Lost
Darkest wilderness
Focusing on Light
Mercy shall be waiting
Found
Believing
Never forsaken
Conversation with God
Faithful trust connects daily
Prayer
Discouraged
Frozen outlook
Spirit’s warming presence
Gentle rain of grace
Encouraged
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.
From John 12:12-13: “The next day the great crowd that had come to the festival heard that Jesus was coming to Jerusalem. So they took branches of palm trees and went out to meet Him, shouting, ‘Hosanna! Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord—the King of Israel!'”
Son of Man enters city
Making final human walk
Fulfilling Father’s design
Ignoring others who mock
Many celebrate Jesus
Thinking He shall be their king
Throwing off Roman rulers
Ignoring grace, set to spring
Enemy sees victory
Overlooking supreme God
Forgetting Christ’s destiny
Ignoring his evil fraud
Calvary’s lonely Cross weeps
Covering in Savior’s blood
Setting up love to conquer
Releasing mercy to flood
Resurrection breathes forever
Proclaiming lasting Good News
Building bridge to salvation
Raising faith’s redemptive view
From Ephesians 1:7-9: “In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of His grace that He lavished on us. With all wisdom and insight He has made known to us the mystery of His will, according to His good pleasure that He set forth in Christ.”
From Psalm 69:14: “Rescue me from sinking in the mire; let me be delivered from my enemies and from the deep waters.”
Watching man’s plight
God takes human form
Breathing Scripture’s cues
Mercy conquers storm
Stumbling in faith
God sees lack of trust
Sending His own Son
Evil becomes dust
Breaking sin’s chains
Calvary’s blood flows
Kneeling in prayer
Light enters shadows
Walking through fire
Grace making descent
Pulsing with courage
God always present
Witnessing cross
Spirit opens eyes
Accepting Jesus
God, more than life-size
From 1 Corinthians 6:11: “And this is what some of you used to be. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and in the Spirit of our God.”
When you find yourself slumping in shame or giving way to guilt, remind yourself of this: You have been chosen by the Good Shepherd. He wants you in His flock.
From John 15:16: “You did not choose me, but I chose you. And I appointed you to go and bear fruit, fruit that will last, so that the Father will give you whatever you ask Him in My name.”
From the words of American pastor and Christian author, Charles Swindoll: “When I’m able, by faith, to sense God’s hand in my situation, my attitude will be right.”
Giving thanks to God
His mighty deeds
Singing with praises
Spirit shall lead
Seeking God’s wisdom
His steadfast hand
Offering mercy
Across this land
Recalling God’s works
His love transforms
Trusting righteousness
Throughout each storm
Praying before God
His sacred Word
Sharing gratitude
Voice always heard
Walking with God’s grace
By faith alone
Keeping his statutes
Life’s firm backbone
Observing God’s strength
Joy singing out
Shaping attitude
Heart never doubts
From Psalm 105:4-5: “Seek the Lord and His strength; seek His presence continually. Remember the wonderful works He has done, His miracles and the judgments He has uttered.”
From Colossians 1:12-14: “Giving thanks to the Father, who has enabled you to share in the inheritance of the saints in the light. He has rescued us from the power of darkness and transferred us into the kingdom of His beloved Son, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.”
Life’s challenging journey
Filled with traps of despair
Father always with us
Pulling each from evil’s snare
Life’s tormenting voices
Dragged into darkest seas
Father always with us
Catching mercy’s faithful breeze
Life’s foolish decisions
Swayed by misplaced actions
Father always with us
Forgiving sin’s transactions
Life’s pride overflowing
Drowned amongst false idols
Father always with us
Responding to His bridle
Life’s unforgiving walk
Misguided force’s fraud
Father always with us
Walking with transforming God
From 1 John 1:8: “ If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.”
God has a course mapped out for your life, and all the inadequacies in the world will not change His mind. He will be with you every step of the way. And though it may take time, He has a celebration planned for when you cross over the “Red Seas” of your life.
From Philippians 4:4-7: “Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, Rejoice. Let your gentleness be known to everyone. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”
From Psalm 46:1: “God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.”
Imperfect life’s darkness
One more faltering step
Defeat again knocking
Discouragement’s doorstep
Observing faithful light
Glowing with lasting hope
Strength in adversity
Grasping mercy’s firm rope
Hearing Father, trust grows
Transforming future days
Faith journey maturing
Receiving grace, let’s pray
Evil’s message scuttled
Healing from Father’s hand
Peace brings lasting comfort
Affirming His commands
Beholding mighty works
Melting away concerns
Impossible vanquished
Trusting Father’s U-turn
From the words of English-born preacher Charles Inwood: “When God is going to do a wonderful thing, He begins with a difficulty. When He is going to do a very wonderful thing, He begins with an impossibility.”
From Matthew 4:16-17: “The people who sat in darkness have seen a great light, and for those who sat in the region and shadow of death light has dawned.”
Beneath ocean’s depths
Hearing whispers of hope
God’s mercy always reigns
Transforming life’s scope
Atop mountain peaks
Echoing faith sings out
God’s righteousness descends
Removing all doubt
Across each valley
Lasting hymns, filled with pride
God’s nurturing love acts
Sending grace, Son guides
Throughout darkest world
Navigating light now leads
Christ’s faithful message calms
Healing’s peace proceeds
From Calvary’s cross
Searching for sheep, now lost
Good Shepherd never fails
Paying every cost
From Hebrews 13:20-21: “Now may the God of peace, who brought back from the dead our Lord Jesus, the great shepherd of the sheep, by the blood of the eternal covenant, make you complete in everything good so that you may do His will, as He works among us that which is pleasing in His sight, through Jesus Christ, to whom be the glory forever. Amen.”
Never forget, when you have lost your faith, when God is no longer real to you–go back. Go back to the last place you saw Him. He will be waiting for you there.
From Isaiah 30:18: “Therefore the Lord waits to be gracious to you; therefore he will rise up to show mercy to you. For the Lord is a God of justice; blessed are all those who wait for him.”
Martha Williamson is a television producer, who is best known for her contributions as the head writer and executive producer of the award-winning television series, “Touched by an Angel.”
Big Sky Buckeye 