Praising
From whom
Every blessing flows
Our Lord, our Creator
Gratitude
Maturing
In Christ
Hope’s eternal message
Walking in His light
Faith
Transforming
Spirit’s presence
Love never ceases
Grace arrives from above
Reverence
Hungering
For Father
Whole heart prays
Finding Him always near
Faith
Coming
To Father
Focusing on Light
Following His trusted wisdom
Peace
Gathering
With Father
Restoring tomorrow’s hope
Climbing up mercy’s steps
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.
From John 4:23-24: [Jesus is speaking] “But the hour is coming, and is now here, when the true worshippers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for the Father seeks such as these to worship Him. God is spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth.”
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Praising with faith the Sabbath, the Lord’s Day
But, our lives needing to connect in other ways
Worshipping each day, receiving God’s serenity
Setting aside daily moments, faithful identity
Reading Scripture from the Lord’s Holy Word
Praying, praising, giving thanks—voices heard
Coming to the Lord with sincere-filled thoughts
Spending time with Him, connecting life’s dots
Sowing seeds of worship and praise with our God
Transforming by His love, perfect and unflawed
Reaping abounding harvest, singing with gladness
Witnessing God’s sacred harmony, never sadness
Filling our hungry hearts, opening up our minds
Listening to our Lord, He comes and truly finds
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From American pastor and Christian author, A. W. Tozer: “If you will not worship God seven days a week, you do not really worship Him on one day a week.”
Originally published March, 2020.
The greatest legacy we can leave is not money or belongings but the truth that changes lives. Begin today to influence future generations by bringing them the Good News.
From 2 Timothy 3:14-15: “ But as for you, continue in what you have learned and firmly believed, knowing from whom you learned it and how from childhood you have known sacred writings that are able to instruct you for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus.”
Jesus has prayed that we might be one with Him as He is one with the Father.
From 1 Thessalonians 5:23-24: “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.”
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.
From Hebrews 11:1-3: “Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen. Indeed, by faith our ancestors received approval. By faith we understand that the worlds were prepared by the word of God, so that what is seen was made from things that are not visible.”
Faith fills assurance
Light brightens day’s hope
What’s seen and unseen?
Love viewed through God’s scope
Faith moves through Scripture
Testaments make clear
Witness Abraham
Hope waits, then appears
Faith grows, trusting God
Hope’s great centerpiece
Foundations built strong
Life of blessed peace
Faith matures with time
God’s perfection reigns
His Word guides with truth
Hope makes lifelong gains
Faith’s hope, joined as one
Journey’s promised land
God forever praised
Mercy’s steady hand
From the words of American pastor and Christian writer, Warren Wiersbe: “Love increases our faith, and when we have faith and love, we will have hope.”
From Philippians 4:19: “And my God will fully satisfy every need of yours according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus.”
Looking to Almighty God
Reigning over His creation
Following His guiding rod
Praying without cessation
Seeing that God will provide
Nourishing Word filled with grace
Sending Spirit, as our guide
Blessing man, follow His pace
Witnessing divine kindness
Offering daily praises
Removing sinful blindness
Navigating life’s mazes
Kneeling under mercy’s hand
Worshipping our Risen Lord
Escaping evil’s quicksand
Vanquishing enemy’s sword
Obeying Holy One’s voice
Standing always as faith’s rock
Providing life’s better choice
Trusting in heaven’s crosswalk
From Psalm 34:10: “The young lions suffer want and hunger, but those who seek the Lord lack no good thing.”
On a sunny, early morning, the old man decided to go fishing. He drove out to his favorite fishing hole along the river. Two teenage boys were also fishing near the same area.
After a spell, the boys migrated over to the old man’s spot. The brothers shared their names, Jaylen and Caden. They were fine looking boys, and pretty darn good fishermen.
In about an hour, each had caught 2-3 fish, while the old man was shut out. Perhaps he needed to take a break and think of a different plan.
The brothers were about ready to leave, but they hung around for a bit. Soon the conversation turned to their personal relationships with Jesus Christ. Each was a Christian, and had accepted Jesus as their Savior.
The old man had never considered experiencing a relationship with God. There was a Bible somewhere at home, or at least he thought so. The last time he attended church was for a dear friend’s funeral a couple of years ago.
As the boys continued to share their faith with the old man, time seemed to stand still. Without knowing it, Caden and Jaylen were exchanging their efforts to fish for trout for an opportunity to fish for the Lord. Their little bit of fishing was replaced with blessed evangelism, and now they were casting their net—filled with lots of God.
After about 30 minutes, the brothers checked the time and finished up their conversation with the old man. They needed to get the day’s catch home for their mother to prepare for supper.
The old man thanked them for the conversation, and gave them a wave good-bye. He looked at his own fishing scorecard, and he was still winless in the fishing department.
But, he felt like a winner in the faith department. He picked up his fishing gear and headed up from the river. As he began to drive away in his battered pick-up truck, he made a vow to find that phantom Bible at home.
Jaylen and Caden invited the old man to visit their church for Sunday’s worship service. Because of their encouragement, he told them he would attend. The brothers also promised to share some of their fishing tips with him.
From Matthew 4:18-19: “As He walked by the Sea of Galilee, He saw two brothers, Simon, who is called Peter, and Andrew his brother, casting a net into the sea—for they were fishers. And He said to them, ‘Follow me, and I will make you fishers of people.'”
From 2 Timothy 4:1-2: “In the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who is to judge the living and the dead, and in view of His appearing and His kingdom, I solemnly urge you: proclaim the message; be persistent whether the time is favorable or unfavorable; convince, rebuke, and encourage with the utmost patience in teaching.”
Always be prepared
Proclaiming God’s Word
Staying persistent
Every season stirred
Always be patient
Encouraging words
Sharing Father’s grace
Every season heard
Always be faithful
Remaining steadfast
Enduring hardships
Every season cast
Always be truthful
Teaching Gospel’s facts
Turning toward God
Every season acts
Always be strengthened
Believing in God
Kneeling and praying
Every season lauds
From 2 Timothy 4:5: “As for you, be sober in everything, endure suffering, do the work of an evangelist, carry out your ministry fully.”
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It is mid-morning on a nearly empty street corner in a remote, medium-sized town when Milt runs into one of his best friends, Fred. Little do these two men know, but their improbable rendezvous will bring both of them inner strength and hope.
Both men are in their eighties, but each is blessed with good health. Being retired, they don’t always have a chance to catch up on news.
Milt is a widower, who lost his beloved Sharon several years back. Fred’s lovely wife, Judy, struggles with many chronic health concerns.
The two friends continue to visit on the deserted street corner. Milt tells Fred, “I am really concerned about this virus news.” As he speaks, both men realize they need to stand a bit farther apart due to reminders in the news about social distancing.
Milt replies back, “Me, too. I guess we have lots of company.” Both men have been overly cautious about being safe with their exposure to the disease.
Fred shares news from home about his bride of 61 years. He continues talking to Milt, “I am really worried about Sharon. Her health is very fragile, and I hope she can weather the storm ahead with this virus out there.”
Milt looks across at his friend, and he sees the deep worries of concern and anxiety in Fred’s face. Milt asks, “May I pray for you?” Milt nods in agreement.
In closing the prayer, Milt shares a special prayer with his long-time friend: “God, grant us the serenity to accept the things we cannot change, the courage to change the things we cannot change, the courage to change the things we can, and wisdom to know the difference.”
Before the men depart and continue with their day’s journey, Fred shares a verse from one of his favorite Psalms (27:1): “The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? The Lord is the stronghold of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?”
The Serenity Prayer was originally written by theologian Reinhold Niebuhr. The most common version of the prayer was published in 1951, but Niebuhr used variations of the prayer in sermons as early as 1934. In the story, Milt adapted the prayer to fit the situation.
Originally published March, 2020.
Big Sky Buckeye 