Top Ten Version #4 - 9/25/2000
MESSY SAINTS
- Leslie E. Johnson copyright 2000
stain glass windows
color YOUR love
shining so deep
into the hall
into my soul
YOUR beauty in my mess
makes all the sense
of little pieces of colored glass
arranged so delicately
to form a
glowing testament
to YOUR love and faithfulness
We return to our discussion of the Ten Commandments. We have covered Deuteronomy 5: 7,8,17,18,21, which are:
Do not worship other gods.
Do not make or worship idols.
Do not murder.
Do not commit adultery.
Do not covet.
Today let's look at coveting again in reference to lying and stealing (Deuteronomy 5:19- 21).
It seems that coveting and stealing go hand in hand. You see something your neighbor has and you wish that you could have that. Growing up without a lot of money there were plenty of things that others had that I wished I could have too. I wanted to fit in. I wanted to be comfortable. If only I had the same clothes as them, the same toys as them ... but even if we have those things the joy and comfort that they MAY bring is at best temporary. A lesson hard learned.
COVETOUS
- Leslie E. Johnson copyright 2000
Storm's brewin' in
batten down the souls
life and ground are shaken
as darkness thunders and grows
Wanting more than I can have
more than I can tell
over me is cast, I fear,
a covetous spell
Fallen angels
looking down at me
they laugh that I've
turned from what was free
Stolen moments
in pleasure's lap
false riches reigning
yeah, I'm enrapt
But the darkness
is growing so black
like a gluttonous rat
I'm trapped
Beg forgiveness of God
even in the darkest storm
my soul is cleared
and sin's spell is torn
God has blessed us with certain material things and certain gifts. Looking at what others have can cause us to be unhappy with what we do have. I truly believe that God wants us to be happy. It is Satan whispering lies to us - that if only we had this or that we'd be happier - that makes us unhappy with our current blessings.
LIE SO EASILY
- Leslie E. Johnson copyright 2000
Why do you
lie so easily
don't you care if you're
hurting me
Think it's so minor
that it's meaningless
Don't understand
all this fuss
I just can't stand for
a man of deception
your lies turn me cold
you caused this rejection
you said whatever
to make a move closer
just wanted a taste
you're love's imposter
Said that you could
show me happiness
move my soul closer
to eternal bliss
Now I see through
your thin disguise
your soul's diseased
with a liar's eyes
I'm not a possession
to be owned
not a brag to
flaunt on the phone
Respect and honesty
is what I want
with no fear of lies
being caught
Please don't lie to me
though it may come
easily
take a second to believe
let (God's) love flow naturally
[Yes, I forgive you
now see me walk away
for your deception
this is the price you pay]
Coveting may also lead to lying. If you steal from your neighbor you'll probably lie to cover your sin. Sometimes one lies to try to get what is coveted. Lies hurt in so very many ways. Reputations are marred. Trust is broken. Relationships are ruined. Our connection with God becomes strained. And, of course, once you begin a lie, not only does one lie lead to another, but you become stressed trying to keep your "story" straight to avoid being caught. We hurt ourselves the most in our sins.
God intended us to be happy in life. If we keep the Ten Commandments close to our heart we will be happier in life and have a deeper relationship with our Creator. HE provides us with our basic needs. It is we who entangle our lives by coveting all the other trappings. If we ask our Heavenly Father, HE will provide - just not always in ways we'd have imagined.
We will have 2 more rings on the Top Ten. I'd enjoy suggestions on topics that you'd like to see covered.
God be with you.
Peace, love, and forgiveness.
Leslie
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Email: shaken@angelfire.com