RETURN THE FLAG

She lies against her bearer

As below people bustle by

Never looking up to see her

Too busy to watch her fly

Once her might she waved so proud

Joy in what a country can be

A gleaming beacon on a hill

From the sea to shining sea

Men have died on battlefields

Across the ocean and home so near

To keep her flying held so high

This cloth so many hold dear

Today on her sacred soil

Are Men who find shame in her sight

Thinking this country always wrong

Her enemies always right

Leaders calling evil good

To destroy this land with their lies

Saying any words to tear her down

Bringing tears to the LORDs eyes

A mighty country he gave

To show the world a better way

Now a corrupt and defiled land

Soon to suffer judgment day

When that time for her arrives

And the great power comes to end

This nation must return to GOD

To have every knee thus bend

If people again do bow

With each one looking to the sky

The LORD will hear their prayers

Setting her again on high

Returned to the place deserved

Located by the LORD’s own hand

This countries grand old flag will fly

Waving over a GODly land

BARUCH 4/26/08

A MAN CALLED DAD

You are the man called dad

When as a child I cared not

That your soul as mine-lost

GOD to us mattered only little

My thoughts were as a child

Yours the world called dutiful

Life sent me down many path

Some led to times of great joy

Others moments of aching sorrow

You marched confidently on

I became a man of confusion

Sundays being told of GOD

Monday nowhere was he found

Twisted by two competing worlds

Sunday’s GOD Monday’s man

My mother’s willing faith

Father’s rebellious life’s desires

I lived only to survive the day

Awaiting each sunrises wrath

Praying for a nights forgetfulness

Drowning out daylights screams

Darkness consumed my life’s light

My LORD continued to call me

Earthly father didn’t you also hear

You refused to listen to the voice

My life I gave to his Lordship

Now I am called to ask you of you

Will you look at my life present?

Think of my life lived in the past

Know of the sweet voice I heard

Turn from that which holds you

Be consumed by the Master’s love

The dusk of your life arrives soon

Will you await me in his presence?

If the king asks “do I know you”?

Will he then remember my prayers?

Yes you are the man called dad

FOOLISH MAN

Such a Foolish man

Hells flames are burning too close

As you rejoice in their warmth

Laughing at thoughts of such place

Hades legend a simpleton’s myth

Is this world not hell enough

Deaths a sanctuary to be revealed

Satan’s pitchfork a puritan’s ruse

The world offers temporary joy

Does Peace arrive with his entrance?

Follow the deceiver into the depth

Where evil men suffer the abyss

Torment reserved for the hardened

You’ve weighed on man’s scales

No great corruption to be found

A sinner yes, but as are we all

A GOD who loves doesn’t condemn

Grace covers all the sin committed

Hell hath no fury to be feared by men

Heaven no reward to be pursued

You live as tomorrow promised

Your days as passing futures

Time waits for your desires

The Day comes when myths die

How will you answer the King?

Yourself a sinner, Him a sinless judge

Friends of a life will abandon you

Satan of Hades will claim you

God of justice must sentence you

All foolishness is swept away

For on this very night so dark

Your life will be demanded of you

Such a foolish man

BARUCH 2/12/08

ONE YEAR

We’ve walked the pilgrimage path

With our seeing only a short time

Thoughts seared deep into our minds

Wonderment at Holy sites we beheld

Vivid imagery remains even on this day

To linger until death presence arrives

Not all wonders are relics of time

Laughs shared with newfound friends

A gentle spirit comforts a troubled soul

Shoulder given for a sick friend to rest

These are the peaks we strive to ascend

The mountaintops blessed us to arrive

Our hearts soared with each other’s climb

Knowing the Valleys await our return

Time is not merciful to our reminiscence

The new joys return to the old pains

When Memories turn to blurry dreams

Dreams that with silent time have faded

The Determination to serve weakens

Footsteps veer from righteousness path

Did we feed bread to the hungry?

Clothed those who were cold

Tell about the grace of the LORD

The mountain top has become far-away

Distance settles between GOD and us

A month of days have turned to six

A year having now been completed

Tell me what have we become since

We’ve walked the pilgrimage path

BARUCH 022108/

MY BROTHER CAN’T YOU STAY

MY BROTHER CAN’T YOU STAY

Linger for awhile with us men

Your friends savor your presence

Influenced by words you spoke

Lessons learned of your life shared

My BROTHER CAN’T YOU STAY

The men of this table wish to tell

Each of us with a different story

Some men with tears you did share

Others the joy of Heavens laughter

MY BROTHER CAN’T YOU STAY

Is your work here complete?

As the LORD calls you once more

Go to the place I will show you

Again his command you obey

MY BROTHER CAN’T YOU STAY

We ask in our own selfish desire

There is more from you to know

More mountain tops to be reached

Valleys only friends can carry thru

MY BROTHER CAN’T YOU STAY

NO! You must leave us behind

A New life awaits your arrival

GOD’s plan requires you leave

To find another table of men

MY BROTHER CAN’T YOU STAY

The answers rest cold on our lips

Causing sadness in our hearts

For we know what you must say

Goodbye my brothers goodbye

MY BROTHERS I CAN’T STAY

BARUCH 03/21/08