Category Archives: Poems

Chapter 1

02 Friday Jan 2015

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The next several posts coming from me will be a family history of sorts. It won’t be journal entries, or actual recorded events, but more like if our stories were coming from one of the dwarves living in middle earth in Tolkein’s Lord of the Rings. It just seemed like it would be funner to read that way.

The names used are not the actual names but have been changed to be more awesome.

Kab’ = Mayan word for “land” or “earth”

The land of Kab’

Behold the land for man and beast to learn to prove their worth,
Created battlefield for war, of water, fire, and earth.
An ancient story rife with love and hate and battle fierce,
But meant to teach, inspire, give hope, hard hearts with love to pierce.

Chapter 1

Pure sunlight danced upon the peaks of mountains topped with snow,
above the valley’s cracks and chasms, mist of darkness’ flow.
For above the fire and smoke below, pure light was there to see,
Its warmth and brightness calms all fear, darkness’ chains cut free.

Below, in darkness, evil bound and dragged the souls of men,
and soft, unsure the pathways were, for all who dwelt therein.
Above, in light, the Gods inspired, and guided hearts of men,
With straight, and solid paths of stone, to lead them back again.

Before the days began there was a council of the Gods,
For then, mankind had not the skill nor power that it sought,
Two plans were laid before the Gods- first better than the last.
Battle raged, rebellious fiends rebuked, to darkness cast.

The minions worshipped foolishly the one who’s lies began
the battle for the souls and lives of all the sons of man.
They dwell below the surface, recessed cracks of earth and sod,
vicarious the war they wage with men against the Gods.

The Gods had sent man down amid calamity and pain,
To learn to be as they are now, experience to gain,
But man was never left alone, without his weapons true,
The Gods provided strength, lent power- for men, their will to do.

So thus the battle setting lay, far below the heavn’ly light,
Amid the smoky darkened waste, of sin, and blood, and hate,
To forge with dragon blood and fire, man’s mettle new and raw,
their swords meant to defend against, the mighty Dragon’s awe.

And now the story will be told, of battle, weapons drawn,
And raised against the Dragon, to expose his mighty flaw.
And all his imps and demons would meet power, strength, and might,
to wilt among the dying embers from the fiery fight.

The lineage vein, the family blood, was pure, and strong within,
They came, each one in their own time, to face the dragon’s sin.
The land was bleak and dark at times, but even through the mist,
a petitioned beam of God-sent light would render heaven’s kiss.

4 brothers born, down in the dark, their powers hidden deep,
within themselves, it grew unseen, unfelt, a dormant sleep.
4 other warrior women sent to that embattled land,
would have a mighty role to play, within the Master’s plan.

4 Sisters then would come along, and within the fight soon be,
Augmenting, shielding, training sons and daughters tirelessly.
For battle comes and forces all to join or shirk the fight,
To cower low in fire and dust, or fight for truth and light!

The Spirit of Christmas

22 Monday Dec 2014

Posted by in Christmas, Music, Poems

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Christmas time is a special time.  I think we all feel that.  One of the reasons that I feel it is such a special time, is because Christmas music has a special way of inviting the spirit.  This is because the spirit testifies of truth no matter what, and Christmas time is the one time all year, that everyone has Christmas music playing, and the likelihood of feeling that spirit of truth is greatly increased.  The spirit confirms all truth, and Christmas music is full of truth, whether we fully realize it or not.

As part of this Christmas season, and in a very real effort to invite that spirit into all of our lives, I am listing 5 of my favorite Christmas songs, that contain some of the most powerful phrases that we may or may not realize we are singing or hearing.

  1. O Holy Night

One of my absolute favorites is O Holy Night, which was originally a French poem (Minuit, Chrétiens) which means Midnight, Christians.1 I am including the English (traditional translation) with the literal (non-traditional) translation, since I think if we know where it came from, it may help.

Traditional

Oh Holy Night

The stars are brightly shining

It is the night of our dear Savior’s birth

Long lay the world in sin and error pining

‘Til He appeared and the soul felt its worth

A thrill of hope the weary world rejoices

For yonder breaks a new and glorious morn.

Fall on your knees O hear the angels voices.

O night divine O night when Christ was born

O night divine, O night, O night divine.

Led by the light of Faith serenely beaming,

With glowing hearts by His cradle we stand.

So led by light of a star sweetly gleaming,

Here came the wise men from Orient land.

The King of Kings lay thus in lowly manger;

In all our trials born to be our friend.

He knows our need, to our weakness is no stranger,

Behold your King! Before Him lowly bend!

Behold your King! Before Him lowly bend!

Truly He taught us to love one another;

His law is love and His gospel is peace.

Chains shall He break for the slave is our brother;

And in His name all oppression shall cease.

Sweet hymns of joy in grateful chorus raise we,

Let all within us praise His holy name.

Christ is the Lord! O praise His Name forever,

His power and glory evermore proclaim.

O night divine, O night, O night divine

Literal

Midnight, Christians, is the solemn hour,

When God as man descended unto us

To erase the stain of original sin

And to end the wrath of His Father.

The entire world thrills with hope

On this night that gives it a Saviour.

People, kneel down, await your deliverance.

Christmas, Christmas, here is the Redeemer,

Christmas, Christmas, here is the Redeemer!

May the ardent light of our Faith

Guide us all to the cradle of the infant,

As in ancient times a brilliant star

Guided the Oriental kings there.

The King of Kings was born in a humble manger;

O mighty ones of today, proud of your greatness,

It is to your pride that God preaches.

Bow your heads before the Redeemer!

Bow your heads before the Redeemer!

The Redeemer has broken every bond:

The Earth is free, and Heaven is open.

He sees a brother where there was only a slave,

Love unites those that iron had chained.

Who will tell Him of our gratitude,

For all of us He is born, He suffers and dies.

People, stand up! Sing of your deliverance,

Christmas, Christmas, sing of the Redeemer,

Christmas, Christmas, sing of the Redeemer!

  1. Still, Still, Still

Another of my favorites has always been still, still, still.  We actually sang this in our choir performance yesterday, and our director, in an inspired effort included a little handout with the ward program that included the words to all of the songs that we sang, and my wife mentioned to me that she had never really read the words to this song.

Still, still, still,

One can hear the falling snow.

For all is hushed,

The world is sleeping,

Holy Star its vigil keeping.

Still, still, still,

One can hear the falling snow.

Sleep, sleep, sleep,

‘Tis the eve of our Saviour’s birth.

The night is peaceful all around you,

Close your eyes,

Let sleep surround you.

Sleep, sleep, sleep,

‘Tis the eve of our Saviour’s birth.

Dream, dream, dream,

Of the joyous day to come.

While guardian angels without number,

Watch you as you sweetly slumber.

Dream, dream, dream,

Of the joyous day to come.

  1. Silent Night

Silent night is such a Christmas classic, that we often forget how much of a powerhouse it is.  As a note, I like to change the wording in verse 2 (Radiant to Radiance), and verse 3 (Glories stream to Glory streams) since President Dalquist instructed us to when I was in high school.  I’ve never been able to sing it any other way since then.  Please note the use of exclamation points in this soft lullaby.

Silent night! Holy night!

All is calm, all is bright

Round yon virgin, mother and Child.

Holy infant, tender and mild,

Sleep in heavenly peace;

Sleep in heavenly peace.

Silent night! Holy night!

Shepherds quake at the sight!

Glory streams from heaven afar

Heav’nly hosts sing Alleluia!

Christ the Savior is born!

Christ the Savior is born!

Silent night! Holy night!

Son of God, love’s pure light

Radiance beams from thy holy face,

With the dawn of redeeming grace,

Jesus, Lord at thy birth

Jesus, Lord at thy birth.

  1. Joy to the World

If there was ever a Christmas song that you can’t sing loud enough, it might be this one.  Our choir sang this while being accompanied by both the piano and the organ – and even when the congregation joined in for the 4th verse, it wasn’t nearly loud enough.  This is the one song that I relate very directly to the choirs of angels referenced in Luke 2:13-14.

Joy to the world, the Lord is come!

Let earth receive her King!

Let ev’ry heart prepare him room,

And Saints and angels sing.

And Saints and angles sing,

And Saints, and saints and angels sing.

Rejoice! Rejoice when Jesus reigns

And saints their songs employ,

While fields and floods, rocks, hills, and plains

Repeat the sounding joy,

Repeat the sounding joy,

Repeat, repeat the sounding joy

No more will sin and sorrow grow,

Nor thorns infest the ground;

He’ll come and make the blessings flow

Far as the curse was found,

Far as the curse was found,

Far as, far as the curse was found

Rejoice! Rejoice in the Most High,

While Israel spreads abroud

Like stars that glitter in the sky,

And ever worship God,

And ever worship God,

And ever, and ever worship God.

  1. In the Bleak Midwinter

This is a relatively unknown Christmas song, but the message is still crystal clear, and is sung by many great artists.

In the bleak mid-winter

Frosty wind made moan,

Earth stood hard as iron,

Water like a stone;

Snow had fallen, snow on snow,

Snow on snow,

In the bleak midwinter

Long ago.

Our God, Heaven cannot hold Him

Nor earth sustain;

Heaven and earth shall flee away

When He comes to reign:

In the bleak mid-winter

A stable-place sufficed

The Lord God Almighty,

Jesus Christ.

Angels and archangels

May have gathered there,

Cherubim and seraphim

Thronged the air –

But only His mother

In her maiden bliss

Worshipped the Beloved

With a kiss.

What can I give Him,

Poor as I am?

If I were a shepherd

I would bring a lamb;

If I were a wise man

I would do my part;

Yet what I can, I give Him

Give my heart.

Other notable lines/phrases:

He came down to earth from heaven,

Who is God and Lord of all,

And his shelter was a stable,

And his cradle was a stall;

With the poor, and mean, and lowly,

Lived on earth our Savior holy.

And our eyes at last shall see him,

Through his own redeeming love;

For that child so dear and gentle

Is our Lord in heav’n above,

And he leads his children on

To the place where he is gone.

(Once in Royal David’s City)

Be near me, Lord Jesus; I ask thee to stay

Close by me forever, and love me, I pray.

Bless all the dear children in thy tender care,

And fit us for heaven to live with thee there.

(Away in a Manager)

How silently, how silently

The wondrous gift is giv’n!

So God imparts to human hearts

The blessings of his heav’n.

No ear may hear his coming;

But in this world of sin,

Where meek souls will receive him, still

The dear Christ enters in.

(O Little Town of Bethlehem)

Hail the heav’n-born Prince of Peace!

Hail the Son of Righteousness!

Light and life to all he brings,

Ris’n with healing in his wings.

Mild he lays his glory by,

Born that man no more may die;

Born to raise the sons of earth,

Born to give them second birth.

(Hark! The Herald Angels Sing)

Ring in the valiant men and free,

The larger heart, the kindlier hand.

Ring out the darkness of the land;

Ring in the Christ that is to be.

Ring out the darkness of the land;

Ring in the Christ that is to be.

(Ring Out, Wild Bells)

What child is this, who, laid to rest,

On Mary’s lap is sleeping?

Whom angels greet with anthems sweet,

While shepherds watch are keeping?

This, this is Christ the King,

Whom shepherds guard and angels sing:

Haste, haste to bring Him laud,

The babe, the son of Mary.

(What Child is This)

O come, Thou Rod of Jesse, free

Thine own from Satan’s tyranny

From depths of Hell Thy people save

And give them victory o’er the grave

Disperse the gloomy clouds of night

And death’s dark shadows put to flight.

Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel

Shall come to thee, O Israel.

(O Come O Come Emmanuel)

Come, thou long expected Jesus,

Born to set thy people free;

From our fears and sins release us,

Let us find our rest in thee.

Israel’s strength and consolation,

Hope of all the earth thou art;

Dear desire of every nation,

Joy of every longing heart.

Born thy people to deliver,

Born a child and yet a King,

Born to reign in us forever,

Now thy gracious kingdom bring.

By thine own eternal spirit

Rule in all our hearts alone;

By thine all sufficient merit,

Raise us to thy glorious throne

(Come, Thou Long Expected Jesus)

Notes

1 http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/O_Holy_Night

My Christmas Carol

07 Sunday Dec 2014

Posted by in Christmas, Poems

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My Christmas Carol

Prophetic whispers from the dust,
Foretold of One who’d come to us1.
King of Kings, and Lord of Lords2,
Master, Savior of the world.

And though He’d rule o’er all mankind,
Raise the dead3, let see the blind4,
In quiet humble birth he’d be,
Born in peace, giv’n privily.

No silk would wrap the newborn babe,
But swaddling clothes5, a bed of hay.
No mansion grand and opulent,
Fit for wealthy affluent.

Not to the wise, but shepherds showed6
Not in the learned’s halls of gold.
Not to the wealthy, but the poor,
Not to the haughty, but the pure,

Who in a manger sweetly lay,
When by an inn-keep, was turned away7.
Shepherds, Father, Mother saw,
Angels sang with wondering awe8.

Singing praises, Heaven’s hosts,
God the Father, Holy Ghost,
Blessed, sustained that infant Son,
Through whom eternal life would come9.

Magi trekked and risked their lives,
To see His face with their own eyes,
Their path enlightened, star decreed10,
To Him bestowed their gifts of three.

The Son of Man, the King of Kings,
Beholden not to earthly things,
The Mighty God, the Chosen One,
For us, He gave His eldest Son11

That silent night, that holy night,
A child was born to cure man’s plight.
For peace and calm, shone ever bright,
Through Son of God, and love’s pure light.

Oh how I wish to be found worthy,
Of this babe, so meek and lowly,
Swaddled, loved, and held so closely,
Honored, worshipped, sacred, Holy.

Raise your head, gaze up, and see,
Moon, and stars go endlessly,
All created by this child,
Lying quiet, meek and mild.

Who’s condescension to the earth,
Accentuated by His birth,
Would save all man on earth from sin,
If they’d believe and follow him12.

Come! Now together praise the Son!
In Bethlehem, today is come!
Our hearts within will burst with Joy!
As we behold this little Boy!

“Joy to the world, he Lord is come,
Let earth receive her King.
Let ev’ry heart prepare Him room.
With saints, the Angels sing!13”.

Notes:

1 Isaiah 9:6 “For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace”

2 Revelation 19:16 “And he hath on his vesture and on his thigh a name written, KING OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS.”

3 John 11:43,44 “And when he thus had spoken, he cried with a loud voice, Lazarus, come forth. And he that was dead came forth..”

4 John 9:11 “He answered and said, A man that is called Jesus made clay, and anointed mine eyes, and said unto me, Go to the pool of Siloam, and wash: and I went and washed, and I received sight”

5 Luke 2:7 “And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes..”

6 Luke 2:15,16 “And it came to pass..the shepherds said one to another, Let us now go even unto Bethlehem, and see this thing which is come to pass, which the Lord hath made known unto us. And they came with haste, and found Mary, and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger.”

7 Luke 2:7 “And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn”

8 Hymn #210 With Wondering Awe “With wond’ring awe the wisemen saw the star in heaven springing, and with delight, in peaceful night, they heard the angels singing.”

9 1 John 5:11 “And this is the record, that God hath given to us eternal life, and this life is in his Son.”

10 Mathew 2:1,2 “Now when Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judæa in the days of Herod the king, behold, there came wise men from the east to Jerusalem, Saying, Where is he that is born King of the Jews? for we have seen his star in the east, and are come to worship him”

11 John 3:16 “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life”

12 3 Nephi 11:33 “And whoso believeth in me, and is baptized, the same shall be saved; and they are they who shall inherit the kingdom of God” 

13 Hymn #201 Joy to the World 

Seeds and Callings

23 Sunday Nov 2014

Posted by in Poems

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John 6:9

“There is a lad here, which hath five barley loaves, and two small fishes: but what are they among so many?”

 

 

The Seed

I am but a small seed, with no worth, it seems to me,
I am one, amongst the many, like one drop in a vast sea.
Insignificant my calling in this world with some so great,
What worth am I? I am so small. What difference can I make?

I’m now a stalk of barley, blowing softly in the breeze,
I’m one amid the millions more, anonymous it seems,
What difference can I make? No one even knows my name,
I’m just a tiny speck engulfed upon this windy plain.

I’m now a grain of meal, even smaller than before,
I’ve lost the sight of sun and sky, I can’t feel them anymore.
I’ve been cut down, and pounded, made into a formless mass,
And left alone, now in the dark, I fear my time has passed.

I’m now inside a fire that seems to change me from within,
I am still small, but somehow know that value lies herein.
I’m now amid four other loaves, and packed inside a sack,
But once again, I’m hid away, upon this young lad’s back.

I’m now called out to lay beside two fishes and I hear,
The words the Master speaks to me, He tells me why I’m here.
He blessed me to fulfill the call, to which I was ordained,
And after He has touched me, I know that I am changed.

I’ve now sustained 5000 mouths, 12 bushels now remain,
But only with the Master’s touch, for me He did sustain.
For with His hand He orchestrates our lives that we now lead,
He magnifies, and sanctifies, and nurtures each small seed.

When we receive callings, sometimes we feel as if we are the exact wrong person for the job. We feel inadequate and unprepared to fulfill what we, in our own minds, think that call may entail. But, we need to have trust and faith, that the Lord is the one doing the real work behind us, and that we just need to put our feet where they are supposed to be. Its ok to feel like the small barley seed, but at the same time realize that we can eventually feed 5000, and have 12 bushels leftover, if we but rely on, and are “touched” by Him.

Sons of Thunder

22 Saturday Nov 2014

Posted by in General, Poems

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This next post needs to be setup for the proper context in order to be better understood.  The time frame is the latter days, when Satan’s forces are amassing an innumerable force to battle and annihilate the people of God.  Christ has come and is the general. We know He is here, but have not seen Him personally. We, the followers of Christ, are gathering, hoping, waiting to follow instructions that will come.  At this time of gathering and insecurity, a leader will emerge. Who this leader is we may not know, or we may know. But I imagine him to be like the great leaders of ancient times who had the ability to inspire, and who were not in the least bit hesitant to rough people up. This leader will be like captain Moroni, Teancum, Lehi, or Joshua. Absolute unequivocal confidence and faith to win, and not just win, but destroy completely.  I image him to be mounted, fully armed and shielded, spear raised, riding in front of gathering soldiers. Shouting, with an extreme intensity in his voice, and a palpable hatred for evil. He would look into each one of us as we gathered to follow him into battle and through him we would be filled with his same spirit of confidence and strength that he receives from Christ himself. That is the context of this next post.
It’s our future call to arms.

 

Sons of Thunder1

Awake! O sons of thunder rise!
And pierce as lightning through black skies,
The darkest pitch, where evil lies,
Come fight! and hasten Hell’s demise!
Our captain calls us now!

He calls the weak, unlearned, despised,
To thresh the nations2! Heed His cry!
His Spirit strengthens, and gives flight,
To arrows sent by Heavens might.
Our captain calls us now!

Our faith, unyielding strength will be,
Lay waste the shirking enemies,
Below our feet3, crushed, cowering,
To feel Gods mighty angry sting!
Our captain calls us now!

Wo, to those who’ll face the fire,
Of righteous indignation’s ire4,
Kindled falsehoods from the liar,
Who fills man’s heart with false desire,
The Captain sees you now!

Come follow Him! God is His name!
Man of Holiness5 sustain,
Almighty God! His light proclaim!
And fill the earth o’er sea and plain!
Our Captain calls us now!

Rise up! and join with spear and sword!
Fighting wholly for our Lord!
Clash manfully6 of one accord!
Cut down, thresh evil untoward!
My Captain use me now!

For with His spirit in my veins,
My strength of arm no longer wanes,
His arm-my arm7, my King proclaimed!
Victory is thus obtained!
My captain with me now!

And as the liar is cut down,
How great his fall below the ground,
To gnash and wail, forever bound8,
His misery and doom compound.
The Captain beat him now!

And yet how great shall be the crown,
Atop our Captain’s Princely brow,
To rule and reign with great renown,
His power, glory, honor bound,
Our Captain! Praise Him now!

And now ascends His throne to reign,
Vanquish fear, and conquer pain,
To honor Father, and His name,
The holy throne is now His claim
Our Captain leads us now!

And we who fought for Him shall be,
Decorated lovingly,
Lifted high, and honored be,
Yet Worship Him on bended knee9.
Our captain, our King now!

He Reigns supremely! He has won!
He is the Father’s eldest Son,
Ordained on high to make “at one”,
So we below can overcome!
Our Captain, Savior now!

Come join the ranks! Make bare our sword!
Come battle for the Risen Lord!
Who gives us strength to well afford,
To strike down evil’s force deplored!
His light no longer be ignored,
That fuels the Gospel He restored,
Our God! our Captain now!

 

Notes:

1 Mark 3:17

2 D&C 35:13 “Wherefore, I call upon the weak things of the world, those who are unlearned and despised, to thresh the nations by the power of my Spirit;”

3 D&C 35:14 “…and their enemies shall be under their feet…”

4 Moses 7:34 “And the fire of mine indignation is kindled against them; and in my hot displeasure will I send in the floods upon them, for my fierce anger is kindled against them.”

5 Moses 7:35 “Behold, I am God; Man of Holiness is my name…”

6 D&C 35:14 “…and they shall fight manfully for me…”

7 D&C 35:14 “…And their arm shall be my arm…”

8 D&C 133:73 “These shall go away into outer darkness, where there is weeping, and wailing, and gnashing of teeth”

9 D&C 76:110 “And heard the voice of the Lord saying: These all shall bow the knee, and every tongue shall confess to him who sits upon the throne forever and ever;”

Hidden Kingdom

21 Friday Nov 2014

Posted by in Love, Marriage, Poems

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Thursday was my 15th anniversary and so this post will veer from my usual fare…Its a little something I came up with for my wife.

Hidden Kingdom

Her Hidden Kingdom few can see,
because they fail to look.
To blinded eyes, her status hides,
Concealed, as is a book.



Her hidden kingdom thrives within
The walls of divine make,
Protecting, loving, nurturing,
Partnering to create.

Her hidden kingdom strengthens all,
Who pass within its sphere.
Who feel the power of her love,
That quells the fire of fear.



Her hidden kingdom grows in glory,
Each year that passes by,
More light, more love,
truth from above,
Received from Him on high.

Her queenly crown rests on her head
The symbol of her reign.
It shows to all who’s eyes are clear
The glory she’s obtained.

Upon her crown four golden spires
Reach upward nigh to God,
Like tender plants whose roots are deep,
In nutritious gospel sod.

Each spire unique and beautiful,
Each different – yet the same,
Each one reflects the light they’re giv’n
Each one, from God they came.



And in these spires of golden make
Rest diamonds all therein,
Reflecting 15 shades of bright,
Revealing what’s within-



Her heart, is where she shines the most,
And with each passing year,
The shades of bright intensify,
And seem to draw more near-



To God himself, who sits on high,
Directing us below,
She is a queen, she is MY queen,
And with her- I will go.



Until her hidden kingdom,
No longer shielded from outside,
Gives light and glory endlessly,
No longer veiled inside.

A kingdom open, fair, and bright,
For all to see and praise-
Her princes, and her princesses,
In truth and light did raise.


To soon be kings and queens themselves,
With crowns of Godly light,
To grow in strength and power
and,
Shed weakness, toil, and plight.

Then all shall wonder, and shall see,
The queen she’s grown to be,
No longer hid inside, book closed,
But plain, praised openly.



Then all will comprehend her place,
What glory, love and grace,
The light reflecting in her crown,
Is light from God’s own face.

For all God’s light, and truth, and love,
Within her all shall see,
And wonder praise and glory give,
Queen of MY family.

She is my queen, She is my life,
For her I hope to be,
A worthy king, Her worthy king,
Throughout eternity.

Jesus Feeds the 5,000

20 Wednesday Aug 2014

Posted by in Poems

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In Galilee up on the mountain

The people followed Jesus there

As night grew near and even came

A meal for them was due

He knew at once the course to take

Yet for a test He questioned one

Where shall we buy bread that these may eat?

My lesson is not quite through

The answer came with hesitation

There is no bread that we can buy

To meet the needs of such a crowd

Before the setting sun

Another said there is a lad

With five loaves and two small fishes

Yet what are they among so many?

There is nothing to be done

Jesus took the loaves and gave His thanks

As He had done before

Then told His friends to share the bread

With all those who had stayed

Somehow, someway the meager meal

Became a mighty feast

For at the end when they were filled

Twelve baskets still remained

To all who witnessed this great scene

Remembrance seemed to kindle

This happened once before they said

To our fathers long ago

Moses and the manna from heaven

Could this mean our wait is over?

We have been looking for thousands of years

For the promised Messiah to show

He’ll come to deliver from bondage and burden

From chains He will set us free

Defeat all our foes, bring back our kingdom

Sustain us with manna once more

Glory, peace, and prosperity bring

We’ll rest from our labors and pains

At last it is here, our deliverance and bliss

Our long day of rest is in store

They sought to take and crown Him their king

By force to make Him their king

Force Him to fight for them and their rights

Force Him to give them more bread

Jesus knew at once the thought that began

They wanted bread just not the right kind

They wanted meat and bread of the world

Not bread of His flesh – offered instead

To them the deliverer promised the world

Endless feasts and bread with no labor

Political freedom, life in the palace

No rulers, and never a care

Jesus knew that the king they wanted to serve

He could not, and never would be

There are two kinds of bread you must understand

One common and one much more rare

Your fathers indeed had manna to spare

Yet mine is the true bread of God

It giveth life and light to the world

I AM THAT BREAD your true hunger to fill

The bread of my Father to all of the world

In order to rise up again

This is His will, His plan and my purpose

Hear me clearly now all those who will

Their excitement and clamor, their force and their zeal

At once declined to a murmur

How is it so that you are this bread

We know that it cannot be so

Ye are a son of Joseph and Mary

Your father and mother we know

Their hopes were all dashed, expectations removed

From the kingdom that they hoped to know

Jesus continued to drive the point home

Eat my flesh and drink of my blood

My flesh is meat, and my blood is drink,

Dwell in me and ye shall eat bread

The bread that I offer is made of my flesh

My words they are spirit, my words they are life

Their murmurs grew loud – understanding His meaning

They realized now what He said

An hard saying indeed, this to them seemed to be

They asked who can hear it, itis not for us

Their hope of deliverance from toil and from pain

Vanished again – as quick as it came

We want a king who provides for us bread

But not this live bread of which you proclaim

We want the bread that you brought down from heaven

Real bread like our fathers – that is our aim

We want the pleasure of meals without price

Food of a plenty – we’ve seen you provide

Don’t make us labor for things we can’t see

We want the real bread – the kind you just made

Saddened and pained, the savior then asked

Doth this offend you, these plain words I say

The truthful Messiah that you claim to know

Is here now before you, precious few are my days

There were many indeed – including disciples

Discouraged that Jesus had drawn clear the line

Between those who sought him learn and to follow

And those who would use him to gain their own way

Those who were troubled, followed no more

Thinking his sayings too stringent to stay

Jesus asked those around him, the ones to him near

You that remain – Will ye also go away?

Then Peter, great Peter said with force and with zeal

To whom will we go Lord? We know whom thou art

We know of thy truth and have felt in our hearts

We believe and are sure – Thy bread it is good.

Indeed He had planned this decisive encounter

To identify those with intentions so pure

From those who sought him, their own wills to serve

His faithful and chosen ones in His presence now stood

Let us be like them, His followers true

Seeking and eating His flesh and His blood

To believe and be sure, that is our start

Feasting indeed on the true words of life

To stand in the presence of Jesus the Christ

To hear with our ears and see with our eyes

To feel with our hands, to know in our hearts

For us to know Him – this is the prize