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?
No one has yet fully realized the wealth of sympathy, kindness, and generosity hidden in the soul of the child.
The most vital right is the right to love and be loved.
Emma Goldman (1869-1940) was a Lithuanian-born writer and political activist.
From Psalm 13:5-6: “But I trusted in Your steadfast love; my heart shall rejoice in Your salvation. I will sing to the Lord because He has dealt bountifully with me.”
Tomorrow’s uncertainty
Darkness surrounds thee
Asking, where to turn?
Confidence, ready to flee
Focused on Bethlehem’s star
God invites our trust
Savior’s love fills heart
Assurance grows, steps adjust
Unwavering peace stirs hope
No longer afraid
Spirit lifting faith
Comfort found in joy’s upgrade
Rejoice in life’s salvation
Christ’s redeeming love
Heavenly praise sings
Unafraid, fed from above
God’s righteousness shares vision
Blessing faith’s new lease
Seeds sown with mercy
Confidence blooms, lasting peace
From the words of Canadian writer and Christian blogger, Ann Voskamp: “There is an unwavering peace today when an uncertain tomorrow is trusted to an unchanging God.
From Matthew 14:25-27: “And early in the morning He came walking toward them on the sea. But when the disciples saw Him walking on the sea, they were terrified, saying, ‘It is a ghost!’ And they cried out in fear. But immediately Jesus spoke to them and said, ‘Take heart, it is I; do not be afraid.'”
Facing life’s darkest times
Tempest sweeping over thee
Hiding from storm’s anger
Light’s shadow approaching thee
Fearing who comes forward
His tenderness touches thee
Rising from death’s darkness
His body’s blood saving thee
Recognizing Jesus
His hand reaches out to thee
Quieting surging tides
Joy now rushes upon thee
Hearing His faithful voice
Savior’s grace now covers thee
Forgiving life’s missteps
Redemption now awaits thee
Witnessing faith in Christ
Eternal love surrounds thee
Securing hope with peace
Tomorrow brightens for thee
From Matthew 14:28-30: “Peter answered Him, ‘Lord, if it is you, command me to come to You on the water.’ He said, ‘Come.’ So Peter got out of the boat, started walking on the water, and came toward Jesus.”
Remember, ultimately we are not submitting to human authority but to divine authority.
From 1 Thessalonians 3:11-12: “Now may our God and Father Himself and our Lord Jesus direct our way to you. And may the Lord make you increase and abound in love for one another and for all, just as we abound in love for You.”
Charles Swindoll (born 1934) is an American pastor and Christian author.
From 1 Corinthians 13:13: “And now faith, hope, and love abide, these three; and the greatest of these is love.”
Living hollow life without love
Nothing but emptiness, thereof
Disconnected faith fills our veins
Minus love, tall mountains remain
Mankind’s meaningless possessions
Forgotten in life’s recessions
Worldly knowledge, means so little
Love gently binds, never brittle
Love arrives with Holy kindness
Patience without any blindness
Never arrogant or hateful
Without envy, always grateful
Jesus teaches, love each other
Sincere love, sisters and brothers
Caring God so loved this dark world
Christ’s own unselfish love unfurled
From a blood-stained Cross comes His Grace
Love speaks out, sin falls on its face
Our Lord offers His Holy gift
Faith, hope, love . . . no longer adrift
God’s Word delivers life’s new lease
Love triumphs, building lasting peace
From the words of Christian theologian, Reinhold Niebuhr: “The cross symbolizes a cosmic as well as a historic truth. Love conquers the world, but its victory is not an easy one.”
Originally published September, 2020.
Big Sky Buckeye 