REACH FOR ME

				 Reach for Me when you feel sad
				 When life's no longer fun
				 I know what you are going through
				 I've been there with My Son
				 Though you feel like giving up
				 I can reverse your fate 							     Turn to Me,your greatest fan
				 It never is too late.

				 The trials and tribulations
				 Inflicting you right now
				 Are fleas upon an itching back
				 Let me show you how
				 To get back on the narrow way
				 My peace will guide you through
				 But only if you reach for Me
				 My child, I'm here for you.

Born into a world of anger
				 The rich and greedy ran
				 You came to help the leper
				 The poorest kind of man
				 Brought light into the darkness
				 And lived a simple life
				 You suffered, oh so greatly
				 In Your walk of toil and strife.

				 Upset the laws of hypocrites
				 The pharisees and their kind
				 And taught about The Father
				 To people who were blind
				 You ridiculed the system
				 By changing all the rules
				 Angering the mighty
				 Demoting them to fools.

				 No wonder they got angry
				 And plotted out Your death
				 Searching for a loophole
				 So they could cut Your breath
				 Then they finally got You
				 Betrayed by Judas, friend
				 It brought about a promise
				 That You kept until the end.


				 The agonizing, pain filled walk
				 To where Your victory lay
				 Was made for us and everyone
				 Whose price You want to pay
				 Defeating death and satan
				 We need no longer fear
				 You are our intercessor
				 With the Father we hold dear.

				 So thank You, dear Lord Jesus
				 For all You've done for me
				 I'm with You for a lifetime
				 Past that, ETERNITY.

A man is told what He must do
				 To bring about a link to God
				 Though He surely has a choice
				 He knows He must and gives the nod
				 To what must be a dreadful death
				 A road to agony and strife
				 The time of year is here my friend
				 When Jesus gave His perfect life.

				 Perhaps we do not comprehend
				 The wonder of His sacrifice
				 The separation from His Dad
				 He took our sins and paid our price
				 Now through Him we have it all
				 A life that means so very much
				 Remember what it took my friend
				 And stay with Him in constant touch.

Faith is believing
				 That the One you cannot see
				 Is going to turn your life around
				 Eventually
				 Give Him full access to
				 The parts you want to hide
				 And with His help you'll notice
				 That the pain, it will subside
				 For He is love and gentleness
				 Who wouldn't hurt a fly
				 And has the power to overcome
				 The chains that bind and tie
				 So if you're trembling at the thought
				 Of moving off your shelf
				 Just recognize the healing way
				 He moves about yourself.

I look in the mirror and what do I see
			 Your ageing creation, reflecting at me
			 A mask that is hiding the truth of my being
			 Am I the person you think you are seeing?
			 The Spirit is in there, doing His best
			 To clean up the years of unholy mess
			 If only I'd help Him, by doing my part
			 The light of the gospel would be a start
			 Shining into pools of gloom
			 Rooms of pleasure, halls of doom
			 Caverns fighting to be free
			 Of chains that bind the inner me
			 Yes, I've faith that one fine day
			 And for this I gladly pray
			 I will be at one with He
			 Who died a dreadful death for me.

Although it goes against the grain
			 I must decrease and fade
			 Become someone who does the work
			 Without an accolade
			 Pride has had it's shelf life
			 No longer will I gloat
			 I'll be industrious just the same
			 Beneath an overcoat.

			 So why this sudden action?
			 Am I in sad decline?
			 The strain of being fruitful
			 Has destroyed the flowing wine?
			 No, I'm giving glory
			 To the author of my odes
			 I'm letting Him take all the bows
			 Because I owe Him loads.

fog
not outdoors

numbness
what is there
will hurt later

can't think
about like a rock
sandstone not quartz

here i stay
to pray
and offer my
incessant pain
and unrelated struggles
to
those
who must endure everything
and
or
do not know You

that drains off
a bit
of all there is

i huddle against You
for the rest

--
Jonathan

"How many believe there is an energy crisis?"
(applause)
"How many believe the energy crisis is a hoax?"
(applause)
"How many believe . . . it makes any difference what we believe?"
  -- Johnny Carson


[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

my therapist said

maybe it is not
depression
or panic but

sensitivity

someone
you don't know

a moment i don't know about

and i feel it

*AND IT CRIPPLES ME
FOR NO REASON i CAN SEE*

it could be that
too

if i share pain
unknowing
does it ease up

for anyone

might as well think it does
or offer it as such

--
Jonathan

"How many believe there is an energy crisis?"
(applause)
"How many believe the energy crisis is a hoax?"
(applause)
"How many believe . . . it makes any difference what we believe?"
  -- Johnny Carson


[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

i feel
right now
as i did
on that horrible
anti-cl-mactic day

when

another Beatle announced the break-up

already
my school was inside out
my sisters all gone
my parents on vacation (never before without us)
the tv shows all switched

(in a home
where one is a slave
any refuge . . .)

Viet Nam on tv

and everyone's heroes were                        not

*we needed them*

too bad

and still
in the 60s
every drug possible
except
psycho-tropics

11 years old
and still
weeping over everything
one thing
nothing

why do i feel
this way
today

what has happened
between
this morning and
this afternoon

nothing (????)

an inflamed
poorly-functioning
heart
surrounded by
endlessly pricking needles

this is called
mental illness
depression

asking You
for Heaven
NOW

but it will not come
early
for me
like that deep breath
an asthmatic can't get

why must i
stay here

i know
not for me to know

my kids
adults
need me
they will always
need me

i hope that is not my answer

let Armaggeddon come
on someone else's watch

and the Beatles
are still
g
o
n
e




--
Jonathan

"How many believe there is an energy crisis?"
(applause)
"How many believe the energy crisis is a hoax?"
(applause)
"How many believe . . . it makes any difference what we believe?"
  -- Johnny Carson


[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

You gaze upon anothers walk
			 Wishing you could emulate
			 Everything they're seen to do
			 Wow, amazing, they're so great
			 Must be something that they eat
			 Tuned in closely to their Lord
			 I will never be like them
			 Have to try and get on board.

			 Give up now and be yourself
			 Unique creation, please be real
			 Follow Him just like a sheep
			 Then your gifts He will reveal
			 You were made to touch the hearts
			 Of those who watch your every move
			 Keep your blinkered eyes on Him
			 There is nothing left to prove.

Why should someone take such care
				 In changing sad old me
				 You'd think He had enough on His plate
				 Without the strain I be
				 For it has not been easy
				 His work has been cut out
				 It's been a lot like roping a steer
				 Who loves to scream and shout
				 But maybe He is winning
				 I'm coming round, at last
				 By heeding things He tells me
				 My stubbornness outclassed
				 You have to reach a plateau
				 From which you can't escape
				 Before you finally give in
				 My vine has grown a grape.

the bumps on my hands
all quite normal
would

(in another time)

have been from the use of tools or machinery or
something even more tedious

or
a pistol

(or other weapon)

not tedious

but staring at
my hands
sure is

--
Jonathan

"Why did you come to Casablanca?"
"I came for the waters."
"There are no waters in Casablanca."
"I was misinformed."
-- from Casablanca


[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

There's an empty human being
			 Stripped of any kind of love
			 Self is somewhere long forgotten
			 Covered in a leaden glove
			 Rather like a walking zombie
			 Plugged into a fallen world
			 Gets its orders from the airwaves
			 Hate and loathing are unfurled.

			 God is someone who's uncaring
			 Seems a million miles away
			 Can't be reached by helpless whimpers
			 Surely, He has had His day
			 Marching into unknown future
			 Like a lemming on a cliff
			 There is nothing that can save it
			 There is no such word as if.

			 These are people we must shine on
			 Let them see there is a hope
			 Hell can only be an option
			 If we show them how to cope
			 With a God who truly loves them
			 Wants to fill them with His Son
			 We're His vessels, His disciples
			 For the harvest, we're the ones.

You have the chance to stop and sit,
		      And take stock of your life,
		      To wonder why the path you walk,
		      Is leading you to strife,
		      Are you walking with The Lord,
		      Perhaps you think you are,
		     Or taking on your life yourself,
		      You won't get very far.

		      The Lord is waiting patiently,
		      For you to rest in Him,
		      He wants to show you where you're at,
		      Your light is getting dim,
		      Be prepared to face the fact,
		      Refinement is the need,
		      The Holy Spirit wants to act,
		      So be aware and heed.

		    Your gifts are needed urgently,
		    By those lost in the dark,
		    But where's the beacon to the ones,
		    With whom you make your mark,
		    Give Him back the things you do,
		    Your everyday affairs,
		    And He will tune them into His,
		    All will be repaired.

a tiny thread
of cobweb? spider web?
can still lift a truck
or
control a freight train

because

it comes from Spider-Man

or from those
who forgive
promises
broken

--
Jonathan

"Why did you come to Casablanca?"
"I came for the waters."
"There are no waters in Casablanca."
"I was misinformed."
-- from Casablanca


[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

Poems that are approved for this list are simply devoid of any doctrinal
error that I can see.  I do not edit nor endorse.  I'm only here so the
owner won't have to close the list.

--
Jonathan

"Why did you come to Casablanca?"
"I came for the waters."
"There are no waters in Casablanca."
"I was misinformed."
-- from Casablanca


[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

At the name of Jesus
				 Every knee should bow
				 Whether in the future
				 Maybe in the now
				 Everything that's causing you
				 Depression, sadness, pain
				 The name of Jesus is the one
				 That puts things right again.

				 So when things get quite sticky
				 The devil has a go
				 Reducing you to where he wants
				 Somewhere down below
				 Remember there's an answer
				 Call upon His name
				 At the name of Jesus
				 You can relight the flame.

withered
with only
the juice of
youthful
s
t
u
p
d
i
t
y
to wet
a large
dry
carcass

not a great combination

but if
You
would so arm me
then i will so
go forth

--
Jonathan

"Why did you come to Casablanca?"
"I came for the waters."
"There are no waters in Casablanca."
"I was misinformed."
-- from Casablanca


[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

are we frien(SMASH)

(a bullet through both checks)

ds

possibly, but
not
on
speaking terms just yet

You are the only One
Who is always here

You hardly ever shoot me

--
Jonathan

"Why did you come to Casablanca?"
"I came for the waters."
"There are no waters in Casablanca."
"I was misinformed."
-- from Casablanca


[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

heat and hotter
flicker hire
as they fuel and acid pour
burning
down and deeper
into soft
my quickly melting core

flames
because insist they
knowing
nothing
of my Adam less
burn bite
chew and crush
like cattle
making what was grass a mess

as You hold my soul together
their agenda to my name
fasten
and i hanged
for nothing
build their only hope
of
fame

now at last they laugh without me
flogging as though i remain
never after
can they hurt me
i live in Your sweetness' reign

--
Jonathan

"Arnold Schwartzenegger is to acting what Raymond Burr is to pole-vaulting."
  --Orson wells, recounted by a giggling A.S.

"If you want to memorialize something, don't memorialize dead soldiers.
  Memorialize that children who will be dead in a few years unless someone
invents a way to stop these stupid wars."  Andy Rooney

Prisoner:  "I'm not saying shit."
Interrogator:  "I don't WANT you to say 'shit]'.  I want you to answer the
question."
-- The Punisher

"Why did you come to Casablanca?"
"I came for the waters."
"There are no waters in Casablanca."
"I was misinformed."
-- from Casablanca

"You got a problem?"
"Yes, I do.  But it will go away when you do."  - me

"Ignorance ain't not knowin' stuff; ignorance is knowin' stuff that AIN'T
TRUE."  Josh Billings

"To have a successful marriage, a man must, on a fundamental level . . . be
scared shitless of his wife."  Dustin Hoffman

"When life hands me a lemon, I make a Tom Collins." -- modesty prevents me

"What are you, a tough guy?"
"As a matter of fact, I am.;)."  --  Robert B Parker


[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

Who am I, I hear you ask
		   Peering from my vacuum flask
		   Snug and safe from all intrusion
		   No ingression, no confusion
		   Allow you near to know my name
		   Light specifics is my game
		   Try to rummage, I invert
		   Raise my shield to stop the hurt.

		   Fear and envy clothe my soul
		   But the past has taken toll
		   I'm a jelly easily shaken
		   Worth and confidence forsaken
		   Come on in, but stay away
		   I'm not brave enough today
		   All this talk of God is fine
		   But He's not a friend of mine.

		   Why?, if He created me
		   Did He forget to oversee
		   The blooming of this butterfly
		   Free to live and touch the sky
		   Someone who is not afraid
		   To be an equal, debts all paid
		   Open, friendly, loving, kind
		   Patient, tender, clear of mind.

		   Come, Lord Jesus, break this mold
		   Breathe Your warmth into this cold
		   Draw me from the shadows deep
		   Shine Your light upon this creep
		   I want beauty, I want joy
		   Oh to be Your little boy
		   Start Your journey to my soul
		   Before the darkness takes its toll.

there's the last of it

finished, full or satisfied

or fed-up
too tired to move
hands bleeding

"It is finished"
You said
and meant so much more
that a soldier
with a lance
would not hear
even if he did

remove the body
go in peace
to grieve

whatever
just . . . happened
here

and You
so love us
anyway

--
Jonathan

"Arnold Schwartzenegger is to acting what Raymond Burr is to pole-vaulting."
  --Orson wells, recounted by a giggling A.S.

"If you want to memorialize something, don't memorialize dead soldiers.
  Memorialize that children who will be dead in a few years unless someone
invents a way to stop these stupid wars."  Andy Rooney

Prisoner:  "I'm not saying shit."
Interrogator:  "I don't WANT you to say 'shit]'.  I want you to answer the
question."
-- The Punisher

"Why did you come to Casablanca?"
"I came for the waters."
"There are no waters in Casablanca."
"I was misinformed."
-- from Casablanca

"You got a problem?"
"Yes, I do.  But it will go away when you do."  - me

"Ignorance ain't not knowin' stuff; ignorance is knowin' stuff that AIN'T
TRUE."  Josh Billings

"To have a successful marriage, a man must, on a fundamental level . . . be
scared shitless of his wife."  Dustin Hoffman

"When life hands me a lemon, I make a Tom Collins." -- modesty prevents me

"What are you, a tough guy?"
"As a matter of fact, I am.;)."  --  Robert B Parker


[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

purple and swollen
and shrunken
heart and mind

what a shitty day

nothing happened
just me
simmering in the
chemicals by body
makes

his recommendation of
less zoloft
got rid of impotence

but

i found out that
there was no
point
(as it were)

so i went back to the previous dose

all dressed up
and
no place to go

--
Jonathan

"Arnold Schwartzenegger is to acting what Raymond Burr is to pole-vaulting."
  --Orson wells, recounted by a giggling A.S.

"If you want to memorialize something, don't memorialize dead soldiers.
  Memorialize that children who will be dead in a few years unless someone
invents a way to stop these stupid wars."  Andy Rooney

Prisoner:  "I'm not saying shit."
Interrogator:  "I don't WANT you to say 'shit]'.  I want you to answer the
question."
-- The Punisher

"Why did you come to Casablanca?"
"I came for the waters."
"There are no waters in Casablanca."
"I was misinformed."
-- from Casablanca

"You got a problem?"
"Yes, I do.  But it will go away when you do."  - me

"Ignorance ain't not knowin' stuff; ignorance is knowin' stuff that AIN'T
TRUE."  Josh Billings

"To have a successful marriage, a man must, on a fundamental level . . . be
scared shitless of his wife."  Dustin Hoffman

"When life hands me a lemon, I make a Tom Collins." -- modesty prevents me

"What are you, a tough guy?"
"As a matter of fact, I am.;)."  --  Robert B Parker


[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

I've got this insurance, it just cannot fail
			 It's certainly foolproof and pays on the nail
			 It covers the seasons of plenty and strife
			 It's backed by the promise of eternal life.

			 The eternal salesman will knock at your door
			 By letting Him enter, your prospects will soar
			 He'll leave a memento, a guide to your plan
			 By quoting you happy, he'll do all He can.

			 The catch is quite simple, you follow His rules
			 To keep you apart from a world full of fools
			 The payout is treasure, put by up above
			 Safe from destruction, invested in love.

last evening
smiled at me
and i grinned

Polycarp's t-shirt
hugs me again

maybe
(other days)
this week

will also smile

a t-shirt
announcing
my
grandson
is a tough act to follow

for now
i am content

now is where i live
Lover
with You

--
Jonathan

"Arnold Schwartzenegger is to acting what Raymond Burr is to pole-vaulting."
  --Orson wells, recounted by a giggling A.S.

"If you want to memorialize something, don't memorialize dead soldiers.
  Memorialize that children who will be dead in a few years unless someone
invents a way to stop these stupid wars."  Andy Rooney

Prisoner:  "I'm not saying shit."
Interrogator:  "I don't WANT you to say 'shit]'.  I want you to answer the
question."
-- The Punisher

"Why did you come to Casablanca?"
"I came for the waters."
"There are no waters in Casablanca."
"I was misinformed."
-- from Casablanca

"You got a problem?"
"Yes, I do.  But it will go away when you do."  - me

"Ignorance ain't not knowin' stuff; ignorance is knowin' stuff that AIN'T
TRUE."  Josh Billings

"To have a successful marriage, a man must, on a fundamental level . . . be
scared shitless of his wife."  Dustin Hoffman

"When life hands me a lemon, I make a Tom Collins." -- modesty prevents me

"What are you, a tough guy?"
"As a matter of fact, I am.;)."  --  Robert B Parker


[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

last evening
smiled at me
and i grinned

Polycarp's t-shirt
hugs me again

maybe
(other days)
this week

will also smile

a t-shirt
announcing
my
grandson
is a tough act to follow

for now
i am content

now is where i live
Lover
with You

--
Jonathan

"Arnold Schwartzenegger is to acting what Raymond Burr is to pole-vaulting."
  --Orson wells, recounted by a giggling A.S.

"If you want to memorialize something, don't memorialize dead soldiers.
  Memorialize that children who will be dead in a few years unless someone
invents a way to stop these stupid wars."  Andy Rooney

Prisoner:  "I'm not saying shit."
Interrogator:  "I don't WANT you to say 'shit]'.  I want you to answer the
question."
-- The Punisher

"Why did you come to Casablanca?"
"I came for the waters."
"There are no waters in Casablanca."
"I was misinformed."
-- from Casablanca

"You got a problem?"
"Yes, I do.  But it will go away when you do."  - me

"Ignorance ain't not knowin' stuff; ignorance is knowin' stuff that AIN'T
TRUE."  Josh Billings

"To have a successful marriage, a man must, on a fundamental level . . . be
scared shitless of his wife."  Dustin Hoffman

"When life hands me a lemon, I make a Tom Collins." -- modesty prevents me

"What are you, a tough guy?"
"As a matter of fact, I am.;)."  --  Robert B Parker


[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

Jehovah, my God, how precious you are to me,
My Creator, my Father, your face someday I will see.

You freed me from damnation's hole,
Into your presence you will take my soul.

Where once darkness covered my heart,
Your Light has come to give me a new start.

Light came into the world in your Blessed Son;
Through your loving grace the world's salvation is won.

Satan and the sting of death were lost at the cross;
All condemnation from sin can be accounted as a loss.

My God, my Savior, I shall sing your praise;
Give you Glory as my voice I raise,

Rejoicing in Jesus Christ, the risen Lord,
Sent to us as God's Living Word.

Pslam 119: 11
Your word I have treasured in my heart,
          That I may not sin against You.(NAS)

Psalm 119: 105

Your word is a lamp to my feet
        and a light for my path. (NIV)

Beneath the mask you're wearing,
			  There lies a crumpled heap,
		            A mass of contradictions,
			  That you're desperate to keep,
			   If only people knew you,
			  A heap of sin and shame,
			  They would surely shun you,
			  They wouldn't be to blame.


			  As you keep on sinking,
			  Into this pit of guilt,
			  The devil has the victory,
			  With all the lies he's built,
			  God doesn't want to know you,
			  He wouldn't waste His time,
			  So carry on your life of fear,
			  Slide deeper in the slime.


			  God loves you very deeply,
			  He wants to hold you near,
			  To bring light to your darkness,
			  And banish all your fear,
			  Through Jesus you have power,
			  To change your sense of worth,
			  And be just as He wants you,
			  His child of joy and mirth.

do You have me
on a back burner
so that
when i am
72
i will have a part
in
saving a soul
?

You know best

so maybe
for now
You could give me back
Polycarp's t-shirt

--
Jonathan

"Arnold Schwartzenegger is to acting what Raymond Burr is to pole-vaulting."
  --Orson wells, recounted by a giggling A.S.

"If you want to memorialize something, don't memorialize dead soldiers.
  Memorialize that children who will be dead in a few years unless someone
invents a way to stop these stupid wars."  Andy Rooney

Prisoner:  "I'm not saying shit."
Interrogator:  "I don't WANT you to say 'shit]'.  I want you to answer the
question."
-- The Punisher

"Why did you come to Casablanca?"
"I came for the waters."
"There are no waters in Casablanca."
"I was misinformed."
-- from Casablanca

"You got a problem?"
"Yes, I do.  But it will go away when you do."  - me

"Ignorance ain't not knowin' stuff; ignorance is knowin' stuff that AIN'T
TRUE."  Josh Billings

"To have a successful marriage, a man must, on a fundamental level . . . be
scared shitless of his wife."  Dustin Hoffman

"When life hands me a lemon, I make a Tom Collins." -- modesty prevents me

"What are you, a tough guy?"
"As a matter of fact, I am.;)."  --  Robert B Parker


[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

I'm wrestling with the ice cream
			 Inside this soft scoop box
			 My spoon is bent,my patience spent
			 I'm trying to outfox
			 The barrier before me
			 To get my just dessert
			 I'll hack at that unyielding mass
			 No matter what the hurt.

			 But hey,where is my patience
			 Why don't I let it melt
			 Surely it will taste the same
			 If time and me both dwelt
			 Perhaps this is my problem
			 Too hasty in my ways
			 A Martha living in my skin
			 To be a Mary pays.

			 So if I wait upon The Lord
			 Instead of rushing it
			 And let us melt together
			 In a fusion,we will knit
			 A tasty time of bonding
			 And one that satisfies
			 Oh Lord,please give me patience
			 To delight in Your surprise.