V1
Our words have power, beginning to end.
The power to heal and the power to mend.
And words of compassion can build up this world.
While words of destruction can tear down the whole.
C
Our greatest power is the words of our soul.
Choose these words wisely, for you have control.
And God who is glory and found us in night,
broke down the darkness and said,
let there be light.
Let there be light.
V2
Our power comes from our God above.
Made our whole world and filled it with love.
And then God spoke the words of creation,
making the scripture our inspiration.
C
Our greatest power is the words of our soul.
Choose these words wisely, for you have control.
And God who is glory and found us in night,
broke down the darkness and said,
let there be light.
Let there be light.
B
In the Beginning was the word,
so watch your words and mind your mouth.
Say what's right and use God's might.
In the Beginning was the word,
so watch your words and mind your mouth.
Say what's right and use God's might.
C
Our greatest power is the words of our soul.
Choose these words wisely, for you have control.
And God who is glory and found us in night,
broke down the darkness and said...
Our greatest power is the words of our soul.
Choose these words wisely, for you have control.
And God who is glory and found us in night,
broke down the darkness and said,
let there be light.
Let there be light.
Let there be light.
Let there be light.
Sunday, August 7, 2011
Renga 4
Walking up the trail
silence echoing in me
Hey, it's God calling
I stop and listen
enlightenment in these words
never seems to cease
Wonder at the words
calling me to be more than
I thought I could be
Even in silence,
He is there for me and you
speaking through the word
Telling words of joy,
peace, prosperity and love
He supports us all
All throughout the world
shining through all the people
He lives within us
silence echoing in me
Hey, it's God calling
I stop and listen
enlightenment in these words
never seems to cease
Wonder at the words
calling me to be more than
I thought I could be
Even in silence,
He is there for me and you
speaking through the word
Telling words of joy,
peace, prosperity and love
He supports us all
All throughout the world
shining through all the people
He lives within us
Renga 3
Many worlds collide
in an artist colony
creative spirit
Art is everywhere
He is around, helping us
be more like ourselves
To show us the way
an expression from our soul
peace is an all art
Words speak out from us
like the eternal flame burns
telling our stories
Our stories are truth
His words are reality
from which we find hope
He gave us these gifts
to stop the flow of our sin
we tell them stories
in an artist colony
creative spirit
Art is everywhere
He is around, helping us
be more like ourselves
To show us the way
an expression from our soul
peace is an all art
Words speak out from us
like the eternal flame burns
telling our stories
Our stories are truth
His words are reality
from which we find hope
He gave us these gifts
to stop the flow of our sin
we tell them stories
Renga 2
In the leaves of trees
the wind blows and the bees hum
spirit in flowers
The wind blows the leaves
the trees and grasses whisper
God's voice you can hear
We can hear them sway
it moves something inside us
and touches our soul
The breeze is cooling
heavenly to my warm face
blessings of breeze
Whisper on the wind
I can hear God calling me
don't know what to think
God will protect me
saving my soul from evil
I am safe with God
the wind blows and the bees hum
spirit in flowers
The wind blows the leaves
the trees and grasses whisper
God's voice you can hear
We can hear them sway
it moves something inside us
and touches our soul
The breeze is cooling
heavenly to my warm face
blessings of breeze
Whisper on the wind
I can hear God calling me
don't know what to think
God will protect me
saving my soul from evil
I am safe with God
Renga 1
I always see God
in happiness of family
its the greatest light
Friends and family
God shines his light upon them
they make us happy
Happiness echoes
smiles and hugs of family
showing us glory
Sunshine in faces
brightening up the night sky
a new day is here
When our loved ones come
shining like the sun above
making our days bright
God is abundant
God is in all families
even those that fight
in happiness of family
its the greatest light
Friends and family
God shines his light upon them
they make us happy
Happiness echoes
smiles and hugs of family
showing us glory
Sunshine in faces
brightening up the night sky
a new day is here
When our loved ones come
shining like the sun above
making our days bright
God is abundant
God is in all families
even those that fight
Thursday, December 9, 2010
Humans and Heroes
Humans are in an endless struggle to become stronger, or smarter, or better than others. They will go to extreme means to achieve the ultimate goal of becoming the best. Many humans believe the easiest way to become better is to take a person and copy them. They attempt to emulate this figure in actions and dress; to name just a few. Thus, it is very easy to tell much about a person once his or her hero is known. Different types of people will have different heroes, for they are attempting to present a different view of life to other people. With the continual battle to become the ultima, humans find a focal point in society, whether it be a single person or many, and replicate them; there is much to be found by viewing a person’s hero.
Humans are evil. In a solitary state humans do not care about others and will do anything if it feels good, but, this is only if the human is alone and has been alone for their entire life. Granted this is not a practical scenario; therefore, we must see how humans act in a group. Surprisingly, this is very similar to what was previously stated. Humans are still evil, just in a different way. In any group of humans there will be one in control; the dominant one. This dominant human will most likely be very kind or very harsh. Both ways they are simply attempting to get the most recognition possible, and become the most powerful they can. This is how heroes are formed. When the aforementioned groups are formed, others outside of those groups look upon them. They see how that one person has become wanted and popular; much unlike themselves. These ‘outcasts,’ so to speak, then attempt to emulate and copy the person in power. This figure in power then becomes their hero. In a large group, humans are machines of conformity. With every society in the world there is the natural view; what everyone should be like, how they should dress, what they should do. Many times, this natural view is formed by a man or woman in a position of power. Because this person has power, he or she is also a hero to many people. They see how that one person acts and attempts to conform to them, unintentionally copying everyone else, but, when a human sees that they fit in, they find themselves much more relaxed and at ease; they have been able to avoid that so called horrid outcast position. Knowing that a person will copy their hero, enables us to learn many things about a person; just by knowing their hero.
As humans observe their hero figure, they change themselves to become progressively more and more like them. At first it may be simple things; changing the way one dresses slightly, or adjusting their speech. Soon after this, though, these changes will become more pronounced and obvious. The person may also take up habits or activities that their hero does.
Jim Eager, a student at Cheshire High School, believes his hero to be Kurt Cobain. When Jim was younger, he heard Nirvana’s music and became a fan of Cobain. Since then, Jim has learned how to play the guitar and started his own band. Clearly, Eager found that many people were also fans of Cobain and believed that if he became part of a band he would also become more popular. In his interview Eager stated, “He’s his own guy, he doesn’t follow the norms, especially when he should.” Knowing this and also knowing that we can understand how a person acts through his hero, we can assume that Eager is very socially active and has many friends. I, knowing Eager personally, can confirm this as a fact. A few years ago, though, Eager was not as open to new people and ideas.
Another individual who has changed for the better because of their hero would be Stephanie Zucker. Zucker’s parents divorced when she was young. When Zucker heard a story about a surfer having her arm ripped off by a shark and having to swim back to the shore, it encouraged Zucker to keep a positive outlook on life, even through the bad times. “I think this story has made me a stronger person and allows me to see the good side to everything.” The key word in this statement is ‘stronger.’ Even though this helped her through a difficult time in her life, Zucker was still attempting to become a stronger person.
Zucker and Eager show the two different ways a hero may affect a person. In Eager’s story he was changed in a more materialistic way, while Zucker was changed on a deeper level to get through her family troubles. In each story the way the hero affected the person was obvious before it even came. In this way humans are predictable and, to an extent, shallow.
Humans are animals of habit. We like the same thing day in and day out, with little variation and few surprises. Contrary to this, we believe that if we were to have different things happen every day, we would be happier people, but, when the opportunity arises for us to break from our normal schedule, we often skip it without a second thought. It is in this way of life that we will never be able to achieve what our heroes before us have. If we can’t shake free from our natural chains, and become something better, something stronger, then our world is destined to stay as it is now. This is an extremely challenging thing to do, and most people will not; they fear they will fall short of what they are attempting to do. In this way, heroes are necessary. Heroes are what push the rest of society to do what they would have otherwise thought impossible; to break the norms, and to make the world a better place. Without heroes, humans would believe it impossible to shatter the dull atmosphere that we surround ourselves with, but, because each person has a hero they are attempting to emulate, we may just be able to tear apart all the norms of the modern world, and create a much more open and powerful place to live.
Heroes are what keep this world alive. If humans had no heroes, no role models, no anyone, then we would simply revert to a primeval state of ignorance and arrogance. From our heroes we are able to learn more about ourselves and others, to make our beings stronger and more full, and we are able to keep this world from falling apart. Heroes are a necessary aspect of life, and it is important that we all have some form of a hero, to look up to and, furthermore, to become the best person we are able.
~Tyler
Humans are evil. In a solitary state humans do not care about others and will do anything if it feels good, but, this is only if the human is alone and has been alone for their entire life. Granted this is not a practical scenario; therefore, we must see how humans act in a group. Surprisingly, this is very similar to what was previously stated. Humans are still evil, just in a different way. In any group of humans there will be one in control; the dominant one. This dominant human will most likely be very kind or very harsh. Both ways they are simply attempting to get the most recognition possible, and become the most powerful they can. This is how heroes are formed. When the aforementioned groups are formed, others outside of those groups look upon them. They see how that one person has become wanted and popular; much unlike themselves. These ‘outcasts,’ so to speak, then attempt to emulate and copy the person in power. This figure in power then becomes their hero. In a large group, humans are machines of conformity. With every society in the world there is the natural view; what everyone should be like, how they should dress, what they should do. Many times, this natural view is formed by a man or woman in a position of power. Because this person has power, he or she is also a hero to many people. They see how that one person acts and attempts to conform to them, unintentionally copying everyone else, but, when a human sees that they fit in, they find themselves much more relaxed and at ease; they have been able to avoid that so called horrid outcast position. Knowing that a person will copy their hero, enables us to learn many things about a person; just by knowing their hero.
As humans observe their hero figure, they change themselves to become progressively more and more like them. At first it may be simple things; changing the way one dresses slightly, or adjusting their speech. Soon after this, though, these changes will become more pronounced and obvious. The person may also take up habits or activities that their hero does.
Jim Eager, a student at Cheshire High School, believes his hero to be Kurt Cobain. When Jim was younger, he heard Nirvana’s music and became a fan of Cobain. Since then, Jim has learned how to play the guitar and started his own band. Clearly, Eager found that many people were also fans of Cobain and believed that if he became part of a band he would also become more popular. In his interview Eager stated, “He’s his own guy, he doesn’t follow the norms, especially when he should.” Knowing this and also knowing that we can understand how a person acts through his hero, we can assume that Eager is very socially active and has many friends. I, knowing Eager personally, can confirm this as a fact. A few years ago, though, Eager was not as open to new people and ideas.
Another individual who has changed for the better because of their hero would be Stephanie Zucker. Zucker’s parents divorced when she was young. When Zucker heard a story about a surfer having her arm ripped off by a shark and having to swim back to the shore, it encouraged Zucker to keep a positive outlook on life, even through the bad times. “I think this story has made me a stronger person and allows me to see the good side to everything.” The key word in this statement is ‘stronger.’ Even though this helped her through a difficult time in her life, Zucker was still attempting to become a stronger person.
Zucker and Eager show the two different ways a hero may affect a person. In Eager’s story he was changed in a more materialistic way, while Zucker was changed on a deeper level to get through her family troubles. In each story the way the hero affected the person was obvious before it even came. In this way humans are predictable and, to an extent, shallow.
Humans are animals of habit. We like the same thing day in and day out, with little variation and few surprises. Contrary to this, we believe that if we were to have different things happen every day, we would be happier people, but, when the opportunity arises for us to break from our normal schedule, we often skip it without a second thought. It is in this way of life that we will never be able to achieve what our heroes before us have. If we can’t shake free from our natural chains, and become something better, something stronger, then our world is destined to stay as it is now. This is an extremely challenging thing to do, and most people will not; they fear they will fall short of what they are attempting to do. In this way, heroes are necessary. Heroes are what push the rest of society to do what they would have otherwise thought impossible; to break the norms, and to make the world a better place. Without heroes, humans would believe it impossible to shatter the dull atmosphere that we surround ourselves with, but, because each person has a hero they are attempting to emulate, we may just be able to tear apart all the norms of the modern world, and create a much more open and powerful place to live.
Heroes are what keep this world alive. If humans had no heroes, no role models, no anyone, then we would simply revert to a primeval state of ignorance and arrogance. From our heroes we are able to learn more about ourselves and others, to make our beings stronger and more full, and we are able to keep this world from falling apart. Heroes are a necessary aspect of life, and it is important that we all have some form of a hero, to look up to and, furthermore, to become the best person we are able.
~Tyler
Tuesday, November 2, 2010
The Liar & A Response to The Liar
I spin for you a lie,
create for you a fantasy,
a protective web
to wrap you in.
You must believe
that here is safe.
You must believe
that this place
is special
because it is special to me.
I invite you to spin with me
weave with me
a tapestry
to wrap us in.
You must help
if here is to be safe.
I want to make
this place
as special to you
as it is to me.
There can be no pain here.
I have known pain here.
I cannot let mine show.
How much of mine
should I let show
for you to take our creation seriously?
I must be always happy
so you will think I always am.
You must believe
that wrong does not exist here,
that no harm can be done here.
Wrong does not exist here
No harm done here
that we do not spin for ourselves
And so I must be fair
with both you and me
so that here can always be
a safe community.
Brendan & Josh
create for you a fantasy,
a protective web
to wrap you in.
You must believe
that here is safe.
You must believe
that this place
is special
because it is special to me.
I invite you to spin with me
weave with me
a tapestry
to wrap us in.
You must help
if here is to be safe.
I want to make
this place
as special to you
as it is to me.
There can be no pain here.
I have known pain here.
I cannot let mine show.
How much of mine
should I let show
for you to take our creation seriously?
I must be always happy
so you will think I always am.
You must believe
that wrong does not exist here,
that no harm can be done here.
Wrong does not exist here
No harm done here
that we do not spin for ourselves
And so I must be fair
with both you and me
so that here can always be
a safe community.
Brendan & Josh
Haiku on Ephesians 4:14 and a Toy Reindeer
No longer children
tossed to and fro blown about
spring driven reindeer
stupid and smiling
potential energy slave
suction cup reindeer
We must not be like
a suction cup and a spring
ridiculous toys
The hand presses down
suction cup and spring waiting
people's trickery
Tricksy reindeer of
deceitful trickery scheme
Jump away from me
~Josh
tossed to and fro blown about
spring driven reindeer
stupid and smiling
potential energy slave
suction cup reindeer
We must not be like
a suction cup and a spring
ridiculous toys
The hand presses down
suction cup and spring waiting
people's trickery
Tricksy reindeer of
deceitful trickery scheme
Jump away from me
~Josh
Renga XIII
Nature, God is seen
Silver Lake is one of these
we are connected
Through the trunks and leaves
strong like a friendship's bond
He is in the trees
In each bird that sings
present and always with us
watching from the sky
With every bright soul
a new follower of Him
congregate as one
The calm lake glitters
reflecting inner peace
They sing in joy
In the dining hall
we feel each other's presence
outside the world turns
Silver Lake is one of these
we are connected
Through the trunks and leaves
strong like a friendship's bond
He is in the trees
In each bird that sings
present and always with us
watching from the sky
With every bright soul
a new follower of Him
congregate as one
The calm lake glitters
reflecting inner peace
They sing in joy
In the dining hall
we feel each other's presence
outside the world turns
Renga XII
Tragedy just came
heavy weight of God's children
they join hands as one
Together hope grows
leaning upon each other
allied we are strong
Pain can leave deep scars
however, hope helps them heal
in the end its good
Tears of agony
nourish young seeds like lost souls
hope accumulates
We each bear burdens
when we carry what is not ours
God will strengthen us
Reach for God's arms
spiritual unity
we are all as one
heavy weight of God's children
they join hands as one
Together hope grows
leaning upon each other
allied we are strong
Pain can leave deep scars
however, hope helps them heal
in the end its good
Tears of agony
nourish young seeds like lost souls
hope accumulates
We each bear burdens
when we carry what is not ours
God will strengthen us
Reach for God's arms
spiritual unity
we are all as one
Renga XI
Snowboarding is art
shredding through the intense glades
truly a passion
Passion is in Him
passion is in us as well
we are always loved
Love is pure white snow
falling gently to the world
unforseen like joy
Many forms of joy
led by happiness and laughs
God fills all of us
Passion, simple light
love, present beauty astounding
joy, resounding life
Insane joy in you
adrenaline laces with love
and His holy light
shredding through the intense glades
truly a passion
Passion is in Him
passion is in us as well
we are always loved
Love is pure white snow
falling gently to the world
unforseen like joy
Many forms of joy
led by happiness and laughs
God fills all of us
Passion, simple light
love, present beauty astounding
joy, resounding life
Insane joy in you
adrenaline laces with love
and His holy light
Renga X
An eternity
filled with bright sparkling lights
in an inky black
The final frontier
a void of exploration
a blanket of dreams
What light do you see?
does the darkness cover you?
There are no shadows
A pinprick of light
far off on the horizon
I know God is near
Light invades all dark
let light shine out of your soul
gleaming forever
A dancing shadow
A tryst between light and dark
clouding hearts and souls
filled with bright sparkling lights
in an inky black
The final frontier
a void of exploration
a blanket of dreams
What light do you see?
does the darkness cover you?
There are no shadows
A pinprick of light
far off on the horizon
I know God is near
Light invades all dark
let light shine out of your soul
gleaming forever
A dancing shadow
A tryst between light and dark
clouding hearts and souls
Sunday, October 31, 2010
Exploding Pancake Poem
There was once a girl named Abby.
She thought, ‘I’ll have pancakes maybe!’
She cooked for hours and hours,
Baking till she had several large towers.
Sitting in a chair, knife and fork in hand,
She took a large bite but they were bland!
Disgusted, she strode to the syrup,
And poured it in a large measuring cup.
Dumping it upon the pancakes she sits,
As soon as it hits it’s a blitz.
Shoving pancake after pancake in her mouth,
This is where our story begins to turn south.
These pancakes built up in her stomach,
Then there was a sound like an earth quake.
Oozing out of her every pour came batter,
Now this is truly a serious matter
For once you begin to explode you cannot stop,
You will grow and grow and grow, till, SLOP!
And this is just what happened to poor Abby,
Oozing out till she was bone-dry.
So remember kids, if you ever eat pancakes,
Never make this mistake.
~Tyler
She thought, ‘I’ll have pancakes maybe!’
She cooked for hours and hours,
Baking till she had several large towers.
Sitting in a chair, knife and fork in hand,
She took a large bite but they were bland!
Disgusted, she strode to the syrup,
And poured it in a large measuring cup.
Dumping it upon the pancakes she sits,
As soon as it hits it’s a blitz.
Shoving pancake after pancake in her mouth,
This is where our story begins to turn south.
These pancakes built up in her stomach,
Then there was a sound like an earth quake.
Oozing out of her every pour came batter,
Now this is truly a serious matter
For once you begin to explode you cannot stop,
You will grow and grow and grow, till, SLOP!
And this is just what happened to poor Abby,
Oozing out till she was bone-dry.
So remember kids, if you ever eat pancakes,
Never make this mistake.
~Tyler
Saturday, October 16, 2010
Pipe and Smoke
The pipe lays upon the desk.
The smoke floats up upon the air.
Bending sweet light,
It flies ever higher.
Peaceful redwood,
Burning brilliant red light.
The man sits upon the chair.
The head cradled in his hands.
Thoughts rebounding,
Resounding in his mind.
Time is shattered,
With his back to the world.
~Tyler
The smoke floats up upon the air.
Bending sweet light,
It flies ever higher.
Peaceful redwood,
Burning brilliant red light.
The man sits upon the chair.
The head cradled in his hands.
Thoughts rebounding,
Resounding in his mind.
Time is shattered,
With his back to the world.
~Tyler
Sunday, August 29, 2010
Ivory Towers
i always imagined visiting you
in the ivory towers of your mind,
visiting where you had chosen
to spend eternity.
tears would stroke my cheeks,
flowers would stroke your name
engraved in the ground.
my heart would spin,
and i would pray.
i would thank you for teaching me
how to soar above my
wildest dreams.
i would bring my children
to visit you
and tell them of your hugs,
your laugh, and your smile.
but now a black crow will soar above us
as we try to morn.
and after that bird,
an unfathomable storm will arrive.
the wind whistles, "mama, mama."
sounds of feet beating the pavement
fill the air.
"mama, mama, mama!"
~Abby
in the ivory towers of your mind,
visiting where you had chosen
to spend eternity.
tears would stroke my cheeks,
flowers would stroke your name
engraved in the ground.
my heart would spin,
and i would pray.
i would thank you for teaching me
how to soar above my
wildest dreams.
i would bring my children
to visit you
and tell them of your hugs,
your laugh, and your smile.
but now a black crow will soar above us
as we try to morn.
and after that bird,
an unfathomable storm will arrive.
the wind whistles, "mama, mama."
sounds of feet beating the pavement
fill the air.
"mama, mama, mama!"
~Abby
Renga IX
Brilliant bright sin
we all sense His glowing warmth
it gives us such strength
The sun radiates
sharing our brotherly love
His love warms all
His glorious love
shining down upon us all
strengthens and renews
His world relaxes
pink fades to purple and blue
sunset, twilight, dusk
Darkest curtain falls
solar yields to lunar glow
our memories fade
God is all our light
shining brighter than the sun
fills the big wide sky
we all sense His glowing warmth
it gives us such strength
The sun radiates
sharing our brotherly love
His love warms all
His glorious love
shining down upon us all
strengthens and renews
His world relaxes
pink fades to purple and blue
sunset, twilight, dusk
Darkest curtain falls
solar yields to lunar glow
our memories fade
God is all our light
shining brighter than the sun
fills the big wide sky
Renga VIII
God in all people
they can see Him in themselves
He knows and sees all
God is all people
we all have parts and pieces
God shining through us
All people in God
She encompasses us all
embraces her work
People are all God
our parts and pieces make God
He sees and we shine
God lives inside us
God is in everybody
We see Him every day
Holy spirit: us
as long as we don't lose faith
we will never die
they can see Him in themselves
He knows and sees all
God is all people
we all have parts and pieces
God shining through us
All people in God
She encompasses us all
embraces her work
People are all God
our parts and pieces make God
He sees and we shine
God lives inside us
God is in everybody
We see Him every day
Holy spirit: us
as long as we don't lose faith
we will never die
Tuesday, August 24, 2010
Dragons
Two dragons in a knot,
bound by song and bound by hand,
bound to fight and bound to stand,
bound to wage eternal war,
and never be parted by a strapling boy.
Who can change their constant wheel?
None I know of mortal flesh or bone,
and certainly no boy,
however old,
whether he live forward
or back,
whether he crown a king
or no.
The dragons are eternal,
surviving in the hearts of minds
and not the bones of stone.
Back beyond the mist and flame,
back beyond the circles built of rock,
the circles caked in blood and shattered minds,
where religions came to life and death,
the dragons dwelled
and still remain.
There amidst dances to the sun and moon,
sacrifices to the yawning sky;
the dragons' breath roars ever on
and the planet spins on fire's fuel.
-Brendan
bound by song and bound by hand,
bound to fight and bound to stand,
bound to wage eternal war,
and never be parted by a strapling boy.
Who can change their constant wheel?
None I know of mortal flesh or bone,
and certainly no boy,
however old,
whether he live forward
or back,
whether he crown a king
or no.
The dragons are eternal,
surviving in the hearts of minds
and not the bones of stone.
Back beyond the mist and flame,
back beyond the circles built of rock,
the circles caked in blood and shattered minds,
where religions came to life and death,
the dragons dwelled
and still remain.
There amidst dances to the sun and moon,
sacrifices to the yawning sky;
the dragons' breath roars ever on
and the planet spins on fire's fuel.
-Brendan
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