Cherished Treasures

From Mark 10:14:16:  “‘Let the little children come to me; do not stop them; for it is to such as these that the kingdom of God belongs.  Truly I tell you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God as a little child will never enter it.’  And He took them up in His arms, laid His hands on them, and blessed them.”

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Our children and grandchildren

Grace fills their nurturing love

For generations to come

With God calling out with love

 

Young, innocent, and fragile

Our youth require constant love

Their welfare rests in our hands

With God sending lasting love

 

Our decisions beg wisdom

Cherished treasures need our love

Number “One” priority

With God shielding through His love

 

Unselfish, humble adults

Time to step forward with love

Our angry wrangling at rest

With God moving hearts with love

 

Common sense should always lead

Precious children seek our love

Misplaced actions now buried

With God dispatching His love

 

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From 1 Corinthians 13:11-13:  “When I was a child, I spoke like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child; when I became an adult, I put an end to childish ways.  For now we see in a mirror, dimly, but then we will see face to face. Now I know only in part; then I will know fully, even as I have been fully known.  And now faith, hope, and love abide, these three; and the greatest of these is love.”

As a community, we are called by God to provide for the health, safety, and welfare of our children and grandchildren.  There can be no greater calling when we are encouraged by the love and grace of our Heavenly Father.

Hungry Feast

From John 6:35:  “Jesus said to them, “I am the bread of life.  Whoever comes to me will never be hungry, and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty.”

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Gathering in community

Preparing for His Hungry Feast

Coming to Heavenly Father

Worshipping Christ, our Holy Priest

 

Traveling life’s difficult road

Hungering for peace in our hearts

Tasting fellowship with Jesus

Targeting us with grace-filled darts

 

Fulfilling hope from Father’s love

Joining at His holy table

Seeking lasting, peaceful comfort

Witnessing Bethlehem’s stable

 

Rejecting evil’s dark presence

Praising and worshipping our Lord

Filling our hunger from His feast

Riding Gospel’s train . . . all aboard!

 

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From Matthew 5:6:  “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled.”

The hymn “We Come to the Hungry Feast” inspired the writing of this poem.  Some churches also use this tune as a communion hymn.

God’s Steady Hand (Haiku Series #146)

Always

Beware of idols

Turning away, seeking truth—

Placing faith in God

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Everlasting

Love abides in God

Seeking lost and wayward sheep—

Welcoming each home

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Forever

Father, be gracious

Faithful promises leading—

Hearing each prayer

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Charles Stanley Quote

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When Jesus asks His followers to be like salt, He is reminding us that we are valuable and necessary in bringing out the best–in one another as well as the world–through ordinary acts of service, mercy, love, and humility.

From Mark 9:49-50:  “For everyone will be salted with fire.  Salt is good; but if salt has lost its saltiness, how can you season it?  Have salt in yourselves, and be at peace with one another.”

Always Near (Haiku Series #143)

Encouragement

Facing life’s problems

Alone in harsh wilderness—

Hearing Father’s voice

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Restoration

Lord’s steady hand cares

Removes life’s withered, dark past—

Prunes with love and grace

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Answers

Every morning

Faithfulness and righteousness—

God’s channel broadcasts

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Monday Memories: Sweetest Love

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Love springs eternal in many, beautiful forms

Helping to ease some of life’s angry storms

 

A mother focuses on her handsome new boy

Rocking him fast to sleep, she’s filled with joy

 

A teacher reaches out to his unsettled class today

Filling the room with learning, discovering a way

 

A nervous man asks a pretty woman for a date

Dreaming, could marriage be their future fate?

 

A son calls upon his ailing mother quite often

Bringing love that helps her illness to soften

 

A mature couple capturing romance from afar

Tying ribbons of love, reaching heaven’s stars

 

A young girl eagerly waits by the window all day

Jumping into her father’s lap with much to say

 

A caring wife prepares a meal by candlelight

Inspiring a time of love with her man tonight

 

A family cherishes togetherness for all

Adding gentle love that will never fall

 

A romantic husband brings flowers to his bride

Adding fragrance and beauty, their love amplified

 

A young couple ties marriage’s knot with “We do”

Cherishing their love, feeling deeply rich and true

 

God sends His Son, offering His greatest gift

Washing away our sins, lives no longer adrift

 

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This poem was written and published back in February, 2019.  In looking at its original form, I found an opportunity to improve a few flaws in its presentation.

Healing Brokenness

From Psalm 103:1-5:  “Bless the Lord, O my soul, and all that is within me, bless His holy name.  Bless the Lord, O my soul, and do not forget all His benefits—who forgives all your iniquity, who heals all your diseases, who redeems your life from the Pit, who crowns you with steadfast love and mercy, who satisfies you with good as long as you live so that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s.”

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Scattered by earth’s hopeless winds

Relationships, bodies, hearts

Life filling with brokenness

Divine healing, God imparts

 

Father, Son, Holy Spirit

Healing comes from purest source

Balm of hope offers treatment

Mind, body, and soul endorse

 

Amazing grace saves sinners

Hope now strengthens and rebounds

Mercy and love rebuild faith

Forgiveness heals and surrounds

 

Healing balm making us whole

Caring for lifetime of scars

Miracle restores fullness

God’s Glory shining from stars

 

Finding places and people

Savior Jesus leads our way

Bearing our burdens as well

Healing brokenness this day

 

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A traditional African-American spritual, “There Is a Balm in Gilead,” serves as an inspiring complement to this poem.  You are invited to take a moment to listen.

Coretta Scott King Quote

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The greatness of a community is most accurately measured by the compassionate actions of its members.

From Colossians 3:12-13:  “As God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience.  Bear with one another and, if anyone has a complaint against another, forgive each other; just as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive.

Mother Teresa Quote

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I have found the paradox, that if you love until it hurts, there can be no more hurt, only more love.

From Colossians 3:14:  “ Above all, clothe yourselves with love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony.”

Always Present

From Psalm 27:1:  “The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear?  The Lord is the stronghold of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?”

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Father walking nearby

Hearing heartfelt prayers

Healing life’s brokenness

Always present, God cares

 

Dark fears and emotions

Steps stumble, almost fall

Slowly confidence grows

Feeding faith from God’s call

 

Recalling faithfulness

God’s hope covers this place

Healing former despairs

Love shining through His grace

 

During days of trouble

Stirring praises of joy

Father’s shelter protects

Grace’s refuge deploys

 

Once withdrawn in darkness

His light calling lives out

Always present, God cares

Love covering throughout

 

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From Psalm 27:13-14:  “I believe that I shall see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living.  Wait for the Lord; be strong, and let your heart take courage; wait for the Lord!”