Am I Martha? Am I Peter?

Am I Martha?

Am I Peter

Saying Christ is God's own Son?

Someone asks if l have faith

When trials hit me 'til I'm numb.

Both were servants.

Both had problems,

Yet they still sat at Jesus' feet.

Human frailties, through the ages

But their example, I must repeat.

Yes, I believe that Christ is God.

Yes, I'll confess it. I am proud

To know He suffered, died for me,

Just one of many in a crowd.

I am unworthy, yet God's grace

And my obedience to His call

Gives me a home reserved in Heaven ...

Make earthly trials worth it all.

Bible verses: John 11:27; Matthew 16:16

... written by Netagene, April 2, 2020. I got the idea from something in our Bible class, by participatory conference phone call-in, the night of April 1. Paddy Kendall-Ball is the teacher and makes our lesson sheets. Since Sunday, March 22, the Huffman church of Christ has had such because of the corona virus quarantine. We have almost an hour worship on Sunday, a 30+ minute Bible class on Wednesday night, and a short devotional on Tuesday and Friday mornings. We are able to sing together, etc., and have announcements.

The GREAT I AM

The GREAT I AM

​Heavenly Father, the Great I AM.
I know You are watching little me.
My life is as vapor, drifting away.
(But) You lift me upward, heavenly.

Blessed Redeemer, the Great I AM.
I know You hear my constant prayer.
Example to others, in all that I say.
(But) You are with me, everywhere.

Righteous Counselor, the Great I AM.
I know You are merciful, full of grace.
I'm thankful You guide me by Your Law.
Your hand leads me on in my Heaven-ward race.

Written by Netagene, September 24, 2018

THE LIES THAT BIND

THE LIES THAT BIND

Many people say they love
The Bible, but they look
At only red gold edges,
And ne'er open The Book.

They'd rather someone tell them things ---
Good stories are inside.
They'd rather not be told about
The sins of lust and pride.

And if we choose to read God's Word,
We'll surely come to know
That what's inside those pages
Will help us live and grow.

Why be one who is lazy,
Or maybe lose our zeal?
Why tie to smiling preachers,
Whose soft soap isn't real?

Sure, much is in the Bible
About God's love and grace.
But all things have a shadow,
Some evil we must face.

The devil has his army,
And some don't realize
That many in that army
Are friends who tell us lies.

The Bible can be understood.
Yet many are spiritually blind.
They rather hear false teachers
Who tell them lies that bind.

Written by Netagene, begun just after midnight, October 13, 2019

I Will be Well

Here is the sheet music to the song I co-wrote November, 2018. Tony Kite wrote the words to the chorus. He wrote the melody, and Aneva Peirce wrote the harmony. It is free for you to copy and use.

Song: I WILL be WELL!

I will be well

When I leave the boat.

I will be well

Though I cannot swim.

I will be well

When I touch His coat.

I will be well

When I go to Him.

I will be well

When I lose my wrath.

I will be well

Even when l'm old.

I will be well

When I'm on His path.

I will be well

In the Shepherd's fold.

I will be well

When I am so ill.

I will be well

When I cannot see.

I will be well

When my body's still.

I will be well

For God walks with me.

Chorus:

I will be well

In my Savior's love.

I will be well,

Here or heav'n above.

I will be well,

For He's telling me,

"You will be well, child.

You walked with me."

I wrote the 3 verses on November 14, 2018. On November 16, I got the diagnosis that I had endometrial cancer. I posted the poem on a couple of Facebook walls. On November 18, Anthony Harlen "Tony" Kite, one of the directors of the Texas Normal Singing School, in Abilene, which I'd attended on a full scholarship a few months previously, added the chorus, and wrote a melody. He and another friend-in-person, Aveva Peirce, added the harmonies. I and a couple of other friends changed a couple of notes. I am adding a picture of the sheet music here, and separately. If anyone wants it, please contact me. We sang it at the Huffman church of Christ, Birmingham, Alabama, a few times. It has also been sung by a church in Connecticut and by one in Vermont, that I know of ... and possibly by others.

Tim Stevens led it a few times when he was at Huffman, May 3-5, 2019. He had Romans 15:13 on rhe screen.

Other applicable Bible verses, for each verse of the poem/song: Matthew 14:26-30; 9:20-22 (the woman who touched the hem of Jesus' coat); Proverbs 15:1 and Job 5:2, about being angry; Leviticus 19:32 and Proverbs 16:31 about getting old; Jeremiah 6:16 (walk in the old paths); Psalm 23:5, John 10:14, 1 Peter 5:4; Matthew 10:8 and Luke 7:2; Ecclesiastes 12:3 and Matthew 11:5; John 11, the story of Lazarus; Psalm 23:4

AVERAGE TEPID TEA

Are you drinking from a cup of tepid tea?
Is your life on hold in mediocrity?
Friend, let me tell you, it could be worse ...
You could be stuck in reverse.

Do you think that "average" is a-ok?
That your so-so attempts will pave your way?
Friend, let me tell you, that isn't so!
Backing up is a "no show".

Stalled in neutral, going nowhere.
Quicksand of life ... why don't you care???
Example to others. They watch all that you do.
Yearning for help to pull through.

Not hot or cold, a lukewarm bath ...
Not aiming is aiming a sorry path.
Satan's the enemy, holding you back.
What do you lack?

Work as for God, with His all-seeing eyes.
Aim for the goal. Run for the prize.
Be a servant to others. Do your best.
Heavenly eternal rest.

By Netagene, June 12, 2018. Tried something new in changing the meter of each last line.

I got the idea from the title of a book I read about while reading another book. In "Lessons from a Third Grade Dropout", Dr. Rick Rigsby mentioned "An Enemy called Average", by John Mason.

YOU are SO LOVED! COME and SEE!

YOU are SO LOVED
(COME and SEE)

"He said to them, Come and see. They came and saw where he dwelled, and stayed with him that day ..." -- John 1:39

You are so loved, yet you feel lost.
The answer to heal is kneel at the cross.

You look for help, impatiently.
Hold to my hand.
Come and see.

You are so loved by friends you've not met
Life seems unreal. Be still. Do not fret.

Help for the lost. Watch patiently.
Christ is alive.
Come and see.

Follow the Son. Be clean and set free.
You are so loved.
Come and see.

Written by Netagene, Monday, August 27, 2018

The idea for the poem ... the church of Christ in Fultondale had a booth on Friday and Saturday at the Fultondale Founders' Day Festival. The preacher, Keith Stonehart, posted a couple of pictures. "You are so loved" and "Come and see" were on some things there.

FORSAKING

Welcoming, greeting Old friends and new.
Encourage each other, Hospitable, too.
Showing our love When we gather as one.
Singing and praying 'til our life is done.

I miss so much when I fail to attend.
Meeting with others As each week begins.

No reason I have for My absentee state.
One miss, another, then I've sealed my fate.
Fellowship missing is Done gradually.
Travel or working Is now priority.

Satan rejoices as I now backslide.
Then comes God's judgment. I've no place to hide.

God says,
"Well done, good servant, While in My employ.
You've faithfully obeyed. Welcome into My Joy!"

Lackadaisical, lukewarm,
Apathetic and lost.
Too late to repent
Now I'm paying the cost.

Written by Netagene, April 21-22, 2019

DENIAL

DENIAL! No, that cannot be
The Son of God! Deity!
God's far above. We cannot see
How spirit becomes humanity.

Denial! Yes, He's just a man!
I saw things, too. I touched his hand.
He fed a crowd? Made lame to stand?
A magician does the things He can.

Denial is what I will say.
I know He walked here on this clay.
He made a path, said it's His way.
I won't kneel down. I'll never pray.

Denial … changed into belief
When it's too late, I'm at His feet.
When I'm in hell, there's no relief.
He tiptoed in just like a thief.

Denial still? Or have you learned
That Christ is God, the One you spurned.
You cannot tell the day or hour.
You now affirm God's mighty pow'r.

Denial? Oh, but you can change
While yet you've time to rearrange
Your life, so you might never fall.
Today's the day. Obey God's call.

Written by Netagene, March 1-5, 2018; probably finished. Posted on Facebook.

FREELY GIVE

Jacob's family left Egypt a long time ago.
Brought with them silver and gold.
Thankful for freedom, they gave willingly (Exodus 25:1-2; 36:3)
For God's Tent as they watched it unfold.

Christ willing left Heaven, descended to us.
Deity leaving His Throne.
Suffering Savior who loves lowly me,
Gave of Himself all alone.

God blesses me daily. I'm rich in all things.
Forgiveness of sins through His Son.
No tithing for me. I give willingly
So the rest of the World can be won.

Chorus:
Freely give (freely give), willingly (willingly)
From our glad hearts, cheerfully (cheerfully.
God loves us (God loves me) as we love Him.
Freely give ourselves – to – Him.

~ Rough draft written by Netagene, February 7, 2018. Someone on the Facebook wall for church of Christ hymnody wrote that the church needed more songs about the contribution. In the Bible class where I worship, we had recently been studying in Exodus, so that was on my mind. Hopefully someone will write a tune for this. ~

Through a Dim Glass

THROUGH A DIM GLASS

The older I get,

The denser I see,

As if through a scrim,

Opaquely.

Some things that I know

Now seem as a shade.

Thick, grey-white fog ...

Synapses delayed.

Faithful through life,

But sometimes I slide.

Repent ... I'm forgiven.

From God, I can't hide.

Still I have hope,

Though curtain was hung.

Love everlasting.

Heaven's begun!

Through a dim glass ...

Window between --- 

Faith, hope, and love ---

My life is now clean. 

The older I am,

The closer I'll be

To heavenly rest,

Eternally.

by Netagene, October 10-11, 2017. This is my “working” copy, even though I already posted it on Facebook like this. Maybe it's complete. ... I've read that forgetting and misplacing things and sometimes being slow to find words is nothing to worry about, that the problems (such as senility, Alzheimer's, whatever) arise when a person forgets what something is for.

Jesus ... if I still could drive

Jesus, draw me --- ever nearer ...

If I only --- still could drive.

I get tired --- and discouraged,

Always calling --- for a ride.

Hope some Christian --- understands this,

Through my ever --- silent plea.

With my Bible --- and my song book,

At my home is --- where I'll be.

When I'm home bound, I'm not angry.

Trials come while --- here below.

I'll still praise the --- GREAT CREATOR.

Jesus loves me. This I know.

I'm encouraged --- when with others.

Blood-of-Christ kin --- is the best.

I am ready --- for forever.

Heaven's waiting. I will rest.

Jesus, draw me --- ever nearer ...

Whether deaf or --- whether blind.

I'll hear singing. I'll see Jesus.

Angels, take me --- on my last ride.

By Netagene, October 4, 2017. The lady who's been taking me to worship lately (since my main chauffeur friend is in rehab) was sick. I didn't want to pressure anyone to either get me, or find someone who could.

What Jesus did for Me

What Jesus did for me

(I can’t imagine)

I can't imagine love so true

Mercy abundantly
Giving me a life anew
What Jesus did for me.

I can't imagine love so strong
That gives me liberty
Bound to right instead of wrong
What Jesus did for me.

I can't imagine how He died
He suffered on Calvary.
Raised on the cross and crucified
What Jesus did for me.

I can't imagine how He prayed
On earth, such humility

Then in a tomb, His body laid

What Jesus did for me.

I can’t imagine that He cared

He is God – equality!

Because of Him, my life is spared

What Jesus did for me.

I can’t imagine how He saw

My pride, my vanity

Yet He who was without a flaw

What Jesus did for me.

I can’t imagine how he cried

When He saw into me

Yet took me in, His arms held wide

What Jesus did for me.

By Netagene Kirkpatrick, April 24, 2016.

I was blessed to get to attend the Texas Normal Singing School in Abilene, Texas, July, 2018, thanks to being awarded a scholarship. Other friends paid my airfare. Two of my 5 classes were hymn writing (song lyrics) and Finale (the music notation program used by most composers from one person to a full orchestra, etc.). In part of hymn writing, the teacher Randy Daw told us to choose a poem, psalm, etc., original or from anywhere, and write a melody to it. I had this poem with me. Randy liked it. I was able to write a tune for it, using no keyboard, etc., just simply free-hand. The next day, he told us to write a bass line. I had a fairly simple one in mind but because Randy had guest composers there 2 or 3 times, we didn't have enough time. He, and James Tackett, the teacher of the Finale class, quickly put a bass line into Finale (which I had on my laptop), plus typed in 4 verses (also into Finale). About 30 minutes before the Thursday night chapel, Randy told me that my song (and 3 others from the class) was going to be performed!

Sitting on the Premises

Sitting on the Premises

(To the tune of "Standing on the Promises")

  

Sitting on the premises – I can't take wing.
Always, ever mumbling, never try to sing.
Nodding just a little, to the pew I cling --
Sitting on the premises of God.

Sitting on the premises – wish I could bail.
When the preacher speaks about an end in Hell.
Feel like I am falling down a deep dark well.
Sitting on the premises of God.

Sitting on the premises, O woe is me.
Feel like I'm Egyptian in the deep Red Sea.
Sitting here in prison's what it seems to be.
Sitting on the premises of God.

  

Sitting on the premises, though I am bored,
Like I'm catatonic, too much wine was poured.
Only once a week is all that I'll afford.
Sitting on the premises of God.

Sitting on the premises, I don't stand tall,
Waiting for the time when I can leave this hall.
Almost took a nap but that would cause a brawl --
Sitting on the premises of God.

Probably most church goers know the song, "Standing on the Promises", but probably everyone occasionally has a bad day – maybe worked a double shift on Saturday, stayed up too late Saturday, woke up with a headache, something heavy on your mind, etc. … But you know that if it's Sunday, if at all possible, you should be worshipping God with others in a church house, even if you don't really feel like it ...

Parody by Netagene Kirkpatrick, April, 2016

NEW BIRTH DAY!

Happy Birthday, yes, to you!

And yes, you’re not a babe –

But yes, in one sense, oh! you are –

Yes, now you’re truly saved!

So you were born some time ago,

To parents here on earth,

But this time’s so much better!

It’s now your spiritual birth!

This birthday, you died to sin.

You shed your dirty clothes.

God washed you white – you know it’s true!

You’re new when you arose!

Christ is now your brother.

You’ll never be alone!

As long as you stay faithful,

You’ll see your Heavenly home!

So Happy Birthday at this time!

You know for sure you’re right!

And now, my friend, God blesses you

As you walk in His light!

- by Netagene Kirkpatrick, in about 10 minutes, October 1, 2014, for a new Christian, though in this case, for a lady in her 70s who has been a Christians for years, but began to think that she had been baptized for the wrong reason or some such, when she was young. She was baptized again on September 24, 2014. Better to be SURE! -

THE OUTSIDER

Everywhere there's always a person

who is almost always alone.

It's especially sad when it's at church,

though usually not TOO bad when at home.

Could be a man, but more likely, a lady.

She may even have been there for years,

but because of cliques, she's an outsider,

and that causes her heartbreaking tears.

Maybe she's shy, or a widow,

or maybe single all of her life,

but to be excluded is hurtful,

and you know that God condemns strife.

Invite her to a party or luncheon,

but don't leave her alone on the wall.

What if Jesus came there by Himself?

Would He feel welcome at all?

Don't YOU want to be treated kindly,

rather than ignored, and almost cruel?

Remember to follow the Bible,

and what we call the "Golden Rule".

You may find you have things in common

when you reach to her with compassionate love.

God bless you as you work to serve others.

Remember ALL blessings come from above.

One day, you may be where she is -

feeling unloved, in the cold.

So PLEASE, if you're in the "in" crowd,

include this lonely soul.

- by Netagene, February 3, 2014, written especially for and at the request of a good friend, a widowed Christian who feels like an outsider where she worships. I, too, am an outsider. Like her, I have no blood kin nearby, but a lady 20 years my senior started inviting me to lunch with some other single ladies, after Sunday morning worship. Sometimes it’s only 2 or 3 of us, sometimes a few more. The only nearby places are “fast food”, but we’re together more for the friendship. I have also been “adopted” by a lady almost 20 years my junior who lives near me, who has a ladies’ Bible class and pot luck lunch on Tuesday mornings. I am so blessed! -

SPECIAL DAYS

In all of our lives, there are some special days,

Celebrated at times in familiar ways.

The day you got glasses so that you could see,

Or hearing aids – Listen! Birds singing in trees!

It’s special when you got an “A” on a big test,

Then the college degree when you’ve done your best.

The birth of a child is usually nice, or

The day that a soldier paid the ultimate price.

The anniversary of when you married the love of your life,

Celebrating times through good things and strife.

But to God, there’s no one special day in the year,

Not one day to celebrate, not one to hold dear. (1)

Some always worship – they regularly go twice,

But two times a year is no sacrifice.

Christmas nor Easter will keep us in line,

But one day remembered yearly, 52 times.

The empty tomb – the stone rolled away. (2)

Christ tells us to remember. That’s what we obey. (3)  

Christ rose from the dead the first day of the week,

Every week has a first day, so that’s what we keep. (4)

The same words are used for the collection, too. (5)

Most churches want money, so that’s what they do.

They take the Lord’s Supper yearly twice, 3, or 4;

But taking up money? They do that much more.

Our lives here are vapor. They’re gone in a puff. (6)

After that, good and bad are separated by a gulf. (7)

Saved by God’s grace? Yes, but still we must obey.

So you feel it’s too much to remember Him every first day?

1. Galatians 4:7-11; 2. Matthew. 27-28; Mark 15-16; Luke 23-24; John 18-20; 3. Luke 22:14-20: I Corinthians  11:20-26; 4. Acts 20:7; 5. I Corinthians 16:1-2; 6. James 4:13-14; 7. Luke 16:20 ff.

- by Netagene, December 28, 2009. I found it only recently in an old e-mail! Yes, I have both "seeing aids" (since I was in my teens) and hearing aids (for about 8 years now), and have an associates' degree (in music) from college. I also attend worship almost every time the doors are open. I think that is what God requires. We are to encourage each other, and the best way is to physically be with others! -

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 -

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 -

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.)