Called by Destiny

From Ephesians 2:4-5: “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.”

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Called by Father’s grace Renewing Heaven’s light Receiving forgiveness Redemption takes flight

Called by river’s strength Flowing with nature’s rain Living waters fill light Taste of harvest’s grain

Called by Savior’s peace Discovering true hope Following blessed light Faith grips mercy’s rope

Called by Calvary Kneeling again to pray Witnessing Risen Light Transformation’s clay

Called by Spirit’s light Embracing Scripture’s Word Honoring every verse Truth no longer blurred

Called by destiny Walking in Christ’s shadow Matching His faithful steps Light’s grace always flows

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From 1 Thessalonians 5:23-24: “May the God of peace Himself sanctify you entirely, and may your spirit and soul and body be kept sound and blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. The one who calls you is faithful, and He will do this.”

Love’s Faithful Fabric

From Psalm 103:2-4: “Bless the Lord, O my soul, and do not forget all His benefits—who forgives all your iniquity, who heals all your diseases, who redeems your life from the Pit, who crowns you with steadfast love and mercy.”

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Gracious Father’s mercy
Abounding depth of love
Steadfast, unconditional
Foresight received from above

Heavenly redemption
Healing each hardened heart
Grace flowing with forgiveness
Savior’s light confirms hope’s start

Father’s witness bears truth
Fulfilling righteous norms
Always love one another
Armor of light now transforms

Christ’s clearest instructions
Building love’s exercise
Works of darkness laid aside
Messiah’s trusted franchise

Called to forgive others
Shedding blindness through light
Love’s faithful fabric now sown
Relationship’s comfort bright

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From Romans 13:10: “Love does no wrong to a neighbor; therefore, love is the fulfilling of the law.”

Conviction’s Voice (Elfchen Series #302)

Abiding

Embracing

Savior’s light

Holiness of righteousness

Enriched by Father’s Word

Truth

Promising

Transformed

By grace

Accepting disciplined steps

Honoring commitment to Christ

Faith

Reassuring

Enlightened

Through Jesus

Loving Him back

Daily praises of joy

Peace

Monday Memories: Stepping Into Light

From Romans 13:11-12:  “Besides this, you know what time it is, how it is now the moment for you to wake from sleep.  For salvation is nearer to us now than when we became believers; the night is far gone, the day is near.  Let us then lay aside the works of darkness and put on the armor of light.”

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Turning away from temptation’s path

Following God’s Holy, righteous road

Transforming self into Christ’s image

Experiencing His love, bestowed

 

Breathing, yet lost in evil’s darkness

Hiding in shame, past sinful landscape

Reaching for Salvation’s lasting grace

Wearing armor of light, faith reshapes

 

Sharing His Father’s Word, Christ teaches

Loving one another, sharing peace

Witnessing His greatest commandment

Living with openness, life’s new lease

 

Leaving His advocate, Christ assures

Coming Holy Spirit, lifts each life

Overcoming sin’s flesh-filled desires

Growing in submission, without strife

 

Offering path to new life, Christ comes

Forsaking life’s bold truth, darkness flees

Walking in faith, stepping into light

Remaining steadfast, in what He sees

 

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From the words of American pastor and Christian teacher, Charles Stanley:  “When we rely on Him [God] instead of ourselves, He produces godly desires within us, empowers obedience, and transforms our character into Christ’s likeness.”

Originally published March, 2021.

Tranquility’s Harvest (Haiku Series #378)

Preciousness

Morning’s rising face

Energizing peace below—

Fresh outlook embraced

Boundless

Clear night sky arrives

Breathing with infinite peace—

Tomorrow on deck

Permanence

Intimacy felt

Transforming peace covers earth—

Creator’s presence

Monday Memories: Winter’s Final Walk

This poem is written in a traditional sonnet style with 14 lines, and each line contains 10 syllables.  I was fortunate to witness this park one day before the rising temperatures would begin transforming the park from its winter look.

Sycamore trees lose some of their bark over time. The whitest branches truly glisten in the winter sunlight.

Invitation from warmer winter day

Insisting on afternoon nature hike

Snowy Walnut Woods, waiting with sunshine

Feeling welcome, childlike emotions strike

 

Deep snow lining each trail, bright white border

Dressing in cozy layers, feeling warm

Park’s newest treasures, eager to explore

Thankful for winter’s freedom from snowstorms

 

Ancient sycamore tree branches glisten

Discovering cross-country skiers’ trail

Beaver dam holds back frozen Big Run creek

Precious winter moments bless, without fail

 

Looming big thaw will erase winter’s scene

Memories filling life’s unending screen

 

A wintertime beaver dam backs up the frozen Big Run. It might not survive the spring runoff.

Originally published March, 2021.

Christ Intervening

From Acts 2:38: “Peter said to them, ‘Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ so that your sins may be forgiven, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.'”

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Sitting at Father’s side
Christ, our Savior lives
Overcoming darkness
Empty tomb proves He lives

Trusting faith’s witnesses
Christ lights Father’s way
Calling for repentance
Many baptized this day

Transforming fiber’s flesh
Christ welcomes each saint
Sharing love’s forgiveness
Holy Spirit repaints

Receiving redemption
Christ intervening
Teaching with righteous breath
Faith accepts spring-cleaning

Calling upon His name
Christ shares trusted grace
Breaking chains of bondage
Heaven’s light to embrace
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From Psalm 116:12-13: “What shall I return to the Lord for all His bounty to me? I will lift up the cup of salvation and call on the name of the Lord.”

Boundless

From Ephesians 3:14-15: “For this reason I bow my knees before the Father, from whom every family in heaven and on earth takes its name.”

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Praising Father above
Light reflected in His Word
Boundless in its depth
Strengthening through what’s heard

Gathering in worship
Righteous-filled interactions
Boundless energy
Leading faith to action

Dwelling in every heart
Joined together through prayer
Boundless connections
Receiving peace to share

Trusting in tomorrow
Savior opens Heaven’s light
Boundless in its truth
Transforming mankind’s plight

Resurrecting each heart
Father’s glory to embrace
Boundless Spirit stirs
Raising Christ’s destined grace

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From Ephesians 3:18-19: “I pray that you may have the power to comprehend, with all the saints, what is the breadth and length and height and depth and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, so that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.”

Heavenly Blessings (Elfchen Series #297)

Healed

Reaching

Beyond shadows

Hardened heart restored

Walking in Father’s light

Salvation

Pardoned

Accepting

Father’s mercy

Heart’s rhythm cleansed

Each transgression blotted out

Forgiveness

Restored

Creating

Enlightened heart

Spirit refreshes thee

Father heals faith’s fabric

Peace

Feeling Young

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Landscape embraces warmth

Whispering from above

Fabric of spring descends

Sharing Creator’s love

 

Winter’s cold fades away

Transforming earth’s outlook

Tender grass comes alive

Following spring’s guidebook

 

Memories feeling young

Uncovering cherished prize

Charm awakens with peace

Filling morning’s blue skies

 

Today meets tomorrow

Nurturing every thirst

Breath of hope replenished

Witnessing rain’s cloudburst

 

Spring’s timely arrival

Beholding each snapshot

Precious life now reborn

Finding nature’s soft spot

 

Courtesy of Pinterest.