Poems, Personal Stories, and Observations

Posts tagged ‘God’

The Existence of Evil Proves God’s Love

This came to me a few days ago.  A friend said that it was good as far as it went,
but that there wasn't enough about God's chastisement.  I added one sentence about
that later. At any rate, here it is.  Comments are welcome.

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The title statement may seem shocking or incomprehensible.  Evil brings much pain
and suffering to this world.  Bitterness, hatred, trauma, violence, and it goes on
and on.  History is littered with the consequences of evil.

But we need to know this:  Love is something that can never be forced.  You cannot
MAKE someone love  you.  You can attempt to make yourself more attractive to them
perhaps, but attracting the person doesn't necessarily mean they love you; they 
may be out for their own pleasure, or trying to fulfill a need.

God's love, however, is totally pure.  God IS love.  He will never force us to 
choose Him, and if He did, it wouldn't be real love; it would be a lie.  Therefore,
God allows us to accept or reject Him.  He doesn't want false love.  He knows that
real love is a totally free decision.

Don't confuse what people may have presented to you as God's love; there may be
a confusion in your heart and mind between how people may have treated you,
how some bad things have happened to you, and what you would consider love.  
Instead, go read the Bible and see how merciful God is to the woman caught in 
adultery (John 8:1-11), or the book of Judges, where over and over God rescued 
His wayward people, or the books of Ezra and Nehemiah, where God mercifully brings
back His people to Israel after a period of exile for their grievous sins.
Notice the story of Peter in John 18:15-18, 25-27 and 21:15-19, how Jesus gently
draws Peter back to Him after denying him three times.  You will notice that God
is always offering love, even when people are doing wrong things.  

You may not be aware of the things you are choosing.  It may even be that some 
people unconsciously choose or reject God's love.  I am not the one to judge 
whether you have accepted or rejected God.  But, I do believe that if you reject
His love, evil will grow.  Maybe you don't even realize you're doing it.

So, God allows us incredible freedom.  He gives us real love, and He wants only
real love from us. It is our choice to accept His love or not. [His love can 
include chastisement, but it's a loving chastisement designed to guide us back to
His truth.] The consequences of our choice are huge.

Category:

Commentary, Faith

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Tale of the Rat: Two Sequels

THAT FEARFUL THING

That fearful thing did quiet lurk.
It disappeared into the dirt.

I dreaded to that thing go near;
With apprehension I did fear.

I set a trap to catch that thing.
I’d catch it good, with trap to sting.

I knew it must a monster be.
I knew it lurked to get at me.

What wonder did my eyes behold —
‘Twas not a rat, but lizard bold.

It looked benign, it stared at me.
It did not jump — sat quietly.

And now I’ve given the thing a name.
My fear misplaced — it’s not to blame.

—————————————————————————————————————————

IN DARK SHADOWS

In dark shadows live our fears;
In half-seen pictures, fear comes near.
In hidden places lurk our doubts;
In darkest alleys, doubt comes out.

Our thoughts get twisted, tied in knots —
Contorted, garbled — truth it’s not.
Imagination — it runs wild.
We’re fearful like a little child.

Until the light of love turns on,
Until God’s truth shines like the sun.
Until we give Him all our fears —
And then He calms and dries our tears.

Category:

Christian, Faith, Humor, Poems

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More Amazed

Every day
I’m more amazed
That I have lived
Another day.

The world’s still here;
I’m still alive.
God’s mercy
Helping me to thrive.

It’s not that I’ve
Been gravely ill.
Not quite so old —
Nor over the hill.

He’s just surprised me,
Still walks beside me,
He’s keeping me here —
The purpose not clear.

Amazing grace,
How sweet the sound.
My destiny
Is heaven bound.

Category:

Poems

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Too Much Me

There’s too much Me,
It’s plain to see —
On this we can agree.

Too much of Self,
Let’s put it on the shelf —
My soul needs help.

It’s by God’s grace
I can embrace
The truths I need to face.

So thanking Him
Comes peace within;
Begin again.

Category:

Poems

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A Psalm for Today

Dance, dance,
Dance to the Lord.
Sing and shout His praises always —
Dance to the Lord.

God has visited His people!
He has not abandoned us;
He has not left us orphaned.

He is a sure Boat in troubled water,
A Rock in shifting sands,
A Bridge across deep chasms;
He is our Life Preserver.

Though violence is all around me,
He will keep my soul safe.
Though my body be ravaged,
He will not abandon me.

Though He brings us low,
He will again raise us up.
Though He chastises,
He will again comfort us.

God’s Word lives forever;
It cannot die.

Who can know the ways of the Lord?
Give all to Him,
And He will make your paths straight.

Category:

Faith, Poems

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A Child Be

How can I His child be
When worldly cares relentlessly
Beat at my door?

I must let go,
Let trust decide
And be my guide.

Let go with wings
And songs that sing
Eternal glory.

Give up my way
And eyes must stay
On unseen Lord.

Does He now know
My suff’ring deep?
Of course; ‘tis His.

And calmly will I
Go to sleep
And rest in Him.

Category:

Faith, Poems

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Blest by Believing

“And blessed is she who believed that there would be a fulfillment of what was spoken to her from the Lord.” (Luke 1:45)

Blest by believing,
Blest one of faith.
Blest in her offspring,
Blest by God great.

Blest in the morning,
Blest in the night.
Blest in her dreaming,
God took away fright.

Blest in her suffering,
Blest in her pain,
Blest in her offering
To God unrestrained.

Bless-ed be Joseph,
Her faithful betrothed —
By angel visited
And Mary took home.

In faith going forward
On roads then untrod,
To unknown beginnings,
They gave all to God.

Category:

Poems

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I Dreamed That It Was Raining

[Written during the California drought of 2014 and during the Ferguson, Missouri, riots.]

I dreamed that it was raining
And streets were wet again.
The cars went by
And gave a sigh
As water splashed on them.

I dreamed that it was raining
And children laughed aloud.
With gleeful hoots
Their muddy boots
Through puddles gaily plowed.

I dreamed that it was raining
And clouds burst forth in flood.
Their waters calmed
The violence strong
And peace could now be found.

I dreamed that it was raining
And living water sped
From streamlets high
To rivers dry —
The thirsty land was fed.

I dreamed that it was raining
And black made friends with white.
The past was healed,
Their friendship sealed,
With harmony in sight.

I dreamed that it was raining
Upon the wasted land.
The thirsty earth
Could now give birth
To many seedlings grand.

I dreamed that it was raining
And cleansing tears were shed
O’er mem’ries deep,
I now could sleep,
Could rest upon my bed.

I dreamed that it was raining
And God forgave my sins.
He calmed my fears
And dried my tears,
And I could live again.

Category:

Poems

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Only a Shadow

Today I see Your beauty,
An ever-changing sight,
But really just a shadow —
Creation mirrors Your light.

The wonders You have fashioned
Are merely slightest glimpse
Of Your majestic glory,
Your awesome pow’r intense.

The roaring river waters,
The waves that rise and fall,
The quietness of shallows,
The soaring eagle’s call.

But sure Your greatest wonder,
The utmost height of all,
Is how You love Your creatures,
Though oft’ we gravely fall.

Category:

Nature, Poems

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Have You Got My Back?

Feeling alone
And forlorn.
There’s nobody home.

Must keep on track,
Have you got my back?
Help me, Lord.

I know I’ll get through this,
With God I can do this,
But it takes so long.

You’re changing me daily;
I’m feeling so fraily.
My God is my strength.

Category:

Christian, Jesus, Poems

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