| John Evans This is the final article for "In The Spotlight" We appreciate John Evans' labor of love over the last six years. He has been dedicated to Christian poetry and its expression. Month after month he has brought to our attention many special poems and the poets that authored them. We appreciate John and wish him well in all his future endeavors. Please continue to use his column as a great resource for your personal growth and pleasure. | ||||
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Treasure in Earthen Vessels
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*•*°²•-.,¸¸¸,.-•²°´`°²•-.,¸¸¸,.-•²°´`°²•-.,¸¸¸,.-•²°*•* Treasure in earthen vessels, Glory in jars of clay, The Holy Spirit of Promise Dwelling in man to stay, Temporal tabernacles Hosting Deity, Corruptible containers Filled with majesty, The candle of the Lord Lighting inward parts, Creator and created Reunited in the heart. -:¦:- ((*)) -:¦:- (><>) -:¦:- ((*)) -:¦:- *•*°²•-.,¸¸¸,.-•²°´`°²•-.,¸¸¸,.-•²°´`°²•-.,¸¸¸,.-•²°*•* faithwalker@gwi.net
George Thurlow
Scarborough , ME United States of America |
 John Evans |
I, by the way, away back in Oakland, CA (California, that is), was a postman too, at one time. This was back in early adulthood before my seminary and married life days; and I might have stayed with the letter-carrying had it not been for a dog at that time. Yes, you read it right--a dog! You see, I was delivering mail in a residential area, also on a summer-like winter's day, I recall, and a stray dog was following me on my rounds. When I had dropped a small package of bulbs (I thought they were) below a mailbox--because the MB was too small for it--and had gone on my way, I looked back--and there that dog had picked up the bulbs in its mouth and was running in the opposite direction with them, evidently thinking it had stolen something to eat! Now, I wasn't about to chase a dog that morning (what was I supposed to do? I had NOT been prepared for such an eventuality!) And just continued my delivering as if nothing happened. Well, I guess the would-be recipient of the package must have witnessed the whole thing and reported me downtown. I was reprimanded, though not fired, but decided, nonetheless, that mail delivering just wasn't for me. In retrospect I guess I preferred delivering The Good News of the Gospel instead--though, really, I never planned on making the PO my career. I had been to Bible College already, after all! Excuse me for getting off on "a rabbit trail!"
Speaking of "up North," the poet whose work I feature in my column today is from away up in Scarborough, Maine (I think ME stands for Maine). Wow, I'll bet it does snow a lot and gets cold up there! Well, Poet George Thurlow, the good poet I refer to, in submitting four or five poems to our library, has certainly gotten my attention. He is one gifted guy for writing poems, I want you to know. I think you'll agree as you read his "Treasure in Earthen Vessel" to your right. Another real good one, though all submitted by him are extra fine, is "Thank God for Your Problems." Maybe our founder, or "powers that be,” will place them both to the right for your enjoyment. However, I think I'll comment only on the former.
It's said that great gifts come in small packages, and, as we think of diamonds for instance, I know we all agree. Well, friends, isn't "Treasure in Earthen Vessel" one gem-of-a poem? I know that too often we as poets are given to over-indulgence in wordiness--but not so this poet and his poem! It is succinct, pithy, and poignantly to-the-point. I really like it. The only negative comment from me would be that the punctuation probably could be improved. Perhaps it would be better this way:
"Treasure in earthen vessels,
Glory in jars of clay:
The Holy Spirit of Promise
Dwelling in man to stay.
Glory in jars of clay:
The Holy Spirit of Promise
Dwelling in man to stay.
Temporal tabernacles
Hosting Deity:
Corruptible containers
Filled with majesty.
Hosting Deity:
Corruptible containers
Filled with majesty.
The candle of the Lord
Lighting inward parts:
Creator and created
Reunited in the heart."
However you cut it, though, it is very, very good, and I'm sure you say "Amen to that!" This is really the church of Jesus Christ, in a nutshell, in my opinion. Does that sound right to you? Lighting inward parts:
Creator and created
Reunited in the heart."
Probably I should quickly add about my punctuation that it this in my humble opinion, because probably I shouldn't make comment at all on this, since Poet Thurlow was given God's gift in the writing. Do forgive me, brother, if I offend!
Many poems and poets could have been featured here today in my column, but I know you all hold with me that Poet George Thurlow of Scarborough, ME, is to be commended for his excellent work for Jesus, especially for his "Treasure in Earthen Vessels"--one gem-of-a poem for sure! Thanks, dear brother, for your contributions to our library and pleasure in reading. We love you for this.
One more comment, and I'll close: Our editor in Houston, dear Juanita DeHart, has done an outstanding job of embellishing with her artistry both of these poems. I know concerning this, too, that you’ll agree. Thanks, on the side, Juanita for your consecrated gifting as well! We love you too!
God bless till next time.
I remain, your friend for good poetry,
