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Poem

Merry Christmas From Simple Church Alliance!

It was wonderful seeing so many of you at this year’s Christmas Gathering! Those unable to come were missed!  We pray that all are able to enter into His rest and joy this Christmas and that in the coming year you will experience the reality and depth of His love more than ever before! We hope to see you soon!  I leave you with a poem the Richard Jirak shared (via Malcolm Guite) at our Christmas Celebration and some photos from our time together. Kenosis by Lucie Shaw In sleep his infant mouth works in and out. He is so new, his silk skin has not yet been roughed by plane and wooden beam nor, so far, has he had to deal with human doubt. He is in a dream of nipple found, of blue-white… Read More »Merry Christmas From Simple Church Alliance!

A Savior

A Savior By Emma Duerson A blinding star beaming with light Was seen across the land Holier than the star was bright Was the Savior born that night The little King was not to lay in a castle crib But upon the hay The darkness beheld the birth of Jesus Christ our King —- Emma is our ten year old daughter (pictured in the bottom right corner).  She has developed a great interest in poetry this year.  It is a privilege and joy for our family to be on this journey with you!  Merry Christmas!  

The Pilot (poem and song)

I recently returned from a ski/snowboarding trip with several men that lead simple churches here in Kentucky.  As with most trips of this nature, everyone ends up sharing new music, YouTube videos, favorite movies, jokes, and other items that have provided us with recent laughter, joy, and occasionally insight into the Christian journey.  For me, Josh Garrel’s music has been one of my best musical finds in a long time.  I shared some songs with my good friend Matt, and in return he shared this great poem with me upon discussing the song “Pilot Me.”  May this poem and song encourage you today!   Crossing the Bar By Alfred, Lord Tennyson   Sunset and evening star, And one clear call for me! And may there be no moaning of the bar, When I put out… Read More »The Pilot (poem and song)

Ozymandias by Shelley

Matt Wheeler (one of the simple church leaders) and I had a great conversation about this poem recently and I thought it would be great to post here.  Thanks Matt for sharing this with me!  I had never read it before. Ozymandias By Percy Bysshe Shelley I met a traveller from an antique land Who said: “Two vast and trunkless legs of stone Stand in the desert. Near them on the sand, Half sunk, a shattered visage lies, whose frown And wrinkled lip and sneer of cold command Tell that its sculptor well those passions read Which yet survive, stamped on these lifeless things, The hand that mocked them and the heart that fed. And on the pedestal these words appear: `My name is Ozymandias, King of Kings: Look on my works, ye mighty, and… Read More »Ozymandias by Shelley

"if you ever find yourself walking along a path like this...watch your step!"

The Calf Path.

One day, through the primeval wood,
A calf walked home, as good calves should;

But made a trail all bent askew,
A crooked trail as all calves do.
Since then three hundred years have fled,
And, I infer, the calf is dead.
But still he left behind his trail,
And thereby hangs my moral tale… (Click Title to Continue Reading)