PRAY TO AVOID ERROR

 “Please, don't ya say unnecessary things, please, don't be cruel, careless, dumb, and mean. From taking things for granted, trouble springs; get smart – and on the Lord fer Wisdom Lean! Please, don't ya Magnify your troubles, man; please, put attention into what is good. The Lord kin Help ya Prosper, yes, He can – please, won't ya smile, if You have understood?“

Copyright 2016 Stephen Cromwell Gifford

SOCKING IT TO YA!

 “Attention, pilgrim, please, Dig: Now- Here-This! May Heaven's healing power make ya whole! God bless your heart with courage, faithful Soul, plus understanding, patience, peace, And Bliss!” In Jesus' name, Amen!

Copyright 2016 Stephen Cromwell Gifford

ALL TOO MANY OF US

“Just give me someone I can demonize, another one to idolize, I'm set. I know I'm right, I'm cool, I'm cute and wise, I'm sure as anyone could ever get! What I believe is fact, beyond all doubt; I'm right, and all my enemies are wrong. Reality, I don't know Much about, 'cause my attention span ain't very long! So, please, indulge and entertain me now, I'm very tired of thinking things so much. And You don't Make much Sense, bud, anyhow; I'm much too busy stayin' outta touch!”

Copyright 2016 Stephen Cromwell Gifford

LET'S SERVE THE LORD WITH KINDNESS

 “Be careful what ya pay attention to, 'cause certain things are never Good for You! Things highest, finest, best, most beautiful – who focuses on these is Dutiful. But please don't be a silly Flower child; why be by dreamy fantasies beguiled? There's sufferers who need relief today; it's time that we the Golden Rule Obey!” So let's do it!

Copyright 2016 Stephen Cromwell Gifford

THANKS!

 “So many years I knew not What-ta-Do; but now, I hope this poem's pleasing You! I Do appreciate your gift of time; may Heaven grant ta You a day sublime!”

Copyright 2016 Stephen Cromwell Gifford

TOO MANY SPICES MAKE YOU SICK

(to someone focusing on unwholesome things)

“Too much attention paid ta crazy stuff! Of bullshit, some can't seem ta get enough. Your jaded mental tongue can't taste what's sweet; what Is this cockamamie crap ya eat? Too many evils tickling your brain, and blessings disappearing down the drain! Your mental food is way too over-spiced! Why not surrender all ta Buddha-Christ?”

Note: “Paying attention to what is not is like spice for your brain food.”

Copyright 2016 Stephen Cromwell Gifford

NICE BLESSING

 “May you know Heaven's goodness here-and-now, by payin' full attention, pilgrim one! May Buddha free your heart-and-mind, and How! In You, may Heaven's perfect Will be done! May you Maintain Christ consciousness today, and serve the Lord in Everyone ya meet. And may your dreams come True, without delay, and Loving make your peace and joy complete!”

Copyright 2016 Stephen Cromwell Gifford

LET THE BUYER BEWARE!

“Beware O Buyer, stores can rob you blind! Not everybody loves you, that's a fact. No, folks can be unscrupulous, unkind; unwary innocents can those attract! Be careful, pay attention, pray ahead – yes, be prepared for liars, cheats, and thieves. Why get ripped off? Get smart instead! The one who errs will be the one who grieves!”

Copyright 2016 Stephen Cromwell Gifford

PAST-TRIPPING?

 “Why be preoccupied with things gone past? You're missing out on what is going on. So, start ta pay attention, sir, and fast!Appreciate this moment, 'fore it's gone!”

Copyright 2016 Stephen Cromwell Gifford

SAVE THE PLANET!

 “With Trump in charge, I tend ta worry some, and then I might decide I gotta Pray. Let's pray that Love ta Donald Trump will Come, that Truth is gonna Free his mind Today! Let's pray the very Same fer you and me, that Heaven's brilliant Beauty blows our minds. Let's pay attention well, and we might See... that Freedom's what the Faithful person Finds! Oh, Lord, protect us all from evil, please; enlighten everyone whose mind's in need. Lord, thanks for all the flowers, birds, and trees, and help this Planet Earth get Saved, Indeed! Amen!”

LORD!

 “To pay attention’s very smart ta do, and I’d be very smart ta trust my Mind. I’ve got the knowledge – Help Me Follow Through, and help me, Lord, ta Be ta Me more kind! Please, and Thank You!”

Copyright 2016 by Stephen C. Gifford

WHY WOULD YOU WANT TO HEAR ABOUT MY PAST?

“No fishing is allowed in that there pond, though I may volunteer a thing or two. Today I’d like to wave my magic wand, delight, inspire, and much encourage You! You see, I am a man who Loves the Lord, I Write Some Prayer Poems, every day. By many, many people, they’re ignored; but many others Read ‘em, friend, Okay? So, please, let’s focus on the here-and-now, where all the magic’s happening, ya know? Let’s pay attention, love can show us How; this miracle, the present, let’s not blow! Can ya dig it?”

Copyright 2016 by Stephen C. Gifford

RE: NO-MIND

(No-mind is a Buddhist term referring to paying attention fully, without past-tripping, future-tripping, nor being conceptual in the here-and-now)

“Now, No-mind ‘s not neglectful, no, indeed, and You can still apply yourself ta prayer. It means ya let the Holy Spirit lead – ya show yourself and others loving care!”

Copyright 2016 by Stephen C. Gifford

IMAGINING A CONVERSATION

"Student: Oh, how can I enjoy good health, dear Lord?

Teacher: Please, pay attention, here and now, okay? ’Cause spacing out ya can’t at all afford. Be truthful, kind, and careful, child, all day!”

Copyright 2016 by Stephen C. Gifford

THE LORD GIVES LOVE AND PEACE

 “If you would overcome your stubborn pride, why not in Jesus’ Spirit Vine abide? Please, pay Attention, friend, in all ya do, try not ta Think too much, please, pilgrim, Too. And Try ta find some time for sitting still; yes, Give the Lord an empty cup ta Fill. An honest prayer you will not regret; and you’ll appreciate the grace ya Get! You’re gonna Find your cup will overflow; your patience, peace, and Faithfulness will grow!” Alleluia, amen!

Copyright 2016 by Stephen C. Gifford

LOVE & PEACE vs FEARS & ANGER

 “To keep your cool, ya gotta practice peace – ahead o’ time – and pay attention well! Ta get ta feel tranquility Increase, the fears that Cause your anger, you must quell. Serenity will come, if you’ll be kind, so do your Best ta do some Good today! True peace o’ mind, you’re likely gonna find, if you will act in love, the kindly Way! Okay?”

Copyright 2016 by Stephen C. Gifford

YOU CAN ALWAYS FIND THE SAVIOR NEAR

 “Could Loving ever help ya change your mind? Could Living Truth influence you, at all? Could seeing Beauty help ya be more Kind? Could Peace and Quiet help ya hear Christ’s Call? If You can answer “yes” ta even One, please, Won’t ya Pay attention, now and here? Friend, You can find your Own salvation Done, ‘cause You can Seek… and find the Savior near….” Now, ain’t that right, pilgrim?

Copyright 2016 by Stephen C. Gifford 

HERE-NOW-THIS!

Here-Now-This!

Now, You might Dig my Rhymes, but Never Change; ya Won't, unLess ya Feel Christ's Presence Near! And Though it Might sound Hard, and Very Strange, if You git Still, he'll Cast Out EV'ry Fear! If All your Worries You would Rise aBove, if You would Leave your Doubts and Pride beHind, you'll Need ta Show your Self some Gentle Love, and Meditate a Bit, fer Peace o' Mind. And If you'd Love your Foes and Neighbors, Too, ya Must maintain that Peaceful State inSide. So Constant Prayin's What ya Gotta Do, ta Let the Holy Spirit Be your Guide! EfFective Prayer's Not just Words and Thoughts, it's Paying Good atTention All the Day, and Being Truly Grateful LOTS AND LOTS, and If you Will, you'll Find it's Gonna Pay!

Copyright 2013 Marie Louise Nickerson