Remembering those who fought on D-Day

A day at the beach
proved to be so much more.
The lives that were lost
turned the tide of that war.

So as we remember
what took place that day,
let’s cherish our freedom
and take time to pray.

Let’s humbly acknowledge
our longings for peace
as Uncle Sam’s nephew
or Uncle Sam’s niece.

Let’s ask the Almighty
for courage to fight
advances of terror
that bleach knuckles white.

Let’s ask God to give us
that same daring glance
that marked those young soldiers
in Normandy France.

Asking God to silence Kim Jong-Um

There’s a madman in Korea
who has missiles on his mind.
Kim Jong-Um (it seems) is bent on making war.
He’s convinced our nation’s evil
and deserves to be destroyed.
What he hopes to do would end in global horror.

Though he’s capable, he’s crazy.
He’s shortsighted and he’s cruel.
He is heartless with the morals of a frog.
We must stop him and disarm him
lest he reach his stated goal
and wreak havoc in a country blessed by God.

Wipe that smile from his face, Lord.
Help this young dictator find
that he’s playing with much more than simply fire.
May the grownups that advise him
hold him hostage with the truth
that his brainless acts will trigger worldwide ire.

Performing acts of kindness wins the day

The greatest show on earth
is not a circus ‘neath a tent.
The acts that mean the most are what we do.
To show a little kindness
or to listen with our hearts.
To sit beside someone whose days are few.

The kind of acts that “wow” the crowd
aren’t those on high trapeze.
Performing acts of mercy wins the day.
To help a widow in her grief
or serve a refugee
are acts that keep Christ’s critics held at bay.

I’d rather see a show of love
than just a show of hands.
To vote is easy. Doing right is tough.
To show God’s grace to those denied
the privileges of wealth
is really good, but that is not enough.

To advocate for those maligned
or protest against hate
are acts that our Creator would applaud.
When values become visible,
we show the world our faith
and point towards the loving heart of God.

If only The Donald would do just that

Our President is quick to tweet
when he’s upset while we’re asleep.
His twitter-pating heart attacks
and takes our breath away.

His frenzied fingers type at will.
His spinning mind is never still.
Trump streams his conscious thoughts through tweets
that trump what’s rational.

If only he would hold the phone
and voice his thoughts to God alone
He just might sleep more peacefully.
And likely we would, too.

Contemplating a first Mother’s Day

My daughter’s now a mother
with a daughter of her own.
The one I carried cradles one she loves.
Last Mother’s Day we first would learn
that Ally was with-child.
Amazing news as if from God above.

A baby is a miracle.
The one that you conceive
as well as those conceived by those you’ve birthed.
Miraculous. Breathtaking.
Tiny replicas of grace.
They are Heaven’s richest blessings here on earth.

This Mother’s Day I thank the Lord
for wonders to behold.
My beautiful granddaughter with her mom.
The way my wife just beams with pride
to see our progeny.
A pieta of comfort, peace and calm.