Poetic Preacher

A Winter Lament

Thu, 18 Dec 2008 19:44:13 GMT

The lights are dimmed.
The air is chilled.
The snow is soft and crunchy.
So why is there no candles?
Why am I deserted?
Why do I hunger in the night
I cry in the evening,
And in the morning I am left alone,
Yet not alone
For someone still speaks.
A friend's rebuke alerts me to the day.

Today is the day of salvation
A day of joy and celebration.
God will help, as he has promised.
He knows he has been missed.
I confess my sin and cry out for pardon.
"How blessed is he who knows he is forgiven."
I cling to his Word;
his voice calls me back from taking Naboth's vineyard.

I wait each day to find strength,
Now I must rise against the fog and warm my heart by running.
I will be carried along to my destination.
The driver will stop.
And I will settle in to be with the Lord
at the back of the crowd.
Waiting for an open door to speak of love restored.
Work awaits, I must only do it.
Lord help me pick apart the feast,
Eating the meat and the bread.
Drinking the milk.
Sharing the vineyard's harvest
Eating the fat-things
I have been blessed at last.
And if we are blessed with God's love,
we need not fear His wrath.
For wrath is merely the consequence
of ultimately rejecting His offer of love.

Simplicity of Faith

Thu, 18 Dec 2008 19:37:25 GMT

A single word, a simple prayer,
A saddened soul, a heavy care--
We lift each up. We feel the pain.
We cry out loud, "Christ Jesus, reign!"

Seven Sins and Seven Virtues

Mon, 26 May 2008 01:16:53 GMT

Lord God,
My path has strayed;
My eyes have wandered far;
My arms have over-reached;
My ears have cherished lies;
My tongue has tasted iniquity;
My head has been lifted in arrogance;
My own work has divided your people.

Prince of Righteousness,
Redirect my vision;
Reign in my grasping hands;
Remove deception from my hearing;
Restrain my heart with love;
Relish my mouth with truth;
Remove my pride;
Restore our peace.

Almighty God,
Clothe my feet with readiness,
Cover my chest with righteousness,
Drape zeal over my back,
Salvation over my head,
Faith within my grasp,
Truth around my waist,
Join me hand to hand with the brethren.

Good Shepherd,
Tranquility shall be my staff;
Clarity shall be my sight;
Charity shall be my offering;
Veracity shall open my ears;
Humility shall mark my heart;
Sincerity shall dwell upon my lips;
Equity shall become my treasure,
Until at last,
I rest within your arms
forever.

Christmas Mourning

Mon, 26 May 2008 00:58:46 GMT

Christmas mourning robbed their simple joy:
Rachel's pain, of birthing early death.
Mommas crying for each little boy.
Maji came and led by God they left.

Pain today is known in Asian towns:
Hindu hate, cruelty and Muslim wrath
Still tear Christian churches' shelters down--
Hell's own highway crosses Heaven's path.

"Father: Holy, True, Divine dispell
Earthen weeds of sin and human pride.
Open eyes to needs that we can meet
Prepare our lives for peace inside."

Waiting for the final day, we trust
God to do His best where we are weak:
Calling near and firmly then to thrust
Saints onto the roads to boldy speak

Love and peace to those with Christ's own wounds
Across their backs, their faces, legs and arms.
Petty wants and prides curtailed and pruned,
May our lives be free of all that harms.

Happily Ever After

Sun, 25 May 2008 21:40:11 GMT

Two hearts are knit as one. The past is put
behind; the best is yet to come. Their eyes
aglow with joy for festivities, but
ahead will be their heartfelt cries.

Parental blessing, exchange of ancient vows
the bliss of love conceals small wrongs.
Alone, a pair form one another now.
At first their days are filled with songs.

Two souls are knit as one. Today their love
begins to crack, the marks of birth
to come which stretches their imaginat-
ion. Home becomes a place of worth.

The hungry cry of nights and day wear-
isome, in time the baby grows;
but not without more trips and falls and tears--
All this expands what babies know.

Three lives are woven as a tapestry.
then others come to fill the home
with time to work and play, relax and weep.
"Our Father, save the child who would roam."

With teenage drivers, mother prays for safe-
ty and good sense. The youth become
adults, somehow they keep the faith.
"God, grant new life to those now young."

The generations span a handful of dec-
-ades. Joy and sorrow ebb and flow.
Our God restores those lives once horrid wrecks
"Thank you, Lord, for helping us to grow."

Lament of a Bad Interview.

Sun, 25 May 2008 21:12:24 GMT

A frozen pause awaits an answer
while I hem and haw
Words flow the speed of melting molasses
only less sweet. On God I call.

Having forgotten what I know,
I plunge ahead unsure of what remains
The memory of the interview becomes
an inquisition fraught with intellectual pains.

Success seems so far away,
my only hope is Your mercy.
And that is just as well:
my heart does not like to hurry.

A Job-like career, full of sorrow,
a job I like seems distant.
Patient prayers come and go;
problems arise each instant.
I am thankful I am not God.
He must deal with a lot of grief

"Lord, the cross and empty tomb
remain my deepest relief."

Christ shall return.
The dead will rise.
My heart will know
God's sweetest prize.

To an Unknown God

Wed, 14 May 2008 01:53:50 GMT

To an Unknown God, the altar read,
Weak evidence that sheep had bled
And Epimenides had come to pray--
A graven reference all that remained.

Daily quests for something new and bright
Had left old Athens short of truth and light
Because the thoughts of men remained their cave
And home from birth unto their final grave.

Paul's direct appeal to think on Christ
Remained beyond the gaze of earthen eyes
The idol-hardened hearts would mock the grace
Of God because their context hid His face.

The temple of our Lord preserves His name
So always stand prepared to spread Christ's fame.

Psalm 132:b - A New Song

Wed, 06 Dec 2006 02:59:43 GMT

I have a resting place;
I will now show My Face;
I will feed my children;
And they'll stand up again.

I'll clothe my chosen priests;
I'll help the very least;
I'll grant a heart of Joy;
And death shall be destroyed.

I've come so close to you;
I've proven to be True;
I'll dwell within your land;
And you will see my Hand.

PROVERBS: Christ in Times of Crisis

Sat, 10 Jun 2006 19:34:10 GMT

The birth of Christ is my only way to begin again.
The cross of Christ is my only basis comfort.
The resurrection of Christ is my only reason for hope.
The promise of Christ is my sole ability to receive His love
& to love others.

An Epitaph

Wed, 07 Jun 2006 21:23:40 GMT

When I am old & gone,
may these be said of me;
& may they be said of you as well:

He walked with God,
Because he followed Jesus.

He heard the voice of God,
Because he listened to the words of Jesus.

He saw the face of God,
Because he looked unto Jesus, the author.

The hand of God was on his life
Because he served King Jesus.

The word of God was on his lips
Because Jesus of Nazareth had set him free!

The heart of God was his chief pursuit
Because Jesus Christ was his chief love & he loved others as well.

The fear & knowledge of the God was his delight
Because the Lord Jesus first knew him & through His Perfect Love finished the work that was begun in him.

FUGITIVE, FUGITIVE

Wed, 17 May 2006 21:08:02 GMT

Fugitive, fugitive that's what I was.
Freedman, freedman, that's what I am.
Followin' Jesus, & that's just because
Through love's precious life I can.

God found me runnin' from His Law.
You found me lost in wretched sin.
You rescued me as I heard your call.
You found Your son and now your my Friend.

Fallin', forsakin', that was my start.
Bondage & barren, that was my fruit.
Battered & broken, here is my heart.
Father, forgive me, fulfill your Truth.

Lookin' to Jesus, I found New Life!
Captured by Jesus, He set me Free!
His Word cut my cords, pierced like a knife.
"God open our heart: help us to see."

Fugitive, fugitive, that's when you run.
Freedom, freedom, that's what you need.
Followin' Jesus, the Lord who has won.
Use all your faith to reap & plant seed.

We plough through the mud: sorrow & pain.
We wait through the heat: summer's long days.
We gather the harvest: gold autumn grain.
We'll stay by the fire when winter will glaze.

Fugitives, fugitives, that's what we were.
Freedmen, freedmen, that's what we are.
Followin' Jesus, our hope is secure.
He pardoned & healed our old hearts.

Fugitive, fugitive that's what I was.
Freedman, freedman, that's what I am.
Followin' Jesus, & that's just because
Through love's precious life I can.

Mothers & Fathers belong together Today

Fri, 05 May 2006 19:48:26 GMT

(Cinco de Mayo - Mexican Independence day. PR.)

I learned how to make money from my dad;
I learned how to save money from my mom;
and as a family we share the treasures we have with each other.

I learned how to work hard from my dad;
I learned how to take it easy from my mom;
and as a family we love life: in the easy & the hard times.

I learned how to trust God from my dad;
I learned how to pray to God from my mom;
and as a family we watched the Lord hear us as we called on His name.

I learned that God created the world for us to study & enjoy from my dad;
I learned that God revealed the Bible for us to study & enjoy from my mom;
and as a family we watched the seasons change from spring to summer to fall to snow-white winter & we memorized Scripture after Scripture.

I learned be faithful from my dad;
I learned to grateful from my mom;
and as a family we worshipped in the Lord's House.

I learned that discipline means you are loved from my dad;
I learned that generosity is how you love from my mom;
and as a family we inherit the blessings of our Father.

I learned to see that God is good from my dad;
I learned to taste His goodness from my mom;
and as a family we feasted at the Lord's table.

I saw the footsteps of Jesus in my dad's life;
I saw the handprint of the Lord in my mother's;
& the Holy Spirit led us forward as a family.

I studied the growing humility of the Lord in our dad's way of life;
I observed the steady honor of the Lord in our mom's way of life;
and as a family we hosted the Lord in our homes when the poor, the confused, the rejected, and those of us kids who tended to stray were given shelter.

These are my thoughts for Mother's Day & Father's Day.
If you treasure them, share them.

THE RIDE SONG: All About Town

Mon, 01 May 2006 23:14:31 GMT

(Begun @ an Ann Arbor Transportation Authority bus stop.)

A. STANZA ON LEAVING HOME (& rebellion).
1. He took the number one, & thought it was fun.
2. Took the number two, & forgot about truth.
3. He took number three, & thought he was free.
4. And then number four, & wanted some more.
5. He tried number five, & thought he’d found life.
6. With the number six, the devil played tricks.
7. While on number seven, he forgot about heaven.
8. And with number eight, he no longer prayed.
9. Got on number nine, he thought all was fine.
10. He thought on number ten, “I’ll try ‘em all again!”

B. STANZA ON LUSTS, PRIDE: SIN (& revelry).
1. Rode the number one, & didn’t try to run.
2. Caught the number two, & said, “I love you!”
3. He grabbed number three, said, “Hey look at me!”
4. Then with number four, “Now I want some more!”
5. Cruisin’ number five, he started to jive.
6. Took the six to Ypsi, and seven past heaven.
7. Kept ridin’ that bus, like he was in a rush.
8. Lucky number eight, he felt really great.
9. Old number nine, “The world is mine!”
10. So back on the ten, he was gonna ride again!

C. STANZA ON LOSTNESS SEEN (& regret).
1. Well, number one, wasn’t quite so fun.
2. On number two he had to face the truth.
3. He ran for the three, but was startin’ to see.
4. Along the four, he knew there was more.
5. Alone on five, he didn’t feel alive.
6. Waitin’ for the six, he realized the trick.
7. So with number seven, he cried out to heaven.
8. Back on number eight, he really, really prayed.
9. When ridin’ the nine, wanted Jesus more than wine.
10. When he got to ten, he turned from his sin.

D. STANZA ON LOVE RESTORED (& repentance).
1. Stopped at the station, and there he did some waitin’.
2. A buck for eleven, then he threw away the leaven.
3. A pass on twelve, he started gettin’ well.
4. Singin’, “Thirteen, fourteen, fifteen, sixteen.”
5. Onto the twenty, and leave the pigpen.
6. On twenty-two, read the book of Truth.
7. Then thirty-three, shouted, “Jubilee!”
8. Along thirty-six, the devil lost his tricks.
9. He walked the walk, and he talked the talked.
10. Will you join the song? Will you leave your wrong?

E. STANZA ON LIGHT OF GOD (& review of 10 commands).
1. You know number One, you belong in God’s Son.
2. And then number two, confess Jesus is True.
3. Now, number three: leave your idols; be free!
4. And listen to four, get the Promised Reward.
5. Remember five, be glad you’re alive!
6. Follow number six, and don’t throw sticks.
7. Faithful to seven, know that love is from heaven.
8. Notice number eight, means to give, and don’t take.
9. If you practice nine, your mouth is benign.
10. Now enjoy all ten, and your heart’s content.

F. STANZA ON LIFE WITH GOD (& rejoicing in the Lord).
1. The Lord’s number one, and Life is getting’ fun.
2. Our neighbor’s too are turnin’ to the Truth.
3. Life is our Tree, and our children are free.
4. Eleven kept faith, but many more wait!
5. Twenty-four elders, sang, worshipped, yelled!
6. John three sixteen tells me God is not mean.
7. And after day three, the tomb was empty!
8. Three thousand saved, when the early church raved.
9. Holy steps & holy hope. Love bound hearts like three-cord rope.
10. “Eternal Father, we give our all!”

Road Side Song

Fri, 28 Apr 2006 00:21:01 GMT

Got a broken body and rusted red;
Sittin' by the road, and engine's dead.
Goin' nowhere fast;
Goin' real, real slow.
How long will it last?
Lord, I do wanna know.

And I'm a walkin', walkin', walkin' down the road.

Got two station settin's on the radio.
Worthless headlights don't emit a glow.
Goin' nowhere fast;
Goin' nowhere slow.
Forgettin' the past,
I can see Your Love Flow.

As I'm a walkin', walkin', walkin' down the road.

Got a ways to travel down life's Path:
Leavin' all my pride & fleein' from wrath.
Goin' where Life lasts;
Goin' at Your pace.
Your Book is our Flask
As we run in Your race.

'Cause We're a walkin', walkin', walkin' down the road.

Got hope in our hearts & now brighter eyes:
We're lookin' to Jesus, & we've left the disguise.
Goin' where You lead;
Goin' where You go.
You meet all our needs
So Your glory can show.

As we're walkin', walkin', walkin' down the road.
Yeah, we're walkin', walkin', walkin' down the road ...

PROVERB - Beggars

Tue, 28 Feb 2006 00:07:20 GMT

Beggars are ignored if they curse those who bless them.
Beggars will never go hungry if they beg from the King.

Pain & Victory

Tue, 28 Feb 2006 00:05:02 GMT

Be wise, my friend, amid the battle-zone,
But open eyes: you do not stand alone.
The Lord's at work while we can merely rest,
Put on His Shoulders all your cares. The test
Shall pass when He is seen while in the pain
For Christ once suffered loss; through faith we gain
The strength to stand against all foes. Our Friend:
Was with us then, is now, and to the end.

===
cf.
Matthew 11:28-30

Spiritual Armor

Tue, 14 Feb 2006 02:19:36 GMT

CHORUS:
The season for holiness is here:
The day of salvation is at hand.
Our Father, come; draw us close, draw near.
Lord Jesus, help us to understand.

#1.
Clothe us with a helmet of hope.
Gird our loins with a three cord rope.
Sheild our hearts with most precious faith.
Make us soldiers of the coming Day!

#2.
Surround our souls with righteousness.
Fill our mouths with words that pierce & bless.
Peacefully we march with Your Light.
Zeal, your cloak, Will make all things right!

====
Written at the Pastor's Prayer Summit sponsored by PACT during the 1st 24 hour prayer session for Washtenaw County.

February 13, it became evident to me @ the West Quad dining hall that satan knows that his time is short. Some people are becoming very rebellious & blatantly hostile to God's mercy. However, the saints need not fear, for Christ has already overcome!! His mercy will triumph over the wrath of those who love sin. Only those who hate mercy will not find Him.

Mert H.

A Sonnet for Sheila

Sat, 28 Jan 2006 22:09:11 GMT

When Love invites the soul to trust & hope
A timid "Yes" can seem the only word
To say, until one yearns for greater things.
When Love is spurned & hatred enters in,
The heart constricts - a temporal loss of life.
Then: gasp in pray'r to "Father!" in the crush.
Amid the frightful wait, the gracious God
Redeems our hearts, our homes: withdraws the rod.
When Love returns, the Spirit conquers lusts
Of flesh & eye! All pride must flee! The Knife
Of holy zeal prepares a feast again.
Then Love delights the heart, it gladly sings
A song of "Restful Love," which calmly heard
Will end all fear when anchored true by Rope.

[John 15:1-15, 1 John; Isaiah 30:15ff; Hebrews : ; Ecclesiastes ; Romans 8; 5:1-5; 3; Zephaniah 3:16-17; Psalm 7 : ; Habakkuk 3: all speak to these same issues.]

Surah of Salvation

Wed, 25 Jan 2006 01:50:54 GMT

The accuser likes to isolate God's people = divide & conquer.
The Lord unites His people = love & support.

The accuser likes to scare people silly = doom & gloom.
The Lord gives hope to the weary = light & peace.

The accuser likes to sicken the saints = disease & brokenness.
The Lord loves to strengthen the downtrodden = lifting up with joy.

The accuser likes to scatter the sheep = destruction & ruin.
The Lord laid down His life for us = liberty & safety.

The accuser likes to slaughter the innocent = death & burial.
The Lord has conquered this & removed the sting = life & faith.

Greater is He who reigns in & among & over us,
than the one that prowls in the world.

--
MJH

====
A friend who read this poem wrote:

Thanks Mert, for this beautiful poetry,

Why don't you submit it to Muslim authorities as an example of a surah better than the Qur'an!

A smile lights my face as I write this suggestion anticipating the laugh it might evoke when you read it. But then again, after a moment's thought, I wondered whether God's Spirit might not lead you to do something like this with a Muslim leader you know.

You penned these words from a heart that weeps for the salvation of
Muslims, aching for those bound by the Devil's devices. (Psalm 126:6) On the other hand, the Lord does laugh at the machinations of the wicked world rulers. (Psalm 2:4) Maybe there is a time for us to have a good laugh too.

D.F.

Proverbs about Immigrating

Wed, 09 Nov 2005 18:53:32 GMT

Pithy sayings are like oil to the mind
& grease to our conversation.

If you do not have a hopeful future,
The past is a nice place to live.

But a house you don't live in,
always seems more empty once you've left.

Hunger can never be satisfied,
until you know what you hunger for.

Even the most mature man of God,
remains a child of God.

Our Teacher speaks wiser than anyone He has taught,
for He has taught multitudes of multitudes.

Tue, 04 Oct 2005 17:15:25 GMT

Ah, love, a seed that touches deep within the heart.
Pure compassion, what carries the hope abroad.

Ah, love, a sprout that starts with truth.
Boldness, what starts the word of faith.

Ah, love, the root of satisfaction.
Thirst, what drives the root deeper.

Ah, love, a shelter in the storms.
Integrity, what sheilds against the weather.

Ah, love, a fruitless branch cut off & burned.
Self-control, what restrains waste for gains in taste.

Ah, love, a branch that climbs the neighbor's walls.
Generosity, what spreads beyond the borders.

Ah, love, a tree sourced in living streams.
Faithfulness, what endures the changing seasons.

Ah, love, a drifting cloud in the heat of summer.
Gentleness, what keeps our lives sustained.

Ah, love, a steady rain in the midst of summer.
Kindness, what strengthens ailing hearts.

Ah, love, the leaf of restful work.
Patience, what lasts through the seasons.

Ah, love, the tree that carries on.
Peace, what holds amidsts the winds.

Ah, love, the fruit of life.
Joy, what tastes the life of God!

Ah, love, the root of satisfaction.
Love, what drives the root deeper still.

<+><
The above poem was written in response to a friend who said that he was finding his work progressing well as he spent time with family ... and a new granddaughter. He replied:

"Those are beautiful lines, Mert. Our little baby angel granddaughter clearly is spreading love, deep within our hearts and into neighbors' yards." - Wayne Leman <wayne_leman@sil.org>

Contextualization

Mon, 18 Jul 2005 19:07:38 GMT

Christ is our context.
The Bible is the text we read to understand our context.
We are to fit into our context.
The story of our lives will affect those around us as they read what is evident to all.
Christ is not the same as the Culture.
The Culture is contray to Christ.
Christ cannot be conquered by the Culture.
Christ came to save those who were conquered by the Culture.
You cannot perfectly regard both the Culture and Christ as your context.
Who is your context? Who is your life?

Prayer in Johnson's Woods

Fri, 10 Jun 2005 02:05:59 GMT

In quiet woods and silent prayers:
Are many worries: earthly cares.
A pair of chipmunks run around.
A branch collapses to the ground.
Amid the song of birds, I see A deer:
It runs afar and free.

I cry for mercy, gasp for help.
God does not lash me like a whelp,
For Jesus took our Father's wrath.
He helps me stand & walk the path:
It's narrow, long, and lonely here.
Yet Christ is with me, we've drawn near.

I'd like to live in paradise:
A garden grove -- with you my bride,
Yet we are called to love the lost
And go to cities with the cross
Of Jesus set within our hearts.
Again He calls us, "Come: impart."

The only gift we have to give:
The light & love we long to live --
Is our most basic human need,
So we must plant ourselves as seed.
We've fallen? Yes. Each day we die
With Christ, we also shall arise.

A Blessing for your Daughter

Mon, 23 May 2005 17:29:10 GMT

A happy birthday dear young, Lilipie!
You're one! The appled, sweet and spicey pie
seems for now so good to bite.
But we pray your blessed life
will grow, till you can have some chili-pie!

=====

This weekend Todd & Sarah sent word that they had celebrated their daughter's first birthday. In it, they included this phrase describing part of the birthday bash: "apple pies (we call her Lilipie, so hey) and chili for the BBQ" somehow, I read this "Chilipie" but then I got to thinking, she may want a taste of apple pie now and enjoy it, but she really is too young for chili-pie, since most young kids don't like super-spicey food. I suppose that such spice can also be a sign of maturity, in that it can be included in your diet.

=====

Here is a proverb I shared that is expounded upon @ mertaka.openweblog.com:

"Both depth of heart & breadth of soul are needed to give fullest glory to the heights of heaven as you go the length of the journey."

May the Gold of El Dorado

Thu, 12 May 2005 02:18:49 GMT

CHORUS:
May the gold of El Dorado
be found above the ground
May the gold of El Dorado,
be revealed to us in time.
May the gold of El Dorado,
be pure from day to day.
May the gold of El Dorado,
really start to shine.

We have hope for the future.
We have hope for the town.
We have hope for our families.
We have hope to spread around.
Jesus promised us that He would stay …
We have hope, we have hope, for today!

CHORUS

We can trust all the Promise.
We can trust in His Word.
We can trust all the Bible.
We can trust what we’ve heard.
Jesus promised us that He is the Way …
He will hear, He will if we pray.

CHORUS

We will love all our families.
We will love all our friends.
We will love those who hate us.
We will love until the end.
God sent His Son so that He could save …
We will love, we will love all the way!

=====
Frist sung in the summer of 2003 with my wife in the car.