A Prayer

Loving God, help us find what your peace is really like.  Help us find a way to live together without fighting because each of us is so different from the other.  We are so given to wars and terrorism, killing those who do not think or act like us, teach us that each person is of value and is to be loved for who they are.  Help us now, before we destroy this world you have given us.  AMEN

Questions 11

When we pray, do we stop and listen for an answer?
Do we tell God all our problems?
Do we stop and thank God when things are good?
Do we recognize the every day small miracles and thank God for them?
Do we talk to God like each talk to other people?

Questions 10

How often do we turn away outsiders just because they are not going our way?
Are we trying to please people or God?
Are we reaching out to the oppressed of our society?
Or are we just trying to fill seats?
Will we really learn to be faithful to what Jesus taught?
If we are the salt of the world, are we making sure our salt is spread worldwide?

Don't

Don't turn away,
Don't reject me,
See me as I am
And accept me.

Don't turn away,
Don't tell me
I am not right
Just love me.

Don't turn away,
Lean toward me,
And love me
Just as I am.

Beloved

Beloved of God,
Come now and see
All that has been
Prepared for you.

Beloved of God
Come now and hear
All about the love
That is yours to have.

Beloved of God,
Come now and know
Just how much
You are loved.

Questions 9

Are we real in our lives?
Have we become authentic humans?
Do talk about God or the others around us?
Do we see the people who need help?
Or are we blind to them all?
Will we be different and turn and serve
the outsider who is ignored by other people?

Who Will

Who will we feed,
Will we see the poor
And help them?

Who will we feed
Do we know that God
Can be trusted to help?

Who will we feed,
Will we learn to share
With all people?

Encountering God

In the forests
I walk
And there I find
I'm walking with God.

In a house
I work
And there I *ind
God is beside me.

All around
Wherever I go
I find when I look,
God is always beside me.

A Prayer

Dear God,
For all the children
Of the world,
I wish peace and love.
May these little ones
Have all they need
For a good life.
May poverty
All over the world
Vanish.
Show us all
The way to go
To make it better life
For all people.

Drinking the Joy

Sitting with the family
That God has given me
Knowing that He is here,
Loving me.
Drinking in the joy
That is there,
Because God
Is in the midst.

Drinking in the joy,
Enjoying God’s presence,
Then spreading the joy
To all around
That all may know
That God dwells
Among us
And loves us all.




Drinking the joy,
Feasting on God’s love
For even me!
Wherever I turn,
He is there,
Loving me
Every day.

What more
Can I do
But to love Him?
For He is everything
To me
And His love
Strengthens
And upholds me.

Drinking the joy,
Feasting on God’s love
For all people,
Letting the world know
Of God’s love for them.

God Is Working

See the rugged,
For only Snow- capped mountains
Reaching for the sky.
See the deep, green valleys
Laying far beneath
See the rolling plains and prairies
Stretching onward mile by mile
See all the signs and know;
God is working – here.

QSee the trees growing upward
See the green grass beneath.
See the glowing flowers
With all the colors
Of the rainbow.
Look all around you now
And know that again:
God is working – here.

See the small streams
And the wide rivers
Flowing onward to the sea.
See the wider sea
And the restless waves
Beating on the shoreline.
See all this and remember:
God is working – here.

See the people gather,
Young and old, short and tall.
See them in all colors
And all persuasions
Mixing freely all around.
See all of this
And always remember:
God is working – here.

Feel the wind a blowing
Wherever it will
See the rain coming down
Always upon one and all.
See the bright sun shine
Every day, even through the clouds.
Look around you day by day
And know that always and ever:
God is working – here.

Who Am I

Who am I,
This person?
What is my identity?
I am an individual,
A person
Who matters,
But who an I?
No one will tell me
Anything about me.
God's child
And a special person
Is who I am.

Justice

Justice –
Just for me
What others have
Just for you
The peace and love
That the rest
Of the world has.
Just for all
The same laws,g
Enforced
In the same way
At all times.
Justice
For all people.

Questions 8

Where is our treasure?
Is it in things or in others?
Can we see God in  the others around us?
Do we see the people who need help?
Or are we blind to them all?
Will we be different and turn and serve the outsider who is ignored by all other people?

Jesus

Jesus :
I am leaving
For right now,
But do not despair,
For when you are
Having any problems,
Just look around,
And I am there,
Ready to help.
I will always
Be near you
Because I love you.

A Warning

CAUTIOUN!

Christian under construction!
Tread carefully because this Christian
Is still learning how to follow Christ.
Be aware that that anything that
happens may not be what you
might expect to hear from one
who is a Christian.

The Doubtter Speaks

Oh yes,
I was the doubter.
I was the one
Who said that
I would not believe
Unless I saw Him
And touched the
Nail holes
And put my hand
In His side.
Yes, that was me.
And I could not believe
That He was
Again alive.
Well, let me tell you,
I was surprised.
For He came again
When I was there
And showed me
His hands and side.
Let me tell you,
It is the truth,
For I have seen Him
And touched Him,
He is alive!
He is risen!

A Special Love

I A Special Love
                       Jerry Browning

Friends may come and friends may go
Sometimes friends we hardly know.
Sometimes friends will help us grow
Or they just take what they want and then they go.

Special loves are found in reaching out in honesty
In caring how you feel inside, knowing things you try to hide.
Little things that can’t be bought or sold,
More valuable than gems or gold,
Some special little part of me that no one in the world will see.

CHORUS:  So lean on me and I’ll lean on you
In times when you don’t want to walk alone
Share with me and I’ll share with you
Until the time when God will take us home.

There are things that no one else will see
Things that matter just to you and me.
Precious feelings knowing someone cares.
I look at you and wonder what I see
And wonder what it is you see in me.
Someday the world will hear our songs;
They’ll know we shared the rights and wrongs.

CHORUS:


Added:

This verse is by me for all my friends.  Thanks to Jerry Browning for permitting me to use his song.  Note: may not fit with his music.
And special friends like you
Are far more valuable than the finest gold,
And are to be kept close at hand.
So come and walk the world with me
And tell me all of your deepest cares,
As I tell you of mine.
And when we are parted in this world,
I will look for you on that farther shore,
Knowing God’s love will take you there. 

John - After the Sabbath

                                     John - After the Sabbath

Hey, how are you?  Yes, I'm in a good mood, life is wonderfull!  I didn't see you yesterday
because so much has happened that I didn't have the time to come to you.  To explain, some
of the women went to the tomb to finish the burial.  You know, those spices that are
usually put on the body.  Anyway, when they got there, they found the stone rolled away,
and when they checked, the body was gone.  Mary Magdeline came and told Peter and I that
the body was gone.  We both went to the tomb, and found things as she had said.  We
wondered.   

Later, Mary Magdeline cam and told us that she had seen Jesus alive and that He had talked
to her, telling her to come tell us that He had risen.  Of course, we didn't believe her. 
After all, who believes much that a woman says?  But later yesterday evening, Jesus
appeared to us.  Now, we were in a room, with the doors locked but there He was, without
opening any doors!  He greeted us, and ate a bite.  He also showed us the places where the
nails had pierced His flesh and where the spear had gone in.  Of course, it was Jesus,
risen as He had said that He would!  He even showed us that the prophets had said that this
would happen!  But let us celebrate, for Jesus has risen from the dead, and life now has
meaning!

We will soon be taking the mesage that we finally learned out to the people.  The message? 
God loves all of us!

On Easter

Early in the morning
Some women
Come to the tomb
And find it empty..
At first confusion
But then
The glad shout,
"Jesus is risen!! “
And echoing back,
"he is risen indeed!!! "

The Centurion

The Centurion

Why yes, I was theere when that man was crucified,. Why do you ask? My reaction? Well, it does seem a shame that a good man like him was killed in that way. It doesn't seem to me that hee deserves it.

What wss his name?  Yeshua? We would say Jesus.  A preacher, huh? #o that's why tghe crucifixation, He said some things that offended the authorities! Now that makes sense to me.  A person says something that those people in charge don't like and you're inn a lot of trouble! It is a shame, though. From what I I hear, He had a great message..

I've got to go now. You be careful and don't let them catch up with you.  You never know who they might decide is a danger to their authority.

John

                                                      John

Well, it's evening finally, and after that crucifixation.  I still don't understand why the
authorities felt it necessary to kill Jesus, but I guess I'll never understand.  We buried
Jesus in a tomb given us by Joseph, but it was so late that we couldn't complete treating
the body.  We'll have to do that after the Sabbath.

Jesus was quite the teacher, and I guess what was wrong is that He said some things that
threatened the system that was set up.  We never quite understood what He was saying at the
time, and right now we still don't.  So much was so far beyond what we were taught all our
lives untill we met Jesus.

I'm taking care of Jesus' mother.  He asked me to do that before He died.  She's really
very upset by the whole thing, and doesn't want to talk to anybody right now.  You do
understand, don't you? I'll talk to you more after the Sabbath, when we've had a chance to
settle a bit.  And no, we don't know what we are going to do next.  We'll see.  After the
Sabbath then?

Questions 7

What is our throne?
Who is on our throne?
What do we keep hold of?
Can we let go of our fears?
Can we let God rule our lives?
Can we really follow Jesus?
Will we go where Jesus leads?
Who do we trust?
Do we know the One who calls us "Beloved"?

The Dream

The Dream

By Jerry Browning

I dreamed last night I was on a hill overlooking a great city
And down below was a crowd of men gathered ‘round one Man in pity.
On His head He wore a crown of thorns, on His back, a cross He bore.
The sky was gray and the wind stood still, seems I’d heard this tale before.

Before too long they reached the top where I stood in silent fear
I cried in vain for them to stop but it seemed no one could hear.

They laid the Man on the cross and stretched His weary hands
The tears and pain of the mourning crowd could be heard across the land.
I moved ‘til I was close enough to see there on the ground
The nails they’d used to pierce His flesh, now silence all around.

Each nail held a word or two, ‘twas etched in solid gold
The first nail it said “jealousy”, the second said “lies told”.

The tears began to fill my eyes, to see I had to strain
The third nail it said “jealously” and the last one bore my name.
He took upon Him all the sins of all who could ever be
He died because of things I’d done and not because I’m “me.”

“Dear God,” I cried, “Now I understand just why you had to die.”
The fools of all the universe will always question “Why.”

I woke within the silence of the night and quietly
I knelt and thanked the Savior Who had died to set me free.

Jesus Took

Jesus took a towel
And knelt to wash
The feet
Of the disciples.

Jesus took a towel
And became
A servant
To all who were there.

Jesus took a towel
And in deepest love
Showed us all
What love really is.

Don't

Don't turn away,
Does reject me,
See me as I am
And accept me.

Don't turn away,
Don't tell me
I am not right,
Just love me.

Don't turn away,
Lean toward me
And love me
Just as I am.

Shine

Shine your light
Into the dark corners
That all might see
Which way to go.

Shine a light
Into the darkest night
So the lost o;es
Can find their way.

Shine your light
Through the fog
And guide people
Along the way

Shine a light
Along the path
That all may come
To  know that God is love!

Easter Week

Easter Week

It is time,
Time for the Passover
And to Jerusalem they come
To worship God.
But hold!
What is this?
A man rides in regal state
A lowly donkey.
The people shout
And cry, “Hosanna!”
They acclaim Him king
This Man upon a donkey.

The week passes
And again we hear
On Friday, people shout.
But now a different tune –
“Crucify Him!”  They cry.
“We have no king but Caesar.
Crucify Him!”
The lash is laid
On bare flesh
A crown of thorns
Adorns His head.
And then the heavy cross
He carries;
The Man they acclaimed as king
Just six days ago.
And He is crucified
And dies.

The Man is buried
In a tomb of rock
And on the third day
The women come
To finish anointing the body
But find an open tomb
And no body within.
And again we hear
Voices raised,
But now in praise
Acclaiming, “He is risen!”
And it is told abroad
That the Man who was crucified
Is the Son of God.

Palm Sunday Crowd

A Reporter
Here is a celebration, and in the middle is one man, Jesus, an itinerate preacher.  It's quite a crowd, all seem to be happy about what is happening.  Let's see if we can find out why people are here.

One formally blind
Hosanna!!
Me?  Why am I here?  This man, this Jesus, healed me.  I was born blind, He touched me, and now I can see.  For me, that's reason enough to be here and celebrate that God gave us this Man.

Different
I'm here because I'm different from most other people, yet Jesus accepted me - as I am!!  Not many will do that, you know.  So I celebrate His life.

A Woman
Me?  I'm the woman who was thought to be "unclean" because I had trouble with bleeding for years.  The Doctors could do nothing for me, but Jesus healed me.  I might be dead by now if it wasn't for Him.  So I celebrate.

A Priest
Look at them!  Celebrating a nobody, an itinerate preacher.  Acting as if he was going to be some kind of king!!  If they are not careful, they'll bring the Romans down on us!  It's disgraceful anyway, cheering that one like this.  Got to do something about that one!

A Zealot
Me?  Oh, I'm here because we finally have ourselves a king!  And He'll destroy those *** Romans.  And it's about time, too.  We'll finally be able to rule ourselves!  What?  Oh, He’ll take care of the Romans all right.  What kind of king would He be if He didn’t?  He’s got to do what the people want, you know.

Jesus :

I am leaving
For right now,
But do not despair
For when you are
Having any problems,
Just look around
And I am there,
Ready to help.
I will always
Be with you
Because I love you.

I Call

I Call for help,
Is anybody there?
I call aloud,
Does anybody hear?
Sometimes it seems
Nobody cares,
But when I turn
To go to find
A place to stay
And be alone
I find God is there
Arms outstretched
In love.

A Storm

A storm is coming! 
The trump has sounded
In warning to all,
A storm is coming!
Look around
And see the signs,
A storm is coming!

A storm is coming,
Not a weather storm
But a different one,
A storm is coming!
Fear and hatred
In control,
A storm is coming!

A storm is coming,
Look who is talking,
What is being said,
A storm is coming!
War comes near,
No one sees,
A storm is coming!

A storm is coming,
The drum beat sounds,
No one hears.
A storm is coming!
Look around you,
See the signs,
A storm is coming!

A storm is coming,
Watch out now and see
It's almost here!!
A storm is coming,
See it build
And beware,
The storm is near!!



When the weather is going to turn bad, all a person has to do is to look to the skies to see and interpret the signs.  The signs are there for those who know how to interpret them.  It's the same with other storms that impact our lives.  The signs are there, we just need to learn what they are and how to read them.  Then maybe we can do something to combat the problem without resorting to war.  But too many people refuse to learn anything about this sort of problem.  Beware and watch for the storm!!

The storm is here!!!

A Child Of God

A Child Of God
By Jerry Browning

Chorus:
I'm a child of God - You made me like You want me
And You want like You made me,
Not for others to deceive,
I'm a child of God - and in my heart I hear You
I'll never have to leave You, if I live what I believe.

Someone will turn the Master's words to music
Someone will paint a sudden burst of spring
Each life is given a gift to share with others
But some will turn away and never see a thing.

Chorus :

So when the time has come to meet the Maker
And I'm taken from the pastures where I feed,
Will I be true? Did I live the life You gave me
Or a life some other mortal made me lead?

Chorus :

A Lost Soul 3

Dear God:

I think that I finally have some of this prayer thing figured out.
I think that I have heard you speaking to me, encouraging me. I did
take some quiet time, though with my schedule, that's hard to do.
But I finally decided that this praying and listening was more
important to me right now. It was only a few minutes, but that
seemed to be enough this time.

As a result of taking the time, I feel a whole lot less lost. I am
more connected to you than I have been for a while. And that feels
so good! It was a bit odd, however, to find you so close. I did
not realize just how much you cared for me and that feels good, too.

Now that I'm getting the hang of praying and meditation, I'll have
to carve out a bigger block of time in my day. Maybe some time in
the evening. I'll have to see what I can do to get some regular
time for this. And I think that I've found a good church to go to
regularly. I may even become a member there. I'll have to see how
this goes. That is, if you approve.

Love:
A former lost soul



Reply:

My dear child:
Hooray!  You've got it all right!  Now remember, although there is always a tendency for you to turn the wrong way, I am always near by, even in what seems to be the worst of times.  Just reach out, and I am there.
Now, yes, that church is good for you now.  And that time in the evening along with the few minutes in the morning will work out for you.  It's fine with me, but you do need to keep it daily.  That's one way to make sure that you stay close to me.  Otherwise, you will tend to wander away.  Just remember to listen, too, because I do answer, especially when questions are asked.
All you have to do now is to keep it up daily, and you will never again lose contact with me.  Just remember that you are never lost.  I am always near by, loving you.

All my Love:
God

A Lost Soul 2

OK Dear God:

I do feel a bit less lost today. There seems to be someone near me, but I cannot be sure. Can you help me find out who is there? I just don't understand what to do so I can tell.

You see, I've not had any real training in prayer. Even though I've gone to church, I've never really been closely connected to any church. Besides, they tell a person to pray, but many don't teach how. And the ones that I've gone to don't say anything about meditation. Guess that's not the proper thing to do. I don't know.

Even without church, I have felt closer to you than I do now. I just seem to have wandered away somehow. It's getting a bit better but there still seems to be a gap.

Any help that you can give me will be very appreciated. I really would like to be closer again. I just don't know how I wandered away.


A lost soul




Reply:

My dear child;
Actually you are doing a good job praying.  Because what I do like is honest, straight forward conversation.  You see, prayers are nothing more than having conversation with me.  All you need to do now is learn how to listen for my side.  That, by the way, is what meditaton is, listening for what I have to say.
You say that you've not had any training in praying.  Don't be too upset about that, because a lot of churches don't teach prayer, they just do it and assume that you'll figure out what to do for yourself.  And while being a member of a church is a help, you've got to be careful which one you pick.  There are those who will lead you the wrong way.

By the way, that is me that you feel near you.  You are making progress.  You do now know that I am near. There are so many who search but never find me.  They just won't take the time to listen.  So now sit down and be quiet for a while.  Then you will hear me talking back to you.

I am looking forward to our next conversation.  Please don't make it too long between.  At least daily is nice.

All my Love:

God

Praisesong

With what name
Shall I call Him?
Elohim or Adonai –
Neither says enough,
Neither is full enough.
What is the word
For Best Beloved,
For Lover of my soul?
How shall I pronounce
The words that mean
Parent and Savior?
No words are there
That are strong enough,
That have enough meaning,
For Lord of all is He
And also
Lord of my life.

A Lost Soul 1

Dear God:
I'm feeling lost and alone again. Yet I know that you haven't left
me. So where have I gone wrong and missed you? Which way do I turn
to get back to you?

You see, somehow I seem to have lost my connection to you. The
question is, when did I let go of your hand? Where was I when I
turned the wrong way? I do not live well without you by my side, I
barely survive. Where can I find you? Where have you gone?

Yet I know that usually you are not far from me. But I do not know
which way to turn to find you. I just can't seem to find my way back
to you. But you do know how to find me, don't you? I am so full of
doubts and fears that I'm not sure which way to turn. I believe that
you are always there for me but..... See, I do need help to find my
way back to you.

Thank you for any help you might give me.


A Lost Soul

Reply;
My dear child:
First, you are not lost. I know where you are at all times. The
problem is that you do not always hear my voice calling you. I am
always right here beside you.

Now, I'll tell you what to do. Listen, not with your physical ears,
but with those of heart and soul. That's how to find me. My hand
is always there for you, but you are using the eyes of your body,
not the ones of your soul. Stop a while and meditate, listen, and
look within, and you will find me near, waiting for you, arms
outstretched in love.

Second, you have not lost your connection to me. That will always
be there, even when you don't feel it. Just stop, and don't be so
frantic, and you will find me where I have always been, beside you.

Finally, I know that you, like most of my children, are full of
doubts and fears. The help you want and need is here, just reach
out, and I am there to help you find your way.

Love:
God

Sing for Joy

Sing for Joy For Kathleen Bell

Psalm 34:1-3
Come, praise God.
Together, let us
Raise our voices
In song
That all the world
Might hear us.

Psalm 150
Let all people
Sing and praise God!
Play the instruments
And sing along,
Let all the world
Hear your praise!

Isaiah 49:6-7
All nations will come
And sing their praises
To the Holy One
Of Israel
Who has redeemed
All the people
Of the world.

Isaiah 49:13
Sing out for joy!
God is love
And is here
Among the people.
Sing out
And let all people
Join in the song.
Come, let us praise God!

I get answers

“I am tired,” I said out loud. As I put myself to bed, I heard a voice that said, “relax and rest, get some sleep, for tomorrow will be a better day for you. Rest and regain your strength, Beloved child, and I will be here, watching, keeping you safe.  Tomorrow I will help you better deal with the problems that come your way.  Rest and sleep, Beloved.

God Called

Isaiah 6:8
God called for help
And I listened
And heard.
Though I felt
That I was not worthy,
I answered
And said
That I would go.

Isaiah 61:1-3
God Leads me,
Anointing me
To tell the good news
Of God's love
To all people.
I have been sent
To tell the captives
That love is theirs
To have.

Matt 9:35-38
There are so many
That need some help
And guidance.
Too  many have no on3
To show them
The way to go.
And I will pray
For more workers
To help in the job
That is there to do.

Acts 26:17-18
God has sent me
To find those
Who are outside
The church,
To try to show them
The way of light
Out of the darkness
Where they may
Presently dwell.