Let Down Your Nets

The crowd was pressing around Him, And listening to God's word on a whim

Standing by Lake Gennesaret, Saw two boats at the edge of it

And fishermen washing their nets, Into one of their boats He gets

Asked Simon to move out from shore, From there taught the people some more

Afterwards to Simon He said, Go where it's deep and your nets spread

Simon said, We've worked hard all night, But I'll do as you say alright

And their nets were near to breaking, For all the fish they were taking

So they signaled another boat, For help so they could stay afloat

And both of the boats were quite filled, Began sinking and they weren't thrilled

Simon Peter saw that and spoke, Leave Lord, I'm a sinful bloke

And so amazement did catch on, With Simon's partners James and John

Jesus said, Don't fear, you'll catch men, They forsook all and followed Him

Luke 5:1-11

Love

If I could speak all the world's tongues

Speak thunder like angelic ones

But didn’t love others at all

I'm a gong or cymbal's brash call

If I've the gift of prophecy
And understood God’s mystery
And possessed all knowledge and such
Faith that I could make mountains budge

But without love, I am nothing
If I gave the poor everything
And I let my body be burned
Without love, I have nothing earned

Love is patient and love is kind
Not jealous or boastful in mind
Not proud, rude, demanding its way
Not easily angered I say

And it keeps no record of wrongs
Doesn't rejoice in evil's throngs
But rejoices when the truth wins
For love bears and believes all things

Love won't end, but prophecies will
Tongues and knowledge will become nil
We know and prophesy in part
But on completion, they'll depart

As a child I spoke just like one
Thoughts and reason had just begun
When grew up I put away
Childish things of the childish way

Now we see things imperfectly
Like a mirror reflectively
But then we'll see with clarity
What I know now is partially

It's not complete, but then I'll know
All things as God knows us below
Three things will last - faith, hope, and love
Greatest of these is love thereof

1 Corinthians 13

Laodicea

The church in Laodicea
You seem to have no idea
The Amen, faithful, true Witness
Creation's Beginning says this
Your deeds are neither cold nor hot
I'll spit you out right on the spot

You say, I'm rich, wealthy, something
You say you have need of nothing
You don't know you're poor and wretched
You're miserable, blind and naked
Buy from Me gold refined by fire
And become rich as you desire

And buy white garments to put on
So that your nakedness is gone
And eye salve to anoint your eyes
So that your seeing can arise
With love, I rebuke and chasten
Be zealous, repent and hasten

Behold, I'm at the door and knock
If one hears Me, open, unlock
I'll come in and we'll dine as one
And say to him who'll overcome
He may sit on My throne with Me
To the churches, Hear this decree

Revelation 3:14-22

The Wretched Farm

The farm, the farm, the wretched farm
It's done the clan a lot of harm
It drove the family away
For generations could not stay

The siblings felt like second class
The farm came first and they came last
Incorporation was ignored
And equal shares were not explored

It's much easier to forgive
When somewhere else we choose to live
Constant reminders are not there
And we can heal from the despair

And so we leave just to forget
With sadness and the clan upset
Start a new life in a new place
Forgive, forget, move on, seek grace

O China

O China why do you persecute
O why oppress Christians like a brute
Don't you know how much they can bless you
"Love your neighbor" means love country too

China knew God from antiquity
The ancient Chinese called Him Shangdi
It's really China's oldest belief
Jesus will bring China relief

Jesus' Commands

Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand
Is one of the first things that Jesus did command
Let your light shine, so people may see your good deeds

To see God in us is what the world really needs

Bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you

Give, pray and fast in secret. That's what you should do
Seek first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness

Ignoring Jesus is why we're in such a mess

Judge not lest you be judged; see the log in your eye

Don't cast your pearls to those who would tread where they lie

Do judge the fruits of false prophets in sheep's clothing

Come to me for rest; I will be your sabbathing

Magi

In Bethlehem Jesus was born
While Herod ruled, a man to scorn
Magi came and asked, Where is he

Born King of Jews in this country

We saw his star, this is no whim

And we have come to worship him

Herod was troubled at this news

He thought he was king of the Jews

He gathered the chief priests and scribes

All descendants from Israel's tribes

Messiah is to be born where?

Prophecy states Bethlehem, there

Yes, Bethlehem, the House of Bread

That's the place, just like Micah said

You're not the least town in the land
From you Israel's shepherd will stand
While Herod plotted evil there
The Magi brought gifts for his care

Matthew 2

Forgive we Must

Because she's not the favored son
Her saddest thought, What have I done
To earn my lot, the unloved one
Why am I not a chosen one

Forgive she must, but it is hard
When life's unjust, and she's been scarred
It's hard to trust, not be on guard
She must adjust, anger discard

Forgiveness is much easier
When things of his become a blur
All 'round us is a reminder
It's mostly his, not shared with her

We've got to go, we cannot stay
The pain and woe, drive us away
No clan meadow, no happy day
One owns the show, the rest can't stay

Sometimes we need to go away
So we are freed from pain's replay
From others' greed, we'd face each day
We must recede, find our own way

A Kingdom not from Here

So then Pilate sauntered back inside
Are you the king of the Jews, he cried
Jesus asked, Are you under the gun?
Pilate blamed the priests, What have you done?

Jesus said, My Kingdom's not from earth

Or my men would fight for all they're worth

They'd keep me from being handed o'er
But my Kingdom's not from here, what's more

Then Pilate said, So you are a king
Correct, He said, Truth I came to bring
And in this world, the truth is My choice

All who love the truth will hear My voice

John 18:33-37

Rejoice in the Lord

Rejoice in the Lord always
Let your gentleness be known

Rejoice, I say, Give Him praise
The Lord's near, you're not alone

Be anxious about nothing

But in everything by prayer

An appeal with thanksgiving

Your requests to God just share

And the peace of God transcends

Surpasses understanding

Guards your hearts and minds my friends

As in Jesus you're living

Philippians 4:4-7