tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-89977318777331876572024-03-28T20:28:43.422-07:00 Unworthy of God's Love Stewart's Poems, Stories and Musings
Unworthy of God's Lovehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15824507936278239706noreply@blogger.comBlogger1729125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8997731877733187657.post-8111296597134370962024-03-28T14:46:00.000-07:002024-03-28T14:46:15.020-07:00Impeached but Exonerated<p>
</p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><img alt="forgiven - Family Radio 316" class="n3VNCb KAlRDb" data-noaft="1" src="https://familyradio316.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/forgiven.jpg" style="height: 288.75px; margin: 0px; width: 385px;" /><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;"></span></b></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;"> </span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">Impeached but exonerated</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">And I am not talking about Trump,</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">He would have to deal with that</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">On his own account.</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;"> </span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">I am talking about me</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">And what I have been through</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">And you who are reading this,</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">What you’ve been through too.</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;"> </span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">I was impeached and found guilty</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">Simply because I was born,</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">Most would find that unusual</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">Because it’s not the norm.</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;"> </span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">What is the crime in being born</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">Would be the question to ask,</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">If Adam and Eve were alive</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">I would give them that task.</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;"> </span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">However, since they are not</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">I will point you to God’s Word</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">Even though something tells me</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">You have already heard.</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;"> </span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">Let us ask the Psalmist</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">And we will see what he says,</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">Shaped in iniquity and conceived in sin</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">That’s how it was way back in the day.</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;"> </span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">So, we were born into sin</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">That, my friend is the norm,</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">Consequently, one is counted a sinner</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">From the very day he is born.</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;"> </span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">Hence the first part of the theme</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">Impeached from my birth,</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">Yes, I was impeached </span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">Before I even set foot on the earth.</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;"> </span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">But it doesn’t end there </span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">And I truly thank God for this</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">And so, I come to the part</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">That I don’t want you to miss.</span></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;"> </span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">So as in Adam every man sinned</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">In Christ every man can access pardon,</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">Yes! Exonerated in Christ Jesus</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">Ever since I’ve been forgiven.</span></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;"> </span></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;"><img alt="Forgiven – Read the Bible" class="n3VNCb KAlRDb" data-noaft="1" src="https://readthebiblemakedisciples.files.wordpress.com/2018/10/forgiven.jpg" style="height: 213.579px; margin: 21.4607px 0px; width: 385px;" /> <br /></span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;"> </span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">Impeached on Adam’s account</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">But exonerated through Jesus Christ</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">Not on any merit of my own</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">But because of Christ’s sacrifice…</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;"> </span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">When on that first Good Friday</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">When before the heavenly court</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">He shouted “Father forgive them!”</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">Therein is my support.</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;"> </span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">Now being one of the “whosoever”</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">That believes in Jesus Christ,</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">I am exonerated through the blood</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">That will always suffice.</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;"> </span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">Impeached because of Adam</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">Exonerated in Christ,</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">If the same can be said about you</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">I would think that’s quite nice.</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;"> </span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">Stewart Russell © January 25, 2021</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;"> </span></p>
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{page:WordSection1;}</style></p>Unworthy of God's Lovehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15824507936278239706noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8997731877733187657.post-72281530924363091922024-03-26T15:04:00.000-07:002024-03-26T15:04:14.695-07:00Trust Is a Choice<p>
</p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><img alt="Boris Kodjoe Quote: “I believe trust is a choice.”" class="n3VNCb" data-noaft="1" src="https://quotefancy.com/media/wallpaper/3840x2160/984439-Boris-Kodjoe-Quote-I-believe-trust-is-a-choice.jpg" style="height: 225px; margin: 20.85px 0px; width: 400px;" /></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><br /></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Cambria",serif; font-size: 16pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Trust
is a choice</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Cambria",serif; font-size: 16pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Though
sometimes automatic,</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Cambria",serif; font-size: 16pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">In
the norms of life</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Cambria",serif; font-size: 16pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">It’s
a daily habit.</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Cambria",serif; font-size: 16pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> </span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Cambria",serif; font-size: 16pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Trusting
for food</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Cambria",serif; font-size: 16pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">And
life and health,</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Cambria",serif; font-size: 16pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Basic
trust I would call this</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Cambria",serif; font-size: 16pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">For
others and self.</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Cambria",serif; font-size: 16pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> </span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Cambria",serif; font-size: 16pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">If
we have the means</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Cambria",serif; font-size: 16pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">We
just move ahead,</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Cambria",serif; font-size: 16pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">For
most it’s no ordeal</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Cambria",serif; font-size: 16pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">They
expect to be fed.</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Cambria",serif; font-size: 16pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> </span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Cambria",serif; font-size: 16pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">But
there are some</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Cambria",serif; font-size: 16pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">That
face a difficulty here</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Cambria",serif; font-size: 16pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Such
that even food for them</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Cambria",serif; font-size: 16pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Is
a critical care.</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Cambria",serif; font-size: 16pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> </span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Cambria",serif; font-size: 16pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Automatic
trust for some</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Cambria",serif; font-size: 16pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Is
a problem for others</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Cambria",serif; font-size: 16pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">And
regarding essentials</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Cambria",serif; font-size: 16pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">This
is a bother.</span></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Cambria",serif; font-size: 16pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> </span></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Cambria",serif; font-size: 16pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><img alt="Boris Kodjoe Quote: “I believe trust is a choice.”" class="n3VNCb" data-noaft="1" src="https://quotefancy.com/media/wallpaper/3840x2160/984439-Boris-Kodjoe-Quote-I-believe-trust-is-a-choice.jpg" style="height: 225px; margin: 20.85px 0px; width: 400px;" /> <br /></span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Cambria",serif; font-size: 16pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> </span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Cambria",serif; font-size: 16pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">The
point I am making</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Cambria",serif; font-size: 16pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Is
when trust is a choice,</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Cambria",serif; font-size: 16pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">When
in the trial we ask,</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Cambria",serif; font-size: 16pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Where
is God’s voice?</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Cambria",serif; font-size: 16pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> </span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Cambria",serif; font-size: 16pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">It’s
not nearly as audible</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Cambria",serif; font-size: 16pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">As
we have come to believe</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Cambria",serif; font-size: 16pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">And
we somehow feel</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Cambria",serif; font-size: 16pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">We
have been deceived.</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Cambria",serif; font-size: 16pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> </span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Cambria",serif; font-size: 16pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">It
is at such times</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Cambria",serif; font-size: 16pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">When
trust is a choice,</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Cambria",serif; font-size: 16pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">We
must choose to trust God</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Cambria",serif; font-size: 16pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">And
we will hear his voice…</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Cambria",serif; font-size: 16pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> </span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Cambria",serif; font-size: 16pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Above
the tumult</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Cambria",serif; font-size: 16pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">That
is blocking our hearing</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Cambria",serif; font-size: 16pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">And
revealing once again</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Cambria",serif; font-size: 16pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">A
God that is caring.</span></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Cambria",serif; font-size: 16pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> </span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Cambria",serif; font-size: 16pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">For
He always speaks</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Cambria",serif; font-size: 16pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Even
when we cannot hear</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Cambria",serif; font-size: 16pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">And
he says, “Trust me,</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Cambria",serif; font-size: 16pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">For
I always care.”</span></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Cambria",serif; font-size: 16pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> </span></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Cambria",serif; font-size: 16pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><img alt="Boris Kodjoe Quote: “I believe trust is a choice.”" class="n3VNCb" data-noaft="1" src="https://quotefancy.com/media/wallpaper/3840x2160/984439-Boris-Kodjoe-Quote-I-believe-trust-is-a-choice.jpg" style="height: 225px; margin: 20.85px 0px; width: 400px;" /> <br /></span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Cambria",serif; font-size: 16pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> </span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Cambria",serif; font-size: 16pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Trusting
is a choice </span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Cambria",serif; font-size: 16pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">In
the most difficult of times,</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Cambria",serif; font-size: 16pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">This
is not the basic trust</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Cambria",serif; font-size: 16pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Like
the everyday kind.</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Cambria",serif; font-size: 16pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> </span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Cambria",serif; font-size: 16pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Some
people boast</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Cambria",serif; font-size: 16pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">“I
don’t worry or fret,</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Cambria",serif; font-size: 16pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Whatever
I trust God for </span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Cambria",serif; font-size: 16pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">I
always get.”</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Cambria",serif; font-size: 16pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> </span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Cambria",serif; font-size: 16pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">What
they don’t tell you</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Cambria",serif; font-size: 16pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Is
that they have the means</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Cambria",serif; font-size: 16pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">And
what’s mundane for them</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Cambria",serif; font-size: 16pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">For
others is a scream.</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Cambria",serif; font-size: 16pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> </span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Cambria",serif; font-size: 16pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Some
open their fridges</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Cambria",serif; font-size: 16pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">And
are confused by their options,</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Cambria",serif; font-size: 16pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Others
far less fortunate </span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Cambria",serif; font-size: 16pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Have
no fridges to open.</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Cambria",serif; font-size: 16pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> </span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Cambria",serif; font-size: 16pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Some
have nothing to wear;</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Cambria",serif; font-size: 16pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Meaning
nothing new,</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Cambria",serif; font-size: 16pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">The
challenge for others is:</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Cambria",serif; font-size: 16pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Which
of their two?</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Cambria",serif; font-size: 16pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> </span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Cambria",serif; font-size: 16pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">And
while some presently</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Cambria",serif; font-size: 16pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Discuss
their children’s future</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Cambria",serif; font-size: 16pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Other’s
present presents</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Cambria",serif; font-size: 16pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">A
very grim picture.</span></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Cambria",serif; font-size: 16pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> </span></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Cambria",serif; font-size: 16pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><img alt="Boris Kodjoe Quote: “I believe trust is a choice.”" class="n3VNCb" data-noaft="1" src="https://quotefancy.com/media/wallpaper/3840x2160/984439-Boris-Kodjoe-Quote-I-believe-trust-is-a-choice.jpg" style="height: 225px; margin: 20.85px 0px; width: 400px;" /> <br /></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Cambria",serif; font-size: 16pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> </span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Cambria",serif; font-size: 16pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">In
times of great dilemma</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Cambria",serif; font-size: 16pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Trust
is a choice,</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Cambria",serif; font-size: 16pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">And
especially when…</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Cambria",serif; font-size: 16pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">God’s
is the missing voice.</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Cambria",serif; font-size: 16pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> </span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Cambria",serif; font-size: 16pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Remember
He is speaking</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Cambria",serif; font-size: 16pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">He
never stops,</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Cambria",serif; font-size: 16pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Let
Him clear the line</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Cambria",serif; font-size: 16pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">At
the point where it is blocked.</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Cambria",serif; font-size: 16pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> </span><span style="font-family: "Cambria",serif; font-size: 16pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> </span></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Cambria",serif; font-size: 16pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">And
you will hear,</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Cambria",serif; font-size: 16pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">“Trust
me, my child, just trust me!”</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Cambria",serif; font-size: 16pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Trust
is a choice</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Cambria",serif; font-size: 16pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">I
trust that you see.</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Cambria",serif; font-size: 16pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> </span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Cambria",serif; font-size: 16pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Stewart
Russell © September 18, 2020</span><span style="font-size: 16pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"></span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></p>
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{page:WordSection1;}</style></p>Unworthy of God's Lovehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15824507936278239706noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8997731877733187657.post-589557506623872492024-03-25T14:49:00.000-07:002024-03-25T14:49:00.854-07:00Another Word for Trust<p>
</p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><img alt="Proverbs 3:5-6 - Bible verse (KJV) - DailyVerses.net" class="n3VNCb" data-noaft="1" src="https://dailyverses.net/images/en/kjv/xl/proverbs-3-5-6.jpg" style="height: 209.302px; margin: 28.6988px 0px; width: 400px;" /></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Cambria",serif; font-size: 16pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> </span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Cambria",serif; font-size: 16pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Except…</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Cambria",serif; font-size: 16pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Ye become as a little child!</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Cambria",serif; font-size: 16pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Not
necessarily </span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Cambria",serif; font-size: 16pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">As
in meek and mild…</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Cambria",serif; font-size: 16pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> </span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Cambria",serif; font-size: 16pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Nor
for your sojourn</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Cambria",serif; font-size: 16pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Pure and undefiled</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Cambria",serif; font-size: 16pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">But
trusting in God</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Cambria",serif; font-size: 16pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">As
your chosen lifestyle.</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Cambria",serif; font-size: 16pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> </span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Cambria",serif; font-size: 16pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">But
what is trust?</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Cambria",serif; font-size: 16pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Please
explain!</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Cambria",serif; font-size: 16pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Is
there a single word?</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Cambria",serif; font-size: 16pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">A one-word
refrain?</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Cambria",serif; font-size: 16pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> </span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Cambria",serif; font-size: 16pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">O
yes, there is!</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Cambria",serif; font-size: 16pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Can’t
you guess?</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Cambria",serif; font-size: 16pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Well,
no bother…</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Cambria",serif; font-size: 16pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">On
one word I rest.</span></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Cambria",serif; font-size: 16pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> </span></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Cambria",serif; font-size: 16pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><img alt="Ken Follett Quote: “No storm can shake my inmost calm While to that rock I&amp;#39;m clinging Since Love is Lord of heaven and earth How can I keep ...”" class="n3VNCb" data-noaft="1" src="https://quotefancy.com/media/wallpaper/3840x2160/6672097-Ken-Follett-Quote-No-storm-can-shake-my-inmost-calm-While-to-that.jpg" style="height: 225px; margin: 20.85px 0px; width: 400px;" /> <br /></span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Cambria",serif; font-size: 16pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> </span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Cambria",serif; font-size: 16pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">“Cling
to the Lord</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Cambria",serif; font-size: 16pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">With
all thy heart…”</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Cambria",serif; font-size: 16pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Find
this verse</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Cambria",serif; font-size: 16pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">And
you’ve got a start.</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Cambria",serif; font-size: 16pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> </span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Cambria",serif; font-size: 16pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Something
is wrong</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Cambria",serif; font-size: 16pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">But
no need to fuss,</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Cambria",serif; font-size: 16pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">You
won’t see cling</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Cambria",serif; font-size: 16pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">But
there is trust.</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Cambria",serif; font-size: 16pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> </span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Cambria",serif; font-size: 16pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">“Trust
in the Lord</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Cambria",serif; font-size: 16pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">With
all thy heart…”</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Cambria",serif; font-size: 16pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Cling
fits in nicely,</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Cambria",serif; font-size: 16pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">How’s
that for a start?</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Cambria",serif; font-size: 16pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> </span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Cambria",serif; font-size: 16pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">To
hold on tightly</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Cambria",serif; font-size: 16pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Or
tenaciously:</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Cambria",serif; font-size: 16pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">That’s
what cling means</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Cambria",serif; font-size: 16pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Check
a dictionary.</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Cambria",serif; font-size: 16pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> </span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Cambria",serif; font-size: 16pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">It’s
not in the Bible</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Cambria",serif; font-size: 16pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">That’s
my assertion…</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Cambria",serif; font-size: 16pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Well
certainly not </span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Cambria",serif; font-size: 16pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">In
the King James version.</span></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Cambria",serif; font-size: 16pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> </span></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Cambria",serif; font-size: 16pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><img alt="Ken Follett Quote: “No storm can shake my inmost calm While to that rock I&amp;#39;m clinging Since Love is Lord of heaven and earth How can I keep ...”" class="n3VNCb" data-noaft="1" src="https://quotefancy.com/media/wallpaper/3840x2160/6672097-Ken-Follett-Quote-No-storm-can-shake-my-inmost-calm-While-to-that.jpg" style="height: 225px; margin: 20.85px 0px; width: 400px;" /> <br /></span></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Cambria",serif; font-size: 16pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> </span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Cambria",serif; font-size: 16pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Trust
is confidence:</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Cambria",serif; font-size: 16pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">“On
such you can lean”,</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Cambria",serif; font-size: 16pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Very
similar to cling</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Cambria",serif; font-size: 16pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">If
you see what I mean.</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Cambria",serif; font-size: 16pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> </span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Cambria",serif; font-size: 16pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">I
recall a youngster</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Cambria",serif; font-size: 16pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Being
spanked by his mom,</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Cambria",serif; font-size: 16pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">She
would push him away</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Cambria",serif; font-size: 16pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">But
back to her he’d run.</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Cambria",serif; font-size: 16pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> </span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Cambria",serif; font-size: 16pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Despite
the spanking</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Cambria",serif; font-size: 16pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Staying
away was refused,</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Cambria",serif; font-size: 16pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">The
source of his pain</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Cambria",serif; font-size: 16pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Was
his only refuge.</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Cambria",serif; font-size: 16pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> </span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Cambria",serif; font-size: 16pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">He
clung to his mother’s apron</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Cambria",serif; font-size: 16pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Is
the example given:</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Cambria",serif; font-size: 16pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">The
only place of comfort</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Cambria",serif; font-size: 16pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Whatever
peril threatened!</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Cambria",serif; font-size: 16pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> </span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Cambria",serif; font-size: 16pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">To
whom would we go?</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Cambria",serif; font-size: 16pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Peter
did ask,</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Cambria",serif; font-size: 16pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">When
many turned away</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Cambria",serif; font-size: 16pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">From
the Saviour’s path.</span></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Cambria",serif; font-size: 16pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> </span></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Cambria",serif; font-size: 16pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><img alt="Ken Follett Quote: “No storm can shake my inmost calm While to that rock I&amp;#39;m clinging Since Love is Lord of heaven and earth How can I keep ...”" class="n3VNCb" data-noaft="1" src="https://quotefancy.com/media/wallpaper/3840x2160/6672097-Ken-Follett-Quote-No-storm-can-shake-my-inmost-calm-While-to-that.jpg" style="height: 225px; margin: 20.85px 0px; width: 400px;" /> <br /></span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Cambria",serif; font-size: 16pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> </span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Cambria",serif; font-size: 16pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">To
the Saviour cling</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Cambria",serif; font-size: 16pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Whatever
the fuss!</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Cambria",serif; font-size: 16pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Cling,
I hope you see,</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Cambria",serif; font-size: 16pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Is
another word for trust.</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Cambria",serif; font-size: 16pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> </span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Cambria",serif; font-size: 16pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Lean
is in there too,</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Cambria",serif; font-size: 16pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">We
have synonyms three:</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Cambria",serif; font-size: 16pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Lean
and trust and cling</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Cambria",serif; font-size: 16pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">All
speak of safety.</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Cambria",serif; font-size: 16pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> </span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Cambria",serif; font-size: 16pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Stewart
Russell © September 21, 2020 </span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Cambria",serif; font-size: 16pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> </span></p>
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{page:WordSection1;}</style></p>Unworthy of God's Lovehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15824507936278239706noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8997731877733187657.post-44761827329813247382024-03-24T04:50:00.000-07:002024-03-24T04:50:32.376-07:00Who Is This God?<p>
</p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><img alt="Pin on Christianity today" class="n3VNCb" data-noaft="1" src="https://i.pinimg.com/736x/b1/94/f7/b194f7bf89e00124b78702bd8610fff4.jpg" style="height: 304.688px; margin: 0px; width: 400px;" /><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;"></span></b><span style="font-size: 16pt;"></span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;"> </span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">Who is this buddy pal god</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">To whom we often pray,</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">That we can urge and coax</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">And make him go our way?</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;"> </span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">Who is this buddy pal god</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">That gives us all we want</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">And before whom all our fancies</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">We dare to flaunt?</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;"> </span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">Who is this buddy pal god,</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">This genie on the seashore</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">Whose lamp we rub</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">And simply ask for more?</span></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;"> </span></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;"> </span><img alt="Conversation with a Genie - 3 Quarks Daily" class="n3VNCb" data-noaft="1" src="https://3quarksdaily.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/ScreenHunter_3797-Dec.-23-10.59-360x276.jpg" style="height: 276px; margin: 0px; width: 360px;" /></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;"> </span></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">More of this and more of that,</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">All we want that we’ve not got</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">And quote his own word</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">To get him in our slot?</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;"> </span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">Who is this buddy pal god</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">That we shout at and nag</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">And when we get what we want</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">We strut around and brag?</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;"> </span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">Too blessed to be stressed!</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">Too appointed to be disappointed!</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">Filled with the Holy Spirit?</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">And abundantly anointed?</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;"> </span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">Who is this buddy pal god</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">That accedes to all our requests,</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">Like the dutiful godmother fairy</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">That feathers our nests?</span></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;"> </span></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;"><img alt="Fairy Godmother Clipart - Clip Art - Png Download (#1311232) - PinClipart" class="n3VNCb" data-noaft="1" src="https://www.pinclipart.com/picdir/middle/131-1311232_fairy-godmother-clipart-clip-art-png-download.png" style="height: 255px; margin: 5.85px 0px; width: 400px;" /> <br /></span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;"> </span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">From rags to riches</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">From poverty to prominence,</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">From a nobody to somebody big</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">From dominated to dominance?</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;"> </span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">Who is this buddy pal god</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">That indwells our head</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">That needs our unswerving support</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">Or else he’d be dead?</span></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;"> </span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">Where in the Bible is he?</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">Just show to me the passage</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">And, if like you I see him,</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">I’ll surely accept your message.</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;"> </span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">My conviction is, however,</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">There’s no such buddy pal god</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">Other than the one we have created:</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">The up-in-our-heads fraud!</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;"> </span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">From our heads to our hearts</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">He deceives us all the time</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">And via our ignorance of God’s Word</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">He captures our simple mind.</span></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;"> </span></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;"><img alt="The Trinity - What the Bible Teaches on the Tri-Unity of God" class="n3VNCb" data-noaft="1" src="http://www.middletownbiblechurch.org/sciences/3create.GIF" style="height: 240.152px; margin: 13.2742px 0px; width: 450px;" /> <br /></span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;"> </span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">God is the omnipotent creator</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">Jesus is our Saviour and friend,</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">The Holy Spirit is our constant guide</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">Whom Father and Son did send.</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;"> </span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">God is no buddy pal god</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">Like a rubbed-the-lamp genie,</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">Nor is His Word a Cinderella story</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Featuring the
godmother fairy.</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;"> </span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">He is our All in All,</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">In Him we live and exist,</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">Without Him we can do nothing</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">And to live without Him</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">Is life’s greatest risk.</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;"> </span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">Stewart Russell © January 31, 2022</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;"> </span></p>
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{page:WordSection1;}</style></p>Unworthy of God's Lovehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15824507936278239706noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8997731877733187657.post-19350795328209245982024-03-22T15:45:00.000-07:002024-03-22T15:45:48.782-07:00Between the Devil and the Deep Blue Sea<p>
</p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><img alt="30 Mark Twain Quotes About Life, Love & Politics" aria-hidden="false" class="r48jcc pT0Scc iPVvYb" src="https://allthatsinteresting.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2015/02/mark-twain-quotes-who-runs-the-word.png" style="height: 233px; margin: 0px; max-width: 700px; width: 459px;" /></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;"> </span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">Between </span></b></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">The devil and the deep blue sea-</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">Swimming either way spells fatality,</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">Yet World politics promotes this lunacy</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">For its citizens to accept as their reality.</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;"> </span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">We sing the praises of world leaders</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">Setting store by what they say</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">And argue fiercely with one another</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">Which pontificates the better way.</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;"> </span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">This one is smarter than the other</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">And talks a better argument</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">And it does not matter the eventual outcome</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">It is really about the intent.</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;"> </span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">As long as the intentions seem good</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">To that world leader we can relate,</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">It matters not what he sequentially does</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">At least, he clearly won the debate.</span></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;"> </span></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><img alt="Stuck between a rock and a hard place idiom" aria-hidden="false" class="r48jcc pT0Scc iPVvYb" src="https://spellquiz.com/upload/file?f=idioms/pictures/5a23694e12a1afe1b0460e496625add2.jpg" style="height: 289px; margin: 0px; max-width: 1100px; width: 409px;" /><span style="font-size: 16pt;"> <br /></span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;"> </span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">With world politics</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">Precariously hanging from this plain</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">This brings me to the wonderment</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">Of one Mark Twain.</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;"> </span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">He pondered on two types of leaders</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">At the time when he did write</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">And when I contemplate his considerations</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">Neither appeared his approval type.</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;"> </span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">I have reserved the following verse</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">To give you his word-for-word quote,</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">Follow with me very closely </span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">As I give you exactly as he wrote.</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;"> </span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">“<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Sometimes I
wonder</b></span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">whether the world is being run</span></b></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">by smart people who are putting us on,</span></b></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">or by imbeciles who really mean it</span></b><span style="font-size: 16pt;">.”</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;"> </span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">For surely you now see the reason</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">For the chosen title of this poem:</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">“<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Between the
devil and the deep blue sea</b>”</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">For indeed we have a problem.</span></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;"> </span></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><img alt="How teachers can escape being caught between the Devil and the Deep Blue Sea | VCPLIST.COM" aria-hidden="false" class="r48jcc pT0Scc iPVvYb" src="https://vcplist.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/devid.jpg" style="height: 223px; margin: 0.5px 0px; max-width: 720px; width: 410px;" /><span style="font-size: 16pt;"> <br /></span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;"> </span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">“Smart people” speaks of those politicians</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">That are as cunning as the devil</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">And “imbeciles” connotes the other type</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">That in constant evil revel.</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;"> </span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">Whether run by smart people or imbeciles</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">There is no hope either way,</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">For if we choose the former we are damned</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">And if the latter, </span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">We won’t see the light of day.</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;"> </span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">Stewart Russell © April 6, 2021</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;"> </span></p>
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{page:WordSection1;}</style></p>Unworthy of God's Lovehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15824507936278239706noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8997731877733187657.post-67924591758774035282024-03-21T05:00:00.000-07:002024-03-21T05:00:49.066-07:00Buffering<p>
</p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: 16.0pt;"><br /></span></b></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt;"> </span><img alt="How to Avoid Buffering Issues When Streaming Video" aria-hidden="false" class="sFlh5c pT0Scc iPVvYb" src="https://www.lifewire.com/thmb/djjk5-nl_44veV-6Xza4gGZgUPE=/1500x0/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/how-to-avoid-buffering-issues-1847399-11155b358364473fb32ebc287ce4b407.png" style="height: 273px; margin: 0px; max-width: 1500px; width: 410px;" /></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt;"> </span></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">Be it Digicel</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">Or be it FLOW</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">We have a problem here</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">Both you and I know.</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt;"> </span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">Find this word</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">In your dictionary</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">And you’ll be surprised</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">At the meaning you see.</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt;"> </span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">Nothing to do with FLOW</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">Or even Digicel,</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">Nor does the meaning</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">With the Internet gel.</span></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt;"> </span><span style="font-size: 16.0pt;"> </span></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><img alt="6 Alternative Dictionaries Your Bookshelf Needs | Mental Floss" aria-hidden="false" class="sFlh5c pT0Scc iPVvYb" src="https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_fill,w_720,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/shape/cover/sport/166091799-7db29784aa4428989ba16ea52f62a3dd.jpg" style="height: 230px; margin: 0px; max-width: 720px; width: 409px;" /><span style="font-size: 16.0pt;"> <br /></span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt;"> </span></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">So, update your dictionary</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">Regarding buffering</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">So that it gels with the Internet</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">In its added meaning.</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt;"> </span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">That annoying circle</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">Really gets to me</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">To the extent that sometimes</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">I even get angry.</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt;"> </span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">You are watching a movie</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">And enjoying it a lot</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">When suddenly it starts buffering</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">At a critical spot.</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt;"> </span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">That circle, I mean,</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">And as it spins around</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">You are left twiddling thumbs</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">As though a clown.</span></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt;"> </span></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><img alt="Early 2000's Dell PC | Computer, Computer set, Slot machine" aria-hidden="false" class="sFlh5c pT0Scc iPVvYb" src="https://i.pinimg.com/originals/d4/be/93/d4be937b8bca2bacb7a1fb18f6600564.jpg" style="height: 255px; margin: 0px; max-width: 489px; width: 409px;" /><span style="font-size: 16.0pt;"> <br /></span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt;"> </span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">It affects old computers</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">With not enough memory,</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">I had to change mine recently</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">For working so slowly.</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt;"> </span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">I was waiting a while</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">For an app to boot up</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">Then one day just as expected,</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">I ran out of luck.</span></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt;"> </span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">It had come to an end</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">Having earned its keep,</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">After thirteen years of service</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">It finally fell asleep.</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt;"> </span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">The buffering was a sign</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">It was getting ready to go,</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">It buffered its way to the end</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">And now is no more.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt;"> </span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">As with the Internet</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">And as with the computer</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">For us not-so-young people,</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">Buffering can be a bother.</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt;"> </span></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><img alt="The human brain – Maropeng and Sterkfontein Caves" class="sFlh5c pT0Scc" data-iml="25730" src="https://encrypted-tbn0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcRerhAQMjxFZJuC5_MDIWuPMr5jLYVJ9jVSC_nhGzCnwHVSRZmBToeFLrTfBaE3q9SBElQ&usqp=CAU" style="height: 294px; margin: 0px; max-width: 1024px; position: absolute; visibility: hidden; width: 409px;" /><span style="font-size: 16.0pt;"> </span><img alt="The human brain – Maropeng and Sterkfontein Caves" class="sFlh5c pT0Scc" data-iml="25730" src="https://encrypted-tbn0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcRerhAQMjxFZJuC5_MDIWuPMr5jLYVJ9jVSC_nhGzCnwHVSRZmBToeFLrTfBaE3q9SBElQ&usqp=CAU" style="height: 294px; margin: 0px; max-width: 1024px; position: absolute; visibility: hidden; width: 409px;" /></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><img alt="Parts of the Brain: Anatomy, Functions, and Conditions" aria-hidden="false" class="sFlh5c pT0Scc iPVvYb" src="https://www.verywellmind.com/thmb/C9O-tyeU39g-N-d1w2w32RJ1hCc=/1500x0/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/human-brain-regions--illustration-713784787-5973a8a8d963ac00103468ba.jpg" style="height: 328px; margin: 0px; max-width: 1500px; width: 410px;" /></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">Our God-given computers</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">Do wear out with time</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">And often in our conversations</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">We get a buffering mind.</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt;"> </span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">A trend of thought</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">Completely goes away</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">And you feel somewhat silly</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">With nothing more to say.</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt;"> </span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">And while another talks</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">You try desperately to recall</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">But the mind keeps buffering</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">As though in a stall.</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt;"> </span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">Not only a thought</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">But sometimes a word,</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">Your vocab comes up short</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">And you feel absurd.</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt;"> </span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">The flow is interrupted</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">As your memory goes</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">And your usual sound rhetoric</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">Takes a heavy blow.</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt;"> </span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">Here I am now</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">Gathering my thoughts</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">But this consistent buffering</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">Leaving me distraught.</span></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt;"> </span></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt;"> </span><img alt="What is Buffering? — Causes and How to Stop It - Dignited" aria-hidden="false" class="sFlh5c pT0Scc iPVvYb" src="https://www.dignited.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/cropped-buffering_1024x1024.jpg" style="height: 231px; margin: 0px; max-width: 888px; width: 410px;" /></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt;"> <br /></span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">Another buffering!</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">I’ve forgotten her name,</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">But how could I have forgotten?</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">Man, this is insane!</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt;"> </span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">A trend of thought</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">And an elusive word-</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">Add to these a familiar name,</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">And we’ve got a third.</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt;"> </span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">Three points I recall</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">Where I get this buffering,</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">Just like my old computer</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">I must be ageing.</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt;"> </span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">When you are young</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">It is called thinking,</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">However, when you become old</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">It is buffering.</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt;"> </span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">See the brain now</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">With the circle going around,</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">See a certain President now</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">Looking like a clown.</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt;"> </span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">Stewart Russell © March 13, 2024</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt;"> </span></p>
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{page:WordSection1;}</style> <br /></p>Unworthy of God's Lovehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15824507936278239706noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8997731877733187657.post-46310076985142132932024-03-19T07:09:00.000-07:002024-03-19T07:09:17.951-07:00And When You Pray Say<p>
</p><p align="center" class="Body" style="text-align: center;"><img alt="24 Bible verses about Our Father In Heaven" class="n3VNCb" data-noaft="1" src="https://images.knowing-jesus.com/w/700/40-MATTHEW/Matthew+6-9+Our+Father+Who+Art+In+Heaven+orange.jpg" style="height: 300px; margin: 0px; width: 400px;" /></p>
<p align="center" class="Body" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Cambria",serif; font-size: 16pt;"> </span></p>
<p align="center" class="Body" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: "Cambria",serif; font-size: 16pt;">Our Father</span></b><span style="font-family: "Cambria",serif; font-size: 16pt;">:</span></p>
<p align="center" class="Body" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Cambria",serif; font-size: 16pt;">Who has no illegitimate children,</span></p>
<p align="center" class="Body" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Cambria",serif; font-size: 16pt;">That exists for real</span></p>
<p align="center" class="Body" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Cambria",serif; font-size: 16pt;">And lives in the highest heavens.</span></p>
<p align="center" class="Body" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Cambria",serif; font-size: 16pt;"> </span></p>
<p align="center" class="Body" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: "Cambria",serif; font-size: 16pt;">Hallowed be Your name</span></b></p>
<p align="center" class="Body" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Cambria",serif; font-size: 16pt;">Meaning to be praised and revered,</span></p>
<p align="center" class="Body" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Cambria",serif; font-size: 16pt;">To be held in highest esteem</span></p>
<p align="center" class="Body" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Cambria",serif; font-size: 16pt;">And with reverent fear.</span></p>
<p align="center" class="Body" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Cambria",serif; font-size: 16pt;"> </span></p>
<p align="center" class="Body" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: "Cambria",serif; font-size: 16pt;">Your kingdom come: </span></b></p>
<p align="center" class="Body" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Cambria",serif; font-size: 16pt;">In the person of your Son,</span></p>
<p align="center" class="Body" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Cambria",serif; font-size: 16pt;">Having lived on this earth </span></p>
<p align="center" class="Body" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Cambria",serif; font-size: 16pt;">But existed before time had begun.</span></p>
<p align="center" class="Body" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Cambria",serif; font-size: 16pt;"> </span></p>
<p align="center" class="Body" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: "Cambria",serif; font-size: 16pt;">Your will be done</span></b><span style="font-family: "Cambria",serif; font-size: 16pt;">:</span></p>
<p align="center" class="Body" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Cambria",serif; font-size: 16pt;">Both in heaven and in the earth </span></p>
<p align="center" class="Body" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Cambria",serif; font-size: 16pt;">And in every believer </span></p>
<p align="center" class="Body" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Cambria",serif; font-size: 16pt;">That experienced the new birth.</span></p><p align="center" class="Body" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Cambria",serif; font-size: 16pt;"> <br /></span></p><p align="center" class="Body" style="text-align: center;"><img alt="Amazon.com: Give Us This Day Our Daily Bread Matthew Poster Christian Wall Art Posters for Room Aesthetic And Canvas Painting Posters And Prints Wall Art Pictures for Living Room Bedroom Decor 12x18inch(30x45c:" aria-hidden="false" class="sFlh5c pT0Scc iPVvYb" src="https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/71CGDw66g6L._AC_UF894,1000_QL80_.jpg" style="height: 273px; margin: 0px; max-width: 894px; width: 409px;" /><span style="font-family: "Cambria",serif; font-size: 16pt;"> <br /></span></p><p align="center" class="Body" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Cambria",serif; font-size: 16pt;"> </span></p>
<p align="center" class="Body" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: "Cambria",serif; font-size: 16pt;">Give us this day our daily bread:</span></b></p>
<p align="center" class="Body" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Cambria",serif; font-size: 16pt;">As you provided manna in the wild</span></p>
<p align="center" class="Body" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Cambria",serif; font-size: 16pt;">And teach us to be grateful</span></p>
<p align="center" class="Body" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Cambria",serif; font-size: 16pt;">For all that you provide.</span></p>
<p align="center" class="Body" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Cambria",serif; font-size: 16pt;"> </span></p>
<p align="center" class="Body" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: "Cambria",serif; font-size: 16pt;">And forgive us our trespasses</span></b></p>
<p align="center" class="Body" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: "Cambria",serif; font-size: 16pt;">As we forgive them that trespassed against
us</span></b><span style="font-family: "Cambria",serif; font-size: 16pt;">:</span></p>
<p align="center" class="Body" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Cambria",serif; font-size: 16pt;">In recognition of your forgiveness </span></p>
<p align="center" class="Body" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Cambria",serif; font-size: 16pt;">Which we have received in Jesus.</span></p>
<p align="center" class="Body" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Cambria",serif; font-size: 16pt;"> </span></p>
<p align="center" class="Body" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: "Cambria",serif; font-size: 16pt;">And lead us not into temptation:</span></b></p>
<p align="center" class="Body" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Cambria",serif; font-size: 16pt;">For we are weakness, full of weakness,</span></p>
<p align="center" class="Body" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: "Cambria",serif; font-size: 16pt;">But deliver us from the evil:</span></b></p>
<p align="center" class="Body" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Cambria",serif; font-size: 16pt;">That comes in trials and tests.</span></p>
<p align="center" class="Body" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Cambria",serif; font-size: 16pt;"> </span></p>
<p align="center" class="Body" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: "Cambria",serif; font-size: 16pt;">For yours is the kingdom</span></b><span style="font-family: "Cambria",serif; font-size: 16pt;">:</span></p>
<p align="center" class="Body" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Cambria",serif; font-size: 16pt;">Always has been and always will be,</span></p>
<p align="center" class="Body" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: "Cambria",serif; font-size: 16pt;">And the power and the glory:</span></b></p>
<p align="center" class="Body" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Cambria",serif; font-size: 16pt;">The only Sovereign Majesty. <br /></span></p><p align="center" class="Body" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Cambria",serif; font-size: 16pt;"><img alt="CUSTOM Forever & Ever Amen 3.5x10 Wood Sign - Country Marketplace" class="n3VNCb" data-noaft="1" src="https://cdn11.bigcommerce.com/s-da66a/images/stencil/500x659/products/18511/26849/forever_and_ever2__65430.1517594775.jpg?c=2" style="height: 132px; margin: 67.35px 0px; width: 375px;" /> </span><b><span style="font-family: "Cambria",serif; font-size: 16pt;"> </span></b></p><p align="center" class="Body" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: "Cambria",serif; font-size: 16pt;">For ever and ever</span></b><span style="font-family: "Cambria",serif; font-size: 16pt;">:</span></p>
<p align="center" class="Body" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Cambria",serif; font-size: 16pt;">Meaning throughout eternity,</span></p>
<p align="center" class="Body" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: "Cambria",serif; font-size: 16pt;">Amen:</span></b><span style="font-family: "Cambria",serif; font-size: 16pt;"> </span></p>
<p align="center" class="Body" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Cambria",serif; font-size: 16pt;">It is so or so let it be.</span></p><p align="center" class="Body" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Cambria",serif; font-size: 16pt;"> </span></p>
<p align="center" class="Body" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Cambria",serif; font-size: 16pt;">Stewart Russell © July 2020</span></p>
<p align="center" class="Body" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Cambria",serif; font-size: 16pt;"> </span></p>
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{page:WordSection1;}</style></p>Unworthy of God's Lovehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15824507936278239706noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8997731877733187657.post-3821433212992401462024-03-18T06:43:00.000-07:002024-03-18T06:43:33.725-07:00Somebody's before Somebody<p>
</p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><img alt="You Were Bought at a Price (1 Corinthians 6:20) 2.1 - YouTube" aria-hidden="false" class="sFlh5c pT0Scc iPVvYb" src="https://i.ytimg.com/vi/e413ng8_NZo/hqdefault.jpg" style="height: 345px; margin: 0px; max-width: 480px; width: 460px;" /></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;"> </span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">Yes, there is a difference</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">Between these two:</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">Somebody’s and Somebody</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">‘Tis very true.</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;"> </span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">I am somebody’s</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">Before I am somebody,</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">This is so both physically</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">And socially.</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;"> </span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">I am somebody</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">Because I am somebody’s,</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">Were it not for my parents</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">I’d be nobody.</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;"> </span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">There is nobody</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">And there is a nobody:</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">The former has never existed</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">And the latter is socially.</span></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;"> </span></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><img alt="Vagrant | Method Moda" aria-hidden="false" class="sFlh5c pT0Scc iPVvYb" src="https://method.moda/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/sleeping_DSC_7709.jpg" style="height: 304px; margin: 0px; max-width: 960px; width: 459px;" /><span style="font-size: 16pt;"> <br /></span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;"> </span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">If one is a nobody</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">That one is frowned upon</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">And more often is regarded</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">As a nobody’s son.</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;"> </span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">Lacking in status,</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">The lowest of the lows</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">And in dress and behaviour,</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">This is likely to show.</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;"> </span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">However, though,</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">He is still somebody</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">Due to the unmistakable fact</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">He is here physically.</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;"> </span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">Born of a woman</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">Thus, the seed of a man,</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">But very unlike Jesus Christ</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">In redemption’s plan.</span></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;"> </span></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><img alt="Jesus Paid it All part 1 - March 21, 2021 - YouTube" aria-hidden="false" class="sFlh5c pT0Scc iPVvYb" src="https://i.ytimg.com/vi/vI-fDHMy99o/maxresdefault.jpg?sqp=-oaymwEmCIAKENAF8quKqQMa8AEB-AHUBoAC4AOKAgwIABABGH8gEygVMA8=&rs=AOn4CLCxbJ8Fq86QBPcLDDsILTXbuZW0Ew" style="height: 258px; margin: 0px; max-width: 1280px; width: 459px;" /><span style="font-size: 16pt;"> <br /></span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;"> </span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">Jesus the God-Man</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">Was the seed of the woman</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">Only in so much as to effect</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">Salvation’s plan.</span></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;"> </span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">I am somebody’s</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">Before I was somebody,</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">Not only physically and socially</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">But also spiritually.</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;"> </span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">Possessed by Christ</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">And born of the Spirit,</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">I am spiritually somebody</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">Though not by merit.</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;"> </span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">Bought back</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">By his atoning blood,</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">Jesus did for depraved me</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">What no one else could.</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;"> </span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">Being God’s child</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">Makes me not only somebody’s</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">But in Christ Jesus</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">I am somebody.</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;"> </span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">Born again</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">Not of the will of man</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">But of the blessed Holy Spirit-</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">The Triune plan.</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;"> </span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">I am somebody’s:</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">Owned by the Trinity</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">And this makes me somebody</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">Because of Christ in me.</span></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;"> </span></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;"> </span><img alt="What is the meaning of redemption and redeemed in the Bible? | NeverThirsty" aria-hidden="false" class="sFlh5c pT0Scc iPVvYb" src="https://www.neverthirsty.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/redemption-redeemed-bible.jpg" style="height: 263px; margin: 0px; max-width: 540px; width: 409px;" /></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;"> </span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">Redeemed by the Father</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">Redeemed through the Son,</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">Kept in the Holy Spirit-</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">They Three-in-One.</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;"> </span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">Somebody’s, I am God’s,</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">Somebody in Christ,</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">Possessed by the Holy Spirit,</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">They three suffice.</span></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;"> </span></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">Somebody's before Somebody</span></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">A physical and spiritual fact,</span></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">Born of the flesh and of the Spirit</span></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">Let's give thanks for that. </span></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;"> </span></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">Stewart Russell © March 18, 2024</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;"> </span></p>
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{page:WordSection1;}</style></p>Unworthy of God's Lovehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15824507936278239706noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8997731877733187657.post-7895436395651070952024-03-16T16:15:00.000-07:002024-03-16T16:15:08.618-07:00Umbilical and Unbiblical<p>
</p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><img alt="Could umbilical cords hold the key to treating diabetes?" aria-hidden="false" class="sFlh5c pT0Scc iPVvYb" src="https://www.biopharma-reporter.com/var/wrbm_gb_food_pharma/storage/images/publications/pharmaceutical-science/biopharma-reporter.com/article/2023/10/09/could-umbilical-cords-hold-the-key-to-treating-diabetes/16812314-1-eng-GB/Could-umbilical-cords-hold-the-key-to-treating-diabetes.jpg" style="height: 275px; margin: 0.5px 0px; max-width: 1500px; width: 413px;" /></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt;"> </span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">Umbilical and Unbiblical:</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">Do not mix up these two,</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">They may have something in common</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">But they are different I assure you.</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt;"> </span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">Take the first, for example,</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">That speaks to a connection,</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">The link between a mother and child</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">At the point of its ejection.</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt;"> </span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">Ejection from the womb</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">And into this world of woe,</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">The eventual severing of this naval string</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">And much more we know.</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt;"> </span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">Two terms come to mind:</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">Umbilical cord and naval string-</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">Reminds me of Mighty Gabby’s “Emmerton”,</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">A folk song we love to sing.</span></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt;"> </span></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><img alt="9 Breastfeeding Tips for New Moms – Perelel" aria-hidden="false" class="sFlh5c pT0Scc iPVvYb" src="https://perelelhealth.com/cdn/shop/articles/Stocksy_txp78791fcaVwm200_Medium_2720965.jpg?v=1652824475&width=1000" style="height: 308px; margin: 0.5px 0px; max-width: 1000px; width: 463px;" /><span style="font-size: 16.0pt;"> <br /></span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt;"> </span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">What close relationship</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">Like that of mother and child!</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">That umbilical cord, though severed,</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">Nourishment is not denied.</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt;"> </span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">Not as close, I dare say,</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">As our Shepherd and his sheep,</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">That’s the relationship Jesus bolsters</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">As His little lambs he keeps.</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt;"> </span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">By a spiritual umbilical cord</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">Referred to as the Holy Spirit</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">Who, through his infallible Holy Word,</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">Makes his adherents fit.</span></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt;"> </span></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><img alt="My Sheep Hear My Voice – Missy Baroff Ministries" aria-hidden="false" class="sFlh5c pT0Scc iPVvYb" src="https://missybaroff.files.wordpress.com/2014/09/sheep.jpg" style="height: 274px; margin: 0px; max-width: 425px; width: 413px;" /><span style="font-size: 16.0pt;"> <br /></span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt;"> </span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">His sheep adhere to his Word</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">In spite of their adversary,</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">Whose cunning and unbiblical trends</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">Attempt to prise them free.</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt;"> </span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">Beware of unbiblical trends</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">That lure the unsuspecting sheep,</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">That so often appear like nourishment</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">But is contaminated meat.</span></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt;"> </span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">Both speak to disconnection:</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">Umbilical and unbiblical,</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">The former is absolutely necessary</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">The latter is detrimental.</span></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt;"> </span></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><img alt="Reggie McNeal Quote: “I take square aim at an unbiblical churchianity that has resulted in a church-centric religion that fails to reflect the...”" aria-hidden="false" class="sFlh5c pT0Scc iPVvYb" src="https://quotefancy.com/media/wallpaper/3840x2160/4853884-Reggie-McNeal-Quote-I-take-square-aim-at-an-unbiblical.jpg" style="height: 260px; margin: 0.5px 0px; max-width: 3840px; width: 463px;" /><span style="font-size: 16.0pt;"> </span></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Reggie McNeal</span><span style="font-size: 16.0pt;"> <br /></span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt;"> </span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">As a new born babe develops</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">So too must the born-again,</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">The umbilical cord must be severed</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">But from the unbiblical refrain!</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt;"> </span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">Stewart Russell © January 11, 2024</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt;"> </span></p>
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{page:WordSection1;}</style></p>Unworthy of God's Lovehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15824507936278239706noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8997731877733187657.post-33058039707454039632024-03-15T06:36:00.000-07:002024-03-15T15:14:53.196-07:00Tokenism<p>
</p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><img alt="Tokenism happens but we need this to shift to representation and change – IndigenousX" aria-hidden="false" class="sFlh5c pT0Scc iPVvYb" src="https://indigenousx.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/Tokenism.png" style="height: 258px; margin: 0px; max-width: 1600px; width: 459px;" /></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;"> </span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">We get what we settle for</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">With a promise to do better,</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">Such is exciting comfort to a fool</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">But not to the go-getter.</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;"> </span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">Tokenism, it is,</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">That’s what we settle for</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">And then the legislators get more</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">And this we abhor.</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;"> </span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">Stipends and tokens </span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">Go hand in hand,</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">“Keep them coming back for more,</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">That is the plan.”</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;"> </span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">A dependence syndrome!</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">Fettered hand and foot,</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">A little token every now and again</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">The measure of their luck.</span></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;"> </span></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><img alt="Tokenism - CCDI-HSG" aria-hidden="false" class="sFlh5c pT0Scc iPVvYb" src="https://ccdi-unisg.ch/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/Tokenism.png" style="height: 283px; margin: 0px; max-width: 650px; width: 460px;" /><span style="font-size: 16pt;"> <br /></span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;"> </span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">A gaily coloured object</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">Twinkling in the sun</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">But worthless as the trampled snow</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">When the sunlight is done.</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;"> </span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">“Take this for now,</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">That is all we can spare,</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">Next time we will do better,</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">Don’t you fear.”</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;"> </span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">I heard only recently</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">“Kudos to the hospital staff,”</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">But tokenism jumped out at me</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">And I had to laugh.</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;"> </span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">Such deplorable conditions</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">Under which they work,</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">But sweet talk and patronizing</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">Will soothe where it hurts.</span></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;"> </span></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><img alt="30 Items that Should Be On Everyone's Basic Grocery List - Listonic" aria-hidden="false" class="sFlh5c pT0Scc iPVvYb" src="https://listonic.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/grocery-bag-1-3.png" style="height: 273px; margin: 0px; max-width: 1200px; width: 410px;" /><span style="font-size: 16pt;"> <br /></span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;"> </span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">Some receive high salaries</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">For doing precious little</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">While others who receive mere tokens</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">Can scarcely buy victuals.</span></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;"> <br /></span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">It is getting more difficult</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">To live off mere tokens,</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">A strategy in some countries</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">For the down trodden.</span></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;"> </span></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;"> </span><img alt="15 small cap schemes offer over 40% returns in three years on lumpsum investments - The Economic Times" aria-hidden="false" class="sFlh5c pT0Scc iPVvYb" src="https://img.etimg.com/thumb/width-1200,height-900,imgsize-68820,resizemode-75,msid-100611982/mf/analysis/15-small-cap-schemes-offer-over-40-returns-in-three-years-on-lumpsum-investments.jpg" style="height: 344px; margin: 0px; max-width: 1200px; width: 460px;" /></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;"> </span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">Tokenism could be money</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">Always in very small sums</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">Like that you’d pay for odd jobs</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">To a homeless bum.</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;"> </span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">Tokenism could be words</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">Or sometimes a handshake</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">Making the recipient feel valued</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">Unaware it is faked.</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;"> </span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">Employed by conmen</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">To get something for nothing</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">Like selling a fridge to an Eskimo</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">That has stopped thinking.</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;"> </span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">Salesmen use it too</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">Just like most politicians,</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">Only that in the latter’s case</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">For them it’s a mission.</span></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;"> </span></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><img alt="Museum of Parliament & National Heroes Gallery in Barbados" aria-hidden="false" class="sFlh5c pT0Scc iPVvYb" src="https://images.myguide-cdn.com/barbados/companies/museum-of-parliament-national-heroes-gallery/large/museum-of-parliament-national-heroes-gallery-489744.jpg" style="height: 305px; margin: 0px; max-width: 720px; width: 459px;" /><span style="font-size: 16pt;"> <br /></span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;"> </span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">They do it to win a seat</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">And continue after they’ve won,</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">They are at one with tokenism,</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">For them it’s never done.</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;"> </span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">It’s mostly the disadvantaged</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">On which tokenism is used,</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">Yes, that “comfort to a fool” ploy</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">By which one is abused.</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;"> </span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">Stewart Russell © March 13, 2024</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;"> </span></p>
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{page:WordSection1;}</style></p>Unworthy of God's Lovehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15824507936278239706noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8997731877733187657.post-55706056343160736672024-03-13T05:31:00.000-07:002024-03-13T05:31:06.788-07:00Is This You?<p>
</p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;"> </span><img alt="Family on the church pew - Stock Image - Everypixel" aria-hidden="false" class="sFlh5c pT0Scc iPVvYb" src="https://st2.depositphotos.com/2882485/6910/v/450/depositphotos_69105951-Family-on-the-church-pew.jpg" style="height: 390px; margin: 0px; max-width: 600px; width: 460px;" /></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">Is this you</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">Merely occupying a pew?</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">Is this you coming often</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">But with nothing to do?</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;"> </span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">Do you feel </span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">Like you don’t belong?</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">And after coming all these years</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">Nobody is around?</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;"> </span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">Is this you</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">Feeling lonely in a crowd</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">Silenced in the deafening noise</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">When most are loud?</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;"> </span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">Have you felt</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">Like going elsewhere</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">But wondering where to go</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">Away from here?</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;"> </span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Do you feel</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">Like you are inactive</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">And while you hear a lot</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">You’ve become a sieve?</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;"> </span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">Are you looking</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">To blame someone else</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">For why all this fleeting time</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">You’re yet on a shelf?</span></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;"> </span></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><img alt="Carrington Wesleyan Holiness Church - Wesleyan Barbados" aria-hidden="false" class="sFlh5c pT0Scc iPVvYb" src="https://wesleyanbarbados.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/Carrington-Wesleyan.jpg" style="height: 230px; margin: 0px; max-width: 480px; width: 409px;" /><span style="font-size: 16pt;"> <br /></span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;"> </span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">Are you inextricably</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">Bound by the four walls</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">That for years have defined</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">Your purpose and call?</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;"> </span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">If this is you?</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">It’s time to make a shift</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">For, like I was not long ago,</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">You are adrift.</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;"> </span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">Not a physical shift</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">To some salubrious location</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">But a spiritual adjustment</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">Of purpose and direction.</span></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;"> </span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">A manifestation</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">Not contained in four walls</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">But in accordance with Christ </span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">In his Matthew 28 call.</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;"> </span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">Matthew 28:19-20</span></b></p>
<p align="center" class="bible" style="text-align: center;"><span class="red1"><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Cambria",serif; font-size: 16pt; mso-ansi-language: EN;">Go ye therefore, </span></span></p>
<p align="center" class="bible" style="text-align: center;"><span class="red1"><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Cambria",serif; font-size: 16pt; mso-ansi-language: EN;">And teach all nations, </span></span></p>
<p align="center" class="bible" style="text-align: center;"><span class="red1"><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Cambria",serif; font-size: 16pt; mso-ansi-language: EN;">Baptizing them</span></span></p>
<p align="center" class="bible" style="text-align: center;"><span class="red1"><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Cambria",serif; font-size: 16pt; mso-ansi-language: EN;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In the name of the Father, </span></span></p>
<p align="center" class="bible" style="text-align: center;"><span class="red1"><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Cambria",serif; font-size: 16pt; mso-ansi-language: EN;">And of the Son, </span></span></p>
<p align="center" class="bible" style="text-align: center;"><span class="red1"><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Cambria",serif; font-size: 16pt; mso-ansi-language: EN;">And of the</span></span><span class="highlight402819"><span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: "Cambria",serif; font-size: 16pt; mso-ansi-language: EN;"> </span></span><span class="highlight402819"><span lang="EN" style="color: #cccc00; font-family: "Cambria",serif; font-size: 16pt; mso-ansi-language: EN;">Holy
Ghost:</span></span><span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: "Cambria",serif; font-size: 16pt; mso-ansi-language: EN;"></span></p>
<p align="center" class="bible" id="40_28_20" style="text-align: center;"><span class="red1"><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Cambria",serif; font-size: 16pt; mso-ansi-language: EN;">Teaching them</span></span></p>
<p align="center" class="bible" style="text-align: center;"><span class="red1"><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Cambria",serif; font-size: 16pt; mso-ansi-language: EN;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>To observe all things </span></span></p>
<p align="center" class="bible" style="text-align: center;"><span class="red1"><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Cambria",serif; font-size: 16pt; mso-ansi-language: EN;">Whatsoever I have commanded you: </span></span></p>
<p align="center" class="bible" style="text-align: center;"><span class="red1"><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Cambria",serif; font-size: 16pt; mso-ansi-language: EN;">And, lo, I am with you alway,</span></span><span class="highlight402820"><span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: "Cambria",serif; font-size: 16pt; mso-ansi-language: EN;"> </span></span></p>
<p align="center" class="bible" style="text-align: center;"><span class="gra1"><i><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Cambria",serif; font-size: 16pt; mso-ansi-language: EN;">Even</span></i></span><span class="highlight402820"><span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: "Cambria",serif; font-size: 16pt; mso-ansi-language: EN;"> </span></span><span class="red1"><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Cambria",serif; font-size: 16pt; mso-ansi-language: EN;">unto the end of the world.</span></span><span class="highlight402820"><span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: "Cambria",serif; font-size: 16pt; mso-ansi-language: EN;"> Amen.</span></span></p>
<p align="center" class="bible" style="text-align: center;"><span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: "Cambria",serif; font-size: 16pt; mso-ansi-language: EN;"> </span></p>
<p align="center" class="bible" style="text-align: center;"><span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: "Cambria",serif; font-size: 16pt; mso-ansi-language: EN;">Stewart Russell © December 29, 2023</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;"> </span></p>
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{page:WordSection1;}</style></p>Unworthy of God's Lovehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15824507936278239706noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8997731877733187657.post-23292103606230696452024-03-12T13:52:00.000-07:002024-03-12T13:52:42.292-07:00Be Yourself <p>
</p><p align="center" class="Body" style="text-align: center;"><br /><img alt="103 Be Yourself Quotes That Will Help You Find Your Lost Self Esteem" class="n3VNCb" data-noaft="1" src="https://answersafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/19_quotes-about-being-yourself-1024x682.jpg" style="height: 266.406px; margin: 0.146875px 0px; width: 400px;" /></p>
<p align="center" class="Body" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Cambria",serif; font-size: 16pt;"> </span></p><p align="center" class="Body" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Cambria",serif; font-size: 16pt;">Be yourself!</span></p>
<p align="center" class="Body" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Cambria",serif; font-size: 16pt;">That’s what I’ve been told</span></p>
<p align="center" class="Body" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Cambria",serif; font-size: 16pt;">And that I have tried</span></p>
<p align="center" class="Body" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Cambria",serif; font-size: 16pt;">Being quite bold.</span></p>
<p align="center" class="Body" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Cambria",serif; font-size: 16pt;"> </span></p>
<p align="center" class="Body" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Cambria",serif; font-size: 16pt;">I kind of knew</span></p>
<p align="center" class="Body" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Cambria",serif; font-size: 16pt;">Who I was back then</span></p>
<p align="center" class="Body" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Cambria",serif; font-size: 16pt;">But in these times</span></p>
<p align="center" class="Body" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Cambria",serif; font-size: 16pt;">I have a problem. </span></p>
<p align="center" class="Body" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Cambria",serif; font-size: 16pt;"> </span></p>
<p align="center" class="Body" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Cambria",serif; font-size: 16pt;">I may be one thing</span></p>
<p align="center" class="Body" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Cambria",serif; font-size: 16pt;">But I may feel differently,</span></p>
<p align="center" class="Body" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Cambria",serif; font-size: 16pt;">Which self am I?</span></p>
<p align="center" class="Body" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Cambria",serif; font-size: 16pt;">That’s the mystery.</span></p>
<p align="center" class="Body" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Cambria",serif; font-size: 16pt;"> </span></p>
<p align="center" class="Body" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Cambria",serif; font-size: 16pt;">It’s not as straightforward </span></p>
<p align="center" class="Body" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Cambria",serif; font-size: 16pt;">As you may think,</span></p>
<p align="center" class="Body" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Cambria",serif; font-size: 16pt;">Like boys are blue</span></p>
<p align="center" class="Body" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Cambria",serif; font-size: 16pt;">And girls are pink.</span></p>
<p align="center" class="Body" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Cambria",serif; font-size: 16pt;"> </span></p>
<p align="center" class="Body" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Cambria",serif; font-size: 16pt;">I am trapped</span></p>
<p align="center" class="Body" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Cambria",serif; font-size: 16pt;">In another’s body</span></p>
<p align="center" class="Body" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Cambria",serif; font-size: 16pt;">And trying to get out </span></p>
<p align="center" class="Body" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Cambria",serif; font-size: 16pt;">With much difficulty.</span></p><p align="center" class="Body" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Cambria",serif; font-size: 16pt;"> </span></p><p align="center" class="Body" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Cambria",serif; font-size: 16pt;"><img alt="Be Yourself" class="n3VNCb" data-noaft="1" src="https://mike-robbins.com/wp-content/uploads/2007/05/5-7-07-blog-1000x703.jpg" style="height: 281.2px; margin: 0px; width: 400px;" /> <br /></span></p>
<p align="center" class="Body" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Cambria",serif; font-size: 16pt;"> </span></p>
<p align="center" class="Body" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Cambria",serif; font-size: 16pt;">Be yourself! </span></p>
<p align="center" class="Body" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Cambria",serif; font-size: 16pt;">Which self do you mean?</span></p>
<p align="center" class="Body" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Cambria",serif; font-size: 16pt;">Who I came as</span></p>
<p align="center" class="Body" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Cambria",serif; font-size: 16pt;">Or to whom I lean?</span></p>
<p align="center" class="Body" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Cambria",serif; font-size: 16pt;"> </span></p>
<p align="center" class="Body" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Cambria",serif; font-size: 16pt;">So when I am me </span></p>
<p align="center" class="Body" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Cambria",serif; font-size: 16pt;">I am ridicule</span></p>
<p align="center" class="Body" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Cambria",serif; font-size: 16pt;">Since by my exterior</span></p>
<p align="center" class="Body" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Cambria",serif; font-size: 16pt;">That is the rule.</span></p>
<p align="center" class="Body" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Cambria",serif; font-size: 16pt;"> </span></p>
<p align="center" class="Body" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Cambria",serif; font-size: 16pt;">I know how I feel</span></p>
<p align="center" class="Body" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Cambria",serif; font-size: 16pt;">But you do not</span></p>
<p align="center" class="Body" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Cambria",serif; font-size: 16pt;">Yet, you judge me</span></p>
<p align="center" class="Body" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Cambria",serif; font-size: 16pt;">Like you’re in my spot.</span></p>
<p align="center" class="Body" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Cambria",serif; font-size: 16pt;"> </span></p>
<p align="center" class="Body" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Cambria",serif; font-size: 16pt;">What I feel inside</span></p>
<p align="center" class="Body" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Cambria",serif; font-size: 16pt;">I don’t look like outside</span></p>
<p align="center" class="Body" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Cambria",serif; font-size: 16pt;">So I act what I feel</span></p>
<p align="center" class="Body" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Cambria",serif; font-size: 16pt;">And me you chide.</span></p><p align="center" class="Body" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Cambria",serif; font-size: 16pt;"> </span></p><p align="center" class="Body" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Cambria",serif; font-size: 16pt;"><img alt="Be Yourself" class="n3VNCb" data-noaft="1" src="https://mike-robbins.com/wp-content/uploads/2007/05/5-7-07-blog-1000x703.jpg" style="height: 281.2px; margin: 0px; width: 400px;" /> <br /></span></p><p align="center" class="Body" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Cambria",serif; font-size: 16pt;"> </span></p>
<p align="center" class="Body" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Cambria",serif; font-size: 16pt;">“Be yourself!” you say</span></p>
<p align="center" class="Body" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Cambria",serif; font-size: 16pt;">But you don’t have a clue</span></p>
<p align="center" class="Body" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Cambria",serif; font-size: 16pt;">Yet you want to decide</span></p>
<p align="center" class="Body" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Cambria",serif; font-size: 16pt;">Which self must do.</span></p>
<p class="Body"><span style="font-family: "Cambria",serif; font-size: 16pt;"> </span></p>
<p align="center" class="Body" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Cambria",serif; font-size: 16pt;">At times too</span></p>
<p align="center" class="Body" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Cambria",serif; font-size: 16pt;">I don’t feel the same</span></p>
<p align="center" class="Body" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Cambria",serif; font-size: 16pt;">And being myself</span></p>
<p align="center" class="Body" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Cambria",serif; font-size: 16pt;">Might appear insane.</span></p>
<p align="center" class="Body" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Cambria",serif; font-size: 16pt;"> </span></p>
<p align="center" class="Body" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Cambria",serif; font-size: 16pt;">It’s very complicated,</span></p>
<p align="center" class="Body" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Cambria",serif; font-size: 16pt;">I hope you see</span></p>
<p align="center" class="Body" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Cambria",serif; font-size: 16pt;">Being yourself </span></p>
<p align="center" class="Body" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Cambria",serif; font-size: 16pt;">Is not always easy. </span></p>
<p align="center" class="Body" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Cambria",serif; font-size: 16pt;"> </span></p>
<p align="center" class="Body" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Cambria",serif; font-size: 16pt;">I have this feeling</span></p>
<p align="center" class="Body" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Cambria",serif; font-size: 16pt;">Going on the inside</span></p>
<p align="center" class="Body" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Cambria",serif; font-size: 16pt;">That is far different</span></p>
<p align="center" class="Body" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Cambria",serif; font-size: 16pt;">From the outside.</span></p>
<p align="center" class="Body" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Cambria",serif; font-size: 16pt;"> </span></p>
<p align="center" class="Body" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Cambria",serif; font-size: 16pt;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Whatever I feel</span></p>
<p align="center" class="Body" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Cambria",serif; font-size: 16pt;">Is really who I am,</span></p>
<p align="center" class="Body" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Cambria",serif; font-size: 16pt;">I may look like Mary</span></p>
<p align="center" class="Body" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Cambria",serif; font-size: 16pt;">But feel like Sam.</span></p>
<p align="center" class="Body" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Cambria",serif; font-size: 16pt;"> </span></p>
<p align="center" class="Body" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Cambria",serif; font-size: 16pt;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>To
be myself is Sam</span></p>
<p align="center" class="Body" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Cambria",serif; font-size: 16pt;">Certainly not Mary,</span></p>
<p align="center" class="Body" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Cambria",serif; font-size: 16pt;">So back up, my friend</span></p>
<p align="center" class="Body" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Cambria",serif; font-size: 16pt;">And don’t judge me.</span></p>
<p align="center" class="Body" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Cambria",serif; font-size: 16pt;"> </span></p>
<p align="center" class="Body" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Cambria",serif; font-size: 16pt;">The cry of one</span></p>
<p align="center" class="Body" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Cambria",serif; font-size: 16pt;">Who is this confused,</span></p>
<p align="center" class="Body" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Cambria",serif; font-size: 16pt;">Given this admonition </span></p>
<p align="center" class="Body" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Cambria",serif; font-size: 16pt;">He won’t be amused. <br /></span></p><p align="center" class="Body" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Cambria",serif; font-size: 16pt;"><img alt="Searching Man Vector Character vector free file | Download now!" class="n3VNCb" data-noaft="1" src="https://365psd.com/images/previews/3ae/searching-man-vector-character-25711.jpg" style="height: 345.455px; margin: 0px; width: 400px;" /> <br /></span></p>
<p align="center" class="Body" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Cambria",serif; font-size: 16pt;">Investigate a little</span></p>
<p align="center" class="Body" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Cambria",serif; font-size: 16pt;">Before you advise,</span></p>
<p align="center" class="Body" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Cambria",serif; font-size: 16pt;">In the times we live</span></p>
<p align="center" class="Body" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Cambria",serif; font-size: 16pt;">That would be wise.</span></p>
<p align="center" class="Body" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Cambria",serif; font-size: 16pt;"> </span></p>
<p align="center" class="Body" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Cambria",serif; font-size: 16pt;">Stewart Russell © October 2019</span></p>
<p align="center" class="Body" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Cambria",serif; font-size: 16pt;"> </span></p>
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{page:WordSection1;}</style></p>Unworthy of God's Lovehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15824507936278239706noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8997731877733187657.post-87333909551098990122024-03-11T03:58:00.000-07:002024-03-11T03:58:56.954-07:00The Atheist’s Problem<p>
</p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><img alt="Atheists: The Origin of the Species – review | Religion | The Guardian" aria-hidden="false" class="sFlh5c pT0Scc iPVvYb" src="https://i.guim.co.uk/img/static/sys-images/Books/Pix/pictures/2014/4/29/1398768685677/2009-atheist-bus-campaign-011.jpg?width=465&dpr=1&s=none" style="height: 276px; margin: 0px; max-width: 460px; width: 460px;" /></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;"> </span></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">The atheist has a problem</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">And a huge one at that,</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">They argue rather flimsily</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">That God is not a fact.</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;"> </span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">A self-defeating argument</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">If ever there was one</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">Is like trying to disprove God</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">By wishing He were gone.</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;"> </span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">When times are harsh</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">And atheists are dissatisfied</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">They take a swing at the very God</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">That they try to deny.</span></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;"> </span></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><img alt="About atheism - Atheist Alliance International" aria-hidden="false" class="sFlh5c pT0Scc iPVvYb" src="https://www.atheistalliance.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/Fotolia-Atheism-rezised-v2-2100x1200.jpg" style="height: 234px; margin: 0px; max-width: 2100px; width: 410px;" /><span style="font-size: 16pt;"> <br /></span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;"> </span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">If only they were right</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">That there was no God,</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">There would be no limit to vice</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">No accountability, no law.</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;"> </span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">If they have a conscience</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">Clearly it no longer works</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">For having grown tired of warning,</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">It has switched off alert.</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;"> </span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">And what of moral values</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">And of their origin?</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">Did they not at some time past</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">Have a concept of sin?</span></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;"> </span></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><img alt="Ravi Kumar Atheist: The Indian man fighting to be godless" aria-hidden="false" class="sFlh5c pT0Scc iPVvYb" src="https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/1024/branded_news/1337C/production/_109761787_img_8927.jpg" style="height: 230px; margin: 0px; max-width: 1024px; width: 409px;" /><span style="font-size: 16pt;"> <br /></span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;"> </span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">The atheist has a problem</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">And a huge one at that,</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">They argue rather flimsily</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">That God is not a fact.</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;"> </span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">Which God do they mean</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">That does not exist?</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">Can they point him out to me</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">And what it is I missed?</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;"> </span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">The order of the cosmos</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">The fine-tuned balance of life,</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">The structure of a single cell-</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">All at the throw of a dice?</span></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;"> </span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">Not even a possibility</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">When one examines DNA</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">And regarding man’s creativity</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">Atheism must fail.</span></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;"> </span></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><img alt="Proficiency Phrase of the Day #25: A Bitter Pill to Swallow – Tim's Free English Lesson Plans" aria-hidden="false" class="sFlh5c pT0Scc iPVvYb" src="https://i0.wp.com/freeenglishlessonplans.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/image.png?ssl=1" style="height: 294px; margin: 0px; max-width: 500px; width: 409px;" /><span style="font-size: 16pt;"> <br /></span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;"> </span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">And what of the emptiness</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">That only God can fill?</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">That void in the new atheist</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">Must be a bitter pill.</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;"> </span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">What will the atheist do</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">When it’s his turn to die?</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">Will he finally turn to his Creator</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">Or will he continue to deny?</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;"> </span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">Stewart Russell © March 8, 2024</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;"> </span></p>
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{page:WordSection1;}</style></p>Unworthy of God's Lovehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15824507936278239706noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8997731877733187657.post-18177509807719622572024-03-09T12:38:00.000-08:002024-03-09T12:38:16.701-08:00Two Eschatological Views<p>
</p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><img alt="The Origin of Biblical Eschatology - All Saints Parish Church" class="n3VNCb" data-noaft="1" src="https://allsaintsparishchurch.org/wp-content/uploads/sermons/2021/06/eschatology.jpg" style="height: 218.565px; margin: 24.0673px 0px; width: 400px;" /><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt;"></span></b></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt;"> </span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">The historicist and Idealist</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">The preterist and futurist,</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">Four eschatological positions</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">Comprise our last days list.</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt;"> </span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">Feverish arguments</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">Concerning which one is right,</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">Each of the proponents</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">Claiming to have the light.</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt;"> </span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">Like Armenians and Calvinists</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">Splitting Christendom in half</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">And people knowing no better</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">Sometimes having a laugh.</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt;"> </span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">Mud-ites and non-Mud-ites</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">Arguing incessantly:</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">Concerning the healing of the blind</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">They disagree vehemently.</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt;"> </span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">Four eschatological positions</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">Agreeing to disagree</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">And not necessarily agreeably</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">Or citing commonalities.</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt;"> </span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">They have more in common</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">Than all that divide</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">But their focus on differences</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">Causes them to collide.</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt;"> </span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">Two are particularly prominent</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">And two relatively mute,</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">I will focus attention on the two</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">At the centre of the dispute.</span></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt;"> </span></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt;"> </span><img alt="The Origin of Biblical Eschatology - All Saints Parish Church" class="n3VNCb" data-noaft="1" src="https://allsaintsparishchurch.org/wp-content/uploads/sermons/2021/06/eschatology.jpg" style="height: 218.565px; margin: 24.0673px 0px; width: 400px;" /><span style="font-size: 16.0pt;"></span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt;"> </span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">Preterist and Futurist:</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">These are the dominant two</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">The former adopts a past position</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">The latter: a future view.</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt;"> </span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">Preterist indicates the past</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">Futurist is self-defining,</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">In terms of last days prophecies</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">Which, if either, is binding?</span></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt;"> <br /></span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">“Opinions” is not the truth</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">Though at times they converge</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">So, when arriving at a conclusion,</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">Hold to the Bible, I urge.</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt;"> </span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">Neither position is salvific</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">Nor is a barrier to salvation</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">But both cannot be equally right</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">Is my humble submission.</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt;"> </span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">Concerning last day prophecies</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">Most are already fulfilled,</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">The Futurist believe otherwise</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">They remain to be fulfilled still.</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt;"> </span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">Concerning the Revelation</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">This book is about our future,</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">Preterist look at the 1<sup>st</sup> century</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">And advance a different picture.</span></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt;"> </span></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt;"><img alt="The Origin of Biblical Eschatology - All Saints Parish Church" class="n3VNCb" data-noaft="1" src="https://allsaintsparishchurch.org/wp-content/uploads/sermons/2021/06/eschatology.jpg" style="height: 218.565px; margin: 24.0673px 0px; width: 400px;" /> <br /></span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt;"> </span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">Preterist focus on stated time clues</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">And the audience relevance</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">While Futurist make light of these</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">And argue for a far distance.</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt;"> </span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">Futurist prophetic stance </span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">Is based on a modern-day Israel</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">Who from Old Testament times</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">Was God’s chosen people.</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt;"> </span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">God broke off with the Jews</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">That Gentiles could be ushered in</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">And some spectacular event will occur</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">To bring most of the Jews to Him.</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt;"> </span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">First: the rapture of the Church</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">Then a time of great trouble</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">For all those that are left-behind:</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">In particular the nation of Israel.</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt;"> </span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">In this seven-year tribulation</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">The Jewish nation will turn to God</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">And in a single day</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">All Israel will answer God’s call.</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt;"> </span><span style="font-size: 16.0pt;"> </span></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">Next will be the millennium</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">During which Christ will reign:</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">This will be an exact thousand years</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">Is what the Futurist claim.</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt;"> </span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">The final judgment will follow</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">And the consummation of all things</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">And Jesus will hand over to God:</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">The Father and eternal King.</span></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt;"> </span></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt;"><img alt="The Origin of Biblical Eschatology - All Saints Parish Church" class="n3VNCb" data-noaft="1" src="https://allsaintsparishchurch.org/wp-content/uploads/sermons/2021/06/eschatology.jpg" style="height: 218.565px; margin: 24.0673px 0px; width: 400px;" /> <br /></span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt;"> </span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">Conversely Preterist believe</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">In an inexact thousand years:</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">Of a period beginning at Pentecost</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">Till the second advent appears.</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt;"> </span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">The time of the final judgment</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">When Satan is cast in the lake of fire</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">With all that rejected Jesus Christ</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">And were in Satan’s hire.</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt;"> </span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">Futurist interpret prophecy</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">Via current events</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">The matter of signs and wonders</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">Is their intent.</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt;"> </span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">Thus, they’ve erred many times</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">As to when the world will end,</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">Regarding world event after event</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">They often see a trend.</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt;"> </span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">They use modern day tabloids</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">To make sense of the Word</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">As it especially relates to Israel</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">As we have already heard.</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt;"> </span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">Conversely, for the Preterist</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">Revelation is an almost done deal</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">A record of 1<sup>st</sup> century events</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">As they back then unreeled.</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt;"> </span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">John’s generation back then</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">Not a 21<sup>st</sup> century generation</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">Thus, the proof of Biblical prophecy</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">And the book of Revelation.</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt;"> </span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">Some Preterist believe</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">No prophecy is left to be fulfilled</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">But their eschatological explanation<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">Leaves me baffled still.</span></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt;"> </span></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt;"><img alt="The Origin of Biblical Eschatology - All Saints Parish Church" class="n3VNCb" data-noaft="1" src="https://allsaintsparishchurch.org/wp-content/uploads/sermons/2021/06/eschatology.jpg" style="height: 218.565px; margin: 24.0673px 0px; width: 400px;" /> <br /></span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt;"> </span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">For Futurist Israel is the key</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">And it always has been,</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">God made a promise to Abraham</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">That all Israel will be redeemed.</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt;"> </span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">The question, however arises:</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">Which Israel does the Bible mean?</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">“Since not all Israel is Israel”</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">This from Romans we glean.</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt;"> </span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">Preterist believe Jesus is the key</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">As shown in Matthew 24</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">And all he said to his audience then</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">In Revelation he develops more. </span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt;"> </span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">It was urgent for them:</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">They would see Revelation unfold,</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">They were not left in the dark</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">By John they were told.</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt;"> </span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">Let Scripture interpret Scripture</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">As you finally decide</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">But understand that on neither view</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">Does our salvation ride.</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt;"> </span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">Salvation solely rests</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">On our acceptance of Christ</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">And the only offering that suffices</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">Is Christ’s expiatory sacrifice.</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt;"> </span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">That’s soteriology not eschatology</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">Accept Christ today!</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">What think ye of Christ?</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">He is the only.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt;"> </span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">Stewart Russell © June 5, 2021 </span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt;"> </span></p>
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{page:WordSection1;}</style></p>Unworthy of God's Lovehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15824507936278239706noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8997731877733187657.post-80459156773573480462024-03-07T14:30:00.000-08:002024-03-07T14:30:52.413-08:00For What Do We Vote?<p>
</p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><img alt="SpeakingOut – Vote person: not party - Barbados Today" aria-hidden="false" class="sFlh5c pT0Scc iPVvYb" src="https://barbadostoday.bb/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/Barbados-elecTIONS.jpeg" style="height: 306px; margin: 0px; max-width: 748px; width: 460px;" /></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt;"> </span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt;"> </span></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">For what do we vote</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">And do we get it</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">And if we do,</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">To what extent do we profit?</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt;"> </span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">Do we vote party</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">Or do we vote individual</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">And how does either</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">Benefit the people?</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt;"> </span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">What really do we get</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">When we cast our vote?</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">From my recent recollection,</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">Very little of note.</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt;"> </span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">Let me define recent</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">And say for argument’s sake,</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">The last two decades,</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">Relatively here of late.</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt;"> </span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">This is across four PMs</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">And you know who they are,</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">Of course, the present PM</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">Is an international star.</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt;"> </span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">Elections are usually lost</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">Not generally won</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">And fairy tales saturate the air</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">From the boom of the gun.</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt;"> </span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">Those in are pulled down</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">Regarding perceived failures</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">As the “wannabees” paint</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">A most enticing picture.</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt;"> </span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">So, we vote for a promise</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">They won’t do like the other</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">But we end up invariably</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">With the same bother.</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt;"> </span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">Too many Ministers!</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">But they are increased, not cut,</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">And the Government that’s in</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">Digs a deeper rut.</span></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt;"> </span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">Them that were vilified</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">In order to capture the vote</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">Get even more big contracts</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">To keep the state afloat.</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt;"> </span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">A vote for freedom!</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">What an alluring slogan!</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">And after the initial illusion…</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">Still at rock-bottom.</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt;"> </span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">All that changed </span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">Remains almost the same,</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">A little more exacerbated</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">But little we’ve gained.</span></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt;"> </span></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><img alt="Basics thing you must know about February 25 general election - News Band" aria-hidden="false" class="sFlh5c pT0Scc iPVvYb" src="https://i0.wp.com/news.band/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/Election.jpg?fit=600%2C400&ssl=1" style="height: 306px; margin: 0px; max-width: 600px; width: 459px;" /><span style="font-size: 16.0pt;"> <br /></span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt;"> </span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">For what do we vote</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">And do we ever get it</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">And if we do,</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">To what extent do we profit.</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt;"> </span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">Reform/transformation</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">Bombards our ears every day</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">But the change anticipated</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">Is forever delayed.</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt;"> </span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">Monies unaccounted for</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">At least, that’s how it appears</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">And if not to you</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">Surely, to me this is clear.</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt;"> </span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">$0.40 dollars per litre</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">At every single petrol pump</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">Must be a significant amount</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">At least, by my account.</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt;"> </span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">This tax on petrol</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">Raised over the last five years!</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">Surely, we should see it reflected</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">Here, there or somewhere.</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt;"> </span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">It was earmarked for roads</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">But the roads still deteriorate</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">As more money is borrowed</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">To improve their state.</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt;"> <br /></span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">And the money borrowed</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">At home and abroad,</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">Are we borrowing from Peter</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">To pay back Paul?</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt;"> </span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">And as the grass grows</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">The horse starves for food</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">With presentation and oration</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">Being comfort to fools.</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt;"> </span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">Two parties as I see it</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">In opposition to the people,</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">The people being the Government</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">Seen as unnatural.</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt;"> </span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">A democratic divide</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">Which favours our rich leaders</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">At the expense, I dare say,</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">Of the most vulnerable.</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt;"> </span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">Trickle down policies</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">That scarcely trickle down</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">And the occasional handout</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">When things are brown.</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt;"> </span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">A powerless people</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">But possessing pseudo power</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">Waiting every five years or so</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">For one glorious hour.</span></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt;"> </span></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><img alt="Basics thing you must know about February 25 general election - News Band" aria-hidden="false" class="sFlh5c pT0Scc iPVvYb" src="https://i0.wp.com/news.band/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/Election.jpg?fit=600%2C400&ssl=1" style="height: 306px; margin: 0px; max-width: 600px; width: 459px;" /><span style="font-size: 16.0pt;"> <br /></span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt;"> </span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">For what do we vote</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">And will we ever attain it?</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">I am not sure we ever will</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">But I know who profits.</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt;"> </span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">They have it good</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">At the taxpayers’ expense</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">Having even robbed the poor</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">Of their commonsense.</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt;"> </span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">The plantocracy reigns</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">And we are still enslaved</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">As we suck up to our oppressors</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">Deluded and dazed.</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt;"> </span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">With a brand of politics</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">Drunkenly partisan,</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">We vote for who and not what</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">To our own destruction.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt;"> </span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">Stewart Russell © February 28, 2024</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></p>
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{page:WordSection1;}</style></p>Unworthy of God's Lovehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15824507936278239706noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8997731877733187657.post-29568595301819108912024-03-06T19:23:00.000-08:002024-03-06T19:23:19.531-08:00Is It All Right?<p>
</p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><img alt="Being Right vs Getting It Right - Shafer Leadership Academy" aria-hidden="false" class="sFlh5c pT0Scc iPVvYb" src="https://www.shaferleadership.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/questions-1200x800-1-710x473-1.jpg" style="height: 306px; margin: 0px; max-width: 710px; width: 459px;" /></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;"> </span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">Is it all right</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">For God’s so-called chosen</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">To threaten another of His creation</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">With genocidal extinction?</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">Is it all right?</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;"> </span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">Is it all right</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">For God’s so-called chosen</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">To commit heinous war crimes </span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">Causing another’s starvation?</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">Is it all right?</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;"> </span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">Is it all right</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">For God’s so-called chosen</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">To kill women and children in war?</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">Don’t you see a problem?</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">Is it all right?</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;"> </span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">Is it all right</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">To deprive the enemy of food</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">And obstruct those Samaritans</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">That are doing good?</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">Is it all right?</span></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;"> </span></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">Does being chosen</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">Give the chosen the right</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">To do whatever the chosen like</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">Albeit in a battle or fight?</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">Is it all right?</span></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;"> </span></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><img alt="Sven Cilliers - Is It Okay? (Lyrics) - YouTube" aria-hidden="false" class="sFlh5c pT0Scc iPVvYb" src="https://i.ytimg.com/vi/vm9NsUbuVjc/maxresdefault.jpg" style="height: 258px; margin: 0px; max-width: 1280px; width: 459px;" /><span style="font-size: 16pt;"> <br /></span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;"> </span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">Is it all right </span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">For supporters of God’s chosen</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">To turn a blind-eye to atrocities</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">Levelled against other humans?</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">Is it all right?</span></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;"> </span></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">Is it all right</span></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">For Christians to be complicit</span></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">And support God's so-called chosen</span></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">In what is clearly illegitimate?</span></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;"> </span></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">All is well in love and war</span></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">States a popular maxim</span></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">So is it all right to pulverize another</span></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">And argue it cannot be sin.</span></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">Is it all right? <br /></span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;"> </span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">Whose are the Japanese</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">And whose are the Chinese?</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">For if only Israel are God’s chosen</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">Then whose are these?</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;"> <br /></span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">Is it all right</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">To live in the old covenant</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">Disregarding Jesus’ shed blood</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">In his act of atonement?</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">Is it all right?</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;"> </span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">Who gives God’s chosen</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">The unlimited authority</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">To behave in a despicable manner</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">Lacking in civility?</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;"> </span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">What has become of</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">Do good to everyone</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">And if your enemy hungers</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">Feed him?</span></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;"> </span></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><img alt="Is It Still Okay To Use The OK Hand Emoji? | Digg" aria-hidden="false" class="sFlh5c pT0Scc iPVvYb" src="https://cdn.digg.com/images/27ccf3e0703c4345aa7847b020776076_acb929c6881948ac972a097101472771_header.jpeg" style="height: 259px; margin: 0px; max-width: 1150px; width: 460px;" /><span style="font-size: 16pt;"> <br /></span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;"> </span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">Is it all right</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">For God’s so-called chosen</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">To completely disregard God’s Son</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">And still be forgiven?</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">Is it all right?</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;"> </span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">Me thinks absolutely not</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">According to God’s Holy Word!</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">And any that supports such evil<br /></span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">Is contemptuously absurd.</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;"> </span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">Stewart Russell © March 4, 2024</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;"> </span></p>
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{page:WordSection1;}</style></p>Unworthy of God's Lovehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15824507936278239706noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8997731877733187657.post-90013959716327237212024-03-05T04:20:00.000-08:002024-03-05T04:20:38.062-08:00Why Can’t Everyone Be Like Us?<p>
</p>
<p align="center" class="Body" style="text-align: center;"><img alt="How to start and finish a puzzle -- in GIFs | CNN" aria-hidden="false" class="r48jcc pT0Scc iPVvYb" src="https://media.cnn.com/api/v1/images/stellar/prod/211223100404-how-to-solve-jigsaw-puzzle-tips-cec.jpg?q=h_1688,w_3000,x_0,y_0" style="height: 259px; margin: 0px; max-width: 3000px; width: 460px;" /></p><p align="center" class="Body" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Cambria",serif; font-size: 16pt;"> </span></p><p align="center" class="Body" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Cambria",serif; font-size: 16pt;">Sometimes I sit and wonder</span></p>
<p align="center" class="Body" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Cambria",serif; font-size: 16pt;">Why people can’t be like you and me,</span></p>
<p align="center" class="Body" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Cambria",serif; font-size: 16pt;">Why they must be so different</span></p>
<p align="center" class="Body" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Cambria",serif; font-size: 16pt;">I am sometimes at pains to see.</span></p>
<p align="center" class="Body" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Cambria",serif; font-size: 16pt;"> </span></p>
<p align="center" class="Body" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Cambria",serif; font-size: 16pt;">Like for example a friend of ours</span></p>
<p align="center" class="Body" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Cambria",serif; font-size: 16pt;">We just don’t see eye to eye,</span></p>
<p align="center" class="Body" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Cambria",serif; font-size: 16pt;">We scarcely look at one another</span></p>
<p align="center" class="Body" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Cambria",serif; font-size: 16pt;">And prefer to pass each other by.</span></p>
<p align="center" class="Body" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Cambria",serif; font-size: 16pt;"> </span></p>
<p align="center" class="Body" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Cambria",serif; font-size: 16pt;">But take you on the other hand </span></p>
<p align="center" class="Body" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Cambria",serif; font-size: 16pt;">I like how you and I get along,</span></p>
<p align="center" class="Body" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Cambria",serif; font-size: 16pt;">It seems we seldom disagree</span></p>
<p align="center" class="Body" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Cambria",serif; font-size: 16pt;">And so neither of us is wrong.</span></p>
<p align="center" class="Body" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Cambria",serif; font-size: 16pt;"> </span></p>
<p align="center" class="Body" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Cambria",serif; font-size: 16pt;">If only the world were like us</span></p>
<p align="center" class="Body" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Cambria",serif; font-size: 16pt;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Imagine the harmony there would be,</span></p>
<p align="center" class="Body" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Cambria",serif; font-size: 16pt;">Everyone would see eye to eye</span></p>
<p align="center" class="Body" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Cambria",serif; font-size: 16pt;">Just like you and me.</span></p><p align="center" class="Body" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Cambria",serif; font-size: 16pt;"> </span></p><p align="center" class="Body" style="text-align: center;"><img alt="How to start and finish a puzzle -- in GIFs | CNN" aria-hidden="false" class="r48jcc pT0Scc iPVvYb" src="https://media.cnn.com/api/v1/images/stellar/prod/211223100404-how-to-solve-jigsaw-puzzle-tips-cec.jpg?q=h_1688,w_3000,x_0,y_0" style="height: 259px; margin: 0px; max-width: 3000px; width: 460px;" /><span style="font-family: "Cambria",serif; font-size: 16pt;"> <br /></span></p>
<p align="center" class="Body" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Cambria",serif; font-size: 16pt;"> </span></p>
<p align="center" class="Body" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Cambria",serif; font-size: 16pt;">I looked at a puzzle the other day</span></p>
<p align="center" class="Body" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Cambria",serif; font-size: 16pt;">And no two pieces were alike,</span></p>
<p align="center" class="Body" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Cambria",serif; font-size: 16pt;">Yet they fit so smugly together</span></p>
<p align="center" class="Body" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Cambria",serif; font-size: 16pt;">And everything appeared quite right.</span></p>
<p align="center" class="Body" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Cambria",serif; font-size: 16pt;"> </span></p>
<p align="center" class="Body" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Cambria",serif; font-size: 16pt;">The whole picture caught my eye</span></p>
<p align="center" class="Body" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Cambria",serif; font-size: 16pt;">Togetherness was the theme,</span></p>
<p align="center" class="Body" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Cambria",serif; font-size: 16pt;">Though each piece was different </span></p>
<p align="center" class="Body" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Cambria",serif; font-size: 16pt;">They created a lovely scene.</span></p>
<p align="center" class="Body" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Cambria",serif; font-size: 16pt;"> </span></p>
<p align="center" class="Body" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Cambria",serif; font-size: 16pt;">That picture causes me to think</span></p>
<p align="center" class="Body" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Cambria",serif; font-size: 16pt;">About how I started this poem:</span></p>
<p align="center" class="Body" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Cambria",serif; font-size: 16pt;">That because people are so different </span></p>
<p align="center" class="Body" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Cambria",serif; font-size: 16pt;">This would be the problem.</span></p>
<p align="center" class="Body" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Cambria",serif; font-size: 16pt;"> </span></p>
<p align="center" class="Body" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Cambria",serif; font-size: 16pt;">Well that puzzle proves me wrong</span></p>
<p align="center" class="Body" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Cambria",serif; font-size: 16pt;">It is the other way around</span></p>
<p align="center" class="Body" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Cambria",serif; font-size: 16pt;">For if variety is the spice of life</span></p>
<p align="center" class="Body" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Cambria",serif; font-size: 16pt;">Then diversity must be found.</span></p><p align="center" class="Body" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Cambria",serif; font-size: 16pt;"> </span></p><p align="center" class="Body" style="text-align: center;"><img alt="Pigs in Muck - YouTube" aria-hidden="false" class="r48jcc pT0Scc iPVvYb" src="https://i.ytimg.com/vi/WByULOs3ve4/maxresdefault.jpg" style="height: 258px; margin: 0px; max-width: 1280px; width: 459px;" /><span style="font-family: "Cambria",serif; font-size: 16pt;"> <br /></span></p>
<p align="center" class="Body" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Cambria",serif; font-size: 16pt;"> </span></p>
<p align="center" class="Body" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Cambria",serif; font-size: 16pt;">If everybody were like you and me</span></p>
<p align="center" class="Body" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Cambria",serif; font-size: 16pt;">Then we would all be stuck in a rut,</span></p>
<p align="center" class="Body" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Cambria",serif; font-size: 16pt;">Pigs appear to be quite the same</span></p>
<p align="center" class="Body" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Cambria",serif; font-size: 16pt;">No wonder they are always in muck.</span></p>
<p class="Body"><span style="font-family: "Cambria",serif; font-size: 16pt;"> </span></p>
<p align="center" class="Body" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Cambria",serif; font-size: 16pt;">So, if at times we rub each other</span></p>
<p align="center" class="Body" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Cambria",serif; font-size: 16pt;">It might be we’re coming together</span></p>
<p align="center" class="Body" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Cambria",serif; font-size: 16pt;">Just like the pieces of that puzzle</span></p>
<p align="center" class="Body" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Cambria",serif; font-size: 16pt;">That snugly fit to one another.</span></p>
<p align="center" class="Body" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Cambria",serif; font-size: 16pt;"> </span></p>
<p align="center" class="Body" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Cambria",serif; font-size: 16pt;">Stewart Russell (c) March 2019</span></p>
<p align="center" class="Body" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Cambria",serif; font-size: 16pt;"> </span></p>
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{page:WordSection1;}</style></p>Unworthy of God's Lovehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15824507936278239706noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8997731877733187657.post-72569154962498277812024-03-03T20:05:00.000-08:002024-03-03T20:05:47.065-08:00The Book of Revelation<p>
</p><p align="center" class="Body" style="text-align: center;"><br /><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Cambria",serif; font-size: 16pt;"></span></b><span style="font-family: "Cambria",serif; font-size: 16pt;"><img alt="The Book of Revelation | Bible Book Summary of Revelation" class="n3VNCb" data-noaft="1" src="https://i1.wp.com/top-bibleverses.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/The-Book-of-Revelation.jpg?fit=1128%2C741&ssl=1" style="height: 262.766px; margin: 1.96702px 0px; width: 400px;" /> </span></p><p align="center" class="Body" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Cambria",serif; font-size: 16pt;"> </span></p><p align="center" class="Body" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Cambria",serif; font-size: 16pt;"> If Revelation is a revelation</span></p>
<p align="center" class="Body" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Cambria",serif; font-size: 16pt;">Why is it so difficult to understand?</span></p>
<p align="center" class="Body" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Cambria",serif; font-size: 16pt;">And why is it so puzzling?</span></p>
<p align="center" class="Body" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Cambria",serif; font-size: 16pt;">I am sure that was not the plan.</span></p>
<p align="center" class="Body" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Cambria",serif; font-size: 16pt;"> </span></p>
<p align="center" class="Body" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Cambria",serif; font-size: 16pt;">Surely it’s full of symbolism </span></p>
<p align="center" class="Body" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Cambria",serif; font-size: 16pt;">And very strange looking creatures,</span></p>
<p align="center" class="Body" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Cambria",serif; font-size: 16pt;">Their mixture of human and animal</span></p>
<p align="center" class="Body" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Cambria",serif; font-size: 16pt;">Makes for a weird picture.</span></p>
<p align="center" class="Body" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Cambria",serif; font-size: 16pt;"> </span></p>
<p align="center" class="Body" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Cambria",serif; font-size: 16pt;">It speaks of all kinds of events</span></p>
<p align="center" class="Body" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Cambria",serif; font-size: 16pt;">The timing of which we are uncertain,</span></p>
<p align="center" class="Body" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Cambria",serif; font-size: 16pt;">Still many associate these events</span></p>
<p align="center" class="Body" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Cambria",serif; font-size: 16pt;">With the final curtain.</span></p>
<p align="center" class="Body" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Cambria",serif; font-size: 16pt;"> </span></p>
<p align="center" class="Body" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Cambria",serif; font-size: 16pt;">But do all of these events</span></p>
<p align="center" class="Body" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Cambria",serif; font-size: 16pt;">Relate to the end of time?</span></p>
<p align="center" class="Body" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Cambria",serif; font-size: 16pt;">I am inclined to think not so</span></p>
<p align="center" class="Body" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Cambria",serif; font-size: 16pt;">And it’s more that what I opined.</span></p><p align="center" class="Body" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Cambria",serif; font-size: 16pt;"> </span></p><p align="center" class="Body" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Cambria",serif; font-size: 16pt;"><img alt="Revelations on the Book of Revelation | The World from PRX" class="n3VNCb" data-noaft="1" src="https://media.pri.org/s3fs-public/styles/open_graph/public/migration/PriMigrationsVivvoFilesImagesMigration/pri.org/files/revelation_churches1_234179867.jpg?itok=vL5qx7pE" style="height: 235.667px; margin: 15.5167px 0px; width: 400px;" /> <br /></span></p>
<p align="center" class="Body" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Cambria",serif; font-size: 16pt;"> </span></p>
<p align="center" class="Body" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Cambria",serif; font-size: 16pt;">If we could get the timing right</span></p>
<p align="center" class="Body" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Cambria",serif; font-size: 16pt;">Perhaps, we would have a clue</span></p>
<p align="center" class="Body" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Cambria",serif; font-size: 16pt;">Concerning when the events unfolded</span></p>
<p align="center" class="Body" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Cambria",serif; font-size: 16pt;">To give us a better view.</span></p>
<p align="center" class="Body" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Cambria",serif; font-size: 16pt;"> </span></p>
<p align="center" class="Body" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Cambria",serif; font-size: 16pt;">In addition to the fore-mentioned</span></p>
<p align="center" class="Body" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Cambria",serif; font-size: 16pt;">The context would be critical,</span></p>
<p align="center" class="Body" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Cambria",serif; font-size: 16pt;">And thirdly, but not finally,</span></p>
<p align="center" class="Body" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Cambria",serif; font-size: 16pt;">Distinguishing the symbolic from the
literal.</span></p>
<p align="center" class="Body" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Cambria",serif; font-size: 16pt;"> </span></p>
<p align="center" class="Body" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Cambria",serif; font-size: 16pt;">Some things we have seen as literal </span></p>
<p align="center" class="Body" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Cambria",serif; font-size: 16pt;">Surely cannot be so,</span></p>
<p align="center" class="Body" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Cambria",serif; font-size: 16pt;">So the meaning of the symbology </span></p>
<p align="center" class="Body" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Cambria",serif; font-size: 16pt;">Would be something we ought to know.</span></p><p align="center" class="Body" style="text-align: center;"><br /><span style="font-family: "Cambria",serif; font-size: 16pt;"><img alt="All of the Bible is About Jesus - Olive Tree Blog" class="n3VNCb" data-noaft="1" src="https://www.olivetree.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/AllBibleAboutJesusBlog.jpg" style="height: 226.875px; margin: 16.6125px 0px; width: 400px;" /></span></p><p align="center" class="Body" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Cambria",serif; font-size: 16pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: "Cambria",serif; font-size: 16pt;"> </span></p><p align="center" class="Body" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Cambria",serif; font-size: 16pt;">The Bible must be taken as a whole</span></p>
<p align="center" class="Body" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Cambria",serif; font-size: 16pt;">And is best at explaining itself,</span></p>
<p align="center" class="Body" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Cambria",serif; font-size: 16pt;">Take the Word away from the Word</span></p>
<p align="center" class="Body" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Cambria",serif; font-size: 16pt;">And there is absolutely nothing left.</span></p>
<p align="center" class="Body" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Cambria",serif; font-size: 16pt;"> </span></p>
<p align="center" class="Body" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Cambria",serif; font-size: 16pt;">So what Jesus said is critical</span></p>
<p align="center" class="Body" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Cambria",serif; font-size: 16pt;">As it relates to the book of Revelation,</span></p>
<p align="center" class="Body" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Cambria",serif; font-size: 16pt;">If we can uncover that important link</span></p>
<p align="center" class="Body" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Cambria",serif; font-size: 16pt;">There would be less misapprehension.</span></p><p align="center" class="Body" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Cambria",serif; font-size: 16pt;"> </span></p>
<p align="center" class="Body" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Cambria",serif; font-size: 16pt;">We focus on the judgments</span></p>
<p align="center" class="Body" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Cambria",serif; font-size: 16pt;">Without quite understanding them</span></p>
<p align="center" class="Body" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Cambria",serif; font-size: 16pt;">And miss the benefits we already have</span></p>
<p align="center" class="Body" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Cambria",serif; font-size: 16pt;">And therein lies one problem.</span></p>
<p class="Body"><span style="font-family: "Cambria",serif; font-size: 16pt;"> </span></p>
<p align="center" class="Body" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Cambria",serif; font-size: 16pt;">Revelation is about a journey</span></p>
<p align="center" class="Body" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Cambria",serif; font-size: 16pt;">It is not simply about the last day,</span></p>
<p align="center" class="Body" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Cambria",serif; font-size: 16pt;">In fact it is more about Jesus Christ</span></p>
<p align="center" class="Body" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Cambria",serif; font-size: 16pt;">And the new covenantal way.</span></p><p align="center" class="Body" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Cambria",serif; font-size: 16pt;"> </span></p><p align="center" class="Body" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Cambria",serif; font-size: 16pt;"><img alt="Is the Main Point of the Bible to Point People Towards Faith in Jesus? - The Life and Times of Bruce Gerencser" class="n3VNCb" data-noaft="1" src="https://brucegerencser.net/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/it-is-all-about-jesus.jpg" style="height: 241.811px; margin: 12.4445px 0px; width: 400px;" /> <br /></span></p>
<p align="center" class="Body" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Cambria",serif; font-size: 16pt;"> </span></p>
<p align="center" class="Body" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Cambria",serif; font-size: 16pt;">It is the person and work of Jesus</span></p>
<p align="center" class="Body" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Cambria",serif; font-size: 16pt;">And the Church, his chased bride,</span></p>
<p align="center" class="Body" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Cambria",serif; font-size: 16pt;">The spiritual and physical resurrections</span></p>
<p align="center" class="Body" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Cambria",serif; font-size: 16pt;">Of those for whom he died.</span></p>
<p align="center" class="Body" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Cambria",serif; font-size: 16pt;"> </span></p>
<p align="center" class="Body" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Cambria",serif; font-size: 16pt;">When viewed in New Testament light </span></p>
<p align="center" class="Body" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Cambria",serif; font-size: 16pt;">The imagery becomes quite clear,</span></p>
<p align="center" class="Body" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Cambria",serif; font-size: 16pt;">And much of the current speculation</span></p>
<p align="center" class="Body" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Cambria",serif; font-size: 16pt;">Simply disappears.</span></p>
<p align="center" class="Body" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Cambria",serif; font-size: 16pt;"> </span></p>
<p align="center" class="Body" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Cambria",serif; font-size: 16pt;">The prophetic utterances of the day</span></p>
<p align="center" class="Body" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Cambria",serif; font-size: 16pt;">Conflict with those in the Word,</span></p>
<p align="center" class="Body" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Cambria",serif; font-size: 16pt;">And the time setting for Jesus’ return</span></p>
<p align="center" class="Body" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Cambria",serif; font-size: 16pt;">Is becoming more and more absurd.</span></p>
<p align="center" class="Body" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Cambria",serif; font-size: 16pt;"> </span></p>
<p align="center" class="Body" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Cambria",serif; font-size: 16pt;">Let us take our eyes off Israel</span></p>
<p align="center" class="Body" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Cambria",serif; font-size: 16pt;">And focus on the Gospel of salvation,</span></p>
<p align="center" class="Body" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Cambria",serif; font-size: 16pt;">Bearing in mind the great commission</span></p>
<p align="center" class="Body" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Cambria",serif; font-size: 16pt;">Of reaching every nation.</span></p>
<p align="center" class="Body" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Cambria",serif; font-size: 16pt;"> </span></p>
<p align="center" class="Body" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Cambria",serif; font-size: 16pt;">Stewart Russell © October 2019</span></p>
<p align="center" class="Body" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Cambria",serif; font-size: 16pt;"> </span></p>
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{page:WordSection1;}</style></p>Unworthy of God's Lovehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15824507936278239706noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8997731877733187657.post-61049591919598353132024-03-02T12:58:00.000-08:002024-03-02T12:58:29.022-08:00Position Is Not All<p>
</p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;"><img alt="Group of Hands Holding and Forming World Puzzle Stock Photo - Image of organization, aerial: 44309848" class="n3VNCb" data-noaft="1" src="https://thumbs.dreamstime.com/b/group-hands-holding-forming-world-puzzle-aerial-view-people-map-pieces-44309848.jpg" style="height: 292px; margin: 0px; width: 400px;" /> </span></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;"> </span></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">They both held positions</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">Of great authority</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">But having betrayed that trust</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">Now share the same destiny. </span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;"> </span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">No name shall I name</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">And I dare add, no blame</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">For it is not really in my power</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">To make such a claim.</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;"> </span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">Suffice it to be said, though,</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">Notoriety is not fame</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">And while both are well known</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">Infamy is their gain.</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;"> </span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">Assigned by the greatest</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">Yet, each in his own case</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">Was by his own selfish desire</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">Brought to the lowest place.</span></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;"> </span></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;"><img alt="Group of Hands Holding and Forming World Puzzle Stock Photo - Image of organization, aerial: 44309848" class="n3VNCb" data-noaft="1" src="https://thumbs.dreamstime.com/b/group-hands-holding-forming-world-puzzle-aerial-view-people-map-pieces-44309848.jpg" style="height: 292px; margin: 0px; width: 400px;" /> <br /></span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;"> </span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">Position is not all</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">It’s responsibility that counts,</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">If you run afoul like these two</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">Then nothing amounts.</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;"> </span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">The first in the heavenlies</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">The second, right here on earth</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">But neither would be satisfied</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">Given his greedy thirst.</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;"> </span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">One desperately sought</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">To dethrone the Almighty God</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">But failed in that mission </span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">And was exposed as a fraud.</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;"> </span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">The other was an accountant</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">Overcome with avarice</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">Whereupon to satisfy his greed</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">He took an unthinkable risk.</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;"> </span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">Both committed suicide</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">Though in different ways:</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">One challenged the “Most High”</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">The other ended his days.</span></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;"> </span></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;"><img alt="Hell, The Biblical Reality - Abiding Walk" class="n3VNCb" data-noaft="1" src="http://www.abidingwalk.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/Hell-the-Biblical-Reality.jpg" style="height: 300px; margin: 0px; width: 400px;" /> <br /></span></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;"> </span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">Both await final sentence</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">One of them long in the grave,</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">The other pedals evil</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">As an unsuspecting knave.</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;"> </span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">One was to the Father</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">What the other was to the Son,</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">The latter’s time has ended</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">The other is still on the run.</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;"> </span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">The former moved the latter</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">To do the evil he did</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">And daily in the worldly market</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">For our souls he still bids.</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;"> </span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">His objective is to destroy</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">God’s elect if he can</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">But he will certainly fail again</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">According to God’s plan.</span></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;"> </span></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;"><img alt="Group of Hands Holding and Forming World Puzzle Stock Photo - Image of organization, aerial: 44309848" class="n3VNCb" data-noaft="1" src="https://thumbs.dreamstime.com/b/group-hands-holding-forming-world-puzzle-aerial-view-people-map-pieces-44309848.jpg" style="height: 292px; margin: 0px; width: 400px;" /> <br /></span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;"> </span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">Position is not all</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">As these scoundrels found out</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">And concerning accountability</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">None should be in doubt.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16pt;"> </span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">Stewart Russell © September 7, 2021</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;"> </span></p>
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{page:WordSection1;}</style></p>Unworthy of God's Lovehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15824507936278239706noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8997731877733187657.post-42610412590612867432024-03-01T04:24:00.000-08:002024-03-01T04:24:06.137-08:00Come and Gone<p>
</p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><img alt="Love Poems : Time passes but love remains : DU Poetry" aria-hidden="false" class="sFlh5c pT0Scc iPVvYb" height="300" src="https://deepundergroundpoetry.com/images/uploads/poemimages/201662.jpg" style="height: 240px; margin: 0px; max-width: 320px; width: 320px;" width="400" /></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;"> </span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">February came</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">And February is gone</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">And like this month of love</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">We too must move on.</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;"> </span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">Expressions of love</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">In February for so,</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">Now it is entirely up to March</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">To catch the overflow.</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;"> </span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">February is gone</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">But we should not quit</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">Even though much of the love</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">Was cosmetic.</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;"> </span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">This year just begun</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">Is now two months clear,</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">For those who are lagging</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">You must up a gear.</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;"> </span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">I’ll remember February</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">Very specially</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">On account of a special gift</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">To Lyn and me.</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;"> </span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">Our first grandchild,</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">Semaj is his name,</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">We praise our Almighty Father</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">From whom he came.</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;"> </span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">Like my own father</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">And also like me,</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">The charming little Semaj</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">Was born in February.</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;"> </span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">February 27<sup>th</sup></span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">Was the precise day</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">That this wonderful package</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">Was sent our way.</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;"> </span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">Mike is over the moon</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">And Leah too,</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">More praise to the Father-</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">She has come through.</span></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;"> </span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">What a package of love</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">In this month of love</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">Given to Michael and Leah</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">From God above.</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;"> </span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">February is gone</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">But Samaj is still here</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">And the fact that love is too</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">To me is clear.</span></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;"> </span></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><img alt="Love Marches On" aria-hidden="false" class="sFlh5c pT0Scc iPVvYb" src="https://rlv.zcache.com/love_marches_on_wood_box_sign-rd708f5f8a9a04955a216867049a6de23_031aa_1024.jpg?rlvnet=1&max_dim=325" style="height: 325px; margin: 0px; max-width: 325px; width: 325px;" /><span style="font-size: 16pt;"> <br /></span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;"> </span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">February came</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">And February is gone</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">But in March, April, May, June…</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">Love marches on.</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;"> </span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">Stewart Russell © March 1, 2024</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;"> </span></p>
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{page:WordSection1;}</style></p>Unworthy of God's Lovehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15824507936278239706noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8997731877733187657.post-64389671103296311352024-02-28T15:14:00.000-08:002024-02-28T15:14:18.652-08:00You Silly Sheep!<p>
</p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><img alt="A Sheep, Funny sheep. Portrait of sheep showing tongue isolated on white background.Generative AI 28248553 Stock Photo at Vecteezy" aria-hidden="false" class="sFlh5c pT0Scc iPVvYb" src="https://static.vecteezy.com/system/resources/previews/028/248/553/large_2x/a-sheep-funny-sheep-portrait-of-sheep-showing-tongue-isolated-on-white-background-generative-ai-photo.jpeg" style="height: 273px; margin: 0px; max-width: 2940px; width: 410px;" /></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;"> </span></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">You call me a sheep?</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">Why, that isn’t funny,</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">Are you trying to tell me</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">I am a dummy?</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;"> </span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">I may be a sheep</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">But certainly not silly,</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">I’m neither a pretentious ewe</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">Nor a stupid billy.</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;"> </span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">Verses one and two</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">Would be my usual reply</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">But I want to share something</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">I dare not deny.</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;"> </span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">Call me a sheep</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">If that is what you wish</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">For currently I am a sheep</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">And it’s what I relish.</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;"> </span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">Listen to me now</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">And follow very carefully,</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">I am in fact a sheep</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">But I am not silly.</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;"> </span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">You might be one too</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">And choose not to admit</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">But I have been so made</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">And I will not quit.</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;"> </span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">My sheep knows me</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">Says the Lord Jesus Christ</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">And they follow him too,</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">Isn’t that nice?</span></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;"> </span></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;"> </span><img alt="The Lord is my Shepherd – part 2 – Broad Rock Baptist Church" aria-hidden="false" class="sFlh5c pT0Scc iPVvYb" src="https://brbconline.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/The-Lord-is-My-Shepherd-2-5.jpg" style="height: 258px; margin: 0px; max-width: 960px; width: 459px;" /></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;"> </span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">I am one of his sheep</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">And I am grateful to be</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">And if you are not one of his,</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">Then you are silly.</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;"> </span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">The best sheep to be</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">Is to be a sheep of the Lord</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">And one that follows him </span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">According to the Word.</span></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;"> </span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">I intreat you today</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">If you don’t know the Shepherd,</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">You are one of the silly sheep</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">For whom he suffered.</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;"> </span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">Be a wise sheep, at least,</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">And come unto him</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">For he will abundantly pardon</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">And cleanse you from sin.</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;"> </span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">Then you won’t be angry</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">When refer to as a sheep</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">For all that trust in the Shepherd</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">He safely keeps.</span></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;"> </span></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;"> </span><img alt="What Does John 10:27 Mean?" aria-hidden="false" class="sFlh5c pT0Scc iPVvYb" src="https://dailyverse.knowing-jesus.com/w/dv_700/dailyverse-images/05/John%2010-27%20My%20Sheep%20Hear%20My%20Voice%20beige.jpg" style="height: 307px; margin: 0px; max-width: 700px; width: 409px;" /></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;"> </span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">Oh, to be a sheep</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">In the chief Shepherd’s fold</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">Is to enjoy treasures forevermore</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">And blessings untold!</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;"> </span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">Ah, yes, a sheep for sure</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">But certainly not silly,</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">Having decided to follow Jesus</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">I am saved eternally.</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;"> </span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">Stewart Russell © February 25, 2024</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;"> </span></p>
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{page:WordSection1;}</style></p>Unworthy of God's Lovehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15824507936278239706noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8997731877733187657.post-11339154121916683662024-02-27T02:43:00.000-08:002024-02-27T02:43:15.365-08:00My Court Case<p>
</p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><img alt="What If The Court Did Not Have Lawful Jurisdiction To Decide My Case? | Federal Criminal Law Center" aria-hidden="false" class="sFlh5c pT0Scc iPVvYb" src="https://federalcriminallawcenter.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/07/Fotolia_72101625_XS.jpg" style="height: 230px; margin: 0px; max-width: 462px; width: 409px;" /><span style="font-size: 16pt;"> <br /></span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;"> </span></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">I sat in a court</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">Full of my peers,</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">Acquaintances, church brethren </span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">And family were there,</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;"> </span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">A case called to decide</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">Whether I was crazy or not,</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">Please don’t be in a hurry</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">To determine my lot.</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;"> </span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">It was no one off incident</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">The prosecutor said</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">And I turned to see everyone</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">Nodding his head.</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;"> </span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">Up and down they nodded</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">Not left to right</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">And I recognized the magnitude</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">Of this legal fight.</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;"> </span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">I was unrepresented</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">So I was on my own</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">But I intended to fight it </span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">Though all alone.</span></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;"> </span></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;"> </span><img alt="What Does “Jurisdiction” Mean? | Pyzer Criminal Lawyers" aria-hidden="false" class="sFlh5c pT0Scc iPVvYb" src="https://www.torontodefencelawyers.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/shutterstock_274070381.jpg" style="height: 214px; margin: 0px; max-width: 560px; width: 410px;" /></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;"> </span></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">“For what am I being charged?”</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">I asked in my defense,</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">“For being crazy,”</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">This was the prosecutor’s offense.</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;"> </span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">“How can that be?”</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">I asked with incredulity,</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">Then pointed to all in court</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">And asked why only me.</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;"> </span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">“The mere fact of this case</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">Says the law must be crazy,</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">A court full of crazy people</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">And you charge only me.”</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;"> </span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">The judge tapped his gavel</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">On the table in front</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">And then complimented me</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">For making that point.</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;"> </span></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">The prosecutor was enraged</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">And called the judge crazy</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">And the next thing I know</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">The court was in a frenzy.</span></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;"> </span></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><img alt="What Does “Jurisdiction” Mean? | Pyzer Criminal Lawyers" aria-hidden="false" class="sFlh5c pT0Scc iPVvYb" src="https://www.torontodefencelawyers.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/shutterstock_274070381.jpg" style="height: 214px; margin: 0px; max-width: 560px; width: 410px;" /></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;"> </span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">“Order in the court!”</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">The judge called again and again</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">And when order was restored</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">He said, “You are all insane.”</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;"> </span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">During all of this racket</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">I was as quiet as can be</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">Whereupon the judge shouted out,</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">“You are all crazy!”</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;"> </span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">The prosecutor told the judge</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">“You should be on trial,”</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">And that’s when I observed</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">That they were both in denial.</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;"> </span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">The judge charged the prosecutor</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">For contempt of court,</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">The prosecutor shouted, “I appeal!</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">You got to be making sport.”</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;"> </span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">I sat there in court</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">With all these mad people at large,</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">The judge included</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">And I was the only one charged.</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;"> </span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">You must now be thinking</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">“What can this outcome be?”</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">What is there to think about?</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">They exonerated me.</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;"> </span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">Just my brief submission</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">Introduced by a single question,</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">And even the judge</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">Should be charge with dereliction.</span></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;"> </span></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><img alt="What If The Court Did Not Have Lawful Jurisdiction To Decide My Case? | Federal Criminal Law Center" aria-hidden="false" class="sFlh5c pT0Scc iPVvYb" src="https://federalcriminallawcenter.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/07/Fotolia_72101625_XS.jpg" style="height: 230px; margin: 0px; max-width: 462px; width: 409px;" /></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;"> </span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">“For what am I being charged?”</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">That is all I had asked</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">And that question alone</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">Had ripped off their masks.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16pt;"> </span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">I took over the bench</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">And reprimanded that court</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">For wasting my time</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">And making mock sport.</span></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;"> </span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">So all who think I am crazy</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">Examine yourself!</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">Mine is out in the open</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">But you operate with stealth.</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;"> </span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">Stewart Russell © September 2019</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;"> </span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;"> </span></p>
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{page:WordSection1;}</style></p>Unworthy of God's Lovehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15824507936278239706noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8997731877733187657.post-9764125956951071072024-02-25T04:11:00.000-08:002024-02-25T04:11:38.841-08:00A Conflicting Conviction<p>
</p><p align="center" class="Body" style="text-align: center;"><img alt="Convicted, Conflicted, or Confused – Business Advisor and Executive Coach - Doug Thorpe" class="n3VNCb" data-noaft="1" src="https://dougthorpe.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/c-c-c.png" style="height: 361.277px; margin: 0px; width: 400px;" /><br /><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Cambria",serif; font-size: 16pt;"></span></b></p>
<p align="center" class="Body" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Cambria",serif; font-size: 16pt;"> </span></p>
<p align="center" class="Body" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Cambria",serif; font-size: 16pt;">Sounds confusing</span></p>
<p align="center" class="Body" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Cambria",serif; font-size: 16pt;">You are probably saying</span></p>
<p align="center" class="Body" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Cambria",serif; font-size: 16pt;">But read to the end</span></p>
<p align="center" class="Body" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Cambria",serif; font-size: 16pt;">Before despairing.</span></p>
<p align="center" class="Body" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Cambria",serif; font-size: 16pt;"> </span></p>
<p align="center" class="Body" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Cambria",serif; font-size: 16pt;">He shall remain nameless</span></p>
<p align="center" class="Body" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Cambria",serif; font-size: 16pt;">Until you work out his name,</span></p>
<p align="center" class="Body" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Cambria",serif; font-size: 16pt;">This difficulty is not even close</span></p>
<p align="center" class="Body" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Cambria",serif; font-size: 16pt;">To the actual claim.</span></p>
<p align="center" class="Body" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Cambria",serif; font-size: 16pt;"> </span></p>
<p align="center" class="Body" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Cambria",serif; font-size: 16pt;">Truthful it is </span></p>
<p align="center" class="Body" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Cambria",serif; font-size: 16pt;">And I have no doubt</span></p>
<p align="center" class="Body" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Cambria",serif; font-size: 16pt;">That any disputing</span></p>
<p align="center" class="Body" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Cambria",serif; font-size: 16pt;">Will be finally thrown out.</span></p>
<p align="center" class="Body" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Cambria",serif; font-size: 16pt;"> </span></p>
<p align="center" class="Body" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Cambria",serif; font-size: 16pt;">He rose long before dawn</span></p>
<p align="center" class="Body" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Cambria",serif; font-size: 16pt;">Maybe, he didn’t sleep,</span></p>
<p align="center" class="Body" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Cambria",serif; font-size: 16pt;">His conflicting conviction </span></p>
<p align="center" class="Body" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Cambria",serif; font-size: 16pt;">He intended to keep.</span></p>
<p align="center" class="Body" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Cambria",serif; font-size: 16pt;"> </span></p>
<p align="center" class="Body" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Cambria",serif; font-size: 16pt;">He prepared his mule</span></p>
<p align="center" class="Body" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Cambria",serif; font-size: 16pt;">For the journey ahead</span></p>
<p align="center" class="Body" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Cambria",serif; font-size: 16pt;">Knowing by the end of that day</span></p>
<p align="center" class="Body" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Cambria",serif; font-size: 16pt;">His loved one would be dead. </span></p>
<p align="center" class="Body" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Cambria",serif; font-size: 16pt;"> </span></p>
<p align="center" class="Body" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Cambria",serif; font-size: 16pt;">The demand was ludicrous,</span></p>
<p align="center" class="Body" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Cambria",serif; font-size: 16pt;">It didn’t make sense</span></p>
<p align="center" class="Body" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Cambria",serif; font-size: 16pt;">But given his disposition</span></p>
<p align="center" class="Body" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Cambria",serif; font-size: 16pt;">He took no offense.</span></p>
<p align="center" class="Body" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Cambria",serif; font-size: 16pt;"> </span></p>
<p align="center" class="Body" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Cambria",serif; font-size: 16pt;">It was not the first time</span></p>
<p align="center" class="Body" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Cambria",serif; font-size: 16pt;">He was sent on a mission,</span></p>
<p align="center" class="Body" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Cambria",serif; font-size: 16pt;">The very first time</span></p>
<p align="center" class="Body" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Cambria",serif; font-size: 16pt;">He knew not the direction.</span></p>
<p align="center" class="Body" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Cambria",serif; font-size: 16pt;"> </span></p>
<p align="center" class="Body" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Cambria",serif; font-size: 16pt;">Back then it was his faith</span></p>
<p align="center" class="Body" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Cambria",serif; font-size: 16pt;">That caused him to respond</span></p>
<p align="center" class="Body" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Cambria",serif; font-size: 16pt;">And so on this occasion</span></p>
<p align="center" class="Body" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Cambria",serif; font-size: 16pt;">He was up before dawn.</span></p>
<p align="center" class="Body" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Cambria",serif; font-size: 16pt;"> </span></p>
<p align="center" class="Body" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Cambria",serif; font-size: 16pt;">He called his son</span></p>
<p align="center" class="Body" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Cambria",serif; font-size: 16pt;">And a few of his servants</span></p>
<p align="center" class="Body" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Cambria",serif; font-size: 16pt;">And they set on the mission</span></p>
<p align="center" class="Body" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Cambria",serif; font-size: 16pt;">Ignorant of the intent.</span></p><p align="center" class="Body" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Cambria",serif; font-size: 16pt;"> </span></p>
<p align="center" class="Body" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Cambria",serif; font-size: 16pt;">Had they known </span></p>
<p align="center" class="Body" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Cambria",serif; font-size: 16pt;">They might have insisted </span></p>
<p align="center" class="Body" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Cambria",serif; font-size: 16pt;">Their leader was mad</span></p>
<p align="center" class="Body" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Cambria",serif; font-size: 16pt;">And probably resisted.</span></p><p align="center" class="Body" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Cambria",serif; font-size: 16pt;"> </span></p><p align="center" class="Body" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Cambria",serif; font-size: 16pt;"><img alt="325 Carrying Mule Photos - Free &amp; Royalty-Free Stock Photos from Dreamstime" class="n3VNCb" data-noaft="1" src="https://thumbs.dreamstime.com/b/pack-mule-carrying-firewood-zojila-pass-kashmir-india-55586271.jpg" style="height: 300px; margin: 0px; width: 400px;" /> <br /></span></p>
<p class="Body"><span style="font-family: "Cambria",serif; font-size: 16pt;"> </span></p>
<p align="center" class="Body" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Cambria",serif; font-size: 16pt;">But he proceeded by faith</span></p>
<p align="center" class="Body" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Cambria",serif; font-size: 16pt;">And they in obedience,</span></p>
<p align="center" class="Body" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Cambria",serif; font-size: 16pt;">The burdened mule</span></p>
<p align="center" class="Body" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Cambria",serif; font-size: 16pt;">His son and his servants.</span></p>
<p align="center" class="Body" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Cambria",serif; font-size: 16pt;"> </span></p>
<p align="center" class="Body" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Cambria",serif; font-size: 16pt;">It appears that his wife</span></p>
<p align="center" class="Body" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Cambria",serif; font-size: 16pt;">Knew not of his plan</span></p>
<p align="center" class="Body" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Cambria",serif; font-size: 16pt;">So in that case</span></p>
<p align="center" class="Body" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Cambria",serif; font-size: 16pt;">She couldn’t tie his hands.</span></p>
<p align="center" class="Body" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Cambria",serif; font-size: 16pt;"> </span></p>
<p align="center" class="Body" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Cambria",serif; font-size: 16pt;">So early he set off </span></p>
<p align="center" class="Body" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Cambria",serif; font-size: 16pt;">On his very strange journey,</span></p>
<p align="center" class="Body" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Cambria",serif; font-size: 16pt;">A conflicting conviction</span></p>
<p align="center" class="Body" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Cambria",serif; font-size: 16pt;">But he stuck to it firmly.</span></p>
<p align="center" class="Body" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Cambria",serif; font-size: 16pt;"> </span></p>
<p align="center" class="Body" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Cambria",serif; font-size: 16pt;">His only son </span></p>
<p align="center" class="Body" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Cambria",serif; font-size: 16pt;">From his very old wife,</span></p>
<p align="center" class="Body" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Cambria",serif; font-size: 16pt;">His child of promise</span></p>
<p align="center" class="Body" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Cambria",serif; font-size: 16pt;">At the end of his life.</span></p>
<p align="center" class="Body" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Cambria",serif; font-size: 16pt;"> </span></p>
<p align="center" class="Body" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Cambria",serif; font-size: 16pt;">It didn’t make sense</span></p>
<p align="center" class="Body" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Cambria",serif; font-size: 16pt;">Given the promise God made</span></p>
<p align="center" class="Body" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Cambria",serif; font-size: 16pt;">But He gives and He takes,</span></p>
<p align="center" class="Body" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Cambria",serif; font-size: 16pt;">Such are His ways.</span></p>
<p align="center" class="Body" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Cambria",serif; font-size: 16pt;"> </span></p>
<p align="center" class="Body" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Cambria",serif; font-size: 16pt;">A three days journey </span></p>
<p align="center" class="Body" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Cambria",serif; font-size: 16pt;">Now at an end</span></p>
<p align="center" class="Body" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Cambria",serif; font-size: 16pt;">So he said to his servants</span></p>
<p align="center" class="Body" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Cambria",serif; font-size: 16pt;">It’s around the bend.</span></p>
<p align="center" class="Body" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Cambria",serif; font-size: 16pt;"> </span></p>
<p align="center" class="Body" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Cambria",serif; font-size: 16pt;">He instructed his servants,</span></p>
<p align="center" class="Body" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Cambria",serif; font-size: 16pt;">“You remain at this point</span></p>
<p align="center" class="Body" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Cambria",serif; font-size: 16pt;">While the boy and I worship</span></p>
<p align="center" class="Body" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Cambria",serif; font-size: 16pt;">At a farther point.”</span></p>
<p align="center" class="Body" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Cambria",serif; font-size: 16pt;"> </span></p>
<p align="center" class="Body" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Cambria",serif; font-size: 16pt;">Taking the wood off the mule</span></p>
<p align="center" class="Body" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Cambria",serif; font-size: 16pt;">He gave it to the lad.</span></p>
<p align="center" class="Body" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Cambria",serif; font-size: 16pt;">“Where is the burnt offering?”</span></p>
<p align="center" class="Body" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Cambria",serif; font-size: 16pt;">He later asked his dad.</span></p>
<p align="center" class="Body" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Cambria",serif; font-size: 16pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: "Cambria",serif; font-size: 16pt;"> </span></p><p align="center" class="Body" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Cambria",serif; font-size: 16pt;">God will provide</span></p>
<p align="center" class="Body" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Cambria",serif; font-size: 16pt;">Was the father’s reply</span></p>
<p align="center" class="Body" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Cambria",serif; font-size: 16pt;">Though he knew in few moments</span></p>
<p align="center" class="Body" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Cambria",serif; font-size: 16pt;">His son would die.</span></p>
<p align="center" class="Body" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Cambria",serif; font-size: 16pt;"> </span></p>
<p align="center" class="Body" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Cambria",serif; font-size: 16pt;">I am sure you know</span></p>
<p align="center" class="Body" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Cambria",serif; font-size: 16pt;">How this event did end,</span></p>
<p align="center" class="Body" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Cambria",serif; font-size: 16pt;">With the benefit of history </span></p>
<p align="center" class="Body" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Cambria",serif; font-size: 16pt;">We see around the bend.</span></p><p align="center" class="Body" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Cambria",serif; font-size: 16pt;"> </span></p><p align="center" class="Body" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Cambria",serif; font-size: 16pt;"><img alt="Convicted, Conflicted, or Confused – Business Advisor and Executive Coach - Doug Thorpe" class="n3VNCb" data-noaft="1" src="https://dougthorpe.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/c-c-c.png" style="height: 361.277px; margin: 0px; width: 400px;" /> <br /></span></p>
<p align="center" class="Body" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Cambria",serif; font-size: 16pt;"> </span></p>
<p align="center" class="Body" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Cambria",serif; font-size: 16pt;">But consider this father</span></p>
<p align="center" class="Body" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Cambria",serif; font-size: 16pt;">For a moment or two,</span></p>
<p align="center" class="Body" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Cambria",serif; font-size: 16pt;">He was not looking back </span></p>
<p align="center" class="Body" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Cambria",serif; font-size: 16pt;">Like me or like you.</span></p>
<p align="center" class="Body" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Cambria",serif; font-size: 16pt;"> </span></p>
<p align="center" class="Body" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Cambria",serif; font-size: 16pt;">It happened in real time</span></p>
<p align="center" class="Body" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Cambria",serif; font-size: 16pt;">As we would say today</span></p>
<p align="center" class="Body" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Cambria",serif; font-size: 16pt;">And to understand it then</span></p>
<p align="center" class="Body" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Cambria",serif; font-size: 16pt;">He had no way.</span></p>
<p align="center" class="Body" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Cambria",serif; font-size: 16pt;"> </span></p>
<p align="center" class="Body" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Cambria",serif; font-size: 16pt;">How was he to know</span></p>
<p align="center" class="Body" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Cambria",serif; font-size: 16pt;">That this was only a test?</span></p>
<p align="center" class="Body" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Cambria",serif; font-size: 16pt;">Obviously, if he had known</span></p>
<p align="center" class="Body" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Cambria",serif; font-size: 16pt;">His mind would have been at rest.</span></p>
<p align="center" class="Body" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Cambria",serif; font-size: 16pt;"> </span></p>
<p align="center" class="Body" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Cambria",serif; font-size: 16pt;">He had no way of knowing</span></p>
<p align="center" class="Body" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Cambria",serif; font-size: 16pt;">Yet he dared to obey</span></p>
<p align="center" class="Body" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Cambria",serif; font-size: 16pt;">Where for many of us</span></p>
<p align="center" class="Body" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Cambria",serif; font-size: 16pt;">We would have said, “No way.”</span></p>
<p align="center" class="Body" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Cambria",serif; font-size: 16pt;"> </span></p>
<p align="center" class="Body" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Cambria",serif; font-size: 16pt;">A conflicting conviction</span></p>
<p align="center" class="Body" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Cambria",serif; font-size: 16pt;">Do you see what I mean?</span></p>
<p align="center" class="Body" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Cambria",serif; font-size: 16pt;">Convinced it was God</span></p>
<p align="center" class="Body" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Cambria",serif; font-size: 16pt;">But still a conflicting scene</span></p>
<p align="center" class="Body" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Cambria",serif; font-size: 16pt;"> </span></p>
<p align="center" class="Body" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Cambria",serif; font-size: 16pt;">A child of promise</span></p>
<p align="center" class="Body" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Cambria",serif; font-size: 16pt;">Yet, the likelihood of his death</span></p>
<p align="center" class="Body" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Cambria",serif; font-size: 16pt;">How could a father’s mind</span></p>
<p align="center" class="Body" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Cambria",serif; font-size: 16pt;">Still be at rest?</span></p>
<p align="center" class="Body" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Cambria",serif; font-size: 16pt;"> </span></p>
<p align="center" class="Body" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Cambria",serif; font-size: 16pt;">We tend to forget</span></p>
<p align="center" class="Body" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Cambria",serif; font-size: 16pt;">As we read the account,</span></p>
<p align="center" class="Body" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Cambria",serif; font-size: 16pt;">It was not smooth going</span></p>
<p align="center" class="Body" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Cambria",serif; font-size: 16pt;">All the way to the mount.</span></p>
<p align="center" class="Body" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Cambria",serif; font-size: 16pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: "Cambria",serif; font-size: 16pt;"> </span></p><p align="center" class="Body" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Cambria",serif; font-size: 16pt;">There must have been doubts</span></p>
<p align="center" class="Body" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Cambria",serif; font-size: 16pt;">As he journeyed on,</span></p>
<p align="center" class="Body" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Cambria",serif; font-size: 16pt;">He surely wasn’t eager</span></p>
<p align="center" class="Body" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Cambria",serif; font-size: 16pt;">Because he left before dawn.</span></p>
<p align="center" class="Body" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Cambria",serif; font-size: 16pt;"> </span></p>
<p align="center" class="Body" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Cambria",serif; font-size: 16pt;">There are many similarities</span></p>
<p align="center" class="Body" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Cambria",serif; font-size: 16pt;">I would not mention here</span></p>
<p align="center" class="Body" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Cambria",serif; font-size: 16pt;">Between this father and God</span></p>
<p align="center" class="Body" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Cambria",serif; font-size: 16pt;">That are certainly clear.</span></p><p align="center" class="Body" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Cambria",serif; font-size: 16pt;"> </span></p><p align="center" class="Body" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Cambria",serif; font-size: 16pt;"><img alt="Pin on † Salvation and Survival" class="n3VNCb" data-noaft="1" src="https://i.pinimg.com/originals/18/65/52/1865529eb3636a354f2961991973b01b.jpg" style="height: 216px; margin: 25.35px 0px; width: 288px;" /> <br /></span></p>
<p align="center" class="Body" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Cambria",serif; font-size: 16pt;"> </span></p>
<p align="center" class="Body" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Cambria",serif; font-size: 16pt;">The wood and the cross</span></p>
<p align="center" class="Body" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Cambria",serif; font-size: 16pt;">That both sons carried,</span></p>
<p align="center" class="Body" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Cambria",serif; font-size: 16pt;">The locations on the mount...</span></p>
<p align="center" class="Body" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Cambria",serif; font-size: 16pt;">They do not vary.</span></p>
<p align="center" class="Body" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Cambria",serif; font-size: 16pt;"> </span></p>
<p align="center" class="Body" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Cambria",serif; font-size: 16pt;">Both considered sacrifices:</span></p>
<p align="center" class="Body" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Cambria",serif; font-size: 16pt;">One perceived, the other real,</span></p>
<p align="center" class="Body" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Cambria",serif; font-size: 16pt;">One a demonstration of faith</span></p>
<p align="center" class="Body" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Cambria",serif; font-size: 16pt;">The other rent the veil.</span></p>
<p align="center" class="Body" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Cambria",serif; font-size: 16pt;"> </span></p>
<p align="center" class="Body" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Cambria",serif; font-size: 16pt;">One a conflicting conviction</span></p>
<p align="center" class="Body" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Cambria",serif; font-size: 16pt;">The second bought our redemption,</span></p>
<p align="center" class="Body" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Cambria",serif; font-size: 16pt;">Faith need not understand </span></p>
<p align="center" class="Body" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Cambria",serif; font-size: 16pt;">Just follow God’s direction.</span></p>
<p align="center" class="Body" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Cambria",serif; font-size: 16pt;"> </span></p>
<p align="center" class="Body" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Cambria",serif; font-size: 16pt;">The stalwarts of the Bible</span></p>
<p align="center" class="Body" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Cambria",serif; font-size: 16pt;">As they underwent their tests</span></p>
<p align="center" class="Body" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Cambria",serif; font-size: 16pt;">Were not often in the know</span></p>
<p align="center" class="Body" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Cambria",serif; font-size: 16pt;">But obedience was their quest.</span></p>
<p align="center" class="Body" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Cambria",serif; font-size: 16pt;"> </span></p>
<p align="center" class="Body" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Cambria",serif; font-size: 16pt;">Conflicting convictions</span></p>
<p align="center" class="Body" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Cambria",serif; font-size: 16pt;">But they learnt to trust God,</span></p>
<p align="center" class="Body" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Cambria",serif; font-size: 16pt;">We must do the same</span></p>
<p align="center" class="Body" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Cambria",serif; font-size: 16pt;">At home and abroad.</span></p>
<p align="center" class="Body" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Cambria",serif; font-size: 16pt;"> </span></p>
<p align="center" class="Body" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Cambria",serif; font-size: 16pt;">Stewart Russell © September 2019</span></p>
<p align="center" class="Body" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Cambria",serif; font-size: 16pt;"> </span></p>
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{page:WordSection1;}</style></p>Unworthy of God's Lovehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15824507936278239706noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8997731877733187657.post-77062885773794009092024-02-24T04:08:00.000-08:002024-02-24T04:08:43.496-08:00A Ledge and Alleged<p>
</p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><img alt="Man on a Ledge | Thinking Faith: The online journal of the Jesuits in Britain" aria-hidden="false" class="sFlh5c pT0Scc iPVvYb" src="https://www.thinkingfaith.org/sites/default/files/field/image/Man%20on%20a%20Ledge.jpg" style="height: 240px; margin: 0px; max-width: 535px; width: 410px;" /></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt;"> </span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">What have these in common</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">And how are they set apart?</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">Let’s go to the very beginning,</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">It’s a very good place to start.</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt;"> </span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">All the letters you find in one</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">You will also find in the other</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">But if you should number them</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">That’s a different matter.</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt;"> </span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">Allegations and alligators</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">Lies and crocodiles,</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">An infestation of reptilian distortions</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">Operating under disguise.</span></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt;"> </span></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><img alt="Alleged - Free of Charge Creative Commons Handwriting image" aria-hidden="false" class="sFlh5c pT0Scc iPVvYb" src="https://www.picpedia.org/handwriting/images/alleged.jpg" style="height: 306px; margin: 0px; max-width: 1200px; width: 459px;" /><span style="font-size: 16.0pt;"> <br /></span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt;"> </span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">Now for some definitions</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">Of the two terms we started with</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">And hopefully along the way</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">You will catch my drift.</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt;"> </span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">Uncertain of his information</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">He used the term “alleged”,</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">He feared a lawsuit was beckoning</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">And he was out on “a ledge”.</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt;"> </span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">It’s not the safest of places</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">With little or no protection,</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">And if it is five or six stories high…</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">Just use your imagination.</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt;"> </span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">What a height from which to fall!</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">That’s a long, long way down,</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">Not enough time to change one’s mind</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">By the time he hits the ground.</span></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt;"> </span></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><img alt="Alleged - Free of Charge Creative Commons Handwriting image" aria-hidden="false" class="sFlh5c pT0Scc iPVvYb" src="https://www.picpedia.org/handwriting/images/alleged.jpg" style="height: 306px; margin: 0px; max-width: 1200px; width: 459px;" /><span style="font-size: 16.0pt;"> <br /></span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt;"> </span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">Alleged is a serious business</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">And fraught with serious risks, </span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">So too are unfounded allegations</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">Shrouded in illusory mist.</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt;"> </span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">He alleged and she alleged-</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">An attempt to mirror the truth</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">But what’s concealed in the cellar</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">Will show up on the roof.</span></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt;"> </span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">What more can I say</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">About these two sound alike terms?</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">It’s like, if one plays with fire,</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">One is likely to be burned.</span></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt;"> </span></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><img alt="standing ledge stock photos - OFFSET" aria-hidden="false" class="sFlh5c pT0Scc iPVvYb" src="https://ak.picdn.net/offset/photos/5b44c2aa17fb156e48084656/medium/offset_714351.jpg?DFghwDcb?DFghwDcb" style="height: 273px; margin: 0px; max-width: 650px; width: 409px;" /><span style="font-size: 16.0pt;"> <br /></span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt;"> </span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">The moral of this poem is:</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">Some ledges are not safe</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">And alleged if used in a court of law</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">May require more than faith.</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt;"> </span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">On this I rest my case</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">Regarding “a ledge” and “alleged”,</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">You see, I am very afraid of heights</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">And can’t see behind a hedge.</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt;"> </span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">It’s wise to use wisdom</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">Before employing one’s tongue,</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">Your “alleged” might be “a ledge”</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">Way high up from the ground.</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt;"> </span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">Stewart Russell © February 23, 2024</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt;"> </span></p>
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{page:WordSection1;}</style></p>Unworthy of God's Lovehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15824507936278239706noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8997731877733187657.post-1433906454018133752024-02-22T07:48:00.000-08:002024-02-22T07:48:06.555-08:00In Memory of the Frogs<p>
</p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><img alt="Are You A Boiling Frog? | Northamptonshire Chamber" class="n3VNCb KAlRDb" data-noaft="1" src="https://www.northants-chamber.co.uk/cdn/uploads/Are_You_A_Boiling_Frog.jpg" style="height: 289.046px; margin: 0px; width: 417px;" /></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;"> </span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">You remember the frogs in the water?</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">It was tepid and sweet,</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">The frogs were enjoying themselves</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">It was such a treat.</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;"> </span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">No more moral legislation</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">To thwart our rights and privileges</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">But a certain gay abandon</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">To enjoy life like savages.</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;"> </span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">Whatever tickles our fancy</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">Let us enjoy it to the fullest</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">So, institute the necessary legislation</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">So that we can achieve our quest.</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;"> </span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">‘Cause this water tepid and sweet</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">And I am enjoying myself</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">And it doesn’t matter right now</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">That I am ruining my health.</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;"> </span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">Who say cold water good for frogs?</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">Where did that come from?</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">We are too steeped in outdated morals</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">And that I see is the problem.</span></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;"> </span></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><img alt="Are You A Boiling Frog? | Northamptonshire Chamber" class="n3VNCb KAlRDb" data-noaft="1" src="https://www.northants-chamber.co.uk/cdn/uploads/Are_You_A_Boiling_Frog.jpg" style="height: 289.046px; margin: 0px; width: 417px;" /><span style="font-size: 16pt;"> <br /></span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;"> </span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">The water was on the fire</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">And it was getting hotter all this time</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">But it was at such a slow boil</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">That the frolicking frogs did not mind.</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;"> </span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">And that is today’s society-</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">We have become insensitive and numb</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">Even though to be honest with you</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We are in
reality quite dumb.</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;"> </span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">And the water is heating up</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">Though we say it is tepid and sweet </span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">And like the silly frogs in the narrative</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">We are yet to feel the heat.</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;"> </span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">We want the right to determine</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">Whether we are male or female</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">And all who do not regard our wishes</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">Should be put in jail.</span></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;"> </span></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><img alt="Gender Identity Examples, Meaning & Definition | Kids Helpline" class="n3VNCb KAlRDb" data-noaft="1" src="https://kidshelpline.com.au/sites/default/files/thumbnail-YA-GI.png" style="height: 327.59px; margin: 0px; width: 467px;" /><span style="font-size: 16pt;"> <br /></span></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;"> </span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">We want rights for our children</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">Where parent consultation is unnecessary</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">And they can do what they deem best</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">Is appropriate for their body.</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;"> </span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">The right to switch out gender</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">Depending on the perceived possibilities</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">And to do so whenever we feel like it</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">To create our own realities</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;"> </span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">The right to follow our urges</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">And to go wherever they may lead</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">Notwithstanding others have urges too</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">But ours are the greater need.</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;"> </span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">The right to satisfy me, myself and I</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">Whenever, wherever and however;</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">Without recrimination or obstruction</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">As I strive to make my life better.</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;"> </span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">Hence a world revolving around me</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">Or my eccentric troupe</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">In which rights and privileges accrue</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">Only to whom we recruit.</span></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;"> </span></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><img alt="Are You A Boiling Frog? | Northamptonshire Chamber" class="n3VNCb KAlRDb" data-noaft="1" src="https://www.northants-chamber.co.uk/cdn/uploads/Are_You_A_Boiling_Frog.jpg" style="height: 289.046px; margin: 0px; width: 417px;" /><span style="font-size: 16pt;"> <br /></span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;"> </span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">To a world bent on implosion</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">In memory of those unsuspecting frogs;</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">And I will tell you just like I see it,</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">We are doing a fantastic job.</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;"> </span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">Stewart Russell © September 9, 2022</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;"> </span></p>
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