Accepting
Christ’s teachings
Humble and gentle
Reaching out to others
Grace
Receiving
God’s love
Eternal, flowing grace
Let ours always shine
Patience
Sharing
Father’s grace
Following His example
Our turn to share
Love
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.
Reasons to finish
Overcoming challenges—
Never giving in
Time’s quiet moments
Opening each memory—
Never forgotten
In searching life’s depths
Finding intended nuggets—
Few others shall see
Don’t neglect the gold in your own back yard.
A dream can be the highest point of a life.
Ben Okri (born 1959) is a Nigerian-born poet and novelist. Much of his writing focuses on African post-modern and post-colonial traditions.
When our top priority is to please God with our life, we can expect treasure in heaven.
From Luke 12:20-21: “But God said to him, ‘You fool! This very night your life is being demanded of you. And the things you have prepared, whose will they be?’ So it is with those who store up treasures for themselves but are not rich toward God.”
If we are children of God, we have a tremendous treasure in Nature. In every wind that blows, in every night and day of the year, in every sign of the sky, in every blossoming and in every withering of the earth, there is a real coming of God to us if we will simply use our starved imagination to realize it.
From Isaiah 40:26: “Lift up your eyes on high and see: Who created these? He who brings out their host and numbers them, calling them all by name; because He is great in strength, mighty in power, not one is missing.”
Oswald Chambers (1874-1917) was a Scottish evangelist and Christian teacher. Following his death from an illness while in Egypt during World War I, his wife took on the task of transcribing the detailed notes she had written from his lectures and sermons. Gertrude Hobbs Chambers’ efforts resulted in the publication in 1924 of MY UTMOST FOR HIS HIGHEST. I frequently read from this devotional, and it has greatly deepened my faith and understanding of God’s Word.
Remember that wherever your heart is, there you will find your treasure.
One is loved because one is loved. No reason is needed for loving.
Paulo Coelho de Souza (born 1947) is a Brazilian lyricist and novelist. He has published over two dozen books, with THE ALCHEMIST being an international best-seller.
Fred’s backyard shed is filled with his treasures. When he is busy tinkering and grooming his immaculate yard, he is often seen heading to his shed to find another tool or implement of some kind. Because he works from sunup to sundown every weekend, he is known around the neighborhood as “Farmer Fred.”
His next door neighbor, Milt, is a sociable and friendly sort of guy. However, he has one irritating flaw. He doesn’t own too many tools and such to help with his own yard work. And of course, he feels a need to keep up with Fred’s pristine garden oasis.
Every day or so, Milt walks over to Fred’s backyard. With a smile and a familiar voice, he calls out, “Hey neighbor!”
He asks Fred if he can borrow one of his precious tools from the shed. Fred always gives Milt the “okay” and watches him take it back to his place.
Over the next several days, Milt borrows a nearly endless list of Fred’s treasures . . . shovel, rake, wheelbarrow, trimmer, and even his brand new lawnmower.
On Saturday morning, Fred walks out to his nearly empty shed. He thinks to himself, “Yes sir! Milt has just about taken every piece of my valuable equipment and more to his place.”
With a scowl hidden by his ever-present smile, Fred swiftly marches over to Milt’s yard.
“Hey neighbor!”
Generations marching
Clock’s hands never stand still
Time’s traveler journeys
Years navigate downhill
History’s recorder
Passport to each event
Time’s traveler writing
Every book’s contents
Stories fill with people
Exploits reign paramount
Time’s traveler sees all
His recollections count
Worldly landmarks indexed
Mile after mile recalls
Time’s traveler postcards
Destination now calls
Energy never sleeps
Chronicles each step
Time’s traveler breathing
At library’s doorstep
From Luke 12:32-34: “Do not be afraid, little flock, for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom. Sell your possessions, and give alms. Make purses for yourselves that do not wear out, an unfailing treasure in Heaven, where no thief comes near and no moth destroys. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.”
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Mankind endlessly searches earth’s treasures
Wandering and looking under each rock
Few ever deliver much to measure
As time flees, few seconds left on a clock
Treasures worth seeking, always to be found
Depositing the seeds of faith with God
His Word brings a richness, lovingly bound
Accept now His Grace, with a “yes” and nod
No earthly treasure can compare to this
Eternal life awaits, accept His call
Taking up our cross, we follow God’s list
His Holy treasure, never fails or falls
Following our Lord, no need to measure
Christ’s blood brings a harvest of treasures
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America’s Minister of Encouragement, Dennis Swanberg, writes: “There is absolutely no evidence that complexity and materialism lead to happiness. On the contrary, there is plenty of evidence that simplicity and spirituality lead to joy, a blessedness that is better than happiness.”
Flying high above
Gray sky’s lonely sentinel—
Solitary spy
Unchecked challenges
Emotional behavior—
Nature spills over
Season to season
Creation’s precious treasures—
Never growing old
Big Sky Buckeye 