Saturday, August 23, 2014

You must be from Ferguson
























 Of Names
(by R.P.Edwards)

Names have meaning
Meant or no
Associations
Con
Or pro
So make your actions
Wise and kind
So your name heard
Brings these...to mind


Ferguson. Yeah, I've been there.You see, it's not that far away. In fact it's just an over the river jaunt into the "show me" state from the Land, supposedly of Lincoln (where I currently reside). Of course, when I think of "Ferguson" I think...St Louis; even though, truthfully, it is merely one of the many satellite municipalities that orbit the once great "Gateway to the West." Let's call it "greater St Louis."

Anyway, with the killing of unarmed Michael Brown (18) by Darren Wilson, a Ferguson Policeman, there has been great unrest (surely the reader is well aware). Demonstrations, looting, destruction of private property. All, supposedly justified by the lawless act...of a law enforcer.

Well, it seems that the "conviction" of Mr Wilson by the public and the general media...may be premature. You see, there has been leakage that perhaps; perhaps! the "I will never betray...the public trust" officer may have been punched out by Mr. Brown prior to the shooting. Perhaps...the shooting was warranted.

However, this simple offering is not focused so much on the "facts" of this case that must surely come out. But, rather, with what the people who live in Ferguson (not the temporary carpetbaggers) will do with the information once it is known. Of course, if the policeman really did the dastardly deed of killing a hands raised youth; the pre-judgers will be justified. But, what if the "jury of his peers," after hearing and seeing the evidence (whatever that may be) decides in the officers favor? Will "Fergusonians" collectively demand the officers head anyway? Or, if reasons for acquittal are indeed obvious, will my western neighbors cool their passions and give the public servant (no matter how painful it might be) his due?

So, as the opening poem alludes, what will the name "Ferguson" mean in the future? Will its nuance lean more towards the thugs who rioted or robbed; or will its flavor be that of a noble populace. Time...will surely tell.

****

Friday, August 15, 2014

Liberating Love









Liberating Love
(by R.P.Edwards)

Your selfless love
Has set me free
From prisons past
From guilty me
And in your eyes
No qualm I see
Or fear of pain
From guilty me
But only love
That reaches in
And cuts the tie
Of clinging sin
And sees me new
Makes me believe
Your selfless love
Has set me...free



I don't remember the exact day, or month, or even *year. However, I  do remember the television show; "You Write the Songs." It was hosted by noted celebrity, Ben Vereen and, since I believed that the Lord had put a songwriting talent in me (and there was a cash prize!) I wanted to submit something to this "contest." That's how the song, "Liberating Love" (above) was born.

Yes, I still vaguely remember going about my janitorial duties at the time (in college, and working a part time job) and pondering what to submit. After all, I was, for the most part, used to writing religious fare. Surely this wouldn't do. So, I considered...and cleaned...and eventually a simple song of redemptive love came to be.

The production was the most basic. No recording studio; just me, an autoharp and a couple cassette recorders in a room with a lovely reverb. 

Well, it never made it to the show. And, no other "music" entity seemed interested. It did, however, make it into a few weddings. But, for the most part it has remained forgotten, and as time wears and tears...its end was in sight.

Well, a little while ago I was searching the abode for an old cassette player that might actually work (hard to come by these days). I wanted to play some instructional cassettes I had purchased at the Goodwill. My search also turned up a copy of a copy of...Liberating Love. This is the recording (after some cleaning and preening) that is above. I hope, with its rebirth, that some will be blessed. And, although it is secular in nature, the principle...is divine. 

 But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.
(Romans 5:8)

*P.S. Naturally, I looked it up. The show was from 1986-1987
P.S.S The background photo is the actual player used to play the recording. 

****






Wednesday, August 13, 2014

Mr President, ACT NOW!






















ACT NOW!
(by R.P.Edwards)


I empathize
With those who wait
Who tremble at
The tread
Who truly hope
That time will heal
And not bring pain
Instead
Who wish that others
Might engage
And lessen
Their attend
Who dream the dream
That goodness wins
And wars
And conflicts
End
But History
Screams different things
That evil only grows
And left alone
Its lust for blood
Will fill the world with woes
So hear the voice
Of victims past
Who died because...we pause
Then drop the pen
Pick up the sword
And join
The righteous...cause!


Celebrities die, and our minds reminisce at how they had the wonderful ability to play make-believe and distract us for a few precious minutes, meanwhile, at the same time, in a distant, but not unreachable place--children are having their heads cut off as a Nazi-esque cancer seeks to viciously consume all they declare infidels or apostate. Villains, Zealots, murderers, and we; the great leader of the "free" world; we, who are well able--in a one month span of concerted effort--to greatly downgrade this wretched band with their demonic doings--we drag our feet as the blood soaks into the sand.

I speak, of course, of the happenings in what used to be Iraq. The foot dragging, hopeful wishing, do nothing (until recently) approach; has led to the slaughter of the innocent and, without a deliberate, concentrated, overwhelming response, there WILL be more and more and more...of the same.

So I say, "ALL IN!, Mr President! ALL IN!" Do a great good with the time you have left. Rekindle the victory instead of rewording the defeat. Swallow your pride and ACT! Spurn your speeches...and ACT! Drop your distant and distracted demeanor...and ACT! Each day you delay is a death sentence, and another line added to your legacy. Mr President, there's still time for you to be a Churchill, instead of a Chamberlain. But...you have to ACT! And, once you do--once you have girded your loins and steeled your resolve--then turn to the other tyrants who gather at our gates. The time is now, Mr. President. The time...is now!

****




Tuesday, August 5, 2014

Ebola is one




My Personal Ebola
(by R.P.Edwards)

Ebola kills!
And fear ensues!
The painful death
That none would choose
The world recoils
In Panic!
Dread!
But ALL
My friend
Are someway
Dead


"Do you see the symptoms? They're everywhere." One of the--bordering on macabre--statements from the middle-aged parent to his beginning teen as they slowly drove through the store parking lot, taking note of the "conditions" of the patrons. "Just yesterday they were young, vibrant; in their own mind and actions...invincible, immortal. But now, what will do them in...is shown on the skin. But do they see it? Do they recognize it?"

Okay, it's not a direct quote, but the parent is moi and the beginning teen (as in "13") is my son and, it's just something in me (in most fathers I presume) to drop a pearl or two when a youngster is away from the all-consuming gizmos of our time (and this lad has NO smartphone [yet]). And, as my Christian faith is more than a fancy, there's a tie-in. "Sin is the disease; and death is inevitable. However, the cure...is Christ." 

I suppose what caught my ear as to the "Ebola outbreak" was the mention of the two Americans afflicted as they extended the hand of the Savior. Dr. Kent Brantly and Nancy Writebol; Christian missionaries, putting action to their words. And, being a huge fan of the Franklins (Billy and son, Franklin) the mention of the compassionate charity, Samaritans Purse; also added weight.

And so, Ebola is in the news. Bad stuff. A merciless virus. But...death is no respecter, and I suspect most will exit this life another way. The question is...are "we" giving thought to the cure that extends...beyond the grave?

 And as it is appointed unto men once to die, 
but after this the judgment:
(Hebrews 9:27)

****