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
From Psalm 92:12-15: “The righteous flourish like the palm tree, and grow like a cedar in Lebanon. They are planted in the house of the Lord; they flourish in the courts of our God. In old age they still produce fruit; they are always green and full of sap, showing that the Lord is upright; He is my rock, and there is no unrighteousness in Him.”
River of life, unceasing in its travels
Mysteries of life, shall ever unravel
From heavenly source, cascades living water
Shaping clay, molded by Creation’s potter
When ultimate challenges travel too high
Overcoming all odds, courage one’s ally
Life’s purpose, taking self far from safety’s home
Discovering meaning, hidden catacombs
Fate knocking, invisible hand clearly seen
Traveling waters, transparent with routine
Years continue to advance, filled with Lord’s grace
Breathing enduring joy, from life’s timeless chase
Life’s sunset glimmers, over cloudless skyline
Looking back, years richer than any gold mine
Mysteries of life, eternally fulfilled
River of life, journey which only God builds
From the words of American pastor and Christian teacher, Charles Stanley: “Our bodies may age, but we get old only if we choose to do so–attitude is what makes the difference.”
From Proverbs 23:23: “Buy truth, and do not sell it; buy wisdom, instruction, and understanding.”
Philosophy breathes steady, faith’s living truths
Waiting with wisdom, long missing from our youth
Life’s daily chase may not be worth small treasure
Reading God’s Word, bringing life’s honest measure
Plan on giving more to others than ourselves
Blessing us with far more than dusty bookshelves
Jesus teaches us to treat others with love
Harnessing our Lord’s grace and peace from above
Trust lives as hope’s virtue, never to be lost
Securing it tightly, at ultimate cost
Our daily comfort zone brings false sense of peace
Rising up with Christ, offering life’s new lease
Failure teaches toughest lessons of living
Earning later success, praise with thanksgiving
Mankind’s world spins daily, filled with too much change
Praying to God, calms life with daily exchange
From James 1:17-18: “Every generous act of giving, with every perfect gift, is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change. In fulfillment of His own purpose He gave us birth by the word of truth, so that we would become a kind of first fruits of His creatures.”
From Romans 15:13: “May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.”
Life’s journey suddenly growing cold
Living under clouds of uncertainty
No longer feeling confident and bold
Even confident people possess fears
Overcome by unplanned dilemmas
Feeling much like the rest of our peers
Our faithful prayers will be heard
God’s will scatters those stormy clouds
Never lose hope, listen to His Word
As neighbors, our love supports each other
Through our steadfast encouragement
Children of God, true sisters and brothers
Tackling problems on life’s clipboard
Filled with determination and courage
Walking in confidence with our Lord
From the words of German-Dutch Christian author, Thomas a Kempis: “Oh, how great peace and quietness would he possess who should cut off all vain anxiety and place all his confidence in God.”
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Failing once again
Life’s troubles bomb away
Whom shall I turn to?
Failing once again
Darkness moves ever closer
Where is the light?
Failing once again
Shame swallows me up
How can my spirit be restored?
Failing once again
Life’s torments engulf me
Why . . . why?
Failing once again
Loneliness surrounds my heart
What recourse do I have?
Failing once again
Life’s hour glass, now nearly empty
When will I be free?
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Failing once again . . .
Turning to my Heavenly Father
Never thinking of me as a bother
From a Cross, Salvation’s light sheds hope
Pulled up from the Pit by a Holy rope
Kneeling before the Savior, sins and all
Humbling following Him will be my call
Through a broken body and shed blood
By Grace alone, escaping life’s flash flood
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The structure of this poem features dual parts. In the beginning verses, the reader is taken to a much darker place. Using themes of sorrow, darkness, and hopelessness presents a challenge to both the reader and the writer. In answering the questions found in the poem, the ending verses are structured around common Christian themes of hope, joy, light, and rebirth.
This poem is inspired from viewing one of the posts from Alex Markovich Art. His Watercolor Sketch 43 stopped me in my writing tracks. Check out his site for further watercolor sketches, Russian postcards, and much more. There are plenty of incredible images.
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Walking this lonely road
Losing count of each step
Packing life’s hefty load
Careful not to misstep
Miles of infinite road
Where will it finally end?
Life scanned, like some bar code
What lies around the bend?
Few answers on this road
Walking day after day
Needing life to reload
Feeling like nature’s prey
Danger lurks on this road
Always staying alert
Life delayed in safe mode
Old, worn boots kicking dirt
Life resembles this road
Challenges come and go
Heavy, infinite load
Never walking too slow
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Reading through the last four entries in my journal, God brought inspiration to bring this praise to Him. There entries provide the bulk of the this poem, along with a few selected writings of Apostle Peter. I hope this poem sustains hope in you during your daily journey. During Lenten season, we are reminded of the hope we receive through Jesus’ walk to an old rugged Cross.
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With God’s truth leading us
Our faith growing each day
Fueled by our Lord above
Hope responds, let us pray
God guides with steadiness
Navigating our ship
Through ever-present storms
Safe on our Lord’s flagship
Life-giving hearts may hide
Our emotional selves
Yet, other times we find
God’s Word within ourselves
Sometimes, life proclaims
Our “red badge of courage”
Straight into inner souls
Our faith will encourage
Much like a frigid wind
Freezing our tender face
Life challenges us to bear
Torment covered by grace
Through our Father’s mercy
A new birth, a living hope
Jesus . . . Resurrection
Life viewed through His new scope
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From 1 Peter 1:3-5: “Blessed be the God and Father our Lord Jesus Christ! By His great mercy He has given us a new birth into a living hope through the Resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, and into an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you, who are being protected by the power of God through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.”
Big Sky Buckeye 