These works were inspired by Shalom UCC:

• You see, see?
• As newest member of the clan, I sat in silent form
• While the congress of the kin deliberated scorn
• The hallowed hollow echoed there; their voices chattered clear
• And yet I knew this soon would end, and we'd move on from here.
• There'd been a death amongst the trust, the children and the pride.
• It's said the elders took the lead to speed the ghostly ride.
• For quick was met a mighty blow that felled the leader there,
• Now talk was cheapened to the task of filling Father's chair.
• My task, I chose, is to begin as if the seat is filled,
• For God has given work to do, to me this work was willed.
• And so, dear gathered family, I sorrow at your loss,
• But lean upon my shoulders and I'll help you clean the cross.
• (c) 1992 David Brager

• Accounts Payable
• The storm clouds opened to release the falling of sunlight
• Which quickly was obliterated with coming of the night,
• How soon will light return to us? Its really hard to tell
• As soon as we return our love to God and not to Hell.1
• God is one who clothes the world with kindness, life and love
• All things which money cannot buy, these gifts from up above
• Yet we are all indebted for the goodness the Lord feeds
• To help us turn to help mankind and turn away from greed.2
• All mankind, upon this time, has turned away once more
• From loving God and Humankind, expending guilt and gore
• Do you not see that Jesus came to bring us back to God?
• There's more to life than ownership of matter, might or blood.3
• Jesus asked us to consider life without possessions,
• As matter doesn't matter much when choosing life contentions.
• "You cannot serve God and Mannon " Jesus pleaded us to hear
• Your Accounts are only Payable in Loving, Trust, and Tears.4
• Sources:
• 1 Hosea 11: 1 to 11
• 2 Psalm 107: 1 to 7
• 3 1 Timothy 2:1 to 7
• 4 Luke 16:1 to 13
• (c) 1992 David Brager
• Four Letter Words
• A great harvest is blessed on us in everything we till
• And from these efforts, nourishment enough is there for all
• As we shall see, the Lord's in thee, in everything you do
• If you take time to thank the Lord and let his spirit through. 1
• Lovingkindness is the answer to the final test,
• As who you love and how you love takes tolls above the rest
• Within a whim, God can give in and turn your life around,
• Or scatter all you treasure leaving you alone and bound. 2
• An IRA may pave the way to future plans and needs
• But tons of bucks in garbage trucks will surely reek of greed.
• If others didn't horde and store, there's food for everyone
• Just as darkness would be ours if no one shared the sun. 3
• Lazarus, the sufferer, is safely taken care
• As God has little pity for those who will never share
• So in the moral of the day, we learn a little more
• That there are no four letter words much worse than "Rich" or "Poor"4
• (c) 1992 David Brager
• 16th Sunday after Pentecost
• Adaptations from:
• 1 Joel 2:23-30
• 2 Psalm 107:1, 33-43
• 3 1 Timothy 6:6-19
• 4 Luke 16:19-31