Job

So I was thinking about the story of Job the other day after some discussion with the kids of the song “Broken Praise” from the Music Inspired by the Story.  That’s a good song, if you haven’t heard it...and curiously enough someone at work used the phrase “the patience of Job” - those two things got me thinking - and this is the result of those thoughts...

Job

I guess you could say it’s been a trying day
Who could have guessed by evening I’d be

Just a broken man sitting amongst broken pottery

Robbed of my children, robbed of my wealth

So much has been taken from this husk from this shell.

I never meant to be a picture of patience

And I never signed up for this suffering

I spend these passing moments

Wondering what the next will bring

What does a man do when he’s lost everything

I feel like a man that’s been pushed to the brink

Arms length from death, I’ve lost everything

Couldn’t imagine this morning that by nightfall

This was all I’d have left

Shall I accept good, but not trouble in life

I never thought I’d stand guilty before even my friends

My dignity shredded by the things they contend

What kind of friend would comfort like this

Who invited friends such as these

Who know not my heart and only add to my misery

I’ve never been quite this low before

Knowing in my heart I’m not ashamed

I can’t help but think I’ve reached a desperate place

Because I’m asking God if I couldn’t have

Just been erased.  Never breathed, never spoken,

Had only these eyes just never awoken.

I’m just a man that’s been pushed to the brink

But while I know that God doesn’t owe me anything

I only request an audience, just a chance to make my plea

Hoping and praying that God hasn’t forgotten me.  

then he speaks from the storm and I am undone

How could I have hoped to contend with this one

Who holds the stars in their place and binds the sea

Surely I’ve spoken of things well beyond me

He speaks from the storm and all else is still

the storehouses of earth lay silent

created and held by his will

Surely I’ve spoken of things I can’t understand

Not a word not a whisper escapes from his hand

I’m just a man that was pushed to the brink

God set me straight on a number of things

He’s spoken and answered and I couldn’t form words

I’m here overwhelmed by the things I’ve heard

My requests my arguments - they now seem so shallow

Where I once thought I was right, his name is hallowed

He’s answered and I can speak no more

Despite my faults, I’ve been restored

All to the glory of my God, my Lord

A Covid Christmas

Ok - bit of a disclaimer on this one...it’s supposed to be humorous and a bit of a play on some of the more restrictive guidance out there.  Everyone’s situation is different, so be safe out there...

A Covid Christmas

My yard decorations must be six feet apart

Gotta set a good example even with art

You know someone’s looking and will judge your virtue

By how much you put into these signals that won’t necessarily protect you

I guess it’s Christmas and I’ll  spend it alone.  I surely can’t let anyone in my home

Sorry friends, family, you’re on your own

I can see your tears - they must be of joy

Trading loneliness for what should be safe

It’s a Covid Christmas.

Carolers keep your distance and don’t you dare sing.  I ain’t the only Scrooge saying these things.  I’m going to have to shoo y’all away.  Can’t have y’all singing out here because you could spread more than your cheer...

I guess it’s Christmas and I’ll spend it alone.  I surely can’t let anyone near my home

Sorry friends, family, you’re on your own

I can see your tears - they must be of joy

Trading seasons greetings for what may be safe

It’s a Covid Christmas.

I’ve got sniffles and scratchy things down in my throat...no it ain’t a virus it’s this turkey i’ve smoked.  It’s chewy and crunchy and dry as a bone.  No experience required, I made it alone.  now i ain’t a chef - thank goodness you say or the meat wouldn’t be the only thing fired today...

I guess it’s Christmas and I’ll  spend it alone.  I surely can’t let no one in my home

Sorry friends, family, you’re on your own

I can see your tears - they must be of joy

Trading quality cuisine for what could be safe

It’s a Covid Christmas.

That sound that I hear better not be deer on the roof, those elves and their toys, I bet they ain’t virus proof.   Santa your bushy beard it don’t fit in that mask.  Sorry buddy You know I hate to ask

Could you not come down my chimney today...the tree it ain’t barely six feet away.  

I guess it’s Christmas and I’ll  spend it alone.  I surely can’t let no one in my home

Sorry friends, family, you’re on your own

I can see your tears - they must be of joy

Trading the festive for what may be safe

It’s a Covid Christmas.

Words on a Page

Hey man - I’m trying to listen to what you’re saying, I’m trying to understand the point you’re trying to make...but you aren’t making sense and my day is wasting away.... it seems like we just can’t get this right.  This conversation’s going nowhere, where did this go wrong

it’s important that we listen

It’s important that we take the time

It’s important that we show where there’s some common ground to find.

What separates can break our hearts but love’s a better way.  We’ve got to find a way to show Jesus’ love lives in us instead of just words on a page.

It’s amazing the amount of crap we can spew

In so few words and actions.  We come up so short in all of life’s big moments when we focus on little hills rather than the bigger mountains...Sometimes words just aren’t enough - we need a double helping of grace...

Because it’s important that we listen

It’s important that we take the time

It’s important that we show there’s some common ground to find.

What separates can break our hearts but love’s a better way.  We’ve got to find a way to show Jesus’ love lives in us instead of just words on a page.

There’s so much information creating overload

So many talking heads parading in front of a camera lens.  It’s hard to tell sometimes where our differences begin and end.  People working hard to argue, our internet warriors with so little handle on tact and truth - typing insults on the fly.  Don’t let gentleness lose its voice in the clutter - as we fight to win and never hear each other...

(Interlude)

So when I stumble over what I’m trying to say

And nothing comes out the way I’d want it to sound.  Forgive me friend for my stubborn tongue...

it’s important that we listen

It’s important that we take the time

It’s important that we show there’s some common ground to find.

What separates can break our hearts but love’s a better way.  We’ve got to find a way to show Jesus’ love lives in us instead of just words on a page.

Behold our King

The angel’s words
The shepherds heard
Were more than just a fable 
For the shepherd’s hope
The shepherd’s joy
Lay before them in a stable

So go and tell the world this day

How he holds your heart

A gentle king born humbly

To capture what was lost

Go and tell the world this day

How heaven came to earth 

The angel’s words

The virgin birth

Breaks the path of sin 

Begun in Adam

Hope made new 

Salvation from above

So go and tell the world this day

How he holds your heart

A gentle king born humbly

To capture what was lost

Go and tell the world this day

How heaven came to earth

The star leads way

From the east they say

For travelers from afar

Bearing gifts of gold

Frankincense and myrrh 

For a new king was born

So go and tell the world this day

How he holds your heart

A gentle king born humbly

To capture what was lost

Go and tell the world this day

How heaven came to earth

The word made flesh

From birth to death

Never faltered never wavered

A humble king

The love of God

From manger to our savior

So go and tell the world this day

How he holds your heart

A gentle king born humbly

To capture what was lost

Go and tell the world this day

How heaven came to earth

So with the angels sing - behold our king

The heavens make way - behold our king

Dear Santa

Dear Santa, normally I’d ask for toys and stuff
but things are different this year
I’m not asking for anything.  

What I hope you get and what we can’t forget 

Is there are more important things

Like faith and hope and family, important things you don’t find under a lighted tree.

Dear Santa, those cookies won’t be there this year.  They’re the last thing you need and I confess We live in a world that’s paralyzed with fear.  We’ve left our hope in earthly things and things that never last.  We’re petrified that we’re not in control and that we cannot mask.

Dear Santa, I know this is outside your purview

You aren’t God and you aren’t Jesus

So pardon a moment if It seems I bypass you

I mean, I know elves are fun and flying reindeer are super cool - but they aren’t really real.

My world inside and out turned upside down by more serious things.  I know you can’t help set things right anew - so I know who to turn to.

Dear Jesus, I know you aren’t Santa Claus

Not a myth, not a fable - not some phantom in the north.  A hurting world needs your love That I pray they won’t ignore.  So  bring love, bring your heavenly peace.  To hearts that desperately need hope this year and a dose of your good cheer.  Dear Jesus.

Fix My Eyes

 If I put my trust in broken things

Those broken things will disappoint me

You’d think I’d learn, but time and again 

I fall into traps I might as well have set myself

When I wander off without you

So fix my eyes on things that matter

Things that cut to the heart 

Of the way things need to be

So plant my hope

Beyond the things that urgently beckon

And tomorrow are forgotten

Sometimes we stand so close it’s hard to see

These lines and shapes seem like a hopeless mystery.

But stepping back reframes our view

Puts it all in perspective so we see the masterpiece anew

So fix my eyes on greater things.  Let me not be dissuaded when things don’t go my way

Set my heart, beyond myself to greater things

Things that last beyond my years, things that matter.

When my time reaches full

When I’ve lived out my days

May I be remembered for the way I’ve run this race.  

May I be an example through and through

Of a life marked by grace, of love, and covered in truth

So fix my eyes on things above.  

Don’t let me be distracted by things that have no value.  Set my heart, to treasure what should be treasured and let go of lesser things.  

Fix my eyes on greater things...

Oh fix my eyes on greater things.