Sermon from the “Living Like Christ” series.
Author: Tom
The Honest Truth
Let’s just be honest
between you and I.
When I hear these words,
I must wonder why.
Is what you have told me
up to right now.
Been short of the truth
in some way or somehow?
Have we become so much
afraid of the crowd.
That we can’t speak the truth,
we can’t say it out loud?
We sugar coat answers
and make them sound good.
And wonder why we feel
we’re misunderstood.
Everything’s fine,
no problems, we say.
But inside our mind
the clouds are all grey.
We’re hurting and dying,
it’s painful inside.
But all of the while
our smile is spread wide.
You can’t tell the truth,
what will people think?
You tell on them,
you’re branded a fink.
So problems do fester,
bad actions do grow.
And we have been silenced
so no one will know.
When we’re less than honest
we live life in fear.
That someone will speak up
and someone will hear.
There is a solution
that God says is so.
Let your yes be yes,
and let your no be no.
So next time you’re tempted
to be less than true.
Be sure to remember
that just isn’t you.
To live under pretense
just shouldn’t be.
When you walk in the truth,
the truth sets you free!
© 2015 by Tom Lemler
My mind seems to be wired differently than what the average person’s is. There are times when I am asked about something that I would much rather say the “polite” thing that I know is the expected answer but I just can’t do it. I was told by an eldership in years past that I was too honest because I couldn’t put the right “spin” on information. Sometimes I desperately want to do just that so I fit in, am accepted, avoid arguments, and so many other reasons but I find that there is something in my wiring that doesn’t allow that. I am able to keep things to myself as long as no one asks, but so often when people do ask about specific things they don’t seem to really want an honest answer. Anyhow, I’ve been in a mental fog/funk for a few days for some reason and I’m not really sure if there was a specific trigger point or reason for this poem, but I believe God gave it so I ought to share it. I pray that it accomplishes whatever purpose He has in mind for it.
In prayer,
Tom
Luke 13a: A LIFE that Adds Up
Sermon from the “Living Like Christ” series.
Luke 13b: A WAY that is Right
Sermon from the “Living Like Christ” series.
Luke 14: Communicate the COST
Sermon from the “Living Like Christ” series.
Luke 16: Say the HARD Things
Sermon from the “Living Like Christ” series.
Luke 15: Seeking the LOST
Sermon from the “Living Like Christ” series.
The Plans of Men
We scheme and we plot.
We sit and we plan.
We work out the details
that seem right to man.
When plans are finished
in just the right way.
We might turn to God
and perhaps we would say:
“God we have worked
with all of our might.
Now look at our plans
and tell us we’re right.
We have considered
what works best down here.
Now bless us and watch us
and for us now cheer!”
Those little lines
might sound quite absurd.
But they’re not far off
from things I have heard.
“Prayer is fantastic,
it is great for you.
But please don’t distract us
from what we must do.”
“This way is better
for our modern day.
Life moves by too fast
to wait for God’s way.
If we don’t seize the moment,
the moment will fade.
Then we’ll lose all we worked for,
of this I’m afraid.”
As lines such as these
echo loud in my mind.
It is harder to hear
the voice I must find.
The calm gentle whisper,
“Be still and know.
Trust me and walk
in the way I will show.”
Doing things God’s way
can be a great leap.
Do I really trust Him,
His promises to keep?
Will He always be with me
and always provide?
Will He see me through
to the end of the ride?
Few people I know
would ever claim.
To do things their own way
or seek their own fame.
But when we’re impatient
and force things to fit.
We pull out a bench
and tell God to just sit.
With God on the sideline,
we’re destined to fail.
What looks like success
may become our own jail.
So before you’re imprisoned
by ideas you think great.
Seek the way of God
before it’s too late!
© 2015 by Tom Lemler
Other than a few rhyming lines here and there for fun, it has been a while since a full poem has shown up in my mind. Today started with a pair of rhyming lines about Susan not wanting to wake up. Somehow those lines seemed to open up a poem that had formed in my mind and wanted out. 🙂 I pray that it encourages you to seek God’s way all of the time and to abandon the ways and plans of the world no matter how right they may seem to mankind.
In prayer,
Tom
