To be a peacemaker is to reflect the image of our heavenly Father–using our breath, energy, and creativity to sow peace wherever the Spirit takes us.
From Matthew 5:9: “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.”
A barking dog is often more useful than a sleeping lion.
Surely happiness is reflective, like the light of heaven.
American Washington Irving (1783-1859) ranks as one of his country’s most renowned authors. His amazing short stories of “Rip Van Winkle” and “The Legend of Sleeping Hollow” remain all-time classics. Ironically, his final resting place is at the Sleeping Hollow Cemetery in New York state.
Perfection Defined:
The condition of being free or as free as possible from all flaws or defects.
Striving for absolute perfection proves to be elusive
Life provides few examples that are always conclusive
Perfection in bowling
Rolling 12 strikes in a row
Perfect school attendance
No absences during an entire school year
Perfect gymnastics performance
Scoring an “improbable” 10.0
Perfect school exam score
All questions answered correctly
Perfect completion of a crossword puzzle
Every square correctly filled in
Perfect game in baseball
Pitcher retires all batters—no one reaches first base
Perfect grades in school
All A’s . . . 4.0 GPA
Standards have been made to measure perfection
Challenging all to achieve for greater satisfaction
Individual actions and results to be told
Defining a level of perfection to behold
A “perfect” vacation
What makes it the best ever?
A “perfect” photograph
What makes this image so brilliant?
A “perfect” job
What provides the greatest satisfaction at work?
A “perfect” health report
What makes these results outstanding?
A “perfect” marriage
What moments are forever beautiful?
Subjective perfection is short-lived for a good reason
Definitions and expectations change with each season
When we think that our best efforts fall short
Allow Christ to bring us back to our home port
His unblemished life is perfection for sure
We follow His example for lives more pure
Don’t look back. Something might be gaining on you.
No one has come up with a substitute for hard work.
Pitcher Satchel Paige played most of his years of baseball before the Major Leagues were opened up to play for African-Americans. Despite this, he was inducted into baseball’s Hall of Fame in 1971.
Left fielder Ted Williams played his entire Major League career with the Boston Red Sox. In 1941, he hit .406 (the person to hit at least .400). The Hall-of-Famer’s statistics are even more incredible when one realizes that he served in the military during both World War II and the Korean War as an aviator.
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.”
Winter’s white blanket covers frozen land
Sheltering nature’s glory until spring
Arctic-fed winds seem to blow from glaciers
Sleeping quietly, life conceals its zing
Northernmost Great Lakes transform skies to gray
Flying above, geese enjoy winter’s fling
Small ponds reflect from thick, icy mirrors
Pausing all around, boldness waits for spring
Ancient trees appear to wait in repose
Ignoring life’s deep freeze, buds holding out
Nature’s winter rest, preparing for spring
Arriving tonight, snowstorm’s final shout
Never to worry, winter fades away
Coming on schedule, spring colors each day
Alone and isolated
Empty calendar pages
Absent family and friends
Life walking in Dark Ages
Hour’s darkest shadows lengthen
Day’s hope missteps and stumbles
Sudden tears, any moment
Faith now tumbles, then crumbles
Day awakens, same old drill
Memories fade, bit by bit
Miles from nowhere, so alone
Silence fills heart, not close-knit
Few good days dwarfed by bad ones
Sunny smiles becoming few
Lonely heart needs titan’s lift
Shining light makes its breakthrough
Make it a point today to reach out to someone who could use a warm hug, a trusting smile, or a kind word. Lonely hearts fill many people with emptiness; share your light.
Words used every day
Little or much to say
Used in positive ways
Conveying life’s essays
Mindful, powerful voices
Daily, humble choices
Impacting other lives
Celebrate with high fives
Disciplined purpose speaks
Positivity seeks
Sharing tender kindness
Truthful, without blindness
Careful to help and heal
Offering a square deal
Words paying it forward
True and straightforward
Thoughtful expressions said
Weaving with tender thread
Replace evil with good
Words plain and understood
Honest lyrics in song
Carried through all day long
Life unfolds from our text
Watchful where words go next
This poem was written several days before January 6, 2021. Its intention was to praise and encourage the positive power of words. The events taking place in Washington, DC on January 6 showed the negative power of words. How will our future words speak?
This poem takes a different route from much of my usual poetry. It begins with the word “incessant” and carries this meaning throughout the poem with various synonyms. Using free verse, the number of syllables remains consistent with seven in the odd-numbered lines and ten in the even-numbered ones. Thanks for reading and enjoy!
Early in the morning’s peace
Welcoming the incessant quietness
Predawn light creates shadows
Enjoying their unending playfulness
Cool, crisp air signals autumn
Witnessing the season’s ceaseless nature
Solitary doe walks nearby
Looking for tender grass, endless craving
Neighbor walking her collie
Moving with an uninterrupted pace
Front porch provides morning roost
Dreaming now of countless, unbroken thoughts
Past memories parade on by
Watching an ongoing video show
Former students fill the room
Flourishing with unflagging attention
Grandchildren always gather
Hearing constant laughter, bringing a smile
North wind gusts with icy chill
Feeling winter biting with nonstop bliss
Frigid cold invades the porch
Warming now, by persistent fireplace flames
Life has been kind, a blessing
Spending everlasting time with our Lord
From John 8:32: “And you will know the truth, and the truth will make you free.”
Blessed land stretching from ocean to ocean
Spacious skies wink at fields of abundant grain
Framed in by towering, majestic mountains
God’s Grace covering the land like fruitful rain
Lady Liberty extends her message of hope
Calling out, only demanding to breathe free
Ensuring freedom for the huddled masses
Keeping her torch lite, from sea to shining sea
Asking God to mend a nation’s ills and flaws
Lifting praises up to the Father above
His glory be forever praised here below
Liberty and freedom shall ring, filled with love
Forgiving our nation’s errors and transgressions
Healing hearts of discord, peace now safeguarded
Leading this nation out of its dark wilderness
Remembering an old path, long discarded
Nation founded from scratch, with lasting vision
“All men are created equal” crying out
Endowed from the Creator, come certain rights
Life, liberty, pursuit of happiness shout
“America the Beautiful” is a beloved song. You are invited to listen to this familiar song, as sung by Lee Greenwood
Big Sky Buckeye 