The Face of God

Perhaps it’s time for another cowboy poem. I believe we humans were built to respond to the outdoors. There is something inherent in nature which reveals the ways and design of our creator. When we step outside, if we are willing, we have the opportunity to view the very face of God in His creation, or at least one of the faces of God. Certain groups of people have more access to the outdoors so this poem was written about the cowboy’s experience and lifestyle. However, you could insert camper, hiker, sailor, hunter, bird watcher, biker, runner, beach comber, star gazer, park wanderer, bench sitter ... the list goes on and on. The point is that the people who "get out there," even a little way, can witness the wonders of the creation. At home our view is of a hedge, and the neighbors are right on the other side of it. The office where I write even now has no windows at all. In fact, my dear wife bought me a painting of a window so that I could at least pretend to have a view. Most folks are like me and have very little contact with nature in the course of a normal day. Last night’s lunar eclipse, however, reminded me that natural wonders are never far from view if only we will take the time to look for them. And the almighty has revealed Himself through those natural wonders which He so painstakingly formed with His very hands. Psalm 19 reads, "The heavens declare the glory of the Lord." How true that is. We should never worship nature, but it can help point the way to He who is utterly worthy of our worship. Just step outside and try to view the world around you with an open heart. He’s out there.

The Face of God
Perhaps the cowboy's greatest pleasure
Is to see the world god made
In every light and every weather
That's one thing he'd never trade
There are moments of discomfort
Marked with heat and cold and wet
But they're a small price for the memory
Of a hundred red sunsets
Throughout his daily life
He gets to see the world unfold
And to hear the songs of nature
Songs a thousand ages old
In the whisper of the breezes
Through the mighty oaks and brush
The haughty crows in boisterous chorus
And the whippoorwill and thrush
The cowboy knows the clap of thunder
When it rents the evening air
And the laughter of the river
As it drifts without a care
He knows the scent of morning
When the day is crisp and new
And so full of life and gleaming
In its quilt of silver dew
He has shuddered, fraught with terror
Before the savage, raging beast
And stooped to mend the broken wing
Of the timid and the least
He has known the joys and sorrows
Of creation, face to face
Known its wrath and utter fury
And it's tenderest embrace
The almighty has revealed himself
In ways unique and odd
And the cowboy, who is willing
Sees the very face of god
By Frank Carpenter ©

Opposing Views

I hope that regular readers will not find it offensive if I diverge from my standard format because, surprising as it may seem, I have no poem to accompany today’s chosen subject so. Oblige me, if you will, as I swap my poet hat for the pundit one since I feel compelled to address an issue which is dear to my heart. Now, it cannot have escaped your attention that I am a staunch conservative. Yet, I have many friends who fall on both sides of the invisible political lines which currently divide popular thought in our country as next week’s presidential election draws near. Today, however, I have no intention of promoting my side of the issues. Rather, I wish to remind my fellow citizens how fortunate we are to have many sides to each issue and people who represent them. I have a very dear friend who generally stands on the opposite side of many political debates and isn’t shy about reminding me of it. In fact, I’m even willing to admit that she is better educated, better informed, better read, probably more intelligent and certainly more passionate about many of the current issues than I. We enjoy sparing politically and ribbing one another whenever the opportunity arises, but also respect each other’s positions. She tries to educate me, I fire back with the latest political cartoons from the internet ... and so it goes, with very little chance that either of us are likely to alter our positions. The wonderful thing, however, is that it’s OK for us to disagree. We have the amazing good fortune to live in a country where people are allowed to disagree, where every side of an issue can be wrestled over, lobbied for, argued about, and the like. But we must remember that there are still places in the world where, even in this modern and supposedly civilized new millennium, where voicing opposition on political issues can lead to persecution, prison, torture and even death. Not so in America. Regardless of our political persuasions, we should all pause to thank God that we live in a place where we are free to speak, vote, work and worship however and wherever we choose. Whatever its faults, this great experiment of democracy which our forefathers set in motion 228 years ago has stood the test of time and generally held true to its founding principles. We are a nation of individuals, bound together not by our sameness, but by our diversity ... a diversity of culture, race, religion and certainly opinion. That is part of what makes us strong and we must remember that our constant grappling together over the issues is what provides the checks and balances which guide us down the narrow middle line of majority of rule. Ours is a government of the people, by the people and for the people. Granted, those people will not always agree, but let us ever cherish and protect our right to disagree. While we have the utmost respect for one another, my friend and I will likely never agree on many political issues so next week we will each diligently and patriotically cancel out one another’s votes. That’s the way the system works, and the system really does work so don’t forget to cast your own vote next week as well. Otherwise, the friend you disagree with might tip the political scale in their own direction. By the way, don’t tell my friend ... but I actually think I’m right. Of course, chances are she’d say the same about me.

Refuge

This has been a week of thunderstorms and downpours, the first in many months in our area. Strangely, the worst of it always seems to come at night. Now, we have a rather old roof which is long overdue for replacement. Nonetheless, it still keeps the rain out and my dear wife and I love to lie in bed and listen to the rain pounding on the shingles above us. A few nights ago I was reminded of a particularly intense storm years past which had the whole family out of bed in the middle of the night watching the lightning together. Before the kids finally went back to bed we had some great conversations and one of them led to the metaphor of how God protects us from the storms of life, much like the roof on our home does. After everyone else had long since gone back to sleep I sat up and listened to the storm, eventually penning the following poem I share with you herein. The message for today, then, is that the storms in life generally can’t be prevented or avoided. However, God can be a roof and shield who protects us from the fury of the elements we encounter. Will there still be danger, and pain and suffering and even death? Yes, but God can keep those things from destroying us. He can even use them to work for good in our lives and often offer us an eternal perspective which helps the faithful to make sense of the storms raging around them. The rain will certainly fall and the wind will certainly blow for that is the nature of our existence. Yet, those who learn to trust in God have a refuge from the storm, a shelter and a fortress about them in times of trouble. My prayer today is that you may have the roof of God’s grace over your own life. It is freely available to any who will but ask Christ into their hearts and receive the grace which He so freely offers. Don’t get left out in the rain.

Refuge
Tonight the rain is beating
On the roof above my head
Until it's pounding leaves me wide awake
And awestruck in my bed
Then comes a wind and hail and howling
Such as I never can recall
But our little house is snug and warm
Protecting me from every squall
No matter how the torrents tumble
From the dark and stormy sky
The roof above withstands their force
And I stay warm and dry
So I find it with the grace of God
Which protects me from the night
And even through the darkest storm
Comforts me with holy light
Like the roof which shield me now
God's grace is over me
A barrier of truth and love
Built upon His sovereignty
No storm may come against me
That He cannot see me through
Though wood and stone surround me
How much more my God can do
So when the rain is falling
Though it chills me to the bone
I can resolutely stand my ground
For I do not stand alone
I stand with grace before me
And above me, I am bold
Secure that I'll not be abandoned
Or be left out in the cold
In grace I have a refuge
Even from the fiercest storm
God enfolds me in His loving arms
As He keeps me safe and warm
So as I lie here in the darkness
I know that I have naught to fear
For this roof and grace are over me
And my God is very near
By Frank Carpenter ©

Patriotism

Although I recently wrote on roughly the same subject, I feel compelled to refocus our attention on the brave Americans of our armed services around the globe. Certainly my primary hot spots are Iraq and Afghanistan, where we remain in conflict and the danger is greatest. I encourage all of us to keep the soldiers, as well as their families, in our daily prayers. Those two countries represent the front line in the war on terrorism. Even the liberals who strongly disagree with our involvement in Iraq are saying that it has become a haven and collection area for terrorists. If that is the case, then it is clearly is the right place to be fighting. I heard a great commentator say recently that if you have to fight terrorism it’s much better to play an away game. Let’s have the fight in Iraq, rather than New Jersey or Mississippi or Idaho. That works for me. Yes, there’s danger in Iraq and the fact is that our people on the ground might just be drawing fire away from the home front. Either way, it’s their job and they’re doing it well ... and on our behalf. For that, I for one am truly thankful. Nor let us forget our service people stationed in the rest of the world. Even is they aren’t in the action right now they are part of the solution. They provide a deterrent and stand ready to respond as the instruments of our policies and ideals worldwide. They’ve left their homes and families as well and we commend them for it. All our lofty speeches and flag waving are great, but our military remains at the heart of our national strength. A strong America is good for the whole world and we should never forget that. So remember the brave folks of our armed forces and show them due appreciation. If you know someone in the service, either at home or abroad, write them a letter and tell them you’re behind them ... because they are in front of you. May God bless America, and especially those who have so bravely chosen to defend it.

Patriotism
My patriotism has never been tested
Though I spout its rhetoric with ease
Waging the war of words from home
Just as courageous as you please
Yet, I am only able to do so
Because far better men than I
Are willing to fight for my freedom
Brave men, who could very well die
In defense of what I believe in
Of our beloved democracy
Theirs is the truest patriotism
They are the pride of the land of the free
And knowing that they are out there
In that desert, half a world away
Makes me proud to be an American
And more so than ever today
By Frank Carpenter ©

Companions

A brief message today to remind us all not to overlook the people we meet on the way through our journey in life. As we rush from here to there we come in contact with countless folks who offer the chance to interact. Bus stops, plane flights, athletic events, even elevators offer opportunities to interact with our fellow travelers. Perhaps the elevator rides are a little short to strike up a relationship, but most other venues are simply bursting with possibility. We had a young man from New Zealand staying with us this past week and found it fascinating to develop a friendship with someone from another country who has different views and experience than us. I also had the opportunity so spend time with a young Muslim woman from Turkey recently. Each of these young people taught me something about myself, their own country and the larger world we live in. However, my time with both of them was the result of simply being available to others, letting our lives be accessible. You just never know who God might send your way at any given time and it behooves us to think of our fellow humans not as props in our own personal dramas, but as important players themselves. We are all part of something much larger than ourselves. So as you rush through your own days this week, I encourage you to be sensitive to the other lives which intersect with your own. Strike up a conversation in the line at the bank. Eat lunch with a stranger instead of sitting at separate tables. Let down the draw bridge in the wall you have built around your own life and welcome others into it. Maybe God sent some of those people just because they needed you ... or perhaps because you needed them. You’ll never know unless you look up, smile and offer your hand in friendship. That’s how it all begins.

Companions
The journey is never lonely
As I travel on my way
On every leg, at every port
I find new friends each day
Who share the same experience
Have seen and done the same as I
So we fall in together naturally
To wile the hours as they pass by
Rare the journey where a friend cannot
Be found along the trail
To share a meal, a walk, a game
An adventure or a sail
For there are folks most everywhere
Who’d gladly pass the time of day
Sometimes the best part of a journey
Is folks we meet along the way
By Frank Carpenter ©

Making Each One Count

Today I dabble in the depths of my own hypocrisy, perhaps even more than usual. Sometimes we waste so many words to convey so little. This very web site is evidence to the prolific nature of my own writings. Whether or not folks want or need to hear it, I certainly have a great deal to say, arguably entirely too much at times. I was, however, at a conference some time ago where the speaker spent a long time (and a great many words) exhorting us to be far more frugal with our speech and writing. He wasn’t implying that we should be silent by any means, rather offering the observation that we simply say too much. I, for one, am clearly guilty on this point. Like so many of us, I blather on and on until the real point I wanted to make is lost entirely in the supporting arguments intended to prop it up. Often the better course would be that of succinctly and elegantly making our point and leaving it at that. I believe it was Mark Twain who once said that "No one was ever saved after the first ten minutes of a sermon." When we are nervous we use too many words. When we are angry we almost always use too many words. The next three weeks of presidential campaigning promise entirely too many words. Therefore, lest I further abuse the literary economy I struggle here to convey, let me encourage all of us to choose our words carefully and make each one count.

Making Each One Count
There is no shortage of words in me
I can spout them night and day
But volume does not equal value
Indeed, may cloak what we would say
There is strength found in economy
Choosing just the right words, and few
So much is lost in a dissertation
When a single sentence would do
Make each syllable count if you’re able
Choosing only the choicest words
Lest your message drown within itself
And go utterly unheard
By Frank Carpenter ©

Sanctuary

Our lives continue to be so busy. We rush from here to there, with hardly a moment for ourselves. Oh, we can keep it up for a while. In fact, many of us thrive on the activity. We gulp down a double-whatever caffeine product and away we go, turning our lives into some kind of productivity triathalon. Most folks, however, can’t really keep that pace up and certain things also seem to suffer along the way. Work gets in the way of our personal lives. Our personal lives get in the way of work. Precious time with kids, spouses and other loved ones begins to erode. Moments of spiritual reflection get tossed out the door. In time, the whole thing can fall apart like a car with no water in the radiator. One thing which seems to help, however, is learning how to schedule breaks in the action which allow us to recharge. They don’t even have to be long breaks. Something as simple as forcing ourselves to stop for lunch can make a big difference, especially if we can work in some meaningful thought time instead of just pounding down a burger on the run. Try just doodling on a napkin, writing a list of dreams or wishes, jotting down a few blessings in our lives, simply thinking about special people, or just pray a little. Maybe it’s not lunch, but some other time of the day or evening. As we scurry around, opportunities often present themselves to take a walk in a park or around the block. Many churches leave their doors unlocked all day, providing a quiet place to reflect. The world is full of little nooks and crannies which offer some modicum of sanctuary for a busy heart and a weary soul. If we can seek out such places in the course of our days, even for a few moments, the peace we discover there may be enough to carry us through. Our lives simply need a little margin. So make an effort to somehow jump off the treadmill for a break, however briefly, and let your heart and mind wander off task just a bit. You may be surprised at the difference if makes.

Sanctuary
Amidst the busy thoroughfares
Where the crowds of traffic rush
Quiet corners may still be found
Where the world seems to hush
Where the pressures and the problems
For a time, are kept at bay
And a weary soul finds refuge
From the troubles of the day
There are gardens, parks and churches
Benches, pews and shady trees
Solemn nooks of sanctuary
Which can put a heart at ease
Where the busy, the downtrodden
May pass an hour or two
Away from life’s distractions
To refresh, relax, renew
In those quiet moments
When we pause to think and pray
A soul finds sanctuary
From the storms of life each day
By Frank Carpenter ©

The Sculptor

I often get the impression that many people never even consider being different. They feel as though they are predisposed to think, act, speak and be a certain way, as if the cement of their lives has already been poured into the proverbial mold and they are simply waiting for it to set up. Is that how you feel? I certainly believe that each of is born with a specific package of gifts and talents, strengths and weaknesses. Those things make up the foundation of who we are, even where we begin, but they clearly do not determine our futures. The future, by definition, is that which has yet to happen. It is, therefore, entirely open to possibility. For today’s metaphorical offering, I turn to the hands of a sculptor. Our lives, at least our futures, are much like formless clay in the hands of a sculptor. Better yet, we are the sculptors of our lives. Each year, each month, each day is ours to shape. Many of us, however, are willing to settle for something less than a work of art. We complain about the clay of our clay of our lives. We doubt our own artistic talents. We think we lack perspective. Such wonderful excuses and certainly ones I have used with shocking regularity. However, each life has the potential to become a masterpiece, as does each day. The choice is up to us. We can make excuses. We can compromise. We can somehow abdicate responsibility for our actions. Or we can approach each day with a sculptor’s eye. We can make the choices that make a difference and carefully sculpt our existence into a thing of beauty. It’s not about money or privilege. It’s all about our hearts and how we will affect the lives of others. What will you do today? Will you settle for something less? Each of us wakes up in the morning with the same number of hours, the same number of fingers, roughly the same number of heart beats. What makes the difference is what we choose to do with them. When you wake up in the morning, even when you turn away from this screen, life will be laid out before you, waiting expectantly for your response, your guidance, your choice. Take a deep breath ... and make it a masterpiece.

The Sculptor
I am the sculptor
And every day
Begins as
A formless hunk of clay
I am free to shape it
As I please
I can waste it
or
Make it a masterpiece
By Frank Carpenter ©

Through the Darkness

Perhaps it’s just me, or my heightened awareness of such things, but yet another person in my sphere of acquaintance has been diagnosed with a form of cancer. The details and prognosis of this particular case are still working themselves out, but the roller coaster of emotions has already begun for their entire family. Once we hear the dreaded "C" word, there is a time of shock and anger, followed by some depression. Then folks either begin to rally emotionally or sink deeper, depending on their disposition and support network. Even if the doctors proclaim the cancer to be mild, early or slow-growing, it still catches us off guard and sends us through the full gauntlet of those emotions. Such moments remind us of our mortality and force us to face some of the larger and more difficult questions of life. These can also be times of reflection, when we revitalize core relationships and endeavor to "do" life better. Whatever our response, most of those involved go through times of darkness and doubt, when we struggle with the "whys" and the "hows" of our situations. Sometimes the answers to those kinds of questions can seem elusive and frustrating. They rob us of our strength and our joy, causing us to become angry with ourselves, our loved ones, and often angry with God. Why? Why me? Why now? Why not someone else? Those are the moments when a secure faith can be of great value. That doesn’t mean that we have all the answers, or ever will. However, being able to trust that God does have all the answers goes a long way. Furthermore, there is comfort in an assurance that, even in the worst case scenario, the outcome of your situation still offers a happy ending ... or rather beginning. Faith allows us to trust that things which are out of our control are still be in the hands of one who is able to make them work out for the best. That’s what faith is, a willingness to trust that which we don’t fully understand. If you’re there right now, or know someone else who is, rest assured that God is there with you. He is a friend to the broken hearted and never abandons those who call upon His name, even when it feels like it at times. You can trust in His strength to carry you through the darkness.

Through the Darkness
When every answer brings a question
When each note of joy goes sour
When we feel as though life is unfair
Doubting God’s wisdom and His power
When it seems the hand He’s dealt us
Could not be a hand He’d give
We may resent the life we have
And the one we’re called to live
Yet, the Lord has never promised
That my life should perfect be
He only said He’d give the strength
To stand as life would challenge me
If we keep our eyes upon
The Lord throughout each day
If we cling to Him and to His word
He will show us the narrow way
Though it be strewn with obstacles
Though it be fraught with care
If I keep my eyes upon the Lord
I know that He shall meet me there
To guide me through the hours dark
When I can’t seem to find God’s will
Even when it makes no sense to me
I must obey and trust Him still
By Frank Carpenter ©

Silver Seas

Today’s poem was written while I was out sailing on a stormy day. It had rained off and on and suddenly the sun came out and turned everything the most amazing shade of silver. The clouds, the water, even the sails seemed all to be wrought from that same precious metal. It was one of those moments when you realize how fortunate you are to be alive, right then and there. Prior to that moment, however, we had been experiencing some rather nasty weather and I was struck by the thought that if we had not chosen to brave the storm we would have missed the beauty which followed. Isn’t life just like that? We can remain safe and warm and dry back at home or in the harbor, but the real surprises and the best adventures lie somewhere beyond the breakwater. It certainly is more trouble to take our chances in the unprotected waters of life. Yet, they rarely disappoint us in the long run. Once I leave the safety of the harbor, I’m bound to run across something of interest which promises to make all my efforts worthwhile. Perhaps a perfect sunrise or sunset, or a glorious azure blue day. Sometimes it’s whales or dolphins or a night time ocean set ablaze with bioluminescence. Other times it will be the kind of perfection I experienced after the storm I have here recounted. All these things come to us when we choose to step out into the larger world of experience. Of course, you don’t need an ocean. The desert, the mountains, a forest or river offer similar opportunities ... even the vast ocean of humanity itself is a frontier to be explored and discovered. But we have to get out there. We must cast off the dock lines, raise the sails of our lives and choose to venture out beyond the protected waters of our own little harbor of existence. There’s a big, wide world waiting out there for us to discover. It can seem imposing. It can be scary, and even a little dangerous at times, but it can also be fun and exciting and enlightening and amazing and rewarding. The only way to be sure, however, is to go out and see for ourselves. Here’s hoping that you may set sail in your own special way and discover the silver seas for yourself. Bon Voyage.

Silver Seas
I’ve heard that each cloud holds a silver lining
Which has descended now upon a silver sea
To light the day for which I have been pining
I find myself enveloped in its majesty
Intermittent rain refreshes as we travel
As Autumn showers at sea are prone to do
And I watch the stormy morning’s clouds unravel
In good company, upon a course that’s true
Such beauty is reserved for those who wander
Across the windswept swells and far from home
On stormy days folks safe ashore would squander
Who may be wary of the seas and never roam
I have known both danger and perfection
Where oft the twain together may be found
Weighing each in all my years of recollection
I choose to sail where both shall e’er abound
Smooth sailing is each mariner’s dream for reasons
Which are plain enough to you as well as me
Yet, I long to know the ocean through all seasons
For such moments as this, upon the silver sea
By Frank Carpenter ©

Shining Armor

We live in a world where chivalry seems to be entirely forgotten. Folks cut each other off on the freeway. Gentlemen no longer rise when ladies enter a room or open the door for them. People often consider profit or convenience over courtesy. The list goes on and on. The world is a different place nowadays, right? It’s a free society, without all the legalistic restraints of the past, right? All the old fashioned stuff has gone completely out of style, right? I beg to differ. Perhaps I was born too late or just raised wrong, but I for one believe that chivalry should still be in style. I have a daughter who is a young adult and I think a man should open the door for her. That is what I expect for her and what I demand from my own son. I believe we should treat others with deference, according to lofty ideals which dictate that we should act justly. Courtesy and respect and honor should never go out of style. In fact, they should be cherished and nurtured and passed down to our children with reverence. Perhaps there no longer are knights in shining armor, but perhaps there should be. Oh, not the actual metal suits and white horses, but what about the ideal of shining armor. Maybe all of us, especially you men, need to gird ourselves in a shining armor of moral strength and purity, considering ourselves instruments of justice and chivalry. Am I asking too much? Isn’t that how you want your daughter’s husband or boyfriend to think of himself? Isn’t that what you hope for your son? Isn’t that, after all, what your wife really wants you to be? A gentleman, a defender, a valiant knight in this world of darkness and compromise. Perhaps, I wax altogether too Arthurian for some of you, but the world we live in could use more people of such a mind. Let not that common cynicism rule our hearts, nor should we settle for the selfish, heartless world so many of us have come to know. Rise up, brave knights, and take upon yourselves the shining armor of chivalry. Together, we might just make the world a better place.

Shining Armor
We have been told that chivalry is dead
That honor is out of date
And folks don’t want to get involved
Too shy, or proud, they hesitate
When others need assistance
And we could help in some small way
Indeed, what seems a modest kindness
Sometimes, might even save the day
In this modern world we find
Knights in shining armor rare
Where folks are all too busy
It’s nearly out of style to care
Yet, those who have a hero’s heart
Should not give in to dismay
For there are noble deeds to do
Throughout each busy day
There are ladies to protect
When they walk outdoors at night
Everywhere, some small injustice
Begging to be set to right
Children who need mentors
Lonely folks without a friend
Virtues to be cherished
And upheld without end
One needs but to be vigilant
And he shall discover then
There’s still a place for shining armor
And the world needs such men
By Frank Carpenter ©

Conservative Cows

Howdy readers. Time runs short for much commentary today. I would, however, like to share this true account about a livestock auction I attended in Northern California in August. Yes, I was there and yes it actually happened. You will clearly find today’s poem to be partisan. While my personal bent is obviously and consistently conservative, I offer this report in the spirit of the event and its participants. Back tomorrow with something less political. Happy Trails.

Conservative Cows
I attended the 4-H livestock auction
at the Plumas County Fair
In the heart of rural California
just regular people there
It opened with the national anthem
sung by a pair of local youth
Whose voices, more than superstars
rang out clearly with the truth
This is just the kind of event
that happens constantly
All across our great big nation
which the media never see
Now, I’m not from that area
merely a visitor, you see
So I had no indication of
how locals stood, politically
But as the 4-H kids paraded
their home-raised hogs and steers
Through the pen to be bid upon
up front, by the auctioneer
Several animals had American flags
draped on them for all to see
Which I thought was patriotic
but the best was yet to be
For a number of the steers that came
through pens and down the chute
Had Bush/Cheney signs around their necks
and bumper stickers to boot
The crowd seemed to like the gesture
and there being no dissension
The candidates of the other party
shall herein go without mention
So up in Quincy that seems to be
how real rural Americans feel
Where the current, proven President
clearly garners greater appeal
Well that’s the report, fellow citizens
from Plumas County for now
Don’t forget to put a bumper sticker
on your car or truck ... or cow
By Frank Carpenter ©

Hidden Springs

Life can be a wilderness. On many days, it feels just like that. Even the most beautiful of places can, from an experiential standpoint, amount to no more than a desert. Indeed, the world around us is filled with mirages. We look at other people and think to ourselves, "Hey, they’ve got everything. They have it together." That may well be the case, but you can never really tell whose life is mortgaged to the hilt or whose marriage is falling apart ... until it’s too late. Those people can be mirages as well. For many people life is actually lonely, even lots of married folks. For such people, life really can look and feel like a desert. The point here is that the world isn’t always lush and friendly. We struggle with relationships, with health issues, with financial problems, with a whole host of things. What can bring meaning to, or through, all those issues? What makes life worth living, even when it doesn’t feel like it at times? As we wander through the desert of life, where can we go to quench the burning thirst within our hearts? Money is a band-aid, and a deceitful one at that. Relationships help, yet may also be a part of the problem. Fun provides only temporarily relief and, depending on the fun, can result in long term damage. The only thing which seems to promise long term benefit is faith. Faith is the hidden spring in the deserts of life, the only thing which truly refreshes. It outlasts our seasons and moods and misfortunes. God, the creator of all things, is also the answer to all things, bridging the gap between our frustrating human experience and the eternal perspective on this life ... and the one to follow. So blessed is the man or woman who lives by faith for they have discovered the hidden springs which can quench our parched souls and bring meaning to our lives. My hope and prayer for you today is that you may know such springs in your own life, and drink deeply thereof.

Hidden Springs
We drove until the pavement ended
Then several miles more
Abandoning the vehicles
That were not four by four
We drove out through the desert
Until there was no road
Then left our other vehicles
And shouldered up our loads
We hiked up Rockhouse Canyon
Over sand and barren stone
Beyond where most men care to go
And their comforts are unknown
We came upon a hidden spring
We might have easily passed by
Where a little patch of greenery
Just barely caught my eye
It was a tiny seep of water
Welling up from down beneath
Very nearly indiscernible
But for it’s grassy wreath
And yet, a man could take a drink
Or fill his canteen there
Indeed, not shade or palm trees
But thirsty men don’t care
In the deserts of our lives
Springs can be so hard to find
You need a map and sound advice
Or you wind up hiking blind
But when you find the hidden springs
In the places desolate
Drinking deeply of their precious draught
One does not soon forget
The refreshment that they offer
And the life which they sustain
Then we cherish their location
Lest we pass that way again
In our journey through the wilderness
We encounter many things
But blessed is the man who knows
The paths to hidden springs
By Frank Carpenter ©

Living in Exile

Are you one of those people for whom everything in life just seems more difficult? We all have such areas of our lives, but some folks insist on making life difficult. They ignore the obvious lessons from other people’s lives and choose to learn the painful lessons of their own mistakes, often over and over again. Every day offers a fresh opportunity to make a new start, a chance for redemption and forgiveness and a better life. Yet, even with the promised land only a few steps away, we choose to wander in the wilderness. Much like the people of Israel, who God led out of bondage in Egypt. After they wandered in the wilderness for a time He brought them to the very brink of the promised land, but they were too stubborn and unfaithful to trust Him. This even after witnessing the Plagues on Egypt, the parting of the Red Sea, the pillar of fire and the pillar of cloud, eating manna every day, and drinking water which miraculously flowed from the stones. These were God’s people, His chosen nation, heirs to the covenant with Abraham. Yet, they had not the staying power for one final step of faith. So they turned from the promised land and that entire generation perished in the wilderness. Is that our fate? We struggle with relationships. We destroy our marriages and families. We retreat into all manner of addictions. We ignore our health. We turn away from God. Again and again, we choose some sort of self-imposed wilderness when something far better is often well within our grasp. Are you living in a wilderness, or do you know someone else who is? It doesn’t have to be that way. Life doesn’t have to be that difficult. Much as it was for the people of Israel, a better life may be just a few faithful steps away. We merely have to turn aside from destructive behaviors and poor choices and towards better ones. That is the first step. Clearly it may be followed by many more difficult steps, but every journey begins with a single step in the right direction ... a step of faith, if you will. Are you willing to take such a step? The promised land is waiting, and it’s just across the river.

Living in Exile
God’s people wandered in the wilderness
As so many of us have done
Trudging through the desert
Beneath the blazing sun
He could have brought them to Canaan
A generation earlier
But they refused to learn their lesson
So He left them to endure
Those stubborn, stiff-necked people
So very much like you and me
Who grow accustomed to the wilderness
Because we fail to see
That God has something better
And He’s reaching out His hand
To guide us from the wilderness
And into the promised land
But will we take it, do we listen?
Foolish children that we are
We haven’t the faith to carry on
Believing it’s just too hard, too far
So we choose to live in exile
Turning from the Jordan each day
Unwilling to claim the promised land
When it’s only a few steps away
By Frank Carpenter ©