One or the Other?
You cannot serve both God and money. —Matthew 6:24
Is it true that if I love God
I will hate money?
Is the line stretched so taut?
Are there no shades of grey?
My life’s ambition is to love God
and enjoy his presence forever.
But a little money on the side
would be really helpful.
Too Much of a Good Thing
. . . every good tree bears good fruit—. —Matthew 7:17
A lemon tree graced the yard
of the house where I grew up.
Its fruit was just the right mix
of sweet and tart, a subtle savory
that perfected the iced-tea
on a summer day. I loved to sit
in the shade of that tree
and suck on a lemon,
my mouth puckering in pleasure.
Once I consumed eleven lemons
in one afternoon
and later paid the price.
Which only goes to show
that even a good prophet
needs to practice discretion.
Sometimes silence
is the truest word.
The Time of the Prophet
Watch out for false prophets—. .
. .by their fruit you will recognize them. —Matthew 7:20
This is the time of the prophet.
At least some churches are declaring
a comeback of this reputable spiritual gift.
Prophets abound.
I’m sure some are true prophets,
speaking forth a precise word of the Lord
for a certain people in a determined
time and place. Mixed among them,
it's likely that a few false prophets prowl,
pulled by their own purposes.
I imagine also a few innocents
who, thinking themselves prophets,
speak too much and too loudly,
trying the saints with their puffing and panting.
Too bad it takes so long
for a tree to bear fruit.
Look to the Ground
. . . a foolish man who built his house on the sand. —Matthew 7:26
I’m attracted to tiny houses,
at least those on YouTube.
Clever use of space,
open-concept design,
cozy lofts, and designer faucets
all say smaller is better.
The organic garden outside
confirms superiority.
I am, nevertheless, bothered
by its foundation on wheels.
What happens in a tornado?
Is the sustainable lifestyle
enough to survive
a heavy wind?
Does size matter,
or designer faucets,
when your house is built
on sand?
