8-1-15 The Root of All Evil

For the love of money is the root of all evil:

which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith,

and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.

1 Timothy 6:10 KJV

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The love of wealth begins with just a kiss,

A secret rendezvous, a warm desire.

The more you have the more you want for bliss;

The more you want the more that you require.

You think of all the things that it can bring,

How easy life would be if you were rich.

You need it more than God, this precious thing;

The love of money turns your life to kitsch.

Idolatry begat all evilness:

Desire of the fruit to have it all.

As long as this is what you must possess,

You are a slave to sin and sure to fall.

If you love God as much as you need air,

Then money’s not an issue nor a snare.

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sonnet #423

6-2-15 Give When You’ve Got

¹³ For I mean not that other men be eased, and ye burdened:

¹⁴ But by an equality, that now at this time your abundance may be a supply for their want, that their abundance also may be a supply for your want: that there may be equality:

¹⁵ As it is written, He that had gathered much had nothing over; and he that had gathered little had no lack.

2 Corinthians 8:13-15 KJV

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To love your neighbor as yourself is work,

But work that stems from love is worth the sweat,

And if you have abundance do not shirk

To give to those whose needs have not been met.

If your own children had no food to eat,

You’d ask your wealthy neighbor for some aid.

Then when you’ve gained your riches so complete,

Please help a hungry family who’s dismayed.

The scales of love are balanced when you give,

For we are all but equal in God’s eyes,

And even if your neighbor is a sieve,

Still love him as yourself – don’t compromise.

A man that gathers much has no surplus;

And he that gathers scant lacks nothing thus.

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sonnet #377

5-24-15 Forgive – and Forget

Forbearing one another, and forgiving one another,

if any man have a quarrel against any:

even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye.

Colossians 3:13 KJV

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When Jesus taught to pray He said this, too:

“O God, forgive me as I do forgive.”

As simple as it is it’s hard to do;

When someone does us wrong, we must relive.

You can forgive but you just can’t forget;

If that’s the way you want it, let it be.

You want your brother to forget your debt,

But if he owes you more, he’s never free.

As Christ atoned for you on Calvary,

He will not bring it back whene’er you sin.

Forgive and so forget and you’ll be free;

Do not expect the same and you will win.

            If you can so forget the food you ate,

            Don’t let wrongs eat you up, give Christ the plate.

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sonnet #369

4-12-15 True Friend

If you would dare to want to know your friends,

Lose everything you own; be destitute.

The clique you used to know will show their ends.

Good luck if you don’t have a parachute.

A poor man’s house is not well visited,

For there is nothing there to want or claim,

And if his house burns down then God forbid

The crowd that knew him rich would douse the flame.

It matters not the things you own or owe;

With Jesus as your Friend you need no more.

With Him it doesn’t matter what you show,

If you have dirt or marble on the floor.

The Savior looks straight to your inner heart.

He knows just who you are but will not part.

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Wealth maketh many friends;

but the poor is separated from his neighbour.

Proverbs 19:4 KJV

9-7-14 The Lord Is My Shepherd

The pasture is alive with fellow sheep;

We pass the day by grazing in the sun.

My Shepherd watches as I browse and sleep.

He keeps me safe; His work is never done.

He knows just what I need; I shall not want.

And if I start to stray He brings me back.

Sometimes distracted I go on a jaunt.

My Shepherd always gets me back on track.

He loves me, I can tell the way He cares;

When wolves or brambles near He draws me in.

Then when the day is done I won’t despair;

He leads us home where sheltered nights begin.

            There is no other place I’d rather be

            Than close beside my Lord who shepherds me.

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The LORD is my shepherd;

I shall not want.

Psalm 23:1 KJV

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