Archive for the ‘ Poetry ’ Category

Weekend Words & Sunday Stanzas – 04/26/2015

Allow wisdom into your life, and open the door by starting at Proverbial Thought!

I spent some time both as a teenager and a young twenty-something, both before and as a Christian, despising this world and even this life.

As a teen, I fully hated this world. It offered almost nothing good to me, and even the good seemed tainted by bad.

It was being introduced to Jesus Christ at a small church that my life and my outlook on it began to change.

Now this I say and testify in the Lord, that you must no longer walk as the Gentiles do, in the futility of their minds. They are darkened in their understanding, alienated from the life of God because of the ignorance that is in them, due to their hardness of heart. They have become callous and have given themselves up to sensuality, greedy to practice every kind of impurity. But that is not the way you learned Christ!— assuming that you have heard about him and were taught in him, as the truth is in Jesus, to put off your old self, which belongs to your former manner of life and is corrupt through deceitful desires, and to be renewed in the spirit of your minds, and to put on the new self, created after the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness.

Therefore, having put away falsehood, let each one of you speak the truth with his neighbor, for we are members one of another.
Ephesians 4:17-25, ESV

 

a regular life

i now give

 

a regular life

filled with the usual

hating the world

but finding it mutual

until God came along

and turned all that around

a brand new life begun

without much resound

but as God was working

through His Son Jesus Christ

this regular boy

was given extraordinary life

now the mission is clear

and the way seems obvious

who am i now

a disciple of Jesus

i will take the news

of the life that He lives

into the rest of the world

my life i now give

2015
04/26
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Weekend Words & Sunday Stanzas – 04/19/2015

Cry out for wisdom, and get some help from Proverbial Thought.

Life can be hard. The Bible tells us it is the fault of humanity (Genesis 3, Romans 3) and promises it (John 16:33).

It is in John 16:33, and really all of John 14-17, we see the promise of the Holy Spirit and His peace:

“I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.”

Life may be difficult, but all we need to do is rely on God. He has promised to help those who call on Him!

 

 

this life can be so hard

at times i am over whelmed

i find i want to cry

or that i might break down

my God

   my God

i feel ready to give up

my strength has all but left me

please take from me this cup

yet i implore You

do not let me control this

though life may be hard for me

i want the character of Jesus

O Lord

   O Father

grant some peace in this ordeal

my Daddy and my Lord

Your strength I need to feel

and though i want to quit

for my life feels too surreal

i will press on in Your Spirit

in Whom i am sealed

2015
04/19
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Weekend Words & Sunday Stanzas – 04/12/2015

Find that woman Wisdom (for example, Proverbs 8) through the thoughts at Proverbial Thought!

There are two ways of looking at things (for my purposes today, at least): literally and allegorically. This is done with the Bible regularly ( in both good and correct ways and bad and incorrect ways). The Bible itself does this, as many verses in the New Testament make the allegorical connection to Jesus with Old Testament verses.

Likewise, the poem today has a double viewing in mind.

The literal view is based on the relationship I have with my wife. The message I would point to for others to take is that your significant other, specifically your spouse, should constantly point you back to God in the name of Jesus and through the leading of the Holy Spirit.

The allegorical view is based on how God relates to us through His Church.

Wives, submit to your own husbands, as to the Lord. For the husband is the head of the wife even as Christ is the head of the church, his body, and is himself its Savior. Now as the church submits to Christ, so also wives should submit in everything to their husbands.

Husbands, love your wives, as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her, that he might sanctify her, having cleansed her by the washing of water with the word, so that he might present the church to himself in splendor, without spot or wrinkle or any such thing, that she might be holy and without blemish.
Ephesians 5:22-27, ESV

Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and the sea was no more. And I saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Behold, the dwelling place of God is with man. He will dwell with them, and they will be his people, and God himself will be with them as their God.
Revelation 21:1-3

Love your husband or wife. Love the Bride of Christ. In so doing, you will see and share the love of Christ.

The woman in my life …

… makes me happy and brings me joy.

She leads me to the Father and pushes me to praise my Lord.

The woman in my life is my gift from Jesus Christ.

She mixes me up inside and also makes me smile.

The woman in my life …

… brings the love of God and shows me there is still good.

She brings me to a place of love and guides me to my God above.

This woman is a woman meant for a godly man.

 

If I am considered godly …

… then I must do more to honor our sovereign Lord.

I must seek His Heart and keep doing so in my heart.

If I am considered godly, it is because He made me.

I will keep my God first and give Him all He deserves.

If I am considered godly …

… then I must try the hardest to remember Jesus,

because I cannot forfeit what my Lord has sent.

 

The woman in my life …

   … helps me be godly.

     If I am considered godly …

   … it is because of a godly woman in my life.

2015
04/14
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Weekend Words & Sunday Stanzas – 04/05/2015

Find the source of wisdom, and begin at Proverbial Thought!

HAPPY RESURRECTION SUNDAY!

Yes, many call it Easter, but today we celebrate the anniversary of our Lord’s resurrection from the dead.

As Paul said, “if Christ has not been raised . . . we are of all people to be most pitied” (1 Corinthians 15:17-19)

The poem today is actually based on the resurrection story found in John’s gospel:

Now on the first day of the week Mary Magdalene came to the tomb early, while it was still dark, and saw that the stone had been taken away from the tomb. So she ran and went to Simon Peter and the other disciple, the one whom Jesus loved, and said to them, “They have taken the Lord out of the tomb, and we do not know where they have laid him.” So Peter went out with the other disciple, and they were going toward the tomb. Both of them were running together, but the other disciple outran Peter and reached the tomb first. And stooping to look in, he saw the linen cloths lying there, but he did not go in. Then Simon Peter came, following him, and went into the tomb. He saw the linen cloths lying there, and the face cloth, which had been on Jesus’ head, not lying with the linen cloths but folded up in a place by itself.
John, 20:1-7, ESV

If I may wax apologetic for a moment, think about this: if the burial cloths of Christ truly were found in the tomb without His body (they were!), why would (non-followers of Christ) thieves take the time take off the linens and neatly fold the face cloth? Rather, would this not show Jesus is saying in essence, “Oh. I do not need these any more. I will just place this neatly over here …”? (He just beat death, after all!)

He is risen!

risen

the curtain torn
the tomb now sealed
God watching as
His angels work
the lights flashing
thunder clapping
the joy surrounds
all in heaven
explosions cheers
lightning thunder
flashes novas

on earth Jesus
taking a breath
opening eyes
He sits straight up
removes the cloths
folds them neatly
rises and leaves

2015
04/05
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Weekend Words & Sunday Stanzas – 03/29/2015

Do not get distracted by the world’s “wisdom”. Find true wisdom through some thoughts at Proverbial Thought!

Please understand: I actually like squirrels. I had several “friends” when I first went to college at Olivet Nazarene University.

The poem today is more of a commentary on the spiritual ADD of the Western Church, and it is based on the following passages:

But false prophets also arose among the people, just as there will be false teachers among you, who will secretly bring in destructive heresies, even denying the Master who bought them, bringing upon themselves swift destruction. And many will follow their sensuality, and because of them the way of truth will be blasphemed. And in their greed they will exploit you with false words. Their condemnation from long ago is not idle, and their destruction is not asleep. . . . For, speaking loud boasts of folly, they entice by sensual passions of the flesh those who are barely escaping from those who live in error. They promise them freedom, but they themselves are slaves of corruption. For whatever overcomes a person, to that he is enslaved. For if, after they have escaped the defilements of the world through the knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, they are again entangled in them and overcome, the last state has become worse for them than the first. For it would have been better for them never to have known the way of righteousness than after knowing it to turn back from the holy commandment delivered to them. What the true proverb says has happened to them: “The dog returns to its own vomit, and the sow, after washing herself, returns to wallow in the mire.”
2 Peter 2:1-3, 18-22, ESV

“And when you pray, you must not be like the hypocrites. For they love to stand and pray in the synagogues and at the street corners, that they may be seen by others. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward.”
Matthew 6:5

“You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.”
Matthew 5:14-16

 

I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.
Romans 12:1-2

Are we too squirrelly at times in our culture?

– 

– 

– 

– 

squirrelly

– 

are we too much like squirrels

do we hoard our belongings

like being in high places

and think people just like watching us

are we too much like squirrels

 do we run around not really going anywhere

 get into little and meaningless fights

 and just watch others as they go by

are we too much like squirrels

 do we spend a lot of time cleaning ourselves

 keep others at a distance

 and run away when people get too close

why are we so squirrelly

why do we always seem on edge

why do we hide or run away from people

2015
03/29
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Weekend Words & Sunday Stanzas – 03/22/2015

Find the peace of wisdom and avoid the torment of foolishness, and get started with Proverbial Thought!

You might also think of this passage after reading the poem today:

What then shall we say? That the law is sin? By no means! Yet if it had not been for the law, I would not have known sin. For I would not have known what it is to covet if the law had not said, “You shall not covet.” But sin, seizing an opportunity through the commandment, produced in me all kinds of covetousness. For apart from the law, sin lies dead. I was once alive apart from the law, but when the commandment came, sin came alive and I died. The very commandment that promised life proved to be death to me. For sin, seizing an opportunity through the commandment, deceived me and through it killed me. So the law is holy, and the commandment is holy and righteous and good.

Did that which is good, then, bring death to me? By no means! It was sin, producing death in me through what is good, in order that sin might be shown to be sin, and through the commandment might become sinful beyond measure. For we know that the law is spiritual, but I am of the flesh, sold under sin. 15 For I do not understand my own actions. For I do not do what I want, but I do the very thing I hate. Now if I do what I do not want, I agree with the law, that it is good. So now it is no longer I who do it, but sin that dwells within me. For I know that nothing good dwells in me, that is, in my flesh. For I have the desire to do what is right, but not the ability to carry it out. For I do not do the good I want, but the evil I do not want is what I keep on doing. Now if I do what I do not want, it is no longer I who do it, but sin that dwells within me.

So I find it to be a law that when I want to do right, evil lies close at hand. For I delight in the law of God, in my inner being, but I see in my members another law waging war against the law of my mind and making me captive to the law of sin that dwells in my members. Wretched man that I am! Who will deliver me from this body of death? Thanks be to God through Jesus Christ our Lord! So then, I myself serve the law of God with my mind, but with my flesh I serve the law of sin.
Romans 7:7-25, ESV

It can be tormenting to live with such a dichotomy inside!

Yet, we know there is help!

Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice. Let your reasonableness be known to everyone. The Lord is at hand; do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
Philippians 4: 4-7

Suddenly we find ourselves in this … peaceful torment … which leads to our hope:

For we know that the whole creation has been groaning together in the pains of childbirth until now. And not only the creation, but we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for adoption as sons, the redemption of our bodies. For in this hope we were saved.
Romans 8:22-24a

Praise His name!

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a peaceful torment

 –

my flesh and soul are at war within me
i cannot deal with it
although the Blood of Jesus set me free
this my flesh would omit
and though He has restored me completely
my flesh will not commit
yet that pushes me towards the Deity
to trust in the Spirit
and the anguish my spirit feels daily
is a peaceful torment
for with His Spirit working within me
His Peace helps deal with it

2015
03/22
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Weekend Words & Sunday Stanzas – 03/15/2015

Change your mind, and find the wisdom of God through some of the thoughts at Proverbial Thought!

There is no need for a great debate on Calvinism, Arminianism, Molinism, or any other -isms of soteriology (study of salvation) based on the poem today.

We should all agree that we are “a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession”. In fact, this poem is based on that very passage of Scripture:

But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light. Once you were not a people, but now you are God’s people; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy.

Beloved, I urge you as sojourners and exiles to abstain from the passions of the flesh, which wage war against your soul. Keep your conduct among the Gentiles honorable, so that when they speak against you as evildoers, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day of visitation.
1 Peter 2:9-12, ESV

Regardless of how free a choice we had in the process of salvation, it is still true that God chose us as His own, and He has given us the command and the privilege of sharing the Gospel with our fallen world.

chosen

 

chosen before i knew You

selected for Your purpose

still needing Your Truth revealed

to have any usefulness

when i finally came around

and You got through my thick head

my heart became softened

my life redeemed from the dead

now i seek out Your chosen

finding them still evil

telling them how You changed my life

and resisted the lies of the devil

no longer deceived by lies

now aware of all Your Truth

they can truly live their lives

knowing they are chosen by You

2015
03/15
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Weekend Words & Sunday Stanzas – 03/08/2015

Find wisdom in everything, and get a head start at Proverbial Thought!

The end of all things is at hand; therefore be self-controlled and sober-minded for the sake of your prayers. Above all, keep loving one another earnestly, since love covers a multitude of sins. Show hospitality to one another without grumbling. As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God’s varied grace: whoever speaks, as one who speaks oracles of God; whoever serves, as one who serves by the strength that God supplies—in order that in everything God may be glorified through Jesus Christ. To him belong glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen.
1 Peter 4:7-11, ESV

Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.
1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

These are basically the inspiration for today’s poem. Therefore, as Casting Crowns says, will you praise Him in the storm? Will you praise Him when life is good? Will you praise Him when life is “okay”?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

in everything (praise Him)

 

sometimes life is difficult

sometimes our plans all fail

yet i will say in everything

to praise Him Who prevailed

sometimes things do not work out

sometimes things are amazing

but i have learned the joy

of praising Him in everything

sometimes we do not want to praise Him

sometimes praise is all we think

in everything i now know

i need to give praise to my King

2015
03/08
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Weekend Words & Sunday Stanzas – 03/01/2015

Find the joy of wisdom, and start with Proverbial Thought!

May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope.
Romans 15:13, ESV

Whatever you may be going through, good or bad, joyful or miserable, and however it all makes you feel, may you find the true happiness and joy of God today.

how happy You make me

how happy You make me
i do not want to say
Your joy You give to me
every single day
goes beyond mere feelings
to a point beyond words
though i do still have feelings
that are never forced
the things that i do feel
joy and love complete
make me ask if You feel
how happy You make me

2015
03/01
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Weekend Words & Sunday Stanzas – 02/22/2015

(This is showing up late, because I put in the wrong date in the scheduler!)

Find the hidden easter egg of wisdom, and get some clues at Proverbial Thought!

One thing I really enjoy about some movies and television shows is the idea of easter eggs, those little things hidden in the story and imagery that may not be noticed the first time through. (An example of this is how the pizza delivery truck from Toy Story can be found somehow in all of Pixar’s movies.)

There are easter eggs in life, too. I do not mean those plasticky ovoids full of candy, nor eggs dyed in fun colors. Rather, those interesting things we find that bring joy and happiness to our lives.

What is the greatest easter egg? (You may know where I am going with this …)

Does not wisdom call?
    Does not understanding raise her voice?
On the heights beside the way,
    at the crossroads she takes her stand;
beside the gates in front of the town,
    at the entrance of the portals she cries aloud:
“To you, O men, I call,
    and my cry is to the children of man.

I love those who love me,
    and those who seek me diligently find me.

For whoever finds me finds life
    and obtains favor from the Lord …
Proverbs 8:1-4, 17, 35, ESV

For Jews demand signs and Greeks seek wisdom, but we preach Christ crucified, a stumbling block to Jews and folly to Gentiles, but to those who are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God. . . . And because of him you are in Christ Jesus, who became to us wisdom from God, righteousness and sanctification and redemption, so that, as it is written, “Let the one who boasts, boast in the Lord.”
1 Corinthians 1:22-24, 30-31

 

easter eggs

our lives are like easter egg hunts

we spend our time looking for truth

every so often we find something

that our spirits will just cling to

pieces of God that we hold on to

trying to get Him to seem real

but are we missing the whole picture

are we missing out on a bigger deal

what if we are the easter eggs

that even in all of our searching

we were the objects being sought

we are desired by Jesus the King

in all of our looking around

we miss that He was looking first

that we were created for Him

and that is why He came to earth

we can keep on searching for truth

for we will not fail to find it

when we realize He is the Truth

and the real reason we exist

and He started His search for us

from back in eternity past

desiring fellowship with us

and that is all that He asks

2015
02/23
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