Joy, collected over time, fuels resilience.
Compassion is not a virtue–it is a commitment. It’s not something we have or don’t have–it’s something we choose to practice.
Brene Brown (born 1965) is an American researcher and author. Much of her work has studied courage, vulnerability, shame, and empathy.
Distant memory
Winter’s breath melted away—
Rebirth springing up
Crisp April morning
Afternoon promises warmth—
Daffodils dancing
Sun’s setting calmness
Another night, nature rests—
Guaranteed sunrise
From Hebrews 11:1-3: “Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen. Indeed, by faith our ancestors received approval. By faith we understand that the worlds were prepared by the word of God, so that what is seen was made from things that are not visible.”
Faith in future unseen
Trusting God’s divine Word
Tasting His every truth
Steps taken, hope conferred
Faith finds each tomorrow
Hearing Shepherd’s firm voice
Welcoming hope with love
Peace filling every choice
Faith follows righteous path
Holding hope’s precious grace
According to God’s plan
Enemy gives up chase
Faith moving beyond fear
Finding mercy’s new light
Grasping Savior’s fresh rope
Hope shines forever bright
Faith offers endless joy
Returning to God’s home
Praising as One Body
Destined hope freely roams
From Psalm 23:6: “Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord my whole life long.”
Each day, each moment is so pregnant with eternity that if we tune in to it, we can hardly contain the joy.
From Psalm 118:24: “Therefore the Lord has recompensed me according to my righteousness, according to the cleanness of my hands in His sight.”
Gloria Gaither (born 1942) is a Christian singer, songwriter, and speaker. She performed with the Bill Gaither Trio from 1965 to 1991.
When I rise up, let me rise up joyful like a bird. When I fall, let me fall without regret like a leaf.
The soil is the great connector of lives, the source and destination of all. It is the healer and restorer and resurrector.
Wendell Berry (born 1934) is an American novelist and poet. Much of his writing embraces the goodness of protecting our environment and preserving agriculture’s way of life.
From Psalm 37:3-4: “Trust in the Lord and do good; live in the land and enjoy security. Take delight in the Lord, and He will give you the desires of your heart.”
Trusting Father’s plans
Accepting His grace
Breathing in wisdom
Worry no longer gives chase
Taking faithful steps
Embracing His ways
Walking with Father
His patience teaches each day
Lending mercy’s peace
Expressing His love
Filling heart with hope
Father’s joy breathes from above
Leaving sinful flesh
Departing from night
Honoring Father
His righteousness leads with light
Sowing truthful seeds
Viewing empty tomb
Trusting risen Christ
Redemption’s fruits fully bloom
From Psalm 37:29: “The righteous shall inherit the land and live in it forever.”
From Matthew 14:25-27: “And early in the morning He came walking toward them on the sea. But when the disciples saw Him walking on the sea, they were terrified, saying, ‘It is a ghost!’ And they cried out in fear. But immediately Jesus spoke to them and said, ‘Take heart, it is I; do not be afraid.'”
Facing life’s darkest times
Tempest sweeping over thee
Hiding from storm’s anger
Light’s shadow approaching thee
Fearing who comes forward
His tenderness touches thee
Rising from death’s darkness
His body’s blood saving thee
Recognizing Jesus
His hand reaches out to thee
Quieting surging tides
Joy now rushes upon thee
Hearing His faithful voice
Savior’s grace now covers thee
Forgiving life’s missteps
Redemption now awaits thee
Witnessing faith in Christ
Eternal love surrounds thee
Securing hope with peace
Tomorrow brightens for thee
From Matthew 14:28-30: “Peter answered Him, ‘Lord, if it is you, command me to come to You on the water.’ He said, ‘Come.’ So Peter got out of the boat, started walking on the water, and came toward Jesus.”
From Psalm 77:14: “You are the God who works wonders; You have displayed Your might among the peoples.”
In days of trouble
Enemy’s darkness flees
Hearing heavens’ thunder
Father’s grace, always free
In midst of trials
Trusted light shall arrive
Feeling comforting peace
Father’s passion alive
In deepest abyss
Hopeless, yet not alone
Reaching for mercy’s hand
Father’s mighty deeds sown
One more miracle
Absent of His footprints
Transforming with wonders
Father’s breath offers hint
Another sunrise
Joy found in heaven’s love
Restoring fragile health
Father’s touch from above
From Psalm 77:19: “Your way was through the sea, Your path through the mighty waters, yet Your footprints were unseen.”
From Job 14:7-9: “For there is hope for a tree, if it is cut down, that it will sprout again and that its shoots will not cease. Though its root grows old in the earth and its stump dies in the ground, yet at the scent of water it will bud and put forth branches like a young plant.”
Born with innocence
Nurtured by mother’s love
Filled with newfound wonder
Shadow of Christ above
Tomorrow shall wait
Savior’s love comes this day
Nourished through grace from God
Faith follows hope’s walkway
Peace fills daily breath
Sprouts from living waters
God’s love feeds faith’s deep roots
For each son and daughter
Age gathering years
Yet, spirit remains strong
Love nourishes outlook
Christ writes salvation’s song
Joy fills every day
Darkness fades into light
God’s Word speaks of His love
Righteous faith knows what’s right
From Psalm 1:2-3: “But their delight is in the law of the Lord, and on His law they meditate day and night. They are like trees planted by streams of water, which yield their fruit in its season, and their leaves do not wither. In all that they do, they prosper.”
Friendship is a golden chain, the links are friends so dear.
Time is not measured by the years that you live, but by the deeds that you do and the joy that you give.
Helen Steiner Rice (1900-1981) was an American writer who specialized in Christian and inspirational poetry.
Big Sky Buckeye 