in the shape of a diamond a new way to write.

Foot steps

Swift and quiet

On the lawn in the grass

Cooling, sinking in the green

Ready to run and catch the dogs

Only two

Got ‘em.

jpn 7/10/2010

DISCIPLESHIP (Luke 14:25-33)

WHEN DIETRICH FELT THE NOOSE TIGHTEN

HE KNEW THE COST OF DISCIPLESHIP

WHEN PETER AND PAUL

WENT TO EXECUTION

THEY KNEW THE COST OF DISCIPLESHIP

WHEN DAMIAN SAID WE LEPERS

HE KNEW THE COST OF DISCIPLESHIP

WHEN PASTOR KING MARCHED IN SELMA

AND BIRMINGHAM

HE KNEW THE COST OF DISCIPLESHIP

FOR MOST OF US

THE NEED TO BE HEROIC IS MINIMUM

BUT THE NEED TO BE KIND TO A SLOW CLERK

TO LISTEN TO THE THRICE TOLD TALE OF THE OLD

TO SPEAK WHEN SOMEONE NEEDS DEFENDING

TO KEEP AWAY FROM THE HORN

WHEN THE PERSON AHEAD

IS SLOW AT THE LIGHT

TO BE A CHRISTIAN IN PRACTICE

SEEMS TO BE HARDER FOR US THAN SUFFERING

WHEN JESUS SAYS

YOU MUST LEAVE FATHER AND MOTHER

TO FOLLOW ME

HE’S USING NORMAL EASTERN HYPERBOLE

HE’S REALLY SAYING

NOTHING SHOULD PREVENT YOU FROM DOING RIGHT

HOW MANY MEN HAVE SAID

I DIDN’T SPEAK UP OUT OF FEAR FOR MY FAMILY

AND IN THAT SILENCE EVIL GROWS

JESUS SAYS

SERVE

DON’T COUNT THE COST

NEITHER PARENT

NOR NEEDS OF THE DEAD

NOR LOOKING BACK

SHOULD WEAKEN ONE’S RESOLVE TO SERVE

WE ARE WEAK AND FAIL

BUT REPENTING

WE SHOULD RETURN TO THE FIRST PRINCIPAL

WHO IS MY PARENT

HE WHO DOES MY WILL

FRANK A VOLLMER

Sometimes, when everything goes wrong

" Sometimes, when everything goes wrong;

When days are short and nights are long;

When wash-day brings so dull a sky

That not a single thing will dry.

And when the kitchen chimney smokes,

And when there's naught so ' queer' as folks!

When friends deplore my faded youth,

And when the baby cuts a tooth.

While John, the baby last but one,

Clings round my skirts till day is done;

And fat, good-tempered Jane is glum,

And butcher's man forgets to come.

Sometimes I say on days like these,

I get a sudden gleam of bliss.

Not on some sunny day of ease,

He'll come ... but on a day like this! "
 
 
anon