The Neighbor
I don't know your name and I doubt we will ever meet.
I always see you at your church. I live across the street.
I sit out on my front porch and wave at the passers by.
You never wave back. Maybe the sun is just in your eyes.
I shout a hello to your family as the church doors you walk in.
I hear a muttered statement about missing church and sin.
If the doors are open I see you there for every event that's held.
Services, potlucks, and picnics. Oh, the food that I've smelled.
I can hear the instruments and voices as you praise your God.
While I enjoy the music I must admit that I find one thing odd.
I sometimes hear your pastor preach about spreading the word.
I scratch my head and wonder if any of you really heard.
Cause I don't know your name and I doubt we will ever meet.
I always see you at your church, but none of you see me.
I always see you at your church. I live across the street.
I sit out on my front porch and wave at the passers by.
You never wave back. Maybe the sun is just in your eyes.
I shout a hello to your family as the church doors you walk in.
I hear a muttered statement about missing church and sin.
If the doors are open I see you there for every event that's held.Services, potlucks, and picnics. Oh, the food that I've smelled.
I can hear the instruments and voices as you praise your God.
While I enjoy the music I must admit that I find one thing odd.
I sometimes hear your pastor preach about spreading the word.
I scratch my head and wonder if any of you really heard.
Cause I don't know your name and I doubt we will ever meet.
I always see you at your church, but none of you see me.
Prayer Of The Modern Churchgoer
God, I sit in a pew every Sunday without failFor I'm afraid if I don't I will end up in hell.
I give my tithes and offerings. I never miss
Because I'm waiting for you to make me rich.
I read my Bible for at least an hour each day.
So I can be arrogant with others in all that I say.
I pray every day for around thirty minutes or so.
'Cause there's lots I need and I want you to know.
I do things for my church even when tired and sore.
Because one day I want to be voted onto the board.
I also do them so everyone will think I'm a beacon.
If I neglect my family, I just wanna be a deacon.
I'm just a simple usher and that is OK I guess.
But I'm a good person, and I deserve your best.
If there is anything you need tell one of the pastors.
I'm too busy. It's their calling. They can get to it faster.
I'm so happy to have found the religion of Christianity.
Because I can make following you all about me.
Yes, this is somewhat tongue in cheek. But I think there is a lot of truth here. Far too much to ignore.
He Ran To Me
When I strayed off the path and lost sight of him
He ran to me.
When I've been the prodigal trying to find home
When I've tried to do it myself and felt all alone
He ran to me.
When I ran from him and reached the end of my rope
When my own foolish pride led me to lose all hope
He ran to me.
When I arrogantly forgot what my salvation cost
When he came to this earth and died on that cross
He ran to me.
Thank You Father that despite my continued failings and imperfections you are still always willing to run to me.
Hat tip to KansasBob for the idea for this poem.
God - Outside The Box
I followed your lead and took the leap.
Scared to death I wouldn't land on my feet.
But I landed on a path obscured from my vision
by the box surrounding me created by religion.
At first I was scared without the restriction.
No church, no pastor to pile on the conviction.
Who was going to tell me what I should do?
Without my leaders superior knowledge of you.
Through a faith smaller than a mustard seed.
I more hoped than believed you for what I need.
With love so undeserving you took my hand.
And showed me mercy I could not understand.
You patiently showed me my rules had no place.
Replacing the voids left behind with your grace.
Because of the sacrifice you made for me
I can cast off the box, and truly live free.
For anyone who ever read my other blog "The Untried" it is back up with an explanation at the end of the most recent post. I hope you will check it out.
Scared to death I wouldn't land on my feet.
But I landed on a path obscured from my vision
by the box surrounding me created by religion.
At first I was scared without the restriction.
No church, no pastor to pile on the conviction.
Who was going to tell me what I should do?
Without my leaders superior knowledge of you.
Through a faith smaller than a mustard seed.
I more hoped than believed you for what I need.
With love so undeserving you took my hand.
And showed me mercy I could not understand.
You patiently showed me my rules had no place.
Replacing the voids left behind with your grace.
Because of the sacrifice you made for me
I can cast off the box, and truly live free.
For anyone who ever read my other blog "The Untried" it is back up with an explanation at the end of the most recent post. I hope you will check it out.
Perspective
But looking back now it seems small, I've been praying for too little.
As I go about each day Lord, and I look into each face
Let me see every one of them through your eyes of grace
Don't let me see simply a family member, friend, or even a boss.
Allow me to see the person for whom you died on that cross.
Don't let me see them as a stereotype, an age, or by a vocation
Allow me to see each one of them as part of your beloved creation
Perhaps the best way for others to look at me and see Jesus inside
Is for my vision of them to come through the lenses of your eyes.
My Best Friend
Over the years she has gotten more beautiful and I've just gotten older.
To this day she laughs at my jokes, and I delight in her laughter.
I'm glad she married for better or worse, not just happily every after.
We've come through tribulations, trials, and a constant lack of money.
But she still stands by my side, she even still calls me honey.
Lord this poem is to thank you for my wife, I find none to be above her.
And to express to my companion in life ,Melissa, just how much I love her.
Witnessing (Modern Church Style)
I know you told us to be your witnesses in this world of sin,
But then we would spend less time with our Christian friends.
That thing about gathering together we have taken to heart.
We could witness to others if they would just come be part.
Take the message to them? No, we don't have the time.
We might miss the church potluck, and that's always sublime.
I think I have found a way I can make your message known,
That doesn't require me to step out of my comfort zone.
I'll vote for issues and people that will pass legislation
Making my idea of morality become forced participation.
I'm too lazy to attempt anything that might rock my boat.
I'm too scared to be your witness, can I just offer you my vote.
But then we would spend less time with our Christian friends.
That thing about gathering together we have taken to heart.
We could witness to others if they would just come be part.
Take the message to them? No, we don't have the time.
We might miss the church potluck, and that's always sublime.
I think I have found a way I can make your message known,
That doesn't require me to step out of my comfort zone.
I'll vote for issues and people that will pass legislation
Making my idea of morality become forced participation.I'm too lazy to attempt anything that might rock my boat.
I'm too scared to be your witness, can I just offer you my vote.
Beauty
Or so I've been led to believe
When I think of you God the idea is just so profound
I find it very hard to conceive
That you could look upon me, such an imperfect vessel
And find beauty in something so broken
But through death on a cross you called me special
And declared my beauty in words unspoken
So I thank you Father for your truly amazing grace
And love that knows no end
And for allowing me to live in this wonderous place
Of grace I can't comprehend
Finding Light
But far too often I found there was no light to emit.
So, every Sunday off to church I would go.
To find something else to make my light glow.
I always left believing I had found the solution.
Just to walk out the doors and find no real resolution.
Each time I fell for the same old bag of tricks.
Hoping against hope for more than a temporary fix.
Eventually I reached a point that I cried out to God.
"If this is all there is to you then my faith is a fraud."
"I've followed doctrine, dogma, ritual, and rule."
"I'm getting tired of being played for a fool."
"So, if your real I'm asking you make yourself known."
"Because my faith to this point has left me feeling alone."
Despite my brash arrogance that was so out of place,
God showed me love by showering me with grace.
As the tears streamed I heard that strong inner voice.
"I have waited so long for you to come to this choice."
"Following lots of rules will never help you one bit,"
"Just follow me and your light will always stay lit."
