Poems for the Pastor

Phipps

• Publisher: Resource Publications
• Year: 2008
• eBook ISBN: 9781498275651
• Topic: Theology & Religion
• Subtopic: Religion

As a pastor, have you ever had a loss of words during those many trying moments in your ministry, when you found it difficult to express your true feelings? All of us have! Maybe the loneliness of being a pastor has, at times, simply overwhelmed you and you search for someone, anyone to offer you words of comfort and encouragement. Possibly, you've been without words to comfort those who are grieving or experiencing a deep hurt. Many times it could have been your own grief or deep hurt. Pastor Phipps, like any other pastor, has been there many times and he has a deep burden for all of you facing the many challenges of the pastorate. He wrote Poems for the Pastor to offer you special words of encouragement, words of hope, words of healing, and words you can share with others within your flock who need them the most. May these simple lines of verse, uniquely interwoven through Scripture, be a blessing to you, your family, and those under your tender care.

The Hope

Four years later, on September 16, 2007, Diane lost her courageous battle, and my beloved wife of thirty-four years went home to be with the Lord. She did so, however, in glorious fashion.

About four weeks earlier, when she knew she was in trouble, she awoke in her hospital room with a keen sense of peace about her. She calmly looked over to me and said, “Good morning. You know what I saw last night? An angel! ”

Of course, I asked her if she had been dreaming, and she replied, “No! I was wide awake, and saw him standing at the foot of the bed! He said nothing, yet gave me the sweetest look.”

A few hours before she passed away, my daughter and I were in her room holding her hands. She labored with her breathing and could barely speak. Yet, somehow, she was able to turn to me and strongly proclaim, “Trumpets! I hear trumpets! Don’t you hear them? ” Five times she repeated this statement!

In both instances, Diane certainly gave living reality to those precious words, “I will never leave you nor forsake you! ” Through it all she taught me a valuable lesson, which is reflected in this next poem.

The Most Important

I held her hand, as she struggled for dear life;

I thought of great moments I had spent with my wife.

Hundreds, maybe thousands, they were all in a swirl;

the special ones, however, began to unfurl.

Those romantic encounters sensually filling the air;

the soft kisses and embraces that removed every care.

Her holding my hand as we walked in the night;

on a bench, eating ice cream, watching sailboats in flight.

The excitement and fear as three children she gave birth;

yet the pain and the anguish bore riches of true worth.

The plays, the concerts, the games they would play,

we watched with great joy as we cherished each day.

Santorini sunsets, as we dined o’er the sea;

can’t remember the meal, only her eyes watching me.

Viewing whales and otters from the coast of Carmel;

how her heart filled with bliss, it was easy to tell.

What was most important of all the precious times?

Of the moments in life, what towered in her mind?

Was it camping around a fire in crisp, night air?

Was it cruising the Caribbean, with time unaware?

Then in the darkness, her labored voice began to untangle,

as she whispered “...

Table of contents

• Title Page
• The Church
• The Pastor
• The Funeral
• The Pain
• The Hope
• The Commitment
• The Advent
• The Patriot
• The Observance