PAULIE'S POEMS - PMG

  Summer Fruit Oh, how I love sweet summer fruit Strawberries, cherries, kiwi, peach And oh, the taste of blueberries  Perhaps I'll buy a few of each Pineapple, mango, nectarines  Let's not forget the melons, too What's summer without cantaloupe  Sweet watermelon, honeydew  While eating them alone's a treat As part of family recipes  Like cobblers, jellies, pies, and tarts Sweet summer fruits are sure to please The Bible speaks of fruits as well Not just the kind that Eve did taste Then, offered to her mate, Adam Thus causing them to fall from grace But also speaks of spiritual fruit Not kind to eat, but to display In how we live the life we have To walk like Jesus every day  Spiritual fruits are love, joy, peace Patience, kindness, faithfulness  Goodness, also self-control  All wrapped in air of gentleness We can't grow this kind by ourselves  For spiritual fruit to come to be It matters not how hard we try Can't be produced without the...

Grace and Mercy While mercy's granting a reprieve  From punishment I should receive  It's through God's mercy I have grace Receiving blessings, not disgrace In seeking God, one thing I've learned His grace is goodness I've not earned Though punishment, deserving of It's grace he gives me out of love For grace and mercy interlace Since they both come from the same place A just God who can penalize  Yet, sees me through forgiving eyes And also from his loving heart Storehouse of blessings he'll impart Though each day new sins I embrace He still extends his awesome grace The God I worship is no myth I know the grace he's blessed me with The divine Father that I serve Shows me mercy I don't deserve  So I'll sing praises every day That my Lord can love me this way For mine's a blessed, redemptive story To God above goes all the glory

  Fearless, Fear Less Most toddler's seem to be fearless A fact that leaves their moms a mess For she holds all the fears they don't Throw caution to the wind - she won't  With youngsters, ignorance is bliss So most dangers they tend to miss  And thus approach things fearlessly Caution must be taught purposely Yet, healthy fear along the way Can morph to fears that aren't okay Fears that can grow and grow in size To point where they can paralyze It's wise if we act cautiously But fear that brings anxiety  The kind that's outside of our hands Is certainly not in God's plans For God's Word tells us to "fear not" Not once or twice but quite a lot One time for each day of the year Reminder that we need to hear Yes, our Creator,  Father knows That fear's where our mind often goes Though hard to put all fear to rest With his help we'll fear less and less If want to live in fear-free zone You cannot get there on your own For fear's used by...

  Posts Does what we post elicit light Or just a catalyst to fight In loving way express our views Or angry platform what we choose A forum for healthy debate Or our own angst disseminate  Are our posts instruments of peace Or place frustrations are released It seems that it is way past time To reflect what we post online For what we send, we give a voice And is all a matter of choice  Seems what we post we may become When all of it is said and done Or posting simply plays a part Of what's already in our heart If all we send are angry posts Then anger's what we feel the most Even if outrage try to hedge Can set the reader's teeth on edge Likewise, if posts are uplifting A little sunshine they may bring Some levity, some merriment Even words of encouragement  The sender and receiver both Choose whether they engage in posts Each bears responsibility  For what they choose to send or see May I speak lovingly, my friend Be cognizant of all you send What you repost, o...

  Contentment If whole world's money you could spend Do you think you'd be content then If everyone would be your friend Would lonely feelings reach an end If you could be what want to be To reach your goals; earn that degree Climb corporate ladder successfully Would all of that make you happy Are spouse and family your desires A life to which your soul aspires The thinking of it never tires A dream come true if it transpires Is body image a disgrace Have extra pounds around your waist Or things you'd change about your face Gray hair and wrinkles to erase Is where you live seem way too small  Not sure why you live there at all And though there's roof, and floor, and wall Could surely use an overhaul  Do you wish you had what they do Does discontentment define you For when you stop and think it through  Want to have cake and eat it, too There's nothing wrong with seeking things Large house, fit body, wedding rings Till wanting - discontentment brings Thus fail to cou...

  The Love of God The love of God is powerful  It leads us to embrace his will To trust his ways are better ways Thus follow him throughout our days The love of God we should return  A free gift that we did not earn Not grudgingly or to appease him But genuinely, so to please him The love of God's transformative It changes how we want to live Creating a clean heart within Where once a hardened one had been The love of God requires law To discipline us after all Correcting us when we do wrong And guide us back where we belong The love of God shows sacrifice  As seen in life and death of Christ That real love's displayed in service To those in need he puts before us The love of God's patient and kind Even when we get out of line Not on obedience depends For God's love's one that never ends The love of God's omnipresent  No matter how off-track we went Found in our deepest, darkest pit A lifeline in the midst of it The love of God's relentless one Pursues, desp...

  Welcome Mat Love to dress up my porch with rugs My current one dons lady bugs This black and red, happy decor Provides warm welcome at my door Hinting to those who cross threshold  A bit of whimsy might unfold My welcome mat thus sets the tone Of atmosphere inside my home And once welcomed to come inside To where family and I abide You'll find a warm, comforting place  To take world at a slower pace I'd like to think at pearly gates I'll find a welcome mat awaits Perhaps one printed, "Glad You're Here" While angel choruses sing near Melodic welcome from inside As golden doors are opened wide Beaconing me to come within Let my eternity begin Warm voice says, " Make yourself at home" No longer restless soul shall roam The moment you walk through this door All tears and pain shall be no more Nothing could be more welcoming Than beholding the risen King To see the love upon his face Enveloped by his warm embrace To know my soul is home again Residing w...