If you want to be happy, try only to please God, not people.
Proverbs 16:7: “When the ways of people please the Lord, He causes even their enemies to be at peace with them.”
Leo (Count Lev Nikolayevich) Tolstoy (1828-1910) was a Russian writer. Many consider him to be one the world’s greatest authors of all-time.
From Matthew 5:13-14: “You are the salt of the earth, but if salt has lost its taste, how can its saltiness be restored? It is no longer good for anything but is thrown out and trampled under foot. You are the light of the world. A city built on a hill cannot be hid.”
Life’s human experience
Never-ending shortcomings
Darkness follows every step
Hearing its constant drumming
God’s Word shatters evil’s myth
Called to His righteous standing
Light shines with divine goodness
Offering safest landing
God’s eternal promises
Resurrection defines hope
Faith growing, following Christ
Scaling each slippery slope
God’s faithfulness never tires
Jesus fulfilling His law
Holy Spirit reaches out
Teaching, transforming life’s flaws
Kingdom of Heaven beckons
Earthly journey will be hard
Grace leading, trusting each day
Laying bricks toward God’s courtyard
From Matthew 5:19: “Therefore, whoever break one of the least of these commandments and teaches others to do the same will be called least in the kingdom of heaven, but whoever does them and teaches them will be called great in the kingdom of heaven.”
From Isaiah 9:2: “The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; those who lived in a land of deep darkness—on them light has shined.”
From Bethlehem, arrives light
Lying in stable’s manger
Humble birth of hope’s Savior
Grace no longer man’s stranger
Shepherds witness God’s glory
Kneeling and praising His light
Justice shall cover this land
Mercy’s, one eternal flight
Christ answers His Father’s call
Saving every tender reed
Light pushes away darkness
Evil shall never impede
Righteousness shall mark all days
Opening each heart and mind
Jesus shall never waver
His light, perfectly aligned
From Isaiah 42:6-7: “I am the Lord; I have called you in righteousness; I have taken you by the hand and kept you; I have given you as a covenant to the people, a light to the nations, to open the eyes that are blind, to bring out the prisoners from the dungeon, from the prison those who sit in darkness.”
Guiding principle
Building lasting foundation—
Honesty always
Righteous citizens
Preserving lasting good name—
Sharing goodwill
Each generation
Integrity’s highest road
Inheriting trust
From 1 Samuel 18:14-16: “David had success in all his undertakings, for the Lord was with him. When Saul saw that he had great success, he stood in awe of him. But all Israel and Judah loved David, for it was he who marched out and came in leading them.”
Marching upright, heaven’s sacred drum
Accepting His will, faithfully come
Shattering evil’s empty façade
Navigating from darkness, with God
Trusting His hands, molding every heart
Following Spirit, renewing start
Searching heavens, finding lasting peace
Living in righteousness, never cease
Leaving sinful ways, Jesus leading
Steering life’s mission, now proceeding
Heeding His call, taking faith’s high road
Promising light, Lord’s mercy bestowed
Looking past Bethlehem, blood-stained cross
Seeing empty tomb, enemy’s loss
Building up redemption’s faithful walls
Touching another soul, God’s grace calls
Seeking Christian soldiers, through His Word
Lasting victory, no longer blurred
Stepping on ashes, filled with untruth
Marching with Christ, believing His truth
From 2 Timothy 2:2-3: “What you have heard from me through many witnesses entrust to faithful people who will be able to teach others as well. Share in suffering like a good soldier of Christ Jesus.”
It is magnificent to grow old, if one keeps young.
From Proverbs 16:31: “Gray hair is a crown of glory; it is gained in a righteous life.”
Harry Emerson Fosdick (1878-1969) was an American pastor who was an influential voice in American Protestantism.
Darkness
Evil’s persuasion
Walking sinful path
Absent faith, ignoring God
Judgment
Following
God’s way
Accepting His law
Reaping fruits of faith
Righteousness
Faith
Growing deeper
Rooted in Scripture
Nourished with Living Bread
Thriving
We could call any work done in the will of God “the work of righteousness.” And in doing that work, you will be surrounded by peace.
From Isaiah 32:17: “The effect of righteousness will be peace, and the result of righteousness, quietness and trust forever.”
Love
Greatest commandment
Energizing lasting forgiveness
Humbly walking with Jesus
Never-ending
Forgiveness
Sharing love
Giving and receiving
Building faith’s long road
Trusting
Relationships
Refurbishing each
Righteousness over transgressions
Following Father’s guiding Word
Forgiveness
From Romans 8:38-39: “For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor rulers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor anything else in all creation will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.”
Darkest valleys approach
Spirit walks within thee
Holding fast to one’s faith
Quieting stormy seas
God’s presence always breathes
Evil’s shadow will flee
Lighting path to follow
Building trust, setting free
Truth in Christ’s promises
In heaven and on earth
Hearing His divine Word
Bringing grace, life’s new birth
Righteousness dwells in heart
Never be left alone
Blessing seeds of mercy
Reaping what God has sown
From Matthew 28:20: “And teaching them to obey everything that I have commanded you. And remember, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”
Big Sky Buckeye 