While I've been working on sermons and prose over the last (many) years, I've held onto several poems that leaked out of my pen some twenty or more years ago. In some of my surfing, I ran across a poetry contest at Wordclay.com that seemed to scream, "Drag some of that old, stale stuff out and send it in!" The deadline was earlier this month, and I dusted off five likelies and submitted them. Judging was supposed to be completed by the 25th, and I hadn't received the notification of Grand prize (500 + perks) or Runner Up (250 + mini-perks), so I knew I didn't win. However, being a contestant of interest I checked the website to discover that my tribute to Garfield and Faye Moore, "I Remembered" was chosen as one of the 100 finalists.

So, what does this mean? I'll get a free book - the anthology made up of the poems of the finalists. The book (so says Wordclay) will be ready for publication sometime in March. I'll probably post again for interested readers when the book comes out.

Tuesday I had the daunting task of officiating a funeral for a stillborn baby. I'd rather do the funeral for the most heinous reprobate in the country--who had opportunity to make the choices that directed his path--than to try to provide comfort in a comfortless situation. The "why"s continue to come. As I was checking a few of my usual reads I was alerted to this post at Downshore Drift, blogging home of Alan Cross. Caelan has been fighting for his life nearly his entire two and one-half years.

Please click on the link and post a comment assuring Alan and Erika of your support. They are in a place right now that no parent of a small child wants to be.

You be the judge.

Dobson vows to give up his voice!

In a mass e-mailing sent through the mailing lists of Focus on the Family’s “Citizen Link” James Dobson reported that under certain circumstances he may not vote in the general election this November. Here are a couple of quotations from the email letter:

"I am deeply disappointed the Republican Party seems poised to select a nominee who did not support a Constitutional amendment to protect the institution of marriage, voted for embryonic stem-cell research to kill nascent human beings, opposed tax cuts that ended the marriage penalty, has little regard for freedom of speech, organized the Gang of 14 to preserve filibusters in judicial hearings, and has a legendary temper and often uses foul and obscene language.”

“I certainly can't vote for Hillary Clinton or Barack Obama based on their virulently anti-family policy positions. If these are the nominees in November, I simply will not cast a ballot for president for the first time in my life.”

His statements are in direct response to the likelihood of a John McCain nomination for the Republican party candidacy.

Here’s my take on the whole tirade:
Certainly, he has the right to avoid the polls if he so chooses. But by doing so, he is allowing everyone who does vote (and perhaps likes the candidates that he despises) make the decision for him. In simple terms he is forfeiting his voice in the election.
My personal view has always been, “If you don’t vote in the election, don’t complain about the outcome.” I stand by that.

Now something personal for the good doctor:

Don’t vote if you in all conscience can’t support anyone on the ballot, but if you don’t vote, please refrain from whining about the elected officials and how they are or are not acting.

I am not calling for America to censure Dr. Dobson, but for him to do a self-censure until he is ready to be a participant in the process.

One question still sticks in my mind: If McCain is such a bad seed, then why hasn’t Dobson led out in pushing a more family-friendly candidate—for any party?

What do you think?

Okay, guys, Valentine's Day is fast approaching. I know you haven't even thought about it, but I have. As a matter of fact, I started thinking about it several months ago and asking myself that all important question: "What do you get for your sweet wife when you don't know what to get?"

My answer this year is to finish and publish my first book of sermons -- just in time for Valentine's Day. Sure, I got some of the regular stuff that she's hinted or outright asked for, but I wanted this to be something special. Don't worry -- I gave her the book after it came in the mail today, but she'll be well provided for on the 14th.

If you're still wondering what to get for your blushing bride, why not leap on over to Loom & Wheel's page at Lulu.com and order up a copy yourself. You still have time to get a copy in before the day of love. Cover price says $7.50 plus shipping. Downloads are only $1.00 and don't require shipping, but then you don't get to wrap a book up with a pretty bow.

Like I said, it's a book of sermons about what church is (or should be). It won't be the definitive word--part of it may be wrong, but it's the thought that counts, right?