God’s Love

Reflections on the Easter Perspective

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Some folks have a hard time believing the Easter story. The resurrection of Jesus found in the gospels gives the account from different writer’s perspectives. You might think that creates contradictions and therefore cannot be true. Others say that since there is no historical record of these happenings, other than the Biblical account, that it is just Christian mythology.

I believe getting lost in the details causes one to lose focus and misses the real message in the Easter story. Easter is about God’s love for all of us, and the belief that he would do what ever it takes to show us that love. Jesus shows us that there is a way to move beyond our self-centered way of thinking to a renewing of the mind… a rebirth of Spirit if you will. Our connection to God is not to some far off being, but rather found in His image and Spirit that dwells within our souls. It is through Jesus’ life and teachings that we can see the Father and find that personal connection to the Living God.

Telephoto

Focusing takes out

all the background distraction

Sees subject only

drawing in a sharp clear view

finding your true perspective

Light Outshines the Darkness

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In the Christian faith we celebrate Good Friday, remembering the suffering and death of Christ on the Cross at Calvary. But it is not the dark night of the soul that draws us to God’s Love and Grace. It is the joy of Easter and the Light of the Resurrection that gives us hope. The Light at the end of the dark tunnel is Jesus!

Friday night’s darkness

Seems like dark evil has won

But Sunday’s coming

*

Light overwhelms sad darkness

Drawing us all toward bright hope

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Photo: Dwight L. Roth

Christmas All Year ’round

/ rothpoetry / 27 Comments

Children look forward to Christmas each year

To toys and presents and Santa’s good cheer

But why do we leave Christmas in December

The joy of Christmas we should always remember

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The gift of God’s grace coming down to Earth

To live in our hearts and give us worth

So spread God’s love both near and far

Share Christmas joy where ever you are

Give of yourself and lend a hand

To both friend and stranger across our land

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The joy of Christmas is not in the getting

The true spirit of Christmas is in the giving

Show love and compassion to all you meet

The real joy of Christmas is really a treat

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Photo: Dwight L. Roth

No Room at the Inn

/ rothpoetry / 32 Comments

Travelers came knocking on the door of the inn

After traveling all day tired, hungry, and thirsty

The donkey needed fed // they needed a bed

A full inn afforded them nowhere to lay their heads

Pregnant Mary needed a place to deliver.

Water broke // waves were coming on strong;

No time to look elsewhere for a private room.

The inn was no place for a delivery room;

Travelers standing around gawking at the sight

Of a new born baby coming ready or not.

The kind Inn Keeper suggested, “Perhaps the stable…

A private place to deliver away from prying eyes?”

The animals provided warmth from their exhales.

He did what he could to make them comfortable;

Brought water and a blanket as Mary screamed in pain;

He was not the villain in this story as portrayed;

Rather a compassionate keeper avoiding gossip’s scandal.

Why do we think they should have been entitled?

Unknown travelers from afar // they had no reservations.

Thankful for a private spot, it all came about

A child was born in private, and would soon,

In the course of time, change the world;

A Savior who is Christ the Lord!

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Photo: Dwight L. Roth

The God Perspective

/ rothpoetry / 64 Comments

“You know,” he mused, “Some folks don’t believe there is a God. They get all tangled up with religion and theological arguments about who is right and who is wrong, and miss the bigger picture.”

Grandpa always did have a unique perspective on life. He was wise beyond his years, but only shared his wisdom if asked.

“Aren’t your afraid of catching Covid and dying,” I asked?

“You know son, there are a lot worse things in living than in dying. Death is knocking on all of our doors!”

“I believe there is a God who is the source of all life, and that my life will continue on long after this old pain-ridden body is gone.”

I thought about what he said, as he continued, ‘We look at him through the wrong end of the long telescope of Time’.

“God’s Love is eternal!”

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Painting By Dwight L. Roth

Today at d’Verse, Kim is having us do Prosery. This is when we write a prose piece of flash fiction (144 words) that includes a random line form a poem she chooses for us. She gave us this line from the D. H. Lawerence poem, Hummingbird: ‘We look at him through the wrong end of the long telescope of Time’. I decided to write my piece as a conversation.

Join us at: https://dversepoets.com

Finding Common Ground

/ rothpoetry / 36 Comments

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The death of Congressman John Lewis, bring a reflection of the intense turmoil  he lived through during the Civil Rights era. The struggle for respect and equality still goes on sixty years later.  As I look at the division that still remains, I realize it will not be resolved  without God’s love changing our hearts allowing us to live together in peace.

Some views are shotguns blasting away

Others sling shots pelting against the gate.

Let’s have a conversation they say…

Come together // find common ground

Solve our differences together.

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How does that happen with shotgun politics

and sling shot twitter, that couldn’t hit a brick wall.

When our view is the only right view,

Each conversation become one of persuasion or condemnation…

A ticket to ride our train non stop to our destination.

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Legislated change without heart change, brings little hope.

History keeps repeating with every rotation.

Change comes with give and take // listening and hearing

Appreciating uniqueness // instead of condemning it.

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Only a revolution of the heart will bring peace from division.

Perhaps, “love your neighbor as yourself”

are words that could make our world a better place…

Opening the door to finding common ground…

Bringing the “Hope and Change” we really need.

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Photos: Dwight L. Roth

Here is a favorite song from the Folk era by the Youngbloods called Let’s Get Together

Perhaps what is missing in this generation is the truth in Folk Music… Music that brought people together!

Feeling Rejected

/ rothpoetry / 3 Comments

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On Good Friday Christians reflect on the death of Christ on the cross, and what his sacrifice means for us. The human side of Jesus suffered unspeakable physical pain. Some say that God will give you strength in your time of need. But it is my experience that when that time comes, it is very difficult to feel that presence. Even Jesus cried out on the cross, wondering why God had forsaken him in his darkest hour. Pain and rejection seem to be Siamese Twins! It is very hard to have your whole world collapse and not feel rejected. This is why it is so important to have persons who will walk with you and help you regain your perspective once more, understanding that God loves you even when you don’t feel it.

Dark night of the soul
Feelings rejection’s pain
Forsaken // alone
Stretched out on life’s cruel cross
Has God turned his face from us?
In His pain he cried
“My God, my God, why have
you forsaken me!?”
Feeling rejection’s pain
In that dark night of the soul

*****

Painting: Dwight L. Roth