A Hand Along the Journey: Poems for the King from One Pilgrim to Another

"Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth." Matthew 5:5   Right now the world may pass them by, These strong yet gentle souls; But they have not escaped His eye, Ones whom His Spirit controls. Deference, discipline in word and deed, Reactions yielded to Him - Following Christ has been their creed As self's bold way's grown dim.   "They shall inherit the earth," Christ said. What paradox is this! Sass and schemes to get ahead Never come to know His gifts. Blessing then goes to the meek As their Master they reflect, Who to foul sinners turned His cheek, That they might know Him yet.       *Thank you to people like Aunt Marcia, who have illustrated this beatitude for decades.

"Now upon the first day of the week..." Luke 24:1  One Sunday morning Back in the beginning God’s “Let there be light” Broke forth from the night. With a single command, Triune Majesty’s plan Of Creation began; All came from His hand.   One Sunday morning Despair seemed to be winning, But God’s Son arose, Defeating all foes. The most brilliant of skies Paled before that Sonrise, True Light that the Darkness Could not extinguish.   One Sunday morning A week – gift repeating Thousands of times. Like nickels and dimes, We spend and we use them. May our days ever praise Him: His Sundays to echo, Life and Light from Him show.

  "Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted." Matthew 5:4 You’d have fought if you could to keep death at bay From loved ones it’s taken away. But powerless you stand; they’re called from your hand. Sorrow and loss – many forms it may take. The Fall brings an ache, relentless heartbreak. What could have been, had not we sinned… How can mourners be blessed? How can they be comforted?   The key is the word “comforted” Jesus used: Parakaleo means “to call near.” (Verb form of the Spirit’s name Comforter:* The promised “One Who comes alongside.”) He bore your griefs, and your tears He cried.** He calls you; bury your head on His shoulder, Lean in while His arms hold you closer. “I make all things new” is His whisper.***       *John 14 **Isaiah 53:4, John 11:33-35 ***Revelation 21:3-5