Poems For My Abba 1ex6n

Poems for My Abba

Arlis J. Edmondson

Copyright © 2019 Arlis J. Edmondson.

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be used or reproduced by any means, graphic, electronic, or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, taping or by any information storage retrieval system without the written permission of the author except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles and reviews.

WestBow Press A Division of Thomas Nelson & Zondervan 1663 Liberty Drive Bloomington, IN 47403 www.westbowpress.com 1 (866) 928-1240

Because of the dynamic nature of the Internet, any web addresses or links contained in this book may have changed since publication and may no longer be valid. The views expressed in this work are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of the publisher, and the publisher hereby disclaims any responsibility for them.

Any people depicted in stock imagery provided by Getty Images are models, and such images are being used for illustrative purposes only. Certain stock imagery © Getty Images.

Scripture quotations are from The ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

ISBN: 978-1-9736-7939-4 (sc) ISBN: 978-1-9736-7938-7 (e)

Library of Congress Control Number: 2019917986

WestBow Press rev. date: 12/03/2019

Contents

Foreword

Acknowledgments

Introduction

Nativity Star

The Sandals

A Branch

Truly Blessed

The Grace

I Am

His Reason

Guide Me

Eternal Flame

Saints and Sinners

The Trinity

Acid Tears

Abba

Stephen

Gradual and Suddenly

Crusades

My Teddy Bear

Sweet Jesus

I’m Standing

Drinking Whiskey from a Wine Glass

You and I

Seven

One in Ten

The King Bows

Call

One Body

Peace

Closing

About the Author

Foreword

T his book contains poems and praise. I wrote them for my Abba, my heavenly Father, my God, to honor Him; His Son, Jesus; and the Holy Spirit—the entire Trinity. I also wrote them for you and anyone else who will read this book. My hope, especially for those who have never known Him and for those who have fallen away from Him, is that something in here strikes a chord of emotion, perhaps creating a spark of desire to know Him or return to Him, God, our Abba.

Acknowledgments

T his book is dedicated to my Abba, my heavenly Father, His Son, my holy King and Savior, Lord Jesus Christ, and the Holy Spirit. I also dedicate this book to all of those who have never known our Abba or have fallen away from Him. It is my dream that they will know Him or find their way back to Him.

Last, but definitely not least, a most loving and special thank-you to my soul mate, my wife, Pamela, whose gentle guidance, encouragement, faith, enduring patience, and love greatly contributed to the completion of this book.

All photographs contained within this book were taken by the author during his April 2018 trip to Israel. The photograph on the book cover was taken by the author in the historic Holy Family Catholic Church in Jerome, Arizona.

Introduction

I am just a fellow helpless sinner, no better than anyone else. However, although helpless, I am not hopeless. For by the grace of God go I, literally. Despite all of my imperfections, faults, mistakes, and sins, I have hope and forgiveness. I have been given this through the free gift of salvation, from the sacrifice on the cross by Lord Jesus Christ, my holy King and Savior.

If you are still holding this book and reading it, that in itself is a good sign. It means you are not afraid to read or think about God, and in this modern, condemning, secular, agnostic, atheistic society, that in itself takes courage. In my thirty-year career as a police officer with the City of Phoenix Police Department, I have forgotten more than I can when it comes to all of the times I was called to a scene where someone had died. Usually these were unexpected and violent: freak accidents, car accidents, shootings, stabbings, suicides, drug overdoses, and other unforeseen acts cutting life short. People woke up that morning not realizing that it was to be their last living day on Earth.

I would often wonder how many of these unfortunate people had connected with God and been saved. Like a thief in the night, their lives and last breaths were stolen and snuffed out, like so many candles from an unexpected draft. It pains me to think of all of the people who could have been, but weren’t, saved and spared eternal misery. It creates a sense of urgency to get the word out—the good word, that is—to help gently nudge and guide people toward God, Jesus, and salvation.

I hope that when you read this brief book, it makes you think of an eternity of love, peace, and happiness that is possible through God and His free gift to us, His salvation for His children. All glory to God, and may God bless you all!

Mural of Angel appearing to Shepherds, from the Shepherd’s Field Chapel in Bethlehem.

Mural of Nativity Star appearing to Shepherds, from the Shepherd’s Field Chapel in Bethlehem.

Nativity Star

Nativity star up above the greatest gift of His love, down below in the manger lay the sacred Babe, the Lamb, the Way.

The light above, a brilliant lamp waking shepherds in their camp, who with wise men and kings did trek from distant lands to inspect, the manger where the Babe lay to kneel, worship and pray.

For now sleeping peacefully in that crib gently swaddled, the Savior of all mankind whom the righteous will follow.

Though the end will be on that torturous tree

crib wood transformed into a cross, the Lamb’s sacrifice is made for the world to see, our souls are saved and not lost.

But for now gentle Babe sleep and rest, for tonight you are the special guest.

Mural of the Nativity, from the Shepherd’s Field Chapel in Bethlehem.

Statue in the Church of St. Peter in Gallicantu. It is a statue of the bound Jesus, Jesus the prisoner. This is the location thought to be the house of the High Priest Caiaphas, where Jesus was taken, interrogated, beaten, and thrown into the underground dungeon, the pit of agony.

Jesus meets his mother. The fourth station of the cross on the walk of the Via Dolorosa, Jerusalem, the path that Jesus walked while carrying his cross to Golgotha.

The Sandals

Dust trodden sandals tossed carelessly upon cold stone floor. A Shepherd’s robe torn scarlet spattered upon cold stone floor.

The Lamb beaten upon the righteous path, jeers of hate from unbelieving wrath. Cries of anguish from the faithful crowd, but from the Faithful One nothing heard out loud.

Pounding hammers launch lightening agony,

outstretched arms surrender to ordained fate, splinters grinding in whipped gouged raw flesh, thorns sink deep majesty’s mocking crown.

The temple veil shatters as darkness prevails, Sacred Heart slowly escapes from the nails. The evil one conquered drops to his knees, as the rising Spirit conquers all evil deeds.

Tears of the Father both sorrow and joy, at the death and the birth of his Boy. Dust trodden sandals

a Shepherd’s robe torn, Our Savior has risen and we are reborn.

A Branch

A hyssop branch is lifted marking doors of the faithful, with the blood of the over lamb. The Angel of Death es over the firstborn of the faithful are saved, by the precious lamb’s blood by which the hyssop branch paved.

Now not just a branch but an entire tree is raised, upon which once again the over Lamb is praised, and ALL of the faithful are saved by the precious Lamb of God’s blood, which that torturous tree paved.

Truly Blessed

Blood stained upon the tree a life given for humanity, for each and every precious soul He seeks to save from that fiery hole.

Giving His only Son to save splitting the chains no more a slave, Eternal peace and happiness Thank you Jesus we are truly blessed.

The Grace

The Grace. The Grace of God. The Grace of God Saves. The Grace of God Saves us all No matter where or how hard we fall, The Grace of God Saves us all.

No matter what we’ve said or done, we are always saved because of His Son. Our shame and sins upon the cross, He bled and suffered so we’re not lost.

He was deserted and

agonized upon that tree, He was tortured, suffered and bled for you and me. So quiet your mind and take the time, still your heart feel the ropes unbind.

You’re not a prisoner anymore, For God has offered His key to that golden door. Have faith, turn the knob push and walk through it, to salvation He earned it, for you and me and all humanity. Let’s witness for all to see, His loving Grace to be with Him

for all eternity.

I Am

I Belong To Yahweh. I am bought by the blood of his only begotten Son, My Holy King and Savior, the Lamb of God, Jesus Christ. I am guided by the Holy Spirit. I am SAVED!

His Reason

When His free gift is accepted, then we’re protected. No Judgement only Love, His reason for the white Dove, His reason for the precious Lamb, His reason why He’s the Great I Am.

W hen Jesus was crucified and died, His apostles were terrified. Initially they thought that they had been abandoned and were doomed—that everything they’d learned and everything they’d been taught had been for naught. That was until Jesus rose from the dead, defeating death, sin, and Satan. When Jesus appeared to His apostles, He reassured them that when He went back to heaven and left them, He would leave them with a helper that would reassure, comfort, and strengthen them. The helper would guide them and lead them away from sin and death and toward God and eternal life. It’d be a spiritual com to lead them to fulfill His will and guide them home to Him, our Father, our Abba. That something is the Holy Spirit, the third member of the blessed Trinity of God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit—three in one!

Guide Me

Holy Spirit guide me stay inside me, clear my path dissolve my wrath, let me walk in Love and understanding.

Holy Spirit guide me through the night, take my hand give me sight, to know always what is right.

Holy Spirit guide me stay beside me, lift up my soul

to the Father and the Son, eternal Love when life is done.

Eternal Flame

Gone is the horrendous guilt gone is the shame, gone is the every fault gone is the blame.

Present is the tongue of fire present is the eternal flame, present is the Pentecost for all the righteous to acclaim.

Present is the Holy One white dove, Holy Spirit Bird, carried by this flame we’ll fly to Boldly spread God’s love and word.

Saints and Sinners

Saints and Sinners are we all to which do we answer what is our call? Free will the demon and a com both, which path to follow what to love most?

Both by nature we can’t help ourselves, one path to freedom the other to a prison cell. God our Savior, Jesus our King, free will granted, only we can choose that precious ring only we can choose to eternally sing.

Praises to God almighty,

Praises to his Son our King, Praises to the Holy Spirit, Blessed Trinity we believe it. Of forgiveness, salvation and eternal bliss

we pray our Trinity we’ll not miss, the chance to choose what is right the chance to lose that dreaded night the chance to eternal light.

The Trinity

Praise to God and his Son, not just two but three in one. Don’t forget what he left us, the Holy Spirit for justice.

For our hearts and our souls, the third one guides us through the coals, of the world’s fire and disgust, never understanding that we must, Always praise them

and trust, that our faith will save us from an unbelieving world, that our faith will bring us to paradise unfurled.

The three only ask to help them with their saving task, to please believe like the mustard seed, a spark of faith can light the torch to see, our eternal inheritance with God and the Trinity.

I n these chaotic, confusing times, we need to seek God and ask the Holy Spirit to guide us on a daily basis. There is a constant—twenty-four seven, and 365 days per year—spiritual warfare that is being waged, which will endure until Christ comes again. Until that time, it is always good to be guided, comforted, strengthened, and led by the Holy Spirit through this modern era of spiritual mayhem, chaos, and confusion. We need to seek the counsel of the Holy Spirit so that we may be led to do and accomplish what God wants us to do according to His will.

What is betrayal? There are many words associated with betrayal, such as deception, dishonesty, disloyalty, disrespect, treachery, trickery, disappointment, hopelessness, bitterness, sadness, and unfaithfulness. An extremely rare word associated with betrayal is forgiveness. In life, there are so many times that we are let down and disappointed. Then there are those times in life when we are outright betrayed. It might be by a coworker, friend, spouse, or other family member—it really doesn’t matter. The results are still the same, and all of the negatively associated words flood into our thoughts and emotions.

When we find ourselves in this hurtful position, we must that God too was betrayed. The betrayal of God began in the Garden of Eden, when Adam and Eve were disloyal, dishonest, unfaithful, and disrespectful to God. Instead of heeding God’s word and trusting in him, they instead listened to the enemy, Satan. We all know how that turned out.

Before Christ was born, there were many times when God’s beloved chosen people, the twelve tribes of Israel, failed to listen to God and obey His commandments and laws. Despite punishing them with severe consequences, God always forgave them and returned to his chosen people. God then gave His only Son, Jesus Christ, to be a sacrifice for the souls of all humanity. God extended His grace and expanded His chosen people to include everyone who believed in and accepted His Son, Jesus Christ, as their holy King and Savior.

Jesus was also betrayed. One of His own original twelve apostles, Judas Iscariot, betrayed Jesus in the Garden of Gethsemane for thirty pieces of silver by having Him arrested and condemned to death. Peter, formerly Simon, who was the acknowledged leader of the apostles and was to be Jesus’s rock and church foundation, denied Him three times before His execution through crucifixion. When Jesus had been beaten, tortured, whipped, scourged, and nailed to the cross, like his Father, He also granted forgiveness. Jesus forgave everyone responsible for His death. “And Jesus said, ‘Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do.’ And they cast lots to divide his garments” (Luke 23:34).

We will never have the patience, strength, and powers of God or Jesus. But what we can have is God’s grace and eternal salvation through the sacrifice of His Son, Jesus. Although it may seem or feel like an impossible feat, no matter how bad we are betrayed or hurt, in our hearts we must follow the example of Jesus and always forgive. As stated in Matthew 6:14–15, “For if you forgive others their treses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you, but if you do not forgive others their treses, neither will your Father forgive your treses.” We cannot leave this earthly world with hate in our hearts. We must follow the example of our Savior and forgive others.

Another way we can be betrayed is by the ways of the world. People are so busy with careers, social media, family, and all of the other distractions of life that they become focused on only the things of this world. They utilize all of their available time and overinvest in worldly gains and accomplishments. There is no time to consider eternity and salvation.

Everything is put before God. With career, accomplishments, family, and recreation, there’s seemingly no time for God. It may be said that perhaps these worldly items become the true gods that people worship. Sometimes time runs out, and people who have been distracted all of their lives by worldly issues never get the chance to consider or receive Christ’s salvation. This is truly sad because they have been betrayed by their faith in worldly matters and accomplishments. The saddest thing of all is they never got to know God or

Jesus.

Acid Tears

Oh why the venom? Oh why the Sulphur breath? Oh why the acid tears?

You know the reason Your sinister treason, Your hidden vipers have bitten me Your hidden archers have struck me, Your arrows dipped in poison Once friend, family, now enemy.

Your venom was well placed Your ambush and shots well done, Toxic torture do you find this fun? You envelop me in Your Sulphur breath Would you be joyful at my death?

By the Grace of God go I

He will see me through, My Savior rescues and I’ll never die He saves me, I’ll pray he saves you.

Two beautiful rays of sunlight shine through the olive trees in the Garden of Gethsemane.

The Garden of Gethsemane and In the distance are the Kidron Valley and the East Gate of Jerusalem.

Abba

Lord, God, Heavenly Father sometimes we wonder why do you bother?

First the betrayal in the garden then Cain’s jealous heart hardened, first blood spilled first brother killed.

Then Israelites rally you’re no longer heard, as Moses stumbles down Sinai with your word, they now ignoring his guiding staff, trading all for a

golden calf.

The Judas kiss in Gethsemane once again betrayed to the enemy. Lord, God, Heavenly Father always we wonder why do you bother?

Your love, your forgiveness, your mercy boundless. Granted to nations of people living day to day mindless. Of your salvation and saving grace, always to rescue and sins to erase, always we wonder, why do you bother?

It’s because you truly are our most loving Father.

A mural inside the Church of All Nations, adjacent to the Garden of Gethsemane, depicting Jesus praying over the rock prior to His arrest in the Garden of Gethsemane.

Stephen

Stephen stood tall in the courtyard calmly preaching to the crowd, raging Israelites gathering around him bellowing unbelievers ranting loud.

The first to be invited the first to decline, special invite to the wedding feast special invite to drink sacred wine.

Instead of attending and being with the Groom and bride, special guests not seeing blinded by ignorance and pride.

Blind to the daily miracles that the Groom had performed, blind to the scripture prophecies

that their King was already born.

The no longer invited guests fill angry hands with stones, whipping their hate at a martyr who appears to stand alone.

As the brutal blows befall him dropping him to his knees, Stephen looks to the heavens and to his Father pleads.

Please forgive them for this sin the doors are open to all, and salvation shall begin for those who accept His call.

But despite the refusal of His chosen guests, He will never turn his back on the twelve tribes he loves best.

The wedding hall door is still open someday maybe the Father is hoping, that his chosen ones drop their stones and decide to return on home.

Gradual and Suddenly

Gradual Demise believing life’s lies lust, greed, power a continual shower, of craving wants and needs reaped from evil deeds, an unnatural self-centered harvest an unnatural self-loving tryst, confidently secure in the high tower too proud ever to care or cower, a deceptive fortress man made by thriving in the dark shade.

Suddenly Awakening will they ever learn? About the harkening and the everlasting burn? Too busy to achieve

no time to worship or believe, always scoffing at those who kneel never partaking in the meal, never to enter the narrow gate never to know true love, only hate, so sad, so sorry, so forlorn never to know the Christ Child born.

P erhaps one of the cruelest things that seems to never change is the ability of humankind to be hateful and vicious to others simply because of one’s difference in culture or religion. Throughout history, we are plagued with periods of worldwide bloodshed where one side thought they were righteous and were chosen to impose their will, culture, and beliefs on others. There are numerous instances throughout world history where belief systems and religions were weaponized to subdue, kill, and destroy others of different religions or beliefs.

These seeds of hate, destruction, and mayhem still exist today, and unfortunately they are sown on a daily basis. How awesome it will be when our Savior, Lord Jesus Christ, returns to the world to restore peace and order, save the faithful, and judge the wicked. How unfortunate for those who, perhaps through cultural brainwash since birth, truly believed that their wicked ways were righteous and divinely ordered. How sad that so many souls will not be saved and will wind up in that fiery place.

Crusades

We do not look favorably upon your children because you murder ours, killing your own for honor.

We do not look favorably upon your women because you murder ours, killing your own for honor.

You ravage, pillage and murder all that is good, we cannot because it is understood, we follow our book and God.

We’ve read your book and you have burned ours, love, patience and tolerance only from our kind,

your treachery is never ending.

How will the Lord see us, who judged evil

who just? When your vile deeds provoke a vengeance with lust.

As we meet in that valley of death, to fight, maim and kill, to our last breath, mothers and children cry pleading as arrows fly, sounds of the drawn saber drown the words of our Savior, “Love thy neighbor.”

How will the Lord

see us, Cain and Abel? Isaac and Ishmael? Who owns salvation? Whose damnation’s sealed?

Who has glory, everlasting peace? Who’s cast down torment never to cease? Raging hate binds us in everlasting embrace, strangling each other as comets plummeting to that fiery place.

A loss. The loss of a job. The loss of a marriage. The loss of a loved one. The loss of a child—a loss so solemn, forlorn, distressing, and heartbreaking. There is nothing more gut-wrenching than to have to pull a mother and father away from the body of their deceased child. Whether it be a natural demise such as a SIDS death or a disease, or whether it’s a horrific, violent death from an accident, shooting, or a drug overdose, it is pure tragedy. Whether a child is an infant or a grown adult, to the parents, he or she is still and always will be their child.

During the ministry of Jesus, He had a close friend who died. The story of Jesus’s friend Lazarus can be found in John 11:1–44. When Jesus got word that Lazarus was severely ill, He came to see His friend. By the time Jesus arrived, Lazarus had been dead for four days. He was moved, and Jesus even cried; as stated in John 11:35, “Jesus wept.” Jesus raised Lazarus from the dead to glorify His Father and show people the power of God. Even though Jesus had the power to do this, and even though He is the Son of God, He still was emotionally moved to sadness and tears.

God not only lost a child, but it was His only begotten Son. God lost Him willingly to be a sacrifice for the salvation of all of God’s children who accept His Son, Jesus, as their Savior. Whether we or our children live nine minutes or ninety-nine years, it is not even a drop in the bucket of eternity—an eternity of love, peace, and happiness with God for all those who accept and believe in Him and His Son, Jesus Christ.

My Teddy Bear

Jesus is my Teddy Bear, I love him here and everywhere.

I hold him in my arms so tight, Jesus protects me through the darkest night.

I miss my Mommy and Daddy too, but in heaven there is lots to do.

Someday they’ll be here and then I’ll share, my God, my Jesus,

my Teddy Bear.

Sweet Jesus

Jesus won’t you help me and heal my broken soul, Jesus won’t you save me from this dark, deep hole.

I’ve gone to Church and said my prayers, but it just isn’t good enough Jesus won’t you save me, I’m really not that tough.

I’ve got a daughter in drug rehab my son is in a prison cell, as a Father I’d trade my life for theirs, straight to burning hell.

Even if you can’t heal me

Sweet Jesus save my kids, I can never be the Dad you are Triune perfection, Divinity Star.

Jesus please save them but if not for this sinful world, Sweet Jesus I beg and pray that their souls are saved, on Resurrection Day.

For if the Reaper were to take them, with the needle still in their arm, Sweet Jesus please protect them, Shield their eternal souls from harm.

And if I cannot be with them in this cruel world as a loving Dad, Abba please take them to heaven

and let me be with them, when my time on earth is had.

T he brave men and women of our military make sacrifices on a routine basis. Many are deployed overseas to fight for our country and our freedom. Many of them also make the ultimate sacrifice. They are heroes, all of them. They lived up to their responsibilities and duties, taking action to their last breath. These heroes died not only helping and fighting for strangers but also for each other. The Bible tells us in John 15:13, “Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends.” These heroes have exemplified this principal.

Our first responders, both firefighters and police officers, also exhibit courage and make sacrifices on a routine basis. They strive to keep our communities safe and embody the principals of “To Protect and Serve.” Too many times, they also make the ultimate sacrifice, often leaving behind spouses and children.

Perhaps one of the most tragic examples of this occurred during the terrorist attacks on September 11, 2001. There were 2,977 victims killed during 9/11, including 2,606 in the twin towers of the World Trade Center. The Pentagon attack left 125 dead, and the loss of life on all four aircraft used in the attacks (including the terrorist crash near Shanksville, Pennsylvania) amounted to 246. The emergency first responders lost 414 lives, 343 firefighters, and 71 police officers. This tragedy reminds us of duty, courage, valor, sacrifice, and honor. It reminds us of the heroes who made the ultimate sacrifice in the line of duty, and of also the military personnel who did the same because they were deployed to fight this evil. God bestows a special blessing onto our peacekeepers, both military and first responders. As stated in Mathew 5:9, “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God.”’

I’m Standing

I’m standing on the tarmac in the pouring rain, like tears from heaven sent to ease the pain.

Just ed a senior prom and only nineteen, an entire life’s future left unseen.

So strong, so brave, so proud, but the cowardly enemy’s IED’S are so loud.

Deafening and shattering life and blood spattering. Hugs and smiles never to come back.

The reason at attention I stand on this tarmac.

White, black, brown and red, what do their colors matter? For OUR red, white and blue they bled. Now their souls climb Jacob’s ladder.

Hugs and smiles never to come back. The reason at attention I stand on this tarmac.

Drinking Whiskey from a Wine Glass

Drinking whiskey from a wine glass and trying to act cool, culture and high class never came to his school.

Full of kids from families that worked in the fields, full of folks with dreams hard life always steals.

He walked on the campus of that refined college, he was breaking those chains to be liberated by knowledge.

But instead they made fun of the boots that he wore, faded jeans and worn belt

beaten up from life’s chores.

Embarrassed and ashamed like a twister he tore, a way back to his truck and college no more.

Traded books for new boots and off to Paris Island he went, after weeks of gut wrenching training off to Iraq he was sent.

Under the relentless rays of a Ramadi sun, An RPG exploded from a hidden gun.

Shrapnel and flames flew all through the air, caught out in the open and no cover out there.

Firing his automatic weapon his S.A.W. safely clearing a path, saving two squads from the Grim Reaper’s wrath.

Twenty men saved and only him in the open, Heroes don’t always come home no matter what families are hoping.

In a quick final blast a mother’s nightmare came true, this Marine had breathed his last nothing the corpsman could do.

When he woke up it wasn’t in a hospital bed, he was surrounded by love with music in his head.

As St. Pete handed him a whiskey filled wine glass and hugged him so tight, He said Our Father is so proud, welcome to Heaven’s Light!

You and I

We’re in this together You and I, You fighting fire I fighting crime.

And sometimes it seems That You and I, Are the only ones who know The scorch of the blaze The chill of the bullet.

But even in that worse of time When that roof gives way A cop killer has his day, There’s someone else who understands The horror, the agony of You and I.

So that when you Next meet the flame And I’ll try to when I meet the Next animal I must tame, That when you bury a fellow brother And escort his children, wife and mother, That someone else takes care of the fallen And someday we will hear him calling.

But for now Brother this We’re in this together, You and I.

A Statue of St. George defeating the dragon, inside the Church of the Nativity in Bethlehem.

During the ministry of Jesus, He did many miracles. Even long before His ministry, Jesus was a miracle Himself—God made man, being born of a virgin. Jesus healed the sick, cured the lepers, made the blind see, made the deaf hear, fed the multitudes, cast out demons, and raised the dead. For the greatest miracle of all, Jesus rose from the dead Himself to conquer death, sin, and Satan. Jesus was also quite the fisherman, a catcher of both fish and men.

How wonderful it would have been to be alive during the days of Jesus’s ministry and witness all of His miracles. How much easier would it have been then to believe in Jesus Christ, after having personally witnessed His miracles. The crowds and multitudes used to follow Jesus so that they could be healed and see firsthand the absolute power and glory of God, as witnessed through the miracles of Jesus. What is absolutely astounding is that although people did witness the miracles of Jesus on a routine basis, many still refused to believe in Him.

How blessed today are those who follow and believe in Jesus, those who have never witnessed His miracles. After Jesus rose from the dead and appeared to many, one of His apostles, Thomas, still did not believe. He did not believe that people had seen the risen Jesus, and neither did he believe that Jesus had in fact risen from the dead. Jesus then appeared to Thomas, who was totally astonished and humbled. “Thomas answered him, ‘My Lord and my God!’ Jesus said to him, ‘Have you believed because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed’” (John 20:28–29)

Two pictures of the Sea of Galilee and the surrounding area. Lord Jesus Christ spent much of His ministry and did many of His miracles in and around this area. The third picture is of a boat in the middle of the Sea of Galilee. During our visit to Israel, we took a boat ride on the Sea of Galilee. It was so calming, and never in my life have I ever felt the presence of Jesus more than when we were on the water. I could almost imagine Jesus taking Peter’s hand and having him get out of the boat and walk with Him.

Seven

Five and two are seven Five loaves of bread, two fish, Not enough for a banquet dish.

Five thousand fed by this alone The Master feeds his flock, Nourishing flesh and bone the strength of the rock.

Centuries since the multitudes fed By the Master’s flesh and blood instead, Centuries since their souls are saved by the sacrificial path he paved.

The King of Kings The Lord of Hosts, Bound with the Father And Holy Ghost.

Blessed are they who see not yet believe, Blessed are they who are not deceived.

Five loaves of bread, two fish, Not enough for a banquet dish.

One in Ten

Outside town stood outcasts forever knowing their sealed unclean fate, from frightened neighbors they’d return home never knowing no love but only fear and hate.

While walking in the heat and dust they wished for their time to end, something that was merciful and just praying aloud for Yahweh to send.

Somewhere between Samaria and Galilee a Man of purpose walked, the tortured ten could plainly see He was the Prophet of whom people talked.

He heard them from the distance wail have mercy Master mercy please, lift from us this cursed veil

save us from our hideous disease.

Go and show yourselves to the priests was all the Master said, and hurriedly they went thinking not the least praying they weren’t already dead.

Not halfway to the temple they found their bandages no longer bleeding, realizing they were now healthy and sound and no longer unclean or needing.

One of the ten quickly ran back to the Master on his face he fell, giving thanks for his resurrection his rescue from his earthly hell.

Our Master saves our unclean souls Our Savior redeems us from Satan’s coals. Christ will always save us time and again, may we always be that one in ten.

M any people wonder whether God would ever accept them. They wonder whether they are good enough. Perhaps they have done things that have trapped them in a prison of guilt and shame, feeling as if they are undeserving of love, salvation, or God’s grace. Perhaps they have felt that they have lived too long a life of sin or crime and that it is too late and impossible to be saved. The simple fact is it is not acceptance by God that matters for salvation.

The key to the heavenly kingdom is the acceptance of God’s free gift of salvation by us, accepting Jesus Christ as our holy King and Savior, accepting and believing that He died on the cross for the sins of all humanity and rose again on the third day to completely conquer and vanquish death, sin, and Satan. That acceptance, of which we have complete control over, is all that matters.

As stated in Ephesians 2:8–10, “For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast. For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.”

It is not our good acts or accomplishments that get us to be with God in heaven. Neither is it our bad acts or sins that automatically prevent us from being with God. It is itting our sin, confessing to God, asking for forgiveness, and accepting His Son, Jesus Christ, as our Savior. That is the Way, the Truth, and the path to God and His heavenly kingdom. If there is any one story in the Bible that confirms this concept, it is the story of the crucifixion.

When Jesus was crucified, two criminals were crucified alongside Him. One of them insulted and mocked Jesus. However, the other one rebuked the first, reminding him that the both of them deserved their punishment and crucifixion —and that Jesus did not and was an innocent man. Undoubtedly these criminals had lived lives of sin and unworthiness.

Yet the one criminal who had stood up for Jesus asked Him to him when he entered the heavenly kingdom. This is found in Luke 23:42–43. “And he said, ‘Jesus, me when you come into your kingdom.’ And he said to him, ‘Truly, I say to you, today you will be with me in paradise.’” After a life of sin, shame, crime, and condemnation, this crucified criminal, was near the end of his life and dying on his own cross. In one instant, by having faith and believing in Jesus Christ, he was saved, to be taken to eternal peace, happiness, and heaven with Jesus.

This is the miraculous key we all can have, the acceptance of God’s free gift of salvation.

The King Bows

The King bows low with basin in hand, attempting to show His everlasting works and deeds for this land, this world, this life.

Astonished guests with dusty feet, allow the Master to cleanse and defeat, filth of this land, this world, this life.

Afterwards feasting upon bread and wine, the example is set for all mankind, for this land, this world, this life.

The King, The Master, The Shepherd serves guiding his flock, through wilderness deserts to eternal oasis, His word, the rock, for His land, His world, His life.

Call

The Shepherd did die to vanquish death, saving his flock with his last breath.

Although thorns and nails sank agony deep, the Shepherd rose from Satan’s sleep.

Almighty rising for us all, Eternal peace and salvation, ours to call.

Upon his name and eternal grace, the only path

to our heavenly place.

One Body

People are people led to the steeple, to worship and pray, to the same God in the same way.

A God of love A God of understanding, Who’s only wish His voice commanding, that all love His Son and each other as one.

One body of Christ Love for all, Love for God Love for evermore.

To the Father and Son Holy Spirit three in one, For all eternity Christ’s mission is done.

Peace

Peace to your body Peace to your mind, Peace to your heart and soul Peace to mankind.

The Peace of the Lord may it wash over you, many blessings are stored in what you can do.

Be guided by the light of His sacred word, Our Savior’s sacrifice made Our Salvation ensured.

Walk by day in the Spirit listen by night and hear it, gentle guiding voice of Pentecost

with God’s love we’re never lost.

A beautiful sunrise over the Dead Sea. Peaceful, serene, and somewhat symbolic. A new day, a new dawn, a new possibility of salvation with the Son of God, Jesus Christ. All glory to God, and may God bless you all!

Closing

I entitled this book Poems for My Abba . The term Abba comes from the ancient Aramaic language that Jesus and His apostles spoke. This is the intimate term for papa or daddy that a small, innocent child would use to call out to his or her father. This is also the term I like to use, calling out like a child, to our heavenly Father, our God, our Abba. After all, we are all God’s children.

The final poem was entitled “Peace.” This eternal peace is attainable through our heavenly Father, our Abba, our God. This eternal peace, love, and happiness is the free gift of salvation. This is obtained by believing that Jesus Christ died for our sins, was crucified and buried, and rose on the third day to conquer sin, death, and the devil. The acceptance of Jesus Christ as your holy King, Lord, and Savior is the key to the kingdom that unlocks and opens the door to eternal paradise, heaven.

About the Author

A rlis J. Edmondson graduated with a bachelor of science degree from the School of Criminology at Florida State University in 1980. He relocated to the Phoenix, Arizona, area and became a police officer with the Phoenix Police Department. During his career, he rose through the ranks, attaining the rank of lieutenant.

Arlis has worked every geographic area of Phoenix, having been assigned to Patrol Bureau, Walking Beat, Tactical Response Unit, Gang Enforcement Unit, Organized Crime Bureau, Violent Crimes Bureau, and Property Crimes Bureau.

Arlis served with distinction and honor, receiving numerous awards, commendations, and the Medal of Lifesaving. He retired after thirty years of serving his community and the citizens of Phoenix. Arlis still lives in Arizona, where he and his wife, Pamela, are active in their church.

Lord, now you are letting your servant depart in peace, according to your word; for my eyes have seen your salvation that you have prepared in the presence of all peoples, a light for revelation to the Gentiles, and for glory to your people Israel. (Luke 2:29–32)