"Honeymoon"

Honduras
Once in a lifetime
Not expected
Excited!
YOLO
Money saved
Oh my gosh!
OH YEAH...
Need plane tickets!

"Exchange"

I have been
Arrogant
Proud
Lustful
Selfish
Greedy
Sinful
Worthy of death

You were
Meek
Humble
Loving
Selfless
Giving
Holy
Worthy of life

But you took mine
And gave me yours

I have nothing to offer,
Not even excuses;
You have everything I need,
Yes, even forgiveness

"Unpacking"

New place

Boxes and bags

Bags and boxes

Shrinking space

I find the familiar

I find the forgotten

Each item opening

The gate to Memory Lane

Some steps are precious

But it’s not always a sunny street

There are potholes and puddles,

Also shadows and alleys

I open a door,

See a covered hole in the floor

Is there treasure there?

Or a jumbled, shattered mess?

I step back and breathe,

Lock the gate but keep the key

Too many boxes at once

Take a break for a week

I’ve had time to sort

And lace up my boots

I open a bag

And step forward again

"Hope"

My flame had gone out
but You found an ember

Coaxed it
Blew on it
Shielded it

I am rekindled
The fire shall blaze again

"A Fistful Of Air"

I take aim with my bow

and realize my quiver,

once full,

has been neglected

My arrows are sharp

and wonderfully made

They'd sure fly straight

But I've scattered them,

left them behind

I can pull

until muscles ache

or bow breaks

But no target will I strike,

nor prize will be won,

shooting with a fistful of air

"Therefore I Am"

The Lord's name is called
Everlasting Father
My God loves me
With everlasting love

Nothing shall separate
Daddy's love from me
I am
More than a conqueror

I will be like Daddy
I should abide in Him
I can abide in Him
I will not be ashamed at His coming

I am born of Him so
I can do righteousness
I can do righteousness?
I can do righteousness!


I am beloved


I have hope in my Father;
He has purified me
As He is pure

He was revealed
In Jesus the Christ
Took my sin (away)
There is no sin in Christ
I am in Christ

I am not deceived
I practice righteousness
I am righteous
As He is righteous
Because He is righteous

I have passed from death

to Life

I will not love in word only
Actions speak louder
So I will love in deed
So I will love in truth

God is greater
Than my heart
I have confidence
Toward my great God

Therefore I am

"The Barrel Angels"

Some carry swords

All praise the Lord

Warriors, messengers,

Ministers all

Others are tasked

With opening casks

And dipping out

Glorious new wine

They splash and toss

But not a drop is lost

Heart laughter and joy ensue

Holy rolling winebibbers

Joy unspeakable

Love receivable

Drunken stupor?

No, filled with light to shine

"On The Shelf"

Behind the books
And old photos
And baubles precious,
Knickknacks sentimental;
Behind the masks
Is hidden a heart
Layered in dust
Does it still beat?
Is there life?

The door opens
In comes a mighty rushing wind
(Or a sweet gentle breeze)
Books, masks tossed aside
Dust blown away
Shelf is clear

“CLEAR!”

Lub-dub, lub-dub
Love did, Love did

"The Torrent"

Ever flowing
Over-bowling
Borne along,

Again,

By class-five rapids,
A cataract thro’ jagged crags

There is danger here
Out of (my) control
Guided by Peace
Protected by Joy

Himself

The mighty rush of God’s
Poured-out, turbulent love

"Our Man Bob"

You know those jokes
Told by some folks,
With Saint Peter at the gate?
He won’t have to ask, nor even wait

“Hi! I’m Bob and I’m a Christian!
How are you? What’s up, mister?”
Peter smiles. “Simply marvelous, dear.
Blessed beyond measure, now that you’re here.”

You see, our man is no stranger
To this place with no danger
I wouldn’t be at all surprised
If he’s giving tours to the newly arrived

He’ll meet the apostles and prophets
Full formal names? Nah, just drop it
Jimmy, Jerry, Pete, and Paul
Our beloved man knows ‘em all

They’ll share the verses that each of them wrote
Bob’ll race ‘em and probably quote
And just before he reaches race’s end,
He’ll turn, see, and say, “You are my Amen!”

He’ll kiss and embrace his Lordly Savior
His presence evermore to savor
By cuttin’ a rug in Heaven’s ballroom
Or standing silent—his only other volume

I knew this man first as a brother,
Then as pastor, mentor—almost a father
Showed me excellence: Don’t fudge it,
Especially when it comes to making a budget

Asked my boys, “Who does your hair?”
(This he never feared: number one, all over there)
We would argue the best way to drive:
Fast and precise or safe, sure to arrive

He sang this truth like it was an ode:
Christians don’t die, only change ZIP codes
Bob lived and led true wisdom from above
But most of all, he showed everyone love

His favorite Bible book was Ecclesiastes
And last of all but certainly not least:
This picture ought not be painted,
But who told you, you were naked?

"In The Woods"

I’m walking through a forest
Everything before me is fresh, lively
Behind, the trees are winter-dead
With each step, something beside me dies
I turn to look at what I’ve accomplished

There’s One following me, several paces away
With each step, something beside Him lives
After Him, all is radiant
The forest more glorious than ever it was
Leaves sing with blazing light

I stop
I consider
He overtakes me
Embraces me
And all things are made new

"Devotion"

The earth and Sky converse
Words in red ever speaking

Heart hymns sung in secret
Sweet whispers of love and truth

A shining sword sharpened
Day's marching orders unsealed

Coffee stain on pages worn
The Son rises early each morn

"Revival"

Azusa, Jon Edwards, ooh I want revival
Like George Fox and the Quakers, come on Holy Spirit
French prophets and Cane Ridge, people why don’t we pray
With God’s holy Word?
We’ll need to fast
And then He’ll come in pow’r
That’s how we need to flow
To bring God’s Kingdom to earth

Topeka, Toronto, ooh we need revival
As at Tulsa and Brownsville, can you hear the Spirit?
He’s speaking and leading, oh we need to follow
With a thankful heart
He’s met our needs
And now we’ll share the Word
That’s how we need to flow
To bring God’s Kingdom to earth

    People on the floor
    Heavenly drink flowing from His heart
    We’ll be sharing God’s love
    To the rhythm of His unveiled grace
    Just like at Pentecost

---

adapted from "Kokomo"
the Beach Boys, 1988
Warner Music Group

"Eastward Is My Heart"

A rusty gate,
Renewed by oil,
Broken by
Blazing blade
Light, life return
  Lub-dub

Fountain of fresh
Gurgling, happy water
Crystal clear
Overflowing life

Ordered rows
Carrots they look
Carrots they are not
Gems in bloom

Cavern looms
Echoes boom
Someone else's empty tomb
Hidden: treasure room

River flowing
Orchards growing
Arched bridge of stone
Winepress made known

Carved seat
Where fish leap
Catch an idea
If you can
  While you sleep

Roses with no thorns
Enveloped
  Passion incarnate
Dew on my lips
    Refreshed
    Remade
    Undone

Vines and pines
Steep, steep steps
Up, up, up
Following the river

Kangaroo
Eagle too
Tending what grows
While I am away

"Farewell"

God builds our lives like a house,
From foundation to crown molding
Not everyone used is permanent
Some are only scaf’olding,

But without them,
The house could never be finished
Your life is enriched,
If only for a minute

When, in the course of life,
The Lord brings you a friend,
And then that person moves on,
The relationship shouldn’t end

Even if the time together
Could have been better spent
Don’t neglect the people you love
You don’t know—they could be sent

On a mission, a new path, or just a trip
We never know when they’ll depart,
So we must make the hours count
And treasure them in our hearts

"No More Circles"

Those people followed Moses
They went around in circles

I worked driving buses
I went around in circles

Now we've crossed the Jordan
God brought us to our Promised Land

"Hail To The King"

Hail to the King, He who chose us ere creation!
Hail to the King: we’ll worship Him, one and all!
Hail to the King as we rest in His salvation:
Humble fulfillment of His great, holy call

Yours is the name by which all men are savéd
This you have done, if only we’ll believe
Hail to the one who descended from King David!
Hail to the Almighty! Hail to our King!

---

adapted from "Hail to the Chief"
James Sanderson, 1812
Public Domain

"Father's Day V"

Slept in late
Wrapped surprises
Superhero boys
Great things in little packages
Heart touched by sermon
Nap
Brief road trip
Home cooked meal
Slobber doggie ball
Naked belly flops
Twinkle, twinkle little smiles

Tears of joy

"To Put Into Verse"

To put into verse
A life-changing encounter
Takes away its worth
Reduces it with closure

A poem I could publish
even leave on a shelf
Rather than write it
I will be the song myself

The event demands a response
but words come with such ease
I was replanted—firmly ensconced—
and a tree only waves in the breeze

"I Have My Being"

I’ve built up an indelible façade
So glad you love me, God

You see right through me
But still you come unto me

I’m done in, this “me” you’ve undone
Shared your life, gave up your son

A vapor in the wind am I
Here one moment, then I fly

Because of unveiled lovely face,
I revive, breathing in your grace

I may only be a moment
But I’m yours, and that’s worth it

It’s on you that I must lean
And through you, Lord, I have my being