"Again, So Soon?"

Here we are again at the vet...
While I was locking the shed,
You escaped your kennel bed
And left me a package in shreds.

I called the wife. “Go!” she said,
“For he soon could be dead!”
I know it’s not toxic—I had checked—
But your belly full of a full pound of bread?

On the highway I drove (admittedly sped).
Registered as you’re fetched by a tech.
The doctor gave you some meds.
Soon your snack came back ou—oh, dread!

“It will cost much” said the girl at the desk
—Not at all unexpected—
“It’s worth it,” said I, nodding my head.
“After all, he’s my very best friend.”

"You're The Holy God"

You’re the holy God,
You’re the Ancient of Days
And forever in truth do You reign.

You’re Creator of
All that exists,
You spoke ev’rything in six days.

Ev’ry heart leads false,
But You’ve forgiven us—
In only Your grace can we brag.

So when that ol’ serpent fires his darts,
We put trust in You, holy God!

---

adapted from “You’re A Grand Old Flag”
George M. Cohan, 1906
Public domain

"Turning Every Way"

To rush the gate
is to invite death;
You will not enter,
You shall not pass

But to come with faith?
To kneel? To yield?

Flames burn off every blemish,
Heated blade presses out every wrinkle;
Spirit purifies as it gives light,
Word washes even as He speaks

To kneel,
to yield,
trusting that which pierces heart
and divides the soul?
This is life.

Therefore, choose:
How will you approach?

"Money, Money, Money!"

Money, money, money! Dollar Almighty!
Early in the morning we’ll rise to worship Thee;
Money, money, money! Mammon is our king!
Root of all evil, is our love for Thee.

Money, money, money! ‘Mericans adore Thee,
Spending all our savings earned and only bills paying;
Credit cards and financing, interest compounding,
Which did, and is, will evermore unfree.

Money, money, money! Though our kids are blessings,
Though they will inherit ours, their futures may not be;
Fleeting Thou art, money, there is none for giving—
You sprouted wings and too soon flew: cha-ching!

Money, money, money! Dollar Almighty!
Sinful beings all strive for Thee in morn, and noon, and eve;
Money, money, money! Dollar Almighty!
"god" in whom we trust, yet this oughtn’t be.

---

adapted from "Holy, Holy, Holy! Lord God Almighty"
Lyrics: Reginald Heber, first published 1826
Tune: John Hopkins, 1850
Public Domain

"Light Of The World"

Like blind salamanders, we were all born
Into a world of nothing but darkness:
Going to and fro, stumbling all the more,
Held captive by a tempter most heartless;

To ever grope about, a life of scorn,
Oft falling into dread sarcophagus;
For clothes, it’s rags, already tattered, worn
Thro’ to reveal our shameful nakedness;

How to see, to grow? How to fin’lly shine,
Exit this awful and cavernous maw?
We can’t ever even begin to be;

Our only hope, the only way to thrive,
Rests solely with one who paints every dawn;
Lord Jesus, you are the One, you are He:
Died and buried; then suddenly alive!