Deeper Furrow

  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 came from no large family.   Mine catered to  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 trained our children oppositely.      I reme...

  What He Prepares Us For      We will not grieve as those who have no hope.   When life breath stops, we look to Another to take them away.   He bridges our gap of understanding.   From what we see unto the eternal, His word assures final victory.   So, we sow our tears in hope knowing we shall reap a consolation.      I watched her frame lie in bed.   On a sunny day with family around, we watched as the nurse pronounced her dead.   Final breath left and closure ending its work, a great sigh left relieving the tension of months prior.   They saw her decline and now to final rest.       Jesus talks of our spirits.   How tied they are with our souls.   Although her body showed no signs, her awareness was never greater.   I sang a song personally to her.   Believing she heard every word, I laughed and made conversation while comforting her.   She was free...

  The Secret      September 1, 1990.   That’s a good date for marriage.   Today puts our days together past thirty-four years.   Of course, being equally yoked and with Jesus as hope of change, puts an immense advantage.   Another component keeps the spin.      I find Laura Anne Cvrk an incredibly interesting person.   She does not showboat herself, so I ask twenty questions while prodding her ways.   Whether it be in the kitchen or at the sewing table, she works her crafts and produces the goods.   I am commanded to dwell with my wife with understanding.   I am to pay attention to her.   Deliberately.   On purpose.      One way I have found is to come along beside her.   We kid ourselves in becoming “Wonder Twins” (an old T.V. cartoon).   Church effort is a great outreach that keeps our house healthy, spunky with new thoughts and challenges.   A greate...

  No Right Angles      Idolatry is our tangible imagination.   Since Man thinks upon an X,Y, and Z axis, our creations reflect limitations in spatial arrangement and time.   We indeed are “block heads.”   When God does something new, He manifests His own superiority. Exodus 20:25  “ And if thou wilt make Me an altar of stone, thou shalt not build it of hewn stone : for if thou lift up thy tool upon it, thou hast polluted it. ”      Masonry brick is very convenient.   Bearing the marks of Man, its form is purely functional as each is identical.   Conformity is strictly implied through straight lines of congregate.   Hence, the builder has no use for the individual.   Effort, efficiency, and return dictate the plan.   God is not so. 1 Peter 2: 4   “ Coming to Him  as to  a living stone, rejected indeed by men, but chosen by God  and  precious, ”   ...

  We Come Together       When all things are brought under Him, we shall rejoice.   When all saints meet, true fellowship will last forever.   Many have gone before.   All will be summed up under His wings.   We come together.   It is our destination.      Gatherings now are but a shadow of light unveiled to come.   As ones about a fire, our faces will glow with the radiance of the Source.   It is His promise.   Our given faith we have rested upon His word.      Forever is a long time.   Do we really want to be with Him for a time undetermined?   Forbearing Hell and ignoring punishment, can we say we want to be in His presence without end?   The Man we have so learned.   His spirit of meekness and gentleness yet challenging as Master.   Are we under His rule today?   Are we settled with His authority?   Clearly Heaven obeys.   There ...

  When He Comes Calling Hebrews 3:15  “ While it is said, To day if ye will hear his voice , harden not your hearts, as in the provocation. ”      Everyone hears a still small voice I heard a man say.   God has given us a conscience.   When things don’t seem right in the world and conflicts ensue, He comes to offer another way.   His voice is heard in grandparents, parents, and even the police.   If we are sensitive to listen, His voice we understand as guidance willfully accepted.   So today, listen for Wisdom as she mothers us in the nest.   How willing she is to advise!   Often contrary to our presumptions, she introduces us to reality around.   What we think and what becomes are different.   She gently shows us the disagreement.      God is the great corrector.   Yes, He prunes but He also trains the tender shoots to the trellis.   A master gardener knows His own, their pec...

  What Is Wisdom? James 3:17 (NKJV) “But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, “ My motive is not to be mixed, only love 100%. “then peaceable,” Peace is the test that I am not trying to manipulate. “gentle,” My words are not to inflict injury. “ willing to yield, I am to move in meekness, not wanting to fight. “full of mercy and good fruits,” Under God’s grace I will bear fruits of the Spirit. “without partiality” I do not choose to gain approval or status. “without hypocrisy.” I am to live what I quote.   So, please help me God.  

  Hebrews 3      I live at 2015 South Nicollet Street.   Sioux City, Ia.   It’s a big house.   It has three entry doors, two of which have accesses guaranteed by a numeric code on the lock.   I decide who is invited and who is shunned.   In the event my home is intruded upon, I will call the police to forcefully evict the perpetrator.      God is similar.   He, according to metaphor, has built a house.   He has marked the door and proclaimed the only entry is through His Son.   Not through a window, rather all must bow to be invited.    Blood be upon the exterior lintels.   The guest must honor the liking and adhere to the conditions set forth.   It is said, “All who call upon the name of the Lord will be saved.”   Therefore, everyone who enters must confess whose blood was shed.   God has His rules.   Those who violate given protocol will find themselves forced of...

  No Surprises        Time is measured change.   Where there is no change, there is no time.   God's nature never changes.    He is above time since it is His creation.         Before the garden, He commissioned her to scribe the orderly changes He wrought in creation.   With  her written record, we seek to understand His dance with this elusive thing.   However, take to account, He is the one who leads.   Time simply follows His steps.      Wouldn’t we all like to know the future?   S eeing around life's bend would take all our anxiety away, right?   Hardly.     He holds our perceptions in His hand.   He rewards those who diligently seek Him.   Hence, He uncovers mysteries for those in deep standing with Him.   To those w illing to traverse the river, He gives firm footings who have left the bank in faith.      What t...