You need a team. You need people to push you. You need opponents.
Jazz can show us how to work together, while also celebrating our obvious differences.
Wynton Marsalis (born 1961) is an American trumpeter and composer. He promotes both classical and jazz music, and he has spent numerous hours sharing his music and message with young people. He has received nine Grammy Awards.
Candlelight reaches into darkness
Lasting symbol of perseverance
Winter’s persistent cold approaches
Gallant and stalwart hearts warm within
Interrupted basic needs of life
Power, heat, and water sometimes dwindle
Daily tension builds, never leaving
Terror rains down from harsh sky above
Civilians facing frequent attacks
Resilience shadows endless fear
Taking nothing today for granted
Blessed gratitude for another day
Nation’s spirit remains vigilant
Looking ahead to final breakthrough
Coldest darkness shall be overcome
Determined faces tell the world so
Always looking toward tomorrow
Morning’s light, never cast away
Everlasting dreams of victory
Proud people keep freedom’s fire glowing
Calling out to fellow world nations
Never forget lessons we teach you
The journey of a vicious and unforgiving war in Ukraine has touched countless people in profound ways. May a compassionate world continue to pray for this nation. The spirit of freedom and self-determination survives each and every day.
Filling myths with good, bad, ugly
Fictional tales grow in stature
Snarling summer heat, winter cold
Hostile climate conditions reign
Dreaming to grow up as cowboys
Distraught mothers asking sons, “Why?”
Blessing every cowboy and horse
Inseparable life partners
Riding herd on open prairie
Longest, loneliest days and nights
Hungering for silver and gold
Outlaws robbing another train
Breathing fire with every six-gun
Unbeatable law of Old West
Searching dreams, with each hard day’s ride
Drifters, without any name
Pursuing mystical treasure
Phantom fortunes never found
Covering endless, open range
Enormous ranches stretching out
Seeking freedom, farming homesteads
Young families journey out west
Springing up, middle of nowhere
Small towns come alive overnight
Begging for help, clean up our town
Citizens hire ageless lawman
Enduring hard life, little pay
Old West struggles, never fading
The best feeling in the world is seeing the benefits and rewards of hard work.
The only time you should look back in life, is to see how far you have come.
Kevin Hart (born 1979) is an American comedian and actor. He identifies himself as a Christian and opening talks about his faith.
From Matthew 14:23-25: “And after He [Jesus] had dismissed the crowds, He went up the mountain by Himself to pray. When evening came, He was there alone, but by this time the boat, battered by the waves, was far from the land, for the wind was against them. And early in the morning He came walking toward them on the sea.”
Facing challenges
Feel nourishing calm
Fed with Living Bread
Holy Spirit’s balm
Sailing into wind
Swelling, stormy waves
Seeking God’s compass
Eternal grace saves
Witnessing hardships
Gale arrives today
God never leaves us
Teaching us to pray
Smothering tempest
Evil’s wrath scolding
Finding God’s refuge
His peace beholding
Overcoming storms
Daily lessons teach
Hearing Gospel’s call
Rescued from tide’s breach
From Proverbs 10:25: “When the tempest passes, the wicked are no more, but the righteous are established forever.”
Inviting
Each generation
Into God’s story
From bondage to freedom
Faithfulness
Overcoming
Daily trials
Recalling Bible’s truth
Pilgrimage with our Savior
Faithfulness
Surrounding
Life’s rhythm
Knowing and trusting
Word of our Lord
Faithfulness
When it’s too difficult to keep swimming, float.
It’s so easy to look around and notice what’s wrong. It takes practice to see what’s right.
Melody Beattie (born 1948) is an American author. From her own life experiences, she has written several self-help books.
Every
Given day
Blessings of peace
Christ walks among us
Spellbinding
Gospel
Speaks boldly
Treasure every word
Glories of God’s law
Beholding
Darkness
Surrounding thee
Facing tumultuous waters
God never stops helping
Sustaining
Waiting . . .
Another minute
Problems downsizing
Lasting peace rising
Morning coffee brewed
Caffeine powers up
With every cup
Morning traffic jam
Anxiety parking
Shortcut embarking
Waiting . . .
Autumn’s arrival
Dazzling colors sing
Annual fall fling
Grocery line backup
Accept life’s downtime
Conversation time
Baby coming soon
First-time mother shines
Love’s newest headline
Waiting . . .
Hearty breakfast served
Blueberry pancakes
Hunger takes its break
Plane’s late departure
Airport’s normal tune
Returning home soon
Career door opens
New community
Opportunity
Waiting . . .
Life’s worries mounting
One more sleepless night
Sunrise shares insight
Page finally turns
Cherished feelings roam
Love finding its home
Day’s special moment
New baby arrives
Joining life’s archives
Big Sky Buckeye 