The only way to find happiness in the grind of life is to do so by faith.
From 2 Corinthians 5:6-7: “So we are always confident, even though we know that while we are at home in the body we are away from the Lord—for we walk by faith, not by sight.”
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.”
Originally published April, 2020.
In recent weeks, high level winds have moved a thick, smoky haze from Canadian wildfires into the airspace in some of the northern regions of the United States.
Northern-based fires burn
Smothering southern skies
Nature under assault
Day-by-day forecasts advise
Hazy, smoky skies
Hiding morning sunshine
Air quality alert
Heavens covered in disguise
Filtered sky above
Waiting for winds to change
Today must continue
Even though feeling short-changed
Fires now flaming out
Welcoming back blue sky
Sun makes blessed comeback
Disruptive smoke says goodbye
Nature overcomes
Pushing through stressful days
Time ahead brings healing
Sky offers hours to stargaze
Often it isn’t the mountains ahead that wear you out, it’s the little pebble in your shoe.
What you’re thinking is what you’re becoming.
Muhammad Ali (1942-2016) was an American professional boxer and humanitarian. He was regarded as one of the greatest boxers to ever step into the ring.
From Psalm 121:1-2: “I lift up my eyes to the hills—from where will my help come? My help comes from the Lord, who made heaven and earth.”
Echoing message of love
From whom will lasting hope thrive?
Looking to Father’s insight
His grace through faith comes alive
Awaking every morning
Eyes look to heavens above
Witnessing Father’s goodness
Filled with everlasting love
Carving out another day
Safe in Father’s guiding hands
Following His righteousness
Watchman over distant lands
Walking with our Creator
In Father’s glory, each time
Scaling mountainous darkness
Mercy’s light fills every climb
From Psalm 121:7-8: “The Lord will keep you from all evil; He will keep your life. The Lord will keep your going out and your coming in from this time on and forevermore.”
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.”
Big Sky Buckeye 