Are You an EN-courager or a DIS-courager?

Do you ever get blue? … down in the dumps? … don’t want to be with anyone? I feel that way sometimes, but I have learned not to stay there, realizing that being in such a mood is one way Satan tiptoes up and strangles me. When a person is blue, he sometimes says and does things he shouldn’t, and often doesn’t want to be with others.

One of the most insidious tactics of Satan is discouragement. It is not conspicuous like other things – not cursing that others would have heard, not adultery or stealing, and so on. Discouragement is quiet, sneaky, slips up on you.

God wants us to be with other Christians and "hold up" each other's hands (Exodus 17:11-12), and be a "Barnabas" (Acts 4:36, NIV) to each other. (A commercial “plug”: look up and buy a copy of Vicky Litmer’s sweet book: “You are a Barnabas to Me”. I bought a few copies as gifts!) That’s one reason we can’t be a good, effective Christian by staying home and missing worship services. (Don’t get bent out of joint … I’m not talking about legitimate shut-ins and caregivers and such!) Colossians 3:16 (NIV) says that we are to “ … teach and admonish [encourage – NK] one another with all wisdom through psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit, singing to God with gratitude in your hearts.” (See also Hebrews 10:24 - 25.)

“Encourage” or a form of it is in the King James’ Version of the Bible only 9 times, and that in the Old Testament, but in the New International Version, it is used 15 times in the Old Testament and 30+ times in the New Testament!

“See to it, brothers and sisters, that none of you has a sinful, unbelieving heart that turns away from the living God, but encourage one another daily, as long as it is called “Today,” so that none of you may be hardened by sin’s deceitfulness.” – Hebrews 3:12 - 13, NIV.

Of course that are too many to write out here, but you can look up the following verses. Depending on the translation you use, “encourage” may not be the word used:

Romans 1:12;

Romans 12:8;

Romans 15:4, 5;

II Corinthians 13:11;

And several in I Thessalonians 4 & 5

The word “discourage” or a form of it is also used in the Bible. What happened when someone was discouraged? They lost battles. They listened to the wrong people, and God allowed them to be defeated!

One of my favorite verses – and which I recently got a pendant which is on a chain that I wear all the time now – is of a shield. On the back is Joshua 1:9: “ … Be strong and courageous. Do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.”

As the saying goes, one person and God is a majority! Or as Paul said (Romans 8:31): “ … If God be for us, who can be against us?”

When Christians plan to get together, whether for a singing and Bible study at someone’s house, or a simple pot luck meal – and at almost the last minute, the host gets sick and the event has to be canceled … or plans are made for some Christians to go on vacation together, and are anticipating being together – and a week before the cruise or flight time, something happens where it looks like they will have to cancel … Do you think that’s a coincidence? I don’t. And the older I get, the more I see such things happening. That’s when it is time to say: “Get behind me, Satan! You are trying to lead me to Hell! I am not following you! I am going on with my plans to be with Christians! I am following Jesus!”

- by Netagene Kirkpatrick, November 19, 2013 -

A friend's blog

I don't know why I just now thought to add this. If you like what I write, I'm sure you will also like that of an on-line friend of mine. We are friends on Facebook. Adam Litmer is a young man, age 35, married, preacher for the University Heights church of Christ in Lexington, Kentucky. He writes a lot of poems, etc. His blog is http://adamlitmer.blogspot.com

STRINGING BEANS and SINGING HYMNS

Verse 1 (6/8 time):

When I was younger I heard a sweet song

about things that happened in days that are gone –  

before high tech gadgets, before Life's fast pace –  

being with family and giving God praise.

Chorus 1 (4/4 time):

We'd be

on the front porch, stringing beans,

filling corn and peas to the cook pot's brims –  

families on the front porch all day long –  

laughing, working, playing, and singing hymns!

Verse 2 (6/8 time):

Families had gardens, sometimes smoke houses, too –

Maybe chickens and hogs –  oh what hard work they’d do.

Simple but healthy, the food that they raised –

Praying and thanking and giving God praise.

Chorus 2 (4/4 time):

We'd be

on the front porch, shucking corn,

shelling peas and beans from about mid-morn –  

families on the front porch all day long –  

laughing, working, playing, and singing songs!

Verse 3 (6/8 time):

Now I'm much older and fast go my days.

My voice is much weaker but I still sing God's praise.

Food is now canned goods from some grocery store,

but families on front porches meant so very much more!

Chorus 3 (4/4 time):

We'd be

on the front porch, stringing beans,

putting squash and peas to the cook pot's brims –  

families on the front porch all day long –  

laughing, working, playing, and singing songs!

Repeat Chorus, adding:

(Tag): stringing beans and singing hymns!

- by Netagene. I wrote 2 verses and 2 choruses in maybe 15 minutes on October 29, 2013. I wrote another verse and another chorus during Bible class (oops!) October 30. Years ago, a man and his 2 teen daughters played bluegrass. He wrote a song by that name. I bought their cassette, but I can't remember their name or where they were from. My cassette was gone in a fire in 1989 ... so I wrote my own song by that name (you can copyright a song, but not a song title). I have a tune for it, and will probably notate it eventually. I have to sit at the piano with paper and a good pencil with a good eraser and hand-write it. -

Just for A While

I know you are hurting – that you have bad days.

Your spirit is crying. It's hard to give praise.

Maybe something's gone wrong with your house of fine bricks –

Some pests, or a fire, or some vandals' bad tricks.

You forgot about a bill that now is past due.

You're overwhelmed with things – feel broken in two.

A friend has done wrong, or someone has died –

Maybe recent, or years – oh, the tears you have cried.

I truly do care, but there's One who cares more.

He gave His Son – and He can restore ...

All good things to us – one day it is true.

Like Job, we'll be blessed if we follow though.

Our sickness, our pain is just for a while.

The Great Physician can heal – change our tears to a smile.

Sorrow's for a season, then morning will come –

As we walk that last mile to our Heavenly home.

- by Netagene, started during Bible class (oops!) Wednesday evening, October 16, 2013, finished late October 18, 2013. -

I couldn’t think of a title so I asked several friends. My favorite, the one I chose, was suggested by Joyce Brumbeloe (who also writes some good poems), taken from the next-to-last verse. I was thinking especially of 2 real good friends who've each had worse-than-usually bad times this year. I first sent it to them shortly after I finished it.

THIS YEAR ... FOREVER

I was a person when first conceived,

though some don't think that – some don't believe.

Once we're all started on our race,

we go different directions, each our own pace.

Each one different size, each a different shade,

but our blood is the same, because we are God-made.

I may be happy, I may be sad,

Most times I'm good, but sometimes I'm bad.

I obey God or not during my life here below.

God gives me a mind to choose how I go,

But one thing is certain, indelibly sure:

God wants me to live right, no matter how long I endure.

I'll live forever, on earth: short or long, 

but my place is in Heaven. That's where I belong.

In choosing my life, it's Heaven or Hell.

How I live here is how I'll ever dwell.

I'm too old to die young, but I don't know the day.  

You don't know either – better walk in "The Way".

Choosing to live righteously is a real endeavor.

Breathing our last here is when we are severed –

But it happens to all – can't say it's never.

It's this year, or next year, or sometime – forever.

- by Netagene, August 28, 2013 -

I read the line: "This year, next year, sometime, never", in a novel. An Englishman was counting the cherry pits on his plate. As he touched each with his spoon, he said those words – that it’s sort of like "loves me, loves me not".

I tried to work in that line ... thinking of when each person passes from this life, that it may be this year, or next year, but it WILL be sometime, and it will be forever (NOT that it will NEVER happen). I read the line about midnight, and wrote this in 20 or so minutes.

Fancy profile picture, aboard a ship!

The new profile picture was made on July 12, the day of the "formal" pictures, on board the "Golden Princess" while at sea in Alaska. One of our group of about 120 people made the picture there in the ship's atrium. I am wearing an over-top that I crocheted. I was 69 years old in May. The trip was arranged through the PR and Alumni office of Florida College near Tampa, Florida, which I attended beginning in August, 1962, though nowhere near everyone with our group was an alumni nor associated with the college. We all met at a hotel in Seattle, then were bused on Sunday morning, July 7, to the church of Christ in Burien, Washington, then to the ship. When the ship got back to Seattle early July 14, buses were also arranged to take some to the airport for early flights, and others of us to morning worship. We also had daily devotions and information meetings on the ship. It was definitely the trip of a lifetime, and one that I enjoyed more than a trip to Hawaii in 2006.

WHEN I WORSHIP

When I worship, I want to be sure
that all that I do is good and pure.

I want my actions to have chapter and verse
so that I am right, and not accursed.

The slightest of doubt, and I'll back away,
so I'll see Heaven on that Great Judgment Day.

                                    I'd rather miss things on this spinning ball,
                                    than to miss Heaven ... and miss it all. 


- by Netagene. I wrote that in maybe 5 minutes on August 20, 2013 -

WHAT WILL IT MATTER?

If someone passes me by, and doesn't speak,

in a few years, what will it matter?

If I sometimes cry because I had a bad week,

in a few years, what will it matter?

If I trip and hurt myself, because I missed the door ...

Of a vase falls off a shelf, and becomes a mosaic on the floor ...

If I lose everything because my house burned down ...

If I sing and pray, or if I smile or frown ...

In a few years (or less), what will it matter?

If things go well for days, no matter what I do ...

If I am daily blessed, and feel I'm born anew ...

So what befalls me, physically, for good or bad while here on earth,

It's how I've acted, what I've done, that's the thing that has some worth.

That's what matters ...

God's gift for me is salvation. I know I'm saved by grace,

but I still have to reach and take it - I have to run the race.

How I've treated others, the road that I have trod ...

And if I've studied the Bible, and if I've obeyed God ...

That's all that will matter ...

- by Netagene. I wrote that off and on August 18 - 20, 2013 -

 

TALKING to MYSELF

On my porch, on my swing –

Crocheting maybe, just some … “thing” –

And talking to myself.

Walking down to get the mail,

I use a cane – hate to feel frail (1) –

And talking to myself.

At the stove to heat some food –

In the doldrums – lousy mood –

And talking to myself.

On the couch, reading a book,
My mind wanders with a faraway look (2) –
And talking to myself.

Kin (3) long ago turned away from me,
But God knows my heart (4). God can see

That I talk to myself.

It’s fine that I will never be rich,

But I wish my brain had an “on” and “off” switch,

So I’d stop talking to myself!

Taking a nap while it’s still day-light,

Or lying on my bed (5) at night,

I talk to myself.

But the silent talking -- now please, no jeers --
Is mostly to God, Who always hears (6).

I pray to God for friends and foes.
He lifts me up. He already knows (7)

Why I talk to myself.

God knows my thoughts (4). His hands I’m in (8)

When I talk to myself, or write with a pen.

Though I sometimes feel I’m the only one left (9),

I’m not actually talking to myself.

My talking to God is done quietly (10).

Living alone, it’s God and me,

So I talk ...

(1) v. 2 – Ecclesiastes 12:5; (2) v. 4 – Titus 2:13; Hebrews 12:2; Jude 21; (3) v. 5 - Proverbs 17:17; 18:24; (4) v, 5 & 10 – Job 21:27a; Psalm 94:11; Hebrews 4:12; (5) v. 7 – Psalm 4:4; (6) v. 8 – I Peter 5:7; I John 5:14; (7) v. 9 – Jeremiah 29:11; (8) v. 10 – Isaiah 49:16; (9) v. 11 – I Kings 19:14ff; (10) v. 12 – Psalm 46:10.

- by Netagene, in about 30 minutes while sitting on my front porch swing, 5pm, Thursday, July 25, 2013. I got the idea for this from lines in 2 books that I was alternately reading at the same day. One was a true story by Julie Powell: “Cleaving: A Story of Marriage, Meat, and Obsession”, © 2009, in which I read the words: “inner whisper” near the front of the book – and lines in Jonathan Raban's ''Foreign Land'', © 1985: chap 9: ''talking in the park, talking in the dark with you''. -

The Preacher Says

Ecclesiastes says there's a time for all things.

3:2 says a time to be born and to die.

Chapter 12 tells what will happen as onward we age.

Can't stop it no matter how hard we may try.

Personally, I'm not sick, but I'm falling apart,

just as wise Solomon said,

but I still plug along and do what I can,

until ''this ol' house'' of mine is dead.

My ''windows'' became bad in 2003,

but I still have some usable sight.

And I need aids for my ears, but I still can hear some,

But I often enjoy the quiet.

A congenital problem I have with my feet

has become worse, but I can still walk.

And a real old grinder recently had to come out,

but I can still eat and can talk.

So what that I'm slower, don't see or hear well,

and my speech is no longer real clear.

I'm still above ground and I'm mostly OK.

I guess God's got things for me yet to do here.

God gave His Son and I know I am saved.

I'm waiting for my Heavenly rest!

So even though I have problems - and don't we all! -

here on earth, O how richly I'm blest.

- by Netagene, written in about an hour this afternoon, Tuesday, May 15, 2013, while sitting on my porch. The word: "Ecclesiastes" is the Greek word for "gatherer", "teacher", or "preacher".

Growing Old and Going Crazy

“Growing old and going crazy” –

Something most of us have heard.

Old wives’ tale, I guess that that is –

Maybe real, more likely – absurd.

Some die young, but most grow older.

We’re not promised how long our life.

Each of us will face some problems –

Many good times, sometimes strife.

Sometimes “crazy” is simply meanness.

Aging’s not the problem here.

Bound up in bad is some folks’ habits.

Like dirt, it’s sin that some will wear.

Some act crazy, silly, pompous – 

Nothing that has to do with age.

A crazy rant might be emoting.

The actor might be quite a sage.

Be godly, gracious. Don’t become grouchy.

It’s possible, whether young or old.

Yes, it takes work but I can do it

I aim – and live in the Good Shepherd’s fold.

- by Netagene. I wrote this in a few minutes the evening of April 23, 2013, during worship (shame on me!), using a couple of lines I had scribbled, said by preacher David Holder, during another of his sermons, at the Huffman church of Christ, Birmingham, Alabama. David is from Nashville but has lived and preached for the Castleberry church in Fort Worth, Texas, for years.

LOOKING for a RAINBOW

I'm looking for a rainbow
during a raging storm's lull.
The sun's behind the clouds now.
The sky's overcast and dull.
The air is whispery, eerie calm.
following after blowing wind.
Only pitter-patter droplets
where downpour just has been.

I'm still looking for a rainbow,
but more dark clouds are moving in.
Listen! Distant thunder!
The stillness becomes wind.
Even though it's only mid-day,
street lights are coming on.
School buses are running early,
bringing children safely home.

The clock says it is day-time,
but the sky's near black again.
The storm's calm eye's passed over.
Here comes more howling wind.
Whether weather, whether life,
I prefer the calm, the sun,
but it take rain to make a rainbow,
and Heaven waits when this life's done.

- by Netagene. I wrote that on this day, in about 30 minutes, while sitting on my porch during the storm. Prayers going to people in other areas in a few other states, which got the brunt of the eastward moving storm. There were a few deaths and a good bit of destruction in some places.

Sing Me Home

When I am close to dying,
don't put me in a dark room.
Open the curtains to creation –
God's sun or the light of the moon.

Though temporary, while I'm alive,
don't hide me away from my friends.
Let me talk on the phone to the callers.
If visitors, let them come in.

I know that God made music.
I really want to hear
the songs and psalms of the Bible.
Sing them loud and clear.

If the nurses and doctors don't like it,
I'm telling you now really straight:
I want phone calls and visits and music
while I'm alive, not when it's too late.

So when I'm about to cross over,
don't hide me away, all alone.
Hold my hands and pray and love me, and
Sing me home.

- by Netagene. I wrote this in about 15 minutes on September 25, 2011. I found it today. Mother had passed from this life on August 11, 2011. -

TOURIST ATTRACTIONS

... or "Extreme Places" ...

Tourism is rising in Antarctica,

That's NOT where I want to go.

Heaven's MY "tourist" attraction,

I'm working on that while below.

No trips to Mount Everest or the Dead Sea –

No trips to the highest or lowest.

No trips to Death Valley or Antarctica –

No trips to the hottest or coldest.

God made me to live somewhere better,

not this alien land called the earth.

I'm working my way to LIVE there,

ever since I had my new birth!

My house down here's on solid land –

No sinkholes I can see,.

I'm pressing on to higher ground, where
God's preparing a mansion for me!

I won't have some step-on-the-bus guide person.

My guide will be much better than that.

My guide on my flight will be God's messenger –

an angel to God's "Welcome" mat!

Might as well spend your money here, traveling –

Can't take it with you when you're not here!

My treasures – laid up forever in Heaven –

With God and all things lovely and dear!

- by Netagene, March 16 and 17, 2013 -

A friend sent me a link about tourism in Antarctica, having had a brain burp and thinking Antarctica rather than Alaska for my hoped-for upcoming trip. But she got me to thinking, and I wrote back to her: "I SURE don't want to go to Antarctica! I also don't want to go to Mount Everest, etc., nor to Death Valley - solid land, not the highest or lowest ... or hottest or coldest!" 

I looked on line and found another place which is higher than Everest, depending if you measure from sea level or from where. And there are other places about as cold as Antarctica – a couple places in Russia, Greenland, and Canada. And I know –  but haven't looked this up recently, that there's a trench in the Indian Ocean or some such, that is as deep below sea level as Everest is as high ABOVE sea level - also somewhere I don't want to go!

Food Poem

CARBS and CAFFEINE

I like beef and potatoes,
chicken and pasta, too.
I've learned what foods that I can eat
to stay awake, or to sleep the night through.

Caffeine is a stimulant.
It really gets me wired.
I wish there was an ''off'' switch.
Can't stop though my body is tired.

I fade in a carbohydrate coma,
thanks to some good ol' mac' and cheese.
Just a bowlful, and I'd fall over
From a weather or a real light breeze.

Most of the time I am careful
of what and when I eat through the day,
but some foods are so very tempting 
That it's hard to turn them away.

So no carbs for me in the morning ...
No caffeine for me after lunch.

I've learned what foods I can eat when

I want to doze or when I need a punch.

And here where I am living -

in the good ol' U.S. of A.,

I have more than my share of good things.

I am so very blessed today.

- by Netagene Kirkpatrick, March 10 & 11, 2013.

ALL I CAN DO IS PRAY

The weather is hot, and then it is cold.

The day is too bright. The night’s a black hole.

From Abel and Cain, from good and from bad,

today's children often make their parents sad.

Couples pout or fight. Some part. Some thrive.

Follow Satan or God. Give up or survive.

The political scene ... the people rage.

Some are kind. Some are cruel.

Some are dumb. Some are sage.

So the world’s gone crazy? It’s always been this way.

From Adam and Eve until today.

Some wring their hands and whine and moan,

but I know I am not alone.

Though I'm here on earth, it's not my home.

When things aren't perfect, and don't go my way,

I'll keep on doing what I can ...

ALL I CAN DO IS PRAY.

It gets tiresome, hearing how bad things are.
I'm thankful for all I have today.
I can't change most things, not in any great way,
so I'll do what I can ...

ALL I CAN DO … IS PRAY.

Can you do more? Does crying help?

Stand and scream? Hide on some shelf?

What more can you do? What more can you say?

Try to stay calm. There’s help for today.

I’m confident my God is on the way.

I’ll keep doing what I can …

ALL I CAN DO IS PRAY.

ALL I CAN DO IS PRAY.

(You can put those 6 words anywhere you want to, after every line if you want to.)

- by Netagene Kirkpatrick, March 3, 2013 -

Weather Blessings?

The sun is shining. The grass is brown.
The yard has become a small lake.
Blame it on the weird weather.
Sometimes it's a bit hard to take.

One day it will be 70,
cloudless and just a light breeze.
The next day will be rain and tornadoes.
The next day: 28, and we freeze!

But it gives me pause while I'm inside,
to thank God for what blessings are mine -
that I'm sheltered from things that are outside,
knowing all things happen in God's time.

- by Netagene. I wrote that in about 5 minutes, about 12:30 p.m. today. And that is just how the weather has been: 70 a few days ago, rain and thunder so that part of my backyard is a small, shallow "lake", storms yesterday (tornadoes missed us but hit a small town NW of Atlanta), in the 20s last night, and today is cold and windy but real sunny.

EMPTY HANDS

Unless our hands are empty
of things that cause us pain,
God won't fill us with anything new,
or make us whole again.

So if your hands hold bitterness,
sadness or other bad things,
empty your hands at Jesus' cross,
and be filled with the love God brings.

- by Netagene, written in a few minutes on October 20, 2012. I got the idea from "God doesn't give us something new unless our hands are empty", from the 2007 novel: "Just Beyond the Clouds" by Karen Kingsbury.

THE KING's NEW CHAUFFEUR

A long time ago in a far-off country, the king needed a new wagon driver. He interviewed a lot of men who wanted to be his new chauffeur. He narrowed it down to three men.

He had a new, sturdy wagon. The little kingdom he ruled, though, was high in the mountains. You know what that means: narrow roads, many curves, high walls on one side, and a steep drop-off on the other side.

The first man to try out for the job was proud that he could drive so fast and get the king wherever he wanted to go in a hurry, and in plenty of time.

The next man drove slower and kept close to the wall.

The final man didn't drive fast, but drove the wagon as close to the cliff as he could because he like to see the beautiful scenery and thought the king would also enjoy seeing all the beauty that was in the valley below.

-----------

Which man do you think the king chose, and why?

(This is an old, old story, which I wrote down from memory and posted on my FaceBook wall on January 28, 2013.)