Hear my words, Lord! Consider my groans! 2 Pay attention to the sound of my cries, my king and my God, because I am praying to you! 3 Lord, in the morning you hear my voice. In the morning I lay it all out before you. Then I wait expectantly. 4 Because you aren’t a God who enjoys wickedness; evil doesn’t live with you. 5 Arrogant people won’t last long in your sight; you hate all evildoers; 6 you destroy liars. The Lord despises people who are violent and dishonest.
7 But me? I will enter your house because of your abundant, faithful love; I will bow down at your holy temple, honoring you. 8 Lord, because of many enemies, please lead me in your righteousness. Make your way clear, right in front of me. 9 Because there’s no truth in my enemies’ mouths, all they have inside them is destruction. Their throats are open graves; their tongues slick with talk. 10 Condemn them, God! Let them fail by their own plans. Throw them out for their many sins because they’ve rebelled against you. 11 But let all who take refuge in you celebrate. Let them sing out loud forever! Protect them so that all who love your name can rejoice in you. 12 Because you, Lord, bless the righteous. You cover them with favor like a shield. (Psalm 5:1-12, Common English Bible)
Inspiration struck last night and I began a poem based on Psalm 5 verses 3, 7, and 11-12.
I can remember, not too many years ago, I did not care for poetry at all. In the last few years, for some reason it has started to grow on me. I think it might be because I was interested in writing some original lyrics and in some cases, original songs. Most of the poems I have written became songs before long. I would not be surprised if this one is put to music before long.
In the morning, I fall to my knees and pray, I tell you all my problems and woes, I praise your holy name for; blessings each day You speak and your will is disclosed.
I wait. For you O Lord, I wait. Your protection this day I seek I bow before you, let me hear I wait, your voice to hear, I wait.
I come to you, for your voice I must hear Before your house I stand, Lord, let me see We see your love & know, your Spirit, to us is near From you O Lord, I will not flee.
I wait. For you O Lord, I wait. Your protection this day I seek I bow before you, let me hear I wait, your voice to hear, I wait.
I sing out loud. Keep me singing to proclaim your name. I sing of your refuge, keep me whole I sing of your love for me, my place in you I claim I sing to you, from my deep soul.
I wait. For you O Lord, I wait. Your protection this day I seek I bow before you, let me hear I wait, your voice to hear, I wait.
May I be righteous before you O Lord, without blame, This day I celebrate in you Your shield protects me, your love, it sustains me my God I seek your will, your word is true.
I wait. For you O Lord, I wait. Your protection this day I seek I bow before you, let me hear I wait, your voice to hear, I wait.
Have a blessed day in the Lord.
Seeking the genuine, Keith
Copyright 2020, J. Keith Broyles, All Rights Reserved.
I love Mike Ashcraft's book, "My One Word." For the past nine years I have participated and encouraged others to participate to in the "My One Word" Challenge. My first word was discipline was my word the first year. Since then my word has been focus, sight, jungle, peace, concentration, serve, genuine and this year is fit. I seek to be fit for my health, my family, my church, my ministries. I seek to be fit in any are of my life where God might point to me.
I also have a nickname, "Dr. B." When I was a public high school teacher, Dr. B. is what most of my students called me, at least in my presence. I am still called that by many people though I no longer teach in public schools.
I am the author of "Average Joe: With an Extraordinary Story" (available on Amazon). The book fits into the genre of "Biblical Fiction" or "Christian Fiction" and features some of the Bible's lesser known characters.
The name of my blog is, "Fork in the Road." Life is filled with forks in the road. It isn't a matter of if we encounter a fork in the road, but when will we and how many will we experience in a lifetime.
I love to strum my guitar. I am not a great guitar player but I enjoy it. I also enjoy writing music. I get excited with I feel a new song emerging.
I live with my wife Cindy and our little dog, "Bishop" in Lufkin, Texas.
I spent the past 30 years as a United Methodist pastor, serving churches all over east and southeast Texas, from just north of Tyler to south of Houston, from the Gulf Coast to east of Madisonville. I currently serve Perritte Memorial UMC in Nacogdoches.
I spent one year in the classroom, teaching High School government, economics, psychology, and sociology.
Cindy and I have been married for 43 years. We have two grown sons and six grandchildren, three boys and three girls.
I enjoy preaching and all it's aspects from research to writing to the actual preaching event. I also love writing, reading. I have dabble in drawing and "painting" with pastels as well as woodworking and woodcarving. My current projects are two ukuleles. I collect, repair and restore guitars too. I play the guitar (badly, but I still do) I also enjoy working with paracord on various projects, mostly prayer ropes I usually give away.
I hold an Associate of Applied Science Degree in Business Data Processing, from San Jacinto College in Pasadena, TX, a Bachelor of Science in Political Science with a minor in History from Sam Houston State University in Huntsville, TX, a Master of Divinity from Southern Methodist University in Dallas, TX and a Doctor of Ministry from Carolina University of Theology.
This blog started out as devotional writings. In August of 2020, I made a major change to the blog, switching to a daily theme format.
Sunday Sermon-usually my manuscript sermon
Miscellaneous Monday-misc. writing, poetry, ministry
Tuesday Thoughts-Devotion
Wed. with Wesleys-hist. & theol. of early Methodists
TED Talk Thursday-Video & appl. in current theology
Five for Friday-5 things I've seen & my thoughts
Sing-Along Sat. - Usually a new song I have written
I write, "Strumming a G-Chord with Dr.B." to get my thoughts onto something permanent. After all, they say, once something is on the internet it never really goes away.
Still, I hope you enjoy reading it. Who knows, it might generate a bit of discussion between you and me and anyone else who might make their way here.
Seeking the Genuine,
Keith
Lufkin, Texas
August 2020
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