the Turnings of a Royal Worm

Grab the Bull by the Horns

2011-10-11T19:44:00.000-07:00

Burn the Fog

2011-09-13T08:35:00.000-07:00

Welcome to the Turnings of a Royal Worm

2010-11-01T12:00:00.000-07:00

This site is a collection of music and poetry by Mike Tauser. For more information about using these songs or having new songs composed, please contact him at tauser@sbcglobal.net

The Unyielding Gaze

The Walk-a-Thon Song

Roller Rink Rock and Roll (Lyrics only, no music)

Drink of Him (Lyrics only, no music)

October Party with the Dynamo

2010-10-08T09:32:00.001-07:00

Futbol is Soccer

2010-10-06T09:59:00.000-07:00

Archibald Lenoue's Zoo

2010-01-19T07:47:00.001-08:00

Archibald Lenoue's Garden of Zoological Studies

Outside my back door there’s a zoo
That I built recently
I customized the cages and I planted six new trees.

It is my sanctuary
It is my pride and joy
It’s more than just a hobby
It is my most precious toy.

The first cage moving westward
From my brand new back porch swing
Holds two males and a baby to whom
Both men like to sing.

These guys might be great neighbors
If they were not in my zoo
Yet, as it is, I only stand and watch the things they do

The next cage holds a family with a Spanish-speaking lean
I hear their conversations but I can’t tell what they mean.
When their music makes me move my feet and dance a bar or two
I stop myself and move on for these folks are in my zoo.

Just past the single mothers
Next to my refreshment stand
I often hear the eloquence of one tall, colored man

The passion of his words cause me to hear him well some days
But then I catch myself,
“He’s in my zoo.” I walk away.

You’ll find me in my zoo in mornings, afternoons, and night
(But I close it down each Sunday without fail. That just seems right)

It is my sanctuary
It is my pride and joy
It’s more than just a hobby
It is my most precious toy.

My family worries for me “It’s the company you keep”
Some even say they wonder how I’m
Brave enough to sleep
They’re sure that they’d be frightened,
Nervous to the very core
With so many of those people just outside their door.

Yet, I am fascinated by these folks so unlike me
As long as they stay in their cage
We all will be happy
And just in case my zoo and my reality collide
I will be ready with a loaded shotgun at my side.

A Todos

2009-12-24T05:43:00.001-08:00

Take Christmas, mix in my love of math and add a little interaction with the Spanish language and this is what you get:

A Todos
A todos, Feliz Navidad
Merry Christmas, everyone
Five times five is 25
And one times one is one

A todos, Feliz Navidad
Merry Christmas all of you
Six plus six will get you 12
And one plus one makes 2

Joy to the World the Lord is come
Let earth receive her king
Let every heart prepare Him room
And heaven and nature sing

A todos, Feliz Navidad
And Merry Christmas too
Seven squared is 49
And half of four is two.

The Houston Zoo Song

2009-11-28T21:12:00.001-08:00

This is another song that I played for a kindergarten class. I read/sang to them on the Monday before Thanksgiving. They took a field trip to the Houston Zoo on Tuesday, so the song fit in just right. Also, I got some assistance from the zoo itself. One of the members of the staff sent me pictures of each of the animals in the song. I put these pictures in a Power Point which I was able to show to the class as well.

The Houston Zoo Song
When I went to the zoo to the Houston Zoo
When I went with my class to the zoo
When I went to the zoo to the Houston Zoo
I saw a bunch of animals how ‘bout you

I saw a sea lion swimming in a pool
I saw a tall giraffe who was looking cool
I saw an elephant with his ears so big
I saw a babirusa which is like a pig

I saw komodo dragon over by the snakes
I saw some fish and ducks all swimming in a lake
I saw some friendly otters slipping on a slide
I saw a giant eland with a great big stride

I saw a herd of zebras dressed in black and white
I saw a groups of meerkats who kept me in sight
I saw a pride of lions resting in the sun
I saw a crocodile before the trip was done.

The Hungry Caterpillar Song

2009-10-27T20:05:00.001-07:00

I had a chance to read to my daughter's kindergarten class. I ended up writing a song about each of the three books I read. One of the books was THE HUNGRY CATERPILLAR by Eric Carle. This is the song that I sang to go with it.

THE HUNGRY CATERPILLAR SONG

He's a hungry caterpillar, great googily, googily, goo
He eats and eats and eats 'cuz that's what caterpillars do
He's a hungry caterpillar, hip, hip, hip hooray
He will become a butterfly
On a special day

He starts out with an apple then he eats two pears, three plums
He even has a piece of pie before his meal is done
He eats throughout the morning
He eats into the night
I heard he eats while he sleeps now that would be a sight!

When his tummy's full he spins a fancy new cocoon
He climbs inside and hides a while
But he will be back soon
What happens next is true I am not telling you a lie
He flies around the garden as a brand new butterfly

Three Little Bible Study Students

2009-09-21T11:00:00.000-07:00

A few weeks back an individual's vehicle was broken into while our congregation was at Sunday School. The incident got me thinking about how safe we can really keep ourselves and what we are relying on, which led to this song.

The Three Little Bible Study Students

I’m sorry for the tardiness
In getting to my chair
Teacher, please forgive me for my late arrival there
I pulled into the lot ten minutes early it is true
Anticipating finding in the Word
His grace anew
Yet, once I parked, I realized that wolvers were lurking near
I had to guard my car from them for I hold it quite dear.
Again, sir, I am sorry for my lateness to your class
But now I know my car is guarded
By a wall of grass

Dear, Sensei, I apologize, my timing brings me shame
I will not point my fingers
There is only me to blame
I pulled up in my Honda with a minute left to spare
Yet, then I opened up my door and I found danger there
“Don’t leave it unattended!” “Don’t leave it in my care!”
The echo in my ears told me that I must take great care.
I got here quickly as I could though my fear scratched and clawed
I’m not afraid now my car’s guarded by a wall of straw

I can’t believe how late I am
It seems the class is done
It saddens me to miss out learning of the Father’s Son
I pulled into the driveway rather late I must confess
I barely made it here at all
My life…it is a mess
Once I turned off my engine
I was ready to come in
Until I heard the howling and the growling closing in
I will try to do better
I hope next week does the trick
For now my car is safely guarded
By a wall of bricks.

Important Document Concerning Immigration

2009-09-21T10:55:00.000-07:00

Important Document about immigration into this country...

An interesting document has been unearthed that sheds interesting light on the story of immigration into this country. There is some disagreement about the exact date of the correspondence. Also, the condition of the document makes some parts of it difficult to decipher, but on the whole its message speaks for itself:

Please enjoy

“Dear Sir,

I brought up my concerns with a leader in my community, who indicated that I should forward them to you.
I have been a member of this community for my entire life, and I cherish our cultural heritage and traditions. I have supported our leadership’s policy of welcoming the recent new arrivals to this land where we live. I have supported the policy because I believe that this land and all the richness in it belongs to a higher power than ourselves, and while we live on it we are in no way the owners of it.

Having said this, my observations compel me to express my concerns about our treatment of these newcomers. I feel that while we have bent over backwards to accommodate these visitors, they have been far less than accommodating to us, their de facto hosts. We have dedicated some of our best minds to understanding the language and customs of our new neighbors; while by all accounts little effort has been made by the visitors to reciprocate this effort. We have given them assistance in their struggle to survive on an almost daily basis including preparation of a large feast last autumn; while these guests have taken our gifts for granted and showed a lack of appreciation for our way of life.

It seems the only time they do accommodate our wishes and customrs has been seen in the realm of trading, where they have gone out of their way to discover what items would most entrance our people. After discerning this information, they have leveraged that knowledge to pry treasured resources away from us on a regular basis.

Perhaps my impression of our new acquaintances is inaccurate and they will prove to be great friends and neighbors over the years. However, my gut feeling is that they are more interested in telling us to obey the Golden Rule, which they speak of from their Holy Writings, than they are in obeying that rule themselves.
Due to this feeling and the overpowering weapons that they possess, I am afraid that they will overrun this land I love and cause great strife to our nation.

I appreciate your consideration on this matter.

Sincerely,

Talks with Tongue in Cheek”

Common Sense- The Rest of the Story

2009-09-21T10:46:00.000-07:00

I recently received an email that bemoaned the "death of common sense" in our nation. This following essay was written as a quasi-sequel to that email.

COMMON SENSE- The Rest of the Story

I must admit that I was saddened to hear about the recent passing of COMMON SENSE, which has been announced in various places on the world wide web. The announcements that I have read mention his loss of influence in our nation, but fail to explore the circumstances behind this decline. My original theory to explain COMMON SENSE's fade to irrelevance was that he moved to Canada or Japan. However, research into the matter has revealed the rest of the disheartening story behind the demise of COMMON SENSE.

Before I begin it should be noted that there is debate into whether COMMON SENSE ever really existed, as there is no mention of him in any ancient text before he was thrust into the American vernacular by Thomas Paine. I will leave this debate to those more scholarly than me.

There was a time when COMMON SENSE held sway from the Atlantic to the Pacific form Canada to the Gulf of Mexico. His ideas were revered by many. He is duly given credit for well-respected statements such as “don’t spend more than you have”, “eat your vegetables”, “proper planning prevents poor performance”, and “keep your kids home from school when they are sick”. His influence was massive. It was so great in fact that he eventually needed help to maintain his heavy workload. Guiding an entire nation is a time-consuming job.

As his staff grew, several of COMMON SENSE’s top assistants gained major influence over his operation. A few of those who were most influential included the brothers, DID YOU SEE WHAT HE WAS WEARING?! and DID YOU HEAR WHAT SHE SAID?!. Also on his team were DON’T LIKE WHAT YOU’RE DOING BECAUSE I DON'T UNDERSTAND IT, and MOUTH OPEN, EARS SHUT. Another major contributor during this time was BUT, THIS BIBLE VERSE SAYS, who was consulted almost exclusively when COMMON SENSE had a religious issue to address.

For the sake of COMMON SENSE’s memory, it would be nice I could say that he was oblivious to the new directions in which his leadership team took his message. However, most reliable sources indicate that he enjoyed the extra influence that was being garnered through the use of his name, and he was unconcerned with the methodology that was used.

As the situation spiraled out of control, any chance of COMMON SENSE being audible again was lost as more aggressive members of his staff asserted their influence. Most notable among this faction were YOU SHOULDN’T THINK ABOUT THAT, I CAN TALK LOUD LONGER THAN YOU CAN and COWARDLY ANONYMOUS EMAIL who had a natural tendency to work in conjunction with SEEMINGLY AUTHORITATIVE YOU TUBE VIDEO BASED ON PART TRUTHS. While the new approach that the COMMON SENSE camp took had some initial success, gradually, as a result of the increasing difficulty in hearing COMMON SENSE’s actual voice, most people stopped listening.

After watching the misuse and decline of his influence, I can only hope that COMMON SENSE is finally able to rest in peace.

He is My President

2009-09-21T10:40:00.000-07:00

He IS my President
Several weeks ago, I was on a walk in my neighborhood and I saw a sign which read HE IS NOT MY PRESIDENT. The message of the sign got me to thinking about whose President a president is. It led to this poem.

He is My President

I pray for Barack Obama
May he have the strength today
To represent this nation in a most amazing way

May you keep your eye upon him
May you give him what he needs

Be it mercy, understanding or a band-aid when he bleeds

I must confess, about him, there is little that I know
Yet, he is in the driver’s seat, deciding where we go

So, I pray for him, my president, may he have the strength today
To represent our nation in a most amazing way.

What is a Red Snapper Doing in San Angelo?

2009-09-20T11:49:00.000-07:00

One of my wife's colleagues asked me to see if I could find out anything about the San Angelo Red Snappers. He is from San Angelo. (which is in west Texas) I felt a bit like Wes Cowan from PBS's HISTORY DETECTIVES while researching this story.

What is a Red Snapper doing in San Angelo?

San Angelo Red Snappers you just won the 1928 West Texas Baseball League Championship, what are you going to do now? Obviously, going to Disney Land wasn’t’ an option for 20-game winner Jubilo Clements and his Red Snapper teammate as the team’s response to the question was change our nickname to the Sheepherders next season.

Why would a championship team change its nickname? The answer to this question is most likely found by looking at Earl “Red” Snapp. More speificially, looking at his departure after the season. Snapp, 39 during the 1928 season, was the manager of the San Angelo nine. According to internet databases, it was Snapp’s ninth season as a manager. After 1928, Snapp spent the next year, his final one as a manager with the Sherman… you guessed it… SNAPPERS

Interestingly, eight of the teams Snapp managed were apparently named after him.

His managerial record
1915… Paris RED SNAPPERS
1916…Oklahoma City Senators
1921…Paris SNAPPERS
1922…Paris SNAPPERS
1923…Ardmore SNAPPERS
1925…Okmulgee Drillers
1926…Marshall SNAPPERS
1927…Paris SNAPPERS
1928…San Angelo RED SNAPPERS
1929…Sherman SNAPPERS

Looking through nicknames and managers of teams in minor leagues in Texas that were contemporary to Snapp indicates that having a team named after a manager was NOT a common thing. Snapp played professional ball in Texas from 1910-16. Also, he was a successful manager. Along with 1922 in Paris and 1923 in Armore(OK), the San Angelo was his third as a manager. His name (and perhaps his personality?) almost begged to be made into a team nickname. I don’t think it is a stretch to imagine that Snapp’s name along with his success as a player and manager and his likely resulting notoriety made naming a team after Red Snapp a logical, marketing-savvy decision.

EARL “Red” SNAPP
Born: December 8, 1888 (Stephenville, Texas)
Died: January 3, 1974

Tales from Neonius- The Unseen Dancer

2009-09-15T11:46:00.000-07:00

The idea of the Kingdom of Neonius has been in my head for over 10 years. This poem is a revisiting of it. I am hoping to delve more into the kingdom in the years to come.

Tales from Neonius- The Unseen Dancer

The king realized that the timing was right
So he came down to dance with his people one night
The dance hall was buzzing, “The king’s on the floor!”
He danced every dance, then, he danced a few more.

He danced with his people, he danced with them all’
He waltzed and he sambaed with big and with small
He two-stepped ‘til clocks chimed eleven plus one
Yet unchanged by midnight, his feet were not done.

They danced through the night, his steps filled the place
He wowed them with rhythm…amazed theme with grace

How long the king danced is still hard to pin down
With varying stories heard all through the town.
“Three hours,” says a cobbler, a maker of fines shoes
“Three years,” says Wikipedia, the Wiki must be true?!

3 days? 3 nights? 3 hours? The time is hard to say
It seemed to last forever. It’s remembered to this day.

However long it lasted the dance did finally end
The king left for the castle his business to attend
He rode off from the hall with a big smile on his face
He bid farewell to all those who had gathered in the place.

“I must say I’ll remember long this time I’ve spent with you
The king amongst his people is a good thing it is true.
Yet , now I must return and take care, oversee this land.
I’ll think of you whenever I dance, I hope you understand.”

The king had plans of coming back and dancing there again
Yet troubles in the land made plans like those of mice and men
The people’s days passed by and weeks turned into months and more
The night of dancing with the king became a tale of yore.

Then one day around lunch time, from the hall there came a noise
“It’s music that we heard!” reported several school age boys.

Their story was confirmed by many through the afternoon
As townsfolk came and verified they heard the royal tune

One woman who had been there on the night the king had come
Was tear-filled as she listened in the auditorium.

“This very song, this melody, my ears recall each beat.
He danced with me to it so well, though I had two left feet.
Yes, still he led me round the floor; we danced all through the night
He did not one time mention when my steps did not fall right.”

Some men recalled the king as well
He’d danced with everyone
While mothers danced with daughters and fathers danced with sons.

As you may guess the people flocked to hear the new, old song
And though the dance hall was quite small the lines were never long.

Some people waltzed and sambaed and two-stepped with steps brand new
Some jitterbugged and hip-hopped and some break danced, it is true!

Some people didn’t dance; they merely hummed or made up words
While others passed the time describing all the notes they heard.

The king was in his castle
Yet, his dance was back in swing
The people moved without concern
Of what new days would bring.

Maryellen Delavorias's Letter

2009-09-02T09:40:00.000-07:00

A Letter from Maryellen Delavorias

With aplogies to Bob and Larry and Randy Stonehill, I recently got a letter from Maryellen Delavorias in Poy Sippi, Wisconsin. Maryellen is in first grade in Poy Sippi. According to her letter, during the first week of school one of Maryellen's classmates celebrated her birthday and shared goodie bags with the whole class. Maryellen is not sure exactly what happened, but there was a book about Jesus in her bag and now she can't have goodie bags with candy in them at school anymore. She loves Jesus a lot and believes He loves her, but she is a bit confused as to why He wouldn't let her have candy anymore. She takes care of her teeth and has never had any cavities! Apparently, Maryellen deals with her confusion through writing because she included the following poem with the letter.(If you are thinking that this poem is a bit advanced for a girl in first grade, I am assuming that, as if often the case with school projects, there was some parental assistance involved.)

Dear, Jesus, why'd you take away my candy?
You know how much I love my M&Ms.
Dear, Jesus, why'd you take away my chocolate?
I fear I will not munch on it again

Bread of Life, can't I have one single donut?
A hole or two would make my day complete.
My savior, I know that your walk was bitter
Does that mean I can't ever taste a sweet?

Dear, Jesus, why'd you take away my candy?
Ironically, an apple's still okay.
Dear, Jesus right now, I can't sugarcoat it.
I don't like what you did to me today.

Belly Slide Day

2009-08-26T20:00:00.000-07:00

I recently received a poem from an acquaintance of mine from my time in Wisconsin. The poem involved a penguin being elected mayor of a small town and declared a city-wide holiday called Slide on Your Belly Day. I was also asked if I would try to put the poem to music. I have included the words to the poem below.

BELLY SLIDE DAY

The penguin said slide
So that’s what we all did
On a warm summer Wisconsin eve

On our bodies face first, down the hills
Down the dales
It was almost too much to believe

Old and young slid together on
Belly slide day
Farmers and cowmen did too
In spite of our worries, we slid hand in hand
Just like, I guess, most penguins do

Belly sliding I highly recommend
It sure beats sliding on your own rear end (2x)

Myrtle McDougall brought her cardboard square
And slide time and time with great ease
Officer Johnson slid slightly too fast
And almost ran into a tree

The bankers and businessmen
Slid for a while
They laughed as their ride reached a great speed
The teachers and doctors, like Artemis Jones
Slid right through a big patch of weeds.

Belly sliding I highly recommend
It sure beats sliding on your own rear end (2x)

The Douglass twins, Sherry and, yes, Shelly, too
Were sliders beyond all compare
They took home the medal and heard Sopu say,
“You are sliders extraordinaire!”

As the sun set, the sliding fun gradually stopped
Except a few folks there and here
Now with our bellies filled up with great warmth
We practice our slides for next year.

Belly sliding I highly recommend
It sure beats sliding on your own rear end (2x)

Winning Five Games in a Row

2009-08-24T20:43:00.000-07:00

The softball team I play on in the summer yesterday in the play-offs which means next Sunday we need to win five games in a row to win the championship. This led to the following song which I sent to my teammates.

Winning Five Games in a Row

I told my wife I won't be walking much on Monday
'cause I will have big bruises on my knees
I told my wife I won't be walking much on Monday
Winning five games in a row does that to me

I told my wife I won't be walking much on Monday
'cause I'll be sunburned and looking like a fool
I told my wife I won't be walking much on Monday
You'll need to take the kids to school

I told my wife I won't be walking much on Monday
I'll be worn out from five games diving in the dirt
I told my wife I won't be walking much on Monday
But the good news is that I will have a brand new shirt

I told my wife I won't be walking much on Monday
She said, "I don't want to hear any more"
I told my wife I won't be walking much on Monday
She handed me my glove as she pushed me out the door.

Get Back to Africa

2009-07-29T08:01:00.000-07:00

The idea for this song came from a book I recently read JESUS WANTS TO SAVE CHRISTIANS by Rob Bell. In one section Bell is writing about the narrative in the book of Acts where Philip overhears an Ethiopian eunuch reading a section of the book of Isaiah. The two points that struck me about Bell's commentary were:

1) the irony of this African going back to Africa in a chariot after he is baptized. Pharoah had chased out Moses and the Israelites years ago in a chariot.

2) As a eunuch, the Ethiopian was obviously not circumcised and it was amazing that Philip would even be talking to him let alone sharing the news of Jesus with him.

Get Back to Africa

Get back to Africa in your chariot rolling along
Get back to Africa singing out your brand new song
Get back to Africa called out your eyes are wide
Get back to Africa, He heard you when you cried

You can’t be circumcised, ‘cuz you’re not made that way
And yet you ARE at least your heart after this day
You wondered who they meant , the words the prophet said
And now you know the Man, you’re washed from toe to head

Stopping By Red Lobster on a Snowy Evening

2009-07-29T07:56:00.000-07:00

This song was literally inspired by Leviticus 11:9-12.

Stopping by Red Lobster on a Snowy Evening

It was quiet at Red Lobster
When I walked in the door
I was simply there to speak the truth, nothing less and nothing more
I held my nose as I looked at the tables, quite certain what I’d find there

With God on my side, I strode past the hostess
For I had a message to share.

At table seven were two young men on a date sharing a bisque
Enjoying their meal to the full, they were unaware of the risk.

“I can see that is lobster you’re eating. It has neither fins nor scales
If you keep this food in your diet
No number of prayers will prevail.

Put down your fork and your knife now
Flee this restaurant while you still can
This seafood abomination is swimming cross our fair land.:”

I moved to a table, eleven I think,
Where there sat a family of five
They seemed quite content, but I must declare
“Those people should not be alive!!

“Sir, you’re eating salmon which has scales and fins it’s true
But your six old popping popcorn SHRIMP! Tell me what kind of father are you?!

Put down your fork and your knife now
Flee this restaurant while you still can
This seafood abomination is swimming cross our fair land.:”

I stayed a while longer, offering free dining advice
I even kept one man from pouring soy sauce on his rice.

My job’s far from over. My mission it is clear
A Pappadeaux’s here
Long John Silver’s there.

I’ll take it where ever He leads me
E’en Maine if that be the Lord’s will
Wherever they’re eating the finless and scaleless
Wherever the butter sauce spills

Put down your fork and your knife now
Flee this restaurant while you still can
This seafood abomination is swimming cross our fair land.:”

Hey, Martin, James Called

2009-07-01T20:22:00.000-07:00

This is my song for July... The idea for it came from a discussion in Bible Study on the book of Romans. The question came up about isn't believing in Jesus a work? The thought hit me that while believing in Christ's forgiveness is surely a gift that I can't and don't earn by work living daily based on that gift is work. I seem to recall someone in the course of the discussion off-handedly saying, "Working hard or Hardly working?" and this seemed like an interesting hook for a song.

Hey, Martin, James Called

I'm working hard and Hardly Working
How can both be true?
I'm working hard and Hardly Working
I have been made new...

I've got my nose pinned to the grindstone
My shoulder to the wheel
My pedal to the metal
So my tires start to squeal

My fingers working to the bone
My feet and ankles too
You'll never hear me say that
I don't have a thing to do

I'm working hard and Hardly Working
How can both be true
I'm working hard and Hardly Working
I have been made new

I'm working hard and Hardly Working
How can both be so
I'm working hard and Hardly Working
Jesus loves me this I know
I'm working hard and Hardly Working
Jesus love me this I know.

May His Kingdom

2009-06-03T12:29:00.000-07:00

May His Kingdom is my song for June. Some of the ideas for it came from a book called STEALING JESUS, which looks at some of the ways the fundamentalist movement in the USA has effected the following of Jesus in the country. The point that stuck out to me is that often there is so much focus on being correct theologically that showing compassion for people goes out the window.

MAY HIS KINGDOM

May His kingdom come to your life today
May His will be real through you

May His love be seen in your neighborhood
As you do the things you do

May His steps be led by the Master's words
May His love show you the way
May His hands be yours as you reach to serve
Those you meet upon this day.

A Three Days' Journey from Worst to First

2009-04-30T20:45:00.000-07:00

I wrote the following poem shortly before Easter. What can I say? I really like baseball. The baseball narrative is loosely based on Jesus' teaching about the last being first and a parable he told about people having excuses for not being able to come to His banquet.

If it is close to Easter and baseball’s Opening Day, that means the Dukes are at it again. For those who are not baseball fans here’s a quick glossary to aid your understanding of the poem.class=

Seven of the eight nicknames mentioned in this poem are or have been actual nicknames of minor league teams…

Dukes… previously a team in Albuquerque, New Mexico

Cougars… among others… the Kane County Cougars in Kane County, Illinois

Zephyrs…Play in New Orleans. They were an Astros farm team when I saw them play.

Thunder… Trenton, NJ

Colts…previously in Modesto, CA in the 1960s.

Caps… previously the Springfield, Ill. Capitals

Aces… previously in Alexandria, Louisiana(they may still be playing)

This leaves the POWERED UP ENERGY. I’ve never actually heard this name, but it would be a great nickname and provide ample opportunity to rake in corporate sponsorship money.

Wikipedia… This is an internet encyclopedia in which readers can create and add information to about any topic imaginable.

The season’s end was drawing near

The pennant drive was done

With just a few days left the Dukes

Had lost more than they’d won

The minor leaguers were called up

To try out for next year

A last place finish was assured

That fact was very clear.

Yet strange things happen to the Dukes, each season without fail

I’ve heard their coach in ’58 was eaten by a whale.

The Dukes came to the ballpark for their final three game ‘stand

Soon after Sunday’s final out their flights home were all planned.

But during batting practice of the Friday night game one

A word came that the Cougars had declared their season done.

The Cougars were the champions of the eight team baseball league

They clinched a week ago, but now they claimed they had fatigue.

“We find we’re just too tired” said their skipper on that day.

“We cannot carry on for even one more single day”

So just like that the Cougars slept, relinquishing their crown

Which passed on to the Zephyrs, who played games in the next town.

The Dukes thought little of this news. They played their game. They lost.

A few of them were talking of how much their golf clubs cost.

Yet, on the television at 11:43

The news was made official that one more team had to leave.

“The owner of the Zephyrs is to marry in five days.

He wants his team to be there, so the play-offs, they can’t play.”

In light of this, the Zephyrs had to pass the crown along

They couldn’t be the champions and not sing the play-off song.

They sent the title to the third place Powered Up Energy

The bloggers wondered blogging, “Just how long will THEIR reign be?”

It ended up a short one…lasting ‘til the next sunrise

The P.U.E. announced that they were giving up their prize.

“We can’t believe we’re saying this,” The Powered Up’s skipper said

“19 of our players must make sure their pets are fed.

It seems that every pet-sitter is ill or out of town

We must tend to our animals, and sacrifice our crown.”

The news had barely soaked in when the Dukes began game two

They had moved up to fifth place…still they lost 13-2.

The websites and announcers barely had the standings right

When another new announcement was made late Saturday night.

It seems the 4^th through 6^th place teams the Thunder, Colts, and Caps

Would be unable to pick up the top three’s title scraps.

“We just can’t open up our gates for one more game, you see”

The skipper of the Colts explained, “It’s the economy”.

It was the same for each of them, their coffers had run dry

“We cannot pay for one more game, no matter how we try.”

So Sunday morning came, the Dukes were now in second place

They only trailed the Aces in this upside down turned race.

The Dukes thought little of it, for they trailed the first place team

By seven games so passing them was nothing but a dream.

Yet, after Sunday’s game the Dukes were scratching there’s no doubt

They read on Wikipedia, the Aces had pulled out.

The Aces Field was being razed and for next year, redone.

With Aces playing on the road, construction had begun.

So while the Aces tended to their grass and brand new seats

The Dukes began to celebrate their title, oh so sweet!

The season’s end was drawing near

The pennant drive was through

The Dukes had gone from worst to first

In three games it is true.

The Walk a Thon Song

2009-03-26T20:24:00.000-07:00

This song was written while waiting for my daughter to complete a walk-a-thon. Our Sunday School class has been studying Jesus journey to Jerusalem. I sang it as a solo in our Lenten Contemporary Service. The audio of me singing can be found in the links section

The Walk-A-Thon Song

He is on His way for me
Soon and soon it will be through
Jesus walking to the tree
To bear fruit a life that's new.

O Jerusalem why must he go through you?
O Jerusalem I am to blame it's true.

The Unyielding Gaze

2009-03-13T09:33:00.000-07:00

Following are the lyrics to a song called the Unyielding Gaze a song about God's neverending love for us. It was written in 1995 for summer camp at Camp Lone Star. The idea behind the title is that God continues to look for/long for us to return to Him.

The Unyielding Gaze

Somehow, Lord your love still looks for me, even though I'm not as I should be
In spite of all I've done
You tell me I'm a precious one
Somehow, Lord your love still looks for me.

Somehow, Lord your love still finds my heart
Even when it's hiding in the dark
When I stumble in the night
Your word provides a guiding light
Somehow, Lord your love still finds my heart

Somehow, Lord your love still seeks me out
Even though I'm filled with sin and doubt
Every corner of my soul your water washes and makes whole
Somehow, Lord your love still seeks me out.

Just A Little Rock Concert Song

2009-03-01T20:35:00.001-08:00

The idea for this song came about with the beginning of Lent.
I got to thinking about the practice of not saying ALLELUIA during worship, which is followed by some congregations during the Lenten season. It struck me that with all the people not saying ALLELUIA, it must be the rocks turn to cry out. As I wrote the lyrics it struck me that whether I say Alleluia or not, God is perfectly capable of bringing about the praise for which He is worthy, even from a pile or rocks. I praise God that He gives me the opportunity to be a part of A Little Rock Concert.

JUST A LITTLE ROCK CONCERT SONG

I heard the stones cry out they were singing "Alleluia"
Across the river they were singing "Praise the Lord"
I heard the stones cry out, they heard we were on hiatus
So they picked up the song as Jesus said before

I heard a pebble and a pebble and a pebble and a pebble
Singing four part harmony
I heard great big boulder singing bass
With a pecan tree
I heard a diamond doing a beat box
A soprano-singing shell
The silt was playing tambourine
As best my ears could tell

I heard a skipper and his brothers singing, they were kind of flat
But no one seemed to care
I heard hailstone playing
Claves falling through the air
Everywhere my ears turned
They heard the rockin' song
My heart could hardly wait to
Open up and sing along.

Silent Night, Pick and Roll Right

2009-01-30T19:41:00.000-08:00
http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/sports/hso/6237931.html

The above link is to an article that appeared today in the Houston Chronicle about the man who was my high school basketball coach. I have had occasional contact with him in the 20 some odd years since I graduated, so I knew a little bit about his experience in Israel as a basketball coach. However, it was pretty neat to see his picture in the paper today, and it prompted the follow verse, which can be sung to the tune of Silent Night:

SILENT NIGHT, PICK AND ROLL RIGHT

Silent Night, holy night
Three point shot, pick and roll right
Soldiers, rifles, tanks at courtside
Slaughtered sheep and a victory ride
Sleep in heavenly peace, sleep in heavenly peace

Jesus Knows My Name, Man

2009-01-01T19:30:00.000-08:00
Happy New Year! For the year of 2009, the theme for Lutheran Outdoors Ministry of Texas is God Knows my Name, based on a verse from the book of Isaiah 43:1 in the Old Testament. I haven't been serving full-time with LOMT at Camp Lone Star in over 11 years now, but I still keep in touch with some people from there and support that ministry when the opportunity arises. I was thinking about the theme for 2009, and recalled an old Johnny Cash song called I'VE BEEN EVERYWHERE, MAN. If you aren't familiar with the song, the singer rattles off the names of numerous U.S. cities where he has been to illustrate the fact that he has been everywhere. Anyway, after a little tweaking I have been able to tailor the introduction and refrain of the song to fit in with the above mentioned theme. I am still working on the verse. My plan is to put the names of all the confirmation students, for whom I lead songs, into it and present it there.

JESUS KNOWS MY NAME, MAN

I was totin' my pack up and down Watonga Way
When along came a tall guy I had never seen before that day
"If you're going to 43rd Street, Mack, with me you can walk"
And so I took some steps with him and we began to talk
I asked if he had stories any good news he could tell.
and he said, "Friend, I'll tell you what I know. I hope I tell it well."

Jesus knows my name, man
Jesus knows my name
Sees me as I am and loves me just the same
The name above all names, Jesus knows my name.

Latinus Dismissus(A song of Simeon)

2008-11-30T20:14:00.000-08:00
The Sunday School class I attend regularly just began looking at the book of Luke. One of the studies touched on Luke 2, which includes the account of Jesus' being presented at the temple shortly after his birth and the reaction of Simeon(verses 29-32). Simeon's words are at times have been part of the Lutheran liturgy in the form song called the NUNC DIMMITUS(Latin for dismissal). One of the discussions that came up during our study was that some folks miss singing the NUNC DIMITTUS in worship. A few days later, I was messing around with the words of Simeon and came up with the song posted below. We are planning to include in our IGNITE! worship service in December, since it will be falling during the week after Christmas. It may end up being included in the service on a regular basis if all goes well.
My original title for it was Latinus Dismissus, but I think A SONG OF SIMEON will be more fitting to use in a worship setting.

Latinus Dismissus(A SONG OF SIMEON)

Lord, precious Lord, let your humble servant
Lord, let your servant depart in peace
Lord, precious Lord, let your humble servant
Lord, let your servant go in peace

I have seen the truth today
Your promise fills my eyes
I have seen your saving grace
Your love rains from the skies

I have seen the way today
Your promise fills my heart
I have seen new life begin
Jesus is its start.

777 song based on Psalm 13

2008-11-03T08:42:00.000-08:00
The idea for this song came from a high school student who requested a song based on Psalm 13...

777 song based on Psalm 13

7th day of the 7th month of the 7th year
The numbers, they look promising
But the day?
Seems not so clear

Trees falling down
Broken on the ground
Streetlights are out
My heart filled with doubt

7th day of the 7th month of the 7th year

Friends turned away
They have nothing left to say
Sadness in the air
My heart touched by despair

7th day of the 7th month of the 7th year
The numbers, they look promising
But the day?
Seems not so clear

Yet in the darkness, I will trust in You
Your never ending love for me is ever true
I will sing with the hope that my eyes can't see
I will sing to you, my Lord, for You've been good to me

7th day of the month of the 7th year
The numbers they look promising
But they day?
Seems not so clear

I will sing with the hope that my eyes can't see
I will sing with the hope that my eyes can't see

On the 7th day, of the 7th month of the 7th year

Comes the Son

2008-10-30T20:25:00.000-07:00
The following set of lyrics was inspired by the Halloween season. Last Halloween, I had an email interchange with someone in Japan who was overwhelmed by all the Halloween decorations. In the interchange they referenced Psalm 30:5, "Weeping may remain for a night but joy comes in the morning". By the time the interchange ended Halloween had passed, so I filed the thoughts away. The thoughts were accessed again a few weeks ago, when I saw a car that already had a KEEP CHRIST IN CHRISTMAS bumper magnet on their car. Anyway, the product of all this was the following:

COMES THE SON

I've seen the tombstones on my street
I have heard the goblins scream
I hear a sound cut through the night
"Keep Christ in Halloween"

There is darkness, Mr. Bones
There is death all around our homes
There's darkness in a grotesque face
It seems that death is every place

Yet, in the morning there is light
In His morning, there's new life
Yes, in the morning comes the son
When darkness days are surely done.

There is darkness, evil dwells
There is death, things don't look well
There is darkness here on earth
There is death for every birth

Yet, in the morning there is light
In His morning, there's new life
Yes, in the morning comes the son
When darkness days are surely done.

Get away darkness, He's the truth
Shining on the lie that's you
Get away death, He is the way
Crossing off your final day(2X)

Yes, in the morning there is light
In His morning, there's new life
Yes, in the morning comes the Son.

What Kind of Sheep Am I?

2008-10-01T19:59:00.000-07:00
In my last post I mentioned that I was asking some confirmation students for song ideas. The following song is the first product of those ideas:

What Kind of Sheep am I?

What Kind of sheep am I?
Am I walking in the light?
Are my words and actions pointing
To the One who made things right?
Do I love my neighbor from the sunrise
Until late at night?
What kind of sheep am I?

What kind of Lamb is He?
In the darkness, He is the light
A Lamb who fed the hungry,
And a Lamb who gave the blind their sight.
To the last He loved His neighbors
Far beyond what this world's eyes can see
What kind of Lamb is He?

What kind of sheep am I?
Am I listening to His word?
Am I daily taking up my cross?
Believing what I've heard?
Am I faithful from the sunrise
Until deep into the night?
What kind of sheep am I?

What kind of Lamb is He?
One who listened to His call
A Lamb who saw my greatest need
And then who gave for me His all
He was faithful through the darkness that
Descended on the tree
What kind of Lamb is He?

A Lamb who saw my greatest need
And then who gave His all for me
What kind of Lamb is He?

23rd Psalm-Circa 1991

2008-09-02T20:03:00.000-07:00

The main reason I started writing a song every month two years ago was to share my song writing ability with the kids in a confirmation class where I lead songs. Starting this school year, I am going to give the students a chance to give me ideas for the songs. As an example, I am going to tell them about some of the songs I have written over the years as a result of someone saying, "Why don't you write a song about...". One example happened when I was living in Milwaukee back in 1991, shortly after graduating from Marquette University. A an junior high boy at the church where I was a temporary youth director asked me to write a song sometime. "What should I write it about?" "The 23rd Psalm". The following is what came as a result of that request.
23rd Psalm-Circa 1991
Lead me into the pasture, sweet Jesus

Make me lie down in fields of green

Restore my soul, side the quiet waters

With your rod and staff, come comfort me

The Good Shepherd lays down His life for His flock

The gate the Good Shepherd will unlock

In a Good Shepherd, the sheep will trust

For their life, it is a must

Though my heart is surrounded by darkness

You are with me… I will not fear

Guide me into your holy ways, Lord

Stay forever to me near

REFRAIN

Before me you’ve set an abundant feast, Lord

Covered my head with your love

Following me will be an overflowing

Of your glorious gifts from above

REFRAIN

Lord, Bless America

2008-07-05T20:37:00.000-07:00
The topic of patriotic songs came up recently. A suggestion was made to sing God Bless America at last Wednesday's IGNITE worship. The topic got me thinking about how I would pray to God about the country where I live. The following is the product of that thinking:

Lord, Bless America

I come before you now with a nation on my heart
And I lift my voice to pray
Lord, Bless America
I am looking to the sky
Long before the fireworks start
And I cannot help but cry
Lord bless America

Please stand beside her,
Lord, please guide her
This nation I call home
From the west coast
To the east coast
And wherever I may roam

From the lakes of Minnesota
To the hills of Tennessee
Across the plains of Texas
May Christ's death set men free

43rd Street Melody(The Three Day Weekend)

2008-06-26T21:09:00.000-07:00
I am coordinating the music for a contemporary at church this summer. We have had four services and have used HERE I AM TO WORSHIP as the opening song each time. Wednesday night after worship, one of the planners of the worship brought up the idea of possibly using a different song to open next week's session. About three minutes into my six minute drive home, the following song started being written(I was driving on 43rd Street at the time). I finished the lyrics while singing my daughter to bed and then tweaked it a bit while setting guitar chords to it this morning. Hopefully, we will be able to get it ready for Wednesday, July 2.
A quick note on the refrain... That is actually where the song started. A friend who I previously worked with at Camp Lone Star told me a story about a sermon he heard one time. Basically, the preacher got in the pulpit and Said, "On Friday, Jesus died on the cross... On Sunday, he rose again!" He continue repeating this phrase over and over again with dramatic effect added as the Spirit moved. I don't know how long the sermon went on, but it was quite lengthy. I don't have the dramatic wherewithal to give a spoken message like that, but I am surprised I was able to fit it into this song. I am looking forward to teaching it to the band on Sunday and then using it in worship on Wednesday!
The subtitle THE THREE DAY WEEKEND was suggested by the friend who told me about the sermon.

43rd Street Melody(The Three Day Weekend)

On Friday, Precious Friday... Jesus died on the cross
On Friday, Precious Friday...Jesus died for our sins
On Sunday, that Third Day... Our Savior rose again
1...2...3

Now is the time to rest in His grace
Now is the time to listen
Now is the time for all weary hearts
Now is the time to worship

Now is the time to sing praise to Him
Lift up our voice in thanksgiving
Now is the time to make joyful noise
Now is the time to worship

On Friday, Precious Friday... Jesus died on the cross
On Friday, Precious Friday...Jesus died for our sins
On Sunday, that Third Day... Our Savior rose again
1...2...3

Now is the time to gather as one
And fix our eyes upon Him
Now is the time for old and for young
Now is the time to worship

Now is the time to sing "Hallelujah"
The time to sing "Christ is Lord"
Now is the time to sing praises to you
Now is the time to worship
Now is the time to worship

On Friday, Precious Friday... Jesus died on the cross
On Friday, Precious Friday...Jesus died for our sins
On Sunday, that Third Day... Our Savior rose again

He Has Brought me Near

2008-05-26T20:51:00.000-07:00

June marks the end of school usually and the start of summer camp. I have mentioned that I pitched in with some of the summer Bible Studies at Camp Lone Star in LaGrange, Texas. The theme for the summer is BROUGHT NEAR. The following lyrics are for a song I wrote based on that theme.
He has brought me near

Come near to me now

So you can hear my voice, child

Come near to me now

So I can wipe your tears away

Come near to me now

So your heart can feel my smile

Come near to me now

I want you close to me each day.

He has brought me near

His hands reached out to hold me

He has brought me near

Because…He wanted to

He has brought me near

He sought me, in my hiding

He has brought me near

And He’s building something new

Come near to me now

And follow in my footsteps

Come near to me now

When you are tired I’ll be your rest

Come near to me now

Though the walk will not be easy

Come near to me now

I want to give you what is best

Refrain

What Do You Do?

2008-04-09T08:03:00.000-07:00
The Sunday School class I attend just started a study on VOCATION. The first session had some references to the oft-asked question, "What Do You Do?" and how that sometimes defines who we are. If anyone has seen the musical version of EVERYTHING I NEEDED TO KNOW I LEARNED IN KINDERGARTEN there's a funny song included in that production.
The study reminded me of a song I wrote in 1994 for a retreat of volunteer missionaries in Japan, of which I was one. We were all ESL teachers and the lyrics depicted a classroom where students are learning the question WHAT DO YOU DO? The line about a student stating that he is "a waste management guy" is based on reality. One of my students was a garbage man, so that eventually led to him being a waste management guy. The rest of the story, a few years after I left Japan that WASTE MANAGEMENT GUY was baptized.

Here's the lyrics:

WHAT DO YOU DO?

I asked a student, "What do you do?"
He told me, "I am a farmer," it's true.
And to the next I said, "Where do you work?"
She told me, "I am a bank teller clerk."

(Chorus)
Then they said, "Teacher, what do you do?"
I told them, "I am a teacher," it's true.
Buth there is one more thing that I am,
By Jesus' call I'm a fisher of men.
Yes, by Jesus' call, we are fishers of men.

I asked a student, "Are you employed?"
He said, "Yes, I am a maker of toys."
Then to his classmate I said, "How 'bout you?"
She said quite softly, "A teacher, grade two."
(Chorus)

I asked a pupil if he could explain the work that he did
come sun, wind, or rain.
And then to my and my students' surprise,
He told me, "I am a waste management guy."
(Chorus)

There's all sorts of students in classes of ours...
Some of them drive bicycles, some of them cars.
And while we are blessed to be teachers and friends,
We're blessed most of all that we're fishers of men.
We're blessed most of all that we're fishers of men.

I asked a student, "What do you do?"

AND

Roller Rink Rock and Roll

2008-04-01T21:00:00.000-07:00
In case you are wondering, there is a story behind the title of this song. Here it is:
I came home to Houston during Christmas Break of one of my years at Marquette University(I believe it was my junior year-1989) and volunteered to DJ a Christian music night and the local roller rink. I was majoring in broadcasting and had even produced and hosted a contemporary Christian music show on the campus station(WMUR), so I figured this was right up my alley.
I showed up at the rink with my feeble collection of music including Petra, Michael W. Smith, and if I remember correctly Stryper as well as a few more groups. I settled into the DJ booth, while the skaters started lacing up. The first song I played was THIS MEANS WAR by Petra, a Christian band with a hard rock sound. For many years their lead singer was John Schlitt who had been in a rock band called Head East. Before the end of the song's first stanza, a gentleman came in to the booth quite irate, asking why I was playing this rock music, etc. I wish I could say that I had a great strategy of listening to this man's complaint in an attempt to reach some understanding, but the truth is I was so stunned by his attack onthe TYPE OF MUSIC that Iwas playing that had been special to me that I couldn't formulate any response for several minutes. Eventually, several skaters offered to get some music from their cars that was a bit more "acceptable", so I did my best to play a mix of the two. If memory serves, the gentleman, who as best I could tell was a pastor/minister stayed by my side for at least 90 minutes. As I listened to him and got to explain a little bit of the positive ways God had used this rock and roll in my life, I was able to understand the crux of his argument. He even quoted that famous Scripture to me to defend it, it is from Paul's letter to the Classical Musicians, chapter 4, verse 1:"Thine beat shalt not override thine melody." (OK, OK that's not really a verse, it is April 1 after all). However, that was the main part of his argument, "the beat overrides the melody, therefore, the music is not of God."

Some events I have recently been aparty to have made me think again of that night at the roller rink. While the roller rink memory is a bit humorous with the emotions of the moment far in the past, the recollection is also a bit disconcerting to me. Even if I met that man today, I don't think I'd have much more to reply to his complaints and his attacks on me. Furthermore, there are times when my shortcomings and sins make it so no one's words can get through to me, and I know there are some people who perceive me as THAT GUY attacking them.

I say all this to portray some of the jumble in my mind as I composed the following lyrics. I know the writing of these lyrics reminded me that God's grace is sufficient to overcome(speaking of Paul) my failures. I hope they serve the same purpose to those who read them and hear the story behind them.

ROLLER RINK ROCK AND ROLL

Let your grace, Amazing Grace, override my melody
Let your mercy override the smallest corners of my song
Let your peace that passes understanding override my restless heart
Let your love, your hope and love, override me all day long.

The Golden Sombrero Wearer(the Strikeout King)

2008-03-24T20:39:00.000-07:00

I am quite a baseball fanatic and baseball season starts in about a week. Therefore, that my latest poem is built around an occurrence at a baseball game is not surprising. However, as I prepare to give this story away as an Easter gift this spring, I realize that some of those who read it may not be versed in the language/culture of baseball. So for increased reading enjoyment, I have put together a brief glossary of information that is pertinent to understanding the baseball of this tale.

Christ Is Risen,

Mike

THE GOLDEN SOMBRERO is a baseball term, which is used to describe a player who strikes out four times in a single game. For the record, the term for striking out five times in a game, which has never happened in a nine inning game, but has happened a handful of times in extra innings is the PLATINUM SOMBRERO.

DUKES was the name of the baseball team in Albuquerque. That team’s name was changed a few years ago to the Isotopes.

WALK-OFF BASE ON BALLS refers to an occurrence where a batter walks with the bases loaded in the bottom of the ninth of a tie game, thus winning the game.

DROPPED THIRD STRIKE: The plot of the following story involves a dropped third strike. If the catcher fails to field the third strike cleanly(he drops it) with two outs, the batter(even though he struck out) and all other runners can run and are subject to being put out as if it were a batted ball.

PITCHER COVERING HOME: When the catcher misses the ball, the pitcher has the responsibility of running to home plate to catch any throw there from the catcher.

The Golden Sombrero Wearer(The Strikeout King)

The bottom of the ninth, two down

A Duke on every base

A 3-nothing deficit stared the batter in the face.

The pitcher, clad in orange and black showed menace in his eyes

His job? To save this final game and claim the season’s prize.

The starter had been strong, through more than eight, no hits did show

In the heat his arm ran out of gas and walked three in a row

So, this fireman was called upon to quench the final spark

Leaving the Duke faithful to stagger in the dark.

To the plate, there strode a Duke who had been royal all year long

When the team was at its weakest, it seemed he became most strong.

Concerning ways to win a game, it seemed he’d done it all

Home runs, stolen bases, and a walk-off base on balls.

He carried them to wins at least a time or three each week.

And while he was a hero, his demeanor remained meek.

Yet, this day his bat was feeble, three straight times he had struck out

As he approached the plate this trip, some fans began to doubt.

He got into the box, his wood was his team’s final chance

The pitcher toed the rubber with his scowling menace glance.

The first pitch was a heater, 102 the radar blinked

The swing was no where even close, more fans felt their hearts sink.

The 0 and 1, no different, soon exploded in the mitt

The swing did not come closer than a half-a-mile of it.

Was this the way it would go down? This new old Casey’s end?

Was his bat to betray him?

It had been his closest friend.

The home crowd had turned silent, some of them just turned away

They couldn’t bear to see the season ended in this way.

So while some eyes averted, strike three hurtled to the plate

The grimace of the swinger was profound, for he was late.

A cry went up in anguish from the bleachers all around

Yet that sign of resignation muffled out another sound

It may have been the strain of catching balls at 1-0-1

It may have been the heat and playing in the summer sun

It may have been a miracle,

That’s still what some folks say

The details of the story are debated e’en today

Still, it seems in every version, the ball went to the backstop

And the catcher’s mitt was rent in two like a worn out old flip-flop.

By the time the catcher realized and discerned the passed ball’s place

The final strikeout victim was already at first base.

There he called out to his teammate who was standing still, quite stunned

“Come on, I’ll take you home! Come on, now with me run!”

Then at second base, he called again, “Come on wake up, run with me!”

With the catcher halfway to the ball, they were heading to base three.

Then the three of them, were rounding third and heading into home

When the Third Base runner realized that he was not alone.

So the four Dukes, they sped quickly, “To the plate! On to the plate!”

They churned their legs and hoped that they would not get home too late.

And the crowd by now, at least a part, had seen the running men

And stood back up and cheered and felt their hope come back again.

Then the catcher got the ball and whirled, yet his throw found only air

The pitcher? Shocked beyond belief, simply put, he wasn’t there.

He seemed stuck on the pitcher’s mound, anchored by some heavy weight.

And he only fell down on his knees as the fourth man crossed the plate.

The Dukes poured from the dugout, seeing this was not a dream

Then the Gold Sombrero wearer was raised up by all his team

The scoreboard told the story, brightly shining, all could see

From the clutches of defeat, the Dukes had claimed a win 4-3.

When all the dust had settled, the call-in shows began

The strikeout was discussed at length throughout the varied land

Most Duke fans were ecstatic

Recounting where they’d been

When the four men hurried to the plate

Securing the great win

Yet, some were not impressed they said, “That is not victory!

To have a season end that way, is just a travesty.”

The fans behind the losers were outraged, appalled, and more

A few signed a petition to protest the final score

The writers wrote, the talkers talked, the poets penned their rhyme

And some folks thought of baseball and the Dukes for the first time

My pencil is exhausted

Its work complete, no doubt

For it’s told of the day

The mighty strikeout king struck out.

There's a Prize(the song formerly known as RUN FOR THE PRIZE)

2008-02-26T20:41:00.000-08:00

Most of the song lyrics I have penned over the years have not involved a lot of commitment as far as planning or actual time grappling with words. Generally, I get the idea and am done with the majority of the song in an hour or two. However, the following song is way outside the norm, seeing that the early stages of its conception took place over 20 years ago...

It all began during the 1985-86 school year, when our basketball coach, Jim Stephens, would motivate us before an off-season conditioning run by reading the passage from the Bible where Paul writes about Running for the Prize(I Corinthians 9:24). I can't say that that verse became my favorite verse, nor that it really motivated to run better, but it stuck in my heart apparently.
Fast forward to the summer of 1991. I was working at Camp Lone Star, and while jogging, with guitar in hand, to a site where I was supposed to lead an evening devotion, I "composed" the song Run For the Prize, which included a portion of the lyrics seen below. The message of the devotion went well. However, the song wasn't fully composed and I butchered it pretty mightily. Matt Chambers, who was part of the audience during that devotion, still gives me grief about that episode.
Fast forward to Summer 2007. I was trying to write some song lyrics for some kids who went to Camp Lone Star from our church. For some reason, RUN FOR THE PRIZE popped in my head, and I was able to expand on and improve the original lyrics. If nothing else, I figured the song would give Matt Chambers a good laugh. He is still at Camp Lone Star and would be certain to see these lyrics and remember the debacle of 1991.
Anyway, I have finally put together a melody for these lyrics and am planning to debut it Wednesday, March 5 for the confirmation class at church. Hopefully, I'll present the song a little more smoothly then I did 17 years ago.

There’s a Prize(The song formerly known as RUN FOR THE PRIZE)
There’s a prize that is not perishing

There’s a prize that is everlasting

There’s a prize that’s ours by the Father’s grace

A prize Christ claimed with a perfect race

Left foot, right foot, left foot on

Run until your strength is gone

Left foot, right foot, left foot too

Run until your race is through(2x)

There’s a prize that is not perishing

There’s a prize that is everlasting

There’s a prize that’s ours by the Father’s grace

A prize Christ claimed with a perfect race

Run for the prize as fast as you can

Run though at times you may not understand

With your eyes fixed firmly on

The King of kings press on(2x)

There’s a prize that is not perishing

There’s a prize that is everlasting

There’s a prize that’s ours by the Father’s grace

A prize Christ claimed with a perfect race

There’s a prize that’s ours by the Father’s grace

A prize Christ claimed with a perfect race.

Song for Mr. Bird Tree Man(aka the other Man in Black)

2008-02-22T08:31:00.000-08:00

I am a fan of Johnny Cash and Hank Williams, Sr. You may not think this odd seeing as how I grew up in Texas and was singing Kenny Rogers' LUCILLE around the house at an early age. If I remember right, I spent a day home sick from school listening to a local country station. However, the Cash/Williams, Sr. admiration is a different story entirely.
When I was teaching English in Japan('93-'95), one of my students was a Buddhist priest, who loved country music. I think he was a student for just one or two terms(at most six months). During that time, our conversational English included discussions about the above mentioned crooners. I distinctly remember one lesson where we used the lyrics of A Boy Named Sue(sung by Cash, lyrics by Shel Silverstein(sp?) to learn a little bit of English. He also was interested in the old Hank Williams, Sr. song about Living Water. I ended up playing another song for him I had written in the early 90s about Living Water(based on the story of Jesus meeting the Samaritan woman at the well). Anyhow, as a gift Mr. Bird Tree Man(this is a rough translation of his name's meaning) gave me a tape recording of Johnny Cash and Hank Williams, Sr. albums that he owned. Thus, the following appears on this blog some 15 years later...

Song for Mr. Bird Tree Man(aka another man in black)

It’s been a long time, Mr. Bird Tree Man

Since I have seen your face

With your flowing robes and your shaved head

And your slowly moving pace

My penchant for Hank, Sr.’s from a tape I got from you

I wouldn’t believe this story ‘cept for I know that it’s true

Oh, man in black,

I crossed my path with you for just a while

And thinking back on you

Causes my heart to smile

Oh, man in black

If you are thirsty, I pray that you will

Drink of the living water,

Drink it ‘til you’ve had your fill

Of course there’s Johnny Cash as well,

You introduced me to

I never will forget when we discussed A Boy Named Sue

It is indeed a mystery that brought you through my path

And thinking of you Bird Tree Man,

I have to stop and laugh.

Oh, man in black,

I crossed my path with you for just a while

And thinking back on you

Causes my heart to smile

Oh, man in black

If you are thirsty, I pray that you will

Drink of the living water,

Drink it ‘til you’ve had your fill

Be My Bread

2008-02-04T09:56:00.000-08:00

The following lyrics are based on the three temptations Jesus faced in the wilderness.
Be My Bread

Be my bread, Lord

Be the words on which I feed

From your mouth comes

All the good things I could need

When it seems that all the cupboards or my life are bare
Let your wisdom find a way to make its dwelling there.

Be my shelter,

Catch me when I take a fall

Keep me safe what

Ever comes to call

Lord, guard every

Hair that is upon my head

From the morning until I go back to bed

Be my treasure

On which I can keep my eyes

For your love is

greater than the greatest prize

Let your kingdom

Be the reason that I am

Bowing only

To the mercy of the lamb.

Feet, So Beautiful

2008-01-25T08:16:00.000-08:00

"How beautiful are the feet that bring Good News" ... When I heard that verse(Romans 10:15), I almost always thought of the feet of Christians carrying the Good News of Jesus. I'm not sure exactly what was said or what I heard, but during a worship service a few weeks ago, something sparked the thought in my mind that there were some really beautiful that came before all other beautiful feet.
Feet, So Beautiful

Feet so Beautiful

Joy-filled from heel to toe

Step by step they bring Good News

For every one to know.

Sandal-clad, these feet walked many miles some years ago

From town to town, they trod

In time, their following did grow

Their road led to Jerusalem, they were raised up for our sin

These feet were buried in a tomb

Yet soon, they walked again!

Just look around and you’ll see feet with beauty shining through

Some barefoot ones, and others in

A multitude of shoes

These broken feet are filled with life, as they walk with THE TWO

The stink of them comes pouring out

In everything they do.

In spite of all the flaws, Lord, Let me walk with lovely feet

So my toes are a blessing to

The other TENS they meet

When they are walking, running and when they are fast asleep

Let my ankles, arches

Overflow with beauty deep

Sweet Piece of Cake

2008-01-01T20:22:00.000-08:00
I am in the process of generating lyrics for the summer camp program at Camp Lone Star in LaGrange, Texas. The theme for the summer is BROUGHT NEAR based on Ephesians 2. Day 2 of the camp week is focusing on how God destroyed the barrier that separates us. Paul is the focus, specifically his conversion on the road to Damascus. Here is my imagining of Paul's comments on his own ministry and some of the treatment he received as a result of it.

Sweet Piece of Cake

I have been in danger from rivers
From thieves, from my countrymen
In danger form everybody
Time and time again

But I’d do it again in a minute
It’s been a piece of cake so sweet
If I boast, I will boast of my struggles
For they’ve been at Jesus’ feet.

In danger in the cities and countries
Many times I haven’t slept
I have been cold and hungry
For ya’ll I have wept..

Refrain

I have been in prison so often
Been naked and left for dead
I’ve been beaten and lashed 40 times minus one
I’m black and blue from toe to head.

Refrain

The Least of These

2007-12-30T11:34:00.000-08:00
One of the most interesting pieces of literature that I came across during the holiday season was a book called WE WERE THERE by Eve Bunting. It is a children's story book that recounts the nativity in the eyes of all these animals that you don't usually see in a nativity story or for the most part in any story. Scorpion, Spider, snake, toad, cockroach. Suffice it to say the undesirable animals in the eyes of many. Anyhow, the following poem is inspired by that book.

The Least of These
I am just a spider
Who spins webs of deceit
Yet, the savior brought me near, me and my eight feet
I do not soar like SpiderMan, I'm often on the ground
While crawling on the dirt and trees
I hear the lovely sound

The least of these, the smallest ,
those who no one wants to see
All those who are unlovable
He loved them from the tree

I am a rat, a vermin
With a fairly longish tail
My list of friends is short, Yet Jesus loves me without fail
The sight of me makes many apt
To scream and run away
But I know He has brought me near
And promises to stay

I am a cock-a-roach and scurrying
Is what I do
Despite my fear, I know there's one
Who loves me through and through
I must admit a light switch
Causes me to run and hide
Yet I rejoice, He's brought me near
And stands right by my side.

Turn Your Ear

2007-11-28T20:45:00.001-08:00
This is another song I wrote over the summer for kids at Camp Lone Star. I think I'm going to sing it with the first stanza as a refrain

Turn your Ear(Based on Psalm 88)

Turn your ear to hear my cry
All my strength is gone
Day and night I call to you
You carry me on

Darkness is my closest friend
My eyes cannot see
I call out in morning time
Light the way for me

I am overwhelmed by you
You are everything
I call out with nothing left
Let your mercy sing

I am clinging to your hope
With both hands I strain
I cry out, Lord, be my life
Until I cry again.

The Ballad of Stan N. Scola II

2007-11-25T18:52:00.000-08:00
Well, here it is one month to the day before Christmas. Wanted to share a Christmas gift with all of you. As I approach Christmas, my favorite part is remembering Jesus' birth. My favorite hymn... The Little Drummer Boy. My wife gets a chuckle whenever I hear the Bob Seger version on the radio. I'm not a drummer, but I often feel the poems/songs I write are my drumbeats that I play for the newborn baby.
The elephant in the room for me at Christmas is often Santa Claus. I am never really certain how helpful this tradition has become, especially in our culture. Anyway, I decided I can't really do much about what St. Nicholas has become good or bad. However, I decided the best thing I can do is put my two cents worth out there about the whole thing.

The Ballad of Stan N. Scola II

The first thing I noticed were boots of black
He propped them up while he ate a snack
In the office of a local mall
He relaxed before his post-lunch call

As I stood with my note pad and studied his face
My thoughts turned to what brought me here to this place…

“There’s some guy at the mall who has been Santa fifty years.
We need a picture and a quote, filled up with Christmas cheer.”
With that my boss showed me the door and sent me on my way
I wasn’t happy, “Santa Claus??” but I had dues to pay.

“Stan N. Scola the Second’s my name, he arose
I suppose that you’re looking for me”
He reached out his hands and he warmly grasped mine
With an openness friendly and free.
He gave me a wink and he bade me sit down
Then offered hot cocoa to drink.
“Just water is fine”, I replied as he smiled
And carried a glass to the sink.

With the holiday crowds waiting outside the door
I knew this dialogue must be quick
So I opened my pen without any ado
And began interviewing Saint Nick.

I pulled out question one, “How long have you been Santa Claus?”
He smiled and took my question in, then after a brief pause,

“I’ve been cast in my favorite role for 50 years this year
I’ve acted at some other malls, but mostly I’ve been here”

I jotted down his answer, took a sip of H2O;
Then once again sought what my readers want or ought to know.
“You say this is your favorite role to play, “Please tell me why.”
He chuckled out a Ho! Ho! Ho! Then started his reply:

“I wondered if you’d catch that line. Your ears must be tuned well.
It’s ‘cause I love the challenge in the tale I have to tell.
You’re confused at what that tale might be. I see it in your face.
I’ll try to clarify this, so your bafflement is chased.

“As a child, I learned of Christmas from a very early age
Of the baby in a manger’s first appearance on this stage. My family sang the carols, acted in the Christmas shows
And worshipped Christmas Eve within a candle-lighted glow.

“But my December memories are strongest of the days
When Dad would don the outfit and perform a Santa Play.

“My Dad, as Santa, told us of the man that he had been
One Nicholas of Myra who lived ‘round the year 310.
He gave up all his money and his days to help the poor
And often brought the things they needed right up to their door.

“ ‘It was my aim each day I walked to give myself away
For I knew Jesus gave himself for me,’ my dad would say.
‘I hope that all my deeds point to our Father who is true
And that my life reminds you that the Savior loves you too.’

Each Christmas upon Christmas, Dad would share with us this tale
And Santa pointed to the cross of Jesus without fail.

“His monologue completed, Dad would stay where we could see,
Then took his costume off and sipped some cocoa by our tree.”

His ending left me with some lines to catch up with my pen.
He sat there fully costumed with a most-contented grin.
Once I was finished writing, He refilled my water cup
Then frowned a bit, “I’m sorry, but it seems my time is up”

I thanked him for the interview. He walked back to his chair.
I took some pictures of him sitting with the children there.

I headed for the exit, but an elf called out my name.
She said, “This is from Santa”. She gave me a candy cane.
“He gives a cane like this to every child that he sees here.
And this handwritten note attached, each child, every year.”

I stashed the candy in my coat
And headed back to write
My story to complete
I’d start my holiday tonight.

I wrote it, and I filed it with ample time to spare
It surely wasn’t my best work, but it was well past fair.
I shut down my computer, “Merry Christmased”, waved goodnight.
Then headed to the airport, for my home-bound red-eye flight.

Before I drifted off to sleep, the plane far off the ground,
I tossed and turned and from my coat, I heard a rustling sound.

I sucked upon his candy cane while sleep approached my head
My eyes lit on the note he’d writ and this is what it said,

“In the spirit of Nicholas, I give this to you.
For he gave in the Spirit of Christ.
I pray that this gift points your heart to the cross,
Where the Lord, paid the ultimate price.”

I'm Thankful

2007-11-01T21:18:00.000-07:00
This summer past(since Houston has had almost a week of quasi-Fall weather, I can refer to the summer as past), I wrote lyrics for numerous kids from our church who went to camp. The lyrics were sent to them while they were at camp, and one of the staff guys there added music to them, to create a souvenir of the camp trip. The following lyrics were one of this batch of songs. It seems appropriate to me to post it here as we begin November.

I’m thankful that our Lord became a man
I’m thankful that He was a babe who learned to crawl and stand
If He had never come here, this song might as well not be
I’m thankful He was born for you and me

I’m thankful that He died upon a cross
I’m thankful that He somehow took for us the biggest loss
If He had never suffered, this song might as well not be
I’m thankful that He died for you and me.

I’m thankful that our Lord is dead no more
I’m thankful that He opened up and walked right through that door
If He had never risen, this song might as well not be
I’m thankful that He rose for you and me.

Drink of Him addendum

2007-10-15T19:08:00.000-07:00
Previously I posted Drink Of Him, which includes the line "Bring A Red Canoe"...which is a line I put in there because it was written with Camp Lone Star in mind. They have red canoes there. I got to thinking about that line and the possibility of an alternate lyric. Specifically, "bring a worn out shoe." Definitely a worn out shoe is less appealing to drink out of than just about anything else mentioned in the song. However, the beauty of drinking the living water of Christ is that He makes whatever vessel we bring to Him a great cup from which to drink. That logic clinches it: "bring a worn out shoe" is now officially an alternate lyric to Drink Of Him.

Drink Of Him

2007-10-01T21:40:00.000-07:00
The following lyrics were written during the summer of 2007. A guy in Austin wrote a melody to use with them at Camp Lone Star in LaGrange, Texas during that summer. I've put together my own melody to it as well. It lends itself to a Power Point presentation. I actually created one to use whenever I lead it as part of our church's confirmation class. If you are interested let me know.

Drink of Him

Bring a jug, bring a pitcher
Bring a slurpee cup
Fill what you have to the brim
Bring a glass, bring a pail
Come and fill it up
Drink, drink, drink of him

CHORUSHis water is overflowing
His grace is spilling out
It’s a creek, It’s a river, It’s a great big lake
Take a drink and shout

Bring a straw, bring a bottle
Bring an old coke can
Fill what you have to the brim
Give your barrel, give your thimble
To the Waterman
And Drink, Drink, drink of Him

Bring a pot, bring a pan
Bring a tablespoon
Fill what you have to the brim
Grab a few friends, bring a big lagoon
Drink, drink, drink of Him

Bring a jar, bring a bowl
Bring a cistern, too
Fill what you have to the brim
Bring a five gallon bucket
Bring a red canoe
Drink, drink, drink of Him

Another Rich Fool?

2007-09-28T08:56:00.000-07:00
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

2007-09-21T20:19:00.000-07:00
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

2007-09-21T20:07:00.000-07:00
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