Author: Tom

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Mother’s Day

Today is a day,
     we honor our mother.
But how is that different,
     from any other?
While it is nice
     to set aside a day.
Honoring our parents
     is really God’s way!

You may not be one,
but surely you’ve had.
Your very own mom,
I pray good and not bad.
The lessons we learn
from a mom who is good.
Are things we should hear,
to do what we should.

To Plead for her children,
this mom always will.
She lifts them to God,
praying that He will fill.
She Respects those around her,
even God when she prays.
She wants Him to guide her,
each of her days.

When things take a wrong turn,
she Adapts with the best.
She still has a focus
that her children can rest.
As she talks with God,
her spirit does Yield.
She may not understand
but she trusts in His shield.

These are some lessons,
a godly mom can teach.
They’re also the same ones
that I plan to preach!
I pray that you listen,
to God’s Spirit in me.
And He shows you clearly,
what He wants you to see.

© 2014 by Tom Lemler

I was wanting a poem for the Mother’s Day sermon I would share, but God hadn’t put the words for one in my mind, so I figured I wouldn’t have one.  Sunday morning while I was in my office praying about the message, God gave me these words — the timing made the saying, “God is rarely early, but never late.”, ring true in my mind.  I pray that this poem is an encouragement to you and honors the moms who read it.

In prayer,
Tom

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Kiamichi Trip

I went to the mountains
     of the Kiamichi.
To spend time with God,
     so I’ll share what I see.
It was a great gathering
     of men young and old.
This side of heaven,
     the greatest I’m told.
As I sat among them,
     and looked all around.
A group that is greater,
     nowhere could be found. 

Artie and his family
     direct the whole camp.
They do it so well,
    each one is a champ!
That’s not really the truth,
     is what they would say.
God directs the camp
     as He leads each day!
As I watched and listened,
     I could see this was true.
Their heart is to serve,
     first God, and then you. 

The days started early,
     with breakfast by seven.
Then worship began,
     to remind me of heaven.
The preaching was powerful,
     the men were quite bold.
Some of them young,
    some not, I am told.
The morning was full
     of music and fun.
Three powerful sermons,
     that was just session one! 

After feasting on God’s Word,
     we did break to eat.
Then back to the steel tent
     and return to my seat.
More powerful preaching
     and music galore.
A soul that is thirsty,
     could ask for no more!
But more surely came,
     I do confess.
As God’s men did gather,
    and His Spirit did bless! 

Down to the creek,
     to baptize a young man.
Who listened to God’s Word
    and followed His plan.
This was just the first one
      to take place this week.
As people did listen,
     and God’s face they did seek.
The joy of the angels
     was shared among men.
As men turned to God
     and away from their sin. 

The week was intense
     but relaxing too.
My body was tired,
    but my spirit made new.
Each of the mornings,
    our direction was set.
A reminder of God’s plan,
     so that we don’t forget.
God created the church,
     and created mankind.
We must follow His way,
     not whatever we find. 

There was a day,
    we had a short break.
So out through the woods,
     a walk I did take.
It was not crowded,
     it was just God and I.
Though some of His creatures
     did scurry nearby.
I walked in the stillness,
     took in all I saw.
God’s presence did fill me
     as I walked in awe. 

The break was refreshing,
     I was hungry for more.
So we gathered together
     for what God had in store.
I thought that I went there
     for a purpose I knew.
But God’s plan was different
     as I listened and grew.
To represent His work,
     He is doing through me.
Is not as important
     as I thought it would be. 

The last day did rain,
     creating a mess.
But God was still able
     to teach and to bless.
There were many surprises,
     I really can’t tell.
Just what is the reason
     that I liked it so well.
That is not quite true,
     I freely must say.
It’s because of God’s presence,
     because He led the way. 

The time finally came
     when I had to head home.
But one of the blessings
     was found in a poem.
It was not just in a poem,
     that God spoke to me.
But it seemed every session
     had some poetry!
As one God has given,
     poems that I share.
God said quite loudly,
     “I can use them, so there!” 

There is so much more
     I could write in this rhyme.
But my mind’s nearly empty
     and I’m out of time.
God gives to His children,
     gifts that they should use.
Sometimes we like them,
     some are not what we’d choose.
This is a great lesson
     that God taught to me.
When I went to the mountains
     of the Kiamichi! 

© 2014 by Tom Lemler

I went to the Kiamichi Men’s Clinic for the first time and was truly blessed by the entire experience.  As we stopped for the night on the way home, a good friend said I ought to write a poem about the trip.  As I was falling asleep that night, and then on the rest of the drive back home, this poem began to appear in my mind.  I pray that it is a blessing to you as it brings glory to God and accomplishes His purposes for it.

In prayer,
Tom

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PRAY Like a Mom!

Study guide to prepare for the Deer Run Church of Christ Mother’s Day sermon.

If you have, or have had, a godly mom, you were given one of the greatest gifts a person can receive!  What lessons have you learned from your mom?  What do you wish you had learned?  What do you hope to still learn?  What character qualities do you think are most important for a mom to have?  What “Mom” from the Bible do you learn the most from?  What is it about her life that helps you to grow in your faith?  In our study this week, we will look at several Bible moms as we consider lessons we can learn from them about prayer.

 Something to think about…

Monday (May 5)  Read 1 Samuel 1:9-20.  Who was Hannah?  What was causing so much sorrow in her life?  What did she request from God?  What did she promise to do in return?  What did Eli the priest think of her prayer time?  How does she explain what was noticed?  What is his response?  How did this change her?  What should you do when you are filled with sorrow and “bitterness of soul”?  Have your expressions of prayer ever been misunderstood?  Have you ever judged someone’s actions differently than what they were actually doing?  What does it take for your prayers to be genuine?

Tuesday (May 6)  Read 1 Kings 3:16-28.  What dilemma exists in this passage?  Who was supposed to solve the problem?  What did each party want?  How did the king propose the problem be solved?  What request (prayer) did one of the mothers make to the king?  What was his response?  Do you ever go to God asking that He sees things your way — to your benefit?  What are you willing to give up in order to save someone?  How does giving up your will change the way you pray for people?

Wednesday (May 7)  Read Matthew 20:20-25.  What does the mother of James and John request from Jesus?  Does Jesus think she understands the nature of her request (prayer)?  How does He reply?  Do you make bold requests on behalf of others?  When you pray, do you think about others being put first?  How do you respond when you discover that what you had been praying for requires more from you than expected? 

Thursday (May 8)  Read John 2:1-11.  What problem came up at this wedding where Jesus and His mother were guests?  Who did Jesus’ mother address about the problem?  How does He respond?  What does she do anyhow?  What happens?  Do you keep a mental list of things that you should go to Jesus about and things you shouldn’t?  If so, how do you decide what makes either list?  When you take your requests to God, do you trust He can do something about it?

Friday (May 9)  Read Acts 12:5,11-17.  What did the church do when Peter was imprisoned?  Who was gathered at the home of John Mark’s mother?  Why?  What were they doing?  What happened?  How earnestly do you pray for people who are being persecuted?  If people were wanting to gather and pray about a serious issue, would they come to your house?  Are you ever surprised when God answers your prayer?

Saturday (May 10)  Read 2 Timothy 1:3-7.  Who is Paul praying for . . . how often?  Who is Paul reminded of that planted the seeds of faith in the life of Timothy?  What were those seeds to produce?  Are there people whom you lift up in prayer “night and day”?  How often do you think of your faith being planted in the lives of those who follow you?  

Sunday (May 11)  Read Matthew 15:21-28.  Why did a Canaanite woman come to Jesus?  How did Jesus initially respond to her request?  What did the disciples want done?  Does she give up?  What does Jesus do for her, and then say about her?  When you pray, do you think you deserve a response from God?  How persistent are you when the answer to your prayer doesn’t arrive on the schedule you expect?

 

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2 Kings: Lesson 17 — Enough is Enough!

The following are discussion questions from a weekly study I am leading through the book of 2 Kings.  We meet each Wednesday evening at the Deer Run Church of Christ.

The Unraveling of a Nation

A Study of the Book of 2 Kings

Lesson 17 (Enough is Enough!)
2 Kings 17
April 30, 2014

The Text:

  1. How is Hoshea’s way of life described . . . Is it good or bad?  Why did the king of Assyria set out to attack Hoshea?  Who had Hoshea turned to?  What did the king of Assyria do?  How long did it take?  What was done with the people of Israel?
    –
  2. Why did the things from the first question happen?  What were some of the specific things the Israelites had done?  How had God warned the people?  How did the people respond?  Who did the people use for an example of how to live?
    –
  3. How did God feel about Israel following the example of other nations?  What did he do about it?  What influence had Israel had on Judah?  How did God respond to that?
    –
  4. What did the king of Assyria do with the towns of Samaria after he had taken the Israelites captive?  What did God do to the people living in the towns?  Why?  What conclusion was told to the king of Assyria?  What response did the king have?
    –
  5. Even after being taught to worship the Lord, what each national group that was brought into Israel do?  Did they follow the instruction given on how to worship the Lord?  What did they do?  Who does this sound like?

The Application:

  1. How good is “good enough”?  How do you know?  Have you ever made a commitment that you later changed your mind about?  Would God think there are times when you have turned to others even after you’ve given your allegiance to Him?  In what ways?  What should we do?
    –
  2. How much attention do you pay to God’s Word when you go about your daily activities?  Are there warnings in God’s Word that you know you ignore?  Why do we tend to justify and keep doing things we know God has said not to?
    –
  3. Are you different in the way you act and talk according to who’s around you?  Does the misbehavior of fellow Christians influence what you determine is appropriate and right?
    –
  4. When you remove something inappropriate from your life, do you pay attention to what takes its place?  Do you ever suffer simply because you didn’t know better?  What should be done in those circumstances?
    –
  5. Where do you get your instruction on how to worship the Lord?  Are we more likely to look at how others worship, or look at how God wants us to worship?

 

Next Week:   Standing Your Ground
2 Kings 18

 

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Faith

Sometimes I stay up
     for I need to pray.
For family and friends
     who have a rough day.
They struggle with faith
     and questions of why.
Is God with me now,
     is He up in the sky?
Is He even real,
     how would I know?
I’m looking for proof,
     just what will you show? 

Faith does surround us,
     it is in us all.
We have faith in something,
     whether big or quite small.
Each day that we live,
     we trust something unseen.
(That’s just how it is,
     I’m not being mean.)
Show me a picture
     of what keeps you in place.
You trust in gravity
     for you’re not out in space! 

You cannot see it,
     but you certainly feel.
When you fall from the roof,
     gravity must be for real.
There’s some unseen force
     that pulls you to earth.
You learn to accept it,
     almost from your birth.
I know some will say,
     it isn’t the same.
It’s not about faith
     as I want to claim. 

That is quite different,
     perhaps some will say.
It’s not only proven,
     we feel it each day.
It is a real thing,
     perhaps none will dismiss.
Gravity existed
     before any knew this.
It can be explained,
     the how and the why.
Even show the effects
     to all who deny. 

For me to say,
     that there can be no God.
After all that He’s done
     would really seem odd.
Some say it is fake,
     that it cannot be real.
There’s some other reason
     for all that I feel.
Explain it away
     if you think that you must.
Your doubt and resistance
     won’t diminish my trust. 

I believe in the unseen
     that pulls me to earth.
I believe even more
     in the One who gives birth.
I feel the force
     that keeps my feet on the ground.
And the presence of God
     I can feel all around.
You ask me to prove it,
     that God could be real.
But you want something more
     than just how I feel. 

That can be quite hard
     if you won’t receive.
That I am who I am
     through what I believe.
If anything’s seen
     that is good in me.
It’s because of my faith,
     it’s His work you see.
Life’s not always easy,
     hard things I endure.
I have the strength
     for my hope is secure. 

Take God from my life
     and it falls apart.
Just how He works in me,
     oh, where do I start?
Science is good,
     it teaches us much.
But it can’t explain all things
     that God’s hand does touch.
Where did life start,
     and where will it go?
Men have their theories,
     but they really don’t know. 

To say it just happened
     is a huge stretch to me.
When I look at the wonder
     of a single tree.
It takes in the sunshine
     and what we exhale.
It refreshes the air
     so that it isn’t stale.
We study and research
     and figure the how.
But why it can do this,
     we’re not quite sure now. 

We jump to conclusions
     to fit our belief.
To evolve to this now,
     is quite a relief.
For if it hadn’t happened,
     when we take a breath.
Instead of fresh air,
     we’re breathing in death.
It’s almost ironic
     that most people see.
The complex ecosystems
     that sustain you and me. 

You believe it just happened,
     I believe it was God.
Examine the detail
     and which seems most odd?
The statistical chances
     of all things falling in place.
Or a God who created
     all earth and all space.
This poem’s about finished,
     I hope that you see.
Without a Creator,
     there’s really no me! 

© 2014 by Tom Lemler

 I’ve spent much of the night praying for a friend who is asking if God is real.  As I’ve prayed, God put this poem in my mind.  Faith is a difficult thing because it forces us to let go of all that we are comfortable with and trust that which we put our faith in.  I choose God because I’ve seen Him pull me through circumstances that seemed impossible.  I’ve experienced incredible changes and growth in my life because my faith in God believed He could use me and do things in and through me that I would have never dreamed or imagined — these poems are just one example of that.  I pray that this poem is an encouragement to you whether you are secure in your faith in God or trying to find it.

In prayer,
Tom

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2 Kings: Lesson 16 — I Don’t Care

The following are discussion questions from a weekly study I am leading through the book of 2 Kings.  We meet each Wednesday evening at the Deer Run Church of Christ.

The Unraveling of a Nation

A Study of the Book of 2 Kings

Lesson 16 (I Don’t Care)
 2 Kings 16
  April 23, 2014

The Text:

  1. Who followed Jotham as king of Judah? How did his lifestyle compare to that of David and to God’s standards? Who did he pattern his actions after? What were some of his detestable practices?
    –
  2. What did the king of Aram and the king of Israel join together to do? Were they successful? Who did Ahaz turn to for help? What did Ahaz give and what was accomplished?
    –
  3. Where did Ahaz go to meet the king of Assyria? What did Ahaz take notice of? As a result, what was sent to the priest, Uriah? What did Uriah do?  
    –
  4. When Ahaz returned from Damascus, what did he do? What did he do with the bronze altar to the Lord? What instructions were given to Uriah the priest? How did Uriah respond?
    –
  5. What changes did Ahaz make to the furnishings of the temple and to the temple itself? Why?

The Application:

  1. Do you like the idea of being an example to someone? Why/why not? Do the wicked practices of others make it seem easier to do wrong? Why/why not? Are there things you have seen others do that you have said you never would, but found yourself doing at some time?
    –
  2. Does it ever feel like there are multiple forces joined together against you? How do you respond? What happens when you fight evil with evil?
    –
  3. When you visit a place, what kinds of things catch your eye? Do you ever see things that make you think you are missing out on something? Do the objects and practices of others ever make you think your worship of God is lacking something?        
    –
  4. Why do you worship God in the way that you do? Have you ever changed in the way you worship? What criteria did you, should you, use in making such a change?      
    –
  5. Do the people around you approve of the way you worship God? Are there times you are tempted to hold back, or change, your worship for the sake of someone else? Should you? Why/why not?

 

Next Week:   Enough is Enough
     2 Kings 17

 

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Breaking Bread

It was quite a weekend,
     it’s hard to believe.
The things that did happen
     in the town I now leave.
The long walk is good,
     helps me clear my head.
It’s hard to imagine,
     my teacher is dead. 

My friend and I walk
     with hearts that are down.
We talk about all
     that took place back in town.
As we talked together
     about all that took place.
A stranger did join us
     and walked at our pace. 

We did not know him,
     but he stepped right in.
He wanted to know
     where our talk did begin.
Our sadness was heavy,
     this guy out of touch.
Could he have been present
     and not know so much. 

It was hard to imagine
     he could have been there.
He seemed to know nothing,
     did he even care?
We told him about one
     who stood far above.
He always seemed filled with
     the power of God’s love. 

The things that he taught
     were more than we’d known.
And the works that he did
     had never been shown.
We had been quite hopeful,
     this was more than a man.
That he had been sent
     as part of God’s plan. 

But all of that ended
     as he went to trial.
He stood before rulers
     without a denial.
They called him guilty
     and sentenced to death.
He was hung on a cross
    until his last breath. 

Now, three days have passed
     that he’s been in the grave.
But some of the women
     showed they were quite brave.
The went to the tomb
     for a special task.
Why do you look here,
     some angels did ask. 

Some of our number
    also went there to see.
What the women had found,
    their findings agree.
When the stranger did speak,
     he said we were slow.
Did we not know the scriptures,
     which said how this would go? 

So from the beginning,
     He explained from the Word.
He made it alive,
     like we had never heard.
When we reached the village,
     He planned to go on.
But we begged Him to stay,
     we did not want Him gone. 

We went to the table
     to share a meal.
As He broke the bread,
     we could now see for real.
The one who was with us
     and taught all the way.
Was the risen Lord,
     before us that day. 

All of a sudden,
     as we looked around.
He was gone from our midst,
     nowhere to be found.
So that very hour,
     in which we did arrive.
We returned to the city
     saying, Jesus is alive! 

It’s not just for them
     that this story is told.
There’s a message for you,
     if I may be so bold.
There will be times
     when it seems hope is lost.
Remember this story
     and who paid the cost. 

We break bread together,
     just the Lord and I.
It helps me remember
     why He had to die.
It also reminds me,
     the gift that He gave.
He rose from the dead
     with the power to save! 

So as oft as I can,
     I gather around.
A table that’s spread
     where communion is found.
I drink from the cup,
     and eat of the bread.
And remember forever,
     God’s alive, He’s not dead! 

© 2014 by Tom Lemler

As I’ve been reflecting on this resurrection day and praying about my response to the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus, God put this poem in my mind.  I think it is the longest one yet that He has given me!  I pray that it is an encouragement and help to you and that it brings glory to God’s name.

In prayer,
Tom

     

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I Was There

I sit here tonight
     and pray as I should.
As I do reflect
     on this day we call “Good”.
I try to imagine,
     if I had been there.
Would I have noticed,
     would I even care? 

People are dying
     out there on the hill.
That’s just what happens
     to that kind of swill.
The crowd’s cheering loudly,
     is that my voice too?
I want no part of this,
     this king that’s a Jew. 

Why do the shouts seem
     so loud in my ear?
What did I do that
     has brought me so near?
It seems I am stuck here,
     suspended in air.
I wish that the truth was,
     this punishment’s not fair. 

But as I consider
     the things I’ve done wrong.
It starts to sink in,
     this is where I belong.
I lived like I wanted,
     life was all about me.
It was my sinful choices
     that put me here on this tree. 

There are two men with me,
     quite different are they.
As I listen closely,
     I hear one of them pray.
“Father, forgive them”
     were the words that I heard.
From where I am hanging,
     that sure sounds absurd. 

The other man’s yelling,
     and mocking the first.
As the man they call Jesus
     cries out, “I do thirst!”
The insults continue,
     but I’ve had my fill.
I say, “We deserve this
     for what we thought was a thrill.” 

We got what was coming
     from the choices we made.
But that’s not the case
     with Him, I’m afraid.
There’s no fault within Him,
     He’s innocent for sure.
Yet He still hangs there
     and I watch Him endure. 

I realize this moment
     requires my all.
So I turn to the Christ
     and on His name I call.
Jesus, remember me
     when you reach your kingdom.
He says I’ll be with Him,
     then He says “It is done!” 

It was quite a journey,
     I’ve not left my chair.
But I look at my life
     and I’m sure I was there.
My sin hung there with Him,
     it was nailed to that tree.
I must make a choice,
     which thief there was me? 

The one I have chosen,
     I pray you do too.
Is to cry out to Jesus,
     let me be with you!
So my life did not end
     as it looked like it would.
It is only beginning
     on this Friday called “Good”!

 © 2014 by Tom Lemler

We had a great Good Friday service and I was spending time in my office praying afterward as I waited for the building to clear so I could get it ready for Sunday.  As I did so, God put this poem in my mind so I typed it out to share with you.  I pray that it helps you to examine the events of Good Friday from a fresh perspective.  I pray that you choose to cry out to Jesus to remember you!  I pray that this poem brings glory to God and accomplishes His purposes for it.

In prayer,
Tom