When’s the day when I can be
a source of joy to all I see,
when I can lift those burdened down
by heartaches and despair?
When can I show another love
reminding them I’m thinking of
those times when they were there for me,
when friends were few and far?
So when’s the day I just decide
to jettison my fear and pride
and risk rejection for the chance
to love like Jesus did?
Well, how about today?
After all, today is “When’s Day!”
Two spinster sisters lived alone
when times were lean and tough.
Grace was kind and Faith believed
somehow they’d have enough.
Grace gave to others without thought.
Her nature was this pure.
While Faith, the younger, struggled some.
Her hopes weren’t always sure.
Without her sister’s knowledge, Grace
would work behind the scenes.
She scrimped and saved (when Faith would sleep)
to bring about the means
to shed the rags of “getting by”
and dress like royalty.
Grace loved her sister and could see
one day she would be free.
One day she’d flee from poverty.
One day Faith would take hold
of all she hoped and dreamed about:
A mansion gilded gold.
One day arrived. Grace died and left
her twin what she’d saved.
‘Twas in the bank and was not based
on how Faith had behaved.
Yes, (Grace, through death) expressed her care
for one she loved so much.
The proof was Faith’s inheritance.
An unexpected crutch.
But what Grace had made possible
could not be earned through doing.
All had been done that one could do.
No need for stress or stewing.
The gift of Grace was in the bank
all ready to be claimed.
No strings attached or fine-print clause.
It bore her sister’s name.
The only thing the bank required
was that Faith show her face
and then endorse the waiting check
made possible by Grace.
For no one else could claim this prize
as Grace had clearly shown.
For only one could make withdraws.
Just Faith and Faith alone.
And Grace has done the same for us.
A life savings in our name.
And though we don’t deserve what’s ours,
it’s ours alone to claim.
No need to prove we’ve earned it, though.
That’s one thing Grace insists.
Eternal life comes through Christ’s death
not our demanding fists.
It’s humbling, to say the least,
to take what someone’s given.
But that’s God’s plan.
Our pride must die for us to be forgiven.
And when (with faith) at Heaven’s bank
we claim what’s guaranteed,
guess what’s compounded? Gratitude!
A thankful heart, indeed!
Yes, thankfulness is interest earned
on funds that grow and grow.
But there is also something else
I think that you should know.
St. Paul says in our text today,
we’re not saved by doing good.
But here’s the catch… Once we are saved,
we can do the good we should.
We’re saved in order to achieve
what we alone can’t do.
By grace (through faith) we activate
God’s plans for me and you.
Black horned-rimmed glasses, long white hair.
I’d recognize him anywhere.
A heart for God and young folk, too.
He touched my life but never knew.
For Pete’s sake! Ralph gave our faith wings.
His upbeat praise songs helped us sing.
A restless one? I think he was
‘cause Ralph was bored with hymn-drum blahs.
This gifted bulb was soon root-bound
and could not flourish underground.
Ralph’s blades and shoots broke through the sod.
This rebel was a gift from God.
His plant grew up. Became a tree.
The rest they say is history.
From first violin to Big Band king,
Ralph Carmichael was everything.
He’s everything to me and you
because he saw we needed new.
I sing his praises though he’s gone.
Because of Ralph, the song goes on!
The man and his music both brought us deep joy.
Ralph Carmichael gave grace a voice.
Composing, arranging, conducting and such,
Ralph wired our hearts to rejoice.
With Mar at his side, this musician of note
continued to show us the score.
The soundtrack for living that flowed from his pen
was embellished with grace notes galore.
I’m just one of those grateful for what Ralph has wrought.
There are millions who counted him friend.
A friend who inspired our childlike faith
through his music again and again.
There is a thoughtful article on Ralph Carmichael’s life and work, including a few videos. Use this link to Christianity Today:
Composer Who Fought for Freedom of Christian Music
Colin’s cancer left him weak,
but in the end COVID would speak
to claim a General strong yet meek
who knew few enemies.
This inner-circle centrist’s voice
provided options when a choice
was hard to choose above the noise
of disagreeing friends.
Our nation is a better place
because this man of measured grace
gave common sense a needed face.
Peace to his memory!
Long before “The Lion King” was released as an animated movie or a Broadway musical, another lion reigned in the hearts of children in the English-speaking world. His name was Aslan, a Christ-like figure who ruled an imaginary kingdom in the Chronicles of Narnia.
Seventy-one years ago, a British novelist by the name of C.S. Lewis first introduced the world to a lion that was good but not always safe. On October 16, 1950 Lewis published “The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe” in which Aslan was the ever-present guardian and provider. It was the first of eight books in which the kingly lion pointed the reader to a benevolent Creator.
My introduction to Aslan was in the form of a play performed by a drama troupe from Seattle Pacific University in the fall of 1974. I had just graduated from this outstanding Christian liberal arts institution and accepted a position in the university relations office. My job found me arranging tours for various performing groups on campus. When the Chancel Players were presented the opportunity to perform “The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe” by C. S. Lewis at Expo ’74 in Spokane, I traveled with them.
Never having read any of The Chronicles of Narnia in my youth, I was intrigued by the character known as Aslan as presented in the Lewis’ story. Thirty-five years later I found myself depositing two of my daughters on the campus of Wheaton College in suburban Chicago. Having helped them unload their belongings, I went about exploring the campus.
I was delighted to discover the Wade Center named for the founder of ServiceMaster Company. Within this attractive brick building is contained archived materials and memorabilia related to C.S. Lewis, J.R.R. Tolkien, Dorothy Sayers and G. K. Chesterton. The writing desks of Tolkien and Lewis are displayed along with the wardrobe from Lewis’ childhood home after which his most famous of all the Narnia chronicles is named. I was thrilled by what I saw.
I looked beyond Lewis’ wardrobe to see a beautiful framed painting of Aslan hanging on a wall. It reminded me of the lion sculpture that graces my desk in my office. By now I had come to an informed understanding of Lewis’ symbol. The lion is a powerful reminder of an ever-present God who was committed to my wellbeing. I loved the fact that Aslan was capable of making appearances without fanfare. It seemed as though he was always present even when not visible. He was a means of salvation when all seemed lost.
A dozen years after that self-guided tour of the Wade Center on the campus of Wheaton College, COVID threatened our world. During this time of lockdown and restrictions as well as fear and anxiety, I noted a number of coincidences that focused my perspective in a heavenly direction. These happenstances reminded me that in spite of being socially distanced, I was not on my own.
My friend SQuire Rushnell refers to such serendipities as Godwinks. In fact, SQuire is the one who coined the term. And during the difficult months of COVID, God, like Aslan, made His presence known at just the right time in unanticipated ways. I began observing Godwinks all around me. I started to sense the hot breath of an uncaged lion on my neck. I knew Aslan was near.
During lockdown, I resorted to my favorite pastime. Sitting at my laptop, I painted word pictures while dusting for divine fingerprints. The result is a collection of poetry in which I celebrate the presence of God in our everyday lives. I’ve called this volume “When God Speaks: Listening for Aslan in Everyday Life.” It’s an interactive workbook in which each poem is paired with a prompt or question and the space for the reader to reflect and respond.
Copies of “When God Speaks” or of my other books, can be ordered from links on the BOOKS menu.
My Rhymes and Reasons 