Poems

by

Warnings

I have a computer
      that’s trying to die.
I open a program
      and it asks me, “Why?”.
“This will cause problems,
      for my memory is low.”
“I warned you this time;
      so yes, I’ll be slow.”
“If you do not heed
      this helpful advice.”
“I’ll shut myself down,
      I won’t warn you twice.”

The brain can be like
      this computer of mine.
When it functions well,
      everything does just shine.
But let it fill up
      with unhealthy stuff.
And it isn’t long
      before it’s running rough.
Add to the problem
      some unrelenting stress.
And before very long,
      the whole things a mess.

Just like the computer,
      a warning we get.
The body calls out,
     “I’m here, don’t forget.”
But so very often,
      when we ache and much more.
The warnings God gives us,
      we simply ignore.
Ignore it for too long,
      I say with a frown.
It could be disaster,
      as your body shuts down.

So what do I do
      for my computer and me?
When things are not right
      and the warnings I see.
I look to the manual
      and seek to restore.
The purpose and function,
      I was created for.
I clear out all garbage
      and cleanse from within.
I restore a memory
      that is free from all sin.

I trim down my files
      to what’s needed most.
I only have room,
      for good things to host.
I empty my mind
      of things from the past.
And only hold on to,
      that which should last.
It’s an ongoing process,
      not done in a day.
It’s a daily surrender
      to God and His Way.

If you’ve not noticed,
      the subject is me.
It’s not really about
      the computer, you see.
The warnings God gives me,
      I need to observe.
So I function smoothly
      as His name I serve.
I pray that you notice,
      the warnings in you.
So you would be faithful
      as you serve Him too.
©

My computer has been giving me warning messages and randomly stopping off and on for a few days now.  In addition to that, I’ve had a headache for much of the day and the work going on in the building hasn’t helped much.  As I took some time to rest and listen to God prior to a meeting tonight, He put this poem in my mind.  I pray that it serves His purposes and brings Him glory.

In prayer,
Tom

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Others

The way we treat others
     will say quite a lot.
Not really about them,
     more about what we’ve got.
Do I have compassion
     and kindness for those.
That God puts around me,
     not just those I chose.
Do I tend to order
     and boss those around.
Who don’t benefit me,
     at least that I’ve found.

It would be quite funny,
     if it wasn’t so sad.
There have been leaders
     who have treated me bad.
But that’s not important
     in what I will do.
The much bigger issue
     is how I treat you.
Do I look beyond all
     the things people see.
And love you like Jesus
     has shown love to me.

It is so easy
     to love those like us.
And think that those different
     are not worth the fuss.
It can take much effort
     to see in the heart.
But we’ll never get there
     if we refuse to start.
It can be quite risky
     to let down our guard.
But Jesus did warn us
     to follow Him would be hard.

When we show great favor
     to those who repay.
We’ve not lived like Jesus,
     at least that’s what He’d say.
To give to the needy
     what they can’t return.
Is a lesson from Jesus
     that we all need to learn.
To lift up the weak
     and carry their load.
Is a way to serve others
     as we all walk this road.

So what will you do
     with the choices you make?
When you deal with people
     will you give, not just take?
Will you listen closely
     to all that you hear?
And pay close attention
     to what’s hidden by fear.
To treat people better
     than others might do.
To give them the treatment
     that you’d want for you.

When you stop and think
     of what Jesus taught.
To go and do likewise,
     then really you ought.
There’s no better time
     to begin in that way.
To do good to others
     by starting today.
And when I say “others”,
     I mean everyone.
To put into practice
     what we’ve learned from the Son.
©

God gave me this poem last night as I spent time with Him in prayer and listening. This time I jotted it down so I wouldn’t forget it when I finally made it to the computer. I pray that it encourages each of us to see others as God sees them.

In prayer,
Tom

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Revival

The days of revival
     have long been around.
But even with all that,
     can the faithful be found?
A message of judgment
     we’d rather not hear.
Tell us the good news
     and leave out the fear.
But good news is lacking
     if we don’t tell the bad.
Our rescue from dying,
     is what makes us glad.

 For if there’s no judgment,
     when Christ I reject.
Then there is no reason,
     my life to inspect.
The good news of Jesus,
     calls me to believe.
The wages of my sin,
     I don’t have to receive.
And while it’s a free gift,
     it is up to me.
For I must accept it
     if I want to be free. 

John was sent early
     to prepare the way.
To call for repentance,
     and do it today.
While some liked the idea
     of escaping God’s wrath.
They were quite startled,
     they were on the wrong path.
Some came to see him,
     thinking that they were good.
They had to look closer
     and then do what they should. 

The one who had plenty
     was to share what he had.
Those collecting taxes
     should not treat people bad.
The ones with position
     should not falsely accuse.
Be content with their pay,
     not spreading bad news.
With someone like John
     teaching that which was right.
The people suspected
     that the Christ was in sight. 

John quickly answered,
     “The Messiah, I’m not.”
But the One that is coming
     has more power than I’ve got.
He is much greater
     than one such as I.
The thongs of His sandals,
     I’m not fit to untie.
He will immerse you
     in His Spirit and fire.
For that which is impure,
     the consequence is dire. 

So what will we do
     with the message we hear?
Will we praise God with joy
     or tremble in fear?
The choice seems so simple,
     at least it should be.
When my heart is repentant,
     He will forgive me.
And when I’m forgiven,
     by faith I should live.
The good news of Jesus,
     to all I must give.
©

 
I’ve been spending time with God this afternoon in the beginning of Luke 3 as I prepare for tonight’s sermon.  As I was listening to God for refinement of the sermon, He put this poem in my mind.  I pray that it encourages and challenges you and that it brings glory to His name.
 
In prayer,
Tom
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Practice

Advice From a Doctor
     is the title I give.
To a series of sermons
     on how we should live.
We’ll spend a whole year,
     perhaps even more.
Listening to Luke
     for what he has in store.
And while we will learn
     of the Christ who can save.
We’ll focus more closely
     on the advice that Luke gave.

So very often
     when we look at God’s Word.
We go out and live
     like none of it was heard.
I want to do more
     than know what Christ did.
I want people to see,
     in my heart His Word’s hid.
If sin’s crucified,
     as His Word does say.
Then it’s not I who lives,
     but He lives today.

If I have died
     and He lives in me.
Then people should notice
     it’s Jesus they see.
So I study harder
     and take a good look.
At just what He says
     when I open His Book.
Not so I know it
     as a collection of fact.
But that it transforms me
     in the way that I act.

Jesus did tell me
     to do my good deeds.
So people do see Him
     as I’m meeting their needs.
To offer forgiveness
     and grace without end.
To pray that they’ll know Him
     as redeemer and friend.
When I’m more like Jesus
     to the people I meet.
Perhaps they will seek Him
     and fall at His feet.

That is the purpose
     of the sermons I preach.
To help us live different,
     the Bible I teach.
Not so we know more
     for information.
We practice it daily
     for transformation.
When our life is changed
     by advice that Luke gives.
We’re more likely heard
     when we say that Christ lives.
©

I’ve been spending time with God in the gospel of Luke as I continue preparing a sermon series that I am preaching. The point of the series is not to simply know the life of Christ for information, but to allow His life to transform the way we live. I pray that we represent Christ well in all of our interactions with people.

In prayer,
Tom

by

Rest

We work hard, we play hard;
     but what about rest.
God says we need it
     to be at our best.
Our life gets so busy
     at work and at play.
Our rest gets put off
     for at least one more day.
So many people
     work just to survive.
We don’t get the rest
     that would help us to thrive.

Go here and do this, 
     and what about that?
If you think you are done;
     well, here’s one more hat.
Some tasks are given,
     we think there’s no choice.
Others we call for
     in the loudest of voice.
We need this, we want that;
     we can’t fall behind.
To have all that we want
     takes the top of our mind.

If I don’t keep going,
     refusing to stop.
Then somebody else
     will climb to the top.
And as I am climbing,
     and taking each rod.
The ladder of this world
     takes me further from God.
The king of the mountain,
     the top of the hill.
Is not that important
     when God says, “Be still.”

Strength for the weary
     and hope for the tired.
Seems so out of reach,
     when you fear you’ll be fired.
So onward we press
     and give it our all.
We will never give up
     ‘til we can’t help but fall.
So many people
     who fall flat on their face.
Need a good chance to rest
     and experience grace.

So when you are tired,
     it seems with no end.
Examine your schedule,
     rest may be your friend.
And as you rest fully,
     as God said you should.
Look for the weary
     and do them some good.
Help carry their burden
     and show them the need.
God’s command to get rest,
     they really should heed.
©

It has been what some would call a “lazy day”, but I prefer to think of it as a “restful day”. As I was resting, falling in and out of sleep, God put this poem in my mind. I am thankful for a work environment that tries to protect my need for rest by valuing the work that I do. I pray that this poem encourages you to rest and to do what you can to help others to rest.

In prayer,
Tom

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Work Day

We have had so many “Snow Days” this year that I think God gave me this poem just for fun as I spent a “Snow Day” working to get the building ready for school to resume.
*
The sun’s shining brightly
      so out I do go.
For somebody has to      
     shovel all of this snow.
I know most are tired
      of feeling they’re stuck.
So I head out the door
       and start up my truck.
To have all things ready,
      at least I do pray.
Should schools not be closed
      for at least one more day.
*
Praying for all those who are out today getting things ready for an eventual return to a somewhat normal schedule.
by

The Prize

The Olympics are here
      and so we are told.
It’s only the winners
      who will receive gold.
The athletes have trained
      and worked for so long.
To prove they’re the fastest,
      the best, and the strong.
But in such a group
      where the best surely rise.
In each competition,
      only one gets top prize.

So what can we say
      about all the rest?
Who have no gold medal
      though they did their best.
Someone did better
      or something went wrong.
The world looks at them
      as if they don’t belong.
As hard as they work
      and as much as they try.
Sometimes they’re left sitting
      and wondering why.

To the strong goes the prize,
      at least that we say.
But what if they’re strong
      in a much different way?
To be faithful in small things,
      God calls us to be.
The little things matter,
      though no one may see.
The true test of strength
      is what will you do,
When no one is watching
      or looking at you?

You may be able
      to hide from all men.
But God will still notice,
      what will you do then?
To give Him your all
      is all that He asks.
To put Him before
      all your other tasks.
To train your mind daily
      to look all around.
With all your heart seek God
      and He will be found.

The prize will be given
      when you finish this race.
Not because you’re fastest,
      rather you’ve sought His face.
So the training continues
      as this life you live.
You reflect Jesus
      when to others you give.
To give yourself fully
      like God’s only Son.
To finish the race
      and He says, “Well done.”
©

I spent some time with God this morning and thought about the Olympics as they began last night.  God gave me this poem as a reminder that in His view, it is the faithful who win the prize.  I am thankful for God’s faithfulness, mercy, and grace so that a performance mistake on the world’s stage doesn’t disqualify me nor negate all of my training.  I pray that this poem brings glory to God and accomplishes the purposes for which He gave it.

In prayer,
Tom

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