Harvest God’s Treasures

From Luke 12:32-34:  “Do not be afraid, little flock, for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom.  Sell your possessions, and give alms.  Make purses for yourselves that do not wear out, an unfailing treasure in Heaven, where no thief comes near and no moth destroys.  For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.”

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Mankind endlessly searches earth’s treasures

Wandering and looking under each rock

Few ever deliver much to measure

As time flees, few seconds left on a clock

 

Treasures worth seeking, always to be found

Depositing the seeds of faith with God

His Word brings a richness, lovingly bound

Accept now His Grace, with a “yes” and nod

 

No earthly treasure can compare to this

Eternal life awaits, accept His call

Taking up our cross, we follow God’s list

His Holy treasure, never fails or falls

 

Following our Lord, no need to measure

Christ’s blood brings a harvest of treasures

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America’s Minister of Encouragement, Dennis Swanberg, writes:  “There is absolutely  no evidence that complexity and materialism lead to happiness.  On the contrary, there is plenty of evidence that simplicity and spirituality lead to joy, a blessedness that is better than happiness.”

 

Haiku Series #30 (Life)

Done

Farmer in the field

Tractor quits, fuel tank empty—

Finished for the day

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Fire Hydrant

Waiting patiently

Hoping never to be used—

Prepared and ready

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Listen’

Walkin’ to the pond

What is the dang noise about?

Those frogs are somethin’

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Bill Myers Quote

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Every thought is a seed.  If you plant crab apples, don’t count on harvesting golden delicious.

From Matthew 7:12:  “(Jesus is speaking) In everything do to others as you would have them do to you; for this is the law and the prophets.”

Shattered Hopes

From Romans 10:12-13:  “For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek; the same Lord is Lord of all and is generous to all who call Him.  For, ‘Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved.'”

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Sitting here on a quiet, morning dawn

Drinking coffee, warming a drowsy mind

Passing the time with memories, all wrong

Looking for warmhearted hopes, none to find

 

Wishing countless troubles would go away

Thinking another day will bring some hope

Realizing now, my dreams are crushed today

Watching out the window, through hopeless scope

 

Opening a Bible, found by God’s Grace

Inviting me in, His Word reaches out

Sensing a way to change life’s dismal pace

Offering a new path, without a doubt

 

Witnessing Christ Jesus on a cruel Cross

Accepting my Savior, no longer lost

 

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Afternoon Rendezvous

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The pace of work at Bill’s office has recently been too much to bear.  Laboring for countless hours to land a substantial account for his marketing business, he has been working diligently, nearly nonstop, with little time off.

Viewing a beautiful day outside of his office window, Bill checks his calendar.  All looks free for an afternoon rendezvous with one of his favorite places . . . a splendid, quiet 18 holes on the golf course.

As he quietly slips away from the office, Bill instructs his secretary to hold down the fort . . . “Please keep the boss off of my back for three hours.”

About two hours later, Bill’s boss shows up.  He needs to catch up with Bill about this new account.  Let’s eavesdrop on the conversation between the boss and Bill’s ever-protective secretary.

The boss asks the secretary, “Where’s Bill at?  I need to check on his progress with our newest account.”

She dutifully replies, “He’s working on his game.”

“What game?”

“He’s working hard to land this new account that’s better than par.”

“Well, I hope he keeps his eyes focused on the prize, just like an eagle.”

“Oh, I’m sure he’s looking for lots of birdies, perhaps an eagle or two.”

As the boss leaves the office, he turns around and smiles, “Bill really is my ‘ace in the hole’ around here.”

Meanwhile at this same moment on the golf course, Bill tees off on the short, par-3, 13th hole.  His ball carries straight and true, lands softly on the green, and meanders right into the hole.

A hole-in-one . . . an ACE!

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Monday Memories: Journey to America

This poem was originally published in November, 2018.  It has been updated in a few places to enhance the message.  Witness the impact of America’s open door to immigrants with this poem.  

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Images of immigrants arriving at America’s shores

Families hope the United States offers much more

 

Huddled and crowded together on ships bound for another land

Dreaming of moving forward and receiving an outstretched hand

 

Most Americans trace immigrants back to their family roots

Their ancestors arrived ready to energize lives with a boost

 

 

 

Singer Neil Sedaka proclaims the immigrants’ anxious arrival

“The Immigrant” sings of America waiting, without any denial

 

Coming to America is immortalized as Neil Diamond sings

“America” tells a fascinating story that only his lyrics bring

 

Both Sedaka and Diamond write beautiful and appropriate text

America can do better than people shouting, “You are not next”

 

 

 

Imagine the excitement felt upon seeing Lady Liberty

She has welcomed people to America for an eternity

 

Her torch offers a brilliant beacon of new hope and light

America extends a welcoming hand, ending their plight

 

This openhearted Lady, gifted from France, stands solemn

She invites the less fortunate to disembark in long columns

 

 

 

Emma Lazarus, an offspring of immigrants, expresses it best

Her poetic words in “The New Colossus” surely pass the test

 

Her inspiring words paint an ironic and emotional image for all

To see how a mighty Lady and America will forever stand tall

 

 

 

America’s melting pot overflows from a gentle and peaceful place

Tales from immigrants deserve to be heard without undue haste

 

Immigration has recently become a passionate, national debate

America’s history shows patience in opening its welcome gate

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The lyrics of “The Immigrant” can be found at Neil Sedaka.

The lyrics of “America” can be found at Neil Diamond.

The verses of “The New Colossus” can be found at Emma Lazarus.

 

Haiku Series #28 (Life)

Music Rocks

Afternoon arrives

Singing voices all around—

Rocking to the sounds

women wearing a headphone

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Pausing

Gray winter day walk

Stopping at an empty church—

Kneeling and praying

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Emptiness

Weekend long ago

Feelings of love washed away—

By rain of darkness

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