Judge
Not others
Leaving with God
His righteous, merciful hand
Unbending
Follow
God’s path
Thirsty in spirit
Quenched by Living Water
Righteousness
Growing
In Grace
Believe His promises
Faith matures, waiting for
Christ
From John 15:4-5: “Abide in me as I abide in you. Just as the branch cannot bear fruit by itself unless it abides in the vine, neither can you unless you abide in me. I am the vine, you are the branches. Those who abide in me and I in them bear much fruit, because apart from me you can do nothing.”
Sometimes in life, failure knocking
Darkest times, odds stacked against us
God always, ready and able
His greatness, witness Glory’s plus
Heaven’s Father never ceases
Life’s moments of weakness erased
God always, ready and able
Strengthened, with His sweetest foretaste
Abraham’s Sarah, doubts the Lord
Blessing comes with birth of a boy
God always, ready and able
His covenant, flowing with joy
Hebrew slaves hunger for freedom
Moses feels uncertain, with fear
God always, ready and able
Israel now freed, while He steers
Toiling and sweating in darkness
Accomplish little on our own
God always, ready and able
His hope and peace, faith’s firm backbone
Coming to the Lord, trusting Him
Follow His path, at life’s crossroads
God always, ready and able
Willing to lift burdensome loads
From Matthew 11:28-30: “Come to me, all you that are weary and are carrying heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me; for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.”
Winter’s white blanket covers frozen land
Sheltering nature’s glory until spring
Arctic-fed winds seem to blow from glaciers
Sleeping quietly, life conceals its zing
Northernmost Great Lakes transform skies to gray
Flying above, geese enjoy winter’s fling
Small ponds reflect from thick, icy mirrors
Pausing all around, boldness waits for spring
Ancient trees appear to wait in repose
Ignoring life’s deep freeze, buds holding out
Nature’s winter rest, preparing for spring
Arriving tonight, snowstorm’s final shout
Never to worry, winter fades away
Coming on schedule, spring colors each day
Reading the Bible
Discover truth and wisdom—
God’s shadow lengthens
Walking with the Lord
Spirit enters heart and soul—
Tasting Bread of Life
Sinful nature breathes
Separates us from our God—
Jesus builds a bridge
A church must deal quickly with finding a preacher
They prefer much more than just a Bible teacher
Another applicant’s letter is presented, read to all
Perhaps this candidate will impress and not fall
His submitted application offers many qualifications
If there is any anguish, his will meet disqualification
I have been a successful pastor in several places
My writing has proven beneficial in several cases
My ability to organize new churches has been strong
As for my leadership traits, few if any are ever wrong
My age is adding a few years to this hard life
But my experiences bring me no fear or strife
I have never pastored anywhere for longer than three years
At times, my preaching has disrupted and created much fear
I am not ashamed to say that I’ve been in jail a few times
None of this has been caused by any wrongdoing of mine
While my health is declining, I shall continue to push on
Feeling it essential, enduring to teach as Christ’s liaison
In some communities, other religious leaders haven’t liked me
Several have even threatened and attacked for what they see
My recordkeeping skills are poor at best
I am forgetful about baptisms and the rest
Hopefully, you will put your concerns aside
I, Apostle Paul, faithful in God, shall abide
This poem was originally written in December, 2018, and it has been updated in style. Years ago, I found a letter with details about this situation. Anyone can search the Internet for this letter as well as sermons that are based upon Apostle Paul being a pastoral candidate at a church.
From John 16:33: “I have said this to you, so that in me you may have peace. In the world you face persecution. But take courage; I have conquered the world!”
Where can mankind find lasting hope?
Living each day without much joy
Peace and hope absent from life’s scope
Searching under every rock
Calmness found in elusive hope
Falling into Enemy’s traps
Darkness clouds life’s kaleidoscope
Overcome with discouragement
God’s love endures with living hope
Life’s tribulations never win
Our Father promises lasting hope
Christ fulfills Bible’s prophecies
Faith fuels hope, ascending life’s slope
Tireless Holy Spirit at work
Opens doors by way of God’s Word
Building and strengthening our faith
Life’s fresh discovery, hope stirred
Turning sorrow into joy . . . Rejoice!
Ask the Father in Jesus’ name
Guiding with righteousness and truth
Faith nourishes hope, now aflame
From the words of American evangelist and Christian author, Bill Bright: “Without the certainty of His resurrection, we would come to the end of this life without hope, with nothing to anticipate except despair and doubt.”
From Song of Solomon 2:8: “The voice of my beloved! Look, he comes, leaping upon the mountains, bounding over the hills.”
Sitting here, another morning’s darkness
Thinking of today’s most beautiful view
Your kindness and love arrives with a smile
Transforming this heart to radiant new
Traveling life’s lonely, meaningless road
Dreaming of unlocking a better life
Your cherished spirit bestows precious light
Joining together as husband and wife
Making beloved home for two love birds
Nurturing passion with each priceless day
Your tender, caring thoughts lead us forward
Navigating with God’s love, shows His way
Affirming love through joyful affection
Walking in Jesus’ perfect reflection
From Song of Solomon 4:1: “How beautiful you are, my love, how very beautiful! Your eyes are doves behind your veil. Your hair is like a flock of goats, moving down the slopes of Gilead.”
Darkness
Jesus beckons
Come, follow Me
His path leading to
Light
Selfish
Sinful heart
Trusting our Lord
Creating new, clean heart
Restoration
God’s
Divine passion
Caring and transforming
His Son’s atoning sacrifice
Salvation
In the United States, the “Pledge of Allegiance” has been recited countless times in school classrooms, at the beginning of meetings, sporting events, and other instances. The original 29 words were inspired by the writings of Francis Bellamy (from 1892) and became official in 1923. In 1954, the words, “under God” were added. These 31 words mean much more than just a mere collection of words.
We the People, commit to stand
With loyalty across this land
Stars and Stripes shall forever fly
Old Glory standing proud and high
Solidarity, stand as One
United, never be undone
A more perfect Union shall spring
Shining democracy will ring
Tested, resilient, and upright
Faithful courage, nation’s birthright
Built upon God’s eternal love
Divine guidance comes from above
Inseparable and lasting
Forged by trial and fire’s casting
Covering this land of the free
Freedom from sea to shining sea
Conquers inequities with care
Truth and righteousness come to bear
I have posted this video before, but it is worth a second look. Here is American comedian, Red Skelton, sharing his interpretation of the words’ meaning in the “Pledge of Allegiance.”
From Ephesians 1:3: “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places.”
Accepting life’s ongoing gifts
Filling wonder, never adrift
Marveling at heavens above
Inspiring vastness of God’s love
Walking in righteousness with God
Comforted by His love, unflawed
Looking ahead, with peace and hope
Holding tightly to God’s firm rope
Treating others with words which say
Sharing compassion’s rich bouquet
Gathering strength for life’s travels
Trusting God, nothing unravels
Listening to deepest feelings
Surveying each moment’s healing
Receiving mid-course corrections
Hearing God’s faithful directions
Sailing in darkness, never cursed
Navigating by God, headfirst
Achieving goals, each passing day
Tasting our Lord’s hope-filled buffet
Tackling challenges without fear
Taking risks, with God set to steer
Stepping forward beyond life’s dreams
Following each path as God deems
From 1 Corinthians 10:16: “The cup of blessing that we bless, is it not a sharing in the blood of Christ? The bread that we break, is it not a sharing in the body of Christ?”
