By and Without

 

 

By and without:

What is he talking about?

I will get to it in minute,

No need to shout.

 

Works and salvation:

We’ve been here before

But since the last time,

There is more.

 

By and without

Are key prepositions

In the relationship between

Works and salvation.

 

Examine with me

The following statement

Concerning the content therein

As well as its intent.

 

We are not saved

By our works

But we are certainly not saved

Without them.

 

 

Transformed from:

Prior unrighteous works

To: a life of righteousness

And good works.

 

To say one is saved

Is to speak of good works,

No change in a so-called believer

Should really hurt.

 

Paul’s “not by works”

Speaks to the acquisition,

James “without works” speaks to

Walking in salvation.

 

 

The tree is identified

By the fruit it bears,

The born-again believer’s fruit

Must appear.

 

Ephesians 2:8-9; James 2:26

 

I was not saved by

By the works that I do

But without righteous works

Neither are you.

 

Works is a testament

To a believer’s salvation

Though it is not by these works

He attains salvation.

 

Salvation is God’s gift

To a born-again believer

And of the enablement for works

The believer is a receiver.

 

The Father worked

And His Son worked too,

So too the Holy Spirit

In me and in you.

 

We are not saved

By our works

But we are certainly not saved

Without them.

 

Here ends today’s lesson.

 

Stewart Russell © March 28, 2025

Scan

 

 

 Just four letters

But a wide array of uses,

You’d better get the context right

To avoid any abuses.

 

English is complex

And the reason is clear,

A word can mean many things

So please be aware.

 

Similarly, so is scan

As in “scan the document”

And even this is ambiguous:

Not of clear intent.

 

 

It could well mean

For printing some copies

Or to quickly read it through

If one is in a hurry.

 

Nightly I praise God

As I scan the night sky,

Yes, honour, praise and glory

To God Most High.

 

 

There is the CT scan

Also known as a CAT scan:

An Xray device that doctors use

To see inside of man.

 

Or the security scan

Used to test for metal

Like guns, knives and devices

That can be lethal.

 

Scan can be cursory

Or scan can be intense

Like the kind of scanners used

In a country’s defense.

 

Scan can be sweeping

Or just a glance through

But a surgeon’s minute scan

Determines his view.

 

You can scan this poem

Or read it through,

Whichever one you decide on,

That’s your view.

 

2Chronicles 6:9

 

For the eyes of the LORD run to and fro

Throughout the whole earth,

To shew himself strong in the behalf of them

Whose heart is perfect toward him.

Stewart Russell © January 4, 2025

 

Tokenism

 

 

It is only $300.00

But every little count,

I will prioritize its spending:

This one-off amount.

 

For your brown water

I will take off 32 percent,

Until the brown water is no more

This will be my intent.

 

In the meantime

Boil the water you drink

And if you wash your clothes

They will not shrink.

 

Note the box of goods

And buy within its scope,

Minced meat is easier to digest

So, not a wasted vote.

 

Horlicks is good

Though I like SwissmisS,

However, I am very grateful

For the extended list.

 

Minimum wage to go up

Starting from next year,

Many will perish before then:

Is this fair?

 

Good news for seniors!

It’s Government’s intention

To further reduce income tax

On your old age pension.

 

Can’t get children?

Try foster care!

The money to be doubled

If only you dare.

 

Easier to get housing:

Just a longer wait,

So, in the meantime just relax

And accept your fate.

 

We will solve crime

When we get it solved,

Say something if you see something

But don’t get involved.

 

Little by little

Eventually is a lot,

A little tokenism goes a long way

When it hits the spot.

 

Beware your wild oats

Even with paternity leave,

Fathers, if there is no child support,

There’ll be no reprieve.

 

 

I am just sitting here

Waiting on welfare,

By the time I get the check

The funds disappear.

 

Tokenism helps a little

But I need decent work,

This fish every now and then

Causing me hurt.

 

Uh can’t buy formula

For the little one

And the little savings I had,

All of it gone.

 

Auntie Mia

If you really care,

I am becoming very desperate;

It’s more than I can bear.

 

 

Tokenism won’t do it

Or Ryan’s Straughn’s budget,

I am tired begging for help;

Listen Mia, I quit.

 

No, it’s not me

But hundreds out there

Please show them, Madam PM,

How much you care.

 

Stewart Russell © March 12, 2025

Things We Say

 

 

 

“Wunna food on the table

It is the two top containers.”

My son talking to his parents;

That’s a Bajan headliner.

 

A Bajan talks this way

And a Bajan understands

That we don’t eat containers

As a normal plan.

 

Unless the same containers

Were of edible material

Then we would consume them

As would most people.

 

However, we understand

It was not what he meant

And of course, you would agree,

It was not his intent.

 

 

Styrofoam is not pleasant

To ingest at any time

So even if you would want to try

Get it off your mind.

 

Michael is a good son

Re the food he brought us,

In now, his mother consumed it,

With gusto and fuss.

 

The container was disposed

And the leftover bones,

However, I am yet to devour mine

Thus, she ate hers alone.

 

 

 

My container is still there

To eat when I am ready,

The contents I am referring to

So, spare me your folly.

 

Stewart Russell © February 9, 2025

 

Is Christmas Pagan?

 

 

Pagan in the past

Pagan in the present,

‘Tis the view of some believers

Regardless of intent.

 

They read motive

And they read intent

So, all who celebrate Christmas

Need to repent.

 

Might I also add

They also read minds

And any celebrating Christmas

Is wrong every time.

 

Regarding Easter

Some believe the same,

And Good Friday, though solemn,

Is in the same frame.

 

Christmas is pagan,

It is not in the Word

But neither is the computer,

Haven’t they heard?

 

 

Pagans have a focus

Known to be idolatrous,

Their worship so-called deities

Other than Jesus.

 

The sun is one such,

And the moon and stars,

Then there are rivers and men

That are held on par.

 

Some made their gods

Which is quite the reverse,

Compared to the Creator God

Theirs is a curse.

 

It comes down to focus

At least, for me,

The Lord God Jehovah is God!

All else is idolatry.

 

Focus on Jesus Christ,

The Christ of Christmas,

He is Emmanuel, God with us,

Yes, that’s Jesus.

 

Emulate God’s giving

And give to others,

Especially for the less fortunate,

Make it brighter.

 

Celebrate God’s Gift:

The Gift of His Son

Sacrificed for the whosoever

As the sin ransom.

 

Myriad arguments

By some will be raised

But for that first Christmas

Give God praise.

 

Praise for His Son,

Praise for redemption

And praise for that first advent

Resulting in our salvation.

 

 

 

Call it pagan, if you will,

If that is your view

But Christmas for me is Christ,

How about you?

 

Stewart Russell © December 12, 2024