Life Lessons – Page 47 – Word Smith Wisdom

Desire Of Ages

Desire Of Ages

He prayed all night the night before.

Sweat, like blood, came from His pores.

He asked that the cup be taken away.

He knew the answer. So He prayed.

Tears came to His eyes. He prayed.

He asked that upon Him sin be laid.

He who had known no sin.

Willing to die for all men.

He saw it all the night before.

It hurt Him to His very core.

Carrying the cross on His bleeding back

A crown of thorns the crowning act.

Spikes driven through arms and legs.

Clothes stripped off as mother begs.

Soldiers gambling for His robe.

While He hung there naked and cold.

Given vinegar and water for His thirst.

Blood and water pouring from the hurt

of a spear thrust deep into his side.

What a picture to destroy pride.

People taunting and spitting at Him.

Harassing the one who knew no sin.

He asked His Father to forgive them.

They know not what they are doing to Him.

One thief rejects Him, the other accepts.

He promises paradise to the one who accepts.

What a person to be so forgiving.

A kind of love that keeps on giving.

He suffers the most as the Father draws away.

Unable to bare seeing His Son suffer this way.

He gives up the ghost and dies after saying

“It is finished”, His love for man unweavering.

In three days He rose from the grave.

He defeated death. We are all saved!!

This man/God who was our creator,

loves us. How can we be a hater?

No greater debt was ever paid.

Praise the Lord that we are saved!!!

—————————————————R. W. Johnson—-(2012)

One Man Finds The Way

One Man Finds The Way

Walking the streets on a cold dark night.

Avoiding the light. Not looking for a fight.

Thinking about the way things should have been.

Is this the way things are going to end?

I see the flash of a neon light.

It’s brilliant colors split the night.

I wonder how many others are led astray?

There has got to be a better way.

I hear a sound like nails scraping a wall.

A tree limb rubbing a building in the wind is all.

A dog growls, a cat squeals.

He runs with the dog on his heels.

When I was young I had big dreams.

The world is not what it seems.

It twists you and drags you down.

The older you get the more you frown.

It’s sick. It’s sinful. it’s hateful and foul.

The world has lost it’s way somehow.

So I walk through it’s carcass late at night

feeling dead inside. Too tired to fight.

No one can right all the wrongs.

It has gone on way too long.

Why must we live in such misery?

Such hopeless delusions and mystery?

I have searched for an answer.

A way to save me from this cancer.

There was nothing that wasn’t tainted.

It twisted my mind until I fainted.

I fell to my knees and cried out:

“Save me from this sin that’s all about.”

Suddenly, I heard a still quiet voice.

“I am always with you. It’s your choice”

I looked around. No one could be seen.

“What is this? Some kind of a dream?”

The voice said: “Look in the garbage can.”

I stayed there, though I almost ran.

Inside the can, on top of the trash,

was a Holy Bible someone had stashed.

“Pick it up. Take it home. Read it.”

The voice said with emphasis on “it.”

I did exactly what ‘the voice’ said.

Everything I read went straight to my head.

Soon I realized ‘the voice’ that was speaking

was Jesus Christ. I started weeping.

I fell on my knees & prayed for forgiveness.

I asked to be saved, as God is my witness.

A peace like no other came over me.

I knew the way to change the world, you see.

One man, called Jesus, could bring the change.

I’ll tell the world about His wonderful name.

I walk in the light now and show others the way.

This world WILL be made new in that great day.

——————————————————R. W. Johnson—–(2013)

The Greatest Story Ever Told

The Greatest Story Ever Told

I saw the light flash across the sky

from an opening in the clouds way up high.

Millions of angels started pouring through.

A super loud trumpet was blowing too.

Then a small cloud appeared about the size of a fist.

I didn’t know what to make of all this.

The cloud grew larger as it rapidly neared.

Then, suddenly, a man appeared.

He sat upon a throne on the cloud

Angels surrounded Him praying loud.

A rainbow appeared behind the throne.

As bright as the sun, the man’s face shown.

Many on earth cried “Our God is here”

“We waited so long for Him to appear.”

The man said: “ Arise, those sleeping in graves.”

“Come, join me in the air. I am with you always.”

“Those on the ground, be caught up to.”

“I will always be with you .”

Then we were changed in the twinkling of an eye.

Mortal became immortal. Glory replaced cry.

The earth laid desolate and in ruins.

No one was alive to make fun or boo Him.

Except for those who crucified Him.

Resurrected to see His coming , then die again.

All who were alive & not saved were killed

by the brightness of His glory that filled.

Satan was chained for 1,000 years.

To roam the earth alone with his fear.

A millennium to walk among the ruins.

To think about the reward that was due him.

1,000 years later Christ returned

with all the saints and angels concerned.

The Holy City floated down like a jewel.

Bright and shining, through the air it flew.

Christ appeared & touched His foot upon

the Mount Of Olives. The cross was gone.

The Mount split into a great plain.

The Holy City descended to remain.

It was lighted by God’s glory.

It will always remain to tell the story.

The evil dead were resurrected.

Satan & his demons began to beckon

They all surrounded the Holy City.

While saints & angels watched with pity.

All evil saw their lives in panoramic view.

Each saw where they rejected truth from the few.

Each bowed a knee and confessed Christ is just.

Then fire rained down & did the rest.

All were consumed, both body and bone.

Satan burned longest. Just he alone.

There would be no trace of sin ever again.

Thanks to the sacrifice made by Him.

The saints and angels watched with awe

as the earth was made new. Created for all.

God’s throne in the center of the Holy City made earth.

the very center of the whole universe.

Throughout eternity a reminder of what happened here.

How God’s love is the greatest. An end to all fear.

Wherever Christ traveled throughout the universe

the 144,000 accompanied Him where He traversed.

They were the testimony of all Christ did

for the only fallen world where they once lived.-

——————————————————R. W. Johnson—–(2013)

Mormons & The Sabbath

Mormons & The Sabbath

Someone knocked upon my door.

I checked my decency with what I wore.

I opened the door and I peeked out.

Two young men. Mormons without a doubt.

They asked me if I knew the Lord.

I said “No way” cause I was bored.

They handed me a flyer from their church.

Told me about the meeting there first.

Asked me if I would consider coming.

I said “it sounds like, maybe, a fun thing.

Then I asked “Is it on Saturday?”

They said “No, it is on Sunday.”

The door had been opened so off I went.

I unloaded it all till I was spent.

“How come it’s not on the Sabbath?”

They said “It is. Sunday is the Sabbath.”

I said “Last time I looked Sabbath was Saturday.”

“The calendar shows the 7^th day is Saturday”

“Jews keep Saturday as the Sabbath.”

“It’s the same day Jesus kept as Sabbath.’

They told me about how it was changed.

I showed them ‘the church’ made the change.

Told them they are following the Catholic Church

‘The church’ has the authority to make it work.

According to The Pope. God’s man on earth.

I told them take it for what it’s worth.

I asked for a scripture changing Sabbath to Sunday.

They couldn’t produce even one to say.

By this time I saw some doubts.

The Holy Spirit was working it out.

Looks of confusion crossed their faces.

One bent down and tied his laces.

I said “Look up the answer & we’ll talk some more.”

They never came back to knock at my door.

——————————————————R. W. Johnson—–(2013)

Way Of The Wolf

Way Of The Wolf

I saw her tracks there in the snow.

Into the woods, they did go.

I had been searching for an hour.

She was looking for a flower.

With the snow all flowers were gone.

Seeing her tracks, I followed on.

Up a slop and into the woods.

I sped up as best I could.

It was getting close to dark.

This was not a walk in the park.

I worried about the wolves.

Other predators in the woods.

I was ready to call her name.

From the side, the two of them came.

A great wolf with my daughter.

Like a lamb led to the slaughter.

Her arm around his neck she stood.

Walking along as best she could.

She looked half asleep.

She was barely on her feet.

The wolf stopped & stared at me.

I stood still as I could be.

The wolf moved forward slowly.

He was walking right toward me.

He stopped and pulled his head out.

Then pushed her forward with his snout.

She looked up a & yelled “Daddy.”

Then she came running to me.

I caught her up into my arms.

She said “Doggie brought me to your arms.”

I said “Thank you!.” He whined & wagged his tail.

Then he turned & ran back up the trail.

She said “Where did he go?”

I said “I don’t know.”

As I looked toward the sky.

Tears were coming from my eyes.

“This much I’m sure I know.”

“Jesus was telling him where to go.”———-R. W. Johnson—–(2012)

Contemplating

Contemplating

Thinking back, my life is quite a story.

I’ve had lots of girls & small town glories.

I never found my soul mate.

Even though, I’ve had tons of dates.

In high school I was considered a good catch.

A football star with good looks to match.

I played the field and loved it all.

Be they tall or be they small.

In my twenty’s I was in a bar.

With my buddy, we drove his car.

We picked up two girls that night.

What a time. It was out of sight.

I’ve dated friends of friends & others.

I would’ve chosen different if I had my druthers.

A few relationships got serious & lasted awhile.

In the long run I have to smile.

They didn’t work out for this reason or that.

It wasn’t always me that was the rat.

Some have said look inward & I will see.

The problem here lies within me.

Thinking back in retrospect.

That wasn’t always true. What did they expect?

Now that I am older and set in my ways

you would think I could find a match someday.

I’m pretty much an independent guy.

I often speak up. I’m not too shy.

I am not sure I want to be tied down.

Though, I think I have both feet on the ground.

Maybe it’s a fear of giving up control?

Now, I am the man, wherever I go.

Some say I fear the commitment it takes.

Am I afraid I will make mistakes?

Whatever the cause, here I am, single.

I still get the urge to mingle.

But, I think I’m destined to be a bachelor.

Not because I couldn’t catch her.

I hate to be hurt or to hurt others.

Too much emotion smoothers.

Here lies the root of the problem.

Best to keep it casual. Don’t crowd them.

That way no one gets hurt in the end.

I don’t want a lover, I want a friend.

Too bad there wasn’t some way to have both.

Maybe there is. I can’t give up hope.———R. W. Johnson—–(2013)

Fool Me Once, It’s On Me

Fool me once, it’s on me

It was just an any old kind of day.

The kind that comes & slips away.

The kind that fills up easy my lifetime.

I was thinking I’m not so smart.

I wouldn’t have this broken heart.

If I only stopped it at the right time.

She came on like a burst of fresh air.

The smell of Lavender in her hair.

Something totally new to this shy guy.

She woke up emotions deep inside.

My heart went along for the ride.

It melted when she called me “My guy.”

Gradually, one thing led to another.

Then I introduced her to my brother.

Something I knew I shouldn’t have done.

It seems it was hardly any time

she was saying that “He was mine.”

That put an end to me being ‘the one.’

Brotherly love only goes so far.

It was too late to raise the bar.

He no longer comes around .

If he did, I might just snap.

Built up anger is where I’m at.

Brotherly love can no longer be found.

So, it’s just an any old kind of day.

The kind that comes & slips away.

The kind that fills up easy my lifetime.

I’ll suffer with a broken heart.

The next time I will be smart.

being such a sap is quite a crime.————–R. W. Johnson—–(2013)

Forgiveness

Forgiveness

Locked away in solitude, I try to survive.

I pull together the shattered life

that once was in heaven gazing into her eyes.

How could such love lead to such strife?

We were the perfect couple.

In all we did we were together.

She was my loving honey suckle.

I was hers forever and ever.

Things were happy. The future was bright.

We planed everything we did.

Such joy and fun was out of sight.

I thought nothing between us was ever hid.

Then, one day, she had something to tell me.

She told me to sit down and be calm.

Such news might be too much for me.

I should be patient. it won’t take long.

She talked about another life.

One she had before I knew her.

She had lived in poverty and strife.

None of it she liked, to be sure.

She made her living on her back.

She had to survive somehow.

She was in tears right where she sat.

She said “It’s come back to haunt me now.”

“I met someone from my past life.”

“He wanted to start it up again.”

“I ran away from him. I don’t want that life.”

“I don’t want to ever live in sin.”

I was so shocked I couldn’t speak.

She longed for support, but, I ran away.

Now I am so drunk that I reek.

In this solitude, I will stay.

Then a thought occurred to me.

I remembered The Lord’s Prayer

I could forgive her if she could forgive me.

I found her & apologized. I didn’t care.

I said I loved her as she is now.

the past was just a good bye.

Could she please take me back somehow.

I poured out me heart. Gave it my best try.

She flew into my arms smothering me with kisses.

She said all she wanted was me and me alone.

She said us together is what bliss is.

Now neither of us will ever be alone.

——————————————————R. W. Johnson—–(2013)

Religious Freedom

Religious Freedom??

On that dreadful day in April 1993

The smoke spread for miles for all to see.

Broadcast on radio and TV.

What a disgrace to the land of the free.

Who was responsible. Who could it be?

Branch Davidians were holed up for 51 days.

Armed to the teeth, they refused the phrase:

“Surrender and we’ll give you a fair trial.”

They wouldn’t give up, they said with a smile.

Freedom of religion is our only style.

Men, women & children were enclosed.

Rumors spread that some wore no clothes.

It couldn’t be proven one way or the other.

Responses were that they loved one another.

They followed David Koresh like he was a mother.

A certain person, we’ll call J.R., gave the order

“Burn them out!!” “We’ll take no quarter!!”

Men, women, & children died that day.

They became ‘crispy critters’ all the way.

81 people. None left alive to have a say.

What a ‘black eye’ for the land of the free.

Life has been worse for you & for me.

Since that injustice was done to our fellow man.

While J. R. skates free without any plan

to prosecute J.R. for that evil plan.

Let this be a lesson for you and for me.

The day is coming when we will see.

Religious freedom will not mean a thing.

Religious persecution is all it will bring.

Then, like the Davidians, His praises we’ll sing.

——————————————————R. W. Johnson—–(2013)

The Terrorist’s Son

The Terrorist’s Son

Good morning America. How are you?

Don’t ya know me? I’m a terrorist’s son.

You don’t know me, but, you soon will.

There’ll be 500 dead fore the day is done.

Riding on the train they call Glory Bound.

I’m planning my big day in the news.

I’m doing all my work in the club car.

Just how to pull it off without any clues.

The people drinking their beers

and the people who shed no tears.

Will be in for a big surprise just about dawn.

They will have their beers cut short.

By a loud reverberating report.

Loud enough to deafen all their ears.

Two old duffs playing cribbage in the club car.

A penny a point. No one’s keeping score.

25 bags of mail in the mail car.

Will go right up in flames and be no more.

This train is definitely Glory Bound.

There will be no survivors, that’s for sure.

Only parts of passengers will be found.

America, I think it’s time for a cure.

The people drinking their beers

and the people who shed no tears.

Will be in for a big surprise just about dawn.

They will have their beers cut short.

By a loud reverberating report.

Loud enough to deafen all their ears.

As we pull into the crowded city station.

Hundreds are waiting just to get on board.

They won’t have to be too long awaiting.

I exit just before the entering hoard.

I get safely far enough away.

I have my cell phone in hand ready to use.

As the train starts to pull away

I punch out a number & blow up all the fools.

The people drinking their beers

and the people who shed no tears .

will be in for a big surprise just about dawn.

They will have their beers cut short.

By a loud reverberating report.

Loud enough to deafen all their ears.

I slip away in all the panic that ensues.

People screaming & running everywhere.

The club car has disappeared is news

that spreads fast with rumors to spare.

Someone did this horrible deed.

No one has a clue who it might be.

But, they will know when they read

the message I sent to the paper for all to see.

You have been weighed in the balances

and found wanting—–A terrorist’s son.

—————————————————R. W. Johnson—–(2013)