12-25-15 Peace and Good Will

⁸ And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. ⁹ And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid. ¹⁰ And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. ¹¹ For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord. ¹² And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger. ¹³ And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, ¹⁴ Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.

Luke 2:8-14 KJV

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As lowly shepherds watched their flocks by night

The angel of the Lord shown suddenly,

And glory shined about the shepherds bright,

And they were so afraid from all that they did see.

“Fear not,” the angel said to calm their fright,

“Good tidings do I bring, great joy to all!

The Savior Christ the Lord was born tonight!

He’s swaddled in a manger plain and small.”

Then there appeared a multitude forthright,

A host from heaven praising God to say

“To God’s the glory, all to Him outright,

And peace on earth, good will toward men to stay!”

Those shepherds were the first to hear the news.

Such humble men in spirit Christ pursues.

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REMEMBER: God took on a human body to bring peace and good will to the world through His inevitable sacrifice.

11-28-15 Taste

Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them.

Matthew 7:20 KJV

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TASTE

It isn’t always easy judging fruit.

Sometimes you have to take a bite to see.

The tree it came from may have good repute,

But in the end it’s taste, don’t you agree?

A man who beats his wife may go to church

And act as pious as the Son of Man.

If you’re attune to Spirit in your search

You’ll see he’s filthy as a garbage can.

The Holy Ghost will lead you to the truth,

Will pull away the curtain of a lie.

Not everybody evil acts uncouth.

Some heavenly discretion trumps the sly.

Most times a rotten fruit’s as plain as day,

But some will fool; let Spirit lead the way.

6-24-15 First to Last

So the last shall be first, and the first last:

for many be called, but few chosen.

Matthew 20:16 KJV

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The souls who are forgotten by the crowd:

The meek, the low, the bullied and the plain,

Are lost among the ego-driven proud

And last to find a post they can attain.

The Lord will not ignore the seventh son,

The shepherd boy who one day would be king.

The manger-born became the perfect One

To save a sinful world who hopeless cling.

We all are called to come unto the cross,

Invited to the wedding feast by Christ;

The proud will all be counted as a loss,

The chosen ones are those who’ve paid the price.

Down here we choose the leader of the pack;

If you would follow Christ, then serve in back.

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sonnet #397

3-20-15 A Matter of the Mind

Without the grace of God hate does increase;

The world around you clangs cacophany,

But you who share the mind of Christ have peace,

Conducting your affairs in harmony.

Don’t fool yourself in thinking you’re the best;

The least among the least walk with the Lord.

Associate with those who are oppressed

For this is where God’s treasure will be stored.

If you think you are wise then think again;

Most children have more wisdom in their toes.

Put all your faith in Christ and keep thoughts plain;

The answers that you seek the Savior knows.

Submit your mind to God and keep it there

The key to your success is kept in prayer.

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Be of the same mind one toward another.

Mind not high things, but condescend to men of low estate.

Be not wise in your own conceits.

Romans 12:16 KJV

10-13-14 Thoughts and Ways

The thoughts of God are not the thoughts of men,

For men’s are limited and God’s are limitless.

We think of God the Father now and then,

But God thinks of us constantly to bless.

We think that we can save ourselves with deeds;

God’s thoughts are full of grace and love so pure,

And while we work to earn our common needs,

Our God provides the ways we can endure.

Our ways are crooked, complicated, too;

The ways of God are plain, transparent, manifest.

We move among the shadows to subdue

While God is full of light unchained and blessed.

The thoughts and ways of men lead but to death;

God grants eternal life with Spirit’s breath.

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For my thoughts are not your thoughts,

neither are your ways my ways, saith the LORD.

Isaiah 55:8 KJV