Holy Spirit

Freedom
by

Freedom

As we celebrate
     the Fourth of July.
How many people
     will ask themselves, “Why”?
The time off of work
     and cookouts are great.
But what is the reason
     that you celebrate?

The “land of the brave”
     and “home of the free”.
Do we live like that?
     Is that what you see?
We lock all our doors,
     we’re afraid to go out.
And sharing the truth
     causes people to shout.

Somehow we think,
     if I’m louder than they.
Then all of the people
     must do things my way.
The laws pile up,
     the rules list grows long.
And all it creates
     is more chance to do wrong.

We all want our freedom
     to do what we like.
From the old and the gray,
     to the littlest tike.
You can’t tell me different,
     I’ll do it my way.
“I have my rights”
     is what we all say.

And so it is strange
     when we go to The Word.
And see freedom defined
     like we’ve never heard.
You must surrender
     to truly be free.
And live to serve others
     so that Jesus they see.

There is no “freedom”
     that is worth the cost.
If I do what I want
     and still remain lost.
So I set my mind firmly
     to live like I should.
Trusting God’s Son has freed me
     as only He could.

God’s given His Spirit
     so that I can live free.
The fruit it produces
     ought to be seen in me.
Love, joy, peace, and patience;
     kindness and goodness too.
Being faithful and gentle
     with self-control as my view.

God says this is freedom;
     against such things there’s no law.
We’re set free by the Son
     from sin’s cold, deadly claw.
So, please remember
     if it’s freedom you need.
“If the Son sets you free,
     you will be free indeed!”

© 2015 by Tom Lemler

As I was spending time this morning reflecting on a sermon I’ll share tomorrow and thinking about our nation’s worship of freedom, this poem filled my mind. It appears that somewhere along the line we have forgotten that freedom always comes at a cost. As Americans we demand our freedoms thinking that somehow they are our right and that freedom means “free”. Unfortunately, that same mindset is often found in Christians regarding the freedom we do have in Christ. I pray that you and I would consider fully the cost of the freedoms we enjoy — both as Americans and, more importantly, as citizens of God’s kingdom — then truly live as ones who have been set free by the Son.

In prayer,
Tom

by

The Silent Majority

Do we even notice
     those who walk by?
The tired, the hungry,
     those too numb to cry?
The heart that is broken,
     in a life that is rushed?
A soul that is empty,
     a spirit that’s crushed?

They are all around us,
     in line at the store.
They’re even in church
     as we walk through the door.
These people exist
     in numbers not few.
Perhaps they are me,
     perhaps they are you!

And if we should notice,
     just what would we do?
The answers are plenty,
     the solutions are few.
To treat one another
     as God treated me.
To serve and to love,
     all those we see.

To sit and to listen,
     to give of our time.
To share what we have,
     to our very last dime.
To lift someone up
     who is feeling quite down.
And comfort the sad
     who are wearing a frown.

But most of all,
     we share of our treasure.
A hope that God gives
     that is beyond measure!
The joy that we find
     with God’s Spirit inside.
We always must share,
     and never should hide!
© 2015 by Tom Lemler

I was spending time praying this morning about some lingering discouragement that tries to sidetrack me from time to time. As I did so, God put this poem in my mind to shift my focus to a world surrounding me that is full of unseen people who feel unnoticed and unappreciated. I pray that you and I are an encouragement to all those around us and that we are surrounded by people who will encourage us when we are down.

In prayer,
Tom

by

The Invisible Man

It was a day
     like so many other.
He opened his mouth
     then wondered, “Why bother?”
No one would listen
     to what he did say.
They just looked right through him
     and went their own way.

He’s always alone
     even in a large crowd.
It doesn’t matter
     if silent or loud.
No one does notice
     if he comes or he goes.
He blends into the wall,
     alone with his woes.

He always is certain
     his ideas aren’t that bad.
Some of them better
     than anyone had.
But what good will they be
     if no one will hear.
The ideas will be lost
     is what he does fear.

You probably know one,
     an invisible man.
Describe him in detail,
     I doubt that you can.
He’s always around,
     but never really seen.
Were his eyes brown or blue?
     Or perhaps they were green.

We all are surrounded
     each day that we live.
By invisible people
     with so much to give.
Some are still trying
     so hard to be heard.
While some have just quit
     and they won’t say a word.

When we fail to listen
     to those we won’t hear.
It is a great loss,
     but there’s a greater, I fear.
For living within us
     is the invisible One.
Given for our own good
     by God’s only Son.

His Spirit within us
     has much He would say.
But so very often,
     we just go our own way.
His ways are much higher
     and better than man’s.
But we tend to ignore it
     and stick with our plans.

We get into trouble
     when we go our own way.
Then wish God was clearer
     in what He had to say.
A lesson I’ve learned,
     is a good life-long plan.
Pay attention and learn from
     the invisible man.
© 2015 by Tom Lemler

I know that I’m not known for talking a lot, but most of the time when I do it seems like I am the only person that can hear what I’m saying. As I was mowing this afternoon, I found myself thinking about my own experiences of presenting ideas and plans to various groups and people during my lifetime. A vast majority of them appeared to not even get a legitimate hearing because there was always someone with the right “sales” personality that would talk a group into a different idea — many which have proven over time to be doomed from the start. As I continued to think about these times, this poem showed up in my mind and God had me examining how often I treat Him and His Spirit in the same way as what I was feeling. I pray that this poem accomplishes His purposes and is an encouragement to you.

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