
It’s that wonderful old-fashioned idea that others come first and you come second. Others matter more than you do, so “don’t fuss, dear; get on with it.”
Always be a first-rate version of yourself.

It’s that wonderful old-fashioned idea that others come first and you come second. Others matter more than you do, so “don’t fuss, dear; get on with it.”
Always be a first-rate version of yourself.
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.”

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

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

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.
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.'”

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

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.

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.

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

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.”

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.”

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.”

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

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.

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.”