A Christmas Thought

The Word became flesh and dwelt among us. What Word would that be? The Word that was, is, and will every be. The Word of love, holiness, peace, justice, and righteousness. The Word of hope, joy, and new life. The Word that says evil is not all powerful. The Word that says darkness will not triumph. This is the Word that enters into our world and changes the entire story.

Good Bye Cokesbury

I recieved word today that Cokesbury will be closing all of its brick and mortar stores.  No more physical stores where you can walk in and smell new books, touch stoles, try on robes, and shop for United Methodist souviners.  I'll miss the store.  I always enjoyed shopping there.  Friendly people and a good selection of merchandise. 

In response to the news I offer this poem:

Good Bye Bookstore

Good Bye vestemant shop

Good Bye parament merchant

Good Bye recipient of much of my Account Reimbursible fund

Good Bye Cokesbury

Clear off the shelves with going out of business sales

Hymnals buy one get on free

The Complete Works of Wesley half price

Going, going, gone

Goodbye Cokesbury. 

The thin place

Let us pause at this thin place where Heaven invades the earth.
Let us pause at this thin place and consider what is of eternal worth:
Quiet places and scared places,
Warm embraces and friendly faces,
Wisdom from saintly sages,
Bibles with worn pages,
And
Unnecessary hymn books because you know the words.
These are the rare holy thin places where we meet the Lord.

Untitled

When death comes and calls my name
And life in this realm ends
I pray my soul shall take flight
To a world where no shadow bend.
And in that world I hope to see
Many bright and familiar faces
As we sing and shout
Of God's amazing graces.

Some more Poems about Salem

I'm not a professional poet, but I try and trying counts for something.

 

The moon shines bright at the old camp ground tonight,
‘Tis summer, and Salem is here.
Come sing and shout as we spread God’s love about
The old camp ground tonight.
We will eat too much at the old camp ground tonight,
As the chicken fries in the pan.
Hear the old bell ring as we begin to sing,
Sweet, Sweet Spirit once again.
Watch the children play in the sawdust on the floor
All happy, merry, and bright,
The Love birds laugh as they sneak to the spring,
At the old camp ground tonight.
Friday is here and we all must say goodbye
At the old camp ground tonight.
But before we go let us sup with the Lord
Then bid Salem Campmeeting good night.

Sing and shout for joy
Oh sing and shout amen!
Let us sing and shout Sweet Spirit all about the old Camp ground again!

 

And the Second

Sitting on the front porch on big Sunday afternoon
Surrounded by your family and your friends
Laughing about memories from meetings in the past
As you pray this week would never end.

(Chorus/ Refrain)
At camp meeting life is good
Like a gentle summer breeze
At camp meeting life is good
Under the shade of the old oak trees.

Watch the children as the play out in the yard
running jumping and having lots of fun.
Mama’s in the kitchen cooking up the meal
As Daddy naps in his rocking chair.

Walking in the sawdust on the tabernacle floor
Ready for the service to begin.
But after sitting on those old hard church pews
You're wondering if the preaching will ever end.

 

 

In the shade of old oak trees

In the shade of the old oak trees,
I feel God moving in the breeze.
All is quiet and at peace
In the shade of the old oak trees.

When I quiet the noise inside,
I can hear the voice of God.
In that place he speaks to me,
In the shade of the old oak trees.

Life outside is turning fast
I get older with each day.
I need a place where I can pause
In the shade of the old oak trees.

Come now and go with me.
Let's escape this drudgery.
Let's go where life is good
In the shade of the old oak trees.

Guns and violence

Unless you are living under a rock, you've probably heard the news about tragic gun violence in the United States.  Gun violence is nothing new.  Violence is nothing new.  It goes back to the time of Cain and Abel. 

When Cain killed Abel he didn't use a gun.  We really don't what instrument Cain used to do the dirty deed.  In my imagination I see Cain hitting his brother in the head with a large stone or rock.  I see him crushing the life force out of his brother.  It was truly a sad moment in human history.

Violence in any form or fashion is a sad moment in human history.  But what are we to do?  Do we gather up all the weapons of violence?  Do we ask people to bring their guns to town?  Do we ban bullets?  Do we add waiting lists and background checks?

In my opinion I think those actions are the easy way.  It is easy to pass a law and issue an edict that says we will ban the weapons and instruments of violence.  At one point a legislative body outlawed war. 

We see how that has helped us.

I guess I should reveal this bit of important information...I own several guns.  I am taking up hunting as hobby and sport.  I like to go to the shooting range and target practice.  I am even licensed for concealed carry.  I own weapons.  I have an arsenal of instruments of violence.

As you read this, you might be wondering how can a gun owner be writing a blog about gun violence.  What valid point can he make about gun control and living in peace with others?

I can't answer that question.  However, I know we all weapons.  We all own an arsenal of hate and violence.  It is hidden in our heart. 

When I consider the gun violence of the past weeks, not just the stories that have enraptured us in the headlines, but the stories that are not known.  I think of stories like the kid who incidentally shot himself with a loaded and unsecured handgun, the liquor story robbery, the home invasion, and the list goes on.  When I consider the violence of the past weeks and past history, above all I see a failure of the heart. A failure to love.  A failure to choose the path that love would take. 

Love is hard work.  You can't legislate love.  You can't force others to love.  Love happens.  Love requires work.  I wonder if we spent more time loving and getting to know our neighbor if our world would look a little more like the Kingdom of God and less like a crime scene?

You might wonder what I plan to do with the guns I own.  I will keep them.  I will still hunt and go to the shooting range, but it just might be time for me to let the bullets stay in my underwear drawer.