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Looking through the boxes of pictures
on the back, one said this, another said that. One inherited box had some old light fixtures, or was it a box that once held a fancy hat? The back of one frame was marked,' "To Stephanie my dearest niece this is now your heirlooms. Another was a box marked, "Christmas tree." All from an aunt who lived within two rooms. Some costume jewelry, not worth much, and a box of buttons, bows and ribbons. Treasures the kids once couldn't touch. What about the painting of pigeons? A lifetime of stuff collected in cardboard boxes. Nothing ever seemed to be enough She'd say, "I don't care what the cost is. In time, The Last Will and Testament will be read, and we'll go out and see her last resting place, and somebody will fight for her old mahogany bed. But will the preacher say anything about grace? At the end of the road may be a fragrant memory, not a memory residing in an empty abode. I'd like you to say that you remember me! I hope my legacy is that together we cried, and that I helped carry your load, we prayed, and on the Lord we relied. That's what I want at -the end of the road. I
felt the heavy mantle fall on me! He said, "Congratulations, Man of God." Insecurity and timidity, and a measure of fear overwhelmed me. I was thinking, I'm not worthy to be called, "A Man of God" then, I realized it wasn't about me. It was about Jesus, and as a follower of the Lord Jesus I had a position with God the Father. I indeed was a "Man of God!" not by my actions, or even my inactions, but by the sacrificial actions of my dear Lord Jesus Christ. The only word that even comes close to fitting my heart response, or even a proper response at all is the simple word humility. He's my Banner References: 1 Kgs 13-14, 2 Kgs 13-14, Jn 15:15-16, Heb. 4: 16, Rom. 5:8, Gal. 4:7, Jn 1:12, Eph. 1:4, Gal. 3:13 "And Moses built an altar and named it 'The LORD is my Banner." -Exodus 17:15 Jehovah Nissi It was a memorable day in Santiago,
Chile, when I took a shortcut, but there was no path to follow. I can see it now with eyes closed shut. As I crossed that old graveyard there was a headstone I came across. I recall it as if it were in my backyard. It was weathered and covered with moss. My name was on that headstone! It had a birth date and a death date, and, for a moment, I felt all alone! It was not mine, but I didn't wait. I ran from that graveyard, a headstone with my name! I ran head down, fast and hard. I knew that I was alive all the same. So teach us to number our days that we may get a heart of wisdom!* That's what Ps 90:12 says, Now, it's urgency for the kingdom. Footnote: *Psalm 90:12 ESV When my time comes, this life to disembark
towards the light and away from the dark. As I set out on my promised journey to that shore of no worry. I'll know when I'm finally home, at water's edge with lapping foam. Knowing that Jesus has a place for me, and it's Jesus I've come to see! As my boat onto the gravel grates, I'll look up to those pearly gates. Knowing my arrival is almost complete, and saints await to meet and greet. "Remove your sandals", they will say, and "Welcome, Follower-of-the Way." My inner spirit will then rejoice, that is, if, or when, I find my voice! References: John 14:2-3, Hebrews 11:16, John 14:23, Revelation 3:5, Exodus 3:5, Acts 24:14 In the shadow
of the cross, I stand, With self an echo, nail in hand. No longer I, but Christ in me, From a life of try, I am set free. The relentless goal, met its end, Christ's control I did bend. To take me where sin must go, So ‘i’ could dare, His life to flow. With every breath, His light Divine, His vessel’s depth, His name, Thine. In death's grace, a new beginning, Through His love, a new living. No longer a captive to the chains of doubt, But free and adaptive, His love, my shout! I live His trust, gifted me, Share I must, set captives free. In heaven's embrace, Crystal did find,
A purity unmatched, a peace undefined. A place where perfection, unbroken and true, Enveloped her soul in a heavenly hue. No earthly sensation could ever compare, To the love and serenity that filled the air. In God's loving presence, she felt so secure, Assured of His grace, forever to endure. The streets paved with gold, so radiant and bright, A symbol of God's love, an eternal light. Crystal knew in her heart, with heavenly grace, She'd found the purest, most perfect place. You, yes YOU,
You've brought my heart to life, Awakened my soul, Painted it with hopes, dreams, Revealed pains, fears, And yes, regrets, All held within this mortal frame. Through dark nights and empty hopes, In those inescapable moments, Leading to that hopeful eternal pause, If I dare embrace it, I could escape What I never truly planned for. Yet, YOUR way is life in all its richness, Your paths have led me To this very moment, A moment ablaze with Love, JOY EVERLASTING (2015) In the land of sandbox dreams, where children play,
Under the sun's golden, warm embrace, they sway. Brotherly love, their hearts did embrace, Innocence and laughter in this sacred space. But one fateful day, a quarrel did arise, Over toys and treasures, a bitter compromise. Who had more of the box? They couldn't agree. Tensions are rising, with hearts filled with dissension. A missing boy, a puzzle in their midst, His absence cast shadows, a poignant twist. With him, more of the box they'd surely find, Yet unity and friendship were left far behind. Then, a chilling realization, they came to see, All were gone, vanished, like whispers on the sea. No more disputes, no battles to ignite, But a chilling emptiness in the fading light. The sandbox, once vibrant, now stood forlorn, No laughter, no play, no children reborn. They looked on in silence, hearts heavy with pain, Wondering where they'd gone, their friends in the rain. Loneliness engulfed them, a bitter despair, In the absence of friendship, they found no repair. The lesson learned too late, in the space, The value of unity in this sacred place. In sandbox dreams, a poignant tale is told, Of brotherly love, more precious than gold. Let not squabbles divide; in the end, we must see, In togetherness and love, our true destiny. In life's darkest hour, when shadows loom,
Depression's grip, like impending doom. Seek solace in Christ, the Savior divine, In His love and grace, true treasures you'll find. For in Him, completeness, in lack, you'll see, A purpose, a hope, a jubilant decree. Like a battery charged, with power untold, His love fills your heart, your spirit unfolds. In Christ, depression's chains are broken and gone, His healing touch, like the morning dawn. So trust in His love, let your heart take flight, In His presence, you'll find eternal light. In a realm where time is a stream,
We embark on dreams unseen. Going nowhere, but swiftly we soar, Destinations we'll explore. Wings of thought and wheels of light, Guided by stars in the endless night. Going nowhere, yet moving fast, In our journey's echo, we're unsurpassed. Through the dimensions of the mind, we glide, Unraveling mysteries, side by side. Going nowhere, but oh, so fleet, Time's melody, our hearts shall beat. Embracing the rush of the cosmic flow, Going nowhere, yet where dreams grow. With every step, we transcend the past, On this boundless voyage, we're steadfast. Going nowhere, but going free, fuelled by the spark of curiosity. Infinite horizons we're bound to grasp, For in this paradox, we're alive at last. Take this journey within my soul my friend
What shall we seek? That which never perishes Some home never to lose when Mortality manifests its rage What have you stumbled upon my soul my friend There deep within? What cove has offered shelter In the silence grand Safe from crashing waves? Who have you found my soul my friend? Whom did you find within? I found a friend at home With wounded hands Seeking my heart What can you there do my soul my friend? Remove every opening to the cacophony of doubt Sit at the feet of comfort Bask in the rays of praise Rejoice in the consuming fire What can you there be my soul my friend? Alone Face to face As at the first We met by Dean Chicquette inspired by Evelyn Underhill 1875-1941 "Introversion" I remember the ancient days
When darkness ruled the heart When justice deceived itself Leaving the widows and childless With no comfort When the spirit of the age Sought to correct the wrong All day long Placing humanity in a cage Dressed in undefined hope By torturing the soul I remember too The night you came Offered yourself Not some plan To release this soul From flesh bound hopes It was easy to fall for you Yet I trembled I cried With joy of Your new residence Within my living Even now I turn away To glitter and sway To music screaming pain Only to remember your arms Ever embracing Where can I go There are no words That can express your presence Cleaning my cluttered house All-day long shaking this body Letting me rest When I view the morning light
Through these eyes of joy I rest in your arms ever so strong And take one more brisk breath of hope That this is the day we should announce to the world In words so pure and sweet That you are love itself Rushing into every heart Ready to meet Ready for the worlds to meet Here I crash, crumble and fall At your feet, at your feet I begin again with but a breath Looking at your life Looking back at me Here in the now There is no greater gain Than not sing one more frame Of thank you And fall again Into your arms of rest And rest Forgot to look into your eyes
As if I was meeting you for the first time Or not leaning over really close To catch your every word Nor enjoying the warmth of you Snuggling up within my space And forgetting You just want to be near Yes, I have ignored you taking time out of your living To enjoy my life Forgive my hearing your story As an addendum to mine Or ignoring your touch As if it were out of time And my clamoring to be seen When I forgot your face I heard your pain and saw your tears But hid my tears for shame Forgive me for turning my music up so loud I could not hear myself much less Seeing your dancing to my tune And see your oneness dressing my loneliness And for so trying to get noticed I forget to notice you. I have counted my own breaths Forgetting why I breathe Even how I breathe Watching your story unfold I was too busy to see it How it fit with mine Then you touch me again Ignoring the past Forgive me for letting you Experience the dark All alone Lost in it And my not even shouting in Nor listening for an echo Broken by your call Broken by your whimper And most of all Forgive me for not loving you Dedicated to the Jesus who has walked with me in the form of Linda for 53 years on her 76th birthday. I love you Linda! |
POEMS
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