Mother Earth is far from healthy

Our mom is really struggling.
First one thing, then the next.
It seems she’s been to hell and back.
Her health, once good, is vexed.

Her body’s bruised and bleeding.
She suffers from the shakes.
There’s war in Northern Africa
and in Japan there’re quakes.

Her radiation treatments
have left her scared and weak.
Each day her faith is tested
by reports of one more leak.

She nearly drowned “down under”
from flooding east of Perth.
Are you concerned, like I am,
for our dear Mother Earth?

The old girl’s got a fever.
She battles climate change.
While global warming seems the cause,
some critics think that strange.

Let’s pray that she recovers.
We can’t replace our mom.
There’s only one and she is it.
We’re doomed when she is gone.

A holiday for wise guys; Fiber with a Flair

April Fool’s Day
A holiday for wise guys

It’s a day for pranks and playing jokes
on friends and unsuspecting folks.
A day for telling fibs for fun
without cracking a smile.

A day when fools are recognized
for swallowing outlandish lies.
When we can laugh at their expense
then call them all good sports.

So, don’t neglect this April Fool’s.
This unmarked holiday is cool.
Just “seize the day” and storm your brain
and “punk” someone you love.

Fiber with a Flair
A popcorn lover’s tribute to his favorite nightly snack

Popcorn is my favorite snack.
It’s fiber with a flair.
The calories are next to none.
It’s just like eating air.

From way back when I was a boy
(you’ll probably think it odd),
I thought of popcorn manna-like.
A daily gift from God.

That Jiffy Pop was quite the rage
until I finally learned
that lest you shake that tin pan fast,
the corn is bound to burn.

The hot-air kind was healthier.
That’s how it was made known.
But it was dry as cardboard puffs…
like chewing Styrofoam.

I make it the old-fashioned way.
A kettle on the stove.
Then pour the oil, add the corn
and wait till it explodes.

But yellow kernels aren’t my thing.
I only like the white.
A little butter and some salt.
Let’s pop some up tonight.

What the new TV show should remind us of

A new show’s on each Sunday night.
It’s heart-warming TV.
They call it Secret Millionaire.
Yes, it’s reality.

A wealthy person hits the streets
without designer clothes
to mingle with those far-less-off
and understand their woes.

And in the end the one who’s rich
shows love and writes a check.
The plot reminds me of a man
whose gift we can’t forget.

His net worth was mind-boggling.
A millionaire and more.
But Jesus laid it all aside
to serve the working poor.

Without the trappings of His wealth,
He tasted of their plight
while trudging through their broken dreams
that marked their sleepless nights.

Much like the Undercover Boss
in camouflaged disguise,
He hung out with those needing help
responsive to their sighs.

Then Jesus emptied Heaven’s bank
and paid off sin’s cruel debt.
This Secret Millionaire still lives.
I wonder. Have you met?

While trusting in God’s only Son

The ancient land of rising suns
still waits for dawn to finally come.
The nightmare of that afternoon
continues without end.

A quaking earth and monstrous waves
destroyed her dreams creating graves
for countless mothers, dads and kids
who died that dreadful day.

The cherry blossoms mask the fact
that everything is not in tact.
Whole villages have been destroyed
and hope’s been washed away.

Mt. Fuji silently looks on
and weeps to realize what’s gone.
Untapped potential, precious life,
the chance to say goodbye.

O God, give grace to these perplexed
who in their grief must face what’s next.
Please penetrate their broken hearts
with that which pride prevents.

Be known as One who freely gave
His only Son who came to save
a world destroyed by death and sin
and human suffering.

The homeless man with the golden voice is learning to let God lead

A homeless man held up a sign
that begged for help (not beer or wine).
The words upon that cardboard sheet
betrayed Ted Williams’ heart.

His is a heart that longs to change,
to make amends and rearrange
the values that have marked his life
and caused him endless pain.

Ted’s more than just a gifted voice.
He’s Heaven’s child who has a choice
to dance with change and let God lead
while learning steps of grace.

Ah yes, there are twelve steps of grace
for everyone who dares to face
tomorrow’s gift that is unwrapped
by choosing life today.

So, here’s to Ted and all the rest
who humbly face that daily test:
accepting what they cannot change
and changing what they can.