May 12, 2019 by creatorworship
I like big adventures as much as the next person: A trip to an exotic, far off place; a expedition into an unknown place of exploration; a purpose driven service for others. But daily life rarely presents such big adventures unless you can re-orient your perspective to sum all of the small discoveries and opportunities into the whole. Following are a few very small joys in which I partook in the last week. They are neither big nor even the best of the week, but they are the ones for which I had a camera and the appropriate occasion to use it.
I walked out in the yard on a pleasant Spring evening, beyond the large hedge bush, where I had forgotten that I had transplanted a daylily last fall because of crowding where it was formerly. There was a bright surprise on the other side of the bush. Spruce or forest green is my favorite color, but a light golden yellow is a close second. (I never know what to call this color. It’s not gold leaf; it’s too orange to be yellow and too yellow to be orange; it doesn’t quite seem like amber.)
- Twin Beauties
My wife is a particularly good cook and all the better because she tries new dishes. My palate is never bored. After a new and good dinner the other evening, I pushed back from the table a bit to savor the moment, noticing the patterns of pinewood, stainless wear, and Corelleware. Oak grain is perhaps my favorite and most interesting grain though admittedly curly maple is quite intricate. Walnut grain is rich. Pine knots are the most interesting part pine grain. When placed in pairs on a veneer such as a plywood, the parallel knots can may interesting pictures of faces. Patterns on forks and plates can be gaudy for my taste but French curves are tasteful if not overdone. For instance, consider the persistence of Paisley’s, a French curve derivative.
- Unity and Contrast of patterns, colors, and materials
Mallard Ducks are common and “garden variety”, but have you ever looked closely at the decorations on a male Mallard? I reminds me of the verse: “Consider the lilies, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin; but I tell you, not even Solomon in all his glory clothed himself like one of these.” (Luke 12:27) Conversely, I only saw two Mallard’s paddling upstream against the current. Where are the thousands of birds and the teaming fish in the river? Once migrating flocks blackened the skies. What have we done?
- From orange, webbed feet to yellow, dabbling bill, he’s a well decorated flier
One of the activities my wife and I do most consistently beyond chores is walking on our local Greenway. This is where we saw the ducks. Only a few moments later, my wife was asking me what kind of tree was beside the way. This got me to looking up a little more than usual. Though I do like to look up in the trees, I usually do it more when sitting or lying. As the picture reveals I saw a little different variety on a large oak trunk near the path, a few feet above usual line of sight. I told my wife to come back and see it. She exclaimed and gave it wider berth. I stayed behind to snap a few pictures. I had more close up pictures but black is black and the context of trunk and path seemed more informative.
- For perspective: approximately 4 1/2 feet Black Snake
I am thankful to God for occasional brushes with small joys in nature and relationships and comforts to keep life interesting. Catalog your small joys like the old hymn says: “Count your blessings; name them one by one. Count your many blessings; see what God hath done.”
Posted in Beauty, Blessing, Delights, General, Photo, Random thoughts | Tagged Art, Beauty, Delights, Nature, Photos, Random thoughts | 1 Comment »
May 5, 2019 by creatorworship
The weekend after Resurrection Celebration my wife and I went the opposite direction from Knoxville, to Concord, VA, to visit our daughter, her husband, and two grandchildren. We enjoyed much good conversation and a very relaxed time. Some of the pictures below are not the best, but well record the joy of the time together. In two weekends we had the privilege of seeing all five of our children and all six of our grandchildren, along with some 30 extended family members. It wasn’t even a planned family reunion time.
Little Ewok with his magic jewel
Mealtime
Doting Big Sister
Not really wanting to eat just now
Watching the little man
Mamaw’s favorite thing
Firelight and Family
Enjoying a Spring evening
Feeding time again
A nearby scene; living in the country is nice.
Oak-Hickory stand at the rest area
Crimson Clover in a neighbor’s field
Posted in Family, General, Grandchildren, Photo, Relationship | Tagged Family, Grandchildren | 2 Comments »
April 26, 2019 by creatorworship
I told my brother that my wife and I would be in town to visit our children and grandchildren Resurrection Day weekend. Might we get together with him? He replied that he would get the whole family together at his eldest son’s house for a party. Along with his wife, he has three children with three spouses and 13 grandchildren and one on the the way. One was not there. Of my five children, three were there, one with his wife and four children and the another with his fiancee. My youngest brother was also there with his wife. My ciphering puts us at 34 souls. The clan is growing. If you count my missionary brother and his wife and my two other children with their spouses and two more grandchildren, that brings the clan to 42 at present. The last picture is of my 3rd born and his fiancee at his church breakfast on Sunday morning. The conversation seemed to go through catching up and news, serious political or religious conversation, and then crazy old stories, particularly about growing up in my parent’s house.
Mothers are always busy
Food and Fellowship
Do crossed arms mean it’s a serious discussion?
Are we skeptical?
“Candy Land” Carousel
My second son and his fiancee
Posted in Family, General, Grandchildren, Photo, Relationship | Tagged Family, Feasting, Grandchildren, Photos | Leave a Comment »
April 24, 2019 by creatorworship
Scotch-Irish blood runs in our veins on both sides of the family. I had not thought all that much of it until I took my young family to the Highland Games at Grandfather Mountain, North Carolina many years ago. My oldest son has never been the same. Combined with significant family history studies, he frequently dresses himself and his children in kilts and tartans. His oldest son has a very Scottish name, the middle name of Royal descent and protectorate of our own family name. So, it was no surprise when his eldest son asked for a Scottish birthday party, complete with dressing up, listening to bagpipes and ballads, and Scottish food. The boiled eggs deep fried in sausage, the bannocks, and the leek salad were of most interest to me and very good. With my wife, our eldest son and wife, their four children, and two of our other sons, one with his wife, we had quite a merry event. We even shot rifles and a pistol on an appropriately drizzly day. Check out some of the festivities:
Black Watch?
Old Duffer
The Feast Begins
Sprawled out Uncle
The Matron is ever multi-tasking with a smile
This little box can capture pictures of you!
Mamaw Observes
Dressed for the Feast
Holding up the Royal Standard of Scotland
“Please, kind sir, what is going on in my house?”
Cuddly Moment
Intense Moment
Mamaw gave me new sandals.
Changing of the guard
Posted in Family, General, Grandchildren, Photo, Scottish | Tagged Birthday, Family, Grandchildren, Photos, Scottish | Leave a Comment »
April 13, 2019 by creatorworship
I awoke this morning with a number of thoughts rolling around in my mind. Of the ones that rose to the top, I skimmed off the following in a poem that came fairly quickly:
Running fast was once a thing
But now I have grown old
Working ’til the break of dawn
But now I early fold
Once I walked with heavy pack
Many miles in a day
Now I sit in rocking chair
Recalling hard won play
Recovery was quick then
Endurance that would last
Injury slight problem when
Healing would come so fast
Now there is strength in wisdom
Knowing when best to stop
Working smarter not harder
No need to be on top
Much there is I’ve yet to learn
New vistas I would see
But lack of energy
Means that I am not free
My good days are not done yet
Though now I slow the pace
My hope is not in sprinting
But finishing the race
If it were in my own strength
Long since I would have failed
For God is my provision
Or long since I’d have bailed
As life begins to wind down
Vigor begins to wane
Glimpses I see of heaven
Through a dimly lit pane
One day before God I’ll dance
I’ll sing and serve and praise
In His strength forever there
His glories I will raise
Posted in Experience, General, God Thoughts, Hike, Old, Poem, Praise, Remembering, Wisdom | Tagged Old, Poem, Strength, Wisdom | Leave a Comment »
April 11, 2019 by creatorworship
I took more time convincing myself to do a chore than I used doing the chore. Why? I knew that I didn’t have the skills, tools, or experience to do a very good job. But that has rarely stopped me before, so why the hesitation? Well, the results are quite visible and frequently so, too. I consoled myself by saying that it would be functional if not fancy. The repair rescued the object from deteriorating into uselessness. The result of my repair was adequate and I am mildly satisfied with the result. There is nothing wrong with something looking good and functioning well. And if you can have a better look without excessive money or time or pride, I’d say go for it. But not everything you own has to look “just so”. Functional will do.
My short poem that resulted from these thoughts took a turn from my consideration of the project I did. I don’t know if they quite correlate, but I think the thoughts in the poem are worth considering.
Functional not fancy is the way to go
Enduring not faddish I do prefer so
Beautiful not fashionable, better you know
Prudent not frivolous, the best seed to sow
In so doing no good advice away throw
Not reap consequences of wild oats you sow
Not wasting life on what may glimmer and glow
Savoring peace in your heart to spread and grow
Posted in General, Poem, Random thoughts | Tagged Functionality, Poem | Leave a Comment »
April 1, 2019 by creatorworship
It’s Marvelous Monday! Just before I stepped back out into the refreshingly crisp and slightly breezy 32 degree morning, I spied the signed that read “…Learning Commons, Encouraging collaboration, exploration, and creation. Supporting lifelong learning since 2007.” I proceeded to my parking lot duty station to stand watch just after 7:15 AM, making my school a kinder and gentler place to be. My mind began to stir with thoughts and comments I had with a student the Friday before concerning the way we do school. As the Sun rose above the small ridge behind the school into a nearly cloudless sky and a songbird repeated his song, my thoughts came together.
Lifelong learners
They tell us we should be
But how do you touch the heart
By compulsion and decree?
Critical thinking skills
Synthesis to high degree
But without facts in their toolbox
What hope that they will see?
College is a must
AP courses, advanced degree
But where is creativity
Without time to explore and be free?
Learning is for high pursuits
For wisdom for you and me
But when will we understand
Growth of the spirit is key?
Look the look, play the part
Be all that you can be
But have you learned of heaven
To be eternally set free?
Posted in Education, General, Learning, Poems, Random thoughts, Truth, Understanding, Wisdom | Tagged Education, Learning, Lifelong Learning, Poems, Truth, Wisdom | 1 Comment »
March 6, 2019 by creatorworship
I have two compulsory periods each year when I must sit still for hours at a time, and a third one was added this year. It is a good time to organize thoughts. Even so, I am surprised at the amount of poetry I have produced in the last year. Though I have not actually counted, there may be more poetry entries than others.
I love to say how God should be glorified in each facet of life and thought. He is a kind and worthy Master. Any value I have comes from Him.
This latest attempt at communicating His worth in poetry was prompted by posters and decorations that are meant to pump people up. Why isn’t it working? Why is depression and suicide at its highest? Here is my take on the subject:
Over fragranced
Over stuffed
Brightly colored
Greatly fluffed
Thus promoted
Self-esteem
So developed
A mere meme
Accomplishment
That is real
Encouragement
The real deal
Truest value
Comes from God
Another view
Fake and odd
In God’s image
We were made
So His brightness
On parade
In the garden
Sin did mar
Need of pardon
Left a scar
Jesus overcame
Sin and death
He took our shame
Gave us breath
These two reasons
Give us hope
Bright new seasons
Help us cope
You have value
Purpose, too
Eternal view
To pursue
Jesus is our
Fragrance sweet
Strength in each hour
Makes complete
Sweetest flowers
Come from this
Shout from towers
Eternal bliss
Brightest colors
Truly blest
End of horrors
Ever rest
Posted in Cultural commentary, General, God Thoughts, Poems, Self-Worth, Value | Tagged Poems, Self-Worth, Value | Leave a Comment »
February 28, 2019 by creatorworship
With what are you struggling? Struggling with temptation is a matter of replacing it with something good and godly. I find that Romans 6:11 helps me to focus in times of temptation. Philippians 4:8 helps it to be less of a problem in the first place and less burdensome when happening. But what if the struggle is not a temptation but concerning a desire that you have thought to be a godly ambition? You pursue it, but thus far, to no avail. Patience and acquiescence to God’s will are certainly needed, but as platitudes they do not answer questions about how to proceed. So, here is how I am struggling:
My senses all say no
As do comments and circumstances
Whence comes this great desire
When all else says there are thin chances
To prayer I did devote
This ambition of which I now speak
Much counsel, plans I wrote
And God’s will in this matter I seek
How do I now proceed?
Exercise patience and longer wait?
More scrutiny it need?
Oh my mind and emotional state?
Is it time to give up?
To admit it was not in God’s will?
Accept this empty cup
As good providence rather than ill?
This I know above all
God is good and His will is the best
May stumble but not fall
Be bewildered but finally blest
I will continue on
Trusting God and in His guidance rest
Listening I will hone
Find His direction and pass the test
Posted in Experience, Faith, General, Guidance, Poems, Problems, Questioning, Struggling | Tagged Faith, Guidance, Patience, Poems, Struggling | 1 Comment »
February 23, 2019 by creatorworship
In my years of teaching Earth Science, I have discovered that one concept seems to tie more physical phenomena together than any other. Frequently it is the cause of what is observed and often it is the connecting thread between interactions of matter and energy. So I thought to give a few examples of why it is so often the correct answer to questions in Earth Science:
Earth Science is all about density
What will go up and what will come down
That convective cell propensity
Uneven heating of the atmosphere
Solar gain and wind and pressure change
Forced aloft forms clouds, sinking air clear
Heat, salt, and wind stir up the oceans
Many upwellings from the great deep
Gyres and thermohalocline motions
Far below the roots of the mountains
Plates form rifts, volcanoes, and trenches
Float on plastic and magma fountains
In the stars war gravity and fusion
Caldera of rarified plasma
Spots and flares in boiling confusion
Thus mass divided by volume seen
In many small and grandiose ways
And from its study much knowledge glean
Posted in General, Learning, Poems, Science, Understanding, Weather and Climate | Tagged Density, Earth Science, Nature, Poems, Science, Understanding | Leave a Comment »
February 17, 2019 by creatorworship
My pastor asked me if I would share about my writing and how it has benefited me spiritually. I have been writing for many years by many means. I have journaled with pen to paper and fingers to keyboard in order to capture my thoughts. I have written newspaper articles and research papers supporting God’s view of Creation and salvation. I have written poetry and songs and short stories about struggles and joys of everyday life. I have written about family, friends, and colleagues. I have designed diagrams to explain ideas. Writing has been a long-term blessing in my life.
But why writing? Speaking to friends is easy. It’s real time, interactive, and engaging. You clarify and correct as you go. Facial expressions and voice intonations make understanding easier. Writing is harder. It has to make sense without the opportunity to correct misunderstandings. Writing speaks long after you are gone, for posterity or ridicule. Therefore, writing forces the writer to be more careful with words.
Why do I write? I write to focus, organize, and deepen my thoughts. I write in order to understand better and to make myself better understood by others. I write to hone arguments for truth and simplify complex ideas. I write to remember what I thought when God imparted understanding and wisdom to me. I write to quiet fretful, fearful, and frantic thoughts, to put my mind at rest by musing on truth. I write to plead with God, praise God, and thank God.
Psalm 139: 17-18a says, “How precious also are Your thoughts to me, O God! How vast is the sum of them! If I should count them, they would outnumber the sand.” His thoughts are indeed precious and numerous. The more I consider His thoughts, His works, His beauty, and His person as seen in Scripture, in Creation, and in my experience of Him, the more I realize the truth of Johannes Kepler’s words: “I was merely thinking God’s thoughts after Him. Since we astronomers are priests of the highest God in regard to the book of nature, it benefits us to be thoughtful, not of the glory of our minds, but rather, above all else, of the glory of God.” So, I write to record and mull over observations I have made of God and His work in His Word, the world, and my life.
Writing may help you to think more biblically, more deeply, and more clearly. I would urge you to give it a try. If writing seems distasteful to you, it may be because it is difficult for you to do. I don’t claim to be a very good writer, but I have considered what has caused me to improve. Following are my tips for writing. (“P” is such a handy letter for the the tautograms and alliterations of poets and preachers. I went a little wild.)
1) Practice. Focused attempts to write will bring improvement.
2) Write with a purpose. Writing simply to record information is useful, but there are better reasons to write. Tell a story. Organize thinking. Simplify complex concepts with new analogies. Pursue your interests.
3) Pretend you have an audience. This procedure forces you to make yourself understood and tends to induce you to put more effort into delivery.
4) Be precise. Choose words and turns of phrase that convey what you intend. It takes effort.
5) Prune your writing. Concise thought is more organized, better understood, and better remembered.
6) Proof-read your writing several times and have others proof-read it. Make at least one pass for grammar and spelling, one pass for clarity, and one pass for readability.
7) Make your writing personal. Even if you are explaining difficult theological or scientific concepts, tell how it matters to you, why you want to know, what prompted your search, and how it will effect you.
8) Give praise to God for His providence in pleasant and problematic circumstances so that His goodness and power will be seen as active in the present as it was in the past.
Posted in General, God Thoughts, Learning, Thanksgiving, Truth, Wisdom | Tagged God Thoughts, Learning, Musing, Organizing Thought, Thinking, Truth, Writing, Writing Better | Leave a Comment »
February 10, 2019 by creatorworship
Why Me? There are generally two ways to answer that question.
Why me? Why is this happening to me? What did I do wrong?
Or…
Why me? What is God trying to teach me? How is He using these circumstances to guide me?
On a very pleasant, sunny afternoon my wife and I were preparing to go for a walk on our local Greenway. We were talking and enjoying conversation and she was understanding well. You see, she is a stroke victim and most days communication is poor and ponderous. We went to the car, talking away as we went. I distinctly remember enjoying the moment.
I pulled out of the driveway, looking both ways. In my blind spot a car had pulled up on the opposite curb. I looked in my rear side mirror and reacted just soon enough to dent his passenger door no more than about four inches. Two inches less and a toilet plunger would have fixed the problem, but the main beam was damaged and irrepairable. It was an expensive mistake.
Now two months later I was at the body shop paying for the repair. I had planned other business nearby. When I came out of the shop, my truck would not start. After a half hour cleaning the battery cable, I was underway, too late to do the other business I thought so important.
Why had all of this happened? Why was I prevented and redirected? What chain of events is God orchestrating for His glory and my benefit through these less than pleasant events?
I may never know, but I do know that the Scripture says, “The mind of man plans his way, but the Lord directs his steps.” (Proverbs 16:9) I lived a good portion of my life frustrated by annoying sidetracks and roadblocks, but I have come to understand what the Psalmist means when he says, “It is vain to rise up early, to retire late, to eat the bread of painful labors; for He gives to His beloved even in his sleep.” (Psalm 127:2) I want to end my days trusting God, as the Psalmist says, “The Lord also will be a stronghold for the oppressed, a stronghold in times of trouble; and those who know Your name will put their trust in You. For You, O Lord, have not forsaken those who seek You.” (Psalm 9:9-10)
Posted in Experience, General, God Thoughts, Hurry, Learning, Problems, Questioning, Sustaining, Wisdom | Tagged Difficulties, Direction, Mistakes, Problems, Purpose | Leave a Comment »
February 3, 2019 by creatorworship
On the drive to church this morning,
I wrote the first verse of the following poem.
Hands free communication (as with a cellphone) disallowed me
to write it down, so the beginning of the second verse was lost
to me before I could write it down. But the direction in which
I was thinking remained for the rest of the poem to come this afternoon. God’s grace and goodness are so great, especially in contrast to our inability to comply to His commands and wishes.
So much wickedness in my heart
Made in God’s image, tarnished art
Frequent failings, falling away
To often straying from the way
Desire to follow ever grows
Distracted by pleasures and woes
Many small failings of the heart
Who will give me a brand new start?
Jesus only, beginning, end
Power to enable, transcend
All my failings and weakness
Distracted thoughts and selfishness
All by grace He has given me
From Him any good that you see
This fragile glass His strengths reveal
Demonstrates His goodness is real
One day my faulty service gone
Perfect obedience will dawn
In good time I will be steadfast
Then I will see God at long last
Posted in General, God Thoughts, Grace, Piety, Poems, Struggling, Work of Jesus | Tagged Enabling, Grace, Piety, Poems, Struggles, Work of Jesus | Leave a Comment »
February 2, 2019 by creatorworship
Man is a tool making animal (I only say in jest, since he is made in God’s image, and animal only by way of bodily similarity.). For repetitive, dangerous, or difficult jobs there is nothing like the right tool. I have been blessed with the use of many good tools and frustrated by the use of many inadequate and wrongly purposed tools. One item that I own and use that many people would not readily see as tool is my car. My 2007 Hyundai Elantra is not fancy, but it is nice, functional, easy and fun to drive, and dependable. It reached a milestone a few nights ago appropriately at the end of a trip over the mountains that we take frequently. In fact, we have probably taken this trip for more miles on this car than all the rest put together. Check out what happened.
Coming of Age.
I hope this tool will function without major repair for another 50,000 miles. But how do you know when to trade it in? Will it go 500 more miles without major repairs needing to be done, or 5000, or 50,000? The engine runs very well and blows by no more oil than it did 100,000 miles ago. The front end will need reworked soon, but how soon? The clutch shows wear but no sense is it near an end.
I have had a tendency to drive vehicles until someone has to tow them to a junkyard (It has happened at least 4 times.) Is that frugality or poor timing? One was catastrophic engine failure that could not have reasonably been foreseen, but others were death by degrees and dollars. For all of the roadside or shade tree repairs I have had a number of dependable and useful vehicles. I don’t say cars, because pick-up trucks figured among 4 of the vehicles, along with 8 cars, that God has provided over my 41 years of owning vehicles.
I married into one, bought two from family and two from friends, and one was gifted new from my father. I had one repainted, which I also replaced the the differential for a higher torque, lower gear, 1 1/2 ton version. One I replaced the bed (or box, and the Canadian’s called it) with a wooden bed that carried twice as much firewood. On one I had the transmission rebuilt, another I helped a mechanic rebuild the transmission in his personal shop, and another I junked because rebuilding transmissions was expensive and odious to me by then.
I hauled children, luggage, firewood, gravel, trash, and trailers with cars, dirt, brush, wood, more trash, etc. I’ve hauled pianos, an enlarging camera, furniture, building materials of amazing variety, hay and straw, manure, for recycling household and oil products. I shouldn’t have started that list because I can’t finish it and it is already too long to be of any interest to anyone.
My experiences, needs, and personality drive me to prefer pick-up trucks and small cars with clutches. I don’t like the inside of my vehicles to be trashy or dirty nor the outside particularly ugly, but necessity above presentation and function above beauty.
All in all, I have been blessed by God with many useful tools of transportation for which I am thankful. In moments of repair frustration or roadside delay, I have not been emotionally up to this thanksgiving, but I know it is true. 200K on the newest one was an apt reminder of God’s goodness and provision.
Posted in Blessing, Experience, General, Photo, Pick-up Trucks, Thanksgiving, Vehicles | Tagged Photos, Pick-up Trucks, Random thoughts, Thanksgiving, Tools, Transportation | Leave a Comment »
January 27, 2019 by creatorworship
After two months of rain and conflicting responsibilities, I got to go climbing yesterday. It was an exceptionally beautiful day, 20 degrees initially, but lower 30’s by the time we began climbing. Besides full sunshine on the south facing wall, the breeze was minimal and most of the climbs were dry except for one or two springs (yeah, not oozes, but springs, but hey, a record rainfall year just ended). In consideration of temperatures we chose a low elevation, south facing crag, Rocky Face Mountain Recreational Park (website) in the Brushy Mountains of Alexander County, North Carolina. Some forward looking people (community members and public servants, no doubt) planned and executed this transformation of a rock quarry into a park the whole family can use, and they do. The company my climbing partner works for designed and executed the parking, picnic, and climbing areas. Where else can you park, walk less than 100 yards across a mulched picnic area to 60 bolted sport climbs. Signs show topo pictures and ratings. My climbing partner suggested that we try to get in 10 pitches before park closing time at 5 PM. We warmed up on a 5.4, then progressed up to a 5.10. I only fell on the 5.10, but on the second try found the right foot placement to utilize the slopey, crimper sidepull for my right hand (Climbing Terminology). I actually figured it out by watching my partner do it between my two tries. Visual beta is the best when you can get it. It occurred to me that visual beta (seeing how it is done) is analogous to fellowship in the church. You can see the path forward as you watch and collaborate with fellow believers. I actually have a few pictures of me climbing in the park a former time I was there three years ago (Playing at 56). The day was particularly satisfying since my mind had been distracted by many difficulties and restraints. You can’t think about concerns when you are concentrating on climbing (Or at least, bears of little brain cannot so multi-task.) I was refreshed by the day, the conversation, the challenge, and the small accomplishments after so long a time away from climbing, and I am thankful to God for it.
Note: This blog post will be very dull indeed if you do not utilize the hyperlinks.
Posted in Climbing, General, Outdoors | Tagged Climbing, Outdoors, Rock Climbing | Leave a Comment »
January 22, 2019 by creatorworship
While sitting quietly the other day, I noticed once again a print of an ink stippling on my wall. It was given to me by the artist, Paul S., over 35 years ago. I offer my students the opportunity to interpret its meaning each semester. They have little context for understanding what the picture could mean. As you read the poem by which I tried to interpret it, consider three details: when it was drawn, over 40 years ago; the fact that the wind up key was not in the original drawing (added to soften the message); the driver is a self-portrait of the artist:
Business on parade
Corporate charade
Self-importance stance
Condescending glance
All dressed to impress
Picture of success
Lean and hungry look
Sales castling rook
Off to war we go
Corporate G.I. Joe
Competition war
Watch our profits soar
Take seriously
Capitalist free
Make a better place
Of our world and race
Bosses all are we
We work for a fee
All cogs in the wheel
We stagger and reel
Get on the bus
That’s left even us
Once to camp and play
Now late at work stay
Thus we bid adieu
Commitments renew
Now hard on the track
Taking business flak
Posted in Cultural commentary, General, Influence, Photo, Poem, Random thoughts | Tagged Art, Business, Corporate, Poem, Sarcasm | 1 Comment »
January 18, 2019 by creatorworship
My students were preparing to take their big semester test. Besides trying to calm some of their nerves and instill confidence, I also wanted to persuade them to not rush either for reasons of nerves or apathy. After my little speech, this poem began to come to me.
Take your time
Please don’t hurry
Do it right
Don’t end in a flurry
Patience now
‘Tis a virtue
Hand to plow
Follow through
Carefully
Wisely proceed
Clearly see
Then the deed
Measure twice
Cut but once
Planned it thrice
Prevention’s ounce
When you’re done
As you should
Quite the run
It was good
Posted in General, Hurry, Learning, Poem, Random thoughts | Tagged Hurry, Patience, Poem | Leave a Comment »
January 17, 2019 by creatorworship
It shall not grow if the soil is not prepared. It shall not be caught if there is no net in the air. No reason, no logic based in truth will occur without the moral component.
What is not caught is not taught
So they say
Lead them to water add salt
Make it play
But how do you break the hard pan
Unfriable soil
Minds for which learning is ban
Refuse slightest toil
Closed to logic and reason
Parroting thought
Flocks of birds out of season
Nothing new sought
Where are those seeking learning
Knowledge sponge
Understanding discerning
For truth lunge
True wisdom comes from above
Two-sided gift
Truth one side, the flip side love
Between no rift
Posted in Cultural commentary, General, Learning, Poem, Truth, Wisdom | Tagged Learning, Poem, Truth, Wisdom | Leave a Comment »
January 15, 2019 by creatorworship
As I have mentioned several times recently, and as anyone in my area will attest, there have been more than usual number of days with gray skies and fewer of sunshine than normally. On just such a day yesterday, I began to consider.
Snow on the mountain
Wind in the trees
Frost on the pasture
Chilled by degrees
Gray sky overcast
Sun seldom guest
Trees in dark profile
Season of rest
All is damp and cold
The days are short
Food scarce for creatures
Few birds report
In this bleak season
Emotions wane
Foreboding reason
Given to pain
Now the time for faith
Let the truth ring
After these dark days
Then will come Spring
Even wintertime
Has its beauty
Seek out what is good
Fulfill duty
Embrace these gray days
Count it all joy
Draws you to Jesus
And sins destroy
Posted in Faith, General, Poem, Problems, Remembering, Trials | Tagged Faith, Poem, Trials, Winter | Leave a Comment »
January 12, 2019 by creatorworship
The first advent we celebrate
As babe in flesh we can relate
Without a sin He lived His life
Through all temptation, pain, and strife
Miracles He performed with ease
Controlling nature as He please
To His deity these pointed
And with the Spirit anointed
Taught us of the Father’s kindness
Of religious leader’s blindness
God’s kingdom come in hearts of men
Of wrath to come, the cost of sin
His most amazing, gracious toil
His death that sin and death did foil
For those who believe and submit
Eternal life He will commit
He rose from the grave on day three
From sin’s power He set us free
Now we serve Him with joy and peace
Seeking for others sweet release
He returns that glorious day
His mighty power on display
The dead are raised to life anew
Trailing the Master in full view
So with Him forever to reign
His was the price, ours is the gain
With joyful hearts we’ll worship Him
The saints singing eternal hymn
In His life and death is our hope
Eternal in extent and scope
What assurance it is to know
The One from Whom all blessings flow
Posted in General, God Thoughts, Poem, Praise, Salvation, Work of Jesus | Tagged Life of Jesus, Poem, Salvation, Work of Jesus | Leave a Comment »
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CreatorWorship 
Real Self-Worth
March 6, 2019 by creatorworship
I have two compulsory periods each year when I must sit still for hours at a time, and a third one was added this year. It is a good time to organize thoughts. Even so, I am surprised at the amount of poetry I have produced in the last year. Though I have not actually counted, there may be more poetry entries than others.
I love to say how God should be glorified in each facet of life and thought. He is a kind and worthy Master. Any value I have comes from Him.
This latest attempt at communicating His worth in poetry was prompted by posters and decorations that are meant to pump people up. Why isn’t it working? Why is depression and suicide at its highest? Here is my take on the subject:
Over fragranced
Over stuffed
Brightly colored
Greatly fluffed
Thus promoted
Self-esteem
So developed
A mere meme
Accomplishment
That is real
Encouragement
The real deal
Truest value
Comes from God
Another view
Fake and odd
In God’s image
We were made
So His brightness
On parade
In the garden
Sin did mar
Need of pardon
Left a scar
Jesus overcame
Sin and death
He took our shame
Gave us breath
These two reasons
Give us hope
Bright new seasons
Help us cope
You have value
Purpose, too
Eternal view
To pursue
Jesus is our
Fragrance sweet
Strength in each hour
Makes complete
Sweetest flowers
Come from this
Shout from towers
Eternal bliss
Brightest colors
Truly blest
End of horrors
Ever rest
Posted in Cultural commentary, General, God Thoughts, Poems, Self-Worth, Value | Tagged Poems, Self-Worth, Value | Leave a Comment »