Something Extra

I have dozens of poems, probably more, that I have written on Sunday mornings during sermons at church.  On the way home, I will read them to David and Kirsten and David will say to e-mail them to the pastor.  I, of course, mean to do it but don't get around to it so these poems on the backs of Sunday bulletins are tucked away all over my house.  Very seldom did they make it back to church.  I have two in front of me now.  One from last weeks sermon by Pastor Mark and one from this week.  If you go to parkhillsefc.org then on the left side, click on "Sermon Audio".  August 1 sermon is there now and today's will be added soon.  They are both very powerful.  My poems are not powerful but they speak for me.

Herod held Peter,
Condemned him to die,
An example to people
That Christ was a lie.

Deep in a fortress
16 guards watching him,
Chained between two.
The outlook was grim.

Peter was ready.
Death held no fear.
Heaven awaited.
Jesus was clear.

The church had gathered.
They earnestly prayed,
Not even conceiving
The answer God made.

Peter was roused
From this last earthly sleep
By the touch of an angel
Charged with his keep.

The guards never wakened
As Peter walked out.
Gates opened themselves
Moved by God's hands, no doubt.

Peter went to his people.
His faith never failed.
But his praying Christians
Denied as he hailed.

They'd asked God for rescue
With determination
But found they all lacked
Any real expectation.

The lesson of Peter
In his time and beyond
Is when you earnestly pray,
Trust that God WILL respond.
jj/10


The poem from today's sermon is:

So many times,
I am deterred,
By the simplicity
Of praying words.

You, Lord, deserve
Praise in abundance,
But sometimes that bounty
May be an encumbrance.

I struggle for phrases
To capture Your greatness
Seeking extravagance,
I find second rateness.

Lord, You've Biblically made it
Abundantly clear
How simple the words are
That You want to hear.

Honor and worship,
You richly deserve.
My dependent surrender
No self I reserve.

You desire my faith,
My trust and my hope.
You want me to ask you
To help me to cope.

My prayer now is simple,
As my words can be.
My Father and friend,
God  abide now in me.
jj/10