BurningWords

Flames kiss the soles of my broken-arch feet,
Singing pity to myself as I walk the dust-covered street,
Never asked for the sick, they just flock to where I go,
Shaming the "righteous" because they were first to know.
The first to show faith, believing at least in what they saw,
But raising the dead doesn't help those cold to Mosaic law.
I'm tired myself, this truth consumes me,
I want to move ahead, but this Word will use me.
Emotionally abuse me, spiritually bruise me,
Crushing me into the dust of us ruthlessly.

I dream to cry, but my tear ducts are dry,
Energy-deprived, when I just hope to fly,
I work to die, to vapor I aspire awry,
Hoping against hope that God will pull me aside.

Why do I keep seeking strength elsewhere,
Looking to other dirt-men when You're standing right there?
Knowing what You've shown, why do I dare?

Slumped in the chair, in self-pity's despair,
Angry because we all think that nobody cares.
We're so blind that we underlook His presence sustaining our share,
Crying out for justice, proud enough to tell God we serve Him alone in a prayer.
But then His reply,
That he's got thousands more at his side,
Who desire Him alone, Hidden to those who are blinded by pride.

5-end

Bless-ed be, those devoted to mercy,
giving like the Vine spilling wine for His glory,
Tested thoroughly, recognized never,
Storing treasure for His pleasure, drinking the full measure.
Overlooking injustice by looking to the Son, themselves blinded by the victory that His life has won.

Bless-ed be, the brethren with hearts clean,
Glistening pristine in light of their of own King,
Holding to the truth from which His character's fruit teems
From the Holy Spirit's stream,
With the promise to see God, yes, even He who is unseen

Bless-ed be those seeking to make peace,
Calling out to the world, that the rebellion might cease,
Life is just lease,
For all chosen to unite in Him, Set before time begun,
He'll be the God of His children again through the Death of His son.

Blessed be those rejected standing firm for His Name,
Persecuted and despised, slandered and shamed,
But His standard still reigns,
And His love is their gain,
Knowing that everything they undergo, He underwent more-of-the-same.

Blessed are you, when you are rejected too,
If you're steadfast in the way and word of the Truth.
For though on account of Him, you are held in contempt,
Rejoice and be glad for from Death you're exempt,
In the same way the lives of the prophets were spent.

1-4

Blessed be the poor in spirit, that's what He said,
If you listen close you just might hear it ahead,
Walk forth in the way that he led,
Seek the fount that He bled,
And you'll receives the riches of His glory instead.

Bless-ed... be those who mourn, faces forlorn,
Darkness like a curtain call, but the curtain was torn,
Light broke through to native and foreign,
Upon belief, redemption and the Spirit were sworn,
So with the armor of the Comforter we could adorn.

Bless-ed...be the meek, though their future looks bleak,
From the beginning they were created to seek, humbly,
To serve, demonstrate the King's style, While the world would observe.
But they'll receive the earth as His plan 's fulfilled
They'll gain from the glory for which the Lamb was killed.

Bless-ed...be those...who seek the pure white clothes,
Righteousness over feasting, thirsting more than the desert sand shows,
Read to devour whatever the Word of Truth sows,
Beating his body with blows,
Satisfied with food and drink of which God only knows.

MMM goood

Check this poem out - John Updike

Whooooosh, gripped by God's Promised Gift,
Enclosed in a dark room with a spot light on my heart, He reveals
All that I am against His own Image.
Whooooosh, day turns to night.
My skin darkens and my flesh is rank.
Where am I walking?
Whooooosh, the panic cuts through to the soul,
I cannot stand. I fall. I cry,
"O Wretch that I am! Son of David, have mercy on me, a sinner!"
Whooooosh, night turns to day, a New Day.
What bright clothing!
And look, the way, it's narrow, and it looks to be marked by bloody feet.
Whooooosh, gripped by God's Promised Gift,
Enclosed in a room with Abel and John, His Spirit reveals
All that Jesus is and that I'm being made like Him.

I hear his words, and I see the fault,
Pity and humility lock me shut.
Pride has kept me quiet.
Love has heard my sins
In a brother's confession.
Crucify Him!
Crucify Him!


John Piper wrote a pretty awesome dialogue yesterday (Friday), between Death and a Christian. The focus was on the location of Death's sting. Death is a mocker and says what his sting is, but the Christian pushes him to say where his sting is. For those who have been predestined for adoption as sons through Christ Jesus, Death's sting is nailed to God's Son on that tree called the cross.

Victory in Jesus.

Hmmm

Original post to which I respond

I would definitely disagree about the helpfulness of #3. Wisdom isn't found in the middle ground, it's found on God's side. Education ultimately must be filtered through the sound teaching of God's Word (I know, no disagreement). In 2nd Timothy 3, Paul points out the curtain of darkness that is falling upon the world and for Timothy to avoid such as quickly as he understands its presence. Paul also speaks about the sacred writings to which Timothy is to continue to look for becoming wise, and ultimately, to be faithful in his duties as a man of God. The world doesn't need Christians who can relate to their sinful and ignorant ways. It needs Christians who are holy (who are completely different from them in godliness). We like to think that we deserve entertainment, and rest, and all these other things...and Scripture supports none of it. Our fall entitles us (men) to toil. If we understood as much, we wouldn't have people wondering about why there is suffering in the world (as if we weren't graced enough with life itself...a comfortable life? Are you kidding?)

But now, as Christians, we think we are free...to sin? Absolutely not. And just because we say that we are going to take a wholly objective view toward a material in order to understand its redemptive qualities doesn't disqualify the activity as sin, nor the object of that activity from being without profitability. Of course, we look and say, "Wait, not all movies should be considered equal." Of course, you're right in that regard. However, when the world issues their own decisions and says some things are not wholesome in their eyes, we should definitely question any profitability. Some will say, "What about the Passion." What about it? Will you love Christ more than the Church Fathers because you saw that movie rather than hear the accounts or read them in Scripture? Maybe? Let's not make arguments through exceptions.

Pursue wisdom and righteousness.