Category Archives: poem

Sunshine and Shadows

Posted in God's Love, poem, Trials and Tribulation by

In the quite of the day I rise,
Only to face those who come against me,
Armed with lies and deceit.

The darkness of my trials threatens to overtake me,
Then I look up and feel a ray of sun upon my face,
Bathing in the warmth…I’m reminded of Your love and faithfulness to me.

As the enemy whispers messages of defeat and destruction,
I hold fast to the One who enables me,
To be steadfast and immovable through the power of the Holy Spirit within.

Dedicated to you…

by Susan Bunts
October 2, 2007

This morning God laid upon my heart someone facing a heavy burden and trial. As I walked into work…I closed my eyes and felt the warmth of the sun upon my face…reminding me of God’s love which chases the darkness and shadows away. When darkness threatens overtake him…it is my prayer that God will remind this precious man of His love and care for him. May he be confident in his Saviors ability to bring him through each trial and tribulation he faces.

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Far Away & Once Upon a Day

Posted in Alzheimer's, poem by

Once upon a day,
I was your mother.


Far away,
In a foreign land,
We adopted you, took you in,
Made you part of our family.


When your own mother,
Had left you, abandoned you,
To a precarious uncertain future,
I took you in.


I mothered you,
I loved you,
I supported you,
I encouraged you.


Once upon a day,
You visited,
You called,
You cared and were there…but that was before Alzheimer’s set in.


Today I forget,
Even who I am,
Thinking clearly,
A thing of the past.


I might not recognize you,
But I’ll know you,
These days I might not be able to do anything for you,
But I need you.


So far away,
Birthday, Mothers Day, even everyday,
Not a card, not a call, nor a visit,
You tell yourself it’s too hard to see me this way.


Where are you?
How long has it been?
What do you tell yourself, to ease your conscience?
Now that you’ve abandoned me!


Once upon a day,
You loved me too.


Susan Bunts
September 3, 2007


Each Sunday after church I go over to see my mom Gayle who is in an assisted living place for Alzheimer’s patients. She was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s five years ago. With the foresight of hindsight it was easy to see that she had this for sometime…it just wasn’t bad enough to interfere with her daily functioning to the point of having to take control of her care.

It seems so long ago now. These days I’m most curious as to know what’s going on in that mind of hers. As her disease has progressed she has her ability to have a conversation that makes sense has diminished. She has days where she is more with it than others…but it varies…and her ability to function continues to decline.

Recently the nurses told me that Gayle likes to write. To keep her occupied…they’ll give her a sheet of paper and pen and let her write to her heart’s content. Normally Gayle won’t let them see what she’s written. Instead she hides the paper and goes to her room, tears up the paper and throws it away. I asked if they would try to get some of those letters she writes…and they have been able to snag some of them for me. Her handwriting is at times difficult to read and her thoughts are like her conversation…some what gibberish and not always based on reality. On occasion…there will be something profound or gripping.

The above picture is from a letter I got from the nurses yesterday. Most of the letter rambles on about who knows what…but the last couple of paragraphs she kept writing “Write to me and I’ll write you back. Write to me. Write to me.”

While the person who once was my mother has all but disappeared…the above letter is all too telling.

I am most grateful that she has found favor with the nurses. She is usually rather chipper and funny. I also learned recently that Gayle likes to play Gin Rummy…and at night she plays cards with the nurses and frequently wins.

Now you have a little picture of why Gayle was kicked out of a Baptist College in her youth. Between the dancing, smoking and card playing…not to mention the boys…she wasn’t quite ready for a prim and proper existence at a Baptist College back in the 1930’s.

There are days…when Gayle is being difficult that I fully understand why my grandmother noted that Gayle got a number of spankings as a child. She still likes to push the envelope. Contrasted with her sister Joyce…Gayle was a bit of a rebel.

The above poem may express some of what Gayle feels and why at times I feel frustrated and perplexed.

So many folks don’t feel comfortable in nursing homes or assisted living places. To some extend when you enter these places you feel the pall of once vibrant healthy people…now waiting to die. Most folks that check in will die there. Honestly…I can’t say I feel comfortable there. But it’s like anything…the more you do it…the more familiar it gets.

It’s certainly not what Gayle signed up for…she is now living out her nightmare. It’s certainly not what I signed up for. But isn’t that kind of what life is like? I think we are most fortunate when we get the good stuff in addition to the stinky. Hopefully at the end of the day…the good will outweigh the bad. When the bad is overwhelming…that’s when I’m aware that God is carrying me through.

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Called

Posted in Good Shepherd, Pastoral Search, poem, Word of God by


We look to You oh Lord,
For You have a plan,
From before the foundations of our world were laid.

You alone know whom You have called,
A man who loves Your word,
Faithful to preach the truth…uncompromised.


We pray for ears to hear You,
Hearts to obey You,
Willing to follow Your lead.


We ask that You prepare our hearts,
To receive him,
Welcome the one whom you have called…into our fold.


By Susan Bunts
August 26, 2007

As the Pastoral Search Committee gave their report…I found my attention riveted. As Dean got up to speak…lets just say he had my attention. Every few months for close to two years now we’d have a report or update on the status and progress our Pastoral Search Committee. It’s been almost two years since our beloved Pastor Chuck Obremski finished well…and went home to be with our Lord.

During that time…God has prepared our hearts. He gave us time to grieve and mourn. A time to accept. A time to look to the Lord and seek His plan and timing. A time to hunger and thirst for His Word. Now it appears that time may have come to a close. While it remains in the hands of the Lord and we continue to ask for His wisdom and guidance, as we may soon have a Senior Pastor.

With state of many churches today…we are most concerned that this man whom God has called be deeply rooted and grounded in the Word of God. That he will be faithful to preach the Word…since it has the power of salvation…for all who believe.

When we look out on our church body…we don’t know who still needs to hear the Gospel message. Yet we all need the Word of God…which is able to divide soul and spirit…to comfort and convict. May we be mindful that there are ravenous wolves which seek to devour the sheep. We pray that God will bring us a shepherd who will tend to us and care for us…like the Good Shepherd.

So we wait…continue to pray for God timing, God’s plan…and the man whom God has called. Will you pray with us?

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I Desire Rain!

Posted in poem by


Oh Lord,
I feel so very small indeed.

Only silence,
Fills my days.

You dear Lord,
Seem so very far from me.

Like the dry parched land,
I desire rain.


I search, I seek,
Incline my listening ear towards Thee.

Only You know,
That which my lips I dare not utter.

My heart broken,
Requires Thy healing hand.

Like the waterless thirsty riverbed,
I desire rain.


I turn the pages,
I ask…seek Thy Spirit’s lead.

Like the wind ‘neath the eagles wing,
I pray Thy Spirit will carry me.

A miracle is needed,
Nothing short thereof.

I search the sky, no cloud in sight,
I desire rain.


By Susan Bunts
August 18, 2007

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The Hand of God

Posted in Divine Appointment, Hand of God, Mercy, poem by

It’s a miracle, declares man,
Amazing…that more did not perish.

But from the throne room of heaven,
Our God dispatches a host of angels to carry out His plan.

Just seconds earlier or a few feet further,
The loss would have been unimaginable…incomprehensible.

In the unseen world, legions of angels are dispatched,
Their hour of work is now at hand.

An unseen hand is outstretched,
Braces a vehicle or nudges it just a bit further.

It teeters on a precipice,
Yet it will not plummet into the mighty Mississippi tonight.

He raises up men,
Draws forth courage in those we will soon call heroes.

Untold scores will walk away,
Utter why me and consider God’s purpose and plan.

For those souls called home,
To their appointed time…we pray.

Until we enter heaven’s gates,
The full extent of his mercies will remain unknown.

In God’s hand may we rest securely, ever mindful,
Our divine appointment approaches closer with each passing day.

By Susan Bunts
August 2, 2007

For images of this compelling human tragedy…please see the photo essay at the Minneapolis Star Tribune or Fox News.

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Dear Dissension

Posted in Attack from the enemy, Body of Christ, Critical Spirit, poem, Spiritual Warfare by

Dear Dissension,

It is with great eagerness that I commend you,
For your effective division,
Of the body of Christ.

As you know,
It is my deepest desire to see,
Those once on fire for Christ no longer a threat to my kingdom of darkness.

Good work…job well done
Your methods ever so clever,
Stealth…undetected…quite easily they follow your lead.

An effective mix,
Of genuine issues blended with personal opinion,
Lead them down the primrose path and soon we’ll see a critical spirit in full bloom.

Tread lightly,
Careful you must be…so as not to alert them,
Of our true mission to bring dishonor to their King.

May they not see their transgression,
Nor be repentant…and seek forgiveness of their sin,
Press onward…what’s a little gossip and slander…when carefully hidden as constructive criticism.

Dissension…be sure to blind them,
Veil their eyes, so they may not see,
May they not grow stronger by the reading God’s Word.

May they forget about prayer,
Or battling this war upon on their knees,
Calling upon their God will only bring our much hated foe…to battle by their side.

Throw out the bait,
Hook them with dissatisfaction,
Reel them in with discontent.

Divide them, conquer them,
Big or small, young or old…it matters not,
Use music, or style or even their precious translations to divide.

May they not be like their God,
Who looks upon the heart,
Instead may they only dwell upon that which their flesh can see and hear.

Divide them,
Scatter them,
Send them to the four winds.

My deepest desire,
To see that beacon…that bright and shining light upon the hill,
Extinguished…so I can take countless more souls to hell!

Insincerely yours…the enemy of their souls!

By Susan Bunts – July 17, 2007

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Hand It Over

Posted in poem, Sharing the Gospel, Word of God by

Hand it over…Preacher boy,
Step away from the Gospel.


That’s good…now make them believe,
It’s their character,
Their righteousness that saves them,
Not the righteousness of Christ.


Never let them know the truth,
That there is no one righteous, no not one,
That their salvation was bought and paid for,
Through the blood of Jesus when He died on the cross.


Make them believe,
The wisdom of men,
Which speaks of works righteousness,
Not the holy, perfect, acceptable sacrifice of Christ Jesus alone.


Let them hear stories,
Instead be inspired by heroes and stories of men,
Hush…they needn’t know the truth,
That the Word of God alone can heal their broken lives.


Perhaps there is one not yet saved,
Who does not yet know the power of the Holy Spirit,
Of One who convicts men of sin,
Or the One who can transform their lives…by His power within.


Let them rest comfortably,
Seeking integrity in the eyes of men,
Share not the Gospel message, no nary a word,
Lest they be saved…a new creation in Christ


Good work,
Job well done…
Christ was not mentioned,
Not a whisper of promised assurance…forgiveness of their sin.


Preacher man…do not loose heart,
Nor feel you’ve betrayed,
The Gospel of Christ,
To a world not yet saved.


Insincerely yours,
The enemy!


By Susan Bunts
July 1, 2007

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A Little Something

Posted in Bible Study, Biblical Ignorance, Compromised Church, poem, Uncategorized by

Today we learned a little something,
About God,
Now…let me tell you why I weep.

When I hear quotes from the wisdom of man,
In place of godly counsel from the Word of God,
Then I weep.

When I hear stories about some man made superhero,
Instead of Bible history…tales of men transformed by the power of God,
Then I weep.

When I hear scripture overly simplified,
Rather than digging deep into the bountiful treasure of the Word of God,
Then I weep.

When I see the church swept downstream into today’s culture,
Instead of offering the Way to come up higher,
Then I weep.

When I forget that my salvation is a work of God,
Not of man…whose works are as filthy rags,
Then I weep.

When I see the church effortlessly float downstream,
Instead of exercising faith building study in the Word of God,
Then I weep.

When I partake of cotton candy that melts in my mouth,
Instead of chewing on the meat of God’s word,
Then I weep.

When I see interest waning,
Instead of excitement building at the study of God’s Word,
Then I weep.

When I neglect the Word of God,
Set it aside for something more palatable to my weakened and sinful mind,
Then I weep.

When I, in ignorance, neglect God’s character and lay aside His instruction,
I unknowingly strip God of His power in my life,
Then I weep.

When I fail to learn and abide by what God says is right,
And I unwittingly invite sin to creep its way back into my life,
Then I weep.

When I allow my life to be ordinary,
An example to none,
Then I weep.

When I choose to live,
A settled for life,
Then I weep.

When I think I’m saved,
But my life is not changed, transformed by the power of Holy Spirit,
Then I weep.

When I allow the light within me to be dimmed,
My life not salty, lacking in savor and good for nothing,
Then I weep.

When I’m indwelt by the Holy Spirit,
But not daily filled to live by the power of God,
Then I weep.

When I strip God of His power,
Quench the Spirit’s work within me because of easy and lazy unbelief,
Then I weep.

When I fail to learn about God,
His mighty and transforming work in the lives of sinful man,
Then I weep.

When I neglect the work of His hands,
Forgetting His deeds of old and His ability and desire to do the same today,
Then I weep.

When I forget that by His Word that He spoke everything into existence,
When I’m hard pressed to tell you the Ten Commandments, much less live by them,
Then I weep.

When I don’t know of God’s faithfulness,
And forget about His deliverance of Israel time and time again,
Then I weep.

When I think that Jesus came to show us how to live,
Instead of to die, the only worthy propitiation for my sins,
Then I weep.

Today we learned a little something about God,
Today I fear that instead…we learned that God is a little something,
Thus today I weep.

By Susan Bunts
June 24, 2007

This poem is dedicated to those with whom I share a passionate concern about the church today and the body of Christ. Donna and Jay Hoyt…you two come to mind first and foremost. Thank you for your uncompromising faithful love of the Word of God…and the souls of men…so that all may come to repentance. It should be noted that the title of this poem is inspired by comments by Beth Moore that when we do a “little study about God”, we instead make God a “little something”.

I find myself increasingly distressed by today’s church. One that settles for the stories of man, instead of the diligently studying of God’s Word. I fear that we are being influenced by today’s culture rather than impacting the culture around us for Christ. No longer are our lives transformed by the power of God. If we continue to settle for stories of men rather then insist on being taught and diligently studying the Word of God, then we will continue to live ordinary and ineffective lives. Our lives and our work will come to naught unless we are transformed by the Word of God and the work Holy Spirit within us. Only then we can be mighty instruments in the hand of a holy, righteous, just and powerful God. God…Who is an all consuming fire.

When we live the settled for life, when we try to live life based upon our own power, instead of yielding to Christ Jesus within, we will not impact the culture in any effective way. Unsaved persons will see nothing desirous in our lives that will cause them to seek Jesus. When I’m doing the same thing as the unbeliever sitting next to me…that doesn’t speak well of my religion.

I weep at the “settled for” Christian life. I believe that when I get to heaven, I will be grieved as I look at the lost opportunities and look at a life that was far from victorious.

I see the church today…along with our culture….trying to bring God down to our level. Our churches almost apologetically ask parishioners to turn in their Bible to the passage that they will be studying. Topical sermons can’t take the place of genuine Bible study. Don’t get me wrong…because one of my favorite Pastors, Charles Stanley, is a topical preacher. When he preaches you are getting fed the Word of God…and it’s not dumbed down. But I wonder…how many Pastors preach topical sermons…because of the challenge that straight Bible study presents?

It’s odd…but I think it both funny and sad when Pastors say “if you have your Bible with you, please turn to page…”. For Pete’s sakes…if you are at church or a Bible study…you should have your Bible with you. Yes…there may be some new folks that don’t have their Bible with them…visitors who didn’t bring their Bible or persons who don’t know Christ. But the church should have Bibles on hand for them to use and participate with.

I think of my own dear beloved Pastor Chuck Obremski…if you left your Bible at home or forgot it…you can be sure you’d get a verbal swat upside the head. Chiding in a good natured and playful fashion…but one that was also serious. He was someone to hold our feet to the fire. If not our Pastor…then pray tell whom?

I think we’ve forgotten how awesome is our God. He is holy…so much so that the angels proclaim “Holy, holy, holy is the Lord God Almighty, who was, and is, and is to come.” He can not be contained, nor tamed. Try as we might…He will not be brought down to our level. He is all powerful…one little word from Him…and it is so.

It’s easy to forget the awesome magnificence of God…when I fail to study His word. It’s also convenient…because if I don’t know what His word says…then I’m okay with living however I want to. The conviction of the Holy Spirit isn’t quite as loud when I don’t study God’s Word. It also means I don’t have to speak up when I see someone around me living a life that is sinful before God. I’m not obligated to warn them…if I don’t know what God says in His word. After all…speaking God’s word…to someone living in sin can make for some uncomfortable times. But my discomfort in doing so, is momentary in relation to the possible eternal consequences that person may face if they die without accepting Jesus Christ and His sacrifice on the cross for their sins.

I find myself grieved when I look at the state the church today…especially in the American culture. If I this sinful wretch of a human being feels that way…what must God feel?

We have been given a treasure beyond measure…the Word of God. It is eternal…as are the souls of men. Ought I not be treating both with the seriousness and reverence that Jesus Christ does?

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