Peace is the only battle worth waging.
Man is the only creature who refuses to be what he is.
Albert Camus (1913-1960) was a French philosopher, author, and journalist. In 1957, at the age of 44, he received the Nobel Prize in Literature.
American baseball legend, George Herman “Babe” Ruth, had a simple philosophy as a hitter: “Never let the fear of striking out get in your way.” In his major league career, he endured many, many strikeouts, but he also hit record numbers of home runs.
Journey’s imperfections
Discovering each day
Simple philosophy
Always swinging away
Freedom to meet failure
Swinging again with might
Confidence maturing
Baseball rises in flight
Pathway toward success
Achieving one more dream
Every strikeout teaches
Lessons ride each sunbeam
Vision’s bright tomorrow
Learning from yesterday
New challenges arrive
Inning’s next double play
Courage stepping out front
Embracing today’s game
Fearless in attitude
Humbleness blends with fame
From Isaiah 32:17: “The effect of righteousness will be peace, and the result of righteousness, quietness and trust forever.”
Transformative in vision
Merciful justice reigns
Filled with Father’s righteousness
Harvesting ripened grain
Transformative in purpose
Judgment from Father’s hand
Thirst quenched by living waters
Saving this weary land
Transformative in mission
Refuge upon hope’s rock
Eyes opened to Father’s truth
Encouraging faith’s flock
Transformative in passion
Forgiveness of debts owed
Resurrection’s eternal light
Walking Christ’s risen road
From Luke 24:13-16: “Now on that same day two of them were going to a village called Emmaus, about seven miles from Jerusalem, and talking with each other about all these things that had happened. While they were talking and discussing, Jesus Himself came near and went with them, but their eyes were kept from recognizing Him.”
We are what we pretend to be, so we must be careful what we pretend to be.
And a step backward, after making a wrong turn, is a step in the right direction.
Kurt Vonnegut (1922-2007) was an American writer, whose prolific career of over fifty years produced countless works filled with his unique satire and dark humor.
Imagination is the living power and prime agent of all human perception
My eyes make pictures when they are shut.
Samuel Taylor Coleridge (1772-1834) was an English poet, theologian, and philosopher. He was considered to be one of the founders of the Romantic Movement in England.
Silence is as deep as eternity, speech as shallow as time.
It is the heart that always sees, before the head can see.
Thomas Carlyle (1795-1881) was a Scottish-born essayist, historian, and philosopher. He was a leading writer of the Victorian era.
From 1 Timothy 3:16-17: “Without any doubt, the mystery of godliness is great: He was revealed in flesh, vindicated in spirit, seen by angels, proclaimed among gentiles, believed in throughout the world, taken up in glory.”
Receiving Father’s love
Heavenly provisions
Learning His trusted ways
Fulfilled with hope’s vision
Living with Father’s peace
Righteousness always leads
Blessing journey ahead
Strengthened with mercy’s seed
Seeking Father’s counsel
Daily conversation
Linking up through prayer
Rejected temptation
Fulfilling Father’s joy
Spirit nurtures each soul
Coming to Lord Jesus
Sanctified, faith made whole
Completing Father’s work
Upon His foundation
Accepting light’s guidance
Restored through salvation
From 1 Thessalonians 5:23: “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.”
From John 8:32: “And you will know the truth, and the truth will make you free.”
Blessed land stretching from ocean to ocean
Spacious skies wink at fields of abundant grain
Framed in by towering, majestic mountains
God’s Grace covering the land like fruitful rain
Lady Liberty extends her message of hope
Calling out, only demanding to breathe free
Ensuring freedom for the huddled masses
Keeping her torch lite, from sea to shining sea
Asking God to mend a nation’s ills and flaws
Lifting praises up to the Father above
His glory be forever praised here below
Liberty and freedom shall ring, filled with love
Forgiving our nation’s errors and transgressions
Healing hearts of discord, peace now safeguarded
Leading this nation out of its dark wilderness
Remembering an old path, long discarded
Nation founded from scratch, with lasting vision
“All men are created equal” crying out
Endowed from the Creator, come certain rights
Life, liberty, pursuit of happiness shout
“America the Beautiful” is a beloved song. You are invited to listen to this familiar song, as sung by Lee Greenwood.
Originally published July, 2020.
Early morning moon
Leaving at sunrise
Life awakens above
Welcoming brightest blue skies
Heavens’ newest page
Sharing rested smile
Vision captures each scene
Unlocking Creator’s file
Light follows skyward
Landing at treetop
Canopy’s leafy look
Holding up every dewdrop
Clouds shift overhead
Fluffing each pillow
Onboard timeless sunset
Rising with every billow
Gentle breeze humming
Composing fresh tunes
Harmony’s precision
Sailing toward fullest moon
Although we may want our difficulties resolved immediately, what we really need is a bigger vision of God, not fewer problems.
From Jeremiah 32:17-18: “Ah Lord God! It is You who made the heavens and the earth by Your great power and by Your outstretched arm! Nothing is too hard for You. You show steadfast love to the thousandth generation.”
Big Sky Buckeye 