Wednesday, May 27, 2009

The Watching of the Field

Looking out my window I spy upon the progress of the field.

I hear green shoots as they stretch heavenward.

I smell the fruits growing in the vine.

I wait expectantly to touch the earth’s bounty.

Longing for the harvest so I can taste her yield.

Wednesday, March 04, 2009

Eight Letters

Eight letters
Fashioned into three words.
Ordinary in their singleness,
Extra-Ordinary in their togetherness.
Eight letters
Formed into three words.
That I hesitate to say,
For when they are spoken
The ordinary becomes togetherness.
I, y, v, o, e, l, o, u.

I love you.

Monday, February 23, 2009

Recession Poem

Grandpa said “Times were tough then”

Back in the good old days

Rich folks didn’t even paint their houses

And we ate a lot of beans.

News lady says “Times are tough now”

Here in the modern days

But rich folks are still painting their houses

And I had some beans with my steak.


I don't know if "Times are tough or if Times are rough"
I just know that life isn't too easy right now
I will just have to wait to see what I will tell my grand kids.

Thursday, December 25, 2008

Today I went where I used to live

In a borrowed car
I took some borrowed time
And went to where I used to live.
I drove past a house that once was warm
Whose lights offered a welcome to the passerby.
Now that house sits empty, cold, and quiet.
It waits for new stories and new laughs
To dance on its floors and walk on its walls.
In a borrowed car and with some borrowed time
I went to where I used to live
And in my heart I cried.

Thursday, November 13, 2008

Hee Haw and Happiness

Only true Hee Haw enthusiasts and those who have stumbled across the show on RFDTV will know this, but Hee Haw is back on the air. RFDTV is showing Hee Haw on reruns from the first episode to the last. That amounts to a bunch of old episodes.

I remember watching Hee Haw with my family as a child. It brings back good memories. But as I watch the show, I amazed at its stupidty. Comedy was so different back then. You could laugh at all sorts of country bumpkin situations: drunkeness, debauchary, and stupidty. Where have those great qualities gone in today's comedy?

I wonder if a show like Hee Haw could even make it past a pilot if it was launched to big cat producers in Hollywood today? If it had failed many of us watching reruns today wouldn't expereince the happiness it brings us today.

This Road is New To Me

This road is new to me.
It is a path unfamiliar to my feet.
They know not where the trips and troubles hide.
It could be safe
by my eyes cannot tell.
This road is new to me.
I cannot tell where this road will end
For this road is new to me.

Monday, September 08, 2008

Shrimp, strawberries, and punch

There is a new Episcopal leader in North Georgia, Bishop Michael Watson. The Annual Conference rolled out the red carpet and put on the Ritz for the new Bishop. The installation service had the pomp worthy of the circumstance we found ourselves in. The Conference put out a real spread at the welcome reception. You know you are at a fancy reception when there is shrimp, strawberries, and a fountain flowing with punch. The chocolate cake I ate for dessert was worth the long drive and sitting through the installation service.
I just wonder about it all. Only God knows what is in store for us as a Conference and as a denomination? The Bishop has a large flock to lead. The church has some big challenges facing it. But the church has been facing these problems since its birth at Pentecost. I just wonder if the first Bishops were greeted with shrimp, strawberries, and a fountain flowing with punch?

Wednesday, August 27, 2008

Past Love Remembered

Looking backwards I see through the shadow of my memory
Veiled faces of a person I used to know.
Listening I hear through the fog of the past
Voices of a person I used to know.
Perhaps love once hidden in my heart will bring back light to drive away
shadows and clear out the fog
So I will clearly know the past love remembered.

I am reading the novel The Shadow of the Wind. In this novel, the main character talks about the day he could no longer remember the face and voice of his mother. This poem came to mind as I try to remember those who now wait on the other side of eternity.

Meeting Others

The last three days have been interesting. Once again I found myself at Simpsonwood. I believe this place might be the purgatory of the Conference. I don't necessarily enjoy going to Simpsonwood, and I really don't like having to stay overnight at the place; but much like purgatory you are happy when you can finally leave.

These past three days at Simpsonwood weren't terrible. It was nice to meet fellow ministers who are going through a journey similar to mine. There is something refreshing and healing in the words of another who is honest enough to share their frustration at a system that doesn't always work in an efficent, thoughtful, and grace-filled manner. There is a newfound assurance hidden behind the stories of another sharing their doubts and fears similar to your own.

At one time I was niave and now I hesitate. I thought following the call to God would be easy. I know God is with me, but knowing God is with you doesnt make the journey any easier. A trip in the desert is still a trip in the desert. A climb up a mountain is still a climb up a mountain. Those trips are still difficult to journey, even if God has led you to them.

However, when you are following a call and traveling on a journey to God only knows where, meeting others is a pleasant surprise. A trip in the desert is still a trip in the desert and a climb up a mountain is still a climb up the mountain, but with others it just isnt quite so bad. So I am glad I was at Simpsonwood during the past three days. I had a rare moment to meet others as they too go through the desert and climb up the mountain.