Deeper Furrow

Shadow      For those of you old enough to remember, Shadow has been a fixture in our home.  Given to us at an early age, this Malinois mixed dog with great coloring and excellent obedience has blessed our house with gentleness.  Thriving on MilkBones, she routinely does her duty in the back yard without a hitch.  Graying around the muzzle now has limited her to long naps and low snoring about the living room furniture.      I am writing this because she has become a part, and I hesitate in saying part, of our family.  One must realize that she is an animal.  She belongs to me.  I have final say in the number of her days.  As God has said, I am to be responsible for the “beasts” in my possession.       There is a blurring now days.  When $100 to $1000’s of dollars are spent to dress these domesticated ones up or to surround them with luxuries.  Thus, they have become the a...

  Secret Service Guitar chords (E, A, B7)   Woke up with brunch on my mind And with no wife to dine I drove solo to the local Johnnie Mars   It was a dismal rainy day Wondering if there’d be a place for me to stay Judging by the parking lot full of cars   "Wait to be seated" the sign read While others were being fed So, I humbly took my stand   At the counter right there The waitress showed me an empty chair Then suddenly by me sat an elderly man   Blue cap with veteran sewn upon Gold stitching told of a mission he'd been on Some years back he was eager to say   Another vet to his left caught his eye Before long they reminisced about days gone by While I quietly enjoyed my steak   Six years with the Air Force brought me in Although my cap didn’t announce when And with no medal with which to pin That day I became secret service That day I became secret service That day I was secret ser...

  The Brothers At Johnnie Mars Joshua 5      Went in for lunch today at a Sioux City icon.   Sitting at the counter, I conversed with a vet.   He was going to the honorary Vietnam supper tonight.   He had his cap to prove it. I wore mine, a simple baseball cap with an American flag on it.   To his side sat another vet.   His cap also told a story.   Mine, just a plain old cap.       Serving six years in the Air Force has meant nothing to me when comparing myself to those seeing combat.   I hesitate to say I served because I was medically discharged.   Someone recently told me not to discount it.   Everyone’s time looks different.   True, but a common thread links us.      God’s army crossed the Jordan with Joshua in the lead.   A certain thing lacked.   A loose end that Moses never tied up.   All the children born in the wilderness wandering were...

  Thirty Years Running Chords (G9, C9, F9) She was something special On a Friday night Made our own fireworks When I held her tight And that’s how it goes Yes, that’s how it goes When it’s thirty years running   When she said “I do” You know it was done Solemn oath taken Under the Son That’s how it goes Yes that’s how it goes When it’s thirty years running Pretty daughter Looking through the photos today Some are smoother Then the wrinkles she had in May But that’s how it goes Yes, that’s how it goes When it’s thirty years running When it's thirty years running      Mr. and Mrs. Cory Cvrk September 1, 1990 Reverend Bill Banks, Pastor Disciples of Christ Church Aurora, Colorado    

  Memories Chords (D, C, G)   I remember the proof We were in the family way Stage of life they say Comes in and blows away But those memories keep me warm Yes, the memories keep me warm On a cold day   She sure is busy Tending works under the Son Blessings from her open hand He rewards in what she’s done And those memories keep me warm Yes, the memories keep me warm On this cold day   Late tonight I’ll meet her When the lights have all drawn down Pillow talk will reassure me I don’t need to run around Still those memories keep me warm Yes, the memories keep me warm On a cold day On a cold day On this cold day

  I Remember Spanking, A Lot      Foolishness is surely bound up in the heart of a child.   We used a rod to drive it far from them.   Redirection meant nothing to us.   We did not reason with them.   Quick obedience is what we aimed for.   It was the bar.   Anything less met the hand of correction.      Steering a small army of seven meant the older served the younger.   Jackets, shoes, and such.   From command given to troop movement, time was essential if we were to be mobile.   If I called a name upstairs, the accepted response was “Coming!”      Their mother and I had no model of a large family.   Coming from a sibling a piece meant no streamlining.   Organization threatened little self-indulgences.   I typically enjoyed my own room.   Servanthood I did not know.   Marriage and family life shocked me when I was expected to sacrifice.   We...