All That Glitters…

The fireplace mantel in our family room on Oscar Night

All that glitters is not gold.
The silver screen finds us
focused on aliens and vampires,
monsters and demon hunters
and the untimely death of a child.
Such movies are not for the faint of heart.

But in a world of sinners,
we should not be entirely surprised.
Life is more than a ping pong game.
It’s one battle after another!
Secret agents have weapons!
Yet if looks could kill, we’d all be guilty.

We are, after all, flawed and broken people
longing for redemption,
seeking love, acceptance and forgiveness
in the context of community.
If only we could find those things,
our future would be golden.
And, come to think of it,
that’s what the Good News promises!

How many movie references can you find in the above poem?

An Irish Table Grace

A perfect place setting for St. Patrick’s Day

Our Father’s eyes are smiling
’cause He loves the likes of we.
He’s the God of all compassion
for we’re selfish as can be.
The shamrock is a symbol
of a God that’s One-but-three.
And in Patrick’s name we honor
He who died for you and me!

The above lyrics can be sung to “When Irish Eyes are Smiling!”

The Face of War

A face in the smoke following a bomb explosion in Iran

I see a face
within the smoke
as bombs explode.
This is no joke.
It’s ominous.
There’s loss of life.
All war is living hell!

May God who looks down
on this plight
cause saner minds
to end this fight.
And may the One
who rules our world
protect the innocent.

(I saw this face in the explosive sky while watching news coverage of the war in Tehran on CNN.)

He Was Somebody!

The Reverend Jesse Jackson

He was somebody!

Somebody 
born to a teenage 
unwed mom!

Somebody 
who dropped out 
of college!

Somebody 
who marched 
with MLK Jr.!

Somebody 
who preached 
the good news!

Somebody 
who protested 
against bad news!

Somebody
who ran for 
President (twice)!

Somebody 
who reminded us 
we are somebody!

Somebody 
who kept 
hope alive!

Somebody 
who made our world
a better place!

Somebody 
whose legacy 
is ours to live out!

Peace to his memory! 

In the Bleak Midwinter

A Ben Young painting pictures a gloomy midwinter day

In the bleak midwinter time
when life feels blank and doesn’t rhyme,
when melting snow looks more like grime
joy plays at hide and seek.

This is the time of year I pine
for longer days and warm sunshine,
for river cruising on the Rhine.
Oh, how I long for spring.

But since drab days await me still,
I’ll dress to counteract the chill
and bravely climb up winter’s hill
to view what soon will come.