All-American Zoo
By Larry Linville
I went to the All-American Zoo today.
So many animals had gathered to play.
Wal*Mart was printed all over the place.
Action was running at a feverish pace.
As I entered, I saw some old people in blue
They were so friendly and greeted me too.
The animals I met were all in such a rage
I don’t know when they escaped from their cage.
To see a rhino was where I wanted to go
And he filled the aisle and traveled real slow.
In his hurry the elephant lost his long list
But thanks to his memory, nothing was missed.
A pair of hyenas was parked in the aisle
They stood with each other and laughed for a while.
A giraffe had an advantage that wasn’t for me
The things on the top shelf were easy to see.
Some of the animals had all of their young
When I got to a corner, out one of them sprung.
In fear, I started to run from the door
And would you believe, there were two more?
It said it was Walmart but it must be a zoo
There were monkeys and apes and gorillas, too.
I quickly checked out from this super market.
I wonder how different is would be at Target.
© 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.
Monday, May 7, 2007
Sunday, May 6, 2007
A Spotted Dog Story
It's Sunday morning.
I'm ready to go to church and will be giving my all to lead the worship.
I need a little silly relaxation first.
So here's a poem with absolutely no message -- it's just for fun.
A Spotted Dog Story
By Larry Linville
The dalmation
In the fire station
Greatest dog in the whole nation
Entered the contest in anticipation
Leading to great expectation
Which quickly became a celebration
The culmination
Of great determination
Announced on the local TV station.
Award will be received while on vacation
At an undetermined destination
In a rare situation
This poem has no explanation
It is poetic deterioration
© 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.
I'm ready to go to church and will be giving my all to lead the worship.
I need a little silly relaxation first.
So here's a poem with absolutely no message -- it's just for fun.
A Spotted Dog Story
By Larry Linville
The dalmation
In the fire station
Greatest dog in the whole nation
Entered the contest in anticipation
Leading to great expectation
Which quickly became a celebration
The culmination
Of great determination
Announced on the local TV station.
Award will be received while on vacation
At an undetermined destination
In a rare situation
This poem has no explanation
It is poetic deterioration
© 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.
Saturday, May 5, 2007
I'll Show You Mine, If You'll Show Me Yours
This title is to catch your attention, but the material is not what you think. Come on in and take a view.
I’ll Show You Mine, If You’ll Show Me Yours
By Larry Linville
Two poets sit at a table discussing their mutual art.
How they work at their craft and speak from the heart.
One tells of a poem she has penned -- the other his poem so fine.
When they finished promoting their personal work -- One says,
“You show me yours and I’ll show you mine.”
Two parents are talking of their daughter and son.
They brag of all of the things each brilliant child has done .
One goes for the billfold a photo to find.
“You show me your and I’ll show you mine.”
They read from two different Bibles – which really isn’t odd.
The spiritual things they discuss lead them both to God.
They avoid the issues which cause faith’s detours
And simply say, “I’ll show you mine if you show yours.”
We’re placed in this world to find the secrets of life
To help us to live through the troubles and strife.
It’s the depth of our talking and not what we say
That will give us the treasures we need for today.
Talking is good as far as it goes – but it’s limited that is true.
Words can be taken the wrong way and distort another’s view.
Giving a picture gets the message across better than a printed line.
So if you show me yours, I promise I’ll show mine.
© 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.
I’ll Show You Mine, If You’ll Show Me Yours
By Larry Linville
Two poets sit at a table discussing their mutual art.
How they work at their craft and speak from the heart.
One tells of a poem she has penned -- the other his poem so fine.
When they finished promoting their personal work -- One says,
“You show me yours and I’ll show you mine.”
Two parents are talking of their daughter and son.
They brag of all of the things each brilliant child has done .
One goes for the billfold a photo to find.
“You show me your and I’ll show you mine.”
They read from two different Bibles – which really isn’t odd.
The spiritual things they discuss lead them both to God.
They avoid the issues which cause faith’s detours
And simply say, “I’ll show you mine if you show yours.”
We’re placed in this world to find the secrets of life
To help us to live through the troubles and strife.
It’s the depth of our talking and not what we say
That will give us the treasures we need for today.
Talking is good as far as it goes – but it’s limited that is true.
Words can be taken the wrong way and distort another’s view.
Giving a picture gets the message across better than a printed line.
So if you show me yours, I promise I’ll show mine.
© 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.
Friday, May 4, 2007
Saved From Or Saved For
Saved From or Saved For
By Larry Linville
“Are you saved?” they ask in a confronting voice.
“Will you go to heaven when you die?”
Why are they obsessed with these questions –
And do nothing to help people live now?
We can answer all their questions
And get baptized with the proper wetness
And put our names on the “books”.
But we can still be just as dead in our heart.
What do they believe about this life we live today?
Does living only come to us when we die?
Don’t they think that God loves it –
When we do our living now?
Feeding the hungry and helping the sick –
Clothing the naked and hearing those who are alone –
Washing the feet and giving cold water.
Being a servant – like Jesus was.
Could they help us so much more
By surrounding us with life.
And replace all their judging
With the gift of caring love.
The kind of love Jesus showed us
When he walked upon this earth.
Then we will live with fullness
In the days before our death.
© 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.
By Larry Linville
“Are you saved?” they ask in a confronting voice.
“Will you go to heaven when you die?”
Why are they obsessed with these questions –
And do nothing to help people live now?
We can answer all their questions
And get baptized with the proper wetness
And put our names on the “books”.
But we can still be just as dead in our heart.
What do they believe about this life we live today?
Does living only come to us when we die?
Don’t they think that God loves it –
When we do our living now?
Feeding the hungry and helping the sick –
Clothing the naked and hearing those who are alone –
Washing the feet and giving cold water.
Being a servant – like Jesus was.
Could they help us so much more
By surrounding us with life.
And replace all their judging
With the gift of caring love.
The kind of love Jesus showed us
When he walked upon this earth.
Then we will live with fullness
In the days before our death.
© 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.
Thursday, May 3, 2007
Higher Power
Higher Power
By Larry Linville
What is meant by the term “higher power”?
Is it geographic as we point above?
Is it someone “out there” so far away
Or someone so close we can love?
Could we mean a power with more authority?
With more wisdom or judgment than we?
Is it like the next court to whom we appeal
For understanding of what we see?
How does this rank with some lower power –
Which drags us down from below?
Does it make things look good which really are not
And make our progress go slow?
When that higher power becomes real to you
And moves into your heart to reside.
You must move that power from above
And place it deep inside.
With that power deep inside your heart
Compassion is easier to find.
It permeates all the thoughts of your day
And helps your attempts to be kind.
© 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.
By Larry Linville
What is meant by the term “higher power”?
Is it geographic as we point above?
Is it someone “out there” so far away
Or someone so close we can love?
Could we mean a power with more authority?
With more wisdom or judgment than we?
Is it like the next court to whom we appeal
For understanding of what we see?
How does this rank with some lower power –
Which drags us down from below?
Does it make things look good which really are not
And make our progress go slow?
When that higher power becomes real to you
And moves into your heart to reside.
You must move that power from above
And place it deep inside.
With that power deep inside your heart
Compassion is easier to find.
It permeates all the thoughts of your day
And helps your attempts to be kind.
© 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.
Wednesday, May 2, 2007
Prayer Request
No poem today -- at least for now. I want to take time to request your prayers. From the time I started preaching 47 years ago, I always felt God was leading me. I think God has done a good job of putting me where I could best use my talents. God has even done this through the itinerant system of the United Methodist Church!
When I decided to retire four years ago, it seemed right. Now I have decided that it's OK with God for me to give up the church I have been serving. Although I will miss them, I know that God approves.
It was with great surprise that the door has been opened for me in my next step in ministry. It is not something I have sought -- it came after me. I feel good about it. I think God will use my talents in a new and different way.
On July 1, 2007 I will become the Chaplain of the Pleasant Valley Police Department. Can you believe it? It was offered. I prayed about it. I've said "yes." Pleasant Valley has not had a chaplain before, so I will be setting up a program that I will pass to someone else someday. This is a part time job with a group of men and women who are dedicated to protecting our community. I hope to be able to be a listening ear for them when they need such an ear. In fact, I will even use both ears.
Here's where you come in. I will have the next couple of months to prepare myself for this task. One of the most important parts of the preparation is prayer. I ask you to join me in praying that God will help me be prepared for this important ministry.
Thank you.
When I decided to retire four years ago, it seemed right. Now I have decided that it's OK with God for me to give up the church I have been serving. Although I will miss them, I know that God approves.
It was with great surprise that the door has been opened for me in my next step in ministry. It is not something I have sought -- it came after me. I feel good about it. I think God will use my talents in a new and different way.
On July 1, 2007 I will become the Chaplain of the Pleasant Valley Police Department. Can you believe it? It was offered. I prayed about it. I've said "yes." Pleasant Valley has not had a chaplain before, so I will be setting up a program that I will pass to someone else someday. This is a part time job with a group of men and women who are dedicated to protecting our community. I hope to be able to be a listening ear for them when they need such an ear. In fact, I will even use both ears.
Here's where you come in. I will have the next couple of months to prepare myself for this task. One of the most important parts of the preparation is prayer. I ask you to join me in praying that God will help me be prepared for this important ministry.
Thank you.
Tuesday, May 1, 2007
Inappropriate Response
Inappropriate Response
By Larry Linville
Telephone rang – I said, “Hello.”
A woman spoke – she wasn’t human
I was listening to a machine.
She could save me some money.
Who doesn’t want to save?
Only 6% interest on my credit card.
Red flags were flying.
Is she phishing?
Does she want my identity?
My defenses stood up like quills on a porcupine.
“If you want to hear more, punch number nine”
Will they rip me off?
“If you want removed, punch eight.”
I learn – even if it’s slowly
So I punched that number eight.
“That was an inappropriate response” she said.
Selections were repeated.
One again I chose number eight.
One again – “an inappropriate response.”
As I ended this call I wondered
Is this like the messages of the church?
Do they choose the right words and right answers?
If they make the wrong choice do they lose?
How many people don’t say what we want
And we tell them they are inappropriate?
Is it the things that they say?
Or the way that they look?
Do they just not fit in?
Jesus always gave people a choice --
Even when they were wrong
He said, “you are not far from the kingdom..”
If his kingdom is to come as he said in that prayer
It won’t be done by controlling their thoughts.
© 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
By Larry Linville
Telephone rang – I said, “Hello.”
A woman spoke – she wasn’t human
I was listening to a machine.
She could save me some money.
Who doesn’t want to save?
Only 6% interest on my credit card.
Red flags were flying.
Is she phishing?
Does she want my identity?
My defenses stood up like quills on a porcupine.
“If you want to hear more, punch number nine”
Will they rip me off?
“If you want removed, punch eight.”
I learn – even if it’s slowly
So I punched that number eight.
“That was an inappropriate response” she said.
Selections were repeated.
One again I chose number eight.
One again – “an inappropriate response.”
As I ended this call I wondered
Is this like the messages of the church?
Do they choose the right words and right answers?
If they make the wrong choice do they lose?
How many people don’t say what we want
And we tell them they are inappropriate?
Is it the things that they say?
Or the way that they look?
Do they just not fit in?
Jesus always gave people a choice --
Even when they were wrong
He said, “you are not far from the kingdom..”
If his kingdom is to come as he said in that prayer
It won’t be done by controlling their thoughts.
© 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
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