Spiritual

The following is an anthology of poetry and religious writing I have done over the years. It may or may not reflect my current attitudes or philosophies. To know you will have to ask. My attitude towards the collective church has changed much over the years. I have come to believe that in most situations the churches no longer represent the heart or spirit of God the creator. I believe that just as the early Scribes and Pharasees missed the significance of Christ as the Messiah, so is the current church missing the message of love and tolerance preached by Jesus of Nazareth. Although I understand the importance of study and of establishing a consistent personal doctrinal view, I do not abide the policy of separation current churches have of opposing views. More and more "church" is "big business" and little more than social and political interaction groups.

On a personal level I have found churches very intolerant towards free thinking people such as myself, and have found no home for this often weary soul among them.

"POWER OUT"

Someone blew the candle out.

It doesn't seem to glow.

The flame that burned within my heart

doesn't seem to show

Who could take away the light

that once guided my way

to joy and peaceful living

and sunshine all the day?

Was it the evil Devil

that blew away the flame?

Can I get it back again,

by calling Jesus' name?

Jesus would you hear me

and my humble prayer

to the Father up above?

Would you this burden share?

Who is this I hear right now?

My shepherd, "Is it you?"

I hear such condemnation

Is it really true?

You say it was by my own lust

that I was drawn away

heeding not the Spirit,

bidding me to stay

So by sin's own devices

I hid the light inside

covered by a basket

so that sin could hide

So Jesus, I am sorry.

I give this now to you

and ask for your forgiveness

and special cleansing too.

Now the light is shining

and everyone can see;

this person that I am today,

Is it really me?

So now, my friend, I'm tellin',

these words are really true

If your light ain't shining bright,

this song is meant for you!

"Books on a Shelf"

There are books that stand upon a shelf

but none would stand alone

unbraced by a friend or two

steady as a stone

Open any, as you wish

to travel near or far

you can span the continents

and never need a car

Or travel time in History

imagining the past

reading of the times gone by

many, far too fast.

Epic tomes or lexicons

are within your reach.

With any single textbook,

you could learn to teach.

Don't forsake the Bible

for it withstood the test

of time and tribulation

alone above the rest

Within the gilded pages

are sacred words of truth

and stories of such characters,

as Daniel, Job or Ruth

Add Paul's recounted travels,

that of Abraham and Lot,

Samson and Delilah,

and Judas's fatal plot

Hear the Song of Solomon,

the poetry of Psalms;

Listen as the beggars.

in the gateway ask for alms.

Do not forget the Author

of the book is God above

who gave his life in sacrifice

and all redemptive love.

SHOO FLY!

South of the Mediterranean Sea,

just a bit west of the Indian Ocean,

is that sacred land of Goshen

Protected by the Lord's decree,

a haven there for you and me.

You will not need your "Deep Woods OFF"

You will have a smile as the Egyptians scoff

Unless you in the Pharoahs house,

you won't be plagued by a single louse.

We ain't got much but we've got the most

when the angel sees the blood on the post

Have you committed all that you've got

or are you waitin' til you've got a lot?

When you give the Lord his proper due,

those pesky fleas will fly from you!

Sin, Love, and Loyalty

Did you see the lepers, he healed by the way,

or the blind he made to see?

Did you hear as he spoke and the wind became still?

Why could he not from the cross be free?

"Did you hear him complain as he carried the cross"

I heard somebody ask, "I heard not a word

of self pity or 'plaint, as he carried on with his task"

I know he had power to come down from that cross,

so now I ask you "Why...

did Jesus not call the mighty angels to war

but rather agreed there to die?

It's really quite simple, the answer, you see

The three nails that held him fast to the tree.,

were Sin... Love... and Loyalty

My sin pierced his hand on the left

and Love for me held the right

Loyalty pierced both of his feet,

on the day turned into night

How great was the debt; how high the price

that we might be made free, from the burden of sin

through Jesus and his sacrifice!

The Engagement

I sought to know the one I love, that knowledge would grant peace;

and from the emptiness within, grant me sweet release

I sought him in the highest place, in churces far and near;

but sought him then in darkness, his word I could not hear.

It was his will to draw me near, and open then my eyes;

to see his holy essence, to fear him and be wise.

I came to know the holy one, as bridegroom, yet to be;

I found myself the chosen one...he was in love with me.

He chose me as the bride-to-be, and went to make a place;

where I could live eternally, and look upon his face.

He loved enough to die for me, to cover all my sin

and blot it out forevermore, so he my heart could win.

How my heart does long to feel, the presence of his touch

He seems so far away at times. I miss him, oh, so much.

The temptor comes to woo me in, away from Heaven's throne.

He offers worldly pleasures, that I could call my own.

But, I have pledged my faithfulness, and seek to hear his voice,

and do his will til he returns, and then in joy, rejoice!

One More Chance

I stand at the gate as it opens

Excited to be in this place

Trembling with utter amazement

to see the dear Savior's face

In radiant beauty He watches

as I fall to my knees at His feet

and marvel to be in His presence

Life's journey now is complete

With tears of joy I am weeping

and tears of grief for the cost

of not sharing Christ to the living

How many souls are now lost?

"Not yet, Lord... send me back

Now that this beauty I see

more real than I ever considered

this glimpse of eternity

I left friends that don't know you

and family yet to be told

searching for riches below

yet here are the streets made of gold

One more chance Lord, let me return

Just one more chance, only one

To rescue the lost and the dying

To do what yet should be done

Eternal the fate of the living

Is death a beginning or end?