These poems have a Christian theme. This page gives me the freedom to write poems that specifically refer to Jesus the Christ or to God. Since Christians seem to be in the minority these days, these poems will not be everyone's cup of tea, they are, however, expressions of my faith in Jesus Christ, my Lord and Savior. I might use various forms with these poems including a more narrative approach. NOTE: Some of these poems might be repeated on other pages on this website.
Poem List
​Jesus Obeyed Print this poem only
Hebrews 5:8 “And even though Jesus was God’s son, he had to learn from experience what it was like to obey when obeying meant suffering.” TLB
Jesus obeyed not because he feared the whip
he behaved not for fear of the grave
not because of some human script
but for the love of the Father he craved.
A parent who loves her beloved child,
suffers when her son or daughter runs wild.
Jesus had to learn and listen to his parents each day
through trial and error he learned to obey.
Jesus was sorrowful unto death
in the garden he sweated blood
wanted the cup to pass before his last breath
an angel bolstered him against the flood.
Thank God for sending us his beloved son
to show how obedient suffering is done
Father, send an angel to give us strength
to love and obey throughout life’s length.
Hebrews 5:7 “Yet while Christ was here on earth he pleaded with God, praying with tears and agony of soul to the only one who would save him from premature death. And God heard his prayers because of his strong desire to obey God at all times.”
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Written 7-1-20
What Might? Print this poem only
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How can I sing of your might
how can I proclaim your height
you who are found in depth
in the quick and minute breadth
of a single second or cell
you who chooses to dwell
and grow in me so slowly
you so close to the lowly?
And yet I have known
the way my love has grown
for my lover in such a way
that I can safely say
over rugged terrain
through clear skies and rain
mighty the love of husband and wife
who through hurt and fear find life.
This might of love I can see
the kind that sets totally free
every moment of creation
from quiet or noise of gestation
to the final intake of breath
to whatever is beyond death
the might there in the dark of night
and in the dim dawning of light.
Your might is not in the force of power
but in thin folds of a flower
the kind it takes to give birth
or protect a child or the earth
to subdue the force of pride
put righteousness aside
the might in the wings of a dove
the might it takes to love.
Written 2-23-15
Bound to Mercy Print this poem only
By Glenn Currier and Roland Ruiz
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I feel a loving presence all around
it seems it’s mercy in which I’m bound
I need not earn it even as I spurn it by day
but for grace each night before sleep, I pray.
If I do what I should, I’ll imitate the call
to mercy by day in ways big and small.
When someone irritates and gets under my skin
may I have the grace of mercy to extend.
For if I bind myself to my darker side
in that flaw and fault I’ll be tied,
tied as a slave to pain, so let mercy reign
that I may be bound to its freedom train.
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I ask you Lord to give me strength in what we've come to face
To make it thru these horrid times our lives seem to enlace
The boundaries of your mercy lie within the shadow of our heart
Accepting Jesus Christ as our Savior is the course our ship must chart
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I pray each night your flock will accept the love you freely lavish
The pain the suffering effecting our world has become tarnish
God, the Son, the Holy Spirit is what this world does need
We shout it loud to the heavens above with mercy we plead
Editor's Note: The first three stanzas of this poem were written by Glenn Currier 11-14-19, the last two stanzas were written by Roland Ruiz and were added 7-5-20
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​The Decision Print this poem only
This morning when I woke
comfortably lying in bed
feeling no pain nor being broke
not even one thought of being dead
I knew when I cast my feet to the floor
I would have an important decision to make:
to focus on what muscles were sore
OR forget about this or that ache
about this body dilapidated and aging
OR remember the larger body of which I’m part
the body of Christ I’m engaging
reaching out, making a new start.
I’d have to decide how I can touch with my hands
the arm of a person who’s feeling hurt -
or desperately lost in sandy badlands
how I can help one stand who’s feeling inert.
Like David, and Caleb crying Lord, Lord, Lord
in their wilderness and sorrow
may my voice join theirs in one accord
“Lord we will seek You today and tomorrow.”
Christ, you command us to answer your call
to follow you, God’s beloved son,
no other road but the one taken by Paul
obey you like he did until we are one.
Won the race, run hard and bold
to clutch the hand and Body of Christ
to reach out each day and take ahold
of the Tree of Life in the Promised Land… we’ve so prized.
Author’s Note: This poem brings together several threads of my recent thinking and studying:
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The story of Joshua and Caleb how they yearned for and with faith and determination sought the Promised Land. Helen and I have been reading aloud and together: by Max Lucado, a book about the choice we all have, just as do the characters he speaks of in the book (Moses, Joshua, Caleb, etc.) What do we focus on, our problems, troubles and muck or on the Promised Land each day and the future hold for us?
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How I am a member of the Body of Christ?
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What is meant by discipleship?
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What is Christ’s call to me?
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Is it abstract theological thought and knowledge that really inspire me to discipleship or is it adherence to Christ the living Son, the , who is calling me? ( by Dietrich Bonhoeffer, pp. 58-59)
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The Introduction to Richard Rohr’s new book: in which he posits that Christ is in all of creation, even in the darkness, sin, and death (the crosses) each of us experience. He is everywhere.
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Written 3-14-19
Flame Print this poem only
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You are the flame
flickering in my heart.
Remain steady
let us never part.
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Written 4-12-22
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