Tough times never last, but tough people do.
From Hebrews 12:1-2: “Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight and the sin that clings so closely, and let us run with perseverance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus the pioneer and perfecter of our faith, who for the sake of the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, disregarding its shame, and has taken His seat at the right hand of the throne of God.”
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.”
The more difficulties one has to encounter, within and without, the more significant and the higher in inspiration his life will be.
From Hebrews 12:1: “Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight and the sin that clings so closely, and let us run with perseverance the race that is set before us.”
Deserted, severed tree trunk
Shattered by storms long ago
Splitting this giant in two
Forsaken now in its woes
Nature’s hand calling the shots
Drawing dark cards from the deck
Standing alone, slowest death
Trying to salvage this wreck
Deformed snag appears lifeless
Yet, God calls this wildlife tree
Standing proudly, still on watch
Nature’s snack bar waits for free
Living nearby, log still lives
Covered with lichens and moss
Home for God’s smallest creatures
Termites, beetles . . . march across
Jagged stump remains on guard
Below the ground, roots still thrive
Life holds on, another year
Perseverance to survive
Around the dark, scuttled tree
Racing to reach sunlight first
Young saplings growing skyward
Cycle of life, marked to burst
All of the photographs were taken at Chestnut Ridge Metro Park, which is located just outside of Canal Winchester, Ohio. I frequently walk this park during the fall, spring, and summer months with an occasional hike in the wintertime.
Resolve never to quit, never to give up, no matter the situation.
Focus on remedies, not faults.
From the words of Latin priest and theologian Jerome of Stridon: “Love Holy Scripture, and wisdom will love you. Love her, and she will keep you. Honor her, and she will keep you.”
Pursuing wisdom over a lifetime
Gathering, enriching a single life
Applying to everyday challenges
Loving Scripture, supplanting darkest strife
Seeking wisdom with a hunger for more
Searching in the truthful and proper place
Persevering with consistency now
Tasting God’s Holy Word and loving grace
Sustaining the tree of life, holding fast
Following a righteous path, leads to peace
Finding God’s wisdom, life’s only true wealth
Blessing His wisdom, sustains life’s new lease
Trusting these blessed fruits of God’s wisdom
Turning evil away, aligned with Him
Refreshing mind and body, healing flesh
Respecting God’s Word, singing a new hymn
Treating our neighbors better than ourselves
Trusting, loving, supporting each other
Walking together with God, hand in hand
Partnering with each sister and brother
From Proverbs 3:13: “Happy are those who find wisdom, and those who get understanding,”
From Hebrews 10:19-20: “Therefore, my friends, since we have confidence to enter the sanctuary by the blood of Jesus, by the new and living way that He opened for us through the curtain (that is, through his flesh).”
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Sharing these words of eternal hope
Living with hope-filling optimism
Gathering with positive people
Persevering through God’s bold prism
Living as faithful children of God
Hearing our Father’s message of hope
Realizing now, hope springs from our Lord
Praising His Word, helping us to cope
Joining into a New Covenant
Filling with assurance from His Creed
Approaching with hearts, clean from evil
Washing with His pure water, indeed
Recalling our earlier struggles
Showing compassion through hopeful hearts
Maintaining endurance, life’s ahead
Remaining faithful, as life restarts
Holding fast to God’s blessings of hope
Encouraging daily, each other
Blessing with our love and gracious deeds
Standing with our sisters and brothers
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From the words of American pastor and Christian author, Jim Cymbala: “We urgently need people who encourage and inspire us to move toward God.”
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.
Photo by Wendy Wei on Pexels.com
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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This poem was written when one of my granddaughters was 11 years old. She had recently moved up to Level 7, and she was facing challenges with her uneven bars routine. At this meet, she finally completed her “giant” for the first time in competition.
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Perseverance is her nickname
Tenacity ignites her flame
A young gymnast spends hours sharpening her skills
Improving a challenging routine stirs up a giant thrill
Her practices have been going well thus far
Showing tireless energy to conquer the bars
Recent meets have brought a challenge her way
Missing the giant on the uneven bars both days
This Level 7 gymnast travels to her next meet
Hoping the Warrior Challenge will bring a feat
She will compete today in three events plus the bars
Believing in her athletic destiny as she arrives by car
The judges will be looking for routines to score the best
Expecting to assess poise and skills that pass the test
This determined gymnast competes with renewed poise
Warming up, she seems oblivious to the crowd’s noise
Her bars warm-up finishes exceedingly well
Feeling her inner confidence grow and swell
It’s her turn to show the best she can be
Nailing the giant at last for judges to see
Perseverance is her nickname
Tenacity ignites her flame
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From Genesis 2:24: “Therefore a man leaves his father and his mother and clings to his wife, and they become one flesh.”
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Creating a rainbow, love inspires
Connecting two lives, becoming one
Merging together, feelings inside
Celebrating, we’ve only begun
Meeting at life’s crossroads, love brings truth
Confessing before our Lord, now one
Living as a twosome, sharing love
Spending time together, never done
Cherishing our love, always special
Sharing our dreams, dwelling between us
Leading us on a life adventure
Capturing a moment, on life’s bus
Depending on each other, love bonds
Growing tired of each other, never
Celebrating God’s gifts, shared with us
Changing our minds about us, never
Weathering life’s storms, love conquers all
Singing Hallelujah, love declares
Leaning on each other, love endures
Treasuring us, God’s love truly cares
Photo by Jasmine Wallace Carter on Pexels.com
From 1 Corinthians 13:4-7: “Love is patient; love is kind; love is not envious or boastful or arrogant or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable; it keeps no record of wrongs; it does not rejoice in wrongdoing but rejoices in the truth. It bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.”
Big Sky Buckeye 