Month: January 2013

Janet’s Baby Song

I published this song previously along with a couple others as part of a musical called Bring on the Birth.

Something
Is stirring within me
Someone
A life, beginning in me
Expanding our family of two
A child, growing in me
Could it be son?
Or maybe a daughter
Either sex will do

A child means a future
Full of hope and some dreams
A child means our family
Instead of two is now three
And though his big tomorrow
Is somehow just out of our view
With his hand in mine
He’s got a whole world to choose

I can feel my baby growing
He dances and kicks and more
I wonder what he will be like
What does he have in store?
For the world in awe which greets him
Amazed at his perfect small hands
Welcomes a wondrous baby
And gently by one expands

A child means a future
Full of hope and some dreams
A child means our family
Instead of two is now three
And though his big tomorrow
Is somehow just out of our view
With his hand in mine
He’s got a whole world to choose

I trust my body to bring our child
Into the world we share
The legacy of my sisters
Gives it the wisdom of the ages
And when I see my newborn baby
And hear him cry to the world
My labor will be written
On one of those many pages

A child means a future
Full of hope and some dreams
A child means our family
Instead of two is now three
And though his big tomorrow
Is somehow just out of our view
With his hand in mine
He’s got a whole world to choose

I was always here

Here, before the beginning of time as you know it, before the perfection of My design.
Before temptation and the fall which separated us.
Here when you heard my call, which had been broadcast all along, only waiting for you.
Here in your struggles, in your pain and your joy.
Here, when you turn from me, searching where I am not.
Still here, when you turn back to the truth.
When you submit to being used as my hands and feet I am here.
When the world you touch needs to see all I am, I am here.
Here even when all of your senses reach out and can’t prove it,
when all you have is faith to go on, I’m still here.

Morning Rush

Etched against the gray/blue morning sky outside my window, cold wet tree branches reach out, etch-a-sketching their winter story. Rain drops begin a random descent to the earth and pause briefly on each branch’s twigs. The sunlight reflected within every drop’s tenuous grip flashes a coded message: though a distance away as the calendar speaks, spring is coming. Two nervous hummingbirds stop in the dogwood, itself a study in contemplation, all bark and no bite. The first short-winged bird pauses a quarter second longer than its partner, which quickly goads it back into flight. Hummingbirds are always first in line for coffee.

Forever in Green Jeans

The other day I came home with two bags. One bag held a couple bottles of green fabric dye, the other one had four pairs of white jeans. Lori looked up from reading as I walked through the door.
“Whatcha got?”
“White jeans and green fabric dye.”
“Very funny. No, really.”
“Really. Here, see for yourself.”
“Okay, now for the obvious question…”
“Why?”
“Yes, for heaven’s sake.”
“I had a moment of inspiration when I woke up this morning.”
Her face cinched up like it does when she suddenly gets a migraine.
“You woke up inspired to dye white jeans green?”
“Yes.”
“You know, someone has already coined ‘The Green Revolution.'”
“This is about leveling the playing field. Blue jeans have held the high ground for too long.”
“You’re piling up metaphors.”
“If you don’t use ’em you lose ’em.”
“Joel, stop it. Seriously.”
“Here’s the thing. Blue jeans are everywhere. In addition to the actual blue jeans, which you can buy in every size, style, and price range, there are a zillion products made from them. You can get blue jean trucks, blue jean sheets, blue jean perfume… The list goes on and on.”
“And you think you can do the same thing for green jeans?”
“I do.”
“Alright, don’t for a minute think I’m taking this seriously, but since I know how you get, I’ll humor you.”
“Alright.”
“Have you thought out your campaign?”
“Down to the ant’s toenails.”
“That’s not a saying.”
“It is now.”
She bowed her head and appeared to be praying. I think I heard her say something like, “Give me strength.”
“Why didn’t you just buy some green jeans.”
“Too hard to find. A company in Israel has some, but shipping charges would kill me. White jeans were difficult enough. After I get these babies dyed, I’m going to hire a professional photographer and get started on the first ad campaign.”
“What about a national spokesperson?”
“Mr. Green jeans.”
“That’s dumb.”
“Why?”
“Well, first off, the only people who remember him are your age and older.”
“I resent that.”
“Have you considered the fact that he’s dead?”
“With today’s technology, it’s barely an issue. Anyway, if that doesn’t work, I’ll get Neil Diamond to change the lyrics to his song.”
“I’m washing my hands of it. Go die your jeans.”
“It’s spelled dye.”
“I stand by the way I’m spelling it.”

Just Keep Walkin’

You gonna give him a bad reputation
just keep walkin’ just keep walkin’
the devil thought he had you in the bag
keep on walkin’ just keep walkin’
then you stopped in to check out a preacher
just keep walkin’ just keep walkin’
and somehow his words got through your chemical haze
just keep walkin’
and STOP

Do you think it’s possible you can change?
Is it all just for them and not you?
Is this feeling what some people call hope?
Aw man… I don’t know

Now you’re thinkin’ ‘bout the things he was sayin’
just keep walkin’ just keep walkin’
‘how God’s son came down for all to get saved
keep on walkin’ just keep walkin’
how he could take away your guilt and give you new life
just keep walkin’ just keep walkin’
but you’re still so scared that you could get played
just keep walkin’
and LISTEN

you’ve tried it your way
and you’re tired of the games
you’ve heard all satan’s lies
it’s just always the same
now your heart starts to melt
is it true you can win?
it’s time to let heaven in
and PRAY

Oh let Him in
your walk will never be the same
you’ll stand just a little taller
God don’t never play games
He’ll take away the pain inside
that was all you could ever share
and replace it with something real
new hope living there

just keep walkin’
a new direction dude
keep on walkin’ just keep walkin’
you’re walkin’ for Jesus, bro’
just keep walkin’ just keep walkin’
this little light of mine
keep on walkin’
ya gotta let it shine man
keep on walkin’ keep on walkin’
keep on walkin’ keep on walkin’

An Understanding Heart

Sebastian Temple composed a wonderful hymn in 1967 based on the “Prayer of St. Francis.” The refrain from that hymn says:
Oh Master, grant that I may never seek
so much to be consoled as to console.
to be understood as to understand,
to be loved, as to love with all my soul.

The great King Solomon, the son of King David, represents one of our best models of a wise man. The wisdom he possessed came through his proper relationship with God. The Bible mentions Solomon’s request of wisdom from God in 1 Kings 3:2-4:34. In verse 9 he says, “So give Your servant an understanding heart to judge Your people to discern between good and evil. For who is able to judge this great people of Yours?” Solomon knew that if he was to have any chance of being a proper King and judge over his people he would have to see with God’s eyes.

When I look at the world, Lord
I see through the lens of my own clouded eyes
and it becomes a scene of my own making.
With Your surgeon’s hands clear my sight to see in hearts
as though from a dream I’m waking.

Light and Life

Those familiar with forest ecology will tell you of the miracle of renewal that a forest experiences following a fire. Many plant species require fire to germinate and flourish. People whose communities have been devastated by earthquake or storm gather together, and neighbors who may have never communicated bond to demonstrate true unity in the face of loss. Whether a particular tragedy is suffered by one or many, the ripple effect touches us all, first with sorrow, then with hope. Hope brings light to places we would never expect the darkness to leave once it has spread its cloak.

Lord, when the walls close in on me
and I think that I’m alone
when all I feel is despair
help me remember the life you’ve designed
to emerge from the ashes
remind me of those who have gone before
with your Son’s example to guide them
what might seem so fragile a breath could break
through a wasteland of fear still passes
the hands that tightly hold a flame
that fades and flickers and gutters
will once more grasp hands of hope
leading the way through foreboding passes
never alone on the journey
never alone on the journey
never alone on the journey

The Big Red Chair

Today I’m going to do something which I probably should have done at the outset of this little blog, that is explain why I’m writing it and what I hope to accomplish. What should you expect? I started it around Christmas and one of the things blog writers will often do is challenge ourselves to keep a certain schedule, i.e. once a week or even once a day. I’ve taken on the challenge of writing every day in 2013. I have several goals in mind besides just getting something published every 24 hours. First, I’d like it to mean something. As a Christian, I certainly make no bones about having a particular point of view. I believe there is a prescription for the pain we all inevitably go through, and that is through the healing power provided through the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. But Christians are in a continual state of change, like anyone. We deal with doubt and sickness and all the other challenges life throws at us, sometimes well, sometimes poorly. Through poetry, humor, and just my general outlook on life, I would like you to take this journey with me. Normally I’ll publish in the morning. Although a couple of times already I’ve looked back at something I put out earlier and wondered just what I was thinking, I’ll try to avoid having to edit myself too much after the fact.

Our family occasionally watches “The Graham Norton Show.” It’s a British talk show, along the lines of something like Jay Leno’s “Tonight Show.” I mention it because Norton features a bit at the end of each show called “The Big Red Chair.” Audience members are selected to sit in the chair and tell a personal story. While they’re telling the story, Norton has his hand on a lever and if the story isn’t entertaining, he pulls the lever, and the chair and its occupant are thrown backward. If the story is deemed engaging enough, the person actually gets to stand up and walk away.
I tell that story to illustrate what I believe is true for writers, as well. As the reader, you hold the power of the lever; At any point you may simply stop reading and, in a virtual sense anyway, I will find myself on the floor with my feet in the air; I guess that’s just the risk I’ll have to take. In the meantime, please be patient with me and stick around if you are so inclined.

See you tomorrow, Write Here.

Holy

Just bring up the word “holy,” even among Christians striving to escape society’s race to the bottom, and you’re likely to get feedback ranging from doubt to despair. I wish. You’ve got to be kidding. Me? You? But there it is, in 1 Peter 1:16. Peter, referencing passages in the Old Testament, says: “because it is written “You shall be holy, for I am holy.” Unlike the animal sacrifices of the past, which had to be done again and again, the sacrifice of Jesus Christ was done once. Once to cover our sin. Once to allow us to enter into the presence of God. Once to give us the power, with the arm of our Lord over our shoulder, to walk in holiness. We fall, over and over again. We get up, over and over again… until we rest.

God, look with me. See in the mirror there. How can that man there be holy? He falls and he fails and his clumsy attempts are so laughable. Really? But you’ve still called us to be…

Holy
just as our Savior is
Holy
written in your word
why God, can’t I just be good?
Holy
it’s a word meant for better folks
people with clean sheets and shiny floors
and a conscience not full of shame
Jesus, I’m desperate for your name.

Thank goodness we don’t have to do this alone.
Thank God

Cliff’s Physical

Cliff, answering phone: “Hello.”
“Hello Cliff, this is Julie at Dr. Peabody’s office.”
“Oh, hi.”
“Cliff, as you know, you had your physical last week.”
“Yes, as a matter of fact, I was going to call you.”
“You were?”
“Yes, I really don’t think we should.”
“Sorry?”
“I just don’t think it’s the right thing to do.”
“But…”
“Look, this is about going over it, right?”
“Yes, but I don’t think I un…”
“My wife told me all about it this morning. She was watching the Tomorrow Show. She always watches that, first thing in the morning.”
“Sure, I watch it too, but I still don’t…”
“She said the world economy could go into a tailspin. I don’t think I get all the ins and outs of this thing, but she was very upset. She said our taxes would go up.”
“Is this about your insurance? I believe it’s covered. Let me just look up…”
“Look, I’m just afraid I won’t be coming in. I can’t be responsible.”
“But that’s just it, Cliff. Taking your physical was the right thing to do. You have to look out for yourself.”
“I am! I don’t want to lose my job. I just qualified for four weeks vacation. We were going to Hawaii!”
“Well, there’s no reason you can’t, assuming everything is hunky dory.”
“I must say you’re taking this very lightly. You have a job to protect too!”
“Cliff, you’ve lost me.”
“Somehow, and again I don’t pretend to comprehend all the details, but according to my wife, if we go over it, all our taxes will go up, businesses will be forced to close, and the economy will go kaput!”
“All if you and the doctor go over your physical, Cliff?”
“Yes.”
“Cliff, I think we can put that off for a bit.”
“Boy, that’s a relief.”
“But Cliff, would you mind stopping by the pharmacy in about a half hour?”
“I guess not, why?”
“I’m going to talk to the doctor and see if we can get you a little something to… Well, you seem a little tense.”
“Okay, but I must say, I’m feeling better already.”
“That’s good, Cliff. Say hello to your wife for me.”
“Oh, you know I will!”
“Okay, bye.”
“Bye.”