Alone

One by one they left us alone
Because we bow before His throne
Their hateful words cut to the bone
But we love God more than they've known

They leave church offended by truth
Pursuing sins and lusts of youth
They follow things that are uncouth
We pray they come home just like Ruth

Some family and friends have gone
But in the Lord we must press on
For Him alone can we count on
To save us from this Babylon

Dementia

'Twas a long dark night of the soul
She was only part, not the whole
As we grow old we lose control
Dementia surely takes its toll

I remember much better days
Days of wit and turning a phrase
Days when our hearts were set ablaze
By heaven's hope, and godly praise

Shadows of what we used to be
And shadows of what we will be
With new bodies so heavenly
From mortal cares we'll be set free

Resurrection

It was a resurrection scene
After His death Jesus was seen
By Peter and the other men
Over five hundred people then
For as in Adam all will die
In Christ we'll all be made alive

Shadows of our future being
A new body we'll be seeing
Death swallowed up in victory
No, it's not contradictory
Sown in weakness, raised in power
In glory raised from dishonor

A Prayer for Justice

Dear Father I pray for my wife
How she's treated has brought us strife
And heartache to family life
Bring justice for my darling wife

The land's not important to her
But one dismal thought does recur
Her feeling that seems to infer
That she was loved less does occur

Jesus' Mock Parade

Imagine a great big parade
A military band that played
Tanks and rockets along the road
Soldiers marching in goose-step mode
And a dictator in a stand
He's clapping for the father land
For oppression and enslaving
All with flags and banners waving

Then imagine sometime later
A religious educator
Riding on a donkey mocking
Children cheering, people flocking
No parade with big finances
Simple banners of palm branches
The leaders that He undercut
Were Caesar, Herod and Pilate
(Mark 11:1-11)

Snow in Spring

What! Snow in Spring, not snow in Spring
Whoever heard of such a thing
It's wet and sticks to everything
A foot of snow first day of Spring

I'll take the car and try the lane
No need to plow, the drive's no strain
I'll sit right here and not complain
A day at home is not in vain

Land of the Gun

America's still number one
Because it's the land of the gun
The right to own one we have won
And owning guns can't be undone

But think a minute should we rule
That those who use them go to school
And learn to use them like a tool
Not handle them like any fool

The thin edge of the wedge they say
A slippery slope to the day
They take all of our guns away
Well that's bad logic by the way

A license lets you drive a car
And cars won't be banned by some czar
It let's us know how skilled you are
You've been approved to drive a car

Sure criminals still drive without
The legal right to drive no doubt
But aren't you glad that most check out
It's so much safer than without

Speak to us Smooth Things

Please Mr Preacher, you Bible teacher
Don't shine a bright light on doing what's right
Why don't you feature another creature
The wolf doesn't bite; he preaches delight

What God will allow is your best life now
No need for a loss; don't mention the cross
Health, wealth anyhow is the sacred cow
So you are the boss, preach profit not loss

Speak to us smooth things, the toys that God brings
Don't preach about hell, sin and please don't yell
Just tell us we're kings, how good always wins
And things will go well, forever we'll dwell

So preach to deceive and not to aggrieve
Don't preach that the cross shows we must take loss
Deceptions please weave; preach lies or we'll leave
So preach like a boss but not of the cross

One Pastor's Week

Sunday the Pastor stands to preach
And faithfully the Word does teach
But Monday he is all alone
Office paper work in his home
He's working on the worship plan
And his sermon that clergyman

Tuesday work that sermon some more
Clergy meeting, head out the door
Hospital visit in downtown
The service club and then calm down
Wednesday noon the women will meet
Then Bible Study is a treat

Thursday the Pastor's day of rest
Relax a little and be blessed
Friday work that sermon some more
Some visits, maybe help the poor
Saturday prayer and fellowship
Last chance for sermon craftsmanship

Selfishness

Jesus taught that selfishness destroys us
Selfishness is thus
Selfish people always want their own way
They fight every day

They have unrealistic expectations
Destroy relations
Selfish people can’t take criticism
That's narcissism

But they constantly criticize others
A life that smothers
Lie and manipulate; can’t be trusted
Friends are disgusted

They want the largest portion for the self
The best off the shelf
God help us and heal us from all this mess
Our world's in distress

Why

Why my friend did you have to die
It's really hard to say goodbye
I know how much you meant to me
And now I pray you've been set free

From those who swindle, lie and steal
Who made your life such an ordeal
Your friendship was encouragement
You really were the finest gent

Church

Don't leave, it hurts so much you know
When folks at church decide to go
Preachers say what they think is right
Feel free to disagree, alright?

Two people just cannot agree
On everything in life you see
If you get mad and choose to leave
Where is the church you can believe

You'll run across something there too
That you believe doesn't suit you
We agree ninety five percent
On faith and love and to repent

Bullied

Bullied by her own family
Into thinking she has no plea
She asks why don't they love me too
He gets so much; I must make do

She can't complain; that's how it is
She gets a bit; the bulk is his
Injustice hurts a family
Let's move away so we feel free

To face it every day is hard
Reminders all surround the yard
Forgiveness is a must I know
But pain remains; it's best to go

Lies

All politicians seem to lie
No truth in products that I buy
And history won't tell the truth
Gone, naivete of my youth

I don't trust anyone at all
From scientists to the phone call
And medicine's another scam
A sacrifice and I'm the lamb

A world of lies; who can you trust
My attitude is pure disgust
O God please help us; we're a mess
These constant lies have brought distress

Unclog Arteries

Unclog arteries naturally
Asparagus and broccoli
Use avocado or green tea
Eat chia seeds or cranberry

Cinnamon or coconut oil
Pomegranate or olive oil
Spirulina or turmeric
Watermelon or some spinach

Fish like sardines and tuna too
Salmon and mackerel for you
Flax seeds, coffee and orange juice
Persimmon, nuts are put to use

Whole grains instead of junk white bread
Choose these foods and be better fed
Don't smoke and get some exercise
And eat the right foods; just be wise

A Day Off

A day off and what shall I do
I'd like to spend more time with you
O wife of mine I'm yours today
There's time to shop or time to play

I'd like to take some time to pray
And help you 'round the house today
So let's relax and just hang out
That's what a day off's all about

Unless a Wheat Grain Falls

Unless a wheat grain falls and dies
No germination can arise

Jesus replied, The hour has come
For the Son of Man to enter
His glory, like wheat must succumb
Before life springs from its center

Unless a wheat grain falls and dies
No germination can arise

He who loves his life will lose it
But who his life in this world hates
For eternity will be fit
Follow me and honor awaits

Unless a wheat grain falls and dies
No germination can arise

Now my soul has become distressed
What should I say, Father save me?
It's why I came; this is my quest
To glorify divinity

Unless a wheat grain falls and dies
No germination can arise

Now judgment of the world is here
The ruler of this world thrown out
When lifted on that cross it's clear
I'll draw people from all about

Unless a wheat grain falls and dies
No germination can arise

John 12:20-33

Fox News and MSNBC

Fox News lies over half the time
Lying propaganda and slime
MSNBC lies almost
half the time too, so what's their boast

Near 60 percent lies at Fox
That's something we need to detox
44 percent the other side
Is something that we can't abide

Only 20 percent CNN
That's a little better but then
Why should they lie even at all
It's simply not playing good ball

It's not news; it's propaganda
Would we find that in Uganda
Or Russia or Cuba or worse
O why must we live with this curse

Statistics: Politifact 2015

The Church Snob

The church snob does not like Christians
He treats them with great suspicion
Expecting them to be perfect
Their motives he thinks are suspect

But there's no such thing as perfect
We all fail in every respect
Including the church snob as well
The perfect-church myth let's dispel

All human beings are faulty
Christians are meant to be salty
A bright shiny light on a hill
Not dill on a hill sounding shrill

But critics will always find fault
While Christians are becoming salt
They may fail but don't be upset
They're trying but not quite there yet

It's not about imperfect men
Or singing and saying, Amen
It's all about Jesus who died
And rose for all sinners worldwide

Men

So, why did God make men at all
And what has happened since the fall
Why do feminists put men down
Degrading men from town to town

False accusations, misandry
Incarceration bigotry
Homelessness and conscription too
No reproductive rights for you

And suicide is ten to one
With feminism's hit and run
Education disadvantage
Child custody is mismanaged

A woman who builds up her man
Now that's a lady with a plan
To live together happily
And build a joyful family

Can't You See

Can't you see!
The lies of this world's industry
How it pollutes
It fills the world with poisoned fruits

Can't you see!
Politics lies to you and me
And both sides
Are filled with blind deceptive guides

Can't you see!
The bad food sold to you and me
It's awful
It's immoral but it's lawful

Can't you see!
The lies from the drug company
Millions made
Beware the doctor who's been paid

Can't you see!
Science and religion aren't free
From all lies
But truth is there among the wise

Greed

What drives our world is simple greed
Pollute and poison and mislead
Overcharge and deny health care
And honesty is really rare

Lying propaganda news networks
Pay minimum wage with no perks
No human rights for the unborn
Underpay, overwork the born

Oppress the poor and immigrants
Spray poison on the farmer's plants
False advertising for a buck
It's oligarchy run amok

Bribed politicians, too much war
More families becoming poor
A highly educated crew
Leads us, but they don't have a clue

So, love your neighbor as yourself
You just won't find on their bookshelf
But that's the answer to create
A nation that is truly great

Bullies

I grew up with bullies at school
Children can be heartless and cruel
After school I went to college
Bullies there had greater knowledge

After college I went to work
My boss was one browbeating jerk
And there are bullies in the church
When the wrong people are in charge

Intimidation on the road
Dangerous drivers shove and goad
And on the internet as well
Just block those bullies straight from hell

And politicians bully too
And many people don't see through
The lies, coercion, blowing smoke
When bullies deal with other folk

Grandmothers, an Answer to Our Depression

Grandmothers are more effective
Than doctors and their perspective
In treating depression in us
They listen and let us discuss

Grandmothers will always reach out
Encourage when we're full of doubt
Sharing what they love about us
With a long term view and no fuss

So, grandma step up to the plate
And listen before it's too late
Grandmothers are now in session
An answer to our depression

The Favored Child

A father gave his favored child
An ice-cream cake to eat and smiled
He cut it carefully in ten
He took a tenth and cut again

That little piece give your sister

That's her only portion mister
So can I eat the cherry please
Yes, eat before your sister sees

Why have most of the children gone

They all decided to move on
Discouraged by a travesty
Injustice is a legacy

The cake pictures inheritance

Bequeathing a benevolence
An heirloom is a family stain
When it engenders grief and pain

The Erie People

The Erie People are no more
Their home was on Lake Erie's shore
For five long years they fought their kin
The Seneca who did them in

Survivors scattered far and wide
Far south and north they fled to hide
Homes aflame their ruination
They became a broken nation

O For a World

O for a world without contrails
A clear blue sky where cloud prevails
O for a world with quiet cars
No bad nerves, emotional scars

O for a world without the roar
Of someone mowing lawns next door
O for a world of quietude
Of scenery and wholesome food

The Leaning, Smiling Elephant

The leaning, smiling elephant
It may not sound so elegant
But when you're bullied it works well
When people push you or compel

O mastodon just don't give in
When they coerce you into sin
Just lean and smile, strong as you are
Pachyderm, be a superstar

God's Anger is Love

Why does God get angry with us
Is hate the reason; let's discuss
Do we get angry when someone
Shoots up school children with a gun

When little children are abused
Or the elderly are misused
When innocents are killed like goats
By terrorists who cut their throats

Are we affronted by such things
An act that righteous anger brings
Then maybe we can now deduce
How love and anger have their use

God's anger is love and not hate
He wants to bless us all first-rate
He's angry when we sin due to
The harm it causes me and you

Driving

Is your character really strong
That you choose right and not what's wrong
A simple test then you must pass
Will you stand strong or bend like grass

The test is simple, a speed sign
So, will you speed or toe the line
Will you be weak in attitude
Or keep the speed, impulse subdued

The guy behind may threaten you
Tailgaters just don't have a clue
That their behavior is the worst
So don't be bullied or coerced

Blessed are the persecuted
Those who remain unpolluted
So take the test; how strong are you
Will you be strong; will you be true

The Wind

The wind has blown my chicken run
Across the field, it's all undone
The storage bins with all their feed
And also gone, their chicken seed

It's time to go retrieve it all
Looks like I'll have to reinstall
A chicken run and chicken feed
That sure was a strong wind indeed

Retirement

Retirement's not the life for me
No purpose, living worthlessly
I'm living life meaningfully
I just want time with family

I work all week, always on call
The most important work of all
But pastors have no wherewithal
To live in two countries at all

My children live so far away
And I am getting old and gray
Australia is so far away
And we live in the USA

With two kids here and two kids there
Sometimes life seems just so unfair
Who can afford to pay airfare
Live some time here and some time there

If writing books is the Lord's will
I think that that would be a thrill
And we could see our children still
O Lord I pray that it's your will

Testosterone and Estrogen

It's testosterone poisoning
A nuclear lack of reasoning
If you nuke me then I'll nuke you
We'll both be left without a clue

And it's estrogen poisoning
Heartlessly killing their offspring
Most of the time it's selfishness
What brought us to this crazy mess?

True Greatness

Political cowards them all
Our country needs an overhaul
One party kills the unborn child
The other the poor and reviled

Which part of Babylon do we
Think prays to God on bended knee
Or loves their neighbor from the heart
Or has a clue on where to start

We need to repent of our sins
True greatness is not he who wins
True greatness is a land that cares
True greatness is a land that shares