Fearing Death

Fearing death unseen,

Just like a leper in quarantine,

He sits alone, bound in chagrin,

While his unhappy world caves in…

Due to heartache and tied to shame,

Because he can’t get past the blame.

For, unfortunately, he wandered

Which explains the way he squandered,

Due to ravenous lust driven,

All the money he was given.

Because he dreads the quarantine,

But – even more — fears death unseen,

He sits alone, bound in chagrin,

While his unhappy world caves in.

The clock’s unnerving ticks and tocks

Cause him to cry out, “Shield me, rocks!

Protect me from the sudden shocks

That come with perilous hard knocks.”

Like a leper in quarantine,

Fearing death unseen,

He sits alone, bound in chagrin,

While his unhappy world caves in.

And so he makes the rocks his god,

Escape that clamors to be shod

In his own blood. “Steal, lie and kill,

A captive to addiction’s will.”

Like a leper in quarantine,

Fearing death unseen,

He sits alone, bound in chagrin,

While his unhappy world caves in.

Why spend gold on crushed rocks

To inhale a false cloud?

“I will be what I will be,”

He declares in ecstasy.

Like a leper in quarantine,

In fear of death unseen,

He sits alone, bound in chagrin,

While his happy world caves in.

Pride borne of useless fantasy,

However, leads to poverty.

But euphoria breeds disease.

This task master he cannot please.

Like a leper in quarantine,

In fear of death unseen,

Alone he sits, bound in chagrin,

Because his world is caving in.

When the smoke lifts, though, he sees

The one to whom he bent his knees

Bowing at the feet of Jesus,

Who gave His life to save us.

Once a leper in quarantine,

Fearing death unseen,

He sits alone, bound in chagrin.

His world, you see, was caving in.

But now at last he yields his life

To the one who calms all strife

And makes his sorrows cease

By offering a sweet release.

Because no shame lurks, he can win.

Therefore, he has no more chagrin,

Because the stone rolled from Christ’s grave

Declares how He came to save

No longer bound to ticks or tocks,

The man has found a better rock

Which can protect him from the shock

Of withdrawal he must endure,

Because God’s love for him is sure.

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Christ’s Eyes Were Blindfolded That We Might See

A foolish man has eyes that remain blind to truth that frees.

He can’t fulfill his calling, for it’s based on what he sees.

But Jesus taught us we must live by faith and not by sight,

Because appearances deceive. They do not always show what’s right.

Samson, for example, had a destiny from God.

The Holy Spirit worked through him although the man was flawed.

He helped deliver Israel from the Philistine’s evil rule.

Because Philistines had giants and ran an iron-fisted school.

Through this man, Samson, however, God brought great victory.

He gave the man great strength. Yet Samson acted foolishly,

By allowing his own eyes’ lust to lead him into temptation.

In falling for Delilah, it seems he had no hesitation.

Because she ruled his life by nagging every single day,

So that the source of his great strength eventually gave way.

Thus the man who once was Spirit-empowered became blind-sided,

Because no one could heal his vision once he had been blinded.

The one he lusted after ended up betraying him.

That’s how he got attacked, and his vision became dim.

Oh, how the enemy works to blind the vessels God does choose

To free His captive people and to offer them good news!

Unfortunately, everyone in this world is born blind,

Yet there is hope for us because we have a God that’s kind.

He sent His Son, far greater than Samson, to bring us liberty.

Despite our own eyes’ lust. Jesus came to set us free.

For on the night of His betrayal, Jesus was denied,

And not a single follower of His stood at His side.

They found a dirty cloth and wound it tightly around his eyes,

Like a stripe to blind the one whose words they did despise

This man did nothing wrong, yet he was buffeted and bruised,

In darkness told to prophesy. “A liar!” they accused.

To say He felt the pain of our shame is to put it lightly,

As He, God-in-the-flesh, atoned for our sins so unsightly,

So that when we feel the mockery that springs from our own sin,

We might be healed by every insult that was placed on him

And see how much the Father loves us, healing each delusion

Can Jesus heal blind eyes? Of course! For He felt our confusion!  

Healing Foot Sores Through Christ’s Authority

The leg is full of rampant foot sores. Lord, how can this be?

How can your church have lost so much of its authority?

The Pharisees have plagued us with traditions made by man,

While Sadducees who don’t believe have mired us in quicksand.

They’ve dumped the dirt of criticism schisms on our feet.

Their sandy brine is full of slime, their clubs made of concrete.

With vengeful “sovereignty” they’ve wailed us so we scarce can stand.

To be plagued with a Job’s disease they claim is something grand.

“That poor guy’s suffering foot sores for the Lord, and so should you.

Don’t stand in faith but lamely claim your pity party stew.”

To Job they look and hold the verse “He gives and takes away.”

But what does God’s full Word upon this subject have to say?

 

It seems that once Job truly saw the Lord and understood

His character and that God for his life desired good,

His foot sores went away, for double was restored to him,

Because he heard the gospel preached upon that road so slim.

 

The whirlwind blew away all questions as to God’s true power,

Restoring health and sanity To Job that very hour.

This understanding gave to Job the awesome revelation

Of who God truly was to Him In every situation.

For as believers seek not only God’s gifts but His face,

How can they help but understand the fullness of His grace,

His true desire to save and heal, by His authority,

Not through opinions taught by man but supernaturally?

 

Healing isn’t about religious rules and regulations, but some people in rebelling against religious hypocrisy, deny the idea of supernatural manifestations altogether. We must return to true authority based on a knowledge of the Lord Jesus Christ and His Word. That’s the way to see miraculous healings take place.

 

Simon the In-Your-Face Pie Man Sorcerer

I. When Simon Gets In-Your-Face

 

When Simon gets up in-your-face,

Watch out because he loves to chase

Your greatest dreams into disgrace.

With his sly moves you can’t keep pace.

 

So, watch your wallet, watch your back

To guard yourself from sneak attack

Or you might slip on something slick

Which he will call a “harmless trick,”

 

Then smush a cream pie in-your-face

As others laugh at your disgrace.

You can’t believe he stole your show,

And ask yourself “Where did he go?”

 

The guy you paid to steal you money

Because “It’s entertainment, honey,”

Has found a way to reenact

His famous disappearing act.

 

You want to lay your hands on him

Because he made your life so grim.

There seems to be no stopping him.

The chances do appear quite slim

 

Because the man has earned such fame,

The crowds have glorified his name.

He has the power to bring shame.

When you protest, he’ll shift the blame

 

And you’ll get nowhere with your claim.

 

II. Simon In-Your-Face and the Sleeping Church

 

Alas, the church that stays asleep

Can’t lay a finger on this creep

Because they have been hypnotized

To do what’s right in their own eyes.

 

But then comes Philip, an honest man

Who offers up a better plan:

“Believe in Jesus and you’ll see

God’s miracles of grace so free.”

 

“Trust Him to never disappear

Or whisper ‘nothings’ in your ear.

The oil he pours upon your hair

Will never cause you to despair.”

 

“He’ll never leave. He’s always there

To heal your hurt. His tender care

Will pay you back for all the wrongs

Caused by the evil sorcerer’s songs.”

 

“Do you want proof that He’s for real?”

Asks Philip. “Well, then, here’s the deal,”

He lays hands on the blind. “Lord, heal,

With salve that they can really feel.”

 

Their eyes pop open and they see

The truth they sought so desperately.

The lame man jumps up to his feet

And sees his “bitter” turn to sweet!

 

Beholding hour after hour

God’s amazing healing power,

His joy poured on the one who grieves,

Simon the sorcerer too believes.

 

Baptism’s water he receives.

 

III. Simon In-Your-Face Shows No True Repentance

 

But does he truly turn from sin,

Into the Lord’s death enter in,

Make Jesus’ call to follow his?

It doesn’t take a Bible whiz

 

To read the tale (Acts chapter 8)

Which says he didn’t do that great

But tried to buy God’s gift with gold.

For Peter said that he was sold

 

In slavery to inward rage,

Wrath “in-your-face,” the sinner’s wage.

For bitterness lay in his heart,

To hear man say “How great thou art”

 

And hug God’s praises to himself

Remained a fixture on his shelf

Of personal idolatry,

An eye doll known as “me, me, me.”

 

He didn’t trust whole-heartedly

In Jesus Christ to set him free.

However, though his final fate

May still be open to debate,

 

We know that we still have a choice:

In Jesus Christ we can rejoice,

Repent and yield unto the will

Of Him who told the waves, “Be still,”

 

Or be like Simon “in your face,”

Who scorned God’s wondrous gift of grace.

With Philip he could not keep pace.

But we can choose to run the race. . .

 

 

 

 

“Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with a great cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us,

 

Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.” Hebrews 12:1-2

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Healing by Immersion in God’s Word

I. Humility, God’s Word, and the Jordan River

 

As Naaman took dip one in Jordan’s river,

Humbling himself wholly before Christ,

God’s word began to penetrate his skin cells

And struck him as a bit of good advice.

 

First taste of faith. Step out and take a break now.

Dry off. Relax. Into your chariot climb.

Then see your servants’ arms crossed, feet a-tapping.

They’re right, of course. Let’s try it one more time.

 

Dip two: Submerge the body head to toe, guy.

Come up again with goosebumps. That was wild!

Could be Elisha’s word is truly working.

And yet the change appears to be quite mild.

 

But on the third dip, how the water tried him,

A burning flame to tame his leprous skin!

“Oh, what have I gotten myself into?”

Asked Naaman with his face full of chagrin.

 

II. Let’s God’s Word Go Deep

 

Set aside your own agenda, dear commander, and obey.

Immerse yourself within it. There’s healing in this Word.

It must sink deep within you to remove the icy berg.

 

It is the berg of unbelief. We see it on the surface.

It’s floating on your skin. To shame you is its purpose.

Beneath it lies a mountain that can tumble the Titanic.

Only the Man of perfect faith can tread on that Atlantic.

 

Your berg of doubt would block the faith that God seeks to impart.

You must let Him dissolve the rock of pride that’s in your heart.

One dip is not enough to penetrate such stubborn soil.

You can’t get rid of it with fervent sweat or fearful toil.

 

No river of Damascus can remove your ingrown sin,

But bathing in the flow of God’s good news gives peace within.

Transgression may rise up, but much more does God’s grace abound,

With drastic change that places your feet back on solid ground.

 

You do not need a man to wave his hand over the spot.

Just take the word, believe it, exercise the faith you’ve got

By soaking in the scriptures. Drink His truth in, undiluted,

For which no earthly medicine can well be substituted.

 

Behold the stones that testify to Christ’s amazing power

To make God’s flood of judgment part that you might now cross over,

receiving sweet for bitter, mercy streams to end all strife,

For all who do believe in Him have passed from death to life.

 

 

God’s Creative Anesthetic Produces Miracles

Creative Anesthetic: the original “While You Were Sleeping” Saga

 

Creative Anesthetic,

A painless surgery,

Miraculous results,

God did it supernaturally.

 

The name of the creative anesthetic: “Rest in Me.”

 

God hid the work from Adam

So he didn’t have a clue,

Because

For him to help with this creative work

Just wouldn’t do.

 

For him to get a miracle

Required a deep sleep,

– And (I might add) –

The surgery that God performed

Went off without a bleep.

 

No scanners or heart monitors,

No medical device,

Or man-made things were needed.

God required no advice.

 

All He needed was for Adam to lie down and not think twice.

 

For if he’d been awake,

He surely would have messed things up.

“What are you doing to me, God?

I’m feeling swallowed up.”

 

“I need that rib. Don’t take it!

What? You call those ‘brush strokes’ art?

I don’t like how you’re shaping it.

I want to have a part.”

 

“What are you doing to her face?

I think she should have wings.

I’m hurting from this cut you made

And all the pain it brings.”

 

God didn’t want the man to worry ‘bout those sorts of things.

 

So He used His anesthetic

To eliminated the grief.

For when you’re mind’s not racing,

There’s no room for unbelief.

 

Before then, man was lonely.

For him, no helper could be found.

Although he checked each animal,

Searching all around.

 

“I’m looking for a miracle.

Oh, God, how can it be?

I’m feeling so alone in this.

Is there no help for me?”

 

Before he learned to walk in faith, He needed certainty –

 

An answer that mere flesh and blood had no strength to reveal,

But in the “deep sleep” of God’s rest we find the power to heal.

It isn’t our own sweat and blood that gets us to that place,

But faith in Jesus’ finished work and awesome gift of grace.

 

Scriptures: Genesis 2:18-22, Hebrews 4:9-10, Ephesians 2:4-10; Romans 10:9

 

 

 

The Cure for Human Reasoning and Tasteless Seasoning

I. When Human Reason Equates to Tasteless Seasoning

                       (Based on II Kings 7:2)

 

There once was a man whose reasoning

Was like a tasteless seasoning.

Like salt that’s lost its flavor,

It simply would not let him savor

The truths locked up inside God’s Word –

In this case, prophecy he’d heard:

That, “About this time tomorrow”

God would end the city’s sorrow,

And this town by famine torn

Would have good reason not to mourn

Because the “shepherd of the sheep”

Would make the food supply so cheap.

 

But in a town besieged with war,

This reasoning man could not ignore

The bitter strum of endless doubt

Which in his hungry ears did shout,

“On your own strength you must rely.

For it you don’t, you’ll surely die.”

 

II. Human Reasoning Can Lead to Doubt

 

So, when Elisha gave the word,

He chose to question what he heard.

Instead of shouting, “What great news!”

He sort of blew a little fuse,

Recoiling almost instantly.

“You make it sound as if it’s free!”

 

“Who are you – some cute Pollyanna

Trusting God to rain down manna?

How He would do that, I can’t see.

But even so, how could it be?

My human reasoning says no,

It cannot fly, it will not go.”

 

This man on whom the king did lean

Could not accept what he’d not seen.

Nor could this person understand

What his intellect could not command

But let his reasoning replace

The mighty wonders of God’s grace.

 

III.  Jesus Can Cure Tasteless Seasoning Caused by Human Reasoning

 

He had allowed his faith to rust

And so lay trampled in the dust.

But that need not be so with us

If we’ll let Jesus steer our “bus.”

For He is THE true bread from heaven

Whose Word can counteract the leaven

 

Of legalism and deceit,

The tasteless salt we cannot eat.

He adds true flavor to the meat

Of joy that makes our lives so sweet.

His faith enables us to receive

What human reasoning won’t believe.

 

 

 

One Glowing Review: A Small But Bright Beginning

I have exactly one review so far for my new book.

It may not seem like much at first, but take a closer look

And feast your eyes upon the splendor of five shining stars,

More beautiful to me than Saturn, Jupiter or Mars!

 

How precious glows the gem of one who took the time to write

And share her thoughts on how this story gave her such delight!

Some readers promise book reviews, but how many deliver?

That’s why I want to take the time to thank this cheerful giver.

 

To me, it’s like the widow’s mite, a gift straight from her heart.

No one can tell the value of this precious work of art.

Like Jesus multiplying food, I choose to  magnify

What God can do with little and trust Him to multiply

 

The fruit of this beginning, which, though small, I won’t despise,

Because the tiniest of gems is mighty in God’s eyes.

What He can do with one review is more than I may know,

And so I’ll thank Him for this one and trust that it will grow

 

Into more feedback so that hungry readers may find out

What lies within this tale of mine and what it’s all about,

Because the focus isn’t money. It’s about the seed,

The precious truths within this book designed to meet the need

 

Of brokenhearted people searching for a little hope,

The ones left dangling as it were from a fraying rope.

I want somehow to reach them and to give them some relief,

Bring comfort to their aching souls and minimize their grief.

 

If one review can give a glimpse into this book of mine,

Then what can I not accomplish on this mission divine?

For truly it’s the little things that make a story great,

And when God shines on them, the work is never second-rate.

 

 

 

Great SEO, But No One Reads My Post

Great SEO, but no one reads my post.

So, what went wrong?

I made all the corrections

They said would make my writing strong.

But my Search Engine Optimization didn’t bring the web traffic along.

 

I put in the right amount of tags

And categories too.

I crunched the numbers perfectly:

Not too many, not too few.

 

Yet, obviously my post was not

Among the chosen few

That get more than two hits at that.

Tell me, what did I do?

 

Did I make my poetry too long?

Were my search terms not “all that”?

Do I want too much recognition,

And does someone smell a rat?

 

To covet fame or glory

Does not behoove one such as I,

Who has pledged to honor Christ

And on His strength I do rely.

 

Yet I believe my SEO

Has somehow lied to me,

Leading me to think that

Perfect writing is the key

 

To getting readers for my posts.

I think there must be more,

Something that I have not been told

But I should not ignore.

 

For it doesn’t seem to make my page views

Go up much if at all.

To see my site’s statistics

Makes me feel rather small.

 

Perhaps there’s just too many people

Trying to be heard

On social media’s many sites.

Each wants to share a word.

 

They do their SEO research

And yet their posts don’t fly.

Perhaps a flaw lies in the system

On which they do rely.

 

For programs don’t do miracles,

But what’s impossible with man

Is possible with God.

To trust in Him is my best plan.

 

 

 

 

When King Jesus Swoops In

  When King Jesus swoops into your midst, it changes everything…

 

When King Jesus swooped into their midst, they were stunned

At how quickly he rescued the man they had shunned.

For they had desired to keep the dude down,

Ignoring his pain like the rest of the town,

While fixating on their own fame and renown.

 

At first, they weren’t scared when King Jesus came in.

Then they saw his cape shedding light on their sin.

“Is it lawful to do good or bad on this day?”

He surprised them by asking. “Which one is okay?”

But their sad, hardened hearts didn’t know “yea” from “nay.”

 

“Would you rescue a donkey that fell in a pit?”

He questioned the leaders.  “Or just let it sit?”

He exposed their identities once and for all,

For unmasking villains was part of His call,

Besides saving hungry souls hurt by the fall.

 

Though the king’s divine nature stayed carefully concealed,

His powerful words got the poor fellow healed.

The crowd gasped, astounded, at His bold command

When they saw new strength enter the man’s shriveled hand.

His accusers shrank back at the king’s reprimand.

 

Like those who had Daniel thrown into a den,

They didn’t want healing but wished for revenge.

They envied King Jesus and wanted him dead,

And soon ugly thorns would encircle his head.

They seemed to view God’s wrath as nothing to dread.

 

As they plotted to murder this innocent man,

Did they realize their actions fit into God’s plan

For rescuing all who would one day believe

And by the Lord’s mercy forgiveness receive

Through the great superhero they’d chosen to grieve?

 

Like the rest of us, they had to make a decision

And chose to push God in a well of derision.

They hated the donkey that fell in the pit,

And if no one was looking, they’d just let it sit.

King Jesus they didn’t respect – not a bit!

 

But one day, King Jesus again will swoop in,

This time as a ruler whose reign has no end,

Administering justice and bringing correction,

He’ll unveil the power of His resurrection,

And rescue all who trust Him for protection.

 

Not everybody likes a healing. Religious people who have a problem with pride, like the Pharisees in Jesus’ day, may actually dislike such miracles.  When Jesus healed a man’s withered hand as described in the third chapter of Mark’s gospel, the Pharisees hated him for it and plotted to kill him. They’re the villains in the story, but Jesus is the superhero everyone can trust.