Excited for Jesus

From John 3:16:  “For God so loved the world that He gave His only Son, so that everyone who believes in Him may not perish but may have eternal life.”

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Stirred up, walk with Jesus

Taking mercy’s high ground

Sharing our Savior

Hope never wavers

 

Overjoyed with Jesus

Stepping forward to serve

Loving our Savior

Grace never wavers

 

Pumped up for Jesus

Witnessing to others

Trusting our Savior

Peace never wavers

 

Thrilled to follow Jesus

Accepting Him always

Blessing our Savior

Joy never wavers

 

Moved to be with Jesus

Praying for each other

Meeting our Savior

Trust never wavers

 

Excited for Jesus

Living in His Kingdom

Praising our Savior

Faith never wavers

 

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From Philippians 1:6:  “I am confident of this, that the one who began a good work in you will continue to complete it until the day of Jesus Christ.”

Patience Fills Time

From James 1:2-4:  “My brothers and sisters, whenever you face various trials, consider it all joy, because you know that the testing of your faith produces endurance.  And let endurance complete its work, so that you may be complete and whole, lacking in nothing.”

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Single stone slows march of time

Needing release from ocean’s waves

Reaching beneath, faith clearly climbs

Mercy of Christ always saves

 

Patience fills time, every hour

Following brightest light of Christ

Ringing from Heaven’s bell tower

Grace flows from blood sacrificed

 

Nature’s lasting, treasured gifts

Offering wellspring of Christ’s peace

Awakening from sinful drift

Hope renews from Spirit’s lease

 

Empty heart fills with Christ’s love

Overflowing confidence shines

Bestowing His Word from above

Trust in following each sign

 

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From Galatians 5:22-24:  “By contrast, the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, generosity, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.  There is no law against such things.  And those who belong to Christ have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.”

Another Day (Haiku Series #218)

Quiet Perseverance

Reasons to finish

Overcoming challenges—

Never giving in

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Yesterday’s Peace

Time’s quiet moments

Opening each memory—

Never forgotten

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Treasures Waiting

In searching life’s depths

Finding intended nuggets—

Few others shall see

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Leo Tolstoy Quote

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If you want to be happy, try only to please God, not people.

Proverbs 16:7:  “When the ways of people please the Lord, He causes even their enemies to be at peace with them.”

Leo (Count Lev Nikolayevich) Tolstoy (1828-1910) was a Russian writer.  Many consider him to be one the world’s greatest authors of all-time.

Listen in Silence

From Isaiah 41:1:  “Listen to Me in silence, O coastlands; let the peoples renew their strength; let them approach, then let them speak; let us together draw near for judgment.”

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Daily life racing ahead

Bearing with its constant noise

Searching for journey’s beachhead

Father’s mercy transmits poise

 

Listen in silence, God speaks

Hearing His comforting voice

Quieting peace, each heart seeks

Father calms, let man rejoice

 

Heaven breathes, stillness exhales

Shining His light, never fear

Leaving dark, wilderness trails

Father leading, always near

 

Schedule time, only for God

Drawing near, learning His way

Transforming sinful facade

Father’s blessed Word, let’s pray

 

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American writer Madeleine L’Engle captures the essence of meaning found in this poem with these words:  “Deepest communion with God is beyond words, on the other side of silence.”

God’s Embrace

From Psalm 85:5-6:  “Will you be angry with us forever?  Will you prolong your anger to all generations?  Will you not revive us again, so that your people may rejoice in you?”

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Searching to find peace

Hidden by dark winds

Discomfort arrives

For mankind hath sinned

 

Touched by God’s embrace

Peace steps into light

Feeling His comfort

Grace washes flesh white

 

Praying to Father

Hope now reaches out

Finding peace at last

His Word carries clout

 

Steps walking in faith

God’s love shall not cease

Replacing darkness

Sharing endless peace

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From Luke 2:12-14:  “This will be a sign for you: you will find a child wrapped in bands of cloth and lying in a manger.  And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host, praising God and saying, ‘Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace among those whom He favors!'”

Everyday Blessings (Elfchen Series #134)

New Day

Life’s

Inevitable waves

Cascading with doubt

Jesus refreshes us daily

Peace

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New Strength

Through

God’s grace

No longer filled

With darkness of weakness

Hope

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New Life

Christ’s

Always leading

Finding His redemption

Guided by mercy’s lighthouse

Love

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Hannah Whitall Smith Quote

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Where the soul is full of peace and joy, outward surroundings and circumstances are of comparatively little account.

From John 14:27:  “Peace I leave with you; My peace I give to you.  I do not give to you as the world gives.  Do not let your hearts be troubled, and do not let them be afraid.”

Hannah Whitall Smith (1832-1911) was an American lay speaker and Christian author.  She was an active voice during the women’s suffrage movement as well as the temperance movement in the United States.

Winter’s Evening Cue

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Quiet fog whispers

Hanging above trees

Clouds resting on pines

Mist wanting to freeze

 

Landscape’s gentle peace

Transcending spirit

Now wanting to rest

Stillness, now hear it

 

Time ready to pause

Watching scene outside

Afternoon nap calls

Sleepy thoughts collide

 

Awake, look outdoors

Falling in rhythm

Fresh flakes floating down

Snow’s algorithm

 

White transformation

Mesmerizing view

Nature’s snowy blanket

Winter’s evening cue

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Looking Ahead

From the words of American-born philosopher, Pema Chadron:  “Be kinder to yourself, then let your kindness flood the world.”

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Waiting in life’s shadows, another year

Thinking conscious thoughts, ready to embrace

Setting aside more time for daydreaming

Leading to tomorrow’s energized space

 

Allowing positivity to shine

Sowing today’s seeds, filled with future hope

Reaping lasting harvest of inner peace

Looking ahead through New Year’s vivid scope

 

Finding humor’s lessons in life’s darkness

Focusing on single tasks, without more

Filling each day with heartfelt gifts of joy

Witnessing blessed year, coming ashore

 

Creating reservoirs of lasting light

Passing each on to others taking flight

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