Invitation To Glory

By Joseph Mirra

The poetic beauty of Invitation to Glory provides glimpses into the stages of mankind's spiritual journey. Brought to the fore is our hidden passion for unity and how that passion is played out in seemingly ordinary lives. In this latest work by the author of Clouds and Whispers and End Times, we might easily recognize ourselves in the sonnets that explore our relationships with our Creator and with our fellow human beings. The complexity of the human condition is revealed in expressions portraying the latent hope of the rebellious and alienated, as well as the doubts and struggles of the believer. The poetry in Invitation to Glory lets both the simple and the arrogant have their say, with all of the drama presented against the backdrop of divinely revealed truth. We see many of the tragic ways that mankind turns away from the welcoming arms of the Lord, but also get hints of the Lord's incessant work to bring his children back to the fullness of love. In recognition of the role that laughter plays in keeping a healthful perspective on life, Invitation to Glory concludes with a section of poetry that takes a humorous look at various topics, including marriage, social media, and of course, golf.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Christian Faith Publishing, Inc.
• Release date: Dec 14, 2018
• ISBN: 9781644166833

Book preview

If There’s a God

If there’s a God who tells us what to do,

Because without him we would self-destruct,

Then it’s important he be listened to;

Our welfare is his reason to instruct.

If there’s no God, those people are a cross,

Who preach how we should live a certain way.

Much worse than any overbearing boss,

They tell us what to do, but give no pay.

No wonder these two groups are all at odds,

And futile are attempts at harmony.

There’s either God or else a million gods,

And gods will claim their right of being free.

The God of love by only love is known,

And gods will melt or war when love is shown.

What Freedom, This?

What freedom, Lord, is this on us bestowed,

That lets us run from all that makes us whole;

Forgetting all the love received and owed,

Immune to any efforts to cajole?

What powers have been given to deceive

To devils dancing all about unseen;

Delighting earth and making heaven grieve,

With empty promises of pastures green?

What rescue is there for the haughty dust

That swirls in palaces not built to last,

When that time comes to reckon what is just

And make a mockery of things now past?

What gift is this that puts a freeman’s face

On slaves who’ve not the freedom of God’s grace?

Too Much

Good pleasure may a sacrifice provide

When kindly does it stay within the bound

Of which we’ve measured closely on each side,

That we are sure to end up safe and sound.

But if the circumstances don’t comply

With what we thought was our end of the deal,

Our quick reaction is with heavy sigh

To say the new demand’s beyond the pale.

That is, a limit’s set to what we’ll face—

Just this and that, and only such and such;

So when self-pity freezes us in place,

We turn away and cry out loud: Too much!

Too much, the Lord thought of the fearful cup

His father gave, but prayed and drank it up.

History Repeats (and Ends)

The would-be prophets said the end was near,

But if you’re reading this, it hasn’t come.

It’s worth our while to find, it would appear,

A better source to get our warnings from.

The bearded men with signs are not about—

Perhaps they’ve all become entrepreneurs;

And no one’s left to plant the seeds of doubt

That never-ending are the world’s allures.

Back in the days of Noah, and of Lot,

The people built and planted, ate and drank.

We too did all these things, and too forgot

That for each blessing, there was One to thank.

The Lord asks if on earth much faith he’ll find,

When he takes one, and one he leaves behind.

The Price of Freedom

Though scarred, still does the fallen earth proclaim

The wonder and the glory of the Lord;

That mankind, who with origin the same,

Might be with all creation in accord.

When not revealed, and when such was unknown,

Still goodness seekers dreamt might reign above,

And that forever they’d not be alone,

But find a destined unity of love.

But when these hopes by God would be fulfilled,

As in the garden, man would turn away,

That nothing interfere with what