Life’s thorny issues
Tainting our experience—
Tasting bitterness
Sitting down to write
Rediscovering lost art—
Letter to dear friend
Sooner or later
Actions bringing correction—
Life’s daily cadence
Keep conscience clear, then never fear.
Content makes poor men rich; discontent makes rich men poor.
Benjamin Franklin (1706-1790) was a Founding Father of the United States. He served his nation as a prominent statesman and effective diplomat.
This poem is inspired by a favorite hymn of many, “What a Friend We Have in Jesus.”
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Living weak in character
Laying at the Cross, past torts
Jesus, always our friend
Hearing our troubling reports
Stepping humbly to our Lord
Dumping these tribulations
Jesus, always through His love
Building our life’s foundation
Facing polarizing darkness
Bearing pain, feeling alone
Jesus waits, always trusting
Welcoming us to His own
Taking us, lifting us up
Rescuing us from sin’s shame
Jesus, always rebuilds faith
Saving through His Father’s name
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From 1 Peter 1:21: “Through Him you have come to trust in God, who raised Him from the dead and gave Him glory, so that your faith and hope are set on God.”
Memories are not just about the past. They determine our future.
I kept dreaming of a world I thought I’d never see, and then . . . one day . . . I got in!
Jeff Bridges (born 1949) is an American film actor who has the ability to play a variety of roles. His work has been rewarded with one Academy Award (a total of seven nominations) as well as two Golden Globes.
God’s
Endless wonders
Faithful, perfect design
Praising and giving thanks
Creation
Relationships
Divine plan
Family, colleagues, friends
Leaning on each other
Recharged
Approaching
Stormy seas
Righteous navigator leads
Guiding toward calmer waters
Faithfulness
We could call any work done in the will of God “the work of righteousness.” And in doing that work, you will be surrounded by peace.
From Isaiah 32:17: “The effect of righteousness will be peace, and the result of righteousness, quietness and trust forever.”
Searching attic’s hidden treasures
Opening ancient cedar chest
Well-preserved photo album smiles
Connections with family’s quest
Scanning morning’s endless gray sky
Feeling forgotten and alone
Phone rings, lifting away sadness
Connections with daughter’s milestone
Driving endless summer backroads
Coming to destination’s gift
Rustic cabin by mountain lake
Connections waken life’s gearshift
Sitting near frosty window glass
Watching winter’s chilling landscape
Mail carrier drops off letter
Connections with friend’s warm escape
Spending lifetime in school’s classroom
Touching so many youthful lives
Cumulative cache of memories
Connections stir teacher’s archives
What we know is a drop, what we don’t know is an ocean.
Plato is my friend, Aristotle is my friend, but my greatest friend is truth.
From Psalm 37:5: “Commit your way to the Lord; trust in Him, and He will act.”
Life’s stumbles and missteps
Seeing failure once more
Judging ourselves harshly
Father brings us ashore
Agony breathes again
Grabbing mercy’s lifeline
Lifting us up with grace
Anchored to Father’s vine
Evil tells us, stay down
Pushing through, comes His love
Pulling always forward
Father’s glory above
Faith feeds on righteousness
Taking up Savior’s cross
Believing in His Word
Father’s love comes across
Justice removes darkness
Marching to heaven’s beat
Singing hymns of praises
Joy sails with Father’s fleet
From Psalm 37:23-24: “Our steps are made firm by the Lord when He delights in our way; though we stumble, we shall not fall headlong, for the Lord holds us by the hand.”
Great things are done when men and mountains meet.
A man can’t soar too high, when he flies with his own wings.
William Blake (1757-1827) was an English poet and painter. One of his most famous poems is entitled “The Tyger.” Here are the opening verses:
Big Sky Buckeye 