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  • Eugene Adkins 7:29 am on March 29, 2013 Permalink | Reply
    Tags: , , , , poetry   

    Poem: A Smile 

    Here’s a poem that’s been all over the internet for quite some time. It took me a second or two to find the author’s name because the vast majority of time credit is given to “unknown.” If you haven’t read or heard it, it’s worth the time.

    A Smile

    Smiling is infectious,

    you catch it like the flu,

    When someone smiled at me today,

    I started smiling too.

    I passed around the corner

    and someone saw my grin

    When he smiled, I realized

    I’d passed it on to him.

    I thought about that smile

    then I realized its worth,

    A single smile, just like mine

    could travel round the earth.

    So, if you feel a smile begin,

    don’t leave it undetected

    Let’s start an epidemic quick,

    and get the world infected!

    (written by Matthew John Fraser)

    I guess there’s such a thing as a healthy infection after all :)

     

  • Eugene Adkins 6:40 am on January 24, 2013 Permalink | Reply
    Tags: , , , poetry   

    Neat Little Poem About the Church 

    Here’s a neat little poem that I found in an old Bulletin Digest. There’s no author given so to God be the glory (which should be a driving factor anyways).

    Most people think the New Testament church is built of brick, wood and stone,

    And after Sunday services stands empty and alone.

    But God’s own church is made of souls who spread both far and wide,

    The story of His wondrous love and Jesus crucified.

    A living church – A family royal; with Christ the King to reign.

    Which after stone and wood are gone forever will remain.

    Have great day serving Jesus as a member of His kingdom, as a member of His body and as a member of His church.

    “Therefore it is also contained in the Scripture, “Behold, I lay in Zion a chief cornerstone, elect, precious, and he who believes on Him will by no means be put to shame.” Therefore, to you who believe, He is precious; but to those who are disobedient, “The stone which the builders rejected has become the chief cornerstone,” and “A stone of stumbling and a rock of offense.” They stumble, being disobedient to the word, to which they also were appointed. But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light; who once were not a people but are now the people of God, who had not obtained mercy but now have obtained mercy.“ (1 Peter 2:6-10 – NKJV)

     

     

  • Eugene Adkins 6:07 am on November 20, 2012 Permalink | Reply
    Tags: , , poetry   

    Neat Little Poem 

    Here’s another neat little poem from the class book “The Lord’s Supper by Dick Blackford” that we’ve been using on Sunday mornings in the teenage class. The author is marked as unknown, but the words are worth hearing:

    It was not a bolt of gold, But only a cross of wood,

    Yet the bliss can never be told, When its meaning is understood.

    It speaks of the mountains crossed, The crooked and rough made plain,

    Of the climax of toil and cost That brings man to God again.

     

  • J. Randal Matheny 7:19 am on July 2, 2012 Permalink | Reply
    Tags: , , poetry   

    For the faint of heart 

    A poem fell into my inbox this morning, and, while the thought was nice, the structure was flat. So I took the general idea, turned it on its side a bit, and did a completely new piece. I’ll probably send it to my UPLift list. May it bless someone today.

    UNDERFOOT
    by J. Randal Matheny

    Heavy troubles long oppress,
    They dampen cheeks in darkened day,
    The anguished soul in mourning dress,
    Throws ashes on the hardened clay.

    He clamors for the Lord to hear,
    But silence in the heavens holds;
    He’d part the darkness, upward peer,
    While underfoot a flower unfolds.

     

  • TFRStaff 9:55 am on June 27, 2012 Permalink | Reply
    Tags: , poetry   

    TFT: Never put a kindness off 

    NEVER put a kindness off,
    Never wait to say
    The word of praise or sympathy
    Which someone needs today.
    Lest suddenly it prove too late
    For anything but ruing
    The helpful, thoughtful things
    You never got around to DOING.

    —Elizabeth Ellen Long

    Colossians 4:5-6 – Walk in wisdom toward those who are outside, redeeming the time. Let your speech always be with grace, seasoned with salt, that you may know how you ought to answer each one.

    “Thoughts For Today to Brighten Your Day” by Glenn, Mercedes and Lauren Hitchcock

     

  • Eugene Adkins 6:40 am on June 4, 2012 Permalink | Reply
    Tags: , , poetry   

    Poem about “Falling From Grace” 

    Here is a poem that I got from the bulletin of the Lebanon Road congregation in Nashville, TN that I used yesterday with my sermon. I’ve had it for quite a while and thought I would share it with everybody. I think you will probably find it useful. The author is unknown, but whoever wrote it did a great job!

    “FALLING FROM GRACE“

    We are often told that a Christian can’t fall, That once he is saved there’s no danger at all:

    No matter how far he may lapse into sin, The gates will swing open and let him pass in.

    But let it be stated in language that’s terse, That no one can cite the Book, chapter or verse

    Which teach the Christian cannot fall away, And lose his soul in the great judgment day.

    His body Paul tried to keep under sway Lest he be rejected and be cast away,

    And thus he has set the example for all, That we may be warned not to stumble and fall.

    And then he harks back to the Israelites’ day, Then twenty-three thousand had fallen away.

    He issues this sobering warning to all, “If one think he standeth, take heed lest he fall.”

    In writing to Timothy, Paul boldly saith, That some had already made shipwreck of faith;

    And Peter said Christians should watch every hour, For Satan is seeking whom he may devour.

    ‘Tis plain to be seen from what we have just learned That Christians today from the Lord may be turned;

    And those who still think that a Christian can’t fall, Are not in agreement with Peter and Paul.

    Coincidently, I also saw the poem get used in the Bulletin Gold email that I got yesterday.

     

    • laodeciapress 11:38 am on June 6, 2012 Permalink | Reply

      Do you think we can fall from grace in heaven?

      John 10:27-29

      My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me; and I give eternal life to them, and they will never perish; and no one will snatch them out of My hand. My Father, who has given them to Me, is greater than all; and no one is able to snatch them out of of the Father’s hand.

      John 6:39

      This is the will of Him who sent Me, that of all that He has given Me I lose nothing, but raise it up on the last day.

      Thankfully, we have God to hope in, not our own fickleness.

      • Eugene Adkins 4:58 pm on June 6, 2012 Permalink | Reply

        Hello again Laodecia,

        I can see that you enjoy talking about Calvinistic issues. I would encourage you to read the poem again, read the scriptures the poem references and then if you still don’t agree then do what the poem says and take it up with Peter and Paul.

        In all seriousness, although I am serious about my previous comment :) ,the scriptures you reference really have more to do with the supposed “unconditionally elect” that leads up to the “perseverance of the saints.”

        The simple truth of the matter is that no one can snatch a person out of God’s hands (i.e. rob them of their salvation) as salvation is through the love of God in Christ (Romans 8:31-39); but what you’re interpretation of the scriptures is missing is the fact that God allows a person who refuses to remain in His love given through Jesus to forsake Him.

        You’re right in that we are fickle and God is not. But our fickleness doesn’t make God change His word for our sake my friend (Hebrews 3:7-15 & 4:11 & 6:4-6 & on & on). When God warns us about something, his word is not empty! At the end of the day salvation is conditional. It is not only based upon the love of God, but also our willingness to show our love to him (John 14:15 & 15:10).

        “This is a faithful saying:
        For if we died with Him,
        We shall also live with Him.
        12 If we endure,
        We shall also reign with Him.
        If we deny Him,
        He also will deny us.
        13 If we are faithless,
        He remains faithful;
        He cannot deny Himself.”
        2 Timothy 2:11-13

        Take care – Eugene

        • Eugene Adkins 5:01 pm on June 6, 2012 Permalink

          Sorry for the grammatical errors. I typed a little too quickly as I was in a hurry to go :)

    • laodeciapress 5:14 pm on June 6, 2012 Permalink | Reply

      Thanks for the thoughtful response!

      With the scriptures you reference obviously your view is that if God’s Word ever exhorts us to persevere in our faith, that automatically means that a true Christian can fall from grace.

      I simply do not take that view. I believe that God uses means (ie exhortations and convictions) to sanctify us, but it is certain that if anyone is in Him, that person will persevere.

      Romans 8:29-30 makes it very clear that all who are called are justified and all who are justified are glorified.

      Furthermore 1 John 2:19 remarks that if they had been of us, they would have remained with us.

      God’s warnings and exhortations are very real, and just like 1 John 2:19 says, if we fall away we prove that we never were actually true believers. As Romans 8 says, the elect of God are certainly glorified.

      • laodeciapress 5:15 pm on June 6, 2012 Permalink | Reply

        Also, you never answered my question. Do you believe that we can fall away once glorified in heaven?

        • Eugene Adkins 6:13 pm on June 6, 2012 Permalink

          As to the question that I “did not answer” just read 2 Peter 1:4-11. You find the answer there.

        • Eugene Adkins 6:16 am on June 7, 2012 Permalink

          Good question, by the way.

      • Eugene Adkins 6:03 pm on June 6, 2012 Permalink | Reply

        My friend, the calling of God is done through the gospel (*2 Thessalonians 2:14*). A person can reject the calling of God – it’s not wise, but it can be done.

        For example:

        “*Therefore I will number you for the sword, And you shall all bow down to the slaughter; Because, when I called, you did not answer; When I spoke, you did not hear, But did evil before My eyes, **And chose that in which I do not delight*.” *Isaiah 65:12*

        My friend, the context of the oft quoted “proof text” for this teaching of Calvinism is anti-Christ’s. Read it again.

        I’m going to show how silly Calvinism is at its core. You said, “*God’s warnings and exhortations are very real, and just like 1 John 2:19 says, if we fall away we prove that we never were actually true believers*.”

        According to Calvinism a “true believer” can’t fall away no matter what, so what’s the point in saying, “If you fall away you weren’t a true believer”???

        Watch this:

        “*Therefore, brethren, be even more diligent to make your call and election sure, for if you do these things you will never stumble;*” (*2 Peter 1:10*)

        Peter told Christian’s to do something with their election that you don’t believe in because according to you a “true” Christian’s calling and election are never in doubt. Again notice Peter’s “IF” that makes salvation conditional.

        God’s word does not issue useless warnings – “*Therefore let him who thinks he stands take heed lest he fall*.” (*1 Corinthians 10:12*) Paul meant exactly what he said, depsite how hard Calvinism tries to put a hollow spin on it.

        The issue is very simple understand when one takes off the perverted glasses of total hereditary depravity, unconditional election, etc. They lead to a dead end spiritually speaking.

        • laodeciapress 10:57 am on June 7, 2012 Permalink

          Thanks again for the response. I am always trying to better understand these things.

          Again, from my point of view the warnings are not useless. If someone falls away, they they will certainly incur the wrath of God. However, by doing so they prove that they were never a true Christian (ie the elect of God) in the first place. God’s elect will always persevere in sanctification because it is God who keeps them. That is how we know who the true believers are (through perseverance) and why we are exhorted to make our calling and election sure. If we see the fruits of repentance in our own lives, we can have confidence that we are truly in God.

          Also, we must distinguish between the general call and the effectual call. Romans 8 is clear that there is an effectual call that ALWAYS leads to glorification.

          I believe I get these doctrines clear from the Bible. 1 John 2 is still convincing to me because he defines antichrists as whoever denies Jesus and the Father and John contrasts antichrists with those who have an anointing from the Holy Spirit.

          Again with John 6:
          Then Jesus declared, “I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never go hungry, and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty. But as I told you, you have seen me and still you do not believe. All those the Father gives me will come to me, and whoever comes to me I will never drive away. For I have come down from heaven not to do my will but to do the will of him who sent me. And this is the will of him who sent me, that I shall lose none of all those he has given me, but raise them up at the last day. For my Father’s will is that everyone who looks to the Son and believes in him shall have eternal life, and I will raise them up at the last day.”

          The people who come to Jesus are those the Father has given Him, and Jesus loses none of them. I don’t see how this could be taken any other way than perseverance of the saints.

        • Eugene Adkins 8:36 pm on June 7, 2012 Permalink

          Hello again Laodecia,

          Let me show just how useless and empty Calvinism makes the clear warnings found in the Bible.

          Like the old saying goes, Calvinism teaches that if you don’t have it, you can’t get it; if you get it, you can’t lose it; and if you lose it, you never had it.

          Do you see the cycle and how void it makes God’s warnings?

          If a person is “really” saved then they’ll never fall, so in reality it’s completely useless to warn them!

          On the other hand, if a person is not “really” saved then it’s completely useless to warn them because they’re inevitability going to fall away.

          That’s the ridiculousness of “unconditional election” and “perseverance of the saints” – one says the other can’t be overturned when it comes to salvation or condemnation no matter what anyone does.

          The mistake Calvinism makes is that makes perseverance a condition of the promise instead of the Biblically correct view that says the promise is conditional.

          Listen very carefully to what Hebrews 3:12-15 says:

          Beware, brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief in departing from the living God; 13 but exhort one another daily, while it is called “Today,” lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin. 14 For we have become partakers of Christ if we hold the beginning of our confidence steadfast to the end, 15 while it is said: “Today, if you will hear His voice, Do not harden your hearts as in the rebellion.”

          Who was being warned about not receiving the reward of salvation here? Was it people who really weren’t Christians because they weren’t saved? Absolutely not! He says “brethren! He’s talking to people who were currently in a right realtionship with, but at the same time he was warning them about departing from that right realtionship with the God who had saved them.

          He said they received the reward of salvation “IF” they held the same confidence from beginning to end. He warned them about hardening their “own hearts

          The other verses you quoted must be considered in light of the verses after verses after verses that make it plain that perseverance isn’t something done to us like Calvinism’s version of perseverance of the saints teaches! Perseverance is something that “we must do IF we want to be found faithful.

          “but Christ as a Son over His own house, whose house we are if we hold fast the confidence and the rejoicing of the hope firm to the end.” (Hebrews 3:6)

  • TFRStaff 8:56 am on April 18, 2012 Permalink | Reply
    Tags: , , poetry   

    Keep On 

    Day by day, I see you,
    Walking in the Light.
    Standing up for Jesus,
    Doing what is right.

    It gives me new assurance
    That I can win the race,
    So don’t give up; keep right on,
    We’ll make it by His grace.

    —Dot Harston

    From Glenn Hitchcock

     

  • J. Randal Matheny 6:49 pm on February 25, 2012 Permalink | Reply
    Tags: , poetry,   

    Would that we all had this effect upon people 

    by Oliver Goldsmith

    At church, with meek and unaffected grace,
    His looks adorn’d the venerable place;
    Truth from his lips prevail’d with double sway,
    And fools, who came to scoff, remain’d to pray.

     

  • J. Randal Matheny 4:35 am on February 15, 2012 Permalink | Reply
    Tags: , poetry, ,   

    Mr. Coleridge’s record is safe, etc. 

    • After nearly forgetting about the One-Liner Dictionary, I’ve added another entry today, this one on inertia. It came to me as I lay in bed this morning, contemplating the energy required to rise. Check the Definitions category for a few other entries as well.

    • If you don’t see your blog in my friend-link list, it’s probably because (1) I just overlooked it, or (2) you’re not posting with enough regularity.

    • Did you catch my longish poem yesterday on Christian Poets, “With Fragile Soul“? Longish for me, anyway, with five stanzas of four lines each. No “Rime of the Ancient Mariner” or anything like that; nope, no breaking of Mr. Coleridge’s record as the longest major poem in the English language. So you can read it in about, say, three minutes. Afterwards, reflection might require a bit more, and a comment to assuage the agony of the author, another minute.

    • Before long, writers will have to put at the head of their posts and articles a line like this: Average Reading Time: Three Minutes. People are too much in a hurry, wouldn’t you say? I confess to being as much a scanner as the next surfer doing the typical hop, skip, jump on the Internet, but sometimes I’m tempted to write a header, “If you’re scanning, don’t bother.” Because my words carry great import, obviously.

    • How long before the Valentine’s-Day flowers fade and the chocolates are gone? But let the kiss linger and the look of love continue. Marriage isn’t eternal, but romantic love ought to last a lifetime. It may seem paradoxical, but romance has to be worked at, cultivated, prolonged by regular effort. Some like it sappy, others more subtle, here and there a literary strain, but whatever your style, develop and sustain it. Even foods get garnished.

     

  • J. Randal Matheny 1:37 pm on February 11, 2012 Permalink | Reply
    Tags: , , poetry, , Ronald Reagan   

    Why I love my wife &c. 

    Rob Lester did a series on Facebook about the reasons why he loved his wife, many of them humorous. Here’s one of mine. I go into the kitchen after my Saturday afternoon nap for a drink of water (The Missus had forwarded an email to me the day before about the need to drink water to keep the kidneys in good shape), and she prepares me a homemade cappuccino and two, not one, but two brownies. Ah, life is hard.

    • Been busy with some poetry in the past few days. Today, a love poem for The Missus (she said she assumed I’d written it for her): “To Speak of Love.” Yesterday, last night actually, before I hit the sack, a piece here on TFR: “So Let’s Dance in the Aisles.” And also yesterday, an almost melancholy piece, “In Wings and Walls.”

    • The first two were written on the fly, popped ‘em out and posted. The latter I wrote a few days earlier, tweaked it a bit, then posted. Maybe I should give the poems a rest next week, reckon? But then they appear at their own behest, not mine.

    • My dad spent the night in the hospital Wednesday. He passed out in church. Apparently, a combination of sinus infection and dehydration. Drove himself home the next day (Mom had gone for a checkup on her pacemaker), I talked to him last night, seems to be OK. But I’d appreciate a prayer for him. He’s only 81.

    • Do you like the sound of your voice? I don’t. Maybe I should take voice lessons? Some supporters are interested in me doing some audio/radio. I’m interested too, but for that dislike.

    • I read somewhere once that Reagan used to drink hot water before he spoke. Relaxed his throat. Have you ever tried that?

    • And last, a link I shared on Twitter, for a big Saturday-night helping of ignorance. “Christians must stand up for gay marriage.” Lots of “I believe,” with no evidence to back it up. Such is our world. And such is our task, to shine light upon the darkness. Go shine! Isa 60.1!

     

  • J. Randal Matheny 7:45 pm on January 30, 2012 Permalink | Reply
    Tags: , homemade sausage, , poetry   

    Did I tell you about my grandbaby? 

    Let’s start with personal item (aren’t they all?): The second grandchild, says today’s ultrasound, is a boy. Due to drop in around June 21. Big sister Eden, age 1+, didn’t seem so keen on it. She confided to me that she’d been hoping for a baby sister to play with. But mom and pop, and Auntie L., vovô and vovó are happy. Please say a prayer, since there are a couple of health concerns, blood pressure, things like that.

    • Today’s Bible (NT) reading is James 1. Have you seen the chiastic structure for the letter I posted some time back? Considering most commentators despair of finding any sensible outline to the letter, this represents real possibilities.

    • Rick Kelley’s mom’s kidney transplant is on-again, off-again. Keep praying for his mom and his sister who’s donating the kidney.

    • I watched “National Treasure” again with The Missus and The Maiden the other night. It’s very dated. The main character was searching the Internet on Yahoo rather than Google.

    • We chomped down on more of The Missus’s homemade sausage tonight. Good stuff. Brazil doesn’t have the breakfast sausage like you get in the US. Just as well, but we certainly enjoyed her special treat.

    • Lessee, let’s scare up a little ditty to finish up with.

    Malicious hands abuse, molest,
    A hug can end in your arrest;
    The world sees either too little, too much,
    But Jesus has the healing touch.

    • Oh, have you checked The Christian Hub lately? Great stuff going through there, all the time.

     

  • J. Randal Matheny 7:40 pm on January 27, 2012 Permalink | Reply
    Tags: , poetry, slippery slope, sweat the small stuff   

    Making light of small matters, &c. 

    A bad plan is better than no plan at all. A bad plan has a chance, however small, of going somewhere. No plan guarantees going nowhere. Likely, perfectionists will be the main objectors to this.

    • “… one who makes light of small matters will gradually sink,” says Ecclesiasticus (not Ecclesiastes) 19:1 NJB. Methinks there’s a truth here, applicable to the slippery slope where men slowly slide into false doctrine. (All that alliteration was unintended.) Remember the old illustration (which is almost certainly false) of the frog in the pan?

    • Epaphroditus was sent by the Philippian church to minister to Paul’s needs, besides carrying some financial help (Php 2:25-29). Instead, he got deathly sick. When he returned to Philippi, the saints might have thought him a failure, since instead of his ministering to Paul, Paul would have had to take care of him. But the apostle will have none of that. He gives him a rousing recommendation as he sends him home. Even shares his title of “apostle” with Epaphroditus, though of course in a different sense, of being the Philippians’ messenger or envoy. Some scholars think this passage is the heart of the book.

    • The envoy who looks like a failure is really a success. Sound familiar? Read earlier in the chapter, verses 5-8.

    • Anybody done any real work on the meaning of “work out” in Philippians 2:12? Obviously, it must relate to the obedience mentioned in the same verse. NLT has a definite twist in its rendering, making one wonder if this is accurate or slanted by evangelical faith-only doctrine. NCV sounds better to my ears (“Keep on working to complete your salvation”), but either might be right. Got an insight here into the contextual meaning?

    • People love Fridays so much, because they can flee work for a couple of days. Is it a sign that work is not considered a legitimate means of service to God? Makes one wonder.

    • Finally, a scrap of poetry, on a matter not so small.

    Never did a human hope
    Take quicker wing to headier heights,
    Nor did a hand reach greater scope
    Or covetous eyes see grander flights,

    Than Eve before the Knowledge Tree
    Of good and evil in Eden’s midst—
    No harm so deep to humanity,
    That fruit in her rebellious fist. —JRM

     

  • J. Randal Matheny 12:33 pm on January 20, 2012 Permalink | Reply
    Tags: American elections, , poetry, religious institutions, Republican Party   

    Who knows what it means to prime a pump? 

    Prime the pump

    A hand pump, like we had on our back porch

    Another little poem’s up on the Christian Poets website, “Thought, Deed, and Motive.” I thank John H. for his TFR plug of the last one. No poem was planned for today, but sometimes they just pop out. A statement here, a rhythmic line there, and off goes the mind to register its flow.

    • Its’ called priming the pump. Probably nobody under 50 knows what that means, has ever poured the last bit of precious water into a hand pump to draw the cool liquid from the depths of the cistern.

    For me, priming the pump is reading broadly, wildly, even. Finding a phrase to match the mood, to strike the match to catch a flame.

    Oops, I switched metaphors on you. But what’s a metaphor for, if not to use and drop and swap?

    • Let me get on my soapbox for a minute. Unlike churches, religious institutions are often self-perpetuating, with their “development” departments to raise funds and provide a constant stream of income. That’s why they’re especially dangerous, with their tendency to stray from their original purpose and compromise their commitment to truth. I’ve found them to be like presidential candidates: they show lots of promise, but ultimately disappoint. (More …)

     

    • Eugene Adkins 6:52 pm on January 20, 2012 Permalink | Reply

      I’m under 50 and I know what it means to prime a pump…but maybe that’s because I grew up in the country.

      You said, “The older I get, the more I believe that the key to the church’s health and growth is contained in the one-on-one discipleship and the personal interaction within a congregation.”

      I would agree greatly! The growth that we have had at Keltonburg over the last 3-4 years has come from that very principle. It’s something that I encourage everyone to remember (along with my self).

      Politics??? Hasn’t changed much – at least the politicians themselves – since biblical times has it?

      Have a good un’ Randal.

      • J. Randal Matheny 5:38 am on January 21, 2012 Permalink | Reply

        Hey, Eugene! I didn’t think those kinds of pumps were even around anymore.

        Glad to hear about Keltonburg. I’d like to know more. God bless your efforts there.

        • Eugene Adkins 3:17 pm on January 21, 2012 Permalink

          I have to admit that I don’t know about “priming a pump” because I’ve used one that had to be started that way; I know about them because people in this area were familiar with them.

          What I said about Keltonburg is very true. Over the last few years we have helped to grow the kingdom although we have not grown in the congregation very much numerically speaking because we have had several families who obeyed the gospel because of personal work move away from the area due to jobs and other stuff like that.

          But in all reality, the new (2/3 years old) Christians at Keltonburg are due to people’s willingness to talk to others and their wilingness to invite them to worship where the rest of the congregation can help “kill them with kindness.” We have a good reputation for being kind to visitors. We don’t “gloat” over it but we strive to maintain it together! :)

        • J. Randal Matheny 3:20 pm on January 21, 2012 Permalink

          Ah, I see. The one I used at times was, shall we say, left over from older times, but it still worked, and it was a standby.

          Glad to hear that about Keltonburg. The churches that dwindle and die make news, mostly, I think, because progressives gloat in it, but the quiet, steady workers who advance the gospel don’t get seen much. So this is a great glimpse into the work of God.

  • J. Randal Matheny 6:06 am on December 20, 2011 Permalink | Reply
    Tags: , poetry,   

    Poem: There There Was Evening 

    Not my usual style, but on one of my favorite topics, time, specifically evening. http://2.ly/p9ug

    Nothing Christmasy on the poetry horizon yet, but who knows what the mind may whip up in time.

     

  • J. Randal Matheny 9:54 am on November 24, 2011 Permalink | Reply
    Tags: poetry, , ,   

    A new Thanksgiving Day poem 

    Here’s my contribution to the sentiments of gratitude, written today and posted on the Christian Poets website. http://2.ly/p9eb

     

  • J. Randal Matheny 6:57 am on November 21, 2011 Permalink | Reply
    Tags: , poetry, work review   

    Monday morning review: Getting Things Done 

    Following my recent use of the Getting Things Done (GTD) approach, with the free TiddlyWiki using Simon Baird’s makeover, I’m in the middle of a weekly review of my progress. I started, what?, Thursday of last week, but I can tell a difference. This week promises to be exciting, if I can keep it up.

    I’ve not read the book on which this system is based. I’m tempted to try to get by without it. Give me a few weeks and I’ll decide on this one.

    I’d seen Baird’s offering before, and it looked complicated. This time, however, it seemed to call out to me, "Try me, you’ll like it, you’ll ramp up your efficiency." So far so good.

    SOCIAL NETWORK. From Friendica, it’s now possible to post to WordPress, Twitter, Facebook (this one not on the installation I use), identi.ca, Tumblr, and, now, Posterous. From Twitter I post automatically to Facebook, so I’m good there. From Posterous, I can post automatically to Blogspot, MyOpera, and others. This is an exciting development.

    SATURDAY AND SUNDAY. The weekend was a good one. A heavy meeting on Saturday, which went as well as one could expect. Low attendance Sunday morning, 100% Sunday afternoon. Then pizza with friends last night (see pic in previous Friendica post). I got out a bulletin, first time in a while, and a handout for the Sunday morning study.

    MORE GTD. One good result of the review: to see where you’ve been and feel your way forward to the next steps. One blessing of the GTD approach is to get all the details, tasks, and information out of your head and down in an organized form. That clears the mind to focus on the task at hand.

    When I’d make notes in my agenda, after a week or so, the information or task would get lost. Not now. Every morning the next activity is there waiting for me, until I do it or delegate it or delete it.

    Baird had to rename his adaptation of the GTD system. Lawyers told him he couldn’t use the name or abbreviation. Since he built it on top of an application he called monkey something, he changed it to Monkey Getting Stuff Done, I think. mGSD. But as God’s people, we’re not just getting "things" or "stuff" done. We’re doing the will of God.

    So how about we rename our use of it. WDGW? Wisely Doing God’s Will. Is that too much of a mouthful?

    FINALLY. Coming up: Yesterday, Jorge cited Luke 9.62 in his sermon at Taubaté. That triggered a thought, then a five-line poem stanza, and this morning, three more stanzas. I’ll send it later this week to the closed Cloudburst Syndicated Poetry list. I think it’s one of my best. (But, like sermons, people don’t always agree with the poet or preacher’s assessment.) If you have any spiritual interest, I guarantee you’ll like it. Working title: "My Hand Is on the Plow." If you want to read it, you’ll have to — sorry — sign up to the list.

     

  • J. Randal Matheny 1:15 pm on November 1, 2011 Permalink | Reply
    Tags: FCC, , poetry, Simon of Cyrene   

    Simon the unwilling carrier 

    Matthew 27 records Jesus’ crucifixion. When I pillowed my head last night, I thought about reading this chapter. I tend to be squeamish about things, horror flicks are not my bag, blood and violence leave me pale. This morning I woke up thinking, “Today Jesus dies,” the reading of his death fresh on my mind. I pray to God that his death may always be fresh upon my heart.

    Simon was pressed into carrying our Lord’s cross, because all his followers had deserted him. Where was Peter? Where was James? Where were the others? When one commentator writes that “discipleship motifs are not entirely clear in this scene, especially since Simon is forced into carrying the crossbeam,” he seems to miss the point. Which is, discipleship is totally absent from this scene!

    The soldiers “find” Simon, an unwilling carrier. The disciples should have been there to do it.

    • I’m always interested when somebody talks about God’s nature and character. So Hugh Fulford’s post for his “News and Views” today especially caught my attention, on “Antimony of Scripture.”

    • Yet more evidence that alcohol is bad for health, even in amounts considered moderate, “as few as three drinks a week,” from the Wall Street Journal: “Regularly drinking, even in moderation, raises the long-term risk of many kinds of cancer.”

    • Richard M. shared this link about the FCC giving churches and non-profits a hard time about closed captioning. More heavy-handedness on its way?

    • My acrostic poem with a Halloween theme didn’t win. My excuse: I got my entry in at mid-month. Maybe next time. November brings another acrostic contest, on love. I’ve already written a sonnet.

    • I’d asked prayers for The Missus’s uncle. He had surgery yesterday, surgeon said he escaped death by hours. He removed a mass and repaired a hole in the stomach. We await biopsy results. Thanks for your prayers. He showed signs of interest in the gospel.

     

  • J. Randal Matheny 1:50 pm on October 25, 2011 Permalink | Reply
    Tags: Gaddhafi, , poetry,   

    Gaddhafi’s dead (poem) 

    In Libya another tyrant was felled,
    Cruel, despised Gaddhafi’s dead!
    He ruled by fear, by the sword expelled
    From power, from rebel violence bled.

    By the heavy sword men live and die,
    Their hands of blood allow no peace;
    Though one is gone, yet more will vie:
    We mourn to see their tribe increase.

     

    • Mike Riley 9:47 am on October 26, 2011 Permalink | Reply

      I don’t guess Gaddhafi ever read this maxim: If we live by the sword, we’ll die by the sword (Matthew 26:52).

    • John Henson 8:20 pm on October 29, 2011 Permalink | Reply

      “By the heavy sword men live and die, their hands of blood allow no peace…” I love it! Too true!

  • J. Randal Matheny 8:40 am on October 20, 2011 Permalink | Reply
    Tags: , , poetry   

    What I do know 

    Yesterday, I immersed myself in the study of Philippians 2:1-4 for our Sunday Bible study in Taubaté. So many amazing things to discover! And what a blessing is the Internet, which brings so many resources within our grasp! I’ll never look at this letter the same again. Here’s a little outline for that pericope from David Alan Black:

    1. The bases of Christian unity (v 1)
    2. The results of Christian unity (v 2)
    3. The expressions of Christ unity (vv 3-4)

    • Here’s another item to chew on: Two scholars suggest a structure for the letter and say the pericope perhaps least appreciated in Philippians is actually its center and main section: 2:17–3:1a. If they are correct, it wouldn’t be the first time that what we thought was of least importance turned out to be the Main Point.

    • Did I mention the Christian Poets group is rising from the dead? Join in, if you’d like to contribute, and I’ll add you. Sorry if I repeat myself. Take it as an extra reminder. The world needs thoughtful works to prod the mind toward wholesomeness and toward God. Two new items today are already posted at the link above.

    • Matthew 18 is that fourth discourse of Christ’s on life in the Christian community. Jesus speaks often of the little ones. Note that in Matthew 10 part of that group are evangelists and missionaries. It would appear that indeed they often don’t, in Rodney Daingerfield style, get much respect in established churches. I’m thankful to see many exceptions, and to be the recipient of those who honor little ones.

    • Is the Occupy movement the last gasp of dying Socialism and Communism, or the beginning of the end as America slides into permanent decline? I know little about politics, less about economics, and absolutely nothing about the future. I do pray the Lord will bless my countrymen and family in the US, but I don’t know how that prayer will best be answered. I do know that God cares for his own.

     

    • Weylan Deaver 10:33 am on October 20, 2011 Permalink | Reply

      Good poem there, “Let No One Mourn the Bean” (and you weren’t even talking about Mr. Bean).

    • J. Randal Matheny 11:00 am on October 20, 2011 Permalink | Reply

      Thanks, Weylan. Maybe I should have worked him in?

    • Richard Mansel 2:39 pm on October 20, 2011 Permalink | Reply

      The Occupy movement: Or, they are angry liberals who feel conflicted because their political correctness/peer pressure won’t allow them to blame Obama. They are acting out because of their repressed feelings. :)

  • J. Randal Matheny 9:43 pm on October 13, 2011 Permalink | Reply
    Tags: grandparenting, poetry   

    Grandparenting from a distance 

    I kissed my grandkid through the screen,
    We talked tonight on Skype;
    To be a granddad, seen or unseen,
    Is better than all the hype.

    —JRM

     

  • J. Randal Matheny 6:57 pm on September 14, 2011 Permalink | Reply
    Tags: , , inner man, poetry   

    Without a heart 

    The fervent march, the hymn of praise,
    The echoed chant in hallowed halls,
    Without a heart to launch the phrase,
    Will only bounce off deadened walls.

    The soul that finds in God his rest,
    His manly strength and glorious weight,
    Will sing with words that from the breast
    Spring lively up to heaven’s gate.

    —JRM, on this quiet evening of thanksgiving

     

  • TFRStaff 6:41 am on August 30, 2011 Permalink | Reply
    Tags: , poetry, ups and downs   

    Highs and Lows 

    If all the world were broad and flat
    How dull the scene would be!
    We’d wish instead for hills and vales
    With changing views to see.

    If all of life were free from care,
    Devoid of tears and pain,
    There’d be no failure or success –
    No summits to attain.

    But life is filled with ups and downs,
    With happiness and woe.
    Our joys are like the mountaintops;
    Our sorrows lie below.

    The Lord who made the lofty peaks
    Designed the valleys too.
    And He is there at every turn
    To guide our passage through.

    – Amy Clarke Ellis

    Psalm 16:5-8 – O LORD, You are the portion of my inheritance and my cup; You maintain my lot. The lines have fallen to me in pleasant places; Yes, I have a good inheritance. I will bless the LORD who has given me counsel; My heart also instructs me in the night seasons. I have set the LORD always before me;

    Because He is at my right hand I shall not be moved.

    “Thoughts For Today to Brighten Your Day” by Glenn, Mercedes and Lauren Hitchcock

     

  • TFRStaff 5:27 am on July 7, 2011 Permalink | Reply
    Tags: poetry   

    Just a little (poem) 

    Just a little laughter
    Mixed with work and play,
    Makes a happy ending
    To a trying day.
    Just a little kindness
    Scattered ‘long the way,
    Always helps to brighten
    Skies, though dull and gray.

    Just a little smiling
    When we others meet,
    Changes clouds to sunshine
    Makes the bitter, sweet.
    Just a little lifting,
    Helping here and there,
    Makes so many burdens
    Easier to bear.

    Just a little singing
    Of some cheerful song,
    Makes the hours seem shorter
    Though the days are long,
    Just a little courage
    When the battle’s on
    It will make you, brother,
    In the conflict, strong.

    Just a word of comfort,
    And a handclasp true,
    Breaks the clouds of sorrow
    And the sun shines through,
    Just a little praying,
    A little loving too,
    Will put a bit of heaven
    Into things you do.

    —W. F. Iwan

    “Thoughts For Today to Brighten Your Day” by Glenn, Mercedes and Lauren Hitchcock

     

    • Rick Kelley 6:38 am on July 7, 2011 Permalink | Reply

      Bright poem for a cloudy day – perfect!

  • TFRStaff 7:12 am on June 16, 2011 Permalink | Reply
    Tags: , , poetry   

    Father’s Day 

    FATHER’S DAY

    Little boys with grown-up air,
    Furrowed brow and graying hair,
    Little boys who long to fish,
    Wistful-eyed with long-dreamed wish.

    Working long hours through the day,
    Wondering which of bills to pay,
    Talking, smiling when you’re tired,
    Knowing these things are required.

    Buying shoes for little feet,
    That go racing down the street,
    Going to bed too tired to pray,
    Bless you on this Father’s Day.

    –Carlyn Edwards

    "If a son shall ask bread of any of you that is a father, will he give him a stone? or if he ask a fish, will he for a fish give him a serpent? Or if he shall ask an egg, will he offer him a scorpion? If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children: how much more shall your Heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to them that ask him?" Luke 11:11-13

    "Thoughts For Today to Brighten Your Day"

    by Glenn, Mercedes and Lauren Hitchcock

     

  • J. Randal Matheny 6:14 pm on May 27, 2011 Permalink | Reply
    Tags: , poetry   

    Memorial Day 

    Posted over on my personal blog is a letter, published in a church bulletin, from nonChristian parents to the congregation where their son was converted. Quite a touching letter and quite the contrast from most reactions of people in similar situations.

    While you’re over there, check out my battle poem as well.

    Last stanza of Grace Noll Crowell’s poem, “Pilgrimage:”

    Then surely, Lord, I can go foward knowing
    That somewhere on the hills the light will dawn,
    And I shall reach it safely if, in going,
    You still lead on.

    Am I in a poetry mood today? I wouldn’t have thought it. But I just listened to Don Williams sing “Till the Rivers All Run Dry.” That ought to stir the hardest heart, no?

    Here’s a stanza, extempore:

    How soldiers suffer, bleed unseen,
    We’ll never know;
    What horrors pass, or hells unclean,
    What demons blow;
    If not for them, defense and shield,
    We’d serve the foe;
    From sacrifice on battlefields
    Our freedoms flow.

    A somber and grateful Memorial Day for us all.

     

  • J. Randal Matheny 4:22 pm on May 17, 2011 Permalink | Reply
    Tags: , first-person pronoun, No-I Day, poetry,   

    The I’s have it, bad, &c 

    self-absorption• I said I wasn’t going to write about this latest loony who set a date for the Rapture. Well, I didn’t, sort of. I poemized. And I thought I’d better do it before we got it in the neck on Saturday. So, there.

    • What makes people gullible? Should we have a discussion about nature or nurture here? Or is gullibility a coping mechanism that doesn’t work so well? Might Proverbs have something to say about it? Seems I recall one Bible version translating one of those words for “simple” as gullible.

    • The podcast last night on iQuest was fun. Praying that it serves someone, either a non-Christian motivated to obey the Lord, or a saint, strengthen in his faith. The topic was baptism, with a different approach. But still biblical. Very. On my blog I do some background on it. It will only interest my mother, so I’m not even linking to it.

    • Last year, I think it was, I had set up to do a weekly podcast with The Equip Network, but at the time I was preparing to travel to the U.S., my situation was up in the air, and I, with much regret and sorrow at renigging, backed out. The desire is still there. But there may be, somewhere down the line, an opportunity for radio. Except that it will be in Portuguese, if it turns out.

    • I discovered I don’t have a face for TV, no voice for radio, maybe that’s why I write so much.

    • This post has a lot of I’s in it. Maybe time to do a repeat of the No-I Day. Ever do one of those, go a whole day without using the pronoun I? Forces you to find other ways of saying things by taking self out of the picture. Worthy exercise.

    • President Obama has been rightly criticized for abusing the first-person pronoun. It is a problem. Who hasn’t used our Lord’s parable of the Pharisee praying in the temple in a sermon or lesson to talk about selfishness seen through the I?

    • One writer gave advice for letter-writing, to use the second person, “you” and “yours,” twice as much as the first person. If one needs a measuring stick, that seems to be a good one. To start with.

     

  • TFRStaff 5:11 am on May 4, 2011 Permalink | Reply
    Tags: , poetry   

    TFT: Mother’s Day, These Special Gifts 

    These Special Gifts…

    She could not give her children gold,
    So she gave them faith to have and hold.
    She could not give them royal birth …
    A name renowned throughout the earth,
    But she gave them seeds and a garden spot
    And shade trees when the sun was hot.

    She could not give a silver spoon
    Or servants waiting night and noon.
    She gave them love and a listening ear
    And told them God was always near.

    She could not give them ocean trips
    Aboard majestic sailing ships,
    But she gave them books and a quiet time,
    Adventures found in prose and rhyme.

    She could not give them worldly things
    But what she gave was fit for kings,
    For with her faith and books and sod
    She made each child aware of God.

    – Alice Leedy Mason

    “Thoughts For Today To Brighten Your Day”
    From: Glenn, Mercedes & Lauren Hitchcock

     

    • Steve 5:52 am on May 4, 2011 Permalink | Reply

      Wonderful thoughts to live by! Thanks for sharing.

  • J. Randal Matheny 5:27 pm on April 12, 2011 Permalink | Reply
    Tags: Acts study Bible, invitation songs, poetry,   

    After near death, the baby went home 

    • Yesterday I asked Twitter and Facebook friends to pray for our sister in Christ Paula’s niece, 6 months old, who fell from her stroller and got hung by the neck. The doctor didn’t think she was going to make it. Today, the baby went home. Exams showed no immediate damage, but she’ll go back to the doctor every month for a good while to check for long-term damage. If it weren’t for a neighbor who gave first aid, the baby would not made it alive to the hospital. As it was, we believe the many prayers offered by saints was heard.

    Paula called a few minutes ago and, besides the news about her niece, asked now to pray for her brother and sister-in-law, who seem to be open to hearing the gospel. (More …)

     

  • J. Randal Matheny 7:17 pm on April 3, 2011 Permalink | Reply
    Tags: poetry, poetry month   

    Poetry Month. I’m in. 

    A week or so ago I read that April was Poetry Month. (They must have chosen it because of the 1st; only fools write poetry.) I thought little about it, until yesterday when Laura, dear, kind soul that she is, said a friend of hers was writing a poem a day during the whole month. She challenged me to do the same.

    I alleged a time problem, but a poem worked its way to the surface and I decided to go for it.

    Anybody interested in following along can find the poems under the tag “Poetry Month.”

     

  • TFRStaff 4:16 am on March 11, 2011 Permalink | Reply
    Tags: , , , poetry   

    TFT: Definitions of Courage 

    Definitions of Courage

    Courage is enduring
    For just one minute longer,
    Courage is just holding on,
    Though others may be stronger.

    Courage is a grappling hand
    When dreams we’ve had are fading,
    Courage is just keeping on
    Enheartening and persuading.

    Courage is a certain faith
    Expressed in act heroic,
    Something deeper, deeper still
    Than simply being stoic.

    Courage is a sensing
    Of our destiny, a tightening
    of the belt of circumstance,
    Though all its face be frightening.

    Courage is a midnight song
    Through the deep darkness singing,
    ‘Til the music born of faith
    Sets all life’s rafters ringing.

    Courage is a sensing
    That in spite of pain and sorrow,
    God will see us through today
    And meet our needs tomorrow.

    –Ruth Winant Wheeler

    “Wait on the Lord: be of good courage, and he shall strengthen your heart…” Psalm 27:14a

    “Thoughts For Today to Brighten Your Day” by Glenn Hitchcock

     

  • TFRStaff 5:55 am on February 28, 2011 Permalink | Reply
    Tags: , Golden Rule, poetry   

    TFT: The Golden Rule 

    The Golden Rule

    We cannot make bargains for blisses,
    Nor catch them like fishes in nets;
    And sometimes the thing our life misses
    Helps more than the thing which it gets.
    For good lies not in pursuing,
    Nor gaining of great nor of small,
    But just in the doing, and doing
    As we would be done by, is all.

    –Alice Cary

    (Gal 6:10) Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all, especially to those who are of the household of faith.

    “Thoughts For Today to Brighten Your Day” by Glenn Hitchcock

     

  • TFRStaff 4:38 am on February 15, 2011 Permalink | Reply
    Tags: poetry,   

    A prayer for every day 

    A PRAYER FOR EVERY DAY

    Make me too brave to lie or be unkind.
    Make me too understanding, too, to mind
    The little hurts companions give, and friends,
    The careless hurts that no one quite intends.
    Make me too thoughtful to hurt others so.
    Help me to know
    The inmost hearts of those for whom I care,
    Their secret wishes, all the loads they bear,
    That I may add my courage to their own.
    May I make lonely folks feel less alone,
    And happy ones a little happier yet.
    May I forget
    What ought to be forgotten; and recall
    Unfailing, all
    That ought to be recalled, each kindly thing,
    Forgetting what might sting.
    To all upon my way,
    Day after day,
    Let me be joy, be hope! Let my life sing!

    Mary Carolyn Davies

    “Thoughts For Today to Brighten Your Day” by Glenn Hitchcock

     

  • J. Randal Matheny 7:33 pm on October 23, 2010 Permalink | Reply
    Tags: poetry   

    Among the Stars and Suns 

    Among the stars and suns come walk with me,
    Earth’s clouds and emerald green beneath our feet;
    In heavenly realms no death, no tears, no sea,
    Where friends embrace, and saved and Savior meet.

    –JRM

     

  • J. Randal Matheny 7:53 pm on September 23, 2010 Permalink | Reply
    Tags: , poetry,   

    You up for some love poetry, short and sweet? And original. “Had I Been Given.”

     

  • J. Randal Matheny 3:48 pm on July 16, 2010 Permalink | Reply
    Tags: , , poetry   

    David Lemmons has rescued from the pages of the old Firm Foundation a nice little poem, “The Church of His Choice.” Since it’s not online, I’ve added it here:

    http://jasrandal.posterous.com/the-church-of-his-choice-a-old-poem-by-dick-e

     

  • Weylan Deaver 10:34 am on June 30, 2010 Permalink | Reply
    Tags: , James 1:22, poetry   

    "It is noteworthy that from the word translated 'doer' (poietai) comes our word 'poet.' Poetry is regarded as one of the most creative fields in all literature. A faithful Christian 'poetizes;' his life is a perpetual poem, exhibiting therein the beauty and symmetry of a harmonious life, and demonstrating always and everywhere the creative action of a productive life."

    Guy N. Woods, Gospel Advocate Commentary on James, p. 85.

     

  • J. Randal Matheny 11:51 am on June 19, 2010 Permalink | Reply
    Tags: dads, , poetry   

    A new poem for my dad in honor of Father’s Day: “His Guiding Hand.”

    http://randalmatheny.com/2010/06/19/poem-his-guiding-hand/

     

  • J. Randal Matheny 11:35 am on May 6, 2010 Permalink | Reply
    Tags: , , poetry   

    Problem with replies 

    Richard M. mentioned yesterday or day that he was not able to make comments. I assumed it was that old difficulty we’ve had, but I see I can’t either today. At all. Anybody else having this problem?

    I was going to comment on Stephen’s limerick — good one by the way –, that I went through a phase around 2008-2009 writing a bunch of them. They’re like candy.

     

    • Laura 11:40 am on May 6, 2010 Permalink | Reply

      I’ve not had too many problems. I can make replies, but sometimes when I hit the reply link, it opens a reply area on the wrong post. Very odd.

    • Richard Hill 11:57 am on May 6, 2010 Permalink | Reply

      I’ve had some problems. When it happens I copy and past the reply or post onto the clipboard, go to the dashboard, then come back to TFR, click inside a non-active place on the area I want to post or comment, then paste in comment or post.

      When I’m having problems this had always worked.

      • Laura 11:58 am on May 6, 2010 Permalink | Reply

        That’s what I’ve done in the past, Richard. The blog software seems just a bit buggy.

  • Laura 11:08 am on May 6, 2010 Permalink | Reply
    Tags: , poetry   

    Poetry 

    Many of our hymns are poetry set to music. While not particularly upbeat, one such example that sticks in my mind well is Alfred Tennyson’s Crossing the Bar. I recall in senior AP English that our teacher assigned this poem to be memorized. Much to her surprise, I quoted it verbatim on the spot and was the only student that knew the meaning of the poem. As I explained, this poem was set to music and we sing it in our worship services. It is a beautiful poem. I think I got an A+ on that assignment. :)

    Sunset and evening star,
    And one clear call for me!
    And may there be no moaning of the bar,
    When I put out to sea,

    But such a tide as moving seems asleep,
    Too full for sound and foam,
    When that which drew from out the boundless deep
    Turns again home.

    Twilight and evening bell,
    And after that the dark!
    And may there be no sadness of farewell,
    When I embark;

    For tho’ from out our bourne of Time and Place
    The flood may bear me far,
    I hope to see my Pilot face to face
    When I have crossed the bar.

     

    • Mike Riley 11:11 am on May 6, 2010 Permalink | Reply

      Laura, yes, this is a beautiful song and very meaningful poem by Tennyson.

    • Tim Hester 11:35 am on May 6, 2010 Permalink | Reply

      The blood and the glass,
      The beer and the wine. 
      All mingled together,
      All intertwined. 

      The hush of the crowd,
      The cry of a mother,
      Who’s son or daughter
      Was like no other. 

      Ghostly figures of
      Of red, blue, and amber
      Dance through the night
      Causing us to remember. 

      The lives of those
      So young that was lost
      For a moment of fun,
      They paid the cost.

      • Laura 11:41 am on May 6, 2010 Permalink | Reply

        Very good Tim. Did you write this? I would like to share with my sons.

  • J. Randal Matheny 10:55 am on May 6, 2010 Permalink | Reply
    Tags: , , poetry   

    Daily Nudge: got poetry? — and news 

    You got rhythm? You got rhyme? Lay a piece of poetry on us today, any style, that speaks to you. Can be biblical or not. The Bible has lots and lots of poetry, more than you’d dream of. Or choose a selection from an uninspired writer. Just something encouraging and upbeat, I hope.

    And news is always good to hear as well.

     

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