I Saw God Decorate A Christmas Tree

I Saw God Decorate A Christmas Tree
By Larry Linville

A scrawny cedar stood all alone
in a pasture on a December morn.
It was more brown than green.
An object that we all would scorn.

One by one the snowflakes fell
from the gray winter skies
and the tree took on beauty
right before my very eyes.

The flakes took their special place
like they were placed with gentle care
because no human being
would know to put them there.

When I came back down that country road
what beauty was there to see.
The ugly tree had a special aura.
I saw God decorate a Christmas Tree.

© Copyright 2007 Larry Linville (UN: larrylinville at Writing.Com).
All rights reserved. Larry Linville has granted Writing.Com, its affiliates and syndicates non-exclusive rights to display this work

Spider's Frightening Ride

Spider’s Frightening Ride
By Larry Linville

On a quiet summer night under a star
he carefully climbed the nearest parked car
to find a place to spin his delicate bed
so he’d have a place to lay his head.
There were many good choices on that car
he spotted one from afar
from the drivers door to the side view mirror
he knew his web would adhere.
Seemed like the most perfect place
to hang his silk hammock in space.
Morning arrived with a violent shock
as the driver slammed the door.
The old silk bed began to rock
but there was soon to be much more.
As the car drove away the web slowly shook
like a very small earth quake
in a gentle vibration which told him
there were precautions he needed to take.
With the car achieving freeway speed
if he was a dog he would bark.
The web became like a ride, indeed,
at the nearby amusement park
on all the rides in the entire site
as he clung on with all his might.
With no hand lifting and shouting with glee
instead he shouted his spider yell -- “help me.”
Back and forth and up and down
on this non-stop drive all over town.
Those webs are strong , or so I am told,
but at sixty-five the web didn’t hold.
It wasn’t with the greatest of grace
that his evening’s bed was thrown into space.
I don’t know what happened as the web came undone
and he flew in the air in the web he had spun.
If he survived, and I pray that he did,
I’m sure his emotions didn’t stay hid.
Think of the story he had to share
About this ultimate ride in the air

© Copyright 2007 Larry Linville (UN: larrylinville at Writing.Com).
All rights reserved. Larry Linville has granted Writing.Com, its affiliates and syndicates non-exclusive rights to display this work.

Near Drowning

Near Drowning
By Larry Linville

Spring fever was all around
as the lake welcomed our school
to the annual outing
with picnic
boating
and water skiing.

I was a the new kid on the block
barely known by the rest
who assumed that my swimsuit
announced my swimming ability
from the end of the dock.

With only a simply shove
I found myself sinking below the surface
as the only person who knew
I could not swim.

Surfacing, my arms flailing,
a quick breath
and a return below the surface.
The second time up
was a clone of the first
what if a boat would come by?

A classmate I hardly knew
became my closest friend
as he swam to my side
and drug me to shore.

There are times in our lives
when we get in over our head
and bobble up and down
gasping for life.
We may feel the worst
will happen to us
as we kick ourselves up
from the bottom each time
we survive until that friend
comes to our aid
and brings us new life
and helps plant our feet
on solid ground.

© Copyright 2007 Larry Linville (UN: larrylinville at Writing.Com).
All rights reserved. Larry Linville has granted Writing.Com, its affiliates and syndicates non-exclusive rights to display this work.

Poor Little Camp Girl

Poor Little Camp Girl
By Larry Linville

She came from a small country church to camp
although she couldn’t afford to pay
her church had paid for everything
plus some money for her to play.
In that same camp were girls of wealth
to whom money was only a toy
and in the mix was one girl-hating boy.
The girls of wealth devised a fun scheme
when they went to canteen the next day.
“Let’s all buy T-shirts that are made alike
and we’ll all look exactly the same way.”
The counselor spoke with wisdom and care
“maybe it’s something not all can afford.”
They never gave thought to the poor little girl
as they made their choice in one accord.
After swimming they got candy and a coke
and a beautiful T-shirt from camp
while the poor girl stood alone back under a tree
feeling the shame of a tramp.
The counselor said to the clerk in the shop
“See that girl out under that tree?
when she comes in to get her a drink
give her a T-shirt and don’t say it’s from me.”
It may have been cloudy on that afternoon
but the clouds all left for a while
as that sweet little girl was given a shirt
and sunlight burst out through her smile.

© Copyright 2007 Larry Linville (UN: larrylinville at Writing.Com).
All rights reserved. Larry Linville has granted Writing.Com, its affiliates and syndicates non-exclusive rights to display this work.

Jesus Cheer

Jesus Cheer
By Larry Linville

The cheer began….
“We love Jesus, yes we do
We love Jesus, how about you?”
A group across the way echoed,
“We love Jesus, yes we do
We love Jesus, how about you?”
Back and forth the challege
was batted like a tennis ball.
The early angelic smiles
soon became sneerful
as each side wanted to win
the “Love Jesus” chant.
Voices became higher pitched
more shrill
more unpleasant to hear
with increased volume.

Meanwhile, across town
someone
silently
fed a hungry person.

© Copyright 2007 Larry Linville (UN: larrylinville at Writing.Com).
All rights reserved. Larry Linville has granted Writing.Com, its affiliates and syndicates non-exclusive rights to display this work.

Salty Christians

OK, I'm back from camp so here's a new poem.

Salty Christians
By Larry Linville

Jesus said you are the salt of the earth
a candle shining as a leading light
something to be highly desiredl
eading struggling people through the night.

Lot’s wife didn’t fit this helpful image
she, too, was salt – so just what did she lack?
The answer is very simple I’m sure
she couldn’t be helpful because she looked back.

Those who want to follow Jesus today
need to see if they are on the right track.
He needs those who are looking forward
rather than those constantly looking back.

So don’t tell me all the things that you have done
but tell me what you’re going to do.
If you explore where Jesus is going
the right kind of salt will be part of you.

© Copyright 2007 Larry Linville (UN: larrylinville at Writing.Com).
All rights reserved. Larry Linville has granted Writing.Com, its affiliates and syndicates non-exclusive rights to display this work.

Arabesque

Arabesque
by Larry Linville

Arabesque by Debussy
Why does this calm my soul
Relaxes me all the way.
Not aware what images
are formed inside my mind
that flute run
makes me feel so kind.
It was the theme song
For a weekly TV show
By an astronomer
Who told us
To keep looking up.
I’m afraid I fail.
Instead I look within.
Music calms the savage beast
And this one calms me.
So let’s listen to it
One more time

© Copyright 2007 Larry Linville (UN: larrylinville at Writing.Com).
All rights reserved. Larry Linville has granted Writing.Com, its affiliates and syndicates non-exclusive rights to display this work.

From Shadows To Spotlight

I wrote this when I returned from a special retirement celebration for my wife, Thelma.


From Shadows to Spotlight
By Larry Linville

She was a shadow dweller.
Her father was a pastor
and she shadowed him
and supported him.

Her plans to be a missionary
took the back seat
and she married a young pastor
and supported him.

Through the years she sat in the shadows
and smiled as her husband served.
There she sat in the shade
and supported him.

She had three children
who accomplished many things.
She sat in their shadows
and supported them.

Her day came as it always does
for those who serve others.
And she made a name for herself
standing in the spotlight of the sun.

Today they honored her
with talks and gifts and such.
And her husband stood proudly
in the shadows
and supported her.

© Copyright 2007 Larry Linville (UN: larrylinville at Writing.Com).
All rights reserved. Larry Linville has granted Writing.Com, its affiliates and syndicates non-exclusive rights to display this work.

Eden's Forbidden Fruit

Eden’s Forbidden Fruit
By Larry Linville

It wasn’t an "apple" on that tree
that was a temptation for Eve to see.
I know first hand what cast it’s evil spell
so listen closely while I will start to tell.

I’m driving down the road and there I see
a red oval with a Q and a D.
My car turns in and goes up to the door.
Next thing I know I’m standing in the store.

I’ll get a small cone – that won’t do much harm.
The girl behind the counter twists my arm.
I open my mouth and what do I say.
I’ll just have a peanut buster parfait.

It wasn’t an "apple" Eve saw that day
she was tempted by that sinful parfait.
When she passed it on to dear old Adam
you can be sure the Devil really had’em.

© Copyright 2007 Larry Linville (UN: larrylinville at Writing.Com).
All rights reserved. Larry Linville has granted Writing.Com, its affiliates and syndicates non-exclusive rights to display this work

Always Have A Sermon

Always Have A Sermon
By Larry Linville

A young pastor went to another church
to sit in a pew and observe
an experienced pastor weave a web
of words with much calmness of nerve.

The service began a few minutes late.
Hymns were sung and the prayers were prayed.
Offering plates were passed down all the rows
and a special number was played.

The young preacher sat back to watch and learn
from the pastor’s well prepared speech.
Before getting comfy he was asked
to come to the pulpit and preach.

He stood to apologize and decline,
“I don’t have a sermon”, he said.
After he was seated she preached the Word.
And the gospel was fully spread.

Last “amens” were said when she went to him.
She gave him an important clue.
“Young man,” she said, “you need to know
to always have a sermon with you.”

© Copyright 2007 Larry Linville (UN: larrylinville at Writing.Com).
All rights reserved. Larry Linville has granted Writing.Com, its affiliates and syndicates non-exclusive rights to display this work.

The Closet

The Closet
By Larry Linville

The sound system was not working.
The microphone clung to each word I said
with the strength of super glue.
The lights were not flashing on the soundboard,
A nuclear scientist was not needed to know
electricity was lacking.
A breaker switch in a small room
controlled the current flow.
But who could do this simple task?
Who could I call to flip the switch?
My wife was standing near that door
with two acolytes in place
poised to light the altar candles.
She knew all about the switch.
The worship service was in paralysis.
Everything was stopped.
Without throwing that switch we could not go.
With the greatest of authority
and the meekness as her mate
I posed a question to my bride
in the strangest set of words.
The question was poorly asked --
the words came out all wrong.
The congregation sat and laughed
and then they laughed some more.
I thought they’d never stop
as I stood red-faced
following my famous words,
“Thelma, could you turn me on –
in the closet?”

© Copyright 2007 Larry Linville (UN: larrylinville at Writing.Com). All rights reserved.

A Robin Laments

A Robin Laments
By Larry Linville

Why was I born a robin
and inherited these robin genes?
I just can’t seem to keep myself
from arriving early at all scenes.

When I get there nothing’s ready.
It’s dark, and everything is cold.
Then I sit and wait for others
and it’s really getting very old.

What are they doing that makes them late?
Don’t they ever set their alarm?
And when they finally show up here
they try to demonstrate their charm.

I’d give up my harbinger title
but it would make me go insane.
I’d surrender my pretty red breast
and just become a bird that’s plain.

But then who would warn the people
that old man winter is soon to go?
It might be in March or April
before anyone would ever know.

© Copyright 2007 Larry Linville (UN: larrylinville at Writing.Com).
All rights reserved. Larry Linville has granted Writing.Com, its affiliates and syndicates non-exclusive rights to display this work.

God's Love At The Restaurant

God’s Love at the Restaurant
By Larry Linville

They sat and ate so quietly.
No word did they share.
They ate silently
In a restaurant crowd right there.
I sat across the room
And fought back salty tears.
I remembered times not long ago
not so many years.
Their talking would not cease
as they told their tales together.
One would start the story
And it was finished by the other.
And a person sat there listening
with no chance to say a word.
Then everyone would laugh
at the story that they heard.

Illness came to visit
as an enemy from hell.
He hears and sees and understands
but the words he cannot tell.
His body is strong
and you cannot tell he’s ill.
The caring love of his partner
Gives my heart a chill.

I spoke to them as they left.
Both of them smiled at me.
I watched them going out the door
as far as far as I could see.
Then, with my folded napkin,
I dabbed at a tear of two
to see God’s love in action
and knowing how it grew.

And I remembered the good times.

© Copyright 2007 Larry Linville (UN: larrylinville at Writing.Com).
All rights reserved. Larry Linville has granted Writing.Com, its affiliates and syndicates non-exclusive rights to display this work.

A Bird's Life

A Bird’s Life
By Larry Linville

I took a life today.
It happened in a flash.
A blackbird and my bumper
had a great big crash.

I really couldn’t miss it.
It happened much too fast.
I heard it hit the bumper.
And saw it fly right past.

As we travel on the road of life
could we ever concede,
we take parts of others lives
by a careless word or deed.

© Copyright 2007 Larry Linville (UN: larrylinville at Writing.Com).
All rights reserved. Larry Linville has granted Writing.Com, its affiliates and syndicates non-exclusive rights to display this work.

If She'd Just Say Something

If She’d Just Say Something
By Larry Linville

She looks at me with her big brown eyes
and my heart melts every time.
She follows me with that special presence
that causes me to turn around
and speak her name.

I really have her eating out of my hand --
so I think I’m the one in charge.
But it is only an illusion
my mind will not let me see.

Even though I speak to her
with the more loving words,
she doesn’t say anything to me.
She is content to let me do all the talking
while she looks – just looks—at me.

I wish she would speak up just once
and tell me things in her heart,
but I guess that will never happen.
I much accept it.
Because
she is my dog.

© Copyright 2007 Larry Linville (UN: larrylinville at Writing.Com).
All rights reserved. Larry Linville has granted Writing.Com, its affiliates and syndicates non-exclusive rights to display this work.

The Softball Sermon

The Softball Sermon
By Larry Linville

“Would you like to know how”, I asked one Sunday morn
As I was preaching to the crowd,
“to stay awake lying on the couch
while watching the Royals lose on TV?”

They hissed and booed and waved their hands
to show me they were displeased.
You see, I’m a Cardinal fan
in the midst of Royal country.

“Well,” I asked, “do you want to know
or do you just want to sit and boo?”
They shouted “tell us”,
not knowing what I would say.

“It’s simple,” I told them,
“so let me tell you how.”
“Lying on the couch, cradle a softball in your hand.
You hold that softball in the air
as comfortably as you can.
When you go to sleep,
as the Royals make you do,
the ball will drop to the floor
and will awaken you.”

A week later, my scripture was read
And my sermon was ready to go.
I opened my mouth and started to preach --
twenty softballs were cradled
as comfortably as they could.

© Copyright 2007 Larry Linville (UN: larrylinville at Writing.Com).
All rights reserved. Larry Linville has granted Writing.Com, its affiliates and syndicates non-exclusive rights to display this work.

First Communion

First Communion
By Larry Linville

It was my first Sunday at my new Church.
I felt like I was on review.
They watched each action I took that day,
and wanted to see what I’d do.

I stressed as I said my first words so well.
I tried to smile as I spoke.
There’s no way I could let the people see
that their new pastor was a joke.

The sermon went well –so far, so good.
Tension had begun to let up.
The prayer of Thanksgiving I had just prayed
and lifted the bread and the cup.

Shot glasses were stacked in trays very high.
I gave to each person who had knelt.
Carefully I placed the tray on the stack
another good notch in my belt.

Group followed group to the altar to pray.
I was doing it so very well.
My attention left me for just a short time
and trays went flying all to hell.

I wanted to run from the church and hide.
And try to forget this great gaffe.
Their acceptance -- a great gift to me
They taught me it’s alright to laugh.

© Copyright 2007 Larry Linville (UN: larrylinville at Writing.Com). All rights reserved.
Larry Linville has granted Writing.Com, its affiliates and syndicates non-exclusive rights to display this work.

4th Of July

4th of July
By Larry Linville

Our country celebrates it’s birth each year
with parades and fireworks and flags.
War talk flows from the lips of each speaker
and each one, of our strong prowess brags.

The church takes the lead in these words of war.
Prayer warriors and culture warriors, too
join with Christian soldiers, going to war,
to bolster a violent point of view.

Freedom is present in all that we sing,
but it’s less than the Bible proclaims.
It’s good, and yet it’s so incomplete
in describing the things Jesus names.

Peacemakers are blessed, Jesus once said.
And he said to turn the other cheek.
Show love to all of your enemies
because blessedness comes to the meek.

Can we learn peace comes from love, not hate?
Can we learn how to live with each other?
He told us to be the servant of all,
and reach out and care for our brother?

© Copyright 2007 Larry Linville (UN: larrylinville at Writing.Com).
All rights reserved. Larry Linville has granted Writing.Com, its affiliates and syndicates non-exclusive rights to display this work.

Distasteful Conversation

Distasteful Conversation
By Larry Linville

“If you can’t say something nice, say nothing at all.”
At least that’s what we used to say.
Society has thrown this old proverb aside
and replaced our once decent pride.

This bad example has been perfected by Ann.
And I admit I’m not her fan.
Ms Coulter’s harsh words seem to border on slander.
That’s the reason I just can’t stand her.

She’s not the author of this character attack.
But she’s a leading party hack
When Michael J. Fox spoke from the depth of his heart
her old buddy, Rush, tore him apart.

In fairness, this is done by the left and the right.
It seems every side wants to fight.
We bolster our comments in the name of our God
who’s on our side, isn’t that odd?

© Copyright 2007 Larry Linville (UN: larrylinville at Writing.Com).
All rights reserved. Larry Linville has granted Writing.Com, its affiliates and syndicates non-exclusive rights to display this work.

Sitting in the pews

Yesterday was an interesting day.
For the first time since June of 1960 I didn't have a church to preach at.
Thelma and I went to the church we will be attending -- North Star.
We attended the first service and then she left to get ready for work.
I stayed for the second service.
The sermon was on "sin", so I figured I needed a double dose.
I was very impressed by the sermon from the youth minister.
I even stayed awake!
I was invited to the worship team after the service, since I will be preaching there on July 15th. I got away about 1:30.
My sugar level was getting low, so I made a mad dash to Applebee's for a steak.

Last week was spent covering for my friend, Bob Hickman, pastor at McMurry.
I made 5 visits to the hospital and conducted a funeral.
I hardly felt "retired", but I was happy to be helpful.
On July 10th, I will cover for the pastor at Winwood and I will preach for her on July 29th.

Everyone says (well some people say) "I knew you couldn't retire!"
Hey, this is great. We all need to be useful. I may not be assigned to a church, but I'll always be a minister.

This morning I will visit with the Chief of Police here in Pleasant Valley and will begin as the Chaplain of the police department. It's a part time job which will allow me to give support to a very important part of our society.