Pre-dawn’s innocence
Preview with minimal light—
Sunrise holding back
Epic cataract
Lazy river’s destiny—
Crushing waters roar
Creator’s spirit
Tall grasses reach to heavens—
Prairie much alive
Endless days
Rain with cold
Clouding ways
Hidden folds
Journey’s road
Whispers heard
Bearing loads
Past unblurred
Rhythm’s pace
Patience calls
Giving chase
Freedom stalls
Darkness reigns
Future waits
Changing lanes
Freshens fate
Clouds depart
Sun arrives
Thawing heart
Full of drive
Outlook warms
Boldness shines
Leaving storm
Day looks fine
I not only bow to the inevitable; I am fortified by it.
The stuff of which masterpieces are made drifts about the world waiting to be clothed in words.
Thornton Wilder (1897-1975) was an American playwright and novelist. His gifted words earned three Pulitzer Prizes for Drama and Fiction.
Under cover of night
Fullest moon, ever bright
Another day now waits
Nature’s splendid estate
Galaxy’s twinkling stars
Distant markers afar
Risen spirit above
Filled with Creator’s love
Each distant breath measures
Dreams filling with treasures
Scattered glimpse of wonder
Sudden sound of thunder
Heartbreak covers landscape
No avenue for escape
Yet, horizon brightens
Darkness set to lighten
Night sky growing smaller
Brilliant pallet’s colors
Clouds bowing to sunrise
Morning’s innocent eyes
Most of us would rather not wait or struggle to understand the Lord’s will. But that’s how we grow in our relationship with Him.
From Psalm 27:14: “Wait for the Lord; be strong, and let your heart take courage; wait for the Lord!”
Charles Stanley (1932-2023) was an American pastor and Christian writer. He was dedicated to leading a teaching ministry.
From Psalm 25:4-5: “Make me to know Your ways, O Lord; teach me Your paths. Lead me in Your truth and teach me, for You are the God of my salvation; for You I wait all day long.”
Darkness filled with stormy seas
Navigating all alone
Waiting and watching
Jesus witnesses man’s every groan
Better days surely coming
Spring forward, full of grace
Watching and hoping
Jesus shares righteous branch, now embrace
His way leads to higher ground
Bringing mercy’s salvation
Hoping and trusting
Jesus rebuilds faith’s new foundation
Moments of earnest prayer
Transforming grace taking flight
Trusting and praising
Jesus forgives with redemptive light
Faith nourished with comfort’s love
Raising Resurrection’s bridge
No longer waiting
Jesus offers way to heaven’s ridge
From 1 Thessalonians 5:9-10: “For God has destined us not for wrath but for obtaining salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ, who died for us, so that whether we are awake or asleep we may live with Him.”
Patience is not simply the ability to wait–it’s “how” we behave while we’re waiting.
From Romans 12:12: “Rejoice in hope; be patient in affliction; persevere in prayer. “
Joyce Meyer (born 1943) is an American Christian author and speaker.
From Isaiah 9:2: “The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; those who lived in a land of deep darkness—on them light has shined.”
Chained without freedom’s hope
Slaves to enemy’s grip
Bound in his deception
Lost in darkness, faith’s flagship
God sows fresh seeds of hope
Promised redemption’s road
Light upon wilderness
Blessed revelation’s code
Prayer seeks divine hope
Messenger prepares way
Foretold in prophet’s words
Endless night searches for day
God’s narrative shares hope
His Word shall become flesh
Faith’s promises fulfilled
Harvest’s righteous grain to thresh
New birth of living hope
Forgiveness leads outcome
Salvation shall rescue
Waiting for who is to come
Advent Prayer: Heavenly Father, as we remember and reflect upon this Advent season, assist us in turning our hearts toward You as we approach the birth of Your blessed Son. Encourage us to celebrate the gifts received from that very first Christmas: hope, peace, joy, and love. Amen.
One of Advent’s most enduring hymns is “O Come, O Come, Emmanuel.” The original text was composed in Latin during the 12th century. In 1861, English priest and scholar John Mason Neale translated the lyrics into what many Christians recognize and sing today.
Winter’s shadow fades
Morning air sharing warm smiles—
Spring readies comeback
Tree’s empty bird nest
Waiting for newest tenant—
Turning spring’s fresh page
Bravest, greenest shoots
Breaking through quiet landscape—
Spring says, “I’m coming”
There is a difference between an ideal and a vision. An ideal has no moral inspirations; a vision has.
From Proverbs 29:18: “Where there is no prophecy, the people cast off restraint, but happy are those who keep the law.”
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.
Big Sky Buckeye 