I Won’t Apologize

I Won’t Apologize

I won’t apologize for my faith or for saying what I feel.  

I won’t apologize for believing in a God I know is real.  

I won’t apologize for my morals, my values, or where I stand—  

And I won’t apologize for grieving the death of a godly man.

I’m sickened and disgusted by the world I see today:  

The hate, the accusations, the venom they send our way.  

I won’t apologize for standing against corruption and lies.  

I stand firm in my convictions—I’ve learned to spot their disguise.

You’d think they could have paused, just briefly,  

As someone mourned the loss of a father.  

You’d think they’d show compassion  

To a grieving, widowed mother.  

But when we weep, they ask about others who’ve died—  

As if we didn’t care. That’s just another lie.

No apologies—I’m done. If offense is taken, so be it.  

I know my heart. I strive for fairness, and I mean it.  

No one should be assassinated—no matter who they are.  

Democrat or Republican, we’ve let it go too far.

When the children in Texas died, the left rushed to assign blame.  

While parents grieved in silence, drowning in their pain.  

Again came the attacks, the politics, the shame—  

Instead of simply praying for the families by name.

So I look at this world and hear the rhetoric from both sides.  

I throw my hands to heaven—only in God do I confide.  

We’ve failed the test of love, of mercy, and forgiveness.  

This tragedy exposed our hearts—and our divisiveness.

I won’t apologize for being gaslit by the world.  

For questioning my faith as their accusations unfurled.  

For honoring a godly martyr with reverence and grace—  

No, I won’t apologize for giving him his rightful place.

We fail the test of compassion when we pick and choose  

Whom to honor, whom to shame, based on their views.  

But God’s love is unconditional—He died for every man.  

Not based on politics, religion, or where we stand.

So let us never apologize for what we believe.  

Let us treat one another with dignity and reprieve.  

Let us stand firm, even when the world demands we cave—  

For we each have a choice in how our souls behave.

© 2025 Sandra C. Johnson

An Ode to Charlie Kirk

An Ode to Charlie Kirk

He was not a politician, but struck down in his prime,  

A man who sought to shape young hearts and minds.  

Simply because of what this young man believed,  

He was shot down by what another perceived.  

We say our nation’s divided—and sadly, it’s true.  

People hurt others for a different point of view.  

But today as this man of God was shot down. 

There was not a dry eye that could be found. 

“It all has to stop” many out there will say. 

“It's time to legislate and take the guns away.”

The left will accuse the right as they always do. 

Though much of what they claim will not be true.

A man died today because of what he believed

And some will scoff, while others will deeply grieve.

He was a husband, a father, a friend—  

His life had meaning; it should not have met this end.  

He wasn’t a politician, but an activist bold,  

With wisdom beyond years and a heart of gold.  

We may never grasp why his life ceased today,  

But we find comfort knowing with him, God had His way.  

This world is upside down—he tried to make it right,  

Restoring common sense to youth lost in the night.  

And many like him will rise follow in his steps,  

For he left a legacy that few will forget.  

His name was Charlie Kirk. May he never be forgot.  

Today marked infamy—a great man was shot.  

May he rest in peace, and may his family find grace  

To gather the pieces and stand in his place.

© 2025 Sandra C. Johnson

God's Vindication

 God's Vindication

When God says I will vindicate you. 

It doesn't mean vengeance will come true. 

Sometimes vindication means working through pain

And forgiving the others who stay the same. 

Vengeance is mine, says God on high. 

Which means He calls the shots on the how and the why.

You need not know what He is going to do

Just rest and let God vindicate you. 

When God promises vindication. 

It means He will intervene in the situation. 

But just as He works on you he is working on them.

His way will always work out in the end. 

What we forget is that God's vengeance,

Is sprinkled with grace and forgiveness. 

His plan is to restore all men,

And create a new person within. 

So when God says “I'll vindicate,” remember: 

His ways are best, His love the center.

His vindication works both ways. 

And He is worthy of thanks and given all praise. 

© 2025 Sandra C. Johnson

17 Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everyone. 18 If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. 19 Do not take revenge, my dear friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written: “It is mine to avenge; I will repay,”[d] says the Lord. 20 On the contrary:

“If your enemy is hungry, feed him;

    if he is thirsty, give him something to drink.

In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head.”[e]

21 Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.

Romans 12:17-21

Unless I See the Scars

Unless I See the Scars

I need to see the holes where the nails were. 

Before I believe–I need evidence to be sure. 

To feel, to touch, to know it’s true,  

I fear being deceived, as many do.  

 

“Blessed are you,” said Jesus long ago,  

“To those who believe, though don't always know.

Faith is the evidence of things unseen,  

Trusting the promise and all it will mean.  

Do you need to see the scars before committing?  

Do you need trust in the proof you’re admitting?  

Today’s culture cries, “Follow the facts!”  

“Follow the science!”—but faith often acts  

In contrast to what the world demands:  

Degrees and data, not nail-pierced hands.  

Yet God understands the heart that needs to know—  

Jesus showed His wounds so Thomas wouldn’t let go.  

He does that to those of us who need to know too. 

Because He loves us and will leads us to what is true. 

But blessed are you who have never seen

And still believe in Christ the King.

“I need to see the scars,” many say today,  

As they search for God, and hope, and pray.  

Afraid to believe, taught to doubt,  

They need more before they can work it out.

If you need to see his scars, dear friend, it’s okay.

If that is what it takes, for you I will pray. 

Just as Jesus met Thomas with grace back then,  

I pray He’ll show you what you need—Amen.

© 2025 Sandra C. Johnson

24 Now Thomas (also known as Didymus[a]), one of the Twelve, was not with the disciples when Jesus came. 25 So the other disciples told him, “We have seen the Lord!" 

But he said to them, “Unless I see the nail marks in his hands and put my finger where the nails were, and put my hand into his side, I will not believe.”

26 A week later his disciples were in the house again, and Thomas was with them. Though the doors were locked, Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you!” 27 Then he said to Thomas, “Put your finger here; see my hands. Reach out your hand and put it into my side. Stop doubting and believe.”

28 Thomas said to him, “My Lord and my God!”

29 Then Jesus told him, “Because you have seen me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed."

John 20:24-29

 

 

 

They Know Not What They Do

They Know Not What They Do

A long time ago, in a place far away,

As Jesus hung on the cross He did say:

“Forgive them Father, for they know not what they do.”

And still today, walk a path that's not true.

I stand and gaze at the world's vast population,

Listening to the news and man's declarations.

I realize nothing is new under the sun–

We repeat, age by age, what's already been done.

The right accuses the left, the left accuses the right,

Each side convinced they dwell in the light.

They invoke God’s name to defend their morality,  

Yet truth isn’t found in political polarity.

I look at the world and wonder: do they know, God, what they do?  

Do they grasp how far they’ve drifted from You?  

So I pray, as Jesus did long ago on the cross:  

“Forgive them, Lord—they are truly lost.”

I don’t say this to excuse mankind,  

For not all are blind—some choose to be unkind.  

Yet who am I to judge what others believe or say?  

All I can do is kneel and pray.

“Open their eyes, Lord, so they may see  

That only in You can they truly be free.  

Forgive them, for they know not what they do—  

Illuminate their vision so they may follow You.”

We live in a world where hatred reigns,  

Where passion and pride leave spiritual stains.  

But I believe change is near—not by my hand,  

But by Your Spirit moving across this land.

They know not what they do, indoctrinated by lies,  

Which is why so many on the right are despised.  

We know not what we do when we fail to seek truth,  

When we follow like sheep, uncaring and uncouth.

Yes, they know not what they do—so I’ll continue to pray,  

Entrusting their souls to God each day.  

I’ll reserve judgment, for only He can decide  

Who walks in blindness, and who in pride

© 2025 Sandra C. Johnson

Unexpected

God moves in ways we don’t expect—  

What He ordains, the world rejects.  

We sketch our plans, but He smiles instead,  

And shifts the path where we thought we’d tread.  

He moves in ways both bold and unseen,  

His hand at work in all routine.  

His thoughts are higher, His wisdom deep,  

He reigns above—our souls He keeps.  

God’s ways are unexpected—by design,  

Set in motion before our time.  

We lean on strength that cannot last,  

Yet find His sovereignty steadfast.  

So when life shakes and feels unsure,  

And you wonder if He’s still near—  

Fret not, His ways are not like ours,  

They stretch beyond the stars.  

His ways are not our ways—hold fast.  

He moves through seasons as they pass.  

He knows the end from what we see,  

Which is why He moves so unexpectedly.

© 2025 Sandra C. Johnson

“For my thoughts are not your thoughts,

    neither are your ways my ways,”

declares the Lord.

9 

“As the heavens are higher than the earth,

    so are my ways higher than your ways

    and my thoughts than your thoughts.

Isaiah 55:8-9

Kicking Against the Goads

Kicking Against the Goads

To those in high places upon the earth,  

To kings and rulers of noble birth—  

Why do you kick against the goads,  

Then stand in shock as God's plan unfolds?

God placed you there; He alone decides  

What comes to pass, despite your pride.  

When you resist His will, you fight the Most High,  

Blind to His purpose, deaf to His why.

God is the true ruler, granting limited permission.  

He moves through history, despite your ambition.  

If you exalt your ways above what He’s designed,  

You kick against the goads—every single time.

To all mankind, of every race and nation,  

A day will come of holy revelation.  

You’ll fall to your knees and confess with your tongue:  

Jesus is Lord—no matter where you're from.

You kick against the goads when you stand on your own,  

Rooted in morals that man has condoned.  

Built on opinions, ideologies, and trends,  

Ignoring the truth that never bends.

God is the same—yesterday, today, forever.  

You fight His will when you chase your own endeavor.  

When you step outside the path He’s drawn,  

You kick against the goads from dusk till dawn.

Paul the apostle thought he was right,  

Persecuting Christians with zealous might.  

But he was stopped by the Savior of all,  

Who asked, “Why do you kick against My call?”

God revealed the battle Paul could never win—  

He was fighting against Heaven, steeped in sin.  

God still does this when we go astray,  

Interrupting our plans in His sovereign way.

And to those who claim to follow Him,  

Yet stand with those who won’t turn from sin—  

Who support infanticide and gender confusion,  

You kick against the goads in moral delusion.

Stop fighting God, my friend—it won’t end in your favor.  

He reigns supreme; our fate rests in the Savior.  

Just as the scales fell from Paul’s eyes back then,  

May we all let God remove them and write His law within.

© 2025 Sandra C. Johnson

13 About noon, King Agrippa, as I was on the road, I saw a light from heaven, brighter than the sun, blazing around me and my companions. 14 We all fell to the ground, and I heard a voice saying to me in Aramaic,[a] ‘Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me? It is hard for you to kick against the goads.’

15 “Then I asked, ‘Who are you, Lord?’

“ ‘I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting,’ the Lord replied. 16 ‘Now get up and stand on your feet. I have appeared to you to appoint you as a servant and as a witness of what you have seen and will see of me.

Acts 26:13-16

This poem was adapted into a song and can be viewed on my YouTube channel here:

https://youtu.be/x2IweblRYN4?si=7BmMrirK2p-fYxAc