It Is Finished at 33

By Daniel Otto

This book is a collection of poems and short stories of how the writings came about, stories of the younger years growing up somewhat a rebel, confused about all the rules of the Amish Mennonite churches I attended, and about what worldly meant. I began writing between my two cancer operations. I had just written my thirty-third piece called “Lost Jesus” and thought, Jesus died on the cross around the age of thirty-three. I titled my book not knowing what was to come. My writing began to broaden into other subjects of this book is in about a five-year span and a lot of things changed.

I always thought my life was different from others but finding out we are the same. So, if just one person is touched by something I have written, it was worth it. My prayer to all that read my writings is that you will be encouraged to serve the Lord, because sometimes he may be all you have.

But rest assured, Jesus is all you’ll ever need.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Covenant Books, Inc.
• Release date: Jan 6, 2022
• ISBN: 9781638859253

Book preview

Jesus in Sneakers

While driving down the highway, I saw a Sneaker’s sign

I thought, man, you’d better go in and get you a new pair while you got the

time

I had to park in front, it was full in the back

I walked in the front door; man, the place was packed

There were guys sitting at tables and some around a bar

A girl on TV, up in the comer, was selling vintage cars

I went to a table; I took the very last chair

One guy got loud: man, they’re sure happy in here

What kind of shoe store is this place?

Everybody’s drinking beer!

After sitting a while, I questioned, What’s a goin’ on?

A stranger appeared, asking, Can I help you, son?

I said, "I sure hope so, I was looking for a shoe store,

But it looks more like a watering hole."

He replied, "I’m not a shoe salesman, but I can help you, friend

I’ve got an extra pair; I think they’ll fit you, man."

He pulled out a pair of sneakers

They were cut out of both ends

I thought, these sure look funny

They weren’t your ordinary Keds

He said, "You see this switch in front of the sole?

When your feet get weary, switch it, it’ll change the direction of your toes

But sir, your old shoe’s not your problem; it’s the poor condition of your

soles."

I looked up to thank him, but he was no longer there

He left like he came, gone in thin air

The man looked real familiar, kind of like the picture behind Granny’s

rocking chair

I’m pretty sure it was Jesus in Sneakers

In that strange shoe store that day

Saying, Turn your life around, it’s your soul I want to save.

I wrote this when Clinton and Trump were in the primaries. I noticed a lot of Christians were getting caught up in the elections, all the lies, and the anger. As Christians, we need to keep our focus on God and not on man. We keep forgetting who’s in control. The Bible has recorded many stories of men and women of great faith that have shown us how to trust in the Lord in times of trouble. We seem to think we know so much about God and Jesus, but we have but a faint understanding of how the Holy Spirit works. So instead of getting angry and flustered, why not listen for the small still voice to lead us through troubled times? So let us continue to show the love of Jesus to this lost and dying world. Look up, your redemption draweth nigh!

Christian Vote

If Jesus was in the running

I wonder how he’d do

I know about me

But, brother and sister, how about you?

God builds up nations

And God tears nations down

You forget God

He’ll tune out

Our leaders use God

For their own political gain

But you rarely hear them mention

Jesus’s precious name

There is only one true God

In form of man, he came

And Jesus is his name

They know little of the Holy Spirit

Of which the Christian cannot survive

The small, still voice

That controls the Christian’s very life

So I guess what I’m saying

If we’re a Christian nation as we claim to be

Why is there so much division?

Why can’t we agree?

Where is all the love

That we are supposed to have

There’s trouble the world over

It is so very sad

So fellow Christians

Turn your eyes to heaven above

And thank the one true God

For sending Jesus, his one and only Son

And for sending the Holy Spirit

To guide you and me

If you’re a true Christian

You’ll vote for the Trinity

I wrote this on the road after a family argument, and I know of several stories of family fights that carried to the grave without forgiveness. Most things start from greed or misunderstanding. The sad truth is that the lack of love is what causes most problems. I’m so thankful for the leading of the Holy Spirit and the ability to hold my tongue. A gentle spirit turns away wrath! There have been many times when I have been considered ignorant, dumb, or just plain stupid. I won’t lie and say that it doesn’t hurt because it does, but God always reminds me that He always brings the truth to light. The one that’s in the wrong knows, so why get in an argument? A lot of fights are over inheritance, one thinking they deserve more than the other, or some think they should have it all. The Bible teaches that we have to forgive them that do us wrong even if it is a large sum. God knows, and He will even the score. So don’t try to get even; instead, love the wrongdoer that much more and see what God will do!

I Don’t Ever Have to Be Right

Lord, I wonder why some people are always right

And to the same, I’m always wrong

It seems every time I answer

I get a real big gong

Lord, I know I’m not the smartest person

That you’ve ever made

Shoot, I came up one month short

Of finishing my tenth grade

Lord, You said in the Scriptures

You sent the dumb to confound the wise

And for that I know,

I’m overqualified

But to the dumb

You show us what is right

And through the Holy Spirit

You help us avoid a fight

Many friendships and families

Have been broken

And through one argument, years have gone by

Since they’ve last spoken.

Some fights have lasted a lifetime

Until one or the other dies

The one living swears

They will never cry

The Bible says if you cannot forgive others,

He will not forgive you

So, if you want to go to heaven,

Which way do you choose?

So, when it comes down to it,

And I’ve got a chance to avoid a lifetime fight

Lord, remind me daily,

I don’t ever have to be right

This was written about reviving a lost love with the other half not sure about wanting the relationship to last. One thing I’ve found is that you cannot make someone love you, but it’s better found out early rather than later. If your relationship is not centered on God, you’re headed for ruin. The latest consensus on marriage is that on 50 percent that survive, Christians are included. This seems to indicate that God is not at the forefront because, with God, all things can be worked out. It’s that love thing again!

Written on a Scroll

I’ve heard the old boys talking about where the simple play

out in left field, sometimes they let me, but mostly on rainy days

So, honey, I’m going to keep it simple, I’m trying to keep it in the park

The sun is going down; let’s fix this before it gets too dark

I’ve made a couple boneheaded plays,

But doesn’t it take three before you’re out?

Please give me one more chance to show you what I’m all about

I’ve barely played this game, mostly as a child

Back when I was dumb and crazy, yes, running wild

We dated back in high school, and I liked you then

The second time was different; you changed the heart of this man

I love you with all my heart; that’s all I can say

It’s been only a couple weeks, but it seems a million days

So, I’m writing this letter, yes, I’m baring my soul

I want to live with you forever, even after I am old

Apostle Paul wrote of his love for the church back in the days of old

And if I had to go back two thousand years, my love for you to show

I’d take a permanent marker and have it

Written on a scroll

This story is about my friend Scott, two months before his liver gave out. Scott lost his son, Jared, in a fiery car crash. He loved his son so much; he just couldn’t get over it. A mutual friend, Barry, called at about 12:30 on a Saturday afternoon telling me about Scott’s situation. He was concerned about his salvation. I read a few things that I had written; then I read six titles to some future writings. He said, Back up, you need to write that one. It was It’s Not Over Yet, Man. I didn’t give it much thought, but that next morning at 3:30, the Lord sat me up in bed and said,

Go write this down.

Little did I know what amazing things the Lord had in store. It’s not over until God says it’s over!

It’s Not Over Yet, Man

To my friend, Scotty

It’s 3:30 in the morning, and I just can’t get to sleep

The Lord said, Get up and write this down

These words they won’t just keep

Barry, Joe the Plumber, called yesterday afternoon

He said, "Are you sitting down?

I’ve got some really bad news"

Barry said unless you get a miracle

It’s all going to be over soon

He told me you need a new liver

Your old one is worn out

Probably a couple too many Buds, no doubt

But hey, I’m not condemning you, man

I understand your pain

It comes back to haunt you time and time again

I know the loss of Jared really broke your heart

Why didn’t he call or just keep his car in park?

I’m going to ask God to give you a new liver

But that’s not where I’m going to start

First, I’m going to ask Him to mend your broken heart

You’ve got a wife, kids, grandkids,

And a bunch of crazy friends that love you, man

We are just asking you to love us back the best that you