Daily Reflections

Captured segments from the early pages of my journal, provide the energy for this poem.  Life’s reflections can come from anywhere, deal with any topic, and occur at any time.  

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Journal’s reflections speak out

Expressions ready to sprout

 

True, unconditional love

Hearing praise singing high above

 

Wise teaching comes from many

Grandparents offer plenty

 

Life’s happiness embraces

From unexpected places

 

Art expressed in many ways

Imagination ablaze

 

Dark, stormy clouds chased away

Rainbow arrives, set to play

 

Negativity removed

Positivity approved

 

Passion no longer alive

How will our tomorrow thrive?

 

Parents watching with delight

Children making day so bright

 

Finally, returning home

Prized memories always roam

 

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Spirit Awakened

Montana’s Madison River faithfully flows toward the headwaters of the Missouri River.

Life’s faithful river

Always flowing free

Spirit awakened

Jesus walks with thee

 

Light covers darkness

Faithful source of hope

Spirit awakened

Jesus tames each slope

 

Quiet place welcomes

Prayers nurture peace

Spirit awakened

Jesus holds life’s lease

 

Resurrection breathes

Eternity’s grace

Spirit awakened

Jesus leaves His trace

 

Destiny fulfilled

Journey now complete

Spirit awakened

Jesus offers seat

 

Christ’s invitation to take a seat offers tranquility of the Spirit’s presence. (as captured from this peaceful place at central Ohio’s Chestnut Metro Park)

Memories of Home

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Ever homeward

Waiting destination

Year after year

Leaving last train station

 

Traveling forward

Allowing no backward glance

Final ticket punched

Cashing in for final dance

 

Journey’s sunset

Saying “hello” once more

Second chances

Taking life’s encore

 

Garden filled with dreams

Sprouting memories of home

Season to season

Riding free, ready to roam

 

Yesterday’s clues

Arriving with each breeze

Earmarked answers

Lighting up home’s marquee

 

Infinite sunrise

Forsaking final “good-bye”

Irreplaceable

Greeting Montana’s Big Sky

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This poem reflects upon many memories of my native state of Montana, which will always seem like home.  Perhaps each reader will experience his or her own homeward journey of memories, just waiting to be revisited again.

New Day

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New day saying “hello”

Revitalizing voices

Inspirations aglow

Identifying choices

 

Horizon brightens, stirs

Reawakening today

Morning opens sunrise

Illuminating gateway

 

Daylight’s rhythmic tempo

Internalizing soundtrack

Soul’s eternal rainbow

Anticipating comeback

 

Sunset’s fading skyline

Evaporating outlook

Night’s taste of moonshine

Rejuvenating guidebook

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Monday Memories: If I Was a . . .

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.”

woman writing on dry erase board

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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 of toddler running on grass

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Originally published March, 2020.

Affirming Gospel (Elfchen Series #146)

Deliverance

Crushing

Sin’s chains

Light defeats darkness

Resurrection breathes with life

Victory

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Justice

Unwavering

Character strengthened

Integrity’s daily march

Filled with God’s righteousness

Assurance

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Journey

Justifying

God’s Word

Teaching life lessons

Each application rings true

Authority

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Receiving Fresh Start

From Isaiah 43:2:  “When you pass through the waters, I will be with you, and through the rivers, they shall not overwhelm you; when you walk through fire you shall not be burned, and the flame shall not consume you.”

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Storm’s surging rage

Turning away from sin

Transgressions now forgiven

Lighting faith within

 

Light leads our way

Stirring righteous feelings

Freed from enemy’s facade

Praising truth’s dealings

 

Living water

Quenching believers’ thirst

God’s glory reigning supreme

Seeing hope dispersed

 

Every new day

Serving merciful Lord

Countless opportunities

Calling, come aboard

 

Father’s guidance

Flowing from grace-filled heart

Future course plotted and set

Receiving fresh start

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From Isaiah 43:25:  “I alone am the one who blots out your transgressions for my own sake, and I will not remember your sins.”

First Steps

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Experiencing lifetime of first steps

Beginning with toddler’s curious try

Tumbling down to earth from frequent missteps

Inquiring mind looking skyward to fly

 

Growing up quickly, ready for life’s prep

Entering grade school doors, stepping right in

Navigating each year, planting more steps

Looking always forward, career begins

 

Living life, one year follows another

Challenging new steps arriving each day

Recalling advice from caring mother

Stepping out, traveling each new highway

 

Remembering this life’s countless missteps

Smiling at grandchildren’s beginning steps

 

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Harmony’s Distant Shore

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From creation’s seed

Everything begins

Breathing to succeed

Swimming without fins

 

Morning sunrise greets

Another new day

Counting each receipt

Smelling fresh bouquets

 

River’s constant flow

Life’s boldest highway

Playing sweet banjo

Sketching without gray

 

Life’s destination

Over one more ridge

Bringing elation

Crossing final bridge

 

Harmony sings out

Verses sharing more

Changing today’s route

Reaching distant shore

 

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Anais Nin Quotes

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Don’t let one cloud obliterate the whole sky.

It takes courage to push yourself to places you have never been before . . . to test your limits . . . to break through barriers.

Anais Nin (1903-1977) was a French-born American writer of novels and short stories.  Much of her published works came from her diaries.