Fat Tuesday
4 March 2014
Word Become Flesh glows with Transfiguration wonder.
Epiphany closes it’s time of signal events.
Lent assumes a majestic presence, Alleluia gently tucked asunder.
Our daily rhythm soon includes contemplation, salient comments.
Cultures come to great seasons, seldom get them right.
“Whatcha’ givin’ up for Lent? I figure chocolate’s my price.”
Mardi Gras, the end of a week of celebrations, no one still uptight,
Beads, booze, bands, Bacchanal gatherings, meals stoked on spice.
Sedate religious folk gaze upon the scene feeling uncertain,
Spirit chuckles, encourages the abandonment of sin, dance to grace.
Passionate expressions of faith need release, not piety’s curtain.
Our world’s incomplete grasp of solemn preparation met by Lent’s pace.
We come to the more regal of preparation seasons.
Lovely Advent, ever challenged by Christmas gifts to buy,
Lent’s path of meditation, faith’s treasures defying reasons.
Our daily discipline sharpens awareness, new practices to try.
Gather sisters, brothers, detach from the cultural norm.
Select your simple garb, array your soul, soap, water clean.
Our band of servant folk ready to depart the hostel dorm,
Bring along your walking stick, simple rhythm drum to keen.
Look about for a symbol, a talisman easy to carry.
A reminder of the trek ahead, ask Spirit to point it out.
Be not burdened, the path beckons, don’t tarry.
In your wallet pack a loaf, water jug, just the right amount.
Each time we join our hearts, minds, spirits in this Lenten way,
Our neighbors, friends, family have a chance to see the witness,
Don’t be distracted, disturbed, just find your quiet place to pray.
All’s ready for the journey, in this four minutes, no stress.
Creator sustain our bodies, provide for each true need.
Word Become Flesh hold our hands, accompany each step.
Spirit dear, prepare the way, show us our disciple’s deed.
Holy One renew our world, gather followers from city, steppe.
The Rev. Ronald Allen Melver, M.Div.
Lenten Walk
[Closer Walk]
Easy up your path we go.
Spirit, our next step please show.
At each vista bring your glow.
Jesus may your grace fully flow.
May our Lenten walk begin,
With abundant peace within,
Fill our hearts with hope not sin,
Keeper quiet down this world’s din.
Word Made Flesh please seek us out.
Move from us all fear and doubt.
‘Gainst injustice we do shout.
Love’s pure joy is what we’re about.
Forty days, most restful nights,
Dreams from You allay our frights,
Sisters, brothers in our sights,
To Easter’s dawn, sin’s death indicts.
We pause with You each blessed day.
Make Your peace flow freely on the way.
Holy One You our hope, our main stay.
Your beloved band though made of clay;
Tone us up, make bodies strong.
For abiding mercy we do long.
May this fair hymn, be our song.
To You we know forever we belong.
The Rev. Ronald Allen Melver, M.Div.
5 March 2014
Cross of Ashes
[Herzlich Tut Mich Verlangen]
In somber recognition
we gather on this night.
Our Lenten journey
starts here, we submit in full sight,
Palm ashes on the
forehead reach deep within my soul.
Sin claims my wandering
life-style dear Shepherd make me whole.
In quiet contemplation
our pathway Lord make clear,
The shadow of death’s
omen fills up my heart with fear.
Each day throughout
this season teach me to walk with You.
Your comforting touch
I long for, Your voice and glance so true.
Cross mark-ed we Your
people dare face the world forlorn,
Our servant
occupations the reason we were born.
Into each household
faithful Your Spirit comes to bless,
We seek to be true
grace folk and meet all life’s distress.
Call us to You dear
Savior we travel night and day,
Your love and mercy
keep us more than words can say.
So hear our song of
pining, receive our humble boon,
This time of
heartfelt yearning alas will end too soon.
Creator of all living
sustain us down this path,
Word holy, most
triumphant, protect us from sin’s wrath.
Spirit of joy and
wonder each day teach us Your dance.
That all may see Your
presence and know Your loving glance;
The Rev. Ronald Allen Melver, M.Div.
6 March 2014
Royal Penitent
[Nettleton]
Finest shade of lilac
raiment, servant cloth for all to see,
Color of our penitent
journey, as we travel t’ward the tree,
Sure and certain are
your qualities, ancient days do you remind,
Pilgrim band now walks
the pathway, sin’s tight cords God will unbind.
Sign of sorrow you tattoo
us, those we meet can note our quest.
In our sure tread we
progress on, Spirit brings us nightly rest.
Servants all, we
gather more in, looking for our daily chore,
Sweat and toil our
joyful labor, love and justice, need we more?
Word Made Flesh walks
alongside us, brings each step a regal tone.
Pilgrimage throughout
this season, Shepherd’s close, we’re not alone.
Wounds so deep we
cannot fathom, Sin’s deep lash marks our backs,
Balm of Heaven soothe
our spirits, Your kind touch this world lacks.
Source of All, You
color our days, painting each with nothing rude.
Help us see You ‘midst
the turmoil, lift us from our purple mood.
Real our effort, true
our purpose, for this season bless our days.
When the tomb we see
before us, journey’s end in Risen’s rays!
The Rev. Ronald Allen Melver, M.Div.
7 March 2014
Humble Pot
[Picardy]
In the corner resting
year ‘round, humbly serving Master and plant,
Broken shard yet
wired together, new your purpose, old supplant.
Spirit finds a place
to use your gifts anew, Maker does a new day grant.
Common planter simply
created, held a rose of fine hue.
Graced the garden
with your service ‘til one winter took you askew,
In a back corner
mistress put you to stay, visited by very few.
Ants and bugs of
every nature know you as a resting spot.
Wandering seeds have
found a new home, choosing growth and shunning rot.
Living out your days
in simple ways, serving life until you cannot;
Fired clay from
Potter’s own hand, thrown one day long ago.
Once a loving
mistress claimed you, set you in her household’s flow.
Seasons came and went,
stormy winds or no, still your plant did show.
Can it be that our
lives stand here, Master Gardener tending sure?
As life makes its
purpose constant, we adjust to every cure.
Nothing holds us
back, nor from grace sent, in Word alone we’re made pure.
The Rev. Ronald Allen Melver, M.Div.
9 March 2014
Bright Sadness
[Bunessan]
In the dawn’s fair
light, Spirit does summon,
Promises healing,
rest from all cares.
Nothing can vanquish
Creator’s sure love,
Place in the Lord’s
hands all the day dares.
Life brings us
challenge, asks of us answers,
Pushes for solace,
from busyness balm;
Resources empty, our
minds distracted,
Only in God’s care
can we find calm.
Walking fair Lent’s
path, deep contemplation,
Word Made Flesh ‘sures
us, we’re not alone,
Ours a fine mission
serving and caring,
Together vision,
grace we condone.
Gentle our journey,
soft the path’s surface,
Gone the
restrictions, birdsongs delight,
Solitudes kindness,
friend’s consolation,
Hugs, reassurance,
fear takes to flight.
So ‘midst sad
longing, in each day’s wholeness,
We find a safe place,
to rest our heads.
Restored in spirit,
renewed for journey,
Our hearts uplifted,
gone the world’s dreads.
The Rev. Ronald Allen Melver, M.Div.
10 March 2014
Faithful Witness
Dietrich Bonhoeffer d.9 April 1945
[Festal Song]
Your people were forlorn;
they had no hope brought near.
A pastor, scholar,
preacher dear took away every fear.
Your peace his great
delight, though war around him roiled,
He worked to bring
faiths truth to light, for this he sweat and toiled.
Young pastors he
taught well, beneath oppression’s thumb,
He helped bright
minds find answers true to doubt did not succumb.
To the States he made
trips, a dose of freedom’s light,
He could not stay
away from home, lived out his destined plight.
God’s Gospel his great
delight, in non-religious words,
Bring truth to all,
his joyful goal, love, justice for him verbs.
Resistance every day
a wrestling match to wage,
Non-violence at his
heart of hearts, God’s Spirit to engage;
His final naked walk
brought him to gallows high.
Without hesitation he
did smile, salvation’s promise nigh.
The Rev. Ronald Allen Melver, M.Div.
11 March 2014
God, A Profile
[Divinum Mysterium]
Holy One from before
ages come; Ground of Being before all time,
Sacred Mid-wife of
all that is, Loving Source of grace sublime.
Co-Creator ever
faithful, Holding all within Your care,
Evermore and
evermore!
Before time was, You
held all, Compassion at the core,
Fearless doubt a
major resource, Maker’s love for all to adore.
Every stitch in this
fine tapestry, marv’lous joy and wonder,
Evermore and
evermore!
Word Made Flesh,
uncommon Savior, Opened wounds to pay the price,
Gathered folks into
your loving arms, matters not, naughty or nice.
Holy Brother claiming
family, Promise true beyond time,
Evermore and
evermore!
Wisdom wondrous,
Loving Holy Touch, Summoner of all joy,
Breath of All inspire
our hearts, Bring justice, peace our work employ.
Help our minds and
spirits join, bless our universe You’ve made,
Evermore and
evermore!
All around we find
Your presence, Calm our souls so that we see,
Bring us into kindly
neighbor care, servant-hood our true unity.
May this day be ever
blessed, since you are its vital core,
Evermore and
evermore!
The Rev. Ronald Allen Melver, M.Div.
13.3.14
Ordinary
[Joyous Light]
As we rise this
gentle morning, open ears, our eyes make bright,
Waken us to simple
wonders; give to us Your joyful sight.
Now we walk in your
garden, every step a prayerful tread,
Nothing taken for
granted, all from Word being said.
Can it be we are Your
servants, gainfully employed this day?
Spirit guiding our
endeavors all along this miracle way;
Open hearts we reach
to others, neighbors near or distant live,
Building bonds of
grace and mercy, sharing all the love you give.
Daily chores we give
attention, making our households a joy.
Every thing you have provided;
daily food to children’s toy.
Nothing should we
overlook here, Your abundance is replete,
Out of our hands we
share first fruits; Despiser shall we defeat.
Loving hands attend
to all needs; gentle care brings Your dear touch,
Tapestry of finest
linen Word Made Flesh freed sin’s harsh clutch.
We your people go to
all folks, bringing hope and not despair.
This world’s in need
of light and wisdom, gospel hope we do dare.
Walk with us and
share our day’s care, You are all we need or want.
Daily choices guide
our next steps, move all blocks, by nothing daunt.
When we come to this
day’s closing, may we rest from labor’s dear.
Maker of All do smile
upon us, You’ve removed our every fear.
The Rev. Ronald Allen Melver, M.Div.
14.3.14
Sweet Trail of Tears
[Healer of Our Every Ill]
Refrain:
Sweet the trail of
Lenten tears, journey of the blessed,
Candle light now
leading on ‘til Easter’s hill is crested.
Frankincense and
myrrh do tell us; of our Savior’s love remind us,
Fill us with your
breath oh Wisdom pure.
Dawn’s clean air
greets every new day, Brings to us fresh hope for our way,
May we follow down our
Master’s path.
Crackling fire with
smoking embers, warms our hands, God’s grace remembers,
All our needs are met
in full each day.
Gentle scents of sisters,
brothers, as we work to heal up bothers,
Servants the Holy One
unite.
Garden earth warmed
up by Spring son, welcoming new seeds, life begun,
Farmer of our Souls
renew us now.
The Rev. Ronald Allen Melver, M.Div.
14.3.14
"Shower The People"
[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vhrojt3Cc2Q
]
You can play the game and you can act out the part,
even though you know
it wasn't written for you.
Tell me, how can you
stand there with your broken heart ashamed of playing the fool?
One thing can lead to
another; it doesn't take any sacrifice.
Oh, father and
mother, sister and brother, if it feels nice, don't think twice,
just shower the
people you love with love, show them the way that you feel.
Things are gonna work
out fine if you only will do as I say, just
shower the people you
love with love, show them the way you feel.
Things are gonna be
much better if you only will.
You can run but you
cannot hide, this is widely known.
Tell me, what you
plan to do with your foolish pride when you're all by yourself, alone.
Once you tell
somebody the way that you feel, you can feel it beginning to ease.
I think it's true
what they say about the squeaky wheel always getting the grease.
Better to shower the
people you love with love, show them the way that you feel.
Things are gonna be
just fine if you only will what I'd like to do to you.
Shower the people you
love with love, show them the way that you feel.
Things are gonna be
much better if you only will.
Shower the people you
love with love, show them the way that you feel.
You'll feel better
right away.
Don't take much to
do, sell your pride.
They say in every
life, they say the rain must fall, just like pouring rain, make it rain.
Make it rain, love,
love, love is sunshine, oh yes,
Make it rain, love,
love, love is sunshine. Everybody, everybody.
James Taylor
Some parts
of the road we travel alone. No one can learn our lessons for us. This song is
a joyful statement of the shared experience. Love as the basis for Creator’s
creating, Word Become Flesh’s lifestyle, Spirits joyous dance can be known by
all. Our place is to share honestly, openly, passionately and poignantly.
Find a beloved, share the song.
The Rev. Ronald Allen Melver, M.Div.
15.3.14
Curiosity
[Morning Hymn]
From out the herd I
lift my head to sniff the air outside our shed;
All around me folk
who stray about, missing the joy of which angels shout.
Creator hold all my
hopes and dreams, use all my gifts, Your holy schemes;
Together we, bring
justice clear, remove from us even death our fear.
Oh Word Made Flesh
lead this day me on, keep from me sins Satan may prey on;
Guide me, stay close,
Your touch to feel, our mission clear fill my heart with zeal.
Spirit bring me quest
that my day may find, Your wisdom known, a plan design.
Feed me good food,
build my body strong, ‘mongst Your own people I belong.
Holy One, Most Mighty
Lord of All, Your grace and mercy on us fall,
Show us the pathway,
we need to know, Your love for all, our world to show.
The Rev. Ronald Allen Melver, M.Div.
16.3.14
Knotty Questions
[Herzlich Tut Mich Verlangen]
Oh how shall we hold
Your love, what can we do this day?
Our world knows not
of Your grace, it shuns compassion’s way.
Bring hope and
mercy’s kindness, Your servants all lift up.
Alongside homeless neighbors,
Our meal together sup;
Can rich folk find
the gospel, and loosen bank accounts.
Does business work
with pure hearts, drinking from crystal founts?
Investors need Your
Spirit, their bottom line to meet,
Creator help us
praise you, in every one we greet.
Which suffering will
teach us to place our hands in Yours?
How deep must be the
darkness, before we seek Your shores?
Must lonesomeness be
painful, before we call it quits?
Can we find a safe
harbor, a place where the broken knits?
Our lifestyles bring
us conflict; warfare seems our delight.
We serve from ego’s
strong place, neglecting other’s plight.
The Estranger smiles
most feral, wants brokenness to reign,
Word Made Flesh heal
our souls now, remove our deepest pain.
Life’s questions
bring their blessings, confront and sharpen truth.
No answers need to
hold us, Life seldom remains smooth.
Holy One keep all
life well, desires our best return,
Servants all gathered
‘round now, with thanks our hearts do burn.
The Rev. Ronald Allen Melver, M.Div.
17.3.14
Daily Walk
[Sonne Der Gerechtigkeit]
Dawn calls us to make
our way from bed;
On the path of faith
we tread;
Each step we move on
God’s way;
Serving, singing
Spirit’s lay;
Show mercy, Lord.
Faith makes this walk
holy work,
Asking justice, world’s
gone berserk;
Keep our hearts and
minds on task,
‘Til we in your
presence bask;
Show mercy, Lord.
Lord Your hands and
feet we are,
Simple presence
reaching far,
Not alone we make our
camp,
Through the night we
use Your lamp,
Show mercy, Lord.
Up from bed our night’s
been slept,
Quiet mood as seconds
crept,
In the fresh dawn
light we go,
Maker giving seeds to
sow,
Show mercy, Lord.
Every day God calls
us forth,
Ours to use life’s
new birth,
Bringing us adventure
true,
Blessing all, not
just the few,
Show mercy, Lord.
The Rev. Ronald Allen Melver, M.Div.
18.3.14
Resilience
[Little Flock]
Forty days to endure;
Stunning doubt, meets
its cure;
Each one finding
faith’s answer,
Creator’s sure favor,
Word Made Flesh our
hope pure.
Noah heard from the
Lord,
Sin would die by God’s
word,
An ark Noah must
construct
A remnant of mercy,
Soon the great storm
he heard.
Moses walk’d up Mt.
Sinai,
To meet God by and by,
In cloud Law was
given,
Satan’s power
shriven,
Book People now know
why.
Word Made Flesh desert
test,
Evil’s power did wrest,
Holy One could be
trusted,
History ever chang’d,
Forty days He did
quest.
Sisters, brothers, go
forth,
Our mission has great
worth,
Suffering builds
great mercy,
Fear not life’s true challenge,
Sing of joy, grace’s
mirth.
The Rev. Ronald Allen Melver, M.Div.
19.3.14
Word Made Flesh Moments
[Jesus Loves Me]
Word Made Flesh comes
to us real
Bringing folks who
show God’s zeal,
They bring love and
grace to bear,
Often homespun
clothes they wear.
Yes, Maker loves me,
yes, Jesus loves me,
Yes, Spirit loves me,
the Scriptures tell me so.
Brother Carl a man of
God, hugs and kisses ne’er the rod,
Always true and never
false, with the Spirit he would waltz.
Yes, Maker loves me,
yes, Jesus loves me,
Yes, Spirit loves me,
the Scriptures tell me so.
Grandma Astrid knew
the Lord, always studied the true Word,
Greeted everyone she
met, asked them if they tried church yet.
Yes, Maker loves me,
yes, Jesus loves me,
Yes, Spirit loves me,
the Scriptures tell me so.
Grandma Anne found ways to serve, every day
with style and verve,
Loved her family and
her friends, even now her counsel wends,
Yes, Maker loves me,
yes, Jesus loves me,
Yes, Spirit loves me,
the Scriptures tell me so.
Albert, a fine man we
knew, tithed his time, retirement true,
Bless’d those around with
his great smile, always walked the extra mile;
Yes, Maker loves me,
yes, Jesus loves me,
Yes, Spirit loves me,
the Scriptures tell me so.
Brother Jim in God’s real
crew, heartfelt care to not a few,
Shares the joy of
life’s great gift, works to heal, not widen rift.
Yes, Maker loves me,
yes, Jesus loves me,
Yes, Spirit loves me,
the Scriptures tell me so.
Look about take note,
be ‘ware, loving folk take Spirit’s dare,
Each a mark of God’s
fine grace, in this day bring love’s trace.
Yes, Maker loves me,
yes, Jesus loves me,
Yes, Spirit loves me,
the Scriptures tell me so.
The Rev. Ronald Allen Melver, M.Div.
20 March 2014
Rock of Faith
[Toplady]
Fishing in the Galilee,
Peter did the Savior see;
Jesus came inviting
him, on a mission now quite dim;
Fish for humans all
around, let the others tend the sound.
Pals with James, his
brother John, to God’s wonders he was drawn;
Leading out was his
great way; heart for action, sometimes play,
Shyness not a trait
he knew, he’d respond with ne’er a clue.
In the boat ‘midst
mighty gale, rowing hard, could not use sail,
Saw his Lord a walking
fine, hailed Him by, saw Spirit’s sign,
“Might I come to join
you Lord?” “Surely, Peter, trust My word.”
Conversations many
had, struggled long, saw outcome sad.
“Lord you must not
surely die! We’ll resist, all powers defy.”
“Lest I die no good
can come, Satan leave, you are struck dumb.”
“Peter you have faith’s
sure rock, in my path you clearly walk.”
Learn to work without
a guide, hope and love will long abide.
Be yourself don’t fret
or stew, use your gifts or each day rue.
Up the mountain with
the Lord, ‘cross a brook the group did ford,
At the top a vision clear;
Moses and Elijah near,
Mission talk did fill
the day; clear ahead was the last way.
At the trial Pete did
fail, denied his Lord, later did wail.
From a distance
walked along, sawdust mouth’d, sang sorrow’s song.
Heard the nails and felt
the pain, hid away to rise again.
Word Made Flesh smiled
on his face, did his every sin erase,
Lifted up his spirit
low, hugged him close, kissed his brow,
This fine man, a real
gem, got God’s love and diadem;
The Rev. Ronald Allen Melver, M.Div.
21 March 2014
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