Pop's Poetry

There is a problem with the premise
that the original sin is passed
to everyone who ever lived.
Even though millennia have passed,
an angry God seeks retribution
and still holds a young earth grudge.

The problem of the premise
is that that blood is required
to appease this feuding God.
The worst of ancient religion's practice,
shunned by civilization,
is worshiped by faith communities.

The problem is in the premise
that genocide is the answer
to build utopian societies.
Yet millions hold out for the end of days
and God's torturous massacre to
bring a new heaven and earth.

The problem throughout this premise,
is that God is not better
than the best of us.
The worst of mankind breeds
blood-lust, torture and genocide.
God is greater than, not less than.

There is a promise with a new premise,
not about bloody retribution,
but individual and societal recalibration
to align with ancient future God ideals
of peace that compounds
and love that surrounds.

The promise of this premise
is that God is not waiting,
but active in the actions of those who
live out justice by leveraging peace
and work out that peace by mentoring love
as their legacy for this world's future.

The promise in this premise,
is that together we can
reclaim the world to what it could be and
recalibrate society to how it should be;
reclaiming peace, restoring justice
and redeeming everything through love.

The promise through this premise
is that as others have,
I can live in self changing peace
and live out world changing love,
nurturing justice through my commitment
to walk this path and redeem this world.

Pops 2014

After 50 years of evangelical prison
and two years of freedom
I can finally see God
Clearly

No more "supposed to's"
and guilty penance
for wrongs done
in my life and somehow before

Religion is the filthy rag
Trying to wipe clean
a clear window to God
Leaving streaks of confusion

Doing right, because it's right
Doing good, because it's good
Being love, because of love
We don't need sermons or books to tell us this

We can all see God
Theology won't help you
Religion won't make it more clear
Just open the window and crawl through

Pops 2010

I long to have faith like those of old,
Following the Way marked out
By the words in red and actions
Of black bound on my heart.
Being faithful is openly narrow.
There is no room to move,
Right or left is not an option,
Only ahead, for behind is death.

The old faith is a lot like other faith,
But foundationally different.
God came to us as a man
To help man understand God
As only He could explain.
Law was fulfilled in death,
Death was fulfilled in life,
Life is fulfilled in love.

The object of this faith is not
Of this world or really the next,
But only of Him who created both and
Waits, prepares, guides, hopes
For man to finally understand
What God has been saying in every
Birth, life, love, death
That happens each second of the day.

We have taken the wide road
And are running out of food and water,
At least the kind that quenches
And nourishes the souls of the weary
And dying without sustenance or hope.
Empty words are an endless desert
If they are not vindicated with action.

Pops 2009

I heard today that you keep track
of the sleepless times I toss and turn
in a book.
I wonder at a God who is worthy
of all my trust
yet is compassionate enough to
add my worry up.

I heard today that you keep each
of my salty tears of sorrow
in a bottle.
I'm moved at a God who gives light
for all of life
yet is concerned enough to
measure my distress.

I heard today that you write down
my painful aches, body and heart
in your ledger.
I’m undone by a God who rescued me
from certain death
yet knows me well enough to
keep account of my hurting.

So I don't have to.

Pops 2009

God doesn't ask me to give Him anything,
He asks me to do something.
How easy we have made it to convert,
Or could it be covert,
That the language of gifts
Has stolen the call for action from Grace?

I've been told that I must:
Give my heart,
Give my all,
Give my time,
Give my tithe,
Give my home,
And give my love
To God
All of which I can do just from my pew.
None of which gets my hands dirty.

I read that God wants effort:
Love God,
Love my neighbor,
Love my enemy,
Give to the poor,
Follow God,
Encourage followers
Of God.
None of which I can do just from my pew.
All of which require action, else are hollow.

God never asks me to give Him anything,
He always asks me to do something.
Giving is the easiest course,
Doing is much coarser.
This mission I have from Him,
Is action as a result of grace.

Pops 2009