When bothered, I am often prone to blither
About how I must work, my faith to prove.
A mustard seed’s supply of faith can weather.
I scarce can muster e’en a trace thereof.
I do not wish to see the fig tree wither.
I do not long to make the mountain move.
But I desire today a shorter tether.
Lord, help my unbelief and lack of love.
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My boy, beware the moral poverty
Of those intent on feeding discontent.
The end of all their labor is lament.
They die in lust for blood and property.
Remain not an antagonist to truth
Nor love the follies of your fallen state.
You need not face the unrepentant’s fate,
For wisdom offers hope to humble youth.
Know well that you will never know as well
As he who rules reality with love,
So hallow him and turn a list’ning ear.
Invite instruction and commit to dwell
At wisdom’s fountainhead. Heed God above
And rest within a state of holy fear.
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There are truths I know yet struggle to believe.
You know all my struggles, yet you never leave.
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I’m afraid of the prayer I just prayed.
I’m afraid that you might answer it.
But I’m also afraid of this season I’m in.
And you’re here with me now, and you’ll be with me then.
And I know, one day, I’ll get through it
And be thankful for prayers that I prayed.
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Empty is the tomb.
Empty are its threats.
Curse borne from the womb
Cancelled with our debts.
Freedom from our doom
Found in heaven’s nets.
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I do not want to follow you today,
And though I know the path you set is right,
I do not want to walk the narrow way.
I struggle now to find the words to say
That, though I do not want to leave the light,
I do not want to follow you today.
I still will read the Bible, still will pray;
Yet, as I stand before the darkest night,
I do not want to walk the narrow way.
God, can I still within your purpose stay
When, with emotions filling me with fright,
I do not want to follow you today?
Storm clouds have come and turned clear skies to grey.
God, must I walk by faith and not by sight?
I do not want to walk the narrow way.
These few concerns before your throne I lay.
Lord, leave me not, though in this temp’ral plight,
I do not want to follow you today,
I do not want to walk the narrow way.
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Let me be part of your story unfolding.
Make me remember I am not my own.
Batter my heart till, your glory beholding,
I defer all to your throne.
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This poem alludes to the poem “Batter my heart, three-person’d God” by John Donne. Look it up for more on the idea behind today’s poem.
Untrue stories still can teach us
Truths which shape our living stories.
Fiction’s mirror still may reach us
With eternal glories.
All reality is brimming
With more truth than can be spoken.
Still, too many minds are dimming.
Let yours be awoken.
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All things work for the good, you say.
I do not doubt the truth.
But shall I see the good one day,
Ever detect your better way
When circumstances ever lay
Before my doubtful heart a “may”
Which shakes the faith of youth
With fears I shudder to convey?
My mind is prone to wonder, though
I know you to be wise.
When progress on the road is slow,
When seasons threaten me with snow
Or desert heat, when all is woe –
God, how much further must I go?
My limits are my eyes.
I cannot see how I must grow.
Yet none can know your mind. You see
Past ev’ry fear I face.
So when I lose perspective, be
The peace amidst confusion, he
Whose presence makes the raging sea
A place of rest: tranquility
Of soul because of grace,
Enduring to eternity.
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Thanks to Montray for helping me title this poem.
The lofty halt. The lowly enter in.
The pious scoff. The poor are born again.
The strong still work. The weak embrace his rest.
The wise stay blind. The blind see and are blessed.
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as i learn to walk 