A POEM PENNED BY GOD

 Ephesians 2:10 N.I.V.

“For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.”

The word translated “handiwork” here is “ποίημα” (POEMA) which is also the Greek word for poem.

A POEM PENNED BY GOD

Are you no more than molecules?

Protein cells with mitochondria?

Impulse glands sending chemicals

With merely random respondia?

 

A hundred million coded plans

Writ in chromosomal couplets,

Determine eyes and hair and hands,

And the chance to bear quintuplets. 

Your genes are not an accident.

Detailed instructions never are. 

These all demonstrate intent

By the Creator of the stars.

Now yielding to the Spirit's plans,

While upon the earth we trod,

Heaven and Earth will understand,

You are a poem penned by God.

This poem was published in the book Take Me To The Garden.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07YSVLW24/ref=dbs_a_def_rwt_bibl_vppi_i10

Amazon Author Central page.

CONSIDERING

What sort of things do you contemplate? Do you think seriously about anything? An interesting word is used in Acts 7:31-32. The word is κατανοέω (kataneo). Literally the word would be “according to the mind.” The common meaning is to consider or contemplate. The ESV and most other translations render the word “look” or “behold”' in these verses. I have highlighted the English translation of kataneo in the ESV.

“When Moses saw it, he was amazed at the sight, and as he drew near to look, there came the voice of the Lord: ‘I am the God of your fathers, the God of Abraham and of Isaac and of Jacob.’ And Moses trembled and did not dare to look.”

However, the NASB, like a handful of other translations, render the word more literally, to look more closely, or to consider. I agree that Moses went to look at the burning bush and when he realized it was God, he was afraid to look anymore. But by using the word for consider or contemplate here, Stephen, and Luke who recorded it, were leading us to deeper insight. Have you taken the trouble to contemplate the reality of God all around you?

 

THE CLOUD OF UNTHINKING 

His ways at last are beyond our grasp, 

The breadth of His Being beyond all showing.

His truth so vast from our reach is past, 

Hiding Himself in the cloud of unknowing. 

But must He bind Himself from the minds 

Of those who would not seek His inkling?

His truth could they find with hearts so blind

Who hide from Him in the cloud of unthinking?

If our hearts are filled with selfish will 

Can we ever know His presence within,

Souls compelled by lust unfulfilled 

Until we die in unbelief and sin?

Yet the gospel's grace can be embraced 

To open the hearts of the sons of men.

He died in the place of Adam’s race

To redeem His own from the fate of sin.

Meditating on the word of God opens our hearts and minds to understand things we would never have grasped had we not exposed ourselves to Him.

http://watchinginprayer.blogspot.com/

http://thinkinginthespirit.blogspot.com/

http://theanchorofthesoul.blogspot.com/

http://writingprayerfully.blogspot.com/

Website

http://daveswatch.com/

YouTube

https://goo.gl/PyzU

Amazon Author Central page.

OUR WORDS MATTER

This week on Facebook I read a couple of things that many of us have come to ignore. One word came from someone whom I do not not know, but I suspect we agree on some things because of the page where he posted it. He called liberal supreme court nominees, “marxists.” The other was written by a friend for whom I have great respect. He called Democrats, “fascists.” These are serious mistakes, however much we disagree with others.

First, this is intellectually wrong. Calling most American politicians Marxists or Fascists ignores the seriousness of those ungodly doctrines. It also fails to explain why we do not agree with what our political opponents do believe. Some of those who hear us say such things will listen to what they say and conclude that whatever we say comes out of ignorance.

This is also a strategic mistake. If we would approach people with whom we disagree with intellectual consideration, we would persuade them on many issues. We are still a democracy where we can talk and persuade others. If we do not respectfully seek to persuade one another, we will lose our country.

And this is morally wrong. I am most concerned about this behavior among those I agree with, but I recognize that it is two sided. I regularly heard Republicans defend their actions by saying, “The Democrats did it when they were in power.” It baffles me when I hear people defend mimicking the behavior of those who hold political position they believe to be evil. Wouldn't it be better in the long run to say, “Our integrity keeps us from doing that.” Even if hateful speech increases our political power, it displeases God. In Matthew 12:34 Jesus said, “Out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks.” When we use vile language about our enemies we cultivate the evil in our hearts. When evil is allowed to grow in our hearts it will inevitably turn into violent action. Eventually we will cease to object to violence against those we hate.

http://watchinginprayer.blogspot.com/

http://thinkinginthespirit.blogspot.com/

http://theanchorofthesoul.blogspot.com/

http://writingprayerfully.blogspot.com/

Website

http://daveswatch.com/

YouTube

https://goo.gl/PyzU

Amazon Author Central page.

WORTH A THOUSAND PICTURES

WORTH A THOUSAND PICTURES

Every poet looks for . . .

Words that cry, words that sing 

Words that shine, words that ring

Words that fly, words that words that sting, 

Words that say the Many Splendored Thing.

Every Storyteller Longs for . . .

 

Words that fret, words that bite 

Words that whet the appetite, 

Words that let, words that fight

Words that shake the Earth with all their might.

Every preacher prays for words 

Words that fill the heart with laughter,

And re-apply the ancient scriptures. 

Words that cast a stage with actors,

Words that paint a thousand pictures.

An earlier version of this poem was published in the book Take Me To The Garden.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07YSVLW24/ref=dbs_a_def_rwt_bibl_vppi_i10

Amazon Author Central page.

IN THE SPIRIT'S POWER

I recently saw some glaring evidence that our world is getting more and more ungodly. I saw a TV show that justified all kinds of sexual behavior. This cultural statement was irrelevant to the plot of the relatively clean detective show. This is not new, of course, but I fear the outcome of these notions. I am sick to death of profanity and vulgar speech not just in the media but everywhere we go. I am also bothered by things like the severing of conservatism from morality. Spiritual leaders ignore profanity, deceit, or calls to violence on the part of candidates that they agree with politically. It amazes me to hear people who claim to be Christians say hateful things about their political and cultural opposition. Jesus calls us to love our enemies. They are our mission field. There seems to be no difference between us and the world.  

When I get discouraged about such things I need to remember that our God is in the business of forgiveness. I am convinced that He is setting the stage to show a clear difference between His children and the world around us to draw many into His embrace. God empowers His own to demonstrate grace and holiness even as a minority. Of course, the world tells us that sinful behavior is fulfilling, that hatred and deceit are the way to power, that our politics will save the world, and godliness will not lead to success. But especially in these days, we can trust the Spirit’s power in the faithful witness of our lives.

http://thinkinginthespirit.blogspot.com/

http://theanchorofthesoul.blogspot.com/

http://watchinginprayer.blogspot.com/

http://writingprayerfully.blogspot.com/

Website

http://daveswatch.com/

YouTube

https://goo.gl/PyzU

Amazon Author Central page.

CITY WRITER

 

CITY WRITER

Sauntering through the crowded city streets

He soaks up every language, light and air,

Praying for all and everyone he meets.

Nothing prepares his heart to write like prayer.

He licks up the city's feeling and tone,

Like drips down a summer ice cream cone.

Still chilly in the filtered morning light

A mocha buys his seat in the coffee shop.

He scans the paper through before he writes.

He sips his coffee, tall with an extra shot.

Reading a novel, he was up too late.

Now to write himself, he must be awake.

Next he reviews what he wrote yesterday,

Assuming each character's perspective.

He's fully immersed in the interplay,

Trying out each one's smile or invective.

He's soon lost in another place and time.

Gathering ripe fruit from the muse’s vine.

At noon he savors a hot bowl of soup.

He closes his eyes to give them a rest.

He leaves his table to a larger group.

It's important not to become a pest.

In a park he finds a shady table

To weave the plot of his modern fable.

This poem was published in the book Take Me To The Garden.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07YSVLW24/ref=dbs_a_def_rwt_bibl_vppi_i10

Amazon Author Central page.

I am posting some of my poems beginning with a few on writing.  In between poems I intend to post segments from the introduction to my book I AM, Poetic Reflections on The Gospel of John.

WRITER ON THE BUS

Huddled in his seat on the swaying bus
Oblivious to all sights or soundings.
He doesn't see or hear the rest of us,
Standing, shoving, crowded all around him.
Some are bored, some too loud, others napping
While his fingers on the keys are tapping.

Fogging windows shut out the passing world.
Draping mists dim the winter afternoon
While he’s in his secluded corner curled.
His focus seals him in his small cocoon.
He is off somewhere in a thrilling story
Risking everything for truth and glory.

Sailing the southern trades on golden seas,
Or mushing dogs cross the frozen tundra;
Only such driving visions does he see.
He’s caught up in all the fears and wonder,
Holding firmly to his inspiration,
Undisturbed by lesser fascinations.

The story's pace now takes away his breath,
Coming faster than even he can write,
As his character faces life or death!
Now the end draws near—but so does the night.
He must step from his imagination
Having reached his stop and destination.

This poem was published in the book Take Me To The Garden.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07YSVLW24/ref=dbs_a_def_rwt_bibl_vppi_i10

Amazon Author Central page.