10-22-15 On Giving

Every man shall give as he is able, according to the blessing of the LORD thy God which he hath given thee.

Deuteronomy 16:17 KJV

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Which one of us can’t say that we’ve been blessed,

For life itself is worth all worldly wealth,

And if you contemplate I’m sure you’ve guessed

Two dozen blessings more including health.

If you’ve been given much then give a lot;

If you’ve not much to give, give what you can.

There’s more than money that a blessing brought;

God’s given certain skills to every man.

A church is not the only place to give:

Look ’round your neighborhood for one in need,

Then be anonymous and help them live;

The secret giver lets more hearts be freed.

So tithing is just one way giving’s done.

First give your all to Christ, God’s first born Son.

10-10-15 Bittersweet

⁸ But the tongue can no man tame; it is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison.

⁹ Therewith bless we God, even the Father; and therewith curse we men, which are made after the similitude of God.

¹⁰ Out of the same mouth proceedeth blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not so to be.

¹¹ Doth a fountain send forth at the same place sweet water and bitter?

James 3:8-11 KJV

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It’s easier for man to tame a rock

Than teach his tongue to stop its reckless ways.

A stone can learn to sit and stay and balk,

But not the tongue; it runs for days and days.

How many times have words jumped from your mouth

That you regret the instant it is done?

A friendly conversation’s headed south

With just an unplanned phrase or bawdy pun.

If you can hesitate to choose your words,

The tongue might find some worse to say instead.

Best cut it out and feed it to the birds

Or keep a clean, blank slate within your head.

The mind of Christ is possible to gain:

It takes complete surrender to attain.

7-29-15 On Persecution

¹¹ Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake.

¹² Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you.

Matthew 5:11-12 KJV

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These days when you say Jesus best beware,

The chance is good you’ll meet a wall of hate.

Consider yourself blessed when they just stare,

For there are places killing us is great.

Just tell them Christ arose alive from death

And you’ll be shouted down and shown the door.

In some parts of the world give Christ your breath

And they will roll your head along the floor.

Rejoice when you are persecuted here,

For so the prophets suffered this and worse.

Count it a blessing when your pain’s severe,

For your reward in heaven’s worth their curse.

When persecution comes be glad in Christ

He’ll be there with you when you’re sacrificed.

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sonnet #420

10-22-14 Shine

The Gospel light will beam from those who’s saved,

For who can hide the Sun up in the sky?

Like shackels taken off the one enslaved,

He’ll shout his freedom from the mountain high.

Just as the Sun shines bright on everyone,

Make manifest to all salvation’s plan.

The things you say and do reflects the Son,

Made known to every woman, child and man.

A tree is known by all the fruit it bears,

And O how sweet the message of the Lord!

His blessing is passed on from one who shares

And keeps on spreading out through those restored.

So when you shine the light of Christ’s pure love

You glorify your Father up above.

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Let your light so shine before men,

that they may see your good works,

and glorify your Father which is in heaven.

Matthew 5:16 KJV

101514 Not Worthy

Imagine that the first day of the year

Is filled with nothing but calamity,

But all the days that follow full of cheer;

To count the year a blessing you’d agree.

No matter how you suffer in this life,

If you’re a child of God it’s worth the grief.

It seems to last forever, but this strife

Compared to life eternal ’tis but brief.

And those unsaved that call this living hell,

If they think this is bad they’ve just to wait.

Anticipating joy, the saved know well

The promise God has made the next estate.

This life is full of pain, there is no doubt;

The bliss that lies ahead will make you shout.

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For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy 

to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.

Romans 8:18 KJV