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The Birth of a Book

Quiet Time Rhymes

August 6, 2020

After many requests for my poems in a book,
I pulled them together to see how they’d look.

I seemed overwhelming; I overcame fear.
I perused all the words that I’d written this year.

One hundred and forty-eight rhymes in five months,
Looking back, I’m amazed that this old dog still hunts.

Then I had to describe it and give it a name,
Quite Time Rhymes is the book it became.

I added another line, shares a bit more.
Peace in Pandemic describes what’s in store.

Then on to the cover, provide some insight.
I found in my photos some birds in mid-flight.

I remembered the walk on the beach when they flew.
It brought back that morning, the peace that I knew.

Decide on the pricing, they asked the amount.
I set it at ten cents a rhyme if you count.

I wrote from my heart and I shared them with you.
You asked for a book, it is here, it’s brand new.

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Sharing from the Heart

On February 8th, I began writing a few lines of rhyme during my quiet time. It’s my way of journaling. I shared them with my wife, and she encouraged me to share them with others. 

I created this blog titled Quiet Time Rhyme to share all of my rhymes. I will continue to add more in the days to come. I pray they touch you during these often stressful times.

Endless Joy

I trust in God, his master plan.
He knows the years of my life’s span.

He knows how long I’ll spend on earth.
I look to Him for my life’s worth.

The day will come I’ll be set free,
Know endless joy eternally.

I pray that when my life is done,
When Christ says welcome home my son,

That those I leave behind that day,
Whose lives I’ve touched in some small way,

Rejoice and lift their voice in song,
And know I’m home where I belong.

I pray that you who’ve read this rhyme
Don’t fear the day when it’s your time,

That you know Christ who gives you peace,
Your life with Him will never cease.

Changed

August 9, 2020

The future’s more uncertain now.
We’ve all been touched and changed somehow.

Some things are different than before.
I’ve learned to value quiet more,

Those times before dawn’s early light,
To read and pray, to gain insight.

Reflecting on my life that’s passed,
What are the things that truly last?

How can I touch a life today
To offer hope in some small way?

Can gentle words soak in like rain
To sooth the hurt and ease the pain?

Here is my prayer this day for you,
“I pray you trust God’s Word is true,

God’s Holy Spirit like a dove
Brings you joy, and peace, and love.”

Golden Years

August 3, 2020

What will I do with what remains
Of my life here before it wanes?

I only have this life to live.
What more is left that I can give?

I’ve grown more frail in my physique,
No longer strong, my body’s weak.

I’m not inclined to run a race,
My walking now, a slower pace.

My hair has turned a silver gray,
A bit less hair each passing day.

I pray You help my mind stay strong,
To share the words of my life’s song.

Although I’ve reached my golden years,
My journey’s marked by joys and tears,

I pray oh Lord, that you’ll use me
To shine Your light, help others see.

Song of the Soul

August 2, 2020

If my soul sang, what kind of song
Would it sing out the whole day long?

What kind of rhythm would emerge,
A joyful beat, or mournful dirge?

What kind of melody would form
To offer comfort, calm the storm?

Would I sing slow, a soothing tone,
That’s just for me when I’m alone?

Or would I sing out loud and share
A song of comfort, love, and care?

What makes a song, just tune and word,
Or what is felt when it is heard?

A song can bring a change in mood,
I pray my soul serves healthy food.

I pray the words of rhyme I write
Help other souls to soar in flight.

I pray the lyrics I prepare
Come from the heart, God’s love to share.

Set Free

July 29, 2020

The cloudy days are in between,
Not stormy, yet no skies are seen.

A hazy fog, a humid gray,
Sometimes with sun it burns away.

I pray the fog will not invade
My soul, that it inside will fade.

I pray my spirit sees the blue
That lies beyond. I know it’s true.

I’m not confined inside my head.
It’s up to me to choose instead.

I pray my spirit soars on high
Beyond the gloom into the sky,

To spread my wings, float on the breeze,
Beyond the clouds, above the trees.

I thank you Lord you set me free.
I know your love, your care for me.

Wisdom and Peace

July 28, 2020

Insulting and hateful, unhealthy debate,
We’ll not solve our problems with rage and with hate.

I pray that the fighting and hatred can cease,
That we come to the table in wisdom and peace.

Riots and looting, destruction and fire,
Complete desolation is that our desire?

I pray that the wrongs in our land be made right,
Through love and compassion may we see the light.

Can we find a solution with hate in our heart?
It’s time for a change to give love a new start.

I pray that forgiveness replaces the wrath,
That revenge won’t consume us, we’ll find a new path.

The fighting and hatred that splits and divides
Is born in the darkness we harbor inside.

I pray that the darkness inside us will flee,
That God grants us grace, that his love sets us free.

We’ll Not Despair

July 25, 2020

Inspired by 2 Cor. 4: 7-10

Although we suffer day and night,
I pray we still can shine God’s light.

Our power comes from God on high.
Upon his strength we can rely.

Though pressed by troubles crashing in,
We’ll not be crushed, we’ve God within.

Although perplexed and asking why,
We’ll not despair, in Him rely.

As troubles try to hunt us down,
Abandoned not, let love abound.

Although we’re down, knocked to and fro,
We’re not destroyed, let His love glow.

Although we suffer on this earth,
We know His love, our second birth.

Our bodies here are frail and weak,
Eternal life with Him we seek.

Faith and Hope

July 21, 2020

Through valleys may your faith be strong.
I pray that hope may be your song.

May you look toward what’s yet to be,
Believe the things you cannot see.

May you find comfort in God’s Word,
Your soul refreshed by what you’ve heard.

May you have faith to walk today,
To trust in Christ to lead the way,

Not just today but all the year
To live by faith, abandon fear.

May you be given wings to fly;
May troubles fade as you soar high.

May you know and feel God’s love,
Your spirit long for things above.

May you know peace that God can bring,
To feel the joy once more to sing.