 Lots of words in today's poem that begin with the Letter P for the #AtoZChallenge: Pharisee, preach, pray, perfect, pious — can you tell I like alliteration?
Pharisee Friend “Why do you believe what you do?” A friend asked me the other day. “All I hear is vitriol From those who preach and pray.” I thought about my answer, Not wanting to offend, But needing to be faithful In a world that’s filled with sin. “I believe what the Bible says – That God condemns such things. I know that I’m not perfect; I rely on grace God brings.” I saw the way she briefly looked And knew what went through her mind: “I’ve seen you sin, my pious friend, Do you think I’m completely blind?” How do I explain myself To someone who’s seen me sin? To her I’m just a Pharisee She tolerates as a friend. God, help the life I’ve journeyed Be an example of your grace, Let others see your mercy, Not the sin I once embraced.
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 Omnipotence, omniscience, omnipresence — big words to describe a big God. But, what do they all mean? Use the poem below to remember these important attributes of God as the #AtoZChallenge continues with the Letter O.
Omni-Everything Omnipotent means “all powerful,” God’s majesty displayed. Omniscience means “all knowing,” God sees each and every day. Omnipresence means “God everywhere,” He finds us where we are. Omni-benevolent means “all good,” Only God can reach that bar. All powerful, all knowing, God everywhere, all good – He’s “Omni-everything” – And through faith I’ve understood.  Did you make a New Year's resolution 4 months ago to read the bible through this year? Did you bog down somewhere around Leviticus? You aren't the only one! Others feel your struggle, too. Read about a different approach for next year in the poem below as the #AtoZChallenge continues with the Letter N.
New Year’s Resolution My New Year’s resolution Was to read the Bible through, Both Old and New Testaments – Maps, concordance, too. Day one went really well – The story of creation, Followed by the ark, In my best translation. In those first few weeks I read of Moses and the law, The Ten Commandment tablets And the blessings Israel saw. But, along about day thirty, Leviticus came in view, All those rules and sacrifices And offering guidance, too. Instead of easy stories, I was faced with rules of old, And my New Year’s reading challenge Started growing pretty cold. So, here I am, once again, Stalled before Book Four, Maybe when the next year comes, I’ll read a little more. But, here will be my plan From day one of that new year: Start with Revelation And work backward from the rear. And maybe I might see By looking at the end The value of Leviticus And the message that it sends. From . . . And a Poem, Too by Kathy Mansfield  Letter M of the #AtoZChallenge brings us to a little known Old Testament king: Melchizedek. What better time than Easter to learn about someone who foreshadowed the coming Christ. Read about Melchizedek in Genesis 14, and then find him mentioned again in Hebrews.
Melchizedek Genesis 14 Hebrews 5, 6, 7 Melchizedek, King of Salem, And priest of God Most High, Greeted Abram after war And brought him bread and wine. Melchizedek gave a blessing To Abram from the Lord; Abram gave a tenth of goods His victories had restored. Melchizedek is remembered As resembling God’s own Son; He wasn’t Who would come, But an example of the One. Jesus is the final priest, Atonement for our sins, And Melchizedek was there As the story all begins. from . . . And a Poem, Too by Kathy Mansfield  Being called "lukewarm" by God is not a compliment, but that is the word that He used to describe the church at Laodicea in the book of Revelation. Read the post for the Letter L in the April #AtoZChallenge for bloggers.
Laodicea Revelation 3:14-19 I'm often Laodicea -- Never take a stand, Strong beliefs for sure, But no dirt upon these hands! Why stir up any trouble? Why make matters worse? I'll sit here with my mouth shut And watch you rant and curse. God will be so proud of me-- I didn't make folks mad! Or will He simply spit me out Since lukewarm tastes so bad?  The Letter K in the #AtoZChallenge brings us to the story of one of the Old Testament's most memorable kings: King Solomon. Read about his life in the poem below.
Solomon Solomon had wisdom – T’is a well-known fact, But using wisdom wisely Was a skill that he did lack. It started back when he was young, Just starting out as king, He asked the Lord to give to him Just one specific thing. “Give me wisdom!” was his plea. “I’ll keep away all strife!” But God gave even more to him: Riches, fame, long life. At first the wisdom did him well, He prospered in his reign, But then a wandering eye Gave his legacy a stain. Not just one more wife – Hundreds made a vow, Then a bunch of concubines Showed up to take a bow. Solomon made alliances With each and every one, And worshiping all their idols Made his kingdom come undone. Although he reigned for 40 years, No such luck with his descendants, Until the Son of David came Accepting man’s repentance. So, Solomon wasted gifts from God And squandered what he had, But God used him anyway To bring lots of good from bad. From . . . And a Poem by Kathy Mansfield  Today's focus in the #AtoZChallenge is the letter J, and I've chosen a topic that might seem rather gruesome: the story of Jael in the book of Judges. Judges 4 gives the gory details of the end of Jael's life. Read Judges 4, as well as the poem below, to discover what happened!
Jael’s Peg Judges 4 Sisera was an enemy In a Hebrew nation war A fact he would have changed Had he known what lay in store. The battles he had won Made him proud and prone to boast He thought Israel would fall Just as easily as most. But God had other plans And used a woman in a tent To bring a warlord down And cause a nation to repent. As Deborah had predicted, A victory would be won But not by any man -- By a woman it was done. Jael called to Sisera: “Come hide inside my tent. I’ll give you milk to drink, And they won’t know where you went.” Jael grabbed a peg While Sisera took a nap; She nailed it through his head As he lay upon her lap. As Deborah had predicted Victory was at hand, With credit to a woman, Just as God had planned. From . . . And a Poem, Too by Kathy Mansfield  For Day 9 of the #AtoZChallenge, enjoy a poem based on the story of a blind man in the book of John whose life is changed forever after an encounter with Jesus.
I Was Blind John 9:1-41 “Why was he born blind?” The disciples asked of Christ. “The sins of his parents Or his own preventing sight?” “Not because of sin – His own or his parents – But so that man would see God’s power is apparent.” Then Jesus made a paste From saliva and from dirt. He placed it on the eyes So the blindness would revert. Jesus sent him to Siloam To wash in waters there. The beggar’s eyes were healed Which brought amazement everywhere. “Who healed you? What has happened? Where’s this man? Who is he?” The beggar said, “He’s Jesus. I was blind, but now I see!”  The heroes listed in Hebrews 11 give us a glimpse into a kind of faith few of us have known and a reminder that our hope in God is well-founded and honored.
Hebrews 11 Faith is the confidence That what we hope for will come true Giving us assurances Of things we cannot view. Because of their faith The people in days of old Earned a reputation For trusting what’s foretold. By faith we understand That by a word from God alone The universe was formed Out of things that were unknown. Abel had that faith, And his offering pleased the Lord, And his example is just one Showing faith’s reward. Enoch had that faith; As a result he didn’t die; Because he pleased the Lord, He was taken up on high. Noah had that faith And chose to build an ark; He believed what God had warned And told his family to embark. Abraham had faith When God called him from his home. He obeyed and went at once; For God he chose to roam. Both Isaac and then Jacob Had faith like Abraham, Looking forward to a city Ruled by God’s only Lamb. Sarah had that faith And conceived a little boy, And from his very seed, The world encountered joy. All these people died Believing in God’s word; They didn’t see the end, But had faith in what they heard. By faith an only son Was brought for sacrifice; Abraham believed God could bring him back to life. By faith that son named Isaac Gave blessings for his sons, And Jacob passed that on To Joseph’s little ones. By faith God’s servant Joseph Believed the Israelites Would leave the land of Egypt, And indeed they all took flight. By faith the baby Moses Was hidden for three months And grew to be a prince Who saved his people more than once. By faith the Red Sea parted And God’s people saw dry ground; When Egyptians tried to follow, Every one of them was drowned. By faith the Israel nation Marched for seven days, And the walls of Jericho Fell beneath their praise. By faith the harlot, Rahab, Gave shelter to God’s spies, And she alone was saved When her city heard Death’s cries. By faith so many others Whose stories could be told Earned a reputation For being brave and bold. Yet none of them received The promise that they knew-- A promise we embrace Thanks to a faithful few. from . . . And a Poem, Too by Kathy Mansfield  Jesus' response to a Pharisee question lets us know how to live our daily lives. The Greatest Commandment is the focus of Day 7 of the #AtoZChallenge.
The Greatest Commandment Matthew 22:36-40 The Pharisees asked Jesus, “Which commandment in the Law Is the one that should be kept As the one above them all?” Jesus replied with this: “Love the Lord with all your heart. This is first and greatest And is the way you each must start.” “A second law that equals this Is love your neighbors, too. The entire Law encompassed In these commands I give to you.” |
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