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?
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.”
