Looking for better, a longing within, God is the answer, the place to begin. Oh, to be like Him, to gaze on His face, Full joy and longing, to live by that grace. But how the flesh pulls, it tugs on my heart, Promises good times, it looks like it’s smart. But, oh, it deceives, it robs you of joy, Go ahead do it, no harm is the ploy. The Spirit is strong, depend on His voice, Listen, it’s quiet, His way the right choice. Overcome the flesh, world, and the devil, Peace and rest are found, vanquishing evil. God’s Word is a sword, the truth in my hand, It cuts to my sin, can heal all this land. When with ears to hear, my cup is filled up, The lost see Jesus, God is lifted up.
Archive for the ‘Poem’ Category
Looking for Better
Posted in General, God Thoughts, Poem, Sustaining, tagged Poems, Sustaining on December 7, 2010| 3 Comments »
A prayer more than a poem really, but the heart fixed on Jesus
finds reality in it.
Ultimate Love Story Rap
Posted in General, God Thoughts, Poem, Song, tagged God Thoughts, Poems, Songs on November 21, 2010| 2 Comments »
Yeh, you read it right, rap! You’ll need some bling, yo, ’cause this rap involves some “great and magnificent promises” says II Peter 1:4, “so that you may become partakers of the divine nature…” Yeh, that’s rich!
Begins within the trinity
In the far past eternity
Love expressed to infinity
Through interactive Deity
Refrain:
The Ultimate Love Story told
Love eternal never grows old
Reject it and your life will fold
Receive it for a new life bold
A story of marriage lovely
Of promises kept totally
Same and discontinuity
All patterned with typology
Father loves Son eternally
Loves rebellious humanity
Loves His people distinctively
Loves sinners that they might be free
God loves all providentially
He loves so sacrificially
Perfectly and perfectingly
His own want holy living see
God chooses to love us freely
Because God loves His Son you see
It benefits both you and me
Bring God much honor and glory
Warn a Sinner from his ways
Posted in General, God's Word, Poem, tagged God's Word, Poems on November 14, 2010| Leave a Comment »
As I sought to choose hymns for the evening service at church I desired to choose one that suggested the text, II Peter 2:1-9. I struggled to pick a song that spoke anything signifcantly about judgment. My wife said so simply, “Who wants to sing about that?” Well, of course she is right, but people of the church did not always fear to sing about death and the consequences of rejection of Christ. Having laid the foundation for strong faith in chapter one, remembering what makes for salvation and godly living, Peter sets out in chapters 2 and 3 to guard the believers against two threats to strong faith: one within the church, namely false teachers, and the other outside the church, namely, mockers. Early in chapter 2 reminds me very much of Jude who says in verse four of his short epistle, “Certain persons have crept in unnoticed, those who were long beforehand marked out for this condemnation.” If their judgment is so certain, I wonder, why should we even discuss it? It is a warning to others for God says through Ezekiel, “Now as for you, son of man, say to the house of Israel, ‘Thus you have spoken, saying, “Surely our transgressions and our sins are upon us, and we are rotting away in them; how then can we survive?” ‘Say to them,”As I live!,” declares the Lord God, “I take no pleasure in the death of the wicked, but rather that the wicked turn from his way and live. Turn back, turn back from your evil ways! Why then will you die, O house of Israel?”‘” (33:10-11) The following poem comes in lieu of the hymn that I did not find:
From hell to save my Savior came To raise the dead and heal the lame He taught of His Father full breadth Of both eternal life and deathSecond coming differs from this Bought ones ascend to heaven’s bliss While those who refused life in Him Face an eternity that’s grim
Saints, pray and preach to your last breath Hold them back who stagger to death Prov.24:11 O, Sovereign Lord lend us Your aid Show us ones whose sin debt is paid
O, Sinners heed Christ’s pleading call Ezek.33:11,Rom.10:13 Of rescue that goes out to all Call for mercy with all your might Escape your end of flame and fright
Jesus is the Savior and Judge On His justice there is no smudge Receive from Him payment for sin Or ever hurt without, within
Washed, Rinsed, Eternally Clean
Posted in Beauty, General, God Thoughts, Outdoors, Photo, Poem, tagged Beauty, God Thoughts, Outdoors, Photos, Poems on September 12, 2010| 4 Comments »
I made a new aquaintence in church today. We exchanged interests and learned that one was classical music and another was potentially poetry. He wrote down a poem from memory and gave it to me at the end of church. At home I sat down to read the poem. I was really enjoying it, but then I got to the last three lines and felt disappointed. Perhaps the author did not know the good news that I know, or perhaps his focus was elsewhere. At any rate I include the poem here and two verses that I quickly added (in a different color) to, as they say in music, resolve the dissident chords, caused in me at any rate. In defense of both Dr. Stidger’s thoughts and mine, I remind you of what it says in John 13:10: “Jesus said to him, ‘He who has bathed needs only to wash his feet, but is completely clean; and you are clean, but not all of you.'” I believe Jesus means both that Judas was unclean and that His disciples can pick up dirt from this world, that though they are clean, “needs only to wash”. Oh, how glorious, I’m clean!
I saw God wash the world by Dr. W. L. Stidger
Junco
The red is more red
Since God washed every fragrant face
And put them all to bed
There is not a bird, there is not a bee
That wings along the way
That was a cleaner bird or bee
Than it was yesterday
I saw God wash the world last night
Ah, would He had washed me
As clean of all my dust and dirt
As that old white birch tree!
But oh, He has and cleaner yet
But not with rain and wind
He washed me in the blood of Christ
And I’m completely cleansed
Yet I will have dirt settle on me
As indeed will flower and tree
But my soul is cleansed of all its sin
And could not cleaner be
The Word Before Your Face
Posted in General, God's Word, Poem, Sustaining, tagged God's Word, Poems, Sustaining on September 11, 2010| Leave a Comment »
I was encouraging my healthcare provider and Christian brother who turned and encouraged me even more by several comments he made. The one that struck me most was him holding his palm before his face and saying, “If we keep the Word before our face it keeps changing us.” We listen rather than work because our sanctification is by grace through faith as surely as our initial salvation experience.
Keeping the Word before your face Concept and meaning ever trace Continual changes in you Please God and better run the race Setting your mind on things above The things of God you learn to love Cleansing your heart so it is true Undivided heart like a dove Eternity within the heart Begun in Christ and not depart When I’ve sinned and turned away too By His Spirit I may restart Learn to live life by faith alone No schemes and planning on your own By His Word guided by each clue To heed the Spirit’s call be prone When in danger for Him you call Secure in Him never can fall Peace with God is ever in view Assurance of heaven’s bright hall The Word before your face again Best deterrent to prevent sin Knowing that all to God is due Forgiveness, glory, life you’re in
Glory of Christ revealed in His trial
Posted in General, God's Word, Poem, tagged God's Word, Poems on August 10, 2010| Leave a Comment »
Last Sunday the pastor preached a Bible-based, convicting and practical sermon. The text was John 18:12-27. Early on he said the theme of this intertwined story was “the glory of Christ in His trial; the sinfulness of Peter in his denial.” As the sermon progressed this sentence kept working on me. It rhymed and it showed great contrast. I began to think there was a poem here that might help me remember the sermon ideas reflecting the text.
Glory of Christ revealed in His trial Peter’s sinfulness in his denial Contrast Christ abiding in the Father With Peter wandering, to then falterNot shrinking from truth in the face of death Fearing man when expectations a myth If I spoke “rightly, why do you strike Me?” One of His disciples? Not I, said he
Dependence on God and Christ is the way Reliance on self will bring much dismay Cohorts, commanders, courts could not dissuade A slave-girl side-tracked allegiance once made
“I have spoken openly to the world” Not a cold heart while warming hands unfurled Boldly speak of Jesus the Son of God Or rooster crow pierce your heart like a rod
Trust in the Father through Jesus the Son Don’t shift allegiance to serve number one Return to your first love, know of His grace Don’t wander and falter, finish the race
The Fall Abbreviated
Posted in General, God Thoughts, Poem, tagged God Thoughts, Poems on July 25, 2010| 2 Comments »
What happened? In a moment from life to death, from intimacy to estrangement, from bliss to dread. Oh that we, the beloved, might imbibe the last state of our soul as readily as the former. His grace shines in the latter all the more in the light of our former. He has rescued us as “He made Him who knew no sin to be sin on our behalf, so that we might become the righteousness of God in Him” (II Corinthians 5:21)
Temptations rife Hazard all Indiscretions, fall Shame, strifeBlame wife Cover all Oh the gall Death not life
Pay the fife Lost all Darkness fall Sorrows rife
Took the knife Once for all Order tall Gave us life
Energy Intertwined
Posted in Beauty, General, Poem, Science, tagged Beauty, Poems, Science on July 6, 2010| 1 Comment »
I am far from being a materialist but God has ordered a material world which is fascinating. It shouts of deep complexity and beautiful simplicity. He is intimately involved and yet He set it to work. Oh, what a wonderful Creator and Sustainer is He!
Sunlight on the grass and trees Photosynthesis within the leaves Glucose stored in chloroplast In the food web first, but lastConsume producers all day Cell respiration at work and play Glucose energy that may Be used to keep death at bay
Up the chain energy flows ‘Eat or be eaten’ the saying goes Predator and prey each knows Watchfulness precludes dire woes
Top dog on a nonstop binge Top of the food chain has its challenge On catching the food will hinge Life and on offspring impinge
Death comes to all in their time Decomposers recycle the grime The world would be full of slime Life’s web would lose all its rhyme
In and out energy goes Though inefficient transfer, life grows From sunlight to plants it flows Animals, then decompose
May the Blessing of God
Posted in General, God Thoughts, Poem, Song, tagged God Thoughts, Poems, Songs on June 14, 2010| Leave a Comment »
First Cause
Posted in Beauty, General, God Thoughts, Outdoors, Photo, Poem, Science, tagged God Thoughts, Poems, Science on June 10, 2010| Leave a Comment »
Bee on flower in mutual dance
Mare with colt on a beautiful prance
Sword fishes school marshal every lance
Not a chance
Four main forces balanced precisely
Fingers on key board glide adeptly
Sun, Moon, and stars trace paths exactly
Not likely
All of life programmed in DNA
Beauty and function have interplay
Complex fossils in low strata lay
Hey, no way
Unless an all sufficient first Cause
Transcendent of effect, without flaws
Made it all, His rule the written clause
Let give pause
Bumblebee on Woodland Sunflower?
Bumblebee on Woodland Sunflower?
Pain and Pleasure
Posted in General, God Thoughts, Poem, Sustaining, tagged God Thoughts, Poems, Sustaining on June 5, 2010| 2 Comments »
I seem to be in an extended season of difficulty. This time around I wondered what I could have done to cause the problem. How had I strained my ankle? Rain and responsibility had kept me from doing much activity for several days before the swelling and pain. It turns out that it was not structural at all but rather inflamation. It is yet another time to reflect on God’s goodness and man’s condition.
Pain and pleasure juxtapose First grow thorns and then the rose Why these two rise side by side One we cherish one derideMust it be that we suppose Foulness comes with the sweet dose Neither so before the Fall Nor in heaven eternal
Better does it good disclose More thankful now more repose By suffering our wants end God does good superintend
Now I enjoy more the rose Beauty of its top stem pose Thorns diminish all one day In His presence I will stay
Good Promise to Israel and Us
Posted in General, God Thoughts, Poem, tagged God Thoughts, Poems on May 20, 2010| 1 Comment »
This poem does not feel complete to me, but it is all that I know to do with it now. We are all saved by grace but I believe that God has and is dealing with us through different adminstrative dispensations. This poem attempts to touch on that theme but as I say needs much “filling out”.
Set up for praise, honor, and fame This good promise to Israel came Nations are not treated the same For the sake of God’s holy name Obey His commands was required Know your God and Him be desired Never in idol worship mired Not in doing the good be tired It was by Him sovereignly planned Blessing or curse on Israel’s land And offspring few or like the sand Obey and trust His gracious hand We are the people of the Lord By Christ’s blood salvation afford Love Him well, keep His word the sword In trusting Him comes great rewardA Servant’s Ambition
Posted in General, God Thoughts, Poem, Remembering, tagged God Thoughts, Poems, Remembering on January 26, 2010| Leave a Comment »
Like most anyone else I have experienced ambitions to succeed at this or try that or do the other. As the years have passed my thoughts of ambition have continued to some small degree though experience has quelled the impulse to apply action to those desires. The desires to do something noteworthy that have most bewildered me are those I thought to be directed at glorifying God. Evidently all too many of them were colored by personal ambition I did not understand. As I reflected on God’s goodness, my failure to take ahold of Him to the degree I desired or serve Him in the way I thought desirable, I saw in my mind’s eye what my ambition should be. I possess because of His gift a most precious resource. I don’t want misunderstanding of my poem so consider that holding the jug means to possess the gospel while raising it refers to witness, that is, offering the gospel, and pouring would equate with praying with someone to receive Christ:
Only a lowly servant holding a water jar
But oh, refreshing contents rescued the very same
Now to offer water to travelers near and far
Brings joy to him and to his Master fame
Standing by the seated Master pouring on command
As one by one thirsty souls file past the servant there
Water offered unto all, received by those pre-planned
Await the Master’s nod, then pour with flare
Why so rarely raised the jug Master offers to all?
Servant holding back more for self that supply not fail?
The joy is more when raised or poured, not one drop will fall
Every single draught will for sin avail
Jingle Talk
Posted in General, God Thoughts, Poem, Random thoughts, tagged God Thoughts, Poems, Random thoughts on January 23, 2010| 1 Comment »
My family and I have watched a 12 part BBC series on the Charles Dickens comedy Pickwick Papers. Many scenes are funny and others sobering. And since it is evidently true to the book, I could recommend either. Without giving away the story, there is a despicable character named Mr. Jingle whose oddity is speaking in one to three word phrases with dramatic intonations and short pauses. There is a complete economy of words and yet a rich and clearly understood meaning to all that he says. I do not encourage his actions but his speech compels me to want to learn this mode. While reflecting on this speech the other day I attempted to write a poem in that form. I will know if I have succeeded if you understand the poem. If you know the subject about which the poem speaks, comment your knowledge below:
Temptations rife
Hazard all
Indiscretions, fall
Shame, strife
Blame wife
Cover all
Oh the gall
Death not life
Pay the fife
Lost all
Darkness fall
Sorrows rife
Took the knife
Once for all
Order tall
Gave us life
May I have a Word with you?
Posted in General, Poem, Random thoughts, Remembering, Strength, Sustaining, tagged Random thoughts, Remembering, Strength, Sustaining on January 23, 2010| 2 Comments »
One of the ways that God has given us to communicate with people is through words. Body language and acts of kindness, hatred, or neglect are other ways. Not only kind, encouraging words, but constructive criticism words and instructive and insightful words that build someone up and demonstrate concern are helpful. As the Proverbs say, “Anxiety in the heart of a man weighs it down, but a good word makes it glad,” (12:25) and “A man has joy in an apt answer, and how delightful is a timely word,” (15:23) and “Faithful are the wounds of a friend,” (27:6) and “Heed instruction and be wise,” (8:33) and “the tongue of the wise brings healing,” (12:18), and “he who forsakes reproof goes astray,” (10:17) and many more good words.
But I have observed that though the eargate be open and the volume be sufficient and distractions be few, many good words are not heard. In fact, the emotional baggage and relationship histories can shut a mind down to where it not only refuses to accept good words, rejecting them or twisting them to have some nefarious meaning or intentions, but such a mind can deny before witnesses that the words were ever spoken. Though this is an amazement to me, I have both observed it and commited this crime of unkindness to the speaker. So, I am resolved to hear better and attribute intentions as purer to words that are of benefit to me while understanding that discouraging or untrue words may well come from a speaker who does not fully understand the source of their own intentions. To this end I have composed a poem:
What is the need for a stern word From loved ones, colleagues, or stranger A cautionary note not absurd When it rescues one from dangerWhat is the use of a taught word Is it something you need to know Keep you from running with the herd Help your mind continually grow
What is the goal of a wise word Of discernment that penetrates So that on your life you may gird Tools for living, such worthy traits
What is the help of a kind word With regular sincerity Just like a beautiful song bird A seasonal sound rarity
Painful Teacher
Posted in General, Poem, Strength, Sustaining, Why?!, tagged Poems, Strength, Sustaining, Why?! on October 15, 2009| 2 Comments »
Pain is a teacher unlike the rest
Mastery through continual test
Speaks loud and clear the nerves to molest
Difficult friend and unwelcomed guest
Told to rejoice through various trials How so when all comfort it defiles Raises high fears deep emotions riles Makes a few steps seem as many miles
The answer comes through what is induced Frivolous pursuits greatly reduced Priorities from limits deduced Perseverance and faith both loosed
Behind Your Questions
Posted in General, God Thoughts, Poem, tagged God Thoughts, Poems, Why?! on August 30, 2009| Leave a Comment »
What do you aspire to do?
What motivates and drives you through?
Is it comfort, security or ease of pain?
Power, influence, life in the fast lane?
Why do you work hard, or at other times sit idle?
Why do you follow rules, but then rear your head without bridle?
Are there goals, a plan, or reasons behind?
Fears, ambitions, or answers to find?
Do you know why the questions never cease?
Why all the efforts but no peace?
Would you want to know if you could be told?
Or shrink back in fear and your spirit fold?
If the answer is Jesus will you reject Him out of hand?
Will you still turn away if your reasons won’t stand?
Do you want peace and purpose, a plan you’ve sought?
Security, comfort, and answers that can’t be bought?
Just Sayings
Posted in Cultural commentary, General, God Thoughts, Poem, Strength, tagged Cultural commentary, God Thoughts, Poems, Strength on February 5, 2009| 2 Comments »
Some old sayings recycled and rehashed for the
days we are in:
Desperate times require desperate measures
So the old saying goes
But are we willing to take the cure
Before we’re in the throes
If it were a snake beside the path
We’d all been bit for sure
But will we extract the poison there
So each one can be pure
Pulling ourselves up by our bootstraps
Cannot happen nor would
Since Eve was deceived, Adam rebelled
We can’t do what we should
Problem older than Methuselah
Recent as your last breath
If not rescued by the Redeemer
You have no hope but death
Right as rain, pure as the driven snow
Our sin gone by His blood
The Christ has made His beloved so
By grace’s abundant flood
Imitation’s th’best flattery
Be pleasing in His sight
Now we will and can live for Jesus
Evidence of His might
Oh, lost ones know that the gig is up
Unless you trust Him too
He died on the cross to rescue you
And give you life anew
Heightened Praise
Posted in Beauty, General, God Thoughts, Poem, tagged Beauty, God Thoughts, Poems on January 13, 2009| Leave a Comment »
The more we see of God the more our praise will be raised and our lives be purified. Oh that this might be true of you and me:
What praise can this feebled mind impart
Or glory give to God
But He commands the soul
Lift up words and life to make a start
Tell of wonders in the world abroad
Of land, sea and sky
Sing with the birds and waves
Praise with them, for silence would be odd
With the angels up above exalt
See His untold beauty
Awe at His purity
Oh a change in manner would result
Before God’s high throne see all that’s true
Know deepest wisdom’s way
Feel total power sway
There have all that’s right and good in view
CreatorWorship 
Room 417
Posted in Beauty, Cultural commentary, General, Poem, Random thoughts, tagged Beauty, Cultural commentary, Poems, Random thoughts on June 10, 2009| 4 Comments »
On the hallway wall next to the door is posted “Room 417 Storage”. In this fairly new facility it is used as an occasional office. The majority could not tell you where it is or for what purpose it is utilized. I was assigned to sit in silence in Room 417 with three other people for two and a half hours. I’m a teacher; you figure it out. Here are my impressions of the space, the activity, and our path.
In a claustrophobic room Painted white no decor there Neither flower nor mind could bloom Though florescent lights and vented air
White noise from conditioned air Abundant plastic, metal too Nothing the senses would find fair Though clean and bright and also new
Sanitized of all that harms Disease, sharp corners, tanning rays Not a thing the spirit alarms Though emergency exits map ways
Thus the danger to our lives All is well but dead inside No awareness that life never thrives Except in Sonshine and change of tideRead Full Post »