Ready

 

I am eager to discover,

in the heavenly realm,

the mysteries experienced in this world

during our human existence. 

Will we understand then

what we cannot comprehend now?

The miracles of creation on earth?

Our bodies as temples of the Holy Spirit?

When all is finally revealed,

the joy will be overwhelming.

I am ready.

© 2024 Richard Havenga

Photo Locations:

1. Grand River - Grand Rapids, Michigan

2. Santa Catalina Mountains - Oro Valley, Arizona

3. Townsend Park - Kent County - Michigan

Inside My Solitude

 

Within this soft peace,

I seek contentment

inside my solitude.

I step cautiously between

the Jack-in-the-Pulpits

and Trillium's white purity.

I listen attentively

to the Scarlet Tanager

and the Red-eyed Vireo.

The Holy Spirit enlightens me;

brings inspiration 

to my words.

I glorify the Creator,

and express gratitude

for these precious gifts.

© 2025 Richard Havenga

Photo Locations:

1. & 4. Home Woods - Cannonsburg, Michigan

2. & 3. Grand River Basin - Lowell, Michigan

The Answer

 

This is a gift 

created for you.

It was offered to me

by the Holy Spirit,

in the middle of the night,

as I awoke from a dream.

I accepted it with reverence

and deep appreciation.

And now I am honored

to share it with humble generosity.

I hope you will accept

these simple, yet profound words:

God is love,

and God is the answer

to your questions

about directions.

© 2024 Richard Havenga

Access

Learn to recognize,
be aware of,
rely on,
the Holy Spirit within.

Learn to access
the creative energy
given
by our Creator God.

Learn to tap,
and expand,
the inspiration provided
by the Holy Spirit.

© 2024 Richard Havenga

Photo Location: LaJolla, California

Finishing

 

I'm waiting expectantly

for this morning's sunrise.

Hoping to be filled

with luminous light,

and a few creative words

inspired by the Holy Spirit.

Starting with receptivity.

Finishing with gratitude.

© 2024 Richard Havenga

Photo Location: Grand Teton National Park - Wyoming

Praying

 

When I pray,

I try to quiet my mind

and concentrate

on God's presence.

Then, humbling myself

with deep respect,

I give sincere thanks

for His incredible creation,

and wait patiently

for the Holy Spirit

to stir my soul

with inspiration,

to accept and embrace 

who I am called to be,

seeking guided navigation

from obscurity into purpose,

to be ready

to accept His message

and show gratitude

through my writing.

© 2024 Richard Havenga

Photo Locations:

1.Pickerel Lake Park / Fred Meijer Nature Preserve - Kent County - Michigan

2. Ada Township - Kent County - Michigan

3. Home Garden - Cannonsburg, Michigan

4. Home Road - Cannonsburg, Michigan

Worthy

 

Harvesting these

seasons of the year,

the years of this life.

Standing at the edge of time,

watching the broad horizon,

grateful for abundant blessings.

Seeking deeper spiritual perception

by listening for the voice of God

in the wind, in the waves.

Praying for inspiration

from the Holy Spirit

to make these words

worthy to be read.

© 2024 Richard Havenga

Photo Locations:

1. Acadia, Michigan

2. & 3. Grand Haven State Park - Grand Haven, Michigan

Acceptance

 

In the quiet air of an autumn afternoon,

something seems to be asking for my attention.

Something hidden in the vacant spaces

between leaves turning from green to gold.

Waiting for confirmation,

validation, affirmation.

It could be the inscrutable presence,

the essence of the Holy Spirit.

I will offer my benevolent attendance

through a fervent prayer of acceptance.

© 2023 Richard Havenga

Photo Locations:

1. Home Woods - Cannonsburg, Michigan

2. Fallasburg Park - Kent County - Michigan

3. Townsend Park - Kent County - Michigan

Navigation

When you need help

navigating this life,

from a place of obscurity

to a sense of purpose;

If you are still

wondering how

to make yourself

necessary;

Ask the Holy Spirit within

to stir your heart and soul,

to discover the reasons

for why you are placed here.

Listen to the gentle urging.

Follow whispered instructions.

Then embrace 

what you are called  to be.

© 2023 Richard Havenga

Photo Locations: 

1. & 2. Rocky Mountain National Park - Colorado

3. Grand Teton National Park - Wyoming

 

Timeless

 

These ocean waves

keep repeating

the relentless

movement of time.

And as you inhabit 

your own physical form,

can you possibly imagine

the eternity of your soul

carried on the breath

of the Holy Spirit

to an incomprehensible realm;

the timeless eternal kingdom?

© 2022 Richard Havenga

Photo Locations:

1. Neptune State Scenic Viewpoint - Oregon

2. Sanibel Island - Florida

Comfort

 

I cannot explain it to you,

and I do not understand it myself,

but I am assured that the Holy Spirit

resides inscrutably inside my soul.

It's an intimate feeling of contentment;

a promise fulfilled.  

When I seek inspiration to write,

the Holy Spirit provides.

When I vow dedication to the work,

confirmation is received.

When I experience difficulty,

comfort is given.

© 2022 Richard Havenga

Responsibility

 

When an exclusive gift

is presented by a loving God,

it carries a responsibility;

to be cultivated, amplified, and shared

to celebrate His glory,

to praise our God,

from whom all blessings flow.

So, as I seek inspiration

and understanding,

I invite the Holy Spirit

into my work,

and promise to rekindle

the gifts bestowed

upon my soul.

© 2022 Richard Havenga

Photo Locations:

1. Butchart Gardens - Victoria, British Columbia

2. Spring Lake, Michigan

3. Coronado Island - California

 

Fabric of Words

 

Each new morning

new creation

is breathed into being.

I am drawn into

attentive awareness

by my muse,

the Holy Spirit.

Gifts are presented by the Giver; 

woven through this day,

which I humbly strive to weave

into a fabric of words.

My camera captures 

components of creation,

fragments from the natural world,

images to ignite the writing. 

Small pieces of joy

return each year

in the greenwash of spring:

I look into the intensely blue sky

through a filter of Dogwood blossoms;

white purity in the shape of a cross. 

Along this trickle of stream

Forget-me-nots are remembered

for their delicate loyalty.

Wading in watery wetlands,

Yellow Iris, in feminine dress,

live short, yet luxurious lives.

Rinsed by soft rain,

arching leaves of grass

hold jeweled droplets 

in graceful balance.

Gifts presented by the Giver,

woven through this day. 

© 2021 Richard Havenga

Photo Locations:

1. Flowering Dogwood ~ Grand Rapids Township - Kent County - Michigan

2. Forget-Me-Not ~ Wabasis Lake Park - Kent County - Michigan

3. Yellow Iris ~ Ada Township - Kent County - Michigan

4. Grasses ~ Grattan Township - Kent County - Michigan

The Voice of God

 

A soft autumn breeze

whispers through a palette of color

along the edge of the lake.

Quiet yourself.

Listen carefully.

You may hear the voice of God.

If you let yourself be still,

echoes from the past

will embrace your memory.

The Holy Spirit within

will offer, or suggest,

words of inspiration.

© 2020 Richard Havenga

Photo Locations:

1. Pickerel Lake Park / Fred Meijer Nature Preserve - Kent County - Michigan

2. Fallasburg Park - Kent County - Michigan

Words Given

The gift of words
provided by the Holy Spirit
offers the opportunity to create,
stimulates the capacity to write;

to give glory and praise
to the Creator
for words given.

© 2020 Richard Havenga

Photo Locations:

1. Sunset Beach, North Carolina 

2. Buena Vista, Colorado

Pentecost

"... they were gathered in one place, united in prayer." ~ Acts 2:1

Illumination
from the Holy Spirit
provides the light
by which we work.

Inhaled as inspiration,
changed from within,
released in a new form.

The breath becomes art.
The vision becomes mission:
The love must be lived.

© 2020 Richard Havenga

Photo Locations:

1. Pray, Montana

2. Home Woods - Cannonsburg, Michigan

3. Kent County - Michigan

Promise

Aware of a poem taking shape in his mind,
he felt the presence of the Holy Spirit
looking over his humble, meager lines,
suggesting some additions, a few revisions.

Then the clouds opened,
and the stars
that were hidden
became visible.

Words appeared.
Bright with promise.

© 2020 Richard Havenga

Photo Location: Front Range Rocky Mountains - Longmont, Colorado

Emerging

The moon is emerging
from passing clouds.

I observe and admire
with a joyful heart,
a searching soul,
and a mind alert
with awareness.

With eyes wide open,
ready for a message
from the Holy Spirit.

Will it resound
like a trumpet of triumph,

or whisper
like a breeze in the pines?

© 2019 Richard Havenga

Photo Locations:

1. Home - Cannonsburg, Michigan

2. Catalina, Arizona

3. Cannon Township - Kent County - Michigan