The Legacy of the Watch

My son, do not forget my teaching, but keep my commands in your heart, for they will prolong your life many years and bring you peace and prosperity. Proverbs 3:1-2

On his seventieth birthday, Artur gave his two sons, Daniel and Pedro, the same gift: a worn copy of his old book of Proverbs and the wristwatch he had worn for fifty years.

“In this book,” Artur said, with the serene voice of one who has lived what he speaks, “is the secret to making the watch run for a long time. Do not forget my teachings; keep good principles in your heart. They are not just rules; they are the instruction manual for a long and peaceful life.”

Daniel, the older son, an ambitious and pragmatic lawyer, smiled politely. He loved his father but considered his faith something quaint, almost folkloric. To him, “years of life and peace” were the result of a good health plan, solid investments, and a powerful network of contacts. He placed the book on a shelf, like a relic, and focused on his relentless career.

Pedro, the younger son, a history teacher, received the gift with reverence. He saw in his father not a wealthy man, but the most prosperous man he knew. Artur possessed a serenity that money could not buy. Pedro decided to take the “instruction manual” seriously.

The years passed, and the brothers’ paths became a study in contrasts.

Daniel built an empire. He worked eighteen hours a day. His law was the contract; his commandments were the quarterly targets. He did not forget deadlines, but he forgot birthdays. His schedule was impeccable, but his health began to fail. Peace was a luxury he could not afford. Chronic stress brought him hypertension. Rushed fast food gave him gastritis. Sleepless nights became his norm. At forty-five, his body began to demand payment for a life lived in a constant state of alert, far from peace. He had “very long days” in the sense of a full schedule, but the quality of those days was poor.

Pedro, on the other hand, kept his father’s commandments in his heart. He understood that the “law” was not about religiosity, but about principles for living. He honored the day of rest, not out of obligation, but because he understood that his body and mind needed repose. He was generous with his time and resources, which freed him from the anxiety of greed. He cultivated his relationships with his wife and children with the same dedication he prepared his lessons, which brought him a deep joy. He ate in moderation, walked in the park, and his nights were filled with deep sleep.

One day, Daniel suffered a minor heart attack in the middle of a meeting. The scare forced him onto medical leave. Confined to his luxurious but cold house, he felt like a prisoner. His partners saw him as a liability; his children barely knew him. Loneliness was his only companion.

Pedro went to visit him. He did not bring moral lessons; he just sat beside him.

“How do you do it?” Daniel asked, his voice weak. “You seem… at peace.”

Pedro glanced at the watch on his wrist; the same one his father had given him. “I just tried to follow the instruction manual, Dani.”

“What manual? That little book of fables?” Daniel spat the words with bitterness.

“No,” Pedro said calmly. “The manual that teaches that forgiveness is healthier than resentment. That generosity lightens the soul. That rest is not laziness, it is wisdom. That loving God and people brings a kind of peace that no multimillion-dollar contract can guarantee. Dad’s commandments were not about earning heaven; they were about how to live well on earth.”

Daniel fell silent. He had conquered the world but had lost his health and his peace. He had years of life ahead of him, but what kind of life would it be?

That afternoon, after Pedro had left, Daniel stood up with difficulty. He walked to his imposing bookshelf, filled with law and economics books. In the corner, covered in dust, was the small book of Proverbs. He opened it.

He began to read, not as a skeptical lawyer, but as a sick man searching for a remedy. And, for the first time, he understood that his father’s teachings were not a prison, but the key to freedom. The freedom of a long life, yes, but a life filled with peace.

(Made with AI)

Reaching the Limit

In our lives, we always seek to be strong and stand for everything,

We prefer not to demonstrate, even if we are in some tightening.

We keep going and charging with us our pain and suffering,

Avoid talking about it, then, no one knows what we are living.

 

No matter how strong we are, we cannot stand anymore,

We will reach our limit and everything we feel we will show.

Because of that behavior, many people will be surprised,

They will be impressed by how we could hold this long time.

 

And as expected, many people come to us to criticize,

They will say everything is soft and we must stop crying.

They will say this because they do not understand us,

They do not have empathy and do not see the problem like us.

 

These critics will not help us to improve absolutely anything,

Instead, it is something to make our sadness more distressing.

During this time, we feel extremely lonely,

Because we ask for help, and they criticize our suffering.

 

At this moment, we must remember That one who can help us,

That one who raises and hugs us, and in everything He helps us.

The Lord Jesus is the Unique who will never criticize or abandon,

His help is always available, and forever on our side, He is going on. 

This poem is part of the book Life Through the Words.

See the book:

https://books2read.com/u/bQpQ7d

Is Christianity Relevant to the World Today?

I am a Christian, and lately, I have been asking myself this question. It is not because I have stopped believing in God and in the marvelous grace of His salvation. My faith is very firm.

So, what is the purpose of the question?

This question came to my mind after a post I saw on Reddit. It went something like this:

A screenshot of an online conversation, where one person expressed sadness upon learning that Japan had a very low number of Christians. Another person responded by comparing some social indicators of Japan with those of the United States. And indeed, the Asian country without Christianity was doing much better than the “country with a Christian majority.”

I confess that I had never thought about this issue, because for me, being Brazilian and living in a country where the name of God is on the currency, and the name of Jesus is everywhere, it seemed that Christianity made some difference in the countries where it is the dominant religion. But after a slightly deeper analysis, I realized that there is no difference at all. In some cases, Christian-majority countries are worse off than countries with other majority religions or no religion at all.

I know this idea might seem absurd and nonsensical, but let us consider a few points. Analyze them by thinking about the people you know and other data you are familiar with.

• How many politicians who call themselves Christians are involved in crimes?
• How many Christian couples are involved in infidelity or divorce?
• Does the judicial system in Christian-majority countries seem to be more just and function better?
• Do Christian-majority societies have a genuine concern for the needy?
• Are there fewer lies in countries with a Christian majority?

For me, all the answers are NO. And so, we arrive at the point of the title: unfortunately, Christianity is not relevant to society, at least not as an organized religion and institution.

And after this conclusion, comes the big question: How did we get to this point?

I believe there is no simple and direct answer to this. However, if we go back to the Bible, we will find several clues.

Salt of the Earth and Light of the World

Matthew 5:13 You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled underfoot. 14 “You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden.15 Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house.16 In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.

The message in the text is very clear: you (Christians) must make a difference in the world. You are salt, you are light, and your good works must be known. Christ was incisive in His words and actions. He did not come to create a new organized religion that lives on appearances and titles. He came to bring God’s salvation to the world. And His disciples must follow in His footsteps.

Jesus was not afraid of the dominant system or the religious majority. He did what needed to be done without worrying about people’s opinions or His popularity.

And in the present day, what do we see?

People who adapt the Gospel to the politically correct and socially acceptable standard. An example of this is the unwavering defense of modern capitalism. Christians find it completely normal to accumulate limitless wealth while others live in misery. And when someone disagrees, they are called a communist, far-left, and other political labels. People have forgotten what love for one’s neighbor and compassion mean.

Another very striking example is the normalization of lying. Go to a supermarket and read some labels. It is highly likely that you will find promises that are blatant lies. And for society, it is all fine; no one cares. It is just the free market; the economy needs to grow.

Regarding the inertia of Christians, some time ago, I heard a sermon where the pastor said that modern Christians lean on Ephesians 2:8-9 to escape hard work.

Ephesians 2:8 For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— 9 not by works, so that no one can boast.

People have repeated this so much that they have convinced themselves they do not need to do anything in this world. This is a huge contrast to the Christians of the past who played extremely important roles in society. John Newton was a former slave trader who fought avidly for the end of this trade. Many educational and medical institutions were founded by Christian churches. There are many philanthropic organizations maintained by churches.

Those who work have read the continuation of the text in Ephesians.

Ephesians 2:10 For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.

The complete text says that we are not saved by works, but by the grace of God. And after that, we should do the good works that God has already prepared for us. If we think about it a little, we know what our gift is; we just need to get moving to use it.

I believe at this point we already understand why Christianity has not been relevant in the world. Christians are not fulfilling their role as the light of the world and the salt of the earth. The Christian life has become a title with some predefined rites. Follow the manual and everything is fine:

• Accept the world as it is;
• You do not need to do anything;
• Good works do not save anyone;
• Go to church as much as you can;
• Evangelizing is optional;
• And many other lies…

A Christian can, in fact, live like this, but on Judgment Day, they might hear:

Matthew 7:21 “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. 22 Many will say to me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name and in your name drive out demons and in your name perform many miracles?’ 23 Then I will tell them plainly, ‘I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!’”

The words are harsh, yet real. Do a self-assessment to understand if you are living institutionalized Christianity or if you are living the Kingdom of God.

Institutional Christianity may have lost its relevance, but the Gospel of Christ never does. When Christians decide to live as authentic disciples—loving, serving, being just and compassionate—the Kingdom of God is once again perceived as a transformative force in the world.

Gifting

We got satisfied when we receive something,

We love when we are gifted,

We love when our desires are fulfilled.

 

Gaining something makes us feel important,

We feel that we are dear and beloved,

By other people, we are being remembered.

 

The gifts are a demonstration of love,

They show that we are worthy of attention,

They say that we deserve consideration.

 

As we receive love from others,

We must also demonstrate our love and honor,

We must give others our grace and favor.

 

We must seed that we already have received,

We do not need to start with something material,

We can begin visiting sick people at a hospital.

 

We can give a piece of attention to someone,

Bringing a little joy to a lonely person,

Showing that they can count on someone.

 

We can donate our time to hear,

Being attentive to what the other wants to say,

The inner healing, this can generate.

 

We can also dedicate ourselves to others,

Helping them with their necessities,

Small actions produce huge felicity.

 

Another manner of helping is through prayer,

Presenting to God the requirements of someone,

This sacrifice is more valuable than a precious stone.

 

The recognition can be shown with money,

Donating and helping those are more needed,

They will feel immensely blessed.

 

These were only some examples of seeds,

There are many fields where they can be planted,

They wait for someone for sowing them.

 

Do your best to improve the world,

God always does His best for everyone,

Let us try to imitate Him with our best effort.

This poem is part of the book Words of Faith.

See the book:

https://books2read.com/u/meLvPr

The Harvest of the Firm Land

Thus you will walk in the ways of the good and keep to the paths of the righteous. For the upright will live in the land, and the blameless will remain in it; but the wicked will be cut off from the land, and the unfaithful will be torn from it. Proverbs 2:20-22

Mateus and Vitor started in the same place: a small rented room, two second-hand desks, and a shared dream of building the best logistics company in the region. They were friends, talented, and hungry for success. But their moral compasses pointed in opposite directions.

Vitor was the master of shortcuts.

“The market is a jungle, Mateus. Either you eat, or you get eaten,” he would say, as he signed a contract with a supplier of questionable quality who offered him a generous “commission.” He paid below-market wages, promised delivery times he knew were impossible to meet, and considered taxes a “suggestion” to be creatively circumvented.

Mateus, on the other hand, followed a slower, steeper path. He refused to pay bribes, invested in training and safety equipment for his team, and made a point of paying every penny of his taxes.

“I’m building something to last, not to get rich overnight,” he would explain, as he lost another client to Vitor’s impossibly low prices.

For the first five years, the world seemed to prove Vitor right. He drove an imported car, bought a penthouse with an ocean view, and was on the cover of local business magazines as the “bold entrepreneur” who had cracked the code to success. Mateus, meanwhile, still lived in the same house, drove the same car, and reinvested every profit into improving his company. To many, he was seen as naive, a dreamer who did not understand how the “real world” worked.

The starkest difference was in their company cultures. At “Vitor Log,” employee turnover was extremely high. The atmosphere was one of mistrust and fear. The drivers, pressured by unrealistic deadlines, committed traffic violations and were involved in accidents. The clients, attracted by the low prices, soon became frustrated with constant delays and damaged goods. Vitor’s company was a glittering but fragile house of cards.

At “Alliance Logistics,” Mateus’s company, the atmosphere was different. His team was loyal. He knew every employee by name, knew about their families, their struggles. His clients were faithful because they knew Mateus’s word was his guarantee. His company grew slowly, but its roots ran deep into firm soil: the land of integrity.

The storm came in the form of a major federal inspection, sweeping through the transportation sector in search of fraud and tax evasion. It was followed by a recession that shrank the market drastically.

Vitor’s empire was the first to crumble. The fines from the inspection were astronomical. With his reputation tarnished, his clients disappeared. Under pressure, he could not honor payments to his “partner” suppliers, and the dishonest practices that once benefited him now turned against him. In less than six months, “Vitor Log” declared bankruptcy. Vitor was uprooted from the land he thought he owned, his name now synonymous with fraud.

“Alliance Logistics” also felt the blow. Mateus had to tighten his belt, renegotiate contracts, and work harder than ever. But something extraordinary happened. His team rallied around him, accepting temporary reductions in work hours to avoid layoffs. His oldest clients, valuing years of reliable service, not only stayed but also recommended him to others. His reputation for honesty became his most valuable asset in times of distrust.

A year later, the dust had settled. The yard of Vitor’s former company was empty, with a “For Sale” sign faded by the rain. A few miles away, Mateus’s yard was bustling. He had survived. More than that, he was thriving, occupying the space left by those who had been uprooted.

One afternoon, looking at his trucks heading out for another day’s work, Mateus understood. He was not wealthier in possessions than Vitor had been at his peak. But he was rich in something far more enduring. He had chosen the path of the righteous, and as promised, he remained. He had inherited the land. Not a piece of ground, but the firm land of peace, respect, and a legacy built to last.

(Made with AI)

Keep Believing

There is so much time since I heard your promise,

It has been an endless wait since I heard your voice.

I am waiting for everything you have said,

I am anxious to see the transformation in my way.

O Lord! I need your mighty help immediately!

All promised blessings, I want to see.

I feel that all things in my life are frozen,

I feel there is no solution for any of them.

Help me to overcome all the troubles,

Going ahead in my situation is a real struggle.

There are moments when I want to give everything up,

The problems are tough and try to tear me up.

Every day, I always do my best,

But there is no end to this test.

Lord, remember this poor and needed soul,

Act in my life and make this servant grow.

I pray and sing trying to lift my faith,

Always believing that God will make a new way.

I am sure that there is no use to complain,

Surely, complaints will not relieve my pain.

It does not matter what comes against me,

I know the Lord Almighty is for me.

Even if raising thousands of enemies,

With the Lord's help, I will be able to win.

Even all the people saying I will not be blessed,

I will not hear them; God has the final answer.

He is the only one who can decide my destiny,

And I know a river of blessing will come from Him.

As I believed, God made something great,

Where there was nothing; He created.

The Lord fulfilled all His promised words,

He showed me that He is a God of favor.

This poem is part of the book Words of Faith.

See the book:

https://books2read.com/u/meLvPr

The New Church

The pulpit is turning into a circus,

The church is not a temple anymore,

It seems more like a theater.

God, the people are not seeking,

One show is what they are wanting.

 

In the Lord, the people are not interested,

They seek a way to get enchanted.

The Gospel, they do not want to hear anymore,

They want a way to have fun more and more.

 

Jesus is shown differently,

They show one Christ modern and attractive.

One Jesus that accepts everything,

One Jesus that does not change bad things.

 

They do not matter about what will happen,

At any cost, they want to have entertainment.

The most important thing is you stay there,

About the salvation of your soul, they do not matter.

 

To save yourself, there is only one way,

We must seek the true Jesus and his ways.

It is not that one who only wants to please us.

It is that one who has something to teach us.

 

It is the Jesus who is gentle and humble,

That one who forever lives.

The true and eternal Lord,

He died to be our Savior.

This poem is part of the book Christian Poetry Volume II.

See the book:

https://books2read.com/u/mg5w0z