Poetry of Christian Faith

51, 6-1, SHOW  NOTES & COPYRIGHTS,  (4/8/22)

Season 6, Episode 1, who would have thought?   Only with God.  Amen

Reflection of the previous seasons:

Today we have one poem from God Still Rhymes and 3 unpublished poems.   My hope is that these poems will lead us to Palm Sunday and Easter.  

We’ll start with an unpublished poem,

I WEPT

I wept

As a thought crept

Through my mind

Only to find

I had left behind

What did bind

My heart

At the day’s start.

It was forgiveness,

In which I had been living,

But had not been giving

To another.

That guilt did smother

The joy of my day.

So I knelt to pray

That as God does forgive

That I may live

As God has done

Through Jesus His Son,

Forgive

And live.

Who knows why this came before I went to sleep.  Then as I wrote the last sentence I understood.                                                                                                 4/14/2021, tcarter

Discussion:

Another unpublished poem.  First the reflection at the end:

Leading up to Easter Sunday I read the accounts of the Jesus’ triumphant entry int Jerusalem, the last supper, His rejection by the people, His being nailed to the cross, dying and His resurrection in the four Gospels.  Putting them all together was quite eye opening.  Easter Sunday I started reading the Book of Acts.  Following my previous days reading, it also was eye opening.  Then on Monday I watched the evening news before reading further in Acts.  This is the result of the news colliding with God’s word.

OUR ACTIONS TODAY

“Lord, consider their threats and enable your servants to

speak your word with great boldness.   Stretch out your 

hand to heal and perform signs and wonders through the

name of your holy son Jesus.”   (Acts 4: 29,30, NIV)

Yesterday, today and tomorrow

The world does live in sorrow,

By many accepted,

By others rejected,

The decrees of man

Demanding what never can

Bring everlasting relief,

Just an everlasting grief.

As followers of Christ

His name we praise.

Risen from the grave

We live with God given rights.

In pain the world squeals

Not knowing Jesus heals.

For others we must pray

Each and every day

That God’s word is heard

And help those in need

So they may overcome

What the world has done.

Through Jesus they can have life

No longer living in strife.                           3/5/21, tcarter

Discussion:

Our next poem is from God Still Rhymes, pg 61,

THE TREES

From the garden to the cross,

From the fruit that gave man loss,

Thru Mary, the first fruit of her womb,

And resurrection from the tomb,

The Garden of Eden, where life began,

It was here that God breathed life into man.

And of the fruit of the trees they did eat;

Nourished, their needs God did meet.

There were two trees unlike the rest,

One whose fruit gave life eternal,

Constant blessing, forever in God’s love,

The fruit of his blessings, nourishing eternal.

The fruit of the second was forbidden;

The tree of knowledge of good and evil let sin in

So that once eaten death would arrive,

Man for eternity would not survive.

Was it pride,

Was it rebellion,

Was it doubt

That created sin?

Banished from the garden,

Now living guilty in sin.

Banished as perfection they did destroy.

Knowing of death in their spirit

And facing the death of their existence,

Knowledge allowed them no more joy.

So, for centuries in man’s time

For sin man had to atone

Lest he be left to walk alone.

Was it a day or more in God’s time?

Then God said after many years,

I have shed too many tears,

I will make a way

For man to stay.

The fruit of thy womb Jesus prayed

As faithful to God he stayed

Always and forever sinless

In a world that was winless.

So, it was on the day of that sacrifice,

The final payment that did suffice

For the knowledge of the good and the bad,

The suffering and the death man had,

It was on this day for all who could see

That from sin man was finally set free.

For on this day the fruit of the tree of life

Was nailed to a tree filled with strife,

Dying, sacrificed on a tree for the sin of man;

An act of love we never could and never can.

Sin started with the fruit of a tree

And ended with the death on a tree.

Dying for me

Jesus set me free. 

Epilogue

From the tree of life in the garden

To the tree on which Jesus gave his life   

For me, for you, for those who will believe.

Death nailed to a tree to set us free.

The final tree of life, the cross of Jesus,

The cross he did bear

To a world unaware.

Salvation through death,

The Tree of Life still stands

Bearing fruit and blessings.

Discussion:

We’ll end with another unpublished poem that I know I need to remember ever day I live.

BE

In wonder I did lay

Not knowing the words

And before I could pray

A voice I heard, 

“Be still, and know that I am God.”

Psalm 44:10

4/16/2021, tcarter

Discussion:

AS WE CLOSE IN PRAYER, MAY WE CONTINUE IN PRAYER

Dear Heavenly Father we come to you in prayer as we end today’s podcast.  Dave and I thank You for Your leading us through the day and into tomorrow.  We pray that today has been pleasing to You and honors Your glory.

We pray for our listeners and viewers; for their needs, healing and the salvation of those who have not yet accepted the gift of Your grace by faith.  

We pray, Lord, for this world in which we live.  Father, as Christians lead us to proclaiming the gospel where ever we are.  May we do so in a loving  way.  Lead us to the truth of the days we are living in.  We pray for the nation of Ukraine and its people; its leaders, those who have fled the country to find safety, those who are still trying to leave the country and those who are staying to fight the invading army of their enemy.   May their faith and determination be an example to the entire world.

Dear Lord, prepare us and our listeners and viewers for the coming week.  We pray that it is You we live for and You who leads us.  As we walk with you  this week, may it be Your hand clasped around our hand so we may feel the grasp of Your love.

We pray in the name of Jesus, our Savior and Redeemer.

Amen

4/3/2022

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                   If you give

Him the times

As you live

His word rhymes

And don’t forget, “We are the Kings kids and you will never get rid of us for we are His with Jesus.”

Follow is on our website                                                                

www.livingingodsrhyme.com

You can buy Tim's books at the following websites

god rhyme tim carter | Barnes & Noble® (barnesandnoble.com)

Amazon.com : God's Rhyme Tim Carter

https://www.lettrapress.com

Please follow us on Facebook and Like us

(6) Tim Carter, God Still Rhymes | Facebook

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You can hear us on Apple Podcast, Google Play, Pandora, Stitcher, IHeart radio, Tunedin Radio. and all the other podcast sites. 

Please subscribe to the podcast

Tell all your friends about us and have them tell thier friends,

Thank you for being here, we are blessed that you listened.

Tim and Dave

"If you give Him the times As you live His word rhymes "

"We are the King’s kids and you’ll never get rid of us because we are His with Jesus."

Living In God’s Rhyme ©2018 by Tim Carter

God Still Rhymes ©2019 by Tim Carter

God’s Rhyme ©2019 by Tim Carter

50, 5-10, SHOW  NOTES & COPYRIGHTS,  (Scheduled 4/1/2021)

Revised 3/24/22, 3/27/28

Today we are going to read poems about prayer.  After praying for guidance, I found five poems that are about prayer.  Prayer is in the title.  And if we have time I’ii read a poem about prayer that I wrote after the five prayers were chosen.  

We’ll get April Fool’s day out of the way so we can move on to our theme for the day.

Today, April fools,

I wonder who rules,

The don’ts or do’s.

Is it April

Who does fill

Our minds with nonsense,

Not dollars and sense?

Is it April herself,

Now off the shelf,

Who has the last laugh

When it starts to rain 

On our parade,

Turning our tears of laughter

Into raindrops falling on my head?

Sorry if you were expecting a joke.  April Fool’s day is no joke,  You better be prepared for it.

Discussion:

Our first poem is from God Still Rhymes, pg. 57

MY PRAYER TODAY

Lord, tell me what to pray.

Tell me what I should say.

May your Spirit that is holy

Be at my side, my guide solely.

What I do learn

I do not earn,

But by your grace

I now have faith.

You lead me not astray.

You show me the path to stay.

It is thru your Spirit

That I now can learn it.

Lead me, guide me,

Take my life and set me free.

Discussion:

The next poem is also  from Living In God’s Rhyme, pg 85

THE STORY OF MY PRAYER

Dear Father in Heaven I pray that I live for you today.

Dear God I pray that all I say

Is that your will be done, that I live for your Son,

That with the setting sun, your will has been done.

My heartfelt hope, my desire

Is that I not deserve your ire,

That by your indwelling spirit,

The voice of your words, I hear it.

So why today do I feel defeated?

Why do I know there is a distance

Between you and me, and what I see?

Why do I know it is all because of . . .?

As I am lay my head upon my bed

I feel the fear that you are not near.

The fear that I know is that of what I did sow,

That when I shut the door, I feel your presence no more.

It is time that is wasted,

In a vast waste land that is my mind.

It is blessings that are squandered

As not trying, you I did not find.

Then your word as I pray to repent:

He has shown you, O mortal, what is good.

And what does the Lord require of you?

To act justly and to love mercy

and to walk humbly with your god.

(Micah 6: 8, NIV)

As I get ready for sleep, as my soul does weep,

I pray that what I did sow, tomorrow will not grow.

As I get ready for sleep, I pray that my soul you keep,

Keep it from the dust, that I do what I must.

Yes, Lord I pray for your help in living my life

In a way that pleases you and those I meet.

I do pray for your help keeping me from strife,

From falling in the gutter of the crowded city street.

But more than that prayer

I pray that you remove the door,

The one that I keep closing,

That when closed keeps you out.

When that door is closed

My voice is silent

And my hearing deaf,

My sight is blinded.

So I ask Lord that this be my prayer:

But  for me, I watch in hope for the LORD,

I wait for God my Savior;

my God will hear me

(Micah 7: 7, NIV)

Discussion:

One more from Living in God’s Rhyme, pg. 170.  We’ll start with the reflection at the end of the poem in the book.

Reflection on Pray Always:

Again this is not what I thought I would be writing about today.  It was two nights before this would be posted, Labor Day evening.  It wasn’t a busy day, but it wasn’t a wasted day either.  I was trying to think about what to write and came up with a couple of ideas.I even had the title of the poem typed on the page.  After a minute or two of looking at the titles of the other poems I had written for the book, this poem was written.  Again a asked for help and guidance and got it.  Prayer is always there.

PRAY ALWAYS

I started my day with a prayer

Knowing that I would also receive.

I know that I must always pray for others,

Pray for the needs of my sisters and brothers.

Through my daily prayer I have found

Prayer can be ever mending.

With the many needs that abound

Prayer we should be never ending.

As my thoughts will wander

And my heart does ponder

My first prayer is to Heaven above 

That my prayer will reflect his love.

God knows our needs.

Through prayer he feeds

Those in need

As we heed.

We are commanded to pray,

To pray, pray without ceasing.

Asking the Holy Spirit for the words to say

We can experience God’s power releasing.

No, we do not release God’s power.

But through our prayer we do not cower

As we feel the spirit within us,

The compassion that comes from Jesus.

While praying I know that God is with me

As I go through my day, in all I see.

As I prayed for the needs of another

He has blessed me along with the others.

I am in the presence of God

And as he listens I do too.

As I pray I am blessed by God

As all who pray will be too.

Everyone needs a prayer.

Everyone needs to pray.

Discussion:  I pray through my day.  Asking for forgiveness, to feel God’s presence in my day and to thank God for the good things that happen, especially the unexpected blessings.

One more if we have time from God’s Rhyme, pg. 33.

PRAYER

Dear Jesus, how do I pray,

            what do I say?

What words do I speak

            for the peace that I seek?

I give thanks to You

            for all that You do,

for the blessings You are giving

            in this life I am living.

I praise Your blessed name,

            forever & always it is the same.

Yesterday You guided me,

            today You helped me see.

Forgive me for all the wrongs,

keep me singing happy songs.

From temptation set me free

so that in You I can be.

I praise You

I thank You

I worship You

I honor You

Jesus, You set me free,

            now I can see.

When my vision is blurred

            You show me Your word.

As I have been blessed,

            now I pray for the rest,

for my sisters & brothers

            who think they have no other.

For our salvation You are risen,

            for us new life You have given.

Use me as You would

            that others may have what they should.

I praise You

I thank You

I worship You

I honor You

On bended knee or with hands upraised,

            it is Your life that is praised.

And as I give You my life

            You take from me my strife.

You have given me so much;

            joy, life, love & the such.

& all You have taken

            is my life’s burden.

You are all the love 

from Heaven above.

& Jesus, each time I pray 

there is not enough to say.

Except,

            I praise You

                        & Your holy name,

            I thank You 

for what You have done,

            I worship You

                        as my Savior & Lord,

            I honor You

                        as only You deserve,

            & I do Love you,

                        my Jesus, my Lord,

                        my Savior, my friend.

Amen

Discussion: 

And if we really have time, one I wrote while putting the Show Notes together.

MY PRAYER MARCH 22. 2022

We are told by the Apostle Paul

To pray always, without ceasing.

Pray that we hear God’s call, 

That our faith keeps increasing.

May we remember in our prayer

That beyond those moments God is there.

So we do give Him praise

For the life He did raise.

Death over the grave

From sin he does save.

Knowing our prayer, he does hear it.

And living within us His Holy Spirit,

We can pray that as the winds are swirled

We will not be overtaken by the world.

As we pray to be forgiven

For the life we live in,

God is true to forgive

So with Him we can live.

There is a world in need,

So we pry as we heed

What He does command.

May we pray and understand.

We will pray for others, 

For children and mothers,

That the lost will be found.

And that His love may abound.

Pray without ceasing

As love is deceasing.

Pray we become

Greater than the sum

Of death and in

this world we live in.

tcarter 3/22/22

Discussion:

PRAYER FOR UKRAINE AND THIS WORLD

Dear Heavenly Father,

We find that every day

We must kneel and pray.

And in this season

We daily find

More of a reason

We must not be blind.

We pray for peace

As the world does shout,

Now led by one

Who is not God’s Son.

The battle has begun,

The battle hymns sung.

Lines have been erased

And sovereignty defaced.

Lord, we pray for Ukraine.

We pray, remove their pain,

Rebuke the lies

Falling from the skies.

Lord, We pray that Your word

Is spoken and heard

Beyond this day

Oh Lord, lead me as I pray.

We pray, Lord, God, Father in Heaven.

We pray . . . 

. . . . . . . . . . . 

Lead us Lord

Beyond the horde.

Lord, bless Ukraine, its people, leaders and warriors.  May their example in their faith of their sovereignty be an example to the world.  And may the faith of Christians in prayer lift them up to overcome.

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  If you give

Him the times

As you live

His word rhymes

And don’t forget, “We are the Kings kids and you will never get rid of us for we are His with Jesus.”

Follow is on our website                                                                

www.livingingodsrhyme.com

You can buy Tim's books at the following websites

god rhyme tim carter | Barnes & Noble® (barnesandnoble.com)

Amazon.com : God's Rhyme Tim Carter

https://www.lettrapress.com

Please follow us on Facebook and Like us

(6) Tim Carter, God Still Rhymes | Facebook

Please follow us on Youtube.com

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCqSR3-0c9FfAZnblwJ2u0dA

You can hear us on Apple Podcast, Google Play, Pandora, Stitcher, IHeart radio, Tunedin Radio. and all the other podcast sites. 

Please subscribe to the podcast

Tell all your friends about us and have them tell thier friends,

Thank you for being here, we are blessed that you listened.

Tim and Dave

"If you give Him the times As you live His word rhymes "

"We are the King’s kids and you’ll never get rid of us because we are His with Jesus."

Living In God’s Rhyme ©2018 by Tim Carter

God Still Rhymes ©2019 by Tim Carter

God’s Rhyme ©2019 by Tim Carter

49, 5-9, SHOW  NOTES & COPYRIGHTS,  (Scheduled 3/25/2022)

Today we are going to read poems and discuss our need to ave faith and trust and hope in God over everything.  It is not the world that is going to save us.  No, it is not!

Discussion:

The first poem s from Living in God’s Rhyme and is found on page...

48, 5-8, SHOW  NOTES & COPYRIGHTS,  (Scheduled 3/18/2022)

Today’s poems are all from Living in God’s Rhyme.  They can be found starting on page 21 and going through page 30. 

I thought it best to read the reflection for the first poem before reading the poem.  It might help us through the reading, discussion and as I read it, understanding what was going through my mind as I was writing.

Reflection on Thoughts from the Index Card Box

Sometimes I have a good day at work. Today was one of those because I had an idea for today's write. A few years ago I started to write down notes on index cards of Bible verses or thoughts I had while reading. They have sat for a few years not collecting dust because they have been stored in a box. I have found that things stored in my brain get lost. So this idea came to me (you figure out from where) to put a few of the notes into one poem. This is the result of safe storage and God's answer to prayer.

TOUGHTS FROM THE INDEX CARD BOX

“Here I am!  I stand at the door and knock.  

If anyone hears my voice and opens the door 

I will come out and eat with that person, 

and they with me.”   Rev 4:19 (NIV)

Jesus, he is here,

Here, there and everywhere.

We do not always see him

Because we have shut the door.

So he knocks and calls our name

So we may hear his voice and open the door.

He seeks us out

As in our lives we move about,

Here, there,

There and everywhere.

It is the door to our heart

That he wants to enter through

So we may have a new start

To the lives we are living through.

We will sit at his table

And be more than able

To do more than before

We opened the door.

Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law 

by becoming a curse for us.  Gal 3:13 (NIV)

His creation falling, sinning 

Against God and his Law,

Commandments we would not keep.

Only occasionally forgiveness did we seek.

But God so loved us, 

So wanted us to be with him,

That he sent his Son Jesus,

To be sacrificed for our sin.

Accepting and believing 

In the final atonement,

His sacrifice on the cross

Redeems us from our loss.

God cursed himself

Through his Godly Son,

A curse we deserved

But now “it is done.”

“For my Father’s will is that everyone that

 looks to the Son and believes in him shall

 have eternal life, and I will raise them up 

on the last day.”  John  6:40 (NIV)

Raised up on the last day,

For what more could we pray.

But for now on this earth we stay

Merely earthen vessels of clay.

But through God’s grace

And our undying faith

These earthen vessels of clay

Will be made anew one day.

We have been made righteous in his sight,

Redeemed in his eyes,

Our sins forgiven,

And through our love for him 

We will live in his glory.

Starting with the Christmas story

We are now with God made right.

“If anyone hears my words but does not keep them, 

I do not judge that person.  For I did not come to

judge the world, but to save the world.  

There is a judge for the one that rejects me and does not

 accept my words; the very words that I have spoken 

will condemn them at the last day.”  John 12: 47-48

Do we worry when we’re in no hurry?

As we live our lives do we give

Even a thought to what we ought

To be praying instead of saying?

He’s knocking at the door,

Open it before it is too late.

There is so very much more

If you consider your fate.

And we who will not be rejected

Must spread the word

So that those living dejected

Will hear God’s saving Word.

“To the person who is victorious I will give them 

the right to sit with me on my throne, just as I 

was victorious and sat down with my Father on his throne.”  

Rev:  3:21

Discussion:

MY HIGH TIDE

My life is  

like the ocean,

With highs and lows

And an ever ebbing flow

From your love into the deep.

You, Lord, are my high tide,

Covering my fears, the tears I cry

As I face each and every day

Knowing it is you I must obey.

Unable to count the grains of sand

In this life I live.

It is with your love I can stand

By the love you give.

Your love covers my transgression,

And the world’s aggression,

That as it seeks me out

It no longer has clout.

For me there is no longer any harm.

I am embraced by your loving arms.

Living in your grace

I can finish the race.

Yes, at low tide living in this world

Where thoughts and deeds are just swirled,

Swirled around with too much sound,

Now in your high tide your peace I have found.

Discussion:

Reflection on Nothing Greater

My wife and I went to a double belated birthday get together and 4th of July party.  The couple are a good Christian living couple.  It is obvious that God has worked in their lives and in their business.  It is always encouraging to hear people talk about God’s timing in their lives, how the answer to prayer sometimes comes at unexpected times and unexpected ways.  The following idea unexpectedly came to mind on the drive home.

This poem took longer to write than I thought it would.  I had the idea that our love is not as great as God’s love.  How can it be?  We are not perfect on this earth.  I knew part way through writing that I was trying to write the poem I wanted.  I wanted to go deeper into the difference of our love and God’s love.  I was getting stuck in the middle of sentences and stanzas and rhymes.  When I gave in and followed the words He wanted me to write, it was quickly finished.  His love is patient!

Thank you Lord.

NOTHING GREATER

Jesus loves me this I know,

As children we all have heard,

Because the Bible tells me so.

These words we did sing

As church bells did ring.

We also know that we are told

To live our lives in a way that is bold.

As the children of God in Heaven above

We are to share with others his love.

To share we must accept what he is giving

And show his love in the way we are living.

We must not just love him, but love him enough

To share his love even when the times are tough.

And they will be.

Will we?

When we decide,

Will there be pride?

Is it our love

Or the love of God?

Our love for God should show his holiness,

And never be a reflection of our loneliness.

A love that is true,

Though with many shaded hues

Should always be a reflection

Of God and his perfection.

As we share his love are we perfection?

Salvation has made us righteous in his sight,

So as we meet him in eternity we are a reflection 

Of who he is, of his love, of his power and his might.

But on this earth as we proclaim his word

To those who are lost and have not heard,

The love we give to others that shows our care,

It is the love of God that he has for us that we share.

Yes, we love our sisters and brothers,

Love them more than enough to share,

To share his love for us with others

That broken as we are he will always care.

This love we share

Must come from God.

For our love alone,

The love of man,

Never will have the power

Of the Almighty

God who loves.

His love is perfect,

It is righteous,

It is forgiveness,

His love is Holy.

Our love will reflect the love of God.

And though we are a reflection of him,

In our humanness we live in sin,

Sin that his Son has overcome.

We are not God,

We never will be.

But as his children

We have been reborn,

And now can show the way

To the one and only truth

And through his love eternal life.

Discussion:

The next poem is something is something I have written about a few times.  It is my reminder to remember it is God I want with me through my day.

MONDAY MORNING THE NIGHT BEFORE

There is nothing to say

Nothing new in any way

Except the thunder I hear

Slowly as it moves near

There is one difference I have noticed

Since putting letters together that form the words

Well now two

I have misplaced the punctuation

And one line is too long

But through it all,

On this day I still hear

His voice, his call.

He is still, as always, here.

Always and forever

Includes tomorrow,

Knowing the he will never

Leave me in my sorrow.

Another day to be in his presence

Another hour to be thankful

That through his grace my penance,

He has taken from me, it is paid in full.

So, I will awake in the morning,

To the rising Son.

There will be no mourning,

The battle he has won.

The only fear I will know

Is the awesome reverence

That by his holiness I must show

To God for taking my repentance.

Monday morning’s prayer is

That all my desires

Are that I live wanting what is his,

His love for me is all I desire.

Discussion:

PRAYER FOR UKRAINE AND THIS WORLD

Dear Heavenly Father,

We find that every day

We must kneel and pray.

And in this season

We daily find

More of a reason

We must not be blind.

We pray for peace

As the world does shout,

Now led by one

Who is not God’s Son.

The battle has begun,

The battle hymns sung.

Lines have been erased

And sovereignty defaced.

Lord, we pray for Ukraine.

We pray, remove their pain,

Rebuke the lies

Falling from the skies.

Lord, We pray that Your word

Is spoken and heard

Beyond this day

Oh Lord, lead me as I pray.

We pray, Lord, God, Father in Heaven.

We pray . . . 

. . . . . . . . . . . 

Lead us Lord

Beyond the horde.

Lord, bless Ukraine, its people, leaders and warriors.  May their example in their faith of their sovereignty be an example to the world.  And may the faith of Christians in prayer lift them up to overcome.

Follow is on our website                                                                

www.livingingodsrhyme.com

You can buy Tim's books at the following websites

god rhyme tim carter | Barnes & Noble® (barnesandnoble.com)

Amazon.com : God's Rhyme Tim Carter

https://www.lettrapress.com

Please follow us on Facebook and Like us

(6) Tim Carter, God Still Rhymes | Facebook

Please follow us on Youtube.com

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Tim and Dave

"If you give Him the times As you live His word rhymes "

"We are the King’s kids and you’ll never get rid of us because we are His with Jesus."

If you give

Him the times

As you live

His word rhymes

And don’t forget, “We are the Kings kids and you will never get rid of us for we are His with Jesus.”

Living In God’s Rhyme ©2018 by Tim Carter

God Still Rhymes ©2019 by Tim Carter

God’s Rhyme ©2019 by Tim Carter

47, 5-7, SHOW  NOTES & COPYRIGHTS,  (3/11/2022)

Today I would like to explore a little more of Making Melody to God.  Last week we started with that poem.  Unfortunately I did not include the scripture verses that inspired that poem.  But, you Dave, being ever vigilant, saw that and read the scripture after the poem.  I would like to reread the poem with the scripture and follow up with what God led me to a day or so later.

Let the word (spoken by) the Christ, the Messiah, 

have its home (in your hearts and minds) and 

dwell in you in (all its) richness, as you teach 

and admonish and train one another in all insight 

and intelligence and wisdom (in spiritual things 

and sing) psalms and spiritual songs, making 

melody to God with (His) grace in your hearts.”

Colossians 3:16 Amplified

MAKE MELODY TO GOD, (pg 41 God's Rhyme)

We sing Your Word

which we have heard

with our ears

throughout the years.

We sing

& the words ring

of what You have done

thru Jesus Your son.

Psalms & hymns

sung of Him

Whose life is praised,

from death he was raised.

Living

for years

knowing

life’s fears

crying

hurt tears

Then,

believing

without sight

accepting

now the light

living

thru His might.

We sing even more

of His glorious splendor,

of the life He has given

unlocking the gates to Heaven.

Psalms, hymns & spiritual songs 

of His righting our wrongs,

we sing of His glory

that all may hear His story.

May our living be a melody

to God & His Son’s body.

May we sing with His grace

In our hearts in faith.

Discussion:

From Paul’s letter to the Colossians

Let the word (spoken by) the Christ, the Messiah, have its home (in your hearts and minds) and 

dwell in you in (all its) richness, as you teach and admonish and train one another in all insight 

and intelligence and wisdom (in spiritual things and sing) psalms and spiritual songs, making

melody to God with (His) grace in your hearts.” (Amplified Bible)

This is what I read in Paul’s letter to the Ephesians a couple of days after recording last week’s podcast:

Therefore do not be unwise, but understand what the will of the Lord is. And do not be drunk with wine, in which is dissipation; but be filled with the Spirit, speaking to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord,  giving thanks always for all things to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, submitting to one another in the fear of God. (NKJV)

Psalms, hymns, spiritual songs, making melody to God

As I was dwelling on what more to say, this is what came to my mind:

May the Spirit lead  us.

May we follow Jesus.

And in voices we raise

May we sing in praise

As we have understood

All that God has is good,

And as we have confessed

We have been truly blessed.

We read the Psalms,

We have sung the songs

Of praise and worship

And of our kinship

With God through His Son.

The battle has been won.

Sing, making melody to God, these days.

And as we pray, may His name we praise.

Always and forever,

He will leave us never.

(2/5/22, tcarter)

The next poem was inspired by Psalm 16:  it is found in God’s Rhyme on pg. 43.

PLEASURES FOREVER MORE, (PG 42, God's Rhyme)

“You will show me the path of life; 

in Your presence is fullness of joy, 

at Your right hand are pleasures forever more.”     Psalms 16:11, NKJV

The old Testament speaks of Him.

Prophets and kings were aware of Him.

God’s children did seek of His coming,

Praying to be heirs of His coming.

The path He has shown – 

straight & narrow

the way to Heaven is known.

Thru His life He did give

the Father’s way

of how we should live.

His joy is ours forever more –

thru His resurrection

He has opened Heaven’s door.

& by being born again

we will enjoy His presence

in spite of our sin.

He sits at the Father’s right hand

where all is good

for those who will stand.

By faith we know of His presence.

Thru His spirit we are aware of His presence.

& someday we shall go to His hand

because thru Him we are heirs to His hand.

Be joyful for evermore.  Jesus sits at the right hand of the Father & there for evermore are pleasures as only Heaven knows.

Discussion:

As I was leafing through God’s Rhyme I across this one ON PG. 27also:

PRAISE THE LORD God’s Rhyme I across this one ON PG. 27

Hallelujah, our Father in Heaven.

Hallelujah, His Son on this earth.

Hallelujah, Their Spirit within us.

Hallelujah, we can praise His name.

Praise the Lord,

this world’s creator

Praise the Lord,

our Father & Maker.

Praise the Lord

for all He does.

Praise the Lord,

we have His love.

Praise the Lord

in all His glory.

Praise the Lord

for the Christmas story.

Praise the Lord

for His Son Jesus.

Praise the Lord,

the One who pleases.

Praise the Lord

for those who follow.

Praise the Lord

Whose words aren’t hollow.

Praise the Lord

for His saving grace.

Praise the Lord

for our Heavenly place.

Praise the Lord

for all His praise.

Praise the Lord

for the life He did raise.

Praise the Lord

for His Holy Spirit;

Praise the Lord

for those who hear it.

Praise the Lord, let us sing Hallelujah,

Let us sing praise to the Lord & sing Hallelujah.

Ash Wednesday was last week.  As I was reflecting on Lent the following words were written:

40 DAYS OF CHANGE

During this Lenten season,

Do we live in the wilderness?

Each day what is the reason.

Do we ever overcome our blindness?

For 40 days I will do without,

And after from the rafters shout,

“I have been cleansed and freed.

In Jesus I find all I need.

What if the challenge became, 

Not every season the same?

Perhaps it is the season for change,

To allow the Holy Spirit to rearrange.

Sin we give up, 

Drink from His cup;

Has our faith strengthened,

Have our hopes been lengthened?

Pray for revival,

For your survival.

Give up to receive

More as you believe.

Devote more time

To know His rhyme

As sin He will replace,

Overcome the world we face.

3/4/2022, tcarter

Discussion:

Last week we ended with a prayer for Ukraine.  We would like to continue this.  

 PRAYER FOR UKRAINE AND THIS WORLD

Dear Heavenly Father,

I find that every day

I must kneel and pray.

And in this season

I daily find

More of a reason

I must not be blind.

I pray for peace

As the world does shout,

Now led by one

Who is not God’s Son.

The battle has begun,

The battle hymns sung.

Lines have been erased

And sovereignty defaced.

Lord, I pray for Ukraine.

I pray, remove their pain,

Rebuke the lies

Falling from the skies.

Lord, I pray that Your word

Is spoken and heard

Beyond this day

Oh Lord, lead me as I pray.

I pray, Lord, God, Father in Heaven.

I pray . . . 

. . . . . . . . . . . 

Lead us Lord

Beyond the horde.

Lord, bless Ukraine, its people, leaders and warriors.  May their example in their faith of their sovereignty be an example to the world.  And may the faith of Christians in prayer lift them up to overcome.

If you give

Him the times

As you live

His word rhymes

And don’t forget, “We are the Kings kids and you will never get rid of us for we are His with Jesus.”

Follow is on our website                                                                

www.livingingodsrhyme.com

You can buy Tim's books at the following websites

god rhyme tim carter | Barnes & Noble® (barnesandnoble.com)

Amazon.com : God's Rhyme Tim Carter

https://www.lettrapress.com

Please follow us on Facebook and Like us

(6) Tim Carter, God Still Rhymes | Facebook

Please follow us on Youtube.com

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCqSR3-0c9FfAZnblwJ2u0dA

You can hear us on Apple Podcast, Google Play, Pandora, Stitcher, IHeart radio, Tunedin Radio. and all the other podcast sites. 

Please subscribe to the podcast

Tell all your friends about us and have them tell thier friends,

Thank you for being here, we are blessed that you listened.

Tim and Dave

"If you give Him the times As you live His word rhymes "

"We are the King’s kids and you’ll never get rid of us because we are His with Jesus."

Living In God’s Rhyme ©2018 by Tim Carter

God Still Rhymes ©2019 by Tim Carter

God’s Rhyme ©2019 by Tim Carter

46, 5-6, SHOW  NOTES & COPYRIGHTS,  ( Scheduled March 4, 2022

Today we are going to talk about making melody to God and a few other things: what ever comes to mind after reading the poems.   Sorry , that’s the best I can do today.

MAKE MELODY TO GOD (God’s Rhyme, pg. 41)

We sing Your Word

which we have heard

with our ears

throughout the years.

We sing

& the words ring

of what You have done

thru Jesus Your son.

Psalms & hymns

sung of Him

Whose life is praised,

from death he was raised.

Living 

for years

knowing

life’s fears

crying

hurt tears

Then,

believing

without sight

accepting

now the light

living 

thru His might.

We sing even more

of His glorious splendor,

of the life He has given

unlocking the gates to Heaven.

Psalms, hymns & spiritual songs 

of His righting our wrongs,

we sing of His glory

that all may hear His story.

May our living be a melody

to God & His Son’s body.

May we sing with His grace

In our hearts in faith.

Discussion:  I wrote this in the early 1980’s,  When I first truly experienced God, Jesus and the Holy Spirit, I wanted to express that joy to others.

UNDER THE STEEPLE  (God Still Rhymes, pg. 67)

Everyday people

under the steeple,

bells are ringing,

voices are singing

songs of praise

for the life 

he did raise,

Jesus Christ,

our savior and Lord

whose life we savor.

We live in God’s favor

whose love we have stored

in each and every heart

as we wake

and then make

the promise of a new start.

In his grace forgiving

the life we were living

with Jesus we are raised,

In worship he is raised.

Our God is good,

he understood

our fear of belief.

He gives us relief

in the trouble

of life’s rubble.

He loves us.

this Jesus,

God’s only son,

his holy one.

His life sacrificed,

we have been made right,

we will never die

so we sing,

the bells ring

because we are his people

gathered under the steeple.

With the cross 

There is no loss.

The lost have been found

making a joyful sound.

Discussion:  Church where we gather together with other believers to parise and worship God, His Son and Spirit.  A weekly reunion and feast for our souls.

ONE MAN’S VISION (God Still Rhymes, pg. 109)

Sunday, the Church is filled with worshipers,

Fellow believers in the saving grace of Jesus Christ.

Psalms and hymns have proclaimed the glory

Of the Son of God in more than whispers.

The room is filled with the Holy Spirit.

From the pews to the rafters

Believers all, can see and feel it,

The joyful calm of God’s presence.

Communion, a time to share the Lord’s Supper.

Quietly lining the aisles in reverent silence,

Preparing to partake in the life of their Savior,

On whose life they find reliance.

“Then he took the cup, and when he had

given thanks, he gave it to them, saying,

“This is my blood of the covenant, which is

poured out for many for the forgiveness

of sins.” (Mt 26: 28, NIV)

Among that congregation there is a man

Who has a vision as he takes communion.

A vision of a time long ago

Becomes, for him, a reunion.

“Head bowed in quiet reflection. 

seeing myself on my knees before the Cross.

Then feeling his healing sacrifice

Flowing through my soul.”

The blood Jesus shed for you and me

Has covered our sins, redeemed our souls.

May we be thankful for one small drop

Of His blood that saves man’s souls.

His vision should be for all

As we partake in Communion,

Communion with our Savior,

As we answer his call.

Discussion: A good friend told me about an experience he had at church one Sunday while taking communion.   The publisher told me that one stanza where I write about my friend feeling the blood of Jesus dripping down on him had to be taken out or the poem eliminatedd from the book.  I was told that the dripping blood was too violent.  So I replaced it with changed the wording to what is now in the poem.   (read the stanza)

“Head bowed in quiet reflection. 

seeing myself on my knees before the Cross.

Then feeling his healing sacrifice

Flowing through my soul.”

THERE IS ONLY ONE RHYME THAT WILL LAST BEYOND TIME (Living In God’s Rhyme, pg. 93)

From the beginning and until the end we 

Have rebelled against our most Holy Father.

We have committed adultery with gods of wood

Thinking that for us they could provide good.

Prophets of Old Testament times have spoken

Of your anger at a people whose lives were broken,

Broken because their bond with you was torn

Long before so many were ever born.

John of the New Testament describes his revelation

Of the future of this world, of the end of nations.

We who are living in the grace of a new covenant

Have brought disgrace to the grace of his Providence.

What are we to do amid this turmoil

As the Heavens cry and our hearts boil?

How do we avoid God’s anger, his wrath

As we continue down our destructive path?

Read his word, the scriptures both old and new.

Read his word, believe in his word and have life anew.

Though angry his love turned to blood,

His blood, that of his Son, that of his love.

If you believe in the God of the Bible,

You must believe his every word,

What he has done and what he will

Because of what we have done and will.

His ways are not our ways

And our ways are not his.

Be thankful that he loves us

More than we can ever love him.

He wanted us to be with him forever

So he sent his son to be the sacrifice,

To pay the price for the sins of many,

So that in his sight we are made right.

Read, believe, be baptized and spread his word.

Open your hearts to him so your soul may be saved,

That you may face eternity, not with foreboding,

But that you may face it forever with joy.

We know the story of the past,

Pray that we do not make it last,

Pray that the die has not been cast,

That at this time you accept his grace.

Since his word spoke this world into existence,

Since that word paid the ransom for our resistance,

Since before we were conceived in the womb

He knew us and desired that we avoid the tomb.

It is in our hands, the decision to be in his hands.

Get up from your life and with God stand.

Stand with faith in the resurrection of his Son

And our resurrection from what we have done.

God loves us.

He wants us with him.

He died once

That we might live.

Jesus rose so that we who believe

May also rise with him as we receive

All.

Reflection on There Is Only One Rhyme That Will Last Beyond Time

Every time I read the Bible I hope that God has a new poem to write.  Sometimes it has been after reading only a few verses.  This time it was after reading Jeremiah 14-16.  I have been fascinated with end times prophecy for years.  I am now more fascinated with the Old Testament prophets.  I remember sitting with a small group in a 7 week session on Christ.  The question was asked, does God ever get angry.  Yes.  I am glad that He loves and forgives.  This poem is a continuation of the last poem in God’s Rhyme, Broken Hearted.  I wrote it on Dec. 30, 2014.  When I finished the poem, God said that the book was done.  I know now it was only the beginning.

Discussion:

As I was preparing the show notes I was thinking that we need to be in prayer for the situation in Ukraine. There is so much that can be said about what is happening.  Facebook is a continuous stream of prayer request for Ukraine and it’s people,  That is one good thing I have found on Facebook, the concern and prayers other express and ask for.   

I realized that I didn’t have a poem that expressed my feeling about what is happening in the Ukraine.  So, I prayed for words and this is the result,

PRAYER FOR UKRAINE AND THIS WORLD

Dear Heavenly Father,

I find that every day

I must kneel and pray.

And in this season

I daily find

More of a reason

I must not be blind.

I pray for peace

As the world does shout,

Now led by one

Who is not God’s Son.

The battle has begun,

The battle hymns sung.

Lines have been erased

And sovereignty defaced.

Lord, I pray for Ukraine.

I pray, remove their pain,

Rebuke the lies

Falling from the skies.

Lord, I pray that Your word

Is spoken and heard

Beyond this day

Oh Lord, lead me as I pray.

I pray, Lord, God, Father in Heaven.

I pray . . . 

. . . . . . . . . . . 

Lead us Lord

Beyond the horde.

Lord, bless Ukraine, its people, leaders and warriors.  May their example in their faith of their sovereignty be an example to the world.  And may the faith of Christians in prayer lift them up to overcome.

Follow is on our website                                                                

www.livingingodsrhyme.com

You can buy Tim's books at the following websites

god rhyme tim carter | Barnes & Noble® (barnesandnoble.com)

Amazon.com : God's Rhyme Tim Carter

https://www.lettrapress.com

Please follow us on Facebook and Like us

(6) Tim Carter, God Still Rhymes | Facebook

Please follow us on Youtube.com

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCqSR3-0c9FfAZnblwJ2u0dA

You can hear us on Apple Podcast, Google Play, Pandora, Stitcher, IHeart radio, Tunedin Radio. and all the other podcast sites. 

Please subscribe to the podcast

Tell all your friends about us and have them tell thier friends,

Thank you for being here, we are blessed that you listened.

Tim and Dave

"If you give Him the times As you live His word rhymes "

"We are the King’s kids and you’ll never get rid of us because we are His with Jesus."

If you give

Him the times

As you live

His word rhymes

And don’t forget, “We are the Kings kids and you will never get rid of us for we are His with Jesus.”

Living In God’s Rhyme ©2018 by Tim Carter

God Still Rhymes ©2019 by Tim Carter

God’s Rhyme ©2019 by Tim Carter

45, 5-5, SHOW  NOTES & COPYRIGHTS, 

Today we are reading from Living In God’s Rhyme about an experience at work in sharing and in the mysterious ways God does work in our lives.  And a couple of other special ones.

Talk Around the Table (Living In God’s Rhyme, pg. 127)

As he was walking toward the table

The others were already talking

As the smell of food was in the air

And the mood at the table was good.

And of course he thought

Why doesn’t good rhyme with food

But mood does with one

But not the other?

It was hard to be understood.

But he found as he listened to the sound

Of their voices talking as he was walking

There are rhymes that at times,

Rhymes heard without the sound of a voice.

One comment turned the talk to God.

Admittedly for lunch talk this was odd.

There were believers and there were not,

But calm prevailed and the talk did not get hot.

Oh sure sometimes it was out of sync

As someone took time to think

Of what to say next and not perplex

Those around the table, if one was able.

What started as a freewheeling talk fest

Where one never was made to feel like a guest

The talk turned to a serious conversation,

A discussion of God and man’s salvation.

Through it all it was a comfortable time

Where occasionally the yours and mine

Differed, but never led to a division

That can be caused by one or the other’s decision.

We listened with open ears

And some spoke of their fears

While some spoke in quiet tones

That Jesus’ love is what atones.

There was this and that among the chit chat

And a good share of that was of God’s care

From our beginning and beyond our end,

All of this around the table of friends.

And as we left there was one who beamed

Because of questions that were answered.

The conversation planted the seed it seemed

Because he knew one would follow to water.

Reflection on Talk Around the Table

This happened at work one day.

Discussion:

Days of Discouragement (Living In God’s Rhyme, pg. 129)

He woke up to a buzzing alarm,

Though startled, it did him no harm.

Sitting up he stretched his arms

As like bees thoughts came in swarms.

This day wasn’t yesterday

So he did kneel and pray

That he would find God’s way

And there he would stay.

Preparing himself for the day ahead

Hoping that . . . 

Suddenly, 

The day came crashing down instead.

The rhyme was gone,

Thoughts became thoughtless,

Words had no sounds.

Then walking through an open door

As he wished, not hoped, for something more,

He saw someone he knew,

Who yesterday he had talked to.

It wasn’t that the person was there

That brought him to reality.

It was the question that was asked

That made him stop and stare.

The question was a reflection

Of that person’s recollection

Of yesterday’s sharing of God’s word

And his hoping it had been heard.

It had been heard and the questions spilled out.

And as he answered one after another one

He could feel his spirit rising up, wanting to shout.

He knew before the end what God had done.

It wasn’t that God had put someone on the path,

The path he was taking today.

No, God had placed someone in his way,

Someone needing to know how to follow God’s path.

It wasn’t a believer,

Though it was someone

In fear of the deceiver,

With questions about God’s Son.

And in that moment of time

He found in his voice the sound

Of God’s Holy Spirit filling the lines

In his answers with God’s rhymes.

God works in many ways.

And who are we to say

What or who God can use

So that him we do not lose?

God heals those who are broken,

Sometimes with the words spoken

By those who do not know him

But need you to show them.

With God discouragement

Becomes encouragement.

Reflection on Days of Discouragement

This was the day at work after Talk Around the Table.

Discussion:  This was an amazing and eye opening experience for me.  It is not always the people we expect that God uses.

As I was going through Living In God’s Rhyme I was stopped at the next poem.  The first two poems are about sharing, and with the title of the next poem, well I guess it made sense.

Words That Are Shared (Living In God’s Rhyme, pg. 177)

Don’t worry, there is no forecast for a snow flurry

And the judge and the jury are no longer in a hurry

To hear another story with details so gory 

Yes, I am sorry to have found sentences

For my crime, inserting words that rhyme

Sometimes when exercising the mind

In sorting and cleaning one does find

Thoughts that become words to write

Words in lines that together just might

Be more than one may dare to dream

Words that make the reader want to scream

Either scream with joy or anger

Voices that make the sounds

That express without words

Emotions they have found

From the words of one’s thoughts

That others should at all times read

What do you think, what do I think

Do you drink from the glass that I drink

Do your beliefs give you relief

Do my beliefs bring you grief

Or maybe it is the other way

That I grieve at what you say

But we must talk as together we walk

In the life we live, in the love we give

To disagree we must understand

The reasons for another’s stand

Just as when we present our side

We must do so not to divide

Respect one another

Our sister and brother

Whether right or wrong

So we may sing a song

Of peace and brotherhood

Of showing each other the good

Pray that we not lead others astray

Pray that there is truth in all we say

Pray that we will find the way

Pray that together we will stay

Pray that the love of God will engulf us all

Pray that this happens before we fall

Before we fall from grace!

Discussion:  As Christians we are called to spread the gospel.  We must do it in a peaceful and loving way.  There will be times when we must walk away.  Let the Holy Spirit, Who will give us the words, lead us as we walk and talk with others.

Addition to Show Notes:  After AI finished putting together the Show Notes I read the last wwo chapters of Colossians.  I was amazed to read the words in Chapter 4, versus 5 and 6:  “Walk in wisdom toward those who are outside, redeeming the time.  Let your speech always be with grace, seasoned with salt, that you may know how ought answer each one.” (NKJV)

I would like to end with a couple of special poems that were written many years ago, in the last century to me exact.  We are recording this podcast on a Monday.  It will be released on a Friday.  On the Wednesday between these days Mary and I celebrated another wedding anniversary.  How long have we been married, Dave wants to ask.  We have been married long enough to have five children and six grandchildren with a few years before and a few more after.  These poems were written, one before, and one after our wedding.

Poems About You (Living In God’s Rhyme, pg. 99)

I no longer have to write poems about you

you are my poetry

no more searching for rhymes

and worrying about the lines

in you I find

my words are to be spoken

the pen shan't be broken

over any parchment

nor will the mind hinder the heart

as I have found

I no longer have to write

poems about you

you are all the poetry

that’s been pent up inside of me

you are my rhyme

with time

For My Wife (Living In God’s Rhyme, pg. 100)

you are my love

                   everlasting and forever

what I need is all I desire

you have given me that 

                          and sealed it with gold

and I love you

                 I love you because

                 even when we are mad

                          I so want to kiss you

and tell you I love you

I love you

brown eyes that smile

                           when you are happy

smile when I am happy

the woman in you never

                              steps on that little girl

who comes to visit once in awhile

                    the angel who makes us both laugh

for laughing is love

our love is our happiness

              and happiness makes for laughing

I had the following thought while putting the show notes together.

Many Years Ago Through Tomorrow

I know that God brought us together

In our time of need to fulfill our hope

For tomorrow,

Without the sorrow

That led us to the time

And place in our race

Where we found our rhyme.

God, whose words are not hollow,

Through His rhymes did follow.

(tcarter, 2/20/2022)

Discussion: Putting together the show Notes could have been a podcast in itself.  Amazing how God works.  

Tim Also read the following poems but did not put in the notes. If you have the books you can look them up.

Some How (God's Rhyme Pg 59)

5 on the Floor (God's Rhyme Pg 64)

Closing Prayer

If you give

Him the times

As you live

His word rhymes

And don’t forget, “We are the Kings kids and you will never get rid of us for we are His with Jesus.”

 Follow is on our website                                                                

www.livingingodsrhyme.com

You can buy Tim's books at the following websites

god rhyme tim carter | Barnes & Noble® (barnesandnoble.com)

Amazon.com : God's Rhyme Tim Carter

https://www.lettrapress.com

Please follow us on Facebook and Like us

(6) Tim Carter, God Still Rhymes | Facebook

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Tim and Dave

"If you give Him the times As you live His word rhymes "

"We are the King’s kids and you’ll never get rid of us because we are His with Jesus."

Living In God’s Rhyme ©2018 by Tim Carter

God Still Rhymes ©2019 by Tim Carter

God’s Rhyme ©2019 by Tim Carter

44, 5-4,  REVISED 2, SHOW  NOTES & COPYRIGHTS, updated 2/15/22 (Scheduled 2/18/22 )

Today we have the oldest Carter brother joining us.  Listeners and viewers, meet our brother Paul.  We asked Paul to join us to help us improve on the podcast.  Paul will be directing today’s show.  Hopefully he will help us eliminate the ums and ahs and pauses we have become infamous for. 

Dave explains Paul’s role as podcast director

Let’s start with a poem from God Still Rhymes

CRASHING WAVES (pg. 75)

Like waves crashing upon a barren shore

Your love so overwhelms me.

Your high tide through grace does overcome my lows,

Calming the stormy sea.

The waves crash but you do not roar.

Your love engulfs me

As from your grace your love, it flows,

A quiet love I can see.

            Let those who have eyes see.

            Let those who have ears hear.

With you, when I hear, I see,

Just as when I see, I hear.

To listen is to see

And to see is to hear.

Yes, you have washed me,

Cleansed me as I sinned.

And now in me you see

Your mighty calming wind.

So upon the waters I might walk,

I do now walk in faith, not in fear.

There is no fear as I hear you talk,

Walking as we talk now without tears.

Discussion:

Well Paul, how did I do?  

I was going to say brother, but I only wanted one answer, not two.

Director response:  do you not want your brothers to answer your question?  Give us a chance to see who has a quicker response time, ok.

Discussion:

OK, hopefully this one will be easy to read.  From God Still Rhymes, pg. 43 . . . 

I WAS JUST THINKING

I was just thinking

about what you said the other day

do you remember what it was

I didn’t think that you would

so I forgot too

Director Cut:  What was that about and how does is fit in with the podcast theme?

Tim:  let me read the reflection from the book.

Reflection on I Was Just Thinking

While searching through the archives I came across this piece of nonsense.  It reminded me of something I had written for the kids a few years ago, which was many years after this was written.  I wrote a book titled “I Can’t Remember the Things I Forgot.”  I got reactions from, “what’s this?” to “I get it,” to “you’re such a dork,” and finally a couple of,  “  . . .”  

I’ve read this next  one before.  It wasn’t written with a message for Christians, but I think it is there.

Again, from God Still Rhymes, this one is on pg. 34.

Director Cut:  All those unpublished poems you have talked about and your are repeating poems.

BACK TO NORMAL

a storm came passing thru today

took the roof right off the barn

didn’t really do nobody no harm

’cept nobody’s got nothin’ to say

now ain’t that the problem

the cat’s done gone got their tongues

probably had them 

since they was all jus’ young 

                                                     Director Cut & Discussion of Kermit’s reading abilities

                                                     You said you were going to read the poem.

they all done swallowed their words

what from eatin’ that there alphabet soup

they done swallowed ev’ry letter

so’s they can’t make no rhymes

when they talk they don’t use

them punctiation marks and such

them’s what adds flavor

to any kind of talk or conversatin’

there ain’t no meaning without an exclamation point

ain’t no use in pointin’ that finger either far as I can say

if ya ain’t talkin’ with yer heart

might as well jus’ keep yer hands in your pockets

                                                     Director Cut:  Are you sure you want to continue?

if ya ain’t got no capital

ya can’t begin to state yer case

there ain’t no run on sentence

where I can see yer smilin’ face

can’t feel yer pain

can’t answer no questions

don’t know if them’s tears

or just the fallin’ rain

that storm that came thru today

yeah, it took the roof off the barn

an’ I think it got yer writin’ desk

‘cause ya seem to have lost yer letters

Not much else to say except maybe . . .

did you see the storm as it passed through

or is still storming and you just don’t see it?

Or is it that if you don’t talk about it,

it didn’t pass over you, what is one to do?

Maybe you do know what to do,

you just don’t want to.

This is the world we live in,

too many not noticing the storm.

Discussion:

Dave introduces the southern pastor. 

Tim explains Kermit, the reader of the poem.

Paul asks about the rumor of more voices.

OK let’s get serious or some word like that.

Discussion: Croswell, the lumber yard, Paul’s bicycle basket, moving to Port Huron.

Our phone number in Croswell, buying Paul’s tick for the Maxine Theater, Dave graduating from being transported in a bicycle basket to a automobile.

The next two poems are from Dirty Socks, a fictional autobiography written for my family for Christmas of 2012.

A SMALL TOWN BOY

little boys with little soldier toys

        Tonka trucks that never get stuck

        bicycles for riding

        tree forts for hiding

        throwing baseballs in summer

        and snowballs in winter

        the real heroes were baseball players

        yeah, them and dragon slayers

        sure, there was school and chores

        homework to do and grass to mow

        but the days were fun

        whether rain, snow or sun

THE MOVE

it’s moving day, boxes to pack

nothing to say, no turning back

there are no memories until you’re gone

leaving behind a home left all alone

the moving van, really a big truck

will find your new home with any luck

oh sure, they have directions & a map

you hope no one makes fun of your baseball cap

Discussion:

And this one from the very last written page in God Still Rhymes . . . 

Also by Tim Carter – God’s Rhyme

Read about the beginning of the journey from love through birthright, the carpenter’s son, somehow, God’s rhyme, the every man, touching the heart of God, sixteen days in Hunter’s House.

You are love 

and how I love you,

you, Jesus are love I can be.

Rejected by most

in his short human life.

He has created

in each of us

by the nails.

He understood

that when a mother

loves an alcoholic

you pray.

                 Director Cut:  This makes no sense.  There is no title and even though the words are 

                 meaningful, they don’t necessarily form a consistent stream of thought.

She’s always had your heart,

She always will, your little girl.

The simple oddity of life

is God’s rhyme.

He needs us as much as we need him,

by reaching out he makes us stronger.

The awesome privilege by helping the orphan . . ,

of touching, yes touching, the heart of God.

You who are weary from the day’s race,

Come and rest in his amazing grace.

How about a couple of unread cell phone poems to end on a spirit filled note.

BLESSED BY FRIENDS

I have many friends, most I’ve never met

In person, yet I am still in their debt.

They have given me inspiration,

And relieved my desperation,

By the words they have spoken,

By their listening when I was broken.

They have read the lines,

The words that are mine,

And kept reading the many times

I kept writing and sharing the rhymes.

The thoughts they have shared

Lifts my spirit knowing they cared

Enough to let me know

Of the seed I perhaps did sow.

Through all of this it is God who is praised,

And Jesus, who from death he raised

To give me the times

To write His rhymes.

May God bless and keep you all in His embrace.

8/21/2021, tcarter

THOUGHTS AFTER CHURCH

I am no longer fearful of living in fear,

No longer from my eye wiping away a tear.

It is not only that the Holy Spirit of God is near,

It is that His Spirit is always, yes always, here.

Dear Father,

I pray that every day,

As again I start

I open my heart

So what I see

Is who I can be,

Not as one

But with Your Son,

My savior Jesus.

And may Your word, I hear it

Following the Holy Spirit.

2/6/2022, tcarter

Closing thoughts:

One last poem written as I was waiting to record this podcast.

WAITING FOR THE WORDS

(while waiting to record)

Sitting and waiting,

Thinking and relating

Thoughts of another time

To make this night rhyme.

So here I sit

Wanting to quit,

When I hear a voice,

“Son, it is your choice”

“You’ve heard

My word.

You know what I say.

Pray and you’ll find a way.”

“There is always a rhyme

If you give your time

To share with another.

A sister or brother.”

“So, there,

Now share,

And you will 

Not be still.”

2/15/2022, tcarter

Closing Prayer

If you give

Him the times

As you live

His word rhymes

And don’t forget, “We are the Kings kids and you will never get rid of us for we are His with Jesus.”

Follow is on our website                                                                

www.livingingodsrhyme.com

You can buy Tim's books at the following websites

god rhyme tim carter | Barnes & Noble® (barnesandnoble.com)

Amazon.com : God's Rhyme Tim Carter

https://www.lettrapress.com

Please follow us on Facebook and Like us

(6) Tim Carter, God Still Rhymes | Facebook

Please follow us on Youtube.com

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCqSR3-0c9FfAZnblwJ2u0dA

You can hear us on Apple Podcast, Google Play, Pandora, Stitcher, IHeart radio, Tunedin Radio. and all the other podcast sites. 

Please subscribe to the podcast

Tell all your friends about us and have them tell thier friends,

Thank you for being here, we are blessed that you listened.

Tim and Dave

"If you give Him the times As you live His word rhymes "

"We are the King’s kids and you’ll never get rid of us because we are His with Jesus."

Living In God’s Rhyme ©2018 by Tim Carter

God Still Rhymes ©2019 by Tim Carter

God’s Rhyme ©2019 by Tim Carter

43,5-3, SHOW  NOTES & COPYRIGHTS,  (Scheduled 2/11/2022)

Today is an unpublished day again.  All, but the last one, were posted on the God Still Rhymes Facebook page.

Let’s start with a poem written in 2017.

“Since you have kept my command to endure patiently, I will keep you from the trial that is going to come to the whole world to test the inhabitants of the earth.”  Revelation 3:10 (NIV)

After being led to re Revelation again, I wrote this verse on a sticky note.  I knew that there is a poem in it.  But what I wrote after still I am wondering, wondering why I wrote the words down.  Later I think that I understood even though I still wonder why these words came after the verse above.  Confusing, right? Somehow I wrote NO FAITH WITHOUT TRUST.  I mentioned this in an earlier post and I can see how this has played a big role in my life.

NO FAITH WITHOUT TRUST

As I look back at the miles,

Seeing the tears and the smiles,

Having stirred up so much dust,

Why did I think that I must?

I do believe all that you have for me

And I know that who I am you see,

That you have plans for what I should be.

That you want us to be we.

Was it the centurion that Jesus asked if he had faith,

Faith that his child would survive and live?

To which the man replied, I have faith,

Show me how to believe.

I don’t know about you,

But that is me.

I have faith that God’s word is true,

That his promises are real.

He has changed me, I am made anew.

I have on my heart his seal.

But there are times I feel left out,

When I have doubt

About what he has planned,

About where with him I stand.

I sometimes wander about.

My faith, what is it 

As I try to make it fit

Into the ways of the world

As at night I lay curled,

Curled up in a ball

Waiting for his call.

On one of my good days

We had a talk, God and me.

I had taken the time

To read of his ways.

I think he was pleased

That I had taken the time

And in the time it was me,

It was me that he seized.

He told me that my faith,

Though ever growing,

Would never be what it could

If I didn’t trust.

I need to trust when I am fearful,

I need to trust when I am tearful,

I need to trust in the good times

And when there are no rhymes.

If I truly accept the death of his Son

For my salvation, my redemption,

For his promise of eternity,

Then I need to not just believe.

I need to trust that he 

Is in control always,

And in all ways,

No matter what I see.

He loves me,

He blesses me,

And as my trust in 

His promises, 

His word grows

My faith will also.

The conversations will never end.

tcarter, 6/27/17, 

Discussion:

HIS GRACE

Having heard God’s call

The apostle Paul,

Hearing God’s Voice

Was able to rejoice.

Having faced the day

We prepare to pray,

Asking God to deliver us.

It is then in Him we must trust.

When we ask for God’s grace

In this world we face,

Do we trust it is done

And the battle is won?

He has said His grace is,

It is here in the present time.

We’ve asked and so He gives

In that moment our needed rhyme.

He is

We are

We asked

He gave

At the moment we ask

To be relieved of the task

The answer to our prayer,

His grace is now there.

We must believe

That we receive

In faith to know

That it is so.

Ask and receive His grace.

We are only human in this place.

We at times close our eyes,

But as we pray He never denies.

HIS GRACE IS SUFFICIENT,

His grace is a prayer away.

A few days later:

If we pray in His will,

What is pleasing to Him,

He will answer our pleas.

He knows our needs.

Whether today or another

When the answer is revealed,

Know that there is no other

By whose grace we are healed.

When we say Amen

As our prayer ends

We will know

It is so.

8/5/19, 8/7/19, tcarter

As I have done before, two poem is one; two poems, two titles, one theme.

Discussion:

LATE ONE NIGHT, EARLY THE NEXT MORNING

The beating heart

Where does it start

That very first beat

The miracle feat

The beginning of living

The beginning of giving

In a world so torn

One can be reborn

Can be redeemed

As the world seemed

From the life one lives

By the grace God gives

The beating heart

Where does it start

In the rebirth 

That claims our worth

In the resurrection

That is the correction

Of the times we stray

From God’s grace filled way

Even in my sin I know

That if I am to grow

In God’s grace

In this race

It is him I must follow

His words are not hollow

They are holy

It is he only

Who can save my life

From the daily strife

I live to regret

Of the daily fret

I do fear 

As I hear

His spoken word

What I have heard

Often with tears

Over the years

Salvation he is giving

From the life I am living

Every moment I must accept

Never, not ever shall I reject

His constant love for me

In in all that he does see

More than a sinful man

Trying to understand

6/1/18, TCARTER

Discussion:

This next poem was supposed to be read on a previous podcast of unpublished poems, but wasn’t.  It was on the last page of the show notes.  When I finished reading the previous page I turned over two pages instead of one.  It happens when one ages.

WITH GOD

I rise in the morning to the shining Son,

Knowing that the battle of the day has been won.

I stretch my arms

Knowing no harm

Will come my way.

So I do pray

A prayer of praise

For the life He did raise

After a death on the cross.

My life no longer a loss,

My sin defeated,

Not to be repeated;

Once for all 

Hearing His call.

As I have believed

I have received

The hope of forever,

Knowing that never

Will He forsake me.

Now with you, Lord, I am we.

Lord, you know my story,

Yet I live in your glory.

Through the gift of your grace

I will finish the race.

2/16/19, tcarter

A phone poem to end today’s journey

I say do not go where you do not know.

Where the way is bound you may not be found.

But we travel this road with our heavy load.

Before journey’s end find yourself a friend,

One who is true, knowing God’s view.

Though you may find the road does wind

Through sand and thorns and rising storms,

As you hold His hand you will understand

The peace of His way as you daily pray.

Before the setting sun you will rejoice in His Son.

Jesus is the way, the truth and the life. He gave His for yours 

and mine. It is through Him that we will see the face of God.

10/12/2021, 10:36 pm, tcarter

Discussion:

Closing Prayer

If you give

Him the times

As you live

His word rhymes

And don’t forget, “We are the Kings kids and you will never get rid of us for we are His with Jesus.”

Follow is on our website                                                                

www.livingingodsrhyme.com

You can buy Tim's books at the following websites

god rhyme tim carter | Barnes & Noble® (barnesandnoble.com)

Amazon.com : God's Rhyme Tim Carter

https://www.lettrapress.com

Please follow us on Facebook and Like us

(6) Tim Carter, God Still Rhymes | Facebook

Please follow us on Youtube.com

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCqSR3-0c9FfAZnblwJ2u0dA

You can hear us on Apple Podcast, Google Play, Pandora, Stitcher, IHeart radio, Tunedin Radio. and all the other podcast sites. 

Please subscribe to the podcast

Tell all your friends about us and have them tell thier friends,

Thank you for being here, we are blessed that you listened.

Tim and Dave

"If you give Him the times As you live His word rhymes "

"We are the King’s kids and you’ll never get rid of us because we are His with Jesus."

Living In God’s Rhyme ©2018 by Tim Carter

God Still Rhymes ©2019 by Tim Carter

God’s Rhyme ©2019 by Tim Carter

42, 5-2, SHOW  NOTES & COPYRIGHTS,  (Scheduled 2/4/2022)

Today’s theme, hmmmmmmm

     Healing our faith

     Thoughts from being with a baby 

     A day in my life

The power of God’s word

They are all found in Living In God’s Rhyme except the last one which has not been published.

Discussion:

Have We Seen, Have We Heard, Are We Healed (Living In God’s Rhyme, pg. 47)

“Though seeing, they do not see,

    though hearing they do not hear or

          understand. 

In them is fulfilled the prophecy of Isaiah;

    You will be ever hearing but never 

          understanding;

    you will be ever seeing but never perceiving.

    For this people’s heart has become

          calloused;

    They hardly hear with their ears,

    and they have closed their eyes.

    Otherwise they might see with their eyes,

          hear with their ears,

          understand with their hearts

    and turn, and I would heal them,”

Matthew 13: 13-15

The heart keeps the body alive

Pumping blood through our veins

So in living we might thrive,

We might live without bodily pains.

But when calloused our heart becomes,

We seek wealth

Instead of health.

Our days become totals of our sums.

Our hearing, our sight

Do not hear or see the fight

As we run from the light

Into darkness.

This world has forsaken the light.

Living with our adulterous gods of money and sin,

Never knowing what should be right,

Never knowing that tomorrow we may not win.

We believe that the easy road leads to pleasure

As we follow our heart to find the treasure,

The satisfaction of believing we are good,

Not knowing we never really understood.

Have we heard someone speak

That as mere mortals we are weak?

Has someone ever taken our hand

And lifted us up to stand?

Has anyone asked you to listen, to look

At your yesterdays and todays to see what you took,

To see that we have no gain

For what we cause in a world of pain?

Someone please shout,

Shout the world about

About God’s saving grace

As we have we run this race.

Be healed,

Your fate sealed

By believing

And receiving

The Son

Of the one

And only God

Who loves us all.

Please,

Hear His call.

Reflection on Have We Seen, Have We Heard, Are We Healed”

Near the end of God’s Rhyme I noticed that the poetry was changing. There was more of the pain we cause God. I should correct that, more of the pain I cause God. It culminated with the last poem I wrote for the book, Broken Hearted. It was about how throughout Old Testament and New Testament history we have broken God’s heart. I think that God Still Rhymes has that in it also. In writing the third book I am finding that I am being led to continue that theme, that and the need for God in our lives, so that our hearts will not be broken at the end of our days.

Discussion:

Another Day Today (Living In God’s Rhyme, pg. 59)

Not an unusual day,

But I’m glad it’s over.

There’s not a lot to say

Except the day lost its way

About a third into its hours.

Thankfully it didn’t turn sour.

Driving home, seeing the clouds

And thinking, as usual, aloud,

With the threat of rain

There were patches of blue.

There were more than a few.

It made me think of a refrain

From a song 

From a time long

Beyond the past,

Time that did not last

But is reborn every day

As to the Lord I pray.

Today when I looked at the sky

I knew there was a reason why,

I finally was glad

For the day I had,

Before I saw the blue,

Before I once more knew

That God is always there,

That he always does care.

When I am otherwise 

Occupied with my time,

When I feel the seas rise,

At the end of the day

He always finds a way 

To share with me his rhyme.

There is beauty in every day

And at the right time

He shows me the way,

Every day, all of the time.

Discussion:  This could have been written about most days.

Inspired By Babies (Living In God’s Rhyme, pg. 137)

There are long times and short lines,

Times of rhymes and times without,

But throughout time we have much to learn

As when they cry, when they laugh our heads turn.

I have seen the birth of five,

Felt their first breath, 

I heard their first cry,

Never did I ask why

Until now.

This I know, 

They are a miracle.

We may be at the end,

But they continue the circle

Of birth, 

Rebirth,

Death and

Resurrection.

Babies are one of God’s rhymes,

Rhymes written in free verse,

No two the same, but still they are one,

A gift from God forever in time.

We go out of our way to talk to them,

To hold and comfort them with a smile.

We will do this forever, not just awhile.

And as they are broken we will help them mend.

A gift from God, these little ones,

All his children, daughters and sons.

In their birth we find our worth

In our Father’s love as we live on this earth.

Each newborn baby is special in God’s sight.

Then we are reborn and made righteous in his sight

If we accept the sacrifice made by his Son

For our life of sin and the wrong we have done.

But, do we ever look at our neighbor

Or the stranger we see on the street?

Do we ever think to stop our feet

Just to ask, “do you know your savior?”

If we can look at a newborn with awe and wonder, 

Why do we see others and only see thunder?

Will lightning strike if we talk to a child

Who with added years seems less mild?

When does God’s awe and wonder end?

He breathed life into the first man, Adam,

Of whom we all are offspring.

We are all created by the Breath of Life.

That person on the street with clothes tattered and torn

May be that newborn whose life is now worn,

Tattered and worn out by a world of doubt.

Do we not see the awe and wonder inside the clothes?

God loves us and wants us to be with him.

A God of care and wonder created us all,

From that newborn we all grow in our sin.

Like a newborn that life tattered and torn

Cries in the night, needs a loving embrace,

We are called to comfort God’s lost children,

To give them our hand, to help them stand tall

So with ears opened they hear God’s call

Reflection on Inspired by Babies

I finished typing this to a waking baby’s cry.  I typed as I wrote.

Discussion:

His Spoken Word (Living In God’s Rhyme, pg. 16)

In the beginning

How powerful is God’s word?

His word is spoken to us 

Through the scriptures,

Through answered prayer,

Through communion with him, 

In the quiet and the confusion.

His word is Holy for He is Holy.

How powerful is God’s word?

Through his word the Heavens

And the earth, the universe, 

Were spoken into existence.

That being so, his word can shape

And mold these earthen vessels of clay

Into sons and daughters

Who will inherit joy everlasting.

Today

By the Word that created all

He has seen his creation fall,

Yet he sent the Word, his Son,

To speak the words, ”It is done.”

For him, a thousand years is as a day,

As a day is as a thousand years.

Has it been only days in his time

That we have been living in fear?

We have caused the pain,

We have caused the strain

That has left a stain

Even as it does rain.

But as always through his word

He speaks to us in words of love.

But our vision has been blurred

Because we do not look above.

Yes, we have shut the doors,

Doors to our sins, to our souls,

When we should be opening the door

And inviting God and his word into our lives.

If you haven’t, please do it today.

The fragrance of salvation, a gentle breeze

That refreshes us through the open door.

The open door, the only way.

May God heal your pain, your suffering, your fears.   

May you let Him heal your soul for eternity.

Reflection on His Spoken Word

On the drive home from work one day I thought of writing about pain, the pain that so many of us have gone through and are going through today.  It was going to be written with someone in mind.  When I got home, I got out my Study Bible and started looking up verses about pain and then sorrow.  None seemed to fit the emotion I wanted to write about.  Then there was that gentle hand again guiding me.  I found a small piece of notebook paper marking the first page of John’s Gospel.  On it was the beginning of a poem I had written a couple of years ago.  

Discussion:

Now the unpublished gem.  One poem, 2 sections, two titles, one hope.

OUR DAY

Do everything through Jesus.

He is the one who sees us,

The One who knows our heart,

Even before our day does start.

Follow His way

And through our day

We shall see His face

In those we meet

On the city street

Or the wooded trail.

His love will never fail.

LEAD ME

Jesus, lead me

Where I do not see

So that I may be

More than just me,

But become we.

6/14/21, tcarter