The One Thing She Could Do

Your mama left you with me
I’ve no money to care for you
Take off your clothes go to that man
It was the one thing she could do

She was 12 years old and frightened
He was old and smelly too
She had no defense to his advance
It was the one thing she could do

Her body changed, she wondered why
Something inside her grew
You dare not have that baby here
It was the one thing she could do

The doctor was not nice at all
Her office smelled of dew
Lay on this bed she commanded
It was the one thing she could do

No place to sleep, no food to eat
Clothes worn and tattered too
Come here sweet thing and give me some
It was the one thing she could do

Body worn and good for nothing
Her choices were so few
Pleasure others with her body
It was the one thing she could do

Don’t judge me were her thoughts
As she laid down on the church pew
It was warm and quiet, she fell asleep
It was the one thing she could do

She heard the voice of angels
She asked Lord is that you
He said come home my child, you’re welcome
It was the one thing she could do

John 8:1-11
Jesus went across to Mount Olives, but he was soon back in the Temple again. Swarms of people came to him. He sat down and taught them.

The religion scholars and Pharisees led in a woman who had been caught in an act of adultery. They stood her in plain sight of everyone and said, “Teacher, this woman was caught red-handed in the act of adultery. Moses, in the Law, gives orders to stone such persons. What do you say?” They were trying to trap him into saying something incriminating so they could bring charges against him.

Jesus bent down and wrote with his finger in the dirt. They kept at him, badgering him. He straightened up and said, “The sinless one among you, go first: Throw the stone.” Bending down again, he wrote some more in the dirt.

Hearing that, they walked away, one after another, beginning with the oldest. The woman was left alone. Jesus stood up and spoke to her. “Woman, where are they? Does no one condemn you?”

“No one, Master.”

“Neither do I,” said Jesus. “Go on your way. From now on, don’t sin.”

I Would Rather Give You Peace

Lord I demand an answer
Will cruel wars ever cease?
He quietly responded
I would rather give you peace

Lord you weren’t listening
No, not even in the least
He whispered deep into my soul
I would rather give you peace

Lord there’s so much evil
The poor seem only to increase
He never lost His calm and said
I would rather give you peace

Lord can I get some answers
Will you wait till I’m deceased?
I’d like it my way now. He answered,
I would rather give you peace

When the waves are overwhelming
Don’t ask God for quiet seas
Your Father won’t give what you want
He would rather give you peace

John 14:27 Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world gives, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.

Isaiah 9:6 For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.

Buying or Selling

Are you buying what you’re selling?
Does it sit upon your shelf?
Is your faith for your amusement?
Or will you share with someone else?

Is it only for display?
Does it serve no other purpose?
Are you buying what you’re selling?
Would you say it’s worth the purchase?

If it’s only for good feelings
Then it does not serve the Christ.
Then this faith is not a bargain
None should buy at any price

If you won’t consume the product
Your belief you cannot share
Then indeed you cannot sell it
It’s on the shelf, just leave it there

Matthew 13:44-46
Hidden Treasure
44 “The kingdom of heaven is like a treasure hidden in the field, which a man found and hid again; and from joy over it he goes and sells all that he has and buys that field.

A Costly Pearl
45 “Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant seeking fine pearls, 46 and upon finding one pearl of great value, he went and sold all that he had and bought it.

Standing and Waiting

While standing and waiting this morning
The usual American shopping scene
I wondered would Jesus’ return
Be delayed beyond Halloween

The lines were filled with shoppers
September the usual Christmas rush
Pumpkins and goblins and turkeys
Santa the usual celebration crush

Filling our heads and hearts with the notion
That we must eat, spend, and possess
Just like the Bible tells us
God only wishes to bless

So we need not stand and wait forever
There is always a fast 12 items or less lane
The options also of self-check out
For those with no sins they can name

Oopss, it seems I am confusing the stories
I seem to be mashing them into one
The disciples were looking towards heaven
As Christ ascended, work completed, well done

They were standing and waiting commands
Not looking for the short line
Christ’s return won’t be in seasonal format
Crushed into calendars of time

Mark 13:32 But of that day and that hour knoweth no man,
no, not the angels which are in heaven, neither the Son, but the Father.

Edges

He meets me at the edges
When I’m weary worn and weak
At the end of my own strength
That’s when I hear him speak

When all advisors leave
After all is said and done
Jesus Christ steps up
And reminds me He’s the one

The Way the Truth the Light
The Beginning and the End
The only one who is able
To make me God’s own friend

At the edges when you’re failing
When you have no words to say
Listen when distressed in fear
Hear His voice and then obey

This poor man cried to the Lord and He delivered him from all his fears. Psalm 34:6

The Doctor Was Dead

I have bad news to tell you
As he stood by my bed
Now try not to worry
He went on and said

You have a bad illness
A disease of great dread
We’ve no treatment or cure
Except confinement to bed

It’s invaded your body
Each cell, white and red
Your prognosis is hopeless
I just dropped my head

Don’t look for a remedy
Your silver bullet is lead
Optimism is useless
Try surrender instead

He left me in tears
All my fears he had fed
Watched the news the next morning
The doctor was dead

Never fear the prognosis
Trust God’s life giving bread
Eternal life is yours
Trust the blood that was shed

Luke 12:20 But God said unto him, Thou fool, this night thy soul shall be required of thee: then whose shall those things be, which thou hast provided?

Hebrews 9:27 And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment:

The Perfect Church

I told God these conditions
My requirements are few
I want a perfect church God
So here’s my list for you

This church must not have gossip
The members must not lie
They must always look real friendly
And here are the reasons why

I feel I am much better
Than those who do such things
I can’t be such a hypocrite
I can’t earn my angel wings.

I’m looking for the perfect church
Perfect pastor, perfect pew
Perfect deacons, perfect choirs
All must pass my interview

The service must be short and sweet
The offering plate passed once
The special programs and events
Must always feature lunch

I’ll put my car right at the door
Then sit far in the rear
I want my exit to be smooth
That’s why I park so near

God showed me exactly what I asked
What an amazing thing to see
There was one bad apple in the bunch
Looking closer, it was me

It is you who spread the rumors
You hold the grudge, you won’t forgive
You put in the stingy offering
Join My church, learn how to live

Fall in love

I’m falling more deeply in love
It seems I’m head over heels
So deeply and fully enamoured
Its hard to describe how it feels

Overcome and yes overwhelmed
Thoroughly and fully consumed
I’m learning to love Jesus that way
All other desires subsumed

He invades my thoughts and dreams
He has started to control my tongue
He possesses my intents and desires
He says He has only begun

He wants my body fully
He wants to take control
He has one aim and purpose
He wants to save my soul

This love only gets sweeter
As it grows deeper everyday
As I lose myself in His love
Surrender softly trust and obey

Donate or Dump

I have this frequent dilemma
I have acquired much stuff
It really gets quite confusing
Can’t tell when I have enough

I either must dump it or donate
Discard or contribute as gift
I scratch my head and I wonder
As I muse, I sort and I sift

The refrigerator’s a good place to start
Can tell what’s good by the date
And if the labels are removed
The smell will tell if it’s late

Then on to the stuff in my basement
I’ll hit the garage after that
Of course there’s junk in my closet
Old suits to go with old hats

If I donate I get some tax credit
If I dump it, no one will notice
The food in the fridge, the dog refuses
Bad meat mixed with bad produce

If I had my dog to inspect
His nose could tell me what to do
Donate to the poor or just dump it?
Must decide, there’s more shopping to do

Luke 12: 18 And he said, This will I do: I will pull down my barns, and build greater; and there will I bestow all my fruits and my goods.

19 And I will say to my soul, Soul, thou hast much goods laid up for many years; take thine ease, eat, drink, and be merry.

20 But God said unto him, Thou fool, this night thy soul shall be required of thee: then whose shall those things be, which thou hast provided?

21 So is he that layeth up treasure for himself, and is not rich toward God

Tipping God

I left God a tip in church today
I carefully noted the amount
Making sure when tax season comes
I’d have an accurate account

Then I treated myself to lunch
Paid the tab. Why bother to count?
I picture myself a big spender
I got money I like to flaunt

I give God what I can afford
After my wants and desires list
Being sure to carefully record
In a way the accountant won’t miss

I need full credit for giving
But in spending, who cares about cost
Make sure I get full tax credit for Jesus
For myself, there’s no waste, hence no loss