Poetry

God Chose Me

/ The Pastor / 1 Comment

God knew me even before I was a twinkle in my parent’s eyes.
God loves me even though it is my destiny to lay down and die.
God chose me even before my beautifully knit body was born.
God chose me even though I am lost and pitiful and so forlorn.

How can this be
That God needs me
To speak for thee
Of being free?

Really God, me?
Little ole me?
Can you not see,
I’m not brainy?

But none of that matters for you’re always with me, going on before.
Oh God, my God, You’re wonderful and therefore I will always adore.
Many will ridicule me and tell me that I should not speak of You.
But You are my Rock and my Refuge, and through Christ I am made anew.

Speak!

/ The Pastor

Those days are done. The time of silence is over. The glory of Jesus has been revealed.
Speak, my friends, speak.

The Word is being abused; twisted and contorted. Rewritten to fit the desires of the world. But the glory of Jesus has been revealed.
Speak, my friends, speak.

Firm, Word-standing Christians are being mocked. Hate-filled language is being hurled at us. But the glory of Jesus has been revealed.
Speak, my friends, speak.

People are lost and confused; searching for meaning. People are being mislead and deceived. But the glory of Jesus has been revealed.
Speak, my friends, speak.

Many church are conforming to the world. It’s leaders are preaching a false gospel. But the glory of Jesus has been revealed.
Speak, my friends, speak.

This slippery slope sliding culture is plunging faster and faster into oblivion. But the glory of Jesus has been revealed.
Speak, my friends, speak.

The Church is becoming more and more irrelevant. But the world cannot afford to miss our message, for the glory of Jesus has been revealed.
Speak, my friends, SPEAK!

The Pastor -|—

An Ode to Bacon

/ The Pastor

The following picture was the scene I came upon this morning and thus what is to follow. There is nothing deep and theological here. Just a fun little ode to one of God’s great gifts to creation: BACON!

Oh bacon, oh bacon,
how can it be?
You’re left so alone and
without one glee.

You are most glorious,
that I can see.
So I will consume you,
A.S.A.P

Your flavor is so rich,
and heavenly.
How can some cook you that
is not crispy.

Oh bacon, oh bacon,
all will agree,
You are so wonderful,
and very tasty.

The Pastor -|—

I Am Content

/ The Pastor

The following was written one night as I sat in my quiet living room. My wife was working in her home office up stairs, the kids were sleeping, and I had just finished reading a book. I stopped and just sat…and listened…and enjoyed the moment. I love my family, but I also love those quiet moments.

My mom once asked, “Poetry is not easy. How do you come up with these?” I said that you’re right it’s not easy. Sometimes it just happens in the moment. The following just happened in that moment…

The day is now spent.
All is quiet,
and so peaceful.
Oh Lord, I’m content.

The kids are sleeping.
Chores are complete,
and so my work.
No worries heaping.

Oh God I praise You.
You are mercy,
and compassion.
My soul, please renew.

The day is now spent.
Protect my dreams,
also my home.
My life I present.

To God be the glory!

The Pastor -|—

Christ my Savior

/ The Pastor

Christ my Savior, Christ my Lord,
always will you be adored.
Christ my refuge, Christ my rock,
thankful that I’m in your flock.
When the storms arise, you are there.
When the wolves circle, you are there.
In persecution,
In opposition,
heavy affliction,
and destitution.
Christ my Savior, Christ my Lord
my feeble strength is restored.

The Pastor -|—

Transform

/ The Pastor

Jesus bids me to follow him,
and not to live a life so grim.
For really there is no other way,
to meet God on that glorious Day.
For to save my life in the here and now,
is to forfeit my life while others do bow.
So You sent me Your Spirit so I could hear,
and thus I embrace my Savior so dear.
Your grace and mercy is an awesome gift,
oh God, do help me, that I may never drift.
Guide and show me Your most holy way,
forgiving me when I most certainly will stray.
So transform my life that I may show,
Your glory, oh God, that all may know.

The Pastor -|—

To See You

/ The Pastor

To see You face to face,
is the goal as I run this difficult race.
I dodge and I weave.
I stumble but to You I cleave.
So…
Help me, oh Lord, to see Your way.
Help me, oh Lord, to follow You each day.
For You are my life,
even in the midst of much strife.
For You are my way,
so please guide and mold this big lump of clay.
Oh Lord, I do want to see You.
Oh Lord, I do want to trust you.
For to see You face to face,
is indeed my goal; thank You for Your amazing grace.
In Jesus amazing name I pray,
Amen!

The Pastor -|—

Brand New

/ The Pastor / 2 Comments

Oh Lord,
You live in me and I in You,
and by Your grace, You don’t give what I’m due.
You heal and redeem;
You lift up and on You I lean.
You make alive,
and indeed I thrive.
Oh Lord,
Hear me as I cry out,
even as I often doubt.
Increase in me Your Spirit,
that I may shout of You and others hear it.
May I rejoice
and make noise.
May I show it
and others know it.
For You, oh Lord, live in me and I in You,
and by Your grace I am made brand new.

The Pastor -|—

Sin Crouching but Defeated

/ The Pastor / 1 Comment

Reflection on Genesis 4…

Sin is crouching, eyeing it’s prey.
Sin is couching, waiting each day.
Sin is crouching, longing to devour.
Sin is crouching, seeking the right hour.
Sin is crouching, wanting your very soul.
Sin is crouching, winning, it’s only goal.

Therefore…

I must be ready to fight;
To fight with all of my might.

But…

I am weak;
in defeat.

Wicked
Convicted

And lost

BUT…

My Savior wins the fight,
With all of HIS strong might.
And thus my faith is in Him,
For through Jesus’ name I win.

The Pastor -|—

To You Oh Lord

/ The Pastor

To You, oh Lord, I lift up my prayer;
And to You, oh Lord, I run.
For You, oh Lord, are my life and hope;
And without You I’m undone.

Many are those who pursue my life;
And many who seek to harm.
Oh Lord, be my Rock, Fortress and Shield;
Defending with Your strong arm.

Your Word, oh Lord, is life, peace and Truth;
Your Word is the only cure.
Grant me Your Holy Spirit, oh Lord;
That I may always endure.

To You, oh Lord, I lift up my prayer;
In You, oh Lord, is my life.
You hear me and know me and love me;
Oh Lord, in You there’s no strife.

The Pastor -|—