Forgiveness
September 6, 2008
Forgiving others is the key to this walk,
As we travel through life, while sharing our talk,
Unforgiveness and bitterness are destroying our lives,
Has hardened our hearts and blinded our eyes.
The love was alive and so easily flowed,
Propelled us to new heights as He faithfully showed,
Secrets and treasures embedded in gold,
Through the Word that he left us, that was feeding our soul.
Reading and praying and loving the lost,
We were sharing the truth regardless of cost.
The pathway provided was filled with excitement,
As we grew in His love before the entrapment.
We were doing His will while serving others,
When an incident happened with one of the brothers.
Feelings were bruised and division occurred,
Many were hurt, but no forgiveness was heard.
Days quickly passed, and things seemed to be better,
But deep down inside our heart had turned bitter.
The love so alive that once flowed so freely,
Had vanished from within and no longer came easy.
More important than this the forgiveness we’ve learned,
Was conditional with all until our hearts they were turned.
To our brother who was wounded some time in the past,
We realized at once the damage we’d cast.
No time to waste as our heart ached to live,
Our brother we sought to heal and forgive.
No one had ever done more in the past,
To shape us and mold us as disciples so fast.
How could we possibly let this divide,
Cause so many to hurt and force them to pick sides.
But now we realize just how much it has hurt,
Our stubbornness and pride and being so curt.
The moment of truth now standing before us,
We all stood forgiving like singing a chorus.
Pride or ego or just being right,
No longer mattered, we have to unite.
Because we’re forgiven for all sins of the past,
If we do the same, our friendships will last.
Throughout all our days we will treasure the peace
We have deep within that forgiveness released.
Boe Parrish
Walking With God
February 21, 2008
Walking With God
By Boe Parrish
Beginning this journey some thirty-five years past,
With a prayer of faith most said wouldn’t last.
More peace and more challenge than I’d ever known,
But reading and praying I had steadily grown.
Now His Truth deep inside and guiding my choices,
He gave me daily assignments as I trust in His voice.
My life serving others, who are hurting and lost,
Is the model He left us regardless of cost.
To connect at their need no value is greater,
Their heart you’ll soon win as they discover the Savior.
The words have been few as I’ve lived out my walk,
Compassion in action I’ve allowed it to talk.
The lost as my target I know where to go,
Anyplace where they gather and my Savior I’ll show.
Walking among them so slowly at first,
Listening and serving and developing their thirst.
Affording many a man a glance of a Christian,
That’s living and serving and sitting to listen.
It’s not what we know that will change a man’s life,
But letting them know that they matter…their hurt and their strife.
You see walking with God day by day always changes,
Among the lost and the hurting and all of the strangers.
Staying in touch with God up above,
Receiving direction and being refueled by his love.
It’s so easy to do as we move all about,
Unless we skip our devotion and our love all runs out.
Then we’ll struggle and strain with our own strength we’ll strive,
And notice no difference with the hurt in their eyes.
Walking with God many mistakes have I made?
But growing and learning the foundation was laid.
And over the years as lives intertwine,
God’s purpose fulfilled with His life and mine.
The journey’s been worth it as I look at the fruit,
The lives that were changed, giving Satan the boot.
A fish out of water; some days I felt odd,
But I treasure my time I’ve spent walking with God.
Boe Parrish
Nancy’s Prayer
February 20, 2008
Nancy’s Prayer
By Boe Parrish
Word came today but there’s still little doubt
About elevated blood counts, and what all that’s about?
Some pains and some symptoms were evidenced within,
as doctors and nurses attended again.
Many weeks we were waiting as space opened up
for questions and testing and medical stuff.
So much information, so much to consider
where in the world would we find the right answers?
The only place we had learned to escape to
was the Father above who we’d always retreat to,
for guidance and wisdom and courage and grace,
as we turned to our Savior back down on our face.
More peace and more joy were found all around us
in spite of the journey now setting before us.
One day at a time is what we have learned
is what is required, with anxiety spurned.
His peace it now guides us through many decisions
as we trust and we pray through this difficult season.
Doing it right and telling our story
encouraging others all for God’s Glory.
Devoted and focused we cry out to God
for His presence and healing and bountiful love,
as others far worse in there medical state
have no hint of a Savior or their ultimate fate.
Oh God help us remember it’s not about us
as we move through this illness without making a fuss.
But using this challenge and seizing the day
we pray we will strengthen and nurture their faith.
Giving thanks in all things is what life’s all about
and walking through challenge without any doubt.
Trusting and serving and giving to THEM
Is what honors our Savior, it’s all about HIM.
Boe Parrish