The Father Wears Son Glasses: The Rhyme and Reason for Everything

By Marti L. Berger

The Father Wears Son Glasses is a journey down life’s avenue with its endless questions, pitfalls, battles and victories. It is also a look into the Heart of a Heavenly Father and the marvelous Grace, Love and Mercy He bestows on all of His children, including His prodigals. You will be encouraged by the inescapable truth that you are not doing life alone but have The Living, Loving God walking alongside of you. As you twist and turn through a hodgepodge of emotions and circumstances one thing is certain; you will not leave this book feeling indifferent. Written with transparency and candor, there is one constant that saturates each page: “The Rhyme and Reason for Everything” is The Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. This unique narrative will touch the core of one’s deepest concerns, fears and beliefs, but will also bring comfort and hope to the weary, worn out “I’ll do it myself” Christian.

• Language: English
• Publisher: WestBow Press
• Release date: Aug 24, 2017
• ISBN: 9781512790740

Marti L. Berger

Marti Berger resides in Richmond, Virginia with her husband, Dave and they have two sons and two grandchildren. She has been a member of several Christian Writers Groups for twenty-five years and writes with a raw authenticity, tackling subject matter that many struggle to confront and few verbalize. Marti’s approach to writing comes from Paul’s prayer written in Ephesians 6:19…”that I may open my mouth boldly, to make known the mystery of the gospel.” With humor and pragmatism, the words she pens reflect both the soft landings and hard places of life and she leaves little chance of being misunderstood. Through laughter and tears, triumph and tragedy, Marti writes from the heart, choosing vulnerability over safety for Truth’s sake. Her work has been featured on “Spotlight Richmond,” in “Northwest Christian Author,” and most recently in, “Rise Up!” by Judi G. Reid. You can contact Marti at [e-mail]

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CONTENTS

Foreword

Preface

Acknowledgment

Introduction

Chapter 1 – Prodigal Ramblings

Translated or Transformed

A Lost Voyage

Naked Warrior

The Prodigal

Deliverance

The Ignorant Theory

A Listening Heart

Parable of the Skunk

Seek First

Cleaning House

Toy Box Complex

Bon-Bon Syndrome

I Do It Myself!

Of Flies, Ants and Sheep

One of Those Days

Chapter 2 – Spellbound

Double Vision

Pursuit of Death

Pride Goes Before The Fall

Nothing New

Look What’s Talkin’!

Fool-Be-Gone

The Dis Placement Disease

What Is Wrong with This Picture?

Looking-Glass War

The Truth About Reality

The Great Impostor

The Child Who Never Was

Pick Your Pill

Supersized

Virtual Reality

Chapter 3 – Witness This!

Illusions

Clueless

Words of Jesus We Never Want to Hear:

Witness This!

Broken Branches

The Price of Freedom

Satan’s Last Stand

Sweet Surrender…Sweet Victory

A Closed Case

When It’s Hot…It’s Hot!

Harvest Moon

Window of the Soul

One Way to Stand

Will the Real Who Please Come In?

Idle Words

Chapter 4 – My Brother’s Keeper

Love’s Treasure Chest

Who You Are

Love of a Different Color

My Brother’s Keeper

The Other Side of the Fence

The Best Place To Be

Closer than a Brother

Empty Chair

Heavenly-Minded

Seal of Approval

A Friend’s Prayer

God in Skin

A Friend Like Me

A Cup of Coffee and a Pickle

I Love This Place!

Chapter 5 – Out of Order

This and That

A Resounding Farewell

Parting of The We

Who’s the King of This Jungle?

To Agree or Not to Agree

A Sabotaged Transmission

Jump

I’m Talkin’ Turkey

The Stains That Remain

In the Absence of Love

And I Forgive You…But

Get Outta My Face!

The Eleventh Commandment

Lord, We Have a Problem!

Body Parts

Chapter 6 – Not Ready For Prime Time

A Bird’s Eye View

Mort Who?

Spirit vs. Flesh

Love Kills

A Fresh Pair of Eyes

If I Wasn’t Simply Human!

Why Sit You Here?

Friend or Foe

Life’s Attic

Bird of Life

On the Horizon

A False Start

By Faith, That’s How!

There I am!

Without Works

Chapter 7 – The Shortest Distance

Hearkening Angels

My Resting Place

Words of Gold

More of You

The Guillotine

Measured Time

Reinforce Me, Lord

My Life—A Prayer

Pray by the Rules

Your Will, Lord

Re-Gifting

The Shortest Distance

Of Lessons Learned

The Plumb Line

The Secret Place

On Perseverance

Chapter 8 – Some Assembly Required

Divine Delay

A Know Nothing

Hey Ma, It’s Me!

One Open Door

Eggsactly…the Truth

School Daze

Thou Shalt Not Laugh!

In My Father’s House

Five Reasons Children Are Carefree

Rainbow’s Promise

A Word About Success

Pen-Ventures

Why Do I Want To Be A Writer?

My Publisher’s Worst Nightmare

Emergency Relief

The State of Writing

Chapter 9 – Grief’s Detour

Abba, I Want To Laugh Again

Grief’s Detour

The Betrayal of Time

Goodbye Cruel World

Jilted Lover

My Face to the Wall

Where Do I Go?

Cry of Jacob

I Have Your Son

My Child

Ankle Dweller

Game of Life

A Desert Place

What Have I Missed?

If This Is Life

Tyrant of Time

Chapter 10 – Second Wind

A New Beginning

Hit the Reset

Ceilings Are Clean

A New Kind of Freedom

What About Your Perfect Timing?

In Everything Give Thanks

Divine Appointments

Hey Mom

Daddy Wake Up!

And This Is Life

New Mercies

Yet, I Will Rejoice!

The Definition of Freedom

Second Flight

A Life Apart

The Business of Living

Chapter 11 – Please Stand By

Untie The Do-Nots

Total Recall

Papa?

The Color of Pain

How Long oh Lord?

Lament

The Tomb Robber

Isn’t Time?

Come Away with Me

Human Yo-Yo

About Me?

Recipe for the Needy:

Needful Things

A Who Without a Do

Oh Death, Where Is Your Sting?

In the Fullness of Time

Chapter 12 – The Father Wears Son Glasses

Paid in Full

The Father Wears Son Glasses

My Love

How Does He Love Me?

The Master’s Original

A Whisper

Wings of a Dove

The Maestro’s Song

The Greatest Story Ever Told

The Name

Nothing More

One Whisper

House of Ill Repute

Sacred Dance

It’s All About Love

A Letter from Jesus

Chapter 13 – While We Were Sleeping

Just Show Up

I’m Busy!

If He Had Come

Without Him

World of a Different Color

While We Were Sleeping

Where’s The Star?

If Jesus Came to Dinner

Prepared for the King

Only Forever

Inside Out

He’s Too Busy!

Where’s the Color?

He’s the Color!

In or On…That Is the Question!

Chapter 14 – Still The King

It Is Settled in My Heart

Still The King

He Is Real

In Praise of You, Lord

Court Case

Blame Exchange

Because of You

Praise Him

Working With The Master

A Birthday Toast

The Treasure Seeker

Welcome, Your Majesty

Beginning and End

Let My People Go!

Survival Kit for the Last Days

Glory, Honor and Blessing!

An Open Letter

Chapter 15 – Still Learning

Still Learning After All These Years

Dust to Dust

Kissed by the Son

Enough Said!

The Wise Farmer

My Un-Amazing Grace

On Letting Go

Where Is My Jesus?

A Penny and You

A House Is Not a Home

A Church Divided?

Counterfeits and Fakes

The Dark Is Hard!

Dance of Joy!

Control Issues

Poof—I’m Gone!

The Good News

Epilogue – A Final Muse

Wisdom—The Principle Thing

About the Author

I joyfully dedicate this book to my Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, my FRIEND who sticks closer than a brother. (PROVERBS 18:24)

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For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

—ROMANS 8:38–39

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FOREWORD

L ike all of us in these troubled days, Marti Berger has personally faced great trials. Her testament for the Lord is filtered and flows through God’s living Word; it has been her plumb line through it all. She has come to trust in Jesus, giving Him the glory in her personal life and witness, and through the words she has recorded here, to bring you the fresh Manna of hope in Christ.

Marti has truly been a Called Scribe by the Author and the Finisher Himself. And as she listens to His heart, she has been able to share the powerful Word of God with application, so that each of us can absorb and find new life in Jesus Christ. It has not come by her might and power, but by His Spirit. I have been in ministry for fifty years, ministering to the broken and the wounded, and only known a rare few that can write with this life-changing capacity.

Because the author walks in the Living Word, she brings to you, the reader, a fresh love and commitment to God’s written Word, and also its wonder-working, life-changing power—no matter what you have faced. He has come to set the captives free and so many chains will be broken in the exploration of these pages. Marti has been that pearl, shaped in adversity, and she lives and speaks with such a lovely luster that reflects the reality and the greatness of her God, and prayerfully yours.

When you have lost your trust and hope, or just feel battered by life, you will hear and see Him speak to you in a language that you understand. There are God’s pure riches in this treasure chest. As you open the cover and turn the pages, you have opened the lid and will discover His treasures for the hearts of His beloved creation.

Joyfully until He returns:

Pat Self: Bride of Life International Ministries

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PREFACE

A s far back as I can remember, I had a love for Jesus Christ, but I was raised up in a religion that was all about earning the approval of God through good works. I never realized that I could have a personal relationship with Him, and as a result I lived in fear much of the time. I knew it was impossible for me to live up to the standard of perfection that I thought was required. At the age of twenty I walked away from God, because I thought the Church teachings and the Lord were synonymous with one another. I spent the next ten years of my life running hard and fast away from Him. Little did I know, that during those ten years, a dear friend continuously made intercession for me, and through her kindness and acceptance she literally loved me into the Kingdom of God.

At the age of thirty, I received Jesus Christ as my Savior, in the middle of the night while lying on my living room couch. From childhood, I had suffered with frequent night terrors, and on this particular night after having another such terror, I screamed out, God help me! In one brief moment of time, He delivered me from fear and filled me with His certain peace. The night terrors ceased, and a relationship with the living God began. I’d like to say that since then life has been grand, but I’d be lying. I will say this, however—I have never been the same since He revealed Himself to me, and I remind myself daily that I don’t ever want to be without Him on this ever-changing journey called life.

Although I kept a journal from an early age, a paradigm shift occurred with my new relationship, and journaling took on a unique dimension. I began writing poetry about my new life in Christ, and it soon became a written form of prayer and worship. As a result, it opened up a door of fellowship with the Lord like I had never known. It’s in the writing that He speaks the loudest to me. Among His limitless attributes—it’s His mercy that has penetrated my life in such a significant way, that each time I think on it, my heart is touched once again. Another of His characteristics I love—He doesn’t lie. I can trust that He will always tell me the truth, even when it is something I’d rather not hear. Knowing this about Him stills my soul. He is my Care-Taker.

My conversations with the Lord are not unique or unusual; I just take dictation and write down what He says…so I don’t forget. I encourage and challenge everyone who has a relationship with the Lord to journal during their prayer time, whether they are writers or not. God is not a respecter of persons, and every child of His can have daily conversation with Him. He delights when we get still and quiet before Him and because He is the same yesterday, today and forever, He still speaks; and what HE speaks will always line up with His Word—it is the gold standard whereby we measure all things. I encourage you to take time to listen…can you hear Him? Write it down; capture the moment. You will be amazed at how often He speaks.

The following pages are a result of thirty-eight years of my pen connections with my Lord and Savior, and what I often refer to as prayer and conversation in rhyme. While I labored at compiling these writings into somewhat of a cohesive unit, I received very limited instruction from the Lord, with the exception of these few words: The time is now, and Presentation, Simplicity and Truth. I have endeavored to do just that—present His Truth in the simplistic way I have received it—knowing that He makes up the difference in all that my heart longs to say. It all belongs to Him anyway.

I have been comforted during this process, because I’ve been made aware once again of the faithfulness of God in the midst of every phase of my life. Not that it has erased the grief or removed the pain. Oftentimes life is not made right again; at least, not in the way one hopes. But what is evident to me is this: through it all, He has been with me—I have not walked it alone—even during the days when I ran from Him.

And so it is my prayer for you, dear reader, no matter what you might be facing or where you are (or aren’t) in your relationship to God, that you would know this—you are not doing life by yourself. He loves you, and He is for you. Whether you are a prodigal or not; just come home.

Marti Berger

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ACKNOWLEDGMENT

T o my husband, Dave: After forty-eight years together, the words from our song are still true; I love you more today than yesterday, but not as much as tomorrow. You are the love of my life, my friend, and the best cheerleader anyone could ever hope to have. I have been blessed beyond measure with you and our two sons. Thank you for making our home a place where I want to be. You, along with Paul and Michael, have taught me many facets of how to love and be loved, forgive and receive forgiveness. Through our years of laughter and tears—and every emotion in-between—the Lord has sustained us all by His strength and His sweet, comforting Spirit. He has kept our hearts well, and I am forever grateful to Him for the gift of our family.

* * *

To our sons, Paul and Michael: When Dad and I consider the numerous blessings the Lord has given to us, our hearts are often overwhelmed with thanksgiving for the gift of you. You have filled our home and our lives with with more blessings than any family deserves to have, and we thank God for you daily. The precious memories we share together will last for a lifetime.

* * *

To Amy, our daughter-in-love, and our two grandchildren, Rebecca and Justin: You have added an extra measure of love and laughter into our family. You have also taught me many life-lessons, which I continue to write about today.

* * *

To the Pen Pal Christian Writers (especially Cindy Cline, Melissa Marshall-Baer, Jim Baer, and Julia Morgan), Creative Christian Writers, Richmond Christians Who Write, and last but not least…the Marble Movers—You have kept me moving forward, even though at times it was at a snail’s pace; and I thank you for your support, critiques, unlimited resources, and enduring friendships.

* * *

To Celia Cortner, a gifted teacher and writer: Your insatiable hunger for the Word of God, and your ability to bring the written Word alive, has caused me to fall in love over and over again with our Savior and limitless Lord, Jesus Christ. Thank you for your friendship and for The Deeper Walk Academy.

To Michael Berger: Thank you for your labor of love in creating a visual for each chapter of this book and for translating what my heart longed to say onto the book cover. You are a gifted visionary and artist.

* * *

To two very special mentors, Reverend Tom Lacy and Carol Smithson: Thank you for your friendship, your invaluable and honest feedback, and for never being too busy to answer a question or provide me with helpful resources.

* * *

A special thank you to Judi G. Reid: Your love and support during the darkest days of my life kept me breathing. Job 2:11–13 is a description of the kind of friend you are, and how in gentle quietness, you upheld me when I was unable to stand on my own. You are God with skin on. Just like Jesus, you have stuck closer than a brother, and aren’t afraid to go headlong into the trenches of adversity if it will help a friend.

* * *

To Karen Hannon: Thank you for providing Spotlight Richmond at your own expense, to introduce and encourage so many. Your enthusiasm for my work gave me the courage to press on and graduate to a larger audience.

* * *

To Pat Self: Thank you for your love and knowledge of the Word of God and for supporting me by steadying my hands, along with Judi, just like Aaron and Hur did for Moses. (Exodus 17:12)

* * *

To every family member and friend who ever told me I needed to write a book: Thank you for your encouragement, and for never giving up on the idea that I would one day get it done. I also owe a debt of gratitude to each person who made a deposit in my life, whether it appeared to be a blessing or a curse, thank you! You have richly provided me with a plethora of ideas, topics and lessons to digest, learn and pen. You have also helped me grow in grace, forgiveness and accountability, and none of it has been wasted. Although I would have preferred to banish the hard lessons—some of them were my most monumental growth spurts. I’m certain that these lessons will continue as long as I breathe, and that they are for my own good according to Job 23:10, (But he knoweth the way that I take: when He hath tried me, I shall come forth as gold.). For that promise, I am eternally grateful.

* * *

To a faithful and powerful group of intercessors and friends: Dot Blount, Elaine Leader, Danita Hogue, Shari McRae, Deb Melchert, Judi Reid, and Jyothsna Veerapaneni. You have been called Armor Wearers, Armor Bearers, Stretcher Bearers, and Bad Prayin’ Mamas—but no matter the title—you have been a gift beyond measure to me and to my family. Without your love, prayers, advice, and correction, I am not sure where I would be today so I thank God for you daily.

* * *

To Danita Hogue: Thank you for teaching me the necessary skills I needed to transfer my handwritten journals into the proper format.

* * *

To Shari McRae: I can’t thank you enough for your patience, honesty, kindness and longsuffering; not to mention your remarkable and uncanny ability to spot every jot and tittle that doesn’t belong…you’re amazing!

* * *

Last but not least, my continuous gratitude and love to Jean Miller: You are that very special friend whom God used to love me into His Kingdom. Thank you for your faithful prayers and patience, your loving-kindness and unconditional acceptance. Surely, there is a special crown awaiting you in heaven.

* * *

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INTRODUCTION

Revisions

For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them. (Ephesians 2:10)

I ’ve never known a skillful writer who hasn’t had to make revisions. Revising is a grueling part of the writing process, but it is one of the most necessary. The time and effort it takes to critique and edit are minimal compared to the benefit of becoming a more effective writer, and so it is with life. Life is full of revisions. When I was a child, I wanted to be a bird. When I discovered the truth of my situation, I decided I would become a pilot…among numerous other desires that faded over the years. Then the day arrived when I became a young stay-at-home mom, raising two energetic and mischievous boys. At times, I thought my life needed serious revision, but rather than revise my status as a mom, it was more prudent to revise my attitude.

Throughout my childhood and teen years, and into adulthood, I was constantly revising and making numerous course corrections. Some would say I made a lot of mistakes; I prefer to think of it as having many opportunities for revision. I know God gives me numerous opportunities on a daily basis to make changes and improve, but, I also know He won’t fall off His throne if I don’t get it right the first time. Therefore, I try not to become discouraged when I need to make revisions. Rather, I purposely make it an occasion to bless the Lord and give Him thanksgiving for His grace, mercy, loving-kindness and, yes—His divine correction. He is not willing to leave me to my own devices, but continues to mold and shape me into His workmanship, fit for use. The following pages are a reflection of those course corrections since I began my life in Christ. The good news is…He’s not finished with me yet. Praise God—He is that blessed Hope!

* * *

1

Prodigal

Ramblings

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The heart is deceitful above all things,

and desperately wicked: who can know it?

—JEREMIAH 17:9

1

For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh,) dwelleth no good thing:

for to will is present with me: but how to perform that which is good I find not. (Romans 7:18)

Translated or Transformed

(Psalm 1, Romans 12:2)

W hen I received Christ as Savior, I didn’t immediately make Him Lord; it has been an ongoing process, throughout many years. Although it is my sincere desire to honor and please God, I have often fallen short of that goal. While I have learned to adapt and become more pliable, there have also been times when I have been in full rebellion on the inside, even though my outside was in compliance. I’ve often thought how much easier life would be, if I could only be translated into His Kingdom, rather than endure this slow, painful transformation. There’s a whole lot of grunge that rises to the top when we begin to recognize that Jesus is our template.

One day, the Lord showed me an example of what my own grunge looks and smells like to Him. As I walked through the house, my nose was arrested by an obnoxious smell, and it literally made me gag. I couldn’t detect where it was coming from, but it smelled like death; I wondered if it was an animal that had burrowed its way inside and then died. I walked around until I narrowed it to a particular area, and with a flashlight I began to look in every nook and cranny, and under every piece of furniture—but there was still nothing. Then it dawned on me: I have many plants throughout my house, some of which thrive better in water rather than in soil. When I drew closer to one growing in water, I needed a gas mask!

In that moment I recognized my error. I had continued to add fresh water to the container without removing the old water. But I hadn’t bothered to check to see what was happening below the surface—what a mistake! I should have known when the plant’s leaves began looking unhealthy that something was amiss. So I put the plant under a running faucet to wash out the decay, but after several attempts I could not remove the smell—the decay continued to cling to the roots. I was going to discard the whole plant, but since it still had a few healthy leaves, I had to take drastic measures to revive it. So out came the scissors, and I cut off the decaying roots to save the plant. For a while it looked like it would not survive, but today it’s thriving once again because the stinking decay was eliminated. That’s when the Lord spoke into my heart, Child, that’s what I have to do with you sometimes, because I will never throw you away.

And so that’s where I am today; all of those unsavory roots from childhood hang-ups, ideas, attitudes, feelings, preconceived notions, determinations, pride, control issues, thoughts, and actions are still being cut away by the loving hand of my Lord and Savior. I thank Him daily that He doesn’t do it all at once—I don’t think I could survive the pain. Yet, even though it hurts when He is working on me, I know I don’t want to be a stinking, decaying, putrid smell in the nostrils of God. In all honesty, I would still rather be translated. But since that’s not going to happen, I’m grateful that even with all my stink, the Lord will never leave me nor forsake me; He is always with me, and He will never throw me away. Okay, Lord, I’m holding on, so let the chopping begin! Oh no, did I just say that?

He loves you, Child, far too well to leave you in your self-made hell!

* * *

But he answered and said, Every plant, which my heavenly Father hath not planted, shall be rooted up. (Matthew 15:13)

* * *

The same Spirit that was in Christ Jesus, giving Him the ability to overcome temptation on this earth, is the same Spirit that is in every born-again believer. Therefore I am without excuse. Another ouch, Lord!

* * *

Now thanks be unto God, which always causeth us to triumph in Christ, and maketh manifest the savour of his knowledge by us in every place. For we are unto God a sweet savour of Christ, in them that are saved, and in them that perish: To the one we are the savour of death unto death; and to the other the savour of life unto life. And who is sufficient for these things? (2 Corinthians 2:14–16)

* * *

Growth is the evidence of life.

* * *

A Lost Voyage

(Galatians 5:1)

You don’t use it, you lose it, has often been said…

I lost touch with my mind from not using my head!

On vacation I journeyed from everything good

And I’ve all but forgotten to do what I should.

But one thing I recall—’tis confess and repent

And recover my mind from wherever it went.

On occasion, the Lord will allow us to experience the hopelessness

we once knew back in B.C. (Before Christ) to remind us of the goodness that we have in Him today.

* * *

I will remember the works of the LORD: surely I will remember thy wonders of old. I will meditate also of all thy work, and talk of thy doings. (Psalm 77:10–11)

* * *

Then said I, Woe is me! for I am undone; because I am a man of unclean lips, and I dwell in the midst of a people of unclean lips: for mine eyes have seen the King, the LORD of hosts. (Isaiah 6:5)

* * *

Since God uses the foolish things of the world to confound the wise, it’s possible that I could be in line for a promotion. (See 1 Corinthians 1:27.)

* * *

All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the LORD hath laid on him the iniquity of us all. (Isaiah 53:6)

* * *

Sow to yourselves in righteousness, reap in mercy; break up your fallow ground; for it is time to seek the LORD, till he come and rain righteousness upon you. (Hosea 10:12)

* * *

He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the tree of life, which is in the midst of the paradise of God. (Revelation 2:7)

* * *

Naked Warrior

(John 15:5, Hebrews 12:1–3, Ephesians 6:10–18)

Oh Father, please help me, You know I’m a mess,

Before these dear people should catch me undressed.

Your girdle of truth has just dropped to my knees,

Your breastplate popped off of my chest when I sneezed

Your shield full of faith has now slumped to my side…

I stand here half naked and have lost all my pride!

With Your shoes marked for peace, I still stayed in the race,

But I tripped over them and fell flat on my face—

Your sword of the Spirit then shot in the air,

And Your salvation helmet? It got snagged in my hair!

So Father, please help me; I’m down on my knees,

Please help me get dressed or I fear I might freeze.

With Your armor in place I’ll hold tight to Your hand,

And then having done all, I will, therefore, stand!

Child, it’s My armor you’re wearing; your enemy doesn’t know you are in there, so don’t tell him!

* * *

The night is far spent, the day is at hand: let us therefore cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armour of light. (Romans 13:12)

* * *

For ye were as sheep going astray; but are now returned unto the Shepherd and Bishop of your souls. (1 Peter 2:25)

* * *

Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled. (Matthew 5:6)

* * *

For we that are in this tabernacle do groan, being burdened not for that we would be unclothed, but clothed upon, that mortality might be swallowed up of life.

(2 Corinthians 5:4)

* * *

The more Christ-like we become—the better His armor will fit.

* * *

The Prodigal

(Luke 15:11–24)

"I’ve figured it out and I’ve mastered it now

I’m together and I’ve finally arrived!"

That perception departed as swift as it came

And I’m wondering how I’ve survived.

It’s all over now and I’m back to the start

It’s a fact I guess I must face.

This life is a bummer, a joke at its best,

And this earth…hey, I don’t like the place!

I’ll keep plodding along, though my hope is all gone,

And I’ll keep me a stiff upper lip

And next time I climb up, I won’t climb up too far

So I don’t hurt myself when I slip.

Or much better yet, I’ll just stay where I’m am,

Then there won’t be a chance that I fall.

I will be independent and won’t ask for help,

So no one will say, No! when I call.

Yes, that’s what I’ll do; I don’t need anyone—

I’ll be me and I’ll do my own thing,

But I had my own way; now why’d I do that?

My whole body is inside of a sling!

Oh God, I repent and I want to come home

I’ve been bad but I want to be good!

I’ll start listening to You and I’ll learn how to do

Everything that I know that I should…

I don’t want to go back to that pigpen again,

Help me stay in Your loving embrace.

I’m a mess on my own and I’m not safe from home,

Thank You, Lord, for Your mercy and grace!

Lord, I quit me…again!

* * *

What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound? (Romans 6:1)

* * *

Obedience is more than an action; it is a state of being.

* * *

Deliverance

(Psalm 103:14–16, Matthew 6:25–34, James 4:14–16)

Lord, show me mercy is the prayer I pray

For I sure need deliverance and I need it today

This person’s annoying and a thorn in my side

And so self absorbed and puffed up with pride

I’ve searched the scriptures in quest of the key—

See, the one who’s a thorn is none other than me!

So Lord, hear my prayer as You open my eyes

To Your truth everlasting that strips away lies

And reveals oh so plainly, to my inner ear

Your Word for this season that I need to hear

You told me to seek so I did and I found—

Though it wasn’t earth shattering, nor was it profound.

I found it in Matthew; I found it in James,

And Psalms cut me deep through the truth it proclaims.

Matthew 6:25 says I shouldn’t take thought

For my life, but get on with things that I ought,

And my life is a vapor it is said in James 4

So I must heed Your wisdom from that metaphor.

And then Psalm 103 says my days are as grass—

All it takes is the wind for this flower to pass.

So Your answer now prominently sits on my shelf,

Simply stated but clear, Child, get over yourself!

Child, if you want My Holy Spirit to have the freedom to operate in you, there is only one solution—die!

* * *

Humble yourself in the sight of the Lord, and he shall lift you up.

(James 4:10)

* * *

For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace. (Romans 8:6)

* * *

Who also hath made us able ministers of the new testament; not of the letter,

but of the spirit: for the letter killeth, but the spirit giveth life.

(2 Corinthians 3:6)

* * *

The Ignorant Theory

(Ecclesiastes Chapters 1–2)

Wisdom brings grief and with knowledge comes sorrow,

This is truth penned by Solomon’s hand.

It’s a