The Grave Is Still Empty!

Throw out all religion
discard all pretense
repent from your dead works
stop burning incense
the grave is still empty
The Lord lives today!
He's already done it
He'll make you OK

He needs not your praises
attendance or tithes
those things are for us
but here's the surprise
the One of great glory
the One of pure love
defeated the darkness
shines light from above

The empty grave speaks
that Our Lord is alive
that death is defeated
that hope can abide
that Jesus has power
to change who you are
no matter your station
poor beggar or star

Yes Jesus has risen!
this world has no hold
He's given you purpose
if only you're bold
you'll gain by surrender
you'll rise to the skies
the grave is still empty!
new life is your prize!

Thoughts Of Big Red On This Windy Day

Thoughts Of Big Red On This Windy Day

Before the gate house
the cottage association
the historical commission
and let's not forget the rich
there sat on our southern pier
a large red lighthouse

years past it's working life but
available I was told by my younger
brother to rent to a college age guy
like him who thought it'd so cool

even if he had to risk life and limb
getting to the rusty door and chopping
off thick layers of sprayed on ice
to enter into what to me seemed like a dark
metal tomb where condensation

would drip upon his drawn in head
while he dreamed of sailing inland seas
and vast oceans unencumbered by
access rules

Early this March on a cloudless day
the sky as blue as it ever gets in Michigan
when the winds were steady past thirty
my wife and I braced ourselves on the
northern shore against clouds of pelting

sand and once more were in total awe
of surging water that can rise so high one
wonders how any man made structure
has survived. But there, still on the
southern pier, though leaning a bit

is the past, the present, and
who knows - the future

The Pond

The Pond

Where goldfish swim

in twiggy waters

inside this garden pond

while morning ducks

splash all about

which made me think beyond

of galaxies spread far and wide

too vast to comprehend

and protons circling a spot

with no apparent end

it seemed too much

for me to know

not enough to say I knew

was there somehow a God who held

this all within His view

I pondered this for many years

laying upon my bed

 cried out unto the mystery

for insight to be shed

silence was my answer then

it roared within my brain

must we be made to live and die

with death nothing to gain

then brightness shone

through leafless trees

upon that primal scene

a different view of flesh and stone

showing a golden mean

one could not know by measuring

the width that lay before

or pace it out and understand

what futures were in store

we must accept by simple faith

just like the common man

to find the Maker of all hearts

who gave all life it's plan

and so on knees surrendered I

deep pride and filthy sin

asked Jesus to forgive it all

and make His home within

dear friend believe me when I say

that light shone through my fog

the Lord my Jesus revealed Himself

and saved me from the bog

 now life is simple as some fish

who dart as they respond

and happy as an early bird

a top this garden pond

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What Awaits The Saints In Glory

His mystery, His majesty
His might upon the throne
the thunderstorm of praises born
engulfed in Him alone
thick rolling clouds His glory shrouds
approach we on our knees
then bursting light around Him bright
across deep crystal seas

How can it be that we don't see
how awesome is that place
explosions of emotions
in the center of His grace
by faith we'll know it tells us go
approach with godly fear
to lay it down and throw our crown
such is the atmosphere

And gathered by the brilliant sky
vast army's of the Lord
with elders near who lead a cheer
The Savior be adored
gold trumpets blown the seeds are sown
fall all before our King
He's placed inside where once was pride
new songs for us to sing

We will be dressed in garments blessed
by blood shed once for us
time standing still in His great will
no need to make a fuss
and I will wait for Him to state
that righteousness prevailed
then raise a shout with those about
PRAISE GOD! HIS GLORY HAILED!