Welcome to Different

This morning another poem came to me as I was deep in thought and preparation for the upcoming academic year. My mind went to trying to describe the Kats for Christ ministry to a new student for the first time. We certainly approach the beginning of the year differently than many other ministries on campus...at least it seems that way.

To briefly explain, we refuse to act like a ministry we will never be. In my mind, that would be a form bait and switch where a new student comes in getting the impression that we do this all the time and at some point realizing our (even innocent) ruse!

Therefore, we intentionally try to reflect in the first week, the kind of ministry we are. We do have fun! We do talk about Jesus in normal conversation! We do serve! We do dig in God's word! We do serve again! We do hang out! And we do give academic advice as spiritual advice! It is...different! Here is a glimpse of my thoughts captured in this poem:

Welcome to Different

It's Same at first

Upon the surface

Explosion, burst!

Then a peculiar

Happening occurs

The depth of love

Erupts in blurs

It confuses

It taunts

It reaches

It flaunts

It rises upon

Our hearts until

Suddenly Different

There revealed

It teaches

Matures

It grow

Endures

Then service erupts

The other is clear

A towel to wash

Salvation is near

Welcome to Different

You can never go back

Embrace the call

And life never lack!

A Picture

I want to paint a picture
Without drawing a line
It will speak beyond itself
And to nature divine

It points and displays beauty
It fashions itself with word
It creates a connection
And feelings never heard

I want to paint a picture
Without skill or technique
It will dance beyond expectation
And rest in land unique

It wrestles with struggle
It smiles with wisdom
It hovers through silence
And reveals kingdom

I want to paint a picture
Without pride in me
It will honor God and Man
And hang upon His tree

Reverence Matures

The voice is familiar and somewhat vague

Laughs, family, gifts, on stage

The drag is noticed too, distinguished from rest

Jealousy, dishes, money, and guest

It comes to announce good tidings and cheers

It surprises sometimes and new life appears

It follows us hidden down beneath

It retrains itself without relief

They keep it at bay and traditions continue

They perform it again without new venue

They struggle for clarity with all a blur

They hear and doubt the gold and myrrh

What do you hear? What do you feel?

They unite and reverence they reveal

Apologetic Heart

As a word guy, I have sporadic moments where words just come to me. Lately, they have been manifesting themselves in poetic attire. A few days ago this poem appeared.

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It comes in moments
You and I apart
I taste God's love
And am cut in heart

Apologies are hard for me
I must admit and you know
It pains me the humility
But to the cross I must go

I'm sorry for my slacking
In the humble leadership we need
I'm sorry that I hurt you
In word, in thought, in deed

I love you because of God
And your captivating beauty a perk
I commit to you again this day
To love you like God and kill the jerk

How I wish to write poetry

The more I read, the more intrigued

I get for me to see

But upon this height, I must not kite--

Humility is the key