Invitational Love

Sin seems to be in our nature. Whether you believe in original sin, or simply are a student of history, sin seems imbedded in life. Even when we try to offer our best, our best is just filthy rags. We like Cain don't have anything that God could seem to admire.

This poem inspired by a sermon at a presbytery meeting may offer an answer, or at least some questions.

Invitational Love

You Sin.
You need rules
you can follow
to avoid sin.

But rules condemn.
There is no way
you can keep all
six hundred thirteen.

The answer is
so very simple.
Just love Me &
love the other.

I invite you
to love Me.
I invite you to
love the other.

Come join Me
on this path.
Walk in Love.
Learn Forgiveness.

Inspired by Chad R. sermon January 27, 2007
© Presbypoet January 27, 2007

Is this the answer, or is there more?
Do you love God?
Do you know He loves you?

Balance

This poem was inspired by a sermon at Presbytery. The next time someone says that nothing good comes from a presbytery meeting read them this poem from ...

Balance

Your life is
out of balance.

Your focus is
on wrong things.

You let money
rule your life.

You make an idol
of being busy.

Make Me center
of your life.

I bring your life
into balance.

Do you know
who I am?

Inspired by Chad R. sermon January 27, 2007
© Presbypoet, January 27, 2007

Depend On God

We tend to have it backward. We pray to God. "Provide for me, so I can trust You." God says: "Trust Me. I will provide." We want things so we can be in charge of our own life. We want to be able to provide for ourselves. If we have something we can trust in instead of Jesus, we think we don't need Him. If you have a boat in the midst of the flood, you rely on the boat to save.

A rich young ruler comes to Jesus. He asks if Jesus has any more rules for him to follow (Matt 19:16-25, Mark 10:17-30, Luke 18:18-30). Jesus simple demand: "Go sell all you have, and give it to the poor.", shakes this man. He can't do it. He loves money too much. He loves the power money gives him. He loves not having to depend on anyone else. That is why he likes the rules. All he has to do is follow the rules. He is in control. Jesus demand isn't a rule. It is personal. It directly addresses his individual addiction.

That is what makes it so hard for the rich to enter the Kingdom. They rely on their wealth. They don't think they need God. Perhaps this is why the poor are blessed, they know they can't rely on their power or wealth, all they can rely on is that God will provide, even though it seems impossible.

We all have things we rely on. What are yours? What do you depend on instead of Jesus?

This simple poem warns of what happens when we depend on the wrong thing.

Depend On God (Me)
Woe to you who
depend on your strength
depend on your wealth
depend on your beauty.

Blessed are you who
depend on Me no
matter circumstance
or condition.

Trust in Me like
Elijah at Zarephath.*
You are blessed with
peace in your sorrows.

Rely on Me.
Know I am real.
Know Me intimately.
Depend on Me.

Inspired by Mark R. February 11, 2007
*1st Kings 17:7-16,
Luke 6: 20-26, 1st Corinthians 15:12-20
© Presbypoet, February 11, 2007

Deep Roots

When you read about the escape from Egypt by Israel, one thing that stands out is a lack of gratitude. God has just freed them from years of slavery, and rescued them from an Egyptian army, yet at the first sign of trouble, they start complaining, like spoiled teenagers who can't get their every demand answered. "What have you done for me lately?" Seems to be their "prayer" to God. Softies who can't handle adversity.

To survive hard times, we need to look at plants in the desert. To survive hard times, they send roots deep into the soil to find distant water. When drought comes, plants with deep roots survive. Jeremiah chapter seven verses 5-9 inspired this poem. Do you have deep roots?


Deep Roots

Be planted with roots
deep in My Holy soil.
Depend on Me to
provide all your needs.

My water of life
will sustain you.
Through life's droughts
be not afraid.

Don't depend on the
world to sustain you.
Trust in Me.
I will provide.

(Inspired by Mark R. February 11, 2007)
(Jeremiah 7: 5-9)
© Presbypoet (February 11, 2005)

True Peace

If you want a mind expanding experience, read Job & Psalms at the same time. A true paradoxical experience. The psalms are all about how God will save me. Good triumphs. God is good. God rewards virtue. God saves us. Job is about how you can the most virtuous man on the face of the earth, and God for no apparent reason, can just decide to slam you & your family.

A strand of understanding comes with a realization; when we are in pain, we assume it is bad. We demand God get rid of pain. Perhaps we would benefit if we ask God not just why? Perhaps we need to be still and listen to God to hear what we should do. Read Roman's chapter five, and learn how we can be blessed with suffering.

Today's poem is an outflow of listening to a prayer for peace that demanded an end to war. It seems God's answer/question is: "Will you be at peace in the midst of Chaos?"
This poem came as the prayer demanded an end to war, so we could have peace. God's plan seems so much more difficult. Yet involves us much more in cocreation with Him.

True Peace

You seek an end
to war & terror
You pray for peace
that is absence of violence.

What I promise tis
much stranger gift.
I promise peace
in midst of chaos.

Learn to appreciate
this strange blessing,
True joy the world
will never understand.

Be united in the
Kingdom of God.
Be joined in My
Rule & Reign.

(Romans Ch. 5)
© Presbypoet, February 11, 2007

Are you AWOL?

God's Army

You joined God's Army.
Why are you AWOL?
Real evil threatens.
I call you to battle.
Put on My armor.
Be prepared to stand.
© Presbypoet. February 4, 2007

Prayer

Life has been tough. The following poem/prayer sums up my God relationship.


Help me Father

In deep pain
ache beyond enduring
please help me Lord.

Lord I lack strength.
Like the paralytic to
even reach out to you.

Like Peter walking thru
waves my power too
weak to succeed.

Life seems so overwhelming.
Waves of danger
obscure your face.

Lord come to me.
Be present here.
It's too much to endure.

I trust you will heal.
Fill me Lord with
your glorious strength.

In this time of trial
I embrace your hope
& invite you into my heart.

I know you will provide.
I rejoice knowing you
are present with me.

Thank you Lord for
this joyful hope.
I love you Lord.

© Presbypoet December 10, 2006

Yet walking this dark valley, I have true hope. I live both the 22nd and 23 psalms.