This is to indicate some more information about how my mind works. The poem below was written by the following process. First I constructed a list of seven defensive tactics in basketball.
This was done several weeks ago at the Neighborhood Youth Night of my church. (I've constructed 3 other lists related to basketball,
but that's another story.). Then in the last 2 weeks I constructed a list of seven spiritual analogies of these things. On 8/3/96 or
thereabouts I wrote the original poem with 7 verses, one for each of the 7 points, with the I st line indicating the item from my material existence list and 5 lines indicating the explanation of the spiritual analogy. Then I noticed that an item in my journal just before that, which was on 2 Cor 8:7, would be a good summary for each verse. Therefore, I added 2 lines to each verse (making it 8 lines per verse) and added an additional summary verse
(number 8) to round it out.
Excellent Defensive Tactics in Spiritual Basketball ( 2 Cor 8:7)
poem 8/3/96 Josie Roberts
To steal the ball you have to be fast.
To steal their thunder you have to be asked
To defend your point of view against what's been
said
And say something inspiring to show you've been
led.
Paul at Athens with their unknown God
Touched on a kernel of truth and gave God the
nod.
Faith has its spirals as we all observe,
So complete their grain of truth while showing
some verve.
To follow your opponent you have to understand
his point of view.
To follow Jesus you have to make all things new.
Take up your cross and save your soul,
Put some value on becoming whole.
Jesus with his disciples put them on the spot--
they left all and regretted it not.
Love for fellow disciples as Jesus said
Proves to the world that Jesus isn't dead.
To protect your zone you have to know what you
own.
To leave an inheritance you have to be more than
a drone.
Think long range for your children's sake.
Make friends with your wealth to increase your
take.
Your children's children will reap the rewards;
Your noble tradition they won't discard.
The grace of giving is an obscure art;
It's in the living out that you find the best
part.
To catch the rebound you have to stretch your
bones.
To catch the rebounding sinner you must know
what it's like to be alone.
Each of us repents in our own special way;
Only God may know that we did it come judgement
day.
If someone turns back and needs some help,
Help him to find that saving next step.
Don't be conceited in speech because your roles
could be switched--
Someday he may pull you up from the ditch.
To block a shot or a pass you have to move your
ass.
To bind and loose spiritual things you have to
show some class.
God doesn't lightly hand out the keys.
Prepare for some disruptions to your ecstasy.
You learn a few things by the school of hard
knocks,
So don't look down on all of life's shocks.
Complete earnestness is the only way to train
your instincts.
Don't overload yourself or you'll be jinxed.
To run down a break away you engage your 2nd
wind.
To debunk vain imaginations you look within.
Be sensitive to the meaning they're trying to
express--
Try to ease them down to earth so they don't
regress.
Widely known facts were once only imagined--
To throw the baby out with the bath water would
be tragic.
A little knowledge is a dangerous thing,
So watch that you don't become a ding-a-ling.
To double-team the opponent's best player
Is a lot like going to God in prayer.
You never know what strategy will work,
Because he and God both have their quirks.
Give yourself to God as the first step
Then put your money on the line and ask for
help.
Sing with joy in the spirit to improve your
chances.
Get in sync with God as you observe his dances.
If you've mastered the ball have you learned it
all?
If you've named your master can you think
faster?
Getting in touch with who you are
Prepares you definitely to be a star.
So light your fire and develop your desire,
Then in a clinch you won't tend to tire.
Be a part of a team to fulfill your dream
And fit into God's heavenly scheme.
