Faith in Jesus (Elfchen Series #266)

Always

Confident

Embracing peace

Transcended through Christ

Gathered in His love

Courageous

Photo by Enzo Natale Ferrari on Pexels.com

Truthful

Compassion

Accepting grace

Nourished through Christ

Assured of His spirit

Undeniable

Photo by Pixabay on Pexels.com

Witness

Trust

Fulfilling light

Saved through Christ

Transformed by His hope

Everlasting

Photo by Magda Ehlers on Pexels.com

D. L. Moody Quote

Photo by Dhivakaran S on Pexels.com

There cannot be any peace where there is uncertainty.

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.”

D. L. Moody (1837-1899), also known as Dwight Lyman Moody, was an American evangelist and Christian teacher.  He is frequently credited with inspiring modern mass revivalism.

Everyday Joys (Haiku Series #342)

This Very Hour

Nature’s rendezvous

Tasting every breath of grace—

Tomorrow can wait

Photo by Orhan Pergel on Pexels.com

Every Blessed Step

Morning peace gathers

Hiking on destiny’s trails—

Close to Creator

Photo by Roberto Shumski on Pexels.com

Taking Extra Time

Joining for breakfast

Coffee plus conversation—

Life “over easy”

Photo by Antoni Shkraba Studio on Pexels.com

Father’s Voice

From John 14:23-24:  “Jesus answered him, ‘Those who love me will keep My word, and My Father will love them, and We will come to them and make Our home with them.  Whoever does not love Me does not keep My words, and the word that you hear is not Mine but is from the Father who sent Me.”

Photo by Tima Miroshnichenko on Pexels.com

Called to daily worship

Time spent with Father’s Word

Sharing insight about life

His light no longer blurred

 

Worry replaced by faith

Closeness to Father’s voice

Praising every morning’s peace

His grace offers thee choice

 

Earthly things mean little

Truth found in Father’s Word

Seeking treasure in Heaven

His mercy freshly stirred

 

Wisdom gains its foothold

Nourished from Father’s voice

Understanding life’s purpose

His promises rejoice

 

Photo by Summer Stock on Pexels.com

From Psalm 18:13:  “The Lord also thundered in the heavens, and the Most High uttered His voice.”

Valley’s Sunrise

Photo by Mateusz Sau0142aciak on Pexels.com

Gentle morning clouds

Gather above lofty peaks

Valley awakens

From nightly mystique

 

Misty rain drops in

Moisture covers quiet fields

Valley’s sunrise climbs

Rainbow’s blessed shield

 

Lake’s tranquil waters

Every fisherman’s delight

Valley smiling back

Trout ready to bite

 

River’s pace slows down

Dam hidden at canyon’s gate

Valley sings with joy

Faith’s daily soul mate

 

Creator shares peace

Small town’s unflappable pace

Valley’s spirit leads

Witness morning’s grace

 

Photo by mark soetebier on Pexels.com

Monday Memories: Living Truths

From Proverbs 23:23:  “Buy truth, and do not sell it; buy wisdom, instruction, and understanding.”

Photo by RODNAE Productions on Pexels.com

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

 

Photo by Garon Piceli on Pexels.com

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.”

Originally published December, 2020.

Righteousness Leads

From Psalm 138:7:  “Though I walk in the midst of trouble, You preserve me against the wrath of my enemies; You stretch out Your hand, and Your right hand delivers me.”

Photo by Pixabay on Pexels.com

Facing great troubles

Darkness surrounds thee

Grasping faith’s mighty Rock

Through Christ’s grace, one sees

 

Delivering light

Victory at hand

Watching enemy flee

Forever Christ stands

 

Fulfilling purpose

Gentle voice shares love

Lasting promise of peace

Christ views from above

 

Rising with new life

Fed with living bread

Preserving lasting hope

From Christ’s blood, He shed

 

Praising His Father

Mighty are His deeds

Sharing joy from His heart

Christ’s righteousness leads

 

Photo by Rodolfo Clix on Pexels.com

From Psalm 138:8:  “The Lord will fulfill His purpose for me; Your steadfast love, O Lord, endures forever.  Do not forsake the work of Your hands.”

Monday Memories: Ultimate Grace

From Romans 5:1-2:  “Therefore, since we are justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have obtained access to this grace in which we stand; and we boast in our hope of sharing the glory of God.”

Photo by Pixabay on Pexels.com

Our sinful nature

Takes Christ to the Cross

God responds with love

Grace reaches across

 

Jesus defeats death

Living cornerstone

Sacred salvation

Grace comes to atone

 

Father’s gift of life

Receive daily bread

Through our faith alone

Grace walking ahead

 

Christ teaches of love

Shares His peace of mind

Hearts and minds now cleansed

Grace saving mankind

 

Never fear again

Look forward to peace

Fate sealed with God’s love

Grace, life’s Holy lease

 

Photo by RODNAE Productions on Pexels.com

From the words of American pastor and Christian teacher, Charles Stanley:  “When facing painful trials, we may be tempted to doubt God’s love for us.  Remember that God orchestrated the greatest demonstration of love possible–His Son’s death on the cross.”

Originally published November, 2020.

Monday Memories: Keep It Simple

From Proverbs 15:15:  “All the days of the poor are hard, but a cheerful heart has a continual feast.”

Photo by Alexander Zvir on Pexels.com

Life draining, more exhausted each day

Skies and mind, filling with darkest gray

 

Feet feeling locked, stuck in deepest mud

Fear turns on its spigot, now a flood

 

Advice shouts from all comers, all sides

Inner soul overwhelmed, faith divides

 

Daily walk, no longer stunning bright

Chaos reigns, becoming lasting night

 

Seasoned man, parked at Main Street’s corner

Life hits pause, who is this foreigner?

 

His thoughts and words, simple in their task

Holy Spirit reaches, to unmask

 

Keep it simple, fill your life with love

God’s peace, bringing comfort from above

 

In an instant, the wise sage departs

Night transforms to day, love fills this heart

 

Photo by Lukas Rodriguez on Pexels.com

From 1 John 5:3-4:  “ For the love of God is this, that we obey His commandments.  And His commandments are not burdensome, for whatever is born of God conquers the world.  And this is the victory that conquers the world, our faith.”

Originally published November, 2020.

Wilderness Backpack

Central Ohio’s Chestnut Ridge Metro Park (June, 2020).

Hidden in forest’s depths

Creator’s kingdom reigns

Moving with quiet breath

Feeding nature’s unbroken chain

 

Spontaneous landscape

Creator’s rhythm sings

Breathing beauty’s freshness

Witnessing all that summer brings

 

Trees towering above

Creator fills each scene

Overflowing with peace

Reaching to heavens, grass so green

 

Tranquil waters roam free

Creator’s grace gives back

Nourishing youngest plants

Equipping wilderness backpack

 

Busy traffic drives by

Immune to forest’s sigh

Missing treasures within

Creator frames sunset’s goodbye

 

Photo by Ahmet Yu00fcksek u272a on Pexels.com