He’s not trying to trick us

 Here’s today’s song. It’s called:

He’s not trying to trick us

God's not trying to trick us, Not withholding data 

He's telling us everything 

All we need to know, look up, it's all on show

Reach for prize higher than anything 

What we're straining toward, heavenly reward 

We may not see all things the same 

Let's not divide, don't need to collide 

He reveals all in Jesus' name 

Keep walking, keep minding, Already attained it all 

Walk past arguing and factions 

He's not trying to trick us, He could, but that would lick us 

He's shown us in His Son all His actions

What we're straining toward, heavenly reward 

We all may not see all things the same 

Let's not divide, don't need to collide 

He reveals all in Jesus' name 

What we're straining toward, heavenly reward 

We all may not see all things the same 

Let's not divide, don't need to collide 

He reveals all in Jesus' name.

Philippians 3:13-16 (KJV)

13 Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, 14 I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.

15 Let us therefore, as many as be perfect, be thus minded: and if in any thing ye be otherwise minded, God shall reveal even this unto you. 16 Nevertheless, whereto we have already attained, let us walk by the same rule, let us mind the same thing.

You can be a lil sad and still be ok

 Here’s today’s poem. It’s called:

You can be a lil sad and still be ok

God's bigger than our brains, knows how to keep us 

He's actually Perfect Peace 

Our minds are made, on Him they're stayed 

Don't let certainty cease 

Melancholy meets us all 

Even Kings & Queens 

You can be a lil sad and be ok 

Ask Him what melancholy means 

Peter, Paul, Mary, even Jesus was sad 

Rejoicing through sorrow Divine 

Paul had his thorn, troubled and worn 

With Jesus forever feels fine.

Isaiah 26:3 (KJV)

3 Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace,

whose mind is stayed on thee:

because he trusteth in thee.

2 Corinthians 6:10 (KJV)

10 As sorrowful, yet alway rejoicing; as poor, yet making many rich; as having nothing, and yet possessing all things.

Fantasy hurts

 Here’s today’s song. It’s called:

Fantasy hurts

Listen, son, listen to those who stood with Solomon 

They learnt from the wisest man 

Fantasy pairs with pride, hurts even those who hide

Learn young to reject it while you can 

Fantasy hurts, fantasy flirts 

Don't turn from truth to fables 

Fantasy fixed to fear, itching ears will hear 

If it takes you turn the tables 

Can I just confess, I can't curse or bless

I'm relying on You for reality 

My mind will play tricks, on You my gaze will fix

Preaching, I outlive mortality 

Fantasy hurts, fantasy flirts 

Don't turn from truth to fables 

Fantasy fixed to fear, itching ears will hear 

If it takes you turn the tables 

Fantasy hurts, fantasy flirts 

Don't turn from truth to fables 

Fantasy fixed to fear, itching ears will hear 

If it takes you turn the tables.

1 Kings 12:10-11

The young men who had grown up with him replied, “These people have said to you, ‘Your father put a heavy yoke on us, but make our yoke lighter.’ Now tell them, ‘My little finger is thicker than my father’s waist. My father laid on you a heavy yoke; I will make it even heavier. My father scourged you with whips; I will scourge you with scorpions.’”

2 Timothy 4:2-4 (KJV)

2 Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine. 3 For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; 4 And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables.

Universal sin

 Here’s today’s song. It’s called:

Universal sin

Your ways are higher, You know no bounds 

Your love extends to all 

We're down here, grouped on grounds 

Sinning since The fall

We claim we're right, we build up might 

Our trust is misplaced 

We're captives taken cause we've forsaken 

Where our God is based 

Jesus said, "My Kingdom is not of this world"

If it was then would my servants fight 

Now I Am, both King and Lamb

Look above for what is right

We claim we're right, we build up might 

Our trust is misplaced 

We're captives taken cause we've forsaken 

Where our God is based 

We claim we're right, we build up might 

Our trust is misplaced 

We're captives taken cause we've forsaken 

Where our God is based.

1 Kings 8:46

“When they sin against you—for there is no one who does not sin —and you become angry with them and give them over to their enemies, who take them captive to their own lands, far away or near;

John 18:36 (KJV)

36 Jesus answered, My kingdom is not of this world: if my kingdom were of this world, then would my servants fight, that I should not be delivered to the Jews: but now is my kingdom not from hence.

Let The Spirit lead

 Here’s today’s poem. It’s called:

Let The Spirit lead

You've always led, You've always been our Shepherd 

From ancientdom until today 

Immutable, shepherd still suitable 

Doesn't drive, Spirit leads His way 

We are not condemned, who walk after Spirit 

We are free from the law 

Take your next breath, you're free from sin and death 

You're seeing through eyes Jesus saw

Believers lead His life, walk behind His voice 

We know Him, we've always been His sheep

Known from ancient days, always known His ways 

Law fulfilled in us is deep. 

Romans 8:1-4 (KJV)

1 There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit. 2 For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death. 3 For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh: 4 That the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.

Oldest Daughter’s wedding speech

So many wonderful memories of my beautiful girl rise to the surface it's going to be hard to keep this short... but there are other speakers so I'll have to try and keep it together and be concise.

I'll start by saying that, just like all children, you, Elissa, are a miracle walking. You were, in fact, promised by God which is why we named you Elissa, the definition of which is 'Promised by God'.

You have always been and continue to be an inquisitive, smart, and social person.., and a little sassy too. One of my favourite things about you is that you're always willing to share your own personal space with others in a way that puts people at ease and is really infectious, you draw people into your heart. 

One of my favourite memories of you, and this memory just sums up what I just said, is when we were flying internationally one time in late 90's so you would have been 4 or 5 or maybe 6. Mum and I would be dealing with Rosie in the bassinet so you would often sit by yourself which didn't bother you because you'd simply reach up and ring the bell for the stewardess to come your seat. They'd get to you, look down into those  big, beautiful, brown eyes and you'd simply say" How you going?" & you'd instantly make a friend of them and you guys would chat chat chat and then you'd go back to watching a movie or playing games or sleeping. We used to fly over to the USA and see my family often so by the time Elissa was 10 she'd been on a bunch of planes and was an expert traveller. You've actually been our helper sweet girl and I can remember a bunch of times when you, my gorgeous, were the most calm and collected person in the airport. 

Calm and collected is actually your resting position. No surprise that you're able to work in an emergency department as you're naturally calm and collected. 

I'll always be your dad and I'll always love and cherish you and all of our memories together. 

I'll now turn my attention to the new memories that you're starting with this new guy in your life, Brad. 

Now you all know I'm from Texas and we Texans still have a Wild West attitude and,well, you'll never find me backing up or backing down. We're naturally cautious and a tad suspicious I guess due to having to sleep in the desert with rattlesnakes around. You never know when one tries to crawl in your sleeping bag with you to get your warmth. Probably why we're known to pack a gun as well.

Well, I can honestly say to you Brad that, as suspicious and downright mean as I am about my gorgeous daughter, I have a feeling you're no rattlesnake 😀. Julia and I have come to love you and we are so happy that you are now part of our family. We welcome you and all y'all right in to our family. 

If all yall will bear with me a minute, I'd like to finish by praying a blessing over the newlyweds. It's a blessing these girls will know well because I've prayed the same blessing over them for their entire lives... it's this: Dear Lord, please bless this couple with Joy, Peace, Safety, Health, Wealth, & Thankfulness. Amen.

Julia, our whole family, and I bless you both as you start this new chapter of your lives and can I finish by saying it's not just the two of you in this marriage. You see, the wisest man to ever live, Solomon, said in Ecclesiastes 4:12" A cord of three strands is not easily broken" and my unending prayer for you two is that you'll continually invite the third strand of your cord, a person, into your marriage. That person is Jesus.

Death throes

 Here’s today’s poem. It’s called:

Death throes 

I  remember what the throes are like 

I know how slavery felt 

My old self still sits on the shelf 

Curious if his card'll be dealt 

I have the choice, I can deal him in 

I can ply him with food and drink 

If I make him stronger he can live longer 

Why would I is what I think 

My one desire is to starve my old self 

Live in the present, today 

Do away with the member, 'cause I can remember 

Words that the slave would say.

Romans 6:6

For we know that our old self was crucified with him so that the body ruled by sin might be done away with, that we should no longer be slaves to sin —

Astonishing angel

 Here’s today’s song. It’s called:

Astonishing angel

Even the first century church was astonished, still astonishing today 

Bold behaviour, Peter's saviour

Freedom still His way 

Emancipation, liberation 

Our Lord's a freedom fighter 

When we open the door to Him 

Our futures always brighter 

We can't imagine what His Light looks like 

We can't start to know His Glory

All we do is open the door 

Astonished in His story 

Emancipation, liberation 

Our Lord's a freedom fighter 

When we open the door to Him 

Our futures always brighter 

Emancipation, liberation 

Our Lord's a freedom fighter 

When we open the door to Him 

Our futures always brighter.

Acts 12:15-16

“You’re out of your mind,” they told her. When she kept insisting that it was so, they said, “It must be his angel.”

But Peter kept on knocking, and when they opened the door and saw him, they were astonished.

I’m Ananias

 Here’s today’s song. It’s called:

I’m Ananias

I care about optics, though I say I don't 

Weirdly, I love people's praise 

Generous, I'm pretending, my mammons unending 

Fearfully, I see His banner raise

Why, oh why, do I lie 

Why hold back part of the price 

I know the Truth, I've known from youth 

Won't make the same choice twice 

Ananias died, fell right there 

God's a gracious Host 

He leads me to repeatedly repent 

I too will give up The Ghost 

Why, oh why, do I lie 

Why hold back part of the price 

I know the Truth, I've known from youth 

Won't make the same choice twice 

Why, oh why, do I lie 

Why hold back part of the price 

I know the Truth, I've known from youth 

Won't make the same choice twice. 

Psalms 60:4 (KJV)

4 Thou hast given a banner to them that fear thee, that it may be displayed because of the truth. 

Acts 5:1-5 (KJV)

1 But a certain man named Ananias, with Sapphira his wife, sold a possession, 2 And kept back part of the price, his wife also being privy to it, and brought a certain part, and laid it at the apostles' feet. 3 But Peter said, Ananias, why hath Satan filled thine heart to lie to the Holy Ghost, and to keep back part of the price of the land? 4 Whilst it remained, was it not thine own? and after it was sold, was it not in thine own power? why hast thou conceived this thing in thine heart? thou hast not lied unto men, but unto God. 5 And Ananias hearing these words fell down, and gave up the ghost: and great fear came on all them that heard these things.

Be who you are

 Firstly, a bit of context on the literary structure for this poem: an ancient royal treaty . Decalogue = 10 Commandments and a treaty was:

1/ Identify yourself 

2/ Historical prologue

3/ Stipulations

Most people are two:

Pre-Christian then Christian.

I’m three in a way:

Pre-Christian, Christian, then injured Christian (post-stroke)

Here’s today’s poem. It’s called:

Be who you are

Like the decalogue, I'm part of old 

Instead of two, I'm three 

Born male I breathed, my sword sheathed 

Redeemed, my soul set free 

 I'm then hurt, heart hurts brain 

Usually hand in hand

Then that day, come what may 

Changed, three will stand 

Three has rules, three looks up 

Three, at times, seems odd

Three refuses, three says no 

Three only fights for God.

1 Samuel 12:2-3

Now you have a king as your leader. As for me, I am old and gray, and my sons are here with you. I have been your leader from my youth until this day. Here I stand. Testify against me in the presence of the LORD and his anointed. Whose ox have I taken? Whose donkey have I taken? Whom have I cheated? Whom have I oppressed? From whose hand have I accepted a bribe to make me shut my eyes? If I have done any of these things, I will make it right.”

Acts 5:34-39

But a Pharisee named Gamaliel, a teacher of the law, who was honored by all the people, stood up in the Sanhedrin and ordered that the men be put outside for a little while. Then he addressed the Sanhedrin: “Men of Israel, consider carefully what you intend to do to these men. Some time ago Theudas appeared, claiming to be somebody, and about four hundred men rallied to him. He was killed, all his followers were dispersed, and it all came to nothing. After him, Judas the Galilean appeared in the days of the census and led a band of people in revolt. He too was killed, and all his followers were scattered. Therefore, in the present case I advise you: Leave these men alone! Let them go! For if their purpose or activity is of human origin, it will fail. But if it is from God, you will not be able to stop these men; you will only find yourselves fighting against God.”

sed, and it all came to nothing. After him, Judas the Galilean appeared in the days of the census and led a band of people in revolt. He too was killed, and all his followers were scattered. Therefore, in the present case I advise you: Leave these men alone! Let them go! For if their purpose or activity is of human origin, it will fail. But if it is from God, you will not be able to stop these men; you will only find yourselves fighting against God.”

Covered and adorned

 Here’s today’s song. It’s called:

Covered and adorned 

God creates the appetite as well as the food 

He's been feeding all for years 

His Name never ends, His only Son He sends 

The Lord's our righteous Saviour, saved in tears

There has been but won't be again 

A deluge, yes, a flood 

Our refuge through deluge

Our hope in Jesus' blood

Covered and adorned by Him 

Our consolations not ceased 

Jesus entered for us all 

Maketh Him High Priest

There has been but won't be again 

A deluge, yes, a flood 

Our refuge through deluge

Our hope in Jesus' blood

There has been but won't be again 

A deluge, yes, a flood 

Our refuge through deluge

Our hope in Jesus' blood.

Jeremiah 23:6

In his days Judah will be saved

and Israel will live in safety.

This is the name by which he will be called:

The LORD Our Righteous Savior.

Psalms 46:11

11 The LORD of hosts is with us;

the God of Jacob is our refuge. 

Hebrews 6:17-20

17 Wherein God, willing more abundantly to shew unto the heirs of promise the immutability of his counsel, confirmed it by an oath: 18 That by two immutable things, in which it was impossible for God to lie, we might have a strong consolation, who have fled for refuge to lay hold upon the hope set before us: 19 Which hope we have as an anchor of the soul, both sure and stedfast, and which entereth into that within the veil; 20 Whither the forerunner is for us entered, even Jesus, made an high priest for ever after the order of Melchisedec.

Groupthink

 My late father, Dr. Carl M. ‘Cheesie’ Nelson, a mathematician who became a University President, a Texas state lobbyist for Universities, and a master cartoonist, taught me a valuable lesson about groupthink when I was a kid…. Dad said, “Clay, most people are wrong about most things most of the time”.

Sin grows

 Here’s today’s poem. It’s called:

Sin grows 

Oh the irony, it's just sad

Most folks followed the crowd 

Lazarus lives, Life Jesus gives

Power made priests proud 

Suddenly standing, oh no now what 

We need a better plan 

Kill Lazarus too, our options are few

We're losing to Son of Man 

Who's leading who, look at this crowd 

They think they know more than us 

Defeat, deceive, we'll make 'em believe 

We'll tell 'em it's Jesus plus.

John 12:9-11

Meanwhile a large crowd of Jews found out that Jesus was there and came, not only because of him but also to see Lazarus, whom he had raised from the dead. So the chief priests made plans to kill Lazarus as well, for on account of him many of the Jews were going over to Jesus and believing in him.

Scattered

 Here’s today’s poem. It’s called:

Scattered 

God is above nation, He rules over all 

His plan coming to fruition 

He's the One who scattered, same One was battered

Draw us all, make us one His mission 

He was lifted up, already drawing 

He's been drawing from the start

Making us all one, while still under sun 

Proving to be the hardest part 

He still has His plan, He still uses man 

We're His kings, He's the King of kings 

Unity His goal, He's helping us be whole 

Seek to see the blessings that brings.

John 11:52

and not only for that nation but also for the scattered children of God, to bring them together and make them one.

John 12:32

And I, when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all people to myself.”