The Brickyard

The brickyard was a place where earthen building materials had been collected. Each one in turn was fired, stored and sometimes sold or otherwise distributed. The requirement was conformity and the bricks were measured for their usefulness. Each brick had to fit into its place easily without any special adjustments. This was needed so the roof would be level for its fitting. The roof cover was important to get right that no leaks from the rain could come into the buildings. The bricks that didn’t meet the measurement were easily traded away to desperate builders who couldn’t afford top of the line bricks. The unsalable bricks were simply broken up, smashed and pulverized to be left in a heap until something else could be done with them.

One day a man passing by the brickyard noticed the heaped up pile not being used. He went inside the brickyard to inquire if he could take it away for them. Eager to be rid of this garbage they even helped the man cart the earthen materials to His garden plot.

Once the brick builders were done discarding the pile in his garden, the man went about assessing the earthen material. Becoming excited he began separating clay from the man-made substances. This took time and patience but he knew it would be worth the effort if he was to build a good dwelling. When he was done sorting, he gathered the clay for his potter’s wheel. Scooping up by a handful he worked day and night to make his own stones, one by one. Now and again one of the stones would spin in a wrong manner. With patience he’d take that handful, reworking it once more until it was worthy of a place in his wall.

The man worked long hours, humming and laughing aloud. The brickyard workers would often bring more garbage heaps, happy to be rid of them. Each time the man would smile and thank them fervently for their generosity. For years this exchange went on. In a corner plot portion of his garden the man had added each stone as he made them from his own hands.

The brickyard workers never took notice of what he was building and the man never felt the need to point their eyes to see it, recognizing they were focused on their own work. He just enjoyed building the home he would live within. He purposed to leave the roof open, letting the rain come whenever. He reveled in its refreshing, dancing in the downpours washing over him. Raising his hands skyward he would sing and laugh while touching each of the stones he had crafted on his potter’s wheel.

I Am A Loaded Gun

Grabbing up the gun in my hands I walked swiftly forward approaching my prey. I felt tightness in my gut wondering if I could take the beast down with one shot. I had been listening to its snorting rage for too many days. In the dark nights I felt afraid hearing the loud snarls, thinking I’d be torn to pieces if it got too close. Finally, I could see it come into view, exposing itself. With firm resolve I gripped the gun tighter. Reaching into my chest pocket I pulled out the single bullet I was carrying. With one fluid motion I loaded the chamber while still moving towards the threatening beast. I felt no hesitation when I pulled the trigger to put it down.

John 10:10 (BBE) The thief comes only to take the sheep and to put them to death: he comes for their destruction: I have come so that they may have life and have it in greater measure.

Victory, Victory, Victory

My fingers run through my hair as I listen to the worship sound setting me free from the bondage of my condition. Over and again I hear the word, victory, victory, victory. I have been one hidden in my cave of intimidation. I cannot stay here. There is neither food nor water in this place. I must search the fields of manna to strengthen me and give me tools for the harvest work I have yet to do.

Psalm 98:1-3 Sing a new song to the Lord,
    for he has done wonderful deeds.
His right hand has won a mighty victory;
    his holy arm has shown his saving power!
The Lord has announced his victory
    and has revealed his righteousness to every nation!
He has remembered his promise to love and be faithful to Israel.
    The ends of the earth have seen the victory of our God

I Woke Up In Love

Every day, you are kind, and at night you give me a song as my prayer to you, the living LORD God.…last night I turned out the lights went down and thought about you, I thought about the way that it could be…I woke up in love this morning, I woke up in love this morning, went to sleep with you on my mind!*

*Psalm 42:8

Lyrics Partridge Family, I Woke Up In Love This Morning

Meaningful Perception

Walking through meadows, forests and along the edge of the ocean, the woman was silent. Saying nothing she enjoyed the visions and sounds of existence all around. Life played its own concert; each instrument adding unique music to the melody. Wind blew, waves crashed, birds sang, flowers paraded beauty. Nothing of life could be ignored in the panoramic expression of God’s glory and variety.

With each step she took, a meaningful perception began to awaken…only people tried to silence God’s voice.

 

Meaning Of Promise

A man wandering a desert land comes upon a pool of water. Thirsty and parched, he longs to quench himself, but as a child he was taught not to drink unwisely. Looking at the pool he must make a choice. Drink deeply of the offering at hand though it may be poison or chance dying of thirst looking for the real wellspring offering life? Somewhere in his mind he tries to recall the meaning of promise…

Division Is Not Addition

“Who will we serve?” demanded the masses looking for true leadership.

I am of the blue team and never do we miss gathering together!

I am of the red team and we do the most good!

The green yelled they were most righteous and protected all!

Amongst the masses stood a small child listening to all the rhetoric, hoping to hear a real voice of truth. Instead he found himself lost in the division and wondered why if they were all so good didn’t they join as one?

Mark 9:36-41 Then he put a little child among them. Taking the child in his arms, he said to them, “Anyone who welcomes a little child like this on my behalf welcomes me, and anyone who welcomes me welcomes not only me but also my Father who sent me. John said to Jesus, “Teacher, we saw someone using your name to cast out demons, but we told him to stop because he wasn’t in our group.” “Don’t stop him!” Jesus said. “No one who performs a miracle in my name will soon be able to speak evil of me. Anyone who is not against us is for us. If anyone gives you even a cup of water because you belong to the Messiah, I tell you the truth, that person will surely be rewarded.

God’s Turtles

I stood in the steam of the hot water for a long time. I wanted to wash away everything heavy but it was taking a long time. Turning the knobs off, I grabbed my towel and began drying myself in the cold air. I could hear conversation in the background and wondered if I’d accidentally turned on a radio channel. There were many voices but I couldn’t make out a single word. Once dressed, I searched the house finding only silence.

Drinking tea to warm up I closed my eyes and wondered about the voices. Were they a conversation from heaven or simply my memory playing back distant voices from the past? Either answer lacked satisfaction. Reaching for my bible I laid it in my lap and began to think about the turtles God had made. They lived in so many environments with their protective shells. Even when they’d find themselves flipped on their backside, eventually they were able to return right side up.

Save Me, Don’t Let Me Get Lost…

“Save me, don’t let me get lost in the ocean

I need your help every day to control my emotions

in the darkness of these days” *

For my brother Alan…

*Lyrics, Is There Anybody There, Scorpions

 

Broken House

 

I walked among the multiple fallen homes wondering why repairs had been neglected. What circumstances led to these homes and property being left behind to decay? Mementos of lives once lived were strewn within the debris of fallen walls and roofs. My heart felt an ache I didn’t understand in the fading light.

Later I realized how easily we do this with people.