Monday Memories: Ready and Able

From John 15:4-5: “Abide in me as I abide in you. Just as the branch cannot bear fruit by itself unless it abides in the vine, neither can you unless you abide in me. I am the vine, you are the branches. Those who abide in me and I in them bear much fruit, because apart from me you can do nothing.”

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Sometimes in life, failure knocking

Darkest times, odds stacked against us

God always, ready and able

His greatness, witness Glory’s plus

 

Heaven’s Father never ceases

Life’s moments of weakness erased

God always, ready and able

Strengthened, with His sweetest foretaste

 

Abraham’s Sarah, doubts the Lord

Blessing comes with birth of a boy

God always, ready and able

His covenant, flowing with joy

 

Hebrew slaves hunger for freedom

Moses feels uncertain, with fear

God always, ready and able

Israel now freed, while He steers

 

Toiling and sweating in darkness

Accomplish little on our own

God always, ready and able

His hope and peace, faith’s firm backbone

 

Coming to the Lord, trusting Him

Follow His path, at life’s crossroads

God always, ready and able

Willing to lift burdensome loads

 

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From Matthew 11:28-30:  “Come to me, all you that are weary and are carrying heavy burdens, and I will give you rest.  Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me; for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.  For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.”

Originally published January, 2021.

Monday Memories: Winter’s Repose

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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

 

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Originally published January, 2021.

Bette Midler Quotes

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If you’re passionate about something, then you should pick up your flag and run with it.

Without passion, the powers-that-be can run roughshod over you.

Bette Midler (born 1945) is an American actress, singer, comedian, and author.

Journey of Hope (Elfchen Series #264)

Forgiveness

Stumbling

Through darkness

Sin’s fading shadow

Witnessing light at Calvary

Rising

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Truthfulness

Rising

Morning’s faithfulness

Father shares blessings

Word nourished with prayer

Leading

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Resilient

Leading

With righteousness

Shepherd’s steady voice

Bringing to tranquil waters

Trusting

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Untouched Resilience (Haiku Series #340)

Time’s Stillness Alive

Early morning’s peace

Minutes before rising sun—

Creator’s presence

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Time’s Everlasting Breath

Untamed with motion

River’s eternal waters—

Creator’s rhythm

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Time’s Single Constant

Forest’s hidden depths

Tranquility’s lush meadow—

Creator’s spirit

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Resilience Remembers

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Horizon in motion

Ocean’s endless expanse

Mystery’s eternal depths

Human voice seeks to dance

 

Moonbeams highlight each wave

Travels to distant shores

Midnight’s faithful companion

Tales from ancient folklore

 

Tranquility escapes

Lost in approaching storm

Each draft shredded over time

Empty memories swarm

 

Resilience remembers

Words waiting to arrive

Every star invited in

Ready for next test drive

 

Tomorrow will arrive

Darkness finally leaves

Sunrise gathers novel thoughts

Writer’s patience believes

 

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Mark Twain Quotes

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Kindness is the language which the deaf can hear and the blind can see.

Never allow someone to be your priority while allowing yourself to be their option.

Mark Twain (1835-1910) was an American author and humorist.  He has often been praised as one of America’s greatest humorists, and American writer William Faulkner called him “the father of American Literature.”

Brene Brown Quotes

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Joy, collected over time, fuels resilience.

Compassion is not a virtue–it is a commitment.  It’s not something we have or don’t have–it’s something we choose to practice.

Brene Brown (born 1965) is an American researcher and author.  Much of her work has studied courage, vulnerability, shame, and empathy.

Robert G. Ingersoll Quotes

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The greatest test of courage is to bear defeat without losing heart.

In nature there are neither rewards nor punishments; there are consequences.

Robert G. Ingersoll (1833-1899) was an American lawyer, writer, and orator.  

Charles Dickens Quotes

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Do all the good you can, and make as little fuss about it as possible.

Have a heart that never hardens, and a temper that never tires, and a touch that never hurts.

Charles Dickens (1812-1870) was an English writer whose novels are generally considered some of the greatest published during the Victorian era.