That Difficult Thing

You must do that difficult thing
that makes your heart hesitate
It is true of every one of us
whether we feel small or great.
God has a plan for you;
He’s in the business of unlocking doors,
but you’re the one who must push it open,
That decision’s yours.

The Economy of J.Q. Person

It’s the economy,
clearly
John Q. Person.
That’s why you’re busy
messing with your phone.
But is it true that if you looked up
and met the world’s eyes,
the reflection would show
you’re alone?

There’s nothing wrong with money
if you don’t fall in love with it,
but dollars never could heal a man’s soul
Only one power here or heaven
can give you what you’re craving.
Only Jesus Christ can make you whole.

It’s the economy, J.Q.P.
Moths emptied your wallet
and all you do is run in place.
But more money and a better ride
won’t cure the emptiness inside.
Have you considered what may
be at stake?

There’s nothing wrong with money
if you don’t fall in love with it,
but dollars never could heal a man’s soul
Only one power here or heaven
can give you what you’re craving.
Only Jesus Christ can make you whole.

It’s the economy.
You’re vexed
Mr. Person.
Is it the libs
and cons
in D.C.?
At night you lie and wonder,
“would any amount of money
fix what is broken in me?”

Disconnect from the marketing, Person.
Just say no to what’s there for sale.
Learn to meditate on what is for real, son.
Leave alone what all the parrots rail.
Polly wants everything.

There’s nothing wrong with money
if you don’t fall in love with it,
but dollars never could heal a man’s soul
Only one power here or heaven
can give you what you’re craving.
Only Jesus Christ can make you whole.

He cares for you, John Q. Person.
And he’s coming back.

He’s there for you, John Q. Person
And he’s coming back.

He’s not an infomercial, John Q. Person
Yeah, He’s coming back.

Coming back, coming back, Person-ally
Coming back, coming back, Person-ally.

John Q. Person
Introducing, John Q. Person.

Turn to the Sun

In the middle of our troubles it’s sometimes hard to remember that light even exists. All your senses perceive is an opaque wall between yourself, God and those who care about you. Time slows to a crawl. The air is heavy. Just existing can become a physical and emotional trial. This time of year, the daffodils I planted last fall are starting to bloom. For some time their green stalks have been showing. Now, we can enjoy the payoff of color. While winter lingers, spring beckons. An evening of rain is often followed by a morning of sun as the seasons get to the point in the relay race where the baton is passed. I noticed a particular flower the other day that had bent its head following a cold tumult, only to lift up as it dried and pointed to the blue sky. Hope and warmth drew it up as it dared to reveal its brave face. Is that a great leap? Are we foolish to believe a plant can hope? Look around. Everything God has created is brimming with hope and expectation. It’s inside you as well. Dare to lift up your head and find joy.

Shout joyfully to the Lord, all the earth;
Break forth and sing for joy and sing praises.
Sing praises to the Lord with the lyre,
With the lyre and the sound of melody.
With trumpets and the sound of the horn
shout joyfully before the King, the Lord.
Psalm 98:4-6

Versatile Blogger Award

Many thanks to Emily Anne http://unkilleddarlings.wordpress.com/ for nominating me for the Versatile Blogger Award. Unlike the Academy Award or Grammy, when you are nominated for the VBA, that’s it. You are not put into a pool of also-rans to await your fate. You simply take a virtual bow and follow a few simple rules. For more information about the award, see here http://versatilebloggeraward.wordpress.com/

versatileblogger111

One of the rules is you have to say seven things about yourself.
1. Christian
2. Hilarious
3. Similar to a Hobbit, but not as hairy
4. Singing
5. Bicycle
6. Blue/Green
7. Can’t dance, don’t ask me.

Another rule is you get to spread the love by nominating 15 other bloggers. Here goes…
http://scvincent.com/
http://lorisprayercloset.com/
http://parentingandstuff.wordpress.com/
http://jonlilley.com/
http://dianereedwiter.wordpress.com/
http://buzhinskiy.wordpress.com/
http://bowlingchef.wordpress.com/
http://daughterbydesign.wordpress.com/
http://meganhasocd.com/
http://meggiesfervor.wordpress.com/
http://penfrea.com/
http://shannonathompson.com/
http://crankycaregiver.wordpress.com/
http://suellewellyn2011.wordpress.com/

Time Lines cont.

Past, Present and Future get back together for their weekly lunch.

Present makes the mistake of calling roll. “Past!”
Past: “Present!”
Present: “Very funny.”
Past: “Well, what was I supposed to say?”
Present: “You could have just said, ‘Here.'”
Past: “In just what way would that have been fun, Ekhart Tolle? Besides, you’re the one who is always preaching about being here now.”
Present: “Alright, let’s just move on.”
Past: “I was born ready. By the by, where’s Future?”
Present: “Late, of course. He doesn’t respect anyone else’s schedule. We need to clue him in to the fact that there is no such thing as ‘fashionably late.'”
Past: “And he’s all about fashion. What’s wrong with the clothes of yesteryear?”
Present: “There’s nothing wrong with yesterday’s styles, as long as you wash them occasionally.”
Past: “We can’t always be spring fresh, like you. Oh look, there’s Mr. Tomorrow, now!”
Future: “Don’t start. Let’s order, I have an appointment with a skin specialist after lunch.”
Present: “You’re so vain! Why can’t you just accept yourself as you are?”
Future: “He who fails to plan, plans to fail.”
Past: “Did he say that last week?”
Present: “Probably. Does anyone see the waiter? Oh, there he is!”
The waiter approaches the table. His face is a little red. At the top of his forehead, a line of perspiration has begun to form.
Past: “Oh, good. Wait, is that the same water you brought earlier?”
Present: “Leave it alone, Past.”
Past: “The cubes are smaller.”
Future: “Come back in a bit with some fresh water. My friend is a little… (Future makes a circling motion around his ear with his right-index finger). The waiter quickly nods in affirmation.

to be continued…

The Helper

In John 13, we can imagine the anxiety forming in the minds of the disciples. This time was shortly before the crucifixion and Jesus was preparing them, not only for what was to come in the short term, but later, when the infant church would be put to the test. Imagine yourself in their place. This was the man they had followed and worshiped. They were prepared to do anything for Him. But the prophesies must be fulfilled.

Simon Peter said to Him, “Lord, where are You going?” Jesus answered, “Where I go, you cannot follow Me now; but you will follow later.” Peter said to Him, “Lord, why can I not follow You right now? I will lay down my life for You.” Jesus answered, “Will you lay down your life for Me? Truly truly, I say to you, a rooster will not crow until you deny Me three times.” John 13:36-38. It was in the backdrop of what on the surface seems like a shaky start that His church was formed, formed with men like Peter, of whom Jesus said, “And I tell you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not overcome it.” Matthew 16:18

Lord, You said you would ask the Father to give us another Helper,
Who would be “the Spirit of truth.”
You said He would be in us
and with us abide.

You said the Holy Spirit would teach us
and help us remember all you said.
You said when You would go,
He would reside.

Thank you, Spirit of God,
for disclosing our Lord’s truth.
How else would we comprehend the mystery.
The revolution that conquered sin,
the ultimate sacrifice that took us in,
prophecy fulfilled on Calvary’s tree.

Thank You

If God gave me breath for two words,
when I’d come to the end of my time
and let’s face it we can never know
just when that will be…
With not enough words to wax poetic
I’d bring out the best two I could use.
I guess the most exquisite
would simply be thank you.

Thank you,
two words directed at God and then those
He’s allowed to touch my life
even the ones who brought me
some measure of pain.
Thank you,
no matter your intentions
you helped me to grow,
to live a full life
you can’t just have sun,
you also need rain.

Thank you for the dark
and the light.
Thank you for a family
to say good night.
I’ve found that some of the small joys
are really the best.
God, as you see I’m skirting the rules
by using many now
when then I’ll only have two.
I just wanted to get some out now
before I rest.

Thank you for music…
surely the precursor
to heavenly sounds.
I’m pretty sure there’s more to the band
than only the harp.
Thank you for painting,
from our hands though surely from yours.
Thank you for expression of all that we feel.
It seems like hardly enough to just call it art.

I hope to add to the list
before I’m down to my last two

though you surely knew,

I want to say thank you.

Circumstance

Circumstances, the events or conditions in our lives that we experience, don’t have an inherent value besides what we assign to them. A flat tire, while certainly a negative experience, is still just an event. Most of us have probably heard the saying, “attitude is everything.” Again, it’s not a difficult concept to embrace, but I think as we encounter various circumstances during the course of a typical day, we forget that we are in the business of assigning power, minute by minute, to our experiences.

As Christians, our prayers may include asking God to keep our families safe, to provide for us financially, to give us our favorite parking spot at the supermarket. Do we worship a living God who knows us intimately, who we trust to provide for us through all that we encounter? Or do we make of our God a servant who is responsible for fulfilling our every whim? Of course we serve a loving God who wants every good thing for His children, but our relationship will be stymied if we choose to rely on a temporal view instead of God’s eternal view. Only one of those two attitudes can cause us to survive and thrive through a voyage that may bring us fair or contrary winds.

Good to Me

That elaborate story about your depth of vision…

just an excuse to take my hand

forgetting your coat so I could keep you

warm

You’re so

good

to me

Telling me I’m funny

then wisely rolling

your eyes

when I convince myself

I am too

Pretending you’re asleep so I can

wake

you up

Comparing my skills to the best of Daytona’s

pits

you graciously let me

fill your car

Who has it better than I do?

Why…

no one!

For every Valentine box of twenty

chocolates

you let me eat eighteen

I share the best view of

your

flowers

You kindly allow me to greet

home invaders

for my side of the bed faces

the door.

Clearly no one has it as well as this man

the one staring

back

as I

shave

but should I grin too

widely

you’ll be sure to say

behave!