Monday, May 25, 2015

24 May 2015 - Keene UCC

After we heard the words of Acts two verses one to twenty one
Pastor Chris Cornell shared the results of a survey recently done
It concluded that Christianity in the US was in an apparent decline
Few would be surprised at this although it is still a warning sign
And while this will lead to questions being asked and answered
These differ from those we should ask of our own faith, we heard
 
Pastor Chris admitted that there is much he does not know
In detail, the word 'tree' is what he used for the point to show
It is a word with a general meaning which we can all seize
But each of us think differently because of our memories
The same holds true for 'love' and for every other word
To believe that we all think alike is really quite absurd
 
So when the Spirit of God came like tongues of fire
Their language abilities caused the others to admire
Similarly, in each believer the Holy Spirit blows inside
As we listen, love, learn, and speak truth, it will guide
Our faith allows us to ask and listen in a different way
And of course helps to ensure that we do not go astray
 
In summary, we should not be focused on the institution
Instead, we should let our heart provide every solution

Monday, May 18, 2015

17 May 2015 - Keene UCC

On Ascension Sunday we heard from Chris Cornell
About baptism and being 'wet' in a letter he did us tell
 
Being baptized doesn't mean that God loves us more
Because He created us and loves us from the core
Pastor said we were created by love, in love, and for love
No matter how dark it may be, we are loved from above
Baptism doesn't wash away our sins or make us sinless
In fact, we will continue to sin and often end up in a mess
Reflecting the fact that out of fear, not love, we tend to act
That is the sin, not the breaking of rules, as a matter of fact
Baptism also doesn't change our eternal location
Or make life any easier or result in a better vocation
 
But as Pastor Chris did in his letter say so plainly and clearly
Baptismal water represents a divine birthmark placed dearly
This divine birthmark reflects who we are and who we can be
As God's beloved, His love in others should be plain to see
For a child of God is every person who resides on earth
In His eyes, each of His creations has immense worth
So we should look at others as if they have the same wet mark
After Jesus was baptized, on a preaching mission he did embark
We should be similarly free to see God's love in everyone
We can see and act this way until our life is finally done
 
Linking back to Ascension Sunday, Jesus gave us a command
To love others and share His word in each and every land
This is how we can lead an abundantly blessed life
An extra benefit is that it helps us to minimize strife