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Dennis Anderson Poem
Monday night is my weekly Bible Study
An evening spent delving into God's word.
A night devoted to knowing Christ as my Savior
To not attend would be simply absurd.
Tuesday night is spent at the county prison
Sharing God's word with hard-core sinners.
Trying to lead them to repent and accept Christ as their Savior
In hopes they'll be transformed from losers to winners.
Wednesday night is spent at church
A midweek devotion so important to my life.
To praise God and thank Him for his many blessings
As Sunday service alone does not suffice.
Thursday is our weekly lunch at the diner
A great time to get to know my fellow Christians.
We break bread and we share God's word with each other
And often talk over our latest church mission.
Friday and Saturday I like to leave open-ended
Unless my church has something planned, in which case I attend.
I love my free time but would drop everything for
Participation in a church-sponsored event.
It's Sunday, dear God, and I kneel before thee
Grateful to be here in the House of the Lord.
Though you've bestowed so many blessing on me
I pray for just one more.
Please God, help me be closer to my children
As I've been neglecting their many needs.
I've given my life to Christ as my Savior
Yet somehow lost touch with those important to me.
I love you Lord, and love your son Jesus
For giving His life so I can be with you in eternity.
But please don't let my heavenly desires
Put a wall between my children and me.
So, I hope you'll forgive me if every once in a while
I skip a church event to stay home with my family.
To get reacquainted with them and put forth more effort
In being the parent I know you expect me to be.
My child, by all means spend time at home with your kids
When you are together, you should know I am there.
And when you want to have some alone time with your God
Trust me, they'll still know how much you care.
Be at home for your children and here for your church
Enjoy all your loved ones while you've got the chance.
From your prayer, I suggest you need only be mindful
Of the simple, yet profound gift of…balance.
Copyright © Dennis Anderson | Year Posted 2006
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Dennis Anderson Poem
I’ve often wondered, if it weren’t written in the Bible
Would I have done it anyway?
Would I have given the same honor to my mother and father
And faithfully reverenced God every Sabbath day?
Would I have upheld my code just as passionately
In treating others as I’ve always hoped to be?
If I hadn’t read it or been told it was proper
Would I still be praying each night on bended knee?
At the altar, was it the mouthing of written vows
That kept me loyal and faithful to my wife?
Or only for the command having been chiseled in stone
That I’ve not taken another man’s life?
As a country, why only after laws had been written
Were women finally permitted to cast a vote?
And blacks given the freedom that should never have been taken
What were we pretending back then not to know?
Some opine man to be inherently good
Believing God’s word is written upon the tablets of their souls.
If true, then why all the lying and cheating and hate crimes
And why the distinction between friends and foe?
Bump a cup full of water from the table,
And it’s no surprise when only water spills to the floor
For we intuitively know, what’s been poured in will spill out
No sane man would expect anything more.
Likewise, we are all “full of”…something
Vessels brimming with both virtue and sin.
And when life “bumps” us what spills out will surely reveal
The content of the character we hold within.
When a pickpocket meets a saint he sees pockets,
And when a saint meets a sinner, he sees God’s child.
For it’s the lens of our souls that determines our sight
And how we see others always reflects what’s inside.
So, if God wrote anew, “You’re free to do as you wish
Forget the joys of heaven, and fear not the fires of hell.
Treat all men and women as your heart sees fit
With no future rewards to gain and no sword of justice to be felt.”
If, after such a command was written, you carried on
Loving your neighbor as yourself, come what may,
The Golden Rule has already been etched upon your heart
And rest assured, you would’ve done the right thing anyway!
Copyright © Dennis Anderson | Year Posted 2005
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Dennis Anderson Poem
Miss Mae, my Dad is a courageous and exciting man,
Who finds life a magnificent adventure.
But he is also a quiet and humble man
Of wholesome and simple pleasures.
You’ll nod your head thoughtfully when Dad shares his beliefs
‘Cause he responded when Jesus said, “Take up my yoke.”
And occasionally you’ll shake your head in disbelief
When he forgets the punch line of every single joke.
When he’s happy, you’ll know it by the warmth of his smile
And when he’s tired, he won’t hide it or try to pretend.
In a room full of guests, he’ll just turn off all the lights
And says good night and head off to bed.
If you’re not one who likes to share chores, I suggest…
Run from Dad if he asks you to bring him his bucket.
But Mae, if you’re ever in need of a proven hero,
Run to my Dad arms…I promise, you won’t regret it.
Here’s a perfect example that should speak volumes
About the character of the man by your side:
He spent 34 years in a profession where he willingly
Would risk everything to save another’s life.
You see he’s a man who puts others before himself
And will love and protect you through good times and bad.
He’s my Daddy, my mentor, Papa Tom to my children
And he’s the best friend that I’ve ever had.
My heart broke for you Dad, into a thousand pieces
When we lost Mom on that fateful day.
But today my heart sings for you with infinite joy
For fate leading you to someone so lovely as Mae.
I salute you Dad, for being my hero,
A man I have so poorly tried to imitate.
And I honor you Mae, for being the woman
So richly blessing my Dad’s life as his mate.
So, now that you’re married and starting your journey
And have shared your vows and committed your hearts,
A Toast:
Dad and…Mom, may your worst days together
Be better than your best days apart.
Copyright © Dennis Anderson | Year Posted 2005
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Dennis Anderson Poem
As we pledge our allegiance to the flag
Together in gratitude, let us join in prayer,
For the millions before us who gave their lives
Defending our privilege to breathe Liberty’s air.
Oh say can you see the blessings we share
‘Neath purple mountains and spacious skies?
For our amber waves of grain grow in soil tinted red
By the blood of Patriots who laid down their lives.
My country, ‘tis of thee my heart sings
And upon whom God has shed His Grace.
My country, ‘tis to thee I pray you will always
Sing as one voice for our future children’s sake.
You’re a grand old flag; you’re our Star Spangled Banner
And I salute the virtues o’er which you are wavin’.
You fly proudly as a Beacon of Hope and assurance
For the tired and weak who flee to you for safe haven.
If tomorrow all the things were gone
For which we’ve toiled for over 200 years,
May we one day look into the face of our God
With no regrets for our efforts, blood, sweat and tears.
And, when in the course of human events
It becomes necessary to defend Liberty and Justice for all.
May we hold strong as brothers and sisters under one Father
Or together, we will most certainly fall.
God bless our leaders both here and abroad
May their souls be confirmed in self-control.
And God Bless us all with the wisdom to support the defense
Of Freedom and Democracy for all.
Our Father who art in Heaven,
I’d like to teach the world to sing,
A song that knows no language barriers
A song of love and peace and harmony.
From the mountains, to the prairies,
To the oceans, white foam,
Happy Birthday, dear America,
You are my home, sweet home.
Copyright © Dennis Anderson | Year Posted 2005
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