Music does bring people together. It allows us to experience the same emotions.
Peace is a conscious choice.
John Denver (1943-1997) was an American singer and songwriter. Born in New Mexico, he would call Aspen, Colorado his home from 1971 until his death. The Colorado State Legislature adopted his “Rocky Mountain High” as one of its two state songs.
Distant memory
Winter’s breath melted away—
Rebirth springing up
Crisp April morning
Afternoon promises warmth—
Daffodils dancing
Sun’s setting calmness
Another night, nature rests—
Guaranteed sunrise
Witnessing
Savior’s light
Tomorrow will wait
Worry less, pray more
Today
Receiving
Savior’s peace
Burdens take rest
Healing waters of grace
Hope
Fulfilling
Savior’s love
Forgiveness erases darkness
Walking mercy’s Emmaus Road
Redemption
This series of poems (written in the German-inspired style of Elfchen or Elevenie) shares a total of eleven words in each poem, with a sequence by line of one, two, three, four, and one words.
From Psalm 23:4: Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.”
Always near
God’s mighty hand
From heavenly high
His creation, as planned
Mercy’s light
Shares daily bread
God’s comforting peace
Anchored at faith’s beachhead
Gospel’s breath
Fills from His Word
God delivers hope
Future no longer blurred
Harmony
Blessed with God’s love
Grace feeds man’s spirit
Established from above
Righteous road
God walks with thee
Promises fulfilled
Enemy’s darkness flees
From Genesis 28:15: “Know that I am with you and will keep you wherever you go and will bring you back to this land, for I will not leave you until I have done what I have promised you.”
Every wilderness journey
Another footprint unknown
Tomorrow always uncertain
Turning over each heavy stone
Lost among daylight’s darkness
With every tentative step
Smallest ember of light’s beacon
Finding vacant cabin’s doorstep
Door’s rusted hinges swing free
Waiting, barely hanging on
Vivid memories gather now
Warmly colored with worn crayons
Bushel of thoughts now arrive
Rekindled glow from fireplace
Yesterday no longer frozen
Gentleness cradles weathered face
Surrounded in breathless peace
Slumber’s cherished whisper calls
Weariness at last overcomes
Cuddled under nightly dream’s shawl
From Hebrews 11:1-3: “Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen. Indeed, by faith our ancestors received approval. By faith we understand that the worlds were prepared by the word of God, so that what is seen was made from things that are not visible.”
Faith in future unseen
Trusting God’s divine Word
Tasting His every truth
Steps taken, hope conferred
Faith finds each tomorrow
Hearing Shepherd’s firm voice
Welcoming hope with love
Peace filling every choice
Faith follows righteous path
Holding hope’s precious grace
According to God’s plan
Enemy gives up chase
Faith moving beyond fear
Finding mercy’s new light
Grasping Savior’s fresh rope
Hope shines forever bright
Faith offers endless joy
Returning to God’s home
Praising as One Body
Destined hope freely roams
From Psalm 23:6: “Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord my whole life long.”
Leaves falling early
Nature witnesses drought
Farmers’ harvest dwindles
Future seeming in doubt
Nation in crisis
Hopeful news faces drought
Today fills with darkness
Tomorrow seeks fresh route
World’s chaos deepens
Suffocated in drought
Actions for peace missing
Voices of anguish sprout
Leaves filling with green
Rainfall erases drought
Farmers’ outlook restored
Future transformed from doubt
Nation’s common ground
Compromise quelling drought
Hope’s spirit rekindled
Tomorrow walks new route
World commits to peace
Goodwill overcomes drought
Togetherness . . . one goal
Voices of courage sprout
From Colossians 3:1-2: “So if you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on the things that are above, not on the things that are on earth.”
Experiencing God’s grace
Feeling His generous love
Tasting heavenly goodness
New life found in Christ above
Renewing spirit of grace
Casting aside former ways
Escaping darkest trials
Christ’s sunrise erases gray
Drinking from God’s well of grace
Reading His Word, laced with hope
Sharing His righteous message
Faith matures, viewed through Christ’s scope
Embracing truth in God’s grace
Nourishing faith, now rejoice
Sustaining joy with each step
Christ’s glory in risen voice
Harvesting gifts from God’s grace
Setting mind on peace above
Filling heart with blessed hymns
Harmony flows from Christ’s love
From Colossians 3:15: “And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body. And be thankful.”
From Joel 2:12-13: “Yet even now, says the Lord, return to me with all your heart, with fasting, with weeping, and with mourning; rend your hearts and not your clothing. Return to the Lord your God, for He is gracious and merciful, slow to anger, abounding in steadfast love, and relenting from punishment.”
Earth quakes, full of darkness
Wilderness surrounds thee
Wayward steps, no escape
Misplacing salvation’s key
Hope dwells in empty faith
Where is God’s gracious love?
Enemy’s fire burns bright
Obscuring Spirit above
Each transgression concealed
Yet, God views every one
Righteous breath covers land
Offering grace to outrun
Heart fills with repentance
Every sin be confessed
God’s forgiveness shall come
Redeeming faith’s final quest
Christ waits at Calvary
Hidden in faith’s Good News
Hope’s new pathway of peace
Offering love to infuse
From Proverbs 28:13: “No one who conceals transgressions will prosper, but one who confesses and forsakes them will obtain mercy.”
From Lamentations 3:22-23: “The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases, His mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.”
Early morning arrives
Filled with mishmash of thoughts
Searching for peace of mind
Asking God, call the shots
Waiting in the kitchen
Prayer time with the Lord
His spirit calms life down
Life’s outlook feels restored
Table’s Bible invites
Reading, learning God’s Word
His insight teaches truth
Daily lessons inferred
Accepting God’s invite
Dressed for an autumn walk
Dialog moves outside
Let’s continue to talk
From Isaiah 57:19: “Peace, peace, to the far and the near, says the Lord; and I will heal them.”
Originally published September, 2020.
Big Sky Buckeye 