Spiritual Bullying

 

 

Spiritual bullying!

Where can this be found?

In the church of course,

There is much around.

 

Mostly senior members,

Not necessarily in age

But with responsibility and clout

Re pulpit and stage.

 

They follow the Spirit,

At least, that’s what they say

And it matters not who’s in charge

They will have their way.

 

They alter the plan

Feigning the Spirit’s leadership

And they bully the congregants

And church membership.

 

Urging an emotive display

Of shouting and raised hands

And even the person in charge

Must heed their command.

 

 

The time is ignored,

Time consciousness is rebuked,

All had better fall into line,

Don’t dare refute.

 

Refusing to comply

Is being disobedient to God

Thus, therein lies the fear factor

When such a one calls.

 

It may be an apostle

A bishop or a pastor,

Or it could even be a worship leader

Or a prayer intercessor.

 

The Chair is ignored,

The programme is put on hold

And I wonder how such persons

Can be so bold.

 

You are forced to stand

As worship leaders lead

For sometimes close to an hour

While your feet plead.

 

Whether the old or the young,

It does not really matter

For if the seniors decide to sit down

They are blocked by the latter.

 

And if there is prayer

Immediately after this session

Depending on the intercessor

There could be more oppression.

 

O how I wish

We would do as assigned

Rather than take over the service

As if by design!

 

The people who planned,

Planned with the Holy Spirit,

Who gives spiritual bullies the right

To just come and change it?

 

I know things can change

But this need not be the norm,

The exception is enough,

Please be warned.

 

Follow the Spirit’s lead,

Don’t get me wrong

But don’t ignore the chairperson

And put him down.

 

You would not like it

If you were the chair person,

So, to claim the Spirit’s unction

Is not a genuine reason.

 

 

Of spiritual bullies

You had better beware

But don’t be intimidated by them

And be driven by fear.

 

Spiritual bullying!

There is much around

And in virtually every assembly

It may be found.

 

Stewart Russell © April 30, 2024

 

Just a Regular Habit

 

 

 

Solve this puzzle

Figure this riddle

One is uncomfortable

It’s a real hassle

 

What is it?

A regular habit

Here’s a bit

And there’s a bit

 

In the muscles

And in the joints

Then in the bones

To make a point

 

It’s never tangible

So I cannot touch

I cannot see it

But I feel it so much

 

It’s all the time

Particularly with age

Respects no person

At any stage

 

A puzzle sometimes

As to source

But make no mistake

It’s a compelling force

 

It troubles the mind

And robs of sleep

You may doze

But nothing deep

 

Sometimes it’s masked

Sometimes deferred

Nothing one likes

Nothing to be desired

 

Medication helps

Only for a time

Soon it’s back

To mess with the mind

 

Babies have it

To the aged it’s habit

The youth a bit

To all it gives a fit

 

It’s a mechanism

In the system

But medication

Masks the problem

 

When it’s around

Something’s wrong

Affects the weak

As well as the strong

 

Robs of energy

Affects one’s health

Shows no respect

For those with wealth

 

 

Affects the living

Never the dead

Troubles the foot

Annoys the head

 

Solve this puzzle

Figure this riddle

One is uncomfortable

It’s a real hassle

 

Spoils your features

Lines you face

Makes you squirm

With every pace

 

Can be excruciating

Sometimes dull

Recessive sometimes

But often full

 

Can be long lasting

Or for a season

Or apparently sometimes

For no reason

 

Some will argue

That cannot be

Something is wrong

If it finds you or me

 

What is it?

A regular habit

Here’s a bit

And there’s a bit

 

In the muscles

And in the joints

Then in the bones

To make a point

 

Something’s wrong

Have it checked

If you don’t

You may regret

 

 

It’s just like sin

It will nag and nag

Get to the source

Do not lag

 

Fix the symptom

Won’t fix the problem

There is a source

From which it stemmed

 

Fix the source

Will fix the symptom

Jesus is the answer

To the sin problem

 

Back to the start

What is it?

I am sure by now

You have a bit

 

For the answer

Search yourself

You will find it

No matter your health

 

Be patient

And you’ll get it

And you will see

It’s a regular habit

 

Solve this puzzle

Figure this riddle

One is uncomfortable

It’s a real hassle

 

If not now

Just wait a while

It’s never out of fashion

Or out of style

 

Stewart Russell © 2017