The Last Parable

The Servant or the Slave

What think ye?

Two men came to the Lord and said, "Master, what good thing shall we do, that we may have eternal life?" And he said unto them, "If thou wilt enter into life, keep all my commandments."

The first immediately went his way and sold all he had and gave to the poor. Every morning when he awoke he would get on his knees and cry, "Oh Lord, what wouldst thou have me do today? I will be obedient!"

And the Lord would appear to the man and reply, "I will tell you all things what ye should do as you walk along the path of the day and hold strong to my word."

Every night the first man would get on his knees and cry, "Oh Lord, my heart groaneth because of my sins this day! I am a wretched man and my heart sorroweth because of my flesh! My soul grieveth because of mine iniquities. I am encompassed about, because of the temptations and the sins which do so easily beset me. But I will forebear. It is a hard thing, but I will sacrifice and suffer to bear thy burdens. My heart weeps and my soul lingers in the valley of sorrow, and my strength slackens because of my afflictions, but I will not yield to sin. I will try not to be angry because of my enemy.

"Lift me, dear Lord, that on the morrow my soul might awake and droop no longer. Shut the gates of hell before me that I might conquer spiritual evil. Hedge up the way of my enemy, but clear my way before me and remove all stumbling blocks! Comfort me that my heart might rejoice and give place no more for the enemy of my soul. Let me be strict in the plain road and encircle me around in the robe of thy righteousness! Help me to be more obedient, that every step of the way I might follow thy light into thy presence, that I might have visions of thy glory and that by and by I might have rest from my labors! I will do thy will and enact thy direction. I will make no apologies for following thee or offer no compromise. Oh Lord, I pray that thou wilt end this night of darkness. This is my continual prayer. Amen."

And the Lord would often appear to the man in a dream, and say, "Blessed are ye because ye desire this thing of me; therefore, after that ye have served me all thy days, ye shall come unto me in my kingdom; and with me ye shall find rest."

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The second immediately returned to his home, and in his closet cried mightily, saying, "O Lord, have mercy on me, a captive and a sinner! Snatch me out of the everlasting burning fires! Redeem me from my carnal and fallen state. I am lost and have no rod to hold! I am traveling in the dark and dreary waste. Have mercy on me, according to the multitude of thy tender mercies!"

And the Lord replied, through the voice of an angel, "If ye love me with all your might, mind and strength, then is my grace sufficient for you, that by my grace ye may be perfected in me."

And the second man heard and cried, "Lord, I believe. I will not deny thy power. My heart has been changed and I no more desire to do evil, but to do good until the end of my days. I no longer am consigned to an awful view of my own guilt. I remember my abominations no more!"

And then he went his way. The family and friends of the second man noticed a change in him, and when they inquired, he published to all the people, "Behold, I am born of the Spirit! I have been redeemed of the Lord and have become a child of Christ. I am a new creature. An angel hath appeared to me and has declared the doctrine of the Lord."

One day, the second man cried in prayer and said, "Oh Lord, thou hast promised with an immutable covenant that thou would hear the prayers of my fathers, for they sit in prison and canst perform no labor for themselves. What wouldst thou have me do, that their thirst would be quenched?"

And the Lord said, through the voice of an angel, "If thy fathers will enter into life, thou must repent and come unto me."

And the man said, "I have done this ever since the day thou declared to me that thy grace was sufficient. What would thou now have me DO? In what manner should I perform?"

And the Lord did not respond. He did not comfort him or bring the man into his presence.

And it came to pass that after many days, the man stopped looking for signs and wonders to guide him, but did straightway begin to put his trust in the true and living God and to serve others anxiously; not for a hope of a reward, nor out of fear of being punished; but because he loved them and desired with all his heart that they would have joy. Yea, he began to sing the song of redeeming love and to freely partake of that fruit which is most desirable and most precious; which is sweet above all that is sweet, and which is white above all that is white, yea, and pure above all that is pure.

And it came to pass that an angel came to the man and said, "Thus saith the Lord: Who am I, that have promised and have not fulfilled? I command and men obey not; I revoke and they receive not the blessing. Then they say in their hearts: This is not the work of the Lord, for his promises are not fulfilled."

And the angel continued, "Thus saith the Lord of Hosts: I have given unto thee and unto thy fathers weakness, that you may be humble; and that you may have charity for your fathers, and for the remnant of the seed of Joseph, and for the Jews. Thou hast been faithful and have humbled yourselves before me; wherefore thy garments shall be made clean. And because thou hast seen thy weakness, thou shalt be made strong, even unto the sitting down in the place which I have prepared in the mansions of my Father. Your names shall be written in the book of life, and unto you will I grant an inheritance at my right hand."

And the angel said to the man, "Verily I say unto you, the power is now in you, and hast always been in you, wherein thou art an agent unto thyself and can do many things of thine own free will, and bring to pass much goodness, and bringeth unto me—the fountain of all righteousness! For I, the Lord, will judge all men according to their works, according to the desire of their hearts.

"Thy prayers and the prayers of thy fathers have entered into the ears of the Lord of the Sabaoth, and they shall be granted: all things wherewith you have been afflicted and your fathers have been afflicted shall work together for your good, and to my name's glory, and to the fulfilling of my covenants. For after much tribulation come the blessings but thou need not be afflicted. Wherefore the day cometh that ye shall be crowned with much glory; the hour is not yet, but is nigh at hand. Thus, the Lord has said it, and thus it is. Amen."

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Therefore, what think ye? Which one of these two men was a true servant and a vessel of the Lord?

The Hope

'Hope' is the thing with feathers—
That perches in the soul—
And sings the tune without the words—
And never stops—at all—

And sweetest—in the Gale—is heard—
And sore must be the storm—
That could abash the little Bird
That kept so many warm—

I've heard it in the chillest land—
And on the strangest Sea—
Yet, never, in Extremity,
It asked a crumb—of Me.

But now to "Hope" the Others cling—
All praying it is true:
Fruition's psalm will finally sing
The hope I see—in You.

The Human Race

"Put the blood upon your door!"

"How can a simple act of gore
Repel the dark and draw the light? 
No lamb chops for my meal tonight!"


"Look to the serpent on the staff!"

"That silly snake? Don't make me laugh!
It's bad enough he gave the sting.
Gazing it won't do a thing!"


"Show your faith and make the plunge!"

"What do you think I am, a sponge?
It makes no sense to so restate 
The act I did when I was eight!"

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"Quench my thirst and dim my eyes!"

"I will be slow to hear your cries.
All you had to do was look
And then your name would ink the book.

"How could I know of your desire
To keep from burning in the fire?
I sent my word, you made no sign.
You ate no bread, you drank no wine.

"So now your hope lies in the few
That someday might remember you.
Call their names while they are free.
Perhaps they'll show YOU charity."

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Another path has now been shown.
The hearts of all mankind are known.
Convincing them that what they see
Will save them all and make them free.

We take this journey as a race
Of human kind to see God's face.
So let us walk it hands combined
And heal the deaf, the maim, and blind.

His love is free, there is no price,
No pound of flesh, no sacrifice.
All He needs is our belief
To heal our race and give relief!

The Change

Nine children, beautiful in form and face,
Came from their houses on the shining heights
Of Melek, the mountain of delights,
To dwell among the people at its base.
Then seemed the world to change. All time and space,
Splendor of cloudless days and starry nights,
And men and manners, and all sounds and sights,
Had a new meaning, a diviner grace.
Proud were these children, but were not too proud
To teach the nations, and little country towns
Science and song, and all the arts that please;
So that while housewives span, and farmers ploughed,
Their comely clan, dressed in homespun gowns,
Learned the sweet songs of the Melekes.

The Reunion

"Welcome to the real world", she said to me
Condescendingly
Take a seat
Take your life
Count the dots in black and white
Well I never lived the dreams of the prom kings
And the drama queens
I'd like to think the best of me
Is still hiding
Up my sleeve

They love to tell you
Stay inside the lines
But something's better
On the other side

I wanna run through the halls of my high school
I wanna scream at the
Top of my lungs
I just found out there's no such thing as the real world
Just a lie you've got to rise above

So the good boys and girls take the so called right track
Faded white hats
Grabbing credits
Making transfers
They read all the books but they can't find the answers
And all of our parents
They've gotten wiser
I know that they've wished for something better
And in their memories
Many tragedies

They had it written:
"Stay inside the lines."
But there's a problem
On the other side

I wanna run through the halls of my high school
I wanna scream at the
Top of my lungs
I just found out there's no such thing as the real world
Just a lie you got to rise above

I am invincible
As long as I'm alive

I wanna run through the halls of my high school
I wanna scream at the
Top of my lungs
Now I know there's no such thing as the real world
Just a lie we've got to rise above

I just can't wait til my 10 year reunion
I'm gonna bust down the double doors
And when I stand on these tables before you
You will know what all this time was for

The Lament

My strength is gone and duly spent,
My labors made in vain.
Into the void I now lament,
For no one sees their pain.

A lonely figure scales the mount
With empty book in hand.
There are no royal names to count
Their lines will not expand.

An arrow fires from shadowed bow
Upon the lighted peak.
It beckons far and calls the Low,
The Patient, and the Meek.

O lesson well and wisely taught
Stay with them to the last,
That all the grief their follies wrought
Will dwindle in the past.

O vanity, mislead no more!
Do not enslave the Strong!
Wake up your hearts and voice the score
To the rhythm of His Song!

Dear Lord, Your mercy lights the way.
Smile on them as they come.
Exalt their highways, their thirst allay.
Your love will lead them home.


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“Your patience, son, I now require,
Towards those who take my name.
For even though some hear the lyre
You still must fire the flame.

“The time has come to walk the stage
And give the Gentiles light.
I’ll hold thy hand if you engage
To wake them from the night.

“Discourage not, ye shall not fail
I stretch my hand towards all,
And giveth breath to those who flail
Redeeming from the Fall.”

The Sitting Children

Come, let us dance, the world's not so base
That wé cannot joy in her beauty and grace.

Come, let us cry, the world's not so cold
That wé cannot mourn for our ancestors old.

The Dream Keeper

Bring me all of your dreams,
You dreamer,
Bring me all your
Heart melodies
That I may wrap them
In a blue cloud-cloth
Away from the too-rough fingers
Of the world.

I will keep them all safe,
Your dreams,
Until the day
You call for them,
When you decide to sing,
And play with me
The jazzy tune
Of your heart.

The Flood

Blood has been harder to dam back than water.
Just when he thinks he has it impounded safe
Behind new barrier walls (and let it chafe!),
It breaks away in some new kind of model.
We choose to say it is bound by the devil;
But power of blood itself releases blood.
For a time it endures but becomes such a flood
Held low at so unnatural a level.
It will have outlet, the branch reaching brave.
Sons seeking hope and fathers for peace
Are but the points at which it finds release.
And now it is once more the tidal wave
That when it has swept by deep valleys stained.
Oh, blood will out. It cannot be contained.

The Plea

The free bird leaps
on the back of the wind
and floats downstream
till the current ends
and dips his wings
in the orange sun rays
and dares to claim the sky.

But a bird that stalks
down his narrow cage
can seldom see through
his bars of rage
his wings are clipped and
his feet are tied
so he opens his throat to sing.

The caged bird sings
with fearful trill
of the things unknown
but longed for still
and his tune is heard
on the distant hill
for the caged bird
sings of freedom.

The free bird thinks of another breeze
and the trade winds soft through the sighing trees
and the fat worms waiting on a dawn-bright lawn
and he names the sky his own.

But a caged bird stands on the grave of dreams
his shadow shouts on a nightmare scream
his wings are clipped and his feet are tied
so he opens his throat to sing.

The caged bird sings
with a fearful trill
of things unknown
but longed for still
and his tune is heard
on the distant hill
for the caged bird
sings of freedom.

And then one spring the caged bird sings
The wind is swift and the light supreme
and the call is carried to the free bird's ears
so he goes to find the sound.

The caged bird flies
to that distant hill
and the free bird sees
there are caged birds still
so he seeks the sound
of the imprisoned trill
for the free bird
wants their freedom.

The Great Work

Beneath the rugged elms, that yew-tree's shade,
Where heaves the turf in many a mouldering heap,
Each in his narrow cell for ever laid,
The rude forefathers of the Family sleep.

The breezy call of desert-breathing morn,
The swallow twittering from the pine-built shed,
The cock's shrill clarion, or the echoing horn,
No more shall rouse them from their lowly bed.

For them no more the blazing hearth shall burn,
Or busy housewives ply their evening care:
No children run to lisp their sire's return,
Or climb his knees the envied kiss to share.

Oft did the harvest to their sickle yield,
Their furrow oft the stubborn glebe has broke;
How jocund did they drive their team afield!
How bowed the woods beneath their sturdy stroke!

Let not indifference mock their useful toil,
Their homely joys, and destiny obscure;
Nor Reverence hear without a caring smile,
The short and simple annals of our poor.

We see you there, those who preserve with salt,
With honor o'er their tombs their journey praise,
Where o'er the mountains and the shadowed vault--
You look with wonder to the path they blaze. 

Can storied urn or animated bust
Back to its mansion call the fleeting breath?
Can David's voice provoke the silent dust,
Or call to life the dull cold ear of Death?

Surely in the hallowed spot is laid
Some hearts once pregnant with celestial fire;
Hands that the rod of iron might have stayed,
Or waked to ecstasy the living lyre.

But Knowledge to their eyes her ample page
Rich with the spoils of time did ne'er unroll;
Chill Curses blocked their dances on this stage,
And froze the genial current of the soul.

Their lot forbade: not circumscribed alone
With growing virtues. But their hopes confined;
Reserved to wade from folly to a throne,

Thus held the gates of Mercy for mankind.

Far from the madding crowd's enduring strife,
Their sober wishes never fly astray;
Beyond the cool sequestered veil of life
They keep the humble tenor of their way.

Many a gem of purest ray serene,
In dark unfathomed caves of ocean bear:
Yea, many a limpid flower calls, e’er unseen,
And croons her sweetness to the desert air.

Their name, their years, hailed by the fearless muse,
The place of fame and elegy to bring:
And holy text around her call she strews,
That teach the gentile masses how to sing.

On children brave the parted souls rely,
An atoning act the stated vow requires;
And from the tomb the waiting parents cry,
To quench the fever of their wonted fires.

And now we seek their merits to disclose,
To draw their frailties from the dread abode,
And in their strength recovered hope propose.
We claim the kin of promises bestowed!

The Family

Hey brother! There's an endless road to rediscover
Hey sister! Know the water's deep but blood is thicker
Oh, if the sky comes falling down, for you
There's nothing in this world they wouldn't do

Hey brother! Do you still believe in one another?
Hey sister! Do you still believe in love? I wonder
Oh, if the sky comes falling down, for you
There's nothing in this world I wouldn't do

"What if I'm far from home?"
Oh brother, we will hear you call!
"What if I lose it all?"
Oh sister, we will help you hang on!
Oh, if the sky comes falling down, for you
There's nothing in this world we wouldn't do

Hey brother! There's an endless road to rediscover
Hey sister! You can still believe in love and wonder!
Oh, though the sky came falling down, for you
There's nothing in this world we wouldn't do

We know you're far from home.
Oh brother, I have heard you call!
You needn't loose it all.
Oh sister, I will help you hang on!
Oh, since the sky came falling down, for you
There's something in this world that we will do!

The Manifestation

And it shall come to pass, that if the Gentiles shall hearken unto the Lamb of God in that day that he shall manifest himself unto them in word, and also in power, in very deed, unto the taking away of their stumbling blocks—And harden not their hearts against the Lamb of God, they shall be numbered among the seed of thy father; yea, they shall be numbered among the house of Israel; and they shall be a blessed people upon the promised land forever; they shall be no more brought down into captivity; and the house of Israel shall no more be confounded.


The Call of the Dove

The Record

Our fathers soon must hear the Word:
"Your name, child, has been conferred.
The Book of Life now bears your brand,
So enter in the Promised Land."

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Into a darkened secret hole
I searched for treasure of my soul
Its hue and luster, breadth and height
Escaped my recent mem’ry’s light

Although I knew with wisdom’s eyes
The value of the gilded prize,
Its true Creator kept His name
Away from sight and worldly fame.

The teachers of my youthful days
Had kept me from this errant craze
Of seeking truth and mystery
Beyond the fruit of Knowledge Tree.

Their words as chains stopped my advance
And held me in a clouded trance
Until at last, I turned and plead
For mercy, towards the Light ahead.

The bonds released, I tarried through
Beyond the mainstream of the flue
Past greed and envy, pride and wrath
‘Yond sloth and lust I took the path.

Through gluttony and guilt and fear
And then past doubt. My prize was near.
The vices left as I did pray.
It seems One took them all away.

The cavern opened to a place
Where time extended into space.
The things of “Yore” and “Yet-To-Be”
Joined “Now” in synchronicity.

While curious eyes absorbed the view
I saw the object float as dew,
Descending down ‘til it did land
Into my open, out-stretched hand.

“What is this gift, this artifact…
A pearl that cost cannot exact?”
I thought and studied while I prayed
To know how my antique was made.

When came a man into my view
Who asked, “May I take that from you?
Ah yes,” he stated, as I shared,
“A find that cannot be compared.”

“I’d like to study, if I may,
This relic from another day.”
With my permission he escaped
Into a room with windows draped.

A crowd of people now amassed
To hear the tales of ages past
Belonging to my treasure found.
The roads it lit. The heads it crowned.

The language and the words he spoke
Were hid from me. They wore a cloak.
And even though I failed to hear
The others held the stories dear.

To them the heirloom’s song was sung
Unspeakable in mortal tongue.
And each one’s panoramic view
Spoke something different, something new.

I cannot tell you this for sure
Because the words were in a blur,
But I suspect the golden ball
Had once been carried by them all.

The gathering was at an end,
So I walked right up to my friend.
I realized now to see his face
That his did differ from my race.

From men of caves he looked to me
(A member of the Cherokee).
I saw his stature was a good
Two shoulders taller than I stood.

His face was stoic, creased and long.
I heard my own voice in his song.
With hopeful heart I bade him near.
“There’s something that you need to hear:

“The Elders have come unto me.”
“Hmm, so it is,” he said. “I see!
Now I admonish unto you:
Receive the Eagle Feather true!”

And when these words came from his lips
A star appeared with seven tips.
Surrounded by a circle too,
It then rescinded from my view.

His invitation to procure
My ordination was secure.
But where could I locate the charm
Extending from the eagle’s arm?

“I’ll tell you what,” he smiled. “A deal.
If you can catch me I’ll reveal
Where it is found, though I must say,
It’s not so hidden anyway.”

The game was on! I gave him chase.
We ran in circles ‘round the place.
He dodged me and he laughed with glee.
(Perhaps ‘cause of futility.)

A final leap and he was caught,
But inside of his cloak was not.
Across the room he called my name,
“It looks like you have won the game.

“I’ll tell you where the feather’s found.
This deal we made, I’m promise-bound.”
He said, “You’ll find the prize you seek…”
My int’rest here was at a peak.

Now something happened then, I’ll say,
Which makes me grumble to this day.
The story ended, I awoke
Before I heard the words he spoke.

I stopped to ponder on the dream.
“It may not have been what I seem
To think it was. I cannot lie.
I never actually caught the guy.”

And so the waking hours I spent
Still chasing after what it meant.
Who is the feather I want most?
A hidden saint? A holy ghost?

My questions circled round about.
The certainty becoming doubt.
And then a friend came by my side
Who helped me comprehend my pride.

“Now, running after gifts for YOU
Is selfishness and it won’t do.
So to receive the Master’s will
You must slow down and then be still.

Return to charity and grace.
By doing so you’ll see God’s face.”
It’s merciful my friend was sent
To tell me how I should repent.

And so I took his words to heart.
The wild goose chase did depart.
Enlightenment came over me
And visions of eternity.

In comprehending what I write
There is one thing to see the light.
I ask that you would clear your doubt
And any fear that lurks about.

Choose now to think how it might be
To gaze into eternity.
The unbelief can close a door
Of understanding love and more.

I promise if you open up
With child-like hope, and drink the cup,
Truth’s waters will refresh your face,
And take you to a holy place.

The other thing that you must see
Is God deals in veracity.
He takes the symbols we explore,
When we believe, He’ll show us more.

Within our lives we’ll view His plan
The emblems of the earthly man
Will be revealed! And we shall see
How they take shape for you and me!

.........

Upon my friends these gifts are laid

And through the Holy Spirit made.

(A different way administered.)

Deny them not, and heed His word!

- - - - - - - - - - - 

The lost shall speak to souls who hear.
A portrait of the one so dear
Shall be the channel and the route
To let the under-gone speak out.

A rising hand will guard your way
To hold the enemies at bay.
A palm extended out shall bless
The hurting ones and those oppressed.

"To push the earth and pull the sea
A magic rod I give to thee!
Now touch the symbols with thy hand
And cast a good spell on this land!"

The Chiasmus

The Chiasmus

Look up, I look up at night
Planets are moving at the speed of light
Climb up, up in the trees
Every chance that you get
Is a chance you seize
How long am I gonna stand
With my head stuck under the sand?
I'll start before I can stop
Before I see things the right way up

All that noise, and all that sound
All those places I have found
And birds go flying at the speed of sound
To show you how it all began
Birds came flying from the underground
If you could see it then you'd understand.
Maybe you'll see it and you'll understand?

The Awakening

Now can you see into my eyes, like open doors
Leading you down into my core
Where I've become so numb, without a soul
My spirit's sleeping somewhere cold
Until you find it there and lead it back home

Wake me up, wake me up inside I can't wake up,
Wake me up inside, save me,
Call my name and save me from the dark, wake me up
Bid my blood to run, I can't wake up
Before I come undone, save me
Save me from the nothing I've become

Now that you know what I'm without
You can't just leave me
Breathe into me and make me real, bring me to life

Wake me up, wake me up inside I can't wake up,
Wake me up inside, save me,
Call my name and save me from the dark, wake me up
Bid my blood to run, I can't wake up
Before I come undone, save me
Save me from the nothing I've become

Bring me to life, I was living a lie
There's nothing inside, bring me to life

Frozen inside without your touch
Without your love, my son
Only you are the life among the dead

All this time, I can't believe I couldn't see
Kept in the dark, but you are there in front of me

I've been sleeping a thousand years it seems
I've got to open my eyes to everything

Without a thought, without a voice, without a soul

Don't let me die here
There must be something wrong, bring me to life

Wake me up, wake me up inside I can't wake up,
Wake me up inside, save me,
Call my name and save me from the dark, wake me up
Bid my blood to run, I can't wake up
Before I come undone, save me
Save me from the nothing I've become

Bring me to life, I've been living a lie, there's nothing inside
Bring me to life
Obtain the promise at his hand
Call my name and save me from the dark

The Idols

Idol music, idol bands.
Idol feet and idol hands.
Idol bibles, idol books.
Idol sounds and idol looks.
Idol movies, idol shows.
Idol poems, idol prose.
Idol worship, idol rites.
Idol gigs and idol bytes.
Idol prophets, idol priests.
Idol food and idol feasts.
Idol gold and idol coins.
Idol flesh and idol loins.
Idol early and noontime sun.
Idol when the day is done.
Idol husbands, idol wives:
I see how you live your lives.

"How does David sing?" you say.
Through the idols of your day.

The Three

"I want to go to Your house," said Timmy to his Friend.
"I hear it's quite the mansion, and makes a happy end.
Eight others seek to join me, to get out of the cold.
(We're trying to be obedient. We're doing what we're told.)
For now our current calling is really not that fun.
So can we rest our spirits in your villa when we're done?"

"Of course you all are welcome," the Friend said with a grin,
"To leave your cares behind you and quickly enter in.
I'm glad this wish is wanted, and for it you'll be blest.
At last when here you're finished, with me you'll find your rest.

"You three, what's your story? Why don't you say a word?
I've got the others' wishes, it's time that yours were heard."
Nefee and the brothers looked sadly at the ground.
They knew that their ambitions were probably not sound.
Why weren't they like the others who honored to a T
The edicts which were given and followed carefully?

"You know, I see your longings." His sober words were true.
The grand facade was over! Their curious ways were through!
For even though the threesome were picked out from the pack,
They didn't fit a genre, and wandered from the track.

"Not long ago my buddy who lived across the sea
Was asked this very question: 'What do you want of me?'
He was a bit reluctant in following a 'plan,'
But oh, his heart was solid! This guy, he was 'the man!'
Instead of passing onward like most are wont to do
He stuck around, he lingered! The same desire as you!

"To me what's more important than getting a reward
For holding to the iron, is having love restored.
Your hopes lie in the blessing of children who'll be lost
And you will gladly do it, no matter what the cost.

"Your hearts are brightly shining and every time I look
It's what I see the brightest! They're glowing in the Book!
So now I grant your wishes, you'll see the day of fire
When I shall come in glory! You'll have your heart's desire!
And finally when it's finished you REALLY will be glad
Because you will be with me, and also with my Dad!"

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Dear Reader, here's a question, I hope you hear it well:
Do you long to rest in Heaven? Or find those lost in Hell?
Your fathers are now waiting to know of your reply.
But if you answer rightly, their bindings you'll untie.

The Fountain of all Righteousness

It is said that the sea is too mighty for common virtues,
That the ocean has no compassion, no faith, no law.
No memory.

But, my dearly beloved brethren and sisters,
Let me assure you.
There are principles in relation to the sea that cannot be lightly passed over:

She has compassion but is bound by the law.
She has faith but cannot act.
She is FULL of memories! (Which will work together for her good).

But what do the many waters have to do with you, my beloved brethren?

What do you hear in the gospel you have received?
Is it a voice of compulsion or a voice of gladness?
Is it the rod or the song?

Brethren, listen! Can you hear them singing?
They give us consolation by holding forth that which is to come, confirming our hope!
They declare the fulfillment of the prophets—the book to be revealed!

The sea is not too mighty for common virtues.
The sea is not too faithless for prayers to enter into the ears of the Lord of Sabaoth.
The sea is not too hopeless to speak forth anthems of eternal praise to the King Immanuel.

Let the mountains and valleys cry for joy with the seas!
And ye rivers, and brooks, and rills, flow down upon the dry land with gladness!
Weld earth and water together! Make them whole and perfect!

Make them at one!

Behold, my beloved brethren and sisters, the great day of the Lord is at hand!
Let us offer unto the Lord an offering in righteousness.
Let us release the memories of the sea!



--- I am, as ever, your humble servant and never deviating friend.


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Something in the Water

The Cry

Oh, Death, оh Death, oh Death,
Won't you spare me over til another year

But what is this, that I can't see
with ice cold hands taking hold of me

When God is gone and the Devil takes hold,
who will have mercy on my soul

Oh, Death, оh Death, oh Death,

No wealth, no ruin, no silver, no gold
Nothing satisfies me but your soul

Oh, Death,
Well I am Death, none can excel,
I'll open the door to heaven or hell.

Oh, Death, оh Death,
my name is Death and the end is here...

by Jen TITUS























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Write it in a letter
Paint it on a wall
I will sing it in a song

I will do whatever it takes to get these words out
I will scream them in a crowd

'Cause even though we talk of our lives as though they'll last forever
We just can't waste time
Even though we talk of our lives as though they'll go on and on and on

We must be free to live
We must be free to laugh and love

Forget about the weighted past and its foolishness
We must be free

He said she said I don't want it
He said she said I don't need it
The monsters in my closet have come to laugh again

He said she said I don't want it
He said she said I don't need it
But do we ever care enough to let it go

'Cause even though we talk of our lives as though they'll last forever
We just can't waste time
Even though we talk of our lives as though they'll go on and on and on

We must be free to live
We must be free to laugh and love

Forget about the weighted past and its foolishness
We must be free

Something's got to give
We must be free

Write it in a letter
Paint it on a wall
I will sing it in a song

By Sarah BILLINGS

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The Promise
"The end is here"