Showing posts with label Poetry. Show all posts

          Christmas is for everyone.

For what are you truly thankful this year?

Here is a short thought that I shared with my church in our Christmas Eve service last night:

I'm not very good at saying
     What I've got upon my mind.
For better ways I now am praying
     To say these things the words I'll find.
You have brought me
     Up and taught me
Things I know were meant to be.

I am not the only kiddo
     That you've helped to grow up right.
I've still got to grow, and you know
     Your strength will help me win the fight.
This my tribute
      However minute
Is to you and my family.

(1980)

(Mighty Oak of Faith)

I am a human being
     Created in God's image.
I am a form of life
I am new to the world
      Not fully understanding.
I am young.
I am a child
     Learning as I grow older.
I am _ _ _ _ _

(1978)

Open up your eyes,
     Look into the skies.
          See the beauty around you,
               And feel it all around you, too.
Way up in the air
     There ain't nothin' but care;
          Care for the beautiful sky
               Just where the little birds fly.

Spread your wings and soar;
     Get up off of the floor.
          Fly around just like me,
               Thru the limbs of every tree.
You may not think it's right,
     But don't get mad and uptight.
          Perch yourself on the rail.
               Get in out of the rain and the hail.

Look for the good, not bad.
     Otherwise life is so sad.
          Raise yourself from that sack.
               Give yourself a pat on the back.
This may not seem to have meaning
     But at least it keeps us from leaning
          Too heavily on each other,
               But keep on lovin' your brother.

I'll help you to do what you need
     We will be friends, I know, yes indeed.
          We're out on our own together,
               Everything is clear but the weather.
Takin' some chances once in awhile
     Makes people think that we got style.
          Hopin' and prayin' but someday we'll die
               But just for this time spread your wings and let's fly.

(1980)

You can't see it, and that's good . . .
Because the blind can have it.
You can't hear it, and that's good . . .
Because the deaf can have it.
You can't feel it, and that's good . . .
Because the paralyzed can have it.
It can't be described with words, and that's good . . .
Because the mute can have it.
You just have it when you find
Love in your heart for all mankind.

(1978)

Love.
     --Phenomenal, isn't it?
More than a word.
     --Yes, quite a bit.
Love.
     --Sometimes gets out of context.
Really?
     --Keeps quite a few people vex'd.
Love.
     --Where does it come from?
Many places I've heard.
     --The best, I understand, is home.
Love.
     --Don't be rediculous.
In this day and age?
     --Well, if you must.
Love.
     --Openmindedness.
Who?
     --Why! Our mother we bless.
Love.
     --Yes, with . . .
Love.

(1979)

I owe you two today, since I missed yesterday. So I thought I'd reach into the bag of greatest poetry ever to receive something. This poem/hymn/psalm was written centuries ago. I'm using the Authorized Version (aka KJV) because it is familiar and beautiful language. I have chosen this one because it is a well-known passage from the Bible and it is one that is often relegated only to our bereavement. We quote/read it at funerals and take great comfort in its words. However, I believe that it is more a song of LIFE than one of death. Enjoy, and quote right along if you'd like:

 ¹The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want.
 ²He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters.
 ³He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake.
 ⁴Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.
 ⁵Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over.
 ⁶Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the LORD for ever. (KJV)

I wrote this one as a theme song for a youth camp when I was still doing youth work, enjoy

Time keeps on tickin' tockin' away
I got to tell someone about Jesus Christ today
It just can't be denied (that)
For my sins He died (and)
Time keeps on tickin' tockin' away.

Jesus came to seek and save that which was lost.
He came to be the bearer of the cross.
We are given only just a few short hours
To testify of God's great love and  power.

Time keeps on tickin' tockin' away
I got to tell someone about Jesus Christ today
It just can't be denied (that)
For my sins He died (and)
Time keeps on tickin' tockin' away.

Some folks, they deny it; and others just don't care
Others trust in a god who isn't there.
But I still believe. I'll wear my witness proud
Gonna shout, "Hallelujah!" and sing His praise out loud.

Time keeps on tickin' tockin' away
I got to tell someone about Jesus Christ today
It just can't be denied (that)
For my sins He died (and)
Time keeps on tickin' tockin' away.



(5/1993 for Salt River Baptist Association Youth Camp 1993)

Today people condemn the people who knew Jesus.
     They say that they were wrong to kill the Lord.
But they don't realize that they are doing the same
     In their own lives,
          In their own lives.

What would you do if you could know Jesus?
      What would you do if you knew the Lord?
Would you turn Him away?
     Say, "Come another day"?
           Would you hang Him upon a tree to die in agony?
What would you do if you could know Jesus?
     If you knew the Lord, my friend,
          What would you do?

Don't be one to condemn those that you have never known.
     Don't you be the guy who puts everybody down.
Please don't point out the sin, even in the best of men,
     'Cause you're no better
          Than the worst of them.

What would you do if you could know Jesus?
      What would you do if you knew the Lord?
Would you turn Him away?
     Say, "Come another day"?
           Would you hang Him upon a tree to die in agony?
What would you do if you could know Jesus?
     If you knew the Lord, my friend,
          What would you do?

Jesus didn't condemn, although He lived without sin.
     Jesus didn't come to bring death for men.
Jesus didn't complain, even as we nailed Him to a tree.
     He brought us love,
          And life from above.

What would you do if you could know Jesus?
      What would you do if you knew the Lord?
Would you turn Him away?
     Say, "Come another day"?
           Would you hang Him upon a tree to die in agony?
What would you do if you could know Jesus?
     If you knew the Lord, my friend,
          What would you do?

If you knew the Lord, my friend . . . What would you do?

(1980)
Yes, this one's a bit preach-y, but (1) I'm a preacher (and was back then), and (2) it's a question that we all need to ask ourselves.

Many years ago you walked upon our ground.
You brought us a new love and life we found.
Some would not accept you, you were profound.
They hung you one a cross, you made not a sound.

Thy put you in a tomb, thought you were dead,
But soon you rose again, just like you said.
You you live in heaven, the triple head
Those of us who believe, our souls you've fed.

Many people shudder at the sound of your name.
They run, they fly, they flutter, thinking life is a game.
They never get away though, it's always the same.
Why don't they accept your love, instead of put you to shame?

Jesus, you have been good to me.
You have made me part of your family.
Thank you for being so good to me.
Thank you for making me your own.

(1979)

Today, I owe you two poems because I was out with the family yesterday and did not get one posted. So, what we'll do today is post one of my own poems from days gone by (as we've been doing all month) and follow it up with an inspiration to that poem. I don't know the author of the second poem today, but have always viewed it as an old spiritual--it actually puts us in mind of the season we celebrate this weekend (in my most humble but accurate opinion).

Never worry, He is near
      Jesus is everywhere and here
Love shines out from Calvary
     Love He's shown to you and me.

Love that's patient
     Love that's kind
Love through others
     We will find.
Love comes from the mountain there
     From Jesus to folks
Everywhere.

Open mind and open heart
     Jesus gives our lives a start
Love we will to others show
     For the Bible tells us so.

Love that comes from Calv'ry's Tree
      From Jesus to
You
         and
                   me.
(1979)

Now here's one we used to sing:

I looked up and saw my Lord a-coming
I looked up and saw my Lord a-coming
I looked up and saw my Lord a-coming down the road.

Hallelujah, He is coming
Hallelujah, He is here
Hallelujah, He is coming
Hallelujah, He is here.

I looked up and saw my Lord a-dying 
I looked up and saw my Lord a-dying
I looked up and saw my Lord a-dying on the tree.

Hallelujah, He is coming
Hallelujah, He is here
Hallelujah, He is coming
Hallelujah, He is here.

I looked up and saw my Lord a-rising
I looked up and saw my Lord a-rising
I looked up and saw my Lord a-rising from the grave.

Hallelujah, He is coming
Hallelujah, He is here
Hallelujah, He is coming
Hallelujah, He is here.

As I reached the age known as the "teens" I began putting a little more thought into the poetry that leaked out of my pen. (this one even carries a dedication to a former youth minister of mine, probably as he left to take another ministry position--the name in the dedication is my personal nickname for him, his friend call him Tommy.)

For T. Jack Carter & Family

I once thought the meaning of jo--y
Was found in the songs of the world.
The harshness, the anger,
The loudness, the pain,
The song of the world
Will give you no gain.

I've been to church since I was a wee lad.
I lived right and talked right
So, I'm not so bad.
Then Father showed me what I ought to be
And told me of Christ
Who died on a tree.

Now, for sure, I know the meaning of joy.
My song's been changed since I was a small boy.
The goodness, the laughter
Whe'er happy or sad
I'm going to heaven
Of that I am glad.


--1979

Funny Father Fadalador
Did some funny jigs.
One, two, three, and one, two, four;
Went the funny jigs.

Funny Father Fankyfoo
Did some funny jigs.
Five, six, seven, and five, six, eight;
Went the funny jigs.

(Age 9)

There was a gracious king,
He had a funny ping.
     Dee Doo;
   Dee Doh;
The gracious King of Hing.


There was a lovable king,
Instead of a queen, he'd a quing.
     Dee Doo;
   Dee Doh;
The lovable King of Hing.


There was a great king,
And he could really sing.
     Dee Doo;
   Dee Doh;
The very great King of Hing.

(age 8)

Whatever traverses the mind of a child can be found here. And still we don't understand it.