Creative Writing (Page 2)
No Sin
How blind to say, “No sin”Or think it soAs if he died for sinless menOr cleanses just the clean. The sick man sees a doctor,The sinful sees a Savior. And he is both. And I was both. ______________ Copyright © Jim Elliff 2017
“Through the Water (Baptism Song)” by Benjamin and Rebekah Elliff
Here is a new baptism song by Benjamin and Rebekah Elliff called “Through the Water (Baptism Song).” By clicking on “more” (at the YouTube link) you will find the lyrics plus lead sheet and chord chart. We love this song in our church and other folks are picking it up as well in their churches. I hope you find it both meaningful and useful.
Dear Eden from Sweden
I write poetry for my grandchildren as their “PaJim.” This is one. We have a strain of Swedish ancestry on my wife’s side — a farm family in Sweden who moved to Canada and then to Minnesota in the 1800s. This poem reflects that connection. Likely the members of that family used “kulning” to call the cattle. Before you read this poem, listen to the enchanting kuhning of Jonna Jinton at this address to understand the poem better: https://youtu.be/KvtT3UyhibQ?feature=shared. The…
On the Nose of Jabawanga
I long to see my grandchildren become Warrior Kings for the Lord. Here is a poem written to one of them. Look carefully and you can see the nose and a future warrior standing there.
Just What I Remember: My Story, Chapter 1
Here is the first chapter of my life story. I plan to share ongoing chapters over the weeks ahead, as I write them. The first few are already completed, and I’m working on the rest. We live for a reason. I would never claim to have a notable life, but we do have a notable Savior whose involvement in our lives is worth talking about. I would truly like to honor him. We believers who have a leadership calling are…
Miss Hockingfield’s Waterloo
James, the youth: Why is Christ not beautiful to some people? Brockton, the older, and wiser: Because without eyes they cannot see. James: You mean such people are incapable of knowing Christ’s beauty? Brockton: Incapable because they are without desire; without desire because they are incapable. Miss Hockingfield’s story explains. It was “Art Museum Day” at Bussby Elementary, and Miss Hockingfield was ecstatic. She was a lover of beauty, an aficionado of all things lovely. It was on this day…
Upon the Gibbous Moon
Upon the Gibbous MoonJim Elliff Upon the gibbous moonThe ward was lighted, clean;Outside were dark and gloomAnd aggravated fiends. “Now he, the boy, is born,”They said in muffled tones,Their face in furtive scornAnd gurgling up their moans Sweet mother rests her head,With evanescent smiles;Awhile she lay in bed,Who birthed the precious child. The child was gently placedInto his mother’s arms,Though all the vicious racedTo plot the baby’s harm And then, first signs were found And ancient lines reviewedThe entry first…
The Discipline of God is Strong
The discipline of the believer provides one of our greatest assurances of God’s love. Please read and think deeply about “The Discipline of God is Strong.”
The Cause Is Still As Dear
There are a some followers of Christ who laid it all down in the battlefield. Most of them are unknown. Not all had the same opportunities. But God knows who they are. Among them was my indefatigable grandfather, A. P. Elliff, who was still teaching the Bible until he died at 93. I want to be like him. Here is a short poem to call us to that kind of life. The Cause Is Still As DearJim Elliff The body…
Indian Night
I wrote this one early morning while teaching outside of Mumbai, thinking about the devastation due to mosquito-born illnesses. We had talked about those persistent pests when there, who buzz near your ear to let you know they are in control. That buzz may stir you. But what is stirring on a different level and in a different way is the massive number of people who die from the royal mosquito. His buzz is the sound of war. He’s potentate…
Within These Joys
Within These JoysJim Elliff It is a time fresh joys have come around.Enwombed, our daughters loosed our newest kinAnd filled their homes and ours with gentle soundsOf gurgling, fussing, laughing, sure to winWorn hearts like ours to pleasures of their love And make the most enfolded of us bright.By their escape to light I think aboveThe greying path that walks us into night. Within these joys Christ’s older ones get eyes,For once entombed, to light we too shall rise! _____Sonnet,…
God of Creation, God of Salvation
I am learning to read and enjoy poetry. God makes much of it in the Bible. I am under the conviction that we miss something by not growing in our understanding of both the Bible’s poetic passages and what many modern poets themselves have to offer. Here is a poem from a younger friend, Daniel Pentimone, that I think is exceptional. It is vibrant, engaging, and meaningful. Read it outloud with exuberance, and love God more. Read it with joy…
Suffering and Seeking the Kingdom
Below are some thoughts on Matthew 6 that I wrote one year ago. I sent them to my wife, Rachel, who read them and saved them on the eve of an impossibly difficult year. Today, still in the midst of our darkest suffering, I want to tell you that I have often failed to believe and do what I am encouraging you toward. Rachel sent my words back to me last week, and there they were: staring into my heart,…
Jesus and Joseph
Like Jesus, Joseph was the special son of his father, beloved; like Jesus, Joseph was hated because his father loved him and because of his words and predictions of future authority; like Jesus, Joseph was plotted against; like Jesus, Joseph was stripped of a wonderful tunic, made bloody; like Jesus, Joseph was sold for silver; like Jesus, Joseph was taken to Egypt; like Jesus, Joseph was falsely accused; like Jesus, Joseph was given authority after humility; like Jesus, Joseph began…
The Knife on the Table
James, always questioning: Mr. Brockton, how do Satan or his demons interplay with our lives? Is there such a thing? The wiser Mr. Brockton: The battle rages quite fiercely for believers in Christ who walk as they should. He opposes by distractions, obstructions, confusion and fear. But they have a special connection to inordinate desires in any human. James: Do you mean that they create lust in us? Brockton: No, but they seek to provide objects to excite our lusts,…