A new day,
     A new way,
          A new life,
               A new strife,
                    A new dove,
                         A new love,
                              A new hope,
                    A new way to cope.
                         A new home,
A new place to roam.
A new sorrow,
     A new tomorrow,
          A new knowledge,
               A new college,
                     A new hate,
                          A new debate,
                               A new run,
                     A new thing done.
                          A new pond,
A new far beyond.
A new sweeping,
     A new reaping,
          A new best,
               A new test,
                    A new rhyme,
                         A new time,
                              A new reason,
                    A new, open season.
                         A new tom-boy,
A new bundle of joy.
A new cot,
     A new pot,
          A new pan,
               A new can,
                    A new want,
                         A new taunt,
                              A new ability,
                    A new sightless visibility.
                         A new top,
A new time to stop.
A new toy,
     A new joy,
          A new glass,
               A new grass,
                    A new pen,
                         A new sin,
                              A new forgiveness,
                    A new thought of newness.
                         A new realization,
Without new relation.

(from journal entry for May 8, 1980)

You put your head on my shoulder;
     I put my heart in your hands.
Together we can brighten the world,
     And spread peace throughout all the lands.

Friends, friends, friends,
     We can be friends together;
I'll be your friend 'til the end.
Friends, friends, friends,
     We don't have to worry 'bout the weather,
And forever I'll be your friend.

I don't mind if you cry on my shoulder,
     If you don't mind if I open my heart.
I don't mind if you ask me to counsel you,
     But don't use me and tear me apart.

Friends, friends, friends,
     We can be friends forever
Yes, Earth's peace on us depends
Friends, friends, friends,
     We don't have to worry, no, never,
And forever I'll be your friend.

(1980)

[Again, this is from my Junior English (III) journal. I later set the words to music, but can't remember the tune exactly. I would say that this was probably inspired by Michael W. Smith, but his song "Friends" didn't come out until years later.]

Children playing,
The first breath blown;
The man on the freeway,
     The fist you have shown,
Cashier at the market,
          Voice on the phone;
Dinner burning,
               Tension has grown;
One last breath for screaming,
                    Ka-POW!

No more balloon.

(May 6, 1980)

[This is an excerpt from my high school journal.]

It happened again today and so I said something. Probably shouldn't have, but I did. Let me start with my two "change pet peeves".

The first is related to my years in an after school job. I was taught to "count change back" to the customer. Clerks today think they are counting back change, but unless they are more than forty years of age, they are probably just counting back the amount of change their machine tells them the customer is supposed to get. Shall I educate the younger readers of this tirade? As a clerk it is your responsibility to count back the change (not once but twice). Here's the example: Your customer gives you a $20 bill for a sale of $12.27. Your computerized cash register will flash to you that you should return $7.73 to them in change (trust me the math is right). Your job as checker is not to take the machine's word for it, but to "count back" change. To do this you should start with the amount of the sale ($12.27) and count the change back to yourself from the till--pennies (28, 29, 30); dimes (40, 50); 2 quarters (thirteen dollars); ones (14, 15); and a five (that makes 20)--that's $7.73. Then you count (the same way) back to the customer, which shows the customer that (1) you know what kind of cash they tendered to you, and (2) that you know how much change to give them, without really needing the register to tell you more than the amount of the original sale in the first place.

Which leads me to my other issue (the one that happened today--at a national fast food joint that will remain nameless here). At the drive through window, the clerks have been trained (I assume, because they always do it this way) to tell you how much change they are supposedly putting into your hand and then stack bills, register receipt, and top it off with a fistfull of change. Why does this irk me so? Because stacking the change the way they do often causes the coin-change to fall between the window and your car. This isn't so much if there are only a few pennies, but if the coin change is the better part of a dollar, you don't want to have to try to retrieve it from the space between the building and your car.

So, I said something--probably shouldn't have, but I'm tired of it. It may save 2 to 3 seconds of time, but it aggravates me. Why don't you just give me the change, then do a second hand-off with the bills and receipt. Thanks for listening.

The empty room: open door
     Ready to be filled with
Bright happy faces
     Memories of events gone by
          Souvenirs of places.
Shades drawn darkly --
     Want for sunshine
Need for laughter . . . singing . . .
     Someone kind.

To laugh, to cry,
     To hope, to wish,
To live, to die
     No one to talk to
          No one to love.
Open the windows
     Brighten with laughter
Open door; empty room --
     Darkness prevails --
          But why?

(20 October 1980)

Okay, so here's the deal. I have several shelves of books that I have accumulated over the years (many before I ever met the Blushing Bride). Some are even near and dear to my heart. At the same time our family is in need of some funds in a rather immediate fashion. A host of these books have been gathering dust on the shelves for more years than I care to admit. A mountain of them were even languishing in storage while we lived and worked overseas.

To make the two ends work together, I will be offering a great many titles for sale, but since it is a fundraising effort I can't let the books go for a song and dance. My pricing should be fair (but probably won't be competitive, again, the point is to get raise funds for our family need). My first blush out of the gate will be to list several of the authors whose work I have and will be parting with (some reluctantly). As time permits, I list individual titles--unless people are into just buying the author's work. Most titles will be first or second editions (book club editions will be priced considerably less), and many are signed (and/or inscribed) by the author.

To answer the main question--why not use e-bay or Amazon.com? Well, I am using those outlets for some general sales, but most of the titles I'm offering in this fashion would be more suited for personal contact from collectors and bibliophiles.

So, now to the authors included:

Steve Brewer (many early Bubba Mabry mysteries)
Bill Brooks (several western titles--these will go pretty cheap as most are paperback)
Sigmund Brouwer (I have many of his fiction titles for older readers, not too many children's titles)
Susan Rogers Cooper (many Milt Kolvak titles, several E.J. Pugh titles, and all of the Kimmie Kruse novels)
Bill Crider (I have almost all of his mystery titles, including Dan Rhodes, Carl Burns, Truman Smith, and Sally Goode)
Kinky Friedman (all but the last few of his mysteries)
James Grippando
John Grisham
Stewart Kaminsky (many of the Toby Peters titles--several of these are book club editions, but in excellent condition)
Lisa Scottoline
David J. Walker

I also have a number of short story collections to sell. Tune in often for more detail on the books that must go. If you like some of these authors ask for a particular title of theirs and I'll let you know if I have it.

I'd tell you her age, but then some of you would make comment about me instead of wishing my beautiful Blushing Bride a wondermous birthday. So, instead I'll just say, "Happy Birthday, my Love!" (she's *29* today!)

for You my Lord, this is, for You my Lord.
my voic i lift in song of praise.
You are my strength. You are my life.
You help me see that i need You.
Almighty God, that's who You are
none other can be higher than You.

     i ask You to help me get You back on the trhone
     back into the place You belong,
     back onto the throne of my heart.

i speak of myself too often my Lord.
i brag and put all others down.
for You my Lord, i sing this song
help me to put all others first
but put You, Lord, above the rest
for none other can be higher than You
     i ask You to help me get You back on the trhone
     back into the place You belong,
     back onto the throne of my heart.

(1980)

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)

Let's go bi-lingual today with a poem I wrote in my second-year of high school Spanish (translation after the original work)

Tu eres mi Reina
     Mi corazon pertiene a ti.
Tu eres lindacita
     cuando te veo.
?Por que siempre recuerdo?
     ?Por que no ha olvida?
Porque tu eres linda, y
     Tu eres mi Reina.

You are my Queen
     My heart belongs to you.
You are most beautiful
     When I look upon you.
Why do I always remember?
     Why can't I forget?
Because you are beautiful, and
     You are my Queen.

(1980)

(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.