Life Lessons

by

Encouragement

Do not be afraid
      but take courage now.
It’s a message from God
      yet we wonder how.
Sometimes life is full
      of things that cause fear.
We’re so overwhelmed
      that God we don’t hear.
We should not be alone
      when we are afraid.
We have His Spirit
      and the friends we have made.

Sometimes we forget
      the friends God will give.
He puts them around us
      to help as we live.
A cord of three strands
      is not easily broken.
It’s not only true,
      it’s what God has spoken.
Everyone needs help
      when we get knocked down.
To pick us up gently
      and straighten our frown.

It is a good thing
      when we have each other.
To carry the load
      as sister and brother.
When one who is weak
      is helped by the strong.
It gives us great hope
      that we all do belong.
Sometimes we’re strong
      and sometimes we’re not.
It shouldn’t matter
      if a good friend we’ve got.

To carry a burden
      as if it’s our own.
Is a godly result
      of the seed that was sown.
My life’s not an island,
      I don’t live it alone.
When friends do surround me,
      each other we hone.
As we sharpen each other
      at work and at play.
We look more like Jesus
      each and every day.

So what’s growing in you
      as you look around?
Will you pick up a brother
      when he’s on the ground?
To help those who help you,
      is only a start.
To love the forgotten,
      you must open your heart.
And as your heart opens
      to let others in.
God’s courage will fill you
      and a victory you’ll win.

Before fear takes over
      and courage does end.
Take a good look around
      at who you call friend.
This may be a time
      when they really need you.
It’s also a time
      when you need them too.
So when fear arrives
      take a good look above.
And thank God for friends
      who show you His love.
©

I attended a ministers’ prayer time and fellowship this morning that I am privileged to be a part of every two weeks.  As I was thinking about the encouragement I receive from these guys, as well as the Deer Run congregation, I was praying that God would use me to encourage them as much as they encourage me.  As I was praying, God put this poem in my mind to share.  I pray that it encourages you and brings glory to God.

In prayer,
Tom

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Origins

I hear that last night
      there was a debate.
Did things simply happen
      or did God create.
I did not watch it
      nor listen at all.
So who was the winner,
      you make the call.
Someone more studied
      and smarter than I.
Watched the whole thing
      and said it was a tie.

Faith can be difficult
      and hard to explain.
I believe the Bible
      so some think I’m insane.
To prove my existence
      is easy you see.
But how I am formed
      is a great mystery.
We study and learn,
      we map DNA.
But where did it come from,
      many people won’t say.

To bring order from chaos
      is quite a big change.
To say it just happened,
      to me seems quite strange.
We want more answers
      than what we have got.
To figure it all out,
      we simply will not.
For me it is easy
      to trust what God does.
I don’t spend time thinking
      of exactly what was.

Say I am ignorant,
      if that’s what you must.
There is nothing you say
      that will destroy my trust.
God lives within me,
      His Spirit I feel.
I see Him work through me,
      I know He is real.
I don’t have the answers
      you may want to hear.
But I trust my creator
      and I know He is near.

So how do I live
      in the midst of debate?
To convince you I’m right
      doesn’t decide my fate.
And while I am thankful
      for those who explain.
To argue and fight,
      we must fully refrain.
To be an example,
      that Christ I would show.
To help those around me,
      His mystery to know.
©

I have read throughout the day various comments about the creation/evolution debate that took place last night.  As I  was spending time with God this afternoon, He put this poem in my mind for me to collect and share.  This is not a commentary on the debate itself as I did not watch or listen to any of it.  Rather, I think it has more to do with our desire to have all the answers and to always be right — sometimes we don’t like to leave room for “the great mystery”.  I pray that this poem brings glory to God and accomplishes His purpose for it.

In prayer,
Tom

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Trouble

You will have trouble,
     of this I am sure.
The question remaining,
     how will you endure?
The good news of Jesus
     says you’re not alone.
He will be with you,
     you don’t need to phone.

Just call out to Jesus
     in the midst of your fear.
He’s always listening
     and He’ll always hear.
He won’t forsake you,
     as others may do.
He gives you His Spirit
     to live inside you.

So when you have trouble,
     just go to your knee.
Cry out to Jesus,
     it sure works for me.
He may not remove you
     from the midst of the mess.
But He’ll carry you through,
     to that I confess.
©

I’ve been reflecting on life experiences and the words of Jesus in my listening times with God recently. I think that many times we must either completely miss, or simply ignore, the words of Jesus when He tells us we will have trouble. This poem came out of thinking about our need to expect, and be ready for, trouble.

In prayer,
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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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