Preserved

In the field of promontory, waiting. Far below the elephants and rhinos challenged all who would interrupt their pious slumber. All at once the crackle of bolt and sky promised relief from the ardent summer. Rock, beneath my outstretched leg reminded me of each nerve and bug’s encroaching hunger. In sleepy daze, my gaze saw cloud cover sun and breeze kindled with something a broad bit cooler.

Felt, the hope of an imaginary day. Pockets untorn, half filled by blessings of God’s intervention. In mercy I wept, not out of fear, pain but joy at the approaching night where all things are tested. Modification and preparation made I fell to expectation of dawn’s grand entrance. What faith instilled by the word of Promise upon my beset mind in worry and egregious dreams of upset, hunger and unrefined passion.

What language tells of peace beyond the bullets flying? Where men have never found contentment but pleasure in the disturbance of faith, fealty and charm. Unleashed to follow the urges of wanton wisdom devoid of concern for health and harm. How are things of beauty kept the same when the sanity of those who would own their innocence indicts their lack of reason or shame? How is shattered rose deemed blessing?

What promise of men whose belly hungers? Offer them the sky when lint of mind and heart is all that we possess. What frightened daydream endorses the taking of that which is pure to satiate our quest for poison or contempt for all thing lovely that they are reduced to average? Viewed below the crisis of intemperance challenges all who would stand against it. Only the bold and fearful under the need for worlds’ innocence.

What value in virginity when old men cannot demonstrate character to preserve it precious? Why whisper still proud deception to lure the lame to capture? What does infinity think and offer as testimony to those things which were held sacrosanct? Are we absent anything that is worthy of maintenance? How may I gaze on the field below seeking to keep my eye filled with that which is worthy when found it is gobbled to gullet for the sake of something sweet?

Selection

In the vast recesses of my mind and memory I never met a rose I didn’t adore, a child I didn’t find amazing and a man unworthy of the Love God first gave me. Dogs are always giving me what I give them, which is mostly love, attention and someone to listen when the people or other species won’t. We are in the perfect times for matching with works the words we have so often flippantly delivered. The chips are down, are we down too?

Pizza, passion and pontification are splendid but nothing beats a home with truth, dependence and guaranteed safety with love. Wrapped in the arms, fealty and cocoon of mirth/compassion we find the process by which confidence, goodness and health are formed. Why then do we require no understanding of family building, planning or education built into our education peer model? Why are personal finances, relationship skills and conflict resolution, essential tools for maturity not part of all curriculums developed with the intent of creating solid families that become and solidify the foundation of America?

We are suffering the loss of logic and the pivotal mastery of goodness which leads to greatness when ripened on the vines of social education. We have forgotten or departed from the sound science of faithful adherence to those things that make the home functional, fastidious and resilient in the winds of any anticipated storm. Having left the cradle of common sense we seek to jump from heights much beyond the expectation of survival, healing and temperance. When will Mothers return to prudent measures of solemn demand that match the evidence provided by societal history? When will truth and the grand truth that Jesus Christ is Lord alleviate our corporate dementia? Awakening first requires recognition of slumber or lethargy.

To wall Soldiers, not simply to fight or prepare but provide the eyes and sound the alarms of danger. We will never prevail over the coming chaos without fair warning which we have duly been given responsibility in provision. When will we step up to the plate for a large helping of accountability from which we have run nationally, eschewing our making, blessing and direction? To what future do we expect acquaintance if we are unwilling to meet the present and prepare from what comes following that expectation of present’s mastery? Do we have contempt for knowledge or just the part where it becomes sound wisdom and learned maturity?

Is it?

Salt or calculus and revelry of self-importance. I was never that clever, which in latter years has been tremendous blessing. For there is no honor is deception though most will counsel the ends are means justification. Especially when deceiving oneself to believe that conquest or charisma outweigh character. These are not the unintelligible ramblings of a man who thinks he could ever be king, rather the modest understanding of my place in this universal pecking order. I may not be at the bottom, but I am much farther the top than the other.

Seeking to impress when cowardice and avarice are viewed as asset is testimony to weakness. These outcomes are not my pleasure nor our destiny they are the makeshift tactics of men who have already lost and yet realized their plunder or despair. We were sent to make it sting or make them sing, preferably both in the same sitting. Our predicament or opportunity dependent upon perspective demands the inevitable and obvious choices that will evoke God’s tomorrow. For the heavens align to His design and were never meant to resemble mine.

Children of a good Father never confide with anxiety but in confidence and determined action. They do not lend ear to vacillation or wavering doctrine but rapidly expel those who speak in diatribe and false meter. Words of power are never blurted but offered with precision, timing and impact. For finesse is the mastery of grace not the bludgeon or brute force of offhand or deliberate strife. Few find peace in early years as is the price of pregnant moment. Most struggle or develop alternate planning and personality to navigate intemperate waters until storms subside or chaos reigns.

What then of the brash and willful men who have never met a master nor trusted demon? How faithful those who trust bravado and calamity? Will they find anarchy preferable to peace? I do not seek argument, though I find the content of your desire insufferable and will do all to dislocate you from its achievement. For something must stand or all falls. This is our time to show you the deep dug footing upon the Rock of Ages as the seas rage and the mountains are beckoned to deep. Am I one who believes beyond the fearful or the worried?

There must be a place upon the dais to receive reward or the fight was all for nothing. Are we to humbly give it all in expectation of an end unremembered? No the painting of mural and mosaic is never to simply annotate discussion, but to mark the moments where Love, Honor, Courage and Duty propelled men to action in defense of all that matters. Life not yet worth living until there is something worth its potential loss in defense thereof. Do we stand for and upon concept? Do we fight for words? Or is it the ground or the blood that must live or be spilled upon it that calls to heart our courage? What is worthy of my all in defense? This is the question each must answer. Is Christ and what He has done worthy of such venture? Is what He has done for me sufficient catalyst?

First

Without promise there is no belief, without belief there is no faith, without faith it is impossible to please God. This all stems from the Sovereignty and Reliability of God. For it is upon His act of creation and promises of active participation and prophetic future intercession that even made belief/trust possible. This entire lifestyle of reliance upon God was started by His action and will be ended by His Promised action. Upon that we Trust, everything else is suspect. Therefore, it is my trust in God that is the only Truth within me.

Why then do I read His Word. Is it the story? Is it the flowery language that gives me an electric shock up my legs and back? Is it to be a member of some fellowship or aspiration group? Is it to find out why so many strive to stand with Him when none of them can see Him? Is it to find a way out of my circumstances? Is it because nothing else seems real or discernably true? Is it to give myself strength to tackle the objects and obstacles before me? Is it to find my Creator and understand why He made me and what His promises mean measured against my will and desire? Or is it so that I may stand against Him in my vain imagination, pointing out how simple, uneducated and foolish all Christians have always been? Whose imagination do I hope to support in robust argument, mine or His?

This day, tomorrow we celebrate the day of which the hymn was written. When those of Jerusalem welcomed Him with cries and tears of Hosannah in the Highest. They laid palm fronds before the colt’s feet as they welcomed the realization of promised deliverance in the Messiah’s arrival to fulfill ALL prophecy. Yet, deception and argument offered by religious/military/political leaders led them to within the same week demand His death upon the cross, hung on a tree as cursed prisoners always were. Their reliance was clearly not upon God’s Promise but on man’s offering of protection, palace and prosperity.

Since when have we demanded a shift in the meanings of these feast days, the HOLYDAYS, that we have transliterated to holidays? What are we observing when seeding our children with a quest for the fertility of rabbits and the mystery for painted, golden eggs, gifts, money or the laps of men/women in costumes of the same? What are we pursuing in our own imagination or the stories we have been sold of those who worship air, tree and water? Do we truly understand the Promise that represented in observance and remembrance of the terrifying joy of Christ’s punishment for mankind’s sin? He took our place on that cross, taking willingly the death that we owed for our disobedience in sinful pursuit against God’s command. Why are we so intent on allowing the enemy’s prostitution of first intent, always ready to accept the revisions to the Promise. The small deviation from what God said which eventually leaves the ship astray, the compass untended, True North absent in our travels?

The joy of mistakes made is the time to focus upon their correction. I find myself in the unavoidable countdown to God’s intervention in America and this world. Knowing the only Truth is what He has given me combined with this sense impending urgency of His return I am self-counseled and spoken clearly to by God’s Spirit to do those things commensurate and consistent with a man who in faith, believes and in belief acknowledges the TRUTH that is God’s Sovereignty. These are the days of our participation and validation/declaration of that Truth. God holds accountability for my alignment or departure from His direction. My choices that are consistent with that accountability are the only power I personally possess to deny or confirm the blessings of this life and the next. I choose Truth. I choose God through Christ. I am Christian and I follow Him, am changed by Him and loved by Him to eventually resemble Him in the Family of those who first Trusted and Believed His Promises.

Length, Breadth, Depth, Height and Time

Eyes, the window to color the world or redirect filtered data. What wounds sieve these images? What hope denies the fear associated with intentional shock? What freedom in simply listening, or watching to ascertain siren’s need or defensive scheduling? What is the field of battle defined in perceptive possibility? Can we simply believe, anything, or as in the dark are special lenses a necessity? Is there, there is one objective truth upon which all fact may be discerned, checked and assured.

Access. What voluntary decisions provide membership or authentication in approach? Am I to master the denial of verity in hope of finding my way to realization of the vain or imaginary? What justification may be produced in validation or licensure of a self-produced branding? Do I create when I dream up those things, I am certain should be real and true or is my mimicry proof in lacking resemblance? To what camouflage do I retreat when light approaches or they hear my beating heart in darkness?

I am no master or your palisade, façade or prison. I may incarcerate you in illusion with audacious word and fearful manipulation of your fleshly expectation. What then happens to a man naturally free who refuses to see bond wither? What calculated effort of the wicked must be drawn across the eyes of innocence to keep them enslaved by nightmare? Wrapped in a deviously devised dissemble to relieve you of your hope, love and right to pursue the God who loves you. Dashed skulls upon the well-lighted shores of spirit’s authority. Irony, remaining in jail while door was never fastened.

I am powerful enough to remain unshackled by mind, foot or spirit. Not the gift of some internal prowess but the elusive and impassioned hope of a man with understanding. There are some things given to the faithful in belief that surpass all worldly madness. For in the land of my founding I will always be walking in the Glade with Jesus. Held, in ideas or threat or bonds of capture was never sufficient to stop the veracity of my freedom. For a man set free from sin and death may never Truly be held by the rooms and tethers of temporary torture associated with the test that all must abide.

Recall

Spring so chilly evoking memories of golden dawn throwing handfuls of cracked corn to all that gathered. Dampened socks, walking through grass that beckoned the arrival of tractor’s blade. How sharp the light as it lit up the forest bringing smiles to the fatless birds? With measured and oft unexpected precision it reminds everything that life has always been in charge. Into each day carrying the imprint of God’s DNA we find ourselves ne’er forgotten.

What calamity has this mind anticipated or conjured for reasons of excuse or whining. For all even the steep ascent are sponsors of our improvement. Beside myself walking with my morning shadow never thinking to ask him what he thought. For truth be told to make this day perfection. I never really wondered about those things beyond my reasoning, knowing somehow that the burden was not my own. A happy life of simple pleasures caused dimple for furrow forever, leaving behind the valley of my joyous grin.

August interrogative concerning productivity and harvest best left for September noon found their way to mind’s eye. As bud bid bird the word I heard caused faith to flourish as the seed found sun and sky. No mourning for days written. Songs sung few and new by mouths opened and shaped to bring trumpets and clarion call to corners and crevice. Dancing for no other reason than I am able. To table bring the fruits of labors and miracle unfinished, waiting for time to find its seat among the plenty. In mystery I found great threat to purpose.

Are you the hopeful champion of incandescent transparency? What shape your hands mimic as the walls of cave back away? Dervish damsels twirled in the feather light sound of days procession. Thickened air struggles to bring pollen from to tree to land and ground to air. Bees, unconscious of their buzzing match flight to the cackle and crackle of powers unseen. A soldier saunters toward the smell of honey, delighted by the opportunity to fight for something delightful. In the branch the tree dreamed of red, ripened fruit upon each vine.

In Spirit we forgot all envy. For when the world is your cupcake no thought of loss or scarcity enters the scintillating taste upon buds ready. Piercing the day the crow squawked, the hen clucked, and the scarecrow just stood watching. With petulant gaze the pony thought them paupers. Upon the roof so slippering and steep the cat laughed at sheep and dog running toward fed meadow. As I catalogued it all to form my dreams it seems everything was as it should have been. Into the waiting manuscript I walked with confidence and a smidgen of recall.

Stand

Those moments of pleasure and joy are not simply rewards of some entitled birth. They are the gifts are the foundation of faithful memories in well-living. What then of the challenges? Are they dismissed then or most aptly forgotten as the unpleasant remnant of distaste? Do they represent those challenges or detraction from the gift set of living? Maturity arguably occurs when the challenges are viewed as equal or greater reward measured against those times of joy and pleasure. Why? Because, they represent the stark, truth that life is not just about the sweet test of sensory activation but the prompting and catalyst of growth toward what lies ahead.

Each infant begins to crawl, but the emphasis or goal is to stand. As muscles build, coordination, balance and desire combine we find ourselves unlike all other mammals walking erect, in physicality not simply thought. My pleasures may be of mind or matter. Equally those times of trial lead to increased thinking capacity, improved emotional response, physical strengthening and yet may deliver the greatest impact in Spiritual maturation. This destination demands courage and hope to stand against coming catalyst to reach performance beyond previous possibility.

We as men and women are most truly increased when we learn and joyfully meet those trials set before with the certain understanding of our obvious improvement in endurance. In fact, those who shy from, avoid or lack the courage to resist fear and flight in facing these trials are viewed in disappointment. Why then are men so pent upon residing in constant pleasure absent any conflict? Why is conflict the basis for any good novel, play or movie and without such impetus viewed with boredom? Does this realization shock? That we actually find challenge and conflict essential to good living?

In faith, it is the man and woman who meet their challenges with joy that prevail. We excel when desiring the test, quest and venture of body and mind. To wrote, God enters the fray of the man who meets life’s challenge with joyous expectation through provision of the “Fruits” of His Sovereign Spirit to aid in the maturation and achievement of man’s stretching beyond the norm and now. He even promises peace that will somehow dull the sting and severity of the obstructions, pain or difficulties. Why then must we reach beyond the sensory expectation of eye, flesh and desire to achieve greater growth and reward of life not simply lived in pleasure but one that is transformed perhaps more by pain, endurance and effort?

Because sin or pleasure is easy and requires self-maintenance. Embracing challenge and change is a determined mindset seeking that which is beyond routine found in hunger, sight, lasciviousness and touch. What then is the drive to stand firmly and joyfully in the expectation of test and challenge? Certainly a man must not believe in God to want something more for himself? Even evil will test itself to gain muscle, power and dominion of mind and matter. Why then is joy the crux in reaching the sweetest existence? For the Joy of the Lord is our strength. As we seek to do the impossible, then miracle is our expectation. And miracle is only found in the Hand of God as is the offer and acceptance of eternity. So we stand in that knowledge, hope and determination to reach that which extends beyond us. We seek to be changed into something beyond sensory fulfillment, a quest to meet, know and resemble our Creator, God.

Doing

Stepped away. A moment’s breath relaxing or better described sitting upon my overturned shield. Relinquishing my hurry and relieving all who were certain to receive my blame. There is no upset or shame in acceptance of accountability due this man. In tomorrow miracles will aptly shine or gold, opal and promise.

The taste so sweet of Melton honey or crisp and clear milk just down from glacier’s ridge. Songs thought of reason and romance played to match wisdom’s resolve. In the dime’s time we chatted of dungeon’s plunder, dragons met and better yet our dreams of peace and passion. How do the children know that which has yet been learned or told them?

Gallant green upon tanned hide’s edge. Declaring the family’s faith and will to be remembered on battle’s field. We stood as ordered, set to tens and fifties, fighting for the rights of life and breath’s continuance. In daydreams we found surety. Opened to the causeways of mind and mystery, we sought the origins of time and temerity.

In fleeting jest, I laughed about the humble. All the while admiring from the sidelines of a life lived for splendor. In deep the pulse of life’s inherit rhythm. Counting out upon quick time the march of mankind’s escapade. Beset by meager and eager portions we were overwhelmed in doubt rather than believe. Firm the footing of a man whose supply is certain. Even if the wind recalls my heart may still be far from faith.

This ride the taste of breeze and fern as the leaves impressed my visage. To the sight of meaner things our fond recitation ventured. When first recalled we automatically found our plight strengthen but in remorse the mourning soon subsides. For all my words the deeds I’ve done mere actions. For lasting hope invested must call to order pride and require greater talent.

This one

Cool, red sky morning. Purple poked a hole through the dusty black, anticipating arrival. A chirping reminder in the misty, morning march. Smoky clouds. Sweet the call to dawn.

Uptown a young man found his sea legs. Determined to do whatever it takes to conquer all the elements. A passing hand, corporate gang signs exchanged, as fury lingered in corridors beyond.

Whimsical patches of pillowed grey with highlights of maroon and white. Anxiety speaks. The gathering of personalities drowns out the voice of peace. Unkempt souls, denouncing their refinement offer rage and sage at altars on the subway.

We are dressed as the men who hold the pantry. In faith and depth we find shallow the public ponds of passion. Collecting dissipated heat we proclaim ourselves genius though others disagree.

Bring me those who would find their freedom. Defending with heart and hope the sweat of bloody brow. To build upon a dream of something left unspoken. A vision seen of places yet defined.

Incorporate the Gospel. Of flotsam and fealty, we pine in days remembered. Singing hymns and pious ramblings with words too large for teeth and tongue. The Brethren bid them struggle.

A bubble, a flower and petals strewn asunder. A murdered mystery of love. Bereft of the brief innocence in finding. We pitch headlong into the abyss of misunderstanding. Wanting what we were told was proper tomorrow. Holding to the hem of today.

Real

Frequently standing atop projections I fail to explain the image of my ineloquence. Infrequent testimony of bliss and harm I shadow the grace with simple self-attachment. Finding nothing but a pot of old gold at rainbow’s end that simply converts to nothing purchased at Ended Days. Where is the pleasure of this treasure, I expended breath and might to locate and steal from defeated leprechaun, liberal or reformed, truth-teller preaching merriment? When statues speak it all begins to reek of poisoned paradise.

Miscreants have entered through the front door of the palace, even now feeding your children through straws banned in their nativity. Mirrors of hopelessness flash upon cave wall while everyone tries their darndest to pretend the shadows are real as they have seen the sun arising. Angels of Light are still, well, simply servants of the King. How then will emperor follow fallow casting to crush a world he was never meant to own? In decency, I must tell the naked king he is wearing nothing in front of children.

They don’t like my meter, measure, rhythm or key changes and all I can say in ad hominem is, who invited you any old way. Standing when now fashionable to kneel before pictures of an imaginary king, sheltered in the combinatory image of Zeus, Socrates and Aristotle pointing to sky and Earth promising thunder by four thirty. When in the throne room my reverence thrust me to my face before Sovereign explanation. Reality is when your knees will no longer hold you in the presence of your Maker whether unsupported or contrite you are pleased the salty sea of glass.

Your red shoes do not earn the kiss upon that ring. For Gold is not god but one letter removed just as the number of the man is just this side at the sealed door of perfection. We are not heroes of our own proclamation. And millions killed or lands stolen in legality or legacy are simply contortions of a proper heart for Messiah. This breaking was crafted before the beginning of your age, as God Himself dropped the gauntlet at the feet of man and angel. Wood, hay and stubble, metal, birds or madness can never be the king of a heart made in Heaven’s crucible venture. The products of genetics cannot make the seed that tends, starts or remakes Creation. That is only done by the Word a Word spoken by tongue and mind that sliced time, mass and gravity from the slab of nothing.