Begin being still
July 28, 2009
~
Good conversation
Is what I look for each day
Begin being still
This helps me become aware
Of a larger loving voice
I’ve discovered that my eyes
Are the windows to my heart
My mind will give direction
In the “morning watch”
Temptations will come
To take advantage of me
So I’ll guard my eyes
I’ll choose the focus
Many voices are calling
Anxiety knocks
Fear of the future
And the many ways harm comes
Can rob me of the now
“As iron sharpens iron”
We each sharpen the other
Let us consider
And look for the perspective
That is the reality
Where are you focusing now?
written July 27, 2009
see Proverbs 27:17, Proverbs 27:20
~
Undying passion
July 27, 2009
God smiles
July 26, 2009
Joy is discovered
July 23, 2009
Your beauty
July 16, 2009
Let love renew you
July 13, 2009
Hope
July 11, 2009
find rest
July 10, 2009
I am free to be myself
In the presence of a friend
There is no need to perform
It’s there I find rest
I’ve been trained to think
To watch closely for my friends
Who show up on time
Intimate friendship
Is where I have discovered
How to listen well
I had to face the darkness
Of my own self-centered life
See the darkness of others
Before I could see
There are very painful truths
Places we seek to avoid
They’re plenty of distractions
That will block the light
When I’m with a friend
Who knows the truth about me
I find I can rest
That’s what God is like to me
It is based on truthful facts
A friendship over the years
That’s bigger than death
written July 10, 2009
seek wisdom
July 9, 2009
~
Educate yourself
Your responsibility
To use your mind well
You can be real smart
And ignorant at the same time
Information helps
True information, that is
Every human can see
Given safety and good time
You’ll figure life out
There will come a time
In the life of all of us
You will know if you got it
Looking back you’ll see
The decisions that you made
Were right for you or wrong
So I hope you’ll look ahead
Seek wisdom with all your heart
Make insight your greatest goal
Sixty-seven years of life
I am still learning a lot
Surprised by the joy
I am not afraid
July 8, 2009
~~
Written while in the Emergency Room.
~
Death may come today
It’s real and I can touch it
I am not afraid
My blood pressure was too high
They said it was dangerous
These kinds of things will kill you
I’m being tested
It is just a reminder
This body is wearing out
Death is one thing that happens
To male and female
I like who I am
That has not always been so
I’ve learned to forgive
It’s not easy to forgive
Yourself and all the others
Changing points of reference
Has opened my eyes
l thought I that I knew
Then I knew I did not know
I knew I was lost
Then someone found me searching
Eager to teach me real love
There is rest in real silence
I found it in the hallway
Waiting in the hospital
Listening to the sounds
Doctors, nurses giving tests
Explaining to me the risks
If I die I know the reason
Why I am not here
They do it with smiles
Taking the right precautions
Being kind and thoughtful
They are the real thing
~
My eyes are being opened
Finding love pursuing me
It is a constant living truth
I cannot deny
July 6-7, 2009
pursue a life of love
July 7, 2009
an examined life
July 6, 2009
~
I awake with a vision
Of who I will be today
I see the vision then go
Into the valley
It is a valley of tears
Of my own and the others
But with the tears there’s laughter
With vision there’s joy
Some think love is a feeling
Certainly it is a part
A flower brings a feeling
But the roots give life
The vision must be rooted
Like the roses of sharon
I found my roots in searching
For what is the truth
I found a person
Whose thinking I have trusted
He is my teacher
An examined life
I discovered a wonder
Of pain and surprise
Of pain because of evil
Of love rooted in a joy
Why do so few find this joy
Where are the people seeking
What really matters the most
There you’ll find freedom
Having the question matters
How can I love and be loved
Seeing life through love’s lenses
This has been my quest
You must want to know
With all of your heart and soul
What is the real truth
Answers will come, I promise
Take responsibility
For what it is that you believe
What you hold sacred
Today’s a good day
It depends on how you think
Not the circumstance
written July 6, 2009
~
celebrate
July 5, 2009
This morning I shucked the corn
I stood amazed at each ear
It was all a perfect fit
How did that happen
We will have a good dinner
We will taste how good it is
The taste buds are amazing
How did that happen
The laughter at the table
Will come from the food and love
Family that cares and gives
How did that happen
The little children talking
Running all around the room
Feeling the safety and love
How did that happen
The secret is what matters
A love beyond our thinking
Comes from deep within our lives
How did that happen
We are here to celebrate
The life of one dearly loved
Who is special to us all
Her name is Missy
Missy was born on this day
Just thirty-nine years ago
It was on a Sunday morn
Love entered our life
There is wisdom in a child
Her eyes were large and deep blue
I knew that she was special
Delight to my eyes
My view was transformed
She quickly changed my life here
Giving us pure joy
His love made it happen
written July 5, 2009
for my daughter Missy
~
Internal Freedom
July 4, 2009
~
Liberty has come
Our country celebrates
Our freedom today
Finding this freedom
We think that it’s external
Let’s give it some thought
It’s more important
What I do in private space
Than in the public
I train to listen
To the inner voice of hope
Not trusting feelings
Feelings come and go
Controlled by circumstances
My life is bigger
Awareness and space
Are secret keys to my life
Gifts I give to me
When I do not choose
And act without thinking
I find I suffer
And those around me, also
Suffer in ways that are sad
Our forefathers suffered here
Inwardly they sought freedom
They searched their soul for answers
That rose from within
They followed their dream
We stand today in freedom
Because they had the courage
To give up their lives
written July 4, 2009
~
~
Your Story Matters 