Tests and Traps (for Monday of Holy Week)
Branded Melody
One LifeSong Striving to be Marked with Truth
Friday, April 15, 2022
Holy Week Poems . . . Monday - Good Friday
Thursday, January 20, 2022
On 1 Corinthians 10:12 & 13
We usually start the thought in verse 13:
No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to
man. God is faithful, and He will not let you be tempted beyond your ability,
but with the temptation He will also provide the way of escape, that you may be
able to endure it.
It’s a word of encouragement. A “you’re not alone” in the trials
and things with which you struggle. And then more encouragement in that “God is
faithful” to help you hold up underneath the crushing trial and temptation.
That’s good stuff, for sure. And necessary.
But if we step back and start the thought in verse 12,
another vital layer is added to this passage:
Therefore, let anyone who thinks that he stands take
heed lest he fall.
Read that part first because preceding the encouragement is
a dire warning. “Take heed lest (you) fall.” It’s not just that all temptations
are common to all people, but that ANY temptation is a real possibility for ANY
person. Do you see the shift in mindset? Verse 12 reminds you that you are not
above or immune to certain pulls or trials or wandering longings no matter how
strong you may think yourself to be. You can never underestimate the depths of
depravity lurking in your own heart. So be on guard. “Watch and pray” as Jesus
taught his disciples in the garden “that you will not fall into temptation.”
Be warned, but also be encouraged. Because the eternal
takeaway is that “GOD is faithful,” and, even in the baseness of our fallen
world and in the sickness of our own human hearts, He has made and is making a
way for you.
Friday, November 5, 2021
Echoes of Genesis Three
Our Maker determined that we should be
able to choose
So I have questions
Is it sin to think such?
And the eternal Eyes see and saw it all
Thursday, October 7, 2021
Again. - a Poem, a Plea
How do you talk yourself into trying again?
How do you will such bravery to be?
How can you talk yourself back out onto the ledge?
How do you shut down and shut up the patterns of the past?
Thursday, September 2, 2021
Rest & Work -- A Poem (sort of)
. . . free writing is a messy freedom. Here we go . . .
Wednesday, December 23, 2020
Mary - An Advent Poem
Mary
Precious girl,
even now we follow your lead.
You who welcomed such fearful visit
of strange heavenly tidings,
that a worldly impossibility would be swallowed up
to herald all Creation’s redemption.
You who chose to believe it --
we trace similar steps to bow and worship
the God who generously makes all things possible.
Blessed girl,
we hunger for a faith so simple and pure.
You who saw youth and station and ridicule as
no obstacles to God’s mighty work
within you,
for you.
You who quietly cradled the Eternal One incarnate
into this unredeemed soil and dirt
and reverently loved
with a mother’s love
the I AM steeped in flesh.
We watch you and observe how to handle
holy things with care and with fear and with great joy.
Chosen and willing vessel,
we are grateful for your ordained place in His story.
You who bore such monumental pain
in His coming,
then in His going,
and yet clothed yourself in obedience at the call of your King,
prayerfully patient.
You who abandoned common manmade dreams to follow your God --
your humble faithfulness kindles a fire in our bellies,
bears bold fruit even now
as an offering of worship,
a legacy of godly devotion and of love.
Thursday, December 17, 2020
A Prayer for Mission Week
LORD, be their Shepherd in all things this week.
Let them fully and constantly sense Your loving Presence
Give them good rest when it is time for rest
Give them refreshing sustenance for strength
Restore their fervor for You again and again
Lead them on these preordained paths
For the sake of Your Name and for Your glory
Even in uncomfortable and possibly dangerous situations
LORD, make fear flee from them
Let them feel your protective hand surrounding them
And be comforted to their cores
Before those who would oppose their Gospel work
Show Yourself as Provider in lavish, abundant, undeniable measure
Pour upon them an extra measure of your wisdom and strength in the Spirit
Let Your goodness and mercy pave every step before them
And follow closely on their heels
And be their guard to the left and the right
Grant to their souls firm assurance that You, O LORD, are their true home