Confession
With repentance
Walking with righteousness
Stepping forward into light
Obedience
Invitation
Hungry feast
Nourishes spirit’s needs
With faith and grace
Forgiveness
Resurrection
Empty tomb
Grace overcomes darkness
Transforming our “broken glass”
Redemption
All of history looks back at that moment–to the tragedy and triumph of that cross. First the crucifixion, then the resurrection of the Son of God.
From Romans 5:8: “God proves His love for us in that while we still were sinners Christ died for us.”
I am not moved by what I see. I am moved only by what I believe.
From John 11:25-27: “Jesus said to her, ‘I am the resurrection and the life. Those who believe in me, even though they die, will live, and everyone who lives and believes in me will never die. Do you believe this?’ She said to Him, ‘Yes, Lord, I believe that you are the Messiah, the Son of God, the one coming into the world.'”
Our Lord’s Resurrection destiny is to bring “many sons unto glory.” The fulfilling of His destiny gives Him the right to make us sons and daughters of God.
From Luke 24:25-26: “Then he said to them, “Oh, how foolish you are, and how slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have declared! Was it not necessary that the Messiah should suffer these things and then enter into His glory?”
From John 14:10-11: “Do you not believe that I am in the Father and the Father is in me?The words that I say to you I do not speak on my own; but the Father who dwells in me does His works. Believe me that I am in the Father and the Father is in me; but if you do not, then believe me because of the works themselves.”
Lord’s tree of life, saving us
Son of Man, bearing our flesh
Each morning, rising with us
Faith, hope, and love shall refresh
In His death, life be reborn
Like faithful rivers, love flows
Christ’s awesome mystery breathes
From darkened tomb, Jesus rose
Heavenly truth speaks, let’s hear
Love transforms through acts and words
Both mirror journey of Christ
His message, no longer blurred
Christ leading, we will follow
Always near, dwelling within
His hand steadies stumbling steps
Salvation forgiving sin
Much of this poem is inspired by the hymn “Tree of Life and Awesome Mystery,” which is part of a morning devotional I regularly read and study.
Without the certainty of His resurrection, we would come to the end of this life without hope, with nothing to anticipate except despair and doubt. But because He lives, we rejoice, knowing soon we will meet our Savior face to face, and the troubles and trials of this world will be behind us.
From John 16:31-33: “Jesus answered them, ‘Do you now believe? The hour is coming, indeed it has come, when you will be scattered, each one to his home, and you will leave me alone. Yet I am not alone because the Father is with me. I have said this to you, so that in me you may have peace. In the world you face persecution. But take courage; I have conquered the world!'”
This Christian poem was originally published in November, 2019. The verses recount the final minutes of Jesus Christ’s earthly life at Calvary.
A few believers stand in fear
God’s only Son dies a cruel way
Sorrow fills hearts so near
What will we now do and say?
Hope dies on a barren hill
Spotlighting a bloody cross
What happens—can’t be God’s will
Witnessing a life, now lost
Darkness fills a burial room
Feeling cold and forlorn
Sitting as an empty tomb
From here, hope is reborn
The sun rises on Easter morn
God’s Son fulfills His promise
Glorious Resurrection sets the norm
Even for a single, doubting Thomas
The greatest story ever told
We drop to a knee and pray
God’s action, never so bold
Victorious Christ, the final say
Receive every day as a resurrection from death, as a new enjoyment of life, meet every rising sun with such sentiments of God’s goodness.
From Ezekiel 36:26-27: “A new heart I will give you, and a new spirit I will put within you; and I will remove from your body the heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh. I will put my spirit within you, and make you follow my statutes and be careful to observe my ordinances.”
This poem is inspired from a post from Jan Beek, based upon a recent Sunday message from her church. The message enlightened me with some wonderful applications to “The Walk to Emmaus.” Visit her post for this wonderful message, complemented with some great hymns.
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Empty, very little hope
Weary, walking this grim road
Lonely, life hides in darkness
Misery, each step feels slowed
Believing, He would be king
Remembering, life seemed alive
Listening, His words brought hope
Blessing, barren lives would thrive
Ignored, a bloody Cross stands
Vanquished, His tomb sitting hushed
Restored, hope rises again
Conquered, sin and death now crushed
Raised, Savior walking with us
Transformed, our hope now restored
Energized, with daily steps
Saved, by our Lord’s new accord
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From Luke 24:13-16: “Now on that same day two of them were going to a village called Emmaus, about seven miles from Jerusalem, and talking with each other about all these things that had happened. While they were talking and discussing, Jesus himself came near and went with them, but their eyes were kept from recognizing Him.”
From Christian campus ministry founder, Bill Bright: “The joy of God is experienced as I love, trust, and obey God–no matter the circumstances.”
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Celebrating Jesus each and every day
Receiving our lasting, priceless gift of joy
Smiling faces, always with kind words spoken
Experiencing our Lord’s vigorous joy
Child of God, leaping with joy
Messiah’s birth, sends great joy
Rejoicing, today rises up as God’s day
Praising our faithful, Almighty Lord with joy
Sending out His strength and hope, God’s justice reigns
Experiencing our Lord’s vigorous joy
Fruit of the Spirit, brings joy
God’s love, proclaiming His joy
Fleeing life’s messy scene, sorrow and worry
Lasting an eternity, singing with joy
Restoring in us, His joy of Salvation
Experiencing our Lord’s vigorous joy
Life’s trials, nothing but joy
Holy Spirit, shouts with joy
Waking all of the city on Easter morn
Singing praises of “Alleluia” with joy
Restoring hope, defeating death on the Cross
Experiencing our Lord’s vigorous joy
Jesus, lasting source of joy
He’s Risen! Salvation’s joy
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From John 15:11: “I have said these things to you so that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be complete.”
Big Sky Buckeye 