Whispered Messages
- only money talks
by
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MEMORIAL FORESTS
of
There rises from earth’s green carpet a chapel
Where sobs of women weeping
Are heard within stately brown walls
Their prayers toward heaven reaching.
There widows and mothers of dreaded wars
And sisters in sorrow raised—
With offerings from the grateful implored—
These timeless pleading stones of grace.
Within the quiet hallowed spaces
On ledgers are the names inscribed,
Now all that on earth remains
Of those who made their last sacrifice.
For freedom’s inestimable cost
They gave that most precious time
They might have shared with those they loved,
Yet none withheld that sacrifice
But with willing hearts laid down life
Upon a distant battlefield.
Therefore citizen, grant this time;
Consider what for you these yielded.
Sad thoughts through hushed forests wander
To pause in the deep canyons
Where sorrowing souls search
The mysteries of a silent God.
From depths where leaves and forest floors
Glow with emeralds of rich green
May God raise the fallen to shine once more
Amid wonders of regeneration,
That mankind might repent of war
And marveling at God’s songs of Grace
Renounce the unending sorrow
That causes voices yet to weep in this place.*
*Chapel in
Y ?
If why is but a wishbone
You have the shorter chosen.
But why a bumble bee
Who gathers nectars instead
Of receiving verities
In flowers from heaven?
So in this fitful age
Let it not be said of love
That it is but a dove
Remaining of marriage
After a pair has flitted.
True love is eternal
The heart ever restless
Of a returning eagle.
It pierces achin
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Book Details
About the Book
We in contemporary times live in an era of imposing messages on TV, The Internet, billboards, and in periodicals. They proclaim that what is important is what assaults us with repeated messages of great buys, lucrative employment, and dollar materialism. Whatever is boldly proclaimed is assumed to be value. Reports of war and violence command our constant attention. Aren’t we missing something? The real treasures are those attained through quiet thought and willing sacrifice; as we make daily decisions, the whispers speak to us. They are the voice of faith, conviction, and of God. The prophet Elijah described the voice of God: after the fire there was the soft whisper of a voice (1 Kings
Because the voice is but a whisper, we habitually assume it is unimportant and so it is unheeded. A figure of the past promised her return. Most fawned at her strange assertion. She brings sorrowful words of caution amid shallow values and hasty decisions. Who is this quiet voice of the martyrs?
About the Author
Having served most of his adult life as a Christian pastor until forced into early retirement by health problems, he wrote these poems in praise of Christ as experienced in his life and in lives of those he served. Since the author’s call to serve had come at the early age of ten in the mystery of a vision with later experiences of Christ’s redeeming presence in his life, the poems have a personal quality of faith experience.
The poems exhibit a quality of mystery as they note the presence of the martyrs and saints who come to the Christian’s aid, lending an eternal quality to the victorious influence of Christ in everyday experience. The author’s family includes members of the three branches of Christianity. He makes little reference to doctrines that are the distinguishing characteristics. Instead he celebrates the joys and blessings of those who embrace faith in diverse cultures and traditions and wonders at how Christ blesses his differing followers. The varied beliefs and practices are a blessing to us all.
His extensive education—a bachelor’s degree, two masters, and a doctorate—arose from his puzzlement as so many ignore Christ’s blessing or substitute a cautious pragmatism. Why do so many ignore a love that is so evident, answering prayer and bringing so many miracles to human life? How can the soul be silent when it is so blessed by the hopeful presence? Why do so many choose harried and unhappy lives when the rewards of virtuous living, service and eternal love are evident in human life?
Why do whispered messages of joy and warning invade the Christian’s everyday life? Who brings them?