Eternal and Lasting

From Psalm 100:4-5:  “Enter His gates with thanksgiving, and His courts with praise.  Give thanks to Him, bless His name.  For the Lord is good; His steadfast love endures forever, and His faithfulness to all generations.”

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Master of creation’s universe

Father’s love, boundless and enduring

Defying mankind’s understanding

Endless waterfall, reassuring

 

God’s lasting presence covers this earth

Filled with unending mercy and care

Sharing His love, bringing us gladness

Hearing concerns, answering prayers

 

Our world rotates between night and day

Yet, God never ceases His labors

Cherishing us, sheep in His pasture

Caring and loving us—as neighbors

 

God’s eternal and lasting love flows

Filling every second with love

His steadfast love shall always prevail

Sharing His love from heaven above

 

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From the words of Christian writer, Corrie ten Boom:  “There is no pit so deep that God’s love is not deeper still.”

Charles Bukowski Quotes

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An intellectual says a simple thing in a hard way.  An artist says a hard thing in a simple way.

Sometimes you climb out of bed in the morning and you think, I’m not going to make it, but you laugh inside–remembering all the times you’ve felt that way.

Charles Bukowski (1920-1994) is a German-American poet, novelist, and short story writer.  His prolific writing produced over 45 books of poetry and prose, and much of his writing spoke to the despairing urban conditions of the downtrodden.

Nothing More Precious

From John 12:44-46:  “Then Jesus cried aloud:  ‘Whoever believes in me believes not in me but in Him who sent me.  And whoever sees me sees Him who sent me.  I have come as light into the world, so that everyone who believes in me should not remain in the darkness.'” 

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Across this world’s vastness

There’s nothing more precious

Than our God-given life

Primed to breath by His grace

 

Every precious day

Praise God for its richness

Honor life’s simple ways

Praying with thankful hearts

 

Just as God molds this earth

Spirit works tirelessly

Shaping and stretching lives

Blessing each precious breath

 

God’s precious hands guiding

Framing, leading, teaching

Crafting lives, filled with love

Accept His blessed gift

 

Charged with following God

Life’s precious, rocky path

Falling with stumbling steps

But, Father picks us up

 

Savoring each day’s breath

There’s nothing more precious

Honoring Lord of all

Straight to life’s final end

 

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From Psalm 23:5-6:  “You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; you anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows.  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.”

Following prayer and reading my Bible, my thoughts went into writing this special poem.  Indeed, there is nothing more precious than life.  On March 17, 2021, my stepfather, Ed, went to the Lord.  The love he shared with my mother (his loving Martha) was boundless, and I was blessed to share my Christian faith with him.  The unconditional love given by my mother to her blessed Ed will be a lasting gift because it has been witnessed by so many others.  

Sojourner Truth Quotes

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Where there is so much racket, there must be something out of kilter.

What we give to the poor, we lend to the Lord.

Sojourner Truth (1797-1883) is an amazing witness of many formidable causes in American history.  During her lifetime, she served as an evangelist, civil rights activist, and author.  Being born into slavery, she escaped in 1826.  Upon gaining her freedom, she became a Christian, and she felt the Lord urging her to take up the causes of equal rights and the abolition of slavery.

Lessons From Failure

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Around life’s corner

Failure’s waiting train

Our very fiber

Split open with pain

 

Chasing newest dreams

Success sometimes waits

Failure comes knocking

What will be life’s fate?

 

Unavoidable

Failure hitting hard

Inevitable

Drawing life’s harsh card

 

Fear of failure breathes

Spreading, holds us back

Life fogging over

Success now off track

 

Vulnerable vibes

Feeling passed over

Alone in darkness

Where’s life’s sweet clover?

 

Lessons from failure

Past trials teach us

Embrace them and learn

Ride fortitude’s bus

 

With renewed purpose

Learn while improving

Plus motivation

Success now moving

 

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From the words of American writer, Meg Dowell:  “Failure will teach you to be vulnerable.  Failure will show you what it means to chase a dream.  More importantly, your past failures will change the way you value your successes.”

Dennis Swanberg Quote

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One reason so much American Christianity is a mile wide and an inch deep is that Christians are simply tired.  Sometimes you need to kick back and rest for Jesus’ sake.

From Matthew 11:28-30:  “Come to Me, all you that are weary and are carrying heavy burdens, and I will give you rest.  Take My yoke upon you, and learn from Me; for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.  For My yoke is easy, and My burden is light.”

Robert Schuller Quote

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I’d rather attempt to do something great and fail than to attempt to do nothing and succeed.

From Hebrews 12:1-2:  “Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight and the sin that clings so closely, and let us run with perseverance the race that is set before us,  looking to Jesus the pioneer and perfecter of our faith, who for the sake of the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, disregarding its shame, and has taken His seat at the right hand of the throne of God.”

Warm Breezes

A view of Long Wharf along the Choptank River at Cambridge, Maryland. Chesapeake Bay is waiting on the horizon. (photo courtesy of Pinterest)

Early morning’s reversing wind

No longer facing fierce headwind

 

Life takes comfort in day ahead

Thrilled to be awake, out of bed

 

Skipjack sailing away from home

Leaving Choptank’s berth, free to roam

 

Adventure waiting, take it on

Facing nature, ready with brawn

 

Pride of Maryland’s Eastern Shore

Nathan of Dorchester explores

 

With summer day’s life-giving breeze

She skims across these waves with ease

 

Distant river shoreline fading

Chesapeake Bay, now invading

 

Each crew member tackles his tasks

Loving this boat, each effort basks

 

With warm breezes, life’s sails now fill

Each port of call, sharing goodwill

A skipjack cuts through the water on the Choptank River. It is the official boat of the state of Maryland. (photo courtesy of Pinterest)

The inspiration for this poem comes from my travels to Maryland’s Eastern Shore along the Choptank River at Cambridge.  While I haven’t sailed on the Skipjack Nathan of Dorchester (yet), it is something I would enjoy experiencing during a future summer trip back to my wife’s hometown.

William Law Quote

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We must alter our lives in order to alter our hearts, for it is impossible to live one way and pray another.

From 1 John 1:8-10:  “If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.  If we confess our sins, He who is faithful and just will forgive us our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness.  If we say that we have not sinned, we make Him a liar, and His word is not in us.”