The Gifts of the Magi

The Wise Men brought gold
To honor the infant King;
High esteem was shown.

Frankincense given
Demonstrated Jesus' role
As our great High Priest.

As our "pontiface,"
Jesus is the Bridge Builder,
Or Mediator

Between us and God,
Who offered His sinless self
To atone for sin.

Jesus still fulfills
His priesthood, interceding
For us before God.

Myrrh, a costly gift
Used mostly at burials,
Prophetically

Spoke of Jesus' death
And His role as Redeemer,
Laying down His life

So we could be saved
From separation from God
In eternity.

How do I respond?
The Wise Men came to worship,
Humbly bowing down

To the Messiah,
Honoring Him as High Priest,
Redeemer, and King.

What gifts shall I bring
To honor my Redeemer,
My High Priest, and King?

I will honor Christ
As sovereign over life
And all creation.

He walked among men
So that we could walk with Him
Through eternity.

The Magi journeyed
To worship the newborn King
In Bethlehem town.

This Christmas, I, too,
Will worship the King of kings
And the Lord of lords.

I will give to Him
An offering of worship
All throughout my life.

Six Funerals

Within two weeks' time,
Six funerals in our church;
Loved ones gone from us.

While tears flow freely
As their presence we will miss,
We're not without hope.

They believed in God;
They all loved the Lord Jesus:
Their faith was secure.

They now see Jesus,
Communing with all the saints,
Praising God with joy.

One day we'll see them
In the heavenly mansions
When God calls us home.

Then, we'll see Jesus
And caress His nail-pierced hands
As we kneel in awe.

Praise our Redeemer
Who won for us salvation!
Heaven is our home.

Approaching a Poem

As a writing instructor, I introduce my students to a variety of writing styles, including poetry. Poetry's true life is in the human mouth, mind, and soul. Todd Davis, author of three volumes of poetry, including The Least of These (Michigan State University Press, 2010), wrote: "(A poem) should be read aloud so the words vibrate in the mouth and in the chest. Our ears and tongues need to be involved. If you are unsure what a poem 'means,' don't worry. Read it again for the simple pleasure of reading it. If some meaning begins to take shape, wonderful. But a good poem will continue to evolve in its meaning and in its being over the course of your lifetime."

A Veteran's Day Memory

The following art association poem is written by one of my sixth grade students at Salem Lutheran School in Tomball, Texas, Nicole Grant:

Painting, “The American Way,” by Norman Rockwell
Poem, “Veteran’s Day Memory,” by Nicole Grant

When I feed my daughter, I feel passion.
As she opens her mouth, I smile;
She smiles back and says,
“Why are you smiling, Daddy?”
I say, “I’m going to miss that pretty little smile upon your face.”
As I leave to go into the battle field, I remember her smile.
It brings an idea to my mind:
“When I see her smile, I will fight for her and for my country.”
As I am walking away, I turn back and look at her.
I see her sitting right where I left her.
I see tear drops coming from her eyes.
She tells me to be safe,
And that she will be right where I left her
When I come back from the battle field.
So I say, “I love you,” and walk away.

Happy Veterans’ Day
November 11, 2011

Victory Over Temptation

Devotion, as a Haiku poem:

We must be alert
To approach of temptation
Where vulnerable.

Sinful enticements
Invite us to move outside
God's Will for our life.

Temptation beckons
Us to carry God-given
Desires beyond

God-given limits.
Know vulnerabilities;
Prepare a defense.

Take precautions to
Find the escape route promised
By God when tempted.

Correct course quickly;
Don't become estranged from God,
Overwhelmed with shame.

Commit to obey
God, study Scripture, and pray;
Retrain your focus.

Meditate daily
On God's Word; He will strengthen
Your heart and your mind.

With God's power, you'll
Douse Satan's flaming arrows
And claim victory.

Bible Readings:

1 Corinthians 10:12,13 - "Therefore, let anyone who thinks that he stands, take heed, lest he fall. No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and He will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation, He will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it."

James 1:12-16 - "Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life, which God has promised to those who love Him. Let no one say when he is tempted, 'I am being tempted by God,' for God cannot be tempted with evil, and He himself tempts no one. But each person is tempted when he is lured and enticed by his own desire. Then desire, when it has conceived, gives birth to sin, and sin, when it is fully grown, brings forth death. Do not be deceived, my beloved brothers."

Best Friends (A Haiku Poem)

Love us as we are;
Challenge us to be better
To praise our Maker.

Facing the Death of a Friend

Beth, the young mother of two teen-aged daughters, is facing death from an aggressive form of cancer. The best doctors that one could have at M. D. Anderson Cancer Center closed the incision on a large, fast-growing tumor, acknowledging with regret that nothing more could be done to promote healing in her body. The dear mother's greatest fear--that her daughters would be left without a mother--will likely be soon realized.

Beth's eternity is secure; the bliss of heaven awaits her with certainty. Even as we grieve, the foundation for our security is Jesus Christ. He promises us in Hebrews 13:5, "I will never leave you nor forsake you." As verse 6 declares, "So we can confidently say, 'The Lord is my helper; I will not fear...'" God's promise in verse 8 is sure, "Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever." We can be confident that Jesus never changes; His character, His works, and His words remain the same forever.

God loves us perfectly and consistently. As we face the death of a beloved mother, our heavenly Father will strengthen, guide, and uphold us. We hold fast to Jesus, our anchor, and cling to our loving and unchangeable Lord.