Monday Memories: Fear Not

From Matthew 14:22-24: “Immediately He made the disciples get into the boat and go on ahead to the other side, while He dismissed the crowds. And after He had dismissed the crowds, He went up the mountain by Himself to pray. When evening came, He was there alone, but by this time the boat, battered by the waves, was far from the land, for the wind was against them.”

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Life’s storms intensify

Overcoming with fear

Facing each hostile sea

Darkness, nothing seems clear

 

Spiritual squalls come

Turning world upside down

Battered by strongest gales

Fearing each wave’s knockdown

 

Christ’s love intercedes

Praying hands, clay’s potter

Mountains to heavens

Walking on calm water

 

Jesus never leaves us

Storms quietly subside

His blessed protection

Lasting, sovereign guide

 

Fear not, faith’s spark ablaze

Christ’s true light boldly seeds

Following Son of God

Hope ripens from His deeds

 

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From Matthew 14:25-27:  “And early in the morning He came walking toward them on the sea.  But when the disciples saw Him walking on the sea, they were terrified, saying, ‘It is a ghost!’  And they cried out in fear.  But immediately Jesus spoke to them and said, ‘Take heart, it is I; do not be afraid.'”

Originally published December, 2020.

Hope’s Refreshing Pace

From Deuteronomy 30:19-20:  “Choose life so that you and your descendants may live, loving the Lord your God, obeying Him, and holding fast to Him, for that means life to you and length of days, so that you may live in the land that the Lord swore to give to your ancestors, to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob.”

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Choosing to follow

Father’s divine Word

Walking in His ways

Heaven’s light unblurred

 

Cherishing each day

Father softens heart

Guiding Spirit’s breath

Truth offers fresh start

 

Taking trusted path

Father’s saving grace

Perishing no more

Hope’s refreshing pace

 

Strengthening faith’s roots

Father’s tender hand

Living waters shine

Darkness cannot stand

 

Observing sin’s filth

Father sends His Son

Washing away debts

Mercy breathes through One

 

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From Psalm 1:1-2:  “Happy are those who do not follow the advice of the wicked or take the path that sinners tread or sit in the seat of scoffers, but their delight is in the law of the Lord, and on His law they meditate day and night.”

Tony Campolo Quote

God carries your picture in His wallet.

From Psalm 32:10:  “Many are the torments of the wicked, but steadfast love surrounds those who trust in the Lord.”

Tony Campolo (1935-2024) was an American sociologist, pastor, and Christian author.

Charles Swindoll Quote

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Our calling is to be faithful in the demanding tasks, whether that is our education, our marriage, our occupation, of just the daily grind of life.

From Isaiah 50:10:  “Who among you fears the Lord and obeys the voice of his servant, who walks in darkness and has no light, yet trusts in the name of the Lord and relies upon his God?”

Charles Swindoll (born 1934) is an American pastor and Christian author.

Billy Graham Quote

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Too many Christians have geared their program to please, to entertain, and to gain favor from this world.  We are concerned with how much, instead of how little, like this age we can become.

From John 15:19:  “ If you belonged to the world, the world would love you as its own.  Because you do not belong to the world, but I have chosen you out of the world, therefore the world hates you.”

Billy Graham (1918-2018) was an American Christian evangelist.

Charles Swindoll Quote

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God has some extremely exciting things in mind for His children.  He knows exactly where He’s taking us.  Our job is to obey.

From Isaiah 41:10:  “Do not fear, for I am with you; do not be afraid, for I am your God; I will strengthen you; I will help you; I will uphold you with My victorious right hand.”

Charles Swindoll (born 1934) is an American pastor and Christian author.

Journey of Hope (Elfchen Series #264)

Forgiveness

Stumbling

Through darkness

Sin’s fading shadow

Witnessing light at Calvary

Rising

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Truthfulness

Rising

Morning’s faithfulness

Father shares blessings

Word nourished with prayer

Leading

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Resilient

Leading

With righteousness

Shepherd’s steady voice

Bringing to tranquil waters

Trusting

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Charles Swindoll Quote

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The immortal, invisible, all-wise God hid from your eyes, is at work.  Be very still, and for a change, listen.

From Isaiah 30:15:  “For thus said the Lord God, the Holy One of Israel:  In returning and rest you shall be saved; in quietness and in trust shall be your strength.”

Charles Swindoll (born 1934) is an American pastor and Christian author.

Finley Peter Dunne Quotes

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Stories are meant to comfort the afflicted, and afflict the comfortable.

Trust everyone but always cut the cards.

Finley Peter Dunne (1867-1936) was an American writer, humorist, and journalist.

Love’s Highest Prize

From 1 Corinthians 13:4-7:  “Love is patient; love is kind; love is not envious or boastful or arrogant or rude.  It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable; it keeps no record of wrongs; it does not rejoice in wrongdoing but rejoices in the truth.  It bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.”

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Father smiles from above

Witnessing two people in love

 

Man sees sparkle in her eyes

Sharing heart, love’s necktie

 

Woman gifting her heart

Cherishing love’s treasured start

 

Tomorrow’s outlook brightens

Feeling love’s reins tighten

 

Spirit joins together

Fashioning love’s tether

 

Marriage vows expressing love

Walking with Christ above

 

Love’s most tender flower

Flourishing with every hour

 

Spirit’s eternal imprint

Sealing love’s fingerprint

 

Love maturing as one

Praising choices in God’s Son

 

Father blessing love’s fresh start

Bringing grace to each heart

 

New day welcomes sunrise

Affirming love’s highest prize

 

What wondrous love now received

Trusting what Father conceived

 

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This poem comes from the hearts of two people who discovered each other nearly 20 years ago.  With our faith nourished by God’s grace, He continues to walk with both of us.

— Richard and Colleen