Gift From The Heart

Photo Cred: (1) | Updated: 2/19/2023

This was a poem I wrote as a gift to my father-in-law for Christmas 2022. For having written it within 2 hours before the celebration, it actually turned out great all things considered. Regardless, here’s the poem:

Kenny, this is my gift from the heart.

I honestly didn’t know where to start.

At first, I strongly considered making art.

But my shelf-building skills aren’t set apart.

So I thought about buying little knick-knacks.

Maybe a food or even super delicious snacks.

Could’ve gotten a trinket for your travel backpack.

Could’ve found a deck of cards to use for blackjack.

Then I narrowed it down to just a few things.

The first one was hard: learn Hebrew and sing!

But then I realized that’s yours, not my thing.

So I kept on thinking: what gift should I bring?

What if I get a dreidel? He would love it!

Oh it’s all out of stock, even if I 2-day ship it.

What about an antique bridge? That’s a nice kit!

Well the reviews are really bad, so not the best fit.

Finally I realized the only thing I could truly give.

To love your Glory as long as we both shall live.

I will love her with all that I am as a gift to you.

Of all the things for you, this is the best I can do.

Since I’ve known you, I’ve observed who you are.

In this family, you’re the night sky holding stars.

Being the one who helps when there’s hurt or scars.

You are one of the most godly and wise by far.

Thank you for allowing me to join this family.

In short, this is my gift from the heart for Kenny.

As you can tell from the poem itself, I literally had no idea what to give Kenny until the day of our Christmas celebration. I couldn’t have gotten it done in time without my wife Glory helping me fix some lines in the poem and handwriting it on paper to give to put in a card. An incredibly last-minute gift, but I think it turned out wonderful. With that, Godspeed and Jesus bless.

Footnotes

  1. Free stock photos · Pexels

Psalm 29

Photo Cred: (1) | Updated: 5-7-2020

Here is a poem that I wrote on October 29th, 2019 that was inspired by Psalm 29. This was written during one of my daily devotionals through the book of Psalms.

 

O sons of the mighty.

Ascribe to the Lord glory.

That which is due to his name.

May we all do the same.

The voice of the Lord is upon the waters.

God’s glory changes silent skies to thunders.

The voice of the Lord is powerful.

The voice of the Lord is wonderful.

The voice of the Lord breaks the cedars.

Yes, the Lord’s voice is heard by seekers.

The voice of the Lord hews out flames of fire.

The wilderness shakes as said fire goes higher.

Yes, the Lord sits as king forever.

The Lord gives strength to whosoevers.

The Lord blesses his own for life’s endeavors.

 

With that, Godspeed and Jesus bless.

Footnotes

  1. Free stock photos · Pexels

Psalm 22

Photo Cred: (1) | Updated: 4-24-2020

Here is a poem that I wrote on September 9th, 2019 that was inspired by Psalm 22. This was written during one of my daily devotionals through the book of Psalms.

 

My God, my God, why have you left?

My words, my words, are loudly bereft.

My father trusts you, but I don’t.

I could truly love you, but I won’t.

In his youth, he found you when he needed hope.

Barely hanging on like a madman on a tightrope.

In my youth, I found you simply as a cultural trope.

I only talked to you to confess like you were a pope.

People call me a man of God, but why?

Don’t they know I’m fake and just lie?

They look to me for all of the answers.

Yet I only go to you with inquiries and questions.

My journey is of a man who knows better, but wanders.

Men like me take your commands as suggestions.

Yet you made this man with meaning anyway.

From birth, it’s as if I was born for the way.

I’ve never left you, so why did I stay?

From my origin until now on this day?

I suppose it’s because I know your intent.

That is, I know why you chose to invent.

You gave this man a specific type of mission.

A task unique within the Great Commission.

A calling that would take a lifetime to fulfill.

Like a farmer, this soil I always need to till.

Until it is done and finished, I cannot be still.

If not me to tend to this task, then who will?

Who will be the bridge that unites others?

Returning your sons to join us as brothers?

Bringing those who won’t associate together?

Guiding prodigals home with God forever?

Is it not this modern Saint Christopher?

Carrying Christ across the Jordan River?

Bearing the burden of souls in slumber?

Yes I fast, but my God do I truly hunger?

Reinvigorate this tired man who is your son.

Help him finish what is started and not done.

Let him shine bright like sun-soaked snow.

Allow the inward light within to openly show.

He has been sidetracked by the sins of youth.

Remind him that purity is the path of truth.

He has intrinsic meaning, purpose, and value.

Reinforce the fervor to fight for what is true.

There are many who aspire, but few attain.

We make way for the return of a king’s reign.

I once embraced evil, so now help me abstain.

For this man, to live is Christ and to die is gain.

 

With that, Godspeed and Jesus bless.

Footnotes

  1. Free stock photos · Pexels

Psalm 18

Photo Cred: (1) | Updated: 4-22-2020

Here is a poem that I wrote on August 21st, 2019 that was inspired by Psalm 18. This was written during one of my daily devotionals through the book of Psalms.

 

God, you are all of my strength.

My enemies are at arm’s length.

But death has entirely encompassed me.

Capturing many like sand in the sea.

The taken are on a mass sinning spree.

Because of these traps I run and flee.

Then the whole earth shook.

A site that caused all to look.

The mountain’s foundations were shaken.

All of nature’s skyscrapers were taken.

Evil caused the fury of a king to awaken.

This world we live in now God forsaken.

Smoke billowed from his nostrils.

And his fire singed life into fossils.

He broke through the clouds of heaven.

Swooping down to decimate the leaven.

Which is those who committed all seven.

Before they could even count to eleven.

Flying upon the wings of the wind.

His justice collides with the sinned.

From the same God treasured words that inspire.

Also came the hailstones and coals of hellfire.

To put it simply, these times will be very dire.

Somehow we sang these words to the tune of a lyre.

When he returns for the great calamity.

Justice will be administered to humanity.

But only for those who lived wickedly.

Grace will be granted to those of piety.

 

With that, Godspeed and Jesus bless.

Footnotes

  1. Free stock photos · Pexels

Psalm 15

Photo Cred: (1) | Updated: 5-7-2020

Here is a poem that I wrote on August 10th, 2019 that was inspired by Psalm 15. This was written during one of my daily devotionals through the book of Psalms.

 

Lord, who will live with you in heaven?

Those who forgive seven times seven?

They will walk with integrity.

They will work hard righteously.

They will speak truth inwardly.

But they will not use words to slander.

Intentionally trying to hurt their neighbor.

This is the type of person God will favor.

A brand new citizen of Zion.

Knowing Jesus as a strong lion.

Those truly evil reprobates

Will not enter Heaven’s gates.

Their actions God deprecates.

But those who fear the king.

Will offer their everything.

They joyously praise and sing.

So do not ever be mistaken.

The upright will not be shaken.

 

With that, Godspeed and Jesus bless.

Footnotes

  1. Free stock photos · Pexels

Psalm 13

Photo Cred: (1) | Updated: 4-18-2020

Here is a poem that I wrote on August 8th, 2019 that was inspired by Psalm 13. This was written during one of my daily devotionals through the book of Psalms.

 

God of gods, have you forgotten all of me?

How can you be near, yet the one I cannot see?

Did you leave because I am found, but not free?

How long will I have to comfort myself?

I have become my own hope for help.

I feel isolated like an elf on a shelf.

Then again, you and I have been here before.

When you’re gone and I wait for you by the seashore.

I will trust in you because you have made me for more.

 

With that, Godspeed and Jesus bless.

Footnotes

  1. Free stock photos · Pexels

Psalm 12

Photo Cred: (1) | Updated: 4-10-2020

Here is a poem that I wrote on August 6th, 2019 that was inspired by Psalm 12. This was written during one of my daily devotionals through the book of Psalms.

 

Where are all of the godly?

All I see is the praise of folly.

They constantly lie.

Kindness will die.

But God is not mocked for he will have the final say.

They will get what they deserve on that final day.

We speak extremely evil words.

By way of 140 character birds.

Of this I am absolutely sure.

That God’s word is pure.

It’s always the foolish who pridefully strut.

God will preserve us from this sin-infested rut.

 

With that, Godspeed and Jesus bless.

Footnotes

  1. Free stock photos · Pexels

Psalm 11

Photo Cred: (1) | Updated: 4-8-2020

Here is a poem that I wrote on August 4th, 2019 that was inspired by Psalm 11. This was written during one of my daily devotionals through the book of Psalms.

 

In God I take refuge for he is my shelter.

During dark days, my strong protector.

The evil bend their bows.

They aim them very slow.

At your servant’s feet.

At those who are meek.

They attack the upright.

Hunting shadows at night.

But in all of this our God is king.

Only he can remove death’s sting.

He is diligent in testing all things.

We await for the justice he brings.

He will judge all and some will stand tall.

Most will cling to favorite sins as they fall.

Then again, who will answer God’s call?

 

With that, Godspeed and Jesus bless.

Footnotes

  1. Free stock photos · Pexels

Psalm 8

Photo Cred: (1) | Updated: 4-4-2020

Here is a poem that I wrote on July 28th, 2019 that was inspired by Psalm 8. This was written during one of my daily devotionals through the book of Psalms.

 

Great is your wonderful name.

It makes the universe seem tame.

When I think of your creation,

I am moved to worship in exaltation.

How is it that humanity is lower than the heavenly?

How can we be adorned in glory and majesty?

You care for every single one of us.

We are nothing without you, Jesus!

By your command the foundations of the world were laid.

Then we were created to reign over all that you have made.

You God are unlike any other.

He deserves our absolute wonder.

 

With that, Godspeed and Jesus bless.

Footnotes

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Psalm 7

Psalm 7

Photo Cred: (1) | Updated: 10-5-2019

Here is a poem that I wrote on July 21st, 2019 that was inspired by Psalm 7. This was written during one of my daily devotionals through the book of Psalms.

 

God, you are my shelter.

Lord, you are my helper.

Salvation is like a castle’s solid foundation.

Constructed by you the king of all creation.

Fortified and ready to protect me from all of my sins.

No matter my evil resistance, God’s love always wins.

Let the bells of justice ring.

Break me until I am clean.

Forgive me for my failures.

I belong to a band of traitors.

I have wandered from where I once stood.

Grant me passage to all that is truly good.

I long for you, king of the mighty mountain.

Grace covers me like stones in a fountain.

Descend from the peak.

Save those who are weak.

This land needs you.

If only they knew.

We believe we are good, yet could not be more evil.

Like firewood bearing the rings of its initial primeval.

In shame we strive.

To pain we drive.

We’re made to thrive.

Make the dead alive.

 

With that, Godspeed and Jesus bless.

Footnotes

  1. Free stock photos · Pexels