Poems, Personal Stories, and Observations

Archive for July, 2013

Since all have sinned …

I recall that as a teenager, I happened to watch a documentary in which a Jewish survivor of the World War II concentration camps was narrating his experience at the Nuremberg trials, which were held for the purpose of bringing Nazi war criminals to justice. The Jewish survivor, while listening to one of those on trial speak, suddenly fainted. When he regained consciousness, he was able to recall why he had fainted — he had suddenly realized as he listened to the man on trial, that he himself, given certain circumstances, would be just as capable of committing the same crimes.

How much do we need God’s mercy, “since all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God … ” (Romans 3:23). Lord, help us to allow you to change our hearts.

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While I Was Busy

While I was busy
Feeling self-pity
I missed the joy of the moment

While I was busy
Being offended
I missed a lesson I could learn

While I was busy
With jealousy and envy
I missed my abundant blessings

While I was busy
Feeling so bitter
I missed the sweetness of creation

While I was busy
Being self-righteous
I missed the grace that I could give and receive

While I was busy
Feeling you’d attacked me or my beliefs
I missed God’s unconditional love for me

While I was busy
Holding onto my anger
I missed God’s unconditional love for you

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Retreat

I’ve retreated
To a quiet place;
Just need my space.

Too many things
Are coming at me;
I cannot think.

Different voices,
Different choices;
Who’s telling the truth?

All sincerely,
Intensely believing;
Is someone lying?

Focus on Jesus,
He’ll never leave us.
Our mighty God!

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Christian, Poems

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Silence

Help me understand.
I didn’t know
What my words might do to you.

I’m in a fantasy land;
Can’t understand
What my actions do to you.

Am I bereft
Of empathy?
Completely void
Of sympathy?

How did I know
What I could do,
Since silent were those
Who’d tell me true?

What does the silence mean?
It can be peaceful and serene.
It can be tense, it can be mean.

Let our silence be a calm,
A healing balm,
A space that will give birth to song.

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Poems

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Broken Today

Broken today
By my own sin.
Tears of sorrow
Fall like the rain.
Only Your love
Will bring a new day.

So weak without You;
Why do I doubt You?
Wandering eyes
Start looking at lies.
Inadequate soul —
Why my surprise?

Why all the violence?
Lacking godly reliance.
Too driven by lust —
In God we must trust.
We all have our fears —
To Him let’s draw near.

Feel so insecure,
But Your love is sure.
Yes, I am weak,
But Your strength I will seek.
Though sometimes depressed,
By You I am blessed.

You’ve won the war,
The strife for my soul.
Now I allow
Your grace to endow
Your new life in me —
And thus victory.

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Christian, Poems

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I Need Your Healing

Lord, I need Your healing
From pride, from sin,
From jealousies within.

Please cleanse this broken heart,
Let me make a new start,
Give me Your Sacred Heart.

From fear, from hate,
Wipe clean the slate —
Your love demonstrate.

Help me look up above,
Focus only on Your love,
Fly free like a dove.

Then Your healing light
Will give my soul flight.
I am whole in Your sight.

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Christian, Jesus, Poems

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A Thousand Ways

Your Love is told a thousand ways
As steady we traverse our days.
The fact that we exist is one,
And then the Father, Spirit, Son.

Each new green leaf, each tender stalk,
Each fragrant flower, as we do walk.
A tender touch, a kindly smile,
The one who says, “Come stay a while.”

Forgiving words and peaceful pardons,
Sustaining waters, grace-filled gardens.
Creation sings; Your love song rings.
The stars, the skies, let praises rise.

Majestic mountains, roiling streams,
Icy fountains, bright sunbeams.
And darkness too, can give You glory —
More brightly shines the candle’s story.

A thousand ways let hearts explore.
Your Love still gives a thousand more.

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Christian, Creation, Jesus, love, Nature, Poems

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Communism’s Seven Wonders

A Hungarian relative sent me this. I don’t know who wrote it and I hope I translated it correctly!

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COMMUNISM’S SEVEN WONDERS

1) Everyone had work.
2) Although everyone had work, nobody did anything.
3) Although no one did anything, production exceeded 100%.
4) Although production exceeded 100%, it was still impossible to get anything.
5) Although it was impossible to get anything, everyone had everything.
6) Although everyone had everything, nevertheless everyone was stealing.
7) Although everyone was stealing, no ever missed anything

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