Poetry
Ever heard the quip, "He's a poet and didn't know it"? I make no claim to poetry fame but just the same... er, excuse me, I am NOT a poet, but I am beginning to discover the challenge and joy of writing verse. I share below several attempts at capturing something of my inner self through rhyme and rhythm. Be patient with me if you are a fan of fine verse, mine is not fine by any standard. It is, however, proving for me a new form of word craft that is causing me to explore in a deeper, more demanding sense the truths that I have chosen to live by and to live for. Since verse has always been the most sublime of ways God has chosen to use through men and women of faith in communicating His truth, I am humbled to find myself writing that which lies deep in my heart hidden by frail flesh and a prideful spirit
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When We Play Host
So grant us Lord of all good gifts, we plead, To want for nothing more than that we need:
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Well, actually this is a poem I wrote on a whim the afternoon before Thanksgiving, 2002. It just hit me. I called my mother and read it to her. She cried. That was the opinion I needed! I read it to my pastor, Rick Ousley, as he endured bumper-to-bumper traffic on I-459 south of Birmingham. I always appreciate his feedback since he's a consummate writer.
>> Read When We Play Host
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When God's Perfect Love Fear O'ercame
There is no fear in love; instead, perfect love drives out fear…
1 John 4:18
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There I sat late on the evening before Christmas Eve. Such a year, such a very long year. No, my shopping isn't done. No money. No time. Yet, on this damp December evening, I experienced the awe of Christmas in a way that I never have before all alone with God and my computer. "Fear not" and "Perfect love drives out fear" merged into a captivating thought that became the driving concept of this poem. Behind it all is my profound belief that God dispelled His fear in a Christ wrapped swaddling clothes and grave cloths. Imagine that!
>> Read When God's Perfect Love
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He Soars Above Heights
He soars above clouds, borne heavenward by stiff metallic wings,
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John Wyatt and his flying have provided me with a continual source of inspiration, both for my writing and for my life, during the fall of 2002. John is an exceptional young who has blessed my life in a variety of ways. I am confident of our paths have crossed for purposes we'll not understand this side of heaven.
>> Read He Soars Above Heights
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Where Were You, God?
His promise is sure: "I will never
leave you or forsake you"!
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Frankly, I’ve never been satisfied with the popular, simplistic explanation of this verse, which Jesus quoted on the cross; "God turned His back on His Son because He couldn’t stand to look at sin." If God can’t be tempted with sin, then why can’t He look at it?
>> Read Where Were You, God?
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Because Nothing
Less Will Do
No matter the hurt or harm, it's always true--the answer is love!
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In the Fall of 2003, I met a young man who speaks the truth in love perhaps with more truth and more love than anyone I know. I don't always like it, but I've come to recognize that most of the time he's dead on, but more than that, the truth he speaks has the fragrance of love through and through!
>> Read Because Nothing Less Will Do
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Now for Some
Real Poetry! |
I have typically preferred prose to poetry convinced that prose was more efficient in delivering the message that poetry. Of course, that's up for debate. Nevertheless, I have over the years found incredible insight and meaningful messages delivered with power and punch through poetry. The links below lead to a select group of poems that are woven into the fabric of my life.
>> Read The Noble Nature by Ben Jonson
>> Read Indifference by G.A. Studdert-Kennedy
>> Read Christ That Was Born on Christmas Day
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