POT POURRIE
Of
SONGS, SAYINGS, AND STORIES
ã
1999, by P. WellsPart I
MY FERVENT PRAYER
If I’ve been untrue, please, God be just.
I do not desire to betray anyone’s trust.
If I am true, keep me safe in this sphere.
Please let me live as proof--for a year.
I know my request will alert Satan’s forces
To come with a flood astride many horses.
He’ll do all in his power to cut my year short,
But if I am true, all his efforts you’ll thwart.
March 17, 1997
Deuteronomy 18: 20-22, "But the prophet, which shall presume to speak a word in my name, which I have not commanded him to speak, or that shall speak in the name of other gods even that prophet shall die."
THE VOICE I HEAR
I John 1: 9, "If we confess our sins, He is faithful and JUST to forgive us our sins, and cleanse us of all unrighteousness." (My testimony follows.)
I have sinned and suffered remorse--even fear.
Cried for God to forgive, believed He didn’t hear.
Then He pointed to a fault; I said, "Oh," to agree.
"That’s confession," He said, "You’re forgiven easily."
Another time, He gently referred to my guilt.
In truth and with humor, chiding was dealt.
I laughed in agreement, and He let me know
That my laugh was confession where forgiveness will glow.
The Lord is my teacher and one time He said,
"You circle My Words, and think others instead."
I denied, "Your Word is infallible as sure as I live."
He persisted, "Is it ‘mercy’ or ‘just’ for me to forgive?"
I said, "mercy," but knew John said "just" in 1:9.
The Lord led me through a grocery store line.
I paid the bill, but the Lord did not spare,
"How merciful of the clerk to give you your ware!"
"Merciful!" I cried, "I paid--with six tens!"
He said, "Forgiveness is just; I paid for your sins.
Nothing you could do would forgiveness entice:
So, with my blood and stripes, I paid the price."
Many times, when I was pleading and praying in despair,
The Lord comforted--reassured me--with the words, "I do care."
Other times, with a Proverb, He would cheer me up--
Words of wisdom and humor from His loving cup.
For example, I thought my kids were most errant.
I moaned to the Lord, "I must be a rotten parent."
The Lord responded, "Hey, Little One, They are my kids, too!
When you failed to obey, was I "rotten" because of you?"
I shared God’s Word, but no one seemed to see.
I cried to the Lord, "No one listens to me."
He answered, "That’s nothing, you’ll surely agree.
They don’t listen to the Father, nor do they listen to me!"
Pity parties I have had--quite frequently.
I complained to the Lord, of inflated misery.
He said, "I didn’t promise a rose garden, you see,"
Then He added the word, "yet"--I cried "Jubilee!"
The Lord once told me to call a witness who cared
To confirm all that the Lord and I had just shared.
"Lord, I know your voice, and your Word I declare!"
"You vowed you would please," The Lord contested my dare.
I repented--called a friend who received all with joy,
But as soon as I turned, Satan attacked to annoy.
I was flustered, afraid, and determined to flee,
But recalled that my witness indeed did agree.
In faith, I dared Satan, "You lie, That was my Lord."
But doubted my power was in strict accord.
But Satan fled, and I asked, "What did I do?
My accuser is gone, Lord, Is that due to you?"
The Lord answered, "No, you beat his game."
I protested, "But, Lord, I did not speak in Your Name!"
The Lord reminded, "Didn’t you obey me?
You called a witness; now do you see?"
In amazement, I pondered the words of My Lord.
And realized that "Obedience" was the key to God’s sword.
I had "spoken in His name," no matter what I said,
But if we don’t obey, His spoken name is quite dead.
The Lord comforts and cheers me and often makes me laugh.
I adore Him, and need Him and not just by half.
I mentioned my amazement at His humor at times.
He asked, "Do you think Satan is funny and makes joyful rhymes?"
The Lord confided, "Many folks think I’m a God way up there--
A nebulous glob who really doesn’t care.
But I’m not just a teacher, nor just a truth peddler.
Actually, in men’s affairs, I am a born meddler."
The Lord is my Shepherd, my Savior and God.
I worship Him, love Him, and am consoled by His rod.
I once said, "Just command, I’ll do all that you desire."
He answered, "Oh, shades of Peter! But I’ll fuel your fire."
(Revelations 12: 11, "They overcame him (Satan)....by the word of their testimony.")
FAITH OF A LITTLE CHILD
I had fourteen boils at the age of four,
So crippled were my legs, I could not walk anymore.
My grandfather read to me stories of love
From the Word of God about Jesus above.
I asked Grandpa if Jesus would do
As He had done for others? Would He heal me too?
I saw in his eyes that he did not believe.
He saw the faith of a child, but he could not deceive.
He said, "Why don’t you pray for Jesus to heal?
It won’t hurt to ask. You can always appeal."
I knew "Jesus loves me." I sang the song.
I knelt down and prayed--knew I was not wrong.
I prayed in the rain under a tree.
Lightning flashed, and Jesus healed me.
I showed my splotches where boils had lain.
Everyone said, "Must have been the rain."
I knew it was Jesus, but at the age of four,
I did not confess my faith anymore.
Until now, good Folks, I did not declare
How my faith in Jesus healed me--answered my prayer.
THE LORD’S EXCLUSIVE CLUB
I threw myself down across my own bed,
And cried unto God, "I wish I were dead!"
I demanded to know the cause of my shame.
Like Job’s accusers, I thought I was to blame.
I complained to the Lord, "It’s like childbirth pains.
They come closer together, and each torment gains."
I begged and pleaded, "Tell me what I’ve done wrong.
And I’ll confess and repent all the day long."
I raised the old question, "Why, Lord? Why me?
What have I done to deserve this misery?"
While I was praying, a vision came to me
Of My Lord on the cross. With awe, I could see
The blood dripping down from his hands and his feet.
His body was scarred where He had been beat.
I stared in amazement! His identity was gone,
Except for His eyes--second to none.
With sorrow and suffering from that bitter shrub,
He spoke, "Welcome, my child, to my special club.
"Those not persecuted by satanic forces
Are appeasing--not resisting with the might of wild horses."
My grief was still with me. My tears did not dry,
But I know that I’ll be with my Lord when I die.
SORRY BOYS, BUT I DON’T AGREE
I am not sorry,
Because I am right.
I’m sorry, because
You can’t see the light.
When you won’t listen
I want to scream.
But you use that as reason
For deafness extreme.
I have told you before,
And I tell you again:
What I have to say
Could help you win.
But you say to me,
"I don’t need advice."
Those are words of a fool.
The wise listen twice.
The teachable learn
From children and fools.
They always ask questions.
To them--all are schools."
They know they can choose
What is best, what is true.
So they continue in meekness
And in confidence, too.
They know that no one
Can make them obey.
So, they don’t feel threatened
By what others say.
They just keep asking,
And sifting through chaff.
They sacrifice pride
To have the last laugh.
A HOUSEWIFE’S COMPLAINT
Feeling frustrated over futile efforts to bare
What I had learned in life--how to love, serve, and share,
I complained in prayer that I was sick and tired
Of living to eat, though "eat" is required.
I said, "I want to do a work that’s worthwhile--
Teach folks how to live--how to love and to smile.
"But nobody listens, or believes what I say.
I want to be like you, and serve every day."
The Lord answered me, saying, "Perhaps, you can.
You’re a bit ambitious, but here is my plan.
"In your mood, you bear watching, but my angels are near
To oversee what you do. So, rest and don’t fear.
"Check back with me in a day--maybe two.
I’m sure I can find something for you to do.
Perhaps, you can teach the art, "Be content,"
To women with talent to makes homes from a tent.
I have given many skills to the fairest with style--
Not to make the living, but to make it worthwhile."
SATAN HATES ME
I checked and double-checked to make certain that my writings would not give any comfort whatsoever to the enemy. Actually, he has been gnashing his teeth, honing his horns, stomping his filthy feet, swishing his nasty tail, and making all kinds of idle but noisy threats, that I have chosen to ignore. I do not think he has one good thing to say about me or my works!
A POET: A poet is one who takes the temperature and feels the pulse of the public; Then writes a prescription from God.
MEET YOUR MOTHER
I was born to serve. I was born to give.
If I can’t do that, I don’t want to live.
I don’t enjoy eating. Rue time spent in bed.
If pleasure is all, I’m better off dead.
I don’t want credit, money, or power.
I want to please My Lord every day--every hour.
You all have hurt me. I tell you the truth.
By suggesting I change, You’re cruel and uncouth.
If you look at my record, you’ll know I don’t lie,
Yet, you question my judgment ‘til I want to die.
My motives are true. My experience proves wise.
When you claim they are not, I feel raped by your lies.
Of course, I’ve done wrong, and made many a mistake,
But I’ve never hurt others--So, give me a break!
We reared six kids without any sitter,
And gave ‘til it hurt without being bitter.
It wasn’t too easy; we had not a cent.
In "This Place" I stayed, but my days were well spent.
We reared you quite well without raising a hand.
You made mistakes, but turned out as planned.
One divorce, five married--and what is best--
All came to the Lord--are Christians most blessed.
I’ve known all along that love casts out fear,
And have overcome devils year after year.
So, why do you say, "Mom, do something new!"
Well, enclosed is my answer: To myself I am true.
Please don’t argue with me; I can’t bear the pain.
Don’t question my judgment, Because yours is vain.
(All our prayers are with the broken-hearted divorced family.)
WE NEED ONLY ONE PRAYER
When I pray to Jesus, I make one request:
"Guide and direct me; help me do my best."
I pray without ceasing; that is my only prayer.
By the minute--by the hour--by the year--I’m aware.
God leads me to safety--solves my problems, too,
Keeps all His promises, takes care of my crew.
I need nothing more--am content as can be.
As I keep in God’s Will, I will always be free.
NAI-EVE SPEAKS OUT
Mother of God: I am not she.
I am "Mother of Sin," You came out of me.
Adam and I am the "Prodigal Son."
We wasted our "substance," that would keep us young.
Now, listen, my children, I’m here to correct
False teachings which deceive all but the "elect."
Walk over me, as this is my format:
Jesus is the door. I am the doormat.
I am eating the crumbs from the Lord’s table.
I pray to God that they keep me able,
To endure to the end, until you are blessed.
When you are ALL saved, then I can rest.
"Train up a child in the way he should go; and when he is old, he will not depart from it." Proverbs 22: 6.
HOLIDAY BLUES
Two sons of ours turned from the way.
Two sons we loved believed not what we say.
One "destroyed" Christmas. His absence was there.
The other "killed" Easter. Our gathering was bare.
Of the Lord’s coming, we had no reminder.
Without the Holiday spirit, even gloom was kinder.
Without celebration, our household was dead.
There was no reason to get out of bed.
The emptiness lay in the corners all round.
The joy was gone. The cheer was not found.
What’s this on my doorstep? Two boys--what a coup!
Another chance to begin our lives--all anew!
NAI-EVE’S PLEA
You called me naive for trusting that snake.
I could not believe you would forgive that mistake!
I’m the first of all sinners. You loved even me!
I want to tell ALL that you set me free.
Then ALL shall know that you love the first--
That you shall forgive ALL as you did the WORST.
Those forgiven the most shall love you the best.
I want to prove I love more than the rest.
So, let me go back to testify.
Let me be a witness that no one should die.
(NAI- is Greek for "most certainly.")
The Lord gave me a new name, when He forgave me, NAI-EVE. He said that
ever said to me.
THE SHAME OF EVE
Adam knew the truth. Satan could not deceive.
This man of God would always believe.
But I was weak. I caused Adam to grieve.
He loved me and knew--for me, no reprieve.
He had other ribs, but he wanted me.
He loved me too much. He was blinded, you see.
Because I transgressed, Adam too disobeyed.
Sin, death, and hell is the bed that we made.
Because of their fear, in this bed men must lie.
Because they are liars, All men must die.
THE HOPE IN CHRIST
Love casts out fear. John said, "God is love."
He gave His One Son to bring love from above.
One man sinned unto death, and all men must die.
One man died on the cross, and brought life from on High.
THE ONLY WAY
Without Jesus Christ, you can’t overcome Satan..
If you think you can, you are badly mistaken!
John l4: 6; Jesus saith unto him, "I am the way, the truth and the life: no man
cometh unto the Father , but by me."
JOEY ADAMS SAYS:
Globe October 10, 1989
The gray-haired lady climbed three flights of stairs, opened a carved mahogany
door, and entered an exotically furnished room. A gong sounded, and out of a cloud
of incense appeared a beautiful Oriental girl.
"Do you wish to meet with His Omnipotence, the wise, all-knowing, all-seeing guru, Maharishi Naru?" the girl asked softly.
The elderly lady said: "Yeah, tell Irving his mama is here from the Bronx."
ADAM: A DAMn FOOL?
Adam was first formed, then Eve. And Adam was not deceived but the woman being deceived was in the transgression, I Timothy 2: 13-14.
Eve believed Satan
And did not believe God,
But Adam wasn’t deceived.
He was not just a clod.
He knew the truth,
But loved so much
That he sinned as she did,
and both lost God’s touch.
The liberals today--
Like Adam--are fools.
They think they can "love,"
By breaking God’s rules.
All God’s children are alike. They hate it when their Heavenly Father says, "I AM telling you this for your own good." They refuse to listen or heed God’s Word until they have at least one foot in the grave and the other slipping and sliding on Manana appeals. ("Manana" or tomorrow may be too late. Time is running out!)
A MATTER OF FACT
I tell you a matter of fact.
Loving God and man is an act.
"Love, serve, give, do, enact,"
Not what you feel, but a pact.
ADAM’S RIB
Adam cannot possibly have all the answers with one rib missing;
Even if he does think his missing rib is the bone of contention.
THE NEW AGE
The Aquarian Age is a figment of Satan’s imagination. Since his imagination is limited, it is based on the same age-old lie that he told Eve in the beginning, "Ye are gods."
The end of the Piscean Age, which Satan has dubbed the Age of Christ, whom he wants to bury for good, is really the end of Satan’s reign on earth and the end of the god of this world, Satan himself. DO NOT BE DECEIVED. JESUS IS COMING SOON.
BELIEVE IT OR NOT!
My name is NAI-EVE, a new name for me.
First half is in Greek, God has forgiven me.
The Lord said, "Second chance for you to be free."
Listen, my children, do you recognize me?
I tried once before. Aesop was my label,*
But everyone said, "That’s just a fable."
Do you doubt these strange words?
Believe what you are able!
ALL ARE BORN BLIND
"What sin was committed by this man, born blind?"
What a crazy question! But the Lord did not mind.
He answered as if it could really be true,
That the man born blind had lived other lives, too.
But the question is irrelevant, and irreverent as can be.
Because "No one comes to the Father," Jesus said,
"WITHOUT ME!"
*Footnote: The name AESOP was coined from two Greek words, "aei" which means "ever" or "eternal," and "sophia" which means worldly and spiritual wisdom. That is the coined name that the author of the famous fables used. Originally, the name was pronounced, "E-sof (ph)," but because the letter for the sound for the Greek letter resembled a "p," it was soon corrupted by the Western World to be pronounced as "E-sop." You can search the world over, and you will never solve the mystery of AESOP and me. On the other hand, can you question what I KNOW to be true?
YOU CAN’T FOOL YOUR MOTHER
Stop fighting, Boys, and hurting one another.
You can fool every other, but you can’t fool your mother.
Friends say that my book should be a best seller. Everyone who reads my works
asks for at least a dozen copies to give to their enemies!
PERSON OR PERSONA
Person or persona! What difference does it make!
Either way, my friends, it is for the Lord’s sake.
If you choose, then believe that I am really Eve,
Or speaking the Truth on her behalf by your leave.
It doesn’t really matter! My reasons are pure.
You are not being deceived, of that I am sure.
I have the truth, which could set you free.
Jesus opened His Book. He gave it to me.
So, listen, my darlings. Pay close attention.
Hear my testimony as an ounce of prevention.
I am here to confirm and to erase any doubt.
This is your mother showing you the way out.
The Lord is our Master. He leads the way.
We must follow Him. We must not stray.
We are His sheep. He knows us by name.
He saves those who trust Him and the rules of his game.
My motives are right. So, do not question me.
It doesn’t matter as to my identity.
But you must believe; you must really KNOW,
That Jesus Christ is Lord, both above and below.
MY CREDENTIALS
I realize my credentials are somewhat--really lacking!
I wouldn’t blame you, if you sent me packing.
But remember my children. I am part of God’s plan.
And no one is perfect--neither woman nor man.
Don’t question the ways of the Master, Our God.
He died for us. So, give Him your nod.
NEW AGE FOLLY
What was that noise? Did the New Age blow over?
Or is it gnashing of teeth--rats running for cover!
Older is not wiser, but wily and cruel.
They think they are rich and one day will rule.
Old bottles burst, if filled with new wine.
The older the sinner--the longer his line. ("line to catch fish")
No one gets better; take it from me.
Experience leads to lust and more vanity.
They can’t come to the Father. This is the rule.
Without Jesus Christ, one is just an old fool.
PERSONAL: TO ME FROM MY LORD
Satan would kill you, if he only could.
He’s trying to get you. Have no fear--just be good.
He has tortured and killed you many times in the past.
But his vengeance was futile. It did not last.
A legion of angels guards your place in the wood.
I AM with you always, and he’s just a hood.
Something will be done. I promise you.
Some will assemble. Some men are true.
Others will tremble. Devils always do.
Do not worry, Little One, nothing is new.
Relax, do your job.
God has always loved you!
DO YOU WANT FREEDOM?
Do you want your freedom papers: Take it from me.
Jesus is where you get them. Tell Satan to flee.
APATHY CONDEMNED BY THE LORD
IT IS "LUKEWARM"
I do not know exactly when I stopped playing Pollyanna--looking at the world through rose-colored glasses. A friend once teased me about my talkativeness by saying, "I love to hear you talk. You are the only one I know who can talk non-stop without ever saying anything bad about anyone." A left-handed compliment, I think!
Nonetheless, for most of my life I did make a point to "hear no evil, see no evil, and speak no evil." Then, one day, I was struck right between the medulla and pituitary gland with the thought that refusing to see and expose evil was tantamount to condoning it! I also had this nagging thought that my motives were not entirely pure. I might have just wanted to be popular or avoid getting hurt.
When we say, "I do not want to get involved, because I do not want to take sides, we ARE taking sides, automatically! And the "sides" we are taking are those of bullies, oppressors, users, abusers, accusers, molesters, murderers, rapists, and those who sell or dispense destructive drugs and pornographic materials to perpetuate evil or take advantage of the weak, helpless, and the naive--their very vulnerable victims.
These victims remain alone and abandoned, because the so-called righteous and do-gooders make a decision to remain lukewarm on the grounds that they have the "wisdom to know what they cannot change." What an excuse! WITH MY GOD AND YOUR GOD, THE LORD JESUS CHRIST, ALL THINGS ARE POSSIBLE!
There is a catch of course. You must believe Him and obey Him.
I have not become a cynic, paranoid, or unduly skeptical, and I am not even suspicious without some cause--concrete evidence or witnessed sinful behavior. However, I have broadened my horizons, and no longer feel guilty about calling attention to the evils in the world and resisting those evils by putting on the whole armor of God. I have also altered my motives somewhat.
Now, I am more concerned with loving than being loved, and my concern is more like the Lord’s concern--for both victims and their persecutors. I no longer permit pride to affect my judgment and I remind myself constantly to be honest and fair, no matter how I have been treated.
I am compelled to forgive, but not before I point out the wrongs done by wrong doers and have advocated that they confess, repent, and be saved. Sometimes, I shout, if I think it is necessary to be heard, and it is for a worthy cause. Jesus did get angry on occasion, and He was without sin!
A practicing Christian loves, gives, forgives, and serves, but he also becomes bolder in speaking out against sin. THE WAR IS ON! If you have not chosen to be on the Lord’s side, you are automatically aiding and abetting the enemy and are on his side. If you think a neutral stance will promote peace, you are badly mistaken. The Lord said that he would spew the lukewarm out of his mouth. You are either for Him or against Him. There is no "Mister in-between."
The great thing about being a senior citizen is that most of us have learned to modify our extremist behavior. In my case, I had to learn to be good, without being "goody-goody," just to be popular. God tells older women to teach the younger, calls children and scoffers foolish for not heeding wise counsel, and does not even hint that the wise and experienced should not give advice. Quite the contrary!
Sounds like a good plan to me, but I admit that I am speaking from an older person’s point-of-view, which is the voice of experience, is it not? Those Proverbs are also my excuse for talking so much, now that I have something to say. If you are not yet a senior citizen, you are supposed to listen to what we know and learned the hard way--to prevent you from making the same foolish--and sometimes dangerous--mistakes we made or saw others make. We only want to spare you the pain that we have endured.
BEAUTY IS IN THE EYES OF THE BEHOLDER
Today is my birthday. Last week, our children paid me a lovely tribute by locating a long-lost portrait of me, taken forty-four years ago, which they had published with a "Happy "Birthday" wish.
Someone in my generation said to me, "Wouldn’t it be great if we still looked like that?" I quipped, "Hey, I still do, because I haven’t looked in a mirror, since that picture was taken!"
Nonetheless, the real secret of eternal youth is avoiding mirrors (looking at ourselves) and seeing ourselves in the eyes of others who love us. This poor old body of mine is the result of mistakes that I have made (I was a three-pack-a-day smoker, for one.), anger expressed without a good reason or any understanding, and grief and despair experienced because of lapses in my faith. None of what I feared most ever came to pass. Incidentally, even Jesus got mad at hypocrites, so righteous indignation at injustice must not count! However, anger over imagined or real personal and often petty offenses will make us look and feel our age and older. The wages of sin is death!
In any event, nothing can be gained by wasting money on a lost cause--like plastic surgery, expensive cosmetics, and weight-loss programs designed to make us all look like Barbie dolls. Instead, I spend what little money, time, and energy that I have left sharing with others what I have learned about prevention, hoping to spare them the pain of my mistakes.
What do I see in the eyes of others? That I am better looking in the eyes of those who are grateful for my love, than I ever was when that portrait was taken! I have found the secret of eternal youth and even beauty. Forget yourself! Give, serve, love, forgive, and testify to save; then, see yourself in the eyes of others. You will see that you have beauty, youth, and self-worth. The "V" in those five words is for Victory!
How did I learn that? I owe it all to Jesus Christ who lives in me. He is the giver of eternal life and eternal beauty. In Revelations, you will read that the saints overcame the devil (evil) with their testimonies and the blood of Jesus Christ. YOU have just read one more of mine. I have overcome. Victory is mine, and it can be yours. I do not shed tears for myself, but only for those who cannot forget their physical bodies that they cannot fix at any price, because they are destined for the grave.
Everyone is beautiful in His eyes, if he/she seeks and receives God’s love and forgiveness, and the gift of the Holy Spirit in His name. That is the way all believers look in the eyes of our Beholder, Our Lord Jesus Christ, and Our One True Love forever.
IMPORTANT!
The Lord Jesus Christ told me on February 10, l987, when He called me into formal service, that the Holy Spirit is moving across the land like a whirlwind. But we are to look for Him in a journalist, or a general, or even behind the counter in a cashier, or a waitress, or a cleaning lady, or a maintenance man. Do not expect to find him behind a pulpit, necessarily, because many pretenders are using His name in vain for personal gain.
He said, "Beware of those who use MY NAME in vain (speak vanities in the name of Jesus), and are lukewarm toward the sick, the oppressed, the addicted, and those who are in prison." Revelations 3: 16, "Verily I say unto you. In that day, I will spew them out of my mouth."
CONCERNING MY CALLING
The Lord rebukes whom He calls to keep us in line.
If we listen with trembling, we will serve Him just fine.
If He questions your heart, then answer Him true.
And expect many surprises as He teaches you.
II Timothy 1: 9, "Who both saved us, and called us with a holy calling, not
according to our works, but according to His own purpose..."
THE LORD TOLD ME
"The party is over. Time is getting short.
Satan is getting nasty. It is time for my retort.
"See Jude twenty-two: If compassion doesn’t win,
Then save with fear Twenty-three says, ‘from sin’."
They have been calling aces, but this book is spades.
It conforms to God’s Word as the Holy Ghost aids.
MARANATHA!