Oswald Chambers Quote

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Yielding to Jesus will break every form of slavery in any human life.

From Romans 6:6:  “We know that our old self was crucified with Him so that the body of sin might be destroyed, and we might no longer be enslaved to sin.”

Jesus Always (Elfchen Series #88)

Journey

Blessed

Living water

Grace and forgiveness

Walking to eternal life

Jesus

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Discovery

Sinfulness

Seeking redemption

Looking to Jesus

Integrity and character sidetracked

Repentance

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Affirmation

Remembering

Every morning

Our baptismal waters

Salvation found in Christ

Promises

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Eagle’s Shadow

From Isaiah 40:31:  “But those who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength, they shall mount up with wings like eagles, they shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint.”

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Lost in hidden wilderness

Walking gloomy path, alone

Life’s never-ending circle

Frozen in time’s endless zone

 

Abandoned without refuge

Searching hellish, barren land

Emptiness speaks with silence

Tireless quest, sinking in sand

 

Days feel as chilling as nights

Shivering, icy outlook

Hopelessness without promise

Shadow circles, pause to look

 

Eagle flying overhead

Calling out to thee, follow

Sunrise filling empty heart

Journey no longer hollow

 

Calvary’s cross stands over

Kneeling upon sacred ground

Tears’ cascading emotions

Life no longer lost, grace found

 

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From John 20:18:  “Mary Magdalene went and announced to the disciples, ‘I have seen the Lord’; and she told them that He had said these things to her.”

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.'”