Poems, Personal Stories, and Observations

Posts tagged ‘violence’

All the World

All the world is filled with grief.

There is no place to find relief —

Except at the foot of Jesus’ cross.

All the world is filled with hatred.

Hardened hearts to sin have catered —

But some souls sacrifice themselves.

All the world is filled with violence,

With killing, thievery, fighting, riots —

Except when people learn to forgive.

All the world is filled with madness,

Insanity twists sense to rashness —

But reason can find a better way.

All the world must turn around

Until a better truth be found —

And hearts and minds are finally sound.

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God Is Going to Win!

One day I went to church, soon after the Paris terrorist attacks in November, 2015.  The priest talked about the fact that many boys are kidnapped or forced into terrorist training, as young as age six.  They are taught violence and how to cause destruction.  They may be threatened with death if they don’t cooperate.  They don’t know any other life.  I don’t know if the priest implied it, or I thought it myself – “How can they not be terrorists? They don’t anything else.” The priest also offered heartfelt prayers for violence to end, for our safety, and for God to touch the terrorists.

So, I’m driving home after this, and God knows what unconscious process unfolded in me, but suddenly I kept thinking, “God is going to win! Love is going to win! Love is stronger than all the violence, hate, and destruction.”  This kept going through my mind for perhaps the rest of the day, and beyond.

I feel so sure that God, who is Love, will win in the end.

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I Dreamed That It Was Raining

[Written during the California drought of 2014 and during the Ferguson, Missouri, riots.]

I dreamed that it was raining
And streets were wet again.
The cars went by
And gave a sigh
As water splashed on them.

I dreamed that it was raining
And children laughed aloud.
With gleeful hoots
Their muddy boots
Through puddles gaily plowed.

I dreamed that it was raining
And clouds burst forth in flood.
Their waters calmed
The violence strong
And peace could now be found.

I dreamed that it was raining
And living water sped
From streamlets high
To rivers dry —
The thirsty land was fed.

I dreamed that it was raining
And black made friends with white.
The past was healed,
Their friendship sealed,
With harmony in sight.

I dreamed that it was raining
Upon the wasted land.
The thirsty earth
Could now give birth
To many seedlings grand.

I dreamed that it was raining
And cleansing tears were shed
O’er mem’ries deep,
I now could sleep,
Could rest upon my bed.

I dreamed that it was raining
And God forgave my sins.
He calmed my fears
And dried my tears,
And I could live again.

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Wounded World

Wounded is this world
By sin and strife.
Unhappy people,
Unhappy lives.

Dissatisfied and —
At an unpeace.
Looking for something;
Needing release.

Compassion is needed —
Understanding, love.
God’s intervention,
Grace from above.

Love to your neighbor,
Give compliments.
Brotherly friendship,
It only makes sense.

Build up; don’t tear down.
Encourage; not bully.
Don’t take it personally;
Grudges are silly.

Now, if only I can
Take this advice,
I’ll be one person
Making things right.

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