Author: Tom
Session 2A: Why Pray?
Teaching session 2A of the Impact Prayer Conference
March 29, 2015
Deer Run Church of Christ
Opening Session: Talk FIRST to God
Opening message of the Impact Prayer Conference
March 29, 2015
Deer Run Church of Christ
Stop, Look, and Listen
We are addicted
to thinking we’re great.
We even make up things
we can celebrate.
I’m smoother, I’m faster,
I’m better, you see.
At changing the channels
on my new TV!
As soon as I say that,
someone comes along.
They will do anything
to prove I am wrong.
I get in trouble
when I respond back.
With words full of anger
and compassion I lack.
I must be the best,
I know that I’m right.
For you to say different
is more than a slight.
I make up statistics,
I misquote the “pros”.
I lay claim to knowledge
that no one else knows.
We live in a time
when there’s no room for fact.
We look to the polls
to see how we should act.
To become an expert
is easy these days.
Just connect online
and tell all your ways.
We write with such candor,
insisting we’re right.
We become quite bold
when we stay out of sight.
I have opinions
on all that I read.
But are my opinions
what the world needs?
They need to see Jesus
in all that I do.
Whether writing a poem
or responding to you.
So when you are tempted
to play the expert.
Stop, think, and pray
before someone gets hurt.
So, what will it take
to turn things around?
To say things and write things
with a heavenly sound?
Think for a moment
just what you would do.
If the person you challenge
was in front of you.
Stop, look, and listen
is still good advice.
Whether crossing the tracks
or trying to speak nice.
Stop all your movement
and wait for a while.
So you can respond
and still have a smile.
Look all around,
beginning with you.
Seek understanding
to carry you through.
Listen intently
to what’s said and what’s not.
Listen to God’s voice,
He says quite a lot!
When I apply this
within my own life.
I avoid foolish talk
and a whole lot of strife.
Yes, there are times
to speak what is right.
But not necessarily
with everyone in sight.
I speak and I write
with God as my guide.
And the prayer that it’s Jesus
people do see inside.
© 2015 by Tom Lemler
This poem isn’t at all what I expected to read when I began typing it out! When it first started forming in my mind, I thought it was about celebrating this being my 100th poem. Instead, it seemed to flow from how we respond to the public celebrations and statements of others. Far too often I see Christians responding online to news reports and personal posts with such animosity and arrogance that any truth of God’s Word that they would try to use gets lost in the fray. I pray that this poem is a reminder to not only “Stop, Look, and Listen”, but to stop, think, and pray in the midst of all interactions with others.
In prayer,
Tom Lemler
The Ninety-Nine
A story is told
of a man with some sheep.
And as he was counting
he just couldn’t sleep.
For there was one missing,
he looked all around.
But the sheep that was lost,
no where could be found.
So he gathered the safe sheep
and left them behind.
And searched with the hope
that the lost one he’d find.
It’s good that we focus
on seeking the lost.
To go out and find them
no matter the cost.
But I often wonder
just what those sheep thought.
The ninety-nine safe ones
who did what they ought.
That is the story
that’s more about me.
When I’m safe in God’s fold
how far do I see?
I think far too often
that those in the church.
Get bent out of shape
and feel left in the lurch.
When the shepherds do leave them
all safe in the fold.
To go out and rescue
the lost from the cold.
It’s all about me,
are my needs being met?
I’m very important,
now don’t you forget.
Don’t think about their needs,
just focus on mine.
Why search for the one
when you have ninety-nine?
I hope when you read that,
you know it’s all wrong.
Our job is to help
the lost to belong.
There are many people
who wander in sin.
Let’s do what we can
to help bring them in.
When we are living
safe in God’s care.
Let’s turn our gaze outward.
to the lost that are there.
When we huddle together
with our ninety-nine.
Look to the hurting
and know they’re not fine.
So will you be happy
and feel satisfied?
That you’re safe in the fold
while the lost sheep has died?
I pray that you realize
there’s work yet to do.
That the lost will find Jesus
as they see Him in you!
So let’s all get busy
and look for the one.
Who is wounded and hurting,
with no place to run.
Help them see Jesus
so they’ll say, “He’s mine!”
And enter the fold
with us “ninety-nine”.
© 2015 by Tom Lemler
I’ve been keeping an eye on my poem count, thinking I would like to come up with something special for my 100th poem. I’m sure God will still give me something special for poem number 100, but first he gave me The Ninety-Nine! After I finished poem number 98 earlier tonight, I finished up my day and went to bed only to have this poem show up in my mind centered around what will the 99 do while there is one yet lost. And wouldn’t you know it, it is a story using sheep as an illustration! I”m guessing that most of my readers are part of the 99 who are safe in the fold. Do you care, or even think, about the one who is lost and/or missing? I pray that we rejoice in our salvation with our fellow “ninety-nine” while doing our part to find the one.
In prayer,
Tom
The Road Home
A long time ago
I did learn a song.
About a country road
that takes me where I belong.
The place was called home,
nowhere else is the same.
The place I grew up,
everyone knew my name.
Down that old country road
I traveled today.
To see if some things
had stayed the same way.
There were signs of change,
some familiar too.
As I drove through the town
and checked out the view.
The place I last lived,
it looked much the same.
But the people who live there
have a much different name.
The white picket fence
wasn’t white anymore.
And the mail no longer comes
inside the front door.
I stopped by the library
to drop off a book.
It was one place
with a familiar look.
The DQ is gone
but that is okay.
I had a great lunch
at the newer Subway!
As I drove out of town,
I didn’t look back.
There was nothing for me,
it had nothing I lack.
It was a nice visit,
to go back in time.
While it is home to some,
it is no longer mine.
Home is where the heart is,
someone once wrote.
So my country road song
now has a new note.
I no longer live
in the place I once did.
I’m not sure I lived then,
or if I just hid.
So my journey today
did bring me much joy.
As I saw what I was,
I’m no longer that boy.
I have been changed,
I don’t need to hide.
God’s leading the journey,
I’m along for the ride!
© 2015 by Tom Lemler
I delivered some copies of the books I have written to the library in my hometown today. There were changes in the small town, yet some things looked very much the same as when I lived there. As I was cleaning the church building tonight, this poem showed up in my mind and wouldn’t leave until I stopped what I was doing and typed it out. I pray that it is an encouragement to you as you walk with God to your eternal home!
In prayer,
Tom
Winter Storms
The temperature drops
and the wind starts to blow.
And off of the lake
comes a wave of fresh snow.
Across the warm waters
the arctic wind sweeps.
And it picks up some moisture
that it never will keep.
The air becomes full,
moisture turns to snow.
As it develops
it needs somewhere to go.
The wind crosses land,
clouds reach their full load.
Then all of this snow
starts to fill up the road.
The process continues
by day and by night.
While the wind blows,
no end is in sight.
I say, “Enough!”
“You can stop it right now!”
But that does no good
so I go out to plow.
The sidewalks are clear
but I know it won’t last.
I have to keep at it
until this storm is past.
So I work for a while,
then by my window I sit.
To warm up my body
so it doesn’t just quit.
That’s the way life is,
it has been for me.
I enjoy the warm waters
and the calm, peaceful sea.
But there have been seasons
when the harsh winds did blow.
And turned those calm waters
into cold, dreary snow.
I tackle the mess
that the storm creates.
But I never forget
that I need to take breaks!
I must not wear out,
so with God I do sit.
When I’m tired of “shoveling”
and want to just quit.
When the effects of the storms
that enter my life.
Become deep and cold,
cutting like a knife.
I look to the One
who has cleared a path.
And I know He will keep me
from the coming storm’s wrath.
As much as I did wish
these life storms would leave.
I know that they help me
learn how to believe.
God gives me the tools
to weather the storm.
And surrounds me with friends
who help keep me warm.
© 2015 by Tom Lemler
I came in from clearing snow from the sidewalks today and as I spent time in the warm office praying and watching the snow continue to fall, God put this poem in my mind. I pray that it is an encouragement to you as you weather whatever storms of life that come your way.
In prayer,
Tom Lemler
Talking With God
On the eve of a new year
we gather to pray.
As we talk with God,
just what will we say?
Will we listen closely
as He takes a look?
Does our life measure up
compared to His Book?
We ask God to search us
and look deep within.
To see if we’ve hidden
some dark, secret sin.
But more than just wrong deeds
we would like to know.
Is there something missing
that I ought to show?
We spend time confessing
the things that we find.
And ask God to give us
a pure conscience and mind.
In confessing to God
we simply agree.
That our sin is bad,
as bad as can be.
And while this confessing
may sound rather bleak.
It’s actually refreshing
when forgiveness we seek.
We eat of His body
and drink of His blood.
To remember the price
of removing our crud.
We think of our debts
and the people we owe.
And no debt is so great
as the love He did show.
We pay off the debt
that we do create.
But the ongoing debt
of love is so great.
God knows we can never
repay all of His love.
For it always flows
from the Father above.
The best we can do
is to give it away.
To have love for others,
each and every day.
As we’re filled with Jesus,
we can’t help but praise.
The One who has freed us
for all of our days.
We praise Him with our life,
we praise Him with song.
In whatever we’re doing,
we praise all day long.
In all of our praising,
He does not forget.
We still have needs,
we’re not home with Him yet.
We bring to Him daily
our needs and requests.
And trust Him to answer
in the way that is best.
There is nothing too great
and nothing too small.
When we come to God
and bring Him our all.
We cast all our cares
and all our success.
On the One who can guide us
through all of the mess.
It’s not just about us
that we go to our knees.
But the needs of others
is a part of our pleas.
We ask God to bless them
and comfort their life.
To give them great courage
in the midst of their strife.
Part of our praying
for people in need.
Is to listen to God’s voice
and be ready to heed.
To obey God’s instruction
to help one another.
To give of ourselves
to a sister or brother.
We want God to act
and do something now.
But we’re all surprised
when He says we’re the how.
The answer to prayer
sometimes is the one.
Who is talking to God
and following the Son!
So, what do we do
when God answers our prayer?
When His life touches ours
and we know of His care?
When he carries us through
the valley so deep.
When He says she’s not dead
she is only asleep.
We do what we ought to,
we do what we must.
We return with thanksgiving
to the One we can trust.
We thank Him in bad times,
we thank Him in good.
We thank Him forever
as we always should.
The new year is arriving
and soon will be here.
Many people will gather
and let out a cheer.
I pray that you’ve realized
there’s much you can say.
When you talk with God
during each new day!
© 2014 by Tom Lemler
As I spent time going through the prayer room set-up that is part of Deer Run’s 30 Hours of Prayer leading into the new year, God kept giving me portions of this poem at each “station” along the way. I set the prayer room up with various stops to encourage people to consider different aspects of prayer during their hour prayer time here at the church building. The main points of emphasis were Examine, Confession, Debt, Praise, Petition, Intercession, and Thanksgiving. This poem kind of follows that flow . . . at least in my mind. 🙂
In prayer,
Tom
