Archive for the ‘ Poetry ’ Category

Weekend Words & Sunday Stanzas – 02/15/2015

The best way to be narrow-minded: seek the wisdom of the narrow path, and get a head start by reading Proverbial Thought!

Jesus once said,

“So whatever you wish that others would do to you, do also to them, for this is the Law and the Prophets.

“Enter by the narrow gate. For the gate is wide and the way is easy that leads to destruction, and those who enter by it are many. For the gate is narrow and the way is hard that leads to life, and those who find it are few.”
Matthew 7:12-14, ESV

Will you join me in being narrow-minded?

narrow minded  

many who do not call Jesus Lord

call those who do narrow minded

what if they are absolutely right

what if we are actually blinded

i would not mind being narrow minded

my thoughts being focused ahead

i do not want to follow as others do

going after all thoughts entering their heads

i want to be narrow minded because

the path to destruction is broad

but the path that leads straight to God

is a path that is narrow and long

come be narrow minded with me

why waste time walking to destruction

the path may be harder and longer

but trust me

nothing beats eternity with the Son

Weekend Words & Sunday Stanzas – 02/08/2015

Listen to wisdom, and get a few whispers from Proverbial Thought!

Several years ago, I kept hearing people talking about what their spiritual gifts were, and to seek certain spiritual gifts, and we can get various spiritual gifts. For a while, I simply said, “Okay,” and left it at that.

Then I read 1 Corinthians 12 (vv. 4-11, ESV):

Now there are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit; and there are varieties of service, but the same Lord; and there are varieties of activities, but it is the same God who empowers them all in everyone. To each is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good. For to one is given through the Spirit the utterance of wisdom, and to another the utterance of knowledge according to the same Spirit, to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healing by the one Spirit, to another the working of miracles, to another prophecy, to another the ability to distinguish between spirits, to another various kinds of tongues, to another the interpretation of tongues. All these are empowered by one and the same Spirit, who apportions to each one individually as he wills.

That is inspiration for this poem.

 

 

__the gift of listening

 

some say they have a gift

this one it is healing

and that one prophecy

and this one interpreting

and that one leading

but what if in these giftings

they really are all the same

everyone has the same thing

what if not separate gifts

but just the gift of listening

to God

Weekend Words & Sunday Stanzas – 02/01/2015

Make your central focus the wisdom of God, and get started at Proverbial Thought!

Here it is:

Long ago, at many times and in many ways, God spoke to our fathers by the prophets, but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed the heir of all things, through whom also he created the world. He is the radiance of the glory of God and the exact imprint of his nature, and he upholds the universe by the word of his power. After making purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high, having become as much superior to angels as the name he has inherited is more excellent than theirs.
Hebrews 1:1-4, ESV

In saying, “He ascended,” what does it mean but that he had also descended into the lower regions, the earth? He who descended is the one who also ascended far above all the heavens, that he might fill all things.
Ephesians 4:9-10

For from him and through him and to him are all things. To him be glory forever. Amen.
Romans 11:36

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
1 Corinthians 1:22-24, 30

yet for us there is one God, the Father, from whom are all things and for whom we exist, and one Lord, Jesus Christ, through whom are all things and through whom we exist.
1 Corinthians 8:6

He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation. For by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things were created through him and for him. And he is before all things, and in him all things hold together. And he is the head of the body, the church. He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in everything he might be preeminent. For in him all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell, and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether on earth or in heaven, making peace by the blood of his cross.
Colossians 1:15-20

Here you are:

Central

what do we put our attention on
with so many things going on all around
with this world and all the hocus pocus
even Christians tend to lose their focus
in a world chock full of wickedness and evil
i want to make sure i keep Jesus Christ central
especially since all things were made through Him
and the Word itself says He is God s Wisdom
if He is Central to all of Creation
and God has called Him His only Son
should He not be our primary focus
should we not center our lives around Jesus
i refuse to put my attention anywhere else
for through Him i see everyone else
if Jesus is Central to all created things
my central focus will be the King of kings

Weekend Words & Sunday Stanzas – 01/25/2015

Choose wisdom, and find some at Proverbial Thought!

The poem today is based on two passages of Scripture:

I call heaven and earth to witness against you today, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and curse. Therefore choose life, that you and your offspring may live, loving the Lord your God, obeying his voice and holding fast to him, for he is your life and length of days
Deuteronomy 30:19-20a, ESV

… and …

And [Jesus] said to all, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me.
Luke 9:23

Like last week’s poem discussed, we must choose every day to love God and love others, and it requires personal sacrifice.

  the Choice    

the Choice to be made
every single day
is to love people
or decide to hate
a decision to lie
or offer your life
or give everything
over to Jesus Christ
the Choice is in Him
to turn away from sin
and see that in Jesus
true life will begin
your Choice is the same
give up a life of pain
for a life that Jesus
can restore from blame

Weekend Words & Sunday Stanzas – 01/18/2015

Choose wisdom, and find some at Proverbial Thought!

Perhaps you have heard it said that love is more than an emotion. You may have even heard that love is a decision that is made, and action to be made.

Perhaps you have even heard this:

Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends.
John 15:13, ESV

By this we know love, that [Jesus] laid down his life for us, and we ought to lay down our lives for the brothers.
1 John 3:16

These are the basis for this poem.

Deeper Love

A love of emotions
will never compare
to the Love of the Father
that goes much deeper.
Love on another level,
like the Love of our God,
goes beyond explanation.
It is a deeper Love.
Love is an action,
it is also a choice,
an opportunity
to share Jesus Christ.

Weekend Words & Sunday Stanzas – 01/11/2015

Let wisdom care for you, and get a taste of the Father’s wisdom at Proverbial Thought!

When Jesus was preparing for the cross the night before, while in the garden of Gethsemane, he prayed, “Abba, Father, all things are possible for you. Remove this cup from me. Yet not what I will, but what you will.” (Mark 14:36, ESV)

So many preachers and teachers have told us that in His anguish at the thought of suffering through a crucifixion and the separation from the Father He cried out to His Abba, His Daddy. It was the plea of a child to a loving parent, “Daddy, please do not make me! But I will do it because you asked.”

Thanks to His obedience and sacrifice, we, too, can rely on God as our Abba.

But when the fullness of time had come, God sent forth his Son, born of woman, born under the law, to redeem those who were under the law, so that we might receive adoption as sons. And because you are sons, God has sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, crying, “Abba! Father!” So you are no longer a slave, but a son, and if a son, then an heir through God.
Galatians 4:4-7

For all who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God. For you did not receive the spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you have received the Spirit of adoption as sons, by whom we cry, “Abba! Father!” The Spirit himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, and if children, then heirs—heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, provided we suffer with him in order that we may also be glorified with him.
Romans 8:14-17

Daddy

we are told to pray to our Father

we are told to give Him all the praise

in my attempts to get closer

and to learn more about all His ways

i get closer to knowing my God

and He is more than just Deity

in His very intimate love

i only want to call Him Daddy

and inside of my Daddy s care

seeing just how much He cares for me

knowing He will always be there

i see He really is my Daddy

He is always watching over me

and He wants to watch over you

He wants to cover all of our needs

as Daddy over our lives and souls

Weekend Words & Sunday Stanzas – 01/04/2015

Relax in the Father’s wisdom, and find some at Proverbial Thought!

These year, our church has a renewed focus on evangelism, specifically by better equipping the saints to reach out to their friends, families, and co-workers.

It is therefore fitting that the next poem on my list and the first one for the year is based on Jeremiah 20:9 (ESV)

If I say, “I will not mention him,
or speak any more in his name,”
there is in my heart as it were a burning fire
shut up in my bones,
and I am weary with holding it in,
and I cannot.

May all of us who call on the name of the Lord find this passion to share that Name above all names, even when (as in the context of this passage) it is difficult and even dangerous to do so!

right now my mind is racing

and my heart palpitating

struggling to concentrate

on anything but Your face

longing to be in Your Presence

searching out Your countenance

that You would look on this servant

to whom You have said “We are friends”

knowing that You will always love me

want me with You for eternity

is hard for me to grasp and believe

but this love set me completely free

knowing all this has taken me aback

my spirit stirred and i cannot relax

because Your love is keeping me held back

in a constant almost panic attack

Weekend Words & Sunday Stanzas – 12/27/2014

Hear the voice of wisdom through the thoughts at Proverbial Thought!

There is no better reminder for the coming year than to seek first the Lord our God and worship Him alone.

You have probably heard the Christmas carol “Hark, the Herald Angels Sing” … and many times in the past few weeks.

I have also heard teachings that, because they do not get to experience redemption as humans do, angels do not sing, and this is based on no biblical references to angels actually singing.

Regardless, there are many references to the redeemed of the Lord singing His praises.

Can you hear the music?

Shout for joy to God, all the earth;
    sing the glory of his name;
    give to him glorious praise!
Say to God, “How awesome are your deeds!
    So great is your power that your enemies come cringing to you.
All the earth worships you
    and sings praises to you;
    they sing praises to your name.” Selah

Come and see what God has done:
    he is awesome in his deeds toward the children of man.
He turned the sea into dry land;
    they passed through the river on foot.
There did we rejoice in him,
    who rules by his might forever,
whose eyes keep watch on the nations—
    let not the rebellious exalt themselves. Selah

Bless our God, O peoples;
    let the sound of his praise be heard
Psalm 66:1-8, ESV

 

Hear the music?

Giving yourself over to Jesus Christ
Ushers you into the symphony of life.
Jesus is the Perfect Note of this song,
Beginning the song and moving it along.
Those who believe and call on His Name
Hear His Note and help Him sing.
Are you able to hear the music?
Have you stepped away and need to come back?
Remember that as we sing this medley
It is a love song for eternity.
It is God singing His love for us,
And our harmonizing as a chorus,
To return that love He lavishes
By raising up our once quiet voices.
Do you hear the music of heaven?
Do you hear the voices of the repentant?
It is the outcry of broken hearts,
Of people ripping there lives apart
To clean out anything that could hinder
The notes we sing to our Father.
Tune into the heavenly song,
Sung by all those who now belong
To the Father through Jesus Christ.
Hear His music that transcends time,
His music that goes beyond Creation,
That causes death and reconstruction.
Do you hear the music playing?
Do you hear the voices singing?
Add your life to this masterpiece,
Led by the Master of true peace.
Join in with the Chorus of the Saints
Giving our Lord our utmost praise.

Weekend Words & Sunday Stanzas – 12/21/2014

Find the source of wisdom through the thoughts at Proverbial Thought!

Second week in a row with a fresh poem! I wrote this yesterday while driving across the USA to see family and friends … or, more chronologically, friends and family.

It is shorter, but it rhymes and is a quick reminder of who Christ is.

Son of …

Son of God, from up above,
You are worthy of praise and love.
Son of David, from his bloodline,
You are Lord and King divine.
Son of Man, from Adam’s seed,
You are our example and greatest need!

Weekend Words & Sunday Stanzas – 12/14/2014

Find the wisdom of He who found you, and get started at Proverbial Thought!

Todays poem was actually written today! I typed it straight into this page while worshipping with my local church family.

It is rather fitting for this third week of Advent!

God and i, me and God

God and i are great
for He came to earth
to demonstrate
His love for a sinner.

me and God need work
for i frequently
fail to show His worth
in my life daily

Fortunately
He works in my life
to take my eyes off me
to see that God and i
are something holy
and by His design
for eternity
through the power of Christ