I go to a small church that is essentially the home to many religious
outcasts whom love the lord, but despise regurgative religion. If you
cannot feel anything moving and joyful in your actions, what good is
religion anyway.
These works were inspired by Shalom UCC:
You see, see?
As newest member of the clan, I sat in silent form
While the congress of the kin deliberated scorn
The hallowed hollow echoed there; their voices chattered clear
And yet I knew this soon would end, and we'd move on from here.
There'd been a death amongst the trust, the children and the pride.
It's said the elders took the lead to speed the ghostly ride.
For quick was met a mighty blow that felled the leader there,
Now talk was cheapened to the task of filling Father's chair.
My task, I chose, is to begin as if the seat is filled,
For God has given work to do, to me this work was willed.
And so, dear gathered family, I sorrow at your loss,
But lean upon my shoulders and I'll help you clean the cross.
(c) 1992 David Brager
The following two poems are based upon the weekly litergy
some years ago. I thought it would make the dry readings more
palletable to the younger members, who are fairly lost to grasp
the wisdom of the bible on their terms.
Accounts Payable
The storm clouds opened to release the falling of sunlight
Which quickly was obliterated with coming of the night,
How soon will light return to us? Its really hard to tell
As soon as we return our love to God and not to Hell.1
God is one who clothes the world with kindness, life and love
All things which money cannot buy, these gifts from up above
Yet we are all indebted for the goodness the Lord feeds
To help us turn to help mankind and turn away from greed.2
All mankind, upon this time, has turned away once more
From loving God and Humankind, expending guilt and gore
Do you not see that Jesus came to bring us back to God?
There's more to life than ownership of matter, might or blood.3
Jesus asked us to consider life without possessions,
As matter doesn't matter much when choosing life contentions.
"You cannot serve God and Mannon " Jesus pleaded us to hear
Your Accounts are only Payable in Loving, Trust, and Tears.4
Sources:
1 Hosea 11: 1 to 11
2 Psalm 107: 1 to 7
3 1 Timothy 2:1 to 7
4 Luke 16:1 to 13
(c) 1992 David Brager
Four Letter Words
A great harvest is blessed on us in everything we till
And from these efforts, nourishment enough is there for all
As we shall see, the Lord's in thee, in everything you do
If you take time to thank the Lord and let his spirit through. 1
Lovingkindness is the answer to the final test,
As who you love and how you love takes tolls above the rest
Within a whim, God can give in and turn your life around,
Or scatter all you treasure leaving you alone and bound. 2
An IRA may pave the way to future plans and needs
But tons of bucks in garbage trucks will surely reek of greed.
If others didn't horde and store, there's food for everyone
Just as darkness would be ours if no one shared the sun. 3
Lazarus, the sufferer, is safely taken care
As God has little pity for those who will never share
So in the moral of the day, we learn a little more
That there are no four letter words much worse than "Rich" or "Poor"4
