Famine
Hungering faith
Savior raises hope
Living Bread feeds all
Nourished
Darkness
Uphill journey
Messiah infuses light
Courage travels mercy’s road
Illuminated
Battles
With flesh
Calvary rises up
Salvation breathes from Cross
Transformed
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.
From Song of Solomon 2:8: “The voice of my beloved! Look, he comes, leaping upon the mountains, bounding over the hills.”
Sitting here, another morning’s darkness
Thinking of today’s most beautiful view
Your kindness and love arrives with a smile
Transforming this heart to radiant new
Traveling life’s lonely, meaningless road
Dreaming of unlocking a better life
Your cherished spirit bestows precious light
Joining together as husband and wife
Making beloved home for two love birds
Nurturing passion with each priceless day
Your tender, caring thoughts lead us forward
Navigating with God’s love, shows His way
Affirming love through joyful affection
Walking in Jesus’ perfect reflection
From Song of Solomon 4:1: “How beautiful you are, my love, how very beautiful! Your eyes are doves behind your veil. Your hair is like a flock of goats, moving down the slopes of Gilead.”
Originally published January, 2021.
From Isaiah 2:3: “Many peoples shall come and say, ‘Come, let us go up to the mountain of the Lord, to the house of the God of Jacob, that He may teach us His ways and that we may walk in His paths.’ For out of Zion shall go forth instruction and the word of the Lord from Jerusalem.”
Seeking Father’s assurance
Darkness shall be overcome
Out of Zion, transformed hope
Embracing every breadcrumb
Praising every breath of grace
From root of Jesse will come
Messiah’s renewing hope
Rising to heavenly drum
Standing outside Bethlehem
Jerusalem shares her peace
Unity backed up with hope
Cradling redemption’s release
Waking to heavenly joy
Forces of darkness now quake
Manger caresses new hope
Witnessing Savior awake
Remaining always watchful
Shepherds innocently wait
Love piercing night sky with hope
Trusting in salvation’s fate
From Romans 15:12-13: “And again Isaiah says, ‘The root of Jesse shall come, the one who rises to rule the gentiles; in Him the gentiles shall hope.’ May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.”
The popular hymn, “O Come, O Come, Emmanuel” has been a favorite of past Advent seasons. The original hymn can found in the music of monastic life over 1,200 years ago. The English version was translated in 1851 by John Mason Neale, who was an English Anglican priest and hymn writer.
Water is a picture of the Spirit of Jesus working in us. He’s not working to save us, mind you; that work is done. He’s working to change us.
From John 7:37-38: “On the last day of the festival, the great day, while Jesus was standing there, he cried out, ‘Let anyone who is thirsty come to me, and let the one who believes in me drink. As the scripture has said, ‘Out of the believer’s heart shall flow rivers of living water.'”
Max Lucado (born 1955) is an American pastor and Christian author.
Backroad’s autumn drive
Invigorating colors—
Endless leaves’ parade
Farmer’s pumpkin patch
Invitation to pick some—
Harvest of orange
Quilted with color
Warmest blanket nearly done—
Each cascading leaf
From 2 Thessalonians 3:3-5: “But the Lord is faithful; He will strengthen you and guard you from the evil one. And we have confidence in the Lord concerning you, that you are doing and will go on doing the things that we command. May the Lord direct your hearts to the love of God and to the steadfastness of Christ.”
Embracing Gospel’s light
Strengthened through trust in our Lord
Faith’s destiny secure
Longing for Heaven’s reward
Proclaiming Scripture’s truth
Encouraged to follow Christ
Faith’s lasting breath fulfilled
Paying with blood sacrificed
Kneeling now in prayer
Dispirited no longer
Presence of light in Christ
Enduring faith grows stronger
Witnessing faithfulness
Redeemed through Good Shepherd’s love
Forgiveness rises up
Transforming saints from above
Setting sun blest with peace
Heartened faith savors Lord’s grace
Confidence fills with joy
Trusting hope’s redeeming place
From Romans 12:12: “Rejoice in hope; be patient in affliction; persevere in prayer.”
From Psalm 4:3: “But know that the Lord has set apart the faithful for Himself; the Lord hears when I call to Him.”
God’s invitation to pray
Strengthening faith’s shallow roots
Blessing hope’s journey each day
Harvesting heavenly fruit
God’s mercy never relents
Building faith’s firm foundation
Sending Christ as light unbent
Kindling peace in each nation
God’s energized light exhales
Writing faith’s eternal hymn
Witnessing Calvary’s nails
Deepening closeness to Him
God’s approaching grace descends
Filling faith’s heart to now trust
Raising His Son’s love to mend
Redeeming through actions just
God’s unselfish approach heals
Trusting righteousness to lead
Living waters now reveal
Transforming faith’s hardy seeds
From Acts 3:16: “And by faith in His name, His name itself has made this man strong, whom you see and know, and the faith that is through Jesus has given Him this perfect health in the presence of all of you.”
From 2 Timothy 1:3-4: “I am grateful to God—whom I worship with a clear conscience, as my ancestors did—when I remember you constantly in my prayers night and day. Recalling your tears, I long to see you so that I may be filled with joy.”
Witnessing God’s desires each day
Growing in faith, kneeling to pray
Coming to our Savior in faith
Sharing blessings of the Good News
Telling others about Jesus
Understanding the Gospel’s views
Calling on the name of the Lord
Believing in His divine Grace
Saving us through body and blood
Walking with Christ, our special place
Studying Biblical teachings
Guiding others, led by God’s love
Drawing ever closer to Christ
Coveting His peace, from above
Abiding in Christ, the true vine
Encouraging our daily walk
Building stamina and our faith
Lighting our path, around the clock
Living under God’s righteousness
Trusting our Father day and night
Submitting to sacred commands
Transforming lives through faith’s daylight
Breathing with Savior’s peace and joy
Running to Jesus, faith’s convoy
From Philippians 4:19: “And my God will fully satisfy every need of yours according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus.”
Originally published December, 2020.
God used (and uses!) people to change the world. And what they may lack in perfection, God makes up for in love.
From Psalm 146:5: “Happy are those whose help is the God of Jacob, whose hope is in the Lord their God“
Max Lucado (born 1955) is an American pastor and Christian author.
Summer’s chapter ends
Autumn’s colors being groomed—
Landscape awakens
Summer’s gate closes
Autumn’s eager to open—
Cascading colors
Summer’s warmth fading
Sunlight’s arc sliding lower—
Autumn here at last
From the words of American farmer, artist, and writer, Rowland E. Robinson: “September days have the warmth of summer in their briefer hours, but in their lengthening evenings a prophetic breath of autumn air.”
Big Sky Buckeye 