The Hard Way

Another school year has begun. It follows days and weeks of fun,
But not for me.

God So Loved

The guilt of all
was paid in full

Se agapo (Σε αγαπώ)

Se agapó, my dear one—I love you, my friend.
From alpha to omega, beginning to end.

New Semester

The campus is alive again!
Once empty halls are bare no more
As students come from far and near—

Preaching on the Street Corner

You passersby, please stop and stand and hear
About a Man who came to earth and bled,
Whose purpose was to drive away death’s fear.

Moon

I love my Lord with a love that is not my own.
I am but the moon, and His love my radiance.

Hypocritical Oath

Not just anyone can kill a baby;
It takes a degree to commit that crime.
The doctor’s conscience will hurt him—maybe,
But the guy on the street will do some time.

Profitable

Amazing grace, how sweet the sound
That saved a wretch like me.
I ran away, but then I found
That God would set me free.

The Oak

From the Cornerstone on which the foundation’s laid
For the church of Christ Jesus, by blood bought and paid,

The Seed

From the Rock in the desert that quenched Israel’s thirst
To the manna God forty years kindly dispersed,

TERPOGIJC

a reverse acrostic poem

My Favorite Book

Of all the books I love to read,
There’s one I especially favor.

What God Has Done

If it were up to me,
My life would be a shame—

Lord, I Need You

I’ve failed again. Lord, please forgive.
I’m dying, yet I want to live.

Break My Heart, Dear Lord

Break my heart, dear Lord, for that which Your heart breaks.
Help me comprehend the gravity of sin,

Transformation (diamante)

Rebellion
proud, ugly

The Shepherd

The loving Shepherd walked among the sheep;
By name each one He called.

Look and Live

The blundering fools, why must they murmur so?
But I was one of them, and yes, I know

Perfect Practice (senryu)

Crave repetition
Do it right or start again
Mastery beckons

We Walk by Faith

Mini Monoverse

Found sin’s cure,
Heart’s made pure,

Morning Meditation

Wind whips indiscriminately

Fullness of Joy

A stream flows freely from my heart;
It cannot be stopped—
Laughing, trickling, gurgling, bubbling,
Over weed and rock.

Sunset (haiku)

The sun lazily
Sinks under the horizon
On a summer eve

Mountains Majesty

Mini Monoverse

Stand and gaze
Mountain haze

The Heart’s Defense

Prudence serves as informant

Rebuking the Storm

This mother’s heart has been pierced.
“A soft answer turns away wrath.”
The rebuke sits heavily on my ears.

Villanelle of Christ

Great Redeemer is His name
Walked on earth so long ago
Age to age He’s still the same

Poison Ivy

—Don’t
—Don’t scratch!
It’ll spread. —No, it won’t.