Satisfy

Vedera is a new group which sings a song, "Satisfy." I performed the marriage of the parents of the lead singer. I will get to see the group Saturday night and I'm really looking forward to it. This poem resulted as I heard the song today on KISS.

Satisfy
By Larry R Linville

An old preacher watched a pretty girl
and listened closely as she sang
a song with a deep question of life
and of a great life truth which rang
out like a philosopher’s search
for meaning in our present world
where disappointment and turmoil
like daggers toward us are hurled.

“Is there anything left in this world,”
she asked in a voice that was so clear
“that will satisfy me?” she continued
with an expression so sincere.
And the old preacher thought how many
times he had hear these words expressed
by members of his congregations
in their lives with a happiness quest.

The singer’s words when she reached the bridge
rang clear in the old preacher’s mind
“so take my hand and I will not look back”
the truth was right there for us to find
that satisfaction’s not found in the past
it is with a friend who lends a hand
that we find happiness that lasts.

Yes, the old preach thought to himself,
there is something left in the world
when we look inside with a friend
to see opportunities unfurled.
We cannot be satisfied alone
we were not created that way
life is made to be shared with others
and then becomes a big bouquet.

© Copyright 2009 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.

Questioning Eyes

Questioning Eyes
Larry Linville

They look at me with questioning eyes
which cry out for one to empathize.
We’re taught not to touch in the wrong way
but there’s a way to touch with words we say
and actions which serve their deepest need
actions which will their spirit feed.

What they need is already given
and touches them in the midst of livin’
as persons who both give and receive
a life based on what they believe.
Questioning eyes when answers are found
to be like glistening manna on the ground.

Where are these eyes that I now see?
Folks in churches God shared with me.
Who listened to sermons I would preach
and held out hands for me to reach.
I prayed for them, they prayed for me
These are the eyes that I can see.

© Copyright 2009 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.

Words We Use In Prayer

Words We Use in Prayer
By Larry Linville

He said to the congregation
“Let’s go to the Lord in prayer.”
I thought God was always here
if not here, I wonder where?
How are we going to go to God?
Will we go by plane or bus?
What if the bus leaves this place
and he’s already here with us?

Another time with a pious look
he said, “let us quiet our heart.”
I don’t think I want my heart quiet
because then my spirit will depart.
I’ll quiet my mind if you wish
that’s something that I desire
but I don’t want to quiet my heart
because I’m not ready to expire.

And why does he have to say God’s name
many times in each prayer he prays?
If I said your name that many times
it would probably bring you to rage.
And what name should I refer to God?
Father, mother, savior or my Lord,
Master, Jesus, Jehovah or Thou
what is the right spiritual word?

Perhaps I should forget how it sounds
just pour out everything on my heart
and talk just like I’d talk to a friend
with a thankful message to impart.
It might be good to listen for God
and receive a call of what to do.
That will bring God’s kingdom here on earth
and bring blessings to me and you.

© Copyright 2009 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.

Their Best - The Gift of the Wise Men

Their Best – The Gift of the Wise Men

By Larry Linville

Why did they take such a trip

with a one or two year quest

to worship the new born king

and give him their very best

unless they knew he was special

as they’d noticed in the stars

and did they know that some day

his hands would bear some scars?

It took their best to follow

that bright star week after week

and they had to be weary

as they continued to seek.

Just as he traveled daily

the hills, valleys and roads

to give relief to people

bringing lightness to their loads.

The gifts they gave were costly

given with their great pleasure

these gifts were the best they had

sacrificing their treasure.

Just as his gift was priceless

giving up his very life

to bring hope to the hopeless

and comfort in time of strife.

Wise folks give their best today

that’s not just an afterthought

and the gift they give to Him

is the best that they have brought.

Is your shopping list complete

have you purchased everything?

It’s time for you to reach back

and give your best to the king.

© Copyright 2009 Larry Linville (UN: larrylinville at Writing.Com). All rights reserved.

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Joy - The Gift of the Babe

Joy – The Gift of the Babe

By Larry Linville

The baby in the manger

Was God’s gift to us of joy

It came from the good tidings

At the birth of Mary’s boy.

The great joy wasn’t partial

It was the genuine thing

And that is why the angels

Could do nothing else but sing.

This joy can’t be held inside

There’s no way you hold it in

Because the child that was given

Came to take away our sin.

When we sing “Joy to the World”

It takes on so much meaning

As we feebly try to sing

Angels are intervening.

© Copyright 2009 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.

Music - The Gift of the Angels

Music – The Gift of the Angels

By Larry Linville

Music was the angels’ gift

given in a starlit field

with a heavenly choir

as the good news was revealed.

Acapella at its best

or accompanied by harps

but they weren’t preoccupied

by all the flats and sharps.

With words of deep importance

the message was of great worth

they announced God’s love to all

and great peace to all the earth.

We can sing with them today

the carols of all the years

and join the angel chorus

to sing away all the fears.

© Copyright 2009 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.

Christmases Past

Christmases Past
By Larry Linville
It was in my mind
I did what I could never do
physically.
I spent Christmas Eve
In several churches
I have served
Simultaneously.
Joy jumped like a frisky baby lamb
As each sanctuary
Enclosed me in a warm embrace.
People from the last fifty years
Smiled as if to bless me
As I quietly watched
What I’d been too busy
To notice
During all my years.
I saw how the churches
And those special people
Were different
Yet so much alike.
And I received more than all I gave
And much, much more.

© Copyright 2009 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.

Loving Preparation - The Gift of Mary and Joseph

Loving Preparation – The Gift of Mary and Joseph

By Larry Linville

They just had to be upset

at old Caesar Augustus

as they made that long hard trip

the emperor called justice.

They made much preparation

lovingly you would agree

for the promise of new birth,

a descendant of Jesse.

They gave this gift to us all

by every preparation

and they shared that self-less love

which spread to every nation.

Like them, we can now prepare

to receive this baby boy

and we’ll find on Christmas Day

our lives are filled with great joy.

© Copyright 2009 Larry Linville (UN: larrylinville at Writing.Com). All rights reserved.

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Wonder: The Gift of the Shepherds

I'm looking at some poems about those who were at the Nativity. If it works well, I might use them in the Christmas Eve Service. We'll see.

Wonder: The Gift of the Shepherds

By Larry Linville

If the angels disappeared

and the shepherds went to sleep

we would be without a gift

that touches our spirit deep.

“Let us go to Bethlehem,”

shows us wonder at its best

and helps us to follow them

as we go on our own quest.

Wonder doesn’t let us stay

a captive of apathy.

It prods our look for Jesus

with our hearts open to see.

Yes, the shepherds give a gift

we can still receive today

leading us to the manger

to join with them as we pray.

© Copyright 2009 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.