Oh! Yes, I do love Jesus, because He first loved me.
From Colossians 1:18: “He is the head of the body, the church; He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, so that He might come to have first place in everything.”
Charles Spurgeon (1834-1892) was an influential English preacher. Even in modern times, his writings and many sermons have remained a constant source of encouragement to Christians around the world. He has often be referred to as the “Prince of Preachers.”
Unseen by human eyes, a great exchange took place as Jesus hung on the cross. He took all our sin upon Him and bore the wrath of every single one . . . past, present, and future.
From Romans 8:38-39: “For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor rulers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor anything else in all creation will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.”
Charles Stanley (1932-2023) was an American pastor and Christian writer. He was dedicated to leading a teaching ministry.
Witnessing
Savior’s light
Tomorrow will wait
Worry less, pray more
Today
Receiving
Savior’s peace
Burdens take rest
Healing waters of grace
Hope
Fulfilling
Savior’s love
Forgiveness erases darkness
Walking mercy’s Emmaus Road
Redemption
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.
New window opens
Unique opportunities—
Embrace every breath
Lessons in patience
Potential storms move away—
Sunshine breaking through
Morning’s welcome note
Invitation for breakfast—
With love sprinkled in
From Micah 6:8: “He has told you, O mortal, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?”
Filled with mercy and love
God’s Word becoming flesh
Grace and truth, Christ proclaims
Spirit comes to refresh
God’s message resonates
Resist dark temptations
Gives grace to the humble
Receive His salvation
Believing in Jesus
Saved by “Amazing Grace”
Love transcends from above
Light shines upon each face
Doesn’t look for our faults
Our Lord never keeps score
His grace given freely
Loving us, evermore
Transformation through faith
Raising life from the dead
Unfathomable love
By grace, and blood Christ shed
From the words of American pastor and Christian author, Charles Swindoll: “Grace operates apart from the response or the ability of the individual. Grace is one-sided. Grace is God giving Himself in full acceptance to someone who does not deserve it and can never earn it and will never be able to repay.”
Originally published October, 2020.
Rekindled
Within thee
Spirit of truth
Grace rises with Christ
Encouragement
Devoted
To prayer
Spirit’s daily presence
Reaching out from Christ
Witness
Nourished
With goodness
Light’s eternal journey
Blessings through Christ’s love
Faith
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.
In tomorrow’s shadows
Worry waits to jump out
Disappointment crashes in
Filling waves with doubt
Aspirations seem dashed
Sunrise seemingly locked
Yesterday not forgotten
Seeing future blocked
Breath of sorrow surrounds
Hope seen flowing away
Another storm standing tall
Searching through its gray
Dreams no longer brightened
Today’s voyage postponed
Been at this moment before
Feeling self disowned
Freedom shares patient heart
Journey no longer drowned
Faithful love comes alongside
Sailing homeward-bound
Tender memories
Child’s early steps remembered—
Milestones filled with love
Young boy clearing path
Throwing shoveled snow behind—
Never looking back
Coming dearest wife
Arriving in a jiffy—
Lifetime partnership
From Colossians 3:1-2: “So if you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on the things that are above, not on the things that are on earth.”
Experiencing God’s grace
Feeling His generous love
Tasting heavenly goodness
New life found in Christ above
Renewing spirit of grace
Casting aside former ways
Escaping darkest trials
Christ’s sunrise erases gray
Drinking from God’s well of grace
Reading His Word, laced with hope
Sharing His righteous message
Faith matures, viewed through Christ’s scope
Embracing truth in God’s grace
Nourishing faith, now rejoice
Sustaining joy with each step
Christ’s glory in risen voice
Harvesting gifts from God’s grace
Setting mind on peace above
Filling heart with blessed hymns
Harmony flows from Christ’s love
From Colossians 3:15: “And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body. And be thankful.”
Soothing chocolate
Smothered with sweet marshmallows—
Another heart warmed
Freshly baked cookies
Smelling every sweet morsel—
Cannot eat just one
Coffee cup’s corner
Another fresh brew to taste—
Now, which one to choose?
Big Sky Buckeye 