Poems

by

Childhood Joy

Some time ago
     when I was a boy.
The simplest things
     would bring me great joy.
It didn’t take much
     to fill up my time.
I’d work on the farm
     or play in the slime.
It didn’t matter
     if work or if play.
Being a family
     had value each day.

We did not have much
     but we had each other.
My brothers and sister,
     my dad and my mother.
We worked really hard,
     we played just the same.
We even decided
     chores could be a game.
The things that we lacked,
     I could not even tell.
We had what we needed,
     we really lived well.

The things that we had
     that many did lack.
Was a house full of love
     and even some slack.
I always had value,
     even when I did wrong.
In my own family
     I would always belong.
I cannot imagine
     how different I’d feel.
If my growing up
     was anything but real.

Now I fast-forward
     through quite a few years.
Years full of blessing
     and even some tears.
And while I am wiser
     or older, at least.
Sometimes the joy’s gone,
     eaten up by the beast.
You may never see it
     but the beast is out there.
Stealing contentment,
     thinking no one will care.

I’m not all that different
     from days long ago.
Joy fills my life
     through the people I know.
The value they give me
     by what they do say.
Is the mark of a good friend,
     in work and in play.
I pray that these lessons,
     I learned as a boy.
Would lead to contentment
     and fill you with joy.
©

As I was spending time with God, reflecting on joy and contentment, He reminded me that I often look for both of those in all the wrong places. We are often taught in so many ways that the stuff we accumulate should bring us great joy. When joy doesn’t come we may decide we simply need more stuff. God took me back to my childhood that was filled with great joy even though we didn’t have a lot of possessions. It is a lesson I need to be reminded of often and I pray that it is a reminder that is helpful to you.

In prayer,
Tom

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Peace

My peace I leave with you,
     my peace I do give.
Are words taught by Jesus
     on how we should live.
This could be much easier,
     I think you would see.
If all of the people
     with me would agree.
That really won’t happen,
     of that I am sure.
So I better get busy,
     for my pride find a cure.

God made us all different,
     made each one unique.
To understand others
     is what I must seek.
To see how God’s gifted
     and what He will use.
Since I’m not in charge,
     it’s not mine to choose.
Each one has something
     that God’s made their part.
I need to help them
     find out how to start.

As you start looking
     for what others have got.
This may sound quite easy,
     I assure you it’s not!
To think of them higher
     than you do yourself.
But don’t you go thinking
     you’ve been put on the shelf.
You’re gift has great value,
     it’s important to all.
So step out and use it
     as you follow God’s call.

God’s peace will happen
     when we swallow our pride.
When we work together
     for we’re on the same side.
This doesn’t mean
     that we’ll always agree.
But peace will still come
     when your value I see.
As I spend more time
     on what God says to do.
I don’t worry so much
     what He says to you.

I’m not here to judge you
     or over you rule.
Instead I’ll encourage,
     let you know we are cool.
With eyes fixed on Jesus,
     more clearly I see.
Peace comes from heaven,
     for you and for me.
So when our views differ
     and we know we are right.
Let’s pray to our Savior,
     that He’ll fix our sight.

And when He has straightened
     the way that we view.
May peace rest upon me
     and all over you.
And when this peace settles
     on all that we are.
Let’s take what we’ve learned
     and spread it afar.
And as we go boldly
     where no one would go.
I pray that God’s peace
     to others we show.
©

I was spending time with God reflecting on the incredible peace that He has given me within the family of Deer Run. It’s a peace that comes from His Spirit, but also from the great encouragement and sense of value that I receive on a very regular basis from those that surround me. As I reflected on this, God put this poem in my mind for me to collect and share. I pray that it is an encouragement to you in the way you view others who may think and act differently than you do.

In prayer,
Tom

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Fanatic

So many people
     will root for their team.
They’ll stand up and cheer
     as quite loudly they scream.
They don’t even care
     if you like it or not.
They’ll tell you all day
     their team is so hot.
The more you object,
     the louder they are.
Their team is the best,
     of course they’ll go far.

Fanatics they are,
     but don’t call them that.
They’ll wear their teams’ shirt,
     a coat and a hat.
They’ll speak out quite boldly
     and get in your face.
If you even think
     that their team’s second-place.
Standing together
     or standing alone.
They’ll share their allegiance,
     a text to your phone.

You may not like it,
     they don’t even care.
Nothing will stop them
     when they want to share.
They won’t be too timid
     or silenced by fear.
Their team is the greatest
     and this you must hear.
They’ll spend all their money
     and sacrifice much.
Their time is all given
     so that they stay in touch.

I think this sounds normal
     and really not odd.
Until we start talking
     of a “team” led by God.
Then all of a sudden
     the story does change.
We make up our reasons
     and excuses arrange.
I can’t cheer for Jesus,
     I can’t be that loud.
It wouldn’t be right,
     standing out in the crowd.

I must be real careful
     in all that I say.
Some may not like it
     if I say there’s one way.
No one can notice,
     I won’t make a wave.
Speaking for Jesus
     belongs to the brave.
Yes, I know Jesus
     is the Lord of my life.
But I want to keep silent
     and avoid all the strife.

So what good could happen
     and who could we reach?
If a passion for Jesus
     is something we’d teach?
If all the fanatics
     in all of the stands.
Would rise up for Jesus
     and cover the lands.
If sharing the gospel
     wherever we went.
Was worth all the effort
     and whatever was spent.

To raise up a family
     of fanatics for God.
It could be effective
     even if it seems odd.
To stand up and speak out,
     to cheer on His Name.
To make sure all people
     know this isn’t a game.
As you consider
     who is number one.
I pray that you realize
     it’s Jesus, God’s Son!
©

I caught parts of the football playoff games today and it made me think of the extreme efforts many will go to in support of a sports team. As I was reflecting on that and seeing my Facebook feed fill with various claims of greatness on behalf of the different teams that were still playing, this poem showed up in my mind. I pray that our enthusiasm and fervor for things in life would always be overshadowed by our passion for God.

In prayer,
Tom

by

The Source

From where does it come
     and where does it go?
While I have an idea,
     I don’t really know.
I sit all alone
     and open my heart.
That just seems to be
     how it often will start.
But I’m not alone
     as I sit before God.
He guides and directs me
     with His staff and His rod.

He gives me His promise
     that He will be here.
I just need to trust Him
     and live with no fear.
This life won’t be easy,
     of this I am sure.
He told me Himself,
     in His Word that is pure.
Troubles will come
     and hard times will be.
I won’t be alone,
     I have His Spirit in me.

These poems I do write
     are like the Spirit God gives.
While I don’t know His path,
     I am sure that He lives.
I feel Him within me,
     I feel Him without.
He gives me assurance
     that I don’t need to doubt.
Just like the wind
     that goes to and fro.
God’s Spirit is with me
     wherever I go.

So when you do worry
     and when you do fret.
God’s Spirit can calm you
     when before Him you set.
You may just not notice
     quite how He got here.
But His presence can fill you
     so you know He is near.
And when He is in you,
     this is my claim.
He will change you forever,
     you’ll never be the same!
©

I am asked often about where these poems have all of a sudden come from and it is a difficult question to answer with certainty. As I reflected on that question, a sermon I shared this morning, and thought through what God would have me share tonight, this poem filled my mind. I believe the source of these poems is God’s Spirit in my and just like the unseen nature of the Spirit, there is an element of faith woven through the midst of each poem God gives me. I pray that He uses these for His glory and His purpose.

In prayer,
Tom

by

Everyone

I am part of a group
     to which I belong.
It is not for those others,
     for their lives are lived wrong.
I do take for granted
     all the good things I’ve got.
Don’t ask me to share them,
     of course I will not!
It is easy to think
     I deserve all these things.
Don’t blame me for their lack,
     they just got what life brings.

The good news of Jesus
     is for people like me.
To spread it much further,
     that just shouldn’t be.
I hope that you’re thinking
     as you’re reading this poem.
The lights may be on
     but there’s nobody home.
The truth is much different
     than these lines that I wrote.
Like it or not,
     we are in the same boat.

As you consider
     the way it might seem.
When put down on paper,
     this view is extreme.
But when you look deeper
     at the things that you do.
Could this type of thinking
     exist in you too?
If you think that can’t happen,
     then you’ll need to meet.
A good man named Peter
     and an animal filled sheet.

Peter was godly,
     he did what was right.
But there were some people
     that he kept out of sight.
They’re just not like us,
     I’m not being mean.
But we are God’s chosen
     and they are unclean.
So God spoke to Peter
     when he went to pray.
They’re all my creation,
     they’re clean if I say.

Peter did realize
     the message God sent.
When the “unclean” did call him
     he got up and he went.
To a man named Cornelius,
     he brought the good news.
To all who would seek Him,
     God gladly would choose.
The lesson forgotten
     again and again.
We all need God’s mercy
     when it comes to our sin.

Before you quit reading,
     dismissing all of this.
The message is for you,
     no one does it miss.
There’s only one reason
     you have a great hope.
It’s not that you’re so good,
     to that, God says nope.
Unmerited favor,
     this thing we call grace.
Yes, it is for you,
     and the whole human race.

So do you remember
     how this poem began?
To make you think, “crazy”,
     was part of the plan.
Sometimes our actions
     need to be put in print.
To see them more clearly,
     or at least get a hint.
So when you see others
     you think don’t belong.
Remember God’s mercy
     and admit you are wrong.
©

As I was spending time with God praying and going through Acts 11 for a sermon I plan to share tomorrow, this poem appeared in my mind. I pray that God uses it as He chooses and that each of us would notice the people that we have a tendency to ignore and that we would choose to find ways to share Jesus with them instead.

In Prayer,
Tom

by

The Greatest!

They say life’s about
     just how high you can reach.
At least that is what
     many do like to teach.
We claw and we scrape,
     climb our way to the top.
There’s no way on earth
     that we ever will stop.
The fittest survive,
     the strong beat the weak.
Top place in this order
     is all that we seek.

We collect many people
     for what we can use.
When they ask for our help
     we do quickly refuse.
I’d like to help you,
     really, I would.
But I’m very sorry,
     this is all for my good.
A method exists
     to our madness you see.
You can be my friend
     if it’s all about me.

We pick and we choose
     who’s deserving, who’s not.
All the while looking
     at what all they’ve got.
People are equal
     according to law.
Yet our favoritism
     creates a huge flaw.
Justice is blind,
     at least that they say.
But somehow it sees
     just how much you can pay.

To the Good Book I go
     to see about this.
I look and I look
     because something’s amiss.
To use up good people
     so I get my way.
Is so set against
     the way Jesus did pray.
He asked of the Father
     to help all of us.
To spend our life serving
     and quit all the fuss.

To treat people fairly,
     the way that we should.
And look out for others
     above our own good.
To treat no one special
     because of their name.
But to honor each other
     for we are the same.
To lift up and carry
     all who are weak.
As we grasp the importance
     of living as meek.

Jesus did tell us
     as He sat on a mount.
The overlooked people,
     they really do count.
Instead of the fighting
     as we stand up tall.
Be more like Jesus,
     be a servant to all.
So when you do wonder
     just where you do rate.
Take a lesson from Jesus,
     it’s the servant who’s great!
©

I had a chance to relax and just spend some quiet time with God as I head into the weekend. As I did so, yet another poem appeared in my mind so I collected it to share. I pray that God uses this, and each of these poems He has given me, for His glory and for the benefit of His people and His kingdom.

In prayer,
Tom

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Good Neighbor

As I sit and ponder
     the things Jesus taught.
I like to consider
     that I do what I ought.
About His commandments,
     if the point He should raise.
Would I say I have followed
     them all of my days?
To care for my neighbor
     as He says I should.
Would I ask who that is,
     thinking I’m pretty good?

Jesus tells us a story
     of a man just like me.
He lived a good life
     but he wanted to see.
So he went to ask Jesus
     and to Him he did call.
Which of the commandments
     is the greatest of all?
Jesus turned it back to him,
     the question he sought.
And the man answered rightly
     with what he’d been taught.

But the man wasn’t happy
     with the answer he got.
So he raised a new question,
     who’s a neighbor, who’s not?
Jesus tells him a story
     of a man who is hurt.
He is beat up and robbed,
     left to die in the dirt.
The “good” folks do pass him
     as they make their path wide.
Then a Samaritan helps him
     and gives him a ride.

At the end of the story,
     Jesus turns the question around.
Who was the neighbor
     to the man on the ground?
As the man answers Jesus,
     the point he does get.
The one that’s a neighbor
     made sure needs were all met.
So what will you do
     when you think you’re that good?
Will you live like a neighbor
     to all as you should?
©

I’ve been praying lately about my response to situations and seeking wisdom in giving proper responses, not ones simply designed to justify myself. This poem came from a combination of those prayer times and the time I’m spending in the gospel of Luke for the sermon series I am preaching. I pray that this ministers to you and I in the way God desires for it to.

In prayer,
Tom

by

Living Hope

I turn on the news
     and what do I see?
People are dying,
     even people like me.
We want to feel safe
     wherever we are.
But we’re often in danger
     even in our own car.
We think for a moment,
     but not for too long.
Would I be a hero,
     would I be that strong?

We’re looking for answers
     on how this all stops.
Perhaps if Big Brother
     would provide us more cops.
If we made it much harder
     for men to be armed.
Do you really think that
     we couldn’t be harmed?
For there’s always that someone
     who will still find a gun.
They’ll go out and shoot you
     ‘cause they think it is fun.

Before you’re too worried
     that hope can’t be found.
Go pick up a Bible,
     take a good look around.
On all of these pages
     that God chose to give.
Are words that should help us
     know just how to live.
Words that bring comfort,
     words that are true.
Words that when shared
     can bring hope to you, too.

In the midst of such heartache,
     in the midst of such loss.
These words point to Jesus
     as he hung on a cross.
“Father, forgive them”
     were the words that He prayed.
His heart had compassion
     on those who had strayed.
Before we look outward,
     we must look within.
Father, come cleanse me
     and forgive all my sin.

It’s only when we take
     God’s Word as the norm.
That we have a message
     with power to transform.
I pray that you’re living
     a life that is free.
So as people do watch you,
     it’s Jesus they see.
And as you encounter
     a world that’s a mess.
You share with them Jesus,
     who so wants to bless.
©

I’ve been using the local news as a prayer guide this morning and this poem appeared in my mind as a result. I pray that God continues to equip and encourage His people to be the light of the world wherever they are so that the world will see the true Living Hope.

In prayer,
Tom