(Mighty Oak of Faith)

[I live in Illinois now. For all of my friends who like to ask if I get to Chicago much, I made it there once (an anniversary trip with my Blushing Bride). We live some 250 miles from Chi-town. I have learned that those who live in the immediate area (Chicagoland) think the world revolves around Chicago, and that those who live throughout the rest of the state care very little for the metropolitan area that holds about 2/3 of the population of the state. At any rate, since I am a resident of the state of Illinois, I thought I'd present an IL-themed poem for today and you'll recognize several of the references in this poem by one of the greats.]

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)

I will start by saying that I have been a customer of Amazon.com almost since the company's inception (I remember the first two or three years, when they sent you a gift for being a customer--before they started pushing the brick and mortar guys out of business). I also attempt to sell a few of my old books that are just taking up space as an independent seller. I've got no great beef with the company. I will also say that I'm online more often at Barnes & Noble since I was given a Nook instead of a Kindle (note to publishers, don't settle for just Kindle editions--give us Nooksters a chance too). Having said that, I wonder what will happen when a David publisher takes on the Amazon Goliath. You can read and be the judge here.

Today I'll be participating in a Vacation Bible School leadership training offered by our association of churches. So, in honor of my childhood memories of such an event (VBS, that is) I will share the lyrics of one of my favorite hymns. I was in junior high school before I knew that you could sing it somewhere besides at VBS.

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.

[Today, for Resurrection Day, I thought I'd share a poem from one of the masters of the art.]

Spring bursts to-day,
For Christ is risen and all the earth’s at play.

        Flash forth, thou Sun,
The rain is over and gone, its work is done.

        Winter is past,
Sweet Spring is come at last, is come at last.

        Bud, Fig and Vine,
Bud, Olive, fat with fruit and oil and wine.

        Break forth this morn
In roses, thou but yesterday a Thorn.

        Uplift thy head,
O pure white Lily through the Winter dead.

        Beside your dams
Leap and rejoice, you merry-making Lambs.

        All Herds and Flocks
Rejoice, all Beasts of thickets and of rocks.

        Sing, Creatures, sing,
Angels and Men and Birds and everything.

        All notes of Doves
Fill all our world: this is the time of loves.

Here are the lyrics to a song that was popular in my youth. In honor of National Poetry Month and in hopes to get this tune out of my head (and into yours) I give you a song made popular by Evie:

Large creatures, small creatures
Short and tall creatures
Come now and praise the Lord
Young creatures, old creatures
Hot and cold creatures
Come now and praise the Lord

Sing praise to the Father
Sing praise to the Son
Sing praise to the Spirit who makes all creatures one
Sing praise to the goodness of what the Lord has done
Let all creatures praise the Lord

Long creatures, high creatures
Flying in the sky creatures
Come now and praise the Lord
White creatures, brown creatures
All around the world creatures
Come now and praise the Lord

Sing praise to the Father
Sing praise to the Son
Sing praise to the Spirit who makes all creatures one
Sing praise to the goodness of what the Lord has done
Let all creatures praise the Lord

Day creatures, night creatures
Left and right creatures
Come now and praise the Lord
Near creatures, far creatures
Anywhere you are creatures
Come now and praise the Lord

Sing praise to the Father
Sing praise to the Son
Sing praise to the Spirit who makes all creatures one
Sing praise to the goodness of what the Lord has done
Let all creatures praise
Let all creatures praise
Let all creatures praise the Lord

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)

Thomas Kinkade, favorite painter of vast numbers of shoppers in Christian bookstores, is now standing in the Light instead of adding it to his art. http://usnews.msnbc.msn.com/_news/2012/04/06/11064422-painter-of-light-artist-thomas-kinkade-dies-at-age-54

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:

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.

April is national poetry month. So, I thought I'd dig into the old (really old) bag of tricks and regale you with some of my past attempts. I'm starting with the very early (very early) stuff, so don't be to harsh in your criticism.

Here is an example of some of the literary genius you will find at least on the first few days:

Big and fat!
Like a rat;
It's fun to guess!
Your [sic] the bes' 
A hog's right!

(age 8)

You will notice that at eight years old and in the third grade I didn't have enough understanding of contractions to know that there was a difference between "your" and "you're".

So, grab some of your third-grade poems and join me in the comments section to celebrate National Poetry Month!

You've seen those SAB comparisons, here are a couple of mine:
 
Charles Stanley,                              Don Knotts,
noted Baptist Preacher                    noted Comedian

 
Kurt Vonnegut, Jr.,                         Benjie Potter,
noted writer and agnostic                not so noted Baptist Preacher and writer and avid reader.

We've been having a sneak preview of the Spring that is to come, and it looks pretty nice. This year as we celebrate the first day of Spring, those of us who live in IL are honored to participate in an exercise in futility (aka Presidential primary races). (Pardon my soapbox, you can skip the next few lines if you like.)You have to choose a side--even though you don't like any of the sides--and if your voice is to be heard mark the name of some person whose been harrassing you via mailbox, television and telephone for the last week just so you'll recognize their name. [News flash to politicians: the more you stuff my mailbox, rundown your opponent with slur ads, and robocall my house, the less likely I am to like--let alone vote for--you. Leave us alone, talk about actual issues in the debates (there were MORE than enough of those for the Republican wannabes this year), and let us think. We are, after all, Americans who can think for themselves!] (soapbox over, you can start reading again)

Anyway. According to the people who know (or who think they know everything, at any rate) have informed me that today is the first day of Spring. So, slow down. Pause to smell the coffee. And let the wonder of another day wash over you.

In the midst of the mediocre rehashment of the seventies linked into the better version (Jack Lord style) with clips from an episode guest-starring Ed Asner. Tonight's guest star? Ed Asner!

As you already know, we lost '60s heartthrob and Monkees staple Davy Jones to an apparent heart attack at age 66. He's the Monkee that drove the girls crazy and made playing the tambourine cool for all the guys who couldn't play keyboards, guitars, or drums. Here's a clip from his appearance on The Brady Bunch from which the line "Wow, How 'bout the flipside" always comes to mind.



Oh, Marsha, Marsha, Marsha.

Today's Valentine for my lovely (blushing) Bride is one that I found as Doctor Who fan. As a matter of fact, my kids love the Doctor's version of this little ditty. It is part of the "one-hit wonders" cadre--you know, songs like "American Pie" that really hit it big, but the artist never really got noticed aside from that. This one is the hit of The Proclaimers, and I'm following it up with a re-make by Christian artist Steven Curtis Chapman (the video is not me and the Bride, but it's pretty good). For you, My Love--the sentiment is very real. Happy Valentine's Day.

When I wake up yeah I know I'm gonna be
I'm gonna be the man who wakes up next to you
When I go out yeah I know I'm gonna be
I'm gonna be the man who goes along with you

If I get drunk yes I know I'm gonna be
I'm gonna be the man who gets drunk next to you
And if I haver yeah I know I'm gonna be
I'm gonna be the man who's havering to you

But I would walk 500 miles
And I would walk 500 more
Just to be the man who walked 1000 miles
To fall down at your door

When I'm working yes I know I'm gonna be
I'm gonna be the man who's working hard for you
And when the money comes in for the work I'll do
I'll pass almost every penny on to you

When I come home yeah I know I'm gonna be
I'm gonna be the man who comes back home to you
And if I grow old well I know I'm gonna be
I'm gonna be the man who's growing old with you

But I would walk 500 miles
And I would walk 500 more
Just to be the man who walked 1000 miles
To fall down at your door

When I'm lonely yes I know I'm gonna be
I'm gonna be the man whose lonely without you
When I'm dreaming yes I know I'm gonna dream
Dream about the time when I'm with you.

But I would walk 500 miles
And I would walk 500 more
Just to be the man who walked 1000 miles
To fall down at your door

source: http://www.lyricsondemand.com/

But the Blushing Bride wanted to catch a few minutes of the Grammies last night, so we turned it on. Caught Tony Bennet's duet - It was pretty good, he should have done a solo. Also, saw the "tribute" to Glen Campbell. Blake Shelton did a superb job with "Southern Nights." It might have been better, though, if Glen had let others tribute him - his "Rhinestone Cowboy" was anything but sparkling. Then the producers kept teasing us that Sir Paul McCartney would be performing a "medley of Beatles songs." We decided to wait it out. Big mistake! Between the tribute to Whitney (which really was excellent, even if a last-minute edit was necessary), and McCartney's show finale, we had to endure two seemingly never-ending assaults on the music business. The techno display with the mock Mickey Mouses was nauseating, and then that other thing--what was that? And they only gave Tony ninety seconds?!? And then when Sir Paul took the stage, the performance was less than advertised (multi-talent guitar montage notwithstanding). Yeah, I'm not a fan of Awards Shows.

Here's another old love poem written more years ago than I can admit. It talks about two lovers who, for whatever reason, are separated for a time. While all the love poems I've ever written are for my Bride and my Lord, I'd like to dedicate this one especially to all those who have to be away from their Love for a season (think "military" who are deployed away from theirs because they are serving us):

Those who know me and my beautiful Blushing Bride know that we credit the Maker for our meeting, our relationship, our marriage, our family and our love for each other. Who but our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, would have such a great sense of the awesome than to draw two hearts together at missionary orientation? Because of that, I think (since we are on the Lord's Day today) the love song today will be our mutual love song to Jesus. Here are the words:

How do you explain, how do you describe
A love that goes from east to west
And runs ad deep as it is wide
You know all our hopes, You know all our fears
Words cannot express the love we feel
But we long for you to hear

Chorus
So listen to our hearts, and hear our spirits sing
A song of praise that flows
From those you have redeemed
We will use the words we know
To tell you what an awesome God You are
Words are not enough to tell You of our love
So listen to our hearts

If words could fall like rain
From these lips of mine
And if I had a thousand years
I would still run out of time
So if you listen to my heart
Every beat would say
Thank you for the life, thank you for the truth
Thank you for the way

Before we begin today's love poem, shall we have a quick lesson? Sonnets are an interesting breed of poem. Here are the basic details:

A sonnet is a poem of fourteen lines with a particular rhyme scheme. These lines are typically arranged in three quatrains and a couplet (though not always). The two major rhyme schemes are attributed to the poets who used them regularly--The Italian (some say Sicilian) Sonnet is commonly called "Petrarchan" and the English Sonnet is best known as "Shakespearean". Any further explanation than that, I would refer you to your favorite English teacher to fill in the blanks.

My point behind all of this is that the epitome of love poems is the sonnet. It isn't necessary for the theme of a sonnet to be about love, but when someone starts spouting a sonnet at you, start with the assumption that they are thinking along the lines of amour. William Shakespeare wrote a mountain of sonnets (many, most, if not all of them spewing love). In his Romantic Tragedy Romeo and Juliet our star-crossed lovers engaged in sonnetation (if it's not a word it ought to be) with their first words to each other. And so, My Blushing Bride, I give you this "kiss" from Shakespeare (I've removed the stage directions to see the beauty of the love poem--you will notice the extra four lines tacked on for the purpose of characterization)(R= Romeo; J= Juliet):

(R) If I profane with my unworthiest hand
This holy shrine, the gentle fine is this:
My lips, two blushing pilgrims, ready stand
To smooth that rough touch with a tender kiss.

(J) Good pilgrim, you do wrong your hand too much,
Which mannerly devotion shows in this;
For saints have hands that pilgrims' hands do touch,
And palm to palm is holy palmers' kiss.

(R) Have not saints lips, and holy palmers too?

(J) Ay, pilgrim, lips that they must use in prayer.

(R) O, then, dear saint, let lips do what hands do;
They pray, grant thou, lest faith turn to despair.

(J) Saints do not move, though grant for prayers' sake.

(R) Then move not, while my prayer's effect I take.
Thus from my lips, by yours, my sin is purged.

(J) Then have my lips the sin that they have took.

(R) Sin from thy lips? O trespass sweetly urged!
Give me my sin again.

(J) You kiss by the book.   (Romeo & Juliet, Act I, Scene v.)

Before SCC declared "I Will Be Here"; before Lionel was "Truly"; Leon Patillo was making the wedding altar rounds with a song that was inspired by Scripture: "And Adam said, 'This is now bone of my bones, and flesh of my flesh: she shall be called Woman, because she was taken out of Man.'"(Genesis 2:23) And thus, the fate of Wedding ceremony music (especially for "Church Weddings") was set in motion. And so, My Love, here's another love song - "Flesh of My Flesh":

CHORUS:
You are flesh of my flesh
Bone of my bone
There's no one closer
You are flesh of my flesh
Bone of my bone
We are one

I do pledge my life to you
Forever and always
I will take good care of you
And shower you with praise

Others try and separate us
But they don't have a chance
No one else can take your place
No not even one

CHORUS

I do give my life to you
Today and everyday
I will stand right by your side
Whatever comes our way

I have searched and searched for someone
Who'd make my dreams come true
Nowhere else on this earth
Is there anyone like you

Instrumental

The storms of life can blow and blow
But they won't knock me down
We'll stand the test
The test of time
Cause we stand on Holy ground.
Chorus

Not to be out-done by their mainstream counterparts, Christian artists jumped onto the love song bandwagon, and many of their offerings found their way into the wedding song milieu. Here's a favorite from SCC which he wrote for his Bride, and I would gladly sing for mine:

In the late 1970s and early '80s there were a host of songs from another host of different sources (in both the "Christian" and the not-so-Christian arenas) that made getting married all the rage. Why were so many people rushing to the altar? Because they had to have their favorite romantic song performed by their closest friend who thought they could sing it just like the artist while they wore a white wedding dress or a wide-lapeled, ruffle-shirted, butterfly-bowtied, velvet trimmed, baby blue tux with white shoes. Some of the songs were pretty good anyway. And for today's Valentine installment for my Blushing Bride I dedicate Lionel's offering to the milieu of honey-dripped songs that made their way to many altars with hopeful Brides and Bridegrooms. Truly --

Girl, tell me only this
That I'll have your heart for always
And you want me by your side
Whispering the words I'll always love you

Bridge:
And forever I will be your lover
And I know if you really care
I will always be there

Now I need to tell you this
There's no other love like your love
And I,as long as I live,
I'll give you all the joy
My heart and soul can give

Bridge:
Let me hold you
I need to have you near me
And I feel with you in my arms
This love will last forever

Chorus:
Because I'm truly
Truly in love with you girl
I'm truly head over heels with your love
I need you, and with your love I'm free
And truly,you know you're alright with me

March, 2000. It was the second day of my training at the International Mission Board's training center for overseas workers (they keep changing the name, so I don't know what they call it now). We looked across the crowded room. Our eyes met. (Shall I continue or just get sappier by the minute?)

Actually I did meet my Blushing Bride on the second day of that training. I was headed for a career in Ukraine, and she a two-year term in Egypt. Our friendship blossomed over the next five weeks, and then we went our various ways. Apparently, there was a plan that meant more than overseas service. I had written a love song a few years before--not for anyone in particular, but back in the day when I was a melancholy romantic and wrote love songs (not very good ones, but they suited me). Then I met HER. Then my heart went bump (day-do-ron-ron?).

Anyway, after we decided to get married, I realized that I'd already written a song for this precious woman--a song that was written even before we met. So, Happy Birthday, my Love. Here's your song:

For the next few days, I want to dedicate a these posts to my Blushing Bride. Let me start with Elizabeth Barrett Browning's  famous Sonnet (from the Portuguese) #XLIII:

How do I love thee? Let me count the ways.
I love thee to the depth and breadth and height
My soul can reach, when feeling out of sight
For the ends of being and ideal grace.
I love thee to the level of every day's
Most quiet need, by sun and candle-light.
I love thee freely, as men strive for right.
I love thee purely, as they turn from praise.
I love thee with the passion put to use
In my old griefs, and with my childhood's faith.
I love thee with a love I seemed to lose
With my lost saints. I love thee with the breath,
Smiles, tears, of all my life; and, if God choose,
I shall but love thee better after death.

I think the word we were looking for was "melancholy" but we settled on "mellow". We were young, and young people have emotional bouts with their feelings and the biology of growing up coursing through them. Inspired by the words of Olivia Newton-John, we would go around our melancholic funk, whining and looking for sympathy.



Well, fellows - I'm mellow.

A couple of weeks ago I discovered that my good friend from college days succumbed to some major medical issues on Christmas Eve. Don had a genuine spirit of humility about him. In his demeanor you could tell that he was one of those friends. You know the kind, they know nothing but love and kindness. It's really interesting that when he graduated the year before me from OBU, I knew we wouldn't see that much of each other. He was scheduled to wed his college fiancee, and move on to seminary in Kansas City. I had another semester to drudge through in undergrad work and was off to Southwestern in Ft. Worth.

When I talked to Don's wife via e-exchange after learning of his death, she reminded me of something--"Do you remember that song you wrote for us when we got married?" As a matter of fact I didn't and then she mentioned it, and I did.Interestingly, I was going through some old writing, thinking about Don, and found the rough draft of the lyric and a copy of the rough melody still in my possession. So, if you don't mind, I'd like to honor my buddy, Don, and his wife (and son) one more time by sharing this poem (no critics please, but if you'd like to comment an encouraging word to the family, I'll be sure they get it). Below you'll find a scan of the rough copy of the original music (and it's really rough).

It's not very long until your graduation day
You'll soon be getting married and moving far away.
Please just remember to keep God in your plans
And then go together walking hand in hand.
Go together in life's tortures
Go together in life's joys
Go together, go together just like good ol' girls and boys.
Go together in the sunshine tho' life sometimes brings you rain
Go together in your happiness and even in your pain.

Then you'll know you're succeeding when your children praise the Lord.
You'll know God has blest you and your smiles they'll afford.
Just remember what I told you when things seem to get rough,
"Go together with each other and your Father up above."
Go together over mountains
Go together 'cross the sea
Go together, go together 'cause that's how it's meant to be.
Go together when you're crying and also when you smile
Go together, go together, go together all the while.

Go Together

Technology, good. Technology, bad.

I like technology. It is good for us, makes things easier and more efficient. The advent of the computer and the Internet has brought about things like spreadsheets that calculate and prepare presentations for us, word processors that check our spelling (beware of over-dependence on spell-check and grammar-check software - some words are missed by spelling checkers because they are words even if we meant another word, and most grammar checking software was written by someone who doesn't really know the rules of proper usage, therefore it will indicate error where there is none and let actual errors get by), e-mail that is faster than the Pony Express, and social networking that helps us re-connect with our past. I personally have reconnected with friends from past days--college, high school, and even as far back a the grade and grammar schools I spent my formative years in. As a matter of fact, I wouldn't even be able to issue this challenge if it weren't for technological advances. Technology is a really good thing.

Even so, technology has its draw-backs. Personal connection has been relegated to cyberspace. We no longer FAX (anybody ever really do that anyway?). Instead we email, text (TXT for the younger audience), and Tweet. While these are great ways to communicate on the fly (because technology includes the faster, more efficient transportation available that has decreased the enormity of our globe), they have taken their toll. We have become lazy. Spelling has become a lost skill because we rely on our spelling checker (see above) or depend totally on our smart phones and Twitter which, out of necessity, has taught us to forgo vowels and substitute single letters or combinations of letters (i.e. "C U l8er") to limit the number of keystrokes in our message.

Handwriting itself has become a thing of the past. There are good and bad sides to this, for instance no longer do I write my sermon notes out longhand and consequently I can read them (which my church members may either thank or curse me for). School children are encouraged to learn keyboarding skills rather than learning to write legibly, spell consistently, or construct sentences coherently.

All of this leads to the lost art of letter-writing. While many are still composing communication for memos, email, and blogs (such as this one), we no longer write letters for the sake of communication. So, here's my challenge: choose a friend, an acquaintance, or perhaps engage the assistance of a new friend from your cyber-friends and start a penpal-type relationship with them. Some of my older readers will remember "penpals" from their grade school days. Two correspondents would get acquainted and learn of their different lives via postal communication. We made lasting friendships, learned of different cultures, and kept up with news in foreign (or at least regionally distant) lands. I am going to choose an old acquaintance, write a letter (by hand), explain my challenge, and see if they would like to participate in the experiment with me. Don't be surprised if you receive letter postmarked "Mulberry Grove" from me. If you get the letter, consider writing back (not via email or other electronic means, but with a letter written by hand).

The headline reads "Twinkies Maker Hostess Files for Chapter 11" (click the link to read the article)

The sad truth of the matter is that Hostess is our go to source for all cakes snackable. CupCakes (not the homemade kind, but those dark chocolate, cream-filled, two-packed--so you can share 'em with a friend--cakes with the hard edible plastic cover that has a white curly design on top), which were followed by the DingDongs, and the HoHo's, and the multiple-flavored Zingers. There are a world of snack cakes out there, and now the maker of the premier ones (not the cheap-o knock-offs from other bakeries) is going belly-up!?

I blame our health-conscious nation, as well as the fast-food industry which turned eating snacks that are calorie-laden into an art form. My wish in all of this is that the shelves so stacked with preservative-filled, taste-bud-tempting treats will not disappear altogether. Why, they last forever, those Twinkies do.

And speaking of "Twinkie Doo", if Hostess goes under, where will we get that last bit of tasty Yum that sticks to the cardboard packaging? You know, that last bit that you scrape off with your finger so that you can get every crumb of the luscious Twinkie?

Snack cake lovers, beware!

By now, if you are a regular reader of this blog, you know that I have used the services of Lulu.com to publish some of my short fiction and a couple of sermon collections. Today I received a coupon code for you to use when purchasing any or all of my titles. The neat thing about this coupon is that the offer is for 25% off (up to $50 savings) on your purchase. A couple of things you should note: this offer is for a single purchase (that means you can't use it today and decide to use it again tomorrow or next week, so make your decisions before purchasing), and the offer is good until January 31, 2012--that gives you a couple of weeks to make your selections.

So, click on the Lulu.com logo. Choose as many of my titles as you'd like then enter the coupon code LULUBOOK305 at checkout. Simple as that. Hurry!

Disclaimer: Use coupon code LULUBOOK305 at checkout and receive 25% off your order. The maximum savings with this promotion is $50. You can only use the code once per account, and you can't use this coupon in combination with other coupon codes. This great offer ends on January 31, 2012 at 11:59 PM PST. While very unlikely Lulu.com reserves the right to change or revoke this offer at anytime, and of course we cannot offer this coupon where it is against the law to do so. Finally, Lulu.com incurs the cost of this discount, so it does not impact the Author's proceeds of the book. This coupon does not work with self-purchases, i.e., if you are the author of the book you are trying to purchase, you cannot use this coupon. This coupon will work for multiple titles but savings cannot go past the maximum of $50.

I text. Mostly to church members and my Beautiful Blushing Bride. But I am not a fan of texting as it is done by the generation who made it up--they have this kookie language that has nothing to do with the rules of genteel spelling and grammar. It almost reminds me of what my Hebrew professor at seminary told me about the original language: "There were originally no vowels, the vowel points were added later by scribes who wanted to preserve the pronunciation."

Well, we're back. Back to no vowels again. I almost wonder why we bothered with them in the first place.

But, I digress. Let's get back to the issue at hand: a terrible, horrible, no good, very bad bag full of abbreviations - ROFL (rolling on the floor laughing), BFF (best friend forever), and the like. One of the most misunderstood, misinterpreted, and misused of the lot is LOL. For the uninformed and uninitiated old people who don't or won't text this acronym does not (nor has it ever) stand for "lots of love." Far from it, this little bit of joy stands for "Laugh (or Laughing, depending on your texting dictionary) Out Loud." It suggests that what ever precedes it is a good and funny joke--forcing one to, well, laugh out loud.

And now for the sad reality of using the LOL - decorum dictates that one should not use LOL for their own comments. This is the equivalent of the comic who laughs at his own jokes (even though they are not really funny jokes at all), or the preacher who constantly has to remind his congregation that he has said something with which they should all agree (can I get an Amen? LOL) So you see, if someone wants to LOL at something you've said it's cool (even if you didn't think you said something funny, because they did), and if you think the preacher has said something with which you agree, give a hearty Amen (you can even start your own corner if you like, preachers like that). But it is bad manners for the preacher to beg for Amens, for the comic to guffaw, or for the texter to LOL at his own posts. If it's funny, others will LOL at you. And if it's really funny they might even ROFL.

Go ahead, you can LOL in the comments section now.

I've long been a fan of Police Drama. I like the mystery (that comes with shows like Columbo) and the police procedures. Understanding that shows like Hunter make us root for the officer who pushes the envelope in order to make the case. Any more, the newer police shows have the tendency to concentrate more on the officer (and his/her life) than the case--turning many of them into prime time soap opera a la NYPD Blue rather than the police procedural, or they concentrate on spinning off the name of another show (Law & Order, et.al.) with little or no connection to the original.


Because I like to read things like the 87th Precinct series, I like my TV Police shows to be well-written. Because I enjoy a well presented stage production, I enjoy the actors in these shows to know their craft. Setting aside my preference for Walker, Texas Ranger (writing and acting both fall short, but there are tons of great fight scenes thanks to Chuck Norris), I don't enjoy too many of the crime shows available for consumption these days. Friday evenings has become the exception, and I just finished watching two of the best examples:

• CSI: NY -- while it is a name-copy series, and they have had some of the character-driven, soap opera-esque story lines, I have found them to be consistently well-written, and with a lead character played by veteran actor Gary Sinese you can't go wrong when you can settle in for an episode.
• Blue Bloods -- I must admit that when it started a couple of seasons ago, I had my doubts. A family full of NY Police officers, headed by the commish himself? Bound to turn into dumpster diving into the tawdry lives of each separate character. Attempts at this very thing have been few and short-lived, because the family consistently focuses on the case. Another concern I had was Donnie Wahlberg in one of the chief roles, and I've been pleasantly surprised. The writers of this series have held to their guns with the character of the characters, the genuine faith of an Irish Catholic family of cops in New York (how's that for stereotyping?), and the commitment to family of the family. Plus you get to see them approach crime from a variety of viewpoints. 

Working on singing a special song in church this coming Sunday and I ran across the background cd for this song (not doing it this week, maybe another time). Anyway, I thought I'd do a quick go-over, and found myself unable to make it all the way through--not even once(t) without bawling like a baby. It speaks to me, maybe it will speak to you today, too:

Happy New Year to all my faithful readers(s).