10. Poems, etcetera - Truthseekers Fellowship

Scripture-based Poems and Songs

“From Paul to the Proud”
(A poetic paraphrase of RM 1:1-2:9a)

From Paul, a servant of Jesus Christ, An apostle—called by the Lord,
Chosen to preach the gospel, foretold By prophets in the Holy Word.
Jesus was born a descendant of David, But rose from the dead as God’s Son,
An act of great power to prove Him divine— From Him I received a commission . . .
To lead all the world to believe and obey Including you living in Rome,
Whom God also loves and calls to be saved, And with Jesus to make your new home.

May God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ Grant you peace and grace.
I thank them for you, because the whole world Is hearing that faith you embrace.
The God whom I serve with all of my heart Is witness that when I pray
I always remember you, hoping that He Will let me come see you some day.
I long to be with you and share by the Spirit The faith that will help us be strong.
My brothers, how often I’ve planned to come, But something has always gone wrong.

How eager I am to evangelize you In fulfillment of my obligations
To preach the good news to all kinds of people In all of the Gentile nations.
For I’m not ashamed of the Gospel of Christ, Which has the power to save
All who believe, whether Gentile or Jew, Though once of Satan a slave.
It is written, the just shall live by faith, But the wages of sin is death,
Which is poured out on all who deny what is plain: That God has given them breath.

God punishes them because they are evil And blind to what clearly is true—
The fact of creation confronting them always No matter what they say and do.
They think themselves wise, while in truth they are fools And have no excuse at all.
Refusing to honor the power of God, They stumble in darkness and fall.
Exchanging the truth about God for a lie, They worship and serve only dust
That is made in the image of man and machine, Perverting true love into lust.

Burning with passion and shameful desires, Consumed by unnatural sex acts,
Men still choose to suffer and torture each other Rather than face the facts.
And yet God allows them to break all the rules: To murder, to hate, and to lie.
They invent new sins, while all the time knowing That demons deserve to die.

Do you, my friend, think you’re less to blame, While sitting in judgment on others?
Surely you see God’s mercy is meant For those who become Jesus’ brothers.
But you, hard-hearted, closed-minded and proud, Will one day God’s justice be meted.
When eternal life is awarded believers, Damned will be those He defeated!

The Christmas Story in Scripture and Songs

Scripture reading #1: Isaiah 9:2a&6-7 / 7:14

The people walking in darkness have seen a great light . . . For unto us a child is born; to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. / The Lord himself will give you a sign: The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and will call him Immanuel.

Song: “O Come, O Come, Emmanuel”

O come, O come, Emmanuel, And ransom captive Israel.
That mourns in lonely exile here, Until the Son of God appears,
Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel, shall come to thee, O Israel!

Scripture reading #2: Luke 1:26-33

In the sixth month, God sent the angel Gabriel to Nazareth, a town in Galilee, to a virgin pledged to be married to a man named Joseph, a descendant of David. The virgin’s name was Mary. The angel went to her and said, “Greetings, you who are highly favored! The Lord is with you.” Mary was greatly troubled at his words and wondered what kind of greeting this might be. But the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, you have found favor with God. You will be with child and give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus. He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his father David, and he will reign over the house of Jacob forever; his kingdom will never end.”

Song: “Come, Thou Long-Expected Jesus”

Come, thou long-expected Jesus, Born to set thy people free;
Born thy people to deliver, Born a child, and yet a king.
Israel’s strength and consolation, Hope of all the earth thou art;
Dear desire of every nation, Joy of every longing heart.

Scripture reading #3: Luke 2:1&3-7

In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world . . . Everyone went to his own town to register. So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David. He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child. While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.

Song: “Away in a Manger”

Away in a manger, no crib for a bed,
The little Lord Jesus laid down his sweet head;
The stars in the sky looked down where he lay,
The little Lord Jesus asleep on the hay.

Scripture reading #4: Luke 2:8-12

And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you: he is Christ the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.”

Song: “O Little Town of Bethlehem”

O little town of Bethlehem, How still we see thee lie!
Above thy deep and dreamless sleep The silent stars go by;
Yet in thy dark streets shineth The everlasting Light;
The hopes and fears of all the years Are met in thee tonight.

Scripture reading #5: Luke 2:13-14

Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests.”

Song: “”Silent Night, Holy Night”

Silent night, holy night, All is calm, all is bright,
Round yon virgin mother and child. Holy infant so tender and mild,
Sleep in heavenly peace, Sleep in heavenly peace.

Silent night, holy night, Darkness flies, all is light;
Shepherds hear the angels sing, “Alleluia! Hail the King!
Christ the Savior is born, Christ the Savior is born.

Scripture reading #6: Luke 2:15-16

When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let’s go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.” So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger.

Song: “Angels from the Realms of Glory”

Angels from the realms of glory Wing your flight o’er all the earth;
Ye who sang creation’s story, Now proclaim Messiah’s birth:
Come and worship, come and worship, Worship Christ, the newborn King!

Shepherds in the fields abiding, Watching o’er your flocks by night,
God with man is now residing, Yonder shines the infant Light:
Come and worship, come and worship, Worship Christ, the newborn King!

Song: “Angels We Have Heard on High”

Angels we have heard on high, Sweetly singing o’er the plains:
And the mountains in reply, Echoing their joyous strains.
Glo———ria in excelsis Deo! Glo———-ria in excelsis Deo!

Come to Bethlehem and see Him whose birth the angels sing;
Come, adore on bended knee Christ the Lord, the newborn King.
Glo———ria in excelsis Deo! Glo———-ria in excelsis Deo!

Scripture reading #7: Matthew 2:1-2 & 9

After Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the time of King Herod, Magi from the east came to Jerusalem and asked, “Where is the one who has been born king of the Jews? We saw his star in the east and have come to worship him.” . . . After they had heard the king, they went on their way, and the star they had seen in the east went ahead of them until it stopped over the place where the child was.

Song: “The First Noel”

1. The first Noel there was a star Shining in the east, beyond them far,
And to the earth it gave great light, And so it continued both day and night.
Noel, Noel, Noel, Noel, Born is the King of Israel.

2. And by the light of that same star The Wise Men came from country far;
To seek for a king was their intent, And to follow the star wherever it went.
Noel, Noel, Noel, Noel, Born is the King of Israel.

Scripture reading #8: Matthew 2:10-11

When they saw the star, they were overjoyed. On coming to the house, they saw the child with his mother Mary, and they bowed down and worshipped him. Then they opened their treasures and presented him with gifts of gold and of incense and of myrrh.

Song: “We Three Kings of Orient Are”

1. We three kings of orient are; bearing gifts, we traverse afar,
Field and fountain, moor and mountain, Following yonder star.

(Chorus:) O star of wonder, star of night, Star with royal beauty bright,
Westward leading, still proceeding, Guide us to thy perfect Light.

2. Born a king on Bethlehem’s plain, Gold I bring to crown him again,
King forever, ceasing never, Over us all to reign. (Chorus)

3. Frankincense to offer have I; Incense owns a Deity nigh;
Prayer and praising, all men raising, Worship him, God on high. (Chorus)
4. Myrrh is mine: its bitter perfume Breathes a life of gathering gloom:
Sorrowing, sighing, bleeding, dying, Sealed in the stone-cold tomb. (Chorus)

Song: “The First Noel”

The first Noel there was a star Shining in the east, beyond them far,
And to the earth it gave great light, And so it continued both day and night.
Noel, Noel, Noel, Noel, Born is the King of Israel.

And by the light of that same star The Wise Men came from country far;
To seek for a king was their intent, And to follow the star wherever it went.
Noel, Noel, Noel, Noel, Born is the King of Israel.

Scripture reading #9: John 1:1&14

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God . . . The Word became flesh and lived for a while among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.

Song: “O Come, All Ye Faithful”

O come, all ye faithful, joyful and triumphant,
O come ye, O come ye to Bethlehem!
Come and behold him, born the King of angels!
O come let us adore him, O come let us adore him,
O come let us adore him, Christ the Lord!

Yea, Lord, we greet thee, born this happy morning,
Jesus, to thee be all glory given;
Word of the Father, now in flesh appearing!
O come let us adore him, O come let us adore him,
O come let us adore him, Christ the Lord!
Scripture reading #10: Philippians 2:5b-11

Christ Jesus, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself and became obedient to death—even death on a cross! Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord to the glory of God the Father.

Song: “Hark! The Herald Angels Sing”

Hark! The herald angels sing, “Glory to the newborn King;
Peace on earth, and mercy mild; God and sinners reconciled.”
Joyful, all ye nations rise, Join the triumph of the skies;
With angelic hosts proclaim, “Christ is born in Bethlehem!”
Hark! The herald angels sing, “Glory to the newborn King.”

Christ, by highest heaven adored, Christ the everlasting Lord:
Late in time, behold him come, Offspring of a virgin’s womb.
Veiled in flesh the Godhead see, Hail the incarnate Deity!
Pleased as man with men to dwell, Jesus our Immanuel.
Hark! The herald angels sing, “Glory to the newborn King.”

Hail the heaven-born Prince of Peace! Hail the Son of Righteousness!
Light and life to all he brings, Risen with healing in his wings.
Mild he lays his glory by, Born that man no more may die,
Born to raise the sons of earth, Born to give them second birth.
Hark! The herald angels sing, “Glory to the newborn King.”

Scripture reading #11: 1 John 1:1-4

That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked at and our hands have touched—this we proclaim concerning the Word of Life. The life appeared; we have seen it and testify to it, and we proclaim to you the eternal life, which was with the Father and has appeared to us. We proclaim to you what we have seen and heard, so that you also may have fellowship with us. And our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son, Jesus Christ. We write this to make our joy complete.

Song: “Joy to the World”

Joy to the world! The Lord is come; Let earth receive her King;
Let every heart prepare him room, And heaven and nature sing,
And heaven and nature sing, And heaven, and heaven and nature sing.

He rules the world with truth and grace, And makes the nations prove
The glories of his righteousness, And wonders of his love,
And wonders of his love, And wonders, wonders of his love.

[John 3:16: For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.]

Scripture reading #12: Hebrews 9:27-28

Just as man is destined to die once, and after that to face judgment, so Christ was sacrificed once to take away the sins of many people; and he will appear a second time, not to bear sin, but to bring salvation to those who are waiting for him.

Song: “Go, Tell It on the Mountain”

While shepherds kept their watching O’er silent flocks by night,
Behold throughout the heavens There shone a holy light.
Go, tell it on the mountain, Over the hills and everywhere;
Go, tell it on the mountain That Jesus Christ was born!

Down in a lowly manger The humble Christ was born,
And God sent us salvation That blessed Christmas morn.
Go, tell it on the mountain, Over the hills and everywhere;
Go, tell it on the mountain That Jesus Christ was born!

(The previous songs celebrated Christmas or Christ’s First Advent by reading the story of Jesus’ birth in Luke 2 and Matthew 2 and singing songs related to that story. The following songs lead us to consider how Christmas is related to Jesus’ Second Advent or Coming.)

Scripture reading #13: 2 Peter 3:8-9

But do not forget this one thing, dear friends: With the Lord a day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years are like a day. The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.

Scripture reading #14: Revelation 22:12-13, 16 & 20

“Behold, I am coming soon! My reward is with me, and I will give it to everyone according to what he has done. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last, the Beginning and the End. . . . I, Jesus, have sent my angel to give you this testimony for the churches. I am the Root and the Offspring of David, and the bright Morning Star.”. . . He who testifies to these things says, “Yes, I am coming soon.” Amen. Come, Lord Jesus.

(The last verse of the song, “Good Christian Men, Rejoice” says “Now ye need not fear the grave: Jesus Christ was born to save. This leads us to consider again the words spoken by the angel of the Lord to the shepherds when he announced Christ’s birth, “Do not be afraid”. Why did the angel say that?…)

Song: “It Came Upon a Midnight Clear”

Yes, with the woes of sin and strife The world has suffered long,
Beneath the angel strain have rolled Two thousand years of wrong;
And man, at war with man, hears not The love song which they bring:
O hush the noise, ye men of strife, And hear the angels sing!

For lo! The days are hastening on, By prophet bards foretold,
When with the ever-circling years Comes ‘round the age of gold;
When peace shall over all the earth Its ancient splendors fling,
And the whole world give back the song Which now the angels sing.

The Easter Story in Scripture and Song

Scripture reading #1: John 3:16 & Romans 5:8

God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life… God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.

Song: “God So Loved the World” (Jaci Velasquez, 1998; words by Christ Eaton)

(Refrain:) God so loved the world, that He gave His one and only Son
That whosoever believes in Him will not perish but have everlasting life.

I try so hard to find the words to say, to let you know how great is this God to whom I pray
Nothing can nor ever will compare to the peace that flows in your soul when He is living there.

I know you’ve been through so much, It’s hard to contemplate letting go and reaching out in trust
But I know the simple truth that love is here for you, So take Him at His word and see what He can do. (Refrain)

The promise is yours and mine; Take hold of this love for the rest of your life,
But it’s time to take a step of faith; Be prepared for Jesus’ love to carry you away.
(Refrain twice)

Scripture reading #2: Genesis 22:8 and John 1:29

God himself will provide the lamb for the burnt offering [for sin]… John saw Jesus coming toward him and sad, “Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!”

Song: “Lamb of God” (Twila Paris, 1986)

Your only Son, no sin to hide, But You have sent Him from Your side
To walk upon this guilty sod And to become the Lamb of God.

Your gift of Love they crucified; They laughed and scorned him as he died
The humble King they named a fraud And sacrificed the Lamb of God.

(Refrain:) Oh Lamb of God, sweet lamb of God; I love the holy Lamb of God
Oh wash me in his precious Blood, My Jesus Christ, the Lamb of God

I was so lost I should have died, But You have brought me to Your side
To be led by Your staff and rod And to be call a lamb of God. (Refrain, repeat last line)

Song: Lamb of God (John Michael Talbot)

Lamb of God, You take away the sins of the world. Have mercy on us…
Grant us peace.

Scripture reading #3: Matthew 27:1-2, 27-31

Early in the morning, all the chief priests and the elders of the people made their plans how to have Jesus executed. So they bound him, led him away and handed him over to Pilate the governor… Then the governor’s soldiers took Jesus into the Praetorium and gathered the whole company of soldiers around him. They stripped him and put a scarlet robe on him, and then twisted together a crown of thorns and set it on his head. They put a staff in his right hand. Then they knelt in front of him and mocked him. “Hail, king of the Jews!” they said. They spit on him, and took the staff and struck him on the head again and again. After they had mocked him, they took off the robe and put his own clothes on him. Then they led him away to crucify him.

Song: “Worthy Is the Lamb” (Hillsong Live)

Thank you for the cross Lord; Thank you for the price You paid
Bearing all my sin and shame In love You came And gave amazing grace

Thank you for this love Lord; Thank you for the nail pierced hands
Washed me in Your cleansing flow Now all I know Your forgiveness and embrace

Worthy is the Lamb, Seated on the throne
Crown You now with many crowns You reign victorious
High and lifted up, Jesus Son of God,
The Darling of Heaven crucified, Worthy is the Lamb, Worthy is the Lamb.

Songs: “The Old Rugged Cross” (Chris Rice; hymn)
“When I Survey the Wondrous Cross” (David Phelps; hymn)

Scripture reading #4: Mark 15:25-32
It was nine in the morning when they crucified him. The written notice of the charge against him read: THE KING OF THE JEWS. They crucified two rebels with him, one on his right and one on his left. Those who passed by hurled insults at him, shaking their heads and saying, “So! You who are going to destroy the temple and build it in three days, come down from the cross and save yourself!” In the same way the chief priests and the teachers of the law mocked him among themselves. “He saved others,” they said, “but he can’t save himself! Let this Messiah, this king of Israel, come down now from the cross, that we may see and believe.” Those crucified with him also heaped insults on him.
Songs: “Were You There?” (Restoration Church; hymn)
“Down at the Cross” (Bart Millard; hymn)

Scripture reading #5: Romans 5:9 & Ephesians 1:7

Since we have now been justified by his blood, how much more shall we be saved from God’s wrath through him!… In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God’s grace.

Songs: “There is Power in the Blood” (Selah; hymn)
“Nothing But the Blood” (Jars of Clay; hymn)

Scripture reading #6: Luke 24:1-7

On the first day of the week, very early in the morning, the women took the spices they had prepared and went to the tomb. They found the stone rolled away from the tomb, but when they entered, they did not find the body of the Lord Jesus. While they were wondering about this, suddenly two men in clothes that gleamed like lightning stood beside them. In their fright the women bowed down with their faces to the ground, but the men said to them, “Why do you look for the living among the dead? He is not here; he has risen! Remember how he told you, while he was still with you in Galilee: ‘The Son of Man must be delivered over to the hands of sinners, be crucified and on the third day be raised again.’ ”

Song: “Christ Arose” (PraiseCharts; hymn)

Scripture reading # 7: John 20:29-31
Then Jesus told him, “Because you have seen me, you have believed; blessed [happy] are those who have not seen and yet have believed.” Jesus performed many other signs in the presence of his disciples, which are not recorded in this book. But these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name.
Song: “My Sins Are Gone” (Bill & Gloria Gaither)

1. You ask why I am happy, so I’ll just tell you why: because my sins are gone.
And when I meet the scoffer, who asks me where they are, I say, “My sins are gone!”

(Refrain:) They’re underneath the blood on the cross of Calvary,
As far removed as darkness is from dawn
In the sea of God’s forgetfulness—that’s good enough for me.
Praise God! Praise God! My sins are gone.

2. When Satan comes to tempt me and tries to make me doubt, I say, “My sins are gone!
You got me into trouble, but Jesus got me out, I know my sins are gone.” (Refrain)

3. I’m living now for Jesus; I’m happy night and day, because my sins are gone.
My soul is filled with music, with all my heart I say: I’m glad my sins are gone. (Refrain, gone, gone)

Scripture reading #8: 1 Corinthians 15:14-20

If Christ has not been raised, our preaching is useless and so is your faith. More than that, we are then found to be false witnesses about God, for we have testified about God that he raised Christ from the dead. But he did not raise him if in fact the dead are not raised. For if the dead are not raised, then Christ has not been raised either. And if Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile; you are still in your sins. Then those also who have fallen asleep in Christ are lost. If only for this life we have hope in Christ, we are of all people most to be pitied. But Christ has indeed been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep.

Songs: “Rise Again” (Dallas Holm, 1977)
“He’s Alive” (Don Francisco, 1980)

Scripture reading #9: ACTS 20:28

Keep watch over yourselves and all the flock of which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers. Be shepherds of the church of God, which he bought with his own blood.

Song: “When Love Was Slain” (Selah)

This world is not my home, Oh, this world is not my home, My home’s been made at Heaven’s throne, This world is not my home.

This life is not my own, Oh, this life is not my own, I am His and His alone, This life is not my own.

(Chorus:) I was bought when Love was slain, What high cost, to pay death’s wage, Now ransomed, I am freedom’s slave, My Jesus raised me from the grave.

Song: “Heaven Came Down” (David Crowder Band)

Heaven came down and glory filled my soul When at the cross my Savior made me whole
My sins were washed away And my night was turned to day
When heaven came down and glory filled my soul

O, what a wonderful, wonderful day Day I will never forget
When I was wandering in darkness away Jesus my Savior I met
O, what a tender compassionate Friend He met the need of my heart
Shadows dispelling with joy I am telling He made all the darkness depart

O, what a wonderful, wonderful day, Yeah, today
And O, what a glorious, glorious day The day You came, came to save me
O, what a wonderful, wonderful day The day You came and You saved me.

Poems/Songs by the Host of this Website

“Wouldn’t It Be Fine?”

Wouldn’t it be fine if we made time
To sing a song for everyone.
But men are dif; its one big if.

Wouldn’t it be good if someone would
Make one world from every word.
A book so nice would be worth reading twice.

If I chose the perfect dance,
Would you walk with me for long
Or long for some new way to move?

Wouldn’t it be fine if passing near
The king of chaos were to hear
The sound from earth of one good time?

If the world went simply round
With purring sound, I think we could
See good from wrong and sing one song.

A trio rhymes in harmony
Like rivers flowing to the sea.
If love is such a happy tune
Everyone should soon sing along
But what’s wrong with you and me?

“Until Set Free”

Sound of feet along the street,
Shadows everywhere,
And through the night a ray of light
Reveals a lady fair.
So fine is she, for all can see
The jewels in her hair.

Lovely dress and all the rest
Are priceless to be sure,
For what the cost when love she lost
And cannot buy a cure.
The heart when sold for want of gold
Can never more be pure.

For the warmth she needs, her hunger feeds
Upon the lips of men.
They praise her face and pretty lace,
And they even praise her sin.
They call her good and wish she would
Allow them to come in.

On a fateful day she walked away
From what she would not be.
Now the one who would have done her good
She never more will see.
For the choice she made a price she paid
Until she is set free.

“Once Upon a Time”

Once a tiny thread appeared
Way down inside my head.
I thought she may have come to stay,
But then she blew away
Like a wisp of hair to someone new.

“Girl, I love you,
You send my mind spinning round and round.”
These are words I often hear,
But I know they aren’t sincere.
When the show is over I go home and read the news
Of another star’s divorce.

My mind is in confusion,
Her image shattered now.
Still I struggle hard to see
Beyond the disillusion.

“Girl, I love you; I live only for you.
Girl, I’ll always love only you.”
These are words I want to say
Unless it’s just act one in a play,
Just a passing interlude in a world
spinning round and round.

Her picture now is faded,
My letters sent in vain.
All is dark around me,
And all inside is pain.
Girl, I loved you
(once upon a time).

“Someday”

Sleepy, I’m so sleepy, Let me rest on your shoulder.
Peacefully, you close by me, Until the night is over.
And dream we will come To the garden someday.

Someday, I will leave you, Don’t say, “It’s not true!”
Remember the good times, Not the things we didn’t do.
The past is behind us, The future soon, too, someday.

Someday, maybe soon, You will love again.
If you cry my name in your sleep, Just say, I was a friend.
For if he knew how close we were, It might hurt him.

Though time will tell us when to go, We never will know why
We wander far away, girl, Through clouds that mist the eye.
Physicians and politicians Can’t save their pawns’ souls, someday.

So, stay by me a little while,
And let me see your pretty smile
As I drift off, away from you…

“When You’re Alone”

Rushing rivers and flashing floods race to the sea,
But if they want an easy journey, they won’t follow me.

I’ve wandered far away,
Searching for a reason to stay,
Hoping I might find someone
Who will share their peace of mind.

The storm comes; people hide inside before too late,
But since I can’t escape my dreams, night is a much worse fate.

I’ve wondered what is love,
Is man created or God above,
Hoping I might find answers,
But fearing I will search ‘til the end.

Sadness is when you’re alone,
Where you don’t belong.
Sorrow is even in a throng
When love is gone.

Time passes, children grow, And old lovers die,
But since I’ve never lived, Death might as well pass me by.

“The Power of Love”

Before you came I was swallowed by caverns of darkness.
Hiding from reality, I did not even seek a reason to live.
Lips so silent, but eyes so wild,
My insides were ripped into pieces of fire.
Flames formed one torch,
Troubled waters came to rest in your smile.

Have you ever dreamed ten thousand times?
Loud, but shy, you laugh and stare,
Wanting to talk with someone who cares,
Not just to be one of the crowd.

Many so wise told of glory in smoke and in tablets.
Dreams freer than peace of mind, hell had my soul.
Then one night in the clouds I breathed,
Your hand cooled my head, woke me from the dead.
And I turned from a sunless freedom to fight
For love seasoned with sweat and trued with tears.

Through the clouds of death,
I see you standing there;
I kiss your shining hair;
You lead me to a hidden garden
Full of flowers, where
Touching, we tremble all over
In wonder at the power of love.

“Late Last Night”

Late last night a young girl dreamed
Her love would grow forever,
Then a wise man, who from ages long ago seemed
Took her to a state of never-never,
And he told her everything he’d learned,
Taught her how the silver cord to sever,
But they stumbled and fell into hell.

Every song has now been sung,
The last wedding bell has long since rung,
And the prisoners have all been hung.
There is nothing more to create,
The universe is man’s estate,
The name of it is hate.

There is no new game to try,
No new name to love or cry,
No reason to laugh or die.
No new dreams are born within,
And all that will ever be has been.
There’s no new way to sin.

Each of us is god and so
There is nothing more to know,
No new place to go,
Not even in your mind,
For that was left behind.

Late last night a madman died,
An obvious case of suicide
So they laughed at his graveside,
Saying, “What’s the use to be blue?
There’s nothing that we could do.
Thank God that he’s dead, too!

For the last rites have been said,
The prophets are now all dead,
And their gravestones have not changed to bread.”
But there was a young child,
And a sage with long gray beard,
Who knew Satan’s priest should tell them—warn them
That his spirit had reappeared.

Each of them had seen the light
Flashing far away in the night
To return when the time is right
Some day beyond the end
To start the world spinning again.

“Young Woman”

Young woman, pretty virgin lady,
What fire makes your face so radiant?
Is it the admiring glance of Apollo’s fading rays,
Or the spirit of love and joy within you,
Or is it the way you smile?
Whatever it is, it magnifies your charm,
And your warm, softly sweatered breast
Covers a tender heart.

Young woman, pure in mind and body,
What god made you sweet and innocent?
Whoever he is, I praise him for your charm.
And your long, softly-flowing hair
Whispers to my trembling heart.

I love you, Eve at dawn in Eden.
Thank God, that He made young woman.

“The Perfect Pet”

Her hair was long, fair as the sun;
Her lips were pink and shiny,
And her skin was pure, like a young babe’s.

Her eyes were blue, they sparkled like dew;
Her form was thin and curvy;
Her lashes had curls, her teeth were like pearls.

She was so fine–proud she was mine,
Yet to myself I wondered,
Was she a dream ‘neath make-up and cream?

Then came the day that proved my worst fears,
For much to my chagrin,
Last night while out on a date, the rain
Washed away her perfect skin,
Her eyebrows, eye lashes, and then,

Her golden hair, fell on the floor,
A lens popped out of one eye,
The poor girl’s figure came all unglued–
Her legs burst out of her hose,
And pimples appeared on her nose!

So disillusioned was I then, it nearly broke my heart;
Rather than seek another love, I decided to play it smart.
I pawned her picture to buy a pet rock,
And though it is not nearly the same,
At least I’m fairly sure, I guess,
The rock won’t dissolve in rain!

“Born to Lose”

I loved a gal; her name was Sue.
When she cried, she went “boo-hoo”.
Nothing wrong with that I know,
But she married my friend, Joe.

Born to lose, but I don’t care;
If I did, I’d have gray hair.
Born to lose, but I don’t mind;
May sound crazy, but that’s my kind.
Born to lose, but that’s okay,
Don’t need to win to like to play.

I had a dog, his name was “Noodle”;
He liked a short, black-haired French poodle.
That dog was NOT my best friend;
Noodle and the poodle left last weekend.
Born to lose…

I made my last payment on a new used car;
I washed it and I waxed it, and I didn’t drive far.
I loved that car, I was proud to say,
But a semi ran it over on the north freeway.
Born to lose…

I had a gal, her name was “Mary”;
Not a bad looker, quite the contrary.
I lost her in the month of June,
And just now I lost the tune–
Born to lose…

I found ten dollars on the street one day,
Just as a pretty girl was walking away.
I caught up to her and held out the money;
She kicked me in the shin and said, “Don’t be funny!”
Born to lose…

I’ve never won a prize and never won a race;
I’ve never kept a job or kissed a pretty face,
But another type of life, I would not choose.
I guess it’s just a habit I’ll never lose.

“Dairy Queen”

Gentlemen, beware. This tale I tell is true,
And if you don’t take care, the same might happen to you.

Now I’ve traveled here, and I’ve traveled there.
I guess I’ve been ‘most everywhere.
I’ve met many girls, some kind, some mean,
But none like the girl at the Dairy Queen.

Say, little Dairy Queen, are you kind or mean?
And what is your name? (For that is why I came.)

I was passing through a very smallish town,
Seeking a place not to settle down.
Saw a girl in the Dairy Queen just my style;
The only problem was–she wouldn’t smile.

Now, one, two, three cherry cokes, or four;
Still no smile, so I drank some more,
And then a date I tried to arrange,
But all I got was a nickel in change.

Hey, stubborn Dairy Queen! Are there teeth to be seen?
Then why won’t you smile? (My breath is nice, and I use Dial:)

I ate one big burger with unpeeled fries;
I tried to eat without killing flies;
Got full and rested a little while,
For still there was no service with a smile.

I stayed in that town for a couple of days.
I tried to meet her in a dozen ways–
I grabbed her hand full of change one time,
But she scratched my arm and kept my dime.

Dang! Little Dairy Queen, you are kind of mean.
When will you love me–in a year or three?

I spoke to her softly, sweetly and all that;
Meanwhile, I was getting much too fat.
I made her wealthy buying shakes and malts;
If she can’t smile now, it’s not my fault!

Say, little Dairy Queen, you are rich and I’m cleaned.
At last I saw you smile… which makes it all worthwhile–
Now you’re my little Dairy Queen!

“The American Colonies Song”
(Tune: Old MacDonald)

Listen while I sing about American History.
It started a long time ago—12,000 B.C.
Early Americans came ‘cross the Bering Strait
Then went south eastward to Mexico and Peru,
Yucatan and elsewhere, too—polytheists all three.

Then Columbus sailed the blue in 1492,
Followed by conquistadors of Mexico and Peru:
Cortez captured Montezuma the Aztec;
Pizarro in Peru conquered the Incas next;
Colonized the American host, but smallpox killed the most.

After Spain the Frenchmen sought a northwest passage route
Through Canada and the Great Lakes, then down the Mississip’.
LaSalle claimed the whole river valley for France,
1682, down the river in canoe,
Trading with the Indians, guns and beads for furs.

Meanwhile the English arrived in 1607.
At Jamestown, Virginia they lived, led by Cpt. John Smith.
At first they starved, but then tobacco
Sold for cash, profit crop, so the colony grew;
Elected representatives to the House of Burgesses.

1620, Pilgrims sailed to Plymouth Colony,
Went seeking freedom from the Church of England ‘cross the sea.
Came the Puritans to Massachusetts Bay;
Roger Williams, in Rhode Island, befriended the Indians.
Hooker at Connecticut, then New Hampshire and Maine.

In the Middle Colonies the Dutch settled New York,
Then William Penn the Quakers took to Pennsylvania.
They were pacifists, Philadelphia,
Delaware, New Jersey, had two ports on the sea.
Diverse cultures learned to live in peaceful harmony.

Maryland was founded for Catholics to be free.
The North and South Carolinas grew rice and indigo.
Oglethorpe founded Georgia for debtors,
Plantations wanted slaves imported from Africa,
And the planters passed slave codes cruel to the blacks.

England had a belief called “mercantilism”,
So Navigation Acts it passed, taxing the colonies.
French and Indian War caused some big war debts,
Sugar tax, the Stamp Act, and the Quartering Act,
Then the Boston Massacre and the Tea Party.

The Coercive Acts were passed    in 1774.
Finally, the Quebec Act    “broke the camel’s back”:
Samuel Adams led    the First Cont’nental Congress;
Paul Revere,    Minutemen, Lexington—the first shot.
This is where my song does end:    the American Rev’lution.

Two “Redeemed” Songs:

“Dear God”
(Tune: the Beatles’ “Hey Jude”)

Dear God, sometimes I’m bad;
take my sad song and make it better.
The minute I let you into my heart,
then I can start to make it better.

Dear Lord, give me your love;
teach me compassion for all my brothers.
The minute I let you under my skin,
then I’ll begin to love them better.

And anytime I feel the pain, I’ll call your name,
Why carry the world upon my shoulders.
For now I know that it’s a fool who plays it cool,
Ignoring your peace, your love, the gospel.

Jesus, I won’t let you down;
you have loved me, now I will love everyone.
The minute I let you into my heart,
then I could start to love them better.

I’ll put hate out and let love in, Jesus, begin,
I’m waiting for someone to perform with.
And don’t you know that it’s just you, Jesus, you’ll do;
The moment you came loving had meaning.

Dear God, I’m no longer sad;
got your glad song, and I feel better,
The minute I let you under my skin,
then I began to make it better, better, …
Da, da da, da da da da,… Dear God. (repeat and fade)

“Where Do You Fit?”

(Tune: The Who’s “And They Say We are in Love”)

Where do you fit in the history of sin,
with lust in your eye, and a passion for gin?
And how do you feel when the new day comes,
Does it matter one bit if you see her again?
And you say it’s love, but who do you love?

Look how you walk, full of hatred and pride;
Your money buys much, that can’t be denied,
But tell me right now, don’t put on your act:
Is your life worth two cents; are you happy inside?
You say you love God, but who is your god?

You never think of the future or past;
The time that you get, you’re spending too fast.
Like a woman in childbirth, you think that your pain
Will be over soon, it surely can’t last.
You say Christ was good, but who nailed Him to that wood?
Yes, Jesus loves you, but do you love Him, too?

“Ode for the Hinterland”

(Inspired by hiking at Philmont Scout Ranch)

Thanks for the ride, and the car drops you off
On your own with a pack on your back.
Leaving humanity over the hill
You breathe in a warm meadow flowery air.

Under the oak a meandering stream
Sings a melody soft and serene
Of long ago men, who sifted the sand
In search of a golden dream.
Now dissipated, broken beer bottles
Rusted tin cans and rotten timbers
Testify to their holes in the earth.

Tracking her offspring, soon you meet mother
Tumbling untamed down the canyon.
Fill a canteen with her clear virgin water;
Succor your soul with her cool alpine nectar,
Then trudge up a ridge, where the fresh mountain breeze
Shocks your sweat-laden brow.
The salt on your lips seems a sweet communion.

Pause among trees for a second wind,
And gaze through the leaves at a sky so blue
Where the moon shines, too,
Borrowing light and eternally bound,
You wonder if asexual orbs are content…

With new inspiration (renewed respiration)
You follow an animal trail through the woods
Of perfumed pines, spruce and fir
Covering the hillsides, keeping them cool.

You lunch on some sandwiches brought from the city,
While lulled half asleep by a musical brook.
So tempting to lie and let time pass you by…
But rousing from reverie, suddenly spy
A field of ripe raspberries, just desserts.

Finally tree line is reached at a saddle,
And eagerly seeking the view from the top
You climb without resting, hands pushing your knees,
Wheezing and hoping your heart doesn’t die
For your ears are now buzzing from the rare air,
Sounding just like a chain saw.

Damn it! It is! And you stare unbelieving
At the raped valley, where road after road
Cross and criss-cross the denuded hills—
A lumbering project, new housing, who cares?
You desperately search for the view long-expected
Of white quaking aspen, now golden for Fall,
But find only holes they left in the earth
Testify to the Eden before…

You slide slowly back down the same way you came.
No use to go on and face uncle sam sawyer,
When safe in the forest the birds and the bees
Will salve your conscience, seducing your will,
And tell you it was all a mirage.

After the daily mid-afternoon downpour,
The clouds Passover until the sun shines,
And in a small clearing you kindle a fire
Of squaw wood with needles for tinder
To fry a small fish for your last supper.
Then lie in your bedroll and watch the coals die
As Mars and Orion stand guard.

Think nothing, sleep soundly, ignoring tomorrow
When the sun will arise and ascend
And bear your burden back to the highway—
Back to the city, to love and to scheme,
Forgetting this high, heavy nocturnal dream…

“Pyramid Logic”

God at the apex
We around its base,
The closer we get to God,
The closer we are to each other.

Pyramid logic.

ETCETERA

The Prayers of Paul:

Colossians 1:3&9b-12 Ephesians 1:15-19 Philippians 1:3-11

We always thank God, the Father For this reason, ever since I heard about         I thank my God every time I remember you.
of our Lord Jesus Christ, when your faith in the LJC and your love for all In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray
we pray for you… the saints, I have not stopped giving with joy because of your partnership in the
thanks for you…in my prayers partnership in the gospel.
…asking God to fill you with …I keep asking that the God of our LJC, …And this is my prayer:  that your love may
the knowledge of his will through the glorious Father, may give you the abound more and more in knowledge and
all spiritual understanding… Spirit of wisdom and revelation… depth of insight…
understanding…
…in order that you may live …that you may know the hope to which …so that you may be able to discern what is best
a life worthy of the Lord and he has called you, the riches of his glorious and may be pure and blameless until the day of
may please him in every way… inheritance in the saints… Christ…
…bearing fruit in every good work    …filled with the fruit of righteousness…
being strengthened with all power …and his incomparably great power for
us who believe…

2THS 1:11-12 2THS 2:16-17 2THS 3:5&1THS 5:23

We constantly pray for you, That May our LJC and God our Father… May the Lord direct your Hearts into
our God may count you worthy of strengthen you in every good deed and word. God’s love and Christ’s perseverance.
his calling, and that by his power May God… sanctify you through and through.
he may fulfill every good purpose May your whole spirit, soul and body
of yours and every act prompted be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord…
by your faith.

Paul’s Possible 4th Missionary Journey
(Based on Information in Paul’s Epistles not Chronicled in ACTS)

1. Released from prison in Rome (A.D. 62?)
2. Went to Spain in fulfillment of the desire expressed in RM 15:23-24a&28 (62-63?):
“But now that there is no more place for me to work in these regions, and since I have been longing for many years to visit you [Christians in Rome], 24 I plan to do so when I go to Spain… So after I have completed this task and have made sure that they [leaders of the church in Jerusalem] have received this contribution, I will go to Spain and visit you on the way.”
3. Went to Corinth and then to Miletus (via Crete), where he left Trophimus per 2TM 4:20 (64?):
“Erastus stayed in Corinth, and I left Trophimus sick in Miletus.”
4. Went to Crete (on his way to Miletus), where he left Titus per TIT 1:5 (64?):
“The reason I left you in Crete was that you might put in order what was left unfinished [on his first visit in ACTS 27:7-13] and appoint elders in every town, as I directed you.”
5. Went to Colosse per his plan mentioned in PHM 22 (65?):
“And one thing more: Prepare a guest room for me, because I hope to be restored to you in answer to your prayers.”
6. Went to Ephesus and then to Macedonia per 1TM 1:3 (66?):
“As I urged you when I went into Macedonia, stay there in Ephesus so that you may command certain people not to teach false doctrines any longer.”
7. Went to Philippi as indicated in 1TM 1:3 (above) and PHP 2:23-24 (66?):
“I hope, therefore, to send him [Timothy] as soon as I see how things go with me. 24 And I am confident in the Lord that I myself will come soon.”
8. Went to Nicopolis [on west coast of Macedonia] per TIT 3:12 (66-67?):
“As soon as I send Artemas or Tychicus to you, do your best to come to me at Nicopolis, because I have decided to winter there.”
9. Went to Rome, where he was martyred by Nero along with other Christians (67 or 68?).

Hezekiah

1:1- Life is rarely simple; 1:2- if it’s not one thing, it’s another.

2:1- An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.

3:1- Accentuate the positive; eliminate the negative.

4:1- Love to learn and learn to love.

5:1- It takes two to tango or tangle.

6:1- Two wrongs do not make a right.

7:1- Communication is key.

8:1- Variety is the spice of life.

Geometry and Natural Revelation

Point – the beginning: God or not?

Line – the alpha and omega: Connecting/uniting or dividing?

Plane – the trinity: two-sided, synthesis or complexity/grey?

Pyramid – space: room to operate/moral free will or empty?

Fifth dimension – divine or quantum physics?

Chain Sinning

Sin usually is a cluster or chain of sins, as illustrated by the first man and woman’s fall from innocence (in GN 3:1-6) as follows:

The first sin was misdirected faith/not doubting the lie of the serpent (1JN 4:1, 2CR 11:3).
The second sin was adding to or perverting God’s word (RV 22:18f.), because in the recorded instructions to Adam God had said only that they must not eat the fruit; He had not said they could not touch it (GN 2:17).
The third sin was one of omission. Adam and Eve neglected to ask God about the devil’s teaching (JM 4:17, 1:5).
The fourth sin must have been greed for the forbidden fruit, because the inner sinful attitude always precedes the outward sinful action (CL 3:5).
The fifth sin was actually eating the forbidden fruit, which was not an apple!
The sixth sin was covering up and lying (PS 32:1-5, 1JN 1:9). Note that Adam and Eve were both deceived and enabled each other to sin (v.6-7). (1TM 2:14 is problematic.)

Scriptures on God’s Requirement for Salvation

[stated in terms of faith (F) and works (W)]

From Matthew

Repent (4:17, F),
Recognize one’s spiritual poverty (5:3, F)
Be righteous (5:20, W)
Love your enemies (5:44, W)
Serve God (6:24&33, W)
Enter the narrow gate (7:13, F)
Do God’s will (7:21 & 12:50, F&W)
Hear and act (7:24, F&W)
Confess Jesus (10:32, W)
Love Jesus (10:37, F)
Give life to Jesus (10:39& 16:24-25, F)
Have no doubt (11:6, F)
Come to Jesus (11:28, F)
Learn from Jesus (11:29, W)
Be for Jesus (12:30, F)
Understand (13:23, F)
Be good (5:48 & 13:38,43,49, W)
Value salvation (13:44-46, F)
Believe Jesus (16:16& 21:32, F)
Become humble (18:3-4 & 19:14, W)
Forgive others (18:35, W)
Give to the poor (19:21, W)
Follow Jesus (19:21&29, F)
Yield fruit (21:43, W)
Dress appropriately (22:11-14, cf. RV 16:15, W)
Love God, neighbor & self (22:37-40, W)
Hold out until the end (24:13, F)
Keep awake (24:42 & 25:13, F)
Be ready (24:44, F&W)
Be trustworthy and useful (25:21&30, F&W)
Help Jesus’ brothers (25:34-40, W)
Be righteous/do right (25:46, F&W)