prayer

What do you ask of me? What do you require?

Do you want my money?

Do you want my time?

Do you want my attention?

Do you want my hands?

Do you want my heart and my mind?

How have I filled my life with things, so that my hands were not free to grasp the thing you offered?

How have I filled my life with noise, and missed hearing your voice?

How have I filled my life with business, and didn’t accept your gentle gracious invitation?

What do want from me, Lord? What do you require?

absolute truth - part two and three

did you read my previous remarks on this subject? (part one)

part two is actually covered by some remarks i made the other night here : People who want to appeal to "absolute truth" (or just Truth, with a capital T) might consider the comparative benefits of pursuing the value of Openness - which I have provisionally defined as my commitment to always ensure (to the best of my ability) that there is space for people around me to speak. While Absolute Truth is proving to be hard to nail down, Growing Awareness is a spiritual discipline that might produce surprisingly good results for people longing after Truth...

ok, so part three...

Elaine is thrilled that she's got her body back. Being pregnant takes over your whole body. It's an amazing process and all, but it's also the most overwhelming alien invasion... A women's body, especially in the last few weeks, is just not her own... So, after courageously giving birth to our daughter, one can't blame her for feeling happy to have her body back!

But this morning she mentioned to me that for a moment she missed being pregnant! She said it felt strange feeling that emotion - such a strange contradiction of her other feeling of being glad it's all over...

My reason for telling you about this (and breaking my wife's strict no-personal-stuff-on-the-blog-or-in-sermons rule) is that it wonderfully illustrates something about human identity. Those who build their understanding of reality on "Absolutes" usually assume that every person has a True, Essential self. it might be hidden under some layers, but if you dig deep enough, there you will find your true self. presumably, there will be no contradictions or paradoxes there. Your True self is clear about what she wants, who she is, why she exists, etc. So, the argument goes, if you're feeling confused, caught between two rival feelings, ask your True Self which of the feelings is most True...

I grew up taking this "Essentialist" view of reality for granted. More recently I encountered other ways of viewing reality. A non-essentialist view of human identity suggests that there isn't one "thing" that defines you. You are a composite creature with many identities... Take me for example: I am Barry, minister, father, husband, man, child, son, rascal, rebel, friend, etc. - and those are just some of the nicer words that try to describe me. The more I reflect on this whole question of "Who am I?" (which is a common pop-psychology question - needs to be followed by a rub of the chin, a meaningful sigh and a "Hmmmmm... interesting!") the more i become convinced that this is essentialism trying to limit identity to a True Self, which I am not sure exists.

The reason I like the alternative view is the space it gives for the tensions of being human. I can feel happy and sad and not have to feel that the tension must be quickly resolved for fear of being regarded as "confused" - or even worse "irrational". The complexities of life are just far better appreciated if I am able to view life - and people - with a Curiosity that asks questions about the complexity rather than with a Judgement that asks "but what do you REALLY want?" or "but who are you REALLY?" or "What is REALLY best for you?"...

So, Elaine is happy to have her body back. and... sad that she's not pregnant anymore - a little bit of grieving the loss of the incredibly intimate connection of a baby in the womb... Hmmmm, interesting!

distinction?

I've been following a discussion about a how three influential leaders of a ministry called "Exodus" - which was committed to helping Gay and Lesbain people "come out" of a homosexual lifestyle - have publically withdrawn from the work, stating that they no longer believe that it is healthy to try to change people's sexual orientation... If you're interested in reading further: go here

One of the common arguments amongst Christians who have accepted that Gay and Lesbian people really do have a different sexual orientation is the "Love the sinner, Hate the sin" position. (other's take the position that there is no such thing as a homosexual orientation - otherwise you have to explain why God would have created people like that!)

But I'm wondering how I can separate “homosexual orientation” from “homosexual activity”? i mean, what is a sexual orientation if it’s not (at some point) going to be acted upon?

why would God give us a sexual orientation if we aren’t going to express ourselves in loving, respectful, passionate, faithful ways?

i try (as a straight man) to imagine being told: “it’s really ok that you are attracted to women. Don’t feel judged about that. it’s not a sin. just don’t think too much about touching a woman - under any circumstances. no amount of love, tenderness, faithfulness will make THAT ok…”

I'm trying to imagine how i’d respond…

i can’t imagine it would be pretty. no wonder there’s so much anger expressed by gay and lesbian lobby groups. they’re incredulous, and understandably so. i’d be, if the tables were turned. the more impressive thing is that the majority of Gay and Lesbian (GLBTI) groups aren’t militant. their graciousness is notable.

maybe that’s why the ex-Exodus leaders got out - perhaps they just couldn’t live with the distinction “love the sinner, hate the sin” any longer.

did it just stop sounding credible?

friend or foe?

have you noticed how powerful Silence can be. I'm still not sure if he/she is a friend or foe! Silence creates space and makes room for rest and re-creation. but Silence is also a sneaky accomplice to heinous crimes of the worst kind...

my life if full of words - and speaking. sometimes i think i'm paid to speak. and sometimes i think I'm jsut plain full of myself "and love the sound of my own voice". either way, Silence is the best medicine. She allows me to retreat to a place of solitude where I am able to rest and be restored in the Values that I have confidence in. She is gracious and gentle - imagine, not having to say anything! What a relief when so much of my life is judged by what I say and how convincing I sound and how entertaining i am... etc...

but Silence has a dark side. I know of many people who are in unsafe relationships but feel trapped - fearful of the consequences of breaking the silence and speaking about what is happening. The story goes something like this: something aweful happens. sometimes the perpetrator impresses on weaker victim the consequences of telling. Silence becomes accomplice... aided by Fear. sometimes the victim chooses Silence because of a twisted guilt - blaming themselves - or because of the shame associated with telling the story. Even if the perpetrator regrets their actions, Silence makes it possible for a repeat of the aweful thing, or worse. But many perpetrators do not regret. They are actually masters at employing Silence to ensure that their behaviour is not detected, and can carry on unabated.

People are left trapped in abusive homes. Families live with aweful secrets. Partners live in fear, in a downward spiral with no hope of a way out. And Silence is the fence-sitter, never lifting a hand to intervene, harming lives not by his actions and choices but by his lack of action.

There's a saying that I like because it conveys hope: "the truth will out" I'm a little less hopeful about the "truth" coming out these days. seems there is always another side to every story, which makes me reluctant to judge and cautious about anyone claiming to have "the truth".

But perhaps there's another Value (other than Truth) that can guide me here. I'm still not sure what word to use to it.

As I reflect on the power of Silence - and specifically the harmful potential that it has - i feel motivated to always ensure (to the best of my ability) that there is space for people around me to speak. the only way of counteracting the harmful potential of Silence may be to remain committed to an openness in relationships that creates space for people to speak their thoughts and feelings without fear. I'm sure that this is an important value for home life and intimate relationships. I'm also convinced that this is an important value in the work-place, especially for people in positions of authority in the work-place.

I try to read the Mail&Guardian newspaper on a regular basis. One of the things I love about the newspaper is the fact that almost on any given Friday, you will find a letter containing quite harsh criticism of the M&G, published in their letters column. I also enjoy their common practice of allowing the "right of reply" to anyone who has received critical report. And occassionally when there is a difficuly issue being discussed, two reporters will write editorial comment from opposing views. We so desperately need to encourage open conversation, that includes criticism and challenge. And for the this quality of Conversation to flourish WE need to embrace the value - we need to be willing to listen to criticism (not just be keen to give it.)

so, finally, a question: what do you think your partner/spouse/best friend is afraid to speak to you about?

lessons from a boy

Last night Ruben and I were playing around the house while we were waiting for the braai-fire to be ready.  We found a balloon and began kicking it around the house.  I thought of a great game.  I suggested we start at the one end of the kitchen and then kick the balloon and see how many kicks it required to get it to hit the Kitchen door.

 

I started:  one, two, THREE!!!!!  I took three kicks to get the balloon across the kitchen. 

 

Then it was Ruben’s turn.  He got himself into position and then ran up and kicked the balloon.  But he didn’t stop running.  He continued to run after the balloon, kicking it again before it had stopped moving… (clearly against the rules of the game!!!)  He kicked/shepherded the balloon across the kitchen whilst shouting ONE-TWO-THREE-FOUR-FIVE-NINE!!!!!  By this stage he had lost control of the balloon and had run past it.  He turned around and began kicking it back towards me.  Clearly he hadn’t understood the important goal of the game: getting the balloon to hit the kitchen door.

 

I tried again: put the balloon down for him, explained the purpose and goals of the game.  Reminded him that the previous World Record was just 3 kicks – set by me just a few moments earlier…  but things went pretty similarly to his first attempt.  ONE-TWO-THREE-FOUR-FIVE-ELEVEN-EIGHT-NINE…

 

He was loving his game of kicking the balloon. Just Kicking, because it was Fun.  

 

Seems he hasn’t quite grasped the incredible importance of goals in life yet…  but I’m sure with enough pressure, constant encouragement and a lot of coaching he’ll turn out properly goal-oriented like me!

finding a voice

i have been thinking lately about how little we really actually change. I began writing on this blog with the value of Integrity as a theme. By Integrity, I mean an integration of all the things that have been broken, separated and polarised - at great expense to the health of humanity (well, let's just say, at great expence to my health adn wholeness).

One could say this thing about being "open" and "real" is a bit of "hobby-horse" - it's my little soap-box.

And then the other day I remembered an experience from my early childhood. My family were in the car on the way to church, where my parents were quite involved members. My dad was a senior leader... He and I were having an argument in the car which was not resolved when we arrived at the church. He wanted to stop the argument as we got out of the car, but I wanted to carry on arguing - citing "honesty" as my reason... "if we're going to shout at each other in the privacy of our car, why shouldn't we shout at each other in front of fellow church members?"

(by the way, the photo is not me - it's of my dad, Guy Marshall)

I remembered that incident with such vividness, and the effect was to make me ask - has anything really changed? I'm still on about the same old hobby-horse that I was when I was a teenager, 25 years ago!!!

But then I had another thought - is this my Voice? Is this the thing that I'm being asked to say, with my life?

Perhaps for some people this message simply isn't relevant. They are healthy and balanced in the area of Integrity and so they find my dwelling on the topic a little anonying. But perhaps, for people who have struggled with the Dualism that has severed their lives (and all of life) into binary categories of good and evil, right and wrong, light and dark, private and public etc.. - this is the word of encouragement that they need to hear. Perhaps, also, there are faith communities, that need to hear this word. A challenge to wholeness and integrity, where faith and life, religion and politics, secular and sacred... have been dangerously kept apart...

Am I finally realising my humble significance in this life - not to do extraordinarily great things - just to speak (live) the message that I've been asked to speak/live, to embody a value that many of us need to embrace, to bring a gentle challenge in one aspect of life where there is imbalance and unhealth?

am I discovering my Voice? (my dad would say I discovered it far too early...!!!)

what I like about the idea of finding my voice is that it helps me to have a limited, and therefore hopefully a humble view of my significance. the thought also makes me wonder about other people's Voices? People I respect and admire - I wonder if they have discovered their Voice... Perhaps they are speaking, but are yet to stumble on the simple realisation that this is the thing they are called to say...

Have you discovered your Voice? (and, do you feel confidence to speak with it?)

taking a breath

Cate Jenna took her first breath at 28 minutes past midnight - in the early hours of Wednesday morning. Elaine was amazing. She laboured through the contractions with great courage for 6 hours and then gave birth naturally. I am grateful that everything went so well - so well indeed that we were home by 2pm that same day! While one can't say that it was easy, in many ways, the birth went smoothly and Mother and Daughter are healthy and thriving. Giving birth, while a beautifully natural process, is also a potentially dangerous thing with so many painful possibilities... many friends have experienced these dangers. I am grateful!

doek!

my son ruben is teaching me again...

elaine and I shower in the mornings. Ruben is becoming mommy and daddy's little helper... when he hears the water stop he runs into the bathroom shouting "Doek! Doek!" (that's afrikaans for "towel".) He gets the towel off the rail and hands it to us... Cute!

more interesting, i was lying in bed this morning... elaine finished showering and I realised that ruben wasn't around. Without a second thought I asked: "Elaine, can I get you a towel?"

if you ask my partner about what get's me out of bed in the morning, she'll tell you that there's not much... and yet a small little routine of my son managed to move me from my comfort.

we should give some thought to the tension between Performance and Principle - where "performance" refers to the actual practice of an activity and "Principle" refers to the theory or value or motivation that supports the activity.

for a long time, i've been taught (and was fairly convinced) that no real "outer" change can happen without an initial "inner" change of the heart. fair enough. the theory makes sense. you have to get the Principle in place, in order to motivate the Practice.... you have to have your heart touched in order to reach out your hand in kindness... or do you?

ruben's little "doek" routine - and it's infectiousness - suggests that getting into a rhythm of Practice may be more effective than grasping the Principle behind it... maybe we should try getting into a Routine of Kindness and see how that affects our Theory (Principle) - and our Heart, for that matter...

page 2

(Aiden remarked, when reading another story that he "looked forward to turning the page"... so, with his encouragement, here is page 2...)

did you know that the Hebrew and Christian Scriptures use the phrases "do not fear" and "do not be afraid" 113 times!!! (those same scriptures use the phrase "love God" only 5 times...) So let's make a humble assumption - spirituality that takes the Bible (meaning the Hebrew and Christian scriptures) seriously will be a spirituality that is Peace-producing. Essentially, I'm assuming that Biblical Spirituality will echo this sentiment - do not fear, do not be afraid, do not worry, etc.

the Christian scriptures tell us that Jesus is the "prince of peace" (i'm assuming that means that if anyone is going to bring peace it will be him..) it also tells us that "perfect love casts out all fear" (1 John 4:18) and goes on to make a clear observation: "for fear has to do with punishment, and whoever fears has not reached perfection in love."

the thing that I struggle with is that the "good news" that many Christians offer is highly fearful. The common story goes something like this: God created you. Things were good until you messed up. You sinned and God was angry. You had broken his Law. Justice was required so someone had to die. It would have been you (and it might still be if you don't...) but Jesus died in your place to "absorb the wrath of God" (John Piper). To return to right relationship with God, you must repent and believe (presumably that Jesus died for you) so that eternal punishment can be avoided. If you do, God's anger is avoided and heaven awaits. If you don't, the just punishment for your sins will be your reward - that's hell. (If "God is Love" he certainly has a big investment in fear and punishment in the universe...)

so here's a question: what motivates your faith in God? why are you a Christian? is it to avoid the fires of hell - an eternal punishment? as I've indicated here i am an unapologetic follower of Jesus. I am willing to associate myself with him in every way. but I am simply not happy to associate myself with this common version of the Christian Story any longer. I think that there is another story which is desperately needing to be told - needing to be heard.

(some quick reasons why the new story needs to be heard:
1. i don't think that the common version is doing our Great God of Grace justice!
2. many good, thinking, moral, faithful, did i mention good, people are simply not able to fathom a God who is so petty and, instead of looking deeper into the faith tradition, are choosing to live as moral atheists rather than associate with such a paper-thin version of a Creator God.
3. it is Fear Producing - which is exactly the opposite of what Biblical faith is supposed to do. Where is the peace? Where is the confidence?)

Here's to another story! (I don't call it a new story because I would like to argue that this other story has been around longer than the common one!!! it's the old story, needing rediscovery)

my understanding of Jesus was that he chose to live and teach in the tradition of the Hebrew prophetic tradition - most significantly, the prophetic vision of Isaiah. His first public teaching in a synagogue involved a reading from Isaiah 61 (Luke 4:16) - a moving, inspiring vision about the "Year of the Lord's favour". (the interesting thing is that the phrase "and a day of vengeance for our God" - Is 61:2 - is omitted in Luke) This prophetic tradition includes moving passages about the coming of the Messiah who will bring peace - when the Lion will lie down with the Lamb (Isaiah 11)... perhaps the most moving passage for me is found in Isaiah chapter 2:

Come, let us go up to the mountain of the Lord,
to the house of the God of Jacob;
that he may teach us his ways
and that we may walk in his paths.’
For out of Zion shall go forth instruction,
and the word of the Lord from Jerusalem.
He shall judge between the nations,
and shall arbitrate for many peoples;
they shall beat their swords into ploughshares,
and their spears into pruning-hooks;
nation shall not lift up sword against nation,
neither shall they learn war any more.

These are the passages that I believe inform the ministry of Jesus. When he speaks about the "Kingdom of Heaven", I believe he is talking about this kind of Kin'dom... where Peace is found to be stronger than force, where love is eternal and cannot die...

In the light of these (biblical) observations, I want to encourage those who are dissatisfied with the common story to begin to consider Alternatives. I believe there are many other stories on offer in the Christian Scriptures. Paul's writings do contain much that supports the common version, but he also transcends those thoughts in some of his writings, focusing more on the theme of Reconciliation. See 2 Corinthians 5:16-21. (I realise that it is possible to use this passage to underscore the common version of Christianity.) I believe it is possible to interpret this passage in a way that appeals to Loving Relationship as a motivation for Faith... (perhaps the topic of Page 3...) The Gospels are the best place to look though, because the parables and the ministry of Jesus are still being processed by the authors. The Gospel writers certainly include their own interpretations in the re-telling of the stories (which explains some of the differences in the four gospels) but the interpretation can be said to be "in process". This gives us a glimpse into the early Christian community of people who were not called "Christians" - they were simply people of faith who had decided to follow the teachings of Jesus. They were best described as "those belonging to the Way" (acts 9:2)

What are some of the attributes that I think Another Story might include?
1. i think it must choose to be faithful to the teaching and example of Jesus. this might involve a revisiting of the gospels and a decision to take Jesus at his word. or as Albert Nolan says to "take Jesus seriously".
2. surely it must work out a new motivation for Faith. If we aren't following Jesus to "avoid hell and earn our ticket into heaven", what will be our primary reason for following? it might return to a much more wholistic understanding of the word "believe" which embraces the whole self, heart, will, mind, body, in place of a modern understanding of the word which reduces believing to mental (intellectual?) agreement. To say "I believe in Jesus" would be more akin to saying "I commit my whole self to Jesus".
3. it must strive to be all-embracing, not sectarian but able to embrace variety so that it can become a story of Peace and Unity. surely if God's Kin'dom is going to be eternal we're going to have to live side-by-side then... why not start finding a way to live together now...?
4. it might formulate a different understanding of authority. for instance, it may choose to view the Spirit of scripture as a higher authority than the historical written text. This might include the recognition that not everything that is biblical is consistent with the teaching of Jesus i.e. Christian
4. Another Story might re-emphasize the importance of being good - what Jesus meant when he spoke about the fruit that a tree bears. the Common Story has used the Fear of God (of hell) to motivate people into believing, and has unwittingly encouraged people to "believe" at all costs, but has paid too little attention on the thing that Jesus asked us to do: "go and make disciples" (Matthew 28) disciples are learners, and presumably that means learners of The Way. Evidencing the Fruit of the Spirit - the signs of a transforming life - will become the essence of Another Story.

What do you think might be some of the attributes of Another Story? OR, what would you LIKE to see being addressed by a different kind of Spirituality? (that you feel has been neglected by the Common Version of Christianity in your experience?)

did you feel the mountains tremble?

i enjoyed reading Matt's comments on prayer: Prayer: What's the point and also some of the comments he received. While I find engagement with so-called "Atheists" energising and fascinating (they have usually thought abour their position far more thoroughly than most Theists have...) I am always curious about the experience of defining oneself by a negation - A-Theist... i.e. NOT-Theist. As a Christ-follower I define myself by what I am for. I am for the values that are embodied in the life and teaching of Jesus. An Atheist, presumably believes in something. I'm curious to know what an "A-Theist" has faith in (it's not God, of course...)

here are my thoughts, posted on Matt's blog:

you guys certainly spend a lot of time (and much passion) arguing against something that you regard as pointless.

i think it’s pointless to argue against something that is pointless.

i’m wondering what you are FOR. how would you define your position if it weren’t for religion? i.e. what is an “atheist” without theism?

have you factored into your reasoning the role of experience? for some, REALITY is not primarily constituted by physical existence alone. when i speak to you i have FAITH that there is something out there that i am interacting with. I have no proof of that. it could all be part of my own dream. but what I can’t deny is the EXPERIENCE of interaction, conversation, relationship. i would argue that my conversation with you and Prayer require exactly the same kind of “faith” - neither of them are more real or provable than the other.

the more significant thing for me is: what do i experience through the act of communication… (whether it is with you or with “God”)

i am enjoying writing this comment. it helps me to clarify my own position and it holds the possibility of surprising conversation (a response that makes me reconsider…) i.e. it’s a good experience.

I enjoy praying. for a variety of reasons. your saying “it’s pointless” a) won’t diminish the significance of the experience for me and b) simply stands in constrast to my assertion that it definitely has a “point” for me.

in fact, to claim that something is “pointless” suggests that the entity doing the claiming knows what IS NOT POINTLESS.

so, please let me know. what IS NOT POINTLESS? (so that I can reflect on how appealing the rational world you live in really is…)

:) thanks! for a cool post

who says?

a big theme in religious talk is AUTHORITY. the issue is, who get's to say what's in and what's out. more personally, we have to decide who we're gonna listen to - i.e. who we will invest authority in. i've often thought about the authors/books i choose to read.

what if what i read today takes me to a new place (in terms of outlook and perspective) and, to some extent, determines the next book i choose to read... and so on... then perhaps all the books I've read were to some extent a consequence of the first author I chose to read... hmmm, so how does one choose? isn't there a danger that we end up choosing books that reaffirm our already held views? or do you purposefully seek out books that present alternative perspectives, so as to broaden your scope?

that aside, i have a question which I would like to propose as a HELPFUL and RELIABLE (meaning, "authoritative") question in the hard work of making decisions about our lives. When we have to make an important decision, Who do we turn to? Who's opinion counts? What principles guide us?

Here's my Guiding Question: "What is the bigger danger in my life?"

The question needs some clarification. Let me use an example from my own life.

I have lived my life in fast forward mode since I can remember. I joined my parent's bible study class when I was 15. I took on leadership responsibilities at church and school in my teens. I started preaching when I was 17 and offered myself to become a minister at 18. I left home at 18, graduated at 22 and was ordained as a minister at 24. I led my first funeral service when I was 19, even though I couldn't remember actually ever attending one! At 27 I was made the solely responsible minister/pastor in a local congregation... I have taken on huge responsibilities as a senior pastor of a various local christian communities - for the well-being of their individual members and for the health of the communities as a whole. I'm now 35. I'm not bragging. It's just that I'm slowly beginning to realise that I am a person who tends to take on a lot of responsibility. For whatever reasons, I take on huge responsibilities, sometimes at a high price to myself... (How did I come to realise this about myself? - the Guiding Question...)

So, when a decision comes along I ask myself the Guiding Question: "what is the bigger danger in my life?" Am I in danger of being accused of being an irresponsible person? or is it that I become overly-responsible for others. When phrased like that it's an easy question to answer. The far greater danger in my life is that I take on too much responsibility. This has helped me to reflect on decisions from a different perspective and has helped me to take more enlightened decisions that protect me from the seemingly endless demands of Responsibility...

I think the goal of the Guiding Question is greater health.

Another person may acknowledge, in response to the Guiding Question, that they are a person who is in greater danger of irresponsibility... the challenge for them, as they make a decision, is how to take on more healthy responsibility...

One more example: for some people the "rule" no-sex-before-marriage is Authoritative. But what happens if we apply my Guiding Question to the following scenario - I am thinking of a 28 year-old person, who has faithfully abided by the "rule" and is a virgin. The unfortunate result of this in their life is that sexuality has become a source of frustration and even irritation, and therefore it has been gradually devalued. Now they meet someone... What is the greater danger for this person - that the gift of sexuality be devalued by a faithful and mature sexual relationship at this point in their lives or that the gift of sexuality become increasingly harmed by an ongoing denial. I suggest that for this person it may be helpful to use the Guiding Question (alongside the Rule), exploring this person's high regard for the "Rule" and encouraging them to consider that the Spirit of the Rule may not necessarily be best served by ongoing abstinence.

In the same way, a very gregarious and physically confident young person in their late teens might answer the Question quite differently - becoming aware that the greater danger for them is a path of sexual promiscuity, and that the potential for hurtful and even life-threatening consequences suggests that they strongly consider the "Rule" as a guide for their forthcoming years...

I think I may be missing some clarity, but this is already too long... but please, your reflections on the helpfulness of this "Guiding Question" would be appreciated!

making sense?

if you are interested in reflecting on the rational consistency of your thoughts (beliefs) about God, have a look at this test: It simply asks you questions and then compares your answers to other answers you gave earlier and checks for logical consistency...

i think it's helpful! The TEST

huh?

what kind of God would he be
if he did not hear the bangles ring on an ant's wrist
as they move the earth in their sweet dance?

and what kind of God would he be
if a leaf's prayer was not as precious to Creation
as the prayer of His own son sang
from the glorious depth of his soul - for us.

and what kind of God would he be
if the vote of millions in this world could sway him
to change the Divine law of love

that speak so clearly with compassion's elegant tongue,
saying, eternally saying:

all are forgiven - moreover, dears,
no one has ever been guilty.

what kind of God would he be
if he did not count the blinks of your eyes
and is in absolute awe of their movements?

what a God - what a God we have.

i hope...

my hope refers to whether i'm "narrow" or not... regarding "straight", i'm pretty sure!