Category: Poetry

A Servant’s Zeal for the Lord

April 26, 2026

Z E A L

Lord, Your Word

is so full of pageantry

promises and purpose!

Keep my heart’s zeal strong, steady

 for serving You and others–

Would that I could

be there now, as You

are prepping for

the Great Celebration

Your Kingdom come

at last!

~ Cale

Amplified Bible
For He [the LORD] put on righteousness like a coat of armor, And salvation like a helmet on His head; He put on garments of vengeance for clothing And covered Himself with zeal [and great love for His people] as a cloak. Isaiah 59:17

Amplified Bible
For out of Jerusalem will come a remnant and from Mount Zion a band of survivors. The zeal of the LORD of hosts will do this. Isa 37:32

Amplified Bible
There shall be no end to the increase of His government and of peace, [He shall rule] on the throne of David and over his kingdom, To establish it and to uphold it with justice and righteousness From that time forward and forevermore. The zeal of the LORD of hosts will accomplish this. Isa 9:7

 “Fan into flame the gracious gift of God, [that inner fire—the special endowment] which is in you…” 2 Tim 1:6

Amplified Bible
Do not quench [subdue, or be unresponsive to the working and guidance of] the [Holy] Spirit. I Thes 5:19

9 Love must be sincere. Detest what is evil; cling to what is good. 10 Be devoted to one another in brotherly love. Outdo yourselves in honoring one another.

11 Do not let your zeal subside; keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord 

12 Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, persistent in prayer.

13 Share with the saints who are in need.

Practice hospitality. Rom 12:9-13

Amplified Bible
Just as each one of you has received a special gift [a spiritual talent, an ability graciously given by God], employ it in serving one another as [is appropriate for] good stewards of God’s multi-faceted grace [faithfully using the diverse, varied gifts and abilities granted to Christians by God’s unmerited favor]. I Pet 4:10

Let no unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building up the one in need and bringing grace to those who listen. And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, in whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, outcry and slander, along with every form of malice. Be kind and tenderhearted to one another, forgiving each other just as in Christ God forgave you.  Eph 4:29-32

Xenial

April 24, 2026

I’m humble-proud–as Christian authors and pastors are fond of saying–to bring a fancy-schmancy word for the letter “X”.😉  The link to Merriam-Webster is at end of post.

💖✝🍪✝💖

Let us be gracious and hospitable

to welcome those from other cities

~ our home, and gifts from larder share ~

we know not if they bring God’s message

or have burdened heart, need our prayer ~

~ Cale

Amplified Bible
Do not neglect to extend hospitality to strangers [especially among the family of believers—being friendly, cordial, and gracious, sharing the comforts of your home and doing your part generously], for by this some have entertained angels without knowing it. Heb 13:2

https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/xenial

Wait & Watch ~ Wonders

April 23, 2026

These days, breath held

I wait and watch for

Spectacular Shekinah glory…

Oh Lord, make haste, return!

Let vast wonders of Your love

by troubled World, discern–

You’re the Promise Keeper

every one of them is written

on pages of Your Word

even children know that You are Truth

For ears to hear, Your voice is heard…

we read them over and again

in our hearts they often burn…

please hear our urgent prayers dear Lord:

we seek Your face–it’s for You we yearn ~

~ Cale

Amplified Bible
My soul waits for the Lord More than the watchmen for the morning; More than the watchmen for the morning. Ps 130:6

Micah 7:7
But as for me, I will look to the LORD; I will wait for the God of my salvation. My God will hear me.

Amplified Bible
I will tell of the lovingkindnesses of the LORD, and the praiseworthy deeds of the LORD, According to all that the LORD has done for us… Isaiah 63:7

Isaiah 40:31
But those who wait upon the LORD will renew their strength; they will mount up with wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not faint.

Psalm 25:5
Guide me in Your truth and teach me, for You are the God of my salvation; all day long I wait for You.

Psalm 119:148
My eyes anticipate the watches of night, that I may meditate on Your word.

Psalm 27:14
Wait patiently for the LORD; be strong and courageous. Wait patiently for the LORD!

Amplified Bible
[The LORD replied,] “Look among the nations! See! Be astonished! Wonder! For I am doing something in your days— You would not believe it if you were told. Hab 1:5

Isaiah 29:14
Therefore, behold, I will proceed to do a marvellous work among this people, even a marvellous work and a wonder: for the wisdom of their wise men shall perish, and the understanding of their prudent men shall be hid.

Acts 13:41
‘Look, you scoffers, wonder and perish! For I am doing a work in your days that you would never believe, even if someone told you.’”

Mark 13:35-37
Therefore keep watch, because you do not know when the master of the house will return—whether in the evening, at midnight, when the rooster crows, or in the morning. / Otherwise, he may arrive without notice and find you sleeping. / And what I say to you, I say to everyone: Keep watch!”

Amplified Bible
“Men of Israel, listen to these words: Jesus of Nazareth, a Man accredited and pointed out and attested to you by God with [the power to perform] miracles and wonders and signs which God worked through Him in your [very] midst, just as you yourselves know— Acts 2:22

For this reason [that is, because of God’s final revelation in His Son Jesus and because of Jesus’ superiority to the angels] we must pay much closer attention than ever to the things that we have heard, so that we do not [in any way] drift away from truth. 2For if the message given [b]through angels [the Law given to Moses] was authentic and unalterable, and every violation and disobedient act received an appropriate penalty, 3how will we escape [the penalty] if we ignore such a great salvation [the gospel, the new covenant]? For it was spoken at first by the Lord, and it was confirmed to us and proved authentic by those who personally heard [Him speak], 4[and besides this evidence] God also testifying with them [confirming the message of salvation], both by signs and wonders and by various miracles [carried out by Jesus and the apostles] and by [granting to believers the] gifts of the Holy Spirit according to His own will. Heb 2:1-4

Victory Through Christ

April 22, 2026

Life can seem like a battle

day after care-worn day…

one thing piled on another

till faith begins to fray…

all hope, these countless

things would slay–

but I’ve lived too long

to doubt my Lord

walked with Him

a goodly way…

So I know well

He’ll never abandon

not ever betray–

He holds my hand

and the promised victory…

whatever dark trial

He has final say!

~ Cale

Amplified Bible
For everyone born of God is victorious and overcomes the world; and this is the victory that has conquered and overcome the world—our [continuing, persistent] faith [in Jesus the Son of God]. 1 John 5:4

Amplified Bible
Who is the one who is victorious and overcomes the world? It is the one who believes and recognizes the fact that Jesus is the Son of God. 1 John 5:5

Deuteronomy 20:4
For the LORD your God goes with you to fight for you against your enemies, to give you the victory.”

1 Corinthians 15:57
But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ!

Amplified Bible
Yet in all these things we are more than conquerors and gain an overwhelming victory through Him who loved us [so much that He died for us]. Romans 8:37

2 Chronicles 20:15
And he said, “Listen, all you people of Judah and Jerusalem! Listen, King Jehoshaphat! This is what the LORD says: ‘Do not be afraid or discouraged because of this vast army, for the battle does not belong to you, but to God.

Troubled? Trust God for Truth

April 20, 2026

When thoughts terrify

threaten tumult 

time and again…

torturous tormenting

with trials and tricks

that trample peace

joy and hope

the Past overtaking Tomorrow…

when faith tumbles as thoughts

test, tempt toward destruction–

Turn your eyes upon JESUS

trust the Lord God–

talk to Him, tell Him everything

be led by Good Shepherd

accept His Timing…for

He will Defy the Tempter

tamp twirling-twisted tempest–

the Enemy’s tournament

always ends in our Victory

with true laurel, gold Testimony🏆

~ Cale (don’t miss the 2 great songs following Bible verses!)

Amplified Bible
Why are you in despair, O my soul? And why are you restless and disturbed within me? Hope in God and wait expectantly for Him, for I shall again praise Him, The help of my [sad] countenance and my God. Psalm 43:5

Isaiah 41:10
Do not fear, for I am with you; do not be afraid, for I am your God. I will strengthen you; I will surely help you; I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.

Psalm 94:19
When anxiety overwhelms me, Your consolation delights my soul.

Psalm 130:5
I wait for the LORD; my soul does wait, and in His word I put my hope.

21Yet I call this to mind, and therefore I have hope: 22Because of the loving devotion of the LORD we are not consumed, for His mercies never fail.… Lamentations 3

Psalm 33:20,21
Our soul waiteth for the LORD: he is our help and our shield.

Psalm 56:3-4
When I am afraid, I put my trust in You. / In God, whose word I praise—in God I trust. I will not be afraid.

Psalm 28:7
The LORD is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in Him, and I am helped. Therefore my heart rejoices, and I give thanks to Him with my song.

Nahum 1:7
The LORD is good, a stronghold in the day of distress; He cares for those who trust in Him.

Proverbs 3:5-6
Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; / in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight.

Jeremiah 17:7
But blessed is the man who trusts in the LORD, whose confidence is in Him.

Psalm 125:1
They that trust in the LORD shall be as mount Zion, which cannot be removed, but abideth for ever.

Isaiah 12:2
Surely God is my salvation; I will trust and not be afraid. For the LORD GOD is my strength and my song, and He also has become my salvation.”

2 Samuel 22:31
As for God, His way is perfect; the word of the LORD is flawless. He is a shield to all who take refuge in Him.

It’s All About the Rock!

April 18, 2026

R

Reigning King eternal, Rock of Ages…He is Redeemer

O

Of lost anything/everything: time, dreams, dignity, freedom, joy, homes, purpose, hope, sanity, health, relationships; and most of all, each humbled person who “believes on Him” and chooses to call Him Lord and Savior–asking Him to right their ship before they sink beneath Life’s overwhelming swells…

C

Christ is the ever strong, faithful, steadfast Rock on which I stand safe, secure; in Whom I rest and am restored.  And at this very moment He’s still:

K

Knocking on door of many hearts…inviting folks to receive His Abundant Life, here and now.  Make haste to accept Him–THIS may be the day of your visitation💖✝💖.

~ Cale… If I don’t speak, the rocks will paise HIM with shouts!*

Amplified Bible
and all [of them] drank the same spiritual drink, for they were drinking from a spiritual rock which followed them; and the rock was Christ. I Cor 10:4

GOD’S WORD® Translation
This is what the Almighty LORD says: I am going to lay a rock in Zion, a rock that has been tested, a precious cornerstone, a solid foundation. Whoever believes [in him] will not worry. Isa 28:16

Deuteronomy 32:4
He is the Rock, His work is perfect; all His ways are just. A God of faithfulness without injustice, righteous and upright is He. 

International Standard Version
The LORD is my rock, my fortress, my deliverer, my God, my stronghold in whom I take refuge, my shield, the glory of my salvation, and my high tower.” Ps 18:2

* Godbey New Test, Luke 19:37-40

the whole multitude of the disciples began to praise God with a loud voice for all those miracles which they saw; shouting,

38 Blessed is the King coming in the name of the Lord: peace in heaven, and glory in the highest.

39 And certain ones of the Pharisees from the multitude said to Him, Teacher, rebuke thy disciples: 40 and He responding said to them, I say unto you, that if these may keep silent, the rocks will cry out.

NET Bible
He will surely give me shelter in the day of danger; he will hide me in his home; he will place me on an inaccessible rocky summit.Ps 27:5

Psalm 31:20
You hide them in the secret place of Your presence from the schemes of men. You conceal them in Your shelter from accusing tongues.

 

Practicing the Presence of God

April 16, 2026

The Lord is real, Alive—I know He is NOT distant, but very near, always accessible.  With prayer, praises, songs–and jabbering to Him–I intentionally practice living in His Presence everyday, in my Upper Room where there is Light, Truth and JOY!💖

~~♥~~

Before I knew You

I didn’t know

You’ve always been Present–

I was poorly taught, became afraid

now I know fearing You means

“awe-filled reverence, profound respect, obedience”

because You are Sovereign King

Almighty God, Lord supreme

over everything

Alpha & Omega

worthy of all honor

Holy, to be praised

You hold heaven, earth

and every person

in Your powerful hands…

No need to hide from You

You’re not angry, You are loving

merciful, forgiving, patient

as You lead, guide, correct, teach

I read Your Word, amazed!

You were Everywhere

since Creation

sometimes seen, sometimes felt

always heard (often ignored)–

You walked with Adam, Eve

piloted old Noah’s ark

spoke from burning bush–

danced in fiery furnace

with 3 faithful lads–

stood as crossing guard

amid Red Sea–

You assisted midwives

to save baby boys

won EVERY battle you fought–

You were there

in Bethlehem manger

then at the Cross

You were no stranger–

after Resurrection

You startled your friends!

Lord, I can’t comprehend

Your daily goodness

each time I fall, You lift me

with never a scolding, merely

“let’s try this again”…

I’d find my feet

then heartbreak meet

You’ve saved my tears…

I can’t bide a minute without Your love–

You’re still present everywhere:

in birdsong and breeze

dawn’s light and darkest night

at sickbeds, funerals

weddings, births

at accident scenes

celebrations

in courtrooms, prisons

sports events, churches–

You knock on locked closet doors

seeking the lost, blind, lonely–

and You’re in the eyes

of those who know You well

their lips speak Your blessings–

YOU are present, Lord

inhabiting my praises ~

~ Cale

King James Bible
But thou art holy, O thou that inhabitest the praises of Israel. Psalm 22:3

Amplified Bible
And [that you may come] to know [practically, through personal experience] the love of Christ which far surpasses [mere] knowledge [without experience], that you may be filled up [throughout your being] to all the fullness of God [so that you may have the richest experience of God’s presence in your lives, completely filled and flooded with God Himself]. Ephes 3:19

“I am God Almighty; Walk [habitually] before Me [with integrity, knowing that you are always in My presence], and be blameless and complete [in obedience to Me].” Gen 17:1, Amplified Bible

Amplified Bible
And they heard the sound of the LORD God walking in the garden in the cool [afternoon breeze] of the day, so the man and his wife hid and kept themselves hidden from the presence of the LORD God among the trees of the garden. Gen 3:8

Amplified Bible
Why are you in despair, O my soul? And why have you become restless and disturbed within me? Hope in God and wait expectantly for Him, for I shall again praise Him For the help of His presence.   Ps 42:5

Amplified Bible
Surely His salvation is near to those who [reverently] fear Him [and obey Him with submissive wonder], That glory [the manifest presence of God] may dwell in our land. Ps 85:9

Holman Christian Standard Bible
Tremble, earth, at the presence of the Lord. Ps 114:7

Amplified Bible
You shall fear [and worship] the LORD your God [with awe-filled reverence and profound respect]; you shall serve Him and cling to Him [hold tightly to Him, be united with Him], and you shall swear [oaths] by His name. Deut 10:20

Amplified Bible
‘Do you not fear Me?’ says the LORD. ‘Do you not tremble [in awe] in My presence? For I have placed the sand as a boundary for the sea, An eternal decree and a perpetual barrier beyond which it cannot pass. Though the waves [of the sea] toss and break, yet they cannot prevail [against the sand ordained to hold them back]; Though the waves and the billows roar, yet they cannot cross over [the barrier]. [Is not such a God to be feared?] Jer 5:22

Amplified Bible
The angel replied and said to him, “I am Gabriel; I stand and minister in the [very] presence of God, and I have been sent [by Him] to speak to you and to bring you this good news.” Luke 1:19

Amplified Bible
Are not five sparrows sold for two copper coins? Yet not one of them has [ever] been forgotten in the presence of God. Luke 12:6

Amplified Bible
Nor will people say, ‘Look! Here it is!’ or, ‘There it is!’ For the kingdom of God is among you [because of My presence].” Luke 17:21

Amplified Bible
Jesus said to them, “If God were your Father [but He is not], you would love and recognize Me, for I came from God [out of His very presence] and have arrived here. For I have not even come on My own initiative [as self-appointed], but He [is the One who] sent Me. John 8:42

New King James Version
Repent therefore and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, so that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord. Acts 3:19

Amplified Bible
And when they had prayed, the place where they were meeting together was shaken [a sign of God’s presence]; and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak the word of God with boldness and courage. Acts 4:31

Amplified Bible
This hope [this confident assurance] we have as an anchor of the soul [it cannot slip and it cannot break down under whatever pressure bears upon it]—a safe and steadfast hope that enters within the veil [of the heavenly temple, that most Holy Place in which the very presence of God dwells] Heb 6:19

Amplified Bible
For Christ did not enter into a holy place made with hands, a mere copy of the true one, but [He entered] into heaven itself, now to appear in the very presence of God on our behalf; Heb 9:24

Amplified Bible
You have taken account of my wanderings; Put my tears in Your bottle. Are they not recorded in Your book? Ps 56:8

It’s Been Lovely but I Really Have to Scream Now

April 15, 2026

Huge thanks to Esther for her encouragement and her wonderful prompts!  Here is the link to her Limerick challenge–the prompt word is SCREAM:  https://estherchilton.co.uk/2026/04/13/laughing-along-with-a-limerick-279/

🙄🤣🤗

A blessed old-gal was living her dream

soup pot simmered while poem stitched straight seam

’till one day took fright

after wee-hours’ write:

she heard sudden wild seagull scream!

~ Cale

I had to google, because I’d never-ever heard a seagull scream (different from their normal cries)–and this particular rooftop visitor sounded like it was in pain, screaming for a full day outside my window…(apparently it can be a mating “issue”).

Photo:

one of my prized possessions found in a thrift store–I keep it out where I can see it daily and laugh at Life’s absurdities!  (everyone who’s ever visited covets it, so it’s in my as-yet-unsigned Will for “Somebody”)

Only One True God

April 15, 2026

ONE GOD TRUE

ONLY ONE

there’s nothing we can do

to Save, Redeem ourselves

it’s already been done

by JESUS CHRIST

the ONLY ONE TRUE GOD

with Power

Divine

Authority ~

GOD’s SON

REIGNING KING

for all Eternity

~ Cale

Isaiah 44:6
Thus saith the LORD the King of Israel, and his redeemer the LORD of hosts; I am the first, and I am the last; and beside me there is no God.

Isaiah 45:22-25
Turn to Me and be saved, all the ends of the earth; for I am God, and there is no other. / By Myself I have sworn; truth has gone out from My mouth, a word that will not be revoked: Every knee will bow before Me, every tongue will swear allegiance. / Surely they will say of Me, ‘In the LORD alone are righteousness and strength.’” All who rage against Him will come to Him and be put to shame.

Deuteronomy 6:4-5
Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God, the LORD is One. / And you shall love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength.

~~†~~

4The idols [of the nations] are silver and gold,

The work of man’s hands.

5They have mouths, but they cannot speak;

They have eyes, but they cannot see;

6They have ears, but they cannot hear;

They have noses, but they cannot smell;

7They have hands, but they cannot feel;

They have feet, but they cannot walk;

Nor can they make a sound with their throats.

8Those who make them will become like them,

Everyone who trusts in them.  Ps 115:4-8

~~†~~

Douay-Rheims Bible
Assemble yourselves, and come, and draw near together, ye that are saved of the Gentiles: they have no knowledge that set up the wood of their graven work, and pray to a god that cannot save. 

 Isaiah 45:20

~~†~~

We know that an idol is nothing at all in the world, and that there is no God but one. / For even if there are so-called gods, whether in heaven or on earth (as there are many so-called gods and lords), / yet for us there is but one God, the Father, from whom all things came and for whom we exist. And there is but one Lord, Jesus Christ, through whom all things came and through whom we exist.

I Corinth 8:4-6

~~†~~

Romans 1:21-23
For although they knew God, they neither glorified Him as God nor gave thanks to Him, but they became futile in their thinking and darkened in their foolish hearts. / Although they claimed to be wise, they became fools, / and exchanged the glory of the immortal God for images of mortal man and birds and animals and reptiles.

Habakkuk 2:18-19
What use is an idol, that a craftsman should carve it—or an image, a teacher of lies? For its maker trusts in his own creation; he makes idols that cannot speak. / Woe to him who says to wood, ‘Awake!’ or to silent stone, ‘Arise!’ Can it give guidance? Behold, it is overlaid with gold and silver, yet there is no breath in it at all.”

 

My Intimate Invisible Immortal God

April 14, 2026

I can’t believe this was still in “draft”, not published…oh well, here’s my belated Letter “I” post!😊

~~♥~~

You are the invisible immortal Creator, Lord God

and all that You’ve created is visible indeed

so that none can say You don’t exist.

Your Word is inspired, it flowed as You

 breathed holy breath upon what would

become printed pages for all to read, feed upon

and thereby learn to know You intimately.

That was always Your dream, Your heart–

to have loving relationships with every

person You brought into the world.

You didn’t want slaves, You desired children

who would follow Your lead in loving one

another–serving, sharing from Your bounty.

Age to age, You’ve called us to You

drawn us near your Father’s heart–

not holding us at a distance—longing

to engage personally with each one

because You made us all unique

and perfect in Your sight.

When our lives go askew, You continue

to entreat us: “come to Me, come to Me”…

if we don’t, You run after us, Good Shepherd.

You enjoy our companionship:

everyday You wait for me to wake

we make to-do lists, work together

and our conversation lasts until I

finally wind down, ready to sleep.

Sometimes, with You I’m still a child

I love the way You hug me up…

I will always need Your guidance

(You left out a GPS on purpose)

Your comfort, Your strength

(You are my super-hero)

You are my forever Father

Who holds my hand as we

walk into every season, trial

and victory celebration.

(Some days are crazy

but never boring…

because with You

everything’s always new😊)

~ Cale

And here’s a kids’ song I sing, though I’m 73 ~