God’s work is not in buildings, but in transformed lives.
From Matthew 3:2: “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near.”
Ruth Bell Graham (1920-2007) was an American Christian author. Born to American parents who were dedicated to medical missionary work in China, she would later become the wife of evangelist Billy Graham. They met when both were attending Wheaton College in Illinois.
Seeking
Father’s door
Hiding in darkness
Overcome with shameful sin
Finding
Finding
Father’s door
Replacing selfish motives
Approach with sincere humbleness
Knocking
Knocking
Father’s door
Releasing earthy idols
Transformed heart, knocking again
Opening
From Psalm 32:7: “You are a hiding place for me; you preserve me from trouble; you surround me with glad cries of deliverance.”
With faces toward the rising sun
Lord, share your mercy and forgiveness
Coming to the Cross, with repentance
Humbly laying our transgressions there
On our knees, breaking bread together
In remembrance, Jesus truly cares
Coming to the Cross, seeking its hope
With reverence, looking to our Lord
On our knees, drinking wine together
Singing with praise to His perfect chord
Coming to the Cross, stained with red blood
Accepting Christ as Lord and Savior
On our knees, praising God together
Walking with transforming behavior
With faces toward the rising sun
Lord, share your mercy and forgiveness
From Ephesians 6:10-11: “Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of His power. Put on the whole armor of God, so that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.”
God’s people under attack
Roaring lion on the prowl
Looking for prey to devour
Evil presence brings a scowl
Days becoming the darkest
Running away from the Lord
But, hope waits like eagles’ wings
Holy Spirit comes aboard
Remaining strong with our Lord
Under His mighty power
Wearing protective armor
God’s Word will carry the hour
Our Father’s righteousness speaks
Spirit with us on this day
Withstanding what evil brings
Defeating darkness His way
Time to witness hope-filled faith
Praying daily for action
Quench evil’s flaming arrows
Calling for man’s retraction
Behind His truth, standing firm
Urging others to repent
Proclaiming Gospel of peace
Our Holy God will relent
From Psalm 85:6-7: “Will you not revive us again, so that your people may rejoice in you? Show us your steadfast love, O Lord, and grant us your salvation.”
Originally published June, 2020.
The confession of the thief on the cross was both a first and final one. But . . . Christ received it. Maybe you never heard your loved one confess Christ, but who’s to say Christ didn’t?
From 2 Peter 3:9: “The Lord is not slow about His promise, as some think of slowness, but is patient with you, not wanting any to perish but all to come to repentance.”
It hurts to endure life’s trials, and it hurts worse to repeat such episodes. Over the long haul, God is honing us through such tests. Reducing us to an absolute, open-armed trust, where we say, “Lord, I have come to the end of my own flesh.”
From Psalm 9:9: “The Lord is a stronghold for the oppressed, a stronghold in times of trouble.”
From Jonah 3:4-5: “Jonah began to go into the city, going a day’s walk. And he cried out, ‘Forty days more, and Nineveh shall be overthrown!’ And the people of Nineveh believed God; they proclaimed a fast, and everyone, great and small, put on sackcloth.”
Called to live in tune
With our Father’s Word
Strengthened through His light
Path no longer blurred
Shaped by His patience
Never be shaken
Righteousness stands firm
Truth shall awaken
Set aside worries
Empowered to walk
With loving Father
Away from man’s talk
Transformed by faith’s light
Darkness now falling
Past sins nailed to cross
Follow Lord’s calling
Called to repentance
Step forward in Christ
Delivered through grace
His blood sacrificed
From 1 Corinthians 7:29-31: “I mean, brothers and sisters, the appointed time has grown short; from now on, let even those who have wives be as though they had none, and those who mourn as though they were not mourning, and those who rejoice as though they were not rejoicing, and those who buy as though they had no possessions, and those who deal with the world as though they had no dealings with it. For the present form of this world is passing away.”
Be humble, talk little, think and pray much.
From 2 Chronicles 7:14: “If My people who are called by My name humble themselves, pray, seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and heal their land.”
George Whitefield (1714-1770) was an English-born pastor and Christian evangelist. He spent the second half of his life in the American colonies.
Standing outside door
Holy Son of Man
Knocking and waiting
Sharing Father’s grace plan
Conquering darkness
Timeless gift He brings
Coming to serve man
Soaring on eagle’s wings
Hearing now His voice
Sacred, divine love
Calling to repent
Witnessing from above
Opening thy door
Christ boldly walks in
Showing wounded hands
Forgiving every sin
Beholding
God’s Kingdom
Built upon righteousness
Come, receive His peace
Light
Grace
Unselfishly given
Justified by faith
Always surrounded with Light
Jesus
Personal
Lenten journey
Walking alongside Jesus
Darkness replaced with Light
Repentance
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.
Big Sky Buckeye 