this water will be thirsty again, but those who drink of the water that I will give them will never be thirsty.  The water that I will give will become in them a spring of water gushing up to eternal life.'”

Monday Memories: Carry Our Burdens

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Walking

With weariness

Life’s heavy burdens

Causing missteps and stumbles

 

Coming

With light

Our Lord shines

Trusting always in Him

 

Casting

Our burdens

Upon His shoulders

Jesus will sustain us

 

Gentle

In spirit

Humble in heart

He will deliver us

 

Righteous

Reigning above

Immovable spirit

Lessens our taxing burdens

 

Jesus

Sending protection

The Good Shepherd

Caring for His flock

 

Sin

Washed away

By Christ’s blood

Our burdens grow lighter

 

Accepting

His Salvation

Following Jesus Christ

Our Lord and Savior

 

Patiently

Jesus waits

We come forward

Bearing one another’s burdens

 

Praying

With devotion

For one another

Reborn again through Christ

 

Christ

We believe

Follow God’s Son

Victory over our sins

 

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Smith Wigglesworth Quote

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I am not moved by what I see.  I am moved only by what I believe.

From John 11:25-27:  “Jesus said to her, ‘I am the resurrection and the life.  Those who believe in me, even though they die, will live, and everyone who lives and believes in me will never die.  Do you believe this?’  She said to Him, ‘Yes, Lord, I believe that you are the Messiah, the Son of God, the one coming into the world.'”