Forgive Ernest Litweiler

You want him
to come
and beg
for forgiveness.
No one came
to Me
on My cross
when I forgave you.


Will you forgive
those who hurt you?
So you can accept
My forgiveness.
Can you forgive
those who hurt you?
So you can receive
My forgiveness.


In bitter pain
go to the one
who hurt you.
Who never asked
for forgiveness.
Open your festering wound.
Embrace your awful pain.
forgive and be healed.


Don’t tell Me.
"It doesn’t matter."
I know you too well
My beloved.
Do you want
to be healed?
Let Go.
Forgive Ernest Litweiler.

(Inspired by Rev. Jack L., pastor Trinity Presbyterian Church)
(Matthew 6:6-15)
©Presbypoet, June 7, 2003
Ernest Litweiler was the man Jack needed to forgive.
Do you have an Ernest Litweiler you need to forgive?
Do you understand many you need to forgive,
will never ask for forgiveness.
In order for you to be healed,
forgive them or the poison will remain.

I know this is hard.
I know the pain.
It is impossible on our own.
Yet this is the way to freedom.
- Presbypoet

Joy and happiness, coming soon.
Have a joyful 2005.

Fire

The fire comes
spirit & power.
Wind of liberation,
fall on us.

We do nothing
but accept.
Spirit of truth.
Fall on us.

Not just in the past
but in our future too.
Give us new life.
Fall on us.

Come into our presence.
Fill us with Your joy.
Give us peace, joy & justice.
Fall on us today.

May we speak with tongues
of men & angels.
Fill us with Your joy.
Fall on all our tomorrows.
(Acts 2:1-4)
©Presbypoet, June 11, 2000
Will you let the fire fall on you
and fill you? - Presbypoet 12-30-04

Answer to the Paradox demanded the woman

You ask about the paradox
My demand to the woman
found in adultery.
Such a simple thing.
Just that I don’t condemn
yet require that you don’t sin.
The simple answer is this
to just do both.

To understand that while
I offer you forgiveness
I cannot tolerate sin.
Without My forgiveness
I could not tolerate you.
Do you know I love you?
Do you understand this?

Read the story of the prodigal
and how his father rejoices.
You don’t understand My love.
Unless you understand his.
You don’t understand why
I forgive.
You seem to think
you are in control.

You are sinners hanging over hell
in the hands of an angry God.
Dangling by a slender thread
thinner than you can imagine.
In such peril beyond comprehension.
Eternity in a lake of fire pales by comparison.
Do you know how to fear Me?
Do you know Me?

I know My sheep.
Are you one of My sheep?
Do you know for sure?
Is your faith secure?
Do you know where you will go
when you die?
© Presbypoet, March 15, 2004
What are your answers? -Presbypoet December 29, 2004

Follow Me

(when It’s hard)

Will you follow
when the way is hard?
Are you mere
sunshine soldier?
Serving only
when it’s easy?
Will you eat My flesh
and drink My blood?

I offer you
My cross.
Will you be
like Paul?
Willing to go
to Jerusalem?
Willing to go
to death in Rome?

Will you follow
fearlessly?
Will you follow
joyfully?
Will you follow
obediently?
Be not afraid.
Follow Me.
(Acts 21:10-14)
Inspired by Sermon by Paul F., August 24. 2003
© Presbypoet, August 24, 2003
Are you willing?

discernment and Obedience

Discernment is easy.
Obedience is hard.
Knowing My will
is only first step.
Will you listen?
Will you hear
What I want
you to do?
Then once you know.
Will you step out
in faith
to do My will?
© Presbypoet, November 11, 2002
Will you?
-Presbypoet December 27, 2004

Are You Ready

I am coming.
Are you ready?
Are you wise?
Or foolish?
You forget
I keep My promises.
You think Revelation is
only hyperbola.

You’ve joined the
Laodiceans.
Neither hot nor cold
I spew you from My mouth.
Your salt has lost
its savor.
You knock
but I don’t know you.

You foolish virgins
you claim
you want
to see Me.
Your lamp is empty
of My oil.
You only pretend
to be ready.

Accept My power
to fill you.
Accept My grace
to forgive.
Accept My suffering
to heal.
Accept My cross
& be ready.

(Matthew 25:1-13, First Thessalonians 4:15-17, Revelation 3:14-18)
© Presbypoet, December 10, 2002
Are you ready? - Presbypoet December 26, 2004

Your Mission and Purpose

(Learning how to say no)
Do you know
what you need
so you can
do My will?

Will you inventory
all that owns you
to find what
you don’t need?

As you move
through life.
Learn to give up
what owns you.

(Let Me) Strip away
all your piles of junk
all the things
you no longer need.

Embrace the life
I offer you.
Listen to Me
for your mission and purpose.

Move forward stripped
of all your burdens.
Take up My cross.
Follow Me.
(Nehemiah 8:2-10, Luke 4:14-22, 1st Corinthians 12:12-27
(inspired by Luis C. homily, January 25. 2004)
©Presbypoet, January 25, 2004

Do you know your mission?
What owns you?
Presbypoet

We Three Kings

You call us kings
we were wise men.
Following a star
seeking the king.

We were willing
to make any sacrifice
cross desolate deserts
to reach our goal.

Will you become
a wise person?
Willing to sacrifice all
to find the truth?

When you find it
you will find light.
Light that will
fill your soul.
(inspired by Dennis W. Sermon 11-24-04)
(Matthew 2:1-12)
© Presbypoet, December 24, 2004

On doing good

I posted this on Belmont Club. I shall expand on this later. Comments are appreciated. - Presbypoet.
Evil always seems to have the easy time. It seems to have all the advantages. God seems to demand so much of those who would be/do good.
Be willing to think of others first.
Be willing to forgive.
Be patient.
Be joyful in the midst of suffering.
Be willing to trust.
Be grateful.
All these things that are real, yet so hard for us to understand. Even harder for us to do. The more aware you are, the more you see how much evil there is. Imagine Jesus, with all his ability to see the truth. He saw more evil than any of us can imagine. We see the rich man looking good. Making his public prayers, coming and telling Jesus how he kept all the commandments. Yet Jesus saw his heart, saw the one thing that owned him. Told him he must go sell that which owned him.

What owns us this Christmas? What owns you? What owns the men willing to die in suicide bombings. I would be interested in posts on two subjects.
One; what are the things of good.
Two; what owns us and keeps us from doing good.

It took courage to walk into a military base knowing you will die. We face a foe who is honorable in their eyes.
We do not face insane people.
We do not face fools. (well some of them particularly the LLL). To defeat them, requires we understand how their minds work. I have found a book by an American who joined the Jihad, and also informed for the FBI, very informative. Called "My Jihad", by Aukai Collins, it is eye opening. He was invited to go to Afghanistan by Bin Laden, but the CIA told him not to go. (P.176)

We need to understand why and how Islam owns the Jihadi, and what truly motivates them. It isn't poverty and stupidity. The answer is...(cont.)

Joseph and His Dream

Do you understand
his hard task?
To embrace Mary and
her strange story?
To trust the dream
confirming her story?
To be God’s father?
To raise another’s child?

Hearing whispers and gossip
filled with pain.
Wondering if they were true.
To trust and go to Egypt.
Do you truly comprehend
how hard a task it was?
Do you understand
how great his trust?

This is My demand to you.
Will you be like Joseph?
Will you trust Me?
Will you hear Me and obey?
Will you embrace My dream?
Will you take My son
into your heart?
Will you go to your Egypt?
(Matthew 1:18-25, 2:13-15, Luke 2:41-52)
© Presbypoet, December 28, 2003
Will you be like Joseph

In Midst of Despair Real Hope

Not wimpy pseudo hope
with wishes so silly
but rock certain knowing
saying nuts to the Devil.
To walk in total darkness
and yet see the light.
Nothing can separate
Nothing can divide.
My eyes are on you.
I’ve nothing to fear.
My life in your hands
a sheep of the Shepherd.
My Savior Lives.
I’m in his arms.
Hope is knowing for certain
being joyful in suffering.
Knowing it all will make sense
when nothing makes sense.
To rejoice in the dying.
Yet embrace the life.
To march up the hill.
To stay in the fight.
Go forward for justice
and live for the right.
To work for your purpose,
But purpose not your own.
But God’s holy purpose.
That never will die.
Knowing for certain.
Our hands in His holes.
He once truly died.
Then rose for us all.
That we all will have Hope,
Forever.

Its easy to be hopeful
when you’ve nothing to fear.
It’s hard to be hopeful
when everything, you fear...
© Presbypoet January 8,2000

What do you fear?

Which One Are You

Which One Are You?
Which of the ten
are you?
Healed and restored
do you see My love?
Are your eyes opened
to see I am good?
Is your heart opened
to take Me within.
Will you return
to offer thanks?
Are you grateful
for My sacrifice?
That gave you life eternal.
Will you let
the spirit fill you
To go forth
to serve Me in Joy.
© Presbypoet, October 14, 2001
Are you grateful for his coming?
Will you serve Him with joy?
Presbypoet December 21, 2004

You Are A Slave

You don’t want Me to free you
from your chains.
You like the bondage.
It keeps you from being responsible.
You can blame the binding cords
and have a foolproof excuse.
You claim you cannot do My will.
Your chains prevent you.
Come to Me.
Helpless.
Blind.
Trapped by addiction bondage.
Do you want to be healed?
Do you want to be free?
Do you want to see?
Say yes and be transformed.
In order to free you
I ask one simple question.
Will you take up your cross
and follow Me?
© Presbypoet, December 18, 2003, heard at 9:40 AM
Will you?

Joy to the World

Joy to the World
that is My decree.
Freedom from bondage.
Freedom to come to Me.
Not mere happiness
found at end of suffering.
But true joy in midst of storm.
Relax and let go in your storm.

Keep your eyes on Me.
See Me in your journey.
Know joy on your cross.
Know I’m in control.
No matter what happens.
Appreciate gifts I give you.
Rejoice in My presence.
Rejoice. You belong to Me.

Be Not Afraid for I am with you.
(Luke 2:18-25, Isaiah 43:1-2)
© Presbypoet, December 16, 2001
Do you have Joy?
Do you know what is Joy?
Joy to the World

Do You Want Me

Do you want Me
to come?
Do you desire
My presence?
Want to know Me
intimately?
Want Me within
your heart?
I’ve given you
passion for Me.
I’ve made a hole
in your heart
you seek to fill
with addictions.
Sins you think
will satisfy.
You don’t want
Me to come
comfortable in
your additions.
You think you’ve met
your needs
when selfish desires
are fulfilled.
Will you feel My passion
for you?
Will you reach out
to Me?
Will you accept
My blessings?
Do you desire
My coming?
(Matthew 24:30-44, First Thessalonians 4:15-17, Revelation 20:11-15)
©Presbypoet, December 10, 2002
Do you?
Presbypoet - December 18, 2004

Impossible

I call you
to the impossible.
Hear My call.
Feed My sheep.

Leave your boat.
Step on the sea.
Come to Me.
Walk in faith.

Be not afraid.
I will provide.
Count not - loaves
or number Fish.

Do you love Me?
Feed My sheep.
Step boldly
from your boat of comfort.

A wounded man
lies in your path.
Don’t just do good.
Be obedient in joy.

Not just Religious folk
called to My vows.
I demand you see Me
in those beside your path.
© Presbypoet July 30, 2000
(revised 12-14-2000)
What divine suprise awaits
for you this advent?
Presbypoet 12-17-04

Hear the Cry of the Poor

I call you to justice.
Hear My cry.
Sacrifice your comfort.
Leave your wealth.

Strip the layers
that hide Me from you.
Give up the things
that hide Me from you.

Share Me with those
who know Me not.
Strip the mask
that hides your real self.

Expose yourself to pain.
See Me in sorrow.
Rejoice in the suffering.
Remember I died for you in pain.

Hear My voice.
Live in obedience.
Hear the cry of the poor.
Go be their hope.
© Presbypoet, December 12, 1999
Do you hear His voice?

A Most Astonishing Myth

Let me tell you
a most amazing story.
The most astonishing myth.
A myth of awesome power.

That God so loved us
He was born as man.
Born as simple baby
all bloody and messy.

Such astonishing story.
Such amazing myth.
Foundation of life’s meaning
that God so loved you and me.

Love so amazing.
He was born as a baby.
Born to give us life
and free us from sin’s bondage.
© Presbypoet, December 25, 2003
Do you understand this myth?
Presbypoet - December 15, 2004

Do You Want Me?

Do you want Me
to come?
Do you desire
My presence?
Want to know Me
intimately?
Want Me within
your heart?

I’ve given you
passion for Me.
I’ve made a hole
in your heart
you seek to fill
with addictions.
Sins you think
will satisfy.

You don’t want
Me to come
comfortable in
your addictions.
You think you’ve met
your needs
when selfish desires
are fulfilled.

Will you feel My passion
for you?
Will you reach out
to Me?
Will you accept
My blessings?
Do you desire
My coming?
(Matthew 24:30-44, First Thessalonians 4:15-17, Revelation 20:11-15)
© Presbypoet, December 10, 2002
Do You desire His coming?
What are your selfish desires
that you think will satisfy your needs?
Presbypoet - December 14, 2004

On Dying

Today
you’re in paradise.
Death not final
mere completion
of act 1.
Celebrate.
Rejoice.
Welcome to eternity.

For those you love
separation brings pain.
Grief at losing
friend.
Sorrow at missing
beloved.
The greater love
sharper pain of loss.

To those
left in bitter pain.
Rejoice.
I’ve wiped away tears.
Rejoice.
Now is fullness of glory.
Rejoice.
Know true hope & joy.
© December 28, 2001 Presbypoet
This is a hard time of year
to learn this lesson.
There never is an easy one.
Presbypoet December 13, 2004

Advent

I am coming
How will you respond?
Christmas is coming.
How will you respond?

Do you hear John?
His repentance call.
Do you fear
My return?

Prepare to hear
Me this Christmas.
Prepare to open
yourself to Me.

Remove the obstructions.
Smooth the path.
Make ready.
Hear Me today.

Take time to reflect.
To hear My demand.
To know why I came.
My purpose on Earth.

Why did/do I come.
See My death
& Resurrection.
At this natal time.

Find Me in your valleys
not just the peaks.
Bring your justice.
Bring your peace.
© December 10, 2000 Presbypoet
Do you know why He came? - Presbypoet December 12, 2004

Silence

Be still and hear
what was said.
Silence is essential
for discernment.

A page too full
of information
needs white space
for clarity.

You fill your lives
too full to hear Me.
Turn aside
and serve.

You are too busy
to see Me here.
Be still and Know
I AM God.

When you pray.
When you worship.
Stop and listen.
Hear Me in silence.

When you work.
When you play.
Stop and listen.
Hear Me in silence.
(1st Kings 19:12-13, Psalm 46:10)
(Inspired by Marjorie T. June 4, 2004)
© Presbypoet, June 4, 2004

Be still.- Presbypoet

Presbyterian Unity

You talk of theologic Unity
and worry about division.
You do what any good
Presbyterian would do.
You form a committee
to represent Presbytery.

You carefully calculate
all of the categories.
Ministers…check.
Elders…check.
Women…check.
Minorities…check.

You assume this
represents Presbytery.
Not one of seven chosen
is from confessing church.
Are you this blind… or
just business as usual.
© Presbypoet, December 5, 2004

The Road of Peace

Let Me build you
a road.
A straight road
through the wilderness.
A road with
no hills and valleys.
A road built
with heaven's peace.

You try to build
your own road.
You build roads
based on what you do.
Based on trauma.
Based on who or what you know.
Your road sends you through
a slough of despair.

Come walk My road.
The road of peace.
Come walk with Me
on My road of peace.
The toll is all of you.
Leave your old road.
Then invite all you know
to come to My road of peace.
(Luke 3:1-18)
Inspired by Dennis W, December 5, 2004
© Presbypoet, December 5, 2004
What road do you walk?
Does He walk with you?

Advent of Joy

I came to Earth to die.
To suffer torment.
In that deep anguish
there was/is joy.
Peace & contentment
obedience flowed.
There is joy in the cup
offered to you.
©Presbypoet, December 17, 2000
Do you understand advent now?
Presbypoet- December 8, 2004

Advent Hope

Do you know
My hope?
More precious
than rubies.
Nothing so valuable.
Nothing so precious.
Accept My gift.
Joy and peace.
Know the truth.
I am real.
You’re not alone.
My body
sustains you.
©Presbypoet, December 2, 2001
Do you have hope this advent?
Do you know you have Him?

Divine Appointments With Suffering (2)

You find Me in suffering.
Yet you don’t find Me in suffering.
If you seek suffering
you will not find Me.

Martin Luther sought suffering
and learned it was not the way.
I do offer suffering as a gift to you.
Paul’s thorn a gift to bless him.
I taught him holy indifference.

It’s not what happens but how you respond.
To rejoice in all I give you
whether death or life.
© Presbypoet, heard 6am March 7th 2004

Do you understand?
Presbypoet December 6, 2004

Foolish Virgins

I am coming.
Are you ready?
Are you wise?
Or foolish?
You forget
I keep My promises.
You think Revelation is
only hyperbola.

You’ve joined the
Laodiceans.
Neither hot nor cold
I spew you from My mouth.
Your salt has lost
its savor.

You knock
but I don’t know you.
You foolish virgins
you claim
you want
to see Me.
Your lamp is empty
of My oil.

You only pretend
to be ready.
Accept My power
to fill you.
Accept My grace
to forgive.
Accept My suffering
to heal.
Accept My cross
& be ready.
(Matthew 25:1-13, First Thessalonians 4:15-17, Revelation 3:14-18)
© Presbypoet, December 10, 2002

Be Vulnerable

Be transparent
Naked.
Strip what covers
your nerve.

Be vulnerable
Naked
to your enemy.
Speak the truth.

Be yourself.
Be intimate
with Me.
See My face in yours.
© Presbypoet, March 25, 2002
Do you understand?
Presbypoet - December 4, 2004

Ode to a Bird

Good bye Tamu
I never knew you.
I only see the pain
in the eyes
and hear the pain
in the sound
of the voices
of those who loved you.

Tamu, you were loved.
You will be missed.
You will be remembered.
you made a difference
in your short life.
Your passing brings pain
sorrow and grief.
Questions of who did what wrong?

Life is like that.
Awful things happen.
Death crashes all of our parties.
Death seems attached to life
marking much more than mere end.
Death seems essential, needed to live true life.
May we learn from your passing
to rejoice in our lives.

To honor those God’s brought
into our lives.
To appreciate who we have
while they are here.
To embrace the love
of those around us.
To not fear to love
knowing death waits outside.
May 14, 2000, Presbypoet

Thoughts on death at Christmas
Not your usual fare,
but a reminder to appreciate the ones you love.
Presbypoet - December 3, 2004

Your Life is A Story

Will you let Me write it?
I am a God of hope.
Let me write your story.
Then live your story …with hope.
(inspired by Dennis W March 21, 2004)
© Presbypoet, March 21, 2004
What story is your life?
Presbypoet December 2, 2004
Blogspot didn't let me post this yesterday.

Temptation and Advent

You think you know,
Good from Evil.
Yet you always,
Fall for illusion.

I am Perfect Good.
Evil I’ll not tolerate.
Where does this leave you
when you come to be judged?

You may fool men
You can’t fool Me.
I know your heart
your sinful state.

To your imprisoned desperate state
I send you hope.
A babe, innocent
come to set you free.

To offer peace and Joy
Sacrifice on the Tree.
Accept My offer of Freedom
Turn your eyes to Me.
©Presbypoet December 3, 2000
Inspired by Dennis W sermon 12-3-2000
What are your illusions?
Presbypoet 12-1-04