Another Rich Fool?

I've mentioned previously a bible study on the Parables of Jesus. This week (9/30) we are looking at the Parable of the Rich Fool. It is in Luke, chapter 12. The following has somewhat come from looking at and thinking about that parable. If it is a song, it would be in the Springsteen sense. For example, Wreck on the Highway(some Springsteen fans may know that song), where it is just some seemingly common occurence made into a song.

Another Rich Fool?

An Autumn day in Texas, a Thursday afternoon
With lunchtime in my belly...
Is my nap coming soon?
Up at the light, a man is hungry
At least, so says his sign
My eyes avoid and glance down at the doggy bag of mine.

His barns were filled to full. His silo's lid could hold no more.
He settled in to rest
He had it all within his door.

I passed right by at ten to one, at least my body did.
The window of my car stayed closed
As did my boxed food lid
If he's hungry, he deserves it, the debate began to wage
You have far more than you need, the opposition took the stage.

His barns were filled to full. His silo's lid could hold no more.
He settled in to rest
He had it all within his door.

My foot propelled me homeward
The hunger drew me back
I wanted to keep going---
He needed my backtrack
Here comes the turn which I can take to go back to that sign.
Or straight I can continue holding on to what is mine.

His barns were filled to full. His silo's lid could hold no more.
He settled in to rest
He had it all within his door.

Priceless Prize

Recently, I've been part of a Bible Study on Sunday mornings at Gethsemane Lutheran Church led by Kenneth Koehl. We have been looking at the parables for the last six weeks. Next week's lesson(September 23) is on the Parables of the Lost Sheep and the Lost Coin found in Luke 15:1-10. This song was written on the swing in our backyard after reading the parable and the lesson for Sunday.
Reading these parables reminded me of a story I wrote when I was in Japan(1992-95). It told about a man who lost his coin under a vending machine(Vending machines seemed to be omni-present there...I even saw a few places where you could buy beef in a vending machine) and the lengths he went to to get it back. If I remember correctly, the story was translated by a member of the church where I worked-Shirone Lutheran Christian Church- and run in the national Lutheran Church's newsletter.

Feel free to translate the following as necessary...
Chords and melodies avaialable on request.

PRICELESS PRIZE

Seven million dollars in a great big sack
Nine diamond rings in a fanny pack
An Honus Wagner baseball card from way back when
A folder full of stocks you purchase now and then
Put them all together add a cup of milk
Stir ‘em up in a hat
Pull ‘em out and add ‘em up
A hundred times
You’re still worth more than that.

MY HAND WILL REACH OUT TO YOU
WHENEVER YOU TURN AWAY
I HAVE GIVEN EVERYTHING
SO THAT YOU CAN STAY…
RIGHT BESIDE ME, WALK WITH ME
NO MATTER YOUR SHOE SIZE
FOR WHEN I LOOK AT YOU, MY CHILD
I SEE A PRICELESS PRIZE

The vase that you were given by your mother’s aunt
A circus with a least a dozen elephants
The guitar on which Hendrix first played “Purple Haze”
A manuscript of one of Shakespeare’s early plays
Put them all together add a cup of milk
Stir ‘em up in a hat
Pull ‘em out and add ‘em up
A hundred times
You’re still worth more than that.

CHORUS

A mansion in the mountains with a heated pool
An education from the nation’s finest schools
A Lamborghini Countach that’s brand spanking new
A dairy farm with several hundred cows that moo.
Put them all together add a cup of milk
Stir ‘em up in a hat
Pull ‘em out and add ‘em up
A hundred times
You’re still worth more than that.

CHORUS

WHERE I BELONG

The following song was written as part of a curriculum for pre-confirmation retreats held in September and October 2007 by Lutheran Outdoors Ministry of Texas. The theme for the retreat was WHERE I BELONG centered on the Bible verse, Romans 1:6. The three basic points of the Bible Studies and Devotions also reflected in this theme song were: 1) Jesus is calling me because he loves me, 2) He is calling me to belong to Him, 3) He is calling me and longs to make me the best I can be...

Chords and melody are available if you contact me...

WHERE I BELONG

Where I’m beloved is
Where I belong is
Where I long to be
I am beloved to
Him I belong He’s
Everything to me

When I am awake, asleep
I am always on His mind
Wherever I’m hiding
He will always seek to find
When I’m joyful, He is too
When I’m glad, He gives a cheer
When I’m lost He holds my hand
When I’m sad He sheds a tear.

Refrain

He has given everything,
Given all good things to me
Brought me near made me one of His
I am in His family
All I have I offer Him
To Him all my days belong
I will keep my eyes on Him
While He makes my life His song

Refrain