When I looked at this picture I was fascinated by the gentleman’s stoicism, despite being uncoupled from his body! Then it struck me…John the Baptist had this problem. He’d sent word out to his cousin (Jesus) to spring him from the King Herod’s dungeons and got this reply -via messenger-from Jesus….”the blind see, the lame walk, the lepers are cured, the deaf hear, the dead are raised to life, and the Good News is being preached to the poor. And tell him, ‘God blesses those who do not turn away because of me.‘ “ And then his head was chopped off and served on a silver tray. So, this speaks volumes to me about attitude…you’ve just got to adopt and maintain a good one…especially at the worst of times. (Matthew 11:5, Matthew 14:3-12)
Salvation comes in many ways
(tests and persecutions)
..even to the point
of losing your head
(for a birthday present)
-like John the Baptist here
Hold the faith
-shun the embrace of fear
Face forward, chin up and
most of all
show graciousness to your enemies
-never forgetting to raise your hat
with good cheer!
©Vivian Zems
Real Toads- Camera Flash 55- a poem in 55 words
November 4, 2018 at 3:36 am
I love this! Harkening back to New testament times yet, right here in today. Show graciousness to your enemies….good thought!
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November 4, 2018 at 11:24 pm
Amen! Thanks, Toni!
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November 4, 2018 at 4:58 am
I really liked how you drew inspiration from such a surreal image and created something optimistic.
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November 4, 2018 at 11:24 pm
Thanks, Nitin 🙂
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November 4, 2018 at 8:19 am
Brilliant! You used the improbable prompt picture to confirm the teaching of the Bible! You can’t do much better than that!
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November 4, 2018 at 11:23 pm
Thank you! 🙂
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November 4, 2018 at 8:46 am
The tone in this one really cracked me up.. but you make a very good point about how to face adversity!
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November 4, 2018 at 11:23 pm
Thanks Kerry! …always with a smile!
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November 4, 2018 at 10:06 am
That’s three of us who referenced the story of Salome and John the Baptist. I like the way you explain salvation in this poem and the conversational tone is brilliant, Viv!. I like the ending!
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November 4, 2018 at 11:21 pm
Thanks Kim! It was a fun write 🙂
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November 4, 2018 at 2:23 pm
Love the message in this gorgeous poem, Viv! ❤️
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November 4, 2018 at 11:20 pm
Thanks, Sanaa!
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November 4, 2018 at 3:22 pm
We both went back to John the Baptist… love how you took this from hist perspective.
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November 4, 2018 at 11:20 pm
Thank you! I liked your too!
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November 4, 2018 at 8:30 pm
This is a great take on the photo Vivian.
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November 4, 2018 at 11:19 pm
Thanks, Linda!
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November 4, 2018 at 8:55 pm
Good advice.
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November 4, 2018 at 11:19 pm
🙂 thanks!
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November 5, 2018 at 12:02 am
Nice, Vivian. You stuck with the Message, great! Mine was more of a take-off.
..
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November 5, 2018 at 12:09 am
Thanks, Jim!
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