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Partners

A leak requires a bucket,Like a prayer requires a God,As home without a family,Is a swamp without a bog. Love without two lovers,Like an effect without a cause,Or sunsets without horizons,A conversation without a pause. A beach without sand,Like clouds without a sky,Or a forest without trees,Like a sin without a lie. Life’s journey requiresContinue reading “Partners”

Rude Mood

You have a look that’s so routine,Clothed in colors of ugly green,A motion picture that won’t be seen,You’ve a simple look, no beauty lean. I’ll trim you here, cut you there,No fruit on you to careful bear,No pot too dull or flame to flare,No striking face or subtle stare. My thoughts give me but littleContinue reading “Rude Mood”

Living in the Spirit

Based on Readings: Isaiah 35:10; James 5:7-10; Psalm 146:4-9; Luke 1:46-55; Matthew 11:2-11 Last week, the prophet Isaiah described a historic transition that was about to take place, not in a moment, but one taking place over some 800 years. He opened our readings talking about the coming of Jesus from the Davidic line. InContinue reading “Living in the Spirit”

Qualifying the Unqualified

Based on Readings: Acts 9:1-6, 7-20; Psalm 30; Revelation 5:11-14; John 21:1-19 Please pray with me. Lord, we pray you join us on this journey into your word. Bless us with an understanding of what you have to say. To your glory we pray. Amen. Please close your eyes and let your mind take youContinue reading “Qualifying the Unqualified”

Living Rich Toward God

Based on Readings: Ecclesiastes 1:2, 12-14; Psalm 49:1-11; Luke 12:13-21; Luke 2:18-23 Please pray with me: Lord, may your words edify our minds and soothe our souls. Amen Everything we have heard this morning, from Solomon, David, the Apostle Paul, and Jesus, speaks to one, same theme – the utter futility to live for theContinue reading “Living Rich Toward God”

Rules for Writing Better Poetry

Few would argue that Neil Young’s hit ballad, “Heart of Gold” contains lyrical gold. I can hear the melody and his signature voice sing these verses: Keep me searching, for a heart of gold,You keep me searching and I’m growing old,Keep me searching for a heart of gold,I’ve been a miner for a heart ofContinue reading “Rules for Writing Better Poetry”

Consequences

Based on Readings: Jeremiah 17:5-10; Psalm 1; First Corinthians 15:12-20; Luke 6:17-26 Last week, the message from Father Samuel was about a call from God, the calls of the prophet Isaiah, of St. Paul, and of the Apostle Simon Peter. All three ofthem were unqualified but willing. My takeaway can be summed up in anContinue reading “Consequences”

Your Favorite Pet

I sit on my perch and look all around,Bright colored feathers cling to me bound,Together in red, yellow, green and blue,A little macaw parrot who depends on you. I don’t eat much and make no mess,I cannot fly far and sleep even less,While ship’s decks are fine with mattee’s ahoy,My hope is to give youContinue reading “Your Favorite Pet”

Worm

He wiggles and waggles across the walk,Above him hears the walker’s talk,Seeking the cool of the grass so green,Reflecting the morning’s moisture sheen. Watching around for the shadow shade,A diving bird on his daily raid,A meal to make of this earthy worm,He creeps and crawls in a slow, slow squirm, A walker’s shoe is almostContinue reading “Worm”

Long Ago Memories

Driveway gravel crumbles under the tires,We arrive after dark and tap on a window,As the train whistle and click clack of tracksBeckon me to my Oklahoma home. Each of the family in the prime of life,I feel my mother’s hands touch my face,I see my parents smile with thanksgivingAs they gaze at the blessings beforeContinue reading “Long Ago Memories”