When I was a boy the waft of suntan lotion
would send summer simmering through the air.
With school out for the season, out too
were all the cares of deadlines and tests
and scores and pass and fail and all the rest,
and the only certainty certain was every day
that passed of summer made the sum of summer less.
give me all of that memory
or none of it at all
the day when we first met
you know you passed me in the hall
could I have seen through the next 30 years
bouncing up and down like a ball
give me all of that memory
or none of it at all
to savor and linger
just like our first kiss
you know that special memories
are made of stuff like this
not bound by laws of time
or gravity
all of those moments in between
mean that much to me
give me all of that memory
or none of it at all
every last frame
like stills on the wall
the rooms that we passed through
processed every sound
all of that memory
or none of it at all
the virtue of patience
if the truth is told
comes more easily
as one grows old(er)
as hair grows gray
and eyes distant
chairs more attractive
hills resistant
wisdom dictates
a more clever path
than the one trod before
when I was a lad
God, did you hear the world shout?
They decided
not
to believe
in you.
Not just
a lone voice
in the desert,
but all your believers, too.
God, did you hear the world shout?
Give us
science,
that’s what we
understand.
The scientific method
will unify the nations
and bring solace and joy
to the land.
God, with all the shouting,
how can anyone hear?
How can they look
at your creation
and not believe
you are near?
God, we humans
have made such an awful mess
of what you created for us
while not believing
and wanting everything
except you
we’ve made
deadly short cuts
to our lusts.
God forgive us
and bring us
into relationship
with you.
Let us place you first
in our hearts and homes
until the world you made
is renewed.
Then I saw “a new heaven and a new earth,” for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and there was no longer any sea. 2 I saw the Holy City, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride beautifully dressed for her husband. 3 And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Look! God’s dwelling place is now among the people, and he will dwell with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God. 4 ‘He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death’ or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.”
Revelations 21:1-4
heavenly conscience
earthly preoccupation
divided desire
the inheritance of
the joy of the Lord
is of the forever kind
a true joy and gift
not earned by effort
or indeed birthright
freely given
though dearly bought
by the King
above all kings
the One who causes
my countenance to glow
and my heart to sing
This coming Monday in the United States we celebrate Memorial Day. Originally known as Decoration Day, it was started as a way to remember all those combatants who died in battle during the Civil War. Since then it has come to include all those who have died in U.S. military service.
That photograph you’re looking at,
the young man with the grin.
There’s a sparkle in his eye that hints at
the joy and light within.
He didn’t live to become an old man,
but I remember him.
Then there’s the portrait of the nurse following
graduation with her class. She served in the
Pacific during WW II. You could tell her she helped
so many, but to her it would always be too few.
I remember her.
For those who died in the heat,
for the ones who passed in the cold,
holding tightly letters in weary hands
that spoke of work, family, home.
Some brought courage with them.
Some found courage there.
Some found courage with hands firmly clasped
and lips uttering prayer.
Whether young or old,
timid or bold,
we honor them all
as their stories are told
and we gather near the flame
lit in their memory.
We tell their stories,
and we remember.
from the moment I awaken
and begin to chart my day
before I query God:
what’s shakin’?
fore I get me underway
I got to hear your voice
not mine
not mine
be my leader
it’s my choice
your voice
God
not mine
The proper application
of your word
is impossible
the idea
absurd
unless
I listen
I can
always
choose
to go another way
it’s so easy
that way
the path is broad
and wide
and it’s all
downhill
(if you get my drift)
you can shut God out
you can fill your mind
with white noise
and your solutions
you can spend your energy
on toys
and never mind
restitution
but don’t settle
seek His kingdom first
seek His kingdom first
you don’t have the right idea but He does
seek His kingdom first
seek His kingdom first
He will take up as much room as you give Him
seek His kingdom first
seek His kingdom first
seek His kingdom first
“But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.
Matthew 6:34
Recently we put some bird feeders and a goldfinch thistle sock in the dogwood tree, along with a bird bath underneath it. They take some daily upkeep, but the return in entertainment has been huge. A bird splashing enthusiastically away is hilarious. I extended the perch on one of the feeders and so started getting many of the larger birds that don’t usually get invited to these things. As a result, there are several different birds that show up daily. There are the various songbirds, at least three pairs of doves, and a crowd of six or more of some very large birds that I have yet to identify. They show up like a biker gang with bad intent, gobble up as much as they can, and leave. On the bird feeder with the extended perch, there is one on either end, with a 3rd on the roof. Comical. This morning I was watching a blackbird pecking away at the ground, when a smallish juvenile walked up, squatted in front of the other bird, and opened its mouth wide. The bird equivalent of a teenager showing up and demanding to be fed. I don’t have the appropriate photo to go with this story. I’ll try to add one tomorrow.
dare me to follow you
I’ll be there and
for the time bear it too and
I’ll be there and
trust for a little time more
I’ll be there and
find what’s there in store
wait till Spring time
wait till Spring time
sun warming earth
morning giving birth
sun warming earth
sun warming earth
You can call out to the universe,
light a random spiritual flame,
converse with some spirits
you may or may not name.
You can link with a dead disembodied
owner of a shady past.
Those identities you’ll never know,
and fake relationships won’t last.
The One who stood
and stands
beside you,
and your sorrow sees,
left no question of His sacrifice,
or authority.
You may seek,
but when you’re finished seeking,
weary at the end of the day,
look up from the feet of Jesus,
the one who is “the way.”
Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life;
no one comes to the Father but through Me. John 14:6
Write here, Joel. 