Posted in Different Scriptures, Spoken Word

1 Peter 1:23-25

Have I still a seed imperishable,
Somewhere planted deep inside?
Or has such seed germinated already
The perishable having died?

The good news was something I’ve heard
In more than one way as I’ve grown
Although I’ll confess, in the beginning
It wasn’t good soil to be sown

But for years now I’ve tried to nurture
The right conditions for growing
And I believe by the Spirits power
There’s even some fruit that is showing

I see His Love reflected
In my home, and the way we exist
But there’s still a holy examine
For something I may have missed

I do not want to live anxious
Wondering if I bear “enough” fruit
For the “good news” also reminds us
That our efforts to measure are moot.

It is not our achievements or fruit bearing
That will cause God’s heart to inflame
It’s the way that we set performance aside
And humbly call on His name

Knowing full well that He loves us
Throughout His Word He assures
It’s not the the things that we do in His name
But only His Word, that endures.

Posted in Different Scriptures, Spoken Word

Luke 14:12-14

It’s so simple we might have missed
What Jesus said to His host
Of course, He told him to invite those
Who have little reason to boast

Invite the poor, the crippled the lame
Even if you think they won’t come
Invite the ones who walk with a cane
Who can’t pay you back when you’re done

Relate to others outside of economy
Don’t worry what you get in return
We enjoy those around us and love genuinely
When receiving is not a concern.

“What if someone is blind and has money?”
Might be an obvious response.
Invite them because of God’s Love
Not because they can meet any of your wants

We’ve been invited to His feast together
And looking both ways down the table
We are seated with infinite others
None of whom is remotely able

Able to give back even a portion
In response to the banquet He’s spread
Especially when we pause to remember
He’s offered Himself as the bread

An exciting detail, that we might miss
As He gave instructions back then –
When speaking of throwing a party, you see,
He didn’t say “if”, he said “when”.

Posted in Different Scriptures, Spoken Word

Matthew 12:38-42

Sometimes looking back
We look forward
Toward the future held in store
What was so much more
Than we originally knew
What will we do
Now that we know?

If we go on as if what has happened isn’t for us?
We miss the bus.
Will we trust in what God has spoken?

The story of Jonah wasn’t a token
An island event unattached
It matched the heart of God being revealed
A God who healed
And who has dealed with us in so much grace
Offering place
So we’d stop running our own race
Slow our pace
Turn away from disgrace
Turning toward Him
It must begin, within
But not remain unseen
If we know what love means
It arrives on the shores of our lives

(this was all in response to Jonah
We live in an era that is much later,
And have celebrated something even greater!)