City on a Hill

Deplorable, I'd rather be

Than unctuous, blind before a crown

Gained only by nefarious means;

Guilt?  Admit?  It is renowned

Among these deemed unwashed, unclean

Masses who desire wall

And dare to speak, heart and mind,

Before they see a nation fall,

That once stood proud, enlightened city

On a hill, heaven's hold

Upon the earthly bonds of men,

To bid them heaven's truth be told.

While I Walk Valleys

Lord, open my eyes

To see the mountains grandeur

While I walk valleys.

Carousel Ponies

Carousel ponies, garishly painted,

Attract washed, unwashed, the same.

Round and round the gallop revolves,

Unending pledge falsely proclaimed.

Gold ring!  The prize!  Reach out!  Seize!

Merry-go-round not merry at all.

The children, fraught with worry, fear

At any moment, horses will fall

Up and down, up and down,

Until momentum runs its course.

The ride no more, no more the ride;

To feckless stable, goes the horse.

The Voice of the Lord

I hear you, Lord, not with words

Spoken; I hear you

Indefinably, yet undeniably

I know You are there.  You speak

In language I can only grasp in soul

I rest my case, by grace, this sinning heart

Will treasure an inheritance's promise.

Lord, Let Us Begin Again

From the inside out

From the outside in

Lord, let us begin again

For the taken lives

For lives unsaved

Lord, let us begin again

For a people torn

A people scarred

Lord, let us begin again

For hopeless souls

And visions crushed

Lord, let us begin again

For battered nation

Wounded, marred

Lord, let us begin again

For sake of mercy

Sake of grace

Lord, let us begin again

Ordinary Time

It's ordinary time, Lord,

Making beds and wiping dust

From furniture and fixtures

Doing chores I know I must

Laundry, blinds, sweeping floors

Mirrors polished, toilets cleansed

No matter.  There's always more

To do, to do, to do.  When ended?

Be still and know that I am there

The dust from which I made you

Alone - clay to life, beloved

Ordinary!  No!  Made new!

John 8:7

Brood of vipers

Fangs prepared

To strike and catch

The victim, snared.

But are your sins

Erased, made clean?

Throw first stone.

Sin, I redeem.