Season 2, Episode 9, Running Towards the Goal

19, 2-9 SHOWNOTES & COPYRIGHTS (Revised from 18, 2-18), (typo corrections 8/21/21)All of today’s poems were inspired by the writings of the Apostle Paul.Paul was a Jewish Pharisee who, as such, persecuted Christians. From the Book of Acts Chapere 9:9 Meanwhile, Saul was still breathing out murderous threats against the Lord’s disciples. He went to the high priest 2 and asked him for letters to the synagogues in Damascus, so that if he found any there who belonged to the Way, whether men or women, he might take them as prisoners to Jerusalem. 3 As he neared Damascus on his journey, suddenly a light from heaven flashed around him. 4 He fell to the ground and heard a voice say to him, “Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me?”  5 “Who are you, Lord?” Saul asked.  “I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting,” he replied. 6 “Now get up and go into the city, and you will be told what you must do.”  7 The men traveling with Saul stood there speechless; they heard the sound but did not see anyone. 8 Saul got up from the ground, but when he opened his eyes he could see nothing. So they led him by the hand into Damascus. 9 For three days he was blind, and did not eat or drink anything.  10 In Damascus there was a disciple named Ananias. The Lord called to him in a vision, “Ananias!” “Yes, Lord,” he answered.  11 The Lord told him, “Go to the house of Judas on Straight Street and ask for a man from Tarsus named Saul, for he is praying. 12 In a vision he has seen a man named Ananias come and place his hands on him to restore his sight.”  13 “Lord,” Ananias answered, “I have heard many reports about this man and all the harm he has done to your holy people in Jerusalem. 14 And he has come here with authority from the chief priests to arrest all who call on your name.”  15 But the Lord said to Ananias, “Go! This man is my chosen instrument to proclaim my name to the Gentiles and their kings and to the people of Israel. 16 I will show him how much he must suffer for my name.”  17 Then Ananias went to the house and entered it. Placing his hands on Saul, he said, “Brother Saul, the Lord—Jesus, who appeared to you on the road as you were coming here—has sent me so that you may see again and be filled with the Holy Spirit.” 18 Immediately, something like scales fell from Saul’s eyes, and he could see again. He got up and was baptized, 19 and after taking some food, he regained his strength.  (NIV)ONE THOUGHT BECAME ANOTHER (Living In God’s Rhyme, Pg. 75) He who spoke creation into existence By his word was one with God. Watching God’s creation from HeavenAs man strayed he answered God’s call. Born into his creation he became man.As one of us he did liveThat he might show the way.To those he loves, his live he did give. From the beginning he was a blessingTo all of creation, especially man.Before the beginning, beyond the endIn Jesus we have found more than a friend. We have found a SaviorWho overcomes our behavior.This man Jesus as God,By his life he has saved us. So we give thanks and praise For the life God did raiseFor the lives Jesus did saveThrough the life he gave. We now have the hope beyond our livesThat it is by God’s saving grace we do striveTo honor and praise the Almighty GodAnd the Savior Son he does...