The Championship

Christ Jesus came, dear friend of mine
to set the record straight.
We need not be sin’s victims
in this world of lust and hate.

How foolish to excuse ourselves
for our besetting sin
and live in misery all the while,
when the victory we may win.

Oh, what a confrontation, when
God sent His precious Son
to face our foe and “knock him out!”
That bout our Savior won.

In chapter three and verse fifteen 
of Genesis, we read,
the woman’s seed would strike a blow
to crush the serpent’s head!

And Satan’s might, let’s not deny,
is great—it’s evident!
The tragic scenes through history
confirm that fact and trend.

To top it, many won’t believe
from sin they can be free;
but blind in sin, with guilt and fear, 
they drift on aimlessly.

Yes, Christ was bruised while in “the ring”
He died, delighting foes,
but saving us—oh, praise to God!
We live, for He arose!

fpn/December 1984



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The God of Harmony

The God of the universe
went by a plan
when creating a world
well suited to man.
It’s only the surface
of this earthen ball
which is friendly to animal
mammal and fowl.

The variance of pressure 
in earth’s atmosphere
is but slight day by day,
as we pass through the year;
and the temperature changes
through daylight and night,
if not held in close limits
would spell man’s fatal plight.

In the law of the harvest
from trees and the fields,
though taken for granted,
what causes the yield?
There is vegetable, animal,
and mineral life;
these are balanced in nature
by a carefully planned strife.

God’s governing laws,
so firm and precise,
when flaunted, will call
for a terrible price.
But respecting and striving
these laws to fulfill,
brings tremendous blessing
in vale and o’er hill.

On the face of God’s earth
sits man, who is blind,
who maintains he controls
everything with his mind.
His rebellion and sin
six millenniums record;
but towering o’er all
is the truth of God’s Word.

For God sent His Son
to scatter sin’s night,
to open our eyes
with healing and light.
Why not trust in the Lord,
so wise and so great,
who with love and compassion
still cares for our state.

We can only survive
when His precepts we heed;
for health and for wealth
His atonement we need.
Our minds are so feeble,
our strength is so small,
our only recourse
is on Jesus to call.

He saves and sustains us
and changes our hearts;
He guides us aright,
divine wisdom imparts.
The God of all order
and harmony, He
makes melody swell
from hearts that are free.

fpn/undated


Published as poem #40 in Contemporary Psalms
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A Sequel to “Amazing Grace”

Amazing grace, how sweet the sound
that really changed my ways;
I now hate sin and love the Lord—
try pleasing God these days.

The devil fiercely hates me now,
since Jesus set me free;
but I am more than conqueror,
through Him who first loved me!

Heaven will be great, I do agree;
and I’ll be glad to go;
but I’ve got work cut out for me,
and I’ll get with it now.

This life of give-and-take soon ends—
some dark days I will face;
but since my Saviour wlaks with me,
I’ll enjoy it, by His grace!

fpn/98



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God or Mammon?

“Ye cannot serve God and mammon,”
’tis a simply stated truth.
Few there are who know its import
should be learned in days of youth.

Oft ’tis said, “Almighty dollar,”
friend of mine, let’s get it straight:
only God is the Almighty;
nothing else as such can rate.

Money is a useful servant
when controlled with limits known;
but becomes a vicious tyrant
when exalted to the throne.

Love of money—we behold it,
of all evil, ’tis the root;
in the ranks of honest laborers—
not just robbers with their loot.

It’s not hard to worship money
and the things which it will buy.
Once we formulate a pattern,
that’s the way we’ll live and die.

Money cannot buy fulfillment,
money cannot purchase peace,
money cannot grant us pardon,
or secure our soul’s release.

Money cannot grant extension
of our days and precious breath.
Love of money well may damn us
to an insane mind and death.

“If the Son therefore, shall free you,
ye shall then be free indeed.”
Christ alone must be our Master,
He alone can meet our need.

fpn/undated



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Full Release

“Go and sin no more!”
A privilege and a charge—
release from sordid past
horizons bright and large.

Were ever words so sweet—
“No, I condemn thee not”?
“But Lord, I’m crushed with guilt!”
“Child, I’ve assumed thy lot.”

“But I don’t understand;
they caught me in the act
and pious men of cloth
have launched all-out attack.”

“Pious, did you say?
Now, where did they go?
Condemned by their own sins;
their pride extremely low!”

“Lord, I’m so tired of sin.”
“I know, and that must change;
I died sin’s debt to pay;
I live to give free range.

“I look for honest souls
who know and rue defeat;
I came to save the lost
and make your life complete!”

fpn / November 1981

Picture: "The Woman Taken in Adultery" (c. 1528) painting by Lorenzo Lotto (c. 1480-1557). Wikimedia Commons, accessed online July 2, 2017.

Genuine Thanksgiving, True Freedom

There’s more to being thankful
than promptly saying so;
though this is quite important, 
far more than most folks know.
To show appreciation 
for benefit and gift,
we need to do some thinking
before our voice we lift.

This blessing we call freedom
has really cost a price;
to others we’re indebted,
who made the sacrifice.
But there’s no way to tell them;
they’ve long passed off the scene.
How can we show we’re grateful—
two centuries lie between?

It’s wonderful to ponder
that we can show our thanks
by passing on to others.
who follow in our ranks,
bequests of noble living
and sacrifices too;
to win the lost for Jesus;
no greater thing we’ll do.

Our wars have been most costly—
the losses have been great;
and sadly, after victory,
oft’ there has smoldered hate.
But those who’ve borne the Gospel
of love to distant lands
have turned the tide of history;
herein true freedom stands.

That nation but is blessed,
which owns Jehovah God;
to live for selfish pleasure
will surely curse the sod.
What glory then to follow
in paths the saints have trod,
and publish wide the message
of Christ, the Son of God.

Thus, do we truly worship
with heart and soul and mind?
Then too, are we committed,
our hearts fully resigned—
to pass along to others
the grace bestowed on us
and carry high with honor
the banner of the Cross?

Can gratitude be real,
and genuine our love,
unless the Holy Spirit
controls us from above?
This world vies for affection,
distracts us—is the word;
unless we firmly purpose
to make Christ Jesus Lord.

Our Captain of Salvation
gave all—kept nothing back;
let us as faithful soldiers
in loyalty not lack.
Of course, our means and money,
and certainly much time,
must be upon the altar,
to make our thanks sublime.

And then, our sons and daughters—
pray that they heed the call;
are they too good to offer,
to Him who gave his all?
Often Uncle Sam demands them,
of course, they have to go;
careers with greater honors,
God offers, would you know?

The Bible strongly warns us,
we dare not settle down
to soft, indulgent living,
if we would win a crown. 
Rise up then, fellow comrade,
let’s go at Christ’s command,
clad in the Gospel armor,
in His great might we’ll stand!

America’s survival
depends on us, full well,
enlisting in the conflict, 
against the powers of hell.
God has no other recourse,
to win this world from sin;
to show we’re truly grateful
let’s all, give all, for Him.

The glories now awaiting 
the faithful ones and true,
and fellowship untainted,
where everything is new.
The honor of His “Well done,”
our souls shall then enthrall;
and sorrow all forgotten,
Heaven will be worth it all.

fpn / undated



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Blessed Paradox

Great confusion
by intrusion
of this Christ, divinely given.
Hostile faction
soon took action—
He was nailed; His side was riven.

What a story,
wondrous glory;
hear the strains of “Peace on earth.”
Contradiction?
Was it fiction?
Wars and more wars since His birth.

Did He fail?
Was betrayal
indication He was wrong?
Rest your fears,
dry your tears—
now, as then, he gives a song!

Earthly tyrants
are but migrants,
briefly clutching selfish gain.
The King Jesus,
by grace frees us—
His is the eternal reign.

fpn/’85



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