Greeting 2023

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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:
ChristianPoetryPublishing.com now has a new connected website – HisPoems.com.
HisPoems.com
is a way to get to ChristianPoetryPublishing.com more quickly.  It also makes it easier for you to tell people about the site.  But no matter what, we are still here to serve you at ChristianPoetryPublishing.com.
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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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Am I Still in the Game?

                                                              

Am I Still in the Game?

Proverbs 3:5-6; Psalm 16:11

Am I still in the game?
It raced across my mind,
With my Coach
Am I still aligned?

When temptations come daily,
And sometimes I give in.
I didn’t plan to,
But I did it again.

But then I remember
Whose team I’m on.
The other side already defeated,
And mine victoriously won.

Through my Coach, Jesus,
This win I’ll keep.
I still am in the game.
The end line over I leap.

                                                                                 — Charles B. Mayes

Am I Still In The Game? © 2020 by Charles B. Mayes.  All Rights Reserved.

Graphic:  Keithjj – pixabay.com

Are you still in the game?  It’s not easy following Christ, but the rewards are bountiful.

I appreciate all of you who read my blog including my followers; those from LinkedIn; and those who stop by occasionally.

If you would like to use this poem 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.

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.

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

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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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Reflecting

 

 

 

 

 

Reflecting

Reflecting in your mind.
Reflecting back through time.
Turn the Bible pages,
You will see
Encouraging stories from history.

Baby Moses floating in the reeds.
Sister Miriam taking heed.
Pharaoh’s daughter,
A surprise –
Asking Moses’ own mother, who raised him wise.

David playing on his harp
Watching his sheep – day and dark.
Keeping the flock
From harm to start.
Beautiful songs from his heart.

The Zarephath widow wondering what she should do.
She and her son almost through.
Elijah made a promise.
It came true.
Enough flour and oil, more than made do.

Ruth and Boaz, what a pair.
Kindness to her with grain to spare.
Marrying Ruth.
Delight in the air.
Oh, the precious love they did share.

On Easter morning from the grave He rose.
Happy were the women, and the men He chose.
Glory to our God,
Singing, praising, shouting –
Joy in the highest, beyond all doubting.

The Gentiles were glad to hear the news
When Paul and Barnabas by God were used.
Light to the nations,
Salvation came
To the ends of the Earth in Jesus’ name.

Reflecting in your mind.
Reflecting back through time.
Turn the Bible pages,
You will see
Encouraging stories from history.

— Charles B. Mayes

Reflecting © 2019 by Charles B. Mayes. All Rights Reserved.

There are many uplifting stories in the Bible.  So, take time to reflect in your mind by reading and reviewing them.  It will be a blessing to you!

If you would like to use this poem 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

_____________________________________

ChristianPoetryPublishing.com – Established 2011

Sharing at Sunday School

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

Very Moving

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

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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.

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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