And that’s no lie!

He fudged on facts and he got caught.
That’s why he’s off the air.
A man we trusted stole our trust.
And just like you, I care!

The shame he feels flies in the face
of all he’s done that’s good.
And there’s a cost for disregarding
doing what we should.

What Brian Williams did was wrong
and must be penalized.
But knowing how we’ve stretched the truth,
I will not criticize.

Instead I choose to pray for him
as he takes time away.
May God be found within the pain
as night gives way to day.

What the original 12th Man promises

The Seahawks fans are called a name
describing who they are.
They cheer their team who scrimmage on the field.
They’re called the 12th Man for their role
is offering their love
when times are good or when their doom is sealed.

But long before the Seahawks played
a 12th Man made some noise
to help His team stay focused on their goal.
Persistently He persevered
and pledged His loyalty
to help the ones He loved pay victory’s toll.

An upper room, a pre-game meal,
this 12th Man voiced support.
His stood beside eleven on His team.
Through pain or gain He proved His love.
He washed His players feet
while laying down His life to serve their dream.

He called them servants, scrubbed their pride
and huddled them to hear
instructions for one last decisive play.
And then He cheered their progress
from a rugged Roman cross
on what would prove a not-so-Good Friday.

On Sunday night behind locked doors
His team was feeling down
convinced their lofty cause was surely doomed.
This 12th Man showed up unannounced
and filled their hearts with hope
within that dark and lifeless upper room.

He praised their purpose, gave them heart 
and wouldn’t let them quit.
He gave them hope to hold on to the end.
This 12th Man proved His loyalty
in good times and as bad
and sent them on a mission as His friends.

How culture’s values are impacting the Church

There’s a family I’m aware of
that is facing what (I fear)
could result in broken hearts and fractured ties.
Siblings of a common mother
through the years have grown apart
and have found themselves defending different sides.

Failed attempts to forge consensus
have resulted in distrust
while the parents grieve a unity that’s lost.
Children raised to love each other
(and to value what is true)
seem oblivious to what this rift will cost.

Lord, have mercy when compassion
clouds the means to understand
the holiness Your sacred Word avows.
Help Your Church resist the pressure
to cave-in to cultures lies
and to claim as truth what Justices allow.

In this struggle, Lord, please use me
as an agent of Your grace
so this family that I love will not divide.
Through humility and kindness
may I listen more than speak
as I feel the pain that’s felt on either side.