Unidentified Lying Object
By Larry Linville
It was early morning and dew was all around
something unusual was lying on the ground
I tried to focus in on just what it could be
From every vantage point it seemed to puzzle me
It had a strange color and funny little blobs
Nothing I remembered in any other jobs
One more inspection let me know I need not fear
It was a dew soaked leaf that I saw lying here
Life sends us people whose lives we can’t recognize
They might even cause fear to my unfocused eyes
It’s when I keep looking and seeing all their sides
That I get to visit them where their soul resides
Remember most people are not like they first look
We need to treat them like the way we read a book
Then such a person who once was very frightful
Will soon become a friend that is so delightful
Thursday, August 28, 2008
Wednesday, August 27, 2008
The Burning Bush And Me
This Sunday I will preach on Exod. 3:1-15 about Moses being called at the burning bush. In this poem I try to relate it to my "call" to ministry. Although most of my poems rhyme, this is an attempt at free verse. Hope you find it inspiring.
The Burning Bush and Me
Larry Linville
I didn’t see a burning bush.
The voice that called my name
was a silver-haired pastor
who simply asked,
“Larry, have you ever thought
about being a minister?”
I was only twelve
and didn’t have Moses’ years
of collected excuses.
But like Moses,
I wondered,
“who am I that I should go?”
I didn’t take off my shoes
but I was on holy ground just the same
at the back row in that country church
which doesn’t exist today.
That ground is holy in my mind
and it fills my heart with awe.
God, I AM,
said he’d be with Moses
and I AM has been with me.
I didn’t deliver the Israelites
from captivity
and neither did Moses.
I AM did it!
I have watched through the years
as I AM has delivered Church members
to whom I have been appointed.
Freedom from those things
which have enslaved them
just as miraculously
as crossing a vast
sea of obstacles
in their lives.
The Burning Bush and Me
Larry Linville
I didn’t see a burning bush.
The voice that called my name
was a silver-haired pastor
who simply asked,
“Larry, have you ever thought
about being a minister?”
I was only twelve
and didn’t have Moses’ years
of collected excuses.
But like Moses,
I wondered,
“who am I that I should go?”
I didn’t take off my shoes
but I was on holy ground just the same
at the back row in that country church
which doesn’t exist today.
That ground is holy in my mind
and it fills my heart with awe.
God, I AM,
said he’d be with Moses
and I AM has been with me.
I didn’t deliver the Israelites
from captivity
and neither did Moses.
I AM did it!
I have watched through the years
as I AM has delivered Church members
to whom I have been appointed.
Freedom from those things
which have enslaved them
just as miraculously
as crossing a vast
sea of obstacles
in their lives.
Sunday, August 24, 2008
Getting Ready For Church
It's Sunday morning and I will need to leave for Church in about half an hour.
I'm sleep deprived because the Redeem Team didn't play until 1:30 a.m....but that's OK I slept through most of it.
I'm taking Ken and Geri (my puppets) to introduce to the children (of all ages) and I dreamed several times last night that I arrived without them. In one dream I even forgot my sermon notes. That would be OK because I don't need them.
Thelma has been recovering from her knee surgery so our routine is complete disrupted.
I'm going to preach about the birth of Moses.
Paradise UMC was down to 5 women and 1 man a few weeks ago and now averages around 50.
Moses' birth story talks about 5 women who helped him survive.
Who are the Pharaohs who try to destroy the Church and our individual spiritual lives?
I hope some poems will find their way into my mind but this week it has not happened.
When I get one, you will be the first to see it.
I apologize for the days you check in and there is nothing new.
I apologize more for several days in a row.
I don't want you to give up and quit checking in.
Well, Sunday School starts at 10 a.m. and Worship at 11 a.m.
Our church is by the lake.
DROP IN some time! :)
I'm sleep deprived because the Redeem Team didn't play until 1:30 a.m....but that's OK I slept through most of it.
I'm taking Ken and Geri (my puppets) to introduce to the children (of all ages) and I dreamed several times last night that I arrived without them. In one dream I even forgot my sermon notes. That would be OK because I don't need them.
Thelma has been recovering from her knee surgery so our routine is complete disrupted.
I'm going to preach about the birth of Moses.
Paradise UMC was down to 5 women and 1 man a few weeks ago and now averages around 50.
Moses' birth story talks about 5 women who helped him survive.
Who are the Pharaohs who try to destroy the Church and our individual spiritual lives?
I hope some poems will find their way into my mind but this week it has not happened.
When I get one, you will be the first to see it.
I apologize for the days you check in and there is nothing new.
I apologize more for several days in a row.
I don't want you to give up and quit checking in.
Well, Sunday School starts at 10 a.m. and Worship at 11 a.m.
Our church is by the lake.
DROP IN some time! :)
Monday, August 18, 2008
Bird Nest or Bed Pan?
Bird Nest Or Bed Pan?
By Larry Linville
I’ve watch the Olympics for many an hour
And I’m amazed at the grace and power
Of many athletes from all around the world
As they jumped, did handstands, and ran, and they whirled
There’s something I thought I heard that they said
As I watched beside my wife’s hospital bed
They called the arena a giant bird nest
Where they held many an exciting contest
It may have been the hospital setting
That constantly caused me to keep forgetting
That I’m really not a giant bird nest fan
It looked to me more like a giant bed pan.
By Larry Linville
I’ve watch the Olympics for many an hour
And I’m amazed at the grace and power
Of many athletes from all around the world
As they jumped, did handstands, and ran, and they whirled
There’s something I thought I heard that they said
As I watched beside my wife’s hospital bed
They called the arena a giant bird nest
Where they held many an exciting contest
It may have been the hospital setting
That constantly caused me to keep forgetting
That I’m really not a giant bird nest fan
It looked to me more like a giant bed pan.
Thursday, August 14, 2008
Preach WITH the Preachers
There seems to be many today who condemn all clergy because of the sins of a few well known pastors who seem to be in ministry for power and wealth. It hurts me so much to see this. After reading a poem title "Preach to the Preachers" I felt the need to pen the following words.
Preach WITH the Preachers
By Larry Linville
There’s a profession of which I’m a part,
where good men and women serve from the heart.
They look after churches both large and small
caring of the people because of God’s call.
They are never done helping God’s creatures.
You are needed to preach WITH the preachers.
Some accuse them of the sins of a few.
All are belittled before they get through.
They talk of a few with lives full of greed,
but not of the ones who serve folks in need
as they cheer and inspire from God’s great bleachers.
But they need you to preach WITH the preachers.
Sixty or eighty or more hours they work.
Some do two jobs while their families they shirk.
They visit the sick and pray with depressed
and are there when someone needs to be blessed.
They take the time to be Bible teachers.
Please would you join to preach WITH the preachers?
Please don’t send the who group to hell
because of the few with something to sell.
Get involved in a church that’s near to you
and ask the pastor for a task you can do.
Join hands together and be people reachers.
Go into the world and preach WITH the preacher.
Preach WITH the Preachers
By Larry Linville
There’s a profession of which I’m a part,
where good men and women serve from the heart.
They look after churches both large and small
caring of the people because of God’s call.
They are never done helping God’s creatures.
You are needed to preach WITH the preachers.
Some accuse them of the sins of a few.
All are belittled before they get through.
They talk of a few with lives full of greed,
but not of the ones who serve folks in need
as they cheer and inspire from God’s great bleachers.
But they need you to preach WITH the preachers.
Sixty or eighty or more hours they work.
Some do two jobs while their families they shirk.
They visit the sick and pray with depressed
and are there when someone needs to be blessed.
They take the time to be Bible teachers.
Please would you join to preach WITH the preachers?
Please don’t send the who group to hell
because of the few with something to sell.
Get involved in a church that’s near to you
and ask the pastor for a task you can do.
Join hands together and be people reachers.
Go into the world and preach WITH the preacher.
Saturday, August 9, 2008
He Talks To Himself
He Talked to Himself
By Larry Linville
When he was born something was wrong.
He always sang another song.
Never heard what other folks said.
Spoke only to voices in his head.
And he talked to himself.
Parents tried hard to help him mature
but everything to him was a blur.
Doctors saw him and he went to school
but people laughed and called him a fool
because he talked to himself.
His folks are gone now, he’s all alone.
He watches TV but has no phone.
People bring food and leave at the door
which he eats while he sits on the floor
and just talks to himself.
They say they’re doing what is the best.
He’s in a home so he can have rest.
He works on crafts and plays many games.
He looks at the folks but can’t say their names
as he talks to himself.
He got to heaven and God took his hand
and led him to see that all things were grand.
The touch of Jesus restored his mind
and he was with those who had been so kind.
And he talked to them.
© Copyright 2008 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.
By Larry Linville
When he was born something was wrong.
He always sang another song.
Never heard what other folks said.
Spoke only to voices in his head.
And he talked to himself.
Parents tried hard to help him mature
but everything to him was a blur.
Doctors saw him and he went to school
but people laughed and called him a fool
because he talked to himself.
His folks are gone now, he’s all alone.
He watches TV but has no phone.
People bring food and leave at the door
which he eats while he sits on the floor
and just talks to himself.
They say they’re doing what is the best.
He’s in a home so he can have rest.
He works on crafts and plays many games.
He looks at the folks but can’t say their names
as he talks to himself.
He got to heaven and God took his hand
and led him to see that all things were grand.
The touch of Jesus restored his mind
and he was with those who had been so kind.
And he talked to them.
© Copyright 2008 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.
Wednesday, August 6, 2008
The Bossy Fan
The Bossy Fan
By Larry Linville
The count is three and two.
The home team needs an out.
With anticipation
the fans begin to shout.
Some fan on the seventh row
stands up and waves his hands
to get people rising
throughout all the stands.
Why’s he think the he’s in charge?
He doesn’t look that smart.
Does he think he’s an actor
that has to play this part?
Or does he think the other fans
aren’t very smart at all
and need his expertise
to understand baseball.
© Copyright 2008 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.
By Larry Linville
The count is three and two.
The home team needs an out.
With anticipation
the fans begin to shout.
Some fan on the seventh row
stands up and waves his hands
to get people rising
throughout all the stands.
Why’s he think the he’s in charge?
He doesn’t look that smart.
Does he think he’s an actor
that has to play this part?
Or does he think the other fans
aren’t very smart at all
and need his expertise
to understand baseball.
© Copyright 2008 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.
Monday, August 4, 2008
Self-Serving Prayer
By Larry Linville
O God will you heal my little pain?
It’s causing inconvenient strain.
Please send some money for my bills
so I can have life’s many thrills.
Would it help if others pray with me,
including friends across the sea?
Of course, we’ll speak with holy words
and talk of things like sheep and birds.
And if we travel really far
would you please throw in a car?
And if a friend anoints my head
while making sure good words are said,
with just the right tone in his voice,
can I have the cruise of my choice?
Would you convince my loving spouse
to borrow money for a house?
What is that you say, dear God?
You think my prayer is kinda odd?
You noticed that I ask for more
while caring nothing for the poor?
Dear God do you mean to say
my prayers really aren’t OK?
That if I’d give someone a lift
I’d give and also get a gift?
And my needs would soon be met
with goals that would lower my debt?
You say that my pain would leave
when I helped another grieve?
You say that I could change my town
if my prayers weren’t upside down?
Please God, let me follow you
and show me what I ought to do.
Please help my egotism bend
So I can go and make a friend.
Please let me know that you are sendin’
me to someone who needs tendin’.
© Copyright 2008 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.
By Larry Linville
O God will you heal my little pain?
It’s causing inconvenient strain.
Please send some money for my bills
so I can have life’s many thrills.
Would it help if others pray with me,
including friends across the sea?
Of course, we’ll speak with holy words
and talk of things like sheep and birds.
And if we travel really far
would you please throw in a car?
And if a friend anoints my head
while making sure good words are said,
with just the right tone in his voice,
can I have the cruise of my choice?
Would you convince my loving spouse
to borrow money for a house?
What is that you say, dear God?
You think my prayer is kinda odd?
You noticed that I ask for more
while caring nothing for the poor?
Dear God do you mean to say
my prayers really aren’t OK?
That if I’d give someone a lift
I’d give and also get a gift?
And my needs would soon be met
with goals that would lower my debt?
You say that my pain would leave
when I helped another grieve?
You say that I could change my town
if my prayers weren’t upside down?
Please God, let me follow you
and show me what I ought to do.
Please help my egotism bend
So I can go and make a friend.
Please let me know that you are sendin’
me to someone who needs tendin’.
© Copyright 2008 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.
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