Looking at a Beautiful Sky

Another photo taken in Africa by Joy Hardt ©2006

Curiosity and Honesty

With careful eye and immense curiosity
I looked anew at the world around me;
I am amazed at its complexity,
Great power is evident, obviously.

Enthralled, I stood outside and looked at the skies,
The universe exuded magnificence to my eyes;
This is no mere accident, I honestly realize.
Aloud to Someone I exclaimed my surprise,

“Oh Creator,” I called out to Someone There,
“First, I appreciate this great wonder everywhere;
I’d be untruthful if I said I didn’t care.
To be disrespectful, I wouldn’t dare.”

I paused, uncertain if I should go on to say
Some people here deny our Creator yet today.
Despite study, learning and observation,
Stubborn pride denies God in creation.

“Of course, You’re There and somehow Here,
You would know everything, way far out and near,
My body did not accidentally emerge from slime,
You have a purpose for me to live in time.

Thanks for the greatness of creation you share.”
I do see evidences of one great God everywhere;
I must acknowledge to myself with a deep sigh,
Many people have messed up, I think I know why.

If they’d acknowledge one powerful God as true,
Why He’d expect something back from me and you.
And we couldn’t live in carelessness or sin,
We’d have to own up to needing forgiveness within.

No God, no judge of our behavior?
No rules we have to follow, no need of a savior?
Why, if there WAS a God we couldn’t do what we please,
But since we haven’t seen Him we pretend to be at ease.

What folly to deny what simple facts proclaim,
Jesus called Him, Father in Heaven, by name.
What greater love than to die for our sin?
What stronger response than to invite Him within!

Curiosity shows my willingness to learn,
Honesty means from stubbornness I will turn;
One life to live and then….and then…..and then?
To face my Creator, and I don’t know when!

I discuss this with you, my friend, in all sincerity;
I’ve become a believer, unmistakably.
Now with these thoughts I challenge you,
Look at the Bible, it’s time to decide what’s true.

By Elaine Hardt ©2009

Can you spare 3 minutes? Take a look at Isaiah 40:28, 43:15, 44:24, 45:9, 45:11-12, 51:13, 54:5.

A Flower in Africa

Beautiful flowers come in lots of colors, shapes, scents, textures. Joy snapped this photo when she was in Africa.

Memories Behind, Possibilities Ahead

Mama was a little girl
in a distant time that’s past;
She said she grew up slowly,
but her childhood didn’t last.

When it was my time, it was
another miracle of birth;
God’s plan still continues on
for people here on earth.

He gives us days and months and years
with blessings great and small;
Thinking back we can remember
some things, but not all!

It’s good to have a special day
to turn our thoughts above,
Consider anew life’s memories
and ponder the depth of love.

The older we get, the more
discoveries will come along;
Living shows us we need the Lord,
those challenges can make us strong.

Mothers and fathers go before us
to live their allotted span;
With God’s help we carry on
and say, “Yes, I think I can!”

Trust and obey, remember that song?
We children sang with delight;
Do you recall your mama’s embrace?
And bedtime prayers at night?

Certainly I want to make them proud
as time goes flying by;
Adventures are awaiting me,
“More faith!” becomes my cry.

Thinking ought to lead to questions,
yes, there’s a lot to know;
Thankfully Jesus came to save us,
for the Bible tells us so.

With memories behind,
possibilities ahead,
“Make the most of each day,”
that’s what my mama said.

By Elaine Hardt ©2009

Full of Emotion, Empty of Words

Empty of words to say,
Empty of words to write,
I look towards Heaven and raise my hands in prayer;
Thankfully my Father knows.

I’ve looked again at the past,
I wonder about the present,
I’m overwhelmed at the thought of the future,
Then and now and soon to come.

So humbled by the realization
How small and insignificant I am,
Of course, I yield to God, Almighty Creator;
Truth and Reality point to Him.

The miracle of Jesus becoming one of us,
The amazing outpouring of His love on the cross,
The awesome power of His resurrection and ascension,
The astonishing gift of Holy Spirit abiding in believers.

At first, so bereft of words
More have since lined up on this page
As I seek to point my unseen reader
To the greatness of God.

By Elaine Hardt ©2008