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

               There is no joy for a Christian quite that like of Resurrection Sunday morning. Jesus wins! He defeated everything, and because He lives in us, we win, too! There is no darkness or death that can separate us from victory, and eternity with him. Hallelujah! Christ the Lord is risen today!           The color yellow is often associated with spring and Easter. In contrast to the dreary hues of winter, spring’s bright sunshine and yellow flowers warm our hearts. According to goodhousekeeping.com, “ In a religious context, gold represents joy, victory, and triumph, as in the resurrection's triumph over death.” For the ladies of Grace Baptist Church, yellow and Easter became connected in a unique way this year, as “The Yellow Shirt Caper” occurred.           It all started March 27, 2022, when Jen Greve shared a video clip from Lighthouse Ba...

  “…He has made everything beautiful in its time...” Ecclesiastes 3:1-14   Colorful shafts of light skate across the sky, Marking the brilliant orb’s descent; night is nigh. Let not the coming darkness steal enjoyment     Of God’s good gift of beauty in this moment.

  Everyday Heroism At the forefront of my mind the last several days has been the Russian invasion of Ukraine. Several times throughout the day, I find myself looking up the latest news to stay abreast of developments. Here and there I read snippets of stories of Ukrainian citizens stepping up to the plate in practical and heroic ways to defend their homeland. These inspiring glimpses into real individuals’ lives remind me that there are still people who believe in ideals greater than themselves, and are willing to sacrifice for those ideals. I wrote the poem below describing another set of heroic deeds by everyday people when their national government was experiencing an attempted overthrow. May it encourage us to be faithful to our King – Jesus – Who is worthy of our highest loyalty. We never know when/if we may be called upon to do a heroic deed, but if we are faithful to Him in the little things, we will be faithful in the crisis moments.   Ahimaaz and Jonathan “...

  And the Syrians had gone out on raids, and had brought back captive a young girl from the land of Israel. She waited on Naaman's wife. Then she said to her mistress, "If only my master were with the prophet who is in Samaria! For he would heal him of his leprosy." 2 Kings 5:2-3    Two verses…sharp cliffs of contrast in a child’s life: One side her worst nightmare, caused by national strife; The other a result of her choice to forgive, And make the best of where she now lived. To be torn from her parents she’d never have chosen, Yet faith’s warmth in her soul could not be frozen. Jehovah was with her in a new land and language, And her choices would give to her captor Truth’s knowledge.     Remarkably, she came to genuinely care About Naaman and his wife and how they would fare, And one day in heaven, we’ll meet all three there.* Then from Scripture’s portrait of this captive girl rare, Let us also have courage to do as she dared. ...

“The grass withereth, the flower fadeth: but the word of our God shall stand for ever.” Isaiah 40:8   A truer compass never marked Directions on which to embark; The finest map of great detail Next to His Book loses all scale. Eternal destiny and faith Are based on “Thus the Lord saith.” His Words the daily bread we crave For here and now, and past the grave. From strength to strength we travel on Undaunted, in our hearts His song That stills our souls when storms arise: His promise true, though dark the skies. Then steady on, we bank our all On Him Whose Word can never fall. With love we linger in His pages, To know Him more, God of the Ages.

  Chattanooga, TN October 22, 2021                Early yesterday morning I mentally revisited events of twenty-five years ago. Then a sixteen year old, I sat in the back of the family mini-van with my two brothers and two sisters on the way to school. Now a mom in the back of an SUV, I looked at my two sons and two daughters. Then, we had recently found out my dad had cancer. Now, we were on the way to drop off our children so my husband and I could go to his first cardiologist’s appointment. Then, I remembered the unwavering faith of my mom. Now, I was the mom.             So, I have decided to write this open letter to any parent who will read it. These thoughts have been a fire in my soul since November 28, 2018, but, perhaps, now is the time to share them. I pray they will make a difference.             The core of the matter is ...

  “But Noah found grace in the eyes of the LORD.” Genesis 6:8   For decades he worked with gopher wood; As a preacher of righteousness alone he stood. In a world where evil had overtaken good, He found grace and obeyed and did what he could. Surely he mourned for those who would not see That the ark was God’s salvation for all who’d believe. But scoffers didn’t stop him; he’d heard God’s voice clearly, So he just kept right on building, and the rest is history.   God honored his faith; sprinkled throughout His Word Are tributes to Noah’s obedience to his Lord.* And in our own times, where Truth brings a sword, God’s gracious commendation is still the best reward. Then to the faithful: keep cutting down trees; Endure rejection, though it drive you to your knees. If no one follows, yet God you please, The difference that’s made is eternity’s.   *Hebrews 11:7, 2 Peter 2:5, Ezekiel 14:20, Matthew 24:37