I cannot listen here too long. Boredom I disown.
Please, please get my interest now or I will just go home.
The draw of caring clergy, try to meet every concern
can somehow, too, diminish church. A tricky balance turn.
Church, in its core is pronounced clear: A prelude to God’s world.
That timeless space of glory, faith’s promise grand unfurled.
If we must time the paces of the church where each attend,
then we will prompt a habit, which in God’s presence will end.
No measurement of the time is there; its clock beats in the heart of the Lamb.
The Son in whom time will stand still – He is the Great I Am.
Church is, after all, a rehearsal theme. Its message stands strong.
This is the local place that God blessed – where do you belong?
Next time you glance to see the time eclipse and tick away,
recall the One who entered time so we’d be His one day.
As the family prepared to gather
to enjoy this birthday time,
of a father’s century living –
in itself so blessed, sublime.
There the celebration of his birthday
was translated beyond this earth,
where Frank found his spiritual birth date
through the cross of Christ’s own worth.
We do know the candles on the birthday cake
would have lit a corner square,
but the eternal light that guides you all
is the party he now shares.
This gentleman, who I never met, made room for all, you see.
He made room for fun and fellowship, inviting folks to the barn annually.
He was instrumental in securing parking for the folks to come each day
to serve and seek the face of God through the Oakdale narrow way.
He made room for ministry to occur, along the camp’s Cedar Springs shore,
and through Roslyn Park he made room for youth, and him they still adore.
The lives of myriads of souls thank God for Al Roth’s kindly face –
He made room and time to show to each our God’s amazing grace.
Al made room so faith in Christ could stand both here and there,
so all could find the mercy seat, with nothing to compare.
Now God has opened wide His arms, to receive this treasured man.
Our Lord made room for Alvin Roth, which was the heart of Calvary’s plan.
Written for Harold Schmandt in memory of his brother, Harvey, who taught us to sing the story of Old Dunderbak.
The story of Old Dunderbak was shared down through the years.
And now, recall Old Dunderbak amongst the grieving tears.
The man who coined Old Dunderbak would sing it to der kin.
So, when you think of Dunderbak, you’ll laugh and think of him.
Der nieces and der nephews grew up hearing this, he’d tell.
And now, the grandkids and our Tim remember it real well.
The story of old Dunderbak will live through love for him.
Whene’er you hear Old Dunderbak I hope you will join in.
And while you are at it, hum his new eternal tune.
And learn the song of heaven, for death comes too very soon.
This same storyteller shared his hope through the years of pain.
He found salvation through the One who died and rose again.
If you listen close, you just might hear Harvey’s heart beat,
which lives because the story’s true of peace at Jesus feet.
Eight candles stand where light was dimmed,
This fortress marks the spot.
The enemy smashed while hope, not dashed.
A small wick burned brighter than thought.
Eight candles line the victory band;
These days where faith stood strong.
To not forget, this time is set.
In carolling this standstill song.
Eight candles speak so loud today,
And listening, we must hear.
Captive we may be, we must hold on till we’re free.
Oh Festival of Lights, shine clear!
Description of Golgotha day, this term would seem as wrong.
How could the day when Jesus died be good, and last this long?
Reason is clear, search out the truth for what this day affords.
Complete payment of debt of sin; offered freely by our Lord.
Was good for us, if we accept gift given on the hill.
The gift’s alive and in eternal form; there it is still.
When God created this old world, He kept this word inscribed.
For all God’s works are good like Him; Good Friday will describe.
A connection from heaven to earth is found within Jaden’s hand.
It became an unexpected moment that is hard to understand.
It’s as if the touch of God came to his youthful, waiting limb,
And sent a message through that time and was first meant for him.
When Uncle Mark was leaving earth, their hands connected there
And Jaden’s hand reminds us that we have a God who cares.
So, Jaden – heaven grabbed ahold of you through Uncle Mark’s light touch.
Now keep your hands in Jesus’ grip. He loves you very much.
The log-like cloud looks ….. like eyes rolled closed.
A scroll ready to speak.
The thunderous voice, seeming to rejoice.
The clouds arch eyebrow peak.
Unsettled – makes you doubtful.
Can schedules proceed unchanged?
Do I have time to get in line,
Or will my day be rearranged?
Appearing foreboding, presents its unsure,
Watching the formation move and glide.
The calm before the storm,
And you seek for somewhere to hide.
So affected are we by things above,
Or persons round about.
We find ourselves changing plans
in every sneer or shout.
Threatening moods descend upon,
marking us as wooden toys,
with whom the “gods” play.
A hazy height kills our joy.
Does the true God play with our moods,
And inhibit us through His timeless cloud?
The sky, created to frame His world,
would He taunt us so, a thought out loud?
The God I know speaks through the gloom;
He does not it dangle it in our view.
My God will use clouds as a chariot of sorts,
When He comes again for His chosen few.
In the light of this week’s event occurring during the Advent Season, I wrote this:
Throughout this Advent Season, one theme transcends all time:
A deity displacement of the supernatural kind.
Christ wore His kingly robe when He descended to our realm,
And was displaced in Bethlehem, where grace was birthed, as well.
Within that incarnation, a census had begun,
to show Bethlehem – “The House of Bread”, that its registry was done.
Throughout the carols of Advent here, we’re displaced at Living Springs,
But the songs of faith will echo loud with the answers heaven brings.
One day in heaven there’ll be a place when another census comes.
The Book of Life will open wide with the names that faith welcomed.
We feel displaced – God understands, His displacement made the room
For all those who seek the Bread of Life well beyond the Garden tomb.
Perhaps we’ll know a portion size of the sense our God displayed,
When He found Himself in a manger bare, where “no room” became God’s way.
(The church building was flooded with clean water that rose 4′ feet high and pushed
the water out the front doors on November 30, 2009.)
An outsider, through windows gaze
The sight of life enhance.
You watch the people march along,
while you don’t have a chance.
Often you perceive things this way.
No explanation will reveal
Why being suspended from the group,
you wait to turn your wheel.
Perhaps you’re of a different sort;
Things usual will not do.
While streams of life go forth for them,
You stroll a new avenue.
Someone else in looking glass
Peered in from heaven’s view.
He swooped right down and left for us
A sense – He’s looking too.
The difference be, though some may feel
This means nothing for the ride.
You’ll start anew when noticing this:
You’re not alone – God is by your side.
