postaday

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.”

Here Comes the Sun

The mercy of sun after a night of cold greets both the meek and the bold. One turns slowly toward as though risking a wound, the other with palms open awaits a boon. The first fears knowledge of things best left unsaid, the second couldn’t leave a new book unread. The one fears what new light might reveal, the other with steely nerve breaks the seal. The former with a sigh gives in to his fate, the latter with a burst of courage pulls open heaven’s gate.

Your Year Write Here

So you’ve stumbled out of bed and made your coffee and rubbed the little crunchies out of the corners of your eyes. You sit down in front of the computer or notebook and there it is… 2013. All of it. A blank slate. Waiting to be filled in. Do you:

grab a pen
grab some paper
is that enough?
no, more paper
it’s a whole year
that’s a long time
does this poem have to rhyme?
nah

okay, more coffee
the cup’s already low
I’ve only started
this is going too slow
okay, focus

well, there’s your bucket
you know, the list
what’s still there?
what have you missed?
do you climb that mountain?
do you sail that sea?
if you’re still in school
will you settle for a B?
no, an A this time!

then there’s your work
is it your life?
besides paying for stuff
is it mainly strife?
what is in you
that God has planted there
the gift that is you
you’re intended to share?
it could be spectacular!

the lights are blinking on and off
planning uses up watts!
i need more coffee
more coffee, Jacques!
right… i don’t have a butler
got it
sip

okay, what about service?
is it all about you?
God can use your hands and feet
and your noggin too
He can use your muscles
even if they’re small
He can use your height
even if you’re not tall
for someone else
now that’s exciting!

now we’re cooking with gas
now we’re inspired
now we’ve figured out
how we are wired
’13 won’t be easy
sure, ’12 wasn’t either
but you can get started
after a breather
and maybe one, more, cup.

it takes a whole village
to make a village run
it takes hard work
to have the best fun
it takes many hands
to fashion a church
to open a bakery
what rhymes with church?
teamwork!

well, you’ve got your orders
Mr. Mrs.or Ms.
you’ve got your plans
you’ve got your list
you can always develop
and stretch and adjust
all planners surely
know this much
you can do it
that i know
with God, all things are possible
now
on with the show!

Trowel and Error

I’ll come clean and admit I’m not nearly the gardener either of my parents were.They managed to put together a yard that Better Homes and Gardens would be proud of. My dad built all sorts of garden structures and learned how to grow bonsais. My mom could tell you what everything was and what kind of fertilizer it liked. I suspect orchids liked her as much as she liked them.

Me? Mostly I like to play in the dirt and try to make the yard look nice. I am fascinated though, by what springs from the earth after I plant it. I am beside myself with pleasure when, despite my lack of knowledge regarding growing technique and Latin or even common names for plants, something blooms and thrives. I’ll drag my wife and daughter outside and show them what has dared pop out of the earth in my flower bed. I’ll exclaim, “Look at that, isn’t it pretty?” They’ll ask me what it is and I’ll say, “I have no idea!” Truth be told, I sometimes suspect that when I achieve success in the garden it means one of two things: either absolutely anyone with the ability to dig in the dirt can grow it, or I’ve chosen a plant which would more appropriately be sold as a “Pretty Pest” and will take over my neighbors yard after first making mine its mother ship.

I’ve read books on garden design and climate and micro-climate and soil type and yada yada yada. Due either to stubbornness, laziness, or a diabolical combination of both, I’ve settled on a strategy that sort of works (for me). My strategy is it either lives or it dies, but even if it thrives, I may dig it up and replace it anyway. I’ll probably stick with that, but I still wish I could remember what the bush with the funny looking pink flowers is called.

Poetry Waltz

The following should be read with the rhythm of a Viennese waltz

You start with two words
Like love and you
And add a third word
It could be too
Perhaps add a thought
The concept of love has baffled scholars, engineers, and rodeo clowns for centuries.
It won’t have to rhyme.
See line above
Insert a grand flourish
Our love is bigger than the Grand Canyon, more exciting than a Lady Gaga costume change, longer lasting than the mustard stain on my sweatpants incurred during the unfortunate 49er’s loss last Sunday.
A secondary flourish
A lot of people think you should change your oil every 3,000 miles, but I’ve read that every 5,000 is just fine. The thing is, you have to be consistent.
It runs so smooth
And conclude
I will
Always
Be yours
I’m yours