Beyond darkness Following light Vision focused Marking hope’s flight Peace shining through Sharing more dreams Outlook’s fabric Mending each seam Wisdom takes hold Growing tighter Daylight of grace Shining brighter Actions aligned Marching with trust Tomorrow breathes Feeling robust Insight matures Stumbling no more Day’s sky brightens Coming ashore
From the words of American missionary and Christian theologian, E. Stanley Jones: "Whatever we focus on determines what we become."
From Lamentations 3:22-24: “The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases, His mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is Your faithfulness. ‘The Lord is my portion,’ says my soul, ‘therefore I will hope in Him.'”
Eternity’s light
Shall never dim
Remember Calvary
Tomb emptied of Him
Raking through ashes
Ember’s flame used
Faith in Gospel rises
Memories infused
Prayers of witness
God’s promised Word
Trust in faith’s nourishment
Every whisper heard
Joy’s breath coming back
Light full of grace
Spirit always present
Hope fills welcome place
Christ reigns forever
Shall come again
With Heaven’s ticket punched
Only He knows when
From Isaiah 60:1: “Arise, shine, for your light has come, and the glory of the Lord has risen upon you.”
From the words of American pastor and Christian teacher, Charles Stanley: “When we trust God to provide the stamina for the work He calls us to do, we are clothed in power.”
Walking these roads for so long
Sin short-circuits dusty steps
Trust’s gauge running on empty
Darkness knocking at doorstep
Facing life’s tall shortcomings
Empty promises sell short
Holy Spirit calling now
Time to seek Father’s support
Hearing faithful promises
His Spirit brings fortitude
Truly believe, seeking Him
Bread of Life, God’s daily food
Turning to Jesus Christ
Living water quenches thirst
Savior clothes with grace-filled love
His promises, always first
Strengthening life’s weaknesses
Holy promises bring light
Eyes open, hearts enlightened
New life trusts in Father’s might
From Luke 24:49: “And see, I am sending upon you what my Father promised; so stay here in the city until you have been clothed with power from on high.”
Originally published February, 2021.
Jesus
Always first
Easing life’s burdens
Grace fills another moment
Faith
Messiah
Offering light
Mercy’s navigational compass
Comforted through His love
Trust
Savior
Destiny’s truth
Shaping every step
Each worry set aside
Righteousness
This series of poems (written in the German-inspired style of Elfchen or Elevenie) shares a total of eleven words in each poem, with a sequence by line of one, two, three, four, and one words.
From Psalm 23:1-3: “The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. He makes me lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside still waters; He restores my soul. He leads me in right paths for His name’s sake.”
Faith’s redemptive journey
Along this wilderness route
Seeking salvation’s light
Removing seeds of doubt
Shepherd’s constant presence
Along tranquility’s stream
Leading to Savior’s light
Trusting hope’s rising beam
Darkness from long ago
Consumed with enemy’s flesh
Finding merciful light
Rising, peace shall refresh
Wholesome eyesight restored
No longer blind to thy sin
Embracing Savior’s love
Forgiving light within
Father’s Word crystal clear
Righteousness nurtures faith’s way
Leaving darkest shadows
Following light each day
From Ephesians 5:8-9: “For once you were darkness, but now in the Lord you are light. Walk as children of light, for the fruit of the light is found in all that is good and right and true.”
From 1 John 4:9-10: “God’s love was revealed among us in this way: God sent His only Son into the world so that we might live through Him. In this is love, not that we loved God but that He loved us and sent His Son to be the atoning sacrifice for our sins.”
Lost in darkest wilderness
Uncertain where to turn
Truth’s light marked with God’s love
Finding hope’s blessed return
Sky above filling with light
Destiny of Christ’s gift
Assurance of God’s love
Trusting, no longer adrift
Every breath of Spirit’s grace
Heaven’s light to behold
Radiance of God’s love
Removing sinner’s blindfold
Together at Calvary
Who can be against man?
Forgiveness through God’s love
Knowing from where light began
Every heart redirected
Strengthened from faithful light
Steadfast stream of God’s love
Redeeming on mercy’s flight
From Romans 5:3-5: “And not only that, but we also boast in our afflictions, knowing that affliction produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, and hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit that has been given to us.”
Taken from the words of German priest and Christian reformer, Martin Luther: “The Bible is alive, it speaks to me; it has feet, it runs after me; it has hands, it lays hold of me.”
Pursuing truth within
Embracing Father’s Word
Meditating daily
Unlocking faith’s password
Father’s viewpoint of time
Filled with patient outlook
Each believer welcomed
Scripture’s trustworthy book
Father comes to gather
Those conquered, without peace
Light replaces darkness
Mercy set to release
Father shares living bread
Genuine grace sows trust
Fed from each Scripture verse
Righteousness to entrust
Transforming man’s spirit
Receiving precious gift
Accepting Father’s love
Witnessing hope’s airlift
From 2 Peter 3:18: “But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To Him be the glory both now and to the day of eternity. Amen.”
From Psalm 105:1-2: “O give thanks to the Lord; call on His name; make known His deeds among the peoples. Sing to Him, sing praises to Him; tell of all His wonderful works.”
Eyes of eagerness
Scanning earthly realm
Witnessed from Heaven’s light
Finding Christ at faith’s helm
Every miracle
Generating hope
Touched by Bethlehem’s light
Grasping Messiah’s rope
Blessed with wonderful
Singing hymns of praise
Confirmed through divine light
Teaching from faith ablaze
Truth fills worship’s tone
Tasting daily bread
Nourished from Savior’s light
Redeeming through blood shed
Eternity’s peace
Overflowing grace
Summoned to trusted light
Bringing joy to each face
From Psalm 105:5-6: “Remember the wonderful works He has done, His miracles and the judgments He has uttered, O offspring of His servant Abraham, children of Jacob, His chosen ones.”
Let God’s promises shine on your problems.
From Psalm 34:10: “The young lions suffer want and hunger, but those who seek the Lord lack no good thing.”
From the words of American Christian author, Kay Arthur: Your times are in His hands. He’s in charge of the timetable, so wait patiently.
Quiet morning descends
Finding hope in rising sun
Filling each breath with His love
Christ’s mission shall be done
Mercy strengthens each heart
Knowing His love offers peace
Walking toward Calvary
Christ’s light shall never cease
Patience found in spirit
Waiting for His perfect time
Drawing love from trusted well
Christ’s truth must always climb
Death to sinful nature
Leaving darkness, love sings out
Seeing salvation in heavens
Christ’s now commanding route
Joy’s eager voice shares praise
Accepting love’s gift of grace
Upholding redemption’s light
Christ’s forgiving embrace
From Lamentations 3:25-26: “The Lord is good to those who wait for Him, to the soul that seeks Him. It is good that one should wait quietly for the salvation of the Lord.”
Big Sky Buckeye 