For you

The title and verse come from a teaching series from my home church, Irving Bible Church, done by the preaching and teaching team over a year ago. It was wonderful and insightful and re-emphasized to me the idea of being a part of this world yet set apart from the world. Here is a link to the sermons which, I believe, are free downloads, 
http://www.irvingbible.org/media/view/series/a-peculiar-people/

 I wish I could say I had the original idea of using this verse from Peter or at least the originality of the title but... nope totally stolen. ;)


I actually started this blog over a year ago as a way of sharing my poetry and writing and didn't publish it. Why you may ask? If I really feel I am "set apart", "peculiar" belonging to HIM who made me, I should be completely unafraid of proclaiming my beliefs, un-phased by the idea of possible criticism of the literary kind -for the following writing or  the theological kind for the statement of belief. In all honesty I am lazy and a bit of a chicken.


But God is gentle with us when our fear is genuine and tough with us when it is unfounded. So here goes.  I will publish  a few times a week, poetry or writing inspired from something I've read in scripture. I am no theologian so I hope you do not expect any specific religious insight ( you will be disappointed -- and really if you want a word from God-- go to HIM). I am a so-so writer ( I will link to blogs of my much more creatively gifted friends -- as soon as I figure out how).  Its just that when I take the time to pray and listen and pray and listen through His Word... God gives me something back. And I am giving it back to HIM and to you. 

Here is Poem Number One based on response to Matthew 4:1-11. This passage recounts Jesus' temptation in the wilderness and is also also referenced in Mark 1 and Luke 4.  Borrow a bible if you don't have one or just go to http://www.biblegateway.com/ for a passage look up. Don't rely on my interpretation ( or anyone elses please-- go read your BIBLE) . 

To me this is one of the first images of Christ's Humanity -- fasting, hungry, he had to have been tired, depleted,  physically weak.  And yet he relied on God's Word for protection and even provision. Christ was and is always teaching us ,showing us, revealing Himself to us. 

The Answer Matthew 4:1-11

The sun bakes my lips into thin dry lines.

40 days and nights.

I feel the hunger in my bones.

The Adversary comes.

This time, his smile full of cunning

as the smell of warm bread rises from the stones.

            My Father’s will sustains me.

  My Father will sustain you.

40 days.

Sandals long past worn,

Each step sears my soles.

40 days and nights.

I stumble and the blood runs from my feet.

The Adversary comes again.

His voice whispers a challenge

red with mockery and rage.        

           My Father’s will, I will not test.

           My Father will give you strength and rest.

           

40 days.

My cloak is torn and bites against my skin.

40 days and nights.

My cloak wraps around me like a shroud.

The Adversary comes again…

Silken robes adorn him

while his worldly trumpets sound.

            I will not bow down.

            He can not understand what could be worth,

  more than his kingdom of dusty earth.

  He can not know my Love.

I am the Word

that spoke the stars into the sky.

I am the Truth

that tears the Holy Curtain down.

I am the Fire

that will burn each heart anew.

He can not know

My Love

For You.