Witnessing
Man’s shortcomings
Our perfect Father
Christ’s victory at Calvary
Grace
Embracing
Gospel’s truth
Salvation’s precious breath
Forwarding gift of peace
Light
Becoming
Christ followers
Trust’s precious steps
Taking up thy cross
Disciples
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.
Messiah
Speaking truth
Heavenly praises above
Leading believers to Eternity
Joy
Savior
Sharing grace
Light brightens tomorrow
Filling with love’s forgiveness
Hope
Jesus
Offering rest
Mercy shares peace
Bearing heaviest of burdens
Faith
From Hebrews 10:24-25: “And let us consider how to provoke one another to love and good deeds, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day approaching.”
Peering into depth of darkness
Seeking remedy to life’s ills
Light of perseverance comes forth
Trusting to obey Father’s will
Filling hope with light’s endurance
Tasting Father’s sustaining grace
Spiritual awakening
Walking toward salvation’s birthplace
Entering light’s sanctuary
Calvary’s cross, bloodstained
Redemption from sinful darkness
Forgiving debts, no longer chained
Thirsting to follow Christ, thy Lord
Receiving light of peace each day
Replenished from living waters
Embracing His hope-filled pathway
Replacing darkness with His light
Following Father’s divine Word
Righteousness fills faith’s every breath
Witnessing truth as prophets heard
From Hebrews 10:37-39: “For yet in a very little while, the one who is coming will come and will not delay, but My righteous one will live by faith. My soul takes no pleasure in anyone who shrinks back. But we are not among those who shrink back and so are lost but among those who have faith and so preserve our souls.”
From Psalm 5:11-12: “But let all who take refuge in You rejoice; let them ever sing for joy. Spread Your protection over them, so that those who love Your name may exult in You. For You bless the righteous, O Lord; You cover them with favor as with a shield.”
Spirit infuses Scripture with God’s joy
Rejoice in His masterpiece of each day
Nourished with grace, forwarded to enjoy
Always Holy, shall be His fruitful ways
From heart’s depths, God composes grace with joy
Righteousness forever breathes from above
Mercy descends in Savior He deploys
Forgiveness rebuilds empty faith through love
God’s blessings harvest His fullness of joy
Truth’s timely interactions, never gray
Promises of faithfulness He employs
Gateway of grace received, let all now pray
Salvation’s light transforms darkness of sin
Joy praises covenant of faith’s linchpin
From Psalm 16:11: “You show me the path of life. In Your presence there is fullness of joy; in Your right hand are pleasures forevermore.”
From Exodus 34:6: “The Lord passed before him and proclaimed, ‘The Lord, the Lord, a God merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness.'”
Source of hope’s truth
Found in Father’s light
Carved upon stone
Holy words, He writes
Each prophecy
Promises fulfilled
Father abounds
Faith’s highway, He builds
Filled with mercy
Steadfast in His love
Sins forgiven
Father reigns above
Each cornerstone
Trusted foundation
Every debt paid
Christ’s new creation
Eternal life
Heavenly address
Salvation’s Way
Savior’s grace shall bless
From Titus 1:2: “In the hope of eternal life that God, who never lies, promised before the ages began.”
God always shows up. He always saves. He always rescues. His timing is not ours. His methods are unusually unconventional.
From James 4:8: “Draw near to God, and He will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded.”
Angela Thomas Pharr (born 1962) is an American Christian writer.
From Isaiah 61:10: “I will greatly rejoice in the Lord, my whole being shall exult in my God.”
Promised love, Holy Grace from God
Rejoice with glory to the Lord
His glad tidings unite our faith
Not forsaken, never ignored
Our Father’s Word offers new life
His caring hand touches each lamb
Rejoicing with Holy goodness
Everlasting joy, sweetest jam
Foundation of life, through our faith
Sharing the mantle of God’s love
Deliverance heals our spirit
God’s Glory, rejoicing above
Every breath exalts the Lord
Clothed in garments of salvation
Covered by robe of righteousness
Rejoice in Christ’s coronation
From Philippians 4:4-5: “Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, Rejoice. Let your gentleness be known to everyone. The Lord is near.”
Originally published December, 2020.
Take a look around your life.
Tell me what you see.
Do you have a future?
Are you living free?
Perhaps you haven’t seen the time
you had to make a choice.
Will you choose to follow them,
or listen to another voice?
Make a vow unto yourself.
Let the whole world see.
Make a choice for yourself.
Be the best that you can be.
Be sure you know what you’re doing.
Stand up and shout it out loud.
Know where your life is going.
Choose to know Jesus, be proud.
Take a look around your life.
Tell me what you see.
Can you see the future,
where you’re living free?
Perhaps you know that He loves you.
He gave His life for all.
Will you listen to the world,
or listen to our Savior’s call?
Make a vow to yourself.
Let the whole world see.
Make a choice for yourself.
Be the best that you can be.
Be sure you know what you’re doing.
Stand up and shout it out loud.
Know where your life is going.
Choose to know Jesus, be proud.
Today’s poem is selected from Colleen Peterson’s recently published book. Her book is dedicated to themes of Family and Christian life.
My wife accumulated countless thoughts and writings over the years while her two daughters were in their childhood. Eventually, these treasured bits and pieces formed the foundation of her book.
Here are some of Colleen’s thoughts about the book:
Bits ‘N’ Pieces Of My heart contains stories, devotions and poetry for the adults, activities to do with your children, and fun little songs. The devotions and poetry will strongly open up your faith walk to more of God’s light. Doing the fun activities and singing little songs with your children will bring smiles to everyone’s heart.
More information is available on Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and several other platforms.
From Isaiah 64:6: “We have all become like one who is unclean, and all our righteous deeds are like a filthy cloth. We all fade like a leaf, and our iniquities, like the wind, take us away.”
Coming into this harsh world
Born spiritually dead
Ruled by darkest deceptions
Sinful nature fills life’s thread
Do we deserve God’s goodness?
Facing our Holy Lord’s wrath
Separated by our sins
Satan lights a wayward path
Our lives resemble darkness
Righteous acts, thin and meager
Offering nothing of value
Father’s true love, remains eager
Calling upon the Lord’s name
Deliver us from our sins
God, the Potter, molding us
Transforming the clay, He wins
Once living under the flesh
Filled with darkest death and sin
By Holy Grace, saved through faith
Walking with Christ, life’s linchpin
Placing virgin faith in Christ
In spirit, alive through Him
Body and blood, Cross vanquished
Sins pardoned, new life in Him
From Ephesians 2:4-6: “But God, who is rich in mercy, out of the great love with which He loved us even when we were dead through our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ–by grace you have been saved–and raised us up with Him and seated us with Him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus.”
Originally published November, 2020.
From Romans 5:1-2: “Therefore, since we are justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have obtained access to this grace in which we stand; and we boast in our hope of sharing the glory of God.”
Our sinful nature
Takes Christ to the Cross
God responds with love
Grace reaches across
Jesus defeats death
Living cornerstone
Sacred salvation
Grace comes to atone
Father’s gift of life
Receive daily bread
Through our faith alone
Grace walking ahead
Christ teaches of love
Shares His peace of mind
Hearts and minds now cleansed
Grace saving mankind
Never fear again
Look forward to peace
Fate sealed with God’s love
Grace, life’s Holy lease
From the words of American pastor and Christian teacher, Charles Stanley: “When facing painful trials, we may be tempted to doubt God’s love for us. Remember that God orchestrated the greatest demonstration of love possible–His Son’s death on the cross.”
Originally published November, 2020.
Big Sky Buckeye 