Was the baby Jesus really a quiet baby? And did He know from the beginning who He was and how important He would be? Or was He just a baby?
Thursday, December 23, 2021
Wednesday, December 22, 2021
Christmas Depression
Do you have Christmas depression? What is your problem that you can't lean on God or can't you find God or know where He is? Come to the side of the Manger and there learn how great God's love is for you and all people.
Tuesday, December 21, 2021
The Light
Light has come to this darkened world of ours . Come and see what God has done for us all ! Know that we are now counted as God's children, as we always have been. The dark has been lifted and light is come so all people will see the truth of God's love revealed.
Sunday, December 19, 2021
Why Love
Why did love have to be the central reason for that very precious birth? Don't we know enough about love? Or is there something missing in our lives? What is missing about love that we don't get or understand? What are we missing here?
Friday, December 17, 2021
Love Came
Love came down at Christmas and was born as a human child. Love came down at Christmas to show us
]how to love as G
od does. Love came down at Christmas to show us how to live in love with those who are different. Love came down...
Thursday, December 16, 2021
Celebration
We celebrate special days so why don't we know when Jesus was born or where? The visitors were told so why not us? If You wanted Jesus to be well known why not?
Tuesday, December 14, 2021
The Angela
How many angels were in that choir? And who was the speaker? Did they practice ahead of time? And who wrote the music and words or did You?
Saturday, December 11, 2021
The Three Cities
Why were certain cities chosen? Why Nazareth, for example? What was in that town that made it a good place for the parents to be from? Or for that matter what made it good town for that very special baby to grow up in?
And why Jerusalem? What was in that city that made it so bad? Was it the leaders or were there more problems there that we are not aware of? What problems were there or was it just Herod and Caiphas?
And why Bethlehem? What was in that city that 2 such different things should happen? I can see a special birth but but slaughter of innocent childra
Friday, December 10, 2021
The Gifts
Now the gifts-why those three? And just three? Couldn't a more precious metal than gold that was available at the time? And the other two, frankincense and myrh? We aren't told what they were. So what were they? Some kind of valuable plant or rock or something that was entirely different?
Thursday, December 9, 2021
The Wise Men
The wise men-were there really 3 or were there more or maybe less? For more, there were 3 gifts but how many brought them? Could there have been 4 or maybe as many as 7? We were not told how many so how many? Maybe there were only two or just one. Somebody please tell us for we would like to know. Oh; before I forget, where were they from?
Wednesday, December 8, 2021
The Shepherds
Now the shepherds, why shepherds? They were the lowest people that could be found in those days, why them? I know visitors were necessary but why them? Why not someone from one of the rich houses? If you wanted the world to know, why not?
Tuesday, December 7, 2021
The Stable
OK while I'm asking questions, why a stable? A house would have been better, wouldn't it? Especially with that very precious baby. I get that with those parents a big, fancy house wouldn't have accepted them, but wouldn't there have been a house that was about their level? Or were they turned away wherever they went?
Monday, December 6, 2021
Mary and Joseph
Why Mary and Joseph? What was so special about them? Wouldn't another couple done just as well or even better? Why such an ordinary couple? Or am I missing something here? Is there a message in the choice that we are not aware of?
Sunday, December 5, 2021
A Star
Why a star? Wouldn't another way of announcing the birth been better? For example if general announcement
so everyone would know right away. Where did it come from? How many stars were used to make such a bright star? Why a star!
Saturday, December 4, 2021
Jerusalem
Jerusalem
There is Jerusalem, always the capital of Israel. Yet another city rose above Jerusalem to be the queen of all cities. In fact it was probably not thought of that anybody so special would be born and raised anywhere else. He would know little of them In His younger years.
Bethlehem and other small towns most likely would have been considered to be too small to have anything of interest for a rich young man or woman. Jerusalem would have been the place to live for parties and gossip.
Yet there were many in the city who would have little or nothing to do with those people mostly because of the way these ordinary people were treated by the rulers of that time.
Into all this and a lot of other problems comes Jesus. Born in a stable and raised in a small village named Nazereth.He became an itinerant teacher and healer. In so do>ng,He the world of that time on it's ear , eventually changing everything. For He was/is the King of the Ages and Creator of all, loving all.
Friday, December 3, 2021
Bethlehem
Bethlehem, oh Bethlehem, now the queen of all the cities that ever were because the Child that was born there turned out to be the King of the Ages. Angels told shepherds about the birth and where to find the baby. And wise men followed a star so they could acknowledge the new-born King and then worship Him.
Bethlehem, oh Bethlehem, I wish I could have been there with the shepherds or been a midwife there for help with that special birth. Or maybe I could have been a servant of those wise men. Just to have been there would have been glorious!
Bethlehem, oh Bethlehem, when did all this happen? Who knows when, what time of year it was? All that matters is that God came down to earth to show us all how to live together in love. Come with me and see and learn about this God who loves all people, no matter who they are.
Bethlehem, my Bethlehem, I bow down and remember you in my prayers. And I stand beside you against those who would destroy you and your people. Oh my Bethlehem, it is the best thing I can do, loving you and your people.
Thursday, December 2, 2021
Nazareth
Nazareth, you were so unknown, just a small town that no one had heard about or knew where it was. So why were you chosen to be the place where Jesus would grow up? What was it about you that made you a perfect place for one like Jesus to growup in? Or was it your isolation that made you so perfect? Tell me please for I need to know.
Wednesday, December 1, 2021
Christmas
Christmas
Christmas is coming,
I have heard.
Guess it is true,
Because it seems
The frantic shopping
For the perfect gift
Has now started.
I wonder now,
What has happened
To this time
We call Christmas?
Christmas
Should be a time
For celebration
Of families and friends.
Love and peace
Should be able
To dwell together.
Christmas is coming,
Have you heard?
Tuesday, November 30, 2021
Christmas Coming
Christmas is coming soon, are you prepared? Are you ready for the celebration? It is the time we have chosen to celebrate the birth of Jesus, are you ready for the party, a special party for He who came to set us free from hate and division and to show us what love really is and how to love others without conditions. Are we all ready for the unexpected from God? Who knows, God might just turn up as a woman this time. We must be prepared for the unexpected from God both in who is accepted and loved and who is not.
So, are we ready for the unexpected from God? Will we be able to know God in human form this time? How many will turn away if God appears to us in a way that doesn't meet our approval? And will we be able to tell who the person really is? Are we listening for the voice of God inside of each of us? Will we be able to hear that voice if the person is not who we expect? Christmas is coming, are we really prepared?
Look!
See there!
Light has come
Into our
Darkened world! 😀
Sunday, November 28, 2021
Come Learn
Come let us learn how to love as God does, fully and completely leaving no one out. Learn that it does not matter how different the person is and we are to see each person as a valuable child of God.
Friday, November 26, 2021
Alone
Alone, feeling so alone like nobody cares about me. But then I look around me and find there are so many there saying that they care. Feeling better, no longer alone, I walk with my friends and know that I was never alone.
Thursday, November 25, 2021
Greetings
Wednesday, November 24, 2021
Freedoms
Freedoms to want:
Freedom to be who you are.
Freedom to love who you want
Freedom to live where you want
Freedom to worship God in the way that seems best to you
Freedom to want the world to be free from war
Freedom to be free from all oppression
Monday, November 22, 2021
Stop Hate
Let's all do our part to stop all kinds of hate. We are to love, not hate all people. Can we learn a new way of living where hate has no part in us? Is there a way to include those who want to destroy us? Or is it already too late?
Sunday, November 21, 2021
Scared
I long to be with Jesus, I long to hold His hand. But why am I so scared to be close to Him? What is it that terrifies me so much that I want to run away and hide? Is it something I've done or the mere fact of His heart presence?? Why oh why am I afraid of this love?
Yet Jesus comes to me and holds out His hands, telling me to not be so afraid. And very gently He folds me in His arms and holding me close, reassures me that always I am loved. And as I walk along the path, I find Jesus is there holding my hand, showing me the way to go. And I have found just how much God loves me.
Saturday, November 20, 2021
Wishes
I wish for you happiness and all the joy your life can hold.
I wish you love and you will know you are loved.
I wish you family to love and care for you all your life.
I wish for you a faith that will keep you going no matter what may happen around you.
Friday, November 19, 2021
Ignite A Fire
Ignite a fire
In your people, oh God.
Set them on fire
To tell the good news.
Ignite a fire
In your church, oh God.
Set them on fire
To tell about God's love.
Ignite a fire
In our midst, oh God.
So we will show
God's love to all.
Tuesday, November 9, 2021
Despair
Ah - I am in despair.
I ask for help,
But it seems that
No one is there.
No one comes
To my calls for help
And I cry silent tears
That no one can see.
I am left wondering
If anyone really cares
About what happens to me.
I am in despair,
Is anyone there?
I need is the cry
Of great despair.
The black hole
Of depression
Is close by
And wide open
So a person
Can fall into it
Without help.
Hear the cry
And get the help
I need!!!
Saturday, November 6, 2021
When
Monday, October 25, 2021
Thoughts
I've got a few questions brought on by what is happening now. First, how long will this crisis last? Next, if it lasts very long, what will the backlash look like? Will people react in a rage or just give up and isolate themselves from everybody else? If we turn toward isolation, how long will it take beoe we can’t stand to see or be around relatives? Or if we react i s rage, what will the wars look like? Who will side with whom? How long before we
destroy ourselves????
Economics - how long will the economy be able to sustain itself? If there is a crash, how bad will it be and how long will it last? The poorest among may come out on top, what will their government look like? Who will end up on the outside and what will they do about it? Will this lead to war and who will win? Maybe nobody?
Sunday, October 24, 2021
The Forgotten
The Forgotten
She sits on the side,
Waiting to be noticed,
But no one sees her
The forgotten one.
He sits in the group,
Waiting to be noticed,
But no one stops,
The forgotten one.
They try to get
Into the middle,
But are pushed
To the sides
The forgotten ones.
Thursday, October 21, 2021
Can We Ever
Can we ever learn to see others as brothers and sisters? Can we ever learn to treat others with respect and dignity? Can we ever learn to love others despite their differences in thoughts or experiences? Can we ever learn to love others as God does?
Monday, October 18, 2021
Love Is Ours
Love is ours
To have
But only
If we
Give it away.
So come
With me
And let us all
Walk hand in hand
In love
And a world
Redeem.
Sunday, October 17, 2021
I Am Love
I Am Love
I Am here.
Before the world was,
I Am there,
And I created all.
Yahweh, Elohim,
Call me what you will,
I Am always near.
Out of love
I created you.
John 1:1-5
I am the word
That created all,
And I became
One with you
To show you all
The way to live
With each other
In love.
John 3:16
I came in love
To teach all
How to live together
In peace and love.
Can you learn
To follow me
And love
All that you meet?
I John 3:1
In this know
How much you are loved,
You are my children!
You are all
Precious to me
And I would
Hold you close
If you will only
Come near.
I John 3:11
And being all
Children of mine,
Learn to love
One another,
For you all are
Brothers and sisters.
Come together
And see
Who you really are.
I John 4:7-10
I came
That you might
Know what love is,
And how much
I really love you.
Come and see
And find forgiveness
And love
For yourself.
I John 4:11-16
You will come
To live in union
With me
If you will only
Love one another.
And in this union
Is my love shown,
That though you have
Never seen my face,
You still live in union
With each other.
I John 4:17-18
You need not
Fear anything,
For my love
Is always there
To protect you.
Come to me
And see
How great my love
For you is.
I John 4:19-21
I created you
And I loved you
Before you knew me.
I came that you
Might know love
And not hate,
For there is no room
For hate near me.
If you love me,
You love others!
Come to me and know
My great love
For you!
Tuesday, October 12, 2021
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.
Q
Sunday, October 10, 2021
Come in Joy
Come in Joy for Jerry Browning March 2003
Psalm 16:9-11
Come, follow me,
And I will lead you
In the paths of life.
In my presence is joy,
And I will keep you
Secure and safe,
And you will know
That always, I love you.I will
John 15:11-17
Come in joy,
Knowing that my love
Is always there.
Pass my love on
To one another
And your joy
Will be more full.
John 16:19-22
I will turn
All your sorrow
Into such joy
That no one
Can take it away
From you.
Just look and see,
I am always there,
Waiting for you.
John 16:23-24
Come to me,
And ask of God
For whatever you want
And in my name
It will be given
That your joy
May be full.
John 16:31-33
Come in joy,
Knowing that you
Are united to me.
Be at peace,
For no matter
What you may suffer
At the hands
Of the world,
I am with you
And I have defeated
This world.
John 17:6-19
Holy God, you are
Mother and Father
To all here.
You have given
Them to me.
Help them to live
Together in unity
And in love
For each other.
John 17:20-26
I also pray
For those yet to come,
That they might
Always be one,
Just as we are.
Show them your glory,
That all may know
Of the love
That has been there
From the beginning.
Help those to come
To always know
The joy
Of your presence.
Wednesday, October 6, 2021
Alone 2
Alone, feeling so alone like nobody cares about me. But then I look around me and find there are so many there saying that they care. Feeling better, no longer alone, I walk with my friends and know that I was never alone.
Tuesday, October 5, 2021
Alone
Tuesday, September 28, 2021
God Is too Great
God is too great for me,
Too big and too full
For me to understand.
I cannot hold the idea
Of so much love within.
So I back away,
Afraid of what
I might find out about
Who this God is.
And I turn away
To the things around me.
God is too great for me,
I cannot see Him,
Or is it Her?
I cannot tell
Which it is.
Oh, it does not matter,
For I find that this
God is too great for me.
Monday, September 27, 2021
Can You Hear Me, Lord by Jerry Browning
Can you hear me, Lord?
By Jerry Browning
Can you hear me, Lord; how did I come to be?
Can you hear me Lord; is this Your Love I see?
Seems the world you made has turned its back on me.
If you hear me Lord, I’m longing to be free.
Do you love me, Lord; I feel inside you do.
Do you love me, Lord; my heart cries out to you,
In the dark of night, let me see your light shine through,
If you love me Lord, then let me walk with you.
Can you tell me, Lord; all the reasons I am here?
Can you tell me, Lord; what is it others fear?
Why is hate so strong & love so rare and dear?
Will you tell me Lord, for I feel you standing near.
Will you take me Lord; I’m longing to be free.
[Will you take me Lord; my soul cries out to thee
For the only love I know you placed in me.
If you won’t take me Lord; why did I come to be?
(repeat last two lines)
1
Friday, September 24, 2021
Love Is
Saturday, September 18, 2021
Who Are We?
Who are we anyway? We are so divided these days that it is hard to know what the answer is. But divided as we are, we are still all American. If we don't see and admit this, this country of ours is going to fall apart and there will be war.
Who are we? We are all Americans together! And in that fact, we need to learn to live and work together to make this country and this world a better place for all people, always being careful of other people's needs and different opinions. We must learn to love all people no matter who they are or what they think?.
Saturday, September 11, 2021
Sacred Ground
Sacred Ground
Be very careful
How you walk here,
There is danger near,
But also know
You walk on sacred ground.
There is death here
Amidst the shattered steel,
So step carefully
Because you see
You walk on sacred ground.
The concrete here
Has crumbled to dust
And rises with every step,
But stop and remember;
You walk on sacred ground
Sept 11, 2002
The shattered steel
Is gone now,
Ashes and dust left;
But still and always
This is sacred ground.
Friday, September 10, 2021
One People
One People for Rev Troy Perry
Isaiah 6:3-8
Let all nations
Come to me
For all people
Are mine.
No one will be
Turned away.
All who come,
No matter who they are
Will be accepted.
John 17:21-23
Let all become
One people,
And know the love
That is theirs to have.
Let all divisions
Go away,
For all are mine.
I Corinthians 8:6
I am here for you,
I gave you life
And all my love
Is yours to have.
I sent Jesus
That you might
Know what love is.
Ephesians 4:4-6
And as you are
All mine,
You should be
One people,
One in spirit
A'nd body;
For all people
Were created by me
And I love them all.
Wednesday, September 8, 2021
Gen 1;2-19
Gen 1:2-19
And God created
All that is;
The birds that fly,
All that lives in the sea,
And all the beasts
That live on the land.
Come and see,
All creatures
Were created by God.
Come and know
That God treasures
And loves them all.
Creator God,
Forgive us
When we treat
This world
As our own
Personal possession.
Forgive us
When we forget
That you created
All animals
And they
Belong here, too.
Help all of us
To remember
That you love
All that you
Have created.
God is here,
Forgiving us
And loving us.
Come, let us
Celebrate.
And praise God
Who made
Every creature
And loves them all.
Go out in peace,
And remember:
God created this world
And all that is on it.
This is meant for a worship service, but can be used and shared as a poem.
.
Sunday, August 29, 2021
To Dream
Wednesday, August 18, 2021
A Prayer
A Prayer
Almighty God, Yaweh, Elohim, Adonis, we call Your many names. You are the Creator of all, Mighty God, Light of the worl,d, Giver of Life, Speaker of the Word that created all that is. Father and Mother to all people, the God of Israel, Leader, Guide, and the Mighty One. We bow down before You and sing our praises to You. You call each of us by name, telling each that we are Your Beloved. Come to us now and keep us safe and remind us that you are always near to help each one of us. We would stay always with You. Show us how to make Your peace and what Your Love is like. Teach us how to really love. Amen and Amen
Thursday, August 5, 2021
~ My Greatest Love
My Greatest Love
1964
Who is my greatest love?
He is the Lord and Master of my life;
He is my Shepherd;
He is the One above all others;
He is my strength, without whom I cannot stand;
He is my Redeemer;
He is Love Incarnate;
Who is my greatest love?
He is God.
Tuesday, August 3, 2021
The Promise
The Promise
Psalm 27:1
Hear the promise of God:
I will be with you
To give you light.
Do not fear,
For I will always
Be near you
To give you strength
In time of need.
Isaiah 2:4
And in time,
If you will listen,
I will show you all
How to live together
In peace and love.
All war implements
Will be destroyed,
And you all will have
All that you need
For a better life.
Luke 1:78-79
And in that time,
I will turn your darkness
Into light
And show all of you
The path of peace.
My mercy and light
Will be there
For all of you,
For all of you are mine.
Sunday, August 1, 2021
Love Is Ours
Love is ours
To have
But only
If we
Give it away.
So come
With me
And let us all
Walk hand in hand
In love
And a world
Redeem.
Can we all learn to love one
another and accept each as a child
of God? Or is it already too late
for us? We make too much of
differences between people. And
that is the problem - we make of
differences a reason for hatred
when hatred should have no
place in us. Can we learn to
learn to replace hate with love
and redeem the world?
Saturday, July 31, 2021
Gave Up or Lost
Gave up or lost?
I listened again to the sermon of 5/15/16 and it occurred to me to wonder if I had given things up or lost them. For example, I lost my ability to walk, lost my apartment because of the walking and the Parkinsons disease. In the process, I lost a lot of items that I had accumulated over the years, like my postcard collection. Or did I give them up because I knew that I could no longer live alone. Another loss, my independence. Or did I really give in because I knew the Parkinsons will get worse as I age. I'm holding onto my sanity as best I can, but there is so much I either do with difficulty or I need help with like taking a shower.
I think I am here because this is where God wants me to be, but I often find myself wondering - just what am I doing here and what is my purpose here? Is this God's design, or? I'm not sure of anything right now except that MCCD is and always was the church I was to join and be with when I moved here to be closer to my family. This last is the only certainty that I can hold on to. I'm not sure of anything else except where I am and my church.
Now, where do I do with all this and where do I go from her spiritually? Somehow I seem to hav lost a bit of myself. Where did it go? I'm coming up with interesting questions tonight - are there any answers???
Friday, July 30, 2021
God Is Working
See the rugged,
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.
See 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.
Thursday, July 29, 2021
Welcome
Hello,how are you
You are welcome here,
Come in and sit down .
We are happy to see you,
Let's talk awhile
And find out something
About each other..
Come, sit down
And be welcome.
Wednesday, July 28, 2021
Music
MUSIC
MUSIC
MUSIC
Music settles my soul,
Gives me joy,
And helps me find peace.
Thank you, God
For the music
That you have set
Within our souls.
Music soothes,
Helps me find the center
And helps me keep
On an even keel.
Thank you, oh God,
For those people
Who make the….
MUSIC
MUSIC
MUSIC
Tuesday, July 27, 2021
3 Prayers
Loving God, thank you for reminding me every day that you do love me. But you also remind me that you love all other people, too. You have told me that it does not matter what people look like, who they are or what they believe. You told me that you still claim them as your children, and you love all of them. You have said again and again that there is no one who is outside of your love. Please keep reminding me until it is so much a part of me that there is no one who I can hate, for I do not want to ever do anything that is outside of what
you want. AMEN
Dear God, I'm sorry, but I'm not doing as well as I should. There are still some people who I would like to
hate, or at least think that you do not love them. These people think too differently than I do, and I cannot handle that. Remind me again that those who are different that that your love cannot be restricted to just some people, but is inclusive of all. Stay always near me, and help me to learn your love. AMEN
Oh God, immerse me so much in your love that there is no one who I can hate or think can be outside of your love. Fill me so full of your love that no matter who the others are or what they believe, I will remember that your love is theirs, also, even when they disagree with me. Help me to love others, forit is so much easier to love family and friends than to love others who are so much different.AMEN
Monday, July 26, 2021
The Kingdom of Love
Hope for the Kingdom of love, which shall come.
It is in this kingdom that all shall live in peace,
nor shall any put down any other. No person will be
made to feel that they are less than any other person.
And God's love will be there for all, for all are His
children.
Work for the Kingdom of love and let all people
know that God's love is there for them. This is what
Christmas is all about, God's love made manifest,
walking among the people, showing all how they were
to live in peace.
Live as Christ did, loving all people, sharing
God's love with all, and the kingdom will come sooner.
For the more we live in love and in Christ, the more
the kingdom is present in this world. And let God's
love flow through us all out to the whole world, that
all the world will know God and His love.
Sunday, July 25, 2021
Special
YOU are special! You are the only one like you that has
ever been or will be. There will never be another like
you, for God made you to be unique. So let no one tell
y4ou who or what you must be. Just be the best you that
you can be.
You ARE special! You are the only one exactly like you,
so be the best of who you are. Let no one try to tell
you who you are or dictate to you how you should act.
Just be who you are.
You are SPECIAL! There is only one like you, and God
loves you just the way you are. For you are the only
one with your particular set of genetics and talents.
Saturday, July 24, 2021
My Walk
As I walk along,
I see in my path
A dark tunnel
And no way around.
It is one of the dark places
That is always near me
That I avoid as best I can.
It is the dark place
Within my soul
And I feel to enter there.
But when I look
I see Jesus there
On one side,
His arms open wide
Inviting me to come there.
And He gently holds me
While the tears flow
And comforts me
And reassures me
That He will never
Leave me alone
And always will
Love me
And calls me,
“Beloved. “
Thursday, July 22, 2021
Don't
Don't ignore me,
I am here
And I am human,
Just like you!
Don't ignore me,
I am alive
And I have needs
Just like you.
Don't pretend
That I do not exist
Or that God
Did not make me.
Don't ignore me
Just love me
As I am
This day.
Monday, July 19, 2021
The Dream
I had gone to bed. For a time, I could not sleep, but tossed and turned restlessly. Then, as I finally started to drop off to sleep, I had the strangest vision, or if you will, a dream.
It seemed as if I was so large that this solar system of ours was as a toy to me, and I held in my hands our planet. It was as a ball or a precious jewel.
It seemed so perfect, this jewel I held, all blue and green, with shifting streaks of white. But as I looked more closely, I could see flaws. The scars of war were there, old wars and the bombs of Hiroshima and Nagasaki. And the newer wars of Vietnam and Bosnia.
Then with penetrating sight, I looked and saw flaws more hidden. The flaws of hate and suspicion ran across the face of this jewel I held.
Suddenly, I feared to let go of this ball, this jewel, for if I let it go from me on its appointed rounds, I feared that it would come back to me in fragments, exploded, or as a blackened and dead world. But yet I let it go, and watched more carefully, for it had become suddenly very precious to me.
Then I was myself. And I thought and then wondered if God were not at times afraid to let go of this world of His. For it seems that however hard He tries, we people turn from Him and choose, instead of the path of glory and light; other darker paths.
Then my dream returned to me. And I seemed to watch, afraid, as this precious world of ours wound its way through the starry night.
1964
Sunday, July 18, 2021
Kindness
Kindness,, how to be kind when the other person is not and doesn't seem to care who they hurt? What can be done in that case? You start by not reacting the same way. If you can, a soft voice and quiet demeanor can work wonders. It is much better to be kind to people, even those who you think don't deserve it. And you just might change the way that other person reacts to others.
Come, see what kindness can do to relationships between people. Keep your voice calm and quiet , no matter the provocation. You will have a much better life if you will treat all other people with love and gentleness. And this is God's command, that we live together in peace and love.
I have discovered that if you talk quietly to a person you distrust, you just might find the person is not as bad as first thought. From a distance, the person sometimes seems impossible to deal with, but as you get closer, you may find the person is better than others have told you.
Thursday, July 15, 2021
Thoughts on Love
Wednesday, July 14, 2021
I Am Love
I Am Love
I Am here.
Before the world was,
I Am there,
And I created all.
Yahweh, Elohim,
Call me what you will,
I Am always near.
Out of love
I created you.
John 1:1-5
I am the word
That created all,
And I became
One with you
To show you all
The way to live
With each other
In love.
John 3:16
I came in love
To teach all
How to live together
In peace and love.
Can you learn
To follow me
And love
All that you meet?
I John 3:1
In this know
How much you are loved,
You are my children!
You are all
Precious to me
And I would
Hold you close
If you will only
Come near.
I John 3:11
And being all
Children of mine,
Learn to love
One another,
For you all are
Brothers and sisters.
Come together
And see
Who you really are.
I John 4:7-10
I came
That you might
Know what love is,
And how much
I really love you.
Come and see
And find forgiveness
And love
For yourself.
I John 4:11-16
You will come
To live in union
With me
If you will only
Love one another.
And in this union
Is my love shown,
That though you have
Never seen my face,
You still live in union
With each other.
I John 4:17-18
You need not
Fear anything,
For my love
Is always there
To protect you.
Come to me
And see
How great my love
For you is.
I John 4:19-21
I created you
And I loved you
Before you knew me.
I came that you
Might know love
And not hate,
For there is no room
For hate near me.
If you love me,
You love others!
Come to me and know
My great love
For you!
Tuesday, July 13, 2021
I Said A Prayer
I said a prayer for you today,
And asked God to guide you
In the path that you should go
And keep you safe and sound.
I said a prayer for you today
And told God that I cared for you.
I asked for health and happiness
And that you should know love.
I said a prayer for you today
And asked God to dwell
Within your heart and soul
Each and every day.
I said a prayer for you today
And asked that you have help
In your daily life
To know what you should do.
Monday, July 12, 2021
God is There
God is There
Psalm 23
God is with me,
There to protect
And to show me
Which way to go.
In good times
Or in the bad,
God is there
And will not
Leave me alone.
Isaiah 56:1-8
God is there for me
And for all people
From all nations
Who come together
In love and fellowship,
Loving one another.
Many are called
From other places
To be here
Where God is,
Where love is.
Matt 28:18-20
As God is there for us,
We are called
To go out to the world
And tell all people
Of the love of God
Shown us in Jesus.
Acts 2:1-4
And God's Spirit
Descends on me,
Leading me to go
And tell the world
Of the love
That is there for them.
Acts 10:9-15
The message
That I was given
Is this:
God's Love
Is for all people
And no one
Will be turned away.
All people are loved
And all are God's!
Sunday, July 11, 2021
Hey God
Hey God, I am here, and I want to talk to you. I don't mind being
here in this life, and most of the time, I don't mind being who I am.
But dear God, I am so oppressed! Why did you make me to be so
different from everybody else? Differences are just not accepted
here. Once people know that a person is different, they turn away or
make it hard for that different one to live. Some have even been
beaten or killed! Why God? Why can't people accept me as I am? Why must they continually be trying to change me? Why did you make me as I am?
Wednesday, July 7, 2021
The Children of One God by Jerry Browning
The Children of One God
By Jerry Browning
We have wandered through the desert like the chosen of God did
We have lived in dark confusion like the face of God was hid
We have searched to find our Sinai while the world kept closing doors
Far too many chose to turn away, gave up and searched no more.
They chose to live in silence, in the darkness of their dreams
In solitude and one-ness and in loneliness it seems
Then the light came to a chosen few and wounds began to heal
The time was right, the truth of God began to be revealed.
Chorus :
We are children of one God who made humanity from clay
We are worthy, we are loved, we're whosoevers who've been saved
And we join our hearts in love to form a ring around the world
We are loved, we are the children of one God.
There was a sound to follow, flute and drums began to play
The lady and the troubadour stepped out to lead the way
They carried truth and light into the the darkest of the nights
And eyes began to open, wrongs began to be made right.
One by one, at first with caution, children stepped into the light
Joining hands in quiet boldness, standing firm in heaven's light
Then a thousand came to join them, pretty soon a thousand more
And the children of one God stood where they never could before.
Chorus :
Thursday, July 1, 2021
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.
Q
Wednesday, June 30, 2021
Wish
Wednesday, June 23, 2021
Jeans Wept
Monday, June 21, 2021
A Vision
To so many more that I have known.
Then I saw on the sides, standilng and watching the Iparade , others. They were talking, sometimes loudly, saying that this one or that one shouldn't be in the parade. But then I heard from the throne in the center of it all, “Leave these children of mine alone. They belong here because I created them just as I created you. “ And the parade continued and the songs of praise resounded louder than before.
Wednesday, June 16, 2021
Little boy and Girl
Little boy, you are a special person created by God who loves you and don't let anyone tell you different. Choose your friends very carefully. Don't let anyone be your friend if they try to tell you that you are not worthy and God does not love you, for that is a lie! You are God's child and worthy and loved!
Little girl, I say the same things to you and I add that you should be careful of the friends you choose if they tell you they can "fix" you. They are NOT your friends! God created you as you are and always loves you!
Tuesday, June 15, 2021
Friday, June 11, 2021
Remember Me
Remember me?
I’m the person
You just passed
On the street,
I am human
And alive,
Remember me!
Remember me?
I may be your neighbor,
Living near you,
See me
And get to know me
Remember me!
Remember me?
I am that person
Who is poorly dressed,
I don’t have much money
And I may be homeless.
Remember me!
Remember me?
I am that person
Who is so very different
From those around me,
F But I’m still human.
Remember me!
Remember me?
I’m gay or asexual
And other people
Don’t approve,
But I am
As God created me.
Remember me!
Remember me?
I am Yahweh,
Your Creator.
All people are mine,
And I love them
As they are right now.
See them all
As beloved children
Of mine.
Remember me!
Sunday, June 6, 2021
But Lord
But Lord, they're black.
You don't mean to say
That I should care about
Such as they!
But Lord, they're gay.*
You couldn't have
Created these people
As they are!
But Lord, they're different.
You can't mean
That I should love them
Just as they are!
*book by Rev Sylvia Pennington
added later:
But Lord, they're asexual.
You couldn't have
Made these people
As they say they are!
Friday, June 4, 2021
Flame
Flame
There’s a flame rising
Out of our souls,
Beware and watch,
See how it grows!
It is the flame of freedom,
No longer oppressed;
Watch out world,
We have been freed!
Thursday, June 3, 2021
Jesus Is There
The care taken
For the person
Who needs help;
Jesus is there.
The hand held out
To help the one
With an unsteady step;
Jesus is there.
The love given
To the stranger
In your midst;
Jesus is there.
Tuesday, May 18, 2021
I Float
Tuesday, May 11, 2021
A Prayer of PraaPraise
Awesome God, Creator of everything, I praise you daily. You are all goodness and love. I seek to serve you but cannot match you. You have given so much to me in the people around me to help me that I cannot match your love and stumble and fall so many times but still you are there to comfort and guide me. Thank you Awesome God.
Sunday, May 9, 2021
The Power of Love
The power of love is stronger than any of us realize. I write about God's love in our lives but even I don't know just how much God loves us. And the power of that love can do a lot for us if we will let it flow. There is so much God does for us to show just how much we are loved. And if we follow the path we are shown , we will learn just how strong this kind of love is.
Friday, April 30, 2021
When?
Friday, April 23, 2021
Together
Come together,
Be together,
Worship together,
Show together
God's love
For all people
Together.
Wednesday, April 21, 2021
Let us
Let us learn
To live together
And as people
Of God,
Come together
In peace and love,
Showing all people
How to live
Together
In peace and love.
Friday, April 2, 2021
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?
Thursday, April 1, 2021
Caphias
Caiphas
We killed Jesus? Look,, from what we could see and what we knew about the man, he was a danger to the country, to all the people. We have to be so careful with those Romans hanging around. Having them here makes things incredibly difficult. They have given us rules to follow that are against everything in our religion. From what we heard about what this Jesus taught, it seemed to us that He was a danger to everyone who was Jewish.
Let's face it, the man was a rebel. That's the way it seemed to us. And we had to protect the people, didn't we? We thought that He was going to try to set Himself as a king, and we couldn't have that. Just think what those Romans would have done. Why, the whole of the country would have been destroyed! I tell you, we are better off without THAT man wandering around with His teachings!!
Nicodemus
You're asking me about how Jesus was tried and convicted? I wasn't called to that meeting, which by the way was illegal. Caiphas wanted to be sure of the outcome, so there were some of us who weren't called. And to have a trial at that time of night, why, it just isn't done!
Jesus was a good man and didn't deserve to be crucified. He wasn't a rebel, but a teacher or a wandering preacher. I guess He taught some things that went against what the leaders in Jerusalem were teaching. They do like to be in control and keep control you know. They say it's in the best interest of the people and the country. But I don't know, I just don't know.
A man in the crowd
What? Oh, yes I'll talk with you.. What can I tell you? Yes, I was one of the crowd that told Pilate crucify that Jesus. After all, He wouldn't do what He was supposed to do, overthrow those blasted Romans! What good He if He won't deliver us from them? We want to be free to rule ourselves without outsiders!!
What?? Of course the Messiah is going to be a warrior leader and fight and show us how to beat all our enemies! It says so in the Holy Scriptures! The Priests have taught us that for years. And they Nicodemus couldn't be wrong about that! They're the ones who have the time to study the Scriptures. We sure don't have time for that. We all have to work and work hard just to get by. So we depend on the Priests and scribes to tell us what is in there. They couldn't be wrong, God wouldn't let that happen. So you see, this Jesus just had to be the wrong man, not the Messiah we have been waiting for. And we didn't need him around to teach the wrong things. The way I see it, we did the right thing in giving him to the Romans to crucify . Less trouble that way. Oh, excuse me, the wife wants to go home. Gotta keep ‘em happy, you know.
Nicodemus 2
Yes, I'll talk to you again. After all, I was a supporter of Jesus. He was a good man and had a lot of great ideas that if followed,would have improved our religion. The others didn't agree with me. hence, the death of a good man.
What? Why wasn't I there if I supported Him? OK, put this in what you're writing,those of us who supported Jesus were not notified about what was an illegal meeting With us there, they couldn't have decided to kill Him. And they knew it!.
What about the tomb? Go ask Joseph of Arimetha about that. I don't know anything about that right now.
Sunday, March 28, 2021
Palm Sunday Crowd and 2
Here we are, the day after the big parade. Let's see what people think of Jesus today. You sir, what do you think of Jesus now?
Him? He has done nothing to help us. Why I haven't seen or heard of this Jesus raising an army, have you? What good is a Messiah if he won't free us from out enemies? (Walks away muttering]
Sorry about that. I couldn't keep the gentleman long enough to ask other questions. Yes ma'am, you have something to say?
The main is right.Jesus has done nothing that we were taught a Messiah would do. Maybe he isn't the Messiah at all. After all, the priests couldn't be wrong about that could they? They know what the scriptures say better than any of us do.
Ok, thank you for your comments. Here's a priest. Sir, you were at the parade yesterday , what do you think?
I think it was outrageous! That Jesus was cleanly untaught or taught by the wrong people. Where do these people get such ideas? They are not in the scriptures! Honestly, the ideas folks get!
Well, there you have it. Most folks are disenchanted by Jesus and what he taught. I don't see any of his followers around. They might have different ideas. That's all from here.
Sunday, March 7, 2021
Drinking tthe JJoy
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.
Q
Monday, February 22, 2021
The Power of Love
The power of love is stronger than any of us realize. I write about God's love in our lives but even I don't know just how much God loves us. And the power of that love can do a lot for us if we will let it flow. There is so much God does for us to show just how much swe are loved. And if we follow the path we are shown , we will learn just how strong this kind of love is.
I said A Prayer
I said a prayer for you today,
And asked God to guide you
In the path that you should go
And keep you safe and sound.
I said a prayer for you today
And told God that I cared for you.
I asked for health and happiness
And that you should know love.
I said a prayer for you today
And asked God to dwell
Within your heart and soul
Each and every day.
I said a prayer for you today
And asked that you have help
In your daily life
To know what you should do.
Monday, February 15, 2021
Raised
Sunday, February 14, 2021
Real
Saturday, February 13, 2021
Treasure
Monday, February 8, 2021
The God of
The God of love
Is the joy of my life!
Come with me
And you will see
Just how loving
God is to all people.
It does no matter
What you may
Have done in your life,
God loves you
And will be with you
All the days
Of your life.
Just turn and see,
God is near you now!
Friday, February 5, 2021
But Lord
But Lord, they're black.
You don't mean to say
That I should care about
Such as they!
But Lord, they're gay.*
You couldn't have
Created these people
As they are!
But Lord, they're different.
You can't mean
That I should love them
Just as they are!
*book by Rev Sylvia Pennington
added later:
But Lord, they're asexual.
You couldn't have
Made these people
As they say they are!
Thursday, February 4, 2021
God Is There
God is There
Psalm 23
God is with me,
There to protect
And to show me
Which way to go.
In good times
Or in the bad,
God is there
And will not
Leave me alone.
Isaiah 56:1-8
God is there for me
And for all people
From all nations
Who come together
In love and fellowship,
Loving one another.
Many are called
From other places
To be here
Where God is,
Where love is.
Matt 28:18-20
As God is there for us,
We are called
To go out to the world
And tell all people
Of the love of God
Shown us in Jesus.
Acts 2:1-4
And God's Spirit
Descends on me,
Leading me to go
And tell the world
Of the love
That is there for them.
Acts 10:9-15
The message
That I was given
Is this:
God's Love
Is for all people
And no one
Will be turned away.
All people are loved
And all are God's!
Wednesday, February 3, 2021
I Am Love
I Am Love
I Am here.
Before the world was,
I Am there,
And I created all.
Yahweh, Elohim,
Call me what you will,
I Am always near.
Out of love
I created you.
John 1:1-5
I am the word
That created all,
And I became
One with you
To show you all
The way to live
With each other
In love.
John 3:16
I came in love
To teach all
How to live together
In peace and love.
Can you learn
To follow me
And love
All that you meet?
I John 3:1
In this know
How much you are loved,
You are my children!
You are all
Precious to me
And I would
Hold you close
If you will only
Come near.
I John 3:11
And being all
Children of mine,
Learn to love
One another,
For you all are
Brothers and sisters.
Come together
And see
Who you really are.
I John 4:7-10
I came
That you might
Know what love is,
And how much
I really love you.
Come and see
And find forgiveness
And love
For yourself.
I John 4:11-16
You will come
To live in union
With me
If you will only
Love one another.
And in this union
Is my love shown,
That though you have
Never seen my face,
You still live in union
With each other.
I John 4:17-18
You need not
Fear anything,
For my love
Is always there
To protect you.
Come to me
And see
How great my love
For you is.
I John 4:19-21
I created you
And I loved you
Before you knew me.
I came that you
Might know love
And not hate,
For there is no room
For hate near me.
If you love me,
You love others!
Come to me and know
My great love
For you!
Tuesday, February 2, 2021
Following Jesus
Are we really following Jesus? Do we really know what was in His mind through all the layers of history? Do we .know who Jesus was in that time? Questions with no real answers. Yet how can we know much about the real Jesus after all this time? And would Jesus accept the religion that has grown up in His name? What would He say about all of us? Would He accept the religion and worship that has grown up around His name?
I am not trying to be a rebel or a heretic here, these are just questions that have occurred to me recently. What I am doing is seeking a deeper understanding of and relationship with God and the man we know as Jesus. What did He really know and think about Himself? I wonder what He would think of our priests and preachers and our tendency to be follow those people who preach division instead of unity. What would He think of all our religions? And would He even approve of what we do in His name? It strikes me that there is too little love in some of the denominations of what we call Christianity. Are we really following Jesus if we do not love all people? And what does the personality we call God have to say about the way we treat others in our world? I find myself wondering about such things.
Where do we go from here? Can anyone find the answers to these and other questions people have about religion and Christianity? I wait and wonder if our questions will ever be answered. And yet these questions need an answer. The problem is, where do we find those answers? Can any answers even be found? It has been too many years since Jesus lived, so any answers will be suspect.
Yet we live in faith, trusting that what we have been told over the years is the truth. Faith is the only thing we have to rely on. What else is there when we can't question the source, Jesus? We can never be sure if we rely on our own thoughts, even if we say the idea is an answer to a prayer. There have been too many cults set up because someone said they had the answers are to everything. Too many people believe what the person says without thinking it over and doing a lot of research. So where do we go from here? How do we find the answers to our questions? If we really want to follow Jesus, how do we get to know the man and what He believed? Are we ready for the answers to our questions?
Are we following Jesus when we don't stop to help those we meet along the way? What about not helping those who are different? Do we know what Jesus wants of each of us? Do we even follow the right path? Does love rule our lives or are we selective about who we love? Could any of us leave everything behind if that was our call? Everything means family, friends and material goods. Would we even hear that kind of call or would we think it a false call? Following Jesus does cost, especially if the people we know and trust believe a different way and tell us we are crazy and will go to hell because we have come to believe different than they do.
Come and learn with me who this Jesus is. Let us study what we have and see if we can find the truth about Him. For example did Jesus intend to start another religion? Or did He just intend to reform the religion He knew? By the time Jesus was born, there was much wrong with Judaism, and the religious leaders of that time didn't seem to be going the way their own books taught. Or at least that's what I read in our part of the Bible.
Something else that has occurred to me, what if we are all worshipping the same God in different ways, ways that go with our culture? After all, the basic principles of each of the major religions are very similar. We are not as different from each other as we might think. God is the creator of all, why can't God be revealed to different people in different ways? And if this is true, we shouldn't be fighting each other. Instead, we should be gathering together, learning who each person is and how to live together in peace and love.
Saturday, January 30, 2021
Can We Ever
Can we ever learn to see others as brothers and sisters? Can we ever learn to treat others with respect and dignity? Can we ever learn to love others despite their differences in thoughts or experiences? Can we ever learn to love others as God does?
Monday, January 25, 2021
Hope for the Kingdom
Hope for the Kingdom of love, which shall come.
It is in this kingdom that all shall live in peace,
nor shall any put down any other. No person will be
made to feel that they are less than any other person.
And God's love will be there for all, for all are His
children.
Work for the Kingdom of love and let all people
know that God's love is there for them. This is what
Christmas is all about, God's love made manifest,
walking among the people, showing all how they were
to live in peace.
Live as Christ did, loving all people, sharing
God's love with all, and the kingdom will come sooner.
For the more we live in love and in Christ, the more
the kingdom is present in this world. And let God's
love flow through us all out to the whole world, that
all the world will know God and His love.
Sunday, January 24, 2021
A Storm
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 war 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 the signs and 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 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 about this sort of problem. Beware and watch for the storm!!
Friday, January 22, 2021
Who Are We?
Who are we anyway? We are so divided these days that it is hard to know what the answer is. But divided as we are, we are still all American. If we don't see and admit this, this country of ours is going to fall apart and there will be war.
Who are we? We are all Americans together! And in that fact, we need to learn to live and work together to make this country and this world a better place for all people, always being careful of other people's needs and different opinions. We must learn to love all people no matter who they are or what they think?.