Simply, Follow Me
Stanley A. Arney
Published by Stanley Arney at Smashwords
Copyright 2010 Stanley Arney
Contents
A little about the Author
Follow My Mind
A Branch
A Daily Diet For Your Spiritual Body
A Mustard Seed
A Star
Actions Speak Louder Than Words
Allow Jesus
And You Worry About You Physical Body?
Angels
Ask Him For Forgiveness
Believers Baptism
Break Some Bread And Drink From A Cup
Breakfast By The Sea
Did I Do Well
Do As You Were Told
Do You Trust Him?
Easter
Enjoy The Day
Find Your Courage
Fishers Of Men
Follow Me
Forgiven
From Here To Eternity
Give, Give, And Give
Give Him
Give Your Heart And Life To God
God Bless You
He Is With You Now
He Lives Within You
Holy Spirit
House Of Prayer
How Could God Care About Me?
It’s Not Too Late
Jesus Christ
Jesus, The Reason For The Season
Judge Not
Love
Milk, Meat And Potatoes
Miracles
My Own Eyes Have Seen Your Salvation
Our Guide And Comforter
Contents con’t.
Our Mission
Our Vows To God
Penitent And Humble
Persevere
Sell Fish
So, What’s In It For Me?
So, You’re A Sinner
The Least
The Transfiguration
The Vine Parable
Today’s Christian
What Are You Thankful For?
What God Truly Asks Of Me
What Is The Church?
What Kind Of Christian Are You?
What’s Stopping You?
When Does God Hear Me?
When God Speaks
Where Have All Our Morals Gone
Where You Belong
Who Am I
Why Pray
The authors motto - - To Know Yourself And Be Forever Wise
A little about the author
Stanley ‘Stan’ A. Arney has been writing for over 40 years. (He started writing his own comics at age 5.) He especially likes writing his poetry.
He gets his inspiration from the Bible, lessons he’s learned through his own Christian journey, and from “wild hairs” that he gets.
Stan has a grown son, Philip, and a daughter, Sara, as well as a very special granddaughter, Hannalise.
He and his wife, Connie, live in Wichita, KS with their ‘zoo’ of animals.
Follow My Mind
Follow
my mind and a whole new world you shall see
A vast array of
expressions of the true me
On topics simple and in great detail
as well
Which way my thoughts will go, well only rhyme will tell
Words to provoke wonder, encourage questioning
They cover
thoughts or feelings about anything
They are not meant to preach
or force my thoughts on you
That is something I would not, could
not ever do
When you read or hear them with imagination
You
see things as I do, through thought navigation
Told in simple
words, not parables to decipher
Does not mean that every time you
will concur
What I see, hear, or know is what I rhyme about
You are meant to question, certainly even doubt
In fact I
want you to challenge what I may say
An alternate answer is what
I may convey
When you can feel the words, that is what it is
for
The key to thought provocation opens the door
Life can be
described just as lessons can be shown
A God given gift and a
passion of my own.
A Branch
Lord, I want to become what I was created to be
I must open my heart for you to come into me
To give my life my very essence of being
My soul is yours to use for everything
May I be your vessel to set the world anew
Abide in me as I will abide in you
Lord, give me the strength and the words to say
To become a fisher of men I silently pray
The Holy Spirit shall bring them to know you
Your path I shall persistently pursue
I know I may misstep and will need forgiveness
For your works I shall be a willing witness
Lord, I know there are works, which only I can do
But I also realize I can do nothing without you
By reading and studying your word I will understand
I will see how you touch other peoples’ lives first-hand
Life lessons, trials, to learn what you want us to know
This is how your vines will learn to bear fruit and grow
Lord, I want to bear much fruit, as you require
To worship and give you the glory is my desire
The gifts you give me are to be used for this reason
So your word has been given and it shall be done
I will look forward to each opportunity
Our God is alive my rhyme’s ultimate decree.
A Daily Diet For Your Spiritual Body
There is no such thing as being spiritually overweight
There is a problem with being spiritually underweight
Most people do not think about their spiritual intake
And God, for one, knows this is a serious mistake
You will need to consider your meals and snacks too
Food and drink are imperative to get you through
So what do we mean by this feast for the mortal soul
It is how believers in Christ will maintain Godly control
Water, a substance that we cannot live without
Reading God’s Word, it what that is about
Food, is something we must first chew on for awhile
Kind of like God meaning things for both Jew and Gentile
Be it a verse, a chapter, or a book you must study
Will help you grow into spiritual maturity
What should a meal consist of you might ask
Well it may seem like a quite burdensome task
Meat, potatoes, vegetables, drink, and a snack or two
This will help you to understand what God asks of you
Meat and potatoes, you will have to meditate upon
One great example is the gospel according to John
While vegetables are something you don’t wish to hear
Like in Revelations, about when Armageddon is near
Your drink is the living water of our God Almighty
His Word gives us His message for us all to see
Snacks are prayer time that we commune with God, alone
For only our own sins will we have to atone
Select a daily diet of spiritual enlightenment
Your spiritual life with be full and quite vibrant.
A Mustard Seed
Jesus told two parables about a mustard seed
Each had a different meaning of how we can succeed
A tiny mustard seed, the smallest seed of them all
Which will grow into a wonderful tree, as I do recall
The birds will come to nest in its branches, we are told
That it is truly a wonderful sight to behold
This describes how God’s Word will begin to spread
Shared with Jews and Gentiles, places where some dare not tread
Therefore the kingdom of heaven will reach everyone
Which concludes the meaning of this part of the lesson
Jesus said if we have the faith, the size of a mustard seed
We would lack for nothing, He would fill every want and need
For with that faith, we could tell a mountain to move and it would
The impact of this power cannot be fully understood
By faith in God, through the Holy Spirit, we are told
Great signs and miracles are performed by the bold
Those who accepted the Holy Spirit and were not afraid
Spoke in tongues, prophesied, healed the sick, and daily prayed
By faith we believe that Jesus died for all of our sin
Which brings us back to what we should be doing again
Trust Him to use us to glorify the Lord God Almighty
By spreading His message for the whole world to see
Love one another and seek the Lord for all things
The pure message of hope is what this truly brings
One person can make a difference in the lives of many
The faith and power of a mustard seed is your opportunity
To grow into the spiritual tree that will make God proud
That He will rejoice with you, is desired and perfectly allowed.
A Star
There once was a Star the shown so bright
It lit up the entire world that night
People would come from miles around
What they would find would simply astound
A baby in a manger, it’s true
Do you think that people really knew
He would save us all, including you
This is precisely what He intended to do
Shepherds and Wise men, followed the Star
They walked for miles, but it didn’t seem far
They brought presents of gold, frankincense, and myrrh
Could they see the future, and know what would occur
Was the Star, God smiling down upon Earth
Witnessing His miracle, His Son’s birth
What a wonderful thought on Christmas Eve
It fills your heart with love, if you truly believe
May your days be merry and oh so bright
A Star lit the way for a great gift that night
As we celebrate this child’s birth
Let us enjoy our time on God’s Earth.
Actions Speak Louder Than Words
“Actions speak louder than words”, is a cliché
But something, in this case, that we will prove today
Jesus lived His life without committing a sin
This took plenty of restraint and self discipline
He taught lessons by helping people along the way
Each being a metaphor, we can use today
He healed the blind, once revealed, so now we can see
What God’s ultimate purpose is for you and me
He fed the starving people and quenched their thirst
We have His Word, so now you too can be well versed
He even brought people back from the dead
With eternal life, death is not something to dread
By accepting God’s gift of salvation, we learn
That in eternal damnation, we shall not burn
This does not mean we shall not be tempted by sin
Nor does it mean we shall never commit a sin
What it means is that God will forgive and forget
Asking for His forgiveness, a prerequisite
Jesus also scolded the religious leaders
Cause they were supposed to be the people’s teachers
They used the church for their own personal gain
A house of worship and prayer, His Father’s domain
What they failed to realize was coming true
The fulfillment of Scriptures, what a clue
They knew the Messiah, the Christ, which was to come
And that He would rule a never-ending kingdom
Their resistance was futile, for God had His plan
The sacrifice of His Son, would forever save Man
Which meant that the religious leaders would cause His death
The great shepherd saved His sheep with His very last breath
So now we know two sources and the great effect
All of us sin or will sin, we are not perfect
Jesus did not differentiate any one
But He did lay the foundation of salvation
“Actions speak louder than words”, may be a cliché
Are you walking, by Jesus’ example today?
Allow Jesus
What if you allowed Jesus to take over your body
What kind of changes in your life could you expect to see
He would control all the decisions that you would make
Which would include any and all projects you undertake
If you were tempted by sin, He would brush it away
From God’s chosen path, you would never go astray
He would make sure you love one another always
That you would give God all His due glory and praise
You would serve others, by fulfilling all needs
Which means performing God’s good works or deeds
Instead of Jesus as your co-pilot, He’s in control
Which means the destination of your very own soul
He would make certain that you think of others first
Being filled with His living water, you shall never thirst
Heaven is within your grasp, but you have work to complete
Which includes the salvation of each lost soul you will meet
You would reveal God’s plan in a way they comprehend
That Jesus loves them as His sheep, but also as His friend
God wants every child born to return to Him someday
To turn to Him for everything, when they sit down to pray
You would let them know, what Jesus did for us all
He loves us so much that, for our sins, he took the fall
Jesus would not reveal any triumph or tragedy
There are some things you will just have to wait to see
You would tell them about the glory of Heaven to come
By accepting Christ, any and all are very welcome
You have allowed Jesus to enter your very own soul
The question is, will you allow Him to take control.
And You Worry About Your Physical Body
Why do people obsess about their physical body
But do not seem to care about their spiritual body
They watch their weight and try to eat what’s right
Through diet and exercise, that is a hard fight
The mortal body may last up to one hundred years
Then it’s ashes to ashes, dust to dust, as it disappears
The spiritual body will last for all eternity
The question is, where will your final resting place be
If you turn away from Christ, we are told where you will be
Forever separated from God, what torment you shall see
Accepting Christ, confirms your heavenly destination
That’s just the beginning, for there is more work to be done
You are to study His Word and to meditate on it
This is not a request it’s a prerequisite
Read His Word daily and commune with Him, alone
Step away from all distraction, including your cell phone
You are also to fellowship with other believers
You may be surprised what emotions it’s stirs
As you all pray together and praise His glorious name
Our God is an awesome God, you wholeheartedly proclaim
You must also perform the works you were created for
What this means specifically, is up to you to explore
If you abide in Him and He abides in you
Then there is no limit to what you two can do
Seek the rewards that you will receive in Heaven
Cut back on all the bad things which our God calls sin
It’s more important to work on your spiritual body
For it is where you will reside for all eternity.
Angels
Angels are all around us, if we choose to see
Would you know if you met one coincidently
How we need them, to guide, to protect, to ease pain
They come when we least expect it, sunshine or rain
Call them cherubs, guardians, protectors, or guide
Each is a symbol of who we are deep inside
A constant presence, God’s messenger sent to all
Which we must choose to listen when they come to call
We need them to guard us from making a poor choice
By sharing the wisdom, with us, of God’s own voice
How I love them, without them what would I achieve
To say they exist is to admit I believe
They are not Cupid, nor Santa or his loved elves
They are not trinkets to be placed upon our shelves
They come from Heaven, by God’s very own request
He cares enough for all of us, to send His best
Their job is to watch over, to comfort, be a friend
Sometimes this may not be easy to comprehend
I never know when they may appear in my life
I know I will be with them in the afterlife.
Ask Him For Forgiveness
Did you know there is no sin He will not forgive
This knowledge can make it much easier to live
He will forgive you if you lie, cheat or steal
Your mind will be more at peace and begin to heal
He will forgive you even if you worry too much
Remember He can heal anyone with His touch
Even if you have broken all Ten Commandments
Remember that a truly penitent soul repents
Jesus loves to help people, by their faith they are healed
He is our physician but more importantly our shield
We ask Him to lead us not into temptation
Realizing that Satan knows every seduction
God wants us to strive to live by Jesus’ example
The devil entices with sin so your life he can sample
We cannot live our life without committing a sin
Accepting God’s free gift is definitely a win-win
Ask God to forgive you for the sins you commit
Accept His free gift of salvation a prerequisite
Then enjoy a mortal life with Him by your side
Your destination for eternity He will be your guide.
Believers Baptism
As Christians, we know that we must confess
That the only way to heaven is through Christ Jesus
He was God’s only Son, who had to die on the cross
At the time of His death, it was a difficult loss
Admit you are a sinner, and can never be perfect
Deserving of death, which was God’s ultimate verdict
Admit that Jesus died on the cross for all of Man’s sin
Something only you can do, it must come from within
By this confession of faith, you enter God’s kingdom
Accepting the Holy Spirit and all of His wisdom
Now Jesus comes to reside in your heart with your soul
Filling that void in your heart, therefore making you whole
This is a personal choice that no one can make for you
To walk the path God has chosen is what you wish to pursue
Now comes a public display of your personal choice
It is something you do, not announce with your voice
You follow Jesus into believers’ baptism
A chance for the rest of us to rejoice and welcome
Baptized in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit
Can be quite an overwhelming experience I must admit
Jesus told His disciples to baptize their disciples as well
To follow all of Jesus’ commands, they were also to tell
By accepting that Christ died to pay for our sin
Following Him in baptism shows our faith is genuine
Jesus asked John to baptize Him, to fulfill all righteousness
It is the way to publicly display what you inwardly confess
We know that baptism does not make our sin go away
But God will help us resist it, every step of the way.
Break Some Bread And Drink From A Cup
The last meal that Jesus shared with His disciples was crucial
That they each understood what He was doing was critical
Jesus was explaining the purpose of His life, His mission
That in order to save Man from his sin, this had to be done
He also wanted them to know of the part each would play
The retelling of His life, and the words He would say
He broke some bread, gave thanks to God, and gave it to each
This is My body, which will be given for you, began His speech
Do this in remembrance of me, was His first request
You can guess that they were all, at this point, fairly stressed
Then He took a cup of wine, gave thanks to God, and passed it around
The next statement He would make would be even more profound
This is My blood of the new covenant, which is poured out for you
Do this in remembrance of Me, which in fact would come true
Two concepts, which still symbolize His sacrifice today
Each just as important in the role they would finally play
Jesus gave of His body and blood as His sacrifice
To bridge the eternal gap between God and Man, the ultimate price
The entire purpose of Jesus’ life was to save each of us
There is by only one name which Man may be saved, Jesus
We must believe that Jesus was the Son of God and gave His life
So we may spend eternity with God in the afterlife
We must believe that Jesus died on the cross for all of our sin
That all of these things are true and their recording is genuine
Then by these simple truths, Man can seal His eternal fate
Remember, that for you, it is still not too late
Break bread with Jesus and sip from His cup of everlasting life
Rejoice in your heart and soul, He will greet you in your afterlife.
Breakfast By The Sea
After Jesus’ resurrection, at a breakfast by the sea
Jesus asked Peter three times, “Peter, do you love me?”
Peter answered, “Yes Lord, you know that I love you”
If Jesus already knew this, then why did He continue
Because Jesus had a different command for each reply
The meaning for each command, I will try to clarify
To “feed my lambs”, means to tend to their every need
Giving them their “milk” so that they may succeed
Teaching the lost lamb, about God’s gift of salvation
A message that is to be shared with each and everyone
Nursing the new believer in Christ, to their full potential
Is the way that we all become spiritually successful
To “shepherd my sheep”, means to guide them along
God will help them to realize that sin is wrong
Fellowship with other believers to keep you on task
God seeks to help you, all He requests is that you ask
Show them how to study and learn from God’s Word
In His time all requests, of God, will be answered
To “feed my sheep”, means to feed their spiritual mind
Something they must meditate on, with their own answer to find
By studying verses or chapters, we can learn so much
God will enlighten our hearts, with His loving touch
Then Jesus told Peter, “what is it to you, you follow me”
The answer to this riddle, you may not clearly see
He meant, that you should follow the path God has chosen for you
While others have a God given path, which they wish to pursue
So you see, Jesus fed his friends with fish and bread
That we should feed our friends with God’s Word, enough has been said.
DID I DO WELL?
When I meet Him face to face
Will I tremble in pure fear
Will the answers to all questions
Become immediately clear
Will I be ashamed of my works
With my time on Earth complete
Did I finish the race well
With only myself to compete
Did I receive each blessing
That He wanted to give me
How many were left untaken
That He will reveal to me
Will I comprehend His plan
Why He tested me on Earth
Will it be a new beginning
Like the child at my first birth
Will He show me heavens’ wonder
As I walk by my Lord’s side
Was I a good and faithful servant
That He will announce with pride
Will God ask me to do more
Than I have ever dreamed I could
Something to look forward to
Life finally understood
Eternity will be shown
Not for what it could possibly be
But for what it truly is
Forever, for all Eternity.
Do As You Were Told
God told us to love one another, as He loves us
Somehow that concept we have become quite oblivious
Why is it that we try to find reasons to hate someone
Finding ways to love would and should be much more fun
We are all different that is part of God’s plan
The way it has been ever since life in Eden began
Jesus taught us to love each of God’s children as He would