For My Neighbor

May I with mind and heart and hand

Seek good for others as I toil

While knowing all that God has planned

Heaps value on the human soul.

He once bestowed upon His own

The dignity of bearing grace–

The image of the God enthroned

On every man and woman placed.

Within creation, He ordained

A generosity as norm.

But in a self-exalting strain,

We fell to greed, our thoughts deformed.

Instead of work for others’ good

And for His glory and our joy

Of being with Him like we could

We found our thoughts on work destroyed.

For generations treating work

As though a part of Adam’s curse.

We self-inflicted; others hurt

While work became a sign of worth.

The other side of this divide

Between what we and God had made

Spread vast the tide of greed-based lies

That work ethic could be repaid. 

Through prosperity gospel’s call

That says Your favor manifests

To those who truly give their all,

That those with weak faith fail the test.

In yet another failed attempt

To twist our minds about good deeds, 

We think ourselves from rest exempt, 

That we’re the answer to earth’s needs. 

Adjustment, please.

May I with mind and heart and hand

Seek good for others as I toil.

While knowing all that God has planned

Heaps value on the human soul.

May I submit to works of grace

And time spend near He Who creates. 

"And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him.” (Colossians 3:17) 

“Let all that you do be done in love.” 1 Corinthians 16:14

“Choose those employments that have the greatest benefit to thy neighbor.”-- Martin Luther

Nets Equipped

Before reading this poem, take in all the fullness of this verse: 

"Now may the God of peace, Who brought up from the dead our Lord Jesus-the great Shepherd of the sheep--with the blood of the everlasting covenant, equip you with all that is good to do His will, working in us what is pleasing in His sight through Jesus Christ. 

Glory belongs to Him forever and ever. Amen.  (Hebrews 13:20-21)

And note this definition: 

Equip: Greek, Katartízō: "to refit, repair, mend that which is broken such as the nets (Matt 4:21; Mark 1:19). Metaphorically of a person in error, to restore, set right (Gal 6:1)... meaning to make a perfect fit, suitable, such as one should be, deficient in no part. Of persons (Luke 6:40; I Cor 1:10; II Cor 13:11; Heb 13:21; I Pet 5:10). ¹

And finally, enjoy this quote that together with the verses and definition above inspired this poem: 

"God mends our pasts to tend to our futures. Every time we've been broken and then allowed God to repair us, that meaning becomes part of our equipping. All the pain we've endured. All the abuse and misuse. Every betrayal. Every wound. Where God mends, He equips...Don't you see it? If we still have life and breath, God can re-purpose every shred of havoc the Devil wreaks." ²

 

Nets Equipped

I had a few nets for various uses,
But over the years, they raveled and tore.
Heart break, mistakes, troubles, abuses.
With holes--why then fish? Thus confined to the shore,
I still wanted for more.
I'd cleaned out the bait shop; what else could I do?
Exhausted resources--I'd bought every thread.
I was out of commission--yet under review.
Nothing but failure looming ahead.
My heart filled with dread.
This was my profession, my sole form of living;
Without it--no purpose or feeling worthwhile.
But then I met Him--a kind man so giving.
He looked at me fondly and said with a smile,
"Hand them here, child."
With gentle hands the faulty nets tending,
He gave an offer to repair them to me.
And though I still felt they were much beyond mending,
I nodded a yes and said, "If you please."
He worked faithfully.
The material He used though seemed rather creative,
Especially on holes seemingly beyond repairing.
His methods--so seamless, so interrelated. 
So different and beautiful, I found myself staring.
Then He spoke to me, sharing:
"I repaired this with silver to meet someone's needs
And this one with flowers for planting of seeds.
I repaired this with Kleenex® to dry someone's tears
And this one with wavelengths to give you listening ears.
I repaired this with silly string to bring someone laughter
And this one with lumber--help rebuild from disaster.
I repaired this with heart strings to give you compassion
And this one with linen that you're clothed in strength's fashion.
I repaired this with diapers for the next generation
And this one with plane tickets to reach every nation.
I repaired this with darkness so the light is comparable
And this one with nothing for the impossible is repairable."
I have a few nets for various uses.
They all have their patches, an occasional rip.
But each net Christ mends. Opportunity produces
So that every single morning I will launch my ship.
My nets are equipped.

¹ Spiros Zodhiates, The Complete Word Study Dictionary: New Testament (Iowa Falls, IA: World Bible Publishers Inc.,1992).

   ²  Beth Moore, Children of the Day: I and II Thessalonians (Nashville, TN: Lifeway Press, 2014).

You Talk Of...

Note: The poem below may not be suitable for young children as it deals with human sex trafficking.

You talk of freedom

That American dream ideal.

But is it real?

Is freedom your house

With a white-picket fence?

Or something left entirely 

To the National Defense?

But if some are still enslaved

Is freedom still free?

What of the girls 

Who long to be

Free?

You talk of freedom

But will you show it to her?

You talk of change

That we mustn't lack

But you turn your back.

Is change the metal

That fills your purse

Or what you in 

Various banks disperse?

What if each night she

Seeks sex fifteen times

To meet her pimps quota

Or pay her fines?

To fate she resigns.

You talk of change

But will you show her the way?

You talk of love

That emotion that impacts

But you ignore these facts.

Is love the abuse

Of a lustful john

Who uses a child

As a turn on?

Today, as every fifty-four 

Seconds have passed

A child has been harmed

In Atlanta; may I ask

You to act fast?

You talk of love

But will you show her what it truly means?

You talk of a future

That hope in tomorrow

But what of her sorrow?

Is a future the fact

That four-hundred will be

Trafficked in the next month

In Atlanta, our city?

And if seven thousand

Three hundred men

Will purchase sex from these slaves

Month and month again?

What then?

You talk of the future

But will you show her one?

You talk of your God

Who has power to heal.

But is your faith real?

Is your faith the thing

That you do on Sunday?

Or that thing that you claim

When at mealtimes you pray?

What if alone she cries

In the dark of the night

For someone to show her

Her value in life,

The light?

You talk of your God

But will you show Him to her?

Conviction Concerning Compassion

Sadness hid behind her eyes
Filled with struggle, poverty, lies,
Around her--roaches, mildew, mold;
This filth had taken its steady toil.
Her face for His Hope cried.

I asked her, "Are your parents here?"
She closed her eyes; they filled with tears.
"I've never met my dad before;
Mom left me with my aunt at four.
She's been gone for three years."

Her frame shook with fear and shame
She turned away to hide her pain.
I wanted to hug her though it wouldn't do much
But she pulled away at my finger's touch
Of her shoulders -- too young for such strain.

I strongly longed to fix her mess.
I could only say, "Come to VBS?"
She took the page and held it tight.
Then suddenly, I saw it -- a flicker of light
Inside her gaze of loneliness.

She spoke with surprise, "You want me to come?
I've never been invited by anyone."
I looked at her face and felt my tears rising
Her path of life and pain realizing
And a part of me tried to run.

So often we run from the truth of their days
Thinking that somehow, it'll just go away.
We've heard that it happens, we know that it's there,
But we get so caught up with me and my care
That their unreached condition stays.

I looked at her squarely to share with her truth
And said to her, "Yes. Yes! We want to have YOU!
I love you and Jesus loves you, you know"
Her aunt was calling and she'd have to go
But she flashed me a grin and I knew

I wouldn't be running anymore from their pain
For now that I'd seen it I wasn't the same.
I know the compassion that God wants in me
That shows broken people they can be free
Through the power of Jesus' name.

I Serve the One Whose Flag I Bear

I Serve the One Whose Flag I Bear

May 10, 2008

I serve the One whose flag I bear

The King of Hosts is He.

Though some would have me fear, despair,

My Lord shall stand by me.

He giveth me the strength to stand

Yea, even more to fight.

Thou Lust be on my left hand

And Pride be on my right.

I serve the One whose flag I hold,

My Captain – He will win.

And He will cause my soul be bold

To triumph over sin.

Though Satan and His host defy

The power of His name.

Still I will unto Jesus cry,

Yea, He who overcame.

I serve the One whose flag I raise

While pressing farther on.

Through danger, trouble, toilsome ways

Here by His grace I’ve come.

Yea, thus as I still breathe and live

And serve and shout and sing,

May Jesus wear the crown. I give

All glory to my King!

Here I Am, Discouraged

Here I Am, Discouraged

May 2, 2008

Lord,

Here I am, discouraged;

I need Your Strength and Song.

When things don’t seem to work out

Lord keep my faith still strong.

So here I am, I’m Yours,

May I Your channel be

And tomorrow may each one I meet

Leave impacted for Thee.

Use me, Lord.

Amen.

Take up the Banner

Take up the banner, raise it high
Unto me, you Lord, draw nigh.
Serve me with your heart, your all
Unto Me for wisdom call.
Take your banner!

Copyright Miriam Rainwater, March 29, 2008
All rights reserved.

I Will Be Faithful

I will be faithful to Thee by night and day
Cause you to prosper in My way.
If you keep all My commandment you I will bless
With lengthy days, eternal rest.
Come My people follow Me only;
I your Leader ever will be.
Unto you ever I will be faithful.
Will you be faithful unto Me?

Copyright Miriam Rainwater, March 28, 2008
All rights reserved.
Opt. Tune: Brethren We Have Met to Worship

Unite My Heart

Unite my heart, put fire within
Teach me tof ear Thy name.
For Thou art Holy, without sin
And yet in love you came.
As dark’ning clouds rolled in about
The cross – so I might live –
You asked with your last dying shout:
“These sinners, Lord forgive!”
Chorus:
Unite my heart, O Lord
Unite my heart, O Lord.
Teach me Lord to walk in truth and fear Your holy name!

Unite my heart, put fire within
Cause me to hear Thy voice.
Lord cleanse my wayward soul from sin
In truth I will rejoice.
Cleansed by Thy blood in purity
Thy channel may I be.
Proclaiming the strong surety
Found only, Lord, in Thee.
Chorus

Based on Psalm 86:11
Copyright Miriam Rainwater, March 26, 2008
All rights reserved.
Opt. Tune: Faith is the Victory

Teach me to do Thy Will

Teach me to do Thy will, O Lord,
Lead me by Thy Word.
When I grow weary, my heart restore
For I am Thy servant.

Teach me to do Thy will, Thy way;
So shall I seek Thee each day.
Close beside me Thou shalt stay
For I am Thy servant.

Teach me to do Thy will, Thy plan
To Thee I stretch forth my hands.
I need Thy help if I would stand,
For I am Thy servant.

Teach me to do Thy will as I walk
With Thee each hour will I talk
For enemies and temptations stalk;
For I am Thy servant.

Teach me to do Thy will fore’er,
Thy full salvation share.
Moment by moment seeking Thee in prayer;
Lord, I am Thy servant.


Based on Psalm 143:6, 8-10, 12
Copyright Miriam Rainwater, February 19, 2008
All rights reserved.
Opt. Tune: Seek Ye First

Here I Stand

Bold here I stand for I can do none else.
My eyes are on the Christ, the Crucified,
The Risen One. In sickness and in health,
For truth I stand and with my Jesus side.

Firm, here I stand, decision Christ-ward made
I cannot yield to falsehoods or to lies.
Strong in my Lord, I am secure and stayed
In Him who is sufficient, ever wise.

Still here I stand upon the Word of God.
I passionately seek my Savior’s face.
His path I follow that the Saints have trod.
His peace I find, His love, His joy, His grace.

Now here I stand, all else I cannot do
No matter what, I stand for what is true.

Copyright Miriam Rainwater, April 12, 2007
All rights reserved.

Leaving Me Behind

I planned out my future
And sought not Thy will.
And yet, I found mercy
In Thy eyes still.
You love, everlasting
Though I went astray.
But now, Lord, I leave me,
To follow Thy way.

I did what was right
In my sinful eyes.
And fell as a victim
To the Devil’s lies.
I sought not Thy face,
Sought only my own.
But now, Lord, I leave me
To serve you alone.

I did what I wanted
While farther apart
I moved from Thy Spirit
By my sinful heart.
But praise to Thy name
Thy mercy was mine!
So now, Lord, I leave me,
And myself behind.

Copyright Miriam Rainwater, October 1, 2006
All rights reserved.