Searching
Unimaginable contrasts
Journey of paradox
Contentment as God intended
Faith
Trusting
Gospel’s vision
Nurturing healthy outlook
Spirit’s hand at work
Faith
Enduring
Challenging times
Tsunami of darkness
Firm foundation’s pilot light
Faith
Nature wakening
Early morning hour
Dawn’s new arrival
Whispering stillness
Nature witnessing
Unique day ahead
Heavens’ face brightens
Breathing peacefulness
Nature prevailing
Sunrise lifts her shade
Nighttime put to rest
Stirring each creature
Nature conceiving
Life breathes easily
Blossoms swell upward
Seeking tender warmth
Nature gathering
World founded from light
Rhythms now salute
Beaming melodies
From Luke 9:23: “Then He said to them all, ‘If any wish to come after Me, let them deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow Me.'”
Walking road of solitude
Every step heading somewhere
Today, meeting one stranger
“Come, follow me”—He declares
Hearing His witness of grace
Darkness transitions to light
Stranger’s Word sinking deeper
Rendezvous sealed with Spirit bright
Sharing His comfort of peace
Truth serving as Scripture’s guide
Stranger’s righteous heart affirms
Mercy’s breath comes alongside
Traveling as one each day
Faith’s journey follows high road
Stranger’s compass always true
Love unlocks atonement’s code
Seeing life’s purpose at last
Redemption at Heaven’s door
Stranger no more, Jesus Christ
Eternity comes ashore
From John 3:16: “For God so loved the world that He gave His only Son, so that everyone who believes in Him may not perish but may have eternal life.”
Beyond one’s normal
New, exciting perspective—
Trusted lens focused
Remembering TEAM
Life’s “Together Everyone—
Accomplishes More”
Boarding faithful train
Departing from dark despair—
Riding fate’s bright light
There is a crack in everything, that’s how the light gets in. (Taken from his song “Anthem”)
You who wish to conquer pain, you must learn what makes one kind.
Leonard Cohen (1934-2016) was a Canadian-American singer-songwriter as well as a poet and novelist.
Sinking
Enemy’s darkness
Waves crashing down
Empty tomb’s salvation light
Rising
Light
Father’s plan
Love’s ultimate sacrifice
Resurrection’s grace shines forever
Victorious
Witnessing
Blessed assurance
Light conquers darkness
Every sin forever paid
Redemption
Offering
Wisdom’s enlightenment
God with us
Guiding toward tomorrow’s light
Hope
Pausing
Prayerful moment
Talking with God
Minutes filling with hope
Moving
Lost
Descending darkness
Hope calling out
Returning to Good Shepherd
Found
Cloudless, morning sky lifting up her shade
Brilliant, yet subtle light cascading down
Generations of peace-filled accolades
Navigating each successful splashdown
Gentle breeze descends with expectant glance
Endlessly sharing her breath every hour
Invitations accepted for each dance
Feeling softness caressing each flower
Moisture gathers along distant skyline
Whisper of rain’s scent filling every space
Better than sweetest aroma of wine
Offering something precious to embrace
Lowering her shade at sunset each night
Dreaming of sunrise’s wakening light
This poem has been crafted as a traditional sonnet with 14 verses, each containing 10 syllables. An intricate rhyming scheme is followed in each stanza with every other verse.
From Luke 24:6-7: “Remember how He told you, while He was still in Galilee, that the Son of Man must be handed over to the hands of sinners and be crucified and on the third day rise again.”
Enemy’s motives
Darkness full of fraud
Life spiraling down
Behind his facade
Trapped, with no escape
Caught in evil’s net
Each wave crashing down
Sinking deeper yet
Flowing river’s faith
Never left alone
Christ walks on water
Freed from this millstone
Hearing trumpet sound
Redemption’s surge swells
Blessed assurance
Now soul shall be well
Blood pays any cost
Sins nailed to this tree
Witness empty tomb
Rising, Light now free!
The hymn “When Peace, Like a River” inspired the writing of this poem. The lyrics were written by Horatio Gates Spafford in 1873. The song is sometimes titled from a line in the popular refrain, “It Is Well With My Soul.”
Enduring
Endless storms
Light’s navigation calms
Returning to tranquil waters
Faith
Surrounding
Darkness overcome
Light’s merciful hand
Leading to higher ground
Hope
Sustaining
Light answers
Prayer fills heart
Continued devotion to Jesus
Grace
Big Sky Buckeye 