11/23/22

A soldier once was haunted by a thought
Which frequently would make him feel distraught 
A failure he would see himself to be
And often only darkness he would see

But then, receiving mercy from his Friend
His time of trial came gently to an end
And free to love and serve his friends anew 
Redeemed, he glistened, flourished, blossomed, grew

10/16/22

Guard this Garden, guard it well
Precious treasures ever dwell
Braced with flaming blade, behold
Treasures fed with measured gold 

Mold this soul so full of light 
Bar what’s marred so far from sight
Free to keep this Tree of Life
Keeping peace, thus free from strife 

Battle rattles: ancient Fall
Casts a shadow after all
Cope with hope to overcome 
All that’s lost to be re-won

Savior came so brave indeed
Slain for gain there reigned a seed
Seed to Tree to free again
Those whose woes repose had been

10/9/22

Too many things, busy as bees
Not enough time now to do as we please
Where did it go? The time that was lost
Did we not realize how great was the cost?

Time to pause.  Time to breathe.
Take it in: this wondrous eve.
Best of things: attention owed
Grateful for the gifts bestowed

10/8/22

Love is patient, Love is kind
Deep within the heart to find
Overcoming fear and strife
Bringing even death to Life

Beauty fills the loving heart
Forging bonds to never part
If they do, they’re forged again
Stronger than they’ve ever been

Oh, to fully give oneself!
Therein truly lies the wealth
Sacrifice for all one’s friends
Leads to truly happy ends 

9/18/22

A runner slackened pace for quite a while
He seemed to lose more breath with every mile
What happened to his will, which once was strong?
Could he not manage more than limp along?

With motives faded far behind him now
An aimless course he took; he knew not how
No end in sight, his mind now grew distraught
How could he lose what for long and hard he fought?

A light, a word came suddenly to aid
This desperate soul, who now felt newly made
Renewed in strength, he sprinted, leapt and soared 
With tiredness forgotten and ignored

Oh, how he flew!  A sight to then behold:
From death to life, renewed to young from old!
With gaping gaze, the onlookers did cheer
For victory he won; what’s now to fear?

9/4/22

What purpose can a person find in work,
A task we mustn’t feel we have to shirk?
The team, the skills, the money and career
For family, the world, both far and near

Community and company we serve
With virtue causing growth in every nerve
While sanctifying work, our colleagues, selves
For glory of our God, how deep we delve!

9/3/22

A child, and then another came to be
The father’s loving heart rejoiced to see
These precious souls come thus into his care
Eventually to venture everywhere

A thought occurred with children still to come:
Could he still love as when were only some?
But gifted with a fast-expanding heart
He loved each one as from the very start