What Yom Kippur is all about!

Because God’s people weren’t quite pure,
He instituted Yom Kippur.
A chance for Israel to come clean
confessing all their sins.

Each autumn on Atonement Day
their guilt and shame were washed away.
At-one-ment meant at-odds no more
that God and man be one.

But absolution has a price.
And so a bloody sacrifice
was offered by the great high priest
so to atone for all.

And yet no perfect lamb was found
and guilty hearts remained quite bound
until the Shepherd took our place
becoming one-with-us.

The Lamb of God alone would be
the sacrifice that sets us free
and by His blood the veil was rent
and we’re at-one with Him.

* For my Orthodox Jewish neighbors, Yom Kippur this year is Wednesday, September 26th.
** For those who recognize Jesus as “the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world,” our Day of Atonement is “Good Friday.” 

Gabby Gifford demonstrates that for which we stand

Gabby doesn’t gab as much
since she was nearly killed.
But when she speaks we listen up
amazed at her strong will.

Like there in Charlotte when we heard
her patriotic pride
and saw her hand above her heart.
(I think I almost cried.)

Undauntedly she bravely pledged
allegiance to the flag.
Her words uneven, monotone.
Her pacing seemed to drag.

But nonetheless she led us all
in words we often speak.
Her left hand held her right in place.
The strong one held the weak.

And with those hands beside her heart
we see a metaphor
of what our nation’s all about.
The values we stand for.

We stand for life instead of death,
for pushing through the pain,
for offering to lend a hand
to one who’s lost his aim.

We stand for courage in harm’s way
and voicing what we know
in spite of times we doubt our words
when progress might be slow.

We stand for those too weak to walk,
for those whose strength inspires.
and standing side-by-side we pledge
a faith that will not tire.

Opportunity is what unites us

America. She is our home.
The greatest nation ever known.
A place where hopes are realized
and where dreams still come true.

Republicans and Democrats
(despite their rancor and their spats)
are not divided when it comes
to what unites us all.

We cherish hard-fought liberties
and freedom that is far from free,
where opportunity’s concealed
within Amer-I-CAN.

Yes, I can protest, speak my mind.
I can explore until I find
the way of life that brings me joy
by following my heart.

I can advance. I can succeed.
I can work hard to one day lead
a movement that will strive for peace
or live out righteousness.

I can do almost anything
and so with you I proudly sing
of her… “My country tis of thee,
sweet land of liberty…”

Why it’s time for a new one; A Giant Leap Remembered

A Faded Bedroom Poster
Why it’s time for a new one

There’s a faded campaign poster
in your college grad’s bedroom *
that announces hope and change that never came.
And your graduate is grousing
’cause he just can’t find a job,
but he’s starting to discover who’s to blame.

Four years ago he bragged about
Obama’s glowing words.
He was wowed by the young candidate’s appeal.
But at last he’s come to realize
those promises were blank
and the call for hope and change weren’t really real.

* http://www.redstate.com/2012/08/30/ryans-fading-obama-posters-line-spawns-an-excellent-ad/

A Giant Leap Remembered
One final step for Neil Armstrong

A giant leap for all mankind
took place in 1969
the day Neil Armstrong stepped upon
the surface of the moon.

Most all Americans agreed
he earned a place in history.
And since that day he gave us pause
to sing Apollo’s praise.

But now he’s taken one last step
into that realm where souls are kept
by One who made the moon and stars
and calls the stars by name.

Besides the steps Neil Armstrong took,
there’s yet one more within God’s Book.
It is the step of faith by which
we start to walk with Him.

I hope he took that leap of faith
and found God’s love and boundless grace.
He loves us to the moon and back
and proved it through His Son.

Advice on turning 60

A friend of mine turned 60
and it gives me cause to share
some road wisdom on this milepost of life.
Be more apt to count your blessings
than to add up your regrets.
Come to think of it that’s biblical advice.

Look ahead straight through the windshield.
Don’t fixate on rearview mirrors.
What’s around the bend is bound to be real swell.
Mind the limits of those speed signs.
There’s no need to go too fast.
Roses aren’t the only thing to stop and smell.

Keep your bucket list beside you.
There’s no telling what’s to come.
There’s no use procrastinating till some day.
Ditch your roadmap. Start exploring
places off the beaten path.
Take some risks and give a nod to “come what may.”

And while 60’s the new 40,
you had better check your brakes
and then verify your tires have good tread.
Better double-check your passport
and be sure you’re heaven bound
for you can’t change your allegiance once you’re dead.

Don’t forget to fuel your gas tank.
Service stations do abound
in a church or in a home group. You decide.
What’s important (downright crucial)
is to keep your faith on F.
Fill up daily. Trust the Lord! Enjoy the ride!