The famous firefighting bear turns seventy!

The candles on his birthday cake
could start a forest fire.
But that would break my dear friend Smokey’s heart.
Since August 1944
he’s worn his ranger hat
convincing us that we must do our part
protecting forests where we live
and campsites where we tent.
He knows the devastation fire can cause.
A spark left unattended
can become a wild blaze
when we ignore ol’ Smokey’s safety laws.
On this his milestone birthday
it’s ironic and it’s sad
that wild fires still are burning strong.
Way out west the firefighters
risk their lives to douse the flames
that have ravaged towns and forests far too long.
Let us pray for all impacted,
those who fight and those who grieve
having lost their homes and livestock and their hope.
Yes, these hurting folks need knowing
there’s a God who understands
and can give them peace of mind so they can cope.

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=goEozOAQ6yI

And I don’t just mean on television

“America’s Got Talent”
unifies our God-blest land
as we watch each week with family in our homes.
Just like Ted Mack and Major Bowes,
this talent search reveals
the fruit of hours spent practicing alone.

But the talent in America
extends beyond TV.
It is seen wherever older folks reside.
The talent that I’m speaking of
is Grandma Sonya’s voice
or one arm push-ups that are Bert Pound’s pride.

And don’t forget Ruth Eckels
whose dramatic flair inspires
or Grandpa Warren’s awesome sleight of hand.
There is Robin Hays’ saw playing
and Dwight’s accordion
and the “Antique Kids” who dance without a band.

There’s also Joe’s wood carving
and Fern’s needle pulling thread.
Oh, how Nancy’s photos capture Nature’s glow.
To Owen’s watercolors,
add Miss Nina’s poetry.
I can’t believe the gifts of these I know.

Yes, America’s got talent
and too often we forget
the seniors who still have so much to give.
By example they can teach us
and the skills that they possess
will inspire us to start to really live.

What began 100 years ago was anything but

It was the war to end all wars.
That is what it was called,
but it was far from that as we all know.
The bloodshed that stained Europe,
that deprived moms of their sons,
began this week a hundred years ago.

The “Great War” was deceiving
for it proved to be a lie.
In less than thirty years another war
was waged to conquer Hitler
and Japan’s grand emperor
as our planet reeled in anguish shore to shore.

And don’t forget Korea,
Vietnam and Desert Storm
and then Iraq and now Afghanistan.
Our sinful world can’t help it.
It is bent on starting wars
’til we bend the knee before the Son of Man.

Like the birth pangs of a woman
whose contractions spell the end,
Jesus said the threat of conflicts will increase.
But the future God has promised
will emerge with cries of joy
as a world beset by war embraces peace.

A tribute to Dr. Paul Brand on the 100th anniversary of his birth

Paul Brand’s brand of Christian faith
was not the common kind,
but it’s the brand that this world dearly needs.
Denying self, Paul gave himself
to serve the hurt he found
and in the process proved how love succeeds.

His mind and heart were joined as one.
He had no need to choose.
His thinking faith was not afraid to seek.
And Paul was moved by what he learned
and cared for those in pain
who saw him as a savior of the weak.

In India, Paul made his mark
with instruments by which
he healed the sick and left a legacy.
Like Jesus, he was not put off
by those ignored by most.
He welcomed those beset by leprosy.

The brand of faith of Doctor Paul
still calls to doubting hearts.
It draws the one who claims a seeking mind.
It is a brand that focuses
on loving folks to God
through acts of mercy and by being kind.
 

For more on Dr. Paul Brand check out the following links:

http://www.leprosymission.org.uk/about-us-and-leprosy/our-history/paul-brand.aspx

http://www.bing.com/videos/search?q=paul+brand+day+of+discovery+youtube&FORM=VIRE7#view=detail&mid=9A44FC39CC1048B38D929A44FC39CC1048B38D92

Pondering the border situation

“Let all the little children come.
Don’t keep the kids away.”
The Savior said those words so long ago.
He was passionate and forceful
as he stood up for their rights.
Kids are persons with real needs as we well know.

But their right to claim Christ’s blessing
and their right to claim our land
aren’t synonymous as some prefer to think.
But these children are still children
needing what we have to give
not the least of which is shelter, food and drink.

Lord, please help us as we ponder
what to do and what to say
as we read the words inscribed on Liberty.
Are the tempest tossed and tired
still invited to our shores?
Or must we restrict migration to stay free?