(Note: The recording did not start until the sermon was well under way so you’ll miss the introduction and reading of the chapter as the audio begins early in the first point of the message.)
A Need of Joy.
An Opportunity of Joy.
A Teaching of Joy.
An Expression of Joy
An Attitude of Joy.
A Commitment of Joy.
A Treasure of Joy.
As I go about work,
I continue to cry.
Most people don’t notice,
for my eyes remain dry.
I weep for what is,
I weep for what was.
I weep from great heartache,
and I weep just because.
I suffer in silence,
for who wants to know.
That the little word “but”
can cause me such woe.
People say great things
that should build me up.
And then it is followed
by that little word “but”.
It causes great conflict
in the midst of my mind.
On which side of the “but”
is the truth I can find?
It shouldn’t matter
just what people say.
So I cry out to God
throughout my whole day.
“You do a great job,
all the people do say.”
“But pack up your things,
today’s your last day.”
“The way that you serve
is always first-rate.”
“But we’re changing direction
so we can be great.”
“You did a great job
raising the funds we did ask.”
“But it wasn’t done our way,
so you’ve now lost that task.”
“You’re working too hard,
your hours too long.”
“But you’re overpaid now,
your wages are wrong.”
“Your preaching is great,
it sure builds us up.”
And then comes the dread
of that little word “but”.
Throughout all my life,
these “buts” follow me.
Sometimes they’re so close,
they’re all I can see.
© 2105 by Tom Lemler
As I’ve been crying out to God tonight as I clean the building, this poem filled my mind as God began to show me the damage that this one little word does in my life. When the poem first began in my mind, I wasn’t expecting it to take the turn it did as I had not really thought about why this season of sadness has returned. I’m not even sure the poem is finished other than the words quit coming. As I reflect on the words in front of me, I can’t help but think of the words of Jesus as He says to let our yes be yes and our no be no. My mind is wired in a way that typically causes whatever comes after the “but” to negate everything that came before. That one little words plants the seeds of doubt in my mind . . . which did they really mean, the first part or the second part? Because the actions of people have usually corresponded with the second part, I end up convinced that the first part had no meaning and was just being used to try to soften the cold, hard facts of the truth. I suppose that this poem is the start of realizing that if I don’t find my complete worth and value in Christ and Christ alone then this “‘But’ Disease” is likely to kill me. I pray that God helps you to understand these words with the context and purpose for which He has given them.
In prayer,
Tom
Sometimes I wonder
just what could be done.
If the church came together
and acted as one.
We fight and we argue
about things that distract.
Two centuries of history
says that is a fact.
To boil life down
to what matters most.
And live like we’re filled
with God’s Holy Ghost.
To proclaim the Christ,
and Him crucified.
And live life each day
like the old self has died.
For that is what happens
when we’re buried with Christ.
The old self is gone
and we live a new life.
If Christ lives in you
and He lives in me.
Why is it often
that we disagree?
Have I really died
to my old sinful self?
Or do I keep it handy,
somewhere on the shelf?
You know the right words,
just what to say.
To hide the real truth,
you still do things your way.
I ask God to bless me,
agree that I’m right.
And all who oppose me,
He really should smite.
Then I sit and wonder
why little gets done.
Everyone does their own thing,
we’re all number one!
I read in the Bible,
the last shall be first.
If you want to be great,
you must help those who thirst.
A cup of cold water
that you choose to share.
A kindness to others
shows you really care.
But back to the story
of what we could do.
If Jesus was center,
not me and not you.
If time wasn’t wasted
with anger or fight.
Or we weren’t trying to prove
who has all the might.
If we could be one
in word and in deed.
Surrendered completely
to follow Christ’s lead.
We may be surprised
just what could be done.
If we all worked together
to lift up the Son!
© 2015 by Tom Lemler
In the midst of cleaning the church tonight this poem showed up and stuck in my mind. In order to free my mind and finish my work I had to type it out so I may as well share it. While I don’t like the season of discouragement and anxiety that has returned to my life, it seems like it is during these times that I pay more attention to God to hear these poems or it is at these times that He knows I need the encouragement He gives through them. Either way, I’ve learned that He expects me to share what He gives.
In prayer,
Tom
If Jesus had Facebook,
just what would He say?
Would he “like” the nude photo
that you shared today?
Would He laugh at the language
that you said, “never mind”?
When He looked at your wall,
just what would He find?
I think far too often,
we try to fit in.
We laugh and we joke
at things God calls sin.
You say times are different,
I need to relax.
The world likes you better
if you avoid all the facts.
But I look at God’s Word,
I believe it’s still true.
It says I should be different
in all that I do.
To avoid the appearance,
and even the hint.
Of things that are sinful
and toward evil are bent.
I don’t claim to be perfect,
but I think I should try.
To honor the One
that for my sin did die.
I wake up each morning
and offer a prayer.
“Lord, let your love in me,
be all that I share.”
© 2015 by Tom Lemler
As I was cleaning and praying tonight, I would check Facebook periodically as I let the floor scrubber recharge or floors dry in order to continue my work. As I did so, two things stood out to me – the promptness of people of all backgrounds to ask other to pray for Paris and the varying degrees of subtlety and inappropriateness in the content of the “usual” posts that show up in my newsfeed. It made me think of the scripture which asks the rhetorical question, “Can salt water and fresh water come from the same spring?” Should cursing and praises come from the same mouth . . . or the same Facebook account? Just some late night thoughts as I wrap up a long day of work and pray that God would help each of us be consistent in our testimony and witness.
What if today
was all that you had?
To determine if your life
was lived good or bad?
Are there things you would do
and things you would say?
That would be different somehow
from a “regular” day?
Would you care for the poor
or just walk on by?
Would you give with joy
or respond with a sigh?
Would your children see you
take time from your day?
To just be with them
as they run and play?
Would the things that concern you
make you want to fight?
Or would they lose their importance
and now seem so slight?
Would being first
in whatever the line?
Make all that much difference
or perhaps second is fine?
If today was the day
that you were judged by.
Would you face it with joy
or would you walk off and cry?
What would be said
by those left behind?
What kind of fruit
would anyone find?
This much I know,
though it may not be fact.
Today’s the last day
some may see me act.
The people in life,
they do come and go.
Will I lift them up
or will I bring them low?
Will the words that I say –
the ones that they hear.
Make them run away
or perhaps draw them near?
Will they hear of Jesus
in word and in deed?
Will my life be the one
that has planted a seed?
So what will you do
with the day that’s ahead?
Will you fill it with life
or walk through it dead?
Will you find deeper meaning
than just getting by?
Will you be found ready
when it’s your time to die?
None of us know
just when that will be.
When our time here is done
and our Creator we see.
So the best I can tell you
is just live today.
With the help of the Spirit
in the best possible way!
© 2015 by Tom Lemler
Tom's Treasure 