Greeting 2023

clock-1903446_1280-1

Greeting 2023
Ephesians 6:12

This year was kinda bad.
We had a lot of problems.
We look ahead to this New Year
To see God continuing to solve them.

There was the plumbing deluge,
Then Mom became ill last Winter.
They laid Dad off at the factory,
And then the broken printer.

The truck needed a new battery.
It was done before its years.
The radiator leaked like a sieve,
And our rent was in arrears.

The electric bill soared so high,
And now it’s the water heater.
U.S. politics didn’t go our way,
And food too scarce for eaters.

We know it’s really not these things,
But how to them we react.
Our struggle is not against flesh and blood.
It’s those spiritual forces who us attack.

It doesn’t depend on how we feel
Or even what we do.
It’s whole-souled trust in God above
That always gets us through.

— Charles B. Mayes

Greeting 2023  © 2022 by Charles B. Mayes. All Rights Reserved.

Image:  geralt – pixabay.com

Was 2022 a good year for you?  Is every year a good year when we follow Jesus Christ?  Is there such a thing as a bad day or are all days good in Jesus Christ?

When we follow Jesus, how can we have a bad year or day?  We may have a day with many challenges.  We may have a hard day, but with Him we can see the blessings of each day.  This is not an easy thing.  It is a very hard thing sometimes, but it is a necessary thing as we thank Him and see what He does for us yearly and daily.

And when I don’t trust enough,
Whatever “enough” is,
I ask Him to supply that trust
And He always gives.

[From “Running to the Cross” – 2014 – Charles B. Mayes]

I want to thank those who followed my website in 2022, and some for several years! Also I’m happy for each of you who stop by time to time. May God richly bless all of you in 2023!

If you would like to use this poem reading as a performance; or on your website; in your newsletter; bulletin; speech; sermon; class; etc., you must indicate on the communication that the author is “Charles B. Mayes” and it is “Used by Permission”. If it is used on a website, please add our website address, or link to http://www.ChristianPoetryPublishing.com or http://www.HisPoems.com.

If these poems minister to you, I’d encourage you to pass the word along talking with your friends; when you write an email; or when you’re on Facebook or other social media to include a mention of http://www.ChristianPoetryPublishing.com or http://www.HisPoems.com.

Other poems are available in a chapbook titled, A New Year Resolution and Other Poems (including The Missionaries) by Charles B. Mayes. It contains 22 poems. The foreword is written by Dr. P.T. Mammen, Senior Pastor of San Bruno (CA) International Christian Center.”

” . . . creative energy evidenced through every line . . ” – Dr. P.T. Mammen

Happy New Year!

To request my free Christian readings by email, sent from time to time, please put the word “Follow” in the Comment section.

ChristianPoetryPublishing.com -” ‘For in Him we live and move and have our being.’ As some of your own poets have said, ‘We are His offspring.’ ” (Holy Bible – Acts 17:28)
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10th Anniversary

10th Anniversary – ChristianPoetryPublishing.com
[ChristianPoetryPublishing.WordPress.com / WordsOnTheWay.com / HisPoems.com]

November 2011 – November 2021
“To Rally ‘Round – A Little Closer to Heaven”

“The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.” – John 10:10 (Holy Bible – NIV)
_______________________________________________  Announcement:
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Anniversary 10 – Amen

By – Charles B. Mayes

IN 2008 SOME HARD CIRCUMSTANCES opened my eyes to my total dependence on God. From this emerged my ministry of writing Christian poetry readings seriously and frequently.

“I do enjoy the poems and they do always point to Jesus.” Anonymous

THROUGH THE YEARS as I’ve been on the website, I also distributed printed readings through individuals, churches, and the LifeWay Christian Store community center.

“Love your poetry writing! So complimentary in the common faith!” Chanel B., DE.

I WANT TO THANK all my email and WordPress followers, LinkedIn readers, and visitors to my website for your continued support.

“I’m sorry that it took me so long to thank you for your wonderful gift of poetry.
As I was reading your poem, [Independence Day] the images of the people celebrating Independence Day and being proud of this day came to me as if I was watching a nice short movie. I was very moved.” Daisuke (Luke) S., Mountain View, CA.

MY APPRECIATION also to Samuel Rondón Acevedo who has done an excellent job translating  some of my poems into Spanish.

“I just read ‘Mistaken Identity.’  It is very moving, and one of your best.”  Joan M.-H., Muskogee, OK.

ALSO THANKS to my sisters, Nancy and Cherry, and Pastor P.T. Mammen for their encouragement from the beginning.  I appreciate the excellent editing of my wife, Dolores.  I thank my nephew, William, for helping greatly with the domain.

“I really enjoy your poetry.  I will start sharing in my Sunday school classes.”  Travis B., Asbury, WV.

LORD WILLING, I want to continue to minister through these poetry readings.

“You keep writing, I’ll keep reading!” Steven C., Oregon.

God bless!

TOP 20 POST VISITS November 2011 – November 2021 in Order from Greatest to Least

1. Home Page / Archives
2. A New Year Resolution
3. God, Help Me This New Year
4. Changes
5. The Old Country Church
6. About the Author
7. Children Praise the Lord: A Thanksgiving Day Reading (with Actions)
8. Children Know the Resurrection: An Easter Sunday Reading
(with Actions)
9. New Book Ministers to Readers
10. Harvest Festival Time
11. I Don’t Have a Father
12. Running to the Tomb
13. New Year
14. Mother and George Washington
15. When I Right a Poem – Rabid to Write / When the Blessings Come
16. Holding Jesus / The Day Before Thanksgiving
17. The Last Thanksgiving
18. A Prayer for America
19. I Prayed for You Today / Christmas Memories / Children Know the Gift: A Christmas Day Reading (with Actions)
20. He’s Already Taken Care of It / Joy in the Morning

TOP 20 POST VISITS BY COUNTRY November 2012 – November 2021 in Order from Greatest to Least [2011 – Not Available]

1. United States
2. Canada
3. United Kingdom
4. China
5. Germany
6. France
7. India
8. Indonesia
9. Philippines
10. Hong Kong SAR China
11. Brazil / Netherlands
12. Russia
13. Venezuela / Australia
14 South Korea
15. Japan / Finland
16. Italy
17. Kenya / Nigeria
18. Bahamas / Barbados / Mexico / Singapore / United Emirates
19. Spain
20. South Africa

IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO CONTACT ME, please fill out the Contact Form below.  To request my free Christian readings by email, sent from time to time, please put the word “Follow” in the Comment section.

POEMS ARE ALSO AVAILABLE in a chapbook titled, A New Year Resolution and Other Poems (including The Missionaries) by Charles B. Mayes. It contains 22 poems. The foreword is written by Dr. P.T. Mammen, Senior Pastor of San Bruno (CA) International Christian Center.

” . . . creative energy evidenced through every line . . .” – Dr. P.T. Mammen

Graphic:  Stuart Miles – freerangestock.com

ChristianPoetryPublishing.com – ”As some of your own poets have said, ‘We are his offspring.’ ” (Holy Bible – Acts 17:28)

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Riding in the Wheelbarrow

Riding in the Wheelbarrow

By – Charles B. Mayes

I am reminded of the preacher’s old illustration about an expert tightrope walker who was at Niagara Falls.  The rope was already stretched between his side and other side.  He said that he was going to cross the Falls on the tightrope pushing a wheelbarrow.  The crowd was amazed at his statement.

Then he asked the group, “How many believe that I can walk across this tightrope pushing this wheelbarrow all the way to the other side?”  Most of the people raised their hands.

Then he continued by asking, “Who will ride in the wheelbarrow with me pushing it to the other side?”

No one raised their hands.  One version of the story has one person saying “I will ride in it.”  Then the person did ride.  Another version has the person riding in the wheelbarrow, losing faith, and then the tightrope walker carried him to the other side.

What about us?  We have put our trust in our Lord Jesus Christ to take us where He wants.  We have not only thought about getting in the wheelbarrow of faith, but we are now riding in it.

During these hard times, do we keep trusting Him as we ride?  It is not an easy ride.  It is a treacherous ride.  It is a ride where we don’t know our future.

But Who is taking the wheelbarrow across this harmful area?  It is our Master.  He not only keeps us on the swaying rope, but gently calms us all the way to the other side.

Riding in the Wheelbarrow © 2020 by Charles B. Mayes.  All Rights Reserved.

“He will have no fear of bad news; his heart is steadfast, trusting in the Lord.” [Holy Bible – Psalm 112:7 (NIV)]

If you would like to contact me, please fill out the Contact Form below.  To request my free Christian readings by email, sent from time to time, please put the word “Follow” in the Comment section.

ChristianPoetryPublishing.com – ”As some of your own poets have said, ‘We are his offspring.’ ” (Holy Bible – Acts 17:28)

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Plan It / Planéalo

chuck-4clock-image-9-9-16

Plan It

I Kings 19:12

We plan it and we do it.
We think it works that way,
But sometimes
Our best planned plans just go astray.

Occasionally we see things coming,
But many times not.
There are so many life surprises.
They may leave us distraught.

But one thing’s always certain –
The Lord’s with us now and all the time.
He cares and keeps special watch on us
Just to make sure that we are fine.

So as we continue through our lives,
We must trust the Lord’s will
To gently guide us,
As we listen to His small voice still.

— Charles B. Mayes

Plan It © 2019 by Charles B. Mayes. All Rights Reserved.

One sure thing is that there will be uncertainly in our lives.  This is when we need to continue to trust our Lord Jesus Christ.  He was and is our Rescuer and Leader.  As Leader, He not only goes before us, but also walks beside us.

ChristianPoetryPublishing.com -” ‘For in Him we live and move and have our being.’ As some of your own poets have said, ‘We are His offspring.’ ” (Holy Bible – Acts 17:28)

Planéalo

1 Reyes 19:12

Lo planeamos, y lo hacemos.
Creemos que de esa manera funciona,
pero a veces, en la ejecución,
nuestros mejores planes se desmoronan.

En ocasiones vemos las cosas venir,
pero muchas veces no podemos prever:
la vida viene con tantas sorpresas
que nos pueden al fin ensombrecer.

Pero una cosa sí será siempre segura:
el Señor está con nosotros constantemente;
nos cuida manteniendo especial vigilia
para nuestro bienestar hacerlo permanente.

Así que mientras continuamos nuestras vidas,
confiemos en el Señor sobre nuestras almas
para que así nos vaya guiando amorosamente
mientras escuchamos su susurro bajo calma.

— Charles B. Mayes

Planéalo © 2019 por Charles B. Mayes. Todos los derechos reservados.

Traducido por Samuel Rondón Acevedo.

ChristianPoetryPublishing.com – “Como ciertos poetas de entre ustedes han dicho: ‘Porque también somos linaje de él’.(Sagrada Biblia, Hechos 17:28)

Traducido por Samuel Rondón Acevedo.

 

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Can Someone Claim You as a Dependent?

Can Someone Claim You as a Dependent?

Luke 10:40 – 42

Can Someone claim you as a dependent,
As you go along life’s way,
Not for Income Tax purposes,
Nor part of a year, but for every day?

Do others see your dependence
On our God of love
For everything needed –
Your very life given from above?

What about food and clothes
And even transportation,
Family and job,
Not to mention salvation?

Think that you provide it all
Just because you bought it,
From housing to entertainment?
Look at your life and audit.

Knowing from where all things come,
Do you trust as a dependent
In our Lord Jesus Christ
Who is transcendent?

Can Someone claim you as a dependent,
As you go along life’s way,
Not for Income Tax purposes,
But for eternal treasures laid away?

— Charles B. Mayes

Can Someone Claim You as a Dependent? © 2017 by Charles B. Mayes.  All Rights Reserved.

I prayerfully hope that God can claim you as a dependent.  We can only get through life by depending on Him.  How can anyone live without Him?  “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life.  We have come to believe and to know that you are the Holy One of God.”  [Holy Bible – John 6:68b – 69]

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7th Anniversary – ChristianPoetryPublishing.com

 

 

 

 

7th Anniversary – ChristianPoetryPublishing.com
[ChristianPoetryPublishing.WordPress.com]
November 2011 – November 2018
“To Rally ‘Round – A Little Closer to Heaven”

“And the words of the Lord are flawless, like silver purified in a crucible, like gold refined seven times.”   (Holy Bible, Psalm 12:6).

Anniversary 7 – Serving Heaven
By – Charles B. Mayes

IN 2008 SOME HARD CIRCUMSTANCES opened my eyes to my total dependence on God.  From this emerged my ministry of writing Christian poetry readings seriously and frequently.

“I do enjoy the poems and they do always point to Jesus.”  Anonymous

THROUGH THE YEARS as I’ve been on the website, I also distributed printed readings through churches and the LifeWay Christian Store community center.

“Love your poetry writing!  So complimentary in the common faith!”  Chanel B., DE.

I WANT TO THANK all my email and WordPress followers, LinkedIn readers, and visitors to my website for your continued support.

ALSO THANKS to my sisters, Nancy and Cherry, and Pastor P.T. Mammen for their encouragement from the beginning.  I appreciate the excellent editing of my wife, Dolores.  I thank my nephew, William, for helping greatly with the domain.

LORD WILLING,  I want to continue to minister through these poetry readings.

“You keep writing, I’ll keep reading!”  Steven C., San Jose, CA.

TOP 20 POST VISITS  2011 – October 2018

1.   Home Page / Archives
2.   A New Year Resolution
3.   God, Help Me This New Year
4.   Changes
5.   The Old Country Church
6.   About the Author
7.   Children Praise the Lord:  A Thanksgiving Day Reading (with Actions)
8.   Children Know the Resurrection:  An Easter Sunday Reading
(with Actions)
9.   New Book Ministers to Readers
10.  Harvest Festival Time
11.  I Don’t Have a Father
12.  New Year / Mother and George Washington
13.  Running to the Tomb
14.  When I Write a Poem – Rabid to Write
15.  When the Blessings Come
16.  The Day Before Thanksgiving
17.  The Last Thanksgiving
18.  A Prayer for America
19.  Children Know the Gift:  A Christmas Day Reading
(with Actions) / I Prayed for You Today
20.  Christmas Memories / He’s Already Taken Care of It

TOP 12 POST VISITS BY COUNTRY  2012 – October 2018
[2011 – Not Available]                        

1.   United States
2.   Canada
3.   United Kingdom
4.   Indonesia
5.   India
6.   Philippines
7.   Germany
8.   Netherlands
9.   Australia
10.  Hong Kong – SAR China
11.  South Korea
12.  Japan

IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO CONTACT ME, please fill out the Contact Form below.  To request my free Christian readings by email, sent from time to time, please put the word “Follow” in the Comment section.

POEMS ARE ALSO AVAILABLE in a chapbook titled, A New Year Resolution and Other Poems (including The Missionaries) by Charles B. Mayes. It contains 22 poems. The foreword is written by Dr. P.T. Mammen, Senior Pastor of San Bruno (CA) International Christian Center.

” . . . creative energy evidenced through every line . . .” – Dr. P.T. Mammen

ChristianPoetryPublishing.com – ”As some of your own poets have said, ‘We are his offspring.’ ” (Holy Bible – Acts 17:28)

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Trusting Now

 

 

 

 

Hebrews 13:8

Trusting Now

Your past trust in God:
Failing or victory,
Forgetting or praising.
But that’s history.

Your future trust in Him:
Don’t have to hurry
Because it’s yet to be.
Not to worry.

But trusting God:
This moment, now,
That’s all that matters.
You’ll see how.

— Charles B. Mayes

[Image:  Myriams-Fotos – pixabay.com]

Trusting Now © 2018 by Charles B. Mayes. All Rights Reserved.

Regretting things or living in the blessings of the past won’t help us, neither will worrying about the future.  We must ask ourselves, “Can I trust in Jesus now?” Yes!  That’s all we need to do.

________________________________________

Many readers look to ChristianPoetyPublishing.com for encouragement:

THOUGHT PROVOKING / INSPIRING

As always Brother Charles’ writings are thought provoking and inspiring.  Please keep up the good work.”  Sabu T., Santa Clara, CA

SPEAKS TO ME

“Thank you for the wonderful poem that speaks to me where I am daily.”  Nancy R., Kansas, OK

________________________________________

If you would like to use this poem reading as a performance; or on your website; in your newsletter; bulletin; speech; sermon; class; etc., you must indicate on the communication that the author is “Charles B. Mayes” and it is “Used by Permission”. If it is used on a website, please add our website address, or link to http://www.ChristianPoetryPublishing.com

If you would like to receive my free Christian poetry readings by email, from time to time, fill out the Contact Form below with the word “Follow.”

Other poems are available in a chapbook titled, A New Year Resolution and Other Poems (including The Missionaries) by Charles B. Mayes. It contains 22 poems. The foreword is written by Dr. P.T. Mammen, Senior Pastor of San Bruno (CA) International Christian Center.

” . . . creative energy evidenced through every line . . .” – Dr. P.T. Mammen

ChristianPoetryPublishing.com – ”As some of your own poets have said, ‘We are his offspring.’ ” (Holy Bible – Acts 17:28)

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That’s Perseverance

 

 

 

That’s Perseverance

2 Peter 1:5-7

Keeping on keeping on –
That’s perseverance.
Sticking to what we believe,
To our faith, adherence.

Asking God to propel
Problems away, clearance.
Moving them completely.
Hoping for disappearance.

Sometimes walking through
With a lot of interference.
Keeping on keeping on –
That’s perseverance.

— Charles B. Mayes

That’s Perseverance  © 2018 by Charles B. Mayes. All Rights Reserved.

[Image:  freerangestock.com]

Many times life isn’t so easy.  I remember once telling God, “It’s not easy being a Christian!”  I think that He knows this.  It’s not easy, but Jesus Christ is our friend and help going both before us in the wilderness and walking beside us.  We can persevere.

If you would like to use this poem reading as a performance; or on your website; in your newsletter; bulletin; speech; sermon; class; etc., you must indicate on the communication that the author is “Charles B. Mayes” and it is “Used by Permission”. If it is used on a website, please add our website address, or link to http://www.ChristianPoetryPublishing.com

If you would like to receive my free Christian poetry readings by email, from time to time, fill out the Contact Form below with the word “Follow.”

Other poems are available in a chapbook titled, A New Year Resolution and Other Poems (including The Missionaries) by Charles B. Mayes. It contains 22 poems. The foreword is written by Dr. P.T. Mammen, Senior Pastor of San Bruno (CA) International Christian Center.

” . . . creative energy evidenced through every line . . .” – Dr. P.T. Mammen

ChristianPoetryPublishing.com – ”As some of your own poets have said, ‘We are his offspring.’ ” (Holy Bible – Acts 17:28)

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Surprise Me, God!

 

Surprise Me, God!

Surprise Me, God!
With those wonderful things
You do which delight
Me through and through.

Not something I hear about,
Although that is inspiring,
But something I experience –
Your activity in my life thriving.

It may be someone
Coming closer to you
As you work via me
To cause them to see.

It may be a situation
That seems unsolvable,
But you open the door
To make it resolvable.

Thrill me with your works.
More and more and more let me see
Your powerful Hand touching
My world, actually.

Surprise Me, God!
With those wonderful things
You do which delight
Me through and through.

— Charles B. Mayes

Surprise Me, God! © 2017 by Charles B. Mayes.  All Rights Reserved.

[Image:  422737 / 2074 – pixabay.com]

God’s surprises are exciting!  They are spices of life that are special unexpected blessings.  If you don’t see them, look for them.  They are all around us, if we would but look.

Thank you for following me and/or visiting my site. May God richly bless you!

If you would like to use this poem reading as a performance; or on your website; in your newsletter; bulletin; speech; sermon; class; etc., you must indicate on the communication that the author is “Charles B. Mayes” and it is “Used by Permission”. If it is used on a website, please add our website address, or link to http://www.ChristianPoetryPublishing.com which can be connected to from outside this site.

If these poems minister to you, I’d encourage you to pass the word along talking with your friends; when you write an email; or when you’re on Facebook or other social media to include a mention of http://www.ChristianPoetryPublishing.com.

Other poems are available in a chapbook titled, A New Year Resolution and Other Poems (including The Missionaries) by Charles B. Mayes. It contains 22 poems. The foreword is written by Dr. P.T. Mammen, Senior Pastor of San Bruno (CA) International Christian Center.”

” . . . creative energy evidenced through every line . . ” – Dr. P.T. Mammen

If you would like to purchase a copy of the above book, please fill out the form below and I will get back to you with the description, price, payment, and mailing arrangements.

If you receive these poems by email, to use my form to answer me, just forget the form on the email and go to the bottom left and click on farsails which will take you to my blog. Then choose this poem and you can use the form with the poem.

Thank you!

ChristianPoetryPublishing.com – ” ‘For in Him we live and move and have our being.’  As some of your own poets have said, ‘We are his offspring.’ ” (Holy Bible – Acts 17:28)
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Can Someone Claim You as a Dependent?

Can Someone Claim You as a Dependent?

Luke 10:40 – 42

Can Someone claim you as a dependent,
As you go along life’s way,
Not for Income Tax purposes,
Nor part of a year, but for every day?

Do others see your dependence
On our God of love
For everything needed –
Your very life given from above?

What about food and clothes
And even transportation,
Family and job,
Not to mention salvation?

Think that you provide it all
Just because you bought it,
From housing to entertainment?
Look at your life and audit.

Knowing from where all things come,
Do you trust as a dependent
In our Lord Jesus Christ
Who is transcendent?

Can Someone claim you as a dependent,
As you go along life’s way,
Not for Income Tax purposes,
But for eternal treasures laid away?

— Charles B. Mayes

Can Someone Claim You as a Dependent? © 2017 by Charles B. Mayes.  All Rights Reserved.

I prayerfully hope that God can claim you as a dependent.  We can only get through life by depending on Him.  How can anyone live without Him?  “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life.  We have come to believe and to know that you are the Holy One of God.”  [Holy Bible – John 6:68b – 69]

I appreciate all those who continually follow my website, and those who drop by from time to time.  May God richly bless each of you!

If you would like to use this poem reading as a performance; or on your website; in your newsletter; bulletin; speech; sermon; class; etc., you must indicate on the communication that the author is “Charles B. Mayes” and it is “Used by Permission”. If it is used on a website, please add our website address, or link to http://www.ChristianPoetryPublishing.com which can be connected to from outside this site.

If these poems minister to you, I’d encourage you to pass the word along talking with your friends; when you write an email; or when you’re on Facebook or other social media to include a mention of http://www.ChristianPoetryPublishing.com.

Other poems are available in a chapbook titled, A New Year Resolution and Other Poems (including The Missionaries) by Charles B. Mayes. It contains 22 poems. The foreword is written by Dr. P.T. Mammen, Senior Pastor of San Bruno (CA) International Christian Center.”

” . . . creative energy evidenced through every line . . ” – Dr. P.T. Mammen

If you would like to purchase a copy of the above book, please fill out the form below and I will get back to you with the description, price, payment, and mailing arrangements.

If you receive these poems by email, to use my form to answer me, just forget the form on the email and go to the bottom left and click on farsails which will take you to my blog. Then choose this poem and you can use the form with the poem.

Thank you !

ChristianPoetryPublishing.com – ” ‘For in Him we live and move and have our being.’  As some of your own poets have said, ‘We are his offspring.’ ” (Holy Bible – Acts 17:28)
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