Punished More Than Once for His Good Deeds

King Ahab worshipped idols and brought famine to the land.

Elijah prayed “No rain,” but people didn’t understand.

The prophets back then knew that it was God withholding rain,

But Jez’bel’s goons declared those true reports to be insane.

 

They said if everybody pulled together, they’d be fine,

While blaming natural causes for this circumstance divine.

The lack of food and water caused some people to get sick,

But Jez’bel said she’d fix that. “My health plan will do the trick!”

 

So, people ran to doctors and used other human means

To keep from starving for the lack of water, bread and beans.

Yet many of them perished, for there were no signs and wonders.

They needed miracles but all they got were human blunders.

 

Six months and three years later it was time to end all that.

So, Elijah held a contest and he took them to the mat.

“You trust the Lord to save you, but for other needs trust Baal.

To try to serve two masters is like being locked in jail.”

 

“Which lord is God? Whom can you trust? Which one will send the rain?”

Who holds the power in His hands, your being to sustain?

But no one answered, so a test of fire was declared.

Each side prepared a sacrifice for which no lengths were spared.

 

The Baal guys slaughtered their bull and they set no fire to it.

But no one answered. Then it was Elijah’s turn to do it.

God sent the fire in spite of all the water he poured on it.

“The Lord is God!” the people cried. “Those Baal guys stink, doggone it!”

 

Baal’s army was defeated. Yet to prove themselves they sought.

“Fear not, I’ll save you from them!” said Elijah and he fought.

Soon there was no one left, but as he felt the crowd disperse,

He saw that few stood with him. Had their mindsets gotten worse?

 

No “Thank you” to the man of God who rescued them that day

Or for the rain that came, God’s sovereign orders to obey.

Elijah stood alone as Jez’bel’s messenger drew near.

She threatened death to God’s own man. Elijah felt the fear.

 

He ran, the story says, and that is what he’s famous for.

The human weakness into which he caved, we can’t ignore.

So, punished once by Jezebel, by the reader punished twice,

His reputation ruined. Who now heeds his sage advice?

 

His one mistake we love to take and rake him ‘cross the coals,

Delighting in backbiting and in bad opinion polls.

So much for focusing on this man’s bold, persistent prayer!

It’s easier to criticize and wallow in despair.

 

But who among us has the guts to do the same as he,

Forget what people think, step out in faith deliberately,

And trust God to do miracles? We know faith is the key.

Though persecution follow, which it will with certainty.

Curing General Nice Ice’s Freezer Burn

Old General Nice Ice had an awful case of freezer burn.

The happy look he once bore on his face had grown quite stern.

His hair wore icicles. His cheeks, white as a polar bear,

Had lost their rosy hue and had no cheerfulness to share.

 

Stiff arms and legs bore witness to a once-soft-heart turned hard.

His lips were purple when they found him standing in his yard.

Of course they took him to Thaw Hospital to be defrosted.

But could it be too late for him? Had he already “lost it”?

 

Good doctor Cool Breeze wouldn’t touch him with a ten-foot pole.

It had to be eleven feet. The tip was very cold.

Breeze took the stiff man’s temperature and wouldn’t give it back,

For it read minus zero, colder than a frozen snack.

 

When asked to stick his tongue out, he could not even say “Blah,”

Because the freezer burn held him so tightly in its claw.

“At least it’s better than lukewarm,” the doctor stated with voice grim.

“Crank up the thaw machine and shine a beam of heat on him.”

 

The nurses rushed to do that, with a little slow success.

Soon Nice Ice could move his jaws. However, he showed signs of stress.

But now that he could talk, the doctor asked about the root,

What made him sick so that his system now required a reboot.

 

“Your freezer burn contains an ice, which shows up all your flaws.

It seems you have Pride flu. Could you illuminate the cause?

What is the last heroic deed you did before this hit?

Did someone spray hot sauce on you or throw a nasty fit?”

 

Snowflakes popped up in different places on the golden floor.

The patient’s eyes shot icicles too glaring to ignore.

“How do you dare imply such petty things could get my goat?”

The anger on his face was like the berg that sunk the boat.

 

The doctor tried again. “Please sir, I beg. Don’t be offended.

Those are the questions that my fellow doctors recommended.

It’s nothing personal, but you are in stage three denial.

Your friends don’t want to see you die.  They miss your happy smile.”

 

The general relaxed a bit. “Volcano Man. It’s he.

He spewed a stream of lava, but I froze it expertly.

It wasn’t easy. No one helped me. No one even cared.

The villain was so evil and the victims were so scared.”

 

“The helicopter I was flying, no one else could man.

No co-pilot is qualified to lend this guy a hand.

I shall not relegate such work to some unworthy slob.

I am the multi-tasker, and I did a bang-up job.

 

Through blasts of hot disgust and wild opinion smoke I steered,

While blowing freeze breath out the window, from his rants I veered.

I used my supersonic voice to tell the crowd to freeze

While I made ice of lava, but their fear it did not ease.

 

“The people were too stubborn and they would not heed my voice.

And that is why, you see, I have no reason to rejoice.

I stuck my neck out for them, but received no gratitude.

All I got from them was one big stinking attitude.”

 

“They said they didn’t like the way that I looked down on them.

‘We are not little kids,’ they said. ‘We want to be your friend.’

But who would not act better than those folks if they were me?

The fire I put out was growing exponentially.”

 

“I saved those lazy victims, but my role is now reversed.

Now I’m the one in need of rescuing and I feel cursed.

I’m sick because I just asked them to listen and obey.

But they refused. It makes me mad. This cold won’t go away.”

 

“If you’ll take my prescription, then it will,” the doctor said.

“First off, to cure this flu requires a chill pill for your head.

So ditch your disappointment. Everybody makes mistakes.

To know you’re not their Savior is the way to cure your aches. ”

 

“Rest in His finished work. That’s the best way to heal your heart.

You do not need a podium to demonstrate your art.

The warmth that you require does not depend on recognition.

What you need is a merry heart to make a smooth transition.”

 

“To think on good things, not on bad, will bring more joy to you.

To welcome co-pilots can melt the ice in which you stew.

A slice of humble pie will help dissolve your isolation

And turn your freezer burn into a wondrous ‘ice elation.'”

https://miracle-times.com/mental-health/overcome-emotional-pain-physical-pain/

 

 

 

Curing General Nice Ice

Old General Nice Ice had an awful case of freezer burn.

The happy look he once bore on his face had grown quite stern.

His spiked gray hair was frosted over like a polar bear.

His cheeks, once rosy, now had no more cheerfulness to share.

 

His arms and legs had stiffened and his once soft heart was hard.

His lips were purple when they found him standing in his yard.

His friends took him to Hero Hospital to be defrosted.

But could it be too late for him? Had he already “lost it”?

 

Good doctor Cool Breeze wouldn’t touch him with a ten-foot pole.

It had to be eleven feet. The tip was very cold.

He took the stiff man’s temperature and wouldn’t give it back,

For it was minus zero, colder than a frozen snack.

 

When asked to stick his tongue out, the poor guy could not say “Blah,”

All he could spit through gritted teeth was “I am NOT in awe.”

“At least it’s better than lukewarm.” The doctor’s voice was grim.

“Your illness didn’t come from exercising at the gym.”

 

“I see vice in your ice, which cannot cover up your flaws.

It seems you have Pride flu. Could you illuminate the cause?

What is the last heroic deed you did before this hit?

Did someone spray hot sauce on you or throw a nasty fit?”

 

Snowflakes popped up in different places on the golden floor.

The patient’s eyes shot icicles too glaring to ignore.

“How do you dare imply such petty things could get my goat?”

The anger on his face was like the berg that sunk the boat.

 

The doctor tried again. “Please sir, I beg. Don’t be offended.

Those are the questions that my fellow doctors recommended.

It’s nothing personal, but you are in stage three denial.

Your friends don’t want to see you die.  They miss your happy smile.”

 

The general relaxed a bit. “Volcano Man. It’s he.

He spewed a stream of lava, but I froze it expertly.

It wasn’t easy. No one helped me. No one even cared.

The villain was so evil and the victims were so scared.”

 

“The helicopter I was flying, no one else could man.

No co-pilot is qualified to lend this guy a hand.

I shall not relegate such work to some unworthy slob.

I am the multi-tasker, and I did a bang-up job.

 

Through blasts of hot disgust and wild opinion smoke I steered,

While blowing freeze breath out the window, from his rants I veered.

I used my supersonic voice to tell the crowd to freeze

While I made ice of lava, but their fear it did not ease.

 

“The people were too stubborn and they would not heed my voice.

And that is why, you see, I have no reason to rejoice.

I stuck my neck out for them, but received no gratitude.

All I got from them was one big stinking attitude.”

 

“They said they didn’t like the way that I looked down on them.

‘We are not little kids,’ they said. ‘We want to be your friend.’

But who would not act better than those folks if they were me?

The fire I put out was growing exponentially.”

 

“I saved those lazy victims, but my role is now reversed.

Now I’m the one in need of rescuing and I feel cursed.

I’m sick because I just asked them to listen and obey.

But they refused. It makes me mad. This cold won’t go away.”

 

“If you’ll take my prescription, then it will,” the doctor said.

“First off, to cure this flu requires a chill pill for your head.

Let go your disappointment. Everybody makes mistakes.

To know you’re not their Savior is the way to cure your aches. ”

 

“Rest in His finished work. That’s the best way to heal your heart.

You do not need a podium to demonstrate your art.

The warmth that you require does not depend on recognition.

What you need is a merry heart to make a smooth transition.”

 

“To think on good things, not on bad, will bring more joy to you.

To welcome co-pilots can melt the ice in which you stew.

A slice of humble pie will help dissolve your isolation

And turn your freezer burn into a wondrous ‘ice elation.'”

 

 

 

 

To Be Spiritually Minded

Behold the lone man sitting in his wheelchair.

I’ve come to pour oil all over his hair

And pray for him, hoping that he will be healed.

But as I pray, intense pain is revealed.

 

I try to encourage him, but the pain shouts

“I won’t go away!” and I hear lots of doubts.

The more that I pray and then with the man reason,

The more it keeps shouting to me “Treason, Treason!”

 

I see Athaliah beholding the king.

“His praises,” she cries, “I do not want to sing!”

I see the poor crippled man choosing to flirt

With all of his suffering and all of his hurt.

 

How can I get this poor man’s mind back on God?

I have to confess that I feel like a clod!

Sadly, I fear that this simple prayer session

Has turned into one big “Can’t do it!” confession.

 

“What ever shall I do?” I cry to the Lord.

“Get his mind off the flesh and it will be restored,”

I hear Him reply. “Turn his mind to the scripture.

By rightly dividing it, show him I’m bigger

 

Than all of his problems and all of his issues,

Including the pain that resides in his tissues.

Remind him of Noah ‘sea legs’ in his ark,

Trying in vain to track down his aardvark.

 

You’d think that his underwear had a few ants

The way the anteaters keep sniffing his pants.

Or speak to him of Babel’s unfinished tower,

The project on which I rained down a cold shower,

 

How impudent men with their stubborn old plans

Discovered they simply could not understand

The ridiculous sounds that arose from their mouths,

How, like squeaky chipmunks they scurried about!

 

Their project in ruins, their plans all for naught,

The building abandoned, their space program shot.

They thought they were sneaky in hiding from me

The plans that they made in all obscurity.

 

But at the last moment I pulled out the rug

Upon which they’d rested so safe and so snug.

I ripped off the blanket beneath which they’d curled

And scattered them all abroad throughout the world.

 

And can I not do the same thing for this man

For whom Christ has died? It’s all part of my plan.

They buried His body and thought they had won,

But He rose from the dead. Then we had some great fun.

 

The devil was snoozing on top of that stone.

Then down swooped the angel. “Surprise! Not alone!”

Satan dropped his pitchfork and got crunched by that rock.

His head has been crushed, and it came as a shock.

 

Yes, trials may hurt. As for death, it still stings,

But the power of His resurrection still sings.

It’s greater than any attack we may face.

Such is the freedom we find in God’s grace.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Repent and be Reconciled

You can’t be reconciled to someone if there’s no repentance.

To repent means to turn, face the one you have offended.

Admit that you’ve done wrong, that your actions were a sin.

Be willing to change course and you will find peace within.

 

There is no other strategy for being reconciled,

Just as you cannot reason with an animal that’s wild.

You must let go your pride and be humble like a child.

Accept the sacrifice of the One who has no guile.

 

“Forgive them for they know not what they do,” our good Lord said,

As on the cross he died. For our sins vilest sins, He bled.

But saying that you have no sin, declaring it’s no vice

Is to partake in vain of Jesus’ holy sacrifice.

 

His blood shed on the cross won’t help if you say you don’t need it,

Just as His Word to you will do no good unless you heed it.

So, turn from arrogance and from your stubborn ways be parted,

For God resists the stiff-necked but he heals broken-hearted.

Outsiders

Stop stepping on my toes. Remove your sandal from my face!

Where in this smelly court can someone catch a glimpse of grace?

The blind guy holds his ears. The deaf man’s hungry as a bear.

Does anybody have a scrap of bread they’d care to share?

 

This ragged guy is begging. He could use some brand-new clothes.

By clothes he doesn’t mean some burglar’s worn-out pantyhose.

But not even a burglar passing by will give him aid.

The crowd’s too packed, the lines too long. The ransom must be paid.

 

The sounds of bleating sheep and lowing cattle can be heard.

A dove is cooing sadly. I feel sorry for the bird.

Amid the shouts and clanging coins, I fear my plight is sealed.

Inside this zoo there’s no room for the lame man to be healed.

 

The less well-off among us have been lost among the noise.

Beset by such frustration, how can we maintain our poise?

But what is this? I see a man wielding a whip of cords.

He’s knocking down the tables of those money-changing lords.

 

“Stop stealing from My people in the name of sacrifice!

This court is meant to be a house of prayer, not merchandise!”

His actions who can fathom as he chases them away?

I must admit that this has been an interesting day.

 

The dust has cleared. Now finally, it seems I’ll get my chance.

The Master’s looking my way. Slowly toward him I advance.

Just two blind men ahead of me, and now I’m getting healed.

With no pain to distract me, I see God’s goodness revealed.

 

It truly is amazing! But then, what can God not do

If we will set aside the problems over which we stew,

and let him cast the “money-changers” out of our own house,

Instead of blaming some old family friend, burglar or spouse?

 

 

 

 

 

Behind the Dark Mask

A mysterious bag lay beneath a dark mask.

The girl who reached for it got taken to task.

 

“Why can I not touch it? God said ‘Do not fear,’”

She argued, but they would not let her come near.
“It’s evil,” they told her.

 

“I don’t understand.”

 

“Do not ask about it,” came their reprimand.

 

“The thing that lies buried within must stay hidden.

You mustn’t expose it. Now do as you’re bidden.”

 

With those rigid words, they set down the strict law.

“It’s risky to open it. Tremble in awe.”

 

So read the cold rules hammered into the wall,

Engraved in hard stone to be heeded by all.

 

“The devil has left this bag here as a snare.

He’s trying to trick the poor children. Beware!”

 

Jesus showed her this gift. Must she leave it alone?

Obey man or God? What lord sat on the throne?

 

It didn’t feel right to be scared of that mask.

She wondered why they thought to take her to task.

 

If the gift was so wrong, why would they leave it there?

Could no one remove it if it was a snare?

 

Who had greater power – the devil or Christ?

“Read your Bible, dear fellows. You needn’t think twice.”

 

“You say such gifts no longer are for today

So, it has to be counterfeit? ‘Keep it at bay’?”

 

“If you’re afraid, why not ask God to deliver

You from this strange bag here at which you folks shiver?”

 

“For surely, He’s able and surely, He’s just.

If you ask Him for good things, protect you He must.”

 

They cringed at her words, yet they feared to say more.

On the softest of tiptoes, they snuck out the door.

 

They gave it a slam just to pound in their point,

And yet they could not knock her nose out of joint.

 

In one daring move she yanked back the dark mask,

The mask for which she had been taken to task.

 

She opened the bag which was covered with dust.

Out flew a bright light. It was true. It was just.

 

A peace filled the room. There was joy, there was love,

Which shone, as it were, from the wings of a dove.

 

There were visions and dreams, prophecy to be had,

Tongues of men and of angels. These gifts were not bad.

 

In that tiny back room, they had languished so long.

But they were the gifts that can make people strong.

 

The law locked them up, but God’s grace broke the chain,

For gifts that Christ purchased we should not restrain.

 

(Merchandisers prefer to have us entertained,

Until the time comes when their ankles get sprained.

 

Then suddenly they start to plan how to snag

The healing that lies in that mystery bag…)

 

 

 

 

 

A Man of Mind-boggling Super Powers

He had a power some might call mental telepathy:

Discerning people’s thoughts and giving words of prophecy.

To tell the future He did not require a crystal ball,

Because He was a perfect man, untarnished by the fall

 

He didn’t need some special mix of herbs to cure the sick,

Or some weird mesmerizing power to make His teaching stick.

By giving thanks, He greatly multiplied the loaves and fish,

To feed a multitude of people. Such a filling dish!

 

He didn’t have to cast a spell to turn water to wine

Or walk on water He created, for He was divine.

He didn’t have to pray for hours to try to raise the dead.

He simply spoke the Word and lifted them right off the bed.

 

Though being in nature God, He took no credit for the power,

But leaned upon the Holy Spirit every single hour.

His powers were mind-boggling, yet He declared we’d do the same

If we’d simply believe on Him and call upon His name.

 

He didn’t do it for the money, pride or worldly fame

But for the love of Father God. Such love is not a game.

He gave his life to save us from our sins and make us whole.

To ransom us from everlasting death He poured His soul.

 

Death couldn’t hold Him in its grip, for He did nothing wrong.

His resurrection power defeats the grave and makes us strong.

So, let’s lay hold of it, because it’s not about the motion,

But centers on the person who deserves our full devotion.

 

Worthy is the Lamb… (Revelation 5:12)

 

 

 

Be of Good Cheer

“My son, I say, be of good cheer. Your sins have been forgiven.”

Oh, what uplifting words to the poor paralyzed man were given!

No more sack cloth or ashes, for God’s strength was found in joy.

God’s grace did not depend upon him being a good boy.

 

His clapping friends above upon the shattered roof were smiling,

The righteous man had seen their faith, though others were reviling.

Their inward thoughts heaped tons of dirt upon the Lord of glory.

What happened next put even more excitement in the story.

 

The startled crowd that stood inside the house began to mumble,

With voices too hushed to be heard, “Our teacher isn’t humble!”

“To think that he can pardon sins! His mind must not be steady.”

Before the words had left their lips, he had his answer ready.

 

“What’s easier? To forgive him or to tell him ‘rise and walk’?”

With confidence and truth, he answered their unspoken talk.

The quiet murmurers drew back in shock. How could this be?

How did he get inside their minds? It came so suddenly!

 

His unexpected “snappy answer” took them by surprise.

They fell off their proverbial chairs and rubbed wide open eyes

To find themselves thrown off their high and mighty babbling tower

As Jesus, with one bold, swift move, made His Word known with power.

 

“Arise, pick up your mat, and go back to your house today,”

He told the man, who saw he had no choice but to obey.

He stood up with a shout, all smiles, jumped up off the floor,

Picked up his mat, sidestepped the cat, and walked straight out the door.

 

To those who say God ruins fun, I beg to disagree.

See how He healed the crippled man and made the blind to see!

For, if the Son shall set you free, you shall be free indeed.

Or must somebody wreck a roof that you might see your need?

 

 

 

Who Cares What the Bird Thinks?

(Immersing in God’s Word, Part II)

Who cares what the bird thinks when you’re dipping in God’s Word?

Don’t let it snatch the seed of faith that you have recently heard.

Protect your head if you don’t want that bird to snatch the seed.

Stop chasing birds and meditate. On Bible you should feed.

Yes, Jesus said to look at birds, but only to discern

The fact that God provides for them. Yes, look at them and learn

How carefree those little flying creatures seem to be.

God cares for them in every way. How much more you and me?

It doesn’t take an animal rights activist to see

That there are times to leave a bird alone. Yes, let it be.

What the bird thinks doesn’t matter, nor do other people’s views

When you’re reading Jesus’ words (so much better than other news).