This was a fun one and I like the way it turned out. The hardest thing about it was the title. Harmony had always been the working title but I couldn't find any way to jazz it up. It wasn't until after the poem had been written that I came up with the current title. I like the polarity between the words, fighting and harmony. Fighting for Harmony Based on 1 Corinthians 1:10; Romans 14:10, 19; Jude 1:19; Proverbs 20:19, 26:20; Matthew 18:15-17; Hebrews 13:17; 1 Thessalonians 5:12-13 United in purpose, in thoughts and decisions, I beg you to be of one mind. Let harmony flow so there are no divisions; the church should be ever aligned. Why criticize your brother's motive or action? Why try to make him appear small? His life does not need to meet your satisfaction or precepts you've nailed to the wall. Why, who made you judge and a jury demanding your brother meets laws of your own? One day we will all face true judgement when standing before mighty God at his throne. Agree to pursue what makes peace with your brother, encouraging words are a start! The worldly ones with no thought for another are those who split churches apart. A gossip shares secrets with those undiscerning; avoid such a blowhard as friend. Without any fuel raging fires stop burning; no gossip brings tensions an end. If any believer or brother has wronged you, confront him to work issues out. If he will not listen take others along to be witnesses, ending all doubt. Submit to your leaders whose only ambition is keeping their eye on your soul. With joy let them lead you with not one condition; it profits you not, on the whole. I urge you to honor the leaders who guide you, their work is exceedingly hard. Advising, instructing, for walking beside you — esteem them with highest regard. 1 Corinthians 1:10 (NLT) Let there be real harmony so there won’t be divisions in the church. I plead with you to be of one mind, united in thought and purpose. Romans 14:10 (PH) Why, then, criticize your brother’s actions, why try to make him look small? We shall all be judged one day, not by each other’s standards or even our own, but by the standard of Christ. Romans 14:19 (Msg) Let’s agree to use all our energy in getting along with each other. Help others with encouraging words; don’t drag them down by finding fault. Jude 1:19 (Msg) These are the ones who split churches, thinking only of themselves. Proverbs 20:19 (NRSV) A gossip reveals secrets; therefore do not associate with a babbler. Proverbs 26:20 (LB) Fire goes out for lack of fuel, and tensions disappear when gossip stops. Matthew 18:15-17a (Msg) If a fellow believer hurts you, go and tell him-work it out between the two of you. If he listens, you have made a friend. If he won’t listen, take one or two others along so that the presence of witnesses will keep things honest, and try again. If he still won’t listen, tell the church. Hebrews 13:17 (Msg) Be responsible to you pastoral leaders. Listen to their council. They are alert to the condition of your lives and work under the strict supervision of God. Contribute to the joy of their leadership, not its drudgery. Why would you want to make things harder for them? 1 Thessalonians 5:12-13a (Msg) Honor those leaders who work so hard for you, who have been given the responsibility of urging and guiding you along in your obedience. Overwhelm them with appreciation and love! NLT: New Living Translation • Ph: New Testament in Modern English by JB Phillips • Msg: The Message • NRSV: New Revised Standard Version • LB: Living Bible
As mentioned last week, this poem took longer than normal for me to write. But, I was also working on another project during this time — so that was part of the delay. This was one the those times when I had the title of the poem before writing a single word. Rick Warren wrote in chapter 20 (Restoring Broken Fellowship) in his book, The Purpose-Driven Life: If you want God's blessing on your life and you want to be known as a child of God, you must learn to be a peacemaker. So, armed with a title, a bunch of scripture, and the grace of God I was off on another journey. And, in the process, learned the meaning of atone. Peacemaker Based on 2 Corinthians 5:18; 1 Corinthians 1:10; Philippians 2:1-2; Matthew 5:9; 1 Corinthians 6:5; James 4:1-2; Matthew 5:23-24; Job 5:2; Proverbs 19:11; Matthew 7:5; Proverbs 15:1; Romans 12:18 As you've been atoned to myself through my son, I've asked you to minister grace: make peace between me and the world that you face — atone means quite simply, at one. Restore, or atone, your relationships now! Disputes between Christians must end! Agree with and love — be a like-minded friend; splash love as my oceans allow. Those working for peace are called children of God; those causing the quarrels are not. There must be a wise one among you that's got the tools to keep Christians declawed. What causes your quarrels? How do they begin? You want what you cannot obtain. You ask not so have not and flounder in vain, and sink in your quagmire of sin. If you enter worship, an offering to lift, recall, then, a grudge by a friend, just leave it — make peace with that brother again. 'Tis then you may offer your gift. Resentment and worry bring death to the fool, a senseless, absurd thing to do. The person hurt most is none other than you — exploding with anger as fuel. The wisdom of man keeps his anger in check; his glory lets wrongs pass him by. If you could remove that great log from your eye, you might see your friend's tiny speck. A gentle response will make angry words cease, a sharp tongue will kindle a fire. In all that you do, may this be your desire: be one with the world in peace. 2 Corinthians 5:18 (GWT) [God] has restored our relationship with him through Christ, and has given us this ministry of restoring relationships. 1 Corinthians 1:10 (Msg) I’ll put it as urgently as I can: You must get along with each other. Philippians 2:1-2 (Msg) If you’ve gotten anything out of following Christ, if his love has made any difference in your life, if being in a community of the Spirit means anything to you, . . . Agree with each other, love each other, be deep-spirited friends. Matthew 5:9 (NLT) God blesses those who work for peace, for they will be called the children of God. 1 Corinthians 6:5 (TEV) Shame on you! Surely there is at least one wise person in your fellowship who can settle a dispute between fellow Christians. James 4:1-2 (NIV) What causes fights and quarrels among you? . . . You want something but don’t get it . . . . You do not have, because you do not ask God. Matthew 5:23-24 (Msg) If you enter your place of worship and, about to make an offering, you suddenly remember a grudge a friend has against you, abandon your offering, leave immediately, go to this friend and make things right. Then and only then, come back and work things out with God. Job 5:2 (TEV) To worry yourself to death with resentment would be a foolish, senseless thing to do and you are only hurting yourself with your anger. Proverbs 19:11 (NIV) A man’s wisdom gives him patience; it is to his glory to overlook an offense. Matthew 7:5 (NLT) First get rid of the log from your own eye; then perhaps you will see well enough to deal with the spec on your friend’s eye. Proverbs 15:1 (Msg) A gentle response defuses anger, but a sharp tongue kindles a temper-fire. Romans 12:18 (TEV) Do everything possible on your part to live in peace with everybody. GWT: God's Word Translation • Msg: The Message • NLT: New Living Translation • TEV: Today's English Version • NIV: New International Version
Like the other poems written in this series, The Purpose-Driven Life, the idea for it was derived from the scriptures found in a particular chapter of the book. In this case, it was chapter 23. This poem has the distinction of being the first poem (of mine) written with either three or four syllables in the first and third lines. All of my stuff either ends on an up-note (ta - TUM), or a down-note (ta - TA - tum). But, this is the first to throw in an extra syllable (ta -TA - ta - tum), taking those lines to 13 syllables. While I was writing it, the working title for it had been Brotherly Love or something, I don't really remember. Suddenly, the final line happened, quickly and unexpectedly, and that changed everything. The Art of Brotherly Love Based on James 3:18; Ephesians 4:3; Galatians 6:1-2; Ephesians 4:25; 1 Timothy 5:1-2; 1 Corinthians 5:3-12; 1 Peter 5:5; Proverbs 16:28; Romans 5:2; Romans 12:10 Develop a healthy and robust community, one that is centered around God — alone. When treating each other with honor and dignity, you'll reap the harvest you richly have sown. In peace through the Spirit, together in unity; make every effort to live in this way. If one of you errors and sins with impunity, gently pursue them without a delay. Choose truth over pretense and speak with sincerity; we are Christ's body, connected as one. When we favor lying instead of integrity, we cheat ourselves when its all said and done. Speak gently to women of years soft and motherly, treat the old men as the father you knew. Engage with young men in a manner that's brotherly, maidens as if they were sisters to you. Do not look away, hoping problems will disappear, deal with them openly out in the light; assuming the issue's so small to act cavalier, thinking it surely will turn out alright. You cannot ignore those whose lives are promiscuous, flippant to God's ways or rude to their friends. Their greed and their drunkenness can't be continuous, with love and firmness it all has to end. When coming together, be clothed in humility; God shuns the proud — gives the humbled his grace. Turn rumor and gossip around to civility; speak in their absence as you would their face. We must bear the "burden" of being considerate; empathy's easier shared with one heart. Devotion to family is often deliberate; practice makes perfect since love is an art. James 3:18 (Msg) You can develop a healthy, robust community that lives right with God and enjoy its results only if you do the hard work of getting along with each other, treating each other with dignity and honor. Ephesians 4:3 (NCV) You are joined together with peace through the Spirit, so make every effort to continue together in this way. Galatians 6:1-2 (NCV) Brothers and sisters, if someone in your group does something wrong, you who are spiritual should go to that person and gently help make him right again. Ephesians 4:25 (Msg) No more lies, no more pretense. Tell your neighbor the truth. In Christ’s body we’re all connected to each other, after all. When you lie to others, you end up lying to yourself. 1 Timothy 5:1-2 (GWT) Never use harsh words when you correct an older man, but talk to him as if he were your father. Talk to younger men as if they were your brothers, older women as if they were your mothers, and younger women as if they were your sisters. 1 Corinthians 5:3-12 (Msg) You must not simply look the other way and hope it goes away on its own. Bring it out in the open and deal with it . . . . Better devastation and embarrassment than damnation . . . . You pass it off as a small thing, but it’s anything but that . . . . you shouldn’t act as if everything is just fine when one of your Christian companions is promiscuous or crooked, is flip with God or rude to friends, gets drunk or becomes greedy and predatory. You can’t just go along with this, treating it as acceptable behavior. I’m not responsible for what the outsiders do, but don’t we have some responsibility for those within our community of believers? 1 Peter:5:5b (NIV) Clothe yourself with humility toward one another. 1 Peter 5:5c (NIV) . . . because, God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble. Proverbs 16:28 (TEV) Gossip is spread by wicked people; they stir up trouble and break up friendships. Romans 15:2 (LB) We must bear the “burden” of being considerate of the doubts and fears of others. Romans 12:10 (GWT) Be devoted to each other like a loving family. Excel in showing respect for each other. MSG: The Message • NCV: New Century Version • GWT: God's Word Translation • NIV: New International Version • TEV: Today's English Version • LB: Living Bible
This poem was written nearly two months ago. Since then, I've written a few more in this series — and they all have the same general appeal: Christians need to get along with each other. This sentiment is so prevalent and the nuance is so slight that, in this particular section of Rick Warren's book, he sometimes uses the same scriptures in contiguous chapters. This, of course, makes it that much more difficult in determining the vibe of the chapter. Last week's blog/poem was called All for One & One for All. In upcoming weeks, you'll see The Art of Brotherly Love, Peacemaker and Fighting for Harmony. All having to do with peace in the Church. Each of these were written as I stated last week — by reading the relative scripture repeatedly with very little input from me. If you look at some of the verses below, you might notice that some are mirrored nearly word-for-word in my poetry. Love the title. For much of the time this was being written, it was called simply, A Cord of Three Strands. At the very end, looking at the final product, it was a gratifying change — accord being synonymous with harmony. The only other thing worthy of note is its rhyming pattern: rhyming the outside (first and fourth) lines, and inside (second and third) lines. I don't know if I'd ever done that before, but I did it again a few poems after this one. Accord of Three Strands Based on Ecclesiastes 4:9-12; Colossians 3:15; 1 John 1:7-8; James 5:16a; 2 Corinthians 2:7; Galatians 3:12; Romans 1:12; Colossians 3:13; Romans 14:19 It is better with two than to be all alone, since your labor combined could produce more success. Should one fall, then the other could aid their distress; make a better defense than could each on their own. We were chosen to live all together as one, since we all are a part of the body of Christ. For a cord of three strands that are braided and spliced, will not easily break once the pulling's begun. If we live in the light as God is in the light, we can share with each other in fellowship sweet. Let us practice: confession — forgiveness — repeat; being patient and gentle and kind and polite. As your faith will help me, and my faith will help you, I must make the allowance for how you might live. As the Lord has forgiven, so we must forgive; seek the best in each other in all that we do. Ecclesiastes 4:9-12 (TEV) Two are better than one, because together they can work effectively. If one of them falls down, the other can help him up . . . . Two people can resist an attack that would defeat one person alone. A rope made of three cords is hard to break. Colossians 3:15 (CEV) Each one of you is part of the body of Christ, and you were chosen to live together in peace. 1 John 1:7-8 (NCV) If we live in the light, as God is in the light, we can share fellowship with each other . . . . If we say we have no sin, we are fooling ourselves. James 5:16a (Msg) Make this your common practice: Confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you can live together whole and healed. 2 Corinthians 2:7 (CEV) When people sin, you should forgive and comfort them, so they won’t give up in despair. Colossians 3:12 (GWT) As holy people . . . be sympathetic, kind, humble, gentile, and patient. Romans 1:12 (NCV) I want us to help each other with the faith we have. Your faith will help me, and my faith will help you. Colossians 3:13 (NLT) You must make the allowance for each other’s faults and forgive the person who offends you. Remember, the Lord forgave you, so you must forgive others. Romans 14:19 (NIV) Make every effort to do what leads to peace and to mutual edification. TEV: Today's English Version • CEV: Contemporary English Version • NCV: New Century Version • MSG: The Message • GWT: God's Word Translation • NLT: New Living Translation • NIV: New International Version
While reading the Book of Leviticus and not finding much to write about, I turned my attention back to the series of poems I've been working on concerning the book, The Purpose-Driven Life, written by Rick Warren. Taking the scripture mentioned in each of the forty chapters and turning them into poetry, the next chapter in line for me was chapter/day 17 entitled, A Place to Belong. This chapter had everything to do with being part of the body of Christ, a subject I've touched on in other poems I written. When I first began this series in 2004, I looked at the first seven chapters of Warren's book and selected the easiest chapter I could tackle (poetically-speaking), and did the same for the next 7 chapters, and so on. When I was done, I ended up with six poems out of the 40 chapters for the six-week study. Six years later, I decided to complete the series and wrote another poem in 2010. After another six years of not writing much of anything, I started writing more of these poems beginning in 2016. All of these poems written through 2018 were thematic for me. Meaning, after reading the scripture associated with a particular chapter, I had an idea and a concept of what I wanted to say. As I wrote, I lightly touched on the relevant scripture. Beginning with 2020, I can no longer visualize what I want to write. I am wholly dependent on the relative scripture. Without any idea where the poem is going or what it is about, I'll read the scripture for a particular chapter over and over and over and OVER in various translations and just try to bend it any way I can. For example, the opening verses for this chapter: You are members of God’s very own family, citizens of God’s country, and you belong in God’s household with every other Christian. Ephesians 2:19b (LB) God’s family is the church of the living God, the pillar and foundation of the truth. 1 Timothy 3:15b (GWT) After poring over these verses, out comes the following: Like us, you are citizens — saints from God's nation; you're members and part of God's household, abroad. The church is God's family that forms the foundation and pillar of truth of the one living God. I don't know how long the poem is going to be. Nor do I have any conclusion in mind — no killer line to end it. Many times, I do not have a title until it has been completed (to which this one is an example). I just string verses along (hopefully!) in some coherent fashion and pray for a good outcome. This is all very odd for me. And a little scary. I blame it on writing much of the Book of Job last year verse-for-verse. After doing that for 40 chapters in Job, I guess I developed that same mindset as a crutch. And, for this series, maybe this is the way the poems should be written. I would think that when the series is completed, there will be a noticeable difference between the first several poems and the rest. Frankly, I was quite happy and relieved to be able to write this year's Easter poem freely from my heart. All for One & One for All Based on Ephesians 2:19b; 1 Timothy 3:15b; 1 Corinthians 12:12; Ephesians 3:6; Ephesians 4:16; Romans 12:4-5; 1 Corinthians 12:26; 1 Corinthians 12:7; James 5:19; Hebrews 3:13; 1 Peter 2:17b; Ephesians 4:16b Like us, you are citizens — saints from God's nation; you're members and part of God's household, abroad. The church is God's family that forms the foundation and pillar of truth of the one living God. For just as one body whose members are many, so everyone makes up the body of Christ. The value of one is not greater than any, nor pain any less were the least sacrificed. Both Gentile and Jew who believe him will share it — God's wonderful riches since both are his heirs. Each part of the body of Christ will inherit each promise and blessing that's equally theirs. He makes the whole body fit nicely together; each part does its part for the body to thrive. If one part decided to leave and untether, apart from the body it couldn't survive. When somebody suffers — a sister or brother, the body's in turmoil and aches as a whole. For God's so connected us one with another, we're truly his body: one heart, mind and soul. And, likewise, whenever a member's uplifted, we all share the honor — the glory's diffused. We're special and each have uniquely been gifted to help our church family when those gifts are used. The body's not well when its parts start to wander; when lost in confusion or deserts they roam. Forget all the meetings or viewpoints to ponder, just go out and find them and bring them back home! Encourage and love one another while knowing the closer you are brings you nearer to me. Keep building, supporting, equipping and growing — for this is the way that I want you to be. Ephesians 2:19b (LB) You are members of God’s very own family, citizens of God’s country, and you belong in God’s household with every other Christian. 1 Timothy 3:15b (GWT) God’s family is the church of the living God, the pillar and foundation of the truth. 1 Corinthians 12:12 (ESV) For just as the body is one and has many members, and all the members of the body, though many, are one body, so it is with Christ. Ephesians 3:6 (NLT) And this is God’s plan: Both Gentiles and Jews who believe the Good News share equally in the riches inherited by God’s children. Both are part of the same body, and both enjoy the promise of blessings because they belong to Christ Jesus. Ephesians 4:16 (NLT) He makes the whole body fit together perfectly. As each part does its own special work, it helps the other parts grow, so that the whole body is healthy and growing and full of love. Romans 12:4-5 (MSG) Each part gets its meaning from the body as a whole, not the other way around. The body we’re talking about is Christ’s body of chosen people. Each of us finds our meaning and function as a part of his body. But as a chopped-off finger or cut-off toe we wouldn’t amount to much, would we? 1 Corinthians 12:26 (NCV) If one part of the body suffers, all the other parts suffer with it. Or if one part of our body is honored, all the other parts share its honor. 1 Corinthians 12:7 (NLT) A spiritual gift is given to each of us as a means of helping the entire church. James 5:19 (MSG) If you know people who have wondered off from God’s truth, don’t write them off. Go after them. Get them back. Hebrews 3:13 (NIV) Encourage one another daily . . . so that none of you may be hardened by sin’s deceitfulness. 1 Peter 2:17b (MSG) Love your spiritual family. Ephesians 4:16b (NLT) As each part does its own special work, it helps the other parts grow, so that the whole body is healthy and growing and full of love. LB: Living Bible • GWT: God's Word Translation • ESV: English Standard Version • NLT: New Living Translation • MSG: The Message • NCV: New Century Version • NIV: New International Version
|