Silk stocking filled with mud was Talleyrand.
With the future of France held in his hand,
He played kibitzer-informed cards with skill,
Maneuvering a Congress to his will.
There once was a Marquis named Talleyrand,
Who loved ladies and a fine sarabande
Smarts from ladies gained as a teen
Helped him escape the guillotine,
Surviving four regimes as he had planned.
Vested in priestly garb this backslidden Bishop
Chose diplomacy over baptism and hyssop.
Though Talleyrand walked with congenital limp,
He was never known as a diplomatic wimp.
What she might have been was hidden
Beneath self-destruction and depression
Despair so black it silenced light, war-ridden
Life without purpose, true love forbidden
Leaving darkest doubt lost in the impression
What she might have been was hidden
Her emotions, joy and hope, bedridden
A hole in her soul reflects every transgression
Despair so black it silenced light, war-ridden
Wonders in tears, promise of love, backslidden
Suicide whispering like a taunting obsession
What she might have been was hidden
Love cried out to her but she simply didn’t
Hear its voice – its feeling a wonderous confession
Despair so black it silenced the light, war-ridden
The music of prayers erasing suspicions, unbidden
Warring inside her, awful confusion and aggression
What she might have been was hidden
Despair so black it silenced the light, war-ridden
Do you know people who base their opinions of others solely—
or primarily—on their worst actions and words, some of which
may have occurred years ago? People who think this way may
get around to seeing the best in others, but these positive thoughts
will run a distant second to the negative.
Think now. Are YOU one of those people? Have you ever been?
Confession: I once was. I am—and was then--a Christian, one who
caught herself thinking of people at their worst: “Oh, I remember
that time he . . . .” God convicted me of my hypocrisy, reminding
me of my worst, making me realize that being judged FIRST by all
the negatives is so hurtful and unfair. I prayed, “God, when I am guilty
of harsh judging, please ZAP me with memories of those times when I
was SO backslidden!”
Prayer works! Instances of zapping have steadily decreased.
Date: January 23, 2019
Contest Title: Plucking the Poisonous Parrot
Sponsor:Maureen McGreavy
When backslidden Christians repent and are back firmly in the fold,
some believers rejoice with them, while doubters cast looks haughty and cold.
God, please remind them that anyone, through YOU, can break evil's hold.
posted May 27, 2018
revised June 6, 2018, and entered in Silent One's When Three Lines Are
So Much Better Contest
A Backslidden Brother…
I have a brother, who once loved God and his word!
It was God’s call on his life, that he once heard!
He was raised in church and taught God’s ways!
And promised to serve him all of his days!
But, as he grew older, he began to really doubt.
What God’s purpose of salvation was about!
He began to deny the power of the cross.
And refused to believe that ANY were lost!
He twisted God’s word, into his own meaning!
Very soon, m any lies, he was now believing!
He wrote to friends about his new found belief.
He had a new found storytelling with no relief!
How did this brother turn from God so fast?
Why does he believe these lies? Others asked!
As time went by, this brother became confused…
It was him, not God, who slowly began to lose!
In a matter of time, his life began to “fall apart.”
As deception slowly crept into his stubborn heart!
God’s truth, that he rejected, can set him free!
And turn his life around! For all eternity!
We all need to love and serve God from within!
And accept his total forgiveness of sin!
God’s word is true! And will never be put to shame!
May we NEVER forget the power in his name!
By Jim Pemberton
I’ve been up and I’ve been down.
I’ve been strung out in the gutter somehow.
I’ve been hungry and yes I have eaten.
I’ve been rich and I’ve been poor.
I’ve been married and I’ve been single.
Everyday People Common People:
I’ve been saved and I’ve been backslidden.
I’ve been healed and I’ve been bedridden.
I have loved and I have hated.
I have gone too fast and I have waited.
I have talked and I have listened.
I have been anti-social and I did mingle.
Regular People Everyday People:
I have been cool headed and I have gone off:
I did and didn’t cover my mouth when I coughed.
I’ve been the life of the party and I have been
the black sheep.
I’ve been bold and I have been afraid shielding my
head when I sleep.
I’ve been disrespectful, respectful and respected.
I’ve been thrown to the curb and rejected.
I’ve been happy and I’ve been sad.
I’ve been bad and I’ve been good.
I’ve been content and I’ve been mad.
I’ve come to realize all the time God is good.
Everyday Extraordinary People Ordinary People:
Some people of God will be led astray
All because, they didn't continue to pray,
Pray every minute, every second, every hour of the day
Then you won't go down the wrong way.
Pastor told you time and time again
That you can't even be friends,
Friends with the devil cause he's a snake
If you do that, that's your first mistake.
You can't defeat him without no power
He'll beat you every time in every hour,
He'll keep you in a backslidden state
He'll even have you thinking your not a fake.
Only listen to the true words of God
Then you want be consider a fraud,
Keep fasting and praying and you'll stay
And then you won't be easily Led Astray.