9-16-15 On Parables

I will open my mouth in a parable; I will utter dark sayings of old

Psalm 78:2 KJV

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When Jesus spoke in parables He tried

To teach the ways of God in simple terms.

The truth laid bare was too much to abide;

They would not understand much less affirm.

If people of the dark not knowing light

Were told about the sun’s life giving rays,

They’d scratch their heads at words like ‘day’ and ‘bright’

But comprehend a story’s paraphrase.

The deeper truths can’t rest within the mind;

It cannot grasp in whole the Trinity.

The Holy Ghost reveals such things in kind;

It speaks straight to the heart to help us see.

Go out and share the gospel to the world.

A flag is understood when it’s unfurled.

7-5-15 Ministers of the Spirit

Who also hath made us able ministers of the new testament;

not of the letter, but of the spirit:

for the letter killeth, but the spirit giveth life.

2 Corinthians 3:6 KJV

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The Holy Spirit breathes a life anew

When we with Jesus Christ are crucified.

A new creation rises into view,

Not bound by laws designed with sin implied.

The Lamb of God was slain to satisfy

The letter of the covenant of old.

Now death, the price of sin, will pass us by;

We’re covered by the blood and thus paroled.

The Spirit sparks a testament of love,

That turns us into ministers of grace.

Our stories, once of sin, now rise above

To share salvation with the human race.

The letter kills, but Spirit brings alive

A faith surpassing all the laws contrive.

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sonnet #406

1-6-15 On Parenting

Good manners start at home when we are young,

And there is taught responsibility.

We are instructed how to mind our tongue,

And also shown reliability.

Our parents should have trained you how to be

A balanced, helpful member of the earth,

And if they did we all might surely see

That you were raised up well by them from birth.

Prepare a child the way that he should go

And as he ages he won’t part from it;

The way a man acts now will likely show

The things his folks did not or did permit.

If you did not grow up with care and love,

Look to the Word these things from God above.

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Train up a child in the way he should go:

and when he is old, he will not depart from it.

Proverbs 22:6 KJV

1-3-15 Believe

Don’t think that some vague hope is good enough

To buy your way to Heaven’s golden shore;

Because you bear conclusions you’ve the stuff

To satisfy the Lord and gain rapport.

You must believe in God until you ache,

Until you know without a doubt He is.

You see Him every moment you’re awake,

You cannot touch a thing that isn’t His.

How can you claim to be a child of God

And wander ’round an orphan in your heart?

Seek him until your eyes are old and flawed,

Until you can’t tell night and day apart.

How can a seeker doubt who does believe?

He’s all around you now; reach out, receive.

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But without faith it is impossible to please him:

for he that cometh to God must believe that he is,

and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.

Hebrews 11:6 KJV

11-5-14 A New Creation

A newborn child is born from mother’s womb,

Dependant on the milk from in her breast,

And all his life he’s destined for the tomb,

Corrupt in nature just like all the rest.

But when the Master calls man’s choice will loom,

And falling on his knees surrendering,

A newborn child is born from spirit’s womb,

Dependant on the Word so rendering.

A new creation now, he is in Christ,

The principle of Grace begins within,

Old things are passed away, no more sufficed;

New heart, new mind, new nature will begin.

A child of God, he’s bound for glory now,

At one with Christ, light shining from his brow.

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Therefore if any man be in Christ, 

he is a new creature:

old things are passed away;

behold, all things are become new.

2 Corinthians 5:17 KJV