George Whitefield Quote

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Press forward.  Do not stop, do not linger in your journey, but strive for the mark set before you.

From Philippians 3:13-14:  “Brothers and sisters, I do not consider that I have laid hold of it, but one thing I have laid hold of:  forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal, toward the prize of the heavenly call of God in Christ Jesus.”

George Whitefield (1714-1770) was an English-born pastor and Christian evangelist.  He spent the second half of his life in the American colonies.

Poetic Connections (Haiku Series #230)

Future

Past links with today

Learning fills each tomorrow—

Venturing forward

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Revealing

Day’s epiphany

Outside one’s kitchen window—

Another clue waits

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Words

Preparing to share

Crafting yet another verse—

Soul opening up

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Chuck Yeager Quotes

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You do what you can for as long as you can, and when you finally can’t, you do the next best thing.

Unfortunately, many people do not consider fun an important item on their daily agenda.

Chuck Yeager (1923-2020) was a United States Air Force aviator.  He rose to a rank of Brigadier General, but he had preciously been well recognized for his flying exploits.  Besides being a flying ace, he became the first pilot to exceed the speed of sound on a level flight in 1947.

Final Quest

From Colossians 1:19-20:  “For in Him all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell, and through Him God was pleased to reconcile to Himself all things, whether on earth or in heaven, by making peace through the blood of His cross.”

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Haunting scene, filled with greed

Darkness shadows with fear

Every path now seems blocked

Cross waiting to appear

 

Journey of life backs up

Selfishness cuts in front

Noise in streets never dims

Cross waiting to confront

 

Sorrows keep piling up

Every heart feeling stress

Shattered hope, faith absent

Cross waiting to address

 

Life refreshed, poured from grace

Compassion fills His heart

Savior’s body and blood

Cross ready to impart

 

Mountains of sin paid for

Mercy now comes to rest

Blessing of Father’s love

Cross completes final quest

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From 1 Corinthians 1:18:  “For the message about the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.”

Fascinating Journey

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Opening doors welcome each child

Fascinating journey begins

Dreams fill with imagination

School days become future’s lynchpin

 

Strengthening character daily

Teaching life lessons, step-by-step

Entire village backs up each child

Honesty leads every footstep

 

Molding citizenship’s actions

Interacting with nation’s past

History’s events come alive

Participation built to last

 

Learning importance of service

Applying every faithful task

Life’s foundation now taking shape

Hands no longer afraid to ask

 

Displaying acts of leadership

Maturing into country’s best

Actions go far beyond just words

Ready now, to pass every test

 

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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.