Pilgrim’s Journey

From 1 Thessalonians 3:11-12:  “Now may our God and Father Himself and our Lord Jesus direct our way to you.  And may the Lord make you increase and abound in love for one another and for all, just as we abound in love for You.”

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Arising each morning

Heart breathes in Father’s love

Praising pilgrim’s journey

Grace follows from above

 

Standing firm with Father

Hands of patient potter

Shaping this precious day

Mercy’s living water

 

Overcoming darkness

Light comes from Father’s Word

Taking in wisdom’s breath

Faith strengthened from what’s heard

 

Accepting Father’s plan

Truth breaks through evil’s crust

Walking in harmony

Submission brings man’s trust

 

Breaking free from bondage

Christ severs every chain

Paying sins’ debts with blood

In victory, He reigns

 

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From 1 Thessalonians 5:9-10:  “For God has destined us not for wrath but for obtaining salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ, who died for us, so that whether we are awake or asleep we may live with Him.”

David Baldacci Quotes

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Love is like a good piece of wood:  It just gets stronger and stronger as the years go by.

It’s not the beginning or the destination that counts.  It’s the ride in between.

[Both quotes taken from The Christmas Train.]

David Baldacci (born 1960) is an American novelist.  

Inviting Voices

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Wind’s inviting voices

Welcoming from shadow’s past

Harmonizing spirits

Bright skies trying to hold fast

 

Darkness taking shortcut

Wakening to rising sun

Searching for tomorrow

Ahead of each setting sun

 

Wind chimes at every hour

Reminding of yesterday

Wishing for better times

Memories’ daily ballet

 

Today never backtracks

Writing journey’s blessed song

Soaring ahead, true joy

Nature’s essence comes along

 

Wind gathers final breath

Inviting darkness back in

Following every star

Round of dreams, ready to spin

 

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Monday Memories: Empty Pages

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Life begins much like an empty book

Pages waiting as a tranquil brook

 

How will daily life compose each page?

Breathtaking words at every age

 

Words starting with childlike, joyful prose

Sentences fill with love, head to toes

 

Paragraphs arrive, smiling each day

First page finishes, much like crochet

 

Chapters now gather, picking up speed

Transmission accepts each tender reed

 

Pages adding up, never afraid

Days, weeks, months, years gather . . . no charade

 

Life reaches the twilight of its time

Not pausing, not even for halftime

 

Who will ever read this manuscript?

There’s time to add a final postscript

 

With empty pages, life’s book began

Words maturing, always in God’s plan

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Originally published September, 2020.

Journey’s Destiny

From Psalm 84:1-2:  “How lovely is Your dwelling place, Lord of hosts!  My soul longs, indeed it faints, for the courts of the Lord; my heart and my flesh sing for joy to the living God.”

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Future expectations

Journey’s path filled with light

Another page to open

Tomorrow looking bright

 

Peace dwells in Father’s heart

Journey’s joy hears His Word

Hope’s breath gathers strength from Him

Faith prospers from what’s spurred

 

Family, friends, career

Journey’s love means much more

Kneeling at cross in prayer

Savior cancels sin’s score

 

Challenges shall arise

Journey’s road appears blocked

Trust in Jesus sends faith’s key

Salvation now unlocked

 

Darkness breathing no more

Journey’s destiny bright

Christ delivers victory

Future filled with His light

 

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From Psalm 84:11:  “For the Lord God is a sun and shield; He bestows favor and honor.  No good thing does the Lord withhold from those who walk uprightly.”

Michael Massimino Quotes

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You only have one life.  You have to spend it doing something that matters.

Because being the right person isn’t about being perfect; it’s about being able to handle whatever life throws at you.

Michael Massimino (born 1962) is a former American astronaut, and is currently a professor of mechanical engineering at Columbia University.  His experience with space travel includes two space shuttle flights in 2002 and 2009.

Jean de La Fontaine Quotes

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A person often meets his destiny on the road he took to avoid it.

Sadness flies away on the wings of time.

Jean de La Fontaine (1621-1695) was a French fabulist as well as a widely read poet.

David Jeremiah Quote

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God resides in our hearts, steering us toward an ever-fixed mark.

From Proverbs 16:9:  “The human mind plans the way, but the Lord directs the steps.”

David Jeremiah (born 1941) is an American pastor and Christian author.

Monday Memories: Faithful Journey

From Psalm 85:8-9:  “Let me hear what God the Lord will speak, for He will speak peace to His people, to His faithful, to those who turn to Him in their hearts.  Surely His salvation is at hand for those who fear Him, that His glory may dwell in our land.”

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Uncertain darkness

Surrounds me this day

Humbly take a knee

Bowing now to pray

 

Prayers calling God

Remain unhurried

Unanswered questions

Never be worried

 

Christ’s teachings feed thee

With the bread of life

This eternal gift

Blessings without strife

 

Lord of life and love

He feeds and frees all

Through His Holy Word

Never builds a wall

 

Allow me to pause

God prods thee along

Hearing His questions

Answers make me strong

 

God everlasting

Faith remains with thee

Through life’s harsh chaos

Calming stormy seas

 

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From Romans 10:10-13:  “ For one believes with the heart and so is justified, and one confesses with the mouth and so is saved.  The scripture says, ‘No one who believes in Him will be put to shame.’  For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek; the same Lord is Lord of all and is generous to all who call on Him.  For, ‘Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved.'”

Originally published September, 2020.

Frederick Buechner Quote

Courtesy of Pinterest.

For outlandish creatures like us, on our way to a heart, a brain, and courage, Bethlehem is not the end of our journey but only the beginning–not home but the place through which we must pass if ever we are to reach home at last.

From Luke 2:13-14:  “And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host, praising God and saying, ‘Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace among those whom he favors!'”

Frederick Buechner (1926-2022) was an American pastor, Christian theologian, and author.  His writings were published in 39 books, which included several different genres.