Biblical Rhymes & Reasons: An Inspired Collection of Personal Reflections

By Stephen Maloney

Biblical Rhymes & Reasons is a book find for our times, full of energy and passion, to inspire both men and women.  From beginning to end and morning to night, rhythmic and proverbial words take you through a disciple's journey of real encounters with the Savior God, with both seriousness and humor.

Seven chapters full of deeply thoughtful and challenging expressions of mind, heart, and soul with battles between flesh and Spirit, keep both inquirers and disciples engaged through personal, relational, and cultural topics.

Author Stephen Maloney is both vulnerable and prophetic as a man and servant of God.

"Appearing as a dove above stream, inspired words rise from in between, the wings and the water. These are the words I knew and dreamed."

• Language: English
• Publisher: XinXii
• Release date: Mar 12, 2020
• ISBN: 9783966334563

Book preview

Biblical Rhymes & Reasons

An Inspired Collection

of Personal Reflections

Stephen Maloney

Copyright © 2020. All rights reserved.

No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system or transmitted in any way by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopy, recording or otherwise, without the prior permission of the author except as provided by USA copyright law.

All of the characters appearing in this work are fictitious. Any resemblance to real persons, living or dead, is purely coincidental.

The opinions expressed by the author are not necessarily those of Publisher.

Book design Copyright © 2020. All rights reserved.

Scripture References from the New American Standard Bible

RWG Publishing

PO Box 596

Litchfield, IL 62056

https://rwgpublishing.com/

Published in the United States of America

ISBN: 978-3-96633-456-3

Verlag GD Publishing Ltd. & Co KG, Berlin

E-Book Distribution: XinXii

www.xinxii.com

Table of Contents

INTRODUCTION

I. MORNING RISERS

A New Day

Begin Again

Rejoice Some

Morning Star

Awakening

Faith Within

Enough Said

Never Alone

Saving the Moments

In the Wake

Glorious Hope

Morning News

Dawning of Age

Princes of the King

II. STRUGGLES

Dwelling Together

Striving to Be

Citadels of Men

Reflections of Innocence

Boy Duck

Even Seagulls Want

Broken Flesh

Struggling with Jim

Too Much Clucking

Balls of Fire

Don’t Happen on Holiness

Money Pit

Hate No Faith

Trust I Must

Decisions

Happenings

Pleasing Reason

Suffering Too

Mothers’ Loss

Mom’s Bing Cherries

Father’s Hub

Weathering Addiction

Torn in Two

Wholly Undivided

Time Tells

III. FOLLOWING HIM

True Love Found

So This

Wanting to Know

If Following

Meat Eaters

Devil’s Schemes

No Fear

A Bowl of Courage

Surrounded Servant

Fall Witness

Seasonal Fun

A Rare Snowman

Considered Friend

Misunderstood

Man’s Work

Avoidance Broken

Contradictions

Knowing Jesus Tested

IV. THINGS TO CONSIDER

Challenge to Authority

V. STATE OF THE NATION

The Gator

Except the Babies

Glass Lands

Melting Pot

The Election

Border Rights

Realistic Idealistic

Progressive or Not

Lost Minds

Remedy for Tragedy

Humor Us

Love Her to Death

Land of Rap Opportunity

The War Within

The Wrong Prince

VI. PROFITS & LOSSES

Watches in the Night

Now Still

Do Not

Spirit Calling

Spirit Living

New Inspiration

Dream On

Upon Me

Trumpet Players

The King’s Reward

Hide Me

Fires

Celtic Souls

Dear St. Patrick

Strength with You

About

The Thrill of His Will

Encounters

The Inevitable

The Trading Clock

Eyes and Ears

Dark Under Light

Hardly Confusing

VII. THE GOOD NEWS

Beyond Words

Our Champion

When It Comes

That’s Gospel

Jesus Knew

Amazing Story

RPJ

Healing Ground

Comes with the Gift

Masterful

My Better Years

Everything

New Lifetime

Stop Watch

Conversion

Wedding Bells

Visions of Heaven

Joyful Delight

Last Rites

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

A Prayer for Your Reading

For this reason I too, having heard of the faith in the Lord Jesus which exists among you and your love for all the saints, do not cease giving thanks for you, while making mention of you in my prayers; that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give to you a spirit of wisdom and of revelation in the knowledge of Him. I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened, so that you will know what is the hope of His calling, what are the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints, and what is the surpassing greatness of His power toward us who believe.

Ephesians 1:15-19b

Thank you to my wife Maria,

Who encouraged me to start putting my little snippets together.

A woman to be praised in the gates of the city

A blessing from God

INTRODUCTION

This book of rhyme and reason is replete with biblically themed poems and proverbs of various length and complexity, strength and sensitivity, appealing to both men and women of different ages. They are organized by theme into seven chapters that bring us through a journey of faith, and are categorized as: morning risers, personal struggles, following Christ, wise things to consider, the state of the nation, prophetic challenges, and the Good News message, all which recall many personal times of earnest searching prayer, insights, some common experiences, and many very real encounters with the One Triune God and Savior of the world, in the midst of daily life, family, work, and ministry in both the Church and the world, as a servant of God.

These inspirational writings connect with the battle between our human nature and divine callings. You will be drawn into the experiences, encouraged in your faith, challenged as a Christian disciple, strengthened in the truth of God’s Word, hungering more for wisdom, intrigued by insights, and even laughing at some

humorous puns which balance out the serious intensity of some of the selections, a few which may surprise you.

This gift of a book can be appreciated on its own because of its richness or can serve as a prayer devotional supplement to bible reading, for quick inspiration, times of deep reflection, or even fun youthful rap. More than a work of Christian poetry and proverbs, Biblical Rhymes and Reasons takes you on the challenging soul-searching journey of one who is seeking God and following in His footsteps here on earth, as a man, walking by faith in and towards his heavenly calling to God, in and through His Son Jesus Christ, who also invites you to participate.

Appearing as a dove above stream,

Inspired words rise from in between, the wings and the water.

These are the words I knew and dreamed.

I, Jesus, have sent My angel to testify to you these things for the churches. I am the root and the descendant of David, the bright morning star. The Spirit and the bride say, Come. And let the one who hears say, Come. And let the one who is thirsty come; let the one who wishes, take the water of life without cost.

Revelation 22:16-17

I. MORNING RISERS

A New Day

A new day,

Not just any day, but one that has never been before,

When there is possibility, unpredictability,

Already promised instore.

Should I not be anticipating,

Participating in what is about to occur?

Should I not be excited, feel invited, about finding new love?

Even for a day?

Begin Again

Like it was in the beginning, forming, rising up from the mud,

Taking a breath, perhaps a stretch, in order to find,

My strength, my vision, my reason in time.

Can I walk? Can I talk?  Am I not alone?

Whispers as I’m waking, thoughts arising too,

Some good, some bad, some I wish I knew.

Finding my way, still darkness before day,

I begin with prayer, because I