God's Whispering Presence
Anon

a whisper blew across my face today
a lazy yawning of something sweet
a whispering flirted with my heart today
a beautiful inspiration of summer heat

the sun embraced the sky today
reflected on the water's glow
it glimmered and reflected me
in a multi-sparkled show

I recognize You in these whispered things
as the sun creeps across the sky
and I treasure the moments You spend here
between your heart and mine
 




Heaven for a Nickel
Anon

 
The confusion envelopes my anxious mind,
How could I feel this way in summer time?
This world is taken over with hunger and war,
And I have the nickel that gives a bit more
To make life better for those who have not
For those who this earth has forgot.

The time comes 'round when the church bells ring.
I listen hard to the songs they sing.
They tell a tale of long ago;
Of a child who came and had to go.
Nailed to a cross He died for me
Nailed to this life, I still can't see.

There's not enough to go around
Its always erased by the bomb's sound.
Or else its killed with a chilling cry,
Of somebody's baby that shouldn't have died.
And in those lands where war is great
Where the anxious earth is filled with hunger and hate;
. . . filled with all the broken flesh and blood
That God created out of mud.

Then I hear the preacher man,
asking for dollars with an outstretched hand,
from those who came there to pray
because "this new church must be paid!"
I bowed my head and clutched it fast:
the nickel I had was my very last.

And it breaks my heart to know,
That the child who came, had to go.
He took with him a piece of me,
To my heart he holds the key,
And every single now and then,
He lets the crying children in
to remind me of the lack of peace
and love and hope and charity.

I look at the smiling preacher man,
And secretly wish that I were him.
I wish I had his wonderful job,
I'd take it and gather a different mob...
I left the church and those who pray
those who gave and gave and gave
when suddenly I heard a weeping moan,
it had a very distinctive tone.
And when I turned and looked to see,
I saw an old man watching me.

There was no confusion in my anxious mind,
As I reached in my pocket for my nickel to find.
And when I put it into his shaky hand,
I heard more clearly the words of the preacher man.
And I understood what I didn't know,
About the child from long ago...

But then my eyes filled with tears,
As the man told me of all his years.
I listened closely to all he said,
And watched as he lowered his aged head.
And then I heard him say,
"That land of war, isn't that far away.
Because when a soul is all alone...
That land of war, stays right at home."

I then told him it was meant to be,
He must spend Summer time with me.
He smiled and said that I was right,
As his appearance changed to a snowy white...
He stood up so proud and tall,
He wasn't an old man after all.

He led me away from the preacher's crowd,
And earthly noises became not quite so loud.
And as we climbed the golden stairs,
I looked back with one more tear,
At this world taken over with hunger and war...
I shuddered to think what it had in store.

Now I live with the man I took time to know
The child from the tale of long ago
He was nailed to a cross so that I could see:
The nickel is here - inside of me
And it's not the nickel that saves my soul
~ it's the giving until you have no more.
 
 



 

 
Being Saved
Anon
 
I have reached for you
so many times
so often
so many, many times
and you never reached back.

I have called out your name
in so many ways
so often
in so many, many ways
I never heard your answer.

What is this strange sound
this strange sight
this reaching for me
this name you call me;
do I remember you?

Dare I reach back now
I don't recognize you
I don't know your touch
your gentleness
your trust
the fall of your tears
upon my heart
because you missed me.

Whisper once more
speak yet again
the sight of your smile
builds hope.

Carefully,
very, very carefully
I reach out to you
to be saved, saved forever.
 



 

Quickly, Human
Anon
 
observing the earthly music
within the hopes of hope
within the boundaries of love
and in dreaming
 unsung longings
of elusive weathered strength
broken and sheathed
put away for another day.
 
quickly, human
check your pulse
find God before it's too late


and shackled
amongst cords made of stone
and in alleys of darkness
where garbage bins sleep
beside the sleeping
of humanity
 
quickly, human
check your pulse
find God before it's too late

and somebody said
that the world has gone mad
that the madness is seen
all around
like the earth
encircling sphere
with gravity it holds
the madness down
close to the rhythm
the beat of the heart
where the music
has become silence
a bitter quiet
of unmoving lips
and madness gone mad

quickly, human
check your pulse
find God before it's too late

 



 

My Higher Power
by Audrey Austin

 
If I could but extend my arm
into the darkest depth of night
Entwine my fingers 'round a star
Present to you this dazzling sight
It would not be enough.
 
If I could gather all the gold
and every precious jewel
From 'round the world
to give to you
with all my love
desired renewal
It would not be enough.
 
If I could search within myself
and find one tiny gleam of light
and let it shine forevermore
humbled, precious in your sight
It would not be enough.
 
You are the All
the One, Beloved
Feared, Adored, Redeeming Grace
One day I'll meet you face to face
I pray You will say enough.
 



In Exchange
by Anon

I give you my shoulders
to help carry the weight
the burden of the memories
that should have vanished
long ago

I give you my hands
to place on your hips
as you stamp your feet
in protest
saying
no more
no more
no more

I give you my thoughts
happy thoughts
to replace your vivid ones

I give you my ears
so you will
never again
hear the sounds
that have caused you pain

I give you my eyes
that only moments ago
saw flowers
smiling at the sun

I give you my feet
to lead you here
with me
where quite
and peace
abounds

I give you my heart
clean and good
to help ease your pain

All this I give
in exchange for nothing
All this I give for free
All this I give with love for you.

Come to me and suffer no more.

 




 

A Tribute
by Audrey Austin

Inspired by the words in:
2nd Samuel, Chapter 23 v 1 - 7

David wrote songs and he loved to sing,
God made him great, God made him king.
His belief was strong, to be admired,
To have faith like his is my desire.
While David sings on a cloudless dawn,
In prayerful meditation I hear his song.
"I hear my Lord, He speaks to me,
His servant I will gladly be,
He gifts me with the breath of life,
And gives me strength to battle strife, 
As green grass sparkles after rain, 
Love lifts me up beyond all pain,
I sing my song to praise His name,
His promise still remains the same,
My cup the Lord has filled,
I will to do his will,
With God's love and his protection,
Death merely a path to resurrection,
There is no room in my heart for doubt,
This victory God brings about,
I am blessed, a child of God,
He prepares the path upon which I trod,
His covenant will not be broken,
The God of Israel has spoken."
 



An Image of Me
by Anon

an image of me I give to you
laid upon the cross
that stands there on the hill:

a smiling face
a strand of hair
a freckle
and a grin
a bit of age
and lessons learned
deep in my heart
beating deep within
a simple line divides my brow
laid heavy on my head
a pair of arms
with fingers strong
that hold the weak
and comfort long
a pair of legs
that walk the miles
with ne'er a weary gait
a tired soul
that loves the storm
and never learned to hate

I lay these words upon the cross
where earth and heaven meet
please tell me now
that it matters not:
my heart and soul
is all I have
for it's all the good in me
 


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