2.22.2016

Token of Love

(II Thessalonians 1:3-5)

A token, just a token,
Yet no man can fain replace;
A small symbol of things celestial,
That we ought but to embrace.

As a ring of gold with pureness told
Is a token of our love,
His sacrifice and our faithfulness
Portrays the greatest love.

Adorned and holy matrimony
On earth does represent
Christ and His Bride--so beautified,
A love that's Heaven-sent.

As new love blooms like a flower in spring,
And bursts forth bright and fresh,
So true love lasts like the evergreen,
Still glows when days are harsh.

Such faithfulness and tender grace
'Neath skies of billowed storms,
So gently heals and safely seals 
The soul that's scared by thorns.

In tribulations, persecutions
Our love for Him endures;
No separation from salvation--
Our souls He doth secure.

His love for us--what sacrifice!
His grace so rich abounds.
Our simple faith and patient wait
Will hear His trumpet sound.

A token, just a token,
We share with human race,
A small symbol of things celestial
Reflects His love and grace.

Copyright © Elisabeth Linzey 2016

2.20.2016

Trojan Horse

The fortress stood strong, the city secure,
Its bulwarks and gates anchored fast.
Through years of battle and endless war,
No victory had any foe grasped.

With effort that only proved vain and fruitless,
The enemy pried for a door,
But never a moment were they rewarded—
The gain would require a lure.

Making a vessel through which they could enter,
They stealthily slipped out of view,
Leaving a “gift” that contained their destruction
Of a carefully chosen few.

Quietly, patiently, the army awaited
The city to welcome their gift.
And, soon, to their pleasure, the people accepted
The trap that inflicted their rift.

A grand celebration was held in the streets;
Who else had received such a joy?
Yet, after the last light was snuffed out in the dark,
The foe began working their ploy.

That which was hidden within the grand prize,
Disguised as a offering of peace,
Embraced as a great entertainment of thrill,
Was that which their fate would release.

Into the darkness, as silent as stars,
The hook immerged from the bait,
From the square of the city they quietly marched
And opened the fortress’ gate.

Invaded at once, the city was won
By that which had seemed innocent,
Conquered from deep within its own heart—
The treasure proved fatally sent.

In patriot pride we boldly proclaim,
“These walls will refuse to come down!
Our gates will remain shut with every bolt latched,
We’ll fight to preserve regal crown!”

Yet, as the walls crumble before our own eyes,
And gates swing wide open to death, 
We cry out in anguish, “What e’re went awry?
Did not we hold strong with each breath?”

The city’s not taken by force or by storm,
But by that which was welcomed inside;
Our own fate was destined while we full embraced
The ploy of the enemy’s tide.

The old Trojan Horse, so charming it be,
Portraying sweet, pleasure so free,
Capturing swift the gullible soul,
Entertaining the heart without plea.

Patiently waiting for us to embrace
Its present of poison in bread,
Never flashing a sword or firing a shot,
It enters to bring on our dread.

Then, all in the stillness of darkness and night,
When the wise and alert have retired,
The stealthy foe slips out from within
And brings the destruction required.

When he who once watched o’re the towering walls
And stood by the gate-doors on guard,
When he who’d protected, sat down to enjoy
The thrill of a trophy that’s marred.

Aye! Fellow friends, what are we embracing
To swallow within our gates,
But troublesome foe, and terrible doom?
We call it upon our own pates!

 Our country falls not by political deeds
Or by the call of some man,
But by we the people who blindly drink in
The lure from an enemy hand.

Awake, you who are sleeping! Kindle the light;
The Trojan Horse is within!
Not rifle or sword, nor political power,
But the pleasure of evil and sin.

Hidden inside the sweetness and charm
Of humor, romance, and might,
Mingled amidst the innocent thrill,
Excused by, “…this one is alright.”

Are we so callused as to comfortably sit
And watch the Trophy roll in,
And share in the party while “it won’t affect me”?
This tactic is not for pretend!

We march on the walls of religious freedom,
Yet upon worldly doctrine we feast,
We defiantly shout to the world our beliefs,
But, we can’t live without our TVs.

What have we come to, that we would embrace
What we ourselves would not do—
It’s not any wonder why honor and truth,
And purity have vanished from view!

A battle is raging, we must surely stand,
Yet look past the smoke-screens so broad,
See Trojan Horse being lead through the gate—
Awake to the foe on your sod!

Copyright © Elisabeth Linzey 2016

2.11.2016

A Faithful Heart

Though Your way I may not always see,
Though the path may be unclear,
Though Your time I do not understand,
And Your voice I cannot hear,

When shadows cast their dark’ning gloom,
When the tempest rages ‘round,
When the silence seems to break my soul,
And no answer can be found—

A faithful heart, a faithful heart,
Free from bitterness and fear, I ask of Thee.
A quiet trust, a yielded will,
Lord, I pray, a faithful heart You give to me.

In the wilderness or fruitful plains,
On the mountain or in vale,
Through the weariness and pain of life,
Or beside the springing well,

Fix within my soul Your steadfast hope
That nought on earth can weaken,
Consume my passions, pride, and pity;
 Your face alone I’m seeking.

A faithful heart, a faithful heart,
Free from bitterness and fear, I ask of Thee.
A quiet trust, a yielded will,
Lord, I pray, a faithful heart You give to me.


Copyright © Elisabeth Linzey 2016

2.03.2016

That Member

 I have a little member
That often brings me grief,
But if I use it tender,
It also brings relief.

It digs a hole so deep
I cannot quite escape,
Then builds a mountain steep
That none can overtake.

To bridle such I’ve tried,
Too often I have failed,
For, like a lion’s pride,
It will not be withheld.

This member is a sword
That pierces hearts and souls,
Yet also gives a word
Which strengthens and upholds.

A double-sided book,
A swing—first to, then fro—
A teeter-totter crook
That knows not how to go,

A walking-staff at first,
And then a javelin,
A blessing, then a curse—
Oh, who will ever win?

Out of the heart proceeds
The fruits of human speech,
“Lord, plant your holy seeds,
My little member teach.”

Copyright © Elisabeth Linzey 2016