Chains of our own making – v3

Seeking their approval,
From the crowd, the chorus,
Carrying heavy weights,
Chains of our own making,
Not being at peace, centered,
Fearing the judgment of man,
Not the approval of God…
 
Seeking acknowledgement,
Credit for our giving, our charity,
Our empty gestures, appearance,
An affect, a charade, a canard,
All about the optics, the praise,
Fearing the judgment of man,
Not the approval of God…
 
Lost, self-centered, striving,
For attention, for earthy praise,
Applause for our weak efforts,
Credit for the lies we tell ourselves,
In these moments, our actions,
Fearing the judgement of man,
Not the approval of God…
 
Too many are actors on the stage,
Playing a part, seeking applause,
Recognition for their every move,
They are not authentic, genuine,
giving with a servant's heart,
Only fearing the judgement of man,
Not the approval of God…
 
---------------- 
Edited May 31, 2024
Chains of our own making – v3
 
Edited May 31, 2024
Chains of our own making – v2
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2024/05/chains-of-our-own-making-v2.html
May 31, 2024
Praise is a drug
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2024/05/praise-is-drug.html
Edited May 31, 2024
Praise is fleeting – v2
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2024/05/praise-is-fleeting-v2.html
May 30, 2024
Praise is fleeting
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2024/05/praise-is-fleeting.html
May 30, 2024
Chains of our own making
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2024/05/chains-of-our-own-making.html
May 30, 2024
Bondage
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2024/05/bondage.html
Edited May 30, 2024
A trap, a snare – v2
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2024/05/a-trap-snare-v2.html
May 28, 2024
Actors
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2024/05/actors.html
May 28, 2024
The fear of man
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2024/05/the-fear-of-man.html
Edited May 28, 2024
All about the optics – v2
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2024/05/all-about-optics-v2.html
Edited May 28, 2024
Praise is an illusion – v2
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2024/05/praise-is-illusion-v2.html
Sermon May 26, 2024
“The Optics of Giving”
Pastor Peter Hubbard
North Hills Church
Based on Matthew 6:1-4
Proverbs 29:25
Luke 18:11-12
1 Timothy 6:17-19
Matthew 5:16
1 Chronicles 29:9, 11-14, 17b.
Psalm 25:15
&
Sermon May 19, 2024
“Loving our enemies”
Based on Matthew 5:38-48
&
Sermon May 12, 2024
“Stop Swearing”
Based on Matthew 5:33-37
 
All of my poems, photographs, and videos are copyrighted by Raymond A. Foss, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 202 2022, 2023, and 2024. All rights are reserved. Contact me at Ray Foss (raymondafoss@gmail.com) for usage. See all 53,000+ of my poems at www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.
 
poetry, God, Christ, Spirit, grace, faith, Matthew 6, Proverbs 29, Sermon on the Mount, giving, optics, status, actors, hypocrites,
 
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