Water of Life

just as tears that form in sorrow
drops of remorse streak down the face
and just as water ever seeks
runs and fills the lowest place
just as streams that form in mountains
build to a rushing rivers pace
so the Spirit of the Savior
saves and fills
and blesses
with grace

~JD Collier

“I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End.  To him who is thirsty I will give to drink without cost from the spring of the water of life.”  Rev. 21:6

A word about this poem . . .

when a person  faiths in Christ, salvation is born.  This salvation can be described in three tenses:  1) the past tense describes the moment in which one believes.  He is made a new creature in Christ  (the first stanza).  2) present tense salvation is the living out of that faith in the here and now (the second stanza).  3) and future tense salvation is the surrendering of our earthly body to the resurrection of a new body (the third stanza).   The fourth stanza reviews all three.  Look for these as you read.

The past tense is commonly referred to as salvation, the present tense as sanctification, and the future tense as glorification. . . .just a simple little theology lesson for today (not that you didn’t already know but sometimes I like to write something in addition to a poem). 

Heb 6:18-19
“. . . we who have fled to take hold of the hope offered to us may be greatly encouraged. We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure.”

like a bleached out wall from days of sunning
when I have become who I was becoming
no longer a youth
nor plagued by the truth
that I have become what I chose on the way
may God in His mercy forgive the excusing
the times I fell short in my lifetime of choosing
that brought me to be who I am on this day

bitter and sweet reads the scroll of my living
and messiness lives in the face of His giving
yet I am resigned to His sovereign design
that He is the Potter and I am the clay

naivety shrinks with the coming of evening
enticement of things
become less deceiving
the battle with pride
though potent
less seething
as focus becomes where security lay

the closer I get to that blessed restoring
as muscles diminish
synapses start shorting
in that move to the finish
that final reporting
God is my rock
my anchor
my stay

nothing can hinder
His righteous summation
my perfect defender
how firm the foundation
He is my hope
His grace my salvation
my fortress
my rock
my anchor
my stay

 ~JD Collier

a marriage vow
an angel dream
a virgin blessed
a promised King
a troublesome word
a “how can this be?”
an “overshadow”
“may it be to me”

a Caesar decree
a census to run
an inn with no room
a feed trough
a Son
a stable to house
a manger to hold
a swaddling cloth
to ward off the cold

a shepherds night watch
an angel therein
a message of joy
a “goodwill toward men”
a heavenly host
a sky all ablaze
a Savior
the Christ
a chorus of praise

the regal robed kings
a star to behold
incense and myrrh
a gift of pure gold
the kings from the east
worship and part
the mother of God
her pondering heart

the words—all familiar
the story—quite old
the tone—amazement
the setting—bold
the subject—a Child
a mystery—the theme
the narrative—holy
the purpose—redeem

          ~JD Collier

Luke 2:11
Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord.

John 1:10-14
He was in the world, and though the world was made through him, the world did not recognize him.  He came to that which was his own, but his own did not receive him.  Yet to all who received him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God– children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband’s will, but born of God.   The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the One and Only, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.
NIV

If all that we see—goes tomorrow,
and that which we don’t see stands fast;
these unfurnished shacks that bring sorrow
will give in to that which will last;
if all that defiles and detracts us,
both that from without and within;
the ruts in the road that entrap us,
reminders of where we have been;
if things that we seek to sustain us,
that hold us and tempt us to sin;
conditions that cramp and restrain us
will suddenly come to an end;
if all the diseases that harm us,
and all of the wars that we fight;
the thoughts of our mind that alarm us,
surrenders to that which is right;
if He, as the end of the story,
brings all earthly things to a close,
and sets up a new world of glory,
eternal with perfect repose. . . .

then we above all can be grateful,
and nurture deep joy to the soul;
while reaching to others, be faithful,
for Jesus we want them to know;
then we, by His grace, can live worth’ly,
behavior conforming to Him;
with heavenly power, though earthly,
rejecting and turning from sin;
then we can be humble in spirit,
and not self-protect or hide;
and mirror His image and share it,
and nail to the cross all our pride;
then we can be brave and stand firmly,
whatever this world brings our way,
and we can be gentle, yet sternly
refuse to give in to its sway;
for we know the end of the story,
the City of God is in view,
and when He returns in His glory,
all promises made, He will do!

~JD Collier

All those who died
who went before
who blazed the trail
who fought the war
All those who bravely
stood the test
who walked by faith
when hardship pressed
All those who loved
who saw beyond
who praised His Name
when hate was spawned
To those who lost
whose blood was poured
who gave their life
yet gained reward. . .

And those with hope
who gave their best
who heard the word
in faith said yes
All those who chose
His firm embrace
whose eyes could see
a better place
All those who bore
the cross
the shame
whose faith stayed strong
in Jesus Name
To those who crossed
the line and won
those saints of God
who cheer us on. . . .

And those today
who stay the course
who stand against
an evil force
who walk by faith
confess their sin
who stand their ground
who don’t give in
To those in Christ
who do their part
absorb the hurt
yet don’t lose heart
To those who stand
in one accord
vet’rans of faith
who seek the Lord. . .

we honor with grateful applause!

~JD Collier

“. . . the world was (is) not worthy of them” Hebrews 11:38

For a listing of veterans of faith from ancient days read Hebrews 11 and for present day examples see “voice of the martyrs” at persecution.com

do not take a stand
to the left
or the right
convictions
surrender
to the center
hold tight

but what happens to virtue
if no choice is made
if into the water
one refuses to wade

and what about passion—
a stand for the right
and not giving in
when others take flight . . .

but never you mind
just shake off the dust
stand firm in the middle
avoid all the fuss

practicing balance
take care not to fall
do not be offensive
stay safe
above all!

~JD Collier

 “choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve . . .” Josh 24:15 NIV

“Indecision becomes decision with time.”  ~Author Unknown

“When one bases his life on principle, 99 percent of his decisions are already made.”  ~Author Unknown

“If Jesus sets the divine standard for morality, I could now have an unwavering foundation for my choices and decisions, rather than basing them on the ever-shifting sands of expediency and self-centeredness.”  ~Lee Strobel

“Is he—quite safe?”
“Safe?” said Mr. Beaver, “Who said anything about safe? ‘Course he isn’t safe. But he’s good. He’s the King.”  C. S. Lewis, The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe

“For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.” I Cor. 1:18 NIV

God is our refuge and strength—Ps 46:1