"For the Love of God, Think on These Things is a collection of beautiful and thoughtful meditations on the heart and soul of Christianity. Much of one's own spiritual beliefs can be gained through reflecting on them." -Bishop L. Bevel Jones III, trustee emeritus, Emory University The poems in this beautifully inspiring collection focus on the author's spiritual life, from "Meditations" to her thoughts in "My Prayer of Thanks". God's Family Dear God, should any religion suggest your rejection Of others outside its own connection? We don't have to accept everything we hear; If we've strong faith, there's nothing to fear. When exposed to new ways through which some have grown, Could it be your suggestion that we search our own? We need not leave the religion we're attending; Just use what will help to make ours more depending. So help us not look for the difference in our brother, But look deep inside and your presence discover. For we are all here, your family, to be Not competing, but working together with thee, Caring and sharing all that we can, Building your kingdom to fulfill your plan.

For the Love of God, Think on These Things

By Frances S. Carson

iUniverse, Inc.

Copyright © 2011 Frances S. Carson
All right reserved.
ISBN: 978-1-4620-0851-3

Contents

Meditations...............................5The Church................................7The Bible.................................9God's Will?...............................13The Messiah...............................15Thy Kingdom on Earth......................17God's Family..............................21The Trinity...............................23Communion.................................25Reawakening...............................27Suffering.................................29Temptation................................33Hell?.....................................35Struggling with Doubt.....................39True Atonement............................41Plan of Salvation.........................45God's Plan................................47Perseverance..............................49God Is Love...............................53Caring....................................55Leaving This Life.........................57Have I Done Enough?.......................61Traveling On..............................65Acknowledgment............................67My Prayer of Thanks.......................69In Conclusion.............................71

Chapter One

        Meditations

    To those whose faith
    Has suffered in stages
    When exposed to beliefs
    Discussed in these pages ...

    I don't expect agreement
    With all I here perceive.
    I only hope you'll think
    About what you believe.

    Faith that doesn't know why
    Is faith without reasoning.
    Faith that doesn't know why
    Is like food without seasoning.

    So expose your faith to questions;
    Use the doubts that might arise;
    Ask and it shall be given;
    Earnestly seek for sound advice.

    When at last we discover
    God as he is, we'll feel
    Nothing ever again
    Our faith and devotion can steal.

    How can we honestly commit ourselves
    To God in our endeavor
    Until we understand him
    As the one we can trust forever?

    For new thoughts and experiences
    Are hurled at us each day
    And either draw us closer
    Or thrust us blindly away.

    And so I humbly offer,
    For whatever it is worth,
    Some beliefs I feel God has taught me
    In my journey on this earth.


         The Church

    Dear God, It is sad to me how the church,
    For some, has lost its respect.
    They don't understand its importance,
    And its survival they seem to neglect.

    So I come to you asking
    For guidance in its defense.
    I want to know for certain:
    Does loyalty to churches make sense?

    I'm sure you're aware of excuses
    From those who stay away.
    Perhaps we should examine
    Some of the things they say:

    The hypocrite in church on Sunday,
    Pious, righteous, and pure ...
    Too difficult to live with on Mondays,
    Is more than most folks can endure.

    Sometimes outsiders, however,
    From their own points of view
    Assume that pious hypocrites
    Sit in every pew.

    Most of the people
    Sitting there in the congregation
    Come recognizing, humbly,
    Their need for transformation.

    If we limit association
    Where hypocrites are not,
    We'd better live in a zoo
    Where they don't talk a lot.

    Some find the church unfriendly
    To strangers who need a warm touch;
    They go away feeling so lonely
    That the sermon can't help very much.

    There are many other reasons
    Why religion has lost its savor;
    Some dogmas and beliefs
    Spoil, for some, its favor.

    When there is cause to reexamine,
    Please guide us as we do ...
    To change, if change be needed,
    To make your message true.

    Even though it is imperfect,
    The church—not a building with a steeple—
    Is a body divined by your spirit
    To reach the needs of your people.

    So, thank you, dear God, for this insight;
    It's made my decision quite clear.
    You can count on my efforts with others
    To build your church better each year.


         The Bible

    Dear God, We thank you so much for the Bible,
    For the inspiring truth it holds,
    For the closeness and warm understanding
    Of your love and your will it unfolds.

    Most of what I believe
    Is found somewhere in the Bible.
    But all that is there, dear God, I don't dare
    Believe is the truth undeniable.

    As we earnestly read the scriptures
    Of humans' progress toward you,
    We see the probability
    Of errors that come through ...

    Old Aramaic scrolls
    Could have been confusing
    If a fly mark was included
    In translating a word they were using.

    A dot above a word
    Or one placed below
    Could indicate opposite meanings;
    So, with flies, how can we know?

    We also know the influence
    Their culture had to play
    When they...