Dewayne's Devarim דְּבָרִים לְדּוּאֵין

Dewayne Dulaney

Introduction

I've always enjoyed poetry, and after I began preaching back in the 1980s, I found poetry both encouraging personally and useful as illustrations for lessons I taught. At first, I would use poems written by others, and still do at times. As time went on, though, I began to get ideas for, and then write, some poems of my own. Occasionally I would use them as illustrations when preaching, and they were well received. However, I never published them. I hope you find this poem about living the Christian life amid struggles with trouble and temptation a help for your life. It was inspired by the passages in Hebrews quoted after the poem. Hebrews has always been one of my favorite New Testament books. As for the photo, I took it after a storm in April 2006, looking toward a neighboring farm.

Enjoy!

THE HEART TO GO ON

When the way seems dark and grim

and you're sure you can't take another step;

When you've lost your way and you fear

you'll fall before the race is won

and your courage is almost gone,

Then fix your gaze on Jesus who has gone ahead

and you'll find the heart to go on.

Jesus faced the worst you'll ever face and more.

He did it for you, so life's battle you could win

by being washed in his blood, that victory

You could have over sin.

"My brother, my sister," he says, "take my hand

and follow me, don't be a devil's pawn.

I'll be with you every step of the way

and if you should stumble or fall,

Just turn back to me and I'll give you

The heart to go on."

"Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart....Both the one who makes men holy and those who are made holy are of the same family. So Jesus is not ashamed to call them brothers."

--Hebrews 12:1-3; 2:11 (NIV)

5-23-1998

Works Cited

Mac Gallery, http://www.geocities.com/Heartland/Ridge/1217/MacGalleryIndex.html I found the "Made with a Mac" banner here. (No copyright info listed)

Microsoft Office Online: http://office.microsoft.com/en-us/default.aspx (Clip art and photos). I found the image of the "Roman Librarian" (by the "You're Invited to Comment" statement) at this site. © 2008 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved.

You're Invited to Comment and Ask Questions

I welcome questions and comments concerning my blog, or about the Bible and Christianity in general. Feel free to write a comment or question in the box below; you may comment anonymously if you like. Or you can email me at dewayne.mary@futura.net, or use the member messaging service on Opera. I look forward to hearing from you. —Dewayne Dulaney

Copyright and Trademark Notices

All original material on this blog is copyright © 2007 Dewayne and Mary Dulaney. It may only be reproduced for nonprofit personal, church, or educational use. Credit must be given to the author.

The Apple logo and Mac trademarks of Apple Inc. (Apple Computer). © 2008 Apple Inc.

Microsoft is a trademark of Microsoft Corporation. © 1985-2001, 2008 Microsoft Corporation.

Scripture marked NIV taken from the HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 by International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan Publishing House. All rights reserved.