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 be so cool

Even if he had to risk life and limb getting to the rusty door 

chopping off thick layers of sprayed on ice to enter

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
sky as blue as it ever gets in Michigan

when winds were steady past thirty

my wife and I braced ourselves

against clouds of pelting sand 

while near the edge of the northern pier

Once more we were in total awe of surging water 

wondering how any man made structure could survive

but there, still on the southern pier
though leaning a bit
was the past, the present
and who knows - the future

The Pond

The Pond

Some goldfish swan in twiggy light inside a garden pond

while morning ducks splashed 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

too small to say I knew

was there somehow a God who held 

this all within His view?

I pondered this for many years while laying on my bed

cried out unto the mystery for insight to be shed

my answer then was silence back, 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 its 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 God 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 atop 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 armies 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!