Simple Devotions

Saturday, September 13, 2025

We Are Not the Same

We Are Not the Same

Cities on fire, buildings demolished,

Crimes unchecked, their acts so polished.

It all began with George Floyd’s death—

They made him a hero with every breath.

Church vigils spread across the land,

Prayers lifted by a humble hand.

But when Charlie Kirk passed away,

No riots broke out, no cars ablaze.

We are not the same as those on the other side.

We’re not consumed by anger, arrogance, or pride.

We pray for our enemies, walk in humility,

And honor the fallen without hostility.

We are not the same—we don’t demand

The right to wreak havoc across the land.

We don’t mock those who vote another way,

Or ridicule the faithful when they pray.

The contrast is striking, though years have gone by.

They claimed we staged an insurrection, a lie.

But someday, I’m sure the truth will be clear:

January 6 was not what they feared.

We are not the same—the line has been drawn.

By their fruits, you’ll know them, from dusk until dawn.

Jesus said it, and it still rings true:

One tree bears fruit, the other—few.

We are not the same—we preach Jesus Christ,

But never by force, nor under cover of night.

We love through rejection, hold fast to what’s true,

And follow the call God gives us to do.

You have a choice—two paths to tread:

One leads to life, the other to dread.

One is forgiving, full of love and light,

The other is bitter, cloaked in spite.

As for me, I will follow Jesus the King.

I will listen to His voice and joyfully sing.

I won’t let hate rule—I’ll give it to Him,

For that is His will for all men.

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

https://youtu.be/2qS6KGahrF4?si=NMEAH6lYz5bZiT1X

Friday, September 12, 2025

This has been a very somber and sad week as we mourn the loss of Charlie Kirk. And as I read social media posts criticizing us for not mourning the loss of a Democrat or somebody we don't agree with as much, I stand in shock. This is not a time to judge each other. Some of those posts that were put out there I didn't even know about. I do not think they are less significant. Charlie Kirk was a well known figure that touched many people. Those who he touched have the right to mourn without feeling judged for it. So in thinking of that I realized yes those Democrats that got killed matter to God. The unborn that are killed in the womb matter to God. The black person that's murdered matters to God. The white person that was slain in the subway matters to God. They ALL matter to God.

All Lives Matter to God

When people criticize us for grieving one man,

And show us others slain by a murderer's hand,

Implying we don't care for those who've died–

Oh how wrong they are. We love all lives.

All lives matter to God– not just black or white.

Race, religion– it's all the same in His sight.

In this culture shaped by social media's sway,

It's easy to assume and misjudge what we say.

All lives matter to us who love Jesus Christ.

When one of our own dies, it cuts like a knife.

Losing someone close, tears you up inside.

That's why we grieve for this precious man who died.

It's not that we don't care for others now gone;

We've grieved their absence all along.

But let us weep in peace without accusation–

And use words of comfort not condemnation.

This isn't a time for name calling or taking a side,

But a time to unite and lay down our pride.

Whether you liked this man or disagreed with what he said,

I would hope you wouldn't have ever wished him dead.

He is gone now after fighting a good fight.

His loss is felt– but not his alone in God's sight.

Every life, every child is precious and dear.

God cherishes every single life and holds them near.

So when you post pictures of others who have died,

And question why for them we haven’t cried–

It’s not that we did not care or mourn their fate,

But we did not know them--but still our grief resonates.

All lives matter– Christian, atheist, Republican, Democrat

Jesus died for each one of them right there where they're at.

And all lives matter to us as we reach the world for Christ.

Praying many will see His love and His light.

God desires none to perish, none to be lost.

So we choose to love, no matter the cost.

We endeavor to reach the world and make our enemies a friend

As God reconciles the entire earth to Him.

Thursday, September 11, 2025

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.

Wednesday, September 10, 2025

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.

Sunday, September 7, 2025

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.

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.

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

Simple Devotions