Dormant Hope – A Poem

Hope
lies dormant
in a dark, dank tomb
wrapped in linens and spice

But not for long
because His love is strong

Death Destroyed – A Triolet

If Christ is not risen, we have no hope
But the resurrection is our sure truth
Death destroyed wins for us Christ’s righteous robe
If Christ is not risen, we have no hope

We would be pitied and no way to cope
Would waste all our days to old age from youth
If Christ is not risen, we have no hope
But the resurrection is our sure truth

I Was Alone – A Poem

I was alone (or so I thought)
I felt there was no hope

with all life’s trial
with the feelings I felt
with the success I achieved
with the duties life dealt

I felt alone, but You were there
watching over me
I felt alone, but You always cared
gave the hope I now see

* * * * *

I was going through some old papers as part of our spring break project to clean out and paint our spare bedroom, and I found a piece of paper with this poem handwritten on it. I don’t know when I wrote it, but it is definitely my handwriting so I thought I’d share it here as part of my 40 poems for Lent.

Even Though – A Poem

Even though I’ve betrayed You
walked away towards sin
You are ever faithful
when I return You take me in

Even though I’ve been prideful
walking my own way
You are ever humble
gave all for me that day

Even though I doubt sometimes
and find it hard to trust
You know what’s deep in my heart
You are always merciful and just

Whole – A Poem

I am body
with many parts
head, hands, and beating heart

I am mind
with many thoughts
peace and love I’ve been taught

I am soul
with many feelings
hope, joy, and spiritual healing

Body, mind, and soul
with all three
I am whole

God’s Work – A Triolet

The good work that God has begun
He will ensure is completed
In our heart, in our soul He’s won
The good work that God has begun

We are not yet finished, not done
In Christ we are not defeated
The good work that God has begun
He will ensure is completed

 

I thank my God every time I remember you. In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now, being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus. Philippians 1:3-6 (NIV).

The Race – A Poem

In this race I run
toward the finish line
I feel quite undone

Though my stride is fine
I fear I won’t win
victory isn’t mine

Weighed down by my sin
moving very slow
faith is running thin

Recall what I know
His victory won
faith starting to grow

The race justly done
all because of grace
my trust in the Son

A Triad of Elfje

I really love the elfje short form of poetry that I discovered last week. Today I want to share a triad of elfje based on the Gospel — a reminder that three is a wonderful number.

Disciples

Loyal
eleven disciples
unlike the betrayer
brought me the Gospel.
Peace!

©©©

Conversion

Brilliant
Heaven’s light
blinding apostle Paul
taught me the Gospel.
Grace!

©©©

The King

Purple
royal robes
adorn the King
source of the Gospel.
Love!

Undeserving – A Sestina

For quite some time I’ve wanted to write a sestina, but I was intimidated by the complex structure of this poetry form. I finally decided to give it a try as part of my 40 poems for Lent. It was a challenge but well worth the effort, I think. I am excited that I was able to finish it in time to post it for today so that I can share it at dVerse Poets Pub Open Link Night later today.

Undeserving

Of Your sweet grace I feel undeserving
Feelings are not the source of Your mercy
I can’t comprehend the depth of Your love
When I allow other things to be lord
Settle for what the world has to offer
I am chasing after earthly things still

I long for my heart and soul to be still
Turmoil hems in thoughts I’m undeserving
Quieting turmoil is Your grand offer
The utmost above all gifts Your mercy
I can’t comprehend why You love me, Lord
But the heart of Your character is love

The chief desire of the human heart love
In a world filled with things we seek it still
We miss that You are the source of all, Lord
When we don’t earn we feel undeserving
Yet freely, as a great gift You offer
Each of us unearned, undeserved mercy

I have nothing of worth I can offer
I cannot fathom the value of love
I cannot grasp the worth of Your mercy
Longing for Your peace to calm my heart still
Still knowing I am so undeserving
Yet knowing in my heart You love me, Lord

Satan still seeks over me to be lord
Claiming he has more than You to offer
Reminding me I am undeserving
Of what I require most—Your grace and love
Faintly I hear Your beautiful voice still
In faith I reach for Your amazing mercy

I praise You, dear Jesus, for Your mercy
For eternity my beloved, my Lord
When I was gone astray You loved me still
I delight in grace You freely offer
I need naught else because I have Your love
You never make me feel undeserving

Lord, I am undeserving
but still You love me
and offer mercy

Presidential Wisdom – A Poem

Great presidents of these United States
Washington and Lincoln we honor on this day
May their words of wisdom
Bless and keep us on our way

Of all the dispositions and habits
which lead to political prosperity,
religion and morality are indispensable support.¹

May we never forget that
It is impossible to rightly
govern the world
without God and the Bible.¹
In regard to this Great Book, I have but to say,
it is the best gift God has given to man.
All the good the Savior gave to the world
was communicated through this book.²

As we face violence and economic crisis
remind us, O Lord, that at its core,
It is the eternal struggle between these
two principles—right and wrong—throughout the world.
They are the two principles that have stood
face to face from the beginning of time;
and will ever continue to struggle.²
Let us raise a standard to which
the wise and honest can repair;
the rest is in the hands of God.¹

Help us, O Lord, to not forget what history
and the wisdom of experience teach.
Let us with caution indulge the supposition
that morality can be maintained without religion.
Reason and experience both forbid us
to expect that national morality can prevail
in exclusion of religious principle.¹

Teach us, O Lord, to emulate our forefathers and say,
I have been driven many times upon my knees
by the overwhelming conviction that I had
nowhere else to go.
My own wisdom and that of all about me
seemed insufficient for that day.²

This “found” poem is based on quotes from George Washington and Abraham Lincoln as indicated by the footnotes to italicized words as follows:

¹George Washington
²Abraham Lincoln