As children
Playing board games
Innocence sparkles
Without igniting flames
Daily joy
Nourishing trust
Every hour brightens
Happiness never rusts
World ignores
Destroying hope
Daylight now darkens
War viewed through every scope
Man’s nature
Mapping each clash
Nations torn apart
Battlefields burned to ash
Future doubts
Flowing with tears
Children’s hearts saddened
Tomorrow’s constant fears
It is easier to build strong children than to repair broken men.
Liberty is meaningless where the right to utter one’s thoughts and opinions has ceased to exist.
Frederick Douglass (1818-1895) was an American social reformer, abolitionist, and statesman. He used his influential voice during the early years of the civil rights movement for African-Americans.
No less a person than God is needed to assure us of God’s love.
From 1 John 4:9-10: “God’s love was revealed among us in this way: God sent His only Son into the world so that we might live through Him. In this is love, not that we loved God but that He loved us and sent His Son to be the atoning sacrifice for our sins.”
Richard Sibbes (1577-1635) was an Anglican theologian and a Calvanist.
Down through the years, I turned to the Bible and found in it all that I needed.
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.”
Ruth Bell Graham (1920-2007) was an American Christian author. Born to American parents who were dedicated to medical missionary work in China, she would later become the wife of evangelist Billy Graham. They met when both were attending Wheaton College in Illinois.
The richness of the Word of God ought to determine our prayer, not the poverty of our heart.
From Psalm 118;24: “This is the day that the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it.”
German-born Dietrich Bonhoeffer (1906-1945) was a Lutheran pastor, theologian, and anti-Nazi dissident. Many of his writings express the role of Christianity in mankind’s daily lives. He paid the ultimate price for his activism against the Nazi regime during World War II.
Joy does not simply happen to us. We have to choose joy and keep choosing it every day.
From Psalm 16:11: “You show me the path of life. In Your presence there is fullness of joy; in Your right hand are pleasures forevermore.”
Henri Nouwen (1932-1996) was a Dutch priest, professor, writer, and theologian.
From Psalm 105:1-2: “O give thanks to the Lord; call on His name; make known His deeds among the peoples. Sing to Him, sing praises to Him; tell of all His wonderful works.”
Eyes of eagerness
Scanning earthly realm
Witnessed from Heaven’s light
Finding Christ at faith’s helm
Every miracle
Generating hope
Touched by Bethlehem’s light
Grasping Messiah’s rope
Blessed with wonderful
Singing hymns of praise
Confirmed through divine light
Teaching from faith ablaze
Truth fills worship’s tone
Tasting daily bread
Nourished from Savior’s light
Redeeming through blood shed
Eternity’s peace
Overflowing grace
Summoned to trusted light
Bringing joy to each face
From Psalm 105:5-6: “Remember the wonderful works He has done, His miracles and the judgments He has uttered, O offspring of His servant Abraham, children of Jacob, His chosen ones.”
There are three persons living in each of us: the one we think we are, the one other people think we are, and the one God knows we are.
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.”
Leonard Ravenhill (1907-1994) was a British Christian author. Many of his chosen themes focused on prayer and revival.
Everything has its wonders, even darkness and silence, and I learn, whatever state I may be in, therein to be content.
From Philippians 4:11-13: “Not that I am referring to being in need, for I have learned to be content with whatever I have. I know what it is to have little, and I know what it is to have plenty. In any and all circumstances I have learned the secret of being well-fed and of going hungry, of having plenty and of being in need. I can do all things through Him who strengthens me.
Helen Keller (1880-1968) was an American author and lecturer. Her own journey through blindness and deafness encouraged her to advocate for the rights of others who live with disabilities.
This world possessed me.
It tried to keep me from Your light.
And all the time, life seemed to rhyme.
Sometimes, it even turned out right.
Still, my life was dark as night!
Even then,
I felt You there.
I knew You always cared.
Your pow’r was greater,
than this world’s strongest hold on me.
You sent Your Son to be the One
to bleed and die on Calvary.
Now, new daylight sets me free.
Evermore,
my Savior lives.
His strength He always gives.
So . . .
Jesus, my Lord Jesus,
now, I can call You Lord.
By Your Holy Spirit’s pow’r,
and by Your precious love each hour,
I’ve giv’n my heart to You.
Jesus, my Lord Jesus,
Yes, I can call You Lord.
By You bearing all my shame,
and by Your precious, holy name,
I’ve put my trust in You.
Jesus, my Lord Jesus,
yes, I can call You Lord.
Jesus, my Lord Jesus,
yes, I will call You Lord!
Today’s Christian poem is one of several contained in BITS ‘N’ PIECES OF MY HEART. The proud author is my wife, Colleen Peterson.
From her own words:
BITS ‘N’ PIECES OF MY HEART contains stories, devotions and poetry for the adults, activities to do with your children, and fun little songs. The devotions and poetry will strongly open up your faith walk to more of God’s light. Doing the fun activities and singing little songs with your children will bring smiles to everyone’s heart.
Colleen appreciates the kind reception her book has received. It is available on your favorite online bookstore site.
Big Sky Buckeye 