Kingdom Thoughts

By David Nicholas

Take time to heighten your daily walk with God by taking a few minutes to direct your thoughts to Him. The Lord our God wants to connect with you. The world is full of challenges on many levels, and we are in the middle of it. Our schedules are filled with family, friends, work, and a great array of events. When we are overloaded with all the pressing needs in front of us it is difficult to stop and connect with our Savior. Decisions confront us so often that we make mistakes, and end up using poor judgement. Each one of us desires guidance, strength, and wisdom to deal with the ups and downs of our daily living. The Lord has special plans for every one. He wants us to seek Him for everything that we do, no matter how small or big the issue may be.

I designed this book, KINGDOM THOUGHTS, to help readers quickly get in touch with God's Word each day. A single Bible verse brings forth a subject to ponder. In response I wrote a poem with the scripture topic in mind. At the bottom of the daily page is a quote on the subject matter by a famous person. If the thought for the day does nothing more then connect you with God's Spirit it has fulfilled its purpose.

• Language: English
• Publisher: BookBaby
• Release date: Dec 12, 2023
• ISBN: 9798350925760

David Nicholas

David Nicholas is Professor of Information Studies and the Director of the School of Library, Archive and Information Studies at UCL. He is also the Director of the UCL Centre for Publishing and a Director of the CIBER research group.

Book preview

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Every page in this book includes a Scripture from the NIV Bible, a poem written by the author, David Nicholas, and a quotation from a well known person. Special annual events throughout the year are included on the day in which they normally occur.

Publisher Bookbaby

2023

7905 N Crescent Blvd, Pennsakukken, NJ 08110

KINGDOM THOUGHTS

Copyright © 2023 by David Nicholas

All rights reserved. No portion of this book may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means—electronic, mechanical, photocopy, recording, scanning, or other—except for brief quotations in critical reviews or articles, without the prior written permission of the publisher.

The Holy Bible Quotes

From The New International Version

Copyright 1978 by New York International Society

Print ISBN: 979-8-35092-575-3

eBook ISBN: 979-8-35092-576-0

DEDICATED TO:

For my wife Priscilla, who not only puts up with me, but offers encouragement and love beyond measure. I could not have finished this book without her.

For Janet and Nancy, my lovely and lovable daughters. I am proud of you in many ways, but especially the way you love and serve our Lord Jesus Christ. My prayers are always with you.

Each devotion in this book contains a passage from God’s Word,

a poem that reflects on that passage, and a famous quotation regarding

the subject of that day.

Contents

JANUARY

JANUARY

I’M GOING TO THE MOON

BY THE CLOCK

GONE FISHING

HOW DO I GET OUT OF THIS ONE?

IT’S DARK OUT THERE

MANY AVENUES

I’M FINDING IT HARD TO SEE

IT’S TIME

SPACE – THE LAST FRONTIER

A PERFECT MAP

GO AHEAD, TAKE ME

I CAN ALMOST SEE AROUND THE BEND

I’M A TREE IN THE ROAD

I CAN’T SEE THE BLUE SKY

THIS IS A STRANGE LOOKING PIECE OF POTTERY

THE JOURNEY

THIS REALLY HURTS

ALONG THE WAY

RIDICULOUS, THE BARNS ARE EMPTY

IS SOMEONE OUT THERE?

I’M STILL SWIMMING UP RIVER

SURVIVAL

ADDING A LITTLE MORE WON’T HURT

THIS SIDE OF THE FENCE

COME, SEE THE SHOW

THIS ANT IS HUGE

DISCOVERING A STALWART TREE

WOW! I SAID

I LIKE PUSHING THE LIMITS

INDELIBLE WORDS

ANDREW Disciple of Jesus

FEBRUARY

FEBRUARY

HAVE YOU SEEN THE ALTAR?

GROUNDHOG DAY

AN ANGRY SEA

FEET NEVER OUT OF STEP

IS THERE A PERMANENT PLACE I CAN HANG MY HAT?

WAR & PEACE

I NEED REST

A COIN WITH TWO SIDES

HOW DID I GET THIS WAY?

LET ME TELL YOU HOW IT WAS

A MAN OF STEEL

ABRAHAM LINCOLN

THE MUSIC DRAWS NEAR

SONGS OF LOVE (Valentine’s Day)

MOVE OVER, I’M HERE NOW

FROM THE FOREST

IS THAT A BEAM I SEE?

WHERE’S THE LOST AND FOUND?

THIS PIE SURE TASTES GOOD

TEARS OF THE HEART

A BATTLE UPON THE SEA

GEORGE WASHINGTON LIBERTIES HERO

JUST TRAVELING ALONG

I LIKE THE WAY YOU LOOK

IT’S PART OF MY LIFE

IT’S NOT ENOUGH

A VALLEY OF THE NIGHT

THE WATER IS BOILING HOT

JAMES THE GREATER

Disciple Of Jesus

MARCH

MARCH

DAY TO DAY GOVERNMENT

PREENING IS MY BUSINESS

THAT BEAR JUST KEEPS COMING

THERE IS LOTS OF STARDUST IN THOSE DARK ROOMS

I LIKE THE WAY I LOOK

I’M HAPPY WHERE I’M AT

HE SOLD ME THE BROOKLYN BRIDGE

DAYLIGHT SAVINGS TIME

LET’S JUST GO

I NEED A PLACE TO HIDE

DON’T BOTHER ME, IT’S TIME FOR MY MORNING WALK

AMID THE STORM I GREW TALLER

I’M ON TOP OF MY GAME

THIS HAS TURNED INTO A CONSTANT BATTLE

I I HATE THESE PRISON BARS

MY FINGERS GOT GLUED TO THE STUFF

SAINT PATRICK’S DAY

THE PASSOVER

THIS IS HARD TO UNDERSTAND Good Friday

SPRINGTIME

WHATEVER HAPPENED TO MY BEAUTIFUL LILY?

A LIFE THAT SINGS

I BELIEVE IT—DO YOU?

SOMETIMES I FEEL LIKE THE UNDERDOG

I PLEDGE ALLEGIANCE

WHERE DID THE SPOTLIGHT GO?

THE SHOULD, I WOULD

THE SKY SURE HAS A LOT OF DIFFERENT STARS IN IT

IS THERE A WAY OUT?

YOU STILL WANT TO

COME ON BY?

JOHN Disciple Of Jesus

APRIL

APRIL

WHAT IS CAUSING MY HEART TO ACHE?

A DAY FOR FOOLS

WHICH HAT SHOULD I SELECT?

THIS SONG HAS WINGS

INTO THE STORM

ETERNAL NOW

VICTORY’S DEFEAT

THE MIRROR

THE BEGINNING OF THE END

GOOD FRIDAY

FRIDAY TO SUNDAY

EASTER MORNING

EASTER EGGS

EASTER LILIES

INTO THE LIGHT

HE’S GOT HIS HAND

IN MY POCKET

WATER CANNOT

QUENCH THE FIRE

DID I SAY THAT?

ART AND ME

I VOTED FOR HIM

I’D LIKE TO BE ME AGAIN

THIS STUFF SURE SHINES BRIGHT

IN THE MIDST OF IT

ALL I AM LIFTED

I NEED TO GET TO THE BOTTOM WHERE THE SUN SHINES

YOU’RE ONE TOUGH COOKIE

WITH THE STREET LIGHT OUT, I RUN INTO TROUBLE

I NEED A COUPLE OF DAYS OFF

THIS NIGHT SUCKS

SUDDENLY I WANT TO FLY

IT’S HARD UNCLENCHING

MY FISTS

PHILIP Disciple of Jesus

MAY

MAY

MAYPOLE

SHE’S A GREAT GAL

IT’S ALL IN HIS HANDS

CAN’T YOU BE STILL FOR A MOMENT

I LIKE THIS PLACE

I HOPE I CAN MAKE IT

THE BATTLE BELONGS TO THE LORD 1 Samuel 17

ADVENTURE LAND

THE ANGEL’S VISIT

A LITTLE HELP PLEASE

MY MOTHER

A GOOD PAIR OF GLASSES WOULD HELP

THESE UPCOMING OBLIGATIONS ARE KILLING ME

I ATTACHED MYSELF WITH A POT OF GLUE

I’M LOOKING FOR A BETTER VIEW

THAT’S NOT SO BAD, IS IT?

FLYING LESSONS

I’VE BEEN TAKING

FLYING LESSONS

FOR SUCH A TIME AS THIS

WHAT AM I GOOD FOR?

THE REFLECTION

SOMETIMES IT’S

HARD FITTING IN

WISH I HAD SOMETHING WORTHWHILE TO GIVE

I KNOW A STAR IS OUT THERE

I’M LOOKING FOR

A BEAM TO RIDE

MEMORIAL DAY*

THINGS NOT YET BORN

PENTECOST—COMING OF THE SPIRIT* Seventh Sunday

following Easter

MY PLANT WIGGLED UP THROUGH THE HARD SOIL

THIS IS THE PLACE FOR ME

MATTHEW Disciple of Jesus

JUNE

JUNE

I"M GOING TO BET IT ALL

WATCH OUT I’M HURRYING TO CATCH A BALLOON

THE OWL’S QUESTION

WISE MOLLY

THIS IS MY DAY

TAKE HOLD OF TODAY

THE CHAMELEON

WISH I UNDERSTOOD

I NEED TO TAKE A LESSON

RING, RING

I SHOULD BE QUIET MORE OFTEN

WHERE DO I GO TO MEET HIM?

WITHOUT YOU I’D BE EMPTY INSIDE

FLAG DAY

MY FATHER’S HAND

I’M HAPPY WITH THE JOB HE DID

THINGS ARE DIFFERENT NOW

A WEDDING COVENANT

I AM MORE WITH YOUR HAND IN MINE

THIS IS THE BEST PLACE IN THE WORLD

SUMMER

KITE FLYING

HOT AIR BALLOON RIDE

GOD’S CHALLENGE

BONEFISH TOWERS

FROM THE SWEAT OF MY BROW

AROUND HERE IT’S

NEVER THE SAME

LOVE

I’D LIKE TO TRY IT AGAIN

NATHANAEL

(Also known as: BARTHOLOMEW)

Disciple of Jesus

JULY

JULY

FARMER’S MARKET

I AM ACCEPTED AND SAFE HERE

I’V BEEN INVITED TO THE PARTY

HERE I STAND

THIS IS A TOUGH BUSINESS

I DON’T WANT TO GO

COPY THAT

I LIKE TO BE UP FRONT

I CAN HARDLY WAIT

I’M STRAINING TO HEAR THE SILENCE

DISNEYLAND

I’M TRYING, BUT IT’S NOT EASY

IT’S HAPPENING ALL AROUND ME

I WONDER WHAT

THE DAY WILL BRING

THE DARK CLOUDS DEPRESS ME

IS THERE A GOD?

IT’S HARD TO SEE IN HERE

I AM READY TO LEAVE

I THOUGHT WE’D STICK

LIKE GLUE

MY EYES GOT STUCK ON

THE COLD GLASS

I WOULD LIKE TO LEARN

HOW TO FLY

MY GOOD NEIGHBOR

I FEEL BETTER NOW

I’D LIKE TO FLY AGAIN

THIS IS A GOOD CUP OF TEA

I’M STUFFED. HOW ABOUT YOU?

GOD LOVES YOU

I’M SHIFTING THE GRAVITY

OF MY HEART

MAYBE I SHOULD QUIT

IT HAS BEEN A

FRAGMENTED DAY

JUDAS ISCARIOT Disciple of Jesus

AUGUST

AUGUST

ARE WE THERE YET?

THIS IS THE BEST DAY EVER

I’M HAVING A HARD TIME SLEEPING AT NIGHT

I’M READY FOR THE ROAD

ANTS ARE MY MENTORS

BARRIERS

REACHING THE SUMMIT

HE NEVER INTENDED

TO DO THAT

I NEED A HOLIDAY

IT WILL BE MORNING SOON,

I HOPE

CHEMISTRY IS WHAT I CALL IT

I THROW OUT BLESSINGS ALONG THE WAY

HE NEEDS A TRANSFUSION

WHAT MORE DO YOU

WANT OF ME?

GATHERING

HOW DO I SHAKE

THIS BURDEN OFF?

CHECK WITH MY TRAVEL AGENT

HAPPINESS FOUND

MY HEROES

IT’S A LITTLE WINDY IN HERE

I’M TRYING TO GET MY HEAD AROUND IT

THE MOUNTAIN

I FEEL LEFT OUT

MY EYES DIDN’T OPEN

UNTIL I WAS FORTY

I’M LOOKING FOR

A HARD FIRM PATH

DECISIONS

I DON’T FEAR FLYING

I FIND GOLD IN THE ODDEST PLACES

SOMETIMES I ESCAPE IN THE WRONG DIRECTION

THESE WALLS ARE FULL OF LIGHT

JAMES MINOR (The Younger) Disciple of Jesus

SEPTEMBER

SEPTEMBER

THE CARPENTER (LABOR DAY)

SCHOOL LESSONS

I WENT TO SCHOOL

THE OTHER DAY

MY LIBRARY

I HAVE TROUBLE STRETCHING FORTH MY HAND

I’M HAPPY EVERY MORNING

GO AHEAD, TAKE A LOOK INSIDE

THE GIRL WITHIN

THE VOYEUR

MY HOPE CHEST

MY ROOF IS LEAKING

I NEED A REGULAR CHECKUP

I LIKE TRAVELING THIS

NEW ROAD

GREATNESS AND FAME BELONGED TO HIM

I LIKE THE FEEL OF THE STREET

MY BRANCHES NOW TOUCH OTHER TREES

THE WAY I SEE IT

I DO NOT LIKE BORING

THE WAY DOWN

THIS DOWN GRADE

TAKES ME TO THE TOP

I WANT TO FEEL SATISFIED

AUTUMN

DON’T WORRY, BE HAPPY

THE BEST ADVENTURE OF ALL

WALLS OF STONE

I LOOKED UP AND A STAR POPPED OUT

IT’S TIME YOU TAKE NOTICE

I CAN RUN FASTER THAN

MY BROTHER

I LOVE TO TOUCH DIFFERENT THINGS

SIMON ZELOTES Disciple of Jesus

OCTOBER

OCTOBER

THE SEARCH

FINDING MEASURE

YOU MAKE A DIFFERENCE

REALITY CHECK

TOWARD FREEDOM

LET’S DO THIS THING NOW!

IT IS SCARY UP HERE

RIDE ON

HEAVEN

FLITTING YEARS

I TOOK A LOOK AT THE OTHER SIDE OF THE WALL

I SHOULD GO FOR IT—BUT HOLD ON A SECOND . . .

LIGHT BEAMS

I NEED TO TAKE

A REFRESHING DIP

I’VE FOUND A NEW BUSINESS

PLEASE NOTE THE WRITING

ON THE WALL

MY BACKBONE IS TOUGH

I AM CONTENT (A PRAYER)

WHAT AN INTERESTING TRIP

I DON’T KNOW HOW MUCH MORE I CAN TAKE

IN SEARCH OF GOLD

I MAY LOOK DIFFERENT,

BUT I’M NOT

AS I GO

I’M READY TO KICK

MY SHOES OFF

THE EMPTY POT

THIS IS HARD BUSINESS

I HATE EARTHQUAKES

GETTING BACK TO THE ROOT HAS CHANGED ME

WILL THIS NEVER END?

JUDAS (NOT ISCARIOT)

(Also Known As: THADDEUS)

Disciple of Jesus

I’M NOT AFRAID, ARE YOU?

NOVEMBER

NOVEMBER

BENEATH THE SKIN

HE IS A BELIEVER

I CANNOT GET

AWAY FROM THEM

I AM A CONGLOMERATION

SUNDAY

JESUS ROCKS

TIME HAS THE HABIT OF FLYING

I WANT, I WANT, I WANT

THE POOR BOX

THIS IS ONE HEAVY WEIGHT

IF ONLY I WOULD

SHALOM

I COULD STAY HERE FOREVER

I AM LOOKING FOR THAT CERTAIN PLACE

MY HANDS ARE COVERED

IN BLOOD

DELIVER ME

WHERE SHOULD I WORSHIP?

IT IS A LONG, LONG, WAY OVER

THIS IS ONE ROUGH TRAIL

ORDINARY THINGS

I CAN HEAR THE STILLNESS

THERE IS MUCH MORE JUST AROUND THE CORNER

MY SENSE OF DIRECTION IS OFF

I HOPE SOMEONE

OPENS THE DOOR

THANKSGIVING DAY

YOU SHOULD PITY ME

A ROAD TO SOMEWHERE

I AM KEEPING AN EYE

ON THE COMPASS

SIXTY- FIVE AND STILL ALIVE

THOMAS Disciple of Jesus

DECEMBER

DECEMBER

I STARE OUT THE WINDOW

AT NOTHING

LEAVE ME ALONE,

I AM DOING ALL I CAN

SOMEONE HAS A PLAN

SORROW’S NIGHT

A HEAVY LOAD OF DARKNESS

I HAVE A STONE IN MY CHEST

LORD, HEAL ME NOW

BE QUIET, I AM

TRYING TO LISTEN

MERRY CHRISTMAS

SOMETHING IS MISSING

ON MY SHOPPING LIST

A MATTER OF THE HEART

NATIONAL POINSETTIA DAY December 12

I PRAY THAT THE WORLD KNOWS PEACE

WHAT SHOULD I GIVE

THIS CHRISTMAS?

WHEN I BRING IT IN EVERYTHING CHANGES

I NEVER KNEW

A TREE COULD SING

ODE TO A CHRISTMAS WIFE

CHRISTMAS COOKIES

CHRISTMAS CAROLERS

DO NOT FORGET

THE SAVIOR’S BIRTH

WINTER

I SPILLED MY BLOOD TODAY

GOD’S MELODY

SOMETHING MAGNIFICENT STIRS

CHRISTMAS DAY

THIS IS A DIFFICULT

TIME FOR ME

THE RIVER RUNS DEEP

SEARCHING ALONG THE TRACKS

GATHERING UP REST

TOMORROW IS A

WHOLE NEW DAY

PETER Disciple of Jesus

JANUARY

JANUARY

With futuristic eyes Janus bows on cue,

horn, hats, missiles explode the night,

mistletoe moistens my joyous lips,

from the rusty past the scales shift.

Snowflakes dance across the pane

turning cinder, shadows of time, white.

Behind the wheel of my new car I sit,

packed, ready to start another trip.

Firing at nothing toward the sky,

I pierce the mist, rattle heaven,

hope to hit a brand new star,

discover gold, garnet and giants.

T’s good to be free, sail, create,

find carnations along the stream,

hold God’s hand, walk upon water,

experience the sunrise of foreign isle.

An optimist stays up to see the New Year in. A pessimist waits to make sure the old one leaves.Bill Vaughan

Note: January is named for Janus, the god of the doorway. January is the door to the New year.

Birthstone: Garnet or Rose Quartz. Flower: Carnation

JANUARY 1

For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Jeremiah 29:11.

I’M GOING TO THE MOON

Standing on the bridge, she hoisted the

plastic bag with her husband’s body

in it, and threw it over the side.

Her cheeks glistened in the lamplight.

He watched out the window as they pulled

away. These memories would always be

a part of him: the baseball team, the fourth

grade teacher, playing show and tell

with the girl next door, parties in the

back yard.

Turning around he smiled at the road ahead.

The windshield wipers flashed back and forth

in the downpour. The huge drops a

veil covering disappointment, despair.

Arriving, she decided to put on a

different look. A new style of clothes, a changed

hairdo, become thinner by thirty pounds.

Both mother and father waited anxiously

for the birth. Snow covered the ground;

the stable glowed. The world held its breath.

A fresh breeze grasped at the sight.

Cheers to a New Year and another chance for us to get it right.Oprah Winfry

JANUARY 2

Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize. Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last; but we do it to get a crown that will last forever. 1 Corinthians 9:24-25.

BY THE CLOCK

The clock walked on by,

It smiled and waved; went

Right through the stop sign;

Never looked back.

I’m focused now, look at my form,

Just a matter of weeks, a

Few less dishes; I’ll give it

My all, I can’t wait to see.

The bank is hounding me,

Can’t they wait for the mail?

A promise is a promise, so

What’s in a date.

What a wonderful gift, I must

Send a note, I really do care

For kin and neighbor. Maybe

Tomorrow? It depends.

I promise my Friend,—I’ll nudge

The Book; chat more often;

When the weather threatens,

I’ll shelter with him.

Good resolutions are simply checks that men draw on a bank where they have no account.Oscar Wilde

JANUARY 3

Therefore, dear friends, since you already know this, be on your guard so that you may not be carried away by the error of lawless men and fall from your secure position. But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. 2 Peter 3:17-18.

GONE FISHING

Floating the gutter, I grabbed

For a branch,—

A rudder to guide me in the

Whirlpool,

sucking,

tearing,

Hell grasping at my heels; wanting

My days.—

My grandfather and

Father did their fishing with

Hooks. Hooks might be

Worth a try.

Christmas and Easter, gatherings

Where a warm fire burned:

The creamy frosting of birthday

cakes,

candles,

friends,

string bowed

Presents, still turn the corners of my

Lips.

Rain beating on the camper

Roof,

I wet myself when dad

Farted; said it was a moose

Outside the door.

Did you see that shooting star?

How quickly it fizzled. The

Dark night and barrenlands moan

An unheard tune. I long to

Grab a comet’s tail and ride it

Back to where the stream ends,

And solid rocks begin.

My folks knew of a Rock that provided

A smiling anchor. I should go

Fishing with mom and dad.

Traditions are the guideposts driven deep in our subconscious minds. The most powerful ones are those we can’t even describe, aren’t even aware of.Ellen Goodman

JANUARY 4

"Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. 2 Corinthians 4:16-17.

HOW DO I GET OUT OF THIS ONE?

I am a giant in the land of

Bright rays, where mountains

Are but hills to my walk.

The road ahead is named

Straight.

My tires ride the south wind.

The x-ray, black against the

Florescent light, a puzzle to

Be solved.

His dark eyes screamed the

Verdict.

What did I do wrong?

Beautiful beyond compare,

God gave her to me.

This completed our circle.

A cradle of happiness held

Dreams where rivers run

Forever.

I caught him in my peripheral

Vision, bottle tilted high.

Wet faces stood around my bed,

Truth in their eyes,

What if?

We laughed, teased, talked till

Dawn—

Our hearts glued together.

The fire flickered, the night

Grew cold, storm clouds

Came when the space grew empty.

She lit a fresh flame, his best

Friend blew on the embers.

Facing the bills on his desk, tiny

Dots stippled his forehead: mortgage,

Baseball glove, piano lessons,

Camper, the best in clothing.

Friday night, head

Resting on his chest, he

Lay the pink paper before them.

What now?

High on a hill, with thunder

Bowling strike after strike, I saw

A face that looked like mine,

Nose, eyes, dew on the cheeks.

Why me?

Reflect on your present blessings, of which every man has many, not on your past misfortunes of which all men have some.

Charles Dickens

JANUARY 5

Some of them however, men from Cyprus and Cyrene, went to Antioch and began to speak to Greeks also, telling them the good news about the Lord Jesus. The Lord’s hand was with them, and a great number of people believed and turned to the Lord. Acts 11:20-21.

IT’S DARK OUT THERE

He passed the torch into my hand,

The journey—a costly one:

Empty fields,

burned down barns,

diseases,

shadowy grave.

The wind blew strong against me,

I found it difficult at times to

Stand.

With courage, I continued.

It was mine.

Yes, I dropped it along the way,

Couldn’t always hold it high.

Decided to stop: see the carnival,

Talk with foreigners about their creed.

At times the light grew dim, I

Veered off the path,

still,

I held on tight.

An old man on a park bench jabbered

To someone I couldn’t see.

Occasionally, he stopped, opaque eyes

Peering into a distant tunnel.

I sat near,

he didn’t notice.

He wandered lost in a minefield

somewhere.

Not knowing what else to do,

I held the torch so he could see.

My lamp began to burn purer,

energized;

The pot-holes,

ditches,

detours,

Became visible, many of them I

Could not avoid,

others the light helped

Me navigate through.

A child came my way

stumbling from want,

She tried to dodge the shadows—

I offered her the light.

We’re here for a reason. I believe a bit of the reason is to throw little torches out to lead people through the dark.Whoopi Goldberg

JANUARY 6

Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will. Romans 12:2.

MANY AVENUES

The thoroughfare offers many avenues.

Darkness, and drifting fog make it hard to see;

Here, this one leads to a mine, the air is chilly;

My veins feel the gold and silver,—

I offer my blood for it.

It costs more to produce then I can

Sell it for . . .

Bad investment.

Oh look, this boulevard has a university,

Knowledge sets people apart.

Flying, those below would look small.

I studied until I didn’t know anything;

Went up Knob Hill in a tux,

Came down the other side in rags.

This ship looks interesting.

Now I’m spending the waves;

Tacking the rails.

Met both poles, crossed the line to

A whole new day,

Found good folk big and small,

Sunsets and ancient structures

Challenged my awareness.

But, a magnet keeps pulling me back

To the starting line.

Not much time left,

I’ll try one more.

This street is mostly dark, how

About some light so I can see.

Look, there’s a little girl and her mother

Shivering under the bridge;

Why is that old man hunched over,

Is that drool running down his chin?

Ooh this one’s soaked with wine and puke,

Stinks all the way to Calcutta.

What the heck, I’ll invite them in –

After all, I’m learning to fly

At night with the Star as my guide.

To love deeply in one direction makes us more loving in all others.Anne-Sophie Swetchine

JANUARY 7

But I will stay on at Ephesus until Pentecost, because a great door for effective work has opened to me, and there are many who oppose me. 1 Corinthians 16:8-9.

I’M FINDING IT HARD TO SEE

I squinted to see beyond the fog-dimmed

headlights.

A chuckhole bounced me off my seat.

A high pass lay ahead;

Vaporous beams streaked toward me.

Cliff, or

trust the yellow line?

This event happened only

once.

Quick-silver, a puddle in my hand,

ran fast between

my fingers.

Why couldn’t this night be day?

Vapor faired the journey alone.

I should hide deep within the safe.

Below, boiling stew might be waiting;

I can’t gage what others will do.

Lions and lambs are prowling,

waiting.

Do you see a net below,

hear that voice that says let go?

Blind,

taking-hold an unseen hand,

shoulders back,

head held high,

I spread my wings, start to soar;

through the cloud, I see peaks.

Riding the wind that comes from the east,

the fog begins to lift.

She had an unequalled gift . . . of squeezing bit mistakes into small opportunities.Henry James

JANUARY 8

Like newborn babies, crave pure spiritual milk, so that by it you may grow up in your salvation, now that you have tasted that the Lord is good. 1 Peter 2:2-3.

IT’S TIME

Entering, I cried at all

bright and new,

Discovery waited beyond

the door;

I smiled, belly laughed,

my whole being exploding.

Big sobs engulfed me as they laced

thread through the wound.

Clutching my rag doll,

(my friend who understood),

I stepped over the threshold.

Seeking air,

finding chains,

growing taller,

charging forth,

holding back,—

fog on a river bank.

From where I stand

the earth is close by.

I’m branching out,

moving up;

The ladder beckons,

new friends acquired,

I’m bold.

Becoming one? Happening to me?

Screaming,

washing faces,

packing lunches,

no time to check the mirror;

Something’s bouncing off the wall.

In the middle,

half way up,

I wrestle the question:

Should I go? Should I sit?

The stream runs quicker, faster;

That beautiful robin has a sweet nest,

her fields are full of flowers.

Autumn leaves are beginning to fall,

golden hues surround the edges, . . .

let’s take the trailer,

jump a ship,

rise early,

get up late.

Doctor Smith and I are good friends;

Sarah calls everyday.

This crib has bars,

hey, I’m choking on the shit.

No friends visit, but

memories stop by every day.

Afternoon tea tastes of Ensure;

I can see over the edge more clearly now;

it’s a long way down.

Look at me!

I’m running through the

Meadow, laughing again.

Be not afraid of growing slowly, be afraid of standing still.Chinese Proverb

JANUARY 9

Judah mourns, her cities languish; they wail for the land, and a cry goes up from Jerusalem. The nobles send their servants for water; they go to the cisterns but find no water. They return with their jars unfilled; dismayed and despairing, they cover their heads. Jeremiah 14:1-3.

SPACE – THE LAST FRONTIER

There is at times a cavern

at the bottom of my mountain.

This hollowness comes despite all

my efforts to fill it.

Have rats come through some dark

passage to reside there?

The space exhausts existence,

my