A Variation of Inspiration

By Reginald Barnes

A variation of inspiration is exactly what Reginald Barnes hopes and prays that the reader will find in this book. There are many great books available to readers, but there are also too many books that are not healthy reading material. Speaking for myself, I can confirm this to be true, for many books can have adverse effects on us. A Variation of Inspiration consists of true-to-life Bible-related material. Some are based on personal experience, some on family experience, but all are related to the true Scripture. Each poem has a story to explain what inspired the writing of each poem. Each story has a Bible verse related to the story. Each poem, story, and verse has a picture that relates to the topic of the poem. It is the author's hope and prayer that you will find something in this book that will be an inspiration to you.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Christian Faith Publishing, Inc.
• Release date: Jun 6, 2023
• ISBN: 9798886163551

Book preview

Table of Contents

Title

Copyright

Preface

Acknowledgments

Falsehood vs. Truth

The Truth

The Bible

The Checkerboard Bible

I Shall Be Here but for a While

Beyond the Galaxies

Love—the Free Gift

Teach Me, Guide Me, Help Me

The Stages of Life

Someday

Love—God's Gift

Christmas

The Sting of Death

We Know Not When

The Gift of Love

That Better Way

Life Is Not Measured by Achievements

Life Is Not to Be Lived in Vain

The Beggar

Each Day I Climb One Golden Stair

The Crystal Chandelier

Holy Matrimony

Friendship—Flower of the Heart

Friend or Fool

The Unexplainable

Oh, Universe

Time

Written in the Stars

That Four-Letter Word Called Love

What Is a Wife?

Birthday Tribute

Valentine

What Do I Want for Christmas?

The Great Physician

Mr. Perfect

Let Me Be a Friend

The Blessed Friend

A Special Friend

Your Smile

The Mirror Never Lies

Relentlessness

Companionship

Alone

When Comes My Turn

Hang in There

As With

Thanksgiving Prayer

For Reason of His Own

Not Until

Such a Long Way to Go

(I Believe That) We Will Meet Again

About the Author

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A Variation of Inspiration

Reginald Barnes

ISBN 979-8-88616-354-4 (paperback)

ISBN 979-8-88616-355-1 (digital)

Copyright © 2023 by Reginald Barnes

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means, including photocopying, recording, or other electronic or mechanical methods without the prior written permission of the publisher. For permission requests, solicit the publisher via the address below.

Christian Faith Publishing

832 Park Avenue

Meadville, PA 16335

www.christianfaithpublishing.com

Printed in the United States of America

To my beloved wife, who passed away just before this went to the publisher

Having sustained many delays, it is dedicated in her honor and, of course, in honor of God and Jesus Christ—in love that never fails.

Preface

This is a book of poetry.

I became interested in poetry as a kid to the point I tried writing my own. Off and on through the years I have dabbled in poetry. I used to pine poems away to anyone who expressed interest in poetry or to those who were experiencing a problem to which I had written something relative thereto. I wanted to make use of them rather than having them lie dormant, so I entered some in poetry anthologies. I then decided to write greeting cards. That did not work out successfully; thus, my poems lay dormant again. Eventually, I got the idea of using them in church bulletins, newsletters, cards, and the like in my church. After three attempts at churches I attended, all three were unsuccessful; my poems again lay dormant. Finally, I decided to do what I should have done long ago—compile them in book form. So here is one book.

Although many people may not be interested in poetry, it is more than just a few lines that rhyme (or they may not rhyme). A poem is usually a story in condensed form. Instead of a book, a poem usually has one or two pages. A poem usually has a story to tell, in condensed form; a lesson to the present; or a particular point to be made.

The poems in this book are all, in the same way, related to the Holy Bible. They are true to life and true to my belief and knowledge of the Bible. It is my hope and prayer that you, the reader, will find something of value and use within these pages. You finding some inspiration, which will be a source of incentive to you, is the purpose of this book.

Acknowledgments

My heartfelt thanks go to Eric and Christine Blakut and Sally Blue and Sarah Williams for all their generous help in typing and helping me to get this book done.

My heartfelt thanks go to Marty Brady Bruton for her meaningful encouragement, inspiring me in the writing of this book.

My heartfelt thanks go to Megan (Gavin) Layton. She was not only a great help in organizing this book but also a great aid to my ailing wife, Darline, while I was so desperately trying to get this book to a publisher. Thank you, Megan!

My heartfelt thanks go to each and every one of you who reads and appreciates this book. Even though I do not know you, each of you has been a great help because readers produce books.

Falsehood vs. Truth

Proverbs 19:9

A false witness shall not be unpunished, and he that speaketh lies shall perish.

Falsehood vs. Truth

I am pretty sure that all of us, at one time or another in our life, have been subjected to falsehood. I believe I am not mistaken. We are not born free of sin; we are born in sin. The Bible says we are born of a sinful nature, and we are so until we are saved by accepting Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior. Truth remains truth, and falsehood remains falsehood. There is that all expression, little white lie; but to God, a lie is a lie regardless of what size or color it is.

In the past, in my younger years, I was guilty of falsehood so many times I could not even count them. Often it was not deliberate, but it was simply not knowing Scripture or not knowing for certain what I was telling someone. Of course, many times back then, it was a deliberate lie because I did not realize the danger and problems involved in lying.

In truth, we must be certain that what we are conveying to someone is the truth or at least as far as we are able to know. Hearsay is another way to pass falsehood—again not knowing for certain that it comes from the proper source. The Bible says in James 3:8–10,

But the tongue can no man tame; it is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison. There with we bless God, even the Father; and there with curse we men, which are made after the similitude of God. Out of the same mouth proceedeth blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not so to be.

Falsehood vs. Truth

Falsehood remains falsehood, truth remains truth,

and so shall be regardless of whether or not it is believed.

A lesson far better to be learned in one's youth,

to mature in wisdom and not grow up deceived.

For Satan has been hard at work, causing sin and doubt,

as falsehood just continues getting stronger.

Truth is being threatened from within and without,

as people pray and ask: Lord, how much longer?

Keep your faith forever strong, don't let Satan inside,

keep your focus always on the Lord.

In the Father's love, always continue to abide,

in God's truth is our eternal reward.

The Truth

2 Corinthians 13:8

For we can do nothing against the truth, but for the truth.

The Truth

I can remember a phrase that I heard very often as a kid: Sometimes the truth hurts. Yes, sometimes it does.