Broken

My left shoulder was so damaged that the Ortho Drs could not repair or replace it conventionally, so they had to do a ‘reverse total shoulder arthroplasty’. I am now in a large, bulky and cumbersome immobilization device designed to keep my shoulder from falling apart until it’s had time to heal. This could take up to two months.

From the instant I awoke in recovery I was in the clutches of pain I’d never known or imagined. At one point I began confessing to every crime committed in the past 1,500 years. Even now, 6 days after surgery and at home, it continues to demand center stage of my consciousness. However, from the instant I awoke in recovery and up to now, the image and presence of Christ has been with me like a lighthouse of love and hope. It has not reduced my pain by one iota, but as long as I keep Him center stage, He helps me grow in understanding, compassion and gratitude. This experience is now an integral part of my testimony as it strengthens my faith and solidifies my belief in Jesus as my one and only Lord, and in whom I can trust will be with me no matter what. “Lo, I am with you always” indeed! (Matthew 28:20)

I was commissioned and led by the Holy Spirit to write a sonnet each day for certain scriptures given to me, with the very clear intent to help new disciples understand the word and the Word more fully. That was over two and a half years ago. This intense labor of love produced two self-published books: Sonnets in the Key of Christ and Devotions for the Child of God: A Year of Sonnetized Scriptures. These past couple of months it felt as if this mission might be coming to a close, and I began to pray for a sign of closure. I believe this shoulder incident qualifies as an adequate sign, don’t you? As I heal, my eyes and ears and mind and heart and soul are receptive and eager to serve Christ in whatever capacity He desires. I promise to keep you updated here regardless.

Thank you for your prayers. I love you as Jesus loves me.

2-26-16 Seeking Riches

But they that will be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and hurtful lusts, which drown men in destruction and perdition.

1 Timothy 6:9 KJV

           ~~~~~~~~~~~

Too much can not be said about the sin

Of seeking to be rich above all else,

For when the lust for gold within begin,

The love of God and Christ most surely melts.

A strong foundation builds a sturdy house,

So let the Rock of Ages cleft for you,

But if you build on greed you then espouse

The love for worldly things you should eschew.

A foolish man will do some hurtful things

In order to obtain abundant wealth.

It’s hard to stem the selfishness this brings

And easy to forget supernal health.

           Put all your faith in Heaven’s Kingdom now

           Don’t let the love of riches strike your brow.

           ~~~~~~~~~~~

REMEMBER: Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal: But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal: For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also. (Matthew 6:19-21 KJV)

2-24-16 Passed Away

And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away.

Revelation 21:4 KJV

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You’re grieving now, I know. I’m grieving, too.

A soul we love so dearly’s passed away.

Our tears fall now and sadness pushes through.

We mourn our loss but know that one fine day

There will be no more death, no last embrace,

No sorrow, no more mourning, no more pain.

The love of Christ our Lord shall be in place,

The glory of His presence then shall reign,

And God shall wipe all tears from all our eyes;

Here crying is replaced with laughter’s song.

We’ll reunite with loved ones; joy will rise,

For we will all be where we should belong.

We’ve lost a friend and sister here today,

But soon these sort of things shall pass away.

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REMEMBER: Let us celebrate in Christ, for we will one day be reunited.

2-22-16 Currency

²⁰ The young man saith unto him, All these things have I kept from my youth up: what lack I yet? ²¹ Jesus said unto him, If thou wilt be perfect, go and sell that thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come and follow me. ²² But when the young man heard that saying, he went away sorrowful: for he had great possessions. ²³ Then said Jesus unto his disciples, Verily I say unto you, That a rich man shall hardly enter into the kingdom of heaven.

Matthew 19:20-23 KJV

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If you’re a good soul, keeping every law,

You love your fellow man and God as well,

If you don’t follow Christ, this fateful flaw

Will drag you to the hoary gates of hell.

Don’t think if you’ve got money all is lost,

It’s where you place your trust and confidence.

Take up your cross like Him at any cost; *

Put all your hope in Christ at life’s expense.

The question’s this: what’s your priority?

What currency do you spend all your time?

It’s more than being willing that’s the key;

It’s what control your life’s the paradigm.

What drives your soul is what’s been sacrificed.

There’s power in the blood of Jesus Christ.

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REMEMBER: But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you. (Matthew 6:33 KJV)

* Matthew 16:24

2-19-16 Like Night and Day

³ O LORD, thou hast brought up my soul from the grave: thou hast kept me alive, that I should not go down to the pit. ⁴ Sing unto the LORD, O ye saints of his, and give thanks at the remembrance of his holiness. ⁵ For his anger endureth but a moment; in his favour is life: weeping may endure for a night, but joy cometh in the morning.

Psalm 30:3-5 KJV

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Depression drags your soul into the grave

And whispers that this pit is all there is;

Here hope is gone, here darkness does enslave,

Here death does pierce your heart and claims as his.

It seems as if the Lord has turned away,

As if His anger’s robbed your faith and dream.

But turn around, my friend, please don’t dismay.

He’s never left your side; you’re still a team.

Reach out to Jesus! Life is in His hand;

His love is like the morning over night.

He holds you in His arms, the dark is banned.

God’s grace shines all the time; the future’s bright.

When darkest night of soul weighs down on you,

The dawn is certain: Christ will see you through.

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REMEMBER: It is always the darkest before the dawn.

2-18-16 Worth the Wait

⁷ Be patient therefore, brethren, unto the coming of the Lord. Behold, the husbandman waiteth for the precious fruit of the earth, and hath long patience for it, until he receive the early and latter rain. ⁸ Be ye also patient; stablish your hearts: for the coming of the Lord draweth nigh.

James 5:7-8 KJV

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This food you eat some farmer took the time

To grow the crop from seed to harvest day.

He must have patience for the rainy clime

Like grace upon the thirsty soul convey.

The best things are worth all the waiting for:

A baby takes nine months to come to term.

When mother holds the child she bore before,

The time it took for this she will affirm.

Be patient for the day when Christ returns.

Establish now your heart to persevere,

And love no matter what be your concern,

For when that day arrives will all be clear.

The coming of the Lord is drawing nigh.

The harvest soon will come to glorify.

~~~~~~~~~~~

REMEMBER: Jesus might come today. Be diligent!

2-16-16 Give and Take

Take heed therefore how ye hear: for whosoever hath, to him shall be given; and whosoever hath not, from him shall be taken even that which he seemeth to have.

Luke 8:18 KJV

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This is a warning to you lukewarm soul

Who merely ponders Jesus on a whim:

You say you are a Christian, play the role.

You think you’ll skate on in; your chance is grim.

If you will truly give your life to Christ

And use with grace the gifts He gives to you,

The salt you are will then be double spiced;

The love you have, much more will you accrue.

If you believe that you have got it made,

Your show of knowledge now will disappear.

What little faith you claim will soon be swayed;

Your mediocre worship won’t cohere.

Be careful how you hear: from heart or head.

The one will find the Lord, the other’s dead.

~~~~~~~~~~~

REMEMBER: You cannot fake your way into the kingdom of heaven. If you don’t think you’re saved, you’re likely not. Go to the cross right now. You’ll gain a lot.

2-13-16 Just Let It Go

And above all things have fervent charity among yourselves: for charity shall cover the multitude of sins.

1 Peter 4:8 KJV

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Your brothers and your sisters found in Christ,

No matter race or place or sect or creed,

Deserve a higher love more than sufficed,

For you are one in spirit guaranteed.

Forgive immediate their sins invoked,

Let nothing get between your heart and theirs,

Don’t rake up things that God has long revoked,

Don’t gossip of their personal affairs.

We know that Christ alone can cover sins;

His blood and righteousness makes pure as snow,

And where your patience ends His just begins;

Let tolerance and love among you grow.

Love one another as the Lord loves you;

Let go transgressions – don’t let them accrue.

~~~~~~~~~~~

REMEMBER: Have a forgiving love especially to your brothers and sisters in Christ.

2-11-16 Coming to Know Christ

But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and for ever. Amen.

2 Peter 3:18 KJV

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If you would be like Jesus know Him well

Through study of the scriptures every day,

And feel His spirit with you as you dwell

Upon the word of God and as you pray.

But words are merely symbols on a page

Until they come alive within the heart.

God’s gifts of grace release them from their cage:

With faith and hope and love does grace impart.

The knowledge of our Lord and Savior grows

As all these gifts of grace mature and thrive.

You come to be more like Christ and it shows;

The things you say and do proves He’s alive.

In knowledge and in grace your soul implores,

To Jesus be the glory evermore!

~~~~~~~~~~~

REMEMBER: Commit yourself to studying the scriptures daily if you desire to know Christ.

2-10-16 Be Like Jesus

Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering;

Colossians 3:12 KJV

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Now, having taken off the old man’s guise,

Put on the mind of Christ who died for you,

Whom now you are elect of God likewise,

Both holy and beloved and tried and true.

With deep compassion free from all deceit

To sympathize with those who are distressed,

Let kindness, grace and love be so complete

You weep with them who weep, sincere expressed.

Have humbleness of mind in thought and deed,

Be gentle with all men and always meek;

Submissive to the Spirit so proceed,

And dwell in patience; suffer long the weak.

Christ took the weight of sin from off your soul.

Now be just like the One who made you whole.

~~~~~~~~~~~

REMEMBER: Christ lives in you now. Let Him live through you.