Category: Persecution

The Source of Genuine, Indestructible Joy

February 22, 2016

My joy isn’t dead, no matter how I feel. Even though everything on my plate is seasoned with pain, Jesus lives! Though the boot-heal of oppression bears down in an attempt to grind me into dust, my hope is un-crushable. Even when my happiness shatters and all those I love move beyond my embrace, love isn’t carnal or mortal. When my body is broken, then passed around as bread and my blood becomes a drink, a sacrifice consumed but unrecognized, Jesus is my validation. He walked this path before me. He set the standard. True sacrifice isn’t made in hopes of personal reward. Though I fall and the weight of this cross I bear is too much for me to lift again to carry, God’s ultimate plan remains. When my eyes are blind with the tears of sorrow and agony causes me to no longer care, a new blast of His breath enters me and by His strength I rise to move forward. Though the sting of sin poisons everything I see and touch by the fulfillment of His Will, not mine, I will press beyond Death’s boundary and reach the ultimate prize. In Jesus I possess indestructible joy which He bought by His obedience and blazed the Way predestined for me to follow. This narrow path I must walk despising all worldly gain. I am nearer now to the finish than I was yesterday. Though in this world I endure suffering and can’t always feel my joy, when I finish this race, my agony will melt away. When my body dies to become ashes and dust, I know Death has no power over my soul. Though this present night is deepening, soon the Son will rise with healing in His wings! When morning comes, my feet will rest on the eternal shore. I will forget the effects of sin’s painful sting and cry no more. Jesus is my eternal joy.

Job 42:1-6 “I know that you can do all things; no purpose of yours can be thwarted. You asked, ‘Who is this that obscures my plans without knowledge?’ Surely I spoke of things I did not understand, things too wonderful for me to know. “You said, ‘Listen now, and I will speak; I will question you, and you shall answer me.’ My ears had heard of you but now my eyes have seen You. Therefore I despise myself and repent in dust and ashes.”

Sustaining Joy

February 18, 2016

Every day new worlds rise! And old worlds fall apart.

I am told this is only, a matter of perception.

What do you do when your world is taken all apart?

Is good attitude, a positive thought of deflection,

Able to override calamity? Or mend a tattered heart?

Is faith only energy? Form of magic imagination?

 

I believe that true faith hurts and bleeds very red.

Because when Lazarus died, “Jesus wept”.

Then He called him and raised him from the dead!

I know that in Jesus, my sad soul is kept.

Though my old world crashed down upon my head!

Jesus is here with me; my need is met.

 

Herein lies my joy! Whether I be happy, sad, even mad,

If I be abandoned, crushed, battered, or stoned,

Should persecution come, the enemy steal all I’ve had!

Jesus paid the ultimate for me; my sin is atoned.

Even though in this world I find little to make me glad,

He understands; in my heart never be dethroned!

There He rests, keeps me warm, when all’s gone so bad.

 

 

 

 

Hey, Mr. Tecalote’!

February 17, 2016

Hey Mr. Tecalote’! (lock, load, click!) You are still just a buzzard circling under another name!

You can hide behind your acronymic letters: BLM, EPA all day long…

But still you are a vulture! Though you are now bigger in number you play the same old game!

A scavenger that feeds on the carcasses of the weak and the strong…

It’s time for you to go home now! To your land where the Babylon towers scrape the sky tame!

Purple Mountain Majesty, Field’s Fruited Grain, land where I belong!

It’s much too dry out here to hydrate your delicate skin; sun- sand abrasion leaves you lame!

Hear this Tecalote’! That which leaves you weak made us very strong!

We cling to God and we pack a gun, for centuries we’ve settled, live, and thrive in the same!

And I’m wondering, “Who the heck made you king?” Your way is wrong!

Environmental-dream -fallacy! Who puts food on your plate? Gas in your car? It’s not a game!

Misuse our land for your power? You will in the future sing hunger’s song!

Crush the workers, the creators of wealth; break the back-bone of this nation; all your shame!

In New Methico there is a new harsh saying; a “Breaking Bad” cynical-song…

In this empty desert there are lots of holes and there is one waiting especially for you to claim…

Tecalote’ en su compadres, narco traffickers! Starved out! Meek are strong!

 

Reference Key: Tecalote’ is Spanish for buzzard, vulture, or scavenger. Historically, in New Mexico it is a peasants term used for those who rule over them by oppression. New Mexico’s history is ancient and we have seen many Mr. Tecalote’s come and go. It is a statement of defiance and endurance.

“There are many holes in the desert” is a newer common expression derived from the Narco-culture over-riding everything now. I use it to reference the estimated 100,000 Mexicans murdered in Northern Mexico, during the past ten years in the drug and human trafficking war over trade routes into the U.S. It is also, a reference to those refugee/immigrants who died in the desert trying to cross over to a better life after their agricultural economy was crushed by NAFTA. It is a reference to all who’ve died in New Mexico as a result of trafficking and as the result of using drugs. Tecalote’s and traffickers are well-known bed-fellows and together they dig holes and fill them with the bodies of people no one cares about but they are also, digging their own graves and will end up in the same holes.

 

 

 

 

 

Under a Cold Sun

February 12, 2016

Virtual sun-shine, so brilliantly cold!

Ruling the land without sympathy.

Some lives don’t matter! I’m told,

Rid the burden! Despise empathy!

Toward the unborn, those too old…

State decides whose life is worthy.

Drones obliterate in sums untold.

A bloodless click! A war so stealthy…

Beware silent attack! Horrors behold!

Non-endangered, Power’s Wealthy.

By Mandate, bread turns to mold…

Individualism? Deemed unhealthy.

Comply or force into collective fold.

No God above the State Authority!

Truth? Twisted interpretation sold…

State owes none, no accountability!

Arbitrary law enforced on the bold,

Who speak, Truth to Power Wealthy.

Manipulation: souls bought re-sold…

Chaotic border keeps covert slavery.

Organs bought or stolen; living gold!

Old woes revisited, intensify misery,

Beneath a virtual sun burning so cold!

 

 

Totalitarian

February 10, 2016

I look around me and see,

Everything I’ve known coming apart;

Angry people seeking unity in common hatred,

Tribes forming; preparing for a great battle…

Over the lost soul of a too proud nation.

Denying the Spirit that kept them,

Bent on destruction,

On war.

 

“It’s time to tear it all down!” they say,

Abandon that old Constitution, let’s go backward,

And instead be like Europe, that far superior model!

Of Democratic Socialism, “we’ll all feed each other man”

But government workers produce no food, no housing, no necessities…

We’ll leave all of that to a sub-class of workers,

Independent Neanderthals of small business!

And immigrant workers with no legal status…

Slaves to serve the governing elite!

Equality earned through compliance.

To the Government,

Who bestows it;

Totalitarian.

 

But look what we’ve built they say!

A tall tower of power and untold wealth!

A marriage of Corporation and Government;

Come! Get in bed with us and we’ll make your dreams come true!

Just sign this contract, pay your dues, we’ll keep you safe from terrorists!

Give us your liberty in exchange for health care and we’ll pretend to be capitalists!

But forget that old Constitution, idealism never to be…

Be pragmatic; say to yourself “What’s in it for me?”

Tear down that dream in your heart,

Old dream of personal liberty!

Equality, freedom for all,

Morally sound persons,

Longing to be free…

Crush them!

Progressive!

Totalitarian.

 

They tore Woodstock down as a prophecy…

In their desperation born glee of destruction!

In hatred of the global giant their parents deny but all see;

The Beastlike Government growing and growing…

In youth, hearts long to be free!

Rebellion whispers,” Anarchy!”

“Don’t tread on me!”

But no, not the Constitution!

Old White man’s Document!

Lost in interpretation…

No borders! No boundaries!

Each to their own!

Liberty to the strongest!

By the Gun!

Personal Totalitarian,

Chaos.

 

Mourning America, I went searching for freedom’s song,

The one that echoes in this old American heart:

Individual freedom; guarded by morality;

Equal value; God given rights to life,

Liberty, and pursuit of happiness;

Freedom to succeed and to fail;

All outlined in the Constitution.

Old Document that when left to do so,

Interprets itself.

The forgotten

Answer!

The true American Dream;

The Spirit of right Unity;

A common dream of personal liberty,

With respect for the liberty of others;

Dependence upon God not Government,

Freedom maintained by healthy morality,

That denies the need to be governed,

By other men and women;

Totalitarian

Rule ends;

If we but begin,

Again,

On our knees!

And live as the men and women,

God intended us to be.

Are you willing? “To die or live free?”

Or will you knuckle under,

Submit,

To Totalitarian.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Be Amazed by Grace!

January 4, 2016

Immersed in a day-dream, dawdling…

Enjoying sunshine on my face…

Treating myself to a summer coddling;

Took for granted wind’s pace…

Not noticing the changed force blowing,

Or the storm beginning to race,

In my direction; fierce tornado growing!

A conflict I’m doomed to face!

My predilection to hide; silent groaning…

My fear with cowardice I lace!

Tremble! Lord, do you hear my moaning?

“Have you forgotten my Grace?”

“Courage, by My Spirit to you I’m loaning”

“My faithfulness, do you trace?”

Memories of interventions of past proving

His provision by saving Grace;

In the conflict, trouble, persecution shoving,

I will look in His beautiful face!

Spirit surge gives strength by divine loving!

Courage find in our Holy space!

Jesus, by faith into You daily, I am growing!

In You all I need to run the race!

Keep me sober, mindful of seed I’m sowing,

Trusting You to keep the pace,

Giving me protection despite my dawdling;

In trials be amazed by Grace!

The Second Mile

December 6, 2015

38 “You have heard that it was said, ‘An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.’[f] 39 But I tell you not to resist an evil person. But whoever slaps you on your right cheek, turn the other to him also. 40 If anyone wants to sue you and take away your tunic, let him have your cloak also. 41 And whoever compels you to go one mile, go with him two. 42 Give to him who asks you, and from him who wants to borrow from you do not turn away.

43 “You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor[g] and hate your enemy.’ 44 But I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you,[h] 45 that you may be sons of your Father in heaven; for He makes His sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust. 46 For if you love those who love you, what reward have you? Do not even the tax collectors do the same? 47 And if you greet your brethren[i] only, what do you do more than others? Do not even the tax collectors[j] do so? 48 Therefore you shall be perfect, just as your Father in heaven is perfect.

It isn’t Terror, It Is Horror

December 4, 2015

“Fourteen people were murdered in San Bernardino yesterday.”

“Yeah, I read that this is the 352nd mass shooting this year;

Four hundred and sixty dead so far…”

“Prayers and flowers aren’t enough. They need to take guns away!”

“Oh, you bleeding heart! Don’t you know you’re playing into fear?”

“Oh yeah? What’s your side done so far?

God and guns! That’s the answer! Bible thumping, that’s the way!”

“Well, all you care about you liberal fool, is smoking dope, drinking beer!

It’s no wonder the country has slid so far!”

“Yeah, that’s right and you worship the great sky-daddy! It doesn’t pay!

Religion should be outlawed! Nothing but old superstitions and fear!

Look where your God has taken us so far!”

“You fool! The world will be so much better when God wipes you all away!

You’d better watch who you’re talking to! You better have some fear!

My patience is short! Patience only goes so far!”

“You asinine Neanderthal! First you curse me and then tell me I should pray?

You hypocritical, throwback of evolution! I want all of you dead! Get out of here!

It’s your fault! Your ideals led us away so far!”

“You self-loathing liberal! You are blind to the enemy and bring them home to stay!

You hater of God, mom, and apple pie! Good for nothing but to mock and jeer!

We good folks will only allow you to go so far!”

“You bigoted, ignorant hater! Don’t you know you worship the same God as ‘they’?

That wrathful God is the God I hate! The same God you worship and tell me to fear!

My reason won’t allow me let you go that far!”

“All of you think you are so smart but we’re the ones with all the guns stashed away!

Your side can abort yourselves into oblivion! Do you think I care!

Don’t push me! I can take this very far!”

“Yeah, right tough guy! There’s more than one way to kill a bigot! You better start to pray!

Your side has dished it out long enough! Now, pay your share!

Exterminate the lot of you! Yeah, I’ll go that far!”

 

Fourteen people were murdered in San Bernardino yesterday.

352 mass shootings, with 460 people dead, just this year;

Murderous hearts take it all too far!

It isn’t terror, it’s a horror, that seems to be here to stay;

It isn’t God, or guns, there’s no political fix; it’s murderous fear,

That drives the need to control too far!

Has enough blood been spilled to turn us around to walk another way?

Or will we continue to seek solutions in death and fear?

Are we really so stubborn to take it so far?

Have you done a body count for this new century, or did you just notice yesterday?

Millions have died in this war of terror, this horrifying war of fear!

Blood is everywhere and it has gone much too far!

Jesus weeps for those who were gunned down and died yesterday,

He knows them all; lovingly counts the number of every fallen hair;

And weeps over murderous hearts taking it too far!

 

 

 

 

Joy in Digital Wonderland

December 3, 2015

Here I sit securely, in my comfy chair;

All the world’s evil resting lightly on my lap;

Scrolling, clicking, typing, liking, and un-liking!

Deeply embroiled in the war of ideas; wondering;

When it was that the lines of reality blurred? A trap

Door in my mind opened; my peace fell floundering,

Sucked out in the endless vacuum of negative…krap!

Invented by caberos with too much time on their hands!

Evil day dreams; testosterone imaginings! All squandering

Youthful strength and vigor, in digital war-like insanity snap!

What is it I’m doing here? How did I fall down this rabbit hole?

Joy set on a mission to strengthen and enlighten; now meandering;

Joy in Digital Wonderland! Tweeting those joyful tweets about Jesus!

He is the Only true Light; shining bright from centuries past; Life’s hope

His Love remaining; He still saves! Pursuing all lost caberos , work shirking!

Who need a new purpose, guidance, direction, a straightened path to walk!

This is the reason, the mission of Christ that makes discomfort less troubling;

Replenish faith ! An ambassador of Christ, carrying joy to this dark Wonderland;

As I sit securely, in my comfy chair with the world’s evil and hope sitting on my lap?