Author: Tom

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Growth

Growing’s not easy
     to do on our own.
For growth comes about
     by the seeds that are sown.
To grow in good deeds,
     what do you plant?
When your mind keeps on saying,
     “To do that, I can’t.”

“I can do all things
     as He gives me strength.”
Does my life reflect that,
     do I live at such length?
Do I seek something easy
     and just what I know.
Then sit back and wonder
     why my life doesn’t grow.

To grow as it ought to,
     a plant needs some sun.
It also needs rain
     before it is done.
Our life’s not that different,
     the Son helps us grow.
But so does the rain —
     the pain that we know.
©

As I was thinking about spring’s eventual arrival and the beauty that arrives with spring growth, God gave me this poem. I pray that it brings glory to His name and serves the purpose for which He gave it.

In prayer,
Tom

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Teamwork

It is such a joy
     to work with this team.
I pray that it’s real,
     and not just a dream.
Yes, there are times
     that I work the day through.
But times I take Susan
     and go to the zoo.
The freedom I have
     is all built on trust.
It’s not just important,
     it’s really a must.

As I look around
     at these gals and guys.
To have a great team
     should be no surprise.
They all are quite gifted
     in doing their part.
The thing that is special,
     is they serve from the heart.
No idea’s better
     just because of a name.
We want to be servants
     not seeking our fame.

The thing that’s surprising
     and really quite sad.
This type of teamwork
     is rare, like a fad.
If you think it’s passing,
     as fads often do.
Consider the value
     of this team to you.
We do our best work,
     or so it would seem.
When we work together
     and act like a team.

To seek good for others
     above all our own.
Is the life of a servant
     that Jesus has shown.
To not be afraid
     to do what it takes.
Whether lofty or low,
     no difference it makes.
It is such a blessing
     when help I can give.
The joy is compounded
     when this way we live.
©

As I was finishing up the cleaning of the church building tonight and thinking about all the people who help and encourage me, God gave me this poem. I share it in honor of the Deer Run team who have made me feel like a valuable part of what God is doing through each of us. I pray that God continues to pour out His blessing on the work that He is doing through Deer Run.

In prayer,
Tom

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The Story

There is a true story
      that I have been told.
I do love to hear it,
      it never gets old.
It’s the story of Jesus
      and of His great love.
How He came to earth,
      descending from above.
He had a purpose
      and followed a plan.
His love came to save us
      as He became man.

Love was not created,
      it always has been.
From the very beginning,
      God knew we could sin.
But even with this fact,
      He gave us His breath.
Then gave man instructions
      so he could avoid death.
Satan did tempt Eve
      to eat from the tree.
She called out to Adam,
     “Come, eat with me.”

When they had eaten,
      the fruit on that day.
Their eyes became opened,
      they did disobey.
God came and asked them,
     “Just what have you done?”
I can almost hear them,
     “We were just having fun.”
But fun times were over,
      at least like they’d had.
It did not take long
      for life to be sad.

Life was not easy,
      because of their sin.
God said He would solve it,
      they didn’t know when.
Many years later,
      at just the right time.
God sent us a Savior,
      the story’s sublime!
Born in a stable,
      was God’s only Son.
The wise men acknowledged
      that He was the One.

He lived His life perfect
      and sinless and pure.
He always kept focused
      on what He must endure.
To sacrifice His life,
      to be hung on a tree.
His death had a purpose
      for you and for me.
But death could not keep Him
      bound up in the grave.
He rose up victorious,
      from death He can save.

From the beginning,
      when God called us “man”.
To show us His love
      was always His plan.
He died to save us
      and set us apart.
He wants us to seek Him
      with all of our heart.
We have the power
      to overcome death.
When our life is filled with
      His Holy Spirit’s breath!

This is the story
      that I like to hear.
It always reminds me
      that I need not fear.
His love from beginning
      will last to the end.
His love draws me to Him
      and calls me His friend.
A friend to this sinner
      is what He has been.
So I long for heaven,
      I don’t know just when.
©

I was in the middle of sweeping floors, cleaning, and singing to God when this poem filled my mind.  One of my favorite hymns is “I Love To Tell the Story” but I’m not even sure if that is what I was singing when this poem showed up.  I had to stop and type it out so I can go back to cleaning and singing.   I pray that this ministers in the way God desires for it to and that it brings glory to His name.

In prayer,
Tom

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Helpful Words

Collecting these poems
      has been quite a trip.
If I think of it much
      my mind still does flip.
I even have poems
      that pass through my brain.
My mind is uncertain
      so to share, I refrain.
It’s not that they’re bad,
      they all are quite true.
I think some are for me
      while some are for you.

Sometimes it does seem
      that many do think.
From speaking their thoughts,
      they never should shrink.
If they have a thought
      show up in their head.
Of course they will speak it,
      it has to be said.
We live in a time
      when we think it’s our right.
To say what we want
      no matter who is in sight.

It seems we’ve forgotten
      an important fact.
To think first of others
      is how we should act.
And part of our action
      is the way we do speak.
So guard your words closely
      their good you would seek.
Truth doesn’t sink in
      if we have no love.
And love that is pure
      must come from above.

So when words do hurt,
      in whole or in part.
Look so much closer,
      examine the heart.
Sometimes words hurt
      because we must learn.
The truth of the words
      is what we did earn.
If love is the motive
      that drives what we do.
The hurt isn’t fatal
      it’s meant to help you.

This I do know
      because of what I have read.
I open the Bible
      and read what God said.
Some of His words
      cut straight to the heart.
But His love does fill me,
      so healing can start.
To be more like Jesus,
      that is my aim.
So I pray that my words
      would do just the same.
©

My mind seems to be filled with poems lately and some specifically that remind me of God’s love and care through very difficult circumstances and in the midst of feelings of unjust treatment at various times in my life.  While these have brought me great peace and comfort, it seems like I get a very clear “Not now” when I think about sharing them.  As a couple of those were going through my head this morning, reminding me of God’s goodness, He put this poem in my mind to share with you.  I pray that it is a help and encouragement to you and that it brings glory to God.

In prayer,
Tom

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The Kings

As I get ready
      to teach Second Kings.
Some people do tell me
      they want current things.
My answer to them
      is “open the book.”
Read from its pages
      and take a good look.
Change a few places,
      change a few names.
We’re not all that different
      despite all our claims.

Why do we try
      so hard to avoid.
Reading of things
      of which we have toyed.
Could it just be
      we don’t like to read.
Reminders of danger
      we’d rather not heed?
We like to think,
      as we see their defeat.
They made mistakes
      that we’d never repeat.

Look in the mirror
      and check out the news.
Pursuing God first,
      we don’t always choose.
His discipline comes
      and we are quite shocked.
But how very often
      His name, have we mocked?
We need to learn
      how people did live.
To help us pursue Him
      and the good He would give.

The history God gives me,
      I should not ignore.
He has a reason
      that He’s given it for.
He wants me to learn
      a lesson or two.
On how I should seek Him
      and how to treat you.
To seek Him above
      all other things.
Is a lesson that’s found
      in the books of the Kings.
©

I was spending time with God and going through tonight’s Bible study lesson from 2 Kings and a poem started to appear.  I thought it was just going to be one verse/stanza kind of for fun, but it kept flowing.  I pray that God uses this for His glory and purposes.

In prayer,
Tom

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2 Kings: Lesson 5 — Anything But That!

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 5 (Anything But That!)
 2 Kings 5
       January 29, 2014

The Text:

  1. Who was Naaman?  What was his reputation?  Why?  What was wrong with him?     
    –
  2. Where did the servant of Naaman’s wife come from?  What did she suggest could be done?  How did the king of Aram respond to this suggestion when Naaman presented it?  How did the king of Israel respond when it was brought to him?      
    –    
  3. What did Elisha do when he heard about the King of Israel’s response?  What was Elisha’s request of the king?  What did Elisha do when Naaman reached his house?    
    –
  4. How did Naaman respond to what he was told to do?  What was he expecting?  What does Naaman’s servants say to him?  How does he respond to them?  What happens?
    –
  5. What does Naaman try to do for Elisha?  How does Elisha respond?  What does Naaman conclude he will do?  After Naaman leaves, what does Elisha’s servant decide to do?  How does Elisha respond to the actions of Gehazi?

  The Application:

  1. What things today tend to cause a person to be honored and highly regarded?  How much notice or attention do we give to the Lord doing mighty things through a person?  Why do we seem to struggle so much with bad things happening to good people? 
    –
  2. What do you believe about God’s involvement where you are at — either in bringing you there or using you there?  How likely are you to speak God’s truth to people if you blame them for your circumstances?  Who does it seem like had more faith in what God could do, the king of Aram or the king of Israel?  Are you ever intimidated by the things people expect God to do?
    –
  3. How do you feel when people of importance seem to doubt God’s ability to do things?  How can you live in a way that would show the people around you that there is both a God and a servant of God alive in their midst?    
    –     
  4. What expectations do you put on God regarding how He should communicate with you?  How do you respond to His expectations of  you?  How can you encourage people who believe that God’s instructions are not the best way to accomplish something?         
    –
  5. When you help people, how do you decide when to accept a “reward” and when not to?  Has God’s healing in your life convinced you to worship only Him?  Are there ways in which we expect people to “pay” for God’s goodness to them?

 

Next Week:  How Times  Change!
2 Kings 6

 

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Snowed In

It’s past ten this morning
     and I’m feeling fine.
The temperature outside
     is a cool minus nine!
So what do I do
     when the weather’s so cold?
Play video games
     and pretend I’m not old. 🙂
But even much better
     than winning a game.
Is to spend time with God,
     that’s the best — I do claim!

To just read my Bible
     and take time to pray.
To hear God’s Holy Spirit
     when He has something to say.
To listen intently
     for what I should do.
Then make sure I do it,
     for it might be for you.
So if you’re snowed in,
     with no where to be.
Try seeking God’s face
     while on bended knee.

If you do seek Him,
     He says He’ll be found.
He’ll walk right there with you
     as your feet hit the ground.
And when you’re uncertain
     of which way to go.
Ask Him to guide you,
     His way you would know.
He’ll never leave you
     nor forsake you, it’s true.
It’s been true in my life,
     I believe it for you.
©

This just popped into my mind as I was sitting at my desk going back and forth between a couple of Word’s With Friends games and praying about some lessons I’m working on. I pray that you are encouraged to seek God more deliberately, and that you actually do it. 🙂

In prayer,
Tom

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Friends

When a good friend is sad
     and feeling all blue.
Most of the time,
     we’re not sure what to do.
We want to be helpful
     and not cause more pain.
We’re not too sure how,
     so to help we refrain.
The problem is thinking,
     the pain we must cure.
Sometimes just listening
     will help them endure.

This problem’s not new,
     in fact it’s quite old.
Read the story of Job
     if you’re feeling that bold.
He had much more loss
     than anyone should.
His friends tried to help
     as any friend would.
They had a good start,
     as at first they just sat.
But it didn’t take long,
     to give up on that.

Their next course of action
     was some questions to ask.
To figure it all out,
     they took as their task.
There must be a reason
     for all of this loss.
He must have done something
     to offend the big “Boss”.
We know the ending
     and also the start.
The story’s much bigger,
     they only saw part.

The same may be true
     as we help a friend.
Always remember,
     you can’t see the end.
There’s things you may notice
     as they walk their road.
But you won’t see it all,
     so help carry their load.
You don’t need to solve it,
     or have the right word.
You just need to be there,
     so they know they are heard.

So how do you help them,
     the friends who are sad?
Be a good listener
     and the best friend they’ve had.
Help them remember
     the times from before.
When God has been with them,
     He’s opened the door.
And point to the future
     where God always is.
And remind them so gently,
     that they are still His.
©

Here’s another poem that came out of my prayer time for a friend. I pray that it helps each of us to remember to be the friend we would want to have.

In prayer,
Tom