Author: Tom

by

Battleground

I have a foe
      that lives close to me.
So very close,
      sometimes I don’t see.
If I would just look,
      it’s not hard to find.
 For this kind of foe
      does live in my mind.
It hides in the corners
      and lurks in the dark.
If I don’t pay attention,
      it sure leaves its mark.

Some of the enemies
      I make on my own.
Others arrive from
      some seeds that were sown.
My mind holds to memories,
      both good and the bad.
And some that do linger,
      will still make me sad.
The good’s often hidden,
      and kept out of sight.
The bad steps right up
      and takes a big bite.

I see people talking
      and think of the past.
My mind starts to wonder,
      can these good times last?
I think there are people
      who, much like me.
They have a hard time
      living as free.
They’ve not felt much value,
      they may be cast out.
They look o’er their shoulder,
      and live with much doubt.

I know, for I’ve been there;
      and still do reside.
With a mind that remembers
      and keeps things inside.
God gives me these poems,
      and He helps me to see.
That the things of the past,
      today may not be.
The way people see me,
      is not my concern.
My faith has more value
      than what I do earn.

In times that are hard,
      and jobs that did end.
I’ve always had present,
      an eternal friend.
This friend that is with me,
      is greater indeed.
Than all of my struggles,
      and all of my need.
He’s so much greater,
      than I’ll ever know.
He is the true One,
     that has defeated my foe.
So when I have doubt
      and fear moves on in.
I trust in my Savior,
      for I know He will win.

The power within in me
      is really my choice.
Do I listen to truth,
      or the enemy’s voice?
I have a promise,
      that God Himself made.
Because He is with me,
      I need not be afraid.
For His presence in me,
      leaves no room for doubt.
He fills up my being,
      so the foe must move out.
©

God has blessed me greatly and He continues to help my faith to grow through reminders of some of what He has carried me through.  I was thinking this morning about how far God has brought me and some of the struggles I still have and in the midst of this time with God, He gave me this poem.  I pray that it encourages you to seek God when the foe in your mind wants to take charge.

In prayer,
Tom

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2 Kings: Lesson 8 — Good News and Bad

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 8 (Good News and Bad)
 2 Kings 8
February 19, 2014

The Text:

  1. What did Elisha say to the woman whose son he had restored to life?  Why?  What did she do?  What did she do at the end of 7 years?  What did Elisha’s servant and the king happen to be talking about when the woman went to see the king?  What was her request?  What did the king do?
    –
  2. Where did Elisha travel to?  What did the king of Aram tell Hazael to do?  What did Hazael take to Elisha?  How did Elisha respond to Hazael’s question?
    –
  3. After giving the message, what did Elisha do?  What was Hazael’s response?  How did Elisha explain what he had done?  What did Hazael think of the explanation?  What happened when Hazael returned back to the king?
    –
  4. While Joram was king of Israel, who succeeded Jehoshaphat as king of Judah?  How did he live?  What was one of the influences in that?  How did God feel about it?  What did God do about it?  Why?
    –
  5. Who succeeded Jehoram as king of Judah?  How did he live?  Who were some of the people who influenced his way of life?  What happened to him?

  The Application:

  1. Have you ever been warned of impending disaster?  What did you do?  How do you decide how seriously you take such warnings?  What is the value of retelling personal stories of how you have seen God work?  How do those stories help spread justice?
    –
  2. Is there anywhere that you could go that God would not have work for you to do?  When faced with trouble, how intent are you in seeking God?  What would you give to be able to hear from God?
    –
  3. How do you think God responds when he knows that we are going to do wrong/evil?  Why do you think people rarely seem to heed warnings about the wrong direction the path they are on will take them?
    –
  4. Who are people who you would consider to be the examples that you follow?  Are they all examples that you ought to follow?  How much value do you place on God’s faithfulness?
    –
  5. Who has the greatest influence in your life?  How does that impact your decisions and actions?

 

Next Week:  Unfinished Business
2 Kings 9

 

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Refueling

The fuel gauge said empty,
      so I stopped for a fill.
It wasn’t too bad
      until I got the bill.
Twenty-eight gallons
      in a twenty-seven tank.
It’s a good thing that I
      had stopped by the bank.
Running on fumes,
      I did seem to be.
But was it my truck,
      or was it just me?

The same thing did happen,
      in my floor machine.
It ran out of power
      before I could clean.
In search of an answer,
      I started to read.
And found that the batteries,
      some water did need.
And into each cell,
      some water did pour.
I used up a gallon
      and still needed more.

So very often,
      as we live this life.
Our power is drained
      by worry and strife.
We barely get by,
      on a life out of gas.
Or we fail to function,
      and just take a pass.
The answer is easier
      said than it’s done.
Refuel your spirit,
      by time with the Son.

So when I am weary
      and feeling run down.
I take off my mask
      and He sees my frown.
We spend time together,
      He restoreth my soul.
He fills up my tank
      and makes my batteries whole.
But I’ve learned a lesson,
      there’s not so much pain.
If I refill sooner,
      while some fuel does remain.

A life lived with Jesus
      throughout every day.
Keeps me from empty,
      as I live His way.
So instead of waiting
      until I have run dry.
I hold fast to Jesus
      and together we fly.
So stop what you’re doing
      and refill your tanks.
Give praise to the Father,
      and to Jesus give thanks!
©

The floor scrubber at work kept running for shorter and shorter amounts of time before needing recharged so I did some research and discovered that the batteries in it are not maintenance-free and they were in desperate need of water.  This reminded me of times that I have put more fuel in my truck than what the official capacity is because I had run it so close to empty.  Then this reminded me of times that I have allowed my spirit to be drained due to not spending the time with God that I ought.  I pray that this poem encourages you to constantly refuel your spirit with the presence of God.

In prayer,
Tom

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Overflow

We say what we want,
      thinking it’s no big deal.
If we do wound others
      a “sorry” will heal.
But how sorry are we
      about what we said?
Or do we shift blame
      to how it’s taken instead?
If they would relax,
      lighten up, and just chill.
I gave it no thought,
      I never meant ill.

Perhaps that’s the problem
      that we fail to see.
We opened our mouth,
      never counting to three.
The three’s not important,
      it’s more about thought.
Do I think before speaking,
      as I know I ought.
When I stop to consider,
      what my words will do.
I need to quit looking
      at me and see you.

Words will stay with us,
      they’re hard to erase.
They get in our mind and
      they dig in some place.
And when least expected,
     They jump right on out.
They may make us happy,
      or may make us pout.
The words you are using,
      just what will they mean?
When months and years later,
      they’re still on the scene.

You may be thinking,
      I’ve got this all wrong.
Words don’t stay with me,
      at least not for long.
I can’t be certain,
     if that’s true for you.
But based on who I know,
     you’d be one of a few.
Even when I’ve thought
     words rolled off my back.
In the right setting,
     they’ve found their way back

There is a good side
      to a mind that will store.
I praise God with songs
      from when I was four.
The thing that’s important,
      is to guard what goes in.
So what comes out later,
      doesn’t cause us to sin.
When I seek Jesus
      to fill my whole heart.
The words that I should say
      have a great place to start.

For out of my mouth comes,
      a great overflow.
Of what Jesus put in me,
      and of just who I know.
The treasure inside me
      can’t be hidden for long.
For God’s love does fill me
      with a prayer and a song.
And since it’s His Spirit
      that I have in me.
My words should reflect that,
      so it’s Him people see.
©

 I was outside this afternoon enjoying the sunshine while getting some things done around the building and found myself singing some Sunday School songs from way back in my childhood.  As I considered the power words have had in my life, God gave me this poem to share.  I pray that it encourages you and I to be careful with our words.

In prayer,
Tom

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Time With God

I listen to God
      as I spend time in prayer.
It’s hard to imagine,
      why this seems so rare.
I have a great privilege
      to talk to the King.
He calls to me softly,
      everything I should bring.
He understands me
      when others do not.
When I need to unload,
      He’ll take what I’ve got.

His kind, gentle whisper
      is spoken so true.
I love you so fully,
      my best is for you.
He’s not like those others
      whose promises fail.
When things are the hardest,
      He never will bail.
He’ll stand right beside me,
      we’ll walk hand in hand.
He says, “I am with you,
      just see what I’ve planned.”

That is the hard part,
      to see what’s not here.
To trust He’ll deliver,
      when I’m filled with fear.
He is so gracious,
      so loving and kind.
He calms all my fears,
      gives me peace of mind.
Every step forward,
      I learn to trust more.
So that I am ready,
      when He opens the door.

I don’t always look for,
      a door open wide.
For most of the time I
      am comfortable inside.
Those are the times that,
      He calls out to me.
“I’ll never leave you,
      step out here and see.”
As He calls me forward,
      I step out the door.
It’s all I imagined
      and oh, so much more.

As this keeps on happening,
      again and again.
My trust builds up layers,
      it’s no longer thin.
While it is not perfect,
      my listening has built.
A life with more freedom,
      and a whole lot less guilt.
I know that God loves me
      and works for my best.
Of this I am so sure,
      that in Him I can rest.

So what will you do,
      with the truth you have heard?
Will you take it to heart,
      seeking God in His word?
When you walk in faith,
      one step at a time.
He demands your all,
      but it’s worth every dime.
And as you surrender
      and learn to just wait.
You’ll find you are ready,
      when you reach His gate.
©

I was spending time with God this afternoon and as I was waiting for an evening meeting, God reminded me of some of the wonderful destinations that He has taken me to as a result of my listening and following Him.  In the midst of my worship of Him for His great love and faithfulness, He gave me this poem.  I pray that it encourages you to spend more time with God.

In Prayer,
Tom

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My Part

To read through the Bible,
      there are many claims.
Of people who started,
      then they hit all those names.
From person to person
      and who begat who.
The mind starts to numb
      and then we are through.
We put down the Bible
      and our reading does stop.
Our intended effort
      becomes a great flop.

As I am preaching
      through the book of Luke.
I come to these names
      and I’d rather not puke.
So I look more closely
      at what’s written there.
And see in this listing,
      a God who does care.
He lists all these people
      and calls them by name.
They were important,
      though most had no fame.

We have great value
      as woman and man.
For we have a part in
      God’s wonderful plan.
God uses people
      like you and like me.
To accomplish His purpose
      throughout history.
He doesn’t measure
      like most people do.
You have great potential
      when He lives in you.

If God could use people
      that nobody knew.
And use them so greatly,
      then He can use you.
One of the secrets
      of living this way.
Is pursuing God fully,
      hearing what He would say.
Then take His full message,
      with others do share.
Then show them that Jesus
      and you really care.

It is in this caring,
      that people will see.
God’s love is for them,
      not only for me.
My part may seem little,
      not important at all.
But that doesn’t mean
      the result will be small.
I will never know,
      unless a list I receive.
Just how many names
      did help me to believe.

So, what is your story?
      What will your legacy be?
How many people,
      will you help to see?
Will you be faithful,
      in doing your part?
That helps someone out there,
      to open their heart.
You may get no credit,
      even if you should.
The real joy comes later,
      when He says, “faithful and good”.
©

I am spending time with God going over the end of Luke chapter 3 as He refines the sermon I’ll share tonight.  As I am doing so, He put this poem in my mind for me to share.  I pray that it brings glory to His name and accomplishes His purposes for it.  

In Prayer,
Tom

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Honesty

There’s something I’ve noticed
     that really seems strange.
When it comes to truth,
     we think there’s a range.
There are bold lies and white lies,
     and “honest to God”.
And all kinds of gray space
     that really seems odd.
Whatever happened
     to yes and to no?
And keeping our word
     wherever we go?

To keep to my word,
     and make sure it’s true.
Should be how I live,
     when I talk with you.
I must be careful
     to weigh every word.
So only the truth,
     is that which is heard.
To make up a story,
     so I don’t look bad.
Will only bring problems,
     the worst that I’ve had.

Image is everything,
     at least we’ve been told.
So we make up a story
     and hope that it’s sold.
Our yes isn’t yes,
     and our no isn’t no.
We consider our image
     and we answer so-so.
We hide the true facts,
     that we don’t want seen.
And tell a new version,
     where the truth is quite lean.

This doesn’t mean
     you should tell all you know.
Some things are private,
     from your mouth should not go.
But that is a story
     for another day.
About speaking the truth,
     this poem will stay.
When we cover up
     the truth with a lie.
Our reputation
     has begun to die.

We must be careful
     that we don’t deceive.
By the impression
     that we try to leave.
We should not have to
     swear this is true.
Our word should be good
     when given to you.
The things that we value
     will carry more weight.
When we are honest
     in all that we state.

So when you are thinking
    that truth can’t be found.
Open the Bible,
     take a good look around.
The truth that is Jesus,
     does show us the way.
And calls us to choose;
     in our speech, there’s no gray.
To be fully honest,
     in word and in deed.
Is a teaching of Jesus
     that we ought to heed.
©

It seems like we live in a time where so many people have lost sight of the value that God places on honesty. In the past I’ve had ministry leaders tell me I’m too honest; that I needed to be more creative with the facts to give people an impression that was different from what was true. It also appears common to play loose with Bible texts to try to prove what we want. As I watched some of that unfold on social media, I spent time with God listening to His voice and He gave me this poem. I pray that it is an encouragement to each of us to live an honest life in our pursuit of God.

In prayer,
Tom

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Chaos

There have been times,
     I must confess.
I’ve made poor decisions,
     creating a mess.
There are things that I’ve done
     without giving much thought.
Then I’ve been surprised
     by the chaos it wrought.
I stand in the rubble
     and look all around.
And hope the path out
     will someday be found.

Most people I know,
     do like a routine.
If they know what is coming,
     they won’t cause a scene.
If they’re pointed out
     and put on the spot.
Look out and run fast,
     they’re bound to be hot.
But there are a few
     who like a surprise.
Last minute changes,
     just help them to rise.

If you’re one or the other,
     or somewhere between.
If you want to be hidden,
     or like to be seen.
If you walk in the middle,
     with a foot in each camp.
When we understand others,
     we turn on a lamp.
The lamp is revealing
     and helps us to see.
People may not be wrong
     that are different from me.

The connection is coming,
     if there’s one to this poem.
The message is clear,
     it’s about to hit home.
When we judge others
     by the rules that we make.
We create chaos,
     because God’s rules we break.
There is just one standard,
     that applies to us all.
When held up to Jesus,
     every person will fall.

When I make decisions,
     what will be my guide?
Will I open my motives,
     and have nothing to hide?
Will I base them all solely,
     on God and His Word.
So it is His message
     that always is heard.
When I trust in Jesus
     and follow His path.
Even when I caused it,
     I escape from His wrath.

I guard my words closely,
     and capture each thought.
So His Spirit helps me,
     only say what I ought.
To give a quick answer,
     can be trouble for me.
So I spend time in prayer,
     even down on my knee.
To make this a habit,
     does not make me weak.
I am much stronger,
     when God’s face I seek.
©

I was tempted to comment on several posts and statements that I’ve read this morning that I simply don’t agree with and think are bad conclusions to the known information. As I was considering what to write, God gave me this poem instead as a reminder that being quick to speak/respond often leads me into chaos. I pray that this poem is an encouragement to you and that it brings glory to God and accomplishes His purposes for it.

In prayer,
Tom